| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 04:21:07
Hello all,
Once again, I´d like to call on the creativity and knowledge of more experienced DMs.
In my 2E campaign, the 6 level 4 PCs are in Shadowdale and I´d like to run them through the Marco Volo adventure trilogy, which starts, of course, in Waterdeep and ends in Shadowdale.
So, I need a creative way get them from Shadowdale to Waterdeep. Since the PCs are at level 4 and the Marco Volo trilogy is designed for players of levels 6-9, there´s room for adventuring on the way to Waterdeep. Does anyone know of any 2E adventure modules or supplements that would offer scenarios for me to work with?
Having them accompany a caravan westward is the obvious method of moving them--apart from pushing them through a portal--, but I´d need an adventure hook of some sort to get them moving. Two of the six PCs are newly minted Harpers.
Ideas?
Afet |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kuje |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 16:05:03
It was before the three fiends took control, but there was still a lot of orc attacks at that time.
And sorry, I had the wrong book, it is in the Fall of MD.
668 DR - Wizards begin mysteriously disappearing this year from MD and all of Cormanthyr; the only clue is that all the visible gates throughout the city crackle ominously and flash blue lightening within their boundries. (In truth, Halaster Blackcloak of Undermountain is abducting wizards at random and banishing them to the Underhalls.)
Then in 680 the wizards of the Naturalists entered Undermountain to try to rescue their missing wizards but that party never made it back either, which, as I said, Halaster had abducted because the Naturalists kept stealing his monsters from Undermountain. They tried to seal the gate to Undermountain but that also failed.
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
Oh yeah, the info about Halaster's portal events should be in the Cormanthor:Empire of the Elves sourcebook, in the timeline section of that sourcebook about MD before it fell to the Army of Darkness. It should also be in the Grand History. :)
Do you know if any of the battles that occurs in "The Fall of Myth Drannor" adventure/accessory happen during these events? It's been awhile since I've gone through that book, and am wondering but away from my books at the moment.
|
| Alisttair |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 11:32:06
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
Oh yeah, the info about Halaster's portal events should be in the Cormanthor:Empire of the Elves sourcebook, in the timeline section of that sourcebook about MD before it fell to the Army of Darkness. It should also be in the Grand History. :)
Do you know if any of the battles that occurs in "The Fall of Myth Drannor" adventure/accessory happen during these events? It's been awhile since I've gone through that book, and am wondering but away from my books at the moment. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 06:08:09
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
Oops. It's Halaster actually. :) Sorry. But he, when MD was still settled, used to send beasties to MD from Undermountain. So there should, less Halaster sealed them, still be portals that connect MD with Undermountain.
Okay, but can you tell me something about this Halaster? Does s/he appear in an adventure or a novel or a supplement of some sort?
Yup. The Undermountain boxed sets and modules, and a couple of other places -- among them, Elminster in Hell and Blackstaff. The first Ruins of Undermountain boxed set is your best bet.
There's the Villains' Lorebook as well. 'Tis available as a free PDF download at WotC. |
| Kuje |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 05:26:32
Oh yeah, the info about Halaster's portal events should be in the Cormanthor:Empire of the Elves sourcebook, in the timeline section of that sourcebook about MD before it fell to the Army of Darkness. It should also be in the Grand History. :) |
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 04:15:05
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Yup. The Undermountain boxed sets and modules, and a couple of other places -- among them, Elminster in Hell and Blackstaff. The first Ruins of Undermountain boxed set is your best bet.
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
And the Undermountain Stardock adventure module, which kinda ties in with Steven's Blackstaff novel because it explains why Halaster does what he does at the end of that novel due to what happens to him during that module. :)
Excellent! Thank you both. |
| Kuje |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 04:07:10
And the Undermountain Stardock adventure module, which kinda ties in with Steven's Blackstaff novel because it explains why Halaster does what he does at the end of that novel due to what happens to him during that module. :)
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
Oops. It's Halaster actually. :) Sorry. But he, when MD was still settled, used to send beasties to MD from Undermountain. So there should, less Halaster sealed them, still be portals that connect MD with Undermountain.
Okay, but can you tell me something about this Halaster? Does s/he appear in an adventure or a novel or a supplement of some sort?
Yup. The Undermountain boxed sets and modules, and a couple of other places -- among them, Elminster in Hell and Blackstaff. The first Ruins of Undermountain boxed set is your best bet.
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 03:55:55
quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
Oops. It's Halaster actually. :) Sorry. But he, when MD was still settled, used to send beasties to MD from Undermountain. So there should, less Halaster sealed them, still be portals that connect MD with Undermountain.
Okay, but can you tell me something about this Halaster? Does s/he appear in an adventure or a novel or a supplement of some sort?
Yup. The Undermountain boxed sets and modules, and a couple of other places -- among them, Elminster in Hell and Blackstaff. The first Ruins of Undermountain boxed set is your best bet. |
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 03:46:58
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
Oops. It's Halaster actually. :) Sorry. But he, when MD was still settled, used to send beasties to MD from Undermountain. So there should, less Halaster sealed them, still be portals that connect MD with Undermountain.
Okay, but can you tell me something about this Halaster? Does s/he appear in an adventure or a novel or a supplement of some sort? |
| Kuje |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 03:14:49
Oops. It's Halaster actually. :) Sorry. But he, when MD was still settled, used to send beasties to MD from Undermountain. So there should, less Halaster sealed them, still be portals that connect MD with Undermountain.
quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
BTW, don't forget Halister used to send things into MD from Undermountain through the portal in the Naturalist building in MD.
Sorry, could you give me a bit more context? I´m not familiar with Halister.
|
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 02:06:40
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
BTW, don't forget Halister used to send things into MD from Undermountain through the portal in the Naturalist building in MD.
Sorry, could you give me a bit more context? I´m not familiar with Halister. |
| Kuje |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 01:48:02
BTW, don't forget Halister used to send things into MD from Undermountain through the portal in the Naturalist building in MD. |
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 01:46:39
Marvelous. Thank you all.
|
| The Sage |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 01:37:02
quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
Thanks, Sage. Any thoughts on where to begin, though?
Well, Wooly covered the most important titles for Waterdeep. Most of which can be purchased via PDF [for just $4 US] at paizo.com:- http://paizo.com/store
As for Underdark sources... Ed Greenword's Drow of the Underdark and Eric Boyd's Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark remain the most detailed sources. The 3e Underdark tome may also prove useful. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 01:00:32
Well, there's absolute oodles of material out there for Waterdeep...
I'd say that the most important ones are:
FR1 Waterdeep & the North
City of Splendors boxed set
City of Splendors: Waterdeep
Volo's Guide to Waterdeep
Of them, I'd most recommend the City of Splendors boxed set and Volo's Guide to Waterdeep. The boxed set is the most informative source about the city, and Volo's Guide gives it some serious flavor. The 3E book would be good simply for the updated info.
There's also two boxed sets and a series of modules for Undermountain.  |
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 00:57:28
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
I know nothing about the Underdark and precious little about Waterdeep, so I have lots of research to do. Any pointers would be appreciated.
You'll probably want copies of most of the 1e/2e/3e sources that focus on both the Underdark and Waterdeep. All the main sources have either "Underdark" or "Waterdeep" in their titles. I would also suggest you visit paizo.com and access their PDF downloads store for most of the 1e/2e sources for these two areas.
Thanks, Sage. Any thoughts on where to begin, though? |
| The Sage |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 00:36:40
quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
I know nothing about the Underdark and precious little about Waterdeep, so I have lots of research to do. Any pointers would be appreciated.
You'll probably want copies of most of the 1e/2e/3e sources that focus on both the Underdark and Waterdeep. All the main sources have either "Underdark" or "Waterdeep" in their titles. I would also suggest you visit paizo.com and access their PDF downloads store for most of the 1e/2e sources for these two areas. |
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 23:54:10
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
You could have them go into Myth Drannor and stumble into a portal that leads to Undermountain (one of the uper levels) and they can gain the necessary levels as they make their way out of there.
Okay, here´s what I´m thinking:
The PCs will finish dungeons below the Twisted Tower and, after being celebrated by Mourngrym, Storm Silverhand will send the two Harper PCs (the group´s leaders) to Dagger Falls to investigate why she has lost contact with her Harper contacts there. They are to report to her as soon as possible. The Harper agents are among those affected by the mysterious Dream Fever.
In Dagger Falls the PCs will go through the "Doom of Daggerdale" adventure, but as they discover the source of the Dream Fever are attempting defeat Colderon the Mage in his crypt, he summons a creature that they cannot defeat. They are forced to run and stumble through the portal that drops them in the Underdark. Colderon destroys the portal.
In the Underdark--the PCs have no idea where they are--, the PCs stumble upon a wealthy Waterdavian merchant who is being held hostage for ransom. His ransomers have already sent two of his digits to his family, but unfortunately for the merchant, his son would like nothing more than to have his father out the way so that he can take the reins. The merchant (one of the lords of Waterdeep) begs the PCs to help him escape and promises to reward them richly.
The PCs help him escape and fight their way out of the Underdark. He rewards them with money, a Waterdavian condo  , and with prestige. The latter is accomplished by spreading the word about their exploits, which garners them an invitation to the annual gathering of adventurers at Mother Tathlorn´s House of Pleasure and Healing. There--as per the "Marco Volo: Departure" adventure, the PCs meet up with Marco Volo. The PCs, anxious to get back to Shadowdale to report to Storm, and to Dagger Falls to stop Colderon´s plot, jump at Marco´s grandfather´s request that they accompany his troublesome grandson to Shadowdale.
Voilá
I know nothing about the Underdark and precious little about Waterdeep, so I have lots of research to do. Any pointers would be appreciated. |
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 23:13:15
quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
Thanks! Alisttair gave me the idea. 
As always, it's the job of the DM to make the players feel like they are making the decisions, even when they aren't! 
I agree entirely. It´s like the concept of predestination. The players believe they are making free will decisions, but only within the context of the DM´s divine providence.
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 20:27:34
The flip side is that if you decide to have them do the overland travel, you can throw stuff at them en route. |
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 18:19:09
Thanks! Alisttair gave me the idea.
I've always been a big believe in making it appear that it's entirely in the player's hands, even when it's not. For instance, I'm running by players through the Cormyr/Shadowdale/Anauroch adventures right now. There's a big gap on how to get them from Wheloon to Shadowdale, and the group is full of free-thinkers. So I enticed the Knight with rumors that the rest of a magic item set might be found up there. I sealed the deal with them traveling to Suzail after the conclusion of Cormyr to give their report in person to Alusair and Caladnei, who in turn a) got them to sign an adventuring charter (Knights of Wheloon); b) added a nice RP respite from all the action of the final battle in Cormyr and the first battle in Shadowdale; c) got them to Shadowdale to investigate the news of Elminster's disappearance and the Zhentarim invasion on behalf of the Crown.
As always, it's the job of the DM to make the players feel like they are making the decisions, even when they aren't! |
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 17:50:20
quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
You could have them go into Myth Drannor and stumble into a portal that leads to Undermountain (one of the uper levels) and they can gain the necessary levels as they make their way out of there.
"Let's go investigate Myth Drannor for really cool magic items!"
"What's that big red thing with crab claws for hands?"
"Run!"
"Uh, that doorway's glowing!"
"Who cares?! RUN!"
*Poof*
Welcome to Waterdeep.
 I like it ! Quick, efficient and entertaining for me  Thanks. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 15:19:54
quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
That would be the Candlekeep Compendium. See either my or Wooly's signatures for the link.
Thank you. And could you tell me which contributor is our esteemed Hamster? Thank you.
I'll send you a PM. |
| Alisttair |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 15:16:55
quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
You could have them go into Myth Drannor and stumble into a portal that leads to Undermountain (one of the uper levels) and they can gain the necessary levels as they make their way out of there.
"Let's go investigate Myth Drannor for really cool magic items!"
"What's that big red thing with crab claws for hands?"
"Run!"
"Uh, that doorway's glowing!"
"Who cares?! RUN!"
*Poof*
Welcome to Waterdeep.
Perfect |
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 14:26:09
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
That would be the Candlekeep Compendium. See either my or Wooly's signatures for the link.
Thank you. And could you tell me which contributor is our esteemed Hamster? Thank you. |
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 14:16:58
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
You could have them go into Myth Drannor and stumble into a portal that leads to Undermountain (one of the uper levels) and they can gain the necessary levels as they make their way out of there.
"Let's go investigate Myth Drannor for really cool magic items!"
"What's that big red thing with crab claws for hands?"
"Run!"
"Uh, that doorway's glowing!"
"Who cares?! RUN!"
*Poof*
Welcome to Waterdeep. |
| freyar |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 13:08:40
I like Alisttair's idea, especially if they have some reason to want to get back to Shadowdale. If you just have them caravan to Waterdeep and then turn around and come back, they might feel railroaded. Maybe even set up a situation where they feel that taking the portal is their idea or the least risky thing to do. |
| Alisttair |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 11:09:30
You could have them go into Myth Drannor and stumble into a portal that leads to Undermountain (one of the uper levels) and they can gain the necessary levels as they make their way out of there. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 08:03:30
That would be the Candlekeep Compendium. See either my or Wooly's signatures for the link. |
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 06:14:27
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
A couple of the Hooks I've written would be good for giving PCs a reason to travel to Waterdeep...
The third hook from the first volume, [...]The sixth hook in volume 4, [...] The second hook in volume 6 could work, too.
Forgive my ignorance, thou most cuddly of rodents, but to what volumes are you referring? |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 22 Oct 2008 : 06:08:56
A couple of the Hooks I've written would be good for giving PCs a reason to travel to Waterdeep...
The third hook from the first volume, concerning Sir Halon Naegio, would be a good one -- just change the destination from Silverymoon to Waterdeep.
The sixth hook in volume 4, concerning Roringar Maelkyr's spirit, could be tweaked to be near Waterdeep -- or, instead of falling to a dragon, he could have fallen in Undermountain.
The second hook in volume 6 could work, too. Ratham could be a Sembian or Cormyrian staying in Shadowdale, and he decides to start over in Waterdeep.
Looking over my Hooks, those are the ones that seem most suitable for encouraging travel. Of course, since I'm a Waterdeep junkie, several of them are quite suitable once the PCs are in Waterdeep. |
