Got an issue involving, a homebrew campaign involving my DM. He created an place called Mound. It is a settlement located in the Underdark. but beneath mound it holds the Tarrasque. Mound is used a prison for the creature. and it is here they are able to create a rare and powerful metal.
Now here is the problem. I am currently going through a quest for a custom homebrew paladin oath. apart of this oath, is crafting a powerful sword to house a celestial entity. and the stronger matrial for the sword, the strounger the celestial can be. This is where is powerful and rare metal comes into play. You could say it's this worlds version of Adimanitum or Vibranium. Seems obvious right.
The problem is, and i am not expecting a handout, there does not seem to be a pratical way to obtain it. Most of the NPC's straight up refuse to give the metal, be it trade, or favor etc. They even threaten death or dismemberment. However appartenlyI have not talked to some NPC's that could help me. From the NPC's presepective, im an outsider, so why would they help. Ok fine. Also according to their history, people have come looking for this metal before, using entire armies to take it by force, only for all of them to die.
Now i myself am faced with a delemia. i could settle for a second best material, and things should still turn out alright, i suppose. Or i could try and presue this rare metal and probably get all the bonuses that come with it. BUT if i do, i face making an enemy of Mound, in which case im dead. or i could also face the risk of causing a full scale war, getting many people killed, once the wrong person sees my sword, which i would enevitably take everywhere. That is assuming, im not killed by mound, or they eventully give me the stuff anyway.
So what im trying to say. Is this metal worth it? Am I looking into this too much and just want an easy way out? Is the DM in the wrong about how this was aproched? Is there another thing im missing?
You say that you have not talked so some of the NPCs that can help, it is quite likely that your GM is waiting for you to find them, I don't know how long you have been looking so maybe he isn't giving enough pointers to their direction. The classic story is they will tell you if you do some great deed (or deeds) for them then you will be allowed some of the metal, (though your GM might have something else arranged) the stories imply trying to take the metal against the wishes of the mound is an extremely risky approach. I don't think it is good DMing to make you give up cause you can't find the right people though I do think it is DMing if end up with second best material cause the deed is something your character is either unwilling or unable to do.
I only found out about this metal in the last session we had. I say you are right about doing a "great deed". Except no one will tell me off this deed. I would have to find that out for myself. The problem seems to be, that out of all the NPC's I have met, so far. It's a soild no. Maybe there is a NPC willing to help, and the DM expects me to find him on my own. Thats not mention the possible serious outcomes should I obtain it.
Basically Mound exsits souly to contain the tarrasque. They use the tarrasque to produce this metal, which they themselves use to build Mound. Mound itself is "neutral" and doesn't care about other kingdoms. "Mound takes care of Mound" as he likes to say.
You could try offering to help people, they might not do it for the metal but once you are on good terms with them you might be told of the chief quartermaster who has a terrible problem which you might be able to help him with and if you can he will reward you greatly.
Think I'd find out where it's being produced at. A mine perhaps and strike a deal with a npc there pushing my alignment to the max and using any spells on them or persuasion or intimidation of necessary to get the best quality metal. If that doesn't work. Have the rogue steal some or find a Theives guild or rogue npc to get some.
If there are people mining the stuff then perhaps those miners could be swayed. If they are slaving to get the material then perhaps helping their family could get you in with them.
Sooo. If that is an option then have your companions stage an attack or something on that NPCs family for you to come save the day and see if a door opens.
But rude of a way to go about it but hell. If it works it works.
It sounds like the DM might want this quest for this metal to be a campaign-long thing, not an easy one-session quest for you. In that case, start by finding what anyone in Mound needs help with and going on that quest - once you've got at least one person who likes you maybe they can point you in the right direction.
It sounds like the DM might want this quest for this metal to be a campaign-long thing, not an easy one-session quest for you. In that case, start by finding what anyone in Mound needs help with and going on that quest - once you've got at least one person who likes you maybe they can point you in the right direction.
That is only half the issue. The other half is, once I have this metal, I could potentially start a full on war if the wrong person sees what the sword made from. It makes the ability to get this item, too difficult or dangerous.
Is this metal worth it? Am I looking into this too much and just want an easy way out? Is the DM in the wrong about how this was aproched? Is there another thing im missing?
Yes it is worth it.
No you are not looking into this too much, there is no such thing as over-investigating especially in regards to options, in this case how to obtain this rare material. However, I believe you are only looking into the most simple and fastest ways to obtain this rare material, which may just flat out not be an option.
From what I've read you do want an easy way out on gaining something which is going to end up being extraordinarily powerful with little to no effort outside of talking to NPCs.
The DM is not wrong, per se, but could adjust the way they push the narrative so you don't feel stuck. They may just not have a creative enough way to introduce a way to acquire this material over a long-term campaign without being blunt about not having it right away just because.
I will say that what I think you're missing are facts by which you could assemble a theory on how to obtain this rare material from The Mound. You know it is produced there, and you know you need it. You also know you may not have talked to the right NPCs. Try gleaning information from them subtly, or pay closer attention to how they say things when you ask, or references they make.
How is this material made/produced?
Is there a skilled process to refining it that you may need to acquire?
Why are they so protective over this material? (the DM seems to avoid this, based on some of your replies, by giving really vague or underwhelming reasons)
What is the purpose of this material and its significance to The Mound?
Just find the right questions to ask your DM and try to trap him into giving you answers that won't be so boring as to excuse the ease of gaining this material by saying something as benign as, "They'll kill you if you try to take it because they protect it because The Mound cares about The Mound."
Is there a skilled process to refining it that you may need to acquire?
Why are they so protective over this material? (the DM seems to avoid this, based on some of your replies, by giving really vague or underwhelming reasons)
The Matrial is made from the tarrasque. Mound exsits to contain the tarrasque, and if others found out about the metal, they could unleash the tarrasque upon the world.
Is there a skilled process to refining it that you may need to acquire?
Why are they so protective over this material? (the DM seems to avoid this, based on some of your replies, by giving really vague or underwhelming reasons)
The Matrial is made from the tarrasque. Mound exsits to contain the tarrasque, and if others found out about the metal, they could unleash the tarrasque upon the world.
Those are the answers you were given which require more processing beyond the flat piece of information provided.
It is somehow made from the Tarrasque, but how is it made? What is the process of extraction/production and method of use to create more Mound to contain this creature? Could you do it on your own or do you absolutely have to rely on the Mound people to do it for you?
Is this the only place you can find this material? Would another Tarrasque elsewhere suffice if you could generate a method to extract this material and refine it for the purposes presented?
Other societies have discovered the material, but according to your DM all who have tried were dealt with via death so them posing a threat to releasing the Tarrasque (at this point anyway) isn't likely.
Is there a skilled process to refining it that you may need to acquire?
Why are they so protective over this material? (the DM seems to avoid this, based on some of your replies, by giving really vague or underwhelming reasons)
The Matrial is made from the tarrasque. Mound exsits to contain the tarrasque, and if others found out about the metal, they could unleash the tarrasque upon the world.
Those are the answers you were given which require more processing beyond the flat piece of information provided.
It is somehow made from the Tarrasque, but how is it made? What is the process of extraction/production and method of use to create more Mound to contain this creature? Could you do it on your own or do you absolutely have to rely on the Mound people to do it for you?
Is this the only place you can find this material? Would another Tarrasque elsewhere suffice if you could generate a method to extract this material and refine it for the purposes presented?
Other societies have discovered the material, but according to your DM all who have tried were dealt with via death so them posing a threat to releasing the Tarrasque (at this point anyway) isn't likely.
Also according to their history, people have come looking for this metal before, using entire armies to take it by force, only for all of them to die.
Taking it by force is clearly not an option.
Insinuating an evacuation of the Mound's entire people could be.
Just thoughts and examples.
I don't know enterly how it is made. Will have to investigate. I could try and steal it. But as soon as I try, I will most likely be caught. And even if I am not. They would soon discover it was me, trust me on that. And that is assuming I don't get killed. The tarrasque is kept under lock and key via massive amounts of chemicals and magic. There is not another tarrasque, it's THE tarrasque, not A tarrasque.
Your DM is clearly trying to offer you a plot hook. If the end product is as powerful as it sounds, the DM's not going to just give that to you (or let you steal it). It's a carrot meant to entice you into actually playing the game.
Stop asking every person in town about the metal; that's probably just making them more wary of you and your intentions.
Help the people of Mound, and don't ask for rewards. "Mound takes care of Mound", right? Show the people of Mound that you can be trusted, and I'm positive that you'll get your reward at an appropriate time.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
Your DM is clearly trying to offer you a plot hook. If the end product is as powerful as it sounds, the DM's not going to just give that to you (or let you steal it). It's a carrot meant to entice you into actually playing the game.
Stop asking every person in town about the metal; that's probably just making them more wary of you and your intentions.
Help the people of Mound, and don't ask for rewards. "Mound takes care of Mound", right? Show the people of Mound that you can be trusted, and I'm positive that you'll get your reward at an appropriate time.
Ok. This right here. This is all I need to hear. Why can't he just say that. Instead he's going about, telling me what I could do. But being very vague about it. I'm not good at all at puzzels.
Your DM is clearly trying to offer you a plot hook. If the end product is as powerful as it sounds, the DM's not going to just give that to you (or let you steal it). It's a carrot meant to entice you into actually playing the game.
Stop asking every person in town about the metal; that's probably just making them more wary of you and your intentions.
Help the people of Mound, and don't ask for rewards. "Mound takes care of Mound", right? Show the people of Mound that you can be trusted, and I'm positive that you'll get your reward at an appropriate time.
Ok. This right here. This is all I need to hear. Why can't he just say that. Instead he's going about, telling me what I could do. But being very vague about it. I'm not good at all at puzzels.
Most DMs aren't going to try to stomp on your actions, or try to steer you too hard into a specific sequence of actions. Players must try to always remember that the DM is there to have fun too, and for most DMs that fun is just letting their players do what they want while setting the scene & adjudicating results.
Having been on both sides of the table, I've found that one of the most common difficulties is when players want a little guidance on what to do next, and their DM doesn't pick up on it. It happens, and that's no big deal.
My best advice to you would be to just talk to your DM before or after a session. Say something like,
"Hey, I realize you're setting up a quest or sequence of quests for me. I'm just unsure of what I should be doing, or if I should even be doing anything, to get that ball rolling. Could you perhaps be a little more direct in-game on this subject, or should I just pull back a little and let things play out?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
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Got an issue involving, a homebrew campaign involving my DM. He created an place called Mound. It is a settlement located in the Underdark. but beneath mound it holds the Tarrasque. Mound is used a prison for the creature. and it is here they are able to create a rare and powerful metal.
Now here is the problem. I am currently going through a quest for a custom homebrew paladin oath. apart of this oath, is crafting a powerful sword to house a celestial entity. and the stronger matrial for the sword, the strounger the celestial can be. This is where is powerful and rare metal comes into play. You could say it's this worlds version of Adimanitum or Vibranium. Seems obvious right.
The problem is, and i am not expecting a handout, there does not seem to be a pratical way to obtain it. Most of the NPC's straight up refuse to give the metal, be it trade, or favor etc. They even threaten death or dismemberment. However appartenlyI have not talked to some NPC's that could help me. From the NPC's presepective, im an outsider, so why would they help. Ok fine. Also according to their history, people have come looking for this metal before, using entire armies to take it by force, only for all of them to die.
Now i myself am faced with a delemia. i could settle for a second best material, and things should still turn out alright, i suppose. Or i could try and presue this rare metal and probably get all the bonuses that come with it. BUT if i do, i face making an enemy of Mound, in which case im dead. or i could also face the risk of causing a full scale war, getting many people killed, once the wrong person sees my sword, which i would enevitably take everywhere. That is assuming, im not killed by mound, or they eventully give me the stuff anyway.
So what im trying to say. Is this metal worth it? Am I looking into this too much and just want an easy way out? Is the DM in the wrong about how this was aproched? Is there another thing im missing?
You are playing this campaign solo?\
Your GM seems to be giving you a harder time than necessary.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
No. Playing with 2 other people. To his credit he is doing a good job intergrating their backstories into the campaign.
You say that you have not talked so some of the NPCs that can help, it is quite likely that your GM is waiting for you to find them, I don't know how long you have been looking so maybe he isn't giving enough pointers to their direction. The classic story is they will tell you if you do some great deed (or deeds) for them then you will be allowed some of the metal, (though your GM might have something else arranged) the stories imply trying to take the metal against the wishes of the mound is an extremely risky approach. I don't think it is good DMing to make you give up cause you can't find the right people though I do think it is DMing if end up with second best material cause the deed is something your character is either unwilling or unable to do.
I only found out about this metal in the last session we had. I say you are right about doing a "great deed". Except no one will tell me off this deed. I would have to find that out for myself. The problem seems to be, that out of all the NPC's I have met, so far. It's a soild no. Maybe there is a NPC willing to help, and the DM expects me to find him on my own. Thats not mention the possible serious outcomes should I obtain it.
I'm confused why this settlement produces this material if they will not sell it. Unless they are an isolationist nation, they need an export.
Maybe you can get some sort of licence or registration to buy/use the material.
Basically Mound exsits souly to contain the tarrasque. They use the tarrasque to produce this metal, which they themselves use to build Mound. Mound itself is "neutral" and doesn't care about other kingdoms. "Mound takes care of Mound" as he likes to say.
You could try offering to help people, they might not do it for the metal but once you are on good terms with them you might be told of the chief quartermaster who has a terrible problem which you might be able to help him with and if you can he will reward you greatly.
Think I'd find out where it's being produced at. A mine perhaps and strike a deal with a npc there pushing my alignment to the max and using any spells on them or persuasion or intimidation of necessary to get the best quality metal. If that doesn't work. Have the rogue steal some or find a Theives guild or rogue npc to get some.
If there are people mining the stuff then perhaps those miners could be swayed. If they are slaving to get the material then perhaps helping their family could get you in with them.
Sooo. If that is an option then have your companions stage an attack or something on that NPCs family for you to come save the day and see if a door opens.
But rude of a way to go about it but hell. If it works it works.
It sounds like the DM might want this quest for this metal to be a campaign-long thing, not an easy one-session quest for you. In that case, start by finding what anyone in Mound needs help with and going on that quest - once you've got at least one person who likes you maybe they can point you in the right direction.
That is only half the issue. The other half is, once I have this metal, I could potentially start a full on war if the wrong person sees what the sword made from. It makes the ability to get this item, too difficult or dangerous.
Yes it is worth it.
No you are not looking into this too much, there is no such thing as over-investigating especially in regards to options, in this case how to obtain this rare material. However, I believe you are only looking into the most simple and fastest ways to obtain this rare material, which may just flat out not be an option.
From what I've read you do want an easy way out on gaining something which is going to end up being extraordinarily powerful with little to no effort outside of talking to NPCs.
The DM is not wrong, per se, but could adjust the way they push the narrative so you don't feel stuck. They may just not have a creative enough way to introduce a way to acquire this material over a long-term campaign without being blunt about not having it right away just because.
I will say that what I think you're missing are facts by which you could assemble a theory on how to obtain this rare material from The Mound. You know it is produced there, and you know you need it. You also know you may not have talked to the right NPCs. Try gleaning information from them subtly, or pay closer attention to how they say things when you ask, or references they make.
How is this material made/produced?
Is there a skilled process to refining it that you may need to acquire?
Why are they so protective over this material? (the DM seems to avoid this, based on some of your replies, by giving really vague or underwhelming reasons)
What is the purpose of this material and its significance to The Mound?
Just find the right questions to ask your DM and try to trap him into giving you answers that won't be so boring as to excuse the ease of gaining this material by saying something as benign as, "They'll kill you if you try to take it because they protect it because The Mound cares about The Mound."
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Chief Innovationist, Acquisitions Inc. The Series 2
Successfully completed the Tomb of Horrors module (as part of playing Tomb of Annihilation) with no party deaths!
The Matrial is made from the tarrasque. Mound exsits to contain the tarrasque, and if others found out about the metal, they could unleash the tarrasque upon the world.
Those are the answers you were given which require more processing beyond the flat piece of information provided.
It is somehow made from the Tarrasque, but how is it made? What is the process of extraction/production and method of use to create more Mound to contain this creature? Could you do it on your own or do you absolutely have to rely on the Mound people to do it for you?
Is this the only place you can find this material? Would another Tarrasque elsewhere suffice if you could generate a method to extract this material and refine it for the purposes presented?
Other societies have discovered the material, but according to your DM all who have tried were dealt with via death so them posing a threat to releasing the Tarrasque (at this point anyway) isn't likely.
Taking it by force is clearly not an option.
Insinuating an evacuation of the Mound's entire people could be.
Just thoughts and examples.
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Watch DnD Shorts on youtube.
Chief Innovationist, Acquisitions Inc. The Series 2
Successfully completed the Tomb of Horrors module (as part of playing Tomb of Annihilation) with no party deaths!
I don't know enterly how it is made. Will have to investigate. I could try and steal it. But as soon as I try, I will most likely be caught. And even if I am not. They would soon discover it was me, trust me on that. And that is assuming I don't get killed. The tarrasque is kept under lock and key via massive amounts of chemicals and magic. There is not another tarrasque, it's THE tarrasque, not A tarrasque.
Your DM is clearly trying to offer you a plot hook. If the end product is as powerful as it sounds, the DM's not going to just give that to you (or let you steal it). It's a carrot meant to entice you into actually playing the game.
Stop asking every person in town about the metal; that's probably just making them more wary of you and your intentions.
Help the people of Mound, and don't ask for rewards. "Mound takes care of Mound", right? Show the people of Mound that you can be trusted, and I'm positive that you'll get your reward at an appropriate time.
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
Ok. This right here. This is all I need to hear. Why can't he just say that. Instead he's going about, telling me what I could do. But being very vague about it. I'm not good at all at puzzels.
Most DMs aren't going to try to stomp on your actions, or try to steer you too hard into a specific sequence of actions. Players must try to always remember that the DM is there to have fun too, and for most DMs that fun is just letting their players do what they want while setting the scene & adjudicating results.
Having been on both sides of the table, I've found that one of the most common difficulties is when players want a little guidance on what to do next, and their DM doesn't pick up on it. It happens, and that's no big deal.
My best advice to you would be to just talk to your DM before or after a session. Say something like,
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.