How would you defend your subterranean kingdom?

[Nifft]

Are the players consciously aiming to assassinate leaders and destabilize the rule regime, or did they just go for the big goblin?

They succeeded in recognizing who was in control (Spot check) and went for him.

In the future, they have a better chance of recoginzing that particular goblin, should they choose the course of assassination.

-- Nifft

EDIT: spelling

 

[mmadsen]

They succeeded in recognizing who was in control (Spot check) and went for him. In the future, they have a better chance of recoginzing that particular goblin, should they choose the course of assassination.

When that lieutenant attacks them next, is he going to make sure to have overwhelming numbers? He knows what didn't work last time, right? (That's one of the problems, game-wise, with intelligent foes who take some initiative. They should kill the PCs pretty easily.)

 

[Nifft]

When that lieutenant attacks them next, is he going to make sure to have overwhelming numbers? He knows what didn't work last time, right?

The PCs had with them 4 extra warriors, including a (relatively) high-level Paladin -- she had hired them to help her company transport arms, armor & ammo to Yakford. If the goblins had attacked the party alone, the party would probably have lost. The goblins might not have attacked at all, but a spellcaster and archer were asleep in the caravans, making the party's force seem smaller.

The goblins had the element of surprise, though: they knew that all caravans must go through the woods via a specific route. Next time, the party won't be sitting ducks (hopefully).

Finally, the goblins have a logistical constraint: they've only got 24 worgs, and thier lair is a full day's ride away. Some of the worgs are required for day-to-day tasks (hunting parties) and not all are always in peak fighting condition -- though the goblin clerics make sure to heal worgs before troops.

Unfortunately for the party, the lieutenant they wounded was the smart, lawful one. He's not likely to try to do something "fun" with them if he captures them -- he's much more likely to just slit their throats.

Fortunately for the party, he's long gone -- he hightailed it home to rest up for the next few weeks, and report to the leader that things seem to be heating up. The other lieutenant will be using his defeat as a political barb and taking over raiding duties for the next three weeks (at least). The other lieutenant is chaotic evil, so the party will see a change in raids -- more fires, random sniper attacks, property destruction, etc. He's also prideful enough to ignore anything the smart lieutenant told him about this particular party, though he's fearful of paladins.

-- Nifft

 

[mmadsen]

Fortunately for the party, he's long gone -- he hightailed it home to rest up for the next few weeks, and report to the leader that things seem to be heating up. The other lieutenant will be using his defeat as a political barb and taking over raiding duties for the next three weeks (at least). The other lieutenant is chaotic evil, so the party will see a change in raids -- more fires, random sniper attacks, property destruction, etc. He's also prideful enough to ignore anything the smart lieutenant told him about this particular party, though he's fearful of paladins.

You have quite a bit going on "off screen" in your adventure, Nifft! How much do the players eventually discover?

 

[Nifft]

You have quite a bit going on "off screen" in your adventure, Nifft! How much do the players eventually discover?

With luck, quite a bit.

Without luck, at least I'll know that the goblins weren't just die rolls -- that they had reasons for their actions.

-- Nifft

PS: Anyone interested in seeing me write this up as a module?

 

[mmadsen]

Anyone interested in seeing me write this up as a module?

I'd definitely love to see it written up as a module. I'd also enjoy any Goblin lairs people might post.

 

[Maldur]

A write up in a "build your Goblin lair" modular system?

(aka Goblin lair lego's)

or a "regular" adventure?

 

[Nifft]

I was thinking of a "regular adventure" based on my current campaign, but it'd be easy enough to generalize & make more examples once I'd finished that.

It could even turn into some sort of a "slayer's guide" type thing, depending on how much time I have. The material & ideas people have posted in this thread have some real gems & germs which deserve elaboration.

-- Nifft

 

[mmadsen]

I'd love to see a good write-up, Nifft. I doubt you'll get much more feedback on this thread though. Most people stay away from a thread once it hits a couple pages (let alone 157 posts).

 

[Nifft]

I'll post a link here, and the write-up on my web site, and in the "Places & Plots" area.

-- Nifft