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[IRON DM] Spring 2004 Contest Thread FINAL JUDGMENT POSTED, CHAMPION ANNOUNCED!
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<blockquote data-quote="Capellan" data-source="post: 1493341" data-attributes="member: 6294"><p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p><p>Comic timing</p><p>Club foot</p><p>Formian overlords</p><p>Trailblazer </p><p>Brewery </p><p>Mustard seed </p><p></p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 15px">A Bitter Brew</span></strong></p><p>For a party of 9th-11th level characters.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Introduction</strong></p><p>Twenty years ago the Duke and Duchess of Northam were having difficulty conceiving a child. Wykros Salander, a wandering alchemist, offered his services to solve these problems, guaranteeing a child within a year. In truth, he plotted to induce the physical effects of pregnancy in the Duchess, then 'deliver' her of a child he had arranged to have smuggled into the birth chamber.</p><p></p><p>Unfortunately for Wykros, the child he procured - an abandoned babe - had a club foot. Realising this too late (he did not see immediately as the child was wrapped in a blanket), and fearing that he would be imprisoned for delivering a 'malformed' child, he fled, and his attempt at deception was discovered.</p><p></p><p>Six months later, however, the duchess gave birth to a true son. The two children were raised together. Now, the old duke has passed, and the young duke, Reythe, is about to succeed to the duchy. With him is his companion and court jester, the club footed young man, Albador.</p><p></p><p>Wykros, embittered at never receiving a reward for the pregnancy he has convinced himself he engendered, plans to murder the young duke at the ducal coronation, and place the blame on Albador. To this end, he has returned to the Duchy under the name Derwent Monteith, and established a great brewery in the city, fast becoming its most successful brewer of ale.</p><p></p><p>Wykros, in his role as Derwent, is providing the ale for the ducal feast. He'd originally planned simply to poison Reythe, but - realising that the family might have the resources to raise the young man - he's developed a far more extravagant plan. At the conclusion of Albador's performance at the feast - which, fittingly, is a comical parody of Wykros' bungled fraud - he will unleash several mustard jellies, which he has succeeded in reducing to a dormant state as seed-like pellets (it's all-but-impossible, after all, to smuggle giant gelatinous monsters into the castle ... 'mustard seeds', on the other hand, are very easy to get into a feast). This will give him his revenge on both the Ducal family and the young man who - however innocently - spoilt his plot. And the timing of his revenge carries a certain irony of its own.</p><p></p><p>As might be guessed from this plan, Wykros is not all that balanced. It comes from breathing all those fumes in the laboratory <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Act One: Formian Orderly Queue to See the Duke</strong></p><p>The PCs are in Northam during the week leading up to the young duke's coronation. They might have official business with the new duke, or have come to take advantage of the massive markets being held (goods of all kinds are available - including magical items), or simply be there by happenstance.</p><p></p><p>In any case, the markets are abuzz, not just with trade and merriment, but with news of a series of attacks by the strange ant-like creatures known as Formians. These interplanar raiders have been kidnapping bards and other performers, all of whom have been noted for their skills with comedy (5+ ranks in perform (comedy)).</p><p></p><p>This scene serves to establish both the duke's coronation and the attacks. Introduce both plot points, then move on to describe other aspects of the fair/market, before having a troupe of clowns appear and begin a performance.</p><p></p><p>Shortly after this performance begins, a group of Formians gate into the area and attempt to capture the performers. They aren't too discriminating about who they attack; so even if the PCs initially refuse to intervene, they should end up embroiled in the fight.</p><p></p><p>The Formians aren't expecting serious opposition, however, and the PCs should manage to beat them off reasonably readily. After this occurs, messengers arrive from the Duke asking them to attend him at his castle.</p><p></p><p>His purpose in summoning them is to reward them for the defence of his subjects, and to ask them to seek out the cause of the Formian attacks. The scene also serves to introduce Albador, and the old duchess.</p><p></p><p>If the PCs suggest that the attacks might be an act against the Duke, this is considered possible, but, as the Duke asks, 'what is the motive?'. He wishes them, if possible, to contact the Formians peacefully. To this end, he asks them to <em>plane shift</em> to the Formian Hive and contact the Overlords of the colony. In addition to offering them 10,000 gold pieces for the task, Duke Reythe makes arrangements to purchase two divine scrolls of <em>plane shift</em> from one of the magic traders in the fair, so that the PCs will readily be able to make the journey. He will also arrange for the group to be given the scent glands from one of the dead Formians (like ants, Formians leave a trail of scent markers for others of their Hive to follow). This will allow the group to trace their way to the correct Hive.</p><p></p><p>As the PCs leave to make whatever preparations they require, a guard brings Wykros into the room. Wykros is of course disguised as Monteith. The PCs will notice that he smells of hops and mustard. They will also hear the Duke greet him and asks him how the preparations for the feast are going. Don't require rolls for this - it should all be mentioned fairly casually. After all, his role in the celebrations explains his odour.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Intermission: Investigation</strong></p><p>The PCs should be allowed to do any investigation they please, during the 24 hours it takes for the scrolls of <em>plane shift</em> to be procured. Wykros' identity as Monteith will stand up to the investigation they can manage in the time it takes to arrange the scrolls (should they even think to ask about him). Of more use to them is enquiring about possible enemies of the Duke. In addition to the usual assortment of political rivals and humanoid chieftains, they will hear the story of Wykros. Local folk, when telling this tale, give the details as listed in the Introduction, but usually end with a comment to the likes of "Albador be the young Duke's fool, now. Makes ye wonder if he resents the fact that he could be Duke himself, were it not for his foot". (This appellation to the tale is most commonly told in those taverns where Monteith ale is sold: Wykros has been subtly encouraging that version for some months)</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Act Two: All's Vel that Ends Vel</strong></p><p>After <em>plane shifting</em> to the Formians' home plane, the PCs can make the trek to the Hive, using the scent glands they were given as a method of checking they are on the right trail. DMs are encouraged to create their own adversities for this journey, depending on the proclivities of their campaign and their players.</p><p></p><p>Arriving at the Hive, it should rapidly be clear that it is far too large and powerful for an attack (not to mention that, after all, they were sent to negotiate, rather than fight).</p><p></p><p>If approached peacefully, the Formians are suspicious, but will eventually allow the PCs to meet with one of their Overlords </p><p></p><p>The Overlord will explain that their attacks are in response to a robbery committed at one of their hives: a significant quantity of Formian Jelly was stolen. When this substance is fed to immature larvae, they develop into Formian Overlords, rather than the more common, lesser varieties. As might be imagined, it is a rare and valuable substance.</p><p></p><p>One of the thieves, a man named Talan Vel, was captured, and told the Formians what he knew of the man who hired him: that he was a clown, and he hired Vel in Northam. Lacking the ability to readily distinguish between different mortal performers, so the Formians have taken the 'logical' step of kidnapping them all, one after another, until they find the culprit. Vel is still alive at this time, but won't be for much longer, as he is slated to become food for the Hive. The Formians are unapologetic about this, as they consider him a heinous criminal.</p><p></p><p>It's possible, at this point, that the PCs will go rushing off to accuse Albador. Which is unfortunate, but what can you do <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>Unknown to the Formians, Wykros was actually behind the theft: he required the jelly for creating his 'mustard jelly seeds'. To this end, he hired a group of planar explorers to steal the substance, donning a disguise as a clown to do so (in order, should his actions be uncovered, to cast suspicion on Albador). PCs with a high knowledge (arcana) or craft (alchemy) check will be able to determine some of the uses of Formian Jelly, which include serving as a material component for [lawful] spells, breeding powerful vermin, and use in alchemy to create compounds that transmute or restore objects or creatures.</p><p></p><p>In any case, assuming they don't just rush off, the PCs will be allowed to see Talan Vel, who will repeat what he already told the Formians, though he will add that he thinks the clown costume was a disguise - after all, it's a very distinctive and unusual thing to wear to a secret meeting. Vel also offers the PCs a deal: if they get them out of the Formian Hive, he will tell them one extra piece of information he knows which might reveal the identity of the man who hired him. Sense Motive reveals that he is not bluffing about this information.</p><p></p><p>The Formians, of course, won't be willing to let the man go, though astonishingly persuasive PCs may eventually win his freedom (and reckless ones might just spring him from jail). If the PCs are not able to persuade the Formians, and are not willing to cross them, Vel will change his offer to the group severing his finger and taking it to his compatriots, so that he can be resurrected. The Formians will allow this with only a modest diplomacy check (or the PCs could just not tell them they're doing it).</p><p></p><p>Vel's information is that the man who hired him had a very distinctive odour: he smelt of hops and mustard.</p><p></p><p>Which ought to trigger some alarm bells for the PCs <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Act Three: Last Call (or Roll out the Barrel)</strong></p><p>For the purposes of drama, the PCs arrive back at the Duke's castle just in time to see Albador end his performance of 'The Alchemist's Folly', at which point all hell breaks loose. Mustard jellies start spawning all around the room, and dozens of panicking people run and scream and shout and generally get in the way of the group's efforts to protect the Duke and put an end to the creatures.</p><p></p><p>Don't be afraid to play up the absurd side of this battle: tables get knocked over, food and drink spatters on the floor, people slip and slide as they try to flee or to fight. Flags get dislodged from walls and fall on people, and pandemonium generally ensues.</p><p></p><p>Wykros spawns as many jellies as you judge appropriate, while the PCs can rely on assistance in the fight from Albador (a Rog3/Ftr3). The young Duke (Ari4) might also be rather more eager to help than the PCs (and his mother) would like.</p><p></p><p>Eventually, of course, the group should succeed in destroying all the mustard jellies, but in all the confusion, Wykros will escape. The PCs will have to chase him back to the brewery he has been using as his base, and engage him in a final battle amidst the giant barrels, copper pipes and other strange contraptions. The brewery should be a very interesting, dynamic place to fight a battle, and should entail a new magically created foe, such as Barrel Golems. DMs are encouraged to include narrow catwalks over vats of hops, levers and wheels that can be used to spray gouts of ale, and vents that release occasional bursts of scalding steam.</p><p></p><p>Having cackled madly throughout the fight, Wykros (who should be a Wizard or Sorcerer of roughly the PCs' own level, plus having 3 levels of Expert) should ideally go to his death in some suitably over-the-top fashion: plunging into one of those vats of hops, for instance, or being crushed by giant clockwork gears.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Ingredient Use</strong></p><p>Comic timing - Albador's routine used for assassination, comedy within scenes</p><p>Club foot - Albador has one, which set everything up in the plot</p><p>Formian overlords - 'villains' / hook</p><p>Trailblazer - Wykros' magical innovations, Formian trail markers</p><p>Brewery - villain's hideout/final battle</p><p>Mustard seed - creates mustard jellies</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Capellan, post: 1493341, member: 6294"] [b]Ingredients[/b] Comic timing Club foot Formian overlords Trailblazer Brewery Mustard seed [b][SIZE=4]A Bitter Brew[/SIZE][/b] For a party of 9th-11th level characters. [b]Introduction[/b] Twenty years ago the Duke and Duchess of Northam were having difficulty conceiving a child. Wykros Salander, a wandering alchemist, offered his services to solve these problems, guaranteeing a child within a year. In truth, he plotted to induce the physical effects of pregnancy in the Duchess, then 'deliver' her of a child he had arranged to have smuggled into the birth chamber. Unfortunately for Wykros, the child he procured - an abandoned babe - had a club foot. Realising this too late (he did not see immediately as the child was wrapped in a blanket), and fearing that he would be imprisoned for delivering a 'malformed' child, he fled, and his attempt at deception was discovered. Six months later, however, the duchess gave birth to a true son. The two children were raised together. Now, the old duke has passed, and the young duke, Reythe, is about to succeed to the duchy. With him is his companion and court jester, the club footed young man, Albador. Wykros, embittered at never receiving a reward for the pregnancy he has convinced himself he engendered, plans to murder the young duke at the ducal coronation, and place the blame on Albador. To this end, he has returned to the Duchy under the name Derwent Monteith, and established a great brewery in the city, fast becoming its most successful brewer of ale. Wykros, in his role as Derwent, is providing the ale for the ducal feast. He'd originally planned simply to poison Reythe, but - realising that the family might have the resources to raise the young man - he's developed a far more extravagant plan. At the conclusion of Albador's performance at the feast - which, fittingly, is a comical parody of Wykros' bungled fraud - he will unleash several mustard jellies, which he has succeeded in reducing to a dormant state as seed-like pellets (it's all-but-impossible, after all, to smuggle giant gelatinous monsters into the castle ... 'mustard seeds', on the other hand, are very easy to get into a feast). This will give him his revenge on both the Ducal family and the young man who - however innocently - spoilt his plot. And the timing of his revenge carries a certain irony of its own. As might be guessed from this plan, Wykros is not all that balanced. It comes from breathing all those fumes in the laboratory :-) [b]Act One: Formian Orderly Queue to See the Duke[/b] The PCs are in Northam during the week leading up to the young duke's coronation. They might have official business with the new duke, or have come to take advantage of the massive markets being held (goods of all kinds are available - including magical items), or simply be there by happenstance. In any case, the markets are abuzz, not just with trade and merriment, but with news of a series of attacks by the strange ant-like creatures known as Formians. These interplanar raiders have been kidnapping bards and other performers, all of whom have been noted for their skills with comedy (5+ ranks in perform (comedy)). This scene serves to establish both the duke's coronation and the attacks. Introduce both plot points, then move on to describe other aspects of the fair/market, before having a troupe of clowns appear and begin a performance. Shortly after this performance begins, a group of Formians gate into the area and attempt to capture the performers. They aren't too discriminating about who they attack; so even if the PCs initially refuse to intervene, they should end up embroiled in the fight. The Formians aren't expecting serious opposition, however, and the PCs should manage to beat them off reasonably readily. After this occurs, messengers arrive from the Duke asking them to attend him at his castle. His purpose in summoning them is to reward them for the defence of his subjects, and to ask them to seek out the cause of the Formian attacks. The scene also serves to introduce Albador, and the old duchess. If the PCs suggest that the attacks might be an act against the Duke, this is considered possible, but, as the Duke asks, 'what is the motive?'. He wishes them, if possible, to contact the Formians peacefully. To this end, he asks them to [i]plane shift[/i] to the Formian Hive and contact the Overlords of the colony. In addition to offering them 10,000 gold pieces for the task, Duke Reythe makes arrangements to purchase two divine scrolls of [i]plane shift[/i] from one of the magic traders in the fair, so that the PCs will readily be able to make the journey. He will also arrange for the group to be given the scent glands from one of the dead Formians (like ants, Formians leave a trail of scent markers for others of their Hive to follow). This will allow the group to trace their way to the correct Hive. As the PCs leave to make whatever preparations they require, a guard brings Wykros into the room. Wykros is of course disguised as Monteith. The PCs will notice that he smells of hops and mustard. They will also hear the Duke greet him and asks him how the preparations for the feast are going. Don't require rolls for this - it should all be mentioned fairly casually. After all, his role in the celebrations explains his odour. [b]Intermission: Investigation[/b] The PCs should be allowed to do any investigation they please, during the 24 hours it takes for the scrolls of [i]plane shift[/i] to be procured. Wykros' identity as Monteith will stand up to the investigation they can manage in the time it takes to arrange the scrolls (should they even think to ask about him). Of more use to them is enquiring about possible enemies of the Duke. In addition to the usual assortment of political rivals and humanoid chieftains, they will hear the story of Wykros. Local folk, when telling this tale, give the details as listed in the Introduction, but usually end with a comment to the likes of "Albador be the young Duke's fool, now. Makes ye wonder if he resents the fact that he could be Duke himself, were it not for his foot". (This appellation to the tale is most commonly told in those taverns where Monteith ale is sold: Wykros has been subtly encouraging that version for some months) [b]Act Two: All's Vel that Ends Vel[/b] After [i]plane shifting[/i] to the Formians' home plane, the PCs can make the trek to the Hive, using the scent glands they were given as a method of checking they are on the right trail. DMs are encouraged to create their own adversities for this journey, depending on the proclivities of their campaign and their players. Arriving at the Hive, it should rapidly be clear that it is far too large and powerful for an attack (not to mention that, after all, they were sent to negotiate, rather than fight). If approached peacefully, the Formians are suspicious, but will eventually allow the PCs to meet with one of their Overlords The Overlord will explain that their attacks are in response to a robbery committed at one of their hives: a significant quantity of Formian Jelly was stolen. When this substance is fed to immature larvae, they develop into Formian Overlords, rather than the more common, lesser varieties. As might be imagined, it is a rare and valuable substance. One of the thieves, a man named Talan Vel, was captured, and told the Formians what he knew of the man who hired him: that he was a clown, and he hired Vel in Northam. Lacking the ability to readily distinguish between different mortal performers, so the Formians have taken the 'logical' step of kidnapping them all, one after another, until they find the culprit. Vel is still alive at this time, but won't be for much longer, as he is slated to become food for the Hive. The Formians are unapologetic about this, as they consider him a heinous criminal. It's possible, at this point, that the PCs will go rushing off to accuse Albador. Which is unfortunate, but what can you do :-) Unknown to the Formians, Wykros was actually behind the theft: he required the jelly for creating his 'mustard jelly seeds'. To this end, he hired a group of planar explorers to steal the substance, donning a disguise as a clown to do so (in order, should his actions be uncovered, to cast suspicion on Albador). PCs with a high knowledge (arcana) or craft (alchemy) check will be able to determine some of the uses of Formian Jelly, which include serving as a material component for [lawful] spells, breeding powerful vermin, and use in alchemy to create compounds that transmute or restore objects or creatures. In any case, assuming they don't just rush off, the PCs will be allowed to see Talan Vel, who will repeat what he already told the Formians, though he will add that he thinks the clown costume was a disguise - after all, it's a very distinctive and unusual thing to wear to a secret meeting. Vel also offers the PCs a deal: if they get them out of the Formian Hive, he will tell them one extra piece of information he knows which might reveal the identity of the man who hired him. Sense Motive reveals that he is not bluffing about this information. The Formians, of course, won't be willing to let the man go, though astonishingly persuasive PCs may eventually win his freedom (and reckless ones might just spring him from jail). If the PCs are not able to persuade the Formians, and are not willing to cross them, Vel will change his offer to the group severing his finger and taking it to his compatriots, so that he can be resurrected. The Formians will allow this with only a modest diplomacy check (or the PCs could just not tell them they're doing it). Vel's information is that the man who hired him had a very distinctive odour: he smelt of hops and mustard. Which ought to trigger some alarm bells for the PCs :-) [b]Act Three: Last Call (or Roll out the Barrel)[/b] For the purposes of drama, the PCs arrive back at the Duke's castle just in time to see Albador end his performance of 'The Alchemist's Folly', at which point all hell breaks loose. Mustard jellies start spawning all around the room, and dozens of panicking people run and scream and shout and generally get in the way of the group's efforts to protect the Duke and put an end to the creatures. Don't be afraid to play up the absurd side of this battle: tables get knocked over, food and drink spatters on the floor, people slip and slide as they try to flee or to fight. Flags get dislodged from walls and fall on people, and pandemonium generally ensues. Wykros spawns as many jellies as you judge appropriate, while the PCs can rely on assistance in the fight from Albador (a Rog3/Ftr3). The young Duke (Ari4) might also be rather more eager to help than the PCs (and his mother) would like. Eventually, of course, the group should succeed in destroying all the mustard jellies, but in all the confusion, Wykros will escape. The PCs will have to chase him back to the brewery he has been using as his base, and engage him in a final battle amidst the giant barrels, copper pipes and other strange contraptions. The brewery should be a very interesting, dynamic place to fight a battle, and should entail a new magically created foe, such as Barrel Golems. DMs are encouraged to include narrow catwalks over vats of hops, levers and wheels that can be used to spray gouts of ale, and vents that release occasional bursts of scalding steam. Having cackled madly throughout the fight, Wykros (who should be a Wizard or Sorcerer of roughly the PCs' own level, plus having 3 levels of Expert) should ideally go to his death in some suitably over-the-top fashion: plunging into one of those vats of hops, for instance, or being crushed by giant clockwork gears. [b]Ingredient Use[/b] Comic timing - Albador's routine used for assassination, comedy within scenes Club foot - Albador has one, which set everything up in the plot Formian overlords - 'villains' / hook Trailblazer - Wykros' magical innovations, Formian trail markers Brewery - villain's hideout/final battle Mustard seed - creates mustard jellies [/QUOTE]
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[IRON DM] Spring 2004 Contest Thread FINAL JUDGMENT POSTED, CHAMPION ANNOUNCED!
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