D&D 5E Thundertree (5ed Starter Box Set) Possible Spoilers

[Nebulous]

I'm running this episode next week.

There has been no hint of a dragon yet, and I didn't build any foreshadowing or plot devices into Phandalin regarding Venomfang, so everything the PCs encounter there is going to be totally new plot points. Which is fine with me.

Well, finding the druid Reidoth is their reason for going, because he knows where Cragmaw and Wave Echo Cave are. I'm going to have the druid either be a slave or a thrall of the green dragon. Probably a little bit of both. He serves the dragon and actually likes it, but isn't technically free to come and go as he pleases. He fills the role of "the bard who sings praises to the dragon," so the druid is a form of living treasure.

I'm going to use the "Dragon cultists stole the dragon eggs for leverage", so that's why Venomfang hasn't outright destroyed them yet. She is going to be more of an NPC than a monster to fight, because frankly, she'd annihilate a 3rd level party within seconds, it wouldn't even really be a fight, more like fish in a barrel.

I'm toning down the twig blights and ash zombies, maybe even remove them completely.

I've printed out the whole Thundertree map in 10" scale, so it's big, and it should be really fun having the party explore it. i'm going to introduce some magic items the cultists are hunting for, dragonsbane arrows and potions of resistance to poison, as they know they need an edge against the dragon if it gets too aggressive.

How does Reidoth fit into this? I'm not sure yet. He's shades of gray. True Neutral. All the PCs need from him is information, everything else they probably don't care about, but keeping him alive long enough to learn what he knows is paramount.

I think it is going to be one helluva memorable set piece encounter!


EDIT: Venomfang is trying to build up influence in the region using the ruins of Thundertree as her base. She's a young dragon who could easily become a threat to Phandalin later as she gets older. Or maybe she's plenty old enough now. I'm also going to use plenty of foreshadowing with regional effects when the party gets closer: constant nauseating fog, dripping acid rain, stuff like that. Nothing serious, just creepy. Thundergree is going to be more like that town from Half Life 2: the creepy one filled with fog and zombies.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

Thundergree is going to be more like that town from Half Life 2: the creepy one filled with fog and zombies.

"We don't go to Ravenholm"


Your plan sounds awesome btw

 

[Nebulous]

"We don't go to Ravenholm"


Your plan sounds awesome btw

YES. That tagline was escaping me. Thanks.

And also, with the regional effects, it won't matter if they go during the day. A shroud of fog or billowing noxious gas constantly fills Thundertree.

Crap. I already printed the map, but now I wish I could implement fog of war effects I haven't upgraded to projector technology yet!

 

[pedro2112]

I'm running this episode next week.

There has been no hint of a dragon yet, and I didn't build any foreshadowing or plot devices into Phandalin regarding Venomfang, so everything the PCs encounter there is going to be totally new plot points. Which is fine with me.

Well, finding the druid Reidoth is their reason for going, because he knows where Cragmaw and Wave Echo Cave are. I'm going to have the druid either be a slave or a thrall of the green dragon. Probably a little bit of both. He serves the dragon and actually likes it, but isn't technically free to come and go as he pleases. He fills the role of "the bard who sings praises to the dragon," so the druid is a form of living treasure.

I'm going to use the "Dragon cultists stole the dragon eggs for leverage", so that's why Venomfang hasn't outright destroyed them yet. She is going to be more of an NPC than a monster to fight, because frankly, she'd annihilate a 3rd level party within seconds, it wouldn't even really be a fight, more like fish in a barrel.

I'm toning down the twig blights and ash zombies, maybe even remove them completely.

I've printed out the whole Thundertree map in 10" scale, so it's big, and it should be really fun having the party explore it. i'm going to introduce some magic items the cultists are hunting for, dragonsbane arrows and potions of resistance to poison, as they know they need an edge against the dragon if it gets too aggressive.

How does Reidoth fit into this? I'm not sure yet. He's shades of gray. True Neutral. All the PCs need from him is information, everything else they probably don't care about, but keeping him alive long enough to learn what he knows is paramount.

I think it is going to be one helluva memorable set piece encounter!


EDIT: Venomfang is trying to build up influence in the region using the ruins of Thundertree as her base. She's a young dragon who could easily become a threat to Phandalin later as she gets older. Or maybe she's plenty old enough now. I'm also going to use plenty of foreshadowing with regional effects when the party gets closer: constant nauseating fog, dripping acid rain, stuff like that. Nothing serious, just creepy. Thundergree is going to be more like that town from Half Life 2: the creepy one filled with fog and zombies.

Neb,

Don't be surprised if your party does attack the dragon, and don't be surprised if your 3rd level party ends up defeating him/her. I posted what happened in mine, and I set it up similarly to your set up (I had the druid act as a healer and not a thrall of the dragon). Sometimes PCs do the strangest things!

 

[Nebulous]

Oh they killed her at 3rd level? No pc casualties? Interesting. Without poison resistance that breath weapon is a doozy

 

[Nebulous]

With luck and planning they could do it, my guys. But it would be very hard. I have no clue how the scenario will pan out. That's the fun I guess!

 

[Lidgar]

Our party did not kill her, but managed to drive her out (we inflicted close to 100hp of damage). No deaths, but one PC went down. We encountered her in the tower, and attacked through the doorway to minimize exposure to the breath weapon. Nasty fight for sure.

 

[Nebulous]

I'm reading over it now for the first time, the chapter. These twig blights are boring. The entire scenario reeks of "this would be interesting IF...."

it's like the skeleton of a set piece encounter that's not fleshed out quite enough.

 

[Nebulous]

oh baby. Here's my Thundertree. Not 100% how it looks, but the ambiance is spot on and enough to terrify the players. I think i'm dropping the twig blights completely and just have ash zombies, cultists, and the druid and dragon teamed up in the tower. PCs are stumbling into the middle of a mess.

 

[Nebulous]

Lol. and my resident "Ash" zombies! this keeps getting better and better!