Maure Castle

[BOZ]

I have been running the "Maure Castle" adventure from Dungeon #112. Last Wednesday's session, one of the characters was able to ask a question of the Purple Stone, and his question was "What thing in this dungeon would make me the most powerful?" It was towards the end of the session, so I told him I would get back to him next week. If you are familiar with this adventure, what would you suggest as a possible response?

 

[Rakusia]

not familiar with this dungeon but that is a loaded question. think djinn wish granting. is there a treasure that is worth just an absurd amount of money? tell him that dont explain the wealth would make him a powerful person capable of buying pretty much anything. possibly he will think it is magical if he goes to a wizard to get it identified have wiz say i sense noting magical but then offer a lot of gold for it. he'll keep it thinking it will make him stronger while refusing to sell it(the only way it could make him powerful)

 

[RichGreen]

How about finding all the missing triangles to go in the eight pointed star at area 1?

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Have the answer be "Your left index finger".

 

[N'raac]

It seems most of the answers above are aimed at "how dare the player ask such a question - screw him over". I'm not familiar with the scenario to answer the question in the spirit of the question (assuming that's your goal). However, the possibility that the "thing which would make him most powerful" is an alliance rather than an item appeals. In the spirit of the prior responses, an Undead that inflicts its condition on its victims has the potential to make a character much more powerful, with a significant downside.

 

[Rakusia]

well im not saying screw him over due to asking the question, but more along the lines because he asked such a simple question that allows for a very complicated answer. whenever you get a chance like that you kinda have to ask the question very precisely. for more information exactly how was the question worded?

 

[grodog]

I have been running the "Maure Castle" adventure from Dungeon #112. Last Wednesday's session, one of the characters was able to ask a question of the Purple Stone, and his question was "What thing in this dungeon would make me the most powerful?" It was towards the end of the session, so I told him I would get back to him next week. If you are familiar with this adventure, what would you suggest as a possible response?

Hmmmm. Interesting Q, Kevin. I think the Q is a bit vague, and since the stone is intelligent, it could prompt the PC to clarify his Q/intentions before answering. On the answer front, I think at least part of the answer will vary if you are running just the core 3 levels from WG5 or are planning to use the new levels as well:

- If the scope of the Q is just the original 3 levels, and if you're not going to crock him on the Q in terms of providing a philosophical vs. useful answer ("you will make you the most powerful" or "not dying in the dungeon will make you the most powerful" or whatever), then I think I'd go with "Travelling to the Lost City of the Elders" as the response, since successfully using the tapestry for transportation to the LCotE will require the PCs to defeat Kertiz and Eli and acquire the Tome of the Black Heart, and that will take the PCs on to another adventure area.

- If the scope of the Q is the original 3 levels + the new levels as well (Statuary, Chambers of Antiquities, Greater Halls, Warlock's Walk), then I'd reply with "Looting the Chambers of Antiquities"

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Without knowing the adventure at all, Would it be safe to assume being solidly united with the rest of his party would make him the most powerful? The ability to interface smoothly with the others as an adventuring force.

Since this isn't likely his intention, I'd figure whatever either advanced his class to be better at what it does (melee smashes better at smashing, casters cast better spells, etc) or, something that grants the ability to do something that the class would not do (Caster gets to smash things, melee gets to use spells, etc).

Baring any of that, is there something that increases survivability?

Sorry for the vague response, I hope somebody who knows the adventure can provide more help.

 

[BOZ]

not familiar with this dungeon but that is a loaded question. think djinn wish granting. is there a treasure that is worth just an absurd amount of money? tell him that dont explain the wealth would make him a powerful person capable of buying pretty much anything. possibly he will think it is magical if he goes to a wizard to get it identified have wiz say i sense noting magical but then offer a lot of gold for it. he'll keep it thinking it will make him stronger while refusing to sell it(the only way it could make him powerful)

it definitely is a loaded question. He left it vague on purpose in case the answer involved something other than a magic item. I am thinking of making suggestions that would be difficult and/or dangerous to accomplish, but at least possibly worth the effort.

How about finding all the missing triangles to go in the eight pointed star at area 1?

I don't think all of them are in the dungeon...

Have the answer be "Your left index finger".

not sure what you mean by that...

It seems most of the answers above are aimed at "how dare the player ask such a question - screw him over". I'm not familiar with the scenario to answer the question in the spirit of the question (assuming that's your goal). However, the possibility that the "thing which would make him most powerful" is an alliance rather than an item appeals. In the spirit of the prior responses, an Undead that inflicts its condition on its victims has the potential to make a character much more powerful, with a significant downside.

well im not saying screw him over due to asking the question, but more along the lines because he asked such a simple question that allows for a very complicated answer. whenever you get a chance like that you kinda have to ask the question very precisely. for more information exactly how was the question worded?

I tried to repeat it here as closely as I could recall it. and i'm not above screwing him over - that option is on the table. see my above response though; I would rather give him something he could actually get, even if getting it is ultimately not good for him.

Hmmmm. Interesting Q, Kevin. I think the Q is a bit vague, and since the stone is intelligent, it could prompt the PC to clarify his Q/intentions before answering. On the answer front, I think at least part of the answer will vary if you are running just the core 3 levels from WG5 or are planning to use the new levels as well:

- If the scope of the Q is just the original 3 levels, and if you're not going to crock him on the Q in terms of providing a philosophical vs. useful answer ("you will make you the most powerful" or "not dying in the dungeon will make you the most powerful" or whatever), then I think I'd go with "Travelling to the Lost City of the Elders" as the response, since successfully using the tapestry for transportation to the LCotE will require the PCs to defeat Kertiz and Eli and acquire the Tome of the Black Heart, and that will take the PCs on to another adventure area.

- If the scope of the Q is the original 3 levels + the new levels as well (Statuary, Chambers of Antiquities, Greater Halls, Warlock's Walk), then I'd reply with "Looting the Chambers of Antiquities"

I was definitely thinking of saying the Tome of the Black Heart, or even Eli's demonic hands. Maybe I will have the stone offer an alliance - bring me more people to become cultists and you will help me lead my new cult. Rather than having the PC clarify his intentions - since the stone can read thoughts anyway - I think it will say, depending on what you want these are your choices... and then refuse to respond since he only got to ask it one question. For the scope of the adventure I am assuming just the four levels in 112 and I already had to tell them I couldn't answer about the other levels since I don't have those issues available at this time. maybe we will continue on with those if the PCs are interested.

Without knowing the adventure at all, Would it be safe to assume being solidly united with the rest of his party would make him the most powerful? The ability to interface smoothly with the others as an adventuring force.

Since this isn't likely his intention, I'd figure whatever either advanced his class to be better at what it does (melee smashes better at smashing, casters cast better spells, etc) or, something that grants the ability to do something that the class would not do (Caster gets to smash things, melee gets to use spells, etc).

Baring any of that, is there something that increases survivability?

Sorry for the vague response, I hope somebody who knows the adventure can provide more help.

yeah, i'm sure being better pals with the rest of the group is not what he was looking for. he is a monk/drunken master, so if anyone knows something specific from the adventure which applies best there, maybe that is my ans

 

[grodog]

I was definitely thinking of saying the Tome of the Black Heart, or even Eli's demonic hands.

The hands might make a desirable sacrifice for the stone, but I'm not sure they really go toward answering the Q asked very much

Maybe I will have the stone offer an alliance - bring me more people to become cultists and you will help me lead my new cult. Rather than having the PC clarify his intentions - since the stone can read thoughts anyway - I think it will say, depending on what you want these are your choices... and then refuse to respond since he only got to ask it one question.

I guess that bailing on the Q would likely cause the stone to gain no alliance with the PCs---aka, potential new cultist followers: perhaps have it ask the PC to swear to serve it, or some such, and the stone will provide for its new acolyte(s) by guiding them to their treasures (and its rivals/enemies in the complex)?

For the scope of the adventure I am assuming just the four levels in 112 and I already had to tell them I couldn't answer about the other levels since I don't have those issues available at this time. maybe we will continue on with those if the PCs are interested.

The Chambers of Antiquities contains many interesting and valuable treasures, which is why I mentioned that level. It's in Dungeon #124, and is well-worth picking up. Since you only have The Statuary at present, you could point to the PCs toward the Eye of the Elder or perhaps the Scythe of Yeenoghu, in addition to the Tome.