Magic Item: Goblin Hooch

Goblins are funny, and in my opinion the 4E ruleset has neither enough low-level consumable items nor enough devices that can be used as a comic relief. Goblins make the best jesters, so I created this cheap little potion to be found within their lairs.

4E Modern - Session #1 (09/11/2011) Recap & Game Master Notes

I normally don't try and advocate game recaps too much. When I read a recap on another blog I tend to find it boring and trite. However, I have been directly asked to relate my campaign's development, and like my olden days of college radio, it's hard for me to resist a request. If nothing else, these recaps will provide me with a means of communicating some of the implied ideas I have about Modern campaigns, as well as the less than clearly described rules, and subsequent rules tweaks.

Also, stats for evil Nazi Warlocks.

Comic Relief: Goblin Pickpocket

As much as I love running Player Characters through meat grinder dungeons of inevitable death, sometimes a little whimsy and humor is appropriate at the table. These breaks in the tension help highlight that tension and stressed environment. If your adventurers are constantly beset by punishing encounter after punishing encounter, they'll grow desensitized to it. That path leads to the worst thing you can do in the D&D game: be boring. I heartily advocate a little mood lightening every once in awhile. It keeps things fresh and fun. The following Goblin Pickpocket does just that, and also helps kick the players' mindsets out of the tactical and into the roleplaying. These Goblins aren't really out to hurt you, they're just poor and pathetic and want a few of your coins.

With that in mind, I created this little bugger to harass the PCs. I typically place a handful of these guys with one or two standard monsters in an enounter, although having an all-pickpocket encounter, complete with banana peels to slip on (and fall prone), cream pies to throw, and other slapstick antics would be really cool. I usually describe the goblins in my campaign as funny in some way. They talk funny, they have silly outfits, they beg for mercy when defeated. Just think about Splug, from Keep on the Shadowfell. Hilarious!

NPC Ally: Splug

Splug was a fantastic addition to Keep on the Shadowfell, although I think that far too many adventuring groups wrote off the little guy as just another annoying Goblin, there to kill and/or torture for information. They never realized his amazing roleplaying potential. I've seen Splug rise to be loved and cherished, welcomed as an old friend.

Please, give Splug a chance. Splug no hurt. Splug be good.

Splug NPC Ally (Level 2)
This weak and cowardly Gobin has developed a liking to you, and will follow your orders as long as you treat him well.

HP 1; a missed attack never damages Splug.
Armor Class 15; Fortitude 13, Reflex 13, Will 11

Guarded By Heroes + At-Will

Immediate Interrupt
Trigger: Splug is hit by an attack and you are adjacent to him.
Effect: You are hit by the attack instead.

Hustle It! + At-Will

Minor Action
You command Splug to take a move action (Speed 6).

Shank + At-Will

Standard or Opportunity Action
Splug stabs an adjacent target with a crudely built, make-shift knife.
Attack: +7 vs. AC
Hit: 1d4+1 damage.

Splug Help

Property
All allies adjacent to Splug gain a +1 power bonus to Stealth and Thievery checks.

Encounter: Momma Mia!

Here's an encounter I ran back in March of this year. I wanted a break in the gritty and grim dungeon crawling, and so had the PCs come upon a kitchen area, stocked with a mad Halfling chef, his crew of cronies, and an unholy abomination: The Lasagna Golem.

The original inspiration for this was a Side Trek adventure put out by WotC in the 3rd Edition days about a wizard and her chef husband who were tripped up by a mischeivious imp. There was a calzone golem in there. I ran the side trek on multiple occsaions, and everyone always had a good time with it.

This encounter also gives the Dungeon Master a great opportunity to stretch their silliness factor and come out with funny names. I always thought Halflings would be more entertaining if they all spoke in Italian accents, so when I ran and wrote this, that's what I had in mind.

Also a note, I always print out the known terrain elements (wheel of cheese, etc.) for my players in very large font and have them on the table as soon as Initiative is rolled. I find it best to let everyone know way up front exactly how everything is going to work.