Capture of Shackleborn Character (Foreshadow)

[TyroAmberhelm]

I want to do the Capture of the Shackleborn Character foreshadowing idea as described on the rpgenius pages Here.

I need ideas for how to guarantee this capture. My players are all very number crunchy & OP and I'm worried they will escape. They will definitely call me out if I use any DM fudges.

My plan is to get the party Cleric & Ranger alone and attempt to capture them with Jil, Finch, Last laugh thugs, & possibly Thifirane. Whoever it takes to get this done in a way that they don't escape and none of the major villains die.

The characters will be 8th level when I plan this.

Any suggestions?

[TyroAmberhelm]

Even better would be a way to foreshadow Jil and Orbius (Beholder-form) without being so railroad-y.

[DM Fflash]

My recommendation: Don't convince yourself that you will guarantee the capture. There has to be a way out for the characters. Even the idea of the capture intent should be enough to foreshadow. You can use some of the language in the attached link, but with the whole party present. Perhaps even have it going on while the party is absorbed fighting something else.

8th level ... before Demonskar? Maybe attempt it during the riots when the party is focused on saving folks. Set up something that would draw that character specifically out (high bluff / mimicry / ventriloquism / disguise self) and away from the others.

There are enough major villains in this campaign, that losing one (especially the Last Laugh ones) won't hurt the plot in the least. See Delvedeep's suggestions about changing the villains and see what ones you can chaff. Use his suggestions about the Laughing Jester and incorporate the giggling that to end the encounter, regardless if the PCs lose or win.

[TyroAmberhelm]

You do have me thinking a bit. I don't want to force and railroad a capture because that is kind of cheesy.

Really all I want to do is make another appearance with Orbius(in beholder form)just as a reminder. They didn't really interact with Jil very much either so I would mind refreshing their memories of her. I haven't even foreshadowed Fish yet. I am using the alternate villain ideas so that's good.

The problem I'm having is that it's hard to justify an appearance from Orbius without him just killing the party outright. Of course he would do that.

And yes....they are just wrapping up Zenith Trajectory, so I'd like to foreshadow these villians again before the tax riots.

[KenderKin]

A better plan might be for someone to elude capture and they run to the temple and Jenya and have no idea why they were being targeted.

Hopefully then the PC's can discover the mark and begin to get the idea that something is going on.

I would use the divination power of the star of justice
and give one of the famous SCAP answers....

Though by this point they should have from either the orphans or from Zenith splintershield.......