A Prologue - the Night of Ashes

[Adrastaea]

Question, I'm toying with the idea of having starting the campaign with the Night of Ashes, with the PCs being members of the Victocora Household: younger siblings or cousins to Rexus, some of his drinking buddies and fellow students (possibly renting a spare room in the estate) and loyal servants to the household.

The PCs would bear witness to the slaughter of the household, barely escape with their lives (and hopefully, Rexus' as well) and possibly save some important documents, etc.

The emphasis would be on stealth and escape. The players would be alerted that all deaths here are final, and indeed, some of them will die. Ideally, this will invest them in the rebellion, set the stakes and tone (scrappy underdogs versus Thrune's vast might), and jumpstart Rexus' character arc as well.

Some set pieces:

Having Nox lead the team of assassins, and brutally cutting down Aneran and Porcia

Watching the other assassins cut down the rest of the household

Fleeing out of the Greens and into the city, pursued by Citizen Groups, the Dottari, and the assassins

after escaping, the PCs watch in horror as fires burn through the city and hear screams as people are cut down in their homes and in the streets

Thoughts? Potential dangers? Elaborations?

[Fabian Benavente]

This is a good idea as it will get your PC really invested in the rebellion from the beginning. I really like having 'very involved' players in my games as well.

However, you have to be careful because this is what I call a 'set piece' with a desired outcome (PC and Rexus survive) and players being players will do something unexpected.

This unexpected could be a) getting killed or b) getting Rexus killed, neither of which is what you want. The players may not understand that Rexus needs to be saved but NOT Rexus parents. They just won't know.

Have you thought about just 'telling them what happened'. Granted that this takes away the roleplaying aspect but it gets you firmly in control (you'll get your desired outcome) and you'll invest your PCs in the story (without getting them killed).

Just some thoughts.

Let us know how it goes.

[MrVergee]

Maybe you could have the PCs be somewhere else with Rexus (they are friends, sharing a drink in a bar). Rexus gets targeted as well and the PCs have to save him. After the attack he wants to return home, only to find it burned to the ground ... The PCs could also pick up rumors of other places that were attacked.

This way your PCs can contribute actively, by saving Rexus from his attackers, but they can still share his grief. After the attack Rexus decides to go underground and a week later, he sends a letter to the PCs to meet him during the demonstration in the park, leading to the first adventure.

[Adrastaea]

Fanian Benavente wrote:

This unexpected could be a) getting killed or b) getting Rexus killed, neither of which is what you want. The players may not understand that Rexus needs to be saved but NOT Rexus parents. They just won't know.

Hmmm... worth thinking about. Though from a story stand point either of Rexus' parents can fulfill his story role as scholar/adviser/moral compass. Both will order the PCs something along the lines of "Don't worry about me! Save Rexus!" and Rexus has three character levels (albeit two levels of aristocrat) which in theory makes him the best suited to survive if Rexus does die, he can die heroically saving the PCs.

MrVergee wrote:

Maybe you could have the PCs be somewhere else with Rexus (they are friends, sharing a drink in a bar). Rexus gets targeted as well and the PCs have to save him. After the attack he wants to return home, only to find it burned to the ground ... The PCs could also pick up rumors of other places that were attacked.

Also worth considering, but my GMing instinct is that there is more narrative "oomph" in being in a building as it burns rather than coming back to find it in ashes.

Next question: What are some events, besides the protest, that can indicate the simmering tensions in Kintargo both before and after the Night of Ashes?

[Fabian Benavente]

Adrastaea wrote:

Next question: What are some events, besides the protest, that can indicate the simmering tensions in Kintargo both before and after the Night of Ashes?

For after the night of Ashes, have your PCs react to the events as they unfold such as:

- coming of Thrune;
- establishment of martial law; and
- proclamation of edicts (separately or all 7 together).

I think before the Night of ashes you have the disappearance of the mayor.

Hope this helps.

[William Bryan]

Since you're interested in the Night of Ashes....

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sw6u?Prelude-to-Hells-Rebel-Night-of-Ashes-LIV E#1