So I am five sessions into my first self-written campaign as a DM and I may have done something sort of dumb.
I built up this awesome BBEG who is definitely in a position to be hated/seen as a bit grey by the players: Royal family prince whose mother died giving birth to him, drove his father to dark magic trying to get her back. Lead to some unrest in the kingdom which later caused the family to be usurped by old allies and the army of another kingdom. After they lost the battle due to allies abandoning them and switching sides the old royal family was to be executed. Old king arranged for families escape, as they were escaping they were discovered and old king was forced to hold back soldiers while his only surviving offspring (Prince) escaped in a wagon. Prince watched his father be overwhelmed by soldiers. Prince eventually moved on and went North. Changed his name/appearance, he began a life as a school teacher and married a tiefling woman with whom he had a son. One day he returns from his work to find his wife and child hanging dead from their family homes apple tree. There had been a movement in the East to purge all "uncivilized breeds" from the continent. Orcs (Not evil in my campaign), goblins, tieflings and all other manner of "unholy brutes" we're slain or forced to flee if they saw it coming. This broke the princes will losing his family a second time. He then began to seek out power, learning spellcraft and swordsmanship while making deals with Tharizdun for greater power later on when he found it to be not enough. He intends to slay all those who abandoned his family and the Eastern armies and organizations that destroyed his life.
The heroes are slowly learning about the extend that this BBEG has been wronged. Sure, he is killing innocent bystanders as he goes about his revenge. But never on purpose, he simply is painting with a sort of wide brush when he destroys things/kills anyone who slows him down. This is where things get difficult. The players also are beginning to learn about "The Culling" that was the Eastern power coming in and killing many of the other races off (OBVIOUSLY UNCOOL). One of the PC's is a half-orc, and one is a tiefling; both with roots in the region. The more they learn about this eastern power the more they hate them. Imagine powerful, hyper-religious, colonialists who believe the only way to peace is the eradication of all "barbaric" or "evil" races. They're like a combination of 1940's Germany and the church in early North America. Basically just the biggest pieces of crap ever.
The problem here is that there is now essentially 2 BBEG's. The Eastern power's leader. And the betrayed Prince. Since the Prince and the Easterners both want to destroy each other (The prince for revenge, and the easterners because he is using dark magic) This could sort of put the players in an enemy of my enemy is my friend situation. I'm not sure I want to destroy either of them in the short term as they are both very powerful and interesting enemies. Basically, I am looking for options in which I can handle this that don't involve one of the BBEG's killing the other in the short term. (ESPECIALLY since there is basically no way for the PC's to kill the Eastern power in the short run)
The easiest way to do this is to let the players handle the grunt work while the "prince" goes back into planning mode.
You've set up a wonderful scenario where the players are in moral ambiguity, the Prince is bad because of his current actions, the Eastern powers are bad because they are committing racial genocide.
Continue the Eastern power's movement unimpeded, there's nothing stopping them at this moment. The Prince, on the other hand, is limited in power, he needs to amass help and sew dissent. Have him back off and start playing the subterfuge game, have him play from the shadows. His hallmark will still be visible to anyone looking, his actions will still be attributed to him, but his location and ultimate machinations are hidden.
Let the players choose how they're going to resolve the two conflicts, let them steer the movements with their actions. If the Eastern power is going to raze a village that the players can stop, let them. If the Prince is going to sent a troop to attack the Eastern power, let the players help. If the Prince is going to wipe out a suspected town of innocents, let the players stop it. If the Eastern power and the Princes forces meet up, let the players run. As the players make these choices, let those choices impact how each "bad guy" views them and have them act accordingly.
Wow, what a great world you've built! I don't see the problem with giving the players a choice. As the BBEG, the players shouldn't be able to defeat either one right away, so make it clear how powerful both sides are. I think DMThac0 has some excellent suggestions on how to incorporate both "enemies" and continue to give players more information on both sides of the conflict.
The Prince is focused on the Eastern Powers and vice versa, so there's little motivation for either BBEG to target your PCs...yet. Right now, your players are still becoming involved in this world, slowly forming their own opinions on both the Prince and the Powers. Little victories against both sides would be a way to build up your PC's "notoriety" so to speak either as a threat or potential ally to either side. I'd let this conflict become a long term problem that starts to involve your PCs more and more until they are forced to choose a side (or even resolve to take down both).
Thanks, I really appreciate the compliments. You guys really reminded me that I don't have to rush things. Your comments definitely changed my perspective on the issue. Now I can simply let the unknown settle upon the players as they are slowly faced with problems relating to these two parties.
So I am five sessions into my first self-written campaign as a DM and I may have done something sort of dumb.
I built up this awesome BBEG who is definitely in a position to be hated/seen as a bit grey by the players: Royal family prince whose mother died giving birth to him, drove his father to dark magic trying to get her back. Lead to some unrest in the kingdom which later caused the family to be usurped by old allies and the army of another kingdom. After they lost the battle due to allies abandoning them and switching sides the old royal family was to be executed. Old king arranged for families escape, as they were escaping they were discovered and old king was forced to hold back soldiers while his only surviving offspring (Prince) escaped in a wagon. Prince watched his father be overwhelmed by soldiers. Prince eventually moved on and went North. Changed his name/appearance, he began a life as a school teacher and married a tiefling woman with whom he had a son. One day he returns from his work to find his wife and child hanging dead from their family homes apple tree. There had been a movement in the East to purge all "uncivilized breeds" from the continent. Orcs (Not evil in my campaign), goblins, tieflings and all other manner of "unholy brutes" we're slain or forced to flee if they saw it coming. This broke the princes will losing his family a second time. He then began to seek out power, learning spellcraft and swordsmanship while making deals with Tharizdun for greater power later on when he found it to be not enough. He intends to slay all those who abandoned his family and the Eastern armies and organizations that destroyed his life.
The heroes are slowly learning about the extend that this BBEG has been wronged. Sure, he is killing innocent bystanders as he goes about his revenge. But never on purpose, he simply is painting with a sort of wide brush when he destroys things/kills anyone who slows him down. This is where things get difficult. The players also are beginning to learn about "The Culling" that was the Eastern power coming in and killing many of the other races off (OBVIOUSLY UNCOOL). One of the PC's is a half-orc, and one is a tiefling; both with roots in the region. The more they learn about this eastern power the more they hate them. Imagine powerful, hyper-religious, colonialists who believe the only way to peace is the eradication of all "barbaric" or "evil" races. They're like a combination of 1940's Germany and the church in early North America. Basically just the biggest pieces of crap ever.
The problem here is that there is now essentially 2 BBEG's. The Eastern power's leader. And the betrayed Prince. Since the Prince and the Easterners both want to destroy each other (The prince for revenge, and the easterners because he is using dark magic) This could sort of put the players in an enemy of my enemy is my friend situation. I'm not sure I want to destroy either of them in the short term as they are both very powerful and interesting enemies. Basically, I am looking for options in which I can handle this that don't involve one of the BBEG's killing the other in the short term. (ESPECIALLY since there is basically no way for the PC's to kill the Eastern power in the short run)
Love,
Mitch
The easiest way to do this is to let the players handle the grunt work while the "prince" goes back into planning mode.
You've set up a wonderful scenario where the players are in moral ambiguity, the Prince is bad because of his current actions, the Eastern powers are bad because they are committing racial genocide.
Continue the Eastern power's movement unimpeded, there's nothing stopping them at this moment. The Prince, on the other hand, is limited in power, he needs to amass help and sew dissent. Have him back off and start playing the subterfuge game, have him play from the shadows. His hallmark will still be visible to anyone looking, his actions will still be attributed to him, but his location and ultimate machinations are hidden.
Let the players choose how they're going to resolve the two conflicts, let them steer the movements with their actions. If the Eastern power is going to raze a village that the players can stop, let them. If the Prince is going to sent a troop to attack the Eastern power, let the players help. If the Prince is going to wipe out a suspected town of innocents, let the players stop it. If the Eastern power and the Princes forces meet up, let the players run. As the players make these choices, let those choices impact how each "bad guy" views them and have them act accordingly.
Wow, what a great world you've built! I don't see the problem with giving the players a choice. As the BBEG, the players shouldn't be able to defeat either one right away, so make it clear how powerful both sides are. I think DMThac0 has some excellent suggestions on how to incorporate both "enemies" and continue to give players more information on both sides of the conflict.
The Prince is focused on the Eastern Powers and vice versa, so there's little motivation for either BBEG to target your PCs...yet. Right now, your players are still becoming involved in this world, slowly forming their own opinions on both the Prince and the Powers. Little victories against both sides would be a way to build up your PC's "notoriety" so to speak either as a threat or potential ally to either side. I'd let this conflict become a long term problem that starts to involve your PCs more and more until they are forced to choose a side (or even resolve to take down both).
Thanks, I really appreciate the compliments. You guys really reminded me that I don't have to rush things. Your comments definitely changed my perspective on the issue. Now I can simply let the unknown settle upon the players as they are slowly faced with problems relating to these two parties.
Much appreciated.