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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ry" data-source="post: 3671998" data-attributes="member: 8314">Here's a big ol' example using a threat as the base, and building PTRRs out from there:So let's say we have a threat - a crotchety old Manticore that eats children near an abandoned mine. To add depth, make related problems, threats, resources, and rewards. Problem: The land around the manticore's lair is prone to rockslides. (Players might turn this into a resource).[sblock=Related PTRRs]Problem: Rockslides may block the PCs' path to the manticore's lair, placing them in a vulnerable position if they are detected.Threat: Goblins in the area love pushing rocks down at their victims, shooting arrows at them from high above.Resource: During a rockslide, the bats lairing with the manticore will be disoriented (DC 20 Knowledge (nature) check). If the PCs can keep the sound going they might only have to deal with the manticore.Reward: After the PCs avoid the worst of a rockslide, they see a path has opened up above; taking this path gives them a good vantage to look at the Manticore's lair, and also reveals a cave with hard rock back where it would be safe to camp for the night.[/sblock]Threat: The mine is filled with bat swarms that scavenge off of the remains of the manticore's various victims. The bat swarms know well enough not to attack the manticore.[sblock=Related PTRRs]Problem: The knee-deep bat guano at the bottom of the cave creates a noxious fume. DC 17 fortitude or become sickened.Threat: There are scorpions crawling around in the guano. Stepping in the guano provokes them (Reflex 16 or get stung once per round), and they have a nasty (Str 1d6 / no secondary) poison (Fort 15 negates).Resource: Towards the back of the cave, some of the manticore's bramble materials have slid down into the cave. These materials are flammable. Players will notice their torches flaring brightly in the smell of the bat guano.Reward: If standing back and using a shovel, the scorpions can easily be collected; their poison is also long-lasting and can fetch a good price with an alchemist.[/sblock]Resource: An old mountaineer keeps deadly, trained birds. He lives not far from the manticore, but doesn't want to provoke the manticore because he lives there with his granddaughters.[sblock=Related PTRR]Problem: The mountaineer moved away from a large city because of his bad debts long ago, and if the PCs approach he is suspicious and could even sick his birds on them.Threat: The mountaineer's wife passed away some time ago, and has unfortunately risen as a ghoul. She's not very aware of her surroundings, and goes about chattering and singing to herself until something warm comes close. There are a few ways to use her: she could be sitting by the well in front of the mountaineer's house, hiding behind the shack, and so on. The mountaineer will thank the PCs if they deal with her.Resource: The manticore has had a nasty run-in with a few of the old man's trained crows, and is waiting for an opportunity to swoop down and attack. He's "contracted" a goblin to spy on the mountaineer's cabin to pick a good time to attack. If the PCs catch the goblin he knows a secret way into the manticore's lair, but bargains for more than his freedom (he wants the spear he saw in the manticore's lair).Reward: If the PCs take care of the manticore, the mountaineer, Jepp, happily gives them one of his finest attack hawks.[/sblock]Reward: The manticore has a magical spear from an old adventurer it slew before it moved to this region. The spear is embedded in the brambles in the manticore's lair, but could be removed by a DC 20 strength check.[sblock=Related PTRR]Problem: The spear has a minor curse; when gripped with two hands, it moans in pain; anyone within 30 feet can hear it clearly, but beyond that it sounds like the wind.Threat: The adventurer's family is searching for the spear - his older brother, Gappus, is a much more talented barbarian and will immediately assume the PCs stole it. If defeated, Gappus may listen to reason, but only if the PCs are very persuasive.Resource: After scrapping with goblins, players find a crude goblin map to the manticore's lair; it mentions the spear is in there. Any goblin captive can tell the players that the spear makes the holder the goblin chief.Reward: Gappus' brother, Chak, was the owner of the spear. Before approaching the manticore's lair he stowed his sack of travelling goods under a heavy rock. PCs who search the area can see that the rock was pushed from the spot it used to be positioned. Of course, the rock can't be moved without a lot of noise (and if rolled down the hill, it can cause another rockslide.)[/sblock]</blockquote>

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