AoW.TFoE: I think my PCs are screwed (spoilers)

[Mercule]

If there have been any magic weapons, they have been sold as "not my schtick" by the PCs. I was sure there was a +1 greataxe, but no one else remembers it. Maybe they failed to collect it.

I was thinking the labyrinth would be a good choice, too. The Aspect could still get in, but it'd have to "squeeze", which would give the PCs a serious perk. We'll see if they remember that.

 

[Capellan]

part of the reason I wanted to "play as they lay" is because I feel that my group tends to be a bit weak on tactics

Honestly, if this is the case, they're doomed in AoW. It's not a forgiving set of modules at all. Paizo's adventure path modules tend to assume a well-balanced party of above-average characters with above-average cohesion and tactical ability (it's one of the reasons I don't like their stuff as much as other people tend to). Fall down on any of those fronts, and TPKs are in your future.

 

[Dog Moon]

Oh, I remember that battle. Was a pain in the butt. We ended up trying to use every tactical advantage possible and with my Swordsage fighting defensively, I had a high enough AC to be difficult to hit. Fortunately, we were using a bad stuff die when someone crit missed and one of the options is Fatigued. And Fatigued x2 is Exhaustion, so I think that's the only reason we managed to eke out a win.

I'm thinking that yeah, your players are screwed. However, I'm not sure how you managed to make it to level 5 without a single magical weapon...

 

[MerricB]

In my group, the Barbarian killed it singlehandedly with a Masterwork Greatsword and a Tanglefoot bag.

Lured it into a narrow corridor (so it was squeezing), then hit it with a tanglefoot bag. Net result was a massive penalty to attack and AC.

Cheers!

 

[Steel_Wind]

Here's what I did... in similar circumstances.

The party finished off the Faceless One right above the summoning pool It was a CR11 fight - totally consumed all of the resources of the party and brought half to death's door. The summoning the PCs were trying to stop seemed successful - and there was ominous bubbling and steaming.

The PCs beat feet - all but the rogue who stayed behind as the critter emerged.

The rogue realized he was in deep doo-doo and ran for the shaft and screamed to be pulled up - too late. The THING caught the base of the elevator platform as it started to rise. The rogue climbed for his life - but the climb bonus for the critter is too high. The rogue was caught a third way up the shaft and plummeted to his death.

The remaining PCs waited at the top of the shaft - hurled a few spells to no effect as it came up - and attacked it flat footed as it climbed out. The fighter criticalled and on top of that - the combined damage from the three other PCs was enough to kill it. It died.


My advice:

If your party is the type to camp in the dungeon in the Faceless One's chamber (or wherever) - you might let them do that so they can get back spells and heal a little. As they make their way out to the room with the "summoning pool", Bubble Gurgle >>>GREEN UGLY STEAM RISING AS A FORM TAKES SHAPE EMERGING FROM THE POOL <<<<

The critter then emerges - spurred on by the presence of the PCs.

If the PCs choose not to rest and instead leave right away - let them start up the elevator shaft about two-thirds to three quarters of the way up - then send it roaring up the shaft chasing after them. The critter climbs VERY fast. You'll need to time it just right for maximum effect.

The encounter plays best if the PCs have to make climb rolls under pressure and JUST make it to the top ahead of it. Check the PCs movement rates vs its rate. Give them enough of a head start so they can just make it.

If the PCs get to the top of the shaft - they should have a round to hit it as it emerges flat-footed from the shaft - on four sides.

If they don't manage to make the best of that opportunity - well - you gave them a chance. Have at 'em and no quarter.

 

[cthulhu_duck]

Do the characters have any relationship with Allustan?

In the next adventure, Allustan uses a teleport scroll, and he has scrying in his spellbook.

Possibly, he could be watching the group via scrying, and pop in to save them using teleport and maybe a teleport to get out of there...

 

[Mercule]

Well, they actually survived. No deaths, even. No one even dropped.

They pulled together and really used good tactics. They pulled back to the Labyrinth and found a place where the barbarian could face it in a confined area and had the cleric stand behind her with a wand of cure light (I didn't even remember they had that). The swordsage shadow garrotted it twice, the warmage used magic missle (after determining that nothing elemental was worth while), and the summoner provided a way to block its escape.

I thought they were dead. They thought they were dead. But they really did a great job.

That was three really intense sessions in a row. I think the group is really starting to enjoy the AoW adventure path.

 

[Dog Moon]

Ahhh, the Swordsage. Heh, I remember using Shadow Garrote. We thought it was funny that I was strangling a Golem and dealing damage until we looked closer and read that we couldn't actually do that.

 

[Nightfall]

*four*

I say let the Ebon Aspect enjoy his appetizer as he carves his way into destructive furious vengeance.

Believe the Aspect is tough, but it won't help them if they survive it and then come up against something worse and then say "Hey DM! Help us!"

That just makes you sad Mercule. And you never struck me as a sad DM.

 

[Erik Mona]

Nice!

The Ebon Aspect was a pushover in my campaign. I think he died in three rounds or something based on some lucky rolls and, I think, two critical hits. It was brutal.

Sometimes it is best to let the game play as it is rolled. Your players will almost always surprise you, and those who survive will feel as though they have earned it. And they will have. All of them will learn about group cohesion, splitting up the party, and other invaluable lessons that will ultimately make for more enjoyable D&D (in my experience).

I also use a "Hero Point" system based on the one Monte Cook used in our Ptolus campaign. Players essentially get a "get out of jail free" card for contributing meaningfully to the campaign or just flat out being brave. That can sometimes prevent utter disaster, and I really think it makes the game a lot more fluid and interesting.

I think you (and your players) handled it exactly right.

--Erik