So I'm catching up on some paperwork, actually catching up with my 4e campaign diary when I discover that on the 5th of Uktar (The Rotting) my players (the Friday Knights) completed 13 encounters between Extended Rests. That's thirteen combat encounters in a row- there were 3 Skill Challenges also but...
Thirteen combat encounters between extended rests, is this a record?
Players are Human Fighter 9, Dwarf Fighter 8, Dwarven Cleric 8, Eladrin Wizard 8, Elven Rogue 8 & Drow Assassin 7.
The players are in an expanded version of Goodman Games DC#60 Thrones of Punjar converted to Fallcrest, and lots added.
Day starts with a call to adventure, something's kicking off in a local Alchemist's basement, the PCs are called into action-
Encounter #1 (Level 9 Encounter) A host of Giant Soldier Ants (Level 6 Soldiers) and some Acid Spill traps.
Then-
Encounter #2 (Level 14 Encounter) The Ants nest including loads of Minions (Level 7 Minions, an endless supply- till they kill the Queen), more Giant Soldier Ants (Level 6 Soldiers), Giant Royal Ant Guards (Level 6 Elite Soldiers) & Giant Ant Queen (Level 10 Elite Controller)
The Wizard is making Death Saves here.
The above was taken from 'Bugged Out' Critter Encounters- Goodman Games.
They then get on with the adventure in hand, investigation and plenty of role-play leads to-
Encounter #3 (Level 11 Encounter) Ambushed by a pair of drunken bums that turn out to be highly adept 'Slayers' (Assassin Guild Members)- Bum #1 (Level 13 Elite Soldier), Bum #2 (Level 13 Elite Lurker).
One of the PC Fighters has to make Death Saves here.
One of the Bums is captured, the other killed, Skill Challenge to get info, then PCs move on.
The PCs meet an Apparition, roleplay and Skill Challenge, and end up descending into the sewers- one by one, and straight into-
Encounter #4 (Level 5 Encounter) A pair of Bloodweb Spider Swarms (Level 12 Soldiers), the PCs are challenged here because when the first swarm kicks off there are only two PCs in the sewers, with two arriving each round thereafter.
They march on, into a much larger chamber and-
Encounter #5 (Level 6 Encounter) A bunch of Visejaw Crocodiles (Level 10 Soldiers), which they destroy very easily.
There follows a series of clues, mostly misinterpreted, and some bad rolls, which leads the group into the sewers, and on several occasions in completely the wrong direction, which sees them trigger a whole host of encounters.
Encounter #6 (Level 6 Encounter) A pair of Crushgrip Constrictors (Level 13 Soldiers) surge out of the sewer and surprise them.
The PCs go crit crazy.
Then, more failures in the Skill Challenge and I decide to go for it-
Encounter #7 (Level 9 Encounter) A Green Slime (Level 12 Lurker) drops on the Thief and engulfs him, while from around the corner comes a Huge Gelatinous Cube (Level 14 Elite Brute), at one point three PCs are within the cube.
It's a close one but the PCs get through it- retreat I think, press on is what they do however.
More bad rolls for the PCs follow.
By the way the players are loving this, laughing like drains as they stumble blindly from one disaster to another, while almost never missing in combat.
Encounter #8 (Level 6 Encounter) A pair of Shambling Mounds (Level 13 Soldiers), which they total in about three rounds- yet more crits from the PCs.
And that's all the Random Encounters I have designed for this part of the scenario, remember I'm using Maptools here, and I like to design each of the maps just so- thankfully they then take the right turn and get to the place they're supposed to be going.
Watch a strange ceremony, figure lots of things out, although are left with a lot more new questions, and then get straight into-
Encounter #9 (Level 10 Encounter) A bunch of enthralled/charmed/controlled Citizens of Fallcrest (Level 8 Soldiers) and a Chuul (Level 12 Soldier).
They make mincemeat of the lot of them, it helps when the surprise round goes very well for the PCs. They even manage to capture a bad guy.
Info gained they head back out, and run into a bunch of nasties that have entered the sewer in pursuit of the PCs, which leads to-
Encounter #10 (Level 10 Encounter) A bunch of Dwarven Hammerers (Level 10 Soldiers), one mounted on a Rage Drake (level 10 Brute) and a pair of Human Ambusher (Level 12 Skirmisher).
The PCs again smash through this bunch, even though the creatures get the drop on them, I'm rolling like a... no words to describe it, save swear words- I miss attacks, saves, most everything.
The PCs kick my ass.
They then discover the way they should have gone when they originally descended into the sewer, and follow it, and discover what they were looking for, and-
Encounter #11 (Level 10 Encounter) Huge Otyugh (Level 11 Solo Soldiers), which causes quite a stir, but misses a lot- damn it, they struggle through the encounter and emerge bloodied but victorious.
They discover the remains of the Apparition and rap up that part of the mystery.
My players are screaming down their respective microphones- basically questioning my parentage in-between complementing each other and themselves.
So I decide to mess with them.
They don't know how many encounters they've done in a row, remember this takes place over 2 or three sessions, but they know it's a lot.
They're supposed to take an extended rest now, head back to the safe place and go to sleep for the night, instead I dangle a great big carrot in front of them- the location of the lair of an old and bitter enemy- they bite.
PCs have a light supper and head out for more, eventually get to the hidden lair, an old warehouse, there are guards on the door, no matter- the over-confident fools rush them.
There are four moderate encounters ahead, I combine them all together, I know- I've combined two encounters before, probably three, never four, it goes like this-
Encounter #12 (Level 17 Encounter) Guards on the door turn out to be two Human Veterans (Level 10 Soldier), two Ambush Drakes (Level 10 Skirmisher) and a Human Enforcer (Level 12 Brute), who calls out and just as the first encounter is ending drags the following into play- four Halfling Lackeys (Level 7 Minion), a pair of Horned Drakes (Level 9 Skirmisher), a pair of initially concealed Halfling Prowlers (Level 10 Lurker), and not one, not two, but three Halfling Javelin Dancers (Level 10 Skirmisher). The PCs are creaming me, sure several of them are bloodied but the Priest has only used one Healing Word so far... So in comes a Bloodseeker Drake (Level 10 Soldier), followed by a pair of Iron Cobras (Level 10 Skirmisher), a Gnome Mistwalker (Level 10 Skirmisher), a Gnome Sniper (Level 10 Artillery) and a Gnome Entropist (Level 12 Artillery), which makes for a whole different ball-game, dailies are getting tossed around, they've only them and At-Wills left, and I'm still taking a beating. So I open the final door and reveal the big bad guy, three more nasty Drakes and a Frost Hound (Level 11 Soldier) which gets straight into the fight.
At which point the PCs ask me to surrender!
What? Then I think about it, and the game, and how well they've done... and concede.
From the list above only the Gnomes (all bloodied) and the Frost Hound are left alive, two of the above creatures fled, the rest are dead.
The big bad guy (actually a Halfling Crime Lord that has been harassing the party even since the Thief messed up her winning streak in a card game approx. 25 sessions ago) hands over the keys to her lair (which is a derelict warehouse) and pays the PCs off- leaves the city. Plenty of excellent roleplay and a difficult Skill Challenge made to look easy by the PCs.
The PCs head back to the Inn.
Pats on the back, everyone is great, the DM sucks etc.
There's another note, I'm not beaten, most of them have no Healing Surges left, two of them are still bloodied, they decide to check the note out now, rather than wait until the morning- that figures.
They end up in a three way fight, the Sewer Gang (who the PCs are trying to save) are fighting another group of Dwarves, the Sewer Gang suck, and are going to get killed very easily, believe me- I've seen their Hit Points and Defences, the chances of them ever hitting anything is minuscule, only the PCs can save them.
Encounter #13 (Level 8 Encounter) A pair of Dwarf Bolters (Level 9 Artillery), three more Dwarf Hammerers (Level 10 Soldiers), the leader Arthur Snicket, Dwarf Ruffian (Level 12 Soldier) & his pet Feygrove Choker (Level 14 Lurker).
A couple of PCs get strangled and very bloodied, while the bad guys are decimated in five or so rounds, once again my dice suck and the PCs never fail.
Oh and of the five Sewer Gang members four survive- and its not like I wasn't targeting them, I just couldn't roll much above a four.
Thirteen Combat encounters, four Skill Challenges (one failed (repeatedly)), and the encounters are straight out of the book, with a bit of level advancing. The PCs have mostly +2 Weapons and armour (one Meliorating), they have a couple of +3 items between them but...
Thirteen!
Beat that.
And the players loved it- crowed about it for ages, not that they know how many encounters they had done in a day, just... apparently they're ace, and I suck.
Go figure.
Thirteen combat encounters between extended rests, is this a record?
Players are Human Fighter 9, Dwarf Fighter 8, Dwarven Cleric 8, Eladrin Wizard 8, Elven Rogue 8 & Drow Assassin 7.
The players are in an expanded version of Goodman Games DC#60 Thrones of Punjar converted to Fallcrest, and lots added.
Day starts with a call to adventure, something's kicking off in a local Alchemist's basement, the PCs are called into action-
Encounter #1 (Level 9 Encounter) A host of Giant Soldier Ants (Level 6 Soldiers) and some Acid Spill traps.
Then-
Encounter #2 (Level 14 Encounter) The Ants nest including loads of Minions (Level 7 Minions, an endless supply- till they kill the Queen), more Giant Soldier Ants (Level 6 Soldiers), Giant Royal Ant Guards (Level 6 Elite Soldiers) & Giant Ant Queen (Level 10 Elite Controller)
The Wizard is making Death Saves here.
The above was taken from 'Bugged Out' Critter Encounters- Goodman Games.
They then get on with the adventure in hand, investigation and plenty of role-play leads to-
Encounter #3 (Level 11 Encounter) Ambushed by a pair of drunken bums that turn out to be highly adept 'Slayers' (Assassin Guild Members)- Bum #1 (Level 13 Elite Soldier), Bum #2 (Level 13 Elite Lurker).
One of the PC Fighters has to make Death Saves here.
One of the Bums is captured, the other killed, Skill Challenge to get info, then PCs move on.
The PCs meet an Apparition, roleplay and Skill Challenge, and end up descending into the sewers- one by one, and straight into-
Encounter #4 (Level 5 Encounter) A pair of Bloodweb Spider Swarms (Level 12 Soldiers), the PCs are challenged here because when the first swarm kicks off there are only two PCs in the sewers, with two arriving each round thereafter.
They march on, into a much larger chamber and-
Encounter #5 (Level 6 Encounter) A bunch of Visejaw Crocodiles (Level 10 Soldiers), which they destroy very easily.
There follows a series of clues, mostly misinterpreted, and some bad rolls, which leads the group into the sewers, and on several occasions in completely the wrong direction, which sees them trigger a whole host of encounters.
Encounter #6 (Level 6 Encounter) A pair of Crushgrip Constrictors (Level 13 Soldiers) surge out of the sewer and surprise them.
The PCs go crit crazy.
Then, more failures in the Skill Challenge and I decide to go for it-
Encounter #7 (Level 9 Encounter) A Green Slime (Level 12 Lurker) drops on the Thief and engulfs him, while from around the corner comes a Huge Gelatinous Cube (Level 14 Elite Brute), at one point three PCs are within the cube.
It's a close one but the PCs get through it- retreat I think, press on is what they do however.
More bad rolls for the PCs follow.
By the way the players are loving this, laughing like drains as they stumble blindly from one disaster to another, while almost never missing in combat.
Encounter #8 (Level 6 Encounter) A pair of Shambling Mounds (Level 13 Soldiers), which they total in about three rounds- yet more crits from the PCs.
And that's all the Random Encounters I have designed for this part of the scenario, remember I'm using Maptools here, and I like to design each of the maps just so- thankfully they then take the right turn and get to the place they're supposed to be going.
Watch a strange ceremony, figure lots of things out, although are left with a lot more new questions, and then get straight into-
Encounter #9 (Level 10 Encounter) A bunch of enthralled/charmed/controlled Citizens of Fallcrest (Level 8 Soldiers) and a Chuul (Level 12 Soldier).
They make mincemeat of the lot of them, it helps when the surprise round goes very well for the PCs. They even manage to capture a bad guy.
Info gained they head back out, and run into a bunch of nasties that have entered the sewer in pursuit of the PCs, which leads to-
Encounter #10 (Level 10 Encounter) A bunch of Dwarven Hammerers (Level 10 Soldiers), one mounted on a Rage Drake (level 10 Brute) and a pair of Human Ambusher (Level 12 Skirmisher).
The PCs again smash through this bunch, even though the creatures get the drop on them, I'm rolling like a... no words to describe it, save swear words- I miss attacks, saves, most everything.
The PCs kick my ass.
They then discover the way they should have gone when they originally descended into the sewer, and follow it, and discover what they were looking for, and-
Encounter #11 (Level 10 Encounter) Huge Otyugh (Level 11 Solo Soldiers), which causes quite a stir, but misses a lot- damn it, they struggle through the encounter and emerge bloodied but victorious.
They discover the remains of the Apparition and rap up that part of the mystery.
My players are screaming down their respective microphones- basically questioning my parentage in-between complementing each other and themselves.
So I decide to mess with them.
They don't know how many encounters they've done in a row, remember this takes place over 2 or three sessions, but they know it's a lot.
They're supposed to take an extended rest now, head back to the safe place and go to sleep for the night, instead I dangle a great big carrot in front of them- the location of the lair of an old and bitter enemy- they bite.
PCs have a light supper and head out for more, eventually get to the hidden lair, an old warehouse, there are guards on the door, no matter- the over-confident fools rush them.
There are four moderate encounters ahead, I combine them all together, I know- I've combined two encounters before, probably three, never four, it goes like this-
Encounter #12 (Level 17 Encounter) Guards on the door turn out to be two Human Veterans (Level 10 Soldier), two Ambush Drakes (Level 10 Skirmisher) and a Human Enforcer (Level 12 Brute), who calls out and just as the first encounter is ending drags the following into play- four Halfling Lackeys (Level 7 Minion), a pair of Horned Drakes (Level 9 Skirmisher), a pair of initially concealed Halfling Prowlers (Level 10 Lurker), and not one, not two, but three Halfling Javelin Dancers (Level 10 Skirmisher). The PCs are creaming me, sure several of them are bloodied but the Priest has only used one Healing Word so far... So in comes a Bloodseeker Drake (Level 10 Soldier), followed by a pair of Iron Cobras (Level 10 Skirmisher), a Gnome Mistwalker (Level 10 Skirmisher), a Gnome Sniper (Level 10 Artillery) and a Gnome Entropist (Level 12 Artillery), which makes for a whole different ball-game, dailies are getting tossed around, they've only them and At-Wills left, and I'm still taking a beating. So I open the final door and reveal the big bad guy, three more nasty Drakes and a Frost Hound (Level 11 Soldier) which gets straight into the fight.
At which point the PCs ask me to surrender!
What? Then I think about it, and the game, and how well they've done... and concede.
From the list above only the Gnomes (all bloodied) and the Frost Hound are left alive, two of the above creatures fled, the rest are dead.
The big bad guy (actually a Halfling Crime Lord that has been harassing the party even since the Thief messed up her winning streak in a card game approx. 25 sessions ago) hands over the keys to her lair (which is a derelict warehouse) and pays the PCs off- leaves the city. Plenty of excellent roleplay and a difficult Skill Challenge made to look easy by the PCs.
The PCs head back to the Inn.
Pats on the back, everyone is great, the DM sucks etc.
There's another note, I'm not beaten, most of them have no Healing Surges left, two of them are still bloodied, they decide to check the note out now, rather than wait until the morning- that figures.
They end up in a three way fight, the Sewer Gang (who the PCs are trying to save) are fighting another group of Dwarves, the Sewer Gang suck, and are going to get killed very easily, believe me- I've seen their Hit Points and Defences, the chances of them ever hitting anything is minuscule, only the PCs can save them.
Encounter #13 (Level 8 Encounter) A pair of Dwarf Bolters (Level 9 Artillery), three more Dwarf Hammerers (Level 10 Soldiers), the leader Arthur Snicket, Dwarf Ruffian (Level 12 Soldier) & his pet Feygrove Choker (Level 14 Lurker).
A couple of PCs get strangled and very bloodied, while the bad guys are decimated in five or so rounds, once again my dice suck and the PCs never fail.
Oh and of the five Sewer Gang members four survive- and its not like I wasn't targeting them, I just couldn't roll much above a four.
Thirteen Combat encounters, four Skill Challenges (one failed (repeatedly)), and the encounters are straight out of the book, with a bit of level advancing. The PCs have mostly +2 Weapons and armour (one Meliorating), they have a couple of +3 items between them but...
Thirteen!
Beat that.
And the players loved it- crowed about it for ages, not that they know how many encounters they had done in a day, just... apparently they're ace, and I suck.
Go figure.
