D&D 5E Encounter Terrain Help

[trentonjoe]

First of all, I am not sure what forum to put this in. If this should be moved, let me know and I'll delete it and start a new one in the right spot.

I am looking for help in designing an encounter for 5E (edition isn't really important, I can adapt or make up rules if needed). In a nut shell, there is a one story farm house completely surrounded by spider webs. The house is visible through the webs but the webs are pretty thick (1'?).

There will be a spider or two outside the house in the web (opposed check to see HIDE vs Investigate) and some Spriggans (using modified Ogre Stats for the Large version of the Spriggans) on the inside.

I figured I'd use the rules for breaking through a web that are listed in the Giant Spider entry (AC: 10 HP 5 Immune to Bludegeoning and other stuff).

The house will have a chimney that the PCs can crawl down (Athletics or Acrobatics 10?) if they want to.

The house is a farm house that the Spriggans have taken over (with the help of the spiders) I figured I would make it one room (maybe some 1/2 walls for cover, is that +2 AC now or disadvantage on attacks) that has been more or less destroyed by the Spriggans. I was planning on having pots and pans all over the floor along with scattered belongings making all movement difficult (1/2 movement).

I was thinking about having a large kitchen table somewhere in there. It could be used to jump up on giving advantage on some attacks or disadvantage to be hit or maybe flipped over providing more cover.

The there wouldn't be a fire in the fireplace (mostly so the PC's have the option to climb down it if they wanted) but I was gonna have one of the spriggans have a "make fire" spell to start it up and have some hot oil or something (lard?) that they could throw at the PCs (4d6 damage and an effect similar to the grease spell).

Couple thoughts:

1. Am I using a mechanic wrong?
2. IS there something I can add?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tormyr]

Everything sounds pretty good. You could leave a fire burning in the fireplace. The PCs could put it out with some water or dirt, a create water spell or prestidigitation. Odds are that they will be heard if they climb on the roof. Especially the heavy armor guys who have disadvantage on stealth. Old farmhouses are creaky.

 

[jadrax]

Some sort of well or other water source outside but near?

 

[trentonjoe]

Yeah, I like the well. I think I am going to use this map:

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/Bld_Farmhouse-Ground-Floor.jpg

 

[Nagol]

Are spider webs still flammable in 5e? If so, why won't the PCs simply ignite them to clear the house?

 

[trentonjoe]

Are spider webs still flammable in 5e? If so, why won't the PCs simply ignite them to clear the house?

I was going to have them burn slowly (like one square per round). Also, I figure that might ignite the house and they won't know who is in there.

I mean, they might do it.

I think I am going to put some "bumps" in the webs as well so the party might think are the captured family of the house.

 

[jadrax]

Are spider webs still flammable in 5e? If so, why won't the PCs simply ignite them to clear the house?

Web Spell yes.

Normal Giant Spider webs are just Vulnerable to Fire damage.

 

[Johnny Champion]

The house will have a chimney that the PCs can crawl down (Athletics or Acrobatics 10?) if they want to.

IMO, must be a wide chimney then. I would say let them enter through an upstairs window. Not sure I would like the Santa comparison.

The house is a farm house that the Spriggans have taken over (with the help of the spiders)

As a player, I would want to have explained how giant spiders with no intelligence would be reliable allies? Do Spriggans have some type of ability to gain this understanding?

 

[Tormyr]

I was going to have them burn slowly (like one square per round). Also, I figure that might ignite the house and they won't know who is in there.

I mean, they might do it.

I think I am going to put some "bumps" in the webs as well so the party might think are the captured family of the house.

5 feet in 6 seconds seems reasonable, if a little slow. As someone who actually burns thick spiderwebs when they are encountered around my house (only outside and only when it is safe to do so), I can tell you that the web just evaporates and does not carry enough activation energy to light anything else on fire.

Since these webs are thicker, and more like thin rope or string, you could argue that the fire could continue. Even if it managed to light something else on fire, the fire would be small as there would still not be much energy transferred. That being said, you can make it behave any way you want to, but every once in a while, you need to indulge the pyros in the group without too​ much consequence.

 

[Boarstorm]

(maybe some 1/2 walls for cover, is that +2 AC now or disadvantage on attacks)

Half cover is +2 AC and Dex saves.