Perhaps the party stumbles onto Alden while he mourns the loss of his first love interest and he asks for their help in avenging her loss?
Three sessions into the Adventure and my PCs, through a long string of bad luck, as well as a few unwise decisions, found themselves in the midst of a TPK. They have all rolled up new characters and I have a plausible reason for them to pick up where the other party started, but I have a few problems.
First, is Alden. Having read through the second adventure, I can see that he plays an important role in that part. Unfortunately, the PC Alden became infatuated with in the early game died, and I can't think of a non-gimmicky or obvious way to introduce Alden to the new PCs that can inspire that same devotion. I'm pretty sure if I tried a similar scene over again (PCs rescue him, or he compliments PCs on their martial prowess after witnessing a battle), my players would get very suspicious. Can anyone offer suggestions on subtle ways to reintroduce this important NPC?
I guess my second problem is of a slight more metagame nature. In the first couple of sessions, I had introduced the first party to Shelalu and had her spill the beans on her knowledge of local goblins. Obviously, the players still have all this info, but at the moment, none of their characters do. I feel it would be unnecessarily punitive if I force my players to try and 'forget' all that they learned, so I need a way to reintroduce the new PCs to this information in a quick and logical fashion.
Third, is somewhat minor, but I'm stumped. The first party enjoyed a well-deserved reputation as "Heroes of Sandpoint." How can I get the new party to inherit said praise?
Thanks for your help on getting me out of this bind.
Aha!
OK, One idea you could try is to have Aldern still in mourning for the PC, but his obsession could easily be changed to meet one of the PCs (he watches their combat, diplomacy prowess or magic ability from a distance) and is reminded of the dead PC - perhaps believes that like him, life goes on after death and somehow the PC has come back to torment/love/expose him. Or another twist could be that he keeps referring to the dead PC and blames these new strangers - and one in particular - for their demise?
Second - did the PCs talk to anyone else about what they found - remember that you could also say that if they had a confidant, even if the players didn't mention it, perhaps their characters did (after all roleplaying of many days can take place in a few moments and not every avenue of conversation is covered). OR could someone else have found out the same information? OR did someone cast speak with the dead with a PC?
Sandpoint is desperate for heroes by now, and you can have some fun with your players at the next section by referring glowingly to their old characters - 'you know what, you almost remind me of ******, although no one could be that good with a sword...'
Hope these are useful - tell us how the next session goes.
Rich
For the purpose of reintroducing Aldern don't forget the other forms of his obsession (e.i. envy or wrath). It could be that somehow in ALdern's twisted little mind that he surmises that one of your current PCs is responsible for the demise of the late PC.
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First, is Alden.
I guess my second problem is of a slight more metagame nature. In the first couple of sessions, I had introduced the first party to Shelalu and had her spill the beans on her knowledge of local goblins. Obviously, the players still have all this info, but at the moment, none of their characters do. I feel it would be unnecessarily punitive if I force my players to try and 'forget' all that they learned, so I need a way to reintroduce the new PCs to this information in a quick and logical fashion.
Third, is somewhat minor, but I'm stumped. The first party enjoyed a well-deserved reputation as "Heroes of Sandpoint." How can I get the new party to inherit said praise?
What were the circumstances of the TPK? if they were fighting goblins or otherwise can have their deaths attributed to little freaks, Alden could want restitution for the death of his interest, and thus has been collecting information on the goblins while he looks for another group that will be able to destroy the goblin infestation. That solves all 3 problems at once.
Three sessions into the Adventure and my PCs, through a long string of bad luck, as well as a few unwise decisions, found themselves in the midst of a TPK. They have all rolled up new characters and I have a plausible reason for them to pick up where the other party started, but I have a few problems.
First, is Alden. Having read through the second adventure, I can see that he plays an important role in that part. Unfortunately, the PC Alden became infatuated with in the early game died, and I can't think of a non-gimmicky or obvious way to introduce Alden to the new PCs that can inspire that same devotion. I'm pretty sure if I tried a similar scene over again (PCs rescue him, or he compliments PCs on their martial prowess after witnessing a battle), my players would get very suspicious. Can anyone offer suggestions on subtle ways to reintroduce this important NPC?
How about he blames the rest of the PCs for his fixations fate?
I believe there was an option for that even if it was only regarding the source of his fixation...[quote=]I guess my second problem is of a slight more metagame nature. In the first couple of sessions, I had introduced the first party to Shelalu and had her spill the beans on her knowledge of local goblins. Obviously, the players still have all this info, but at the moment, none of their characters do. I feel it would be unnecessarily punitive if I force my players to try and 'forget' all that they learned, so I need a way to reintroduce the new PCs to this information in a quick and logical fashion.
Third, is somewhat minor, but I'm stumped. The first party enjoyed a well-deserved reputation as "Heroes of Sandpoint." How can I get the new party to inherit said praise?
Thanks for your help on getting me out of this bind.
If I understand this correctly the current group is a new one unrelated to the one Shelalu shed her scerets to.
If thats so simply have them run into Shelalu and have her explain their predecessors fate and get their help to find out what actually happened and in so doing this gives a reason why Shelalu had to reveal this info again, but in my experience I usually have to brain them over the head with it again even if they're playing the same characters!All the best with your game and merry xmas and a happy new year to one and all and I mean all of you!
Take care and all the best!
This is one of the reasons I do not let the dice dictate my game. That debate deserves its own thread, though.
I would allow any PC bard or PC ranger from the area to have the same knowledge of the goblins. If you need to stretch further the PC fighter could have been briefed by his mentor on goblin tactics, the PC cleric may be warned by the head priestess of the vile little monsters, ect. If none of your PCs have any backstory whatsoever, then they deserve to be ignorant.
I like the idea of Alden feeling the new PCs are somehow responsible. You could really play up that his intentions, however misguided, appear noble. Even if there is not discernable connection, he could suspect the party is working with whomever organized the goblin raid. I mean, it does seem a bit coincidental that they just happened to wander into town shortly after the raid and death of the previous heroes.
I say the new band needs to earn the reputation. They should discover who is behind all of this and recover the priest’s remains. That would certainly be rep worthy.