Bard Quest "Original" Notes

General Notes
-In the interest of saving time don't let them shop, just tell them to put what they need in their character sheets
-Don't be afraid to hurry things along
-Don't railroad
-I'm serious: Don't railroad
-Don't be afraid to throw them some softballs or hardballs
-Shoot for about 4 players
-Watch out for DM
-Remember to save the threads in case the archive screws up


Monsters they will face
(These do not have to be followed exactly)

WEAK TIER - things most adventurers can confidently take on
Medium: General size category for most civilized races between three and five feet.  (Ponies, Donkeys/Mules, Zebras)

[DIAMOND DOG]
Weak Tier monster
Medium
Troublemaking miscreants that live under most civilized areas, Diamond Dogs are simple-minded creatures obsessed with gathering shiny objects by any means necessary.
Skill: Hands-Diamond Dogs are one of the few true bipedal races in the land, and can use their hands for any number of unique tasks.
Skill: Burrow-Diamond Dogs, and their slower-witted relatives the Dig Dogs, are built for digging.  They gain bonuses on rolls to do so.
-mostly unarmored
-either unarmed or armed with daggers, knives, axes, spears, etc

[DIG DOG]
Weak Tier monster
Medium
Dimmer cousins of Diamond Dogs used as slave labor by their smarter brethren.  They tend to wear heavy plate and act as bodyguards.
Skill: Hands-As true bipeds, Dig Dogs have hands.  They're not very good at using them for anything other then hitting and digging though.
Skill: Burrow-Like their names imply, Dig Dogs are excellent burrowers.  They gain bonuses on rolls to do so.
-stronger than diamond dogs
-wear plate armor
-use spears

-Zombie: A reanimated corpse driven only by the desire to consume or follow the directives of who rose it.  Their flesh continues to decay, and they
 generally fall apart after a few weeks at most.  Zombies are slow to move and react, but immune to pain or bleeding.  They can only be slain by
 destroying the head or body.

-Skeleton
The reanimated skeleton of a creature, they are popular footsoldiers for those who practice necromancy.  Their lack of flesh grants them fewer limitations
 than zombies.  Skeletons are immune to the effects of pain, bleeding, lightning, and ice.  However, they are slight of frame and fall apart easily when
 struck with excessive force.

Necromancer Diamond Dog (miniboss)
Mid Tear Monster
Medium
-Has undead pony minions (number depends on number and competency of players)
-Transfix Staff (players that roll a zero become helpless, multizeros make the PC a temporary minioon. Roll 5 or higher to free your mind, 4 is inaction,
 3 and lower is an attack against a teammate, 0 is a critical attack)
-Ram's Head Totem - Phylactery
-Unarmored
-If the party rolls a ton of crits don't be afraid to drop him fast
-Make the loot contextual


Necromancer Diamond Dog - Insane (miniboss)
Mid Tear Monster
Medium
-Found if players get lost in the tunnels, throw him at the party when they leave if they are doing too well
-Has undead pony, diamond dog, and dig dog minions (number depends on number and competency of players)
-Sickle and staff with skull on top
-Unarmored
-If the party rolls a ton of crits don't be afraid to drop him fast
-Not much loot

Diamond Dog Alpha (boss)
Mid Tear Monster
Medium
-Play him like a stronger Diamond Dog
-A strong bulky Diamond Dog with scars and shit.
-Dogwhistle to summon Dig Dogs when his health is low
-Large axe
-Hard to kill
-Very nice loot (+1 or +2 weapons, enchanted weapons, special armor, etc., his dogwhistle)



1	Critical failure. You messed up hard. Always fails, disregards bonuses.

2-4	Failure. It just didn’t work.

5	Partial success. Not what you hoped for, but not a disaster.

6-8	Success. Well done!

9	Notable success. Your plan didn’t just work, it went flawlessly.

10	Critical success (crit). Holy balls, whatever you did it was awesome.



Star Whistle
Lightning Bristle
Breezy Day
Stormcloud
Strawberry
Bluebonnet
Silver Spear
Bronze Shield




-Dogs
Bandit
Astro
Benji
Fifi
Duke
Cujo


Town's Mayor: 				     Brawny Boulder
Guard that brought the players to the Mayor: Silver Spear
Cleric NPC: 				     Strawberry
Cleric's sister: 			     Shortcake
Traker NPC: 				     Breezy Day
Diamond Dog Necromancer:		     Cujo



"Thank you for all coming, I'll try and keep this brief. A few days ago a diamond dog raiding party hit our town and abducted nearly a dozen ponies. I alerted the Royal Guard, but they won't be here for at least another week. I would send my own ponies after them, but they are occupied with the defence of this town. You will each be rewarded if you can bring back the missing ponies and any other creatures they may have abducted. I will personally throw in an extra reward if you can bring me back the head of that pack's alpha, or bring back something of his that proves he is dead."

If asked why he wants the Alpha dead.
"I want him dead because he attacked my town and took my ponies. His death should also keep the diamond dogs disorganized until the Royal Guards can get here
and drive the pack away."