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Ok So I've got a group (High powered) that consists of a great horned hatchling dragon, a godling with "double double warlock" and super psionics, and a tattoo archer, all 7th level.

They have just been rifted from palladium world to the lowest level (10) of Center on Phase World. Within 30 minutes of being there they followed a mob that was going up a level to raid a rivial gang that was oppressing them with raids themselves. I'm playing these lower levels as well populated (but not as well populated as levels 7-8) but with an even lower class of peasant about 1 out of 100 has an MD weapon though all have some form of SDC weapon even if its makeshift. The godling decided it was a prime opportunity to get some followers and used some of his psionics (implant memory to make the leader of the gang "remember" that he had prayed for help, and empathic transmission to make him trust the godling when the godling told him that he had come to answer his prayers)

The dragon and the godling then decide that if they make it so that the stronger gang on the higher level (still only level 9 which is still quite the cesspool) would lay off the raiding of the lower level and the attempting to control the food generators those on the lower level would be eternally grateful and would have cause to worship the godling as their savior. They then procede to get into a short tussle with the wolphen leader of the stronger gang who gets in a couple shots from his laser pistol (which the dragon litterly laughs off) and force him to call a meeting of his lieutenents where the dragon proceded to rip the wolphen in half as a demonstration of the groups power and what would happen to those that did not conduct themselves with respect for others. And further decreed that both the levels would unite under their leadership, which I know to be a totally unrealistic goal but oh well they can reach for the stars on this one if they want but they will soon find out if they try that they are not the only big fish in this pond. As the poulation on these levels are complete pesants I've made it seem that MD in these levels is nearly non exsistant but what they dont know is that they are in the absolutly poorest section of the slums in the lower levels and that other gangs are more well equiped (but MD is still very rare) and that there are many other supernatural beings that are out to make a place for themselves too.

Problem is the godling really doesn't want to stay in this filth (he has the superman complex and detests these conditions and the inhabitants of the lower levels) and just wanted to make a good name for himself then get the hell out.

My questions are
A) How hard would it be for a godling, dragon, and t-archer to get from level 9 to levels 8/7? then what about the more respectable levels like 6 or 5? So far I've let them know that it wont be easy as there are checkpoints to the upper levels and that they dont have "passes" to enter the upper levels... but in reality would it be hard for beings of their power and magical ability to either bypass the checkpoints completely? or simply walk up and be "hey I'm a godling and he's a dragon and this is our t-archer bodyguard, let us pass" and have the guards shrug and just let them on through???

B) If they do decide to stay on level 9 for a while and try to accomplish a major change where people can all "get along" what sort of bad assery would you throw at them?

I'm thinking there would be several "demon clans" that would have a greater demon leader and around 20-50 lesser demons that would do their bidding that would take offense at these "upstarts" trying to civilize thier playground.

SamtheDagger wrote:First thing that you seem to have overlooked is that levels 7-10 are slums because there is heavy rift activity. Just about anything could pop out there and mess up your day. People get "lost" all the time on these levels. Second of all, even though these levels are slums, they are controlled by slum gangs who are backed up by penthouse gangs (read: mob bosses) on higher levels. The lower levels are a prime location for all kinds of illicit dealings, meanings that the criminal element makes a killing here. Not only do they peddle highly addictive substances at high prices (and have the hardware to protect their supply), but they also traffic in slaves, weapons, prostitution, and all other forms of illicit deals. The ability to deal so easily with such things cannot be found in any other levels of the city which ironically gives these levels of the city values to the mob bosses that control them. A petty godling, dragon, and tattoed man showing up and trying to claim someone else's turf is not going to be looked up kindly. If they try to take control of so much as a city block, hit them with whatever you want. Your demon idea sounds great.

Actually if you read the level descritpions the 2 lowest levels 10-9 are virtually unpopulated except for those that cannot even hack it on 8-7 and madmen in search of the massive magical energy available there as well as those rifted in demons/monsters/d-bees, etc. I've changed this some what to reflect a much larger population but that they are the meekest SDC peasants without major access to MD... about 1:100 has a MD weapon. Basically prey for the supernatural creatures that live here. There are no organized crime gangs per se at least not the kind of organized ones that run the blackmarket (like the Society of the Knife) like you find on 8-7. Just gangs that try to support themselves as best they can and get by.

My group is not so much claiming turf as attempting to make the residents get along (or at least stop stepping on those even worse off then they are) and get a few followers for the godling. Then they will likely get the hell out which means up to 8-7 where if they try these shenanigans they are in for a unpleasent surprise...

But back to my questions: If they stay here and try to really carry out this silly plan what should I throw at them?

If they attempt to leave what is the security like to keep those nasty rifted in monsters and demons quarantined to the lowest levels? I'm assuming there has to be some measure to keep them there so that they don't get as high as levels 6-5 and I don't think that those criminal cartells would much apprciate demons and monsters comming up even as high as 8 as they could wreak havoc on their profitablity. So what sort of checkpoint would you have them go through to get from 9 to 8? and then from 7 to 6 where Center starts to become civilized?

SamtheDagger wrote:Level 8 is pretty much controlled by the Society of the Knife. Nothing goes on without the Knife Master's consent. It's a haven for all kinds of criminal activity (see DB2 page 20). Getting up to this level is the only real challenge. Getting to the next couple of levels should only be require a mere formality of proving that they aren't dangerous demons with hostile intent along with perhaps an entrance fee. However I imagine the checkpoints for entry and exit to level 9 are pretty heavily guarded. There is probably a Promethean or Draconid at each checkpoint with a large number of support troops of other species, at least a platoon (20-40) with the ability to call in a company (up to 160) or more fairly quickly.

If it were me running it, I would say the main hurdle is in finding a way to let them go up, as normally checkpoints on level 8 probably only allow people to go down (not that many would want to) because 99% of what comes up is undesirable. The PCs would need to find a contact on level 9 who can send a ley-line transmission to a contact on a level above given the proper bribe or something like that in order to allow the PCs up. Even then, the conditions are strict (e.g. they have to be at X checkpoint at 8:33 pm exactly). If they are more than 30 seconds late, they will miss the train, so to speak. You could even use this as a way to increase dramatic tension, as the checkpoint is in a remote location, and something might waylay the PCs on their way to the checkpoint.

I guess that answers your second question. About your first. I thought your idea of throwing a bunch of demons at them was fine. This is Phase World, where just about any interest might become offended by the PCs' actions and they could encounter just about anything coming through the rifts at any time. Pick your favorite monsters and have a ball.

Good input there! Thats alot along the lines as what I was thinking.

Thinyser wrote:But back to my questions: If they stay here and try to really carry out this silly plan what should I throw at them?

Hmm...remember that Center is an artifact of the First Race and may have some sort of connection to the Cosmic Forge. If a bunch of SDC peasants are down on 9-10, maybe they are just a food source for stuff on higher levels, but maybe they know more than they are letting on. Maybe they are one (or more) heretical cults who seek the Forge. Maybe the worship something down there, maybe the PCs are being led down a path by some higher powered beings, or maybe once they "make peace" down there, those who live on the Top Levels will become concerned or interested.

Since you set up the concept of weak peasants, then the only combat threats would come from rifted beings. Which is fine. Also, you could have a rival gang make sporadic attacks, but oddly they are equipped each time with better and better MD weapons. Who could be supplying them? Also, maybe they don't get combat threats on this level, maybe the issues here stay as social problems. Very quickly they will learn than brute violence won't get people to obey and make peace...as soon as they turn their backs.