koesherbacon
First Post
Hello all,
I'd love to get some feedback from you fine folks about a campaign I'm running. Here's what's going on so far...
Alright all, looking for some fun inspiration for a campaign I'm running using 3.5 with some PF rules thrown in here and there. I'd like to play a ballsout PF game, but the group wanted to use 3.5 instead.
Anyway, here's the deal.
The PCs live and grew up in a moderately sized town in the middle of a swamp called Dannor. They began at level 1, and even though they were very low levels themselves, they still more capable than the typical farmer, fisherman, etc, who live in the city.
Dannor has a friendly trading relationship with their nearest neighbors in the swamp, Lizardfolk. As a whole, the Lizardfolk are NG and largely worship Bahamut, Pelor, Obad-Hai, and to a lesser extent Ehlonna. If my PCs will allow it, I’m going to also have the Lizardfolk worship Hanspur. Most of their worship is of Bahamut and Obad-Hai in addition to Hanspur if she’s allowed. (Yes, I know I’m the DM and what I say goes, but I’m the kind of DM who likes to have as much player input and involvement as possible to make it for fun for everyone).
In many ways, the Lizardfolk are primitives, but very friendly toward their neighbors who live in Dannor. The two groups have formed strong trading bonds with one another and would consider one another to be strong allies. If one of the groups were attacked by outsiders, the other would send help any way they could.
The previous night a massive meteor shower took place all across the world. One of the meteors fell swamp, days away from the PCs home and much closer to the Lizardfolks.
Meer hours after the meteor fell, plants and animals in the swamp began acting strangely — crazed would be a much better word to explain it.
The PCs began their adventure In medias res (or in the middle of the action for you non-latin speakers out there).
Their battle began against a swamp ooze who schlepped its way out of the swamp and onto the docks. After killing it, the Druid of the group noticed some strange, possibly arcane, red veins all over the creature’s body.
Before they could fully examine these markings, they were ambushed by some of the Lizardfolk who clearly were not acting as they normally do. Whey the group attempted to talk to the LF, they received no reply, even when address in their own native tongue.
Immediately after the group’s failed questions, the Druid asked if he could use Wild Empathy on them. I said he could try, and when he rolled 19 on the die roll, I go for it. So he attempted to calm the beasts who would not calm down. He was, however, rewarded for doing that by gaining an emotion from the LF. Pure, unadulterated rage.
Their thoughts were clouded with full and complete rage.
Fearing for the townsfolk who would be no match for the Lizardfolk rangers, the group engaged them as well. Once the LF were defeated, the entire group noticed the strange markings on them as well.
The Rogue cut off on the LF’s arms (gruesome) and put it in a glass vial to take to the village Wizard.
When the wizard saw the arm, he had to admit he’d never seen anything like it before. But he could presume (as the PCs have at this point) the meteor might be the cause of this outbreak — whatever it is.
So he asked the PCs to investigate and bring back the entire meteorite if possible; or a smaller portion if not.
No, they’re on their way down the swampy river on a ramshackle raft. There’s been a few attacks and all but one of the PCs has fallen in the water (remember that for later).
After a day and a half on the swamp, the PCs got lost. Luckily, they came across a small isolated hut. They were hungry, tired and in need of rest from their rafting.
Scared about what they might find behind the door, they slowly opened it and peered in. Inside, to see a Lizardfolk wearing chainmail praying at an altar. The Lizardfolk inside urged the PCs to come inside so he can what brought them to his hut. After sharing their experiences with him, he felt he must share his own with the group.
First, they learn he’s a Lizardfolk Cleric himself, devoted to Bahamut. After their treacherous journey to his hut, the group actually cheered! Awesome response to an even more awesome Lizardfolk
(At first he was only level 2 like the PCs, but I reworked him so he can cast Remove Curse for them when the adventure draws to a close since body in the party would be able to do that.) [The Cleric could, but she’s going for a Battle Cleric approach with an undead theme and eventually going for Radiant Servant of Pelor, so I can see why casting Remove Curse as this character could deter from the way she’s playing it).
Just as he was about to begin sharing what he’s learned, he asked to give a once-over to everyone in the group. He found that just all all the PCs were in Stage 1. They’ve been in the swamp long enough, it would be extremely difficult not to succumb to Stage 2. Some of them have the beginning signs of Stage 2; however, the Half-Orc Rogue’s status of Stage 2 was clear blown. He might be on the cusp of becoming Stage 3.
Naturally, just as Thriss was finished giving his physicals, HOR’s adrenaline spiked and he attacked the party in a rage.
He’s learned…
What the PCs don’t know just yet, is that the creatures that were slain while still under the effects of the curse will rise again as zombies, skeletons and other horrible (low level) beasts. The closer they are to the core of the curse — the Meteorite — the quicker they become undead.
This means, that the enemies they’ve defeated before in the town and thought dead… won’t be dead much longer. Same goes for any creatures kill while venturing to the Meteorite.
And they’ll learn that soon, because they’re going into the heart of the crash zone tomorrow. I am planning on having them kill a group of crazed LF and their pets. And while the group is looting the bodies, the recently deceased baddies will grab hold of them and attack once again as Skeletons, Zombies and Ghouls (those ones are pretty darn
if you ask me)
Then the true fight is on! Waves after waves of all sorts of undead crazy lizardfolk and critters attack them while trying to get to the meteor’s crash.
Just as they think they’ve won, their last fight before they can claim the Meteor will be against a much nerfed Large Skeletal Black Dragon! (Thank God for Herolab, they make creating, empowering, level and in some cases nerfing monsters so much easier and a ton of fun!). The Dragon has even fallen victim to the Meteorite's curse and must be stopped at all costs.
After they default the skeletal dragon, the Meteorite will be theirs! Just shove that greasy pig in their bags of holding and head back to town!
… Right?
Well maybe. But there’s a very significant chance both the Lizardfolk Village and Dannor are under attack by the zombified and skelefied enemies that were fought before!
What will they do next?! Go home? Go to the Lizardfolk town? Or go elsewhere, and try to find other fragments of Meteor that hit the Earth! People in those areas must certainly need help as well! Oh, what will the crafty PCs come up with next time!
~~ Cliffhanger ~~
Feedback always appreciated! Thanks guys and gals!
I'd love to get some feedback from you fine folks about a campaign I'm running. Here's what's going on so far...
Alright all, looking for some fun inspiration for a campaign I'm running using 3.5 with some PF rules thrown in here and there. I'd like to play a ballsout PF game, but the group wanted to use 3.5 instead.
Anyway, here's the deal.
The PCs live and grew up in a moderately sized town in the middle of a swamp called Dannor. They began at level 1, and even though they were very low levels themselves, they still more capable than the typical farmer, fisherman, etc, who live in the city.
Dannor has a friendly trading relationship with their nearest neighbors in the swamp, Lizardfolk. As a whole, the Lizardfolk are NG and largely worship Bahamut, Pelor, Obad-Hai, and to a lesser extent Ehlonna. If my PCs will allow it, I’m going to also have the Lizardfolk worship Hanspur. Most of their worship is of Bahamut and Obad-Hai in addition to Hanspur if she’s allowed. (Yes, I know I’m the DM and what I say goes, but I’m the kind of DM who likes to have as much player input and involvement as possible to make it for fun for everyone).
In many ways, the Lizardfolk are primitives, but very friendly toward their neighbors who live in Dannor. The two groups have formed strong trading bonds with one another and would consider one another to be strong allies. If one of the groups were attacked by outsiders, the other would send help any way they could.
The previous night a massive meteor shower took place all across the world. One of the meteors fell swamp, days away from the PCs home and much closer to the Lizardfolks.
Meer hours after the meteor fell, plants and animals in the swamp began acting strangely — crazed would be a much better word to explain it.
The PCs began their adventure In medias res (or in the middle of the action for you non-latin speakers out there).
Their battle began against a swamp ooze who schlepped its way out of the swamp and onto the docks. After killing it, the Druid of the group noticed some strange, possibly arcane, red veins all over the creature’s body.
Before they could fully examine these markings, they were ambushed by some of the Lizardfolk who clearly were not acting as they normally do. Whey the group attempted to talk to the LF, they received no reply, even when address in their own native tongue.
Immediately after the group’s failed questions, the Druid asked if he could use Wild Empathy on them. I said he could try, and when he rolled 19 on the die roll, I go for it. So he attempted to calm the beasts who would not calm down. He was, however, rewarded for doing that by gaining an emotion from the LF. Pure, unadulterated rage.
Their thoughts were clouded with full and complete rage.
Fearing for the townsfolk who would be no match for the Lizardfolk rangers, the group engaged them as well. Once the LF were defeated, the entire group noticed the strange markings on them as well.
The Rogue cut off on the LF’s arms (gruesome) and put it in a glass vial to take to the village Wizard.
When the wizard saw the arm, he had to admit he’d never seen anything like it before. But he could presume (as the PCs have at this point) the meteor might be the cause of this outbreak — whatever it is.
So he asked the PCs to investigate and bring back the entire meteorite if possible; or a smaller portion if not.
No, they’re on their way down the swampy river on a ramshackle raft. There’s been a few attacks and all but one of the PCs has fallen in the water (remember that for later).
After a day and a half on the swamp, the PCs got lost. Luckily, they came across a small isolated hut. They were hungry, tired and in need of rest from their rafting.
Scared about what they might find behind the door, they slowly opened it and peered in. Inside, to see a Lizardfolk wearing chainmail praying at an altar. The Lizardfolk inside urged the PCs to come inside so he can what brought them to his hut. After sharing their experiences with him, he felt he must share his own with the group.
First, they learn he’s a Lizardfolk Cleric himself, devoted to Bahamut. After their treacherous journey to his hut, the group actually cheered! Awesome response to an even more awesome Lizardfolk
(At first he was only level 2 like the PCs, but I reworked him so he can cast Remove Curse for them when the adventure draws to a close since body in the party would be able to do that.) [The Cleric could, but she’s going for a Battle Cleric approach with an undead theme and eventually going for Radiant Servant of Pelor, so I can see why casting Remove Curse as this character could deter from the way she’s playing it).
Just as he was about to begin sharing what he’s learned, he asked to give a once-over to everyone in the group. He found that just all all the PCs were in Stage 1. They’ve been in the swamp long enough, it would be extremely difficult not to succumb to Stage 2. Some of them have the beginning signs of Stage 2; however, the Half-Orc Rogue’s status of Stage 2 was clear blown. He might be on the cusp of becoming Stage 3.
Naturally, just as Thriss was finished giving his physicals, HOR’s adrenaline spiked and he attacked the party in a rage.
He’s learned…
- 1) The Meteorite is somehow cursing the water. Its curse hit the water-dwelling first. Then the animals that live on land and under the water. Next, the birds that head to the water to eat and drink. And, well long story short, he’s surmised that its curse is propagated through ingesting (drinking it). There is a stream coming off where the meteorite hit and heads downstream toward the Lizardfolks village and further down to Dannor.
- At this point, every party member but one chimed in that they’d fallen in the water and had been drinking it with a Purify Water Spell.
- 2) The next thing Thriss learned was that the spell Purify Food and Drink will help, but only to an extent. It will not cure the water of the curse, but make it much easier to defeat with saving throws.
- 3) He’s also made a rudimentary diagnosis of the curse:
- Phase 1
- The first stage is when the disease begins to take root into the body. There are no visible signs when this happens
- Phase 2
- The second-stage is when the red markings appear on the skin. This indicates the first phase of the curse is complete and Phase 2 is beginning. At some point during this Phase 2, players get a +2 bonus to ONE ability score and a −2 Penalty to TWO ability scores (Which is determined randomly at manifest. If the same ability comes up twice, just reroll it.) Thriss does not yet understand how and why these physical and mental changes take place.
- Phase 3
- While in Phase 2, stress, harm, anxiety, anger, and still more stimuli can cause the creature to go berserk, alá being under the effects of a Rage spell for 2d4 rounds unless they succeed a DC 18 Will. After they’re knocked unconscious they wake up, bright as day.
- One of our players, the Half-Orc Rogue went berzerk, but the group subdued him and now he's back to Phase 2 (He keeps the same ability score adjustments though, does not reroll).
- Phase 1
- Phase 4
- This phase of the curse is the easiest one to diagnose. They’re dead. But the curse is not.
What the PCs don’t know just yet, is that the creatures that were slain while still under the effects of the curse will rise again as zombies, skeletons and other horrible (low level) beasts. The closer they are to the core of the curse — the Meteorite — the quicker they become undead.
This means, that the enemies they’ve defeated before in the town and thought dead… won’t be dead much longer. Same goes for any creatures kill while venturing to the Meteorite.
And they’ll learn that soon, because they’re going into the heart of the crash zone tomorrow. I am planning on having them kill a group of crazed LF and their pets. And while the group is looting the bodies, the recently deceased baddies will grab hold of them and attack once again as Skeletons, Zombies and Ghouls (those ones are pretty darn
if you ask me)Then the true fight is on! Waves after waves of all sorts of undead crazy lizardfolk and critters attack them while trying to get to the meteor’s crash.
My PCs said:
Just as they think they’ve won, their last fight before they can claim the Meteor will be against a much nerfed Large Skeletal Black Dragon! (Thank God for Herolab, they make creating, empowering, level and in some cases nerfing monsters so much easier and a ton of fun!). The Dragon has even fallen victim to the Meteorite's curse and must be stopped at all costs.
After they default the skeletal dragon, the Meteorite will be theirs! Just shove that greasy pig in their bags of holding and head back to town!
… Right?
Well maybe. But there’s a very significant chance both the Lizardfolk Village and Dannor are under attack by the zombified and skelefied enemies that were fought before!
What will they do next?! Go home? Go to the Lizardfolk town? Or go elsewhere, and try to find other fragments of Meteor that hit the Earth! People in those areas must certainly need help as well! Oh, what will the crafty PCs come up with next time!
~~ Cliffhanger ~~
Feedback always appreciated! Thanks guys and gals!
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