I'm running the climax to Part/Act/Book I of a campaign tomorrow and I'm stressing all of a sudden. The PC's are going to travel to a shadar-kai village in the Shadowfell and defend it from a force of star spawn led by a druid/barbarian whose player ghosted us. A vampire villain might show, but I want the PC's to win, ha ha. Anyway, they'll have to defend a ziggurat where the personification of the negative emotions of their goddess is sealed away. I'm feeling performance anxiety. How do I make this great?
Based on that short synopsis, I would suggest examining the later addition of the vampire villain. Not because of power levels/ concerns on your PCs winning, but from a story element. If it's being introduced to be the next BBEG, it makes sense, but it should just be a brief intro and exit. The climactic part sounds like the star spawns and the PC turned NPC, which is good, but throwing in another powerful enemy might muddle that climax down a bit, especially if it's a later addition. You know your story best, though, so if it works with what your planning next it's all good.
Have confidence in your story and what you have planned. If you present in confidently, regardless of what happens; it'll be a book climax to that chapter.
I'm running the climax to Part/Act/Book I of a campaign tomorrow and I'm stressing all of a sudden. The PC's are going to travel to a shadar-kai village in the Shadowfell and defend it from a force of star spawn led by a druid/barbarian whose player ghosted us. A vampire villain might show, but I want the PC's to win, ha ha. Anyway, they'll have to defend a ziggurat where the personification of the negative emotions of their goddess is sealed away. I'm feeling performance anxiety. How do I make this great?
Based on that short synopsis, I would suggest examining the later addition of the vampire villain. Not because of power levels/ concerns on your PCs winning, but from a story element. If it's being introduced to be the next BBEG, it makes sense, but it should just be a brief intro and exit. The climactic part sounds like the star spawns and the PC turned NPC, which is good, but throwing in another powerful enemy might muddle that climax down a bit, especially if it's a later addition. You know your story best, though, so if it works with what your planning next it's all good.
Have confidence in your story and what you have planned. If you present in confidently, regardless of what happens; it'll be a book climax to that chapter.
I agree, have faith. You've got this!
Thanks, everyone. I think I'll give them a few shadar-kai NPC's. And thanks for the encouragement. <3