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The Road to Byr: The Fireball Ambush
CR: 12 Adjusted CR (for terrain and tactics): 14
Background: Mad King Aloncall is at it again, and the players are heading to Byr to stop him. Aloncall has heard that adventurers are on the way to twart his evil plans, and has set up a little surprise.
Terrain: Open Grassland with a road, leading into and through a forested area.
Setup: 8 level 5 wizards spread out hidden in the forest (at least 30 feet apart). One level 1 wizard or sorceror on the road, 400-500 feet from the forest.
Execution: The ambush is set up so that the apprentice wizard watches for the party on the road. Once the party is in view, the apprentice casts a light spell on a stick, alerting the wizards to the approach so they can get ready. The wizards are now aware of the party, but the party is not aware of them. They ready actions to cast a fireball at a predetermined spot when the light stick it thrown. Once the party reaches a certain point (600 feet or so from the forest), the apprentice throws the stick up. The wizards cast their fireballs at a predetermined location. Combat then goes on normally.
Effect: This encounter can be extrememly deadly or extrememly easy depending on what the party can do. Fire resistance, globes of invulnerability, and evasion greatly help in this instance, but the key is taking the party by surprise. Note that the barrage can do 40d6 points of damage to everyone in the party (if they travel close together), which is very deadly. You may want to give the party a chance to learn of the King's plan, or at least hear about what kind of forces they might be facing to stand a better chance.
If you wish to reduce the deadlines, have spread the fireballs out into 2 groups. If your party travels farther apart, more of them will be effected, but for less damage.
The Road to Byr: The Fireball Ambush
CR: 12 Adjusted CR (for terrain and tactics): 14
Background: Mad King Aloncall is at it again, and the players are heading to Byr to stop him. Aloncall has heard that adventurers are on the way to twart his evil plans, and has set up a little surprise.
Terrain: Open Grassland with a road, leading into and through a forested area.
Setup: 8 level 5 wizards spread out hidden in the forest (at least 30 feet apart). One level 1 wizard or sorceror on the road, 400-500 feet from the forest.
Execution: The ambush is set up so that the apprentice wizard watches for the party on the road. Once the party is in view, the apprentice casts a light spell on a stick, alerting the wizards to the approach so they can get ready. The wizards are now aware of the party, but the party is not aware of them. They ready actions to cast a fireball at a predetermined spot when the light stick it thrown. Once the party reaches a certain point (600 feet or so from the forest), the apprentice throws the stick up. The wizards cast their fireballs at a predetermined location. Combat then goes on normally.
Effect: This encounter can be extrememly deadly or extrememly easy depending on what the party can do. Fire resistance, globes of invulnerability, and evasion greatly help in this instance, but the key is taking the party by surprise. Note that the barrage can do 40d6 points of damage to everyone in the party (if they travel close together), which is very deadly. You may want to give the party a chance to learn of the King's plan, or at least hear about what kind of forces they might be facing to stand a better chance.
If you wish to reduce the deadlines, have spread the fireballs out into 2 groups. If your party travels farther apart, more of them will be effected, but for less damage.
