Hi everyone, apologies in advance for the long(ish) read,
Some backstory: So my party are in the process of taking down the generals of a powerful dragon who's trying to take over the Sword coast, so far they've killed two of its allies, there's two prominent figures (that they know of) and they have a rough idea where there are. This has been taking place over a few months (in both game and real world time) so the world is changing dynamically (in game only I'm afraid) due to their actions.They've made allies and helped rally people to their cause (supporting a Prince in Port Nyanzaru who is uniting the noble houses to the cause). They met and befriended a smuggler named Eze-Kiel, a tiefling, who helped transport the players down river in Chult. After some fighting through the jungle, they found his brother had been killed and raised as a Sword wraith commander to fight in the army of one of these generals. Having killed him (RIP Jared) and the general who was commanding him, Eze-Kiel decided to return home to inform his parents of Jared's death and to return his signet ring. It had been years since he had returned and the last he saw of his brother was him also leaving home in search of glory, which the first born son must do to become worthy of one day becoming the head of the household.When they arrived in Nangalore (where the party were heading and Jared's home) they found soldiers of the Dragon (the Dawning company) patrolling the city and quickly learn the city is contemplating joining the list of cities loyal to the Dragon. The party make their way through the city and up to the higher levels, where the nobility and rulers live. Here they find a crowd has gathered to listen to a proclamation from the high chair, Jared's father. He informs the crowd that since neither of his sons seem likely to return, he has agreed to the proposal of the Baron of Hisari to let him marry Jared's sister, Tabitha. The city is ruled by 7 clans, every 6 years the houses rotate and one becomes the high chair of the city. Any legislation that passes must have a majority vote, the High chair breaking ties. So far the houses have stalled on having a vote on joining the dragon's emerging empire. The Baron has convinced 3 (by bribery and blackmail one also has been murdered and replaced by a Changeling) to side with him. Three are opposed and Jared's family have yet to make known their stance. Tabitha and the Baron have been courting for months as the negotiations were ongoing and so in four days time they will marry.The Baron of Hisari is the head of the Dragon's army and the last high ranking figure in the east of Chult.
The rogue is separated from the party and is handed a scroll by a pauper, instead of reading it he chases after the person the pauper points to who gave it to him. After a chase through the streets, he tackles the figure only to find out it is his father. They enter a tavern where his father tells him he is working as part of a clandestine group to rid the continent of the dragon and his retinue. Meanwhile, the party run in to the head of the elite corps of the army, the Deathblades, his name is Nathaniel. He greets Eze-Kiel warmly and brings the party to his personal chambers. There as he and Eze-Kiel catch up the party interrupt and tell him all about their exploits so far. He casts a bubble around them all so no one can eavesdrop. He confesses he is an operative sworn to remove the Dragon and his cohorts from power, by whatever means necessary, the same as the rogue's father.
However they cannot act openly in this city as there are too many spies but also an open act of violence with half the ruling class against them could lead to a civil war. However, should a group of unknown outsiders with no ties to the city do it, well then that's a different matter. (the rogue and his father have almost the same conversation and he agrees to assassinating the Baron) The party are not sure which way the Baron will arrive for the ceremony, at the head of his personal guard or by Griffon as he usually travels. So the party have four days to plan their attack.
Now my question, the party are level 7, this Baron is not going to be a one shot kill, (or should he be?) The party are all excited about taking on an assassination mission and I've two weeks until our next session to plan it out. I've a few ideas running around in my head so I'm looking for some constructive criticism, suggestions/ideas and just feedback in general to them.
The Baron arrives by Griffon, landing on the cliff where the ceremony is taking place, there will be palace guard, royal bodyguards and his own retinue there, also the bride and a crowd of nobility. The party will be able so see him approach so could target him as he comes in to land.No one besides the soldiers are permitted weapons within the royal quarter.
The Baron arrives at the head of his retinue and parades through the city streets taking in the cheers as he makes his way up to the royal quarter. The party may choose to target him here.
The Baron knows the party are in the city due to his own counter-network of spies, he plans to kill the High Chair, frame the party, and then ascend to the throne with his new bride and claim the city as his. The party become fugitives within the city and must escape/clear their name.The Baron plans to kill the High chair whether or not he knows the party are in the city.
Which, if any, do you think is the one I should most plan for, I intend for a spy to inform the party of how the Baron will approach the city so any ideas which I should do?
Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions as always.
I like a variation of #3. Only, I think it’d be fun if instead of framing the party, the Baron proposes to reward the party for actually doing it. Then they’re forced to pick sides. The baron sends the party a summons to the palace that he may meet the slayers of the Dragon Generals face to face. The spies they are working with are thrilled, since this is a golden chance to kill him where he feels safest. Only when they get there, he drops the job offer on them, with a plan laid out for how to make it work. He’s got a slick story about how the High Chair is the originator of all the unpopular things he’s enacting, and his secret plans for what is coming soon are just too much. He must be removed.
Having heard the story, they can choose whether to kill him there in the room, or investigate his claims before deciding what to do, or to just take the higher paying job and kill the High Chair.
#3 is the way. Not only are there the most options for pc decisions but it also tells the players that they are not the only powerful characters in the world and that there are always consequences!
Nice read btw :)
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Hi everyone, apologies in advance for the long(ish) read,
Some backstory:
So my party are in the process of taking down the generals of a powerful dragon who's trying to take over the Sword coast, so far they've killed two of its allies, there's two prominent figures (that they know of) and they have a rough idea where there are. This has been taking place over a few months (in both game and real world time) so the world is changing dynamically (in game only I'm afraid) due to their actions.They've made allies and helped rally people to their cause (supporting a Prince in Port Nyanzaru who is uniting the noble houses to the cause). They met and befriended a smuggler named Eze-Kiel, a tiefling, who helped transport the players down river in Chult. After some fighting through the jungle, they found his brother had been killed and raised as a Sword wraith commander to fight in the army of one of these generals. Having killed him (RIP Jared) and the general who was commanding him, Eze-Kiel decided to return home to inform his parents of Jared's death and to return his signet ring. It had been years since he had returned and the last he saw of his brother was him also leaving home in search of glory, which the first born son must do to become worthy of one day becoming the head of the household.When they arrived in Nangalore (where the party were heading and Jared's home) they found soldiers of the Dragon (the Dawning company) patrolling the city and quickly learn the city is contemplating joining the list of cities loyal to the Dragon. The party make their way through the city and up to the higher levels, where the nobility and rulers live. Here they find a crowd has gathered to listen to a proclamation from the high chair, Jared's father. He informs the crowd that since neither of his sons seem likely to return, he has agreed to the proposal of the Baron of Hisari to let him marry Jared's sister, Tabitha. The city is ruled by 7 clans, every 6 years the houses rotate and one becomes the high chair of the city. Any legislation that passes must have a majority vote, the High chair breaking ties. So far the houses have stalled on having a vote on joining the dragon's emerging empire. The Baron has convinced 3 (by bribery and blackmail one also has been murdered and replaced by a Changeling) to side with him. Three are opposed and Jared's family have yet to make known their stance. Tabitha and the Baron have been courting for months as the negotiations were ongoing and so in four days time they will marry.The Baron of Hisari is the head of the Dragon's army and the last high ranking figure in the east of Chult.
The rogue is separated from the party and is handed a scroll by a pauper, instead of reading it he chases after the person the pauper points to who gave it to him. After a chase through the streets, he tackles the figure only to find out it is his father. They enter a tavern where his father tells him he is working as part of a clandestine group to rid the continent of the dragon and his retinue. Meanwhile, the party run in to the head of the elite corps of the army, the Deathblades, his name is Nathaniel. He greets Eze-Kiel warmly and brings the party to his personal chambers. There as he and Eze-Kiel catch up the party interrupt and tell him all about their exploits so far. He casts a bubble around them all so no one can eavesdrop. He confesses he is an operative sworn to remove the Dragon and his cohorts from power, by whatever means necessary, the same as the rogue's father.
However they cannot act openly in this city as there are too many spies but also an open act of violence with half the ruling class against them could lead to a civil war. However, should a group of unknown outsiders with no ties to the city do it, well then that's a different matter. (the rogue and his father have almost the same conversation and he agrees to assassinating the Baron) The party are not sure which way the Baron will arrive for the ceremony, at the head of his personal guard or by Griffon as he usually travels. So the party have four days to plan their attack.
Now my question, the party are level 7, this Baron is not going to be a one shot kill, (or should he be?) The party are all excited about taking on an assassination mission and I've two weeks until our next session to plan it out. I've a few ideas running around in my head so I'm looking for some constructive criticism, suggestions/ideas and just feedback in general to them.
The Baron arrives by Griffon, landing on the cliff where the ceremony is taking place, there will be palace guard, royal bodyguards and his own retinue there, also the bride and a crowd of nobility. The party will be able so see him approach so could target him as he comes in to land.No one besides the soldiers are permitted weapons within the royal quarter.
The Baron arrives at the head of his retinue and parades through the city streets taking in the cheers as he makes his way up to the royal quarter. The party may choose to target him here.
The Baron knows the party are in the city due to his own counter-network of spies, he plans to kill the High Chair, frame the party, and then ascend to the throne with his new bride and claim the city as his. The party become fugitives within the city and must escape/clear their name.The Baron plans to kill the High chair whether or not he knows the party are in the city.
Which, if any, do you think is the one I should most plan for, I intend for a spy to inform the party of how the Baron will approach the city so any ideas which I should do?
Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions as always.
I like a variation of #3. Only, I think it’d be fun if instead of framing the party, the Baron proposes to reward the party for actually doing it. Then they’re forced to pick sides. The baron sends the party a summons to the palace that he may meet the slayers of the Dragon Generals face to face. The spies they are working with are thrilled, since this is a golden chance to kill him where he feels safest. Only when they get there, he drops the job offer on them, with a plan laid out for how to make it work. He’s got a slick story about how the High Chair is the originator of all the unpopular things he’s enacting, and his secret plans for what is coming soon are just too much. He must be removed.
Having heard the story, they can choose whether to kill him there in the room, or investigate his claims before deciding what to do, or to just take the higher paying job and kill the High Chair.
I agree with kcbcollier.
#3 is the way. Not only are there the most options for pc decisions but it also tells the players that they are not the only powerful characters in the world and that there are always consequences!
Nice read btw :)