The Gatekeeper who guards the chasm at the halfway point allows for a little roleplay to break up the combat.
Number Players
1 at the moment, but with further work this side quest might suit a persistent world.
Language
English
Level Range
Any, but quest only offered to 9 plus.
Races
Any
Tricks & Traps
Non-existent
Roleplay
Light
Hack & Slash
Medium
Classes
Any. Note that picking the pocket of the gatekeeper is possible, but he will still be "in the way" unless persuaded to leave (or killed).
Scope
Small
DMNeeded
No DM Required
Single or Multiplayer
Single Player or Multiplayer
Max Character Level
Any
Max # Players
01
Min # Players
01
Min Character Level
09
Content Rating
Teen
Alignments
Any
Gameplay Hours
<1
Description
I don't think this really classifies as a Module, as it was designed to be a slot in adventure that can be added to an existing module as a side quest, in much the same manner as my other contribution, "The Fairy Tree". I've added it as a Module however as The Fairy Tree received a complaint for being placed under prefabs (See "The Fairy Tree Beta" for details)
This module contains the interior of a potion selling shop, along with the shopkeeper and his familiar. As well as purchase potions, a player may also take on a mission for the shop keeper that will involve sending the player to the Elemental Plane of Fire! It is assumed that anyone using this mod will place it within a larger mod and place a sign outside the shop advertising the fact that the owner has a potential job for a worthy adventurer. Note that the PC must be at least level 9 for the mission to be offered, although the shopkeeper will still converse with lower level characters who inquire about it.
The mission is designed so as to only be attempted once per PC. Encounters are respawnable (Except the Gatekeeper whom it is possible to talk your way past if you find a helpful hint elsewhere on the Plane of Fire). Anyone wishing to use this in a persistent world will have to go in and make changes (scripting is not my strongpoint). Sorry, I can't recall if it supports parties.
Thanks should go to Dom Queron who provided the system used for visual effects.
Posted by Ondaderthad at 2008-03-11 22:17:17 Voted 9.75 on 03/11/08
Excellent visuals. Valuable resource for existing modules. Very little work to add it.
This should really have been posted in the prefab area along with the Fairy tree since they are not full modules. _________________________ The Best PW system is getting even better. PLATEMAIL Tech Preview
Posted by nereng at 2006-08-21 04:10:42 Voted 9.50 on 08/21/06
Nice side-quest that can be slotted into a larger module!
Thanks for the update Tiberius. Think I might have to download the whole series seeing as you're getting such good reviews ;) _________________________ View my blog regarding the Relbonian Chronicles project --> Link
Posted by MikeLM9215 at 2006-07-08 21:17:25 Voted 7.50 on 07/08/06
Better than Fairy Tree, 13th-level fighter still died a lot. Guess I need better equipment. Like use of desert for fire plane over dungeon. Fighting a little tough, especially Balor and huge fire elementals. Missed dead adventurer. Decent quest. _________________________ The road to Ravenloft is paved with good intentions.
Posted by NullthraBloodeye at 2006-06-06 06:43:05 Voted 9.25 on 06/06/06
Good set up and story. This one is full of combat and is a great drop-in adventure for almost any setting. It creates the perfect atmosphere you�d expect. I had some trouble getting across the bridge. Well done and keep up the excellent work.
Posted by NullthraBloodeye at 2006-05-31 07:13:11 Voted 9.25 on 06/06/06
Good set up and story. This one is full of combat and is a great drop-in adventure for almost any setting. It creates the perfect atmosphere you�d expect. I had some trouble getting across the bridge. Well done and keep up the excellent work.
Posted by Ghostdreamer at 2006-04-18 07:47:07 Voted 9.50 on 04/18/06
Fun side quest, not much to add to the below comments as they're all spot on. A bit tough for a level 9 (they burn easily :D ).
Just to clarify for other users, the note is scrawled on the back of a magical scroll. I did it this way as I thought it would be a bit daft for a "normal" note to survive on the Plane of Fire, hence the note is on the back of a cold related spell scroll. If you read the description of the scroll you'll see the note, which opens up additional dialogue with the Gatekeeper.
I hope to tweak this myself in the next week or two with regard the encounter difficulties, when I plan to make the gatekeeper scaleable so it's not so reliable on persuasion success. _________________________ View my blog regarding the Relbonian Chronicles project --> Link
Posted by Tiberius209 at 2006-04-18 03:52:11 Voted 9.50 on 04/17/06
Ah, you're right, Quillmaster. My mistake.
To all: disregard my comment in this regard; I was wrong.
Thanks again, Quillmaster.
Posted by ozDallo at 2006-04-18 02:11:13 Voted 9.50 on 04/18/06
Very fun little 'side-quest' :) I agree with other raters that the recommended level is out of whack a bit, and also that a few more options in the opening convo might've been better. This sort of stuff is easily fixable though, and obviously any modder who ran with the thing would want to tweak stuff anyway.
Visual ambience was outstanding, especially the use of fire-visual emitters in the desert tileset. Very nice :) Quest idea was cool.
Perhaps I would've preferred some better use of placed sound, but again this is another 'add-as-considered-needed'.
Oh and Tiberius, thanks for the vote...I note you said the journal updated without evidence of the note...check the description of the scroll you found on the body, which is the item that causes the journal update. ;) _________________________ View my blog regarding the Relbonian Chronicles project --> Link
Of course not Tiberius! That's what it's there for! The intention has always been it's provided as an add on to save other DMs some work with their own projects, and besides, I'm aware the encounters need tweaking anyway, particularly the Gatekeeper who you might want to make scaleable.
Use it however you see fit. The fact that you use it at all is a great compliment to me. :) _________________________ View my blog regarding the Relbonian Chronicles project --> Link
Posted by Tiberius209 at 2006-04-17 19:47:11 Voted 9.50 on 04/17/06
Nice map layout and connection, and the visual representation of the Plane of Fire is spectacular. The quest idea is interesting and can fit in well for a variety of different settings. The journal system and scripting works well for the most part. I would point out that the one exception is when you find the 'note' on the dead adventurer with the idea on how to pass the gatekeeper. There actually is no physical representation of this, though, so it's a bit confusing when the journal updates.
My only real quibble with the actual work is that the initial conversation probably could have had a few more options - most notably one to accept the quest sooner. In other words, I don't like being railroaded into having 'objections' to the quest. This can be easily changed, though, for those who want to and are familiar with the toolset.
Thanks for the work.
Posted by Tiberius209 at 2006-04-17 19:39:57 Voted 9.50 on 04/17/06
Quillmaster,
There are a ton of elements I like about this quest, and it comes out at just the right time and perfectly fits a modular theme I'm doing now.
BUT... some of the things like the style of the dialog and the level of the creatures and treasures I might have to tweak to fit it into one of my mods. In fact, I think I might dump the merchant completely and fit it into a merchant I already have in place. Does it bother you if I make these kinds of changes?
Posted by Sharona Curves at 2006-04-17 15:22:35 Voted 9.00 on 04/17/06
a great quest and a fun small adventure. recommended level is a little off for the encounters especially towards the end.
Anyone having trouble with the gatekeeper - chances of talking past him are increased if you acquire a Chasm Crossing journal entry. Even then however it's not guaranteed. If any DM feels he's too strong for their purpose, swapping the conversation file and inventory to another creature will do the trick, but make sure the tag of a replacement creature remains the same so that scripts that deal with him don't get broken. _________________________ View my blog regarding the Relbonian Chronicles project --> Link
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