Inspired by Mathias in anohter thread.

I'll use this thread to shamelessly steal ideas from people way smarter than me (that's you).

It looks like I've got two groups, one this week and one the week after.

It'll need to be fairly short, ~3 hours.

I'm planning on it being a mostly linear romp through a delightful set of Christmas themed D&D tricks, traps and monsters.

So far my ideas are:

The evil wizard Gri'nch has kidnapped Santa and plans to ruin Christmas!

The elves have been replaced with goblins dressed in their clothes and wielding candy cane swords, lollipop axes, spun sugar bows, etc...

Gummy bear gollums

Gingerbread man gollum

Tensil strangle vines

Stockings stuffed with gold! (One is a mimic)

A river of boiling hot chocolate that must be crossed via marshmallow,

Fruitcake gelatinous cube.

Witch in a gingerbread house.

A sleigh pulled by 8 owldeers.

A Christmas treent.

A magic sword (red and white stripes) that is "the only way to defeat Gri'nch", its actually his present and will convince him of his error if the PCs give it to him (spirit of Christmas - triple XP)

The basic game would be players enter a room, I start describing it and at some point they start groaning, clear room, proceed.

Awesome!  This prompted me to dig out the notes from my scenario, run around Christmas '08 (?).

I don't have the map, but here are the notes.  I must have annotated them during play, hence all the zeroes next to the monster hit point totals.

I like your ideas, particularly the Christmas treant and the owldeers.

A Lorcian Christmas Special

   Fell winter descends upon the Land of Lorcia. Snow covers the earth, monsters great and small descend into their burrows to sleep until spring, and the common folk huddle in their thatch-roofed cottages to stave off the bite of the cold.  But amidst this seasonal darkness there is a light of hope; the savage pagan holiday known in these times as "Christmas."  It is a joyous festival of light of joy, when people feast, get drunk, and admonish children to tend towards good  alignment, for on Christmas eve, Odin, the Allfather rides forth on a crimson sleigh drawn by an eight-legged horse and delivers presents and candy to good children and much less safe gifts to those who do great deeds.

Adventure Outline-

Presents from Odin

Each PC may place an item near the hearth so it will be filled with goodies by Odin on Christmas eve. They can place out a helm, for martial gifts, a cowl, for magical gifts, or a boot.


Place out Helm, Cowl, or Boot

Helm (Weapon)
1- Sword +1, +2 vs. Undead
2- Axe +2 Deflecting
3- Armor- Suit Armor +1
4- Hammer +1, Returning

Cowl (Magic)
1- Wand of Fireballs
2- Scroll of
3- Ring of Spell Turning
4- Gauntlet of Ogre Power
5- Staff of Striking
6- Ring of Animal Control

Boot (Potion/Food)
1- 4 Potions of Healing 1d6+1
2- 1 Potion of Fire Resistance, 1 Potion of Levitation, 1 Potion of Speed, 1 Potion of Growth
3- 2 Potions of Super Healing (Cure Critical Wounds)
4- 1 Potion of Strength, 1 Potion of Healing, 1 Potion of ESP, 1 Potion of Plant Control

Gifts for Each other-- 'Tis the season for caring (and spending). Ask the players if they are buying any gifts for one another. If so, note the amount. On Christmas morning, at the end of the adventure, that PC receives bonus XP equal to the amount they spent on gifts.

Knock on the Door-- An Elf named Haaarkni Haaarknison needs help. Yulehalla, the earthly workshop of the Allfather has been taken over by the wicked mage Ebenezer Douche, a grumpy old man who hates good cheer and above all Christmas. Apparently, Douche has taken over Yulehalla, imprisoning the elves, perverting holiday goodies into monsters and traps, and breaking or stealing toys intended for young children.

En Route- Encounter with Monster

White-Fang
AC: 4
HD: 6 (L) (0)
Move: 180' (60')
   Burrowing (snow) 90' (30')
   Burrowing (ice) 45' (15')
Attacks: 1 bite/1 tail lash
Damage: 2d6+poison/2d6
Save As: F6
Morale: 10
Treasure: Self
Intelligence: 3
Alignment: Neutral
XP: 725

Other Notes: The White-Fang's poison causes the blood to literally freeze, paralyzing the victim and dealing 1d8 damage per round, unless the victim makes a successful saving throw. If the saving throw is made, the victim merely feels chilled, taking a -2 on Strength and Dexterity for 2d6 rounds.
 

Yulehalla Contents

U, Helga, Sven Svenson, Haaarki, Olaf Haaarknison

Room 1- Entryway: A festive hall decked with barrels of holly and an enormous Christmas tree, with many shiny, glamorous looking presents underneath. Detect magic shows that some of the packages glow. Unfortunately, the presents are a lure, as the Christmas tree has been replaced by a killer tree strewn with tinsel and lights. Anyone who gets close to the tree gets surprise nabbed with a +2 bonus to hit. They get one chance to cut the Christmas light tentacle that nabs them before they become a tree snack.

Killer (Christmas) Tree
AC: 5
HD: 6 (L) (0)
Move: -
Attacks: 4 limbs/ 1 mouth
Damage: 3d6
Save As: F3
Morale: 12
Treasure: Nil
Intelligence: 1
Alignment: Neutral
XP: 275

Notes: 5 damage severs a "limb." The round after a character is hit by a limb, they go into the mouth, which does 3d6 damage each round thereafter.

TRAP- Exploding Christmas Presents: If a player opens a Christmas present, roll 1d10 and consult the chart below. Also roll if a player attempts to find traps.

1. TRAP- Explosion. 2d10 damage, save for half.
2. A Nintendo DS Light. Sweet!
3. Argyle Socks
4. A Fuzzy Sweater
5. Gauntlets of Ogre Power
6. TRAP- Poison Gas. Save vs. Poison or lose 1 point on STR permanently.
7. Potion of Healing 1d6+1
8. TRAP- A Shiny toy train. NOTE TO DM: Actually is a trap. A clever player will inspect it for a made in China stamp. Over the next few sessions, ask them for a Poison save. Look up lead poisoning on wikipedia and give them a stat penalty accordingly.
9. A donation has been made to the Lorcian Fund for veterans of the Gnome wars. 500 XP.
10. TRAP- Explosion. 2d10 damage, save for half.

Room 2- The Kitchens

The kitchen is full of the pleasant smell of lovingly baked goods. It's also a place where two captive elves are being forced to bake trays of gingerbread golems. Speaking of which, there are 5 of the nasty cookie men running around in here, and they aren't happy. Deal with them.

Gingerbread Golems (5)
AC: 7
HD: 2+2 (SM) (0, 0, 0, 0, 0)
Move: 120' (40')
Attacks: 1 fist
Damage: 1d8
Save As: F1
Morale: 12
Treasure: Gumdrop buttons
Intelligence: 0
Alignment: Neutral
XP: 35

Notes: Fire attacks deal +1 point of damage per die. -2 on all saves vs. fire attacks.

Once the cookie men are dealt with, two more elves get with the party. Their names are Helga and Sven Svenson.

Room 3- Reindeer Stables

A dark, stinky room where the sounds of growling and barking reverberate from the heavy wooden beams of the enclosures. Doesn't sound like Rudolph & Co. in here, buddy. When proper light is procured, one can see that there are a trio of winter wolves here, fighting over a helpless elf being dangled from the ceiling, who is just barely keeping himself out of their horrible jaws.


Ice Wolves (3)
AC: 4
HD: 3+1 (0, 0, 0)
Move: 150' (50')
Attacks: 1 bite or breath
Damage: 1d10 or 3d4 (save vs. breath for half)
Save As: F4
Morale: 10
Treasure: C
Intelligence: 2
Alignment: Chaotic
XP: 100

Once the foul monsters are dispatched and the elf freed, he introduces himself as U. He also has the key to the feast hall.

Room 3- Feast Hall

A luxurious hall with long tables, tankards of Winter Ale, and a roaring fire.  Currently seated at the tables is a gang of Christmas Hobgoblins! They ready their weapons and attack.

Christmas Hobgoblins (6)
AC: 6
HD: 1+1 (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0)
Move: 90' (30')
Attacks: By Weapon
Damage: 1d6
Save As: F1
Morale: 8
Treasure: Q
Intelligence: 10
Alignment: Chaotic
XP: 15

And what's this? Up Near the front of the room is a huge, magnificent looking present. Who knows what wonders lie inside? Actually, it's just an enormous fruitcake. Oh gods, no, it's a Gelatinous Cube-Fruitcake!

Gelatinous Cube-Fruitcake
AC: 8
HD: 4 (L) (0)
Move: 60' (20')
Attacks: 1
Damage: 2d4+ save vs. paralysis or be enveloped.
Save As: F2
Morale:12
Treasure: V
Intelligence: 0
Alignment: Neutral
XP: 125

Those enveloped within the horror remain in stasis until the end of the battle. Once the beast is vanquished, it yields up another elf. Awesome.

Room  4- The Bleak Future of Christmas

This room appears to be a bleak, snow covered landscape as far as the eye can see. Muddy fields and barren, scraggly trees dot the landscape. There is a snowy hill strewn with broken sled pieces. No Children play here.  There is also a hewed pine tree, left to rot on the ground.  Anyone who suspects an illusion is entitled to a save vs. spell. Anyone who doesn't eventually notices a little boy who has fallen through the ice of a pond. Trying to help the kid forces a save vs. spell, with failure meaning falling unconscious and believing oneself dead, trapped under the ice in a cheerless world.  Once everyone is free of the illusion, the boy reveals itself as the ghost of Christmas future. It casts confusion and otherwise fights weakly until defeated. The point of this encounter is to show the heroes what happens if they don't save Christmas!

Phantom, Lesser (Ghost of Christmas Future)
AC: 9
HD: 6 (0)
Move: 120' (40')
Attacks: 1 blow or confusion, hallucinatory terrain, or phantasmal force
Damage: 1d4
Save As: F6
Morale: 6
Treasure: C
Intelligence: 10
Alignment: Chaotic
XP: 725

Room 5- The Workshop

A once whimsical place where toys and enchanted weapons were made for good girls and boys. Now its full of gremlins. Make this chaotic and funny and full of hijacks as possible.

Gremlins (5)
AC: 7
HD: 1 (0,0,0,0,0)
Move: 120' (40')
Attacks: Special
Damage: Special
Save As: E1
Morale:12
Treasure: Nil
Intelligence: 9
Alignment: Chaotic
XP: 16

Special Notes: Anyone who misses an attack against a gremlin must roll an attack against his or her self immediately. Each round the Gremlins radiate a Chaos Aura which causes things to go terribly wrong for anyone attempting to deal with the little shits. At the beginning of each round, after actions have been announced, ask players to roll a save vs. spells in order to be unaffected by the aura. Anyone who casts a spell on the gremlins must make a save vs. spells or have the spell affect themselves.

Final Room- Throne

Once this room held the throne of the Allfather, where he would hear the toy requests of good children. Now Ebenezer douche sits upon the throne, glowering at all he sees.

Ebenezer Douche
AC: 0
HD:  7d4 (0 hp)
Move: 120' (40')
Attacks: 1 staff
Damage: 1d6-1
Save As: M5
Morale: 12
Treasure:
Intelligence: 18
Alignment: Neutral
XP: 15,000 for everyone (30, 000 for all, see below)

Spells per day: 3/2/2/1

Spells prepared: Magic Missile, Charm Person, Shield/ Invisibility, Web/ Fireball, Hold Person/Ice Storm (Wall of Ice)

Special Notes: If anyone offers a present or a candy cane or something to Douche, he gets all teary-eyed, learns the true meaning of Christmas, and repents his evil ways.

Appendix- Elves

Haaarki Haaarkison
HP: 5/9 (-4)
AC: 5
Attack: 1 Longsword
Damage: 1d8
Save As: E3
Spells: Magic Missile, Light, Invisibility

Helga Beersdotter
HP: 3
AC: 5
Attack: 1 Longbow
Damage: 1d8
Save As: E1
Spells: Sleep


U Uson
HP: 4
AC: 5
Attack: 1 2-Handed Sword
Damage: 1d10
Save As: E1
Spells: Magic Missile


Sven Svenson
HP: 6
AC: 5
Attack: 1 Trident
Damage:1d6
Save As: E1
Spells: Charm Person


Olaf Haaarkison
HP: 12 (-11)
AC: 4
Attack: 1 Axe
Damage: 1d8
Save As: E2
Spells: Magic Missile, Shield

Maybe a stretch where they journey across a bit of desert, and have to defend three magic-users (who are on a journey to the west...) from bandits...?

You may find this useful as a reward in that Grinch scenario:  http://wampuscountry.blogspot.com/2012/12/grimoire-of-grinch.html

I'm working on a Christmas-themed session as well, but I think I'm going Nutcracker vs Mouse King.

Everyone should have candy bits to represent their HPs and do egg nog shots whenever you kill a monster.

Kids love doing shots on Christmas.

No Krampus?  You can't have a Christmas-themed D&D session without the Krampus!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7qLbJUPC10

What's the Krampus' Monster Manual demon type, I wonder? Or actually, he'd be a Devil wouldn't he?

RPGPundit

We've been celebrating Krampustag here in the U.S. for three years.  It's my game groups' adopted holiday.

I'm pretty sure he's just a Bugbear.  Maybe with Cleric as a class.

A bugbear shaman!

Quote from: Blackhand;607684We've been celebrating Krampustag here in the U.S. for three years.  It's my game groups' adopted holiday.

That's awesome!

What do you guys do in praise of Krampus?

Quote from: Spinachcat;607954That's awesome!

What do you guys do in praise of Krampus?

Hopefully not what the Krampus does, or there could be some serious legal issues involved.

RPGPundit

Quote from: Spinachcat;607954That's awesome!

What do you guys do in praise of Krampus?

A great feast!  Also, folks come that aren't usually affiliated with our gaming (like my mom & dad), just to get another holiday in and hang out - and of course, eat.  We're landlocked in the USA, but we try to make it continental German / Austrian cuisine.

We make it a point to get pictures and it goes on the club's blog.  

2010
2011
2012

Krampus costumes are EXPENSIVE, by the way.  Still saving up for a good one, the one we have is kind of a stand in.

okay, my first room is a puzzle ala "the word of god" from Indiana Jones. With the safe tiles spelling the words "nice" and "naughty", one leads deeper into the dungeon the other to the lair of Krampus. the clue affixed above the entrance is "double check your work". beneath the tiles is a 20` pit lined with ice sickles.

the whole room is of course covered with ice.

something light and easy to set the tone