D&D 5E Skyreach Castle (HOTDQ Spoilers)

[Yubbie Nubbins]

I've tried to research this in both The Hoard of the Dragon Queen and The Rise of Tiamat books, as well as looking for answers online. However, I can't seem to find much info on this topic. What happens to the player characters if Skyreach Castle crashes with them on board? Is this an instant TPK? How would you resolve this scenario?

 

[abirdcall]

I've tried to research this in both The Hoard of the Dragon Queen and The Rise of Tiamat books, as well as looking for answers online. However, I can't seem to find much info on this topic. What happens to the player characters if Skyreach Castle crashes with them on board? Is this an instant TPK? How would you resolve this scenario?

There actually is a suggestion in the DMG on the damage you take for crashing into a mountain or something like that. I think it was 18d6 or 18d10. Some high number.

This actually happened in our game. They destroyed the control room but were unable to escape because they were cornered by the Cloud Giant.

They all died. It was glorious.

 

[GuardianLurker]

If they crash it, yep, TPK.

Of course, "crash it" in this means "The Castle fell straight down from its cruising height." Said cruising height is well over 200 feet up (apparently, the average cloud deck sits ~2000 feet above ground level). Of course, that's not the scenario the adventure gives you. It's talking about crashing the castle into a mountain/glacier.

There are problems with that:
1 - the Well of Dragons (where all that treasure is going) is to the south, directly opposite the site the adventure assumes.
2 - The castle's speed isn't given. Assuming a Giant's walking pace, the best estimate is about 6 days to the presumed "crash site".

The end result: this scenario is probably the weakest bit of HotDQ. Rewrite it as it appeals to you.

 

[Queer Venger]

If they crash it, yep, TPK.

Of course, "crash it" in this means "The Castle fell straight down from its cruising height." Said cruising height is well over 200 feet up (apparently, the average cloud deck sits ~2000 feet above ground level). Of course, that's not the scenario the adventure gives you. It's talking about crashing the castle into a mountain/glacier.

There are problems with that:
1 - the Well of Dragons (where all that treasure is going) is to the south, directly opposite the site the adventure assumes.
2 - The castle's speed isn't given. Assuming a Giant's walking pace, the best estimate is about 6 days to the presumed "crash site".

The end result: this scenario is probably the weakest bit of HotDQ. Rewrite it as it appeals to you.

Ive re-written HotDQ substantially, its the only way Ive been able to successfully DM it. I have other plans for Skyreach castle ;-)

 

[Eltab]

Look over the 'Enhancing HotDQ' threads. There are more neat ideas there.

I would have the castle 'crash' in slow motion. The movement shifts and just feels WRONG. If anybody can see the sky go by, the castle is sinking. It will accelerate downwards until it is moving too fast to survive. A clever PC might remember the stables for the flying mounts (whatever they used to fly on board in the first place). Those beasts offer a safe way to get out - but everybody else might remember it too.

Do your PCs enjoy a good puzzle? The castle 'crash' means that no forward propulsion works any more, the castle just drifts on the wind. The prevailing wind will blow them out over the desert, or towards a known dragon lair, or over a Cult base - which will surely send messengers to ask why they are clear over HERE and not taking care of their mission.