PCs must escape a dungeon because they are being chased by a...(?)
In short: In a 1-shot, I want the PCs to be chased by something too terrible for them to fight, so they must escape the dungeon, all the while being slowed by traps, hazzards, and the unwitting monsters of said dungeon. Once on the surface, the PCs can use an artifact to stop this terrible thing from reaching the surface. What could be this horrible thing that makes the 11th level PCs run like hell for their lives?
Full explanation
1. designing a 1-shot (for a friend's at-home 'con'). 3-4 hours of play, mix of experienced and inexperienced players, pre-gen characters at level 11 (not my choice, the host decided on it and posted this starting point).
2. Host of the con wants "a dungeon crawl-style adventure with traps and lots of combat."
3. My thoughts: simple, straightforward goal; not a lot of story necessary; an interesting trap/puzzle or two that challenges the players and their characters; 2-3 minor combat encounters with a battle royale to finish.
I've run 1-shots before, and I prefer this recipe:
My idea is to have the party start deep in a dungeon (or tomb or prison). An NPC traveling with the party inadvertently unleashes some Horrible Thing (by miscalculation, tempted by ambition, or betrayal perhaps). The party must make their way out of the dungeon, avoiding traps and some speed-bump combats while they are being chased by the Horrible Thing.
Anytime they get hung up on a trap or combat, the Horrible Thing closes in on them, destroying everything in its path, sometimes even the party's foes (ie cocky fire giants make a stand against the Horrible Thing and get obliterated).
PCs must escape the dungeon and seal it shut to contain the Horrible Thing or defeat the Horrible Thing, perhaps with an artifact from the nearby town that is designed for that exact purpose.
Once I have the Horrible Thing (be it a demon, lesser god, mummy lord, a sentient blood storm, whatever), the rest will fall into place: how to stop it, what kind of traps are in the dungeon, etc.
I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!
Full explanation
1. designing a 1-shot (for a friend's at-home 'con'). 3-4 hours of play, mix of experienced and inexperienced players, pre-gen characters at level 11 (not my choice, the host decided on it and posted this starting point).
2. Host of the con wants "a dungeon crawl-style adventure with traps and lots of combat."
3. My thoughts: simple, straightforward goal; not a lot of story necessary; an interesting trap/puzzle or two that challenges the players and their characters; 2-3 minor combat encounters with a battle royale to finish.
I've run 1-shots before, and I prefer this recipe:
- Start with a big splash beginning (thrusts everyone into action by presenting a clear and exciting threat)
- Present a challenging villain with a simple goal that the PCs are compelled to stop
- A helpful NPC or two for info/aid/direction
- Give the characters a chance to shine (the pre-gen characters are all core classes and races for simplicity)...traps, arcane runes, varied foes and obstacles.
- key location(s). In this case, the dungeon/tomb/prison
- TENSION. Keep things moving. Hence, the chase and escape.
My idea is to have the party start deep in a dungeon (or tomb or prison). An NPC traveling with the party inadvertently unleashes some Horrible Thing (by miscalculation, tempted by ambition, or betrayal perhaps). The party must make their way out of the dungeon, avoiding traps and some speed-bump combats while they are being chased by the Horrible Thing.
Anytime they get hung up on a trap or combat, the Horrible Thing closes in on them, destroying everything in its path, sometimes even the party's foes (ie cocky fire giants make a stand against the Horrible Thing and get obliterated).
PCs must escape the dungeon and seal it shut to contain the Horrible Thing or defeat the Horrible Thing, perhaps with an artifact from the nearby town that is designed for that exact purpose.
Once I have the Horrible Thing (be it a demon, lesser god, mummy lord, a sentient blood storm, whatever), the rest will fall into place: how to stop it, what kind of traps are in the dungeon, etc.
I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!