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Hey there, so i don't know if this is the right place to post this but I think it is.
In the game I am running the party have failed repeatedly to prevent the machination of some demons that is going to result in a succubus taking over a small nation. I know that succubus are excellent manipulators and would play the long game to spread their influence and control beyond their small country from the shadows, however this runs into a problem for me as Game Master.
The country that she would likely spread into is already ruled by a vampire who has been there for quite a long time. Their nature is not public knowledge and life tends to go on quite normally for most people. But the vampire has worked over a century to secure themselves quite comfortably, and with an entire country to feed on and create spawn from they have obviously gotten quite powerful from within the shadows. But they have been playing the long game as not to draw the ire of any religious or adventuring types.
So i'm faced with a puzzle, how would these two evil creatures handle conflict between themselves. On the one hand in a straight fight a normal vampire could beat a normal succubus, plus this one has been around long enough to be more powerful than an average vamp. But a straight fight isn't really the M.O. of either of these creatures and would be highly unlikly unless one pushes for it, meaning they know they have such an advantage doing so wouldn't be problematic for them.
How do you think the succubus would resolve things knowing she is starting out at a disadvantage and that she cannot simply outlive her opponent? How would the vampire fight against the manipulative tactics of their opponent? Would the two work together and if so what kind relationship would come out of such a union of evil?
This is all stuff that wont happen for quite a while in game and the players might finally figure out what is going on and find a way to stop it. But at this point it seems unlikely and i am trying to figure out how this will shape the world going forwards.
Thank you and have a great day
It looks like the local paladin order is going to get a lot of "anonymous tips" from 'various' sources.
Ok. Ignoring the obvious fact that the religious orders are going to be abused and used... The succubus should seek the rebel route.
When you have a powerful central power, there will always end up being a faction of marginalized individuals desperate for someone to support them. This would often take the form of many noble houses that had been pushed away from the center of power over the generations since the vampire came. Either they stood in the way of the vampire's plan, or they were the rivals to one of the major pawns that serve the vampire.
Because this is a slow game, the vampires would not be able to clean up these dissenting voices effectively. He can only rely upon increasingly arrogant high level nobles that swagger around and suppressing these forces. The vampire's personal involvement would be used to cause 'mysterious deaths'- which get a lot of rumors attached to make sure that the lower nobles know they shouldn't cross the line.
When you combine centralization with a scary, powerful individual... you make the dissenting nobles extra desperate for their own powerful individual. They would keep quiet until now because they were shivering in their boots over what could happen. But if you introduce another shadowy power that promises to counter this threat... and you can make them very eager to cooperate. Of course WE know that the succubus can't actually take down the vampire- but everyone is avoiding direct confrontation, so you can go a long time and make a lot of people cross the rubicon before they realize that themselves.
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All I know it that it should involve grappling.
All I know it that it should involve grappling.
Well, vampires are immune to energy drain, so the vampire wins there.
But that assumes a direct confrontation. You could also compare their at will mind control options- dominate person is more powerful than charm monster for control, but it is a bit too strong (sense motive checks can detect).
The succubus also has massive amounts of personal freedom- the ability to go into the sun and greater teleport means she can personally manage her network to a high degree. It might be best to seek outside pressure- get neighboring powers to stick their grubby hands into the pot (preferably powers with close ties to the opposing nobles and the like).
If the succubus learns that there is a secret power holder of some kind before attempting the takeover, then she will be extra careful to move slow and to have 'accidents' happen to do things rather than charms. She would also use alternate looks to make friends to suggest things socially rather than magically. She then sits back and see what happens and tries to figure out who really runs the place. Once she knows, she can come up with a plan to root out the vampire and get him killed. Probably by using rumors where some PCs lair so they go after the vampire.
If she learns after trying to take over, there is a goog chance the vampire will win, since he can hide his actions from her 'cause she wasn't looking.
If they discover each other at the same time, then it couuld go any which way. From war, to joining up, to splitting the territory somewhat.
/cevah
Thank you everyone for your excellent advice and insight, you've really helped me plot out how things will play out here.
Plus the advice of the two sides using adventurers to take out the other is a great way of bringing the players back into it. :)
Thanks again