My Shit & Shieldwalls group has voted to go giant hunting next session.
My Shit & Shieldwalls group has voted to go giant hunting next session. A random encounter last session indicated giant tracks in the snow.
Any ideas on how to make tracking and (possibly) finding an ogre lair more interesting than skill checks, random encounters, and a cave with 2d3 ogres?
I am actually writing a mini-encounter (a few pages) about this for my Patreon, I'll send you a copy
ReplyDeleteI always really dug this cover but I also always felt like it was not quite there. He should have had that guy’s head crushed into his shoulders and the red a pool of blood. That would have driven home how scary giants and ogres should be.
ReplyDeleteZzarchov Kowolski that would be excellent. You know, this party had to fight all the skeletons and the wraith in the basement of the church from Dead Babies, but they still didn't open the chest or desk to get the free magic items. Just the ones that awakened the undead. There's no understanding players.
ReplyDeleteOdysseus Jones there's also this one by Elmore that has the same problem. His neck looks broke, but not like he got smashed by a giant that big.
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Yeah, a few.
ReplyDelete1. Make the presumption that the ogres know they are often hunted. To that end, they purposely take round about ways back to their lairs, and double back on their tracks. Perhaps they are smart enough to set rudimentary traps along those paths.
2. Ogres also like hunting, and are tribal, so perhaps they have made trophies of their kills along the route to their lair. This might require a few WIS saves to not induce fear. These could be creepily artistic ala Blair Witch or outright horror ala Predator
3. They have gods they worship, how about a few homages/effigies to honor those gods in the woods at random places? They could follow the same pattern as #2. Think the Netflix movie 'The Ritual'
4. This is their home turf. They are likely to have scouts or ogres on lookout. This could stimulate a warning system that doubles as a way to intimidate the party. Drumbeats off trees, that are DC 20+ to locate the proper direction.
4a. Of course, while they are looking for the lookouts, the rest of the ogres come out of hiding, grab their supply of rocks and take to the woods in defense. They know which trees can support their weight, so they go where the party doesn't suspect and peppers them from long range (I'm sure they have cairns/ammo supplies all over the woods).
Go get 'em!
Casey G. pinged you on Hangouts chat with a possible answer.
ReplyDeleteFor those not Casey, checkkity check:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/208237
drivethrurpg.com - Ruinous Palace of the Metegorgos
Simplest thing that pops to mind is that Giants have a MUCH longer stride than the group. They know where hidden crevasses are and just step over them without thinking. There would be little to be able to tell there is a line of them around their home when snow covers them all.
ReplyDeleteAlong those lines trees that are conveniently laid across an open easily seen crevasse. The Giants do not need them and just step across. Those trees are rotted out weak will not withstand a human's weight.
I always try to emphasis the extreme differences in size.
Zzarchov Kowolski how the hell did I not know you have a patreon?!
ReplyDelete"i've got an ogre slaying knife. it's got plus 9 against ogres!"
ReplyDeleteyou're not there!
gregory blair honestly just started it with the new year, first real launch today. Ironically with an item that overlaps with what Casey is looking for.
ReplyDeleteZzarchov Kowolski aaah okay that makes a lot more sense, thanks.
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