So my PCs are heading to a town next adventure. There they will encounter a location they have never been and meet a prince/ruler who may or may not be their friend. While they are figuring this all out there are some feasts they can attend where there will be some competitions - pretty standard fair I believe.
How do I make the visiting of the town and attending of the feasts more interesting? The Adventure path does provide for what will be served and how the events will work. But besides just reading off the menu and then declaring that the events are about to begin, who would like to participate...how do I add flair to the whole thing so we don't just rush through the feasts.
Ok, its the next day. Do you go to the feast? Yes, ok they are serving goose stomach today. Would you like to participate in the horse race?
As you notice, this is kind of blah, not many choices for the PCs, just kind of going through the motions. I can liven up the events a little as roles are made...but other than that....not sure how to make this more intriguing.
Thanks for any advice....
I would say the first step is to try to put the dice and numbers in the background. Try and focus on the players making decisions, not checks.
I found one of the best ways to engage the players was to create drama and conflict they have a good reason to be involved in.* Also, if there are things like a horse race, and none of the players have a rank in ride, switch it out for something completely different. Gladiatorial fight to the death against an evil outsider or something. Figure out what the players are specialized in, and allow them to use those skills. Try to present a problem that needs solving, rather then a specific thing that needs to be done.
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I would say the first step is to try to put the dice and numbers in the background. Try and focus on the players making decisions, not checks.
I found one of the best ways to engage the players was to create drama and conflict they have a good reason to be involved in.* Also, if there are things like a horse race, and none of the players have a rank in ride, switch it out for something completely different. Gladiatorial fight to the death against an evil outsider or something. Figure out what the players are specialized in, and allow them to use those skills. Try to present a problem that needs solving, rather then a specific thing that needs to be done.
*** spoiler omitted **
Yes to the spoiler question. You are right. I need to just go back to the basics of games - try to set-up interesting choices, tension, and mystery. I wish the tools I am using helped with that a little more than they do....
Hmmm, I was only a player, so I don't really know what it says in the mod, but I would start with a look at the characters, and see what they are good at. If I recall, most of the challenges were pretty mundane, and magic was frowned upon - this worked out poorly for our group which was a casting cleric (me) a undead sorcerer, and a fighter with no skills (not that anyone in the party was that skilled). Try to see what your group does well, and make them use their skills and spells in funky ways. Since the group is around 10th level or so, feel free to have some "impossible" challenges - cut down a tree with a herring type stuff. But again, make sure the solution is attainable multiple ways, not just with a teleportation spell only.
I think I was on the wrong side of the screen to really offer much more, but better informed opinions can be found here.
PS I forgot how much I really missed that campaign. Our group fell apart shortly after that part of the adventure. Someday, I'll reach the other side of the world...