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Chanak89
Mortal
(12/1/03 5:21 pm)
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Moolowik's Treachery
So the big meeting with Poolidib went down last Friday (see Comments...Please). It took place in the area that formally housed the Air Temple. The group’s plan was to buff up, leave the hirelings, the Deep Wood Sniper, and the barbarian, in the tunnels (the tunnels leading to the dwarven temple) as back up.
The rogue was turned invisible; he wanted to get behind them. While the cleric, wizard and bard met with the enemy. They did all of this and cast an illusion to make it look like they were all in the large cavern.
Poolidib, a Kuo-Toa bodyguard, a half-orc barbarian, along with 8 mercenaries were in attendance for the meeting. I also hid 8 more mercenaries in two of the rooms near the meeting place.
Well the meeting almost didn’t get off to a start. Poolidib yell at the PCs for bringing “invisible assassins”, and the Wizard tried to convince him that there were no invisible people here (the player forgot about Kuo-Toa’s keen sight). The PCs finally gave in and then negotiations commenced.
Poolidib told them of their plan, and promised them the sum of 50k gp, that would be collected from the Fire Temple’s coffers (I was surprised when no one wanted to sense motive when I said that) after the altar was destroyed. They were also promised that no interference would come from them, the PCs had to leave the Air territory (up to the Water Bridge) and the Water Temple alone.
The PCs stepped back to consider and decide to say “no” just to see how they react. A javelin hits the party’s wizard just as they started back to the center of the room to deliver their answer. Well I thought there was no better time than now to let Moolwik loose, and with a horrified look on Poolidib’s face the battle began.
The battle was nothing special, Poolidib failed to hold the cleric. I did not place all of the area named NPCs in the meeting, Kadiss and the Mercenary’s leader were at the barbican; they were to show up in about 2 rounds after the battle started. In the second round they cast Wall of Stone and cut off the troop’s escape route, and all of the reinforcements out.
The battle ended quickly, they subdued Moolowik and tied him up. He promptly escaped his bounds, and they were forced to knock him out. They found the note that basically told Moolowik to gather the brethren from the Cave of Hidden Secrets (the supplement for the RttToEE), and when he returned the Human Kaleshien, and the Fire Temple would trouble them no more. We ended the session right after.
I’ve decided that this event was part of a coordinated effort. Kaleshien’s assassination, and the assault on the Fire Temple would happen simultaneously.
I am trying to decide if their attack was successful. I my mind I think it should. The altar, Zert and at least a third of the temple guards should be gone but Tessimon, the Salamander Blackguard and Firre should survive.
What do you all think?
FRED
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 Infiniti2000
Cherub
(12/1/03 7:21 pm)
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ezSupporter
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Re: Moolowik's Treachery
Personally, I think the assassination of Kelashein is not a sure thing. The attack on the FT is definitely a very iffy subject. If you are using 3.5, I doubt they will even breach the north double doors of the FT without the party. Even if they do (those two salamanders are real nasty, particularly with their DR), it's not a simple matter to disintegrate the altar (caster level check to read the scroll is a 50%, plus the saving throw), and then another caster level check to word of recall out. For sure, the FT forces would destroy any remaining bad guys who stuck around.
One other comment is that once Nilbool has control of the WT, he would definitely not make such a dangerous journey to the FT. He might send Kadiss, but from what I gather Kadiss is dead, right?
Therefore, what you have so far is good, but the FT will not have been attacked. Instead, Nilbool will be prepared for any attack by the party. Moreover, have him forge a document about the party asking him to join an attack on the FT and send it to Tessimon. His note accompanying the forgery would be something like, "Despite our mutual hatred, I could not stand by and let this interlopers attack one of the great temples of the EEE." Include whatever personal information he has on the party and leave the note in Tessimon's quarters so when the party finds it (likely months down the road), they'll really be pissed.
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Chanak89
Mortal
(12/1/03 10:40 pm)
Reply
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Re: Moolowik's Treachery
Quote:
One other comment is that once Nilbool has control of the WT, he would definitely not make such a dangerous journey to the FT. He might send Kadiss, but from what I gather Kadiss is dead, right?
Kadiss is not technically dead yet. He is on the other side of the stone wall that barbarian/ wizard conjured up. I never thought about the Salamanders DR. I need to look at them again.
BTW I posted a prelude to this post last week (I think I managed to bump it to page two). It is titled Comments …Please. Here is some of it:
Quote:
My group’s first conquest in the CRM was the Air Temple; they also forced Poolidib to flee his post. I decided that he returned to the Water Temple, and now so of its leaders know of the group.
They took a trip to Vervobonc after they took out Tarren, so that gave the WT the time it needed to occupy the Air Temple's territory. I an effort to box the FT in
Infiniti2000 you are correct Nilbool was suppose to be in the group that goes to the FT (Doh). I think the letter should be the way to go and have Nilbool be ready for an attack on the WT. The PCs would have to fight through (or bluff) their way through th NBC.
The player of the human wizard did suggest that they try and warn the FT, but to have the FT waiting for them would be sweet.
Thanks
FRED
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Infiniti2000
Cherub
(12/2/03 7:14 am)
Reply
ezSupporter
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Re: Moolowik's Treachery
Do you think it's possible to have the FT lure them in with open arms, into the temple itself and then ambush them? Imagine this scenario (if possible). Tessimon and Skassik are on the platform in the ceiling, hidden. All the other salamanders and mephits and hounds are out of sight. Only the humans and elves are visible. As the party approaches, the FT calls out to parlay, saying that they heard of the party. Virith (or Zert) tells a sob story about an ambush by the WT wiping up most of their forces. They've only managed to gather their remaining treasure in the temple area. "Help us plan a counterattack on the Water Temple and we'll give you XX gp and some magical items!" Once in the temple (place a stash of treasure inside a chest in the temple itself to complete the illusion), spring the attack. The salamanders and mephits and hounds jump/climb/fly out of the pit and Tessimon and Skassik float down on the platform.
This ploy offers a good chance for some roleplaying and then for a nasty surprise. If you pull it off and the party survives, they should be well prepared for future encounters in the OF and other areas. And, be open to what your players do. They might, in fact, surprise you and you may wish to have a signal from Virith/Zert to Tessimon that says abort.
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arcane12
Memunite
(12/2/03 11:02 am)
Reply
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Re: Moolowik's Treachery
Actually the water temple only stands a poor chance _if_ he care about his men. If the two main Kuo-toa forge on and head straight for the temple (throwing a lightning bolt to soften up the hell-hound) he can just leave the fighters to occupy the salamanders while he deals with the fire altar.
He can cast invisibility after buffing the fighters (or after the lightning bolt) and then just head straight for the altar. Wander in, use the scroll, then just teleport out. (if he can!)
This would probably be the best plan no matter who is with him, by the time he is ready to teleport out (with the monitor) it would be too late to stop him.
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Chanak89
Mortal
(12/3/03 6:33 pm)
Reply
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Re: Moolowik's Treachery
Quote:
Do you think it's possible to have the FT lure them in with open arms, into the temple itself and then ambush them?
Infiniti2000
Right now I think my group will be a little more gun shy when dealing with the FT at this point, but I think I can pull it off if I make it look like it was a failed WT attack.
Nilbool can still go on with the attack, he just is not with them. I am using the supplement for the RttToEE (the Cave of Hidden Secrets). So he sends everyone that was suppose to go plus some one who can cast the the disintegratescroll, along with another scroll that indicates that they are to meet-up with the PCs.
So add to it your suggestions (add a few FT guard's corpse and we have the RP and ambush opportunities  , but after this I think I'll lay off the alliance angle (I don't think I could pull it off three times 
Quote:
Actually the water temple only stands a poor chance _if_ he care about his men
arcane12
Yeah I agree. I RPed the battle out yesterday. The main caster would have to stay and fight with the Salamanders to make a difference, besides Tessimon is nasty. She is up on the the platform lobing spells.
I also changed the temple guardians into a Demoniacally fused fire elemental (found in Dragon #285). I felt that having one in the service of the FT was appropriate.
FRED
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