Fishing for Ideas

[anest1s]

I think I have settled on having the Rites cancelled due to the fact that the Gryphon Riders have been facing a sneaky enemy that attacks from hiding, and takes the Stormhammers from the corpses. An intelligent enemy capable of flight... naturally one would think a Dragon, right? Especially with the claw marks and scorches on the bodies...
Warcraft Chimaeras are big badass things, thinking of having one (CR 8) and altering it a little. It has taken a dislike to the dwarves and is punishing them for flying near it's lair. It's angry because this is the once-in-10-year breeding season and it has a fresh clutch of eggs to protect. It takes the hammers because it's smart enough to disarm the enemy of a powerful tool.

So, they go in and either kill the chimaera, or try diplomacy with it to get the hammers back and stop patrolling this area while it has eggs. Possibly even gain an ally for the clan. If they kill it, they take the eggs back to the clan to raise, maybe use as guardians...

Think that will work... once they complete that, the High Shaman will perform a ritual to reward the party.

Sound good?

Actually I just got an idea (happens when you don't sleep)
Upon entering the city, have rumors flying around about the dragon that kills the clan's warriors.
Have the elders to refuse to hold any kind of ceremony, till the great hero from an allied clan/or the traveling hero of their clan comes to avenge the dead and slay the dragon.
Then some friendly to the PCs NPC suggests that the dwarf slays the dragon...to gain himself the glory. After that the elders probably wouldn't ask for a trial. If the player is afraid of the dragon, tell him that there is absolutely no possible way that the elders would let a young dwarf to go after such a hard mission.

(*Maybe the friendly NPC is too naive, or wants the PC dead, because in fact...)

The Elders of the clan however have to accept the young dwarfs offer, to slay the beast. Because by denying him to do it, they would spoil his honor. However they don't want him to die...and they will order him to take with him some help. (probably the other PCs)


I hope I didn't become annoying

 

[DjeraktheBloodletter]

That's a great idea, think I will use that!

Now, the big question is thus... how to reward my players. Of course, the Dwarf will get his Stormhammer... but the others are harder. All told, I have a Human Rogue 4/ Fighter 1 (backstory is peppered with alcoholism, he's trying to forget something), Human Cleric 5 (one of the first few Humans to learn to wield Divine Magic, as taught by the Elves, also serves in the Stromgarde Military Medical Corps), Human Fighter 5 (Archer /2h warrior, career military, goes by the book), High Elf Mage 5 (Straight up Mercenary, lives to blow things up), and a High Elf 2/ Mage 3 (generalist mage that is tinkering with the idea of going multiclass for Arcane Archer or other Prestige class).

So far, I have decided to give the Cleric a little bonus called Expanded Mind, +1 Spell slot per spell level... The pure Mage I am giving Warmage Edge (+ Int bonus to Damage), so that leaves 3 more special things to give out that would be around par for the Stormhammer reward. I am, at this time, drawing blanks on what the Rogue, Archer or other Mage should get. Having a blockage.

Any ideas?

 

[Ravilah]

The rogue gets told, "So you drink to forget? There are better draughts for forgetfulness." Then they show him the way to the dark tunnels that lead to the River Lethe. Anyone who drinks from its waters forgets all their past forever. It's a roleplay reward, not a monetary one...but the route to the river can be filled with extra experience and loot (maybe it's a journey he has to take alone).

 

[DjeraktheBloodletter]

Alright, I poked around a bit at the archer and decided to give him a Stance from the Tome of Battle: Book of Nine Swords. So, that just leaves the Rogue and the secondary mage to consider.

I appreciate the input, I really do, it is sparking ideas aplenty for future use if I do not use them immediately. I have honestly added another chapter to my campaign simply based on ideas from this post =P

Criteria: I am looking more for abilities than RP opportunities as this group is little RP, lottta hack & slash. Mostly looking for permanent minor gifts that work for their character concept, such as what I have already posted. The other mage is actually trying to decide if he wants to go arcane archer or mystic theurge, so kinda holding back to determine his little bonus... but the rogue is bugging me. Going to skim my books and try to find a minor bonus from another class he might like.

Keep the ideas coming, I appreciate them all!

 

[anest1s]

SRDixie - D&D Wiki They have some nice arrows. Every self respecting rogue would kill to have some of them...also they tie nicely with what Ravilah proposed....maybe drinking the infamous pixie-water gives you the pixies ability. I have played a pixie scout, and they are nice arrows, but not so uber as one would expect.

For the wizard...what about a re-roll item? x times per day you can re-roll something. It is generic, and he will use it for sure.

Well, I don't think you are giving minor bonuses But they are not overpowered too.

 

[Gilladian]

For the rogue, how about an innate spider-climb ability? Or something that negates falling damage?

Or some increased ability to hide and sneak, if he goes a lot for that? Even just a flat bonus to the hide and move silently skills.

Or give him a 1st level spell at-will. Let him pick which one (maybe only from the arcane list or bard list or whatever is appropriate).

 

[kitcik]

Give him 1-2 free skill tricks.

 

[DjeraktheBloodletter]

Alright, after long, hard thought, I have decided what all the rewards will be now.

Wildhammer - NCO rank of Corporal and Stormhammer of course
Archer - Military Man gets a rank increase to First Lieutenant and Marshal Auras.
Rogue - Mercenary, but he will get an NCO rank of Corporal and a Stance from Tome of Battle
Cleric - CO Rank First Lieutenant and Expanded Mind (+1 Spell per level)
Mage - NCO rank of Corporal and Warmage Edge (+ Int Bonus to Direct Damage)
Arcane Archer - NCO rank of Corporal and Armored Mage (as Warmage, by level attained)

I appreciate all the input, thanks again for helping me out!