HalfAlbinoMidget
First Post
Seeking DM advice for an unusual encounter. I am attempting to attack a PC (solo) via a crazy NPC (solo). This is a specific NPC within Out of the Abyss so I don't want to spoil details of the campaign for potential or ongoing players of that module. I mainly need help with the rules/combat mechanics but some flavor text and considerations are appreciated. I don't want to kill the PC (my safety net items are at the bottom) but I want it to be seen as very dangerous and intense.
Background:
A crazy NPC deliberately gets a PC by his or her self and then attacks them by pushing them off cliffs and narrow ledges, drowning, locking doors while the victim is in a room full of fire/acid/monsters and makes the incidents look like an accident. The method that interested me is something I found in another person's campaign. I plan on attempting to drown the victim PC under the guise of finding treasure.
Encounter setup:
The NPC has noticed the PC loves treasure and will attempt to take advantage of that. While the party sleeps, the NPC locates a large pond in a nearby cavern within the Darklake area (this is in the Underdark BTW). NPC takes stolen treasure and throws it into the pool and will wake the PC and attempt to convince him to split the treasure together and not tell the others (other PCs and NPCs) to get the PC to move solo. I'm confident the player will go for it. I plan on putting a few hints that something is weird as it's being described such as a makeshift raft already built and a giant fire beetle already skewered by a stick (to act like a torch and reveals the glint of metal). Also, I will make the treasure not visible from the shore which requires the raft and get far from the edge (so how did the NPC just stumble upon it?). Maybe toss dirt under the NPCs nails from the digging and building of the raft.
What I foresee:
PC is woken up and examines the cove. NPC boards the raft and looks back expectantly. PC reluctantly boards. Treasure is located (30 feet from shore? 120 feet from shore?) but its very deep (20 feet below?). NPC points out the treasure while on his hands and knees and gets the PC to also kneel down. NPC will then grab the PC by his clothing and push his head into the water while pulling the victim into the water. Once in the water, the NPC will taunt and be psycho (via telepathy) while choking and scratching at the PC ripping hair out and skin off. Once in the water, the PC will obviously resist and we'll need some game mechanics to resolve the event.
I plan on an auto success roll for this grapple attack but afterwards, it's normal dice rolls.
PC can hold his breath 3 minutes, and drowns in 3 rounds (he has a +2 CON modifier) per PHB, drowning rules (not sure page number)
The NPC is content to remain grappling underwater and drown his victims and will remain holding if he can. Would normal grapple rules apply?
Do performing activities (attacking/resisting grapple) reduce the amount of time one can hold their breath?
Does attacking (with axes, daggers and fists) have penalties?
If you get wounded (stabbed?) do you make new checks to avoid spitting out air or similar difficulties?
What I'm trying to avoid is making the encounter too simple (5 feet from the shoreline--PC wins a check and then uses full movement to run down the hall back to camp; or fight normal), or too hard (500 feet from shoreline so even if PC makes his checks, he still doesn't have enough movement/breath to make it back to shore) or excessive (see that glint a mile away--lets get on a conveniently placed makeshift raft. PC will say no and then get help).
To avoid killing the PC
- I'll have a different NPC (#2) notice the psycho NPC (#1) doing weird things and wakes up the party and runs to the cavern (if the PC needs help)
- Shoreline will be filled with float-able items such as zurkwood
- floating debris in the water for the victim PC to latch on to
- stalagmites (the rock formations coming from the floor) just under the water line for the PC to stand on and get his head above water.
If the PC does not go alone, I'll recycle the encounter and use it again the next week or two under a different guise (PCs and NPCs are in boats which get destroyed due to waterfall, water weird, etc and "coincidentally" end up together and will perform the attack while everyone is busy with other events.
Background:
A crazy NPC deliberately gets a PC by his or her self and then attacks them by pushing them off cliffs and narrow ledges, drowning, locking doors while the victim is in a room full of fire/acid/monsters and makes the incidents look like an accident. The method that interested me is something I found in another person's campaign. I plan on attempting to drown the victim PC under the guise of finding treasure.
Encounter setup:
The NPC has noticed the PC loves treasure and will attempt to take advantage of that. While the party sleeps, the NPC locates a large pond in a nearby cavern within the Darklake area (this is in the Underdark BTW). NPC takes stolen treasure and throws it into the pool and will wake the PC and attempt to convince him to split the treasure together and not tell the others (other PCs and NPCs) to get the PC to move solo. I'm confident the player will go for it. I plan on putting a few hints that something is weird as it's being described such as a makeshift raft already built and a giant fire beetle already skewered by a stick (to act like a torch and reveals the glint of metal). Also, I will make the treasure not visible from the shore which requires the raft and get far from the edge (so how did the NPC just stumble upon it?). Maybe toss dirt under the NPCs nails from the digging and building of the raft.
What I foresee:
PC is woken up and examines the cove. NPC boards the raft and looks back expectantly. PC reluctantly boards. Treasure is located (30 feet from shore? 120 feet from shore?) but its very deep (20 feet below?). NPC points out the treasure while on his hands and knees and gets the PC to also kneel down. NPC will then grab the PC by his clothing and push his head into the water while pulling the victim into the water. Once in the water, the NPC will taunt and be psycho (via telepathy) while choking and scratching at the PC ripping hair out and skin off. Once in the water, the PC will obviously resist and we'll need some game mechanics to resolve the event.
I plan on an auto success roll for this grapple attack but afterwards, it's normal dice rolls.
PC can hold his breath 3 minutes, and drowns in 3 rounds (he has a +2 CON modifier) per PHB, drowning rules (not sure page number)
The NPC is content to remain grappling underwater and drown his victims and will remain holding if he can. Would normal grapple rules apply?
Do performing activities (attacking/resisting grapple) reduce the amount of time one can hold their breath?
Does attacking (with axes, daggers and fists) have penalties?
If you get wounded (stabbed?) do you make new checks to avoid spitting out air or similar difficulties?
What I'm trying to avoid is making the encounter too simple (5 feet from the shoreline--PC wins a check and then uses full movement to run down the hall back to camp; or fight normal), or too hard (500 feet from shoreline so even if PC makes his checks, he still doesn't have enough movement/breath to make it back to shore) or excessive (see that glint a mile away--lets get on a conveniently placed makeshift raft. PC will say no and then get help).
To avoid killing the PC
- I'll have a different NPC (#2) notice the psycho NPC (#1) doing weird things and wakes up the party and runs to the cavern (if the PC needs help)
- Shoreline will be filled with float-able items such as zurkwood
- floating debris in the water for the victim PC to latch on to
- stalagmites (the rock formations coming from the floor) just under the water line for the PC to stand on and get his head above water.
If the PC does not go alone, I'll recycle the encounter and use it again the next week or two under a different guise (PCs and NPCs are in boats which get destroyed due to waterfall, water weird, etc and "coincidentally" end up together and will perform the attack while everyone is busy with other events.