I'm running a sweet campaign right now, where basically the main plot is the PCs need to collect a bunch of crystals, which are the only thing that can stop Gailan, an evil elder wizard, from taking over the plane. Right now all I've told the players is that he is raising an army to overwhelm the plane's defenses. What they don't know is that Gailan is actually training his army to all be high-level spellcasters (so the PCs really have no hope if they want to fight). Basically though, my question is: do you guys have any ideas of what specifically Gailan can be doing while the PCs find the crystals that can put them on sort of a time clock, as well as make it seem like Gailan is gaining ground? Thanks so much!!
You could very much just have him literally gain ground as time goes on. As the party searches for a way to stop this crazed mage-lord, he and his armies can be out conquering lands, drawing the circle ever closer to taking whatever kingdom the party is based in. Have them run across refugees that tell tales of battles lost and lands captured. Maybe an NPC that they like goes off to the front lines and doesn't come back. Have whatever high council or nobility that is backing the party stress over losing lands and military might. As things go on, start making certain resources absent as trade breaks down and more goods are marked for the losing war effort.
EDIT: End the adventure with a last ditch attempt to use the crystals to win as the enemy army is crashing down the gates of their benefactor's citadel.
I find an effective way to do this is set up ally NPCs that the party encounter, usually on a regular basis. Then have those allies captured or killed by the villain or his minions - this adds a personal element to the party wanting to defeat him but also gives the sense that his power and threat is growing.
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Alright,
I'm running a sweet campaign right now, where basically the main plot is the PCs need to collect a bunch of crystals, which are the only thing that can stop Gailan, an evil elder wizard, from taking over the plane. Right now all I've told the players is that he is raising an army to overwhelm the plane's defenses. What they don't know is that Gailan is actually training his army to all be high-level spellcasters (so the PCs really have no hope if they want to fight). Basically though, my question is: do you guys have any ideas of what specifically Gailan can be doing while the PCs find the crystals that can put them on sort of a time clock, as well as make it seem like Gailan is gaining ground? Thanks so much!!
You could very much just have him literally gain ground as time goes on. As the party searches for a way to stop this crazed mage-lord, he and his armies can be out conquering lands, drawing the circle ever closer to taking whatever kingdom the party is based in. Have them run across refugees that tell tales of battles lost and lands captured. Maybe an NPC that they like goes off to the front lines and doesn't come back. Have whatever high council or nobility that is backing the party stress over losing lands and military might. As things go on, start making certain resources absent as trade breaks down and more goods are marked for the losing war effort.
EDIT: End the adventure with a last ditch attempt to use the crystals to win as the enemy army is crashing down the gates of their benefactor's citadel.
That's exactly what I was looking for! Sometimes you just need help from the fantabulous internet :)
I find an effective way to do this is set up ally NPCs that the party encounter, usually on a regular basis. Then have those allies captured or killed by the villain or his minions - this adds a personal element to the party wanting to defeat him but also gives the sense that his power and threat is growing.