By this time, the party is 6th level, right at the cusp of 7th. They're exploring a temple of chaos, run by what appears to be a group of various chaos cultists who work together, but often kill each other in the process. They are chaos cultists after all. It's this internal treachery that often gives the party the edge they need. The cultists have killed or enslaved an entire apartment complex of folks, and have now escaped below the sewers into their lair. Worse, there's big evil afoot, with the cultists attempting to bring about The Night of Dissolution, your usual doomsday scenario. If that's not enough, an army of barbarians is on their way to sack the city. Their leader (a past player character) is missing. Could she be one of the many cultist kidnap victims?
I bought Dwarven Forge before I owned the store. It was a pretty big investment, probably a few thousand dollars, but D&D was my only hobby. Even now there are sets of Dwarven Forge I lust after, but alas, they're too expensive and they no longer sell through stores, so no special discount. I also have enough Miniature Building Authority for a couple urban blocks, or a full 4x9 table. The amount and ratio of Dwarven Forge I purchased was based on the biggest map in Monte Cook's Banewarrens, still the best adventure I've ever ran. This initial setup was just about enough to complete the entire Temple of Deep Chaos, all but one room. As the adventure will take at least three sessions, I'll be able to take apart the entrance room and use the pieces for this final room.
What you don't see:
- Towels. All of this will be covered with many towels, one towel per room. This allows me to remove a towel without revealing too much.
- Furnishings. I haven't put in the various furniture and accessories. I might not, but I do have a big collection of beds, chests, and the like.
- Characters and Monsters. The miniatures get damaged if I put them in ahead of time. It's best to put them in when the time comes.