Dining with Class: The Dance of the Near Dead (Part 3)
Overview:
In this encounter the newly formed party will have to make their way through the ball-room, which is currently filled with other prisoners and debtors. Here they listen to the music of one of the noble bards. Their tunes carry magic which keeps them locked in an eternal dance until they are brought to be slaughtered.
Initial Description:
You open the door and hear the melancholy tune of the piano. You see before you a large group of living people, not nobles, who are locked in a hypnotic dance. None seem totally aware of what they are doing. You know you need to get back through here, however you feel the pull of the dance. Roll a wisdom saving throw.
Enemies:
2 Ghoul Guards, who come out to check every 1d6 rounds. They have the stats of ghouls but instead of attacking with their claws they use their short swords (+ 4 to hit 1d6 + 2 Slashing) until they are below 25% health.
Additionally there is ghoul playing the piano, totally absorbed in what they are doing. If he’s attacked he will stop playing and then everyone will get out of their trance, however at this point the nobles become aware and the guards from this room, the nobles from the kitchen, and the guards from the front room.
NPCs:
If your PC’s have managed to save the NPCs from the first room, then they will continue to be with your companions, otherwise the NPCs are the dancers in the room.
Objectives:
Main:
Get through the room
Secondary:
Don’t get caught
(Maybe) Free the other captives
Map:
Overview:
The bard ghoul is at the piano. The guards come in from the room on east, stay for a round, then head back in.
Special Mechanics:
Dance of the Near Dead: Each round the PCs are in this room they need to make a DC 8 Wisdom saving throw. If they fail the save they are enchanted by the dance and cannot stop dancing. Another PC can shake them out of the dance or they can attempt it again the following round.
Guards: Every 1d6 rounds the guards come in, observe, then return to the dining room.
Extras:
Inspirations, Shoutouts, and Thanks - Thanks to @udeadnightmare on twitter for a cool encounter builder prompt, a section of the city filled with undead has been walled off.
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