After out-strategizing all Highwaymen-Companies, and clearing levels one and two, my players are ready to delve deeper into this old Kelnorean Fortress.
There are encounters down there, which involve Ancient Dragons. I´m fine with that. But the module says, I´m supposed to dole out HALF XP for this Mega-Encounter, if the PCs roleplay their way out.

It´s listed as a whopping EL 40!

Halving the amount of XP would still yield a HUGE amount of XP. Is this on purpose?
I mean, I already made up my mind how to turn it into a challenge of some sorts. But I´m not sure if it should really earn the Characters half an EL 40 reward.

Wait a minute.  Badbaskor is a Kelnorian fortress?  I did not know that.  Is it based upon the standard Frontier Fort template?

No, not in that respect.

Quote from: jrientsIs it based upon the standard Frontier Fort template?

I'm considering getting that little booklet. Are the maps/floorplans halfway decent?

Quote from: Pierce InverarityI'm considering getting that little booklet. Are the maps/floorplans halfway decent?

I adore my copy.  The maps are suitable for minis use and the random charts are nifty.  I rolled up a randomly aged fort and used it as the basis of the OD&D con game I ran a couple years ago.  Good times.

The maps are serviceable, but not outstanding in the way Tegel Manor, the Sunstone Caverns, etc. are. The random charts are nifty.

Quote from: SettembriniAfter out-strategizing all Highwaymen-Companies, and clearing levels one and two, my players are ready to delve deeper into this old Kelnorean Fortress.
There are encounters down there, which involve Ancient Dragons. I´m fine with that. But the module says, I´m supposed to dole out HALF XP for this Mega-Encounter, if the PCs roleplay their way out.

It´s listed as a whopping EL 40!

Halving the amount of XP would still yield a HUGE amount of XP. Is this on purpose?
I mean, I already made up my mind how to turn it into a challenge of some sorts. But I´m not sure if it should really earn the Characters half an EL 40 reward.

mmmm I see how it could be read that way. It could be clearer. I was thinking more of half xp for Scrathessar herself and maybe any other dragon they met in there. But mainly just the head dragon as most of the interaction revolves around her. In which case it would be half of CR 26.

In the end it is your call.

I guess they ignored the warnings in the main cavern and went in there anyway.

Rob Conley

Thanks!

Well, maybe they´ll just die.
I´ll let you know nexxt week.

Quote from: SettembriniThanks!

Well, maybe they´ll just die.
I´ll let you know nexxt week.

Another points. I thought the way in 3.x to hand out xp was based on the individual CR of the trap/creatures/challenges you overcome not the encounter levels of the area. ELs (or ECLs as I mistakenly wrote them %)) are a guide for the DM to see how "tough" an area is.

I've ordered this adventure and look forward to checking it out.

As far as the XP, I would be inclined to forget about the dragon's (dragons' ?) CR/EL altogether -- it's so far off the scale as to be of little use in calculating an appropriate award.

Another way to approach the problem is this: the dragon(s) essentially act as a save-or-die type of trap. It sounds like successful roleplaying (would Diplomacy checks also work?) allow the PCs to overcome/bypass the encounter. Failure = death.

Would it be fair to say the PCs might have something like a 50% chance of success? If so, a pure combat encounter that worked like this would probably have an EL of something like the party's level +4. Very dangerous, but survivable with good play and some significant sacrifices. (I'm thinking the PCs could offer up some beloved treasure or, if evil, some cohorts, to help grease the skids.)

If the chance of success is less than 50%, the EL could be even be even higher.

So, for example, if we're talking about a 10th level party, I would be inclined to give XP as if for overcoming an EL 14 encounter -- I think that works out to something like 12,000 XP, which isn't shabby, but nothing that will propel your campaign to epic levels.

Quote from: GarnfellowAnother way to approach the problem is this: the dragon(s) essentially act as a save-or-die type of trap. It sounds like successful roleplaying (would Diplomacy checks also work?) allow the PCs to overcome/bypass the encounter. Failure = death.

The encounter with the dragon is meant to actually role-played with an actual game being played. If you want to substitute diplomacy checks (or other skill checks) that is up to you as the DM. It will work either way.

You know your group better than I do with me sitting in NW Pennsylvania.  Go with whatever technique is the most fun for your group. If you take the actual game route, I suggest picking a game that you are good at. This is why I didn't recommend any particular kind of game for the Dragon to play as DMs playing Badabaskor are better at certain games than others. You could always use craps which is pure chance.


Enjoy
Rob Conley

I will play Settlers of the Silver Skein Isles with them. If they don´t let the Dragon win WITHOUT being obvious, I´ll gobble them up.

That way, you still have an RP encounter, as Settlers is all about RP in regards to trading.

Quote from: estarThe encounter with the dragon is meant to actually role-played with an actual game being played.

That's a fantastic idea.