Urgent - feedback needed quickly!!!

[Beholder Bob]

I'm running a game in which the players have entered into a place called 'the house of Mammon'. They came here despite warnings about how dangerous it is, as well as how dangerous it is to even know them - and be known by them.

They came because they have a curious item they wish to sell, and this is the place most likely to offer money for it - a golden brain pulled out of the head of a man found in a very foul place, the man was encased in an amniotic sac, found in a cursed place best described as the cyst of the earth. The brain seems indestructible, though examination suggests it may be a stasis. Also, the brain has 4 small nubs on the sides.

They went in. Despite warnings. Also despite warnings, they bickered for the price. And then disaster, one player starts talking about a 2nd brain (there is none), and then some gibberish about getting paid for the brain, taking it back to find the 2nd brain, and then bringing both back. We allow drinking at our game - I'm assuming liquor is responsible for this side trek.

Long story short - they had been paid, but this side trek and bartering left things.... unsettled. instead of being led out with their money, they were led to a side room... to wait.

My gut reaction is to lock them in the room, cast darkness, drop lotus vapors until they are unconscious, then place a cyst in each of them. Afterwards, a round of torture, then perhaps animation or slavery.

But perhaps I'm just not nice. Any kinder suggestions?

And yes, the House of Mammon is what it sounds like.

I didn't think they would go inside either.

BB

PS This really is urgent, the game starts in 3 hours!

Save my players, make kinder suggestions then I.

 

[tarchon]

And yes, the House of Mammon is what it sounds like.

A bank?

 

[Jdvn1]

What is the level and makeup of the party?

 

[Beholder Bob]

A temple/organization dedicated to a devilish figure. Not people to trust with babysitting, the petty change drawer, or your wife.

The group is 5th level. A bard, 2 fighters, and a rogue. Doooooooooooooooooooooooom! Oh, and: 2nd level barbarian and 3rd level rogue NPCs.

BB

 

[Nightfall]

Okay since it IS Mammon, Lord of the Third Circle, something VERY nasty should happen. Sell of their souls, flay the skin from their bones. Basically, be evil.

As for what should happen, hey if they're stupid enough to enter in the House of Mammon, they deserve what ever perils they get.

 

[Felon]

Look, what's the most fun way to handle this situation? Think of a good movie or book your group likes and ask yourself how it would happen there.

How about having the room turn into a deathtrap, but not an over-the-top inescapable one?

 

[fanboy2000]

Did they say where the 2nd brain (that dosen't exixt) is? If so, the dark room could be a teleport to take them to where the 2nd Brain is supposed to be. I'd draw the line at selling them into slavery, unless you want to run an adventure where they try to brake free.

 

[fanboy2000]

Oh, I just thought of something. You could have their identities erased.

 

[enworldatemylogin]

I guess it really depends on what kind of DM you are. And you know, sometimes the house of ________ (insert evil name) is NOT what it seems. Some people like evoking wicked names for the fear factor.

Anyway, how about you try what you said with the lotus stuff, but have the people time it incorrectly, so they open the door before it has wiped them out. Or the room has a secret compartment they find and escape into, which of course leads into the REALLY nasty places.

 

[Nightfall]

Give them all complete amnesia. That should be fun.