This is for DMs that need some help with their campaign and for other DMs who can help. So, I am a brand new DM on my first campaign and things have taken an unexpected turn. A level 16 main villain enchantress is making nobles declare her in charge and one read her name from a scroll but a rouge player wrote his name on the scroll and now he is a noble. Any advice on what to do next?
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I am a noob DM and almost always a player. I love cats and want to be a super DM. Also I think that ostriches are cool.
p.s. teiflings make good wizards and the DMs guide is super helpful. So is the player's handbook.
Did the rogue sign the scroll on purpose so he could become a noble? If so, and if it is not too late, maybe make him make a saving throw to see he falls under the enchantress spell otherwise nothing happens. The rationale is that the nobles are more weak-minded than an adventurer so they are more susceptible to a 'charm' like a spell.
You could say it has no effect on the rogue but secretly the character is under the enchantress spell and at one time she will call upon him for some task or do something against the party. When that time comes and he turns on the party they work to try and restrain the rogue and cure him of his affiliation.
Extreme idea: Turn the rogue into an NPC as the small big bad and have the player roll up a new character, maybe a sibling of the rogue, and finds a way to join the party from there he works to convince the party to 'rescue' the rogue from the enchantress spell. During this time the Rogue is trying to capture/kill the party so they will submit to the enchantress.
I'll think about some others but this is what comes to immediate mind. Otherwise, if you can provide more detail of the game or players maybe something will spring to mind as additional ideas.
What I'm reading here is 2nd level adventurers are going against a 16th level final boss. Are there some means that such a low party has a way to beat her?
Is there still more to the game or are you at the end game of this adventure? If this is the end game then the rogue player sits out rooting for his new mistress while the rest of the party tries to defeat her.
Did the rogue manage to trick the Enchantress into thinking he is a noble, so that she would try to include him in her machinations?
Why does the writing of the name fool people? Don't the other nobles already know who the nobles in the kingdom are, and that the rogue is not one? Nobility usually comes with a number of, shall we say, accoutrements, such as: high-bred manners, elevated/educated speech patterns, expensive clothing, servants, and land. How is the rogue faking all of that? Did you ask the rogue to make performance and deception checks to continue fooling everyone into thinking he's a noble? It's very hard for an uncouth, low-bred rogue to convincingly portray, to other, experienced nobles, that he is a nobleman. Unless the rogue has some sort of ability, experience, or actual ties to nobility that you are not telling us.
It makes sense to me if the enchantress doesn't know the kingdom and the ID of all the nobles, that SHE might believe him. It doesn't make sense that the other nobles would believe the rogue. And the rogue would need to continue the charade, making performance/deception checks as appropriate, while in the company of the Enchantress to keep tricking her each time they meet each other, or sooner or later she's going to figure it out, unless she's really stupid.
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WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
You have really not given us enough information to go on here. Under normal circumstances someone putting his name down on a list would not make someone a noble, so you will need to provide far more information for us to understand what has happened in your game before we can suggest what happens next.
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WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
I’m going to ask why this one scroll a rogue scribbled on makes him noble?
Seems like you’re not so much in a serious type of game so take it to the cartoon edge, maybe?
Make his household of noble things need stuff from their lord, like gold, protection and food. Also, have the king tax him. Have his Seneschal (main servant) be a frighteningly tall man who speaks in a deep voice that’s constantly reminding him of how children are starving in his lands and if he won’t take care of them by feeding them, not murdering them, then they’ll erase his name off the scroll of nobility.
Make being noble more trouble than it’s worth, basically.
Also, lean into your player’s decision and learn to “evil genie” the stuff you can’t ret con but wish you could.
The big bad wanted to become a noble so that the other nobles could put her in charge.
Part of her plan involved the existing nobles creating new nobles through a proclamation. Perhaps this was an already existing process.
The player rogue manage to add their name to the list of new nobles that was going to be proclaimed and which included the name of the enchantress that was trying to take over.
All the names on the list became nobles including both the enchantress and the PC rogue character.
The DM involved now appears a bit unsure what to do with the level 2 rogue who has now been proclaimed a noble of the realm.
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That is how I read the OP post and the follow ups but I could be way off base. The plot line and side effects sound like the kind of things that happen with a new DM since sometimes rather improbable events are allowed to happen :)
In any case, being proclaimed a noble doesn't necessarily have any benefit to a penniless PC who has no land, no castle and no money. If the title comes with lands/income then that is a different situation but if it is just a title then the character can walk around calling themselves "Lord" but the real nobles might mostly laugh behind their back wondering who this upstart is while the enchantress may wonder how this person's name ended up on the list.
David42 has this right. No action is required on your part. Nobody is going to get "accidentally" made into a duke or something. If Player 1 shoved an NPC out of the way and took their place as the king tried to knight the NPC with a sword, the player wouldn't become a knight; the king would just call a do-over. Same thing here.
All that's happened here is that your player has put himself on the radar of the Enchantress a bit earlier than you were expecting. She'll get a "revised" list from the Chief Herald and think "Hmm, that was a bold and saucy move by Player 1. I'll have to remember his name. He seems competent and morally flexible. Maybe I should hire him." And the nobles will all be opposed to him for his social-climbing tomfoolery.
So congratulations on learning that players have a entire tool box of wrenches to throw into your best laid plans!
So my take is maybe it's a form of magic scroll that she, being a high level enchantress, has made that any names read off of it are suddenly made nobles in the minds of all the people of the ciry in the woods?
So if that's the case, she is most likely angry at the pc. So simple she sends some thugs after his newly made nobleness. He might be a noble in the minds of everyone but he wouldn't have the lands or castle, or any thing else special, at least not yet. So ahe could try and take him out. Maybe there is a resistance that could show up and help?
Maybe go robin hood, in the minds of everyone he is a noble, but with nothing, this being magic maybe the people will make their own excuses for that "he gave up all his land and titles to protect us!" Yeah he isn't mentioned in the history books but who cares don't over think it, just run with it. It's about fun after all, and be prepared cause what ever you do your pcs still got more money wrenches to throw into the plot.
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This is for DMs that need some help with their campaign and for other DMs who can help. So, I am a brand new DM on my first campaign and things have taken an unexpected turn. A level 16 main villain enchantress is making nobles declare her in charge and one read her name from a scroll but a rouge player wrote his name on the scroll and now he is a noble. Any advice on what to do next?
I am a noob DM and almost always a player. I love cats and want to be a super DM. Also I think that ostriches are cool.
p.s. teiflings make good wizards and the DMs guide is super helpful. So is the player's handbook.
Did the rogue sign the scroll on purpose so he could become a noble? If so, and if it is not too late, maybe make him make a saving throw to see he falls under the enchantress spell otherwise nothing happens. The rationale is that the nobles are more weak-minded than an adventurer so they are more susceptible to a 'charm' like a spell.
You could say it has no effect on the rogue but secretly the character is under the enchantress spell and at one time she will call upon him for some task or do something against the party. When that time comes and he turns on the party they work to try and restrain the rogue and cure him of his affiliation.
Extreme idea: Turn the rogue into an NPC as the small big bad and have the player roll up a new character, maybe a sibling of the rogue, and finds a way to join the party from there he works to convince the party to 'rescue' the rogue from the enchantress spell. During this time the Rogue is trying to capture/kill the party so they will submit to the enchantress.
I'll think about some others but this is what comes to immediate mind. Otherwise, if you can provide more detail of the game or players maybe something will spring to mind as additional ideas.
yes, he did and the enchantress was supposed to be the last boss. There are 2 players and they are level 2.
I am a noob DM and almost always a player. I love cats and want to be a super DM. Also I think that ostriches are cool.
p.s. teiflings make good wizards and the DMs guide is super helpful. So is the player's handbook.
oh and there are elf adventurers
I am a noob DM and almost always a player. I love cats and want to be a super DM. Also I think that ostriches are cool.
p.s. teiflings make good wizards and the DMs guide is super helpful. So is the player's handbook.
What I'm reading here is 2nd level adventurers are going against a 16th level final boss. Are there some means that such a low party has a way to beat her?
Is there still more to the game or are you at the end game of this adventure? If this is the end game then the rogue player sits out rooting for his new mistress while the rest of the party tries to defeat her.
there is way more to the campaign and the rouge is not yet under a spell
I am a noob DM and almost always a player. I love cats and want to be a super DM. Also I think that ostriches are cool.
p.s. teiflings make good wizards and the DMs guide is super helpful. So is the player's handbook.
and they made this happen not me
I am a noob DM and almost always a player. I love cats and want to be a super DM. Also I think that ostriches are cool.
p.s. teiflings make good wizards and the DMs guide is super helpful. So is the player's handbook.
I'm confused.
Did the rogue manage to trick the Enchantress into thinking he is a noble, so that she would try to include him in her machinations?
Why does the writing of the name fool people? Don't the other nobles already know who the nobles in the kingdom are, and that the rogue is not one? Nobility usually comes with a number of, shall we say, accoutrements, such as: high-bred manners, elevated/educated speech patterns, expensive clothing, servants, and land. How is the rogue faking all of that? Did you ask the rogue to make performance and deception checks to continue fooling everyone into thinking he's a noble? It's very hard for an uncouth, low-bred rogue to convincingly portray, to other, experienced nobles, that he is a nobleman. Unless the rogue has some sort of ability, experience, or actual ties to nobility that you are not telling us.
It makes sense to me if the enchantress doesn't know the kingdom and the ID of all the nobles, that SHE might believe him. It doesn't make sense that the other nobles would believe the rogue. And the rogue would need to continue the charade, making performance/deception checks as appropriate, while in the company of the Enchantress to keep tricking her each time they meet each other, or sooner or later she's going to figure it out, unless she's really stupid.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
this just happened and they have not met the enchantress and they are trying to stop her
I am a noob DM and almost always a player. I love cats and want to be a super DM. Also I think that ostriches are cool.
p.s. teiflings make good wizards and the DMs guide is super helpful. So is the player's handbook.
and she does not know the ID of every noble
I am a noob DM and almost always a player. I love cats and want to be a super DM. Also I think that ostriches are cool.
p.s. teiflings make good wizards and the DMs guide is super helpful. So is the player's handbook.
and she was supposed to become noble
I am a noob DM and almost always a player. I love cats and want to be a super DM. Also I think that ostriches are cool.
p.s. teiflings make good wizards and the DMs guide is super helpful. So is the player's handbook.
an this is a town in the middle of the woods
I am a noob DM and almost always a player. I love cats and want to be a super DM. Also I think that ostriches are cool.
p.s. teiflings make good wizards and the DMs guide is super helpful. So is the player's handbook.
You have really not given us enough information to go on here. Under normal circumstances someone putting his name down on a list would not make someone a noble, so you will need to provide far more information for us to understand what has happened in your game before we can suggest what happens next.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
I’m going to ask why this one scroll a rogue scribbled on makes him noble?
Seems like you’re not so much in a serious type of game so take it to the cartoon edge, maybe?
Make his household of noble things need stuff from their lord, like gold, protection and food. Also, have the king tax him. Have his Seneschal (main servant) be a frighteningly tall man who speaks in a deep voice that’s constantly reminding him of how children are starving in his lands and if he won’t take care of them by feeding them, not murdering them, then they’ll erase his name off the scroll of nobility.
Make being noble more trouble than it’s worth, basically.
Also, lean into your player’s decision and learn to “evil genie” the stuff you can’t ret con but wish you could.
Seriously, I no longer know what you are asking for.
From the sounds of it ...
The big bad wanted to become a noble so that the other nobles could put her in charge.
Part of her plan involved the existing nobles creating new nobles through a proclamation. Perhaps this was an already existing process.
The player rogue manage to add their name to the list of new nobles that was going to be proclaimed and which included the name of the enchantress that was trying to take over.
All the names on the list became nobles including both the enchantress and the PC rogue character.
The DM involved now appears a bit unsure what to do with the level 2 rogue who has now been proclaimed a noble of the realm.
---
That is how I read the OP post and the follow ups but I could be way off base. The plot line and side effects sound like the kind of things that happen with a new DM since sometimes rather improbable events are allowed to happen :)
In any case, being proclaimed a noble doesn't necessarily have any benefit to a penniless PC who has no land, no castle and no money. If the title comes with lands/income then that is a different situation but if it is just a title then the character can walk around calling themselves "Lord" but the real nobles might mostly laugh behind their back wondering who this upstart is while the enchantress may wonder how this person's name ended up on the list.
David42 has this right. No action is required on your part. Nobody is going to get "accidentally" made into a duke or something. If Player 1 shoved an NPC out of the way and took their place as the king tried to knight the NPC with a sword, the player wouldn't become a knight; the king would just call a do-over. Same thing here.
All that's happened here is that your player has put himself on the radar of the Enchantress a bit earlier than you were expecting. She'll get a "revised" list from the Chief Herald and think "Hmm, that was a bold and saucy move by Player 1. I'll have to remember his name. He seems competent and morally flexible. Maybe I should hire him." And the nobles will all be opposed to him for his social-climbing tomfoolery.
So congratulations on learning that players have a entire tool box of wrenches to throw into your best laid plans!
So my take is maybe it's a form of magic scroll that she, being a high level enchantress, has made that any names read off of it are suddenly made nobles in the minds of all the people of the ciry in the woods?
So if that's the case, she is most likely angry at the pc. So simple she sends some thugs after his newly made nobleness. He might be a noble in the minds of everyone but he wouldn't have the lands or castle, or any thing else special, at least not yet. So ahe could try and take him out. Maybe there is a resistance that could show up and help?
Maybe go robin hood, in the minds of everyone he is a noble, but with nothing, this being magic maybe the people will make their own excuses for that "he gave up all his land and titles to protect us!" Yeah he isn't mentioned in the history books but who cares don't over think it, just run with it. It's about fun after all, and be prepared cause what ever you do your pcs still got more money wrenches to throw into the plot.