Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: $Revision: 1.6.2.16 $; site ISM780.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!harvard!think!ISM780!geoff
From: geoff@ISM780.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: Re: How do YOU fleece PCs? (How NOT
Message-ID: <28700001@ISM780.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 26-Apr-85 12:24:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: ISM780.28700001
Posted: Fri Apr 26 12:24:00 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 28-Apr-85 07:32:29 EDT
References: <739@mhuxt.UUCP>
Lines: 38
Nf-ID: #R:mhuxt:-73900:ISM780:28700001:000:2466
Nf-From: ISM780!geoff    Apr 26 12:24:00 1985


The question is: What does one do about parties with so much magic that
they can do a cakewalk in Hades?  Many good answers have been posted, but
if all else fails, try the "Fourth of July Special*".

This is a room, corridor, chest, or whatever that is inhabited by an alien
(off-plane) being who lives on magical energy.  Usually the trap is set
off (read: Creature is awakened) by the use of magic in the area (the size
of said area being the DM's option).  The effects are not subtle: EVERY
MAGIC ITEM RELEASES ITS POWER IMMEDIATELY.  (potions act as if ingested by
the bearer, scrolls read themselves, wands start shooting off charges,
weapons begin acting like dancing swords, etc.) If the DM is kind-hearted,
s/he may ignore the possibility of the "multiple potion" side effects
discussed in the DMG.  If the types of magic carried by the party are well
balanced WRT offense/defense, no one will be hurt too much, if not, the DM
could make adjustments as needed (perhaps the "creature" inhabiting the
trap will set off an anti-magic shell scroll which just happens to be
lying in the corner nearest the wimp characters).  The party now has a
problem, to wit:  "How the hell do we get out of here?", the description
of the events should prove amuzing enough to allay(sp?) any bad feelings
on the part of the worst-hit party members, and many heavy-duty magic
items will have to be left behind.  This will provide another adventure
for the day the party is truly powerful enough to try to get the stuff
back, by which time the amount of magic to "rescue" will be more in line
with the DM's idea of game balance.  The "creature" is not a violent soul,
just hungry.  The permanently enchanted magic items will keep flying
around and swinging at everything that moves as long as there is a
corporeal creature in the area of effect.  (Some sort of being native to
this plane is needed as a "focus" or "gate" for this power to manifest.)
To get rid of the creature a gate *might* work (if you can figure out
where to gate the creature to), but some or all of the magic items in the
area will go through the gate with the creature.  Mucho cash can be used
on Sage consultation to find out where the gate should go, if excess cash
is also a problem.

* The original idea comes from "The Dragon Tree Book of Tricks, Traps, and
Encounters" copyright Dragon Tree Press.  I recommend getting ahold of
everthing these people have published -- Great Stuff! (for DMs only!)