I'm relatively new to GM-ing, and am trying to start my next campaign.
I wanted to start off this campaign with them being hired to put an a small play for someone important, likely royalty, and it lead to something much bigger by simply being right/wrong place at the right time.
[Background]
The players are mostly a fan of combat, but several have stated to me privately that they wouldn't mind trying out a small amount of RP. They did seem to get a big kick out of an archery tournament that was in a module that the primary GM took our group through. So, I decided that I'd try to combine bits and pieces of that, into a small stage play with a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' style script and let them improv using the guidelines as a way of getting their feet wet.
I took some of my inspiration for things they could do, and may enjoy acting out, in my play from the play "I Want to be Your Canary" from the PS1 game 'Final Fantasy IX' (if not familiar, here is a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rkxs_gs4SQ ) and wanted to let them decide where to go with the story the 'Chose Your Own Adventure' books and the play in 'Final Fantasy VII' They'd be rewarded by the crowd based on how well "they enjoyed it" mostly based on the PC's rolling throughout to determine how good they are at acting.
[Getting to the Point]
I've figured out I would handle the fake battle for the melee characters and duel, but I'm struggling to figure out how to handle faking magic spells to be used as special effects (and the opponent would make Bluff/Perform checks to sell it to the crowd as if it were real, and only doing minimal damage to the PC portraying a villian). I was thinking of having the Wizard using her Cantrips, but outside of Spark, Dancing Lights, Ray or Frost, and Acid Splash, I'm not sure what else can do done, as it was explained to me that Prestidigitation wouldn't work they way I was hoping it would (like looking like a fire spell, but is purely as an illusion.).
Any suggestions on how to handle the Wizard if they were portraying a hero, or are they going to have to be pigeonholed into a non-combat role?
My first suggestion is not make a play the "opening scene" of a campaign, unless it is a reflection of things that will occur later on. The players will have a couple more tricks in their bag by that time.
As far as special effects go, ask your self what a real life special effects artist would do. For fire spells, keep torches handy (or the spark spell) to ignite lamp oil or breathe fire. If you must use spells, then cater the effects to the spells at hand (being higher than 1st level would help here). Silent image is a 1st level spell that could be use to create "fireballs".
Ciaran Barnes- First they'd be at an Inn or Tavern, and the company producing the play would recruit them since their normal actors have come down ill, and their classes would fit the bill nicely for the skills needed to pull off the special effects and choreography of the fight scene and duel. Then the main plot would begin once the play is complete (or may interrupt the end, I'm still debating that). I just see it as being able to make getting their toes wet with RP, in a way that may feel a little less intimidating to the players, and as a plausible reason to get them into a castle, rather than "Hey strangers! Come to the castle and meet with the king. You look trustworthy and competent enough without ever having seen you before in my life!"
The characters have been used previously, the party members are either 8 or 9. Sorry, I don't have my notes handy at the moment. I was trying to keep the spells as low as possible to : 1. Not batter them too bad or use up all of their spells before the main plot begins immediately following/during the play. 2. I was looking towards Cantrips so they could be reusable as well, but Level 1 spells wouldn't be too bad either as they are relatively harmless, save maybe Magic Missile. I will look in to that, thanks.