Had a thought and I was wondering if anybody had tried something like this out or had any comments.
The party is approaching the end of the campaign, probably within the last 20% of the story. They know who the BBEG is (a great old one) but have had very little interaction with it.
What I am considering, or really seeking input on, is having the BBEG interact with the players themselves. Using extra planar knowledge, etc, to actually address the players through their character.
It is mostly a passing thought but it got me curious, anybody have any experience with this? If I did this I'd want to do it in a way that is fun and not weird. Maybe as a way to build tension for the upcoming fight? Now I'm just rambling.
Umm, when you say address the players, as in break the 4th wall, I'd say no. That's a little too cutesy and meta. It's one thing to suspend disbelief in game. It's another to do it when you are purporting to speak for Cthulu and address Tim across the table instead of Zogdor the Barbarian on the character sheet in front of Tim. (At least, for me it would be, I'm sure there are some people who would like it if it was done well.)
Now, doing it in game, it can work. It really depends on the whole vibe you are going for. If the BBEG is a great old one, it may not even know the characters exist, really. Even if they are actively thwarting its plans. They are so far removed from the material plane that it's easy for them to not really know or much care who is doing what. That said, it can help make the villain more real if the PCs get a chance to interact with it. Maybe they've piqued its curiosity, and it wants to get a look at these odd little things. Then, you make it, well, however you want to make it. Maybe it's really haughty looks down on the characters and wants to get a look at them before it destroys them. Maybe you make its goals sympathetic, and it tries to recruit the party to its side. But in general, it can really help up the stakes, in-game.
The post above me has some good points, but if you are dead set on having it interact with the players in any way that isn't treating them like ants beneath it's notice, then take heed.
I established my BBEG as a threat above the party's pay grade. When they met, they were surprised, not expecting him to be there. I played off his personality, and said his name as a dm so the party knew who they were dealing with. Roleplay wise, it might not have come off as terrifying, but the players themselves had an "Oh crap" moment as the BBEG was sitting in front of them.
Odds are, players won't be scared by roleplay. They will be scared by fact. Maybe put in an example of the old one visiting a different npc, and have that have horrifying results. The players may not be scared of that, but when it begins talking in their own noggin, they will remember the scene, and leave an impact.
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Had a thought and I was wondering if anybody had tried something like this out or had any comments.
The party is approaching the end of the campaign, probably within the last 20% of the story. They know who the BBEG is (a great old one) but have had very little interaction with it.
What I am considering, or really seeking input on, is having the BBEG interact with the players themselves. Using extra planar knowledge, etc, to actually address the players through their character.
It is mostly a passing thought but it got me curious, anybody have any experience with this? If I did this I'd want to do it in a way that is fun and not weird. Maybe as a way to build tension for the upcoming fight? Now I'm just rambling.
Thanks for your time!
Umm, when you say address the players, as in break the 4th wall, I'd say no. That's a little too cutesy and meta. It's one thing to suspend disbelief in game. It's another to do it when you are purporting to speak for Cthulu and address Tim across the table instead of Zogdor the Barbarian on the character sheet in front of Tim. (At least, for me it would be, I'm sure there are some people who would like it if it was done well.)
Now, doing it in game, it can work. It really depends on the whole vibe you are going for. If the BBEG is a great old one, it may not even know the characters exist, really. Even if they are actively thwarting its plans. They are so far removed from the material plane that it's easy for them to not really know or much care who is doing what. That said, it can help make the villain more real if the PCs get a chance to interact with it. Maybe they've piqued its curiosity, and it wants to get a look at these odd little things. Then, you make it, well, however you want to make it. Maybe it's really haughty looks down on the characters and wants to get a look at them before it destroys them. Maybe you make its goals sympathetic, and it tries to recruit the party to its side. But in general, it can really help up the stakes, in-game.
The post above me has some good points, but if you are dead set on having it interact with the players in any way that isn't treating them like ants beneath it's notice, then take heed.
I established my BBEG as a threat above the party's pay grade. When they met, they were surprised, not expecting him to be there. I played off his personality, and said his name as a dm so the party knew who they were dealing with. Roleplay wise, it might not have come off as terrifying, but the players themselves had an "Oh crap" moment as the BBEG was sitting in front of them.
Odds are, players won't be scared by roleplay. They will be scared by fact. Maybe put in an example of the old one visiting a different npc, and have that have horrifying results. The players may not be scared of that, but when it begins talking in their own noggin, they will remember the scene, and leave an impact.