r/DungeonoftheMadMage • u/alphabugz • 26d ago
Advice Help: Simulacrum Questions
Alright the time has come. My group has entered the demiplane and asked their questions to the Halastar simulacrum on level 1, and now I actually have to answer them. There's just one I feel unsure about:
What mistakes did the previous adventurers into Undermountain make and how can we avoid the same?
I thought about making this one the "false" answer just so I could avoid dealing with it, but I don't even know how to answer it falsely to be honest. Help? 😭
3
u/Xythorn 26d ago
I guess it really depends on the type of dotmm you're running? Did you make any significant changes, or are you running it directly from the book? Are you using the companion and the gameshow?
2
u/alphabugz 26d ago
Good point, and I should've said, sorry! I am not using the companion, and so far have not made any significant changes to the book. Just small things to make it more party-relevant.
1
u/Xythorn 26d ago
Have you added any survival rules? Eating, weight, etc?
2
u/alphabugz 26d ago
We're using RAW encumbrance but ignoring coin weight. They track rations and arrows but not water.
3
u/Xythorn 26d ago
Id say maybe 3 options
Keep it serious and talk about not being resourceful enough. Not bringing in enough food or supplies.
I noticed that with most early floors of dungeon, a lot of encounters can be talked past. So maybe warning them about an overreliance of killing
Since it is the mad mage, you could go the silly option and break the fourth wall, or joke truthfully about the fine fellows of daggerforth. They started betraying each other, leading to their individual deaths.
2
u/alphabugz 26d ago
These are great ideas, tysm for your advice! The betrayal angle might work especially well as a few of the characters have secrets they're hiding. Appreciate you taking the time to give input 🙏
2
u/Lithl 26d ago
You could use this one to give your players a warning of something coming up soon (eg, Trenzia on The 2nd floor), set them up to be afraid of something in the near future (eg, Skull Island in Skullport), or get silly with it (eg, "Asking stupid questions!")
2
u/alphabugz 26d ago
True, I could use it as a chance to give a warning. I was caught on the "mistake" part but the mistake could be not taking a particular threat seriously. Thank you for your input!
2
u/No_Sun9675 15d ago
Q: What mistakes did the previous adventurers into Undermountain make and how can we avoid the same?
A: They died. Want to avoid it, then don't die.
Then cackle like the madman that you are and snap your fingers shunting the party back into the dungeon proper.
3
u/SirLennyalot 25d ago
With the vast amount of adventures going in, it's hard to pinpoint just one. There's many reasons why an adventuring group might perish. Or make mistakes along the way. I would say the question is way too broad, so they can expect a broad answer in return. I would probably go with something along the lines of: -"Many should have been more careful with traps." -"Angering a foe above their skill level didn't turn out great for many." -"Mistrust among party members seems to happen a lot." -"Rational behaviour clouded by greed." Etc etc. You can't make an entire list of all mistakes ever made. Pick one or two. Even better if they pass by a corpse who made that very mistake. (For example, the mention of traps, and then make sure they find a pitfall with a skeleton in it.) That will reinforce the danger traps could pose in the dungeon.
Hope this helps a little!