Help! I have a player who is insisting on going to the Great Library and doing his own research. The party has already meet Eligos and asked for his help. Once they found out he was going to the Library to do research, the player decieded he should go to. My question is, based on the first three adventures, what information would you allow him to gain? I hope this makes sense. One of my shortcomings as a DM is knowing how much information to give to the players at any given time. Any help would be great. Please let me know if more information is needed.
Thanks,
Beldar
I wouldn't give any extra info beyond what the module says Eligos etc can give them at this stage. Let them roll the appropriate Knowledge check(s) with a bonus from using the library (e.g. a +5), then give them some or all of the available info list.ed in the module(s).
OR, if you want to be slightly mean-spirited (or realistic, depending on your point of view), you could do what I do and say the library is only available to citizens of the Free City that are in good standing, for which it is free; others might get in at an appropriate cost designed to discourage only the rich (e.g. 50 gp). In my game, only one PC is a local, but he's not from the upper classes, so generally my group got charged money to go to the library, get into the High Quarter to see Eligos, etc - I figure there are places that only the priveliged can go in Greyhawk City, and of course money talks in the Free City.
In a home-game I play in teh Great Library is members-only. And membership is pricey. Furthermore, it should take some time, and a few exasperated librarians, to even begin to understand the layout of the library. There's nothing to say that the library is neatly catalogued and organised, after all the sages have to do something to protect thier income.
warning - spoilers below -AoW players keep out!
Here's an idea: the PCs go to the Library to do research and/or fetch an important book. But when they get there, they find a large crowd gathered outside, and armed guards (the town watch) at the door, turning visitors away. It turns out that someone just stole a rare book (maybe the very one the PCs are looking for?) and the culprit may still be nearby. This investigation can lead to a side quest if you like, or you can have the clues lead them to Sodden Hold, at which point everything is back on track.
Another possibility is that the stolen book is the "Apostolic Scrolls", which the Mindflayer has been asked to aquire for Raknian. This gives you more of a hook into the next adventure.
Since your player and Eligos will both be doing research at the Great Library, why not use this as a roleplaying opportunity to strengthen that characters's bond with Eligos (I could see the ending of "The Champion's Belt" being much more effective and personal). Have the PC and Eligos collaborate together, brainstorm, etc. etc. Parse out the information so that both the PC and Eligos discover bits and pieces, but simulate the situation so that the most important pieces of information need to be discovered by working together.
The PC will also be busy with the events of "The Hall of Harsh Reflections" and "The Champion's Belt," not to mention any shennaningans the PC may get involved with using the backdrop information, so this may not be an issue after all.