Low-level Dungeon: Need an inhabitant

[Mark1733]

What about a small xorn who is just eating his way through?

Or possibly a thoqqua?

 

[aboyd]

I don't have my books in front of me right now but isn't a thoqqua powerful & dangerous, with reach? Can first level groups survive?

 

[SolosAddie]

There could be a "sealed" room of some sort in the basement of a good temple which held something bad/evil, or cursed items of some sort, maybe some type of intelligent evil item, that the temple did not get around to destroying before it was abandoned.

 

[Mistah J]

Wow.

Awesome ideas here,

After thinking about it, I really like like the vermin idea but I felt that some kind of "ringleader" would make a nice climax encounter. So, I've eased up a little on the "tightly sealed" aspect and came up with this idea:

A lone Derro, living a life of madness in the dark... breeding and raising vermin. I figure the local villages could have some old fairytale-esque stories that the PCs could hear as some foreshadowing.

Thanks for your input folks, and if you can think of anything I should include in my Derro Encounter.. please let me know.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Hmmm...the Vermin Derro of Angeltraz...

 

[Mark1733]

ABOYD...

You are right...the thoqqua is a CR 3, but you can always modify size. The choker is a CR 2 and should be good--plus there is an easy out if the DM plays it right--give clues that it is very hungry. Hopefully, someone has some tastier rations. Personally, the suggestion of the Derro raising vermin sounds really cool.

 

[Jack Simth]

I'm starting to set up for a new campaign soon and some advice would be appreciated.

I've got the first adventure all planned and at its end, the PCs are going to find an ancient ruin of a temple. One that will serve as the starting point of the main campaign plot.

I'm trying to decide on who or what will be the main obstacle there and could use some advice/suggestions. Here are the main points to consider:

1. This "dungeon" is just the basement level of a small temple that was buried over time (the rest of it is gone).
2. The temple was dedicated to a good-aligned angel of healing so it can't be full of deadly traps and evil guardians.
3. It's been sealed and lost for centuries, so there's no real traffic.

So really, given those conditions, I'm looking for something that makes sense and can be a fun encounter for a 1st level party (maybe 2nd).

Anyone feel like brainstorming with me?

Let's see... an Elan doesn't die of old age, and has an ability by which it can go without food or water. That gives you a (mostly) humanoid opponent, even in a sealed dungeon (as long as there is a viable air supply). Apply a few levels of any class you like.

 

[Magesmiley]

I thought I might throw out a template notion that would fit with the buggy theme... the insectile template from Savage Species. Perhaps the derro was cursed in some manner to transform him. He wouldn't necessarily have to be evil - the fact that the PCs are going around mopping up his 'friends' would probably be sufficient to motivate him.

 

[Mistah J]

I thought I might throw out a template notion that would fit with the buggy theme... the insectile template from Savage Species. Perhaps the derro was cursed in some manner to transform him. He wouldn't necessarily have to be evil - the fact that the PCs are going around mopping up his 'friends' would probably be sufficient to motivate him.

Ooh good call!

I may not use it for the Derro himself (named Old Man Wig btw) but I could definitely see it as a way to use some other creatures and still have them fit his bug theme... he could be a mad alchemist/breeder type.

Thanks!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Isn't there a Master of Vermin PrCl (or whatever it may be called) out there somewhere?