Seeking Of Sound Mind help - warning, spoilers!

[Samnell]

To fully initiate myself into the Church of PC Worship, I'm going to run Of Sound Mind for my PBEM group. In seeking to perform this sacrament, my unworthy mind has produced questions.

The writeup for Thimdrul's lab on page 30 indicates that the PCs have a 20 foot drop to contend with before they can intervene in Thrimdrul's crystal spinal tap. This is area 25, which on the map on page 26 has no apparent drop marked.

The only 20 foot drop marked on the map is between areas 26 and 29. Area 25 has a ramp up to it and an illusionary wall in place, but these are separately addressed. The adventure assumes the PCs come in by way of the ramp from area 23 to 25 in all likelihood, so they would not contend with any of the marked drops. Is there supposed to be another drop that isn't marked on the map, or is the text in error about where the drop is.

Also in regards to the map on page 26, a stream of water is shown eventually going into area 19 and thence descending in the pretty glowing waterfall down through the mountain, but before it does this the map has it winding its way through the lair. The text never mentions the water after area 19. Is there supposed to be a stream running through the dragon's lair (which would be strange as it runs through walls) or is the map just inadvertently ambiguous about showing the path of the water below the lair?

One more (just one, I promise): I need to scale the adventure for a group of seven second level PCs, two of which only have one class level due to ECL. Would the second level or third level scaling suggestions shake out better? Their hit points are a shade low for the ECLs, but there's a lot of them to go around.

 

[Jarval]

Re: Seeking Of Sound Mind help

One more (just one, I promise): I need to scale the adventure for a group of seven second level PCs, two of which only have one class level due to ECL. Would the second level or third level scaling suggestions shake out better? Their hit points are a shade low for the ECLs, but there's a lot of them to go around.

I'd go with the second level scaling suggestions. To be honest, I think even unscaled, OSM is better suited to a second level rather than a first level party.

 

[Old Fezziwig]

Hey there. In answer to your questions, I assumed that the 20 ft. drop was at the bottom of the ramp, and the back end of the same sentence on page 31 indicates the same to me (regarding the 50% cover — "crouching on the ramp and using the opening's lip..."). It's not marked on the map, though, so I could be wrong.

As for the stream, I had it running through the lair. The text mentions it on the bottom of page 30 in Area 25 ("...with a thin stream flowing through it in a narrow channel"). That and the picture on page 33 seem to indicate that it runs all the way through the lair, as the map indicates.

As for scaling, when I ran it (for 5 PCs: Dwarf Ftr1/Clr1, Human Wiz(Con)2, Human Brd2, Halfling Mnk2, Human Pal1), I ran it just as if they were 1st level and all of them almost died from the combats (granted, they aren't exactly a group optimized for combat). The combats with the bonetangle and the last battle were particularly deadly. For 7 2nd level PCs, I would recommend bumping it up to at least the suggestions for 2nd level, if not 3rd.

Hope this helps. My group had a lot of fun with the module.

Best,
tKL

 

[drnuncheon]

Re: Seeking Of Sound Mind help

The writeup for Thimdrul's lab on page 30 indicates that the PCs have a 20 foot drop to contend with before they can intervene in Thrimdrul's crystal spinal tap. This is area 25, which on the map on page 26 has no apparent drop marked.

The only 20 foot drop marked on the map is between areas 26 and 29. Area 25 has a ramp up to it and an illusionary wall in place, but these are separately addressed. The adventure assumes the PCs come in by way of the ramp from area 23 to 25 in all likelihood, so they would not contend with any of the marked drops. Is there supposed to be another drop that isn't marked on the map, or is the text in error about where the drop is.

Also in regards to the map on page 26, a stream of water is shown eventually going into area 19 and thence descending in the pretty glowing waterfall down through the mountain, but before it does this the map has it winding its way through the lair. The text never mentions the water after area 19. Is there supposed to be a stream running through the dragon's lair (which would be strange as it runs through walls) or is the map just inadvertently ambiguous about showing the path of the water below the lair?

This is from memory as I don't have the map in front of me. I remember that the river confused me too. The only way that the stream makes sense is if it flows from the waterfall, not to it. A portion of the water is diverted from the waterfall, flows through the walls, through the narrow but deep channel that the PCs must cross, then around the perimeter of the ramp room, falling down from where the illusory wall is, through the room with the corpse, out onto the balcony, and then out and down the side fo the mountain.

When I ran it, I placed the 'lab' below the room that contained the ramp to the illusory wall, and had the ramp leading down to the wall (which was still 20' above the floor). I have since decided that this was probably not what was intended - instead, the ramp probably leads up to the hole in the wall that is 20' above the floor.

 

[JoeBlank]

I agree with Jarval's second statement, OSM is tough enough for a group of second levels. Of course, you did say you have seven players. I would start out with the adventure as written and if they are breezing thru then use the 2d level scaling suggestions once they get into the "dungeon".

I ran OSM partially PBEM and partially on OpenRPG. Be sure you talk to PC before you start your preparation. He can be very helpful.

 

[Samnell]

I ran OSM partially PBEM and partially on OpenRPG. Be sure you talk to PC before you start your preparation. He can be very helpful.

I'll have to do that. Can't do much better than from the buccaneer's mouth.

 

[Piratecat]

Just saw this! I'm heading to bed, so I'll go over it in detail tomorrow.

 

[Samnell]

It'll keep. Thanks, PC!

 

[Piratecat]

Re: Seeking Of Sound Mind help

Point 1:

As noted in the text, there is a big 'ole drop from the illusionary wall into room 25. That's why Thimdrul et al haven't noticed the opening; there's no draft from it, and it's too high up for them to stumble across.

So, the floors in rooms 23 and 25 are on the same level; a ramp in room 23 leads up to an opening in the wall 20' up; no similar ramp leads down into room 25. Make sense? If not, say so and I'll skatch and scan a diagram.

Blame my sloppy map-making skills for this not being properly noted on the map. In fact, I suspect the cartography is the weakest part of the adventure, and that's ultimately my fault.

Point 2:

Water pours out of the ceiling in area 19. Most of it pours straight down; however, a portion of it is diverted into a narrow stream that originally enters area 25 through a narrow hole in the trench that cuts under the wall (as Dr Nuncheon guessed.) This was the original owner's water source. The hole that lets water into room 25's trench is too small for Thimdrul and his minions to fit into, so they've left it alone.

Point 3:

As Jarval mentioned, OSM is better suited for a 2nd lvl party. For a big 2nd lvl party use the 2nd lvl scaling guidelines in the module, and you should be all set.

Thanks! I'm thrilled you like it. I'm steaming away on OSM2 during the evenings, and it seems to be turning out pretty well.

 

[Samnell]

Re: Re: Seeking Of Sound Mind help

So, the floors in rooms 23 and 25 are on the same level; a ramp in room 23 leads up to an opening in the wall 20' up; no similar ramp leads down into room 25. Make sense? If not, say so and I'll skatch and scan a diagram.

It makes sense. I didn't even think about the breeze issue.

Gob goon #1: "Hey boss, smells like adventurer back there."
Gob boss: "You're just imagining it."
Gob goon #2: "Want to tell that to the arrow sticking out of the back of his head?"

Blame my sloppy map-making skills for this not being properly noted on the map. In fact, I suspect the cartography is the weakest part of the adventure, and that's ultimately my fault.

"I blame Piratecat's sloppy map-making skills!"

Water pours out of the ceiling in area 19. Most of it pours straight down; however, a portion of it is diverted into a narrow stream that originally enters area 25 through a narrow hole in the trench that cuts under the wall (as Dr Nuncheon guessed.) This was the original owner's water source. The hole that lets water into room 25's trench is too small for Thimdrul and his minions to fit into, so they've left it alone.

Ok. That makes sense.

As Jarval mentioned, OSM is better suited for a 2nd lvl party. For a big 2nd lvl party use the 2nd lvl scaling guidelines in the module, and you should be all set.

Will do.

Thanks! I'm thrilled you like it. I'm steaming away on OSM2 during the evenings, and it seems to be turning out pretty well.

It really is a great mod. I can never read these things straight through but for OSM that wasn't a problem. Looking forward to the sequel!