tonyz wrote:
The GM would probably have to set things up that way.
I've thought about doing that for CoCT -- start with Ileosa being reasonably competent and well-meaning and just overwhelmed. (The rumors about her being Eeeevil are just the sort of rumors that always show up around young beautiful foreigners married to the local potentate). When the PCs do meet her the first time, she's genuinely happy to have some heroes around and her speech is 100% true.
Alas, a week afterward she goes down to the vault and finds the Crown of Fangs. (In this timeline, Eodred really did die of old age -- or maybe Tricia is a Chelaxian agent or something, perhaps working under mind control, who did poison him with weird paints or something. Haven't worked that one out yet, probably won't unless I get around to it.)
So if the PCs remember Ileosa fondly, they've got more reason to try for a rescue.
This would obviously require some severe editing to the plot of Crown of Fangs, but if you're going to change the story, change the story.
Thanks for the help! I haven't started running AP yet, so I have time to consider these options.