With the new year I am bringing back a type of post I have only ever posted once before, the Planned Encounter. This is a planned combat encounter with monsters, loot, and special events during combat. Enjoy the encounter, and if you are curious this is the link to the first planned encounter: The Tree Sludge Robbery.
Starting Point
- *This encounter is for 4 3rd level players*
- But it could with all likelihood be difficult or easy for your group. Just read through the encounter and judge what you think is appropriate for your group.
- This encounter starts within the arctic that has access to the ocean.
- The players will come across two polar bears attacking a group of Icicle Penguins.
Combat
- Monsters: Feel free to change the number of monsters to fit your group.
- 2 Polar Bears
- 8 Icicle Penguin
- Monster Behaviors:
- Polar Bears: The Polar Bears will try to kill the nearest creature every turn. If there are more than one target, they will focus on killing penguins.
- If both polar bears are bloodied, they will flee.
- Icicle Penguins: Half of the Penguins stand back while the other half attack. The ones in the back are the males protecting the eggs. The ones attacking are the females.
- Females: The females will single out one bear to attack, but if half of them die they will try to flee with the male penguins.
- Male: The male s with the eggs will try to stay out of range of the polar bears, but if the polar bear is next to them, they will attack in an effort to fend off the bears.
- Rounds/Special Events: These are special notes for things that happen within combat that are separate from monster behaviors above.
- Blood Frenzy: The first polar bear to be become bloodied (hit half health) will go into a blood frenzy, attacking the nearest creature with a bite attack.
- Fleeing Injured: The second polar bear to be bloodied will get a free action to disengage and run away.
- Polar Bears: The Polar Bears will try to kill the nearest creature every turn. If there are more than one target, they will focus on killing penguins.
Loot
If the players save the penguins, the penguins will show their appreciation by diving into the water and bring up with them treasure. This treasure by some means or another got stuck on the ocean floor. The amount and type of treasure depends on how many penguins are alive at the end of the encounter. The below are what each penguin brings up. For example, if 4 were left alive, 3 would bring up 5gp each and 1 would bring up a 10gp gemstone.
- 1-3 Penguins Left: Each penguin left alive brings up 5gp
- 4-6: Each penguin brings up a 10gp gemstone.
- 7: The penguin brings up a health potion.
- 8: The penguin brings up 3 pieces of +1 ammunition
- This ammunition can be whatever your party uses, whether that be arrows, bolts, or something else.