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..by pitting the three of them against a Lictor in darkened close quarters with not an inkling of what they are up against, the NPC's will keep hinting at how it might be a few stowaway peasants, nothing too severe. Until it sinks its flesh hooks into one of them. I'm thinking of beefing the beast up, maybe boost the wounds from 25 to 35? Though seeing as it got a Terminus rating it should do a well enough job of tearing them a new one.

I'm assuming your wanting input?

Going off of that assumption: don't beef it up. Make it smart and give it environmental advantages (it sounds like this is what you are planning). A smart group of Kobolds can terrify players more than a dragon. Look up "Tucker's Kobolds" on google (the whole first page of results is dedicated to this story). More wounds is just frustrating, especially when it already has that many. But a sneaky one that forces them to split up, knocks out lights, and generally uses the enviroment to its advantage will make them so paranoid they will be unloading entire clips at every shadow.

Holy gak, that is brilliant. I already I knew I wanted to lock them up in the cargo hold with the Lictor, but this.. hohoho. I'm half tempted now to bust out a brood of Genestealers and just have them die of terror as their auspex goes haywire inside that maze of containers.

I'll let you know how my next few sessions go, as they're going to be facing groups of very low-level guys with very basic equipment. See if I can't make them dangerous.

Tuckers Kobolods is an amusing narrative tale, well written but a little dishonest.

It looks to me like the Gm decided, whereever you go whatever you do the kobolds will keep up and hit you with ranged attacks. In a way its a cheat, there are no kobolds just kobold shaped components of a giant mechanical trap which is the level.

All of the the things listed should have some warning signs, but back in old D&D traps just happened there wasnt necessarily any coherent logic to them.

Given caution and the right spells that level should be easy to clear, summoing spirits to hunt the kobolds careful use of charm spells to get the traps set off on the wrong side and gain intel and of course any vapour based spell. Cloudkill would slaughter a whole mess of kobolds, stinking cloud would similarly disrupt a lot of what they are doing.
If the corridors are imflammable, set light to them before you get in them.

I did try somethuing similar to the kobold trick oddly back in the day. I used goblins which are just the same but slightly different imagey which I prefered. My goblin stronghold was heavy based on the Iron Triangle complete with narrow cloying tunnel sections. No 10' wide corridors in this dungeon, just hardened laterite clay warrens filled with all the nasties found in Chu Chi excepting only explosives, my gobbos were not very technical.

Smarter adventurers quickly learned that the goblin stronghold survived that long that close to civilisation for good reason. Dont get me wrong the adventurers did manage to rack up a lot of goblins killed but the idea was that the tunnels are big lead a long way and you will never catch them all.


You could try this with rebel grots.

A bit late to the party on this one, though I am really eager to hear about the out come.

A good secondary option for genestealers is ripper swarms. If you can't find anything on them fudge some numbers together. They should cause the appropriate "Aliens" vibe while not taking the spot light off of the lictor. Also, if it's going to be a lictor make it the death leaper. Go big.

I'm still planning this, I want to run a bit of the Lure of the Expanse campaign first before giving them something to cry over. Plus I'm still waiting for my AT-43 orders to come in, those containers make for fun filler terrain along with those tiles. I want dense terrain with little room for ganging up on their opponents.

BrookM wrote:I'm still planning this, I want to run a bit of the Lure of the Expanse campaign first before giving them something to cry over. Plus I'm still waiting for my AT-43 orders to come in, those containers make for fun filler terrain along with those tiles. I want dense terrain with little room for ganging up on their opponents.

I know from previous posts of yours that your RPG group can be a bit... annoying, BUT, a lot of what you're planning sounds a bit evil, and of the "It IS going to happen" type of play.

That stuff can alienate a group quickly if not done 'correctly'...

I think I've seen this movie. The PCs need to keep the cat safe, too. I'm guessing the opinionated strong female lead will end up surviving, but just barely.

Alpharius wrote:

BrookM wrote:I'm still planning this, I want to run a bit of the Lure of the Expanse campaign first before giving them something to cry over. Plus I'm still waiting for my AT-43 orders to come in, those containers make for fun filler terrain along with those tiles. I want dense terrain with little room for ganging up on their opponents.

I know from previous posts of yours that your RPG group can be a bit... annoying, BUT, a lot of what you're planning sounds a bit evil, and of the "It IS going to happen" type of play.

That stuff can alienate a group quickly if not done 'correctly'...

Let's just say a lot of abuse and trauma makes me less of a nice person towards them in my GM machinations. I've been press-ganged into doing it, I'm being shot down and questioned at every turn, they don't even properly attempt to roleplay. Oh no sir, I shall have my petty, insignificant and "I'm going to cry myself to sleep over a game now" revenge. If they survive it, kudos. If not, well there's always a second shot at Dark Heresy, by the books.

Though I'm going to stick with the Lictor, it's as lethal as it comes and I've got one all painted up just for such an occasion, it would be a waste otherwise.

I know, and I sympathize with your plight!

I suppose this will teach them.

Something!

Or it will backfire in a most comical way and teach the finer points of caring and friendship, either way is a win-win.

Just kill them.

And when they're dead tell them they can either play the game and stop questioning you, or they can find another GM.

H.B.M.C. is a cruel taskmaster - but he's probably right!

I'm guessing your group isn't a very experienced RPG group then?

Nothing frustrates like an uncooperative group. More power to you for doing this. Maybe you can find some PCs that aren't jerks after.

BookM...I feel your pain, but you are being passive aggressive. If you REALLY don't want to run it, say so and quit instead of wasting everyones time.

If you want to be a good GM, there are better ways to do it.

Be harsher, but in a realistic and well thought out way. Your plan could be a good one, but your goal shouldn't be to grief them, it should be to provide a scary, atmospheric challenge. You could run the exact same scenario, the difference between griefing and challenging will be apparent, mainly in your attitude.

If you want to do it right get some good music, write up some good descriptions about the creepy atmosphere, and build up to it slowly with dissapearing crew.

Wan't them to roleplay more? Offer xp rewards at the end of every session (I do an roleplaying defense session at the end of every game). Make roleplaying a rewarding experience.

Let some get hurt or die, but in a realistic and atmospheric way. The rules make it very likely. If they aren't paying attention it is likely because they are feeling invincible or they haven't achieved a suspension of disbelief.

Most importantly, if you aren't having fun, talk to them and make it clear. Let them know that you aren't enjoying this, and if things don't change you aren't going to be able to run it.

Stop being passive aggressive, it is just annoying you, and going to annoy them, and waste everyones times. Talking really isn't that hard.

Finally, DON'T PLAY WITH A BAD GROUP! If they really are bad, if communications fail, or their style of game just doesn't match yours, don't play with them. Roleplaying with a good group is one of the funnest things in the world, and playing with a bad group is one of the most aggravating.

So are they dead yet?

When is the game?

I understand what Riplikash is saying, and in most cases I think he is totally correct.

But,

These guys are dicks who demanded you GM and then acted in a terrible fashion. Destroy them, then move on to a group that is worth your effort and consideration.

Feel your anger! Let it flow through you...

They've decided to play Munchkin again, leaving me free to find a new group, hopefully as a player, not a GM.

Alpharius wrote:H.B.M.C. is a cruel taskmaster - but he's probably right!

Disagree. Remember when his player needed taught a lesson? I thought he went pretty easy on the guy.

What?!?

You *believed* him?

Don't you know everything you've been told is a lie!

Trust no one!!!



OK, good point...

But I still don't think that was the REAL H.B.M.C.!

Manchu wrote:Disagree. Remember when his player needed taught a lesson? I thought he went pretty easy on the guy.

The 'teaching of the lesson' hasn't happened yet... but it will.

Besides, not every punishment need be physical. I have a much better idea of how to make the player in question squirm...

See!

I told you he was evil!

Evil!