Hi, everyone,
I'm DMing our group through the 3.5-edition version of the War of the Burning Sky. They've just made it (back) to Seaquen after taking Nathan Lowduke back to Naizelasa but otherwise missing the point of the side quest, and I'm about to inflict the council meeting on them.
I really should reprise the entire adventure path here, but that's a thread for another day. In short, the party has three members: Ari, a monk/rogue/swordsage hodgepodge; Erina, a barely-recognizable druid/evoker; and Fitz, headed for Ruby Knight Vindicator. All the friendly NPCs from the prior sessions made it to Seaquen with them with the exception of Haddin. (This all is in large part a hint to any player who might happen across this page that they should STOP READING NOW, since I'm consulting the Intarwebs for tactical advice).
Anyhow, to get to my point: I'm looking ahead to the battle of the Wayfarer Theater and thinking it doesn't make a lot of sense for Giorgio devolve to beating people with a stick should get cornered trying to complete his dastardly plan -- which seems like the most likely outcome, since the module says the party will just barely catch a glimpse of him entering the captain's chamber. The guy's a stage performer, after all, not an adventurer.
So, my thinking is to instead have them further embrace the "The Shahalesti Did It!" ruse: Brutus can create an illusion of an elven wizard on the poop deck to divert the party away from Giorgio and himself, which is a much better use of his talents than trying to use Burning Hands on people. Giorgio then can focus his attention on the captain's desk. If someone should confront him, he can claim to have killed an elf who had activated the ship and that he is trying to shut it off -- having him shout, "I need a wizard in here!" comes to mind.
I figure I would replace his Weapon Focus feat with Skill Focus (bluff). Likewise, Brutus's spells might need a little tweaking, although a scroll or two would likely be adequate for him to carry off his side of the bluff (he has the ranks, after all!). I haven't quite decided what to do with the rest of Giorgio's allies, although the rogue's role probably doesn't need to change at all. I was considering having Giorgio fascinate anyone that might try to help him with the controls. It'd be a good idea on his part, but he's far too likely to succeed and the player gets stuck sitting on their hands listening to his explanation while the battle rages on outside. It's sort of a stretch to allow him to fascinate in that situation anyhow. On the other hand, a suggestion that we all need to get off this ship would probably warrant granting him a bonus on the basis that it's a highly reasonable suggestion.
Anyone have any comments, yay or nay, on this approach? I'd love to hear any additional ideas other people have on running this encounter.
Thanks!
I'm DMing our group through the 3.5-edition version of the War of the Burning Sky. They've just made it (back) to Seaquen after taking Nathan Lowduke back to Naizelasa but otherwise missing the point of the side quest, and I'm about to inflict the council meeting on them.
I really should reprise the entire adventure path here, but that's a thread for another day. In short, the party has three members: Ari, a monk/rogue/swordsage hodgepodge; Erina, a barely-recognizable druid/evoker; and Fitz, headed for Ruby Knight Vindicator. All the friendly NPCs from the prior sessions made it to Seaquen with them with the exception of Haddin. (This all is in large part a hint to any player who might happen across this page that they should STOP READING NOW, since I'm consulting the Intarwebs for tactical advice).
Anyhow, to get to my point: I'm looking ahead to the battle of the Wayfarer Theater and thinking it doesn't make a lot of sense for Giorgio devolve to beating people with a stick should get cornered trying to complete his dastardly plan -- which seems like the most likely outcome, since the module says the party will just barely catch a glimpse of him entering the captain's chamber. The guy's a stage performer, after all, not an adventurer.
So, my thinking is to instead have them further embrace the "The Shahalesti Did It!" ruse: Brutus can create an illusion of an elven wizard on the poop deck to divert the party away from Giorgio and himself, which is a much better use of his talents than trying to use Burning Hands on people. Giorgio then can focus his attention on the captain's desk. If someone should confront him, he can claim to have killed an elf who had activated the ship and that he is trying to shut it off -- having him shout, "I need a wizard in here!" comes to mind.
I figure I would replace his Weapon Focus feat with Skill Focus (bluff). Likewise, Brutus's spells might need a little tweaking, although a scroll or two would likely be adequate for him to carry off his side of the bluff (he has the ranks, after all!). I haven't quite decided what to do with the rest of Giorgio's allies, although the rogue's role probably doesn't need to change at all. I was considering having Giorgio fascinate anyone that might try to help him with the controls. It'd be a good idea on his part, but he's far too likely to succeed and the player gets stuck sitting on their hands listening to his explanation while the battle rages on outside. It's sort of a stretch to allow him to fascinate in that situation anyhow. On the other hand, a suggestion that we all need to get off this ship would probably warrant granting him a bonus on the basis that it's a highly reasonable suggestion.
Anyone have any comments, yay or nay, on this approach? I'd love to hear any additional ideas other people have on running this encounter.
Thanks!
