This is a concept I came up with this morning and spent my Black Friday sweating it out. I started with the idea of what could be created by a fairly powerful wizard using only the spells and resources available in the core books. The work is in a PDF file I will send to a few (3-4) people willing to give feedback. Please DM me for more information if you are interested.
The introduction to the dungeon reads thus:
This dungeon is a 30x30x30 demiplane created with the epinomious spell. It was created by a mage with access to 8th level wizard spells and copious funds. The intent is to trap a party of pursuers and force them to do the mage's bidding in exchange for release. All the traps and monsters are intended to cause the party to waste time until the shadowy entry door expires. If, by chance, the party defeat the mage before escape, they will find on the body two spell scrolls: demiplane & plane shift. These were crafted so that the mage could always escape through this special fun place even after expending all regular spells. You, as the DM, should keep careful track of the time the party spends at each obstacle.
How long the adventure would take in real life is hard to say. There are 27 spaces they will have to deal with, few of which are empty. There are five potential combats but most should be short and not deadly. (Remember the goal is to wear down the party and make them waste time.) It's possible a well coordinated group of players can blow through in a single session.
In game, the point is to get the players to waste enough time for the opening to expire leaving them trapped and at the NPC's mercy. Since they are pursuing at least a 15th level caster, they should be fairly experienced and powerful. On the other hand, they are in hot pursuit and likely already somewhat worn down. I have one room at the dead center that deliberately invites the players to take a rest, providing food and water.
I envision the play going from cliffhanger to cliffhanger. The NPC flees through the doorway at the end of one session and the party reaching space 27 and having their trapped status rubbed in their faces at the end of another. If the party is prone to analysis paralysis, it may take two or even three sessions. To combat frustration I get generous with treasure.
An interesting thought since, if they get their hands on the scroll, their opponent will likely be dead. (unless they've pull off a sleight of hand... Hmmm.) Like I said. An interesting thought.
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This is a concept I came up with this morning and spent my Black Friday sweating it out. I started with the idea of what could be created by a fairly powerful wizard using only the spells and resources available in the core books. The work is in a PDF file I will send to a few (3-4) people willing to give feedback. Please DM me for more information if you are interested.
The introduction to the dungeon reads thus:
This dungeon is a 30x30x30 demiplane created with the epinomious spell. It was created by a mage with access to 8th
level wizard spells and copious funds. The intent is to trap a party of pursuers and force them to do the mage's bidding in
exchange for release. All the traps and monsters are intended to cause the party to waste time until the shadowy entry
door expires. If, by chance, the party defeat the mage before escape, they will find on the body two spell scrolls:
demiplane & plane shift. These were crafted so that the mage could always escape through this special fun place even
after expending all regular spells. You, as the DM, should keep careful track of the time the party spends at each obstacle.
Sounds like a cool enough concept!
Thanks, a wizard with money and too much time on their hands is a dangerous thing.
how much of a time limit have you set for this quest??
i have to say it is a cool idea
How long the adventure would take in real life is hard to say. There are 27 spaces they will have to deal with, few of which are empty. There are five potential combats but most should be short and not deadly. (Remember the goal is to wear down the party and make them waste time.) It's possible a well coordinated group of players can blow through in a single session.
In game, the point is to get the players to waste enough time for the opening to expire leaving them trapped and at the NPC's mercy. Since they are pursuing at least a 15th level caster, they should be fairly experienced and powerful. On the other hand, they are in hot pursuit and likely already somewhat worn down. I have one room at the dead center that deliberately invites the players to take a rest, providing food and water.
I envision the play going from cliffhanger to cliffhanger. The NPC flees through the doorway at the end of one session and the party reaching space 27 and having their trapped status rubbed in their faces at the end of another. If the party is prone to analysis paralysis, it may take two or even three sessions. To combat frustration I get generous with treasure.
Only play testing will tell.
Awsome concept. As an idea if you want to have a follow up have the plane shift scroll lead to the wizards tower.
An interesting thought since, if they get their hands on the scroll, their opponent will likely be dead. (unless they've pull off a sleight of hand... Hmmm.) Like I said. An interesting thought.