So, I'm getting ready to homebrew a campaign, setting and plot, for a group of new players. I like the idea behind Chapter 1 of HotDQ, but I've never run it before. If you've run HotDQ, how do the missions in chapter 1 flow? Also, does it make sense to run that chapter, but with demons and devils (more in line with my storyline) instead of kobolds and dragons?
The essential plot is that a spell of immense power is discovered in a disguised spellbook in chapel in a sleepy village. Unfortunately, no one seems to know what it does, as part of the nature of the spell is to erase the caster's memory. A cult that had been relatively small is suddenly not so small as they come seeking this spell. Any thoughts, tips, plot hooks, etc. would be most welcome. Thanks!
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Wow, well first of all are you planning to start your PCs at 1st level because demons and devils maybe out of reach if you are. Besides a group of well played kobolds can be as mean and nasty as any devil. You might try having the spell be accidentally cast and affect everyone in the village but the PCs, that could cause an instant bond among the PCs. Also if the cult knows they are immune to the power of the spell they might send agents to come to kill the PCs, which would force to the PCs to stay together for their mutual survival. And now your PCs have a goal, wipe out said evil cult before it wipes them out. Organizations make for great antagonists! And they provide a natural way to increase encounter difficulty. If I had more insight I could probably give you more but that is all I got for now. Hope some of this helps.
A
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As for me, I choose to believe that an extinct thunder lizard is running a game of Dungeons & Dragons via Twitter!
The missions in Chapter 1 flow pretty well - but are a lot to take on for a party of 1st level characters. You may find your players have their characters extended beyond capacity after the first few fights. Yes, they can get short rests in if they are careful and wise, but the timeline of the missions is just one night so any abilities or powers that only return after a Long Rest are off the books after they are spent.
You can improvise to help by throwing out a few recovery items found near the fights, or having fewer events while you drive the story on.
As far as Demons and Devils - they are going to kill 1st level characters. You may be better served to put in a few hooks and clues behind the attackers motivation that point to these evil powers, but refrain from having them out on the board. Maybe a Tiefling who's patron is a demon/devil is leading the raid, etc. but not the actual demon/devil just yet!
For those saying that Demons/Devils will kill the party, you seem to be forgetting about Dretches, Manes, Quasits, Imps, Lemures, and Spined Devils. All of these are appropriate challenges for low level characters (though the Spined Devil is CR 2, so that will be a hard encounter for level 1 characters).
You also have Acolytes and Cultists that work well for the encounters.
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
For those saying that Demons/Devils will kill the party, you seem to be forgetting about Dretches, Manes, Quasits, Imps, Lemures, and Spined Devils. All of these are appropriate challenges for low level characters (though the Spined Devil is CR 2, so that will be a hard encounter for level 1 characters).
You also have Acolytes and Cultists that work well for the encounters.
That's what I was thinking. I had Manes replacing the Kobolds, and Dretches replacing the Ambush Drakes in the encounter while keeping everything else the same.
My current plan is to have the spell cast on the PCs and a couple of NPCs. The spell is essentially the first 2 spells of the Godslayer Spellbook (http://www.dmsguild.com/product/191457/The-Godslayer-Spell-Book), creating a temporary pocket universe hidden even from the gods, and preventing those who were in the pocket universe from remembering what happened once they leave.
The primary villain (at least at this stage) will convince another NPC to become the Godslayer, but he will also attempt to bring in the PCs. They'll make a WIS saving throw as soon as the spell is cast. Under 10, and they remember nothing. Above 10, they start remembering some of what happened, with different DCs for certain levels of remembering. Depending on the highest roll, we'll role play the pocket universe to a certain point after which the PCs won't remember what happened. At the very least, they'll have vague impressions of the coming of the Godslayer and feelings of a need to stop him/her. This will basically be a (hopefully) non-combat version of the Half-Dragon Champion encounter at the end of Chapter 1 of HotDQ.
If it would help to give the larger overall plot of the campaign, I'd be more than happy to, as I'm sure none of the players use this site.
I like the idea that Lemures are basically just the soul of an evil mortal that becomes an unmolded devil and that the Greater devils and Archdevils promote to Lesser devils. You could have the cultists summon those and then have them perform a ritual to convert them into Lesser devils.
The idea of that kinda makes me think of the scene in Little Mermaid where Ursula transforms the king into a polyp, only with the potential to turn that creature into something more powerful to do the devil's bidding.
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
This becomes especially cool, because they retain their memories, so if they kill a cultist leader, the higher ranking devils can always transform his soul into another devil. And they retain their memories, so what might have been a throwaway character can become a recurring (or at least one-time returning villain)
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
For those saying that Demons/Devils will kill the party, you seem to be forgetting about Dretches, Manes, Quasits, Imps, Lemures, and Spined Devils. All of these are appropriate challenges for low level characters (though the Spined Devil is CR 2, so that will be a hard encounter for level 1 characters).
You also have Acolytes and Cultists that work well for the encounters.
I think I'm correct in pointing out that fiends are not actually devils or demons and therefore don't actually count as devils or demons as those are separate categories. Haven't read the adventure to know whether this matters or not. But it is entirely possible to say demons and devils will kill a first level party as the monster mentioned are fiends.
Though thematically appropriate, there is a difference. The one actual devil mentioned probably can kill a level one PC and hence I think doesn't count either.
I'll have to double check this when I have better access to my materials, but I'm fairly confident that Manes and Dretches are classified as demons in the MM.
I'll have to double check this when I have better access to my materials, but I'm fairly confident that Manes and Dretches are classified as demons in the MM.
They might be, I was just going with the popup which only states them as fiends.
I'll have to double check this when I have better access to my materials, but I'm fairly confident that Manes and Dretches are classified as demons in the MM.
They might be, I was just going with the popup which only states them as fiends.
Fiend is a type, like Undead, Aberration, etc... Demons and Devils are both fiends.
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
Ah. I see. If you click on the links to see the full description, there's a tag at the bottom that says "Monster Tags: Demon" or "Monster Tags: Devil," so, they are demons or devils. Though, it would be helpful if that bit of information popped up on the...uh...pop-up.
Yeah... I feel like all the relevant and important information doesn't come up with the popups.
Since I never really played 4th I might also be getting some things confused because I feel like there was a major change in the demons and devils stuff between editions.
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So, I'm getting ready to homebrew a campaign, setting and plot, for a group of new players. I like the idea behind Chapter 1 of HotDQ, but I've never run it before. If you've run HotDQ, how do the missions in chapter 1 flow? Also, does it make sense to run that chapter, but with demons and devils (more in line with my storyline) instead of kobolds and dragons?
The essential plot is that a spell of immense power is discovered in a disguised spellbook in chapel in a sleepy village. Unfortunately, no one seems to know what it does, as part of the nature of the spell is to erase the caster's memory. A cult that had been relatively small is suddenly not so small as they come seeking this spell. Any thoughts, tips, plot hooks, etc. would be most welcome. Thanks!
Wow, well first of all are you planning to start your PCs at 1st level because demons and devils maybe out of reach if you are. Besides a group of well played kobolds can be as mean and nasty as any devil. You might try having the spell be accidentally cast and affect everyone in the village but the PCs, that could cause an instant bond among the PCs. Also if the cult knows they are immune to the power of the spell they might send agents to come to kill the PCs, which would force to the PCs to stay together for their mutual survival. And now your PCs have a goal, wipe out said evil cult before it wipes them out. Organizations make for great antagonists! And they provide a natural way to increase encounter difficulty. If I had more insight I could probably give you more but that is all I got for now. Hope some of this helps.
A
As for me, I choose to believe that an extinct thunder lizard is running a game of Dungeons & Dragons via Twitter!
The missions in Chapter 1 flow pretty well - but are a lot to take on for a party of 1st level characters. You may find your players have their characters extended beyond capacity after the first few fights. Yes, they can get short rests in if they are careful and wise, but the timeline of the missions is just one night so any abilities or powers that only return after a Long Rest are off the books after they are spent.
You can improvise to help by throwing out a few recovery items found near the fights, or having fewer events while you drive the story on.
As far as Demons and Devils - they are going to kill 1st level characters. You may be better served to put in a few hooks and clues behind the attackers motivation that point to these evil powers, but refrain from having them out on the board. Maybe a Tiefling who's patron is a demon/devil is leading the raid, etc. but not the actual demon/devil just yet!
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For those saying that Demons/Devils will kill the party, you seem to be forgetting about Dretches, Manes, Quasits, Imps, Lemures, and Spined Devils. All of these are appropriate challenges for low level characters (though the Spined Devil is CR 2, so that will be a hard encounter for level 1 characters).
You also have Acolytes and Cultists that work well for the encounters.
Click Here to Download my Lancer Class w/ Dragoon and Legionnaire Archetypes via DM's Guild - Pay What You Want
Click Here to Download the Mind Flayer: Thoon Hulk converted from 4e via DM's Guild
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
My current plan is to have the spell cast on the PCs and a couple of NPCs. The spell is essentially the first 2 spells of the Godslayer Spellbook (http://www.dmsguild.com/product/191457/The-Godslayer-Spell-Book), creating a temporary pocket universe hidden even from the gods, and preventing those who were in the pocket universe from remembering what happened once they leave.
I like the idea that Lemures are basically just the soul of an evil mortal that becomes an unmolded devil and that the Greater devils and Archdevils promote to Lesser devils. You could have the cultists summon those and then have them perform a ritual to convert them into Lesser devils.
The idea of that kinda makes me think of the scene in Little Mermaid where Ursula transforms the king into a polyp, only with the potential to turn that creature into something more powerful to do the devil's bidding.
Click Here to Download my Lancer Class w/ Dragoon and Legionnaire Archetypes via DM's Guild - Pay What You Want
Click Here to Download the Mind Flayer: Thoon Hulk converted from 4e via DM's Guild
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
This becomes especially cool, because they retain their memories, so if they kill a cultist leader, the higher ranking devils can always transform his soul into another devil. And they retain their memories, so what might have been a throwaway character can become a recurring (or at least one-time returning villain)
Click Here to Download my Lancer Class w/ Dragoon and Legionnaire Archetypes via DM's Guild - Pay What You Want
Click Here to Download the Mind Flayer: Thoon Hulk converted from 4e via DM's Guild
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
That's an interesting aspect I hadn't thought of. I might need to incorporate that into my campaign, somehow.
I'll have to double check this when I have better access to my materials, but I'm fairly confident that Manes and Dretches are classified as demons in the MM.
Click Here to Download my Lancer Class w/ Dragoon and Legionnaire Archetypes via DM's Guild - Pay What You Want
Click Here to Download the Mind Flayer: Thoon Hulk converted from 4e via DM's Guild
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
Ah. I see. If you click on the links to see the full description, there's a tag at the bottom that says "Monster Tags: Demon" or "Monster Tags: Devil," so, they are demons or devils. Though, it would be helpful if that bit of information popped up on the...uh...pop-up.
Yeah... I feel like all the relevant and important information doesn't come up with the popups.
Since I never really played 4th I might also be getting some things confused because I feel like there was a major change in the demons and devils stuff between editions.