There's a possible encounter that my party may be facing soon(ish). I have the basics down but I'm looking for some more mechanics.
Here's the premise: They purchased a map to a graveyard that's gonna have an undead necromancer type thing in it.
Basics: The necromancer is gonna be doing some form of ritual (idk what yet) and I want there to be some kind of complication to the fight.
What I'm looking for: I want to make this a kinda "puzzle" fight. its still a combat encounter at the end of the day but I want there to be some kind of gimmick to it. Like the necromancer is invulnerable untill you do X, or every time Y happens it causes Z.... Or....something?? idk that's why I'm asking
What I'm not looking for: "What the lore? that will help!" Don't worry bout lore, I can make the lore around the mechanics. I'm more so looking for an interesting combat encounter.
I once had a ritual circle protecting a caster that disintegrated anything other than blood that passed through the edge and weakened as blood spilled on it. Sadly no heroes gave up a limb to disturb the circle, they just threw lizard folk corpses into it until the circle smudged out.
Interesting, I've done a "Hurt yourself to solve the puzzle" kind of thing in a previous campaign and it was a big hit (my party enjoys losing almost as much as winning lol) maybe its a good time to bring it back!
The ritual involves a sacrifice. It could be the cliched virgin, or a magic item or gold, or a vial of dragons blood. Whatever you choose.
Establish that the caster trying to complete the ritual can cast a "shield" on himself or the sacrifice and move it from one to the other on his turn. The sacrifice is restrained/chained somehow. To free the sacrifice, and stop the ritual the restraint needs to be broken. The caster needs to concentrate on the ritual or it needs to be restarted. Anyone in contact with the shield takes force damage and is incapacitated for a round and pushes them away from the shield 10 feet (feel free to add a save). The sacrifice is protected by X minions. The caster is protected by Y minions. The shield will effectively protect one or the other but not both. The caster needs to choose to take damage and possibly have to restart the ritual OR protect the sacrifice to keep it from being removed and disrupting the ritual altogether.
The party needs to focus on one or the other or have teamwork to stop the ritual and foil the caster. All while fighting minions protecting both. Add in earth tremors from the unholy ritual for DEX saves for everyone and you have a challenging combat with a twist.
The ritual involves a sacrifice. It could be the cliched virgin, or a magic item or gold, or a vial of dragons blood. Whatever you choose.
Establish that the caster trying to complete the ritual can cast a "shield" on himself or the sacrifice and move it from one to the other on his turn. The sacrifice is restrained/chained somehow. To free the sacrifice, and stop the ritual the restraint needs to be broken. The caster needs to concentrate on the ritual or it needs to be restarted. Anyone in contact with the shield takes force damage and is incapacitated for a round and pushes them away from the shield 10 feet (feel free to add a save). The sacrifice is protected by X minions. The caster is protected by Y minions. The shield will effectively protect one or the other but not both. The caster needs to choose to take damage and possibly have to restart the ritual OR protect the sacrifice to keep it from being removed and disrupting the ritual altogether.
The party needs to focus on one or the other or have teamwork to stop the ritual and foil the caster. All while fighting minions protecting both. Add in earth tremors from the unholy ritual for DEX saves for everyone and you have a challenging combat with a twist.
There's a possible encounter that my party may be facing soon(ish). I have the basics down but I'm looking for some more mechanics.
Here's the premise: They purchased a map to a graveyard that's gonna have an undead necromancer type thing in it.
Basics: The necromancer is gonna be doing some form of ritual (idk what yet) and I want there to be some kind of complication to the fight.
What I'm looking for: I want to make this a kinda "puzzle" fight. its still a combat encounter at the end of the day but I want there to be some kind of gimmick to it. Like the necromancer is invulnerable untill you do X, or every time Y happens it causes Z.... Or....something?? idk that's why I'm asking
What I'm not looking for: "What the lore? that will help!" Don't worry bout lore, I can make the lore around the mechanics. I'm more so looking for an interesting combat encounter.
Thanks :D
I once had a ritual circle protecting a caster that disintegrated anything other than blood that passed through the edge and weakened as blood spilled on it. Sadly no heroes gave up a limb to disturb the circle, they just threw lizard folk corpses into it until the circle smudged out.
Interesting, I've done a "Hurt yourself to solve the puzzle" kind of thing in a previous campaign and it was a big hit (my party enjoys losing almost as much as winning lol) maybe its a good time to bring it back!
Also worth noting! The party is 5 level 4 characters who are all well experienced and highly optimized
Ok how about this...
The ritual involves a sacrifice. It could be the cliched virgin, or a magic item or gold, or a vial of dragons blood. Whatever you choose.
Establish that the caster trying to complete the ritual can cast a "shield" on himself or the sacrifice and move it from one to the other on his turn. The sacrifice is restrained/chained somehow. To free the sacrifice, and stop the ritual the restraint needs to be broken. The caster needs to concentrate on the ritual or it needs to be restarted. Anyone in contact with the shield takes force damage and is incapacitated for a round and pushes them away from the shield 10 feet (feel free to add a save). The sacrifice is protected by X minions. The caster is protected by Y minions. The shield will effectively protect one or the other but not both. The caster needs to choose to take damage and possibly have to restart the ritual OR protect the sacrifice to keep it from being removed and disrupting the ritual altogether.
The party needs to focus on one or the other or have teamwork to stop the ritual and foil the caster. All while fighting minions protecting both. Add in earth tremors from the unholy ritual for DEX saves for everyone and you have a challenging combat with a twist.
Perfect! Exactly what I'm looking for! Thanks :D
You're welcome.