snkldr's page

Have you asked them why they stay in so much contact with Restov? I'm just wondering if there's been some kind of miscommunication down the line.

i'm sure there's been lost information here and there...this groups is known for roleplaying in the moment, not necessarily keeping great notes. ha!

Also, they do know they are building a fledgling kingdom and are sort of "pre-solidifying" relations with Restov and the Swordlords. so it all kind of fits in line with the story in that way. i think that i may have missed some opportunities to strongly urge them away from relying on Restov too much as at some point they'll be cut off. Or by providing too many names of NPC's in Restov, etc.

I think that they will focus more on their own realm after this little excursion to Varnhold, and the very pointed chat with Jamandi, meanwhile dealing with Grigori's shenanagans and those damnable trolls. (already took care of the owlbear)

I agree...i'm more inclined to use the modules since i don't have too much time to prepare a bunch of made-up stuff. on the other hand, I've stopped trying to guide the players directly toward the module things, and let them discover as they will.

we're experimenting with the two characters per player thing, the citybuilding, and the sandbox nature of the game. so, maybe that's too much?

Most of their visits to Restov are for resupply or to recruit people for their city. I think some of the characters are staying there in order to solidify some relationships (i've got some small guilds set up in Restov, etc.) Mostly, their city is so small and they're not willing to stop adventuring in order to take the suggested 1 year to build their city.

They are currently in Restov for a few days, preparing to head to Varnhold. I will have Jamandi come and explain to them some of the situation to the north...and how they must remove themselves from Restov, or find themselves helping to start that war too early...and she will be cutting off their support.

Meanwhile, Grigori will be starting up his mess in their capital. a few of the secondary characters are at home to deal with that mess.

great ideas from everyone...thanks so much for the input!

There's a much simple solution to the problem. Restov stops doing favorw for free. They start asking for tribute or unfavorable trades, or troops, or magic items in return for their assistence. They start praising Baron Drelev for being independent.

Make it a less attractive choice plain and simple.

sounds like a good option.

sometimes i'm too nice.

If Grigori isn't dead/imprisoned this would be a great time for him to show back up and start convincing the people of [insert PC's kingdom's name here] that their leaders just don't care about them, are too busy gallavanting about in Restov, etc.

I'll definitely use Grigori. We spent a lot of time on the first book, so they are way too high level to do all of book 2 and then book 3, so i'm combining a bit to catch up.

One of the main issues i have is...how are the player characters supposed to do all of these extra storylines while having to stay in their capital city the whole time?? that part makes no sense to me, so i've set up the council meetings for one week per month that they're building.

I should mention that each player is playing two separate characters...and i've got quite a huge group that i'm running, with 6 players...so 12PC's plus cohorts and followers for a couple of them. Many of these second characters are not roleplayed too often, but will remain in the city to keep the leadership aspects running.

I think it'll work out well, i'm just really trying to give them the head's up that Restov and the Swordlords will not be able to support them much longer...and not quite as overtly as they have been.

Have to say this hasn't been a problem for me, but then my players have only gone to Restov once, and that was when I made them. They had to turn in the Stag Lord's head for the 5k gp reward. Of course, they started elsewhere in Rogarvia and the place they were from was taken over by an usurper, so perhaps this helped serve to keep them firmly in the Stolen Lands.

To echo what others have said, have the leader of the Swordlords take the PC ruler aside and tell him that the city is rife with Surtovan spies. Something like "It is not safe for our cause or our continued freedom for you and your group to be seen in Restov." Make it clear that if they do so, they risk losing their charter to Surtova, who could declare it illegal.

They should get the hint.

I sent them a big hint last time they were all there as a party, where the Swordlords called an emergency meeting with them and said "dudes, you are way behind the other groups...we really need you to get going, mmkay?" and left it at that...they went home and built for a few months, and then got the letter asking for help investigating Varnhold from Jamandi Aldroi (which seems kinda lame after they just got scolded...to have them ask for help..but whatevs)

So, they decided to go to Restov on the way to investigate Varnhold. I think i'll have Jamandi stop by and have a "real talk" chat with them.

Thanks everyone!

Why are the PCs heading back to Restov? For Varnhold it is the nearest safe haven that offers the majority of services that the Fort cannot, and it is closer than the PCs kingdom. Are they going there just to restock, etc.? Or are they going there for a different reason?

They haven't made it to Varnhold yet.

I'm attempting to encourage them to spend more time considering their land...over their old land. It's difficult. I think it'll change through this whole Varnhold Vanashing thing.

Awesome ideas. I'm still a bit vague on the political stuff happening in Brevoy (haven't read or digested enough of later modules or other canon).

I'm really trying to get my players focused on the importance of holding down the Greenbelt and getting stronger there. But they are a bit fancypants and many are interested more in the political situations in Brevoy.

Maybe they'll just lose their city...oops.

I understand that Restov and the Swordlords have to start backing away from the Players at some point. They've just received the letter to go investigate the Nomen Heights Varnhold Vanishing. How do i get them to stop running to Restov every 5 minutes?

The Swordlords should say something like "dudes...we're busy up here, you can't hang out here anymore? Otherwise them folks up north will realize some stuff we don't want them to."

Any suggestions? What have you done to remove this enticing city?