Putting this here, because the DM area seems to have been changed or removed.
Okay, I developed a little idea for a cave complex with a troupe of Yuan-ti. My group (5 8th level pc's with no healer to speak of) should find it to be a challenge. After 1 session in the area I realized they may be in a little over their head...
When I do a dungeon or area like this, I like to determine treasure, and then place it where it will be used. I also try to play to the strengths of the bad guys (Yuan-Ti in this case). Yuan-Ti are all Geniuses, they like traps, and all possess 2 crafts or Knowledge skills at +9. When I was determining treasure, I decided to randomize for magic, and one item that I rolled was a Gauntlet of Rust. This suggested to me that the Yuan-Ti utilize a few rust monsters to assist them with dispatching intruders, as they would have one of their number with this gauntlet and a couple Ranger levels. While Rust Monsters are Aberrations, I feel that a Yuan-Ti ranger might be able to train a couple, as well as use a very large specimen as a personal mount.
The party just successfully dealt with the only 2 other rust monsters, and 3 pureblood Yuan-Ti (Using only Leather armor and MW bows with non-metal tipped arrows). An alarm was sounded, the egress is blocked (Unless they find a hidden release), and there may be more Masterwork Traps about. Also, in about 2 minutes the Mounted Halfblood Ranger will be coming with his trusty steed the Rust Monster, followed in 2 rounds by a couple Archers. Followed in 1 more minute by 3 more archers if the Ranger's horn is sounded.
The party can try to parley, if they have a strong showing in combat it might even work. The goal is to retrieve an item, there would be less treasure, but a greater chance of survival if they use words. Not that the Yuan-Ti will hold true to any pact, but they would for a short time if they get something they want (The human female fighter as breeding stock, for instance).
The deeper area, and higher difficulty monsters should not be at issue for this discussion.
So, what input do I need?
1.) Do you all notice something which I missed?
2.) Do you have suggestions (Not to make it harder, necessarily. It should be hard enough) that might make it more interesting? Suggestions that would work for the players benefit?
3.) If you were my players, would you throw dice at me until I went home with my evil thoughts, and try to make me think about the bad things I had done?
I would love to hear any thoughts, thanks.
Okay, I developed a little idea for a cave complex with a troupe of Yuan-ti. My group (5 8th level pc's with no healer to speak of) should find it to be a challenge. After 1 session in the area I realized they may be in a little over their head...
When I do a dungeon or area like this, I like to determine treasure, and then place it where it will be used. I also try to play to the strengths of the bad guys (Yuan-Ti in this case). Yuan-Ti are all Geniuses, they like traps, and all possess 2 crafts or Knowledge skills at +9. When I was determining treasure, I decided to randomize for magic, and one item that I rolled was a Gauntlet of Rust. This suggested to me that the Yuan-Ti utilize a few rust monsters to assist them with dispatching intruders, as they would have one of their number with this gauntlet and a couple Ranger levels. While Rust Monsters are Aberrations, I feel that a Yuan-Ti ranger might be able to train a couple, as well as use a very large specimen as a personal mount.
The party just successfully dealt with the only 2 other rust monsters, and 3 pureblood Yuan-Ti (Using only Leather armor and MW bows with non-metal tipped arrows). An alarm was sounded, the egress is blocked (Unless they find a hidden release), and there may be more Masterwork Traps about. Also, in about 2 minutes the Mounted Halfblood Ranger will be coming with his trusty steed the Rust Monster, followed in 2 rounds by a couple Archers. Followed in 1 more minute by 3 more archers if the Ranger's horn is sounded.
The party can try to parley, if they have a strong showing in combat it might even work. The goal is to retrieve an item, there would be less treasure, but a greater chance of survival if they use words. Not that the Yuan-Ti will hold true to any pact, but they would for a short time if they get something they want (The human female fighter as breeding stock, for instance).
The deeper area, and higher difficulty monsters should not be at issue for this discussion.
So, what input do I need?
1.) Do you all notice something which I missed?
2.) Do you have suggestions (Not to make it harder, necessarily. It should be hard enough) that might make it more interesting? Suggestions that would work for the players benefit?
3.) If you were my players, would you throw dice at me until I went home with my evil thoughts, and try to make me think about the bad things I had done?
I would love to hear any thoughts, thanks.
