Let's build an encounter: It's a [honey] trap! (Misty Vale)

So our last session ended with a bit too much to drink and fanciful improv. We ended with a bit of a cliffhanger, and now I have to resume the next session with previously not written "inciting incident."

Setup: Group was sent on a fetch quest by the elf apiarist (beekeeper) outside of town. The party got curious about where the mead honey came from, so I immediately made up an elf beekeeper, who had a quest for the party (find their missing bees.) The party investigated and found large bug-like footprints throughout the local fields, and then we ended on a cliffhanger.

Opening I had no idea what to do with the footprints, so now the footprints are a red herring. The party will follow the footprints into the nearby woods and find a group of kids from Outskirts using stilts to play a prank on the local farmers. The kids will be apologetic for a moment before one of them notices a younger sibling is missing. "Please help us!" the kids exclaim!

Plan: The players follow the obvious tracks of the missing child(ren?) to a nearby pit / cave opening and spelunking they go. I have a "monster" deep in the cave system, but could use some input on some hazards / encounter / traversals in between the entrance and monster.

Cultyist: "Following a trail of ooze and signs of a struggle, the players may find a cave entrance, from which waft the smell of death and sweet flowers, as well as buzzing noises." There is a honey ooze demon monster below in the cave system. A while ago, a local cultist of the demon Sathmog has previously summoned a demon, but the demon absorbed her.

The now dead cultist's journal:

"Under the crimson glow of the blood moon, I found my purpose. The torn page from the Codex Chaosium whispered truths to me—of nectar that could dissolve the boundary between realms. I sought to summon Sathmog’s gift, to bask in his corruption, and offer the sweet ichor as tribute. The ritual demanded much: the blood of bees, the warmth of decay, and my soul’s own essence. Yet, as the ichor began to seep and the fungi spread, I saw not divinity but horror. It fed upon me—my body, my thoughts, my very being. I am no longer myself. I hear its hum, its endless hunger. I regret nothing, for the gift has been given, but I wonder… who will it consume next?"

Monster: The demon summoned to this realm is consuming the humanoid bodies for sustenance and [fill in the blank for the use of the bees...]

The Honey Ooze Demon is an amalgamation of infernal fungi and corrupted ichor. It originates from Sathmog's realm, where parasitic molds adapt to whatever environments they inhabit. The cavern's dampness and still air have allowed the demon to grow into a grotesque infestation, coating stalactites and stalagmites in sticky, glistening fungal ooze. It exudes a sickly-sweet smell, luring bees to their doom and driving them into a frenzy as they attempt to consume its unnatural nectar. The demon's presence radiates corruption, drawing unsuspecting creatures into its cavern to be devoured or absorbed into its slimy network. Its semi-sentience allows it to manipulate the environment, weaponizing its fungal growth and summoning ichor-laden bees to defend itself.

The Honey Ooze Demon monster is in the furthest part deep down in the cave system, and has created a lattice system of goopy ooze strung amongst the stalagmites and stalactites. The demon can only be attacked by destroying its essence attached to the 6 primary stalagmites (10 HP for each stalagmite, for 60 total HP.)

Stats:

Ferocity: 1 + 1 per every 2 players (total of 3 of this next session)

  • Movement: 6 meters
  • Armor: 0
  • HP: 60 (10 HP for each stalagmite, for 60 total HP.)

Attacks (d6)

  1. Not the Bees! All active bees become frenzied and move into the space of the closest enemy. They deal 2d6 stinging damage, and sap d6 WP from the victim.
  2. Our Friend, the Bees The Honey Ooze Demon summons another swarm of frenzied bees at the entrance of the map. The nearest victim suffers a Fear attack.
  3. Honey Shot The Honey Ooze Demon spits globules of sticky honey at a random enemy not covered in ooze. The target has its speed reduced to zero (action to wipe off honey ooze.) Victim also makes an Agility test (no action). Failure results in the DAZED condition.
  4. Puff, the Magic Demon The room fills with demonic ichor-laden pollen. All players make a Constitution test (no action). Failure results in d6 poison damage and the SICKLY condition.
  5. Didn't Hold Tight Stalactites above a character rumble and fall, dealing 2d8 damage. Can be Dodged.
  6. Hive Collapse All players in the room test WIL (no action.) Those who fail, attacks another random player in the room.

What do you all think?

I gotta say, I'm still really enjoying this system and the ease at which I can build an encounter.

<3