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 Siobharek 
Verrik
(7/15/03 11:48 pm)
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ezSupporter
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Going into the Recovered Temple - What about Hommlet?
Those of you with the patience to slog through my log may know that my group's about to go back to Hommlet. In a way I'd really like to make this a role-playing opportunity for them - it'll probably be the last bit of role-playing before the switch to AU.
But how? How do I avoid making the movers and shakers of Hommlet look like ninnys who can't get off their butt when evil stirs in their back yard? In a way it resembles the situation in the beginning of the adventure when nobody wants to check out the moathouse, but this is worse, I think. And if I let Elmo and the druid tag along, they'll die. Period. Is that fun?
These questions are woefully general, I know, but I'd really appreciate any input you might give.
Thanks
Siobharek
...it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. |
madfox
Verrik
(7/16/03 12:31 am)
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Re: Going into the Recovered Temple - What about Hommlet?
Basically I think there are four types of reactions:
- There is no Temple of Elemental Evil, there is no threat. When confronted with evidence to the contrary, they either ignore it or become angry and lash out at the bringers of such news. Some of them actually might believe the evil is back, but they hope to be left alone if they remain quit and do not draw too much attention. The reaction of the Ministry of Magic to the news of the return of Voldemort in the new Harry Potter is a prime example of such behaviour. [My appologies for the Potter reference.]
- Lets talk with those evil cultists, I am sure they are not nearly as evil as people make them out to be. We can come to an agreement with them, so there will be peace. In RL this is a rather common reaction to the rise of a tyran, just take a look at how the world dealt with the rise of Hitler in the 30ties in the previous century. In Greyhawk though this might not be too common a reaction. The forces of evil and good are real in D&D and there is little to no question about how evil the cult is. Though with some PR from the cult, the inhabitants of Hommlet might not even realize with what exactly they are dealing and they might not believe any evidence to the conterary.
- The evil is there, lets strike as quickly as possible. Since this reaction is probably not very well liked by most of the inhabitants, people following these believes might be treated cooly or even with hostility by the other inhabitants of Hommlet. These people would also be prime targets for the cult to assassinate and as you already said, killing them would be real easy for the cult. Perhaps the more level-headed of these people have formed a secret group. At the moment this group is gathering information in secret. They would see the arrival of the PCs as a great oppertunity. They would approach them in secret and hand them the information. Knowing that their skills are too weak to be able to fight the cult directly, they would not travel along. The none-level headed though would be so open and brass about the cult that the cult cannot kill them without drawing too much attention. These might come along with the PCs and they would be horribly killed.
Now which NPC belongs to which group should be up to you. Though people like Yves, the druid and Elmo would probably belong the last group (the more level-headed faction). The two leaders of the town might belong to group one or two, depending on what you want to do with them. Still, the town really need a prohpet kind of person that walks around shouting openly of the evil in the temple and shunned by the whole town as a result...
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Infiniti2000
Verrik
(7/16/03 6:10 am)
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ezSupporter
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Re: Going into the Recovered Temple - What about Hommlet?
"But how? How do I avoid making the movers and shakers of Hommlet look like ninnys who can't get off their butt when evil stirs in their back yard?"
madfox's response is great. That said, I'll offer further suggestions. When I look at Hommlet, I see a town bristling with bureaucracy despite the small size. Although Rufus and Burne are "in charge" they were only granted "rule" by their superiors. It's perfectly reasonable to assume that only really major decisions must be passed up the line. Guess what, that takes time unless Burne plans to use magic. Why not have a courier deliver the official request to the leaders of Verbobonc, who must then pass it on to ... whoever. The courier could easily be intercepted by the cult, or even be a member of the cult, delivering a false message and reply. Jaroo, if still available, would be ideal to handle this situation. In fact, Jaroo should be present through all meetings with Burne and Rufus has a servant at least.
"And if I let Elmo and the druid tag along, they'll die. Period. Is that fun?"
Sure, it's fun! People are always willing to die for causes, despite how impossible or ridiculous they may seem. I see no need to point out examples in RL, but I'm sure you can think of some. However, it's easy enough to explain the lack of involvement on either part should you decide you don't want them to tag along. For Elmo, he might be ordered not to join until the official response is received. Kella might not join because she needs to remain unnoticed until "help" arrives, or until she feels that a group as arrived that actually has a chance. Remember that of all people she might actually have a clue as to the power hidden within the Temple. If you want to forestall your party, this is how you do it. She could encourage them to not leave any loose ends behind them, as the work in the RT is not as close as the cult would otherwise want to believe.
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Siobharek
Verrik
(7/16/03 6:25 am)
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ezSupporter
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Re: Going into the Recovered Temple - What about Hommlet?
Using Kella to make the party slow down is very good, as iare madfox' suggestions. Thanks to both of you.
I think I'll have Kella be down in the dungeons when the group reaches Hommlet and then I'll have Elmo tag along (and get killed).
As to Byrne and Rufus, the bureaucracy angle will work very well in my group's context. Thanks a lot, both of you.
Siobharek
...it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. |
Thrommel
Runechild (mod)
Council of Magisters
(7/16/03 8:56 am)
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Re: Going into the Recovered Temple - What about Hommlet?
Couple of other ideas:
o - They've already tried to take on the Temple themselves. Burne's Badgers were dispatched to investigate. They never came back. Are they prisoners? Slaughtered? Everyone is too afraid to find out, but rumors run rampant.
Now, the town is in a panic. They've sent for help, but (to pick up the bureaucracy theme) it's slow in coming. The town is hunkered down and the various people are conflicted as to what to do. "We must act now to defend ourselves!" "No! We must wait for help!" This approach assumes the town even KNOWS what's going on out there. The module sets it up that no one has a clue.
o - Follow-up time. What happened now that the Mill is destroyed (if it was). Is there a replacement druid for Jaroo? Did any of the spies stay in town, and if so what kind of trouble are they brewing? Maybe they were found out and Y'Dey is getting suspicious. Was there any fallout from the moathouse? Time to bring some old details back around so your players remember just how long they've been playing this adventure.
o - Show some omens. Hommlet is the closest populated settlement to the Recovered Temple. There's no obvious indication that anything's stirring out there (recent patrols have turned up nothing - the DD's are keeping their typical low profile). However, all sorts of strange events are happening in town. Fires suddenly burn purple and incredibly hot. Water refuses to pour from a pitcher, no matter how much you turn the container upside down. People have been having strange, disturbing dreams. Eery moaning sounds have been heard coming from the moathouse. People are disturbed, but can't pinpoint the evil. There is much debate as to the actual cause. They don't think it's the Temple because there's no indication that Iuz, or Lolth, or even Zuggtmoy are involved.
This is a chance to start building your players' sense of urgency. Something BAD is happening. You KNOW what it is. You don't have TIME to send for help. You need to STOP them.
Just some random ideas. Good luck!
-Thrommel, who could care less if water pours from a pitcher. Now if there's beer in that pitcher, it's a whole different story...
~Council of Magisters~
~ Arcana Unearthed ~ |
Siobharek
Verrik
(7/16/03 11:22 pm)
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ezSupporter
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Re: Going into the Recovered Temple - What about Hommlet?
I would do the omen and deadline-approaching thing if it wasn't because my players have been so good about it that they haven't been able to enjoy the creating/acquiring magic items aspect of the game at all.
So I threw them a bone by having Varachan (while he was still good. And alive) tell them that the doomdreamers needed all 4 Elemental Princes to be there. I use Mak's Binders idea, so it was fairly easy for the group to ascertain that 2 of the Binders were still a long ways off.
That's not to say that using fire in the vicinity of Imix won't be dangerous. I'd forgotten about that, thanks for reminding me.
Having Burne's Badgers being eradicated is good. The Recovered Temple might need some warriors with the bone creature template.
I think I know what to do now. Thanks again, all of you.
BTW, next session isn't until 5 weeks from now, so don't be surprised if it takes a while for your suggestions to be carried out (thanks god I'm starting up a new Ptolus campaign - otherwise I'd go nuts.)
Siobharek
...it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. |
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