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Introduction:

  A good use of an encounter is to force the players to make a choice based on what they value.   Furthermore, different characters will always have different motivations, so those choices can be rooted in the very basis of the character. The right encounter might flush those motivations to the surface. This can often lead to heated discussions, but can also serve to really clear the air on where characters stand with each other. That can only lead to character development.

  Additionally, it has been said before that any treasure or magic items in the possession of a villain should be used by that villain. Previous “Out of The Box” Encounters have followed that mantra, and this will follow that trend.

  “The Balance” is intended as an extension of both concepts, as well as an opportunity to reward players with a form of treasure that cannot be bought – a rare companion or familiar. To date, if we follow the official rules, only Chain Pact Warlocks can earn such companions. However, when we research the Monster Manual, there are several chances to win such an ally – if only the opportunity arises and the players act correctly.

  Inspiration for this encounter came from, of all places, the “Trinket” table in the Player’s Handbook (p.160), #46 – “Dead Sprite in a Jar.” I asked myself, “how did it get there?”. I remembered the “Iron Flask” entry in the DMG (p. 178) where another creature could be held in a container, and combined the two. Adding a dramatic element, it becomes a balance – between saving a potential ally and acquiring a magic item. Which will the players choose…?

Environment: Dungeon or any appropriate lair.

Suggested level: 4 (but really, by changing the contents of the Iron Flask, you can scale the level of this encounter upwards)

  Entering a large circular chamber, the players are immediately greeted by two things. The string acrid bite of the odor of strong acid, and the appearance of the strangest scale they have likely seen.

  A wide pool, perhaps 20’ in diameter sits in the center of the room. Balanced upon a hemispherical stone is a stone platform perhaps 10’ in diameter. A central vertical pole rises from the center of the platform to a height of 8’. The top of the pole has a cross-member of wood as well, giving the structure the appearance of a letter “T” upon the platform. Suspended from the each end of the cross-member is a container on the end of a thin chain.

  One container has the appearance of an iron jug, perhaps a foot tall, covered in markings, and suspended by it’s stopper. The round base of the jug rests upon the stone platform. A successful Perception or Investigation (DC:15) will indicate that the jug is resting perfectly straight up because the chained stopper, and stopper will not move so long as the balance of the platform is not disturbed. A successful Arcana (DC: 20) check might allow the players to learn that this container is an Iron Flask.

  The other container is made of heavy glass, and is also suspended by a thin chain attached to it’s stopper. Within the container is a tiny humanoid creature with insect wings. She is nearly immersed in a strange  translucent red fluid, and her neck is craned to keep her face above the surface. With a Perception or Investigation (DC: 15) of her, one could tell that her hands and feet are bound. A Successful Insight (DC:10) will show she’s in distress. A further successful Nature (DC: 12) might determine to the wiser in the group that this creature is a Sprite.

  Herein lay the challenge – The platform is perfectly balanced so long as both containers rest upon it. If one is removed in some way, or disturbed in any way, the balance might be thrown off and one or both containers will have their stoppers pulled. The container(s) will then fall into the acid.

  If the stopper is pulled on the Sprite, and the platform tilts, the round bottom of the glass jar will allow the jar and it’s contents to fall into the acid. The Sprite will suffer a gruesome death as the bottle fills with acid.

  If the stopper is pulled on the Iron Flask because of a loss of balance, then the Succubus from within will issue forth in a cloud of smoke and appear on the outside of the pool. Because the stopper was not pulled by someone in possession the flask, but by the trap, the Succubus will not be under anyone’s command but her own. Because of that, she will appear in the form of a terrified slave girl. Since she can appear in the guise of any Small or Medium Humanoid, pick a race that would be the most attractive to your player-characters, be if Elf, Teifling or whatever. She will act afraid of the party at first, but it is only a ruse. When she has drawn the party close enough, she will Charm the character whom either looks the strongest, or whom is giving the orders in the group. It’s best if you take the player aside when this effect is used and have them roll their saving throw in private – just to remove the meta-gaming. Anyone charmed will be asked to give the Iron Flask to the Succubus so that she cannot be so contained again.