Thread: What would you GMs do?
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July 26th, 2009, 19:50 #1
What would you GMs do?
I was going to post this is ENworld but it's too slow and wont even load when i try to sign in.
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So I'm going to be running A4: Burial Site from Keep on the Shadowfell soon and setting up my notes. I have changed the characters in this encounter. Instead of the Gnome Skulk, the main villain is a man by the name of Barden, who is a Wizard working with Kalarel to get an artifact (not the worthless mirror) that will unlock a hidden room in the Keep (the players will get use of this if they get the artifact).
The situation is, if the players approach, and the wizard launches an attack once they are in range (see image), would you treat that as a surprise attack, allowing Barden to attack instantly (held action and trigger perhaps) and then everyone rolls initiative, or would you describe that the guy is gesturing to cast a spell and allow eveyone to roll initiative, possibly attacking him before he gets the spell off? Or maybe a Bluff vs. Insight check to see if Barden gets to surprise them?
I already know that they will be cautious of the situation, waiting for anything to happen, so the surprise attack seems a bit unfair.
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July 26th, 2009, 20:32 #2
I'd give him a chance, a stealth or bluff check versus their ability to spot him and/or realize what is going on only seems fair. Spellcraft maybe?
Def some kind of skillcheck for them to avoid surprise attack. But if they fail they get what they get.
- Obe
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July 27th, 2009, 02:25 #3
Sounds like fun!
I would run it as a surprise round with everyone rolling initiative. During the surprise round, all characters who make a successful insight (vs. bluff) check can act in initiative order - potentially acting before the spell is cast. Those who fail the check are surprised and cannot act.
Basically, sounds like what you are planning makes sense...
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July 27th, 2009, 04:27 #4
Thanks guys for the input. I think I will run as a surprise round as you say Leo.
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July 27th, 2009, 07:27 #5
Lesser Deity
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The updated module for KotS has an interesting variant on this encounter you might want to look at it. https://www.wizards.com/default.asp?...d/dndtestdrive
Generally speaking, I think the updated PDF is better all around with different monsters and a bit more polished encounters. Plus it is in PDF form for easy copy and paste.Last edited by Griogre; July 27th, 2009 at 07:30.
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July 27th, 2009, 09:27 #6
I would use the characters' Passive Insight scores to determine if they intuit that something is not right. Those that do are not surprised; those that do not *are* surprised. The first round would be a surprise in any case (for me).
You *could* make a Bluff roll for the wizard, yes, or you could simply use the old Easy/Moderate/Hard DCs table from the DMG.DNH
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July 27th, 2009, 14:02 #7
Hmm, that is interesting Griogre, I didn't know they changed it up like that. I will have to check out the later encounters for changes as well.
Thanks for the input guys.
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July 27th, 2009, 19:56 #8
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I had the same type of issue when I ran that encounter. The group paladin went down to that section after being called down by the gnome. The paladin instictively said that he was going down with his shield and sword out and ready.
I had the gnome make a bluff check and had the paladin make an insight check (didn't use passive because he was ACTIVELY suspicious of the group).
The gnome rolled very well and the paladin rolled very badly. Even with a bonus I gave him he failed that skill check.
I then gave the gnome a surprise attack on the paladin. He was furious. I told him to roll better next time
He complained about me not role playing very well, and that letting the die roll make the difference. I then explained to him that the gnome was trying to trick him just as much as the paladin was trying to not be tricked...and the die roll decided that factor. He was still pissed. Oh well, they won the fight very easily.
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July 27th, 2009, 21:52 #9Originally Posted by Raheal
The search for Dalvin (a misspelling of his name that stuck) has been the major quest up till this point so I will be playing up the importance of Dalvin and Barden in relation to Kalarel. The artifact will play a much bigger role than the book gives.Last edited by TFWoods3; July 27th, 2009 at 22:00.
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July 31st, 2009, 21:11 #10
Raheal: I think I'd have handled it the same--my explanation being that the gnome is much trickier than I am, just as the paladin is probably not as insightful as the player is, because he doesn't know he's in a game and due for a combat encounter. Getting an ACTIVE check instead of passive was the impact his roleplay and choices had.
Sounds like a good plan TFWoods--a surprise round is what should apply, readied/triggered actions don't occur out of combat--they just cause surprise rounds. Allow perception/insights as applicable to detect his foul play early, then blast 'em! (Just hope the swift charging barbarian isn't close enough to charge if he senses something amiss!)"We all take our risks, here in the dungeon." --Bargle
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