Problems in Redhand (Spoilers)

[justin vacula]

Reading through the Prince of Redhand chapter, I anticipated many problems for my group because I wouldn't think that they would tolerate Redhand at all. I made sure that Tenser/Manzorian briefed the PCs and was very clear that while they are go to to Alhaster and that it is a very evil place, the Age of Worms was most important, so they should get information and get out without causing trouble. I had a philosophical conversation of sorts with the PCs as I was role-playing Tenser about evil. While there is evil all throughout the world, forces of good can't stop it and have to deal with it to a certain extent because there are too many problems and other pressing issues (i.e. the Age of Worms). I thought this would be enough to waylay possible "problems" I encountered that the PCs might have in Alhaster.

When arriving at the city, a guard spoke with the PCs for some time and said that Alhaster is a 'fine place' and it's been so great since Zeech has taken power. I imagined the town as a paradise of sorts in which people didn't care much about the past, only about the present, and were deluded to bigger problems because Zeech is merciful and the law is upheld because of the 'blessed angels.' When talking with other random and non-random NPCs, the PCs started to realize the social climate of Alhaster as very awkward and understood the overwhelming presence of Hextor and the 'angels.' The place, they found out, is lawful evil. They learned that members of the Ebon Triad were heretics according to townsfolk and heard about the upcoming execution. They spoke amongst each other and said that Tenser told them not to cause trouble. Despite this, an odd turn of events took place...

The first course of action was a mass purchase of oil from merchants in the street. The PCs asked me if there was an oil vendor, so I made one up and sold them, I think, twenty gallons of oil. The party took no measures to hide their identities and eventually, after having the oil, the rogue, with the oil, split from the rest of the party, made hide checks, went invisible, and whatever and decided to burn down a building in town. Obviously, everyone soon heard about this in town. The 'angels' showed up and the PCs were not to be found.

Later, to try to deflect attention, which I think drew attention, the PCs started to spread rumors that dwarven members of the Ebon Triad lit the fires. Eventually, the group fought the acidwraith and the dragons at the same time in Ilthane's lair and the fight went to the skies. The druid summoned and lightning storm and the rogue flew to the air on his magic carpet fighting a dragon. After the fight, the party went around telling people they killed the dragons, raising some suspicion. In the evening, the party went to the burnt church and were caught (except the rogue and one other party member) and now the 'angels' are really on watch for the PCs.

Regarding the fire, do you think the 'angels' should prosecute the PCs for their actions? Would the angels know? I said that Zeech banned the sale of oil and that the shop they bought the oil from since closed down. I imagine that the merchant would describe who bought the oil (quite an odd purchase, he would remember) to the 'angels,' so the angels would know.

When caught at the burnt church, the 'angel' that showed up after 4/5 party members made no attempt whatsoever to be stealthy, the PCs were asked to leave. Should they be prosecuted for this afterward?

The session ended at the Well of Knowledge. The overgod was defeated and the players found the treasure behind the wall. I anticipate further calamity at the gala at the end of the chapter. Someone might try something that would disrupt the Gala such as killing someone for example.

I've read, here, in another thread, that I could bring in the high CR 'angels' and other 'angel mooks' to detain/fight the PCs if needed. I end the campaign for the PCs, but this wouldn't be much of my action if the party did something really stupid despite warnings I gave that they understand. I wish the chapter had a sidebar or a part talking about escaping capture/the aerie of the 'angels,' but it doesn't :\

Thanks for reading this. I await input and suggestion.

[Smarnil le couard]

justin vacula wrote:

The first course of action was a mass purchase of oil from merchants in the street. The PCs asked me if there was an oil vendor, so I made one up and sold them, I think, twenty gallons of oil. The party took no measures to hide their identities and eventually, after having the oil, the rogue, with the oil, split from the rest of the party, made hide checks, went invisible, and whatever and decided to burn down a building in town. Obviously, everyone soon heard about this in town. The 'angels' showed up and the PCs were not to be found.

Tough choice. Logically, as your PCs made NO effort to escape attention (quite the contrary, with their aerial battle and all), the Blessed Angels should be able to add 2 + 2 and nail them. Powerful newcomers in town and unusual happenings? Let’s interrogate them!

That the BA manage or not to arrest them is irrelevant : no need for ‘high CR’ uber-angels. If they tangle with the law in Redhand, they have got no chance to be invited to Zeech’s little birthday party. That means the scenario as written is wrecked.

Now it all depends on your DMing philosophy. Are you the type who likes to enforce that PC actions do have logical consequences, or more the storytelling type who prefers that the story flows more or less as written, even if you have to make it stands on its head to do so?

For my part, I would go with the first proposition. They were warned to make no fuss; they collectively choose to ignore said warning, and wantonly burnt down a building, just for fun. Worse, they neglected to take basic precautions to conceal their deed. If you let it fly, don’t be surprised if your players try even more stupid stunts afterwards just to see how far they can push it.

If the BA already found out about the big oil purchase and closed the shop, they have got the PCs' description. All it takes now is a new meeting between a BA and them, and you have got an arrest.

Knowing most players, it’s not very likely that they will submit to local law and accept their punishment for what IS in fact a very real crime. Most probably, they will thrash the BA and skip town pronto.

Next step: as a DM, let them know that they will have to do without the info they were supposed to collect, which will make the following scenarios even harder (yes, even if it's not true). And let Manzorian chew them for their recklessness and utter stupidity: great roleplay material!

And then, let them contact Lashonna by whatever means they can think of. Remember that she WANTS to give them some info, to better manipulate them into annihilating Dragotha. Such powerful but obviously 'neither-thinking-straight-or-planning-ahead" PCs are an ideal choice for her...

[justin vacula]

Thanks for the input. I saw a good idea in another thread that was something along the lines of the angels interrogate the PCs and Lashonna comes to the rescue. The PCs then trust here and it's perfect manipulation on her part :)

[Smarnil le couard]

justin vacula wrote:

Thanks for the input. I saw a good idea in another thread that was something along the lines of the angels interrogate the PCs and Lashonna comes to the rescue. The PCs then trust here and it's perfect manipulation on her part :)

Fine idea! Could work as a charm, depending on the paranoia level of your players.

If they are the paranoid type, letting them come with the idea of sneaking at night into Lashonna's mansion could work better. She doesn't mind, as she is a all-nighter...

As usual, the best DM schemes are those tailored to suit tour players' tastes and weak spots.

[Dennis Harry]

You could run a split session with the PC's who got caught not at the party and the PC's who were not caught at the party. The ones at the party would not be able to cause as much trouble as there are less of them.

You could run a scenario for the other PC's keeping them busy so they don;t interfere with the party, perhaps an attack by the Ebon Triad members they did not "discover" yet.

The above idea is probably better because then the PC's may feel they owe Lashonna something. If your PC's have a good relationship with Allustan they may be lulled into thinking that she is another Allustan.

[Smarnil le couard]

justin vacula wrote:

Thanks for the input. I saw a good idea in another thread that was something along the lines of the angels interrogate the PCs and Lashonna comes to the rescue. The PCs then trust here and it's perfect manipulation on her part :)

In fact, all things considered, you will need BOTH plans.

If they manage to escape arrest (and town), go with my suggestion. If they get nailed by the BA, go with the "Lashona-as-guardian-angel" angle.