How To Run Rising Knight Dungeon? [Spoilers!!!]

BeZurKur · Post by **BeZurKur** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:47 pm

All right, I little history on the games I've played. Although I started with 1ed AD&D, I never played 2ed. I went to other games with very crunchy mechanics, such as Hero, GURPS, and Interlock / Fusion. When I played dungeon crawls before, I was 10 years old, naive, and everything worked in a vacuum. If the players took too much damage, the wizard used up his spells, and the party were out of healing potions, the answer was to leave the dungeon. Barring wandering encounters, they'd generally make it, recuperate and return to the dungeon, with the rooms cleared up to the point they made it before.

Now I'm older and running my players through the Rising Knight. Next week will be our fifth session and we've had a good amount or roleplaying and combat. Gwion has alerted Gritznak of the players and drawn them to the ruined temple. The next session will start the dungeon.

Now, as I see it, there is no way a party of four 1st level characters (Barbarian, Wizard, Cleric, and Ranger) can survive this thing! It would take the party to be at full strength to stand a chance against the final encounter. I don't see how they could be at full strength at that point. If they leave the dungeon, I'd expect Gritznak to be now even more prepared with traps and ambushes.

I'm also curious how other CK's ran the illusionary / real walls the temple conjures. I'm thinking this might be more frustrating and boring than anything else as the temple guides them down.

How did you handle the above?

Combat_Kyle · Post by **Combat_Kyle** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 8:15 pm

My players enjoyed the illusionary, real walls. I had a party of five (Barbarian, Monk, wizrd/cleric, assasin, rogue), and they just made it through, the rogue used a spider climb spell and destroyed the gem in the arch above Grtiznak. I gave the party some potions to help out, they found them in a locked chest somewhere (don't rember exactly) in the dungeon. The potions were: Cure Light Wounds X3, Enhance Attribute X2 (one Str, the other Dex), and Random Polymorph X2 (use the Reincarnation Spell Chart in the PHB, plus they heal all but 1d4 HP). The party also had several flasks of greek fire to help out. Barring that just reduce the number of goblins hanging out with Gritznak.
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Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 9:02 pm

When I ran this, it was our first adventure under C&C and I had a fairly new-to-RPG/D&D group, so I scaled back the dungeon somewhat. Removed/re-arranged various rooms, lightened up on the illusory walls and lowered some the monster group sizes.

So I guess, some of it depends on how experience your players are. If they are veterans, I would think their party should do well.

And as Kyle mentioned, if you can drop in some healing and perhaps a magic item to help with the final encounter, that would be good.

Enjoy.
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BeZurKur · Post by **BeZurKur** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:11 am

Okay, so you suggest to definately add some items to help along. I can see how that would help. Although, I wonder why the Trolls didn't think it was necessary.

Combat_Kyle · Post by **Combat_Kyle** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:27 am

Because Davis is a harsh, gritty CK who loves killing characters.
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-Grikis Valmorgen, Paladin

The beginnings of my homebrew campaign world and info for my play by chat game:
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Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:37 pm

Combat_Kyle wrote:
Because Davis is a harsh, gritty CK who loves killing characters.

Hehe, this is my goal in gaming. Right now, I'm a patient, teaching, liberal CK. But, once my nephews become teenagers, it's clobberin' time! Bastard CK will rise from the ashes of his former self to kill unprepared and stupid PCs!
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"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax

"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth

grrrowler39 · Post by **grrrowler39** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 9:37 pm

My group just completed Beacon at Enon Tor and were recruited to go to Malforten. Along the way they were jumped by 5 bandits. They suffered significant wounds, but the Cleric was very busy after the encounter. We will have a Wizard die next week - yes, I am predicting the future. Actually, I have 2 Wizards in the group and one player is willing to sacrifice his life so the other player can be the Wizard.

This group is made up of a Cleric, Fighter, Ranger, Rogue, and 2 Wizards. I have a 2nd Level Barbarian who left the party after Enon Tor, but may reappear, if needed in RK. By the time the party reaches the Temple, most of them should be at or near 2nd level, providing them sufficient HP to survive.
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grrrowler39 · Post by **grrrowler39** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 9:43 pm

Rhuvein wrote:
Hehe, this is my goal in gaming. Right now, I'm a patient, teaching, liberal CK. But, once my nephews become teenagers, it's clobberin' time! Bastard CK will rise from the ashes of his former self to kill unprepared and stupid PCs!

My group has been gaming together for a couple of months now. It is composed of my 15-tear old twins and 3-4 of their friends. During the first few adventures, I have acted as a friendly, guiding hand. The time is coming though when I will let them make their mistakes and suffer the consequences. We have a wizard who has been taken to 0HP several times because of wreckless behaviour. If this continues, he WILL die.
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Maliki · Post by **Maliki** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 9:56 pm

Best way to teach'em is to kill'em. (I hate killing PCs, but it is a good way to teach a lesson to careless/reckless players)
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moriarty777 · Post by **moriarty777** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:28 pm

I've got a Bard in my campaign that might need axing... the good news is that the Bard is also getting on another character's nerves. That character is an elven assassin!

Moriarty the Red
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