Hello all.
My pathfinder group just finished War of the River Kings yesterday. Irovatti(sp?) is imprisoned, a Duke of Sanctuary (name of the PC's kingdom) sits on the throne and now the PC's can enjoy a little R&R after winning a war.
This R&R is going to be short lived however. Cheliax...which has conquered Andoran, Taldor and Galt in my mythos, is well aware of my PC's kingdom and what is stands for. Sanctuary is a lawful good kingdom that is about mercy, compassion and the rule of law. But they have also built a helluva army based on the real life Spartan army of ancient Greece. The PC's have yet to lose a battle with their army, and that is largely based on the intelligence of my players and their ability to think as a group and make the best decision, as well as utilizing their armies strengths and minimizing their weaknesses, just like any good commanders would do.
Bottom-line, my PC's kingdom's army are the billy-bada$$es of Golarion. Disciplined, ordered, powerful and fanatically loyal to King and country.
My question is this. I have an emissary coming from Cheliax to, essentially, threaten the PC's kingdom. Submit or die basically. What will happen though, is that the diplomat will get to see the Sanctuarian Army in action (drills, here about their battles) and will realize that Cheliax could conquer my PC's nation based on numbers alone, but will pay the price for it, losing much of their army.
How do you roleplay the fear of said diplomat without making him act like a blubbering fool? I want him to attempt to maintain his dignity but also reward my PC's for playing so well, allowing them to realize they've built a powerhouse.
Any ideas guys and gal?
No army is completely undefeatable, short of an army of immortal regenerating sentient golems, if the players have grown arrogant in their victories this would actually be a good chance to remind them of the rest of the world.
Cheliax is a nation of hard-ass, iron-willed survivors that are not afraid to fight underhanded to attain their victory. Their Hell-knights aren’t just for show and unlike your players ‘Spartan’ (who historically weren’t so badass or tough as movies portray them now) they get their position by fighting powerful outsiders. In comparison the Hellknights win in terms of raw badassery!
Likewise they are not above using underhanded methods to win remember. Their spellcasters can send plagues and droughts to ravage the PC’s kingdom; send fiends to terrorize locals and possess individuals to cause bloodshed and mayhem; and rain fire and brimestone from the sky.
In terms of options for a nation at war an evil one will have many more options than a good one and those differences count for all the world.
I would suggest that the messenger be pragmatic about the affair, keeping their personal opinion to themselves. Have him/her speak plainly and honestly about the strengths of the PC’s nation and lead them on with praise of building a functioning empire in the River Kingdom…then have him/her go on to remind the PC’s that still stand no chance against Cheliax.
Cheliax defeated Andoran, Taldor and Galt, all well-developed and powerful empires unto themselves. The armies of Cheliax have more veterans than the PC’s and far more experience in both laying siege and defending against it than a fletchling nation of punks whose nation is younger than the messenger is (for additional comedy the messenger should be a very young noble, about 15 or so).
Finally (if the messenger is savvy enough) play against the PC’s moral code by pointing out that if the PC’s submit to Cheliax they may be able to continue ruling the area under Cheliax law, but if they refuse then the blood of every citizen and solider taken in the fires of war will be on their head! Point out which is more important to the PC’s: their people; or their ego.
But your mileage-may-vary
Another idea is to give the players a reward through praise. The ambassador realizes that Sanctuary won't be a walkover, and he tells them - maybe even in so many words:
"My lords, I am humbled. I came as the representative of the mightiest force for leagues and I have found a country Cheliax would be proud to call partner, not prey and with whom we would be happy to deal in trade rather than battle.
"Still I urge you to consider the advantages to joining Cheliax. Understand that it is our destiny to rule, but every ruler needs partners to help the populace shoulder the burden of Law. Will you be our pillars of strength in the East? I leave this [a beautiful sword, perhaps?]as a token of our admiration."
And when he returns, he will tell his masters that Sanctuary's armies are too strong, whereupon he calls in the devils to make surgical strikes against Sanctuary's rulers.