It is a cave/temple where the walls are the body of an enormous snake, and the snake's head rests in the innermost depths of the cave. Super, super cool! The map is called "Temple of the Serpent" from Fantasymapsif you are interested in a look. I have a pretty good main encounter planned out for the map, involving a lot of constrictor snakes and a "resting" Yuan-ti priestess (buffed up a bit to pose a challange). Essentially, they need to deal with the snakes and grab a sword pircing the heart of the priestess, the only problem is that she is not dead and the sword keeps her asleep, so taking it out has consequences. And they NEED that sword.
But I can't ignore the gorgeous, enormous snake that is the main part of this map, I need to have something prepared, even if my players are clever enough to avoid it.
The Campaign is all about greed and the consequences of greed, so my main idea is that 5 gemstones (already included on the map) keep the big snake paralyzed/petrified. Removing one or more of those gemstones will cause the cave to rumble as a warning. If the gemstones are not returned to their proper place, the big snake will awaken after 3 turns (or 5 irl. minuts if it happens outside of combat). The walls and the ceiling will move around the characters, stones will fall from the ceiling, and they might/might not be in the mists of battle with the priestess while this is happening.
I don't think the snake would attack the players. It would be perfectly reasonable if it just wants to get some warmth in the sun after an unknown number of years in captivity. But just by moving around in the cave it will cause some unique and dangerous challenges for the players as it try to get out from the confinement of the cave.
An experience akin to the dragon rolling down the slope in "Honor Among Thieves"
Now I am not that experienced in this kind of encounter design (I only recently discovered the wonder of lair actions). I've been looking at collapsing cave rules and earthqueacke rules and landslide rules, but it is all just a little off from what I'm emagining and way too deadly.
I hope someone might have good idears to mechanicks, or might be able to give some advice on how to avoide a TPK, without going too easy on them.
The party is a level 5 pirate crew Lots of dexterity, charisma, wisdom and sea themed magic, not a lot of strength, constitution, nor armor.
A mountain temple to a coatl which over centuries got buried under mud and rock.
When a behir in search of a nest discovered and broke its way into this secluded shrine, a group of Yuan-Ti outcasts swiftly followed in its footsteps and pledged their allegiance to the creature in exchange for some space and protection.
So what if the snake is actually a real Couatl that has become petrified for some reason but can still influence the area little bit and might awaken and be made whole if the Yuan-ti are kicked out. Maybe it is happy about it? Maybe it and the snakes were guarding the priestess as a prisoner?
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"The mongoose blew out its candle and was asleep in bed before the room went dark." —Llanowar fable
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It is a cave/temple where the walls are the body of an enormous snake, and the snake's head rests in the innermost depths of the cave. Super, super cool! The map is called "Temple of the Serpent" from Fantasymapsif you are interested in a look.
I have a pretty good main encounter planned out for the map, involving a lot of constrictor snakes and a "resting" Yuan-ti priestess (buffed up a bit to pose a challange). Essentially, they need to deal with the snakes and grab a sword pircing the heart of the priestess, the only problem is that she is not dead and the sword keeps her asleep, so taking it out has consequences. And they NEED that sword.
But I can't ignore the gorgeous, enormous snake that is the main part of this map, I need to have something prepared, even if my players are clever enough to avoid it.
The Campaign is all about greed and the consequences of greed, so my main idea is that 5 gemstones (already included on the map) keep the big snake paralyzed/petrified.
Removing one or more of those gemstones will cause the cave to rumble as a warning. If the gemstones are not returned to their proper place, the big snake will awaken after 3 turns (or 5 irl. minuts if it happens outside of combat).
The walls and the ceiling will move around the characters, stones will fall from the ceiling, and they might/might not be in the mists of battle with the priestess while this is happening.
I don't think the snake would attack the players. It would be perfectly reasonable if it just wants to get some warmth in the sun after an unknown number of years in captivity. But just by moving around in the cave it will cause some unique and dangerous challenges for the players as it try to get out from the confinement of the cave.
An experience akin to the dragon rolling down the slope in "Honor Among Thieves"
Now I am not that experienced in this kind of encounter design (I only recently discovered the wonder of lair actions). I've been looking at collapsing cave rules and earthqueacke rules and landslide rules, but it is all just a little off from what I'm emagining and way too deadly.
I hope someone might have good idears to mechanicks, or might be able to give some advice on how to avoide a TPK, without going too easy on them.
The party is a level 5 pirate crew
Lots of dexterity, charisma, wisdom and sea themed magic, not a lot of strength, constitution, nor armor.
Per the notes about the map from the creator:
So what if the snake is actually a real Couatl that has become petrified for some reason but can still influence the area little bit and might awaken and be made whole if the Yuan-ti are kicked out. Maybe it is happy about it? Maybe it and the snakes were guarding the priestess as a prisoner?