Skills Monkey Chase Skill Challenge

[RichGreen]

Hi,

I've designed this skill challenge encounter as part of an adventure set in some Indian-themed forest ruins. It's based on the Urban Chase example in the DMG.

Any suggestions on how to make this more fun would be appreciated! Also, how can I make sure a monkey manages to grab something in the first place and how do I minimise the risk that the PCs just shoot the monkey dead? I'm assuming the monkey that runs isn't a minion so a PC attack doesn't kill it.

The Monkey Temple
This temple is partly overgrown with vines and covered in carvings depicting Hanuman the Monkey God and his daring exploits. It is also covered in monkeys, who chatter to themselves in excitement at the approach of the PCs. The little animals jump down from the temple roof and from scattered blocks of stone to investigate the newcomers.

Feyshore Monkey
Initiative +4 Senses Perception +5; low-light vision
HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion.
AC 16; Fortitude 13, Reflex 16, Will 12
Speed 6, climb 8
M Bite (standard; at-will) +6 vs. AC; 3 damage.
Skills Thievery +12, Athletics +7
Alignment Unaligned Languages —
Str 12 (+1) Dex 19 (+4) Wis 10 (+0)
Con 12 (+1) Int 2 (–4) Cha 6 (–2)

These small monkeys are similar to langurs with black faces and golden-brown fur. Mischievous, they will steal from the PCs if given the opportunity (Pick Pocket DC 20 + PC level, attempt noticed if fail by 5+) and then jump on top of the roof (30’ up), making laughing noises, before running off into the trees.

To chase after a monkey and recover a stolen item, the PCs will need to win a skill challenge:

Monkey Chase (525 xp)
• Complexity 3, Level 4th (8 successes before 3 failures)
• Primary Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Perception
• Secondary Skill: Nature

Acrobatics (DC 12): you run along a fallen log or swing over a ditch on a trailing vine to close or lengthen the distance between you and the monkey A failed check indicates that you take a spill and lose one healing surge, in addition to counting as a failure for the challenge.

Athletics (DC 12): You run fast, scale a wall, leap over a bush, or scramble up a tree to gain an advantage in the chase. A failed check indicates that you get bashed up and lose one healing surge, in addition to counting as a failure for the challenge.

Perception (DC 10): You spot a shortcut, notice a hiding space, or otherwise aid your cause. Using this skill doesn’t count as a success or failure for the challenge, but instead provides a +2 bonus or a –2 penalty to the next character’s skill check.

Nature (DC 17): You know enough about forest terrain to use the environment to your best advantage during a chase.

Attacking the Monkey: the speeding monkey has total concealment in the heavy foliage of the trees (-5 to attack rolls) but can be shot at with a ranged weapon or power with a range of 10 squares or more. A hit vs the monkey’s defenses counts as one success in the challenge but the PC who makes the attack is subject to attack by three monkeys as an immediate interrupt, inflicting a penalty on the attack roll of -3 per hit as the monkeys climb over the PC, knocking his aim off etc.

Success: the PCs catch up to the monkey who leaps down from the tree it’s in, drops the grabbed item at their feet and then holds its hand out for a piece of food.

Failure: The PCs lose sight of their quarry and run into a forest clearing which serves as the lair of an owlbear (MM p.212; Level 8 Elite Brute, 700 xp)

Once the PCs have dealt with the skill challenge, they can return to investigate the inside of the temple. Carvings on the walls depict Hanuman helping Siva defeat Ravana. If the PCs spend some time searching in here, they can find a loose stone (Perception DC 25) in the east wall: behind it is a compartment holding a pair of luckbender gloves <AV p.136>. These leather gloves are decorated with a picture of Hanuman.

Cheers


Richard

[Alex319]

What level are your PCs?

[RichGreen]

Originally Posted by Alex319

What level are your PCs?

They should be level 4 by the time they attempt this.


Richard

[weem]

Any suggestions on how to make this more fun would be appreciated!

Maybe the monkey running, or others, trigger traps that can impede the chase, or even cause harm to the pc's

Also, how can I make sure a monkey manages to grab something in the first place

You are the DM... a simple, "___ is snatched from your hand" should do If not, he has surprise probably, maybe even "stealthed" give him a good bonus... or maybe make a few rolls for a few monkeys - the highest is the one that grabbed it among many making an attempt, etc.

and how do I minimise the risk that the PCs just shoot the monkey dead? I'm assuming the monkey that runs isn't a minion so a PC attack doesn't kill it.

Hmmm...

Let them shoot the monkey - but since monkeys are everywhere, they could all have readied actions (basically) to scoop up the item if dropped, etc

[RichGreen]

Hi weem,

Thanks for the suggestions!


Richard

[Gilladian]

I think Weem has it right - any time the PCs KILL a monkey, then another monkey simply takes over the chase. Only by capturing/knocking down/disabling the monkey will they get their goods back.

Also, a mention that these monkeys in these ruins are considered special, holy monkeys, and that killing them is considered "bad luck" might help. Maybe a local can give them a warning before they enter the ruins. Or there are lucky monkey carvings on some of the stones...

[RichGreen]

Originally Posted by Gilladian

Also, a mention that these monkeys in these ruins are considered special, holy monkeys, and that killing them is considered "bad luck" might help. Maybe a local can give them a warning before they enter the ruins. Or there are lucky monkey carvings on some of the stones...

Good idea - the PCs will have a guide with them so he could mention this.

Cheers


Richard

[chronoplasm]

Suggestions:

Every time a party-member fails a single check, a monkey steals some of their gold.

Diplomacy (DC 20): Talk nice to the little monkeys. Maybe they will give you your loot back.

[Garthanos]

Originally Posted by chronoplasm

Suggestions:

Every time a party-member fails a single check, a monkey steals some of their gold.

Diplomacy (DC 20): Talk nice to the little monkeys. Maybe they will give you your loot back.

isnt that a nature check,,, or if they is holy monkeys a religion check

[Garthanos]

Originally Posted by Garthanos

isnt that a nature check,,, or if they is holy monkeys a religion check

My rogue decides to stumble out into an open area where a bunch of the monkeys are and play dead with bunches of coppers in easily stealable reach.... if they like shiney things like the coppers they might leave the important things like "gold" alone. ;-)

[RichGreen]

Hi,

Finally got to run this on Monday night. Session write up here

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Cheers


Richard

[Aramax]

This is very,very GOOD!Please add more skill challenges of this quality!
You make me glad I'm an Anglophile.

[Garthanos]

Loved the write up by the way.. thought I had already commented but didn't... the Dragonborns actions brought it home.