In all my years of playing D&D, as a DM I've always avoided illusions, especially complex illusions. I just never know how to make the party truly believe the illusion without meta-gaming.
Even though this is the DM's forum, I'll mark this as a spoiler just in case. This is from Rappan Athuk by Frog God games.
I'm preparing to run this adventure (for the millionth time) and in this adventure there is a Rakshasa that creates these complex illusions to mess up the PCs. Part of the "trap" is where one character (cleric, or other spellcaster) looks like they "disappear" and then the Rakshasa takes on the appearance of that character and the character looks like a Vrock demon. Sound is altered too, so if the character tries to talk it sounds like the demon roaring. The idea is to get the other PCs to attack the "demon" and essentially kill their party member. Then the Rakshasa, looking like the cleric (or whatever party member looks like the demon) makes it look like the demon kills him. At this point the PCs are allowed saves to see through the illusions. Then the Rakshasa makes these jackalwere minions look like the party and uses a confusion spell on one of the PCs. Then he makes another character look like the demon. Saves are allowed every time the illusions change. And it just goes on like this with the Rakshasa attempting to get the party to kill themselves.
Anyway, that is a SUPER oversimplified version of the encounter, but you can see it is complicated. In the past when I've run this adventure I just leave this part out. But I wanted to try it for once. But it seems like it would rely on a group of players that can handle meta-gaming and go along with the scenario until their characters realize the illusions in character.
Anyone have any advice on handling illusions without meta-gaming?
The problem there isn't actually the illusion, the problem is that it's an illusion that at least one player (the one who got disguised as a Vrock) knows is false. Without that, the solution to illusions is easy: just lie to the players and describe the illusion as if it were real.
One thing you can do is lie. Pick a PC (the first time, it's whoever went before the Rakshasa) and inform the PCs that the Rakshasa polymorphs into a Vrock (or summons a Vrock, or something you can sell). Keep track of damage, and when the victim's turn arrives, reveal the truth.
It will be hard to actually trick players and its more important that it be fun. It will be probably be more entertaining and interactive if you can get that player to roar. Some players may also not taker well to simply being told afterwards that they were tricked.
To make this work. I'd probably just give the transformed player a piece of paper that says they can only speak in roars and they will take any damage the Vroc takes. If the players figure out its an illusion I'd tell them to do an investigation check and they can get another chance whenever they come up with more evidence or something. I'd also probably make it so that even if the players as the VRoc doesn't attack the illusion does. As for the players avatar I'd just describe them as appearing hypnotised as its easier than acting as the player.
After a couple of rounds I'd switch it around so one player isn't stuck with it. Then I'd just tell some one else now they can only speak in roars. The trick probably wont work a second time but it will still be entertaining.
As for the part with the confusion. I'd probably use enemies abound the effects of which will be that all targeting is done randomly, they can't voluntarily be effected by spells e.g healing, teleporting ect... and they take opportunity attacks against any one who moves near them.
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Hello!
In all my years of playing D&D, as a DM I've always avoided illusions, especially complex illusions. I just never know how to make the party truly believe the illusion without meta-gaming.
Even though this is the DM's forum, I'll mark this as a spoiler just in case. This is from Rappan Athuk by Frog God games.
I'm preparing to run this adventure (for the millionth time) and in this adventure there is a Rakshasa that creates these complex illusions to mess up the PCs. Part of the "trap" is where one character (cleric, or other spellcaster) looks like they "disappear" and then the Rakshasa takes on the appearance of that character and the character looks like a Vrock demon. Sound is altered too, so if the character tries to talk it sounds like the demon roaring. The idea is to get the other PCs to attack the "demon" and essentially kill their party member. Then the Rakshasa, looking like the cleric (or whatever party member looks like the demon) makes it look like the demon kills him. At this point the PCs are allowed saves to see through the illusions. Then the Rakshasa makes these jackalwere minions look like the party and uses a confusion spell on one of the PCs. Then he makes another character look like the demon. Saves are allowed every time the illusions change. And it just goes on like this with the Rakshasa attempting to get the party to kill themselves.
Anyway, that is a SUPER oversimplified version of the encounter, but you can see it is complicated. In the past when I've run this adventure I just leave this part out. But I wanted to try it for once. But it seems like it would rely on a group of players that can handle meta-gaming and go along with the scenario until their characters realize the illusions in character.
Anyone have any advice on handling illusions without meta-gaming?
The problem there isn't actually the illusion, the problem is that it's an illusion that at least one player (the one who got disguised as a Vrock) knows is false. Without that, the solution to illusions is easy: just lie to the players and describe the illusion as if it were real.
One thing you can do is lie. Pick a PC (the first time, it's whoever went before the Rakshasa) and inform the PCs that the Rakshasa polymorphs into a Vrock (or summons a Vrock, or something you can sell). Keep track of damage, and when the victim's turn arrives, reveal the truth.
It will be hard to actually trick players and its more important that it be fun. It will be probably be more entertaining and interactive if you can get that player to roar. Some players may also not taker well to simply being told afterwards that they were tricked.
To make this work. I'd probably just give the transformed player a piece of paper that says they can only speak in roars and they will take any damage the Vroc takes. If the players figure out its an illusion I'd tell them to do an investigation check and they can get another chance whenever they come up with more evidence or something. I'd also probably make it so that even if the players as the VRoc doesn't attack the illusion does. As for the players avatar I'd just describe them as appearing hypnotised as its easier than acting as the player.
After a couple of rounds I'd switch it around so one player isn't stuck with it. Then I'd just tell some one else now they can only speak in roars. The trick probably wont work a second time but it will still be entertaining.
As for the part with the confusion. I'd probably use enemies abound the effects of which will be that all targeting is done randomly, they can't voluntarily be effected by spells e.g healing, teleporting ect... and they take opportunity attacks against any one who moves near them.