In Regards to the Late Unpleasantness (GM)

[mrmiffmiff]

I intend to run RotRL sometime shortly. It is my intention to first, however, run a prologue of sorts during the time of the Late Unpleasantness. I know this has done before, thus I already have ideas on what to do despite not knowing yet how to integrate the PCs.

After the five year gap between the Late Unpleasantness and the Swallowtail Festival, I intend to introduce the PCs to almost all of the NPCs that hadn't been introduced during the prologue, and even reintroduce some that had, such as Sheriff Hemlock and Das Korvut (intending to use Chopper Isle side quest).

My question is, who would you say is most important to introduce during the Late Unpleasantness time period? The obvious answers are Nualia and Ezakien Tobyn, the named Chopper victims, Hemlock, Korvut, Casp Evertin, anyone else that may have died, and possibly the Kaijitsus.

Who else would you advise are important enough to be introduced during the prologue sequence?

[Hythlodeus]

That's about it. Kendra Deverin maybe?

[mrmiffmiff]

Hythlodeus wrote:

That's about it. Kendra Deverin maybe?

I thought of her two seconds after I posted but didn't bother editing. Thanks. I also thought I had a pretty good list, but if anyone else has any more input, I'll be happy to take it.

[Misroi]

Jervis Stoot also comes to mind. Part of what made the Late Unpleasantness so horrible is that Stoot was carving bird fetishes into buildings and trees around Sandpoint for years. Pazuzu had been influencing him for years, and the reactivation of the Runewell was the thing that kicked him over the edge. I'd have him wandering around as a known factor - yeah, he's weird, and he lives alone on an island offshore, but his carving skills are excellent.

I'd also find some other possible people that the Chopper could be. Otherwise, it's a murder mystery with one suspect, and those aren't fun.

[mrmiffmiff]

Misroi wrote:

I'd also find some other possible people that the Chopper could be. Otherwise, it's a murder mystery with one suspect, and those aren't fun.

Thanks. At least two PCs will be Youth age at the time, so I'm not sure how much murder mystery solving will be going on, but I suppose this is necessary advice regardless, if only to keep the players themselves on their toes.

[Spiral_Ninja]

There's a thread here that lists some possible victims of the Chopper, which could give you some ideas.

One other possible option is Rogors Craesby (described in the module as a retired innkeeper who lost an ear in a bar brawl). Since that list gives the former owner of the Iron Dragon (later known as the Rusty Dragon) a different name, I decided that the wife was Craesby's daughter and he was the actual owner, first abandoning it (thus the rust), then selling it to Ameiko before accepting Alder's offer of a job maintaining Foxglove Manor.

I also added a younger Casp Avertin, son of the sheriff, to cover the different notes about him in the modules. Casp Sr. was married to Alma, and his son was the one dating/courting Kendra Deverin. The son was one of the first victims, which was what pushed Casp Sr. over the edge and into alcoholism.

[redcelt32]

Don't know if this will help our not but here are the two threads with related material:

RUnning 0-level RotRL prequel

List of Chopper's victims

[the Lorax]

As I did a Late Unpleasantness set of pre-campaign scenes myself, (which worked great) I'd advocate being willing to introduce anyone you can as long as it feels organic.

Casp Avertin would be a good choice.

I could see even introducing Justice Ironbriar (he could be an interesting source of the several illegitimate Half-elves in town).

Anyone you'd like to seen the PCs look to as a mentor - so depending upon their class/skill selection you could pick any town member.

High on the list of thoughts for any young person could also be potential romantic interests.

Ask the players about their characters childhood interests - they'll suggest to you who/how to integrate themselves into the setting.