D&D 5E (2014) OotA: Stool dead? XP for Darklake encounters?

[Werebat]

Is there any reason that a DM would want to keep Stool alive if he died somewhere on the Darklake en route to Gracklstugh in Chapter 2-3?

Also, what XP awards should I be giving for terrain encounters, like Stone Teeth or Rockfalls?

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

Well, for some parties, Stool is their only means of communicating with Underdark inhabitants who don't speak surface world Common. The character of the adventure will change radically if you're not able to communicate with anyone--it almost can't help turning into a hack 'n slash at that point.

No opinion on the traps. At my table I'd probably call it 500 for a small one (2d10 to an individual or an AoE d8), 1000 for a larger one, and 2000 or more for a complex or multi-part one. But in all cases, as with monsters, they only get XP for circumventing obstacles preventing them from achieving a specific goal or ambition--so it probably has to be a trap preventing them from either (a) getting out of the Underdark, or (b) becoming filthy rich, depending on what motivates the given character. It's not the trap per se that gives them XP, it's working towards those ambitions.

 

[Eltab]

Stool is also an 'entry pass' to the Myconid cavern.

A safe place to rest will probably be a welcome event, especially if you run a gritty Underdark.

If you want to make Zuggtmoy a big deal in your campaign, the PCs will have to get clues and foreshadowings about her somehow. The Myconids can do just that - the implications of what they see / hear can be awe-inspiring, after a night to mull it all over - without having an over-powerful Big Boss Fight in the process.

 

[Werebat]

Stool is also an 'entry pass' to the Myconid cavern.

A safe place to rest will probably be a welcome event, especially if you run a gritty Underdark.

If you want to make Zuggtmoy a big deal in your campaign, the PCs will have to get clues and foreshadowings about her somehow. The Myconids can do just that - the implications of what they see / hear can be awe-inspiring, after a night to mull it all over - without having an over-powerful Big Boss Fight in the process.

They are headed to Gracklstugh - couldn't Rumpadump fit that bill just as well?

 

[jrowland]

My mind immediately goes to:

Undead Stool.

Speaking of which, I'm off to the loo...