So, I am throwing this out for you all as a fun holiday one shot. It is a fresh build, so ive only lightly playtested it. The custom monsters are available on D&D beyond as homebrew to see.
My group is 8 people, so I am balancing this around ~4-8 level 5s. If your party is on the small side, revise and edit around the number of monsters attacking in a given wave. Since this is very combat heavy, you might want to allow very short rests in between waves, especially if you have a smaller party. I'd also allow, 3 or more healing potions per person as well depending on party size and comp.
I'd welcome comments and revisions; thank you for the feedback.
So the idea is really just tell the Beowulf fight with holiday monsters.
The Burgermeister Meisterburger has put out the call for heroes. For the last 3 months his festhaus has been under attack by the viscous Santi Claws and his minions. He is in dire need of heroes who can put an end to the terror of the season.
Light roleplay to have the heroes arrive to the festhaus and accept the quest. They can feast and revel. Lastly the can settle in for the night.
Wave 1: The massive thump on the roof of the festhaus signals the start of the terror. The sound of heavy boots and the ominous "Ho, Ho, Ho" can be heard. Suddenly the cold wind slams the door of the festhaus open. Flying in a herd come the 9 reindeer.
Stat-wise, all reindeer are based around Giant Goat (1/2 CR). All reindeer have the the ability to disengage as a bonus action.
2 Reindeer 1 - Dasher & Comet - Have a charge ability
Players need to pin down the reindeer quickly to prevent damage adding up. Qualifies as medium with 4 lvl 5 characters.
Wave 2: As the reindeer fall, there is a lull (Allow for healing or short rest). The tittering of little laughs rise as the windows burst open and the Santi Elves burst into the room. Describe as evil looking rankin-bass elves.
Wave 3: As before there is a lull in the fight. Suddenly the room goes black and an evil “Ho,Ho,Ho” echoes around the room. As the lights come up, there is a large box in the middle of the festhaus. Surrounding the room are stockings and others presents.
5 Juvenile Mimics (CR 0) – disguised as stockings with each players’ name on it
2 Mimics (CR 2) – Disguised as small presents in the room
1 Giant Mimic (CR 3) – Disguised as the large present in the room
This wave is the most modular. If your party is hurting you can drop the 2 regular mimics. If you have a large party, you can add more. There is no homebrew for these monsters, use the default D&D stat block for each.
Qualifies as hard with 4 lvl 5 characters
Wave 4: As the last present falls, the nights falls silent. After a spell, the boots stomp across the roof. The fire flares up, then falls low. From the hearth a horrible “Ho, Ho, Ho” sounds as Santi Claws appears crawling down the chimney.
Boss mob – heavily modified off of a Dire Troll. Started as CR 13, I think it is reduced to CR 10ish.
Santi Claws (CR10): high hp 150 avg, troll regen with a reduced death threshold. 3x multiattack (1x sack smash, 2x claws). 3 legendary points (1 pt claw, 1 pt teleport 30ft, 2 pt chains to drag character into sack which immobilizes and also increases damage of next sack smash)
At a CR 10, he is deadly for the 4 lvl 5s. If you have a large party, boss max his hp.
At this point, you can end, or continue on after a long rest.
If you end, Santi dies. If you continue, Santi’s arm is ripped off and he is bleeding to death. Optionally, you can level your party to 6 here.
You can follow after a long rest to find him dead in his mother’s cave. His mother is a Twinkling Multicolor Dragon. The trip to the cave can or cannot have additional challenges.
If you want the additional challenge, you can have the players encounter the snowmen guardians on the way to the cave.
Use the snow golem (CR3) stat block from Rime of The Frostmaiden. Describe them like Frosty the Snowman.
3 Snow Golems are Hard for 4 lvl 5s.
Upon reaching the cave, you encounter the dragon in its lair.
Twinkling Multicolor Dragon – Heavily modified off Adult dragons. Damage is reduced a bit. I am expecting this to be around CR 13-15.
Basically, this dragon has xmas lights for scales. Every round, the colors shift and the dragons resistances and breath damage changes to match. The lair actions are also influenced by this shift.
This is a deadly fight for 4 level 5s or 6s, nearly the daily budget. You can bring minion fighters from Meisterburger to mitigate it. Mostly this is to go out with a bang.
Anyway that is it. Please let me know what you think of the one shot.
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So, I am throwing this out for you all as a fun holiday one shot. It is a fresh build, so ive only lightly playtested it. The custom monsters are available on D&D beyond as homebrew to see.
My group is 8 people, so I am balancing this around ~4-8 level 5s. If your party is on the small side, revise and edit around the number of monsters attacking in a given wave. Since this is very combat heavy, you might want to allow very short rests in between waves, especially if you have a smaller party. I'd also allow, 3 or more healing potions per person as well depending on party size and comp.
I'd welcome comments and revisions; thank you for the feedback.
So the idea is really just tell the Beowulf fight with holiday monsters.
The Burgermeister Meisterburger has put out the call for heroes. For the last 3 months his festhaus has been under attack by the viscous Santi Claws and his minions. He is in dire need of heroes who can put an end to the terror of the season.
Light roleplay to have the heroes arrive to the festhaus and accept the quest. They can feast and revel. Lastly the can settle in for the night.
Wave 1: The massive thump on the roof of the festhaus signals the start of the terror. The sound of heavy boots and the ominous "Ho, Ho, Ho" can be heard. Suddenly the cold wind slams the door of the festhaus open. Flying in a herd come the 9 reindeer.
Stat-wise, all reindeer are based around Giant Goat (1/2 CR). All reindeer have the the ability to disengage as a bonus action.
2 Reindeer 1 - Dasher & Comet - Have a charge ability
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/1324315-santi-reindeer-1
2 Reindeer 2 - Donner & Blitzen - Have a thunder/lightning retaliation ala Tempest Cleric
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/1324354-santi-reindeer-2
2 Reindeer 3 - Dancer & Prancer - Have a shield like dodge
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/1324368-santi-reindeer-3
2 Reindeer 4 - Cupid & Vixen - Have a charm person
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/1324479-santi-reindeer-4
1 Reindeer R - Rudolph - Has an eldritch blast-like attack.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/1324400-santi-reindeer-r
Players need to pin down the reindeer quickly to prevent damage adding up. Qualifies as medium with 4 lvl 5 characters.
Wave 2: As the reindeer fall, there is a lull (Allow for healing or short rest). The tittering of little laughs rise as the windows burst open and the Santi Elves burst into the room. Describe as evil looking rankin-bass elves.
4 Santi Elf Archer (based on Wood Elf Scout CR ½) – Longbow Archer
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/1324256-santi-elf-archer
1 Santi Eld Commander (Based on Dralmorrer Borngray CR 3) – Mage Warrior
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/1324280-santi-elf-commander
Qualifies as medium with 4 lvl 5 characters
Wave 3: As before there is a lull in the fight. Suddenly the room goes black and an evil “Ho,Ho,Ho” echoes around the room. As the lights come up, there is a large box in the middle of the festhaus. Surrounding the room are stockings and others presents.
5 Juvenile Mimics (CR 0) – disguised as stockings with each players’ name on it
2 Mimics (CR 2) – Disguised as small presents in the room
1 Giant Mimic (CR 3) – Disguised as the large present in the room
This wave is the most modular. If your party is hurting you can drop the 2 regular mimics. If you have a large party, you can add more. There is no homebrew for these monsters, use the default D&D stat block for each.
Qualifies as hard with 4 lvl 5 characters
Wave 4: As the last present falls, the nights falls silent. After a spell, the boots stomp across the roof. The fire flares up, then falls low. From the hearth a horrible “Ho, Ho, Ho” sounds as Santi Claws appears crawling down the chimney.
Boss mob – heavily modified off of a Dire Troll. Started as CR 13, I think it is reduced to CR 10ish.
Santi Claws (CR10): high hp 150 avg, troll regen with a reduced death threshold. 3x multiattack (1x sack smash, 2x claws). 3 legendary points (1 pt claw, 1 pt teleport 30ft, 2 pt chains to drag character into sack which immobilizes and also increases damage of next sack smash)
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/1330652-santi-claws
At a CR 10, he is deadly for the 4 lvl 5s. If you have a large party, boss max his hp.
At this point, you can end, or continue on after a long rest.
If you end, Santi dies. If you continue, Santi’s arm is ripped off and he is bleeding to death. Optionally, you can level your party to 6 here.
You can follow after a long rest to find him dead in his mother’s cave. His mother is a Twinkling Multicolor Dragon. The trip to the cave can or cannot have additional challenges.
If you want the additional challenge, you can have the players encounter the snowmen guardians on the way to the cave.
Use the snow golem (CR3) stat block from Rime of The Frostmaiden. Describe them like Frosty the Snowman.
3 Snow Golems are Hard for 4 lvl 5s.
Upon reaching the cave, you encounter the dragon in its lair.
Twinkling Multicolor Dragon – Heavily modified off Adult dragons. Damage is reduced a bit. I am expecting this to be around CR 13-15.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/1330725-twinkling-multicolored-dragon
Basically, this dragon has xmas lights for scales. Every round, the colors shift and the dragons resistances and breath damage changes to match. The lair actions are also influenced by this shift.
This is a deadly fight for 4 level 5s or 6s, nearly the daily budget. You can bring minion fighters from Meisterburger to mitigate it. Mostly this is to go out with a bang.
Anyway that is it. Please let me know what you think of the one shot.