iserith
Magic Wordsmith
Fools! Did you truly believe a forum rollback could stop the Forum Troll?! Guess again! (Reposting this thread since it was deleted in the Great Forum Reset of 2016. What is thread may never die.)
The Sitch
The people of the vaguely Romanesque city of Disputatio take their debates very seriously, no matter how silly the topic of the day. Winning a debate in Disputatio comes with great prestige and esteem among nobles and commoners alike. It is not uncommon for these pedantic discussions to erupt into chaos and bloodshed from time to time.
The player characters find themselves in such a raucous debate, where a cogent argument or incisive rejoinder won't be all that's required to win the day.
Dramatis Personae
Four 4th-level player characters, pledged to protect noble Semanticus for a handsome sum.
Adhomina, a green hag that appears as a half-elf noblewoman. Her goal is to win the debate by any means possible. She uses the sock puppet of the Troll Prince to further her goal, a magical toy that can summon and control a powerful troll thrall once per day upon utterance of the words, “Well, actually…”
Flavia & Fulvius, two scarecrow servitors of Adhomina in the guise of armored, spear-wielding myrmidons. Replace the Claw attack with a Spear attack.
Semanticus, a human noble. His goal is to win the debate fairly (even if in the most ponderous, boring way possible). He hired the PCs to protect him and offer assistance in making his case before the people.
The Lurkers, twenty commoners of diverse races that watch the debate unfold from the Lurker’s Gallery.
The Troll, but not just any old troll. This one’s immune to charm and its regeneration is fueled by being hit with attacks of any kind. Instead of taking damage, the troll regains hit points equal to the damage that would have been inflicted up to a maximum of 120 hit points. It only takes damage when it misses with its own attacks, taking damage equal to the damage it would have inflicted upon its target had it hit. If it can’t make any attacks on its turn, it takes 20 psychic damage.
The Great Debate
The question being debated at the forum on this day is: “If a troll catches fire in the woods and nobody is there to see it burn, does an adventurer know that trolls are vulnerable to fire?” Semanticus has taken the position in the affirmative, stating that it is common knowledge; Adhomina believes the opposite, claiming quite vociferously that they cannot possess such knowledge unless they’ve seen the troll burn. She uses minor illusions and floating orbs of harmless flame to demonstrate her point.
To win the debate, one side or the other must convince a majority of the lurkers to side with his or her respective argument first. When the action kicks off, the debate is currently a tie with Adhomina and Semanticus each having three lurkers on their respective sides.
To sway a lurker to a particular side, an entertaining demonstration, persuasive argument, clever lie, or disheartening point must be delivered as an action. The fickle nature of these observers and the chaos of the moment makes a result uncertain, calling for a DC 10 Charisma check. This check is made at disadvantage if trying to sway a lurker that has already thrown in his or her lot with a particular side. Further, Adhomina can use a readied action to impart disadvantage to the check by slyly using her Mimicry ability to sound like her opponent and alter the argument being made. If successful, the lurker is swayed to a particular side and the characters earn some experience points. If the check is a failure, the lurker offers a good-natured laugh and encouragement to keep trying which results in 10 hit points regained by the character or NPC that made the attempt.
Upon securing the majority, the debate ends as a winner is declared. (See below.) If a character references Hitler in his or her argument, the attempt to sway a lurker automatically fails, but the player earns Inspiration for playing to the scenario's silly premise.
Attack of the Forum Troll
As the debate drones on and the day dwindles, a flash of light and a deafening roar herald the sudden and unexpected arrival of a green-skinned, scarred brute with long rubbery arms and jagged black claws. It surveys its surroundings with a visible rage before setting its fiery eyes on Semanticus. Another roar signals its lust for blood as it begins to lumber forward. What do you do?
The Troll attacks Semanticus if it can reach him. If it cannot reach Semanticus or if he is dying, it attacks the characters or possibly commoners that have sided with Semanticus’ argument. The Troll does not attack Adhomina, Flavia, or Fulvius. If the troll is hit by a fire attack, it triggers a Flame War. The troll takes no damage from the attack and an explosion of flame erupts from the troll. Each creature within a 20-foot-radius of the troll (save the troll) must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. A target takes 4d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Adhomina generally uses her action to sway a lurker with deception (see below). In some cases, she may ready an action to hinder opposing arguments with a sly use of her Mimicry or attack the characters with vicious mockery spells to help protect Flavia and Fulvius. While doing one of these, she mentally commands The Troll to attack Semanticus or the characters but must concentrate on controlling the troll while holding the sock puppet of the Troll Princes (she hides it behind her back). If her concentration is broken or if she is not in contact with the magical toy, the troll vanishes. To keep up her ruse, Adhomina commands her guards to attack the troll in an apparently good faith effort to protect Semanticus and will not call them off.
Flavia and Fulvius attack the troll as Adhomina commands. If they are attacked by the PCs, the scarecrows target them with Terrifying Glare, but no more than one time per character as their primary focus is attacking the troll. When they are reduced to half hit points, their nature as supernaturally-animate strawmen becomes apparent.
Venerable Semanticus leans on a cane, but can use it to Parry if the troll attacks him. As a man of words and reason, he generally uses his action to try to sway a lurker. Semanticus uses the same rules for dying as player characters do.
So dedicated are they to the space in which they can gather to see ideas shared, so mesmerized by the spirited discussion, the lurkers refuse to stop watching the debate even when chaos erupts in the forum. They default to taking the Dodge action during combat.
In case it comes up, the steepness of the steps and the state of their disrepair make the lurkers gallery difficult terrain. The brazier is lit and can be used to ignite wooden weapons and ammunition, allowing them to do 1 extra point of fire damage on a successful attack. It can be tipped over as well as an action, spewing fire and hot coals in a 15-foot cone. Creatures in that area must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 3d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
If Adhomina’s argument is defeated during the battle, this enrages her: She loses concentration and the troll, if it is still alive, vanishes. Her illusory appearance melts away and she attacks, ordering Flavia and Fulvius to slay the characters if they are still standing. Adhomina tries to retreat when reduced to 25% of her hit points, fleeing invisibly if she can. If she manages to escape, she is forever banned from the forum and the PCs earn themselves a long rest, no matter how many encounters they've faced this adventuring day.
Quad Erat Demonstrandum
Damage on a miss? Non-magical healing? Player knowledge vs. character knowledge? NPCs making social interaction checks? Gotchas? Metagaming? Godwin's law? This short-form scenario's got it all. And I hope the silly nature of it helps to remind us that however seriously we take our many debates on this forum, we're all arguing over some pretty minor stuff in the grand scheme. Perhaps we should laugh at ourselves more often.
How would your group tackle this challenge? What's the best strategy? What would you add to or change about this scenario? I welcome your constructive comments in the ensuing discussion. Thanks for reading!
Special thanks to @Bawylie and @Valmarius for their help and ideas in bringing this all together. More short-form scenarios are available here.
The Sitch
The people of the vaguely Romanesque city of Disputatio take their debates very seriously, no matter how silly the topic of the day. Winning a debate in Disputatio comes with great prestige and esteem among nobles and commoners alike. It is not uncommon for these pedantic discussions to erupt into chaos and bloodshed from time to time.
The player characters find themselves in such a raucous debate, where a cogent argument or incisive rejoinder won't be all that's required to win the day.
Dramatis Personae
Four 4th-level player characters, pledged to protect noble Semanticus for a handsome sum.
Adhomina, a green hag that appears as a half-elf noblewoman. Her goal is to win the debate by any means possible. She uses the sock puppet of the Troll Prince to further her goal, a magical toy that can summon and control a powerful troll thrall once per day upon utterance of the words, “Well, actually…”
Flavia & Fulvius, two scarecrow servitors of Adhomina in the guise of armored, spear-wielding myrmidons. Replace the Claw attack with a Spear attack.
Semanticus, a human noble. His goal is to win the debate fairly (even if in the most ponderous, boring way possible). He hired the PCs to protect him and offer assistance in making his case before the people.
The Lurkers, twenty commoners of diverse races that watch the debate unfold from the Lurker’s Gallery.
The Troll, but not just any old troll. This one’s immune to charm and its regeneration is fueled by being hit with attacks of any kind. Instead of taking damage, the troll regains hit points equal to the damage that would have been inflicted up to a maximum of 120 hit points. It only takes damage when it misses with its own attacks, taking damage equal to the damage it would have inflicted upon its target had it hit. If it can’t make any attacks on its turn, it takes 20 psychic damage.
The Great Debate
The question being debated at the forum on this day is: “If a troll catches fire in the woods and nobody is there to see it burn, does an adventurer know that trolls are vulnerable to fire?” Semanticus has taken the position in the affirmative, stating that it is common knowledge; Adhomina believes the opposite, claiming quite vociferously that they cannot possess such knowledge unless they’ve seen the troll burn. She uses minor illusions and floating orbs of harmless flame to demonstrate her point.
To win the debate, one side or the other must convince a majority of the lurkers to side with his or her respective argument first. When the action kicks off, the debate is currently a tie with Adhomina and Semanticus each having three lurkers on their respective sides.
To sway a lurker to a particular side, an entertaining demonstration, persuasive argument, clever lie, or disheartening point must be delivered as an action. The fickle nature of these observers and the chaos of the moment makes a result uncertain, calling for a DC 10 Charisma check. This check is made at disadvantage if trying to sway a lurker that has already thrown in his or her lot with a particular side. Further, Adhomina can use a readied action to impart disadvantage to the check by slyly using her Mimicry ability to sound like her opponent and alter the argument being made. If successful, the lurker is swayed to a particular side and the characters earn some experience points. If the check is a failure, the lurker offers a good-natured laugh and encouragement to keep trying which results in 10 hit points regained by the character or NPC that made the attempt.
Upon securing the majority, the debate ends as a winner is declared. (See below.) If a character references Hitler in his or her argument, the attempt to sway a lurker automatically fails, but the player earns Inspiration for playing to the scenario's silly premise.
Attack of the Forum Troll
As the debate drones on and the day dwindles, a flash of light and a deafening roar herald the sudden and unexpected arrival of a green-skinned, scarred brute with long rubbery arms and jagged black claws. It surveys its surroundings with a visible rage before setting its fiery eyes on Semanticus. Another roar signals its lust for blood as it begins to lumber forward. What do you do?
The Troll attacks Semanticus if it can reach him. If it cannot reach Semanticus or if he is dying, it attacks the characters or possibly commoners that have sided with Semanticus’ argument. The Troll does not attack Adhomina, Flavia, or Fulvius. If the troll is hit by a fire attack, it triggers a Flame War. The troll takes no damage from the attack and an explosion of flame erupts from the troll. Each creature within a 20-foot-radius of the troll (save the troll) must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. A target takes 4d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Adhomina generally uses her action to sway a lurker with deception (see below). In some cases, she may ready an action to hinder opposing arguments with a sly use of her Mimicry or attack the characters with vicious mockery spells to help protect Flavia and Fulvius. While doing one of these, she mentally commands The Troll to attack Semanticus or the characters but must concentrate on controlling the troll while holding the sock puppet of the Troll Princes (she hides it behind her back). If her concentration is broken or if she is not in contact with the magical toy, the troll vanishes. To keep up her ruse, Adhomina commands her guards to attack the troll in an apparently good faith effort to protect Semanticus and will not call them off.
Flavia and Fulvius attack the troll as Adhomina commands. If they are attacked by the PCs, the scarecrows target them with Terrifying Glare, but no more than one time per character as their primary focus is attacking the troll. When they are reduced to half hit points, their nature as supernaturally-animate strawmen becomes apparent.
Venerable Semanticus leans on a cane, but can use it to Parry if the troll attacks him. As a man of words and reason, he generally uses his action to try to sway a lurker. Semanticus uses the same rules for dying as player characters do.
So dedicated are they to the space in which they can gather to see ideas shared, so mesmerized by the spirited discussion, the lurkers refuse to stop watching the debate even when chaos erupts in the forum. They default to taking the Dodge action during combat.
In case it comes up, the steepness of the steps and the state of their disrepair make the lurkers gallery difficult terrain. The brazier is lit and can be used to ignite wooden weapons and ammunition, allowing them to do 1 extra point of fire damage on a successful attack. It can be tipped over as well as an action, spewing fire and hot coals in a 15-foot cone. Creatures in that area must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 3d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
If Adhomina’s argument is defeated during the battle, this enrages her: She loses concentration and the troll, if it is still alive, vanishes. Her illusory appearance melts away and she attacks, ordering Flavia and Fulvius to slay the characters if they are still standing. Adhomina tries to retreat when reduced to 25% of her hit points, fleeing invisibly if she can. If she manages to escape, she is forever banned from the forum and the PCs earn themselves a long rest, no matter how many encounters they've faced this adventuring day.
Quad Erat Demonstrandum
Damage on a miss? Non-magical healing? Player knowledge vs. character knowledge? NPCs making social interaction checks? Gotchas? Metagaming? Godwin's law? This short-form scenario's got it all. And I hope the silly nature of it helps to remind us that however seriously we take our many debates on this forum, we're all arguing over some pretty minor stuff in the grand scheme. Perhaps we should laugh at ourselves more often.
How would your group tackle this challenge? What's the best strategy? What would you add to or change about this scenario? I welcome your constructive comments in the ensuing discussion. Thanks for reading!
Special thanks to @Bawylie and @Valmarius for their help and ideas in bringing this all together. More short-form scenarios are available here.
