Dungeon 103: Forest of Blood

[Trellian]

Am I blind, or did they forget to insert how many boars there were supposed to be at Remus' cabin? Any ideas how many there should be?

 

[Ranes]

I just took a look at this and the first thing I realised was that somehow, I had neglected to read the adventure earlier.

The cabin is EL8. That seems more than reasonable for Remus and his five associates, let alone wild animals. However, the players' description of the area refers only to 'several large boars', yet the 'Scaling the Adventure' sidebar suggests adding a couple more boars, one of them a dire boar to the cabin, if the players are 8-9th level.

I would suggest a default of 1d3+3 boars is enough to exploit their tactical value to Remus (as outlined the second paragraph of the 'creatures' entry for C4).

 

[d20Dwarf]

I just took a look at this and the first thing I realised was that somehow, I had neglected to read the adventure earlier.

The cabin is EL8. That seems more than reasonable for Remus and his five associates, let alone wild animals. However, the players' description of the area refers only to 'several large boars', yet the 'Scaling the Adventure' sidebar suggests adding a couple more boars, one of them a dire boar to the cabin, if the players are 8-9th level.

I would suggest a default of 1d3+3 boars is enough to exploit their tactical value to Remus (as outlined the second paragraph of the 'creatures' entry for C4).

Hmmm, I wrote the adventure and apparently I did forget the boars, since they aren't even in my manuscript. It's a toughie, I think the adventure got printed for 5th level, is that right? An EL 8 encounter is already pretty tough without adding a bunch of boars, but the encounter isn't as cool without them.

I'd add 4 boars, which makes the boars and Remus without the rogues an EL 7 encounter. If you want to give the PCs a break, have the archer fire from the cabin but let the other 4 rogues sneak around through the secret tunnel to flank the characters. This gives the PCs a few rounds to whittle things down. Of course, if your PCs are 5th level, there should be a fireball there to help things along quite nicely.

 

[Trellian]

Thanks, an actual response from the author was perfect! My group consists of 3 characters, a 7th lvl ranger, a 7 lvl rogue and a fighter/rogue 4/2. This means that they are a little higher than the recommended levels, but they are only three, so I think it should balance itself out. The rogues won't pose much of a problem to them, so I think 4 boars should do just fine. The real problem would be Remus, as my players haven't met anyone in 3,5 with DR. They probably think its all right with magic weapons. I suspect they will have to retreat the first time in order to purchase a silver weapon

I have to say that the adventure looks really great, and that I look forward to playing it! We've just finished the City of the Spider Queen, and are looking for plot-based city or outdoors adventures. The campaign is located in Thesk, and it was a small task converting it. The druidic circle will be the Circle of Leth, and they have been missing because they are busy fighting the Rotten Man and the Talontar Blightlords.

Hope to see more adventures by you in upcoming Dungeons!

 

[d20Dwarf]

The rogues won't pose much of a problem to them, so I think 4 boars should do just fine. The real problem would be Remus, as my players haven't met anyone in 3,5 with DR. They probably think its all right with magic weapons. I suspect they will have to retreat the first time in order to purchase a silver weapon
!

This is pretty close to my experience as well. 1st-level rogues just aren't much of a threat to any party, with one poor attack for little damage. They may be able to flank, but being that close means that one even glancing blow will take them down. The boars on the other hand can tear your players a new one, especially when they are joined by a wereboar rogue.

Hope y'all have fun!

 

[LGodamus]

sure wish i had the new issue of dungeon

 

[d20Dwarf]

sure wish i had the new issue of dungeon

Well, Forest of Blood is from a few issues back.