Query re: Desolation Encounter in SoS [SPOILER] - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Query re: Desolation Encounter in SoS [SPOILER]

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Apr 29, 2005 18:31:10 In Chapter 1 of Spectre Of Sorrows, there is an encounter with a Lamia detailed. The encounter is titled 'Lamia Seductress'. It's never explicitly stated why she's captured and 'toyed' with the Dark Knight or why she tries to get one of the characters to stay with her (specifically a chivalrous male character).

For those of you who might have run the encounter, or others who want to chip in, what is the mysterious fate that awaited/awaits your PCs if, instead of immediately launching into battle, the characters do actually decide to help her?

I ran this encounter last night and the lamia charmed one of the PCs and Elijayess (who's traveling with the PCs), convincing the PC to stay with her and Elijayess to lead the others off into the desert to return the staff and amulet to the oracles. Only the intervention of the PC's animal companion snapped the charmed PC out of the situation and I was beginning to sweat about deciding exactly the fate of the unfortunate 'victim'.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

Simon Collins
#2
Nived
Apr 30, 2005 8:50:59 I can only assume that she's dont this to well... eat the characters. Maybe not physically eat but I imagine the Wisdom drain gives her some kinda benifit or sustinance.

The sad thing is, in my game the Monk/Cleric of Habb decided to stay behind and try to help *sigh* he's no longer as wise as he once was... one might say he wasn't in the first place if he tried to stay behind of his own account.

See originally the ranger and the monk/cleric went with the girl who said she needed help, the cleric decided to stay and help while the ranger went to get supplies for them. Well I was feeling kind and the Ranger arrived at the nick of time...

Definately memorable, of course the now wisdom drained Cleric/Monk wont soon forget... perminate drains hurt.
#3
cam_banks
Apr 30, 2005 10:04:25 She's a lamia. She lives to cause suffering and enslave mortals by sapping their will to resist her. That's pretty much all the motivation she needs to do what she's doing! Refer to the Monster Manual for basic information, and use your best judgement on the rest.

Cheers,
Cam
#4
zombiegleemax
May 01, 2005 2:31:51 Well, the three possibilities I thought of were:
1. The Lamia feeds off wisdom, needs no physical sustenance, and gets her evil kicks from keeping her victims dumb. This is not a very valid explanation in normal ecology terms.
2. Like a (big) cat, they 'toy' with their food, draining wisdom and charming them, until they get fed up with them, and then physically eat them. This is my favourite explanation but could end in permanent character death.
3. Either 1 or 2 plus the Lamia chooses 'chivalrous male' victims because
a) she uses them as concubines (which again does not make any ecological sense), or
b) she chooses 'males' because they are stronger and can do more physically demanding chores and/or provide more meat, and 'chivalrous' because they're easier to dupe (and maybe males for the same reason) ;).

I know I can live with the "look, she's just evil, work with it" explanation but I was interested in briefly exploring the ecology of the lamia (was there ever a Dragon article on this?) - it wasn't a criticism.

Simon Collins
#5
cam_banks
May 01, 2005 6:07:59
WI know I can live with the "look, she's just evil, work with it" explanation but I was interested in briefly exploring the ecology of the lamia (was there ever a Dragon article on this?) - it wasn't a criticism.

There was, in fact, a Dragon article dedicated to the lamia. If you can track down #192 you'll be able to read the "Ecology (Love-Life) of the Lamia," which was written by Spike Jones.

Cheers,
Cam
#6
zombiegleemax
May 01, 2005 13:59:09
There was, in fact, a Dragon article dedicated to the lamia. If you can track down #192 you'll be able to read the "Ecology (Love-Life) of the Lamia," which was written by Spike Jones.

Cheers,
Cam

Found, and read. Thanks for that.

Well, it seems like the answer is a mixture of insanity, lust, and greed - the lamia chooses a male concubine, uses him for chores and protection as well as more carnal pleasures; then, when she gets bored with him, eats him.
#7
frostdawn
May 02, 2005 9:28:39 Looks like Brandel's fate is spelled out if the adventurers don't rescue him then.
#8
cam_banks
May 02, 2005 9:33:53
Looks like Brandel's fate is spelled out if the adventurers don't rescue him then.

Yep! Of course, he's part of a random encounter, so if you don't have it show up in the course of the game he's utterly doomed without a chance of salvation.

There are quite a lot of NPCs in Spectre. Certainly enough for any DM to present their players with an ample amount of roleplaying opportunities, antagonists, sidekicks, potential cohorts, etc etc. Some of them are very important, while others are somewhat disposable. With any of luck they won't know the difference.

Cheers,
Cam

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Apr 29, 2005 18:31:10	In Chapter 1 of Spectre Of Sorrows, there is an encounter with a Lamia detailed. The encounter is titled 'Lamia Seductress'. It's never explicitly stated why she's captured and 'toyed' with the Dark Knight or why she tries to get one of the characters to stay with her (specifically a chivalrous male character). For those of you who might have run the encounter, or others who want to chip in, what is the mysterious fate that awaited/awaits your PCs if, instead of immediately launching into battle, the characters do actually decide to help her? I ran this encounter last night and the lamia charmed one of the PCs and Elijayess (who's traveling with the PCs), convincing the PC to stay with her and Elijayess to lead the others off into the desert to return the staff and amulet to the oracles. Only the intervention of the PC's animal companion snapped the charmed PC out of the situation and I was beginning to sweat about deciding exactly the fate of the unfortunate 'victim'. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. Simon Collins
#2 Nived Apr 30, 2005 8:50:59	I can only assume that she's dont this to well... eat the characters. Maybe not physically eat but I imagine the Wisdom drain gives her some kinda benifit or sustinance. The sad thing is, in my game the Monk/Cleric of Habb decided to stay behind and try to help sigh he's no longer as wise as he once was... one might say he wasn't in the first place if he tried to stay behind of his own account. See originally the ranger and the monk/cleric went with the girl who said she needed help, the cleric decided to stay and help while the ranger went to get supplies for them. Well I was feeling kind and the Ranger arrived at the nick of time... Definately memorable, of course the now wisdom drained Cleric/Monk wont soon forget... perminate drains hurt.
#3 cam_banks Apr 30, 2005 10:04:25	She's a lamia. She lives to cause suffering and enslave mortals by sapping their will to resist her. That's pretty much all the motivation she needs to do what she's doing! Refer to the Monster Manual for basic information, and use your best judgement on the rest. Cheers, Cam
#4 zombiegleemax May 01, 2005 2:31:51	Well, the three possibilities I thought of were: 1. The Lamia feeds off wisdom, needs no physical sustenance, and gets her evil kicks from keeping her victims dumb. This is not a very valid explanation in normal ecology terms. 2. Like a (big) cat, they 'toy' with their food, draining wisdom and charming them, until they get fed up with them, and then physically eat them. This is my favourite explanation but could end in permanent character death. 3. Either 1 or 2 plus the Lamia chooses 'chivalrous male' victims because a) she uses them as concubines (which again does not make any ecological sense), or b) she chooses 'males' because they are stronger and can do more physically demanding chores and/or provide more meat, and 'chivalrous' because they're easier to dupe (and maybe males for the same reason) ;). I know I can live with the "look, she's just evil, work with it" explanation but I was interested in briefly exploring the ecology of the lamia (was there ever a Dragon article on this?) - it wasn't a criticism. Simon Collins
#5 cam_banks May 01, 2005 6:07:59	WI know I can live with the "look, she's just evil, work with it" explanation but I was interested in briefly exploring the ecology of the lamia (was there ever a Dragon article on this?) - it wasn't a criticism. There was, in fact, a Dragon article dedicated to the lamia. If you can track down #192 you'll be able to read the "Ecology (Love-Life) of the Lamia," which was written by Spike Jones. Cheers, Cam
#6 zombiegleemax May 01, 2005 13:59:09	There was, in fact, a Dragon article dedicated to the lamia. If you can track down #192 you'll be able to read the "Ecology (Love-Life) of the Lamia," which was written by Spike Jones. Cheers, Cam Found, and read. Thanks for that. Well, it seems like the answer is a mixture of insanity, lust, and greed - the lamia chooses a male concubine, uses him for chores and protection as well as more carnal pleasures; then, when she gets bored with him, eats him.
#7 frostdawn May 02, 2005 9:28:39	Looks like Brandel's fate is spelled out if the adventurers don't rescue him then.
#8 cam_banks May 02, 2005 9:33:53	Looks like Brandel's fate is spelled out if the adventurers don't rescue him then. Yep! Of course, he's part of a random encounter, so if you don't have it show up in the course of the game he's utterly doomed without a chance of salvation. There are quite a lot of NPCs in Spectre. Certainly enough for any DM to present their players with an ample amount of roleplaying opportunities, antagonists, sidekicks, potential cohorts, etc etc. Some of them are very important, while others are somewhat disposable. With any of luck they won't know the difference. Cheers, Cam