For the lvl range on this quest, I'd have to say that the chieftains are a bit too strong. The problem is the number of cure critical potions each seems to have, i counted one down four of them. Combine this with the way they attack in groups and have 2d6 sneak, its kind of a meat grinder for anything in its path. You can't kill them faster then they can heal and they are doing massive dmg to you in the process. Last three times I've done this quest, everyone has died but one guy who goes invisible and runs away.

Is there a way to be successful? Sure, there is always a way to win out, but i think a 3-6 lvl group is going to find that without meta gaming a lot of the party is going to die. It's the reason people don't do this quest often, and it sucks because its actually a pretty sweet one!

I can't say that I've ever actually had a problem finishing this quest with anything except one absolutely terrible party.

Even then, I've never seen the chieftains with that many cure critical wound potions. It may be very likely that you had bad luck this time through, or is this a constant struggle?

It's happened most of the times I've gone. Yeah, each chieftain seemed to have a minimum of two cure critical potions. It almost seemed like they never ran out as the only times we killed them they were drinking another potion.

The chieftains are nasty, but not THAT nasty. Of course, I typically did it with higher levels. Level 3s are gonna get mauled on that quest. Level sixes ought to be just fine, and fives too.

It's definately a high-demand quest for consumables (as compared to other relatively low level quest) though. Try using a few blur pots, move slowly, and get a good team (you ARE wandering through a portal for crying out loud- that's both stupid and unsafe).

I don't think this quest is particularly difficult, and would be against it changing.

Change the quest so there are more points/hints about what those ruins use to be. They have some flavor, but it feels to me like it needs *more*.

Yea. I haven't done this quest in a long time because it lacked flavor.

LOL.

I want to officially distance what I tried to say from what Thomas said. For the record. There was a difference entirely between our meanings.

I do think you're right, Oroborous. It's a large area with several cool set pieces that could do with some sort of background expansion, along with the cool stuff like the son, and the broken mirrors. I just wish I had access to the toolset at the moment!

Let me rephrase,

It didn't have enough flavor.

Mr. Thomas-Not-Very-Wise, on behalf of the team here at Escape from the Underdark I would like to personally offer our sincerest apologies that you had insufficient flavor with your Portal to the Surface questing experience. I'd like to offer a further apology that the Canal Waters quest is listing incorrect information, and an additional assurance that I will refrain from ranting in the future. Please understand that we take these failures on our behalf very seriously, and thank you for bringing them to our attention. We'd like to offer you a coupon of one (1) free hour of EfU playtime, available to be redeemed at a time of your choosing on the EfU server, day or night.

We thank you again for your continued patronage here at Escape from the Underdark.

I'll shut up now.

You got served.

Damn. Sonned.

I've seen quite a few nearly-entire-party-wipes, for me the problem is more that there's no real way to retreat, meanining once you're on you HAVE to go through.

So if this is your first time doing it you could indeed find it a little rough, but yeah it's doable as long as people do not insist on opening all the locked doors.. My word of advice, if your party already is clearly outclassed, leave that damn door alone.

I just think there's some reason why no one seems to like doing this quest, even though it's clearly up there with my favorite five.

As Thomas said and Howland conceded, it needs more flavor. To work, slaves!

What? This is one of my favorite quests, I don't see what people's problem with it is. I mean, it has kobolds AND undead, what's not to like?

Most of the runs of it I've been on have seemed pretty easy, but I admit I have only done it with a few different character builds, none of which were frontliners.

That -one- part of the quest murders you.

I would really love to see some slabs of stone that lets you translate what it says, like in the Dunwarren animatron forge quest. Except these give you a history lesson on who ruled here, what those statues represent, who these yaunti worship.

It is really an interesting quest, retracting what I said before, but I would really would like more hints to what is going on before I arrived in that little portal and slaughtered everyone in it! Perhaps a note from the portal guy making a deal with that queen. Sending slaves to be sacrificed to there dread god! (Justification to kill the bastard as well.)

And Howland, I concede, I was served.

More flavor? It shall happen.

Yet the question is... What flavor?

Surprise us, Stardog!

:twisted:

Personally I think the boss is a little weak. Overall it's a fun quest, although it's admittedly difficult to find IC motivation to step into a clearly dangerous, one-way portal that's obviously leading to a trap.

Chocolate. Put a Mulhorandi boss-lich at the end with a massive backstory. That'll do it.

The best flavor is the flavor of spice.

I agree with Nickless on this. IS a great quest though..

PS Where can I get one of them coupons?

What I do like about this quest, LOVE in fact, is that you have to get through it all to survive.

That is why you get TPK sometimes, when the going gets tough, you've no choice to but to get out. Some parties won't, considering the risk, it needs more secret doors! Full of treasure!

And a Mulhorandi lich named Zazim Ankhalab.

And why the hell don't I get free EfU coupons? I'm slaving away for DangerousDan every night, ironing leisure suits and picking man hair out of the sink just for this privilege.

This quest is bad ass. It makes me scared every time I play it with my level < 6 character.

Why? Because it takes team work and planning...and luck.

But....isn't that how an 'escape' quest is supposed to be? I mean, it is a PORTAL TO THE SURFACE? It's not supposed to be easy. It's also meant to ICly lure many characters in with the temptation of going home. Of course it's going to be tricky.

Granted, yes, there should be some more explanation as to why the particular combination of creatures you can face in there would exist essentially side by side. I do find it odd that the 3-4 distinct races haven't tried to slay each other yet. So reasons why this is (perhaps through a book or wall carvings) would give characters a reason to pursue further research. Granted there is an item present (sometimes) that does this very thing, but something additional would be a twist.

i think if it would actually go to the surface then it would be less confusing for people

The portal doesn't go to the surface? :(

Kiaring The best flavor is the flavor of spice.

OK. I'll bite.

"The spice must flow"

/r/ dm spice where it leads to the surface but then at the end you have to go back and its like AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW HELL NAH

As a DM spicing (red hot chili flavor >.>), how about if an entire team gets wiped, they get spawned as level 4 undead versions of those characters when the next group comes.

Then you could have fun beating up undead versions of the people you didn't like !( if you come across them. Heh, send a group of PC's you hate and get them killed...).

Interesting idea, but I and the players would probably not like killing them off, even to be NPCs on a quest. Ideally, PCs would have bigger goals and achievements than simply this! Although, if there was a party that was so unfortunate as to get wiped out without DM intervention, I'd keep that in mind.

Of all the quests around on EFU, I'd always thought this quest was one of the most flavorful ones (especially the first time I did it!)...

O_O

I think that may be the issue, of many of the quests present, it does the most to hint at a mysterious past to the ruins and a hidden purpose. Yet, there really does not seem to be any actual clues about what was once there.

I suppose I'd personally just like to see more clues. Why the statues of the dragons? Why the wyrmlings, did a dragon once dwell there and if so why the giant statues? Was this once the lair of giants? What happened to them if so? Did a dragon claim the lair later from the giants? Was the lair perhaps even inhabited once by an older and more malign creature?

To be honest, I'd love to do something Lovecraftian to further the flavor and mystery of the place. This is just me perhaps, but that is something I enjoy seeing.

Or maybe just create a character whose goal it is to find out what the heck those ruins were for? Just a suggestion like.

Oroborous To be honest, I'd love to do something Lovecraftian to further the flavor and mystery of the place. This is just me perhaps, but that is something I enjoy seeing.

Oooh. Yes please!

Daemonic Daz Or maybe just create a character whose goal it is to find out what the heck those ruins were for? Just a suggestion like.

Wow what a great suggestion!

I'd never have thought about having a character try to solve a mystery in game before!

So awesome. Thank you. I've been floored the the amazing suggestion you've made that never occurred to me before.

No wait, that's BS. I'm not shocked at all and currently have a character I'm playing that has tried for over a year to solve the mystery of Pholzubbalt, BUT like these particular ruins, the 'answer' to the mystery isn't even in the module--so its entirely pointless to try looking for it anymore.

Rather like a character of mine that sought to solve another mystery, but after a month or two gave up because again, there was nothing in the module to find on it.

So, just because I'm not the kind of masochist you want me to be, I'm going out on a ledge to say-I'm not making a character to solve a mystery that doesn't actually have any resolution again for awhile.

:twisted:

Sorry, I just couldn't resist pouring the sarcasm on tonight.

Well, duh.