I've run parts of book 1 for two different groups. The first group didn't really engage with the circus performance and I felt like they viewed it as a chore to get through.
The second group engaged very well (and I think I did a better job of weaving the front-of-house-problems, back-of-house-problems, and ongoing performances into a cohesive, chaotic, and frantic whole). Now I know that basically none of the other performances are as directly developed by the published adventures, but I'm looking for advice on what to consider doing to keep that feeling going when it comes time for other performances. (The second group just finished the first chapter, so we have a lot of book 1 content to go).
I expect we might have one performance at the end of book 1 still in abberton which is most in need of thoughts on useful evolving NPC drama, and complications from audience. The performance at the beginning of book 2, has some written support and I think I can come up with more ideas there.
I know for a future abberton performance I'll have the grigs come back since the party didn't deal with them too successfully. Probably interactions with townfolk during chapter 2 can spark some ideas.
But in addition to the random events, what have y'all found as satisfying complications to weave into the performances for groups that have been enjoying that subsystem?
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A few of the further performances have some development, but not ones the party will do on their own. I've been brainstorming a few ideas to weave into performances, so there is at least one thing that needs to be done by players not currently performing each show. Many of these are stolen from various sources. And of course, the distractions from the first adventure can be re-ran if needed.
- A child is lost! He needs to be found (Perception or Society). Now he's climbed up to the rafters of the big tent, but behind the main curtain! Someone needs to get him down before the audience notices!
- Muddy ground! The area is starting to sink, bits of the tricks need to be fixed up quickly.
- One of the acts has an issue, or someone is too nervous or sick to perform, someone is arguing? and needs quick fix!
- Reports of a pickpocket are abound - this'll be bad if the show finishes without him being caught.
- Drunken louts are bothering the people outside; the sideshow is trying to stop them but needs help.
- Goblins have stolen the popcorn popper.
- Strong winds threaten to move the tent. Things need to be hammered down.
- Grigs Tarisia and Cannono have come back and started to play, making people dance and distracting them.
great suggestions there. Thanks!