A Decision

I kicked off my new play-by-post game using "Rats in the Walls" with some minor changes.  As I write this, the party is in the basement and things are rolling along.  (Their rippling thews were unequal to the task of opening the iron trapdoor, so now they're rigging up a block and tackle that they bought on the wharf!) 

So here's my dilemma.  The party's cleric is a chaotic good Amazon who worships none other than Aurorus!  Coincidence, right?  Like some of you, I too realized the sub-basement could make a nice base for the PCs, but I worry that the shrine of A. would be too much of a 'gimme.'  I feel that it's really there to be a source of mystery and, perhaps, temptation to use its dark powers -- not to be a ready-made chapel / divination booth for the PCs to move into.

Of course being CG, the cleric would stop short of human sacrifice (the neutral magician has fewer scruples).  This could trigger some alignment play which is fine and dandy, but I want the focus of the game to be on exploration and gritty derring-do --not so much on brooding about moral dilemmas, which we can delve aplenty in other games.

Do you see my point?  So I'm thinking of changing the shrine's object of worship to Mordezzan, Khalk-Xu, or Kthulhu (the latter is not my top choice, but would tie-in with the idol in the pirate treasure next level down).  Thus making the shrine somewhat forbidding and perilous (short of inimical) to the players, as I think it was meant to be.

Or, I could just leave it as is and see what the players do…  what do you guys think?

~ sub

I would also leave it up to the players. That's the beauty of this game; there's lots of built-in leeway for alternative possibilities.

Yep, I would leave it too - what a great opportunity! Who knows what strange secrets might be imparted to the cleric via visions, dreams and voices. Adventure hooks galore!

Hated to revive this thread but, I have questions also....

At the end of the adventure, the PC's wanted to use the inn as a base but were concerned over the skeleton hanging in the cage.

After killing the daemon rat, that problem is solved. However...does the swine demon's spirit just hang around waiting for another host?

If the daemon skeleton needs to be removed, how is it  done? I don't see any spells for exorcism or banishment and I don't think you can just throw it in the trash.

If the shrine of Aurorus is to be used again, I sure some sort of cleansing ritual with a mandatory sacrifice is needed.

Thanks, any help would be appreciated.
 

Thank you, that is actually a good idea!

In the basement there is a shrine devoted to Aurorus, “The Shining One” and a statue of a three faced women.

Would this be based on Hecate?