A large part of this AP seems to revolve around players following up rumours they hear
However I have a slight problem with the majority actually leading to something relatively plot relevant (even if not exactly true)
I was thinking of trying to think of some that linked to the random encounter table (although the Book 1 table does not immediately inspire me as most of what is in there are just vermin or linked to pre-existing encounters)
Has anyone come up with some "generic" rumours that might flesh out the city but not have plot relevance.
(My other thought is to try and link in the back page NPCs such as have someone mention something about Newt's market etc)
If your players are rolling to hear rumours and you give them things that don't have any plot links be prepared for them to follow up the rumours and assume that there's something more to them that they just aren't getting.
Using the NPC's on the inside back covers has done a lot of good for me so far.
What have you done with the back cover ones ? I plan on using them as they have been given
I suppose the point is that the rumours given have mixed truth so it is fine for those to be the only ones
I was thinking perhaps a bunch of silly things to add depth that I could say and then say “but you did hear xyz “ and try to make the distinction
I've had Zea be a backstory NPC and I think, after the most recent session, she's become my favourite NPC. (She was doghoused by the CCG, she is NOT going to take it sitting down.)
Mialari is going to be introduced next session (she'll be providing Rexus with the key).
The Newt is selling Rexus the unguents he requires and knows a PC through backstory.
The PCs have spoken with Zachrin Vhast and are trying to figure out a way to get the Sarenrae worshipers out of the church of Shelyn (just in case Thrune goes after that church).
Insome Filas is the cook at Tooth and Nail. Since I introduced the tavern early he's been interacted with a little bit.
Ravzee made it clear to the NPCs that they're not welcome in his territory beneath the city.
I compiled a list of additional rumors by searching my IHBS pdf for the word "rumor." I believe that's where these came from but I may have manufactured some on my own.
- Thrune agents spread rumors that the ex-Lord-Mayor (Jilia Bainilus) had shipped out to Arcadia.
- The PCs might hear rumors that Nox is a half-devil.
- The Devil’s Nursery killings may be acts of terrorism performed by agents of Asmodeus.
- Rumors say that the Odde & Daughter Herbs shop in Old Kintargo is haunted.
- Diabolists, erinyes, and/or imps now rule the streets of the Devil’s Nursery.
- The high priestess of Shadowsquare (the temple to Zon-Kuthon) is having an affair with the high priest of the Temple of Asmodeus.
- The desolate coastline called Dismal Nitch is supposedly haunted.
- Parts of Ravounel Forest are controlled by tribes of strix, Rovagug cultists, and malicious fey.
- A cabal of faceless stalkers operates out of Vyre Island.
Hope some of these are helpful.
My players are incredibly preoccupied with the blue dragon rumours as there have now been 2 (one from the general Kintargo list at the back of book 1 and another from the front of book 2)
They talk about wanting to stay out at night and watch the skies for a dragon. Would they actually see it? It is supposed to be foreshadowing and something the players should be savvy enough to know they shouldn’t touch but it hasn’t gone that way...!
Regarding whether you want that rumor to go away, I'll lead you to this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JL3-mzFbn0&index=9&list=PLNia51yBt gCAup0w7GHUO2HKJ_EBQb-nu&t=5m44s
There's language in the video, but you'll probably be surprised at the relevance here. The idea is that you wave the end game at the character ahead of time.
Do you have the PDFs for the AP? I would recommend that you simply read up on Rivozair and let the players get a glance. Good players will know not to attack it anyways.
Regarding whether you want that rumor to go away, I'll lead you to this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JL3-mzFbn0&index=9&list=PLNia51yBt gCAup0w7GHUO2HKJ_EBQb-nu&t=5m44s
There's language in the video, but you'll probably be surprised at the relevance here. The idea is that you wave the end game at the character ahead of time.
Do you have the PDFs for the AP? I would recommend that you simply read up on Rivozair and let the players get a glance. Good players will know not to attack it anyways.
This is a really good post and the video linked to is directly relevant to the conversation but this sentence "Good players will know not to attack it anyways." made me laugh out loud and set off my DM spidey-sense (I've been doing this a while so my spidey-sense is based on the old style 1.0 version :)
We all hope our players are smart and able to recognize and assess danger levels. But player groups are funny things and the same group that we think is smart will stand in the wreckage of a TPK and say, in all seriousness, "If you didn't want us to kill it, why did you let us find out about it?"
It sounds great - if they setup a night watch in the right district (probably Temple or Jarvis End) give them a 1 in 5 chance to spot the dragon flying about. Cool! Rumor confirmed! But be careful, never underestimate a player's ability to monkey-wrench the situation. Example: when one of them sees it, they ask how high is it? You make a seemingly innocuous statement - "a few hundred feet." And the player says "Great! I cast whizzle-bang - it has long range 400'+40' per level - well within range." You didn't even know he had wizzle-bang and now you're on the edge of pot-committed. Because really, would the dragon simply fly off and ignore someone in the city taking pot shots at it?" Chaos and carnage ensue. Or you somehow hand-wave off the encounter and the players feel cheated or frustrated.
I think if you end up almost pot-committed, the way out of it is to have it use its fear aura to drive the PCs, then have it use its breath weapon to blast a building near them. Perhaps there's a save to avoid level-appropriate damage.
After all, some dragons like to play with their food. And maybe he just ate.
I think if you end up almost pot-committed, the way out of it is to have it use its fear aura to drive the PCs, then have it use its breath weapon to blast a building near them. Perhaps there's a save to avoid level-appropriate damage.
After all, some dragons like to play with their food. And maybe he just ate.
She, actually.
Whoops! Not to book 4 yet, but I'll get it right then!
This is a really good post and the video linked to is directly relevant to the conversation but this sentence "Good players will know not to attack it anyways." made me laugh out loud and set off my DM spidey-sense (I've been doing this a while so my spidey-sense is based on the old style 1.0 version :)We all hope our players are smart and able to recognize and assess danger levels. But player groups are funny things and the same group that we think is smart will stand in the wreckage of a TPK and say, in all seriousness, "If you didn't want us to kill it, why did you let us find out about it?"
It sounds great - if they setup a night watch in the right district (probably Temple or Jarvis End) give them a 1 in 5 chance to spot the dragon flying about. Cool! Rumor confirmed! But be careful, never underestimate a player's ability to monkey-wrench the situation. Example: when one of them sees it, they ask how high is it? You make a seemingly innocuous statement - "a few hundred feet." And the player says "Great! I cast whizzle-bang - it has long range 400'+40' per level - well within range." You didn't even know he had wizzle-bang and now you're on the edge of pot-committed. Because really, would the dragon simply fly off and ignore someone in the city taking pot shots at it?" Chaos and carnage ensue. Or you somehow hand-wave off the encounter and the players feel cheated or frustrated.
Good points there for sure and players are nothing if not an engine for absolutely surprisingly the GM. Perhaps instead it'll be a good way to introduce a little bit of irony later on. Maybe have them spend time trying to find the dragon to no avail and let one of their allies give a speech 'not letting ourselves give in to rumors too much' and/or 'thinking objectively about urban legends and asking ourselves what's important in trying times' and then let that same NPC say something funny in Book 4, like 'yeah, well, nevermind that's certainly a dragon. Sorry.'