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Hey folks, running RoTRLs on OpenRPG and currently at Thistletop, but need suggestions/help for the upcoming Skinsaw Murders. Specifically I want to make Aldern Foxglove redeemable, as when he came onto one of the female PCs she fell in love with him - curse my natural charm ;) - and they have even become engaged!
Now this would be fine I suppose, but not having read the Skinsaw murders I and the PCs have become rather attached to Aldern and I think keeping him in the campaign will be beneficial. To that end I am looking for suggestions as to how I might alter the plot to put him in a position where my PC can reasonably forgive him for his actions.
I am thinking about using Aldern's sister in Aldern's role and having him trying to help/protect/stop her, perhaps desperately trying to cure her of her afflictions? Of course this means I'll need to alter the haunts, etc. Any suggestions?
Help greatly appreciated!
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It is your game but I HIGHLY suggest reading the Skinsaw Murders. The set-up you currently have with the engagement fits in perfectly with Skinsaw Murders but he isn;t necessarily redeemable. Anyways, definitely read through it before you decide you want Foxglove to take on a different role than is already written. It would be a shame to waste the roleplaying opportunities you have coming up if played "by the book."
It is your game but I HIGHLY suggest reading the Skinsaw Murders. The set-up you currently have with the engagement fits in perfectly with Skinsaw Murders but he isn;t necessarily redeemable. Anyways, definitely read through it before you decide you want Foxglove to take on a different role than is already written. It would be a shame to waste the roleplaying opportunities you have coming up if played "by the book."
I have to agree. You have the perfect set up in your game for what's to come as written.
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Sometimes, villians aren't really redeemable, especially if...
I agree with the other replies, you have the perfect setup to really get the most out of this story with your party.
My group is so pissed at Aldern for turning the famers into ghouls, they wouldn't redeem him if they could. Due to twists and turns in our campaign story, the party has become close with the farming community around Sandpoint.
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To clarify I have now read the Skinsaw Murders I just had not when featuring Aldern. I think the game will be more interesting - and more enjoyable - if there is at least a chance of my PC sticking with Aldern.
The way I look at it if I change things around to his sister being the actual baddy I get all the oomph of them thinking it is Aldern for a time. I get to offer my PCs a troubling dilemma, to keep an NPC everyone enjoys and help tie them to Sandpoint. I also think the PC in question will throughly enjoy getting to be tortured about whether to forgive him or not - for trying to hide what was going on and not telling people what his sister was becoming, becoming involved with the judge, etc.
Do a side trek adventure where pc recover a raise dead scroll and have them raise Aldern after they face it in the Misgivings.
Do a side trek adventure where pc recover a raise dead scroll and have them raise Aldern after they face it in the Misgivings.
I don't think Raise Dead will cut it, as a creature who has been turned into an undead creature or killed by a death effect can't be raised by this spell. True Resurrection is probably the parties best bet, but it's definitely pricey this early in the game.
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At least group did redeem him, after a fashion.
But not nearly in the way intended here.
Still...you never know how things will turn out.
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I would agree that Aldern's destruction makes for a better story. It's tragic, and it fits in more thematically with the way the rest of "The Skinsaw Murders" plays out. On the other hand, if you care more about giving your players what they want (which is not an attitude I'm condemning at all!) then feel free. Resurrection can bring back someone who's become an undead; you don't actually need true resurrection.
Jeremy Puckett
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Hmmm, true, it does make a great story. And I have plenty of time to make my mind up. But one of the things that troubles me is my players are virtually certain Aldern is in for a grizzly death. On the other hand the PC in question is a Hexblade who started off good and is gradually moving away from that - not strictly allowed I know.
Hmmm, maybe I just need to bite the bullet and drag every last ounce of drama out the way things are, will give her a good excuse to shift her alignment further and I suppose she still might try and redeem him - though I rather doubt it, lol.
Yeah, I think the consensus has convinced me - thanks for the input folks!
Remember Madam Mvashti in town is a Druid... she can get her Varisian Druid friends with High enough levels to do a Reincarnation... get the spirit of Aldren and maybe in say a lizardmans body... ;) Or perhaps on of the recently dead goblins LOL :) ``Hey this ones not quite dead...`` ``hey stop its me Aldren...`` Or he comes back as a half orc girl...
Do a side trek adventure where pc recover a raise dead scroll and have them raise Aldern after they face it in the Misgivings.I don't think Raise Dead will cut it, as a creature who has been turned into an undead creature or killed by a death effect can't be raised by this spell. True Resurrection is probably the parties best bet, but it's definitely pricey this early in the game.
You can just make an one of a kind spell "revert undeath" with pricey material component. You don0t need to stick to the core rules, we're DMs and we're omnipotent BWAHAHAHAHA!
It's interesting that Aldern is still charming PCs, and there are some very good and interesting points raised here.
I remember when one PC contracted ghoul fever, died and we decided to play on with him as a PC in the group; admittedly it was ravenloft but it was a fun campaign because of it.
Let us know how things pan out won't you?
Rich
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Well if worse comes to worse you can always do the doppleganger switch-a-roo...
That way Aldern is still charming to those he met originally. I guess I would suggest to keep Aldern in the good graces of everyone then simply have a some type of doppleganger incapacitate Aldern somehow until the doppleganger finds what he is looking for at the mansion. The doppleganger could have killed Alderns wife and the worker while Aldern was in a coma.
As for what the doppleganger is looking for I duno, but the lich dust could be a possibility.
Hope my suggestion makes sense....and yes its an D&D cliche to have the "evil twin" do it but if your players like Aldern so much this might help preserve him...
The players in my game took it of their own initiative to redeem Aldern. When they reached his room, I went through with his actions as dictated in the book. Instead of killing him, they Dazed him, Disarmed him, had an Eidolon grapple him and then slapped a pair of masterwork cuffs on him. Thus far, he had failed every attempt to escape, even with added fudging by the DM. They eventually got him chained to a ladder with a bag over his head and noseplugs in all their noses and carried him back to Sheriff Hemlock.
He is currently sitting in a jail cell until they return with a cleric to kill him and then Resurrect him, with me scrambling to fill out a redeemed character sheet for him (the target of his obsession is the only one who is helping Aldern, but is dedicated to bringing his old hunting buddy back to life and recruiting him). I'm also hoping Aldern will even the odds against Xanesha, later on.
I think the only way to make Aldern's redemption plausible is to have players interfere before he goes off the deep end. He's the worst villains in two first adventures. Even though murders in Sandpoint never happened in my game, for unrelated reasons, the party pretty didn't gave even the most momentary thought to ways of dealing with him other than killing with fire, after discovering the ghoul recruitment field. By contrast, they have redeemed Nualia (never mind her goons). You might want Aldern be a prisoner in his own mansion and on the verge of the undead tranformation, but not actually the force behind murders and ghoul plague attempt (Skinsaw cultists might have not trusted him enough to turn into a powerful undead and rely on his ability to perform ritual murders they need without tight control). Still keep him respnosible for murdering his wife.