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Author
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Comment
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 Infiniti2000
Brother of Venom
(2/1/04 9:25 am)
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ezSupporter
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The Rebirth of Varachan
My party has been dawdling, reticent to tackle the Outer Fane. I did what I could to push them. Varachan returned the two bodies and most of their equipment when the glabrezu killed them and brought them to the OF. V also told the PCs to scry him. They didn't. They wasted a lot of time. So, I gave the cleric a dream vision and warned him about the traitor being found. They ignored it, so I had Hedrack found out about Varachan and capture and torture him. When the PCs eventually scried for Varachan, they saw him broken and bloody, barely living and then killed by Hedrack.
I'm thinking, okay, that was harsh and it puts a serious cog in the PCs ability to really find out what's going on because Varachan has a lot of info to give. However, I had given Skassik armor worth close to 50,000gp (he had used the altar on Jurrikath Musseloto after the heroes got rid of Tessimon for him). They subsequently got the armor and sold it, actually traded it for a wish scroll. Well, they surprised me last night by wishing for Varachan's body and then raising him! Varachan, of course, returned and pledged allegiance to Moradin (the cleric who raised him and, the next day, cast atonement on him, paying the 500xp). I was really proud of them for spending so much (wish plus raise 3.5 dead scroll plus atonement) to get Varachan. Varachan, of course spilled the beans, all of them, and I even had him make a drawing of the Outer Fane, including all secret doors and a description of all the residents. I drew it from memory, but I was pretty accurate and complete. I probably have seen the OF as much as Varachan theoretically would. 
Afterwards, they went in through the Earth Door and killed the EEE, though not before it destroyed the fighter's +1 holy battleaxe. The player said, "Where was St. Sherman and St. Zans that time!?" 
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msherman
Crimson Coil Cultist
(2/1/04 10:13 am)
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Re: The Rebirth of Varachan
Bravo. Tell them that St. Sherman was busy whispering sweet nothings in Varachan's ear, preparing for his own party to meet Mr. V in person for the first time in a session starting in about an hour.
Pretty impressive move on their part to throw all that into raising Varachan. They deserved the reward.
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deafdungeonmasterRIT
Deathmantle Cultist
(2/1/04 1:14 pm)
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wow..
if they made that great effort to raise Varachan, I would have raise that particular PC charisma and wisdom point by two for going through a great trouble to make sure that a reformed cult member to have another chance at life. That is something I will feel so touch that I will increase their stat. Yes, it will make them more powerful, but they EARN it.
As Varachan himself, I would let him have level in Moradrin cleric with dodge bonus against giants (heh)
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Cordo Crowfoot
Deathmantle Cultist
(2/1/04 5:00 pm)
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Re: wow..
Wow, impressive move by your players.
Did Varachan tell them about the excavation underway at the old temple? Mine hinted at that and my players were asking -- "Why should we attack the Outer Fane. Let's just go there!" Leading me to a bit of backpedling, ("I'm not absolutely sure where the doomdreamers have taken the Champion. Give me time to be sure.") and justification creation for attacking the Outer Fane ("Hedrack's primary current assignment is taking care of your group. It wouldn't be smart to leave him at your back while you head off to pursue the doomdreamers. He has access to powerful scrying magic and some sort of teleportation device in the Inner Fane.")
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Caedrel
Crimson Coil Cultist
(2/1/04 5:48 pm)
Reply
ezSupporter
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Re: Interesting!
I wonder where Varachan's soul would have gone after his death - one of the lower planes, or has he done enough to get into a higher plane? I ask because I suspect that might have an influence on whether he wants to come back to some place that may or may not be destroyed if Tharizdun gets released...
Although the upper planes aren't necessarily "safe" if Big T gets loose anyway, and if Varachan's really become "good", then he might very well risk it...
Good DMing, Infiniti - it makes all that advance preparation on the NPC's motivations and desires worthwhile, because you figure out how they'll react to a situation that you didn't expect to come up
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deafdungeonmasterRIT
Deathmantle Cultist
(2/1/04 8:00 pm)
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hmm
I am deeply touch by your players attempt to resurrect Varachan. Literally, too many players (and even DM) take him for granted. Here my questions..
what are their alignment? class? The motive of saving Varachan?
As I repeat myself earlier, mortality bonus is a nice touch. I once gave plus two charisma to a cleric turning in one of his own party members in "Speaker's Dream" for committing arson. That is a great gesture by a cleric.
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Knowe Remorse 
Tolling Bell Cultist
(2/1/04 8:25 pm)
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Re: hmm
hmmm couldnt they have had a cleric cast true resurrection and get back Varachan? Dont have my PHB with me, so cant check on the spell...
either way, that was a pretty smart move. I havent read that far into the adventure, is the Varachan turning traitor part of the module or a twist that was thrown in by the DM?
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of All Who Threaten it. |
Infiniti2000
Brother of Venom
(2/1/04 8:53 pm)
Reply
ezSupporter
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Re: wow..
Varachan indeed told them about that, but stressed that stopping the Champion is the first order of business. The last Varachan knows is that Hedrack is with the Champion in the Outer Fane. Even if they are missing, the party must get the Orb of Silvery Death and destroy it before the Orb of Oblivion can be destroyed. Even if the Champion were killed, another would be found and with the Orb the Princes could still be summoned. So, in essence, they have the motivation to go after the Fanes first. They also have motivation to go after the Inner Fane to get the Talisman of Pure Good. I have a question about that that I'll post elsewhere.
"Good DMing, Infiniti - it makes all that advance preparation on the NPC's motivations and desires worthwhile, because you figure out how they'll react to a situation that you didn't expect to come up"
Thanks! And, yes. The party also asked about Thrommel and I used the Thrommel-Varachan connection. Lots of good RP there. It went something like:
Shangor asks, "What about Thrommel? Is he in the Outer Fane?"
Varachan freezes, then sighs. It is a deep sigh, one speaking volumes of grief and pain. A tear trickles down his cheek. "Thrommel was my greatest success and, sadly, my greatest failure. Many years ago we found the Crown Prince lying in the field at Emridy Meadows. He was still alive, still breathing. We captured him even as the Temple itself fell to the onrush of heroes and adventurers." Varachan openly weeps, not bothering to wipe off his face. "It was my task to break him. It took me five years. Five years of pain. Five years of suffering. Five years of glory in service to the miserable God of Obliteration!" Varachan looks up with blood red eyes, anger and frustration written clearly on his face. "No! He is not alive! But he is not dead! I turned Lord Thrommel into a vampire! He is no longer a paladin in service to Pelor, but a blackguard in service to Tharizdun. He is too strong, though, even I could not control him. Only Hedrack or the First could control him."
*copies the above into session log 42*
"what are their alignment? class?"
LG cleric of moradin, NG fighter/ranger, NG fighter, N wizard, LN druid, CG sorcerer/dragon disciple.
"The motive of saving Varachan?"
Partially motivated by remorse for letting him die in the first place. I gave them ample warning that the 'traitor' would be lost, and then they found out he was. When the FINALLY scried for Varachan (took a long time before they even tried), then saw him broken, then Hedrack killed him. To find out how, you will have to read the log. Additional motivation was to find out more information about the OF and the plans of the cult. They now know almost everything. Good. Clear motivation for the remainder of the campaign.
"As I repeat myself earlier, mortality bonus is a nice touch."
I shall think about your advice. I think the fact that they gained a very valuable ally and TONS of information about the plans of the cult and the Outer Fane is reward enough though.
"hmmm couldnt they have had a cleric cast true resurrection and get back Varachan?"
Perhaps, but I have been working behind the scenes reasons to keep all the big powerful people in the area very busy. They had the wish in hand already, so they thought why wait? They really didn't even pause in the decision once they knew Varachan was dead. I only allowed the scry to see that for dramatic license and to drive home the point that things move apace. I really didn't expect them to burn two powerful scrolls and an atonement! Phew! 
"I havent read that far into the adventure, is the Varachan turning traitor part of the module or a twist that was thrown in by the DM? "
Varachan the traitor is part of the module. I had thought he would never need to take an active role, but then I had Hedrack summon a glabrezu. I think this might be the first time anyone got Varachan out of the OF to help them without ever stepping foot within it.
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deafdungeonmasterRIT
Deathmantle Cultist
(2/2/04 10:34 am)
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hmm
they are playing their alignments VERY well. That is something that need to taken a special consideration. They will have many tough fights ahead. If you follow 3.5 on harm, they may very well need the weapons that can actually hurt Imix. There is no weapons in the game that can harm Imix's damage reduction. (I hope I don't sounds like I am repeating myself.)
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Wrath of the Swarm 
Tolling Bell Cultist
(2/2/04 11:56 am)
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Re: hmm
Stat. bonuses for good roleplaying are generally not appropriate. Would you give someone an increase in Strength for lifting a really heavy rock?
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What do you want? |
deafdungeonmasterRIT
Deathmantle Cultist
(2/2/04 2:39 pm)
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hmm
I never say that thier strength stat should be increase.
As for the strength stat, I am far away more strict on how I will reward strength stat. As a rule of thumb, it is a bit easier to reward con bonus than strength. If you swim, walk, fight quite frequently, your fortitude improved. Strengh is a bit stickier. I don't give out stat like a free candy.
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Cordo Crowfoot
Deathmantle Cultist
(2/2/04 4:50 pm)
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I agree with I2K...
Detailed intelligence of the Outer Fane and its inhabitants is extremely valuable. That should be enough of a reward.
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SirJalore
Ebon Hand Cultist
(2/2/04 6:41 pm)
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Re: I agree with I2K...
Kudos to your players I2K! (and to you!)
When I first starting reading how negligent they had been towards your warnings and hints etc, I thought they were in for an upcoming major failure.....
But that was awesome! I love it when that kind of thing happens unexpectedly in my campaigns, makes the experience of DMing that much richer.
Guess they did a bit of an 'Atonement' themselves in my mind. Awesome roleplaying scene! I love the remorse Varachan showed for what he has done to Thrommel.
Couple of questions:
Are you going to let Varachan go with the party at this point? And if not, what would stop him from being motivated to assist them in trying to stop things at this point? Just curious what you've thought of in that regard.
Would Varachan be motivated to try and 'right the wrong' against Thrommel? Try and redeem himself moreso? (Not sure how he could reverse the vampirism though?) I would guess that seeing that he's been given a 'second chance' he might show his true remorse in attempting Thrommel's rescue from his undead state, and give him a 'second chance' as well.
PS And I agree that you shouldn't give out a stat increase as a bonus, but if you do any kind of role playing XP bonuses in your campaign, this is when I think you'll want to use it!
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Infiniti2000
Brother of Venom
(2/2/04 7:03 pm)
Reply
ezSupporter
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Thanks!
"Are you going to let Varachan go with the party at this point? And if not, what would stop him from being motivated to assist them in trying to stop things at this point? Just curious what you've thought of in that regard."
They already had that conversation actually. Varachan said that if Hedrack finds out he is alive, then Hedrack will have him killed. Before I could even think of having Varachan join in the assault, all of the players suggested he lay low, and stay out of sight, and particularly out of view from the PC's in case Hedrack continues scrying them. They want him to stay hidden in Rastor and perhaps make some potions, scrolls, and wands. So, I need to figure out how much XP he has (I use alternate dying rules so he is still 12th with a permanent negative level).
"Would Varachan be motivated to try and 'right the wrong' against Thrommel? Try and redeem himself moreso? (Not sure how he could reverse the vampirism though?)."
He would, but he will let the PC's do that for now. They had a nice discussion about Thrommel and have been given enough information. It's up to the PC's to try and redeem Thrommel. At least Varachan was there to get them thinking about it rather than YAC (yet another combat). He has pledged himself to the party though, and will do whatever they ask. So, if they ask him to come along, he will. Oh, also, he has no equipment, so they've promised to give him some of whatever they find. That's another reason why he's not joining them (right away).
I do give out XP bonuses. In this case, I awarded them equal to Varachan (CR12), which amounts to almost 5K total. They are quite psyched about what they accomplished. The whole campaign has gotten a sudden boost of energy.
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deafdungeonmasterRIT
Deathmantle Cultist
(2/2/04 8:35 pm)
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hmm
what is wrong with giving out stat as bonus? In this case, it is perfectly justified to reward players for their hard effort! A wish spell to use to brings Varachan back to life? That says alot!
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Cordo Crowfoot
Deathmantle Cultist
(2/3/04 5:59 am)
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Re: hmm
It's just kind of a different play style. CR12 XP and tons of info to help them stay alive the next four or five sessions is a lot.
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deafdungeonmasterRIT
Deathmantle Cultist
(2/3/04 6:46 am)
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hmm
I agree that CR 12 is handle appropricately, but sometime, just sometime, giving away alot of information can be counterproductive.
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