Low Level Bad Guy with a High Level Scroll

[Cheiromancer]

I think the "Save or Dying" variant would be fair. If they are affected they are automatically put to minus (spell level) in hit points. For a circle of death they would be at -6.

This could be a general house rule, or it could be particular to that particular scroll. Or it's what happens if you don't make the caster level check (to use the scroll) by a sufficient margin or something.

 

[Nifft]

trope: a word or expression used in a figurative sense

Trope has gained other meanings. http://m-w.com/dictionary/Trope
One of them is over-used theme or device, which fits perfectly.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Plane Sailing]

They're not high enough level to raise them

They can't be raised or reincarnated from death magic (as when a party member was recently killed by slay living and I was going to reincarnate him and found that I couldn't)

 

[Endur]

Add that to the fact that several posters have backed up my original inclination (that it wouldn't be much fun for the party to face), and I think I'll find a different spell to change it to.

Scott,

I used the scroll in that adventure.

It didn't actually turn out that bad.

Remember it has a large burst radius and lower hit dice creatures die first. In my case, several animal companions and mounts were slain. Only one PC died to the scroll.

Also, the scroll is placed there for three reasons.

First, to give the PCs a hint that there is something of vastly more necromantic power around beside the minion with the scroll.

Two, to let the PCs know that they are totally outclassed by the true powers of the realm. So they don't go directly challenging the true power and get a TPK before they are ready.

Three, to add some terror and horror. If, for instance, one of the PCs is infected with a supernatural disease that does something nifty after the PC dies, and the monsters aren't capable of actually slaying a PC in combat, this is one way you can ensure a PC dies and the nifty effect happens.

 

[Voadam]

Three, to add some terror and horror. If, for instance, one of the PCs is infected with a supernatural disease that does something nifty after the PC dies, and the monsters aren't capable of actually slaying a PC in combat, this is one way you can ensure a PC dies and the nifty effect happens.

Speaking as one of the PCs, having the infection as a lingering threat is icky and bad even if there isn't PC death.

 

[smp4life]

I just got through DMing that scenario in that adventure you're talking about. I was worried about that too. However, the cleric in question lost inititive and the party's monk ran up and snatched the scroll out of the clerics hand with improved disarm. It was awesome. However, the creature downstairs bit the head off of the NPC paladin that was travelling with the group after the party bard fell through the hole in the floor and she jumped in after him to save him.