I've started a campaign and the players' current goal is to find a legendary library that will presumably have some treasure and lost knowledge. In order to get to it, they have to sail. I would prefer not to just timeskip sailing there because it would make it feel "too easy" for me. Because of this, I'd like to get some advice.
I've found an interesting monster I'd like to use, but it's much too deadly for the party (4 level one characters, a wizard, a cleric, and two monks). This is the monster: Sea Hag. The modified version would have weakened forms of all abilities (less range, easier DCs, shorter duration, less damage) as well as far fewer hit points, lower AC, and lower ability scores. Would one modified Sea Hag be balanced? If not, or if you think it's balanced but shouldn't be used, do you have an aquatic monster that could be used instead?
Also, if you have any ideas for other encounters on the ocean (combat or no), I'd appreciate those too.
Have you considered holding on to the Sea Hag until the party goes up a level or two? Maybe she has minions like Sahuagin or a Giant Octopus...or even a Sea Spawn at her disposal to cause issues for the lower level party and then that encounter leads them to her and her lair?
You could also have the sea hag control or have influence over a port/harbor along the way and the party could get the sense that something is not quite right. You can then use some less powerful minions as the Mongoose above suggested and turn it into a small adventure along the way. This also fills our your world a bit.
Additionally, during ship travel you can use skill challenges to add some drama/tension and make it exciting.
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"An' things ha' come to a pretty pass, ye ken, if people are going to leave stuff like that aroound where innocent people could accidentally smash the door doon and lever the bars aside and take the big chain off'f the cupboard and pick the lock and drink it!"
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I've started a campaign and the players' current goal is to find a legendary library that will presumably have some treasure and lost knowledge. In order to get to it, they have to sail. I would prefer not to just timeskip sailing there because it would make it feel "too easy" for me. Because of this, I'd like to get some advice.
I've found an interesting monster I'd like to use, but it's much too deadly for the party (4 level one characters, a wizard, a cleric, and two monks). This is the monster: Sea Hag. The modified version would have weakened forms of all abilities (less range, easier DCs, shorter duration, less damage) as well as far fewer hit points, lower AC, and lower ability scores. Would one modified Sea Hag be balanced? If not, or if you think it's balanced but shouldn't be used, do you have an aquatic monster that could be used instead?
Also, if you have any ideas for other encounters on the ocean (combat or no), I'd appreciate those too.
Thank you for any input.
Have you considered holding on to the Sea Hag until the party goes up a level or two? Maybe she has minions like Sahuagin or a Giant Octopus...or even a Sea Spawn at her disposal to cause issues for the lower level party and then that encounter leads them to her and her lair?
You could also have the sea hag control or have influence over a port/harbor along the way and the party could get the sense that something is not quite right. You can then use some less powerful minions as the Mongoose above suggested and turn it into a small adventure along the way. This also fills our your world a bit.
Additionally, during ship travel you can use skill challenges to add some drama/tension and make it exciting.
"An' things ha' come to a pretty pass, ye ken, if people are going to leave stuff like that aroound where innocent people could accidentally smash the door doon and lever the bars aside and take the big chain off'f the cupboard and pick the lock and drink it!"