Challenging my high-lvl group (NPCs and monsters; my players shouldn't read this!)

[Greybar]

I'd say that Knowledge (tasty yummy things) +29 would mean that he has a practiced knowledge of what wine pairs best with heroes. There's a particular subtle aspect that many villains miss, making the general assumption that a red wine is a good match for fighter-types, while a white is the best pairing for spell casters.

The level of expertise that Oathenor has in such things has taught him that a full bodied chardonnay might be the obvious choice for a bard that isn't that beefy in the muscles department. However a dark, spicy cabernet with hints of toast really brings out the phoenix-spirit residue in half-elf bards that are self-cooking.

John

 

[wolff96]

The level of expertise that Oathenor has in such things has taught him that a full bodied chardonnay might be the obvious choice for a bard that isn't that beefy in the muscles department. However a dark, spicy cabernet with hints of toast really brings out the phoenix-spirit residue in half-elf bards that are self-cooking.

LOL.

I read that and started thinking of MREs. Pull the tab on Nolin, and by the time you can get the juicy bits out of the armor, he's at the perfect temperature to eat.

 

[CRGreathouse]

I'd say that Knowledge (tasty yummy things) +29 would mean that he has a practiced knowledge of what wine pairs best with heroes. There's a particular subtle aspect that many villains miss, making the general assumption that a red wine is a good match for fighter-types, while a white is the best pairing for spell casters.

The level of expertise that Oathenor has in such things has taught him that a full bodied chardonnay might be the obvious choice for a bard that isn't that beefy in the muscles department. However a dark, spicy cabernet with hints of toast really brings out the phoenix-spirit residue in half-elf bards that are self-cooking.

How, exactly, does that work in-game? Is there a set DC, or is it based on some aspect (CR, HD, etc.) of the food, or is it like Jump (for every x you beat DC 20 by, _____)?

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Yellow Sign]

Piratecat,
I love your story hour and I just wanted to ask you a question. When the dragon ate the magical mace, wouldn't it give him a very nasty stomach ache? I forgot was the mace a LAWFUL mace or just a HOLY mace in the stomach of a CHOATIC EVIL dragon. Just touching the thing would be bad news for the dragon right?

 

[Greybar]

CRGreathouse:
How, exactly, does that work in-game? Is there a set DC, or is it based on some aspect (CR, HD, etc.) of the food, or is it like Jump (for every x you beat DC 20 by, _____)?

It's actually a contested test, with the Knowledge(culinary) of the chef being compared against that of the diner. A dragon-chef of such discriminating taste would find that his artistry is totally lost of the amazed taste buds of his kobold syncophants (Nob10, Knowledge(yummy stuff) +15). However, as always we are our own worst critics.

For a full example of such delicacies, interested readers are encouraged to attended the Feast of Overconfident Adventurers, held every twenty years by Gorganzal Throatking (called "The Grapebreath" when his back is turned), an Ancient Blue Dragon. The attendees range from the aforementioned Oathenor (whose "Braised Drow with Black Currant" dish was very well received) to the well known illithid chef Kolethi. Kolethi's prize-winning dish, "Unicorn brain with wood-charred elfskin", transcended the typical illithid fare in its mixture of still glistening and warm brainflesh with just the right crunchy bite of topping. The horn was a beautiful presentation piece as well.

Competing chefs have been known to covertly encourage adventurers with desired qualities to attack. They often then store the bodies in Time Stop chambers until just before the Feast. Points are given to the chefs for the renown of the former adventurers. There is currently an extra standing prize for the attendee that can deliver the most succulent half-elf sorceress on a bed of rice.

But I digress...

John

 

[Piratecat]

I love you guys. Best skill ruling, ever.

Yellow Sign, I actually thought of that! I decided that with no one to hold it, it would just do a minimal amount every round. The dragon was planning on coughing up the items later and adding them to his hoard. The slight indigestion in the mean time wasn't much concern.

Oh, did I say items? That would be foreshadowing.

 

[Kugar]

Congratulations,
This thread has given me a whole new set of nightmares involving William Shatner.

Kugar

 

[Kaodi]

Idea

Looking through the MM2, I finally came up with a worthwhile (and hopefully more or less original) monster idea.

How do you think an Earth Weird with the Demonically Fused Elemental Template from Dragon #285 would go over? Especially backed up by a few Earth Grues (from the same issue) and a handful of ghoulish servants? Taking some creative license here and there, you could use the Weirds foretelling in creatively evil ways.

Just a thought.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

Piratecat - me and randomling have been trying out her DMing powers, as per The Elemental Six thread (there's only four of them up there at the moment, the other two are on their way, honest!) and last night we tried a good variant on an old theme. We bashed zombies.

This may not sound like much of a challenge for some 13th level characters, but let me tell you, beating the cr*p out of 12 collossal zombies is a curiously fun experience.

"I power attack it for ten!"
"Roll the dice!"
"Hit AC...uh...23...14...19..."
"Three hits! Roll damage!"
"Um...33...29...38!"
"OK, it looks slightly injured. Next!"
""

We have wizards casting maximised lightning bolts, druids with a flamestrike...all sorts. Great fun.

 

[Bill Muench]

MM2

Personally, I'm loving the recent spat of templates that has been released. My most recent favorite creation?

A pair of monks who have been mummified (see the Mummy template from Dragon #300) and Spellstitched (see MM2). Their wrappings glow with blue runes of power and their joints creak with the ages... I'm using as a pair of tomb guardians in my homebrew, and giving them each a distinct fighting style (similar to the martial arts styles from Oriental Adventures).

The two templates go great with the Monk class, especially due to the Wisdom and natural armor bonuses of the Mummy template. Then Spellstitching gives them Mage Armor and touch spells like the various inflict spells, slay living, and harm that they can deliver via unarmed strikes or use to heal themselves.

Too much fun (there's also the Ice Para-Genasi that ride Cold Element creatures ).

Back to your regularly scheduled sadism... er, discussion of ideas.