PotA - speed up needed

[Nailen]

OK, thanks for the comments everyone.

Perhaps it makes more sense to have Marlos in the Fane of the Eye so that the party face off against him - I think it will be fun for them to face a medusa!
Then there can be a confrontation between Gar and Vanifer 'off screen', they hate each other as mentioned and the rising tension of two of the prophets going down makes them both snap. The party are left to face Vanifer and Imix.

 

[Nailen]

By seeing consequences and results, they will no longer feel like they are slogging through fight after fight or dungeon after dungeon.

Yep, I see what you're saying. However, the campaign fatigue is hitting the DM (me) as well as the players - I wanna get playing, but I don't want to just drop the campaign.

Overall we've all enjoyed it - using event based levelling has been great. I've levelled them after each outpost/temple which keeps the new skills coming at a good pace.
One of the players is quite cautious about descending into places that they won't be able to cope with, so wants them to dungeon crawl through everything. This could potentially take another year of play!!
There's a good level of trust between players and DM - they know that if an NPC encourages them to hurry down to the Fane that I wouldn't do it in an attempt to kill them all.
I think they can cope with the Fane and the Weeping Colossus. It's just the final showdown could be lethal...

 

[S'mon]

One of the players is quite cautious about descending into places that they won't be able to cope with, so wants them to dungeon crawl through everything. This could potentially take another year of play!!

You could always tell them they won't get any levels for clearing areas significantly below Party Level?

 

[S'mon]

FYI, I have made tougher versions of the Princes here: 5e Epic Updates - Elementals

Thanks - I think I'll use those for the home plane versions, and the PoTE stats for the weaker summoned versions.

Could also have them initially use the PoTE stats when first summoned, then grow into your stats if they stay on Faerun long enough. Although IRL if my players fail PoTE abysmally I think they'll have to bust out their level 30 4e PCs and we'll resolve it using 4e.

 

[Nailen]

You could always tell them they won't get any levels for clearing areas significantly below Party Level?

That wouldn't really work, as they are only one level above the recommended.

 

[dave2008]

One of the players is quite cautious about descending into places that they won't be able to cope with, so wants them to dungeon crawl through everything. This could potentially take another year of play!!

I believe that is why [MENTION=6804070]LordEntrails[/MENTION] suggested the dungeons be clear when the PCs get there. Leave signs they have fled or retreated and that they know the PCs are coming for them. Make it clear the cult is break up based on the success of the PCs. They should make them fell good and move the story along to where the cultist are making the final stand.

I think they can cope with the Fane and the Weeping Colossus. It's just the final showdown could be lethal...

"Could be lethal" are the most exciting challenges to overcome and the ones the players might talked about for years later.

 

[Nailen]

I believe that is why [MENTION=6804070]LordEntrails[/MENTION] suggested the dungeons be clear when the PCs get there. Leave signs they have fled or retreated and that they know the PCs are coming for them. Make it clear the cult is break up based on the success of the PCs. They should make them fell good and move the story along to where the cultist are making the final stand.


"Could be lethal" are the most exciting challenges to overcome and the ones the players might talked about for years later.

Ahh, cool. I understand now. Yeah I like that idea - the fire temple is deserted if they go there. If they don't, it doesn't matter.

re. lethal encounters - you are right. The fight that followed them triggered the Glyph of Warding in the Water Temple was epic. One of the best parts of the campaign.

 

[Nailen]

We had a discussion in the group. Turns out, they want to play through properly. So we elected to put it on hiatus and play something else for a while.
So, we are going to start playing through the 5e conversion of Master of the Desert Nomads... Can't wait!

 

[UngainlyTitan]

Hi all,
Appreciate they most moved on from PotA a while back, but I've been running my group through it for what feels like ages. Campaign fatigue is beginning to set in with player and DM alike so I'm pondering ways to speed it up.

Current situation is that the air and water temples are clear and Aerisi is dead. They are pretty much done with the earth temple and will got 10th level when they do.

My thoughts are to have an NPC encourage them down into the Fane rather than the fire temple, and have them meet Gar Shatterkeel.
With him down, the PC who is attuned to windvane gets a vision/dream of Marlos and Vanifer arguing and facing off. One dies and the other goes to complete the summoning.

With the party at 11th level I think Imix and Ogremoch will be way too powerful for them. So, I am thinking of ways it could be a bit more balanced but still a 'deadly' encounter.
I could tone down Ogremoch - reduce AC and HP and attack bonuses etc to something more like CR 16. Possibly reduce damage dealt as well.
Similar with Imix, and then I remembered that they have a water orb of destruction that they saved from one of the scripted cult attacks. If that was set off in the Weeping Collossus it could be epic..!! A lot of steam (everything obscured) but I think Imix could take damage or some other negative effect from that much water...
I could also add some cool weaponry (oathbow for example) or give them access to a massive stash of potions..
Also wondering on how to make sure they work out that the elemental weapon needs to hit/attack/be thrown through the portal to dismiss the Prince. I thought the weapon and portal could either glow the same colour or have some faint light connection...
If anyone had read this far, I'd love to hear what you think....
Cheers!

At this point the cultists are supposed to abandon the temples and retreat underground. One prophet to the eye of the fane and the other 2 to their respective elemental nodes. There is no reason to do anything else. Level as appropriate.