One of the aspects of Dragon's Demand that I liked was the idea that the PCs could gain several allies on their way to fight the dragon. In my Roll20 Kingmaker campaign I am going to be implementing additional content and using slow experience.
One such bit of additional content revolves around the idea of members of the Whispering Way also vying for control of the Stolen Lands. The last fight (which takes place after the Kingmaker villain has been dealt with or not at all if the PCs lose) is somewhere around CR 22.
The allies that make this surmountable for 4 lvl 17 PCs is a spell sage necromancer that starts at level 11 and then scales to lvl 17 with the PCs, a lvl 5 Saurian Druid that scales to lvl 17 with the PCs, and a monster the PCs free who seeks revenge on the additional content villain (Lady in Red).
The spell sage acts as early revives for the PCs, obligating them to his will (which is always directed at combating the Whispering Way) and helping to advise them on country building. The Saurian Druid acts as an emissary of the fey, while also advising the PCs on where they shouldn't go (such as to the Slough at lvl 1). The outsider acts to inform the PCs as to who the villain of the AC content is.
What is your take on adding NPCs to the story?
Sounds good except for one concern, what does "obligating them to his will" mean? Is it forced (e.g dominate person)? Is it a gratitude thing (which if so, don't be surprised if they pass a plot hook or two instead of helping him, PCs are a bit fickle)?
Sounds good except for one concern, what does "obligating them to his will" mean? Is it forced (e.g dominate person)? Is it a gratitude thing (which if so, don't be surprised if they pass a plot hook or two instead of helping him, PCs are a bit fickle)?
Na, it just means if they don't start at least trying to do what he is after he could start working against them in some way. He also doubles as the crafter, though he doesn't make things for 1/2 value.
The XP for each level includes AC stuff, and if they don't do it, it comes looking for them. We'll just say there are some not-so-subtle hints sent around by someone that makes the AC content come looking for the PCs. Of course, if it has to come looking for them then it gets harder.