4th & Dragon : Dungeons and Dragons...and stuff

The Defense of Arx Naboth by Jonoth

After the PCs side with Vodallus (the leader of the human rebellion), one of his commanders comes in to warn him that an entire Eladrin airship fleet has been spotted, and is coming to bombard the fortress (Arx Naboth) in which the PCs currently reside. Vodallus hastily pleads for the party members to aid him; he gives each a handful of glowing purple crystal shards. He then tells them to head for twelve ballista placements along the inner wall placing the shards on the bolts (anywhere on the bolts will do and the shards will automatically stick). He explains (if asked) that the purple crystals destabilize the magic used to keep the airships afloat, and that they are very rare and powerful. Vodallus was loath to use them unless the Eladrin felt it necessary to bring the full force of their navy to decimate Arx Naboth (which they have done).

This is a very cool action sequence with a climactic end. But it’ll be the crunch that will ultimately make or break it.

I agree, one of the things I forgot to stress in the actual entry is that the encounter really centers on fighting off large numbers of invaders in a short time frame. All while conserving resources and pushing forward. The airships are really just a backdrop and a “mini-game” designed to keep the urgency high.

My hope is that 4e allows for such “epic” numbers of enemies to be on the field at the same time and not bog down the game play.

I’m not sure I really understand how this one is going to work. It seems kinda haphazzard with the descriptions. And what happens if the PC’s don’t side with Vodallus/Vodalus (its spelled both ways)? The encounter just assumes your going to do that. My group would do something off the wall and then I’d have to wing it. Not sure what would happen.

Good try. I think this one would be better in the middle of a campaign once things are set up. It didn’t work for me as an encounter, though.