So my party are about to head into the depths of the nine hells in search of an artifact now held by a Pit fiend. Said pit fiend is on the 4th layer of hell. According to the lore there are no portals into the hells other than the first layer, Avernus. I plan to use this to make essentially a massive dungeon crawl down to the 4th layer and both me and the party are pretty excited for it.
What I was wanting to get some ideas for is primarily how the party will travel between each of the layers. I know that travel by the river styx is supposedly the best way for travel, but I want them to actually have to travel across each of the layers rather than just travelling on the styx for all the layers. I imagine I can connect each of the layers via portals in the cities or on the planes, forcing the group to interact with the layers and its inhabitants. So if anyone has any ideas or has run something similar themselves any advice would be helpful.
A second bit, if you have some more time for me, is any cool ideas for encounters and challenges on each of the layers. for those who don't know the top 4 layers are:
Avernus. Basically a massive desolate battlefield where the blood wars have been partially fought. Ruled by an archdevil from a massive fortress. Also home to Tiamat.
Dis. A mountainous terrain at the centre of which is the massive Iron City of Dis. The city accommodates many planar travellers so the party may be able to pass through here without a fight, although maybe some contract shenanigans.
Minauros. A great stinking bog full of poison and acid rain. Planning on making this a bit of an survival exploration phase, also thinking of including some monstrosity deep in the bogs that even the powerful devils are scared of.
Phlegethos. Your classic fiery hell full of volcanoes fire and smoke. I'll need less ideas for this as it is where the Pit Fiend and the artifact are.
So any cool ideas I would be happy to hear, thanks in advance for any help.
My first thought is if you’re going to have portals between the lairs, they are going to be well guarded on both sides. So it will be up the the players to figure out a way in, and, boy do devils like to make deals. You could make them fairly simple, like fetch quests. Whoever controls the portal on level 1 wants something from level three, and will let them through if they bring it back up with them. And if they fail to do so, they agree to be taken back as prisoners on that first level forever. And then the old, sign the contract in blood. You can also give them a time limit, which can help cut down on any long rest spam. Then, once they go through, good luck convincing the folks on level 2 they’re not spies. Which is making me think one time they could be spies. Someone on 3 will let them onto 4 if they send back information about something on 4.
And I’d let/ force them to take the Styx at least once, it’s a pretty iconic part of the hells. They better have the right coins for Charon, though.
I think you be more interested in hearing my idea for some kind of swamp monster in Minauros be fun it doesn't really need to be super strong just scare the players . As far as dis goes I'd play up the city it's self I personally would even make a map for the players. As far as pheligious I'd probably have a few imps mess with the players I would not use anything that make them blow allot of resources because pit fiends are no joke.
My first thought is if you’re going to have portals between the lairs, they are going to be well guarded on both sides. So it will be up the the players to figure out a way in, and, boy do devils like to make deals. You could make them fairly simple, like fetch quests. Whoever controls the portal on level 1 wants something from level three, and will let them through if they bring it back up with them. And if they fail to do so, they agree to be taken back as prisoners on that first level forever. And then the old, sign the contract in blood. You can also give them a time limit, which can help cut down on any long rest spam. Then, once they go through, good luck convincing the folks on level 2 they’re not spies. Which is making me think one time they could be spies. Someone on 3 will let them onto 4 if they send back information about something on 4.
And I’d let/ force them to take the Styx at least once, it’s a pretty iconic part of the hells. They better have the right coins for Charon, though.
This is fantastic, play up the evil bureaucracy of the Devils, and get them twisted into contracts and tasks on each of the floors. I could even have one of them require something from level 5 or 6, and have them experience more of the nine Hells, as they are definitely one of the cooler planes
I think you be more interested in hearing my idea for some kind of swamp monster in Minauros be fun it doesn't really need to be super strong just scare the players . As far as dis goes I'd play up the city it's self I personally would even make a map for the players. As far as pheligious I'd probably have a few imps mess with the players I would not use anything that make them blow allot of resources because pit fiends are no joke.
Thanks for the advice, for the Swamp monster you are right its really the vibe it gives off I want to create. However I'm not too worried about the Pit Fiend, it should be a good fight but this is a lvl 17(soon to be 18) party that not that long ago iced a Tarrasque.
Thanks to both of you for the advice, you've definitely helped to get some ideas flowing.
So my party are about to head into the depths of the nine hells in search of an artifact now held by a Pit fiend. Said pit fiend is on the 4th layer of hell. According to the lore there are no portals into the hells other than the first layer, Avernus. I plan to use this to make essentially a massive dungeon crawl down to the 4th layer and both me and the party are pretty excited for it.
What I was wanting to get some ideas for is primarily how the party will travel between each of the layers. I know that travel by the river styx is supposedly the best way for travel, but I want them to actually have to travel across each of the layers rather than just travelling on the styx for all the layers. I imagine I can connect each of the layers via portals in the cities or on the planes, forcing the group to interact with the layers and its inhabitants. So if anyone has any ideas or has run something similar themselves any advice would be helpful.
A second bit, if you have some more time for me, is any cool ideas for encounters and challenges on each of the layers. for those who don't know the top 4 layers are:
Avernus. Basically a massive desolate battlefield where the blood wars have been partially fought. Ruled by an archdevil from a massive fortress. Also home to Tiamat.
Dis. A mountainous terrain at the centre of which is the massive Iron City of Dis. The city accommodates many planar travellers so the party may be able to pass through here without a fight, although maybe some contract shenanigans.
Minauros. A great stinking bog full of poison and acid rain. Planning on making this a bit of an survival exploration phase, also thinking of including some monstrosity deep in the bogs that even the powerful devils are scared of.
Phlegethos. Your classic fiery hell full of volcanoes fire and smoke. I'll need less ideas for this as it is where the Pit Fiend and the artifact are.
So any cool ideas I would be happy to hear, thanks in advance for any help.
My first thought is if you’re going to have portals between the lairs, they are going to be well guarded on both sides. So it will be up the the players to figure out a way in, and, boy do devils like to make deals. You could make them fairly simple, like fetch quests. Whoever controls the portal on level 1 wants something from level three, and will let them through if they bring it back up with them. And if they fail to do so, they agree to be taken back as prisoners on that first level forever. And then the old, sign the contract in blood. You can also give them a time limit, which can help cut down on any long rest spam.
Then, once they go through, good luck convincing the folks on level 2 they’re not spies. Which is making me think one time they could be spies. Someone on 3 will let them onto 4 if they send back information about something on 4.
And I’d let/ force them to take the Styx at least once, it’s a pretty iconic part of the hells. They better have the right coins for Charon, though.
I think you be more interested in hearing my idea for some kind of swamp monster in Minauros be fun it doesn't really need to be super strong just scare the players . As far as dis goes I'd play up the city it's self I personally would even make a map for the players. As far as pheligious I'd probably have a few imps mess with the players I would not use anything that make them blow allot of resources because pit fiends are no joke.
This is fantastic, play up the evil bureaucracy of the Devils, and get them twisted into contracts and tasks on each of the floors. I could even have one of them require something from level 5 or 6, and have them experience more of the nine Hells, as they are definitely one of the cooler planes
Thanks for the advice, for the Swamp monster you are right its really the vibe it gives off I want to create. However I'm not too worried about the Pit Fiend, it should be a good fight but this is a lvl 17(soon to be 18) party that not that long ago iced a Tarrasque.
Thanks to both of you for the advice, you've definitely helped to get some ideas flowing.