Hail Brothers!
I'll be finally running a game of DW this weekend for my friends, but after looking over the mission Extraction , I couldn't help but wonder if anyone has a map and/or maps that are better suited to the descriptions of the various locations listed. I really like the story elements, but the maps are a bit off.
My deepest appreciation for any help that can be provided.
Hi there.
SPOILERS AHEAD FOR PLAYERS! DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU ARE A PLAYER IN THE EXTRACTION SCENARIO!
I made a totally new approach to this scenario. Instead of having all the buildings and sites on one map, I made three site maps:
1. Main Refinery Area.
2. Worker Blockhouse Complex.
3. Comms Uplink Center.
I put all these sites in a "long line", from 1-3 and calculated how much time it would take the marines to move at maximum speed, plus a little extra time (1 hour) from site to site. I ruled that it was 25 kilometres from the refinery to the Comms link area. And also spaced them out with kilometres in between. So that way, I could spice the areas up a little more making them (IMHO) more interesting. The players liked the scenario a lot (and laughed at the original idea of grouping it all together, when I told them afterwards).
I also painted miniatures for all the monsters (including scratch built Shrikes) and terrain with houses etc. The final confrontation was with the Imp Guard against Hormagaunts at the Comms tower (yes, a tower) and after that the "calm" wait with the YouKnowWhat landing! The players were shocked.
Thanks! I really like that idea!
I did some looking at the map a bit and thought to myself that I shouldn't change the map to fit the description, but rather fit the description to the map. Another idea came to me as I was hanging out with one of my friends last night. He was watching the trailer for "The Thing" and it gave me some ideas about a new strain of Tyranid that has arisen and that is the information that the Magos has that is so dire to the Imperium.
SonofDorn said:
Thanks! I really like that idea!
I did some looking at the map a bit and thought to myself that I shouldn't change the map to fit the description, but rather fit the description to the map. Another idea came to me as I was hanging out with one of my friends last night. He was watching the trailer for "The Thing" and it gave me some ideas about a new strain of Tyranid that has arisen and that is the information that the Magos has that is so dire to the Imperium.
Aaaahhgg - the Thing! I remember the original (or Carpenter's remake of the 1950's horror-movie) from the 80's. It still is the single most horrifying movie I ever set my eyes on. But if you gonna use that, wouldn't that make the magos a heretic (if he becomes "infected" that is)?
I was thinking that the Magos would survive because of his implants; the "Thing" wouldn't find him genetically appealing to take over and would just leave him for other Tyranids to consume. I'm thinking of using him as a plot device to make the PCs paranoid...maybe infect the Commisar.
SonofDorn said:
I was thinking that the Magos would survive because of his implants; the "Thing" wouldn't find him genetically appealing to take over and would just leave him for other Tyranids to consume. I'm thinking of using him as a plot device to make the PCs paranoid...maybe infect the Commisar.
Yes, interesting idea. But, as marines are commonly paranoid supersteroid monsterwarriors, I think they'll probably just blow whoever is tainted to oblivion and not even reach the stage of extra paranoia. Or what do you think? I'm just saying this because the idea might sound good but the players oftenly 'crash the party' of such plans (in my experience).
I thought about that and to help take care of that, I may have it show up after they've rescued the Magos, but since he's seriously injured, he can't go into details about it nor will he release the datacore containing vital information on it. He'll just say things like "Mustn't let...thing... host body...capture it ...or..or...burn it."
When they encounter the Imperial Guardsmen, they'll come across a scene where every man has a weapon turned towards someone and the Commissar is trying to restore order. Around them will be several bodies of Guardsmen as well as Tyranids; they are still managing to hold their position, but something infiltrated their ranks. As this is going on, they're completely unaware that there's a new Tyranid force arriving and that the PCs are looking in from afar.
When it's all said an done and with any luck, the PCs may have brought aboard a survivor or two and one of them will be the infected one. If they can capture it, it can be studied back at Watch Fortress Erioch under Threat Level: Ultraviolet. Should they accomplish this, it will earn them a bit more xp and Renown.
SonofDorn said:
I thought about that and to help take care of that, I may have it show up after they've rescued the Magos, but since he's seriously injured, he can't go into details about it nor will he release the datacore containing vital information on it. He'll just say things like "Mustn't let...thing... host body...capture it ...or..or...burn it."
When they encounter the Imperial Guardsmen, they'll come across a scene where every man has a weapon turned towards someone and the Commissar is trying to restore order. Around them will be several bodies of Guardsmen as well as Tyranids; they are still managing to hold their position, but something infiltrated their ranks. As this is going on, they're completely unaware that there's a new Tyranid force arriving and that the PCs are looking in from afar.
When it's all said an done and with any luck, the PCs may have brought aboard a survivor or two and one of them will be the infected one. If they can capture it, it can be studied back at Watch Fortress Erioch under Threat Level: Ultraviolet. Should they accomplish this, it will earn them a bit more xp and Renown.
All this sounds very intriguing. But! You may want to wait with the "someone is infected amidst us" plot, because just a few scenarios down the lane that's exactly what's incorporated in the story (if all goes according to plan). It's in another scenario than Extraction though. It's in coff coff *The Emperor Protects" first coff coff part. *hint hint*. So just wait and go with the flow. Or not. It's all up to you!
I went ahead and used the "Thing" in the mission and the guys loved it! They actually took a sample of it to take back to be analyzed, destroying the creature and its host body by fire quite thoroughly before leaving the area. Now I have a plot device tucked away for later use...
Then the main objective have been reached: having fun! Congratulations.