Lord Zardoz
Explorer
My current group is at about level 17 and they are in the Frost Spire portion of Revenge of the Giants. I try to run my game so that if any 3 show up, I will run it (though I try to scale encounters to avoid TPK). The party's cleric is going to be unavailable for a long while. Lacking healing, the PC's were a bit wary, and decided to work out a solution.
One of my PC's (A warlock named Grindlewald) thought it would be a good plan to summon up a Demon to help with the Frost Spire quest. The Summon Demon ritual from the Demonomicon was used. I slightly edited the flavor text to the following:
After negotiation's concluded, Mike managed to gain some much needed assistance from a source with a reputation for being perfectly fair and entirely trustworthy. The terms are entirely reasonable will never cause anyone to have any regrets ever.
Deal was made with an entity named Uralkazzar.
General terms:
Services to be rendered will be provided by a new associate / traveling companion (Grgnaw the Imp)
The Grgnaw will provide intel and recon.
The Grgnaw will minor tactical support, primarily healing.
The Grgnaw will render assistance and advice when requested.
The deal will represent an 'ongoing relationship' between Uralkazzar and Grindlewald.
Assistance is primarily to be provided to obtain a piece of a 'Divine Engine' from the Frost Spire.
The terms of the deal and may be expanded and extended on later at Grindlewald's request
Cost of the Deal:
Grindlewald will [bold]successfully complete[/bold] 5 tasks for Uralkazzar.
The exact nature of the tasks will be determined later.
Uralkazzar is under no obligation to explain why any particular task is being performed.
The tasks must be within Grindlewalds power to complete, and within reason (ie, no assualting the gates of heaven. No wholesale slaughter of orphans. No puppy rape, etc).
Uralkazzar shall take posesson of Grindlewalds still beating heart until the tasks are successfully completed. If Grindlewald attempts to renege, there will be dire consequences.
Grindlewald will lose the use of 2 Healing Surges for the duration of the deal.
Continued use of Grgnaw's services beyond the Frost Spire missoin may incur additional tasks.
Extraordinary support will incur additional tasks (ie: support beyond what could be done with a ritual or class power of the party's level). This includes a 'Raise Dead' performed on Grindlewald.
Misc: Grindlewald may regain posession of his still beating heart prior to completion of the terms of the deal in exchange for 10 still beating hearts obtained from others. Hearts must come from people willing to cut a deal of their own free will. Grindlewald will still have debt, but he will have more leeway to decline a particular task.
Grgnaw's stat sheet is attached and may yet be subject to further revision. The goal is to provide a source of utility powers and a few minor tactical enhancements + cleric like healing, but to make the choices generally less optimal then the players own class abilities. It is intended to be an NPC like those listed in the Mordenkainen's Magnificent Emporium book.
If any of you have comments or suggestions, go ahead and post them.
END COMMUNICATION
One of my PC's (A warlock named Grindlewald) thought it would be a good plan to summon up a Demon to help with the Frost Spire quest. The Summon Demon ritual from the Demonomicon was used. I slightly edited the flavor text to the following:
After negotiation's concluded, Mike managed to gain some much needed assistance from a source with a reputation for being perfectly fair and entirely trustworthy. The terms are entirely reasonable will never cause anyone to have any regrets ever.
Deal was made with an entity named Uralkazzar.
General terms:
Services to be rendered will be provided by a new associate / traveling companion (Grgnaw the Imp)
The Grgnaw will provide intel and recon.
The Grgnaw will minor tactical support, primarily healing.
The Grgnaw will render assistance and advice when requested.
The deal will represent an 'ongoing relationship' between Uralkazzar and Grindlewald.
Assistance is primarily to be provided to obtain a piece of a 'Divine Engine' from the Frost Spire.
The terms of the deal and may be expanded and extended on later at Grindlewald's request
Cost of the Deal:
Grindlewald will [bold]successfully complete[/bold] 5 tasks for Uralkazzar.
The exact nature of the tasks will be determined later.
Uralkazzar is under no obligation to explain why any particular task is being performed.
The tasks must be within Grindlewalds power to complete, and within reason (ie, no assualting the gates of heaven. No wholesale slaughter of orphans. No puppy rape, etc).
Uralkazzar shall take posesson of Grindlewalds still beating heart until the tasks are successfully completed. If Grindlewald attempts to renege, there will be dire consequences.
Grindlewald will lose the use of 2 Healing Surges for the duration of the deal.
Continued use of Grgnaw's services beyond the Frost Spire missoin may incur additional tasks.
Extraordinary support will incur additional tasks (ie: support beyond what could be done with a ritual or class power of the party's level). This includes a 'Raise Dead' performed on Grindlewald.
Misc: Grindlewald may regain posession of his still beating heart prior to completion of the terms of the deal in exchange for 10 still beating hearts obtained from others. Hearts must come from people willing to cut a deal of their own free will. Grindlewald will still have debt, but he will have more leeway to decline a particular task.
Grgnaw's stat sheet is attached and may yet be subject to further revision. The goal is to provide a source of utility powers and a few minor tactical enhancements + cleric like healing, but to make the choices generally less optimal then the players own class abilities. It is intended to be an NPC like those listed in the Mordenkainen's Magnificent Emporium book.
If any of you have comments or suggestions, go ahead and post them.
END COMMUNICATION
I think since Grgnaw provides no save bonuses or anything, the party is really going to miss their cleric's save-granting powers and copious healing.
