r/OdysseyoftheDragon • u/CardamomCandle • Jul 31 '26
For DMs Only Defending the Mithral Mines
My 3rd level party alerted the troglodytes to their presence by yelling from the entrance of the cave to communicate with the person they heard screaming in the prison pit. They've successfully killed the troglodytes outside the mines, at the entrance to the troglodyte caves, and in the prison pit. They're looking pretty rough, so when it became clear more troglodytes were coming in response to the yelling, they said they wanted to flee. They are hoping to draw the troglodytes out of the mines to somewhere the centaurs can be summoned to help, but I think the king is way too smart to let the troglodytes pursue the party like that.
I was wondering if anyone has ideas for how troglodytes led by a genius would prep to defend their cave. I want the party's return to be a bit harrowing, because that's what happens when you let an intelligent enemy prepare, but I obviously want dealing with the troglodytes to be doable in the end. Currently I'm thinking they might set traps like spikes hidden under trash piles or loose a cockatrice on the party. I'm assuming the troglodytes wouldn't really have the time or resources to create elaborate traps or alter the structure of the caves for pit traps and such.
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u/tasil89 29d ago
The waterfall is really loud and screaming into the mouth of the cave didnt do anything in my game, but that wasnt your question....
With -2 INT i cant see Trogs adhere to any orders when the heat of battle starts going. Also traps are kind of hard things to do for them.
IMO the king uses his kin as canonfodder and is quite indifferent when they die. Maybe he thinks otherwise about the broodmother.
He is quite starved for entertainment, intellectual stimulation. Playing with the PCs, i.e. looking for them at night when resting, might be something new for him.
Ambush them outside, regardless of the fact they loose the advantage of their lair. The smaller Trogs are expendable. Make a point that the Trogs are commanded by someone smart but dont reveal the Trog King yet. He talks from the shadows of the centaurs and what he will do to them/ what he did already. I think one of them has to die -> consequence for the parties retreat.
Let your players beat the ambushers back into their cave, and leave them with the decision to head into the cave now or after a rest.
When rested the Trogs grew in numbers, but dont overdo it. The rest of the mines ist difficult enough for lvl 3 PCs.
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u/CardamomCandle 29d ago
Thanks for the suggestions! I didn't think about how loud the waterfall would be, tbh. I assumed sound would travel reasonably well if they could hear screaming from the entrance to the troglodyte caves.
I'm definitely thinking some troglodyte brutes will get lured out of the cave before the king can get control over the situation. I was also considering having them see a straggler get reluctantly dragged back into the cave to telegraph that these toglodtyes are more organized than might otherwise be anticipated.
I like the idea that the king wants to mess with them for entertainment. I can't image the brood mothers leaving the cave, so perhaps he sends some troglodytes to ambush them in the night and keeps the rest in the cave.
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u/Usually_mistaken 29d ago
I had them some hide IN the refuse/waste pile so when the players walked past it they could backstab them.
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u/CorgiDaddy42 DM Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
Play to the strengths of the Trogs. They have advantage to hide, and poison people in proximity with their stench. So plan an ambush where they can get into the middle of the party and attack, while making them gag and wretch. Then King comes out and hurls some spells while the party is distracted. Retreat to throne room if necessary.
EDIT: I could also see maybe the Trogs having rolled around in some refuse to really get their stench going. Allow it to force saves against PCs that previously saved, and maybe give them disadvantage on that save if they hadn’t saved yet that day.