Dralnu
2014-08-29, 03:57 PM
I'm writing a short module that I intend to release for free. There's one really cool combat encounter in my mind. It's inspired from God of War 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qjtde3kbrCM&feature=relmfu) (skip to 2:46). You travel atop a massive cube platform, fighting off minotaurs and other beasties inclined to cut down the chain and plummet you to your death. I really like how it breaks the mold of a traditional combat encounter, where the enemy's sole focus is attacking you directly, whereas here the enemy can also choose to indirectly harm you by destroying the platform you're on.
Unfortunately, at least to my knowledge, the God of War 3 doesn't exactly explain the context of these giant moving platforms, nor the underlying mechanics behind them. So porting this battle to a D&D setting will require some changes.
The closest way of realistically representing the platform's mechanics is by using the idea behind vertical blinds. These are what I'm talking about: [1] (http://www.americandrapery.com/adb/images/spec-sheet-cord-and-chain_img_0.jpg) [2] (https://www.nextdayblinds.com/install/images/verticalblinds3.jpg) [3] (http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0192/5944/products/G71_superVue_Headrail.jpg?v=1391268579)
This is what I've got so far:
The PCs are deep inside a mine. They approach a vast chasm separating them from the exit on the other side. A wooden cube platform suspended by iron chains (basically the "louver" in pic #1) is the primary means of transportation over the chasm. The chains are connected to steel tracks running along the chamber's ceiling, and can be moved along the track by a crank(?) attached to a traverse cord, which are located on either side of the chasm. These platforms can be raised/lowered as well with a different crank. These cube platforms are used to transport miners and minerals (by filling them up).
The PCs come across one or two chasms with this platform mechanism with nothing sinister behind it, so they can learn how to get across. If the PCs choose to use this method to cross, they will have to leave one PC behind to operate the crank(? no idea the proper name) while everyone else uses the platform to get across, then use the crank on the other side to send the platform back over and retrieve the last PC.
However, during a later instance where they're crossing a chasm (maybe on the way out?), hopefully they will have attracted the attention of hostile kobolds that are currently operating the mine. These kobolds will assault the PCs from either side of the chasm. They will try to intercept the PCs by sending another platform towards them and board them. Archers will fire away, creatures will be summoned on top of the PCs, even the PC operating the crank will come under attack. Scariest of all, the chain holding up the PC's platform will be under attack -- and if that breaks, down goes the platform! Rust monsters?
I think the encounter has a ton of potential to be exciting. But I'm having a *really* hard time describing the whole platform + traverse cord etc. Anyone have ideas how to better describe the situation? Also, how do I make this complex mechanism simpler / make sense? How do I justify not having a bridge instead?
Unfortunately, at least to my knowledge, the God of War 3 doesn't exactly explain the context of these giant moving platforms, nor the underlying mechanics behind them. So porting this battle to a D&D setting will require some changes.
The closest way of realistically representing the platform's mechanics is by using the idea behind vertical blinds. These are what I'm talking about: [1] (http://www.americandrapery.com/adb/images/spec-sheet-cord-and-chain_img_0.jpg) [2] (https://www.nextdayblinds.com/install/images/verticalblinds3.jpg) [3] (http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0192/5944/products/G71_superVue_Headrail.jpg?v=1391268579)
This is what I've got so far:
The PCs are deep inside a mine. They approach a vast chasm separating them from the exit on the other side. A wooden cube platform suspended by iron chains (basically the "louver" in pic #1) is the primary means of transportation over the chasm. The chains are connected to steel tracks running along the chamber's ceiling, and can be moved along the track by a crank(?) attached to a traverse cord, which are located on either side of the chasm. These platforms can be raised/lowered as well with a different crank. These cube platforms are used to transport miners and minerals (by filling them up).
The PCs come across one or two chasms with this platform mechanism with nothing sinister behind it, so they can learn how to get across. If the PCs choose to use this method to cross, they will have to leave one PC behind to operate the crank(? no idea the proper name) while everyone else uses the platform to get across, then use the crank on the other side to send the platform back over and retrieve the last PC.
However, during a later instance where they're crossing a chasm (maybe on the way out?), hopefully they will have attracted the attention of hostile kobolds that are currently operating the mine. These kobolds will assault the PCs from either side of the chasm. They will try to intercept the PCs by sending another platform towards them and board them. Archers will fire away, creatures will be summoned on top of the PCs, even the PC operating the crank will come under attack. Scariest of all, the chain holding up the PC's platform will be under attack -- and if that breaks, down goes the platform! Rust monsters?
I think the encounter has a ton of potential to be exciting. But I'm having a *really* hard time describing the whole platform + traverse cord etc. Anyone have ideas how to better describe the situation? Also, how do I make this complex mechanism simpler / make sense? How do I justify not having a bridge instead?