Dragon Of Icespire Peak DM Guide | Circle Of Thunder Quest

[@namekianpublicradio9402]

Just found your vids after getting the Essentials Pack. Thank you SO much for taking the time and effort to do such a comprehensive job of covering this module! Your dedication is unmatched Sir.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

You are so welcome! Glad you're enjoying the series, and thank you for subscribing! :)

[@dobbelmoral]

When I was running this sidequest, my player ended up going here at level 4 with two sidekicks after following the Centaur. The party hardly managed to kill the anchorites, and when the boar came they had no chance. My player quickly realised this, and started running. So improved a escape sequence through the forrest towards Falcons retreat. The whole thing branched off into one of the sidekicks getting hit by the boar, and taking so much damage that one of the sidekicks needed medical assistance from someone more experienced than the player. So they had to leave their sidekick at Falcons and went to fetch Abadara whom they previously helped with the manticore problem. Now the angry boar roams the forrest leaving traces of broken trees and ground hit by lightning.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Wow! The chase scene with Gorthok sounds incredible! It will be super exciting when your party is powerful enough to hunting for it!

[@Nr4747]

We somehow completely trounced this sidequest, Gorthok was a huge let-down for us, even after coming back to life once. And that was the same party who had really struggled with the 17 orcs at Butterskull Ranch. Maybe it was because we went to the Circle of Thunder at level 4 (we went to the ranch at level 2) and managed to surprise the half-orcs performing the ritual.

[@ToboldStoutfoot]

Funny, I already added the Staff of Thunder and Lightning to my campaign. I found the quest board not very motivating for my players for some of the later locations with weak links to the dragon or Talos worshippers. So I had the group find a letter in the boar-ing encounter near Logger’s Camp, telling them that the anchorites were looking for a magical staff in three parts. The three parts were hidden in the Shrine of Savras, Mine Toe’s Gold Mine and Axeholm, giving my players much better motivation for wanting to explore these places. I found the tree trap encounter to not work very well, as the players have no reason to open the tree puppets and destroying the beating hearts. So I added more anchorites to the patrol encounter, and decided that the beating hearts were those of those anchorites (like Mosko in Tower of Storms).

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Dude! I love the staff collection quest idea, and connecting the hearts to the other anchorites, similar to Moesko, is solid advice! Very nice!

[@BobWorldBuilder]

How do you feel about Gorthok being about as challenging as Cryovain? --- BONUS TIP: Gorthok is huge, and the stones are technically too close for him to move out of the circle, but that's nonsense! Here are some fixes: - remove every other set of stones - allow Gorthok to leap out - allow Gorthok to smash through - just let pigs fly? If the battle is a close call, and your PC strategically use this flaw, maybe let them get away with it. Darn it, I really thought this map didn't have any issues :/

[@Tallguyalec]

I have a 5-person party and am thinking I'll give cryo max health. The text doesn't specify whether the roof of Icespire Hold is his lair, but I think I'll give him some layer actions regardless. Another option will be some sort of adds, maybe some mysterious white kobolds? Haven't decided. But it will depend on how strong the party feels when they finally encounter him!

[@gariko]

The battle with Gorthok didn't end up being as threatening as I thought it could be, and that's because I played it too strict to how it is written and had Gorthok essentially trapped in the circle. The rules say the stones can be toppled by creatures with a combined Strength score of 80 or higher. At that time, only Gorthok remained and with a score of 20 couldn't do anything, making him vulnerable to being picked off from the outside. Alternatively, that may be on purpose to not make it as difficult as it could be, giving an advantage to players who are cautious or tactical about their approach and who don't end up within the circle as Gorthok is summoned.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

@@Tallguyalec Lair actions are a good move, and I'm definitely moving the fight to the roof top or finding some other way for Cryovain to use their flight. Kobolds sound like a fun idea! I do not use them enough :)

[@BobWorldBuilder]

@@gariko Dang, I completely forgot to mention that! I didn't notice the stones were technically too close together until mid-combat. We paused for a minute. Then I just decided it didn't make sense for him to be trapped in the summoning circle. I'll make a note of this in the pinned comment. Thank you!

[@costanzafaust]

I don't understand why so many KZbin guides say that the stones are too narrow for Gorthok to pass through. A Huge creature like Gorthok (the size of a elephant) isn't some 15-foot wide blob, it represents the amount of space they threaten or impede movement through. I'm pretty sure I've seen videos (probably from Bob) that show a human in a 5-foot square and how much of that space is not actually occupied. Secondly, the henges have more room at the base than at the top where the cross-stones are placed, and those are still pretty tall. Nothing is stopping Gorthok from going between henges, although knocking them over is a cool action scene. Similarly, a warhorse is a Large creature but it's not 10-feet wide, there are several stalls on the maps that are only 1 square (Falcon's Lodge and Icespire Peak for instance) where horses are meant to be placed.

[@Th1r1oN]

First of all awesome guides Bob! A much-needed help to a new DM like me :). When the players visited Falcon at his lodge. Falcon informed them of Orc Sightings around. The rogue in the party spotted the patrol of Yargath, while he was gathering some herbs, so they convinced Falcon to help them take them out. I find it much better as a way to include Falcon in their quest and make it a bit more immersive than just an encounter on the way to the circle.

[@karpmageddon4155]

Perhaps have the standing stones themselves be the timer. Each round having one struck, the symbols upon it glowing with crackling blue lightning. And prior to the fight roll 1d8 (or 2d4) to see how many standing stones are already "activated". Then when all eight stones are done you have Gorthok emerge complete. Otherwise its strength is based off how many were activated and if your players wish to not fight Gorthok at all then they can opt to destroy the activated standing stones to prevent his summoning entirely. As for the reward, the staff while cool is a bit strong. Also only one player really is rewarded by it unless they pass it around. So instead I might consider giving each player a temporary boon, the byproduct of absorbing the potent magics of the ritual. So for example: casters could gain the use of quicken spell a number of times a day, the tank of the party could gain resistance to lightning & thunder damage and the non magic damage dealers could have the weapons they used in the fight become lightning or thunder variants of flame tongue weapons. How long do the boons last? Up to the DM but you could roll for it, make it like charms in the DMG or maybe for each round of combat, the boons last a day. So the longer the fight the greater the reward. Man, all this talk wants me to cut the dragon out entirely and make this about Gorthok. It's just too cool! 🤓

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Love the idea of Gorthok’s power level being tied to the number of struck stones! And I did make sure to include a little disclaimer about the staff because it’s pretty strong - especially if your party already has the necklace of fireballs. Maybe just divvying up some of the staff’s features between players and or making them temporary (similar to the Charm of the Storm) is a better way to manage that reward

[@squeethemog213]

This was very helpful as my d&d game just split in two (we had 10 players, myself included. We split it down to 5 and 4 with myself running this along side the other gm.) Thank you for the wonderful ideas man and have a great day :D

[@BernyHi_CosmicHoney]

Thank you for sharing your tips. These have been really helpful as my campaign progresses. Really well done videos.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

I'm glad you're finding the series helpful! Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@lynnskelton7971]

Enjoyed the video and I tend to use your suggestions and will use some of these. The heroes of Phandelin are heading to the Circle of Thunder and I will have them deal with both encounters on the way. Probably combine them somehow. But using your suggestion for the hangman’s tree with the twig images of the characters hanging from its limbs or have the dolls that look like the characters attack the heroes. But the same damage done to them affects the represented hero, like a voodoo doll. May do this even with the dolls hanging from the tree. As the tree tightens it’s grip on the doll, the hero represented is affected also by being choked. If they try to destroy the doll to stop it, then again they take the same damage. None of that will be overpowering for 7 5th level heroes who are very tactical in their fights. As for the Circle encounter. It didn’t make sense that the shield and potion where in the bunkers. I have them on the Acolytes and gold hidden in there and info about the lighthouse, destroying the heart of Moesko defender of the light house to stop his madness, wrecked ships with treasure…just enough vague info to create interests to go there. Then there will be a map showing attacks planned for or done on Falcon’s lodge (already happened), Logger’s camp (already done), and Phandelin, not done.

[@eablount0]

This is a great guide. I am sure to use these encounters in my next run through of icespire peak. Keep up the great work.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Thank you! So you have you already run through it? Any words of wisdom?

[@eablount0]

Just be patient with your players.

[@AlastairScarlett]

I started this encounter last night. Made a couple of changes - The circle is 6 menhirs surrounding a stone altar The anchorites have captured Falcon, and he is tied to the altar as a sacrifice to Gorthok Three menhirs are glowing blue and are crackling with electricity As the PCs approach a bolt of lightning cracks down and a fourth menhir starts to glow Once all 6 are glowing Gorthok will appear and he will target Falcon

[@sloppyjalopy9749]

Bob your smile is kino af

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Thank you! *smiles kindly*

[@steeltoedsandals]

I'm just about to run this! The plan is to have Xanth's sweet centaur wife Isilla be the sacrifice to Talos, and the party will arrive barely any time to save her. I also want to give Gorthok more hp, legendary actions, and a thunder step ability so he isn't trapped inside. Hopefully, this will make the encounter super memorable.

[@utopia2112]

Hmm, Talos _rewarding_ the players for attacking shrine/interrupting a sacrificial ceremony? I can't really see that, but as they say "all business is local." I've held onto the Chaotic Evil nature of Talos and used it in a major multi-character story arc I'm writing (that involves DoIP though several custom changes to it) - would love to share it with you what's the best method/venue?

[@utopia2112]

That said, I could see staff as being sent by Talos to the Anchorites but being _intercepted_ by the party. That could make for great Gorthok and anchorite revenge chases as they try and hunt the party down to retrieve an item they see as rightfully theirs - regardless of how you play the half-orcs (evil or not).

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Anything goes with the gods of chaos! That sounds cool, you can send it to my email [e-mail]

[@BobWorldBuilder]

This makes more sense for sure!

[@navidryanrouf441]

It could be that along with gorthok the thunder boar, the staff also was summoned and is in the centre of the 8 pillars on the ground

[@Karakhmul]

I have one idea: Taloities' main goal to summon the Boar is not to do destruction on the sword coast. Orcs that were droved off from Icespire's Hold by the dragon, made a bargain with Taolities to help them recapture Icespire's Fortress, and kill the dragon. Sure Taloities still could make some mayhem for example in Falcon lodge. At the same time at one point when near level 5 I made Dragon bully heroes to find and kill Taloities, threatening them with the destruction of Phandalin. Sure white dragons are not the most cunning creatures but I play him more like a big bully. That way I can play sides like factions that players can interact with and make possible alliances: 1. Phandalin. 2. Taloities. 3. Orcs 4. and even dragon at least for some time 😅

[@bobross9253]

Great vid, very helpful! One question, if my PCs kill gorthok here, will he still attack falcons hunting lodge? Or more simply, can he still be summoned?

[@BobWorldBuilder]

I assume he can be re-summoned, but I would probably have him NOT at the lodge attack as a reward to your players

[@bobross9253]

@@BobWorldBuilder yeah that’s best way to go. Thanks!

[@charliemurphy6457]

When my nieces discovered the tree and examined the twig doll they decided to leave well enough alone and left the encounter without destroying a heart

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Right! I feel like attacking the heart is not an intuitive choice unless something is already going wrong. Like if the tree attacked immediately but could only be stopped by destroying the heart... dang, another good idea that didn’t make it in the video :p Good for your nieces though!

[@charliemurphy6457]

It was a suprising amount of caution practiced by these two hahaha

[@Chronic_Gainz]

My party is heading here to find the ranchers from Butterskull Ranch. Basically they went to the Tower of Storms destroyed the heart and now the cult can’t summon storms without sacrificing people to Talos. Well… they’re level 4 so this may be a problem from the comments I’m seeing about this place lol 😅 I’ll have to warn them and let them know they can flee if they have to… so they don’t all die. Lmao

[@PachetePockets]

My players ended up making an alliance with Gorthok, dueled the orc chief at Circle of Thunder in personal combat, and murdered Falcon. I didn't see any of it coming.

[@FlautistaGhost]

Bob, thanks for the video! Love your advices man, but there is one I just can't wrap my head around. About the Hangman Tree you suggest, I read the stat block on your video, and checked the other video about the almanac you mentioned and linked in the description, but I found it quite confusing. I am don't think it is the CR written and the Aura doesn't have a save which is kind bad, but the problem to me is the description of the actions that is messy. The multiattack doesn't refers correctly to its actual actions and the Digest action isn't clear at all: When you drop the creature it falls to the bottom or to the top space? and if you drop another one, it pushes the one already there down? When you pass the str check not in the top space you take that piercing damage and also the acid dmg at the end? How deep are you in the tree if someone else wants to help you getting out of it? This enemy doesn't feel fair or fun at all for the Players. As written it cant be noticed as a monster b4 it atks, probably giving it Surprise in the first round, attacks and restrains/suffocates up to 3 pcs, if one is "digested" the rest of combat will suck for him, and all the grapple and no disengage just force a really bad combat overall in my opinion(prob at least one death doing as written I think). Even against a higher lvl party or making yours suggestions to a weaker encounter it still don't look good at all to me.

[@SinuousStudios]

As a DM What should I do with Magic items which just aren’t useful to my party? They’re going to get frustrated with getting rewarded with magic items that can only be used by classes that they don’t have. Should I just transfer the effects to an item that they can use?

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Yes. There's rarely a good reason for your PCs to come across multiple useless, but valuable items. Switching the effects could work. Can you share some examples?

[@SinuousStudios]

Bob World Builder we’re not too far in but I’ve got a monk and a cleric/monk. After seeing that they will get a wizard hat or a wand from Gnomeguard then seeing this presumably wizard staff here. I’m wondering if they are going to start getting to the end of quests and just go “throw it in the pile I suppose”. Having said that I did do some research and staff you get here maybe considered a quarterstaff and therefore a monk weapon.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

@@SinuousStudios Yes I think the wizard hat and a spell book are the only class-specific items. Any class should be able to use the wand/staff. Great job reading ahead and catching that! I do recommend throwing in a cloak of protection or maybe bracers of defense (?) for the monk. Monk isn't included in the Essentials Kit rules, and honestly that's probably the hardest class to input items for because they don't use weapons or armor. Included items like the immovable rod, boots of elvenkind, and cloak of many fashions would still be useful!

[@SinuousStudios]

Bob World Builder turns out the wizards hat can be used by anyone who is a spellcaster that knows at least one spell from the wizard spell list. As we have a high elf Who knows a wizard spell as a racial ability, boom she can use it. Research ftw.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

@@SinuousStudios Details, details! Good eye. Honestly, that's kind of a naming flaw, but I'll let it slide since they are the Wizards of the Coast after all...

[@NoahSCook]

my party came across this side quest after woodland manse, and sided with the anchorites of talos and joined them in the counter attack on falcons hunting lodge, eventually the anchorites captures falcon and used him as the sacrifice while summoning the thunder boat and the party started questioning if they made the right decision. how do u feel about the way that turned out?

[@RIVERSRPGChannel]

I have the box set now I need to play it 👍🏻

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Awesome! Let me know how it goes :)

[@prtwriter4660]

Sadly, had to abandon the campaign

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Nooooo! Scheduling conflicts?

[@prtwriter4660]

@@BobWorldBuilder he changed jobs. We were playing 2 player. He got to the mine.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Rough, best of luck finding a new player :)

[@prtwriter4660]

@@BobWorldBuilder Sadly still running my dinoisland playtest and a starfinder homebrew. Bob, your always welcomed at my table.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

@@prtwriter4660 Much appreciated :)