Howdy folks. I've just started running AoA, which I've wanted to do for quite a while. I love book 6 in particular, so it probably goes without saying that I like morally complex villains.
As such, I'm writing Calmont as an ex-slave from Cheliax who is now stuck under Voz's thumb, which is really not much better. All he really wants is to kill Voz and then run far, far away from Breachill.
Here's where I'm a bit stuck: why does he start the Town Hall fire? I could easily say "Voz made him do it" but that seems a bit weak. Perhaps he does it to buy himself time to catch up with Voz? But if that's the case, why would he start a fire at Town Hall, and not at Voz's bookstore or some other place?
I would appreciate any thoughts/input.
This thread really should have a spoiler tag.
That's a big ask considering the fire likely destroys the Town Hall, and could potentially kill innocents. I didn't do this in my game, and Calmont was found dead in the lower level of the citadel, so the party didn't get a chance to question him. I also had him murder a member of the Bumblebrashers, so he was definitely not sympathetic for my group. Could you perhaps create a new NPC if you really need someone sympathetic, or must it be Calmont?
Howdy folks. I've just started running AoA, which I've wanted to do for quite a while. I love book 6 in particular, so it probably goes without saying that I like morally complex villains.
As such, I'm writing Calmont as an ex-slave from Cheliax who is now stuck under Voz's thumb, which is really not much better. All he really wants is to kill Voz and then run far, far away from Breachill.
Here's where I'm a bit stuck: why does he start the Town Hall fire? I could easily say "Voz made him do it" but that seems a bit weak. Perhaps he does it to buy himself time to catch up with Voz? But if that's the case, why would he start a fire at Town Hall, and not at Voz's bookstore or some other place?
I would appreciate any thoughts/input.
Actually, making Calmont sympathetic is complicated. How big of a role do you want the halfling to have?
One issue I have with this AP is that the Goblinblood Wars were only 19 years ago! Breechill may be at peace with Goblins, but is Isger?
If you want Calmont to be more sympathetic, motivate his actions by "Goblin Hate" rather then resentment over his low status. (i.e., Voz wouldn't matter.) So, he would have tried to disguise himself as a goblin when he set fire to the meeting hall, in a ploy to break the alliance.
If you want to make Calmont a sympathetic character, you'll need to make changes to the AP. He might be at the Call for Heroes (at Voz's orders, to report on anyone taking an interest in Hellknight Hill or the mercenaries she has hiding out in the woods), but not set fire to the town hall. He definitely should not appear threatening goblins in the dungeon.
He could appear in Voz's shop, if/when the PCs break in, or alongside Voz when the PCs encounter her toward the end of the AP.
If you want to keep the fire, you could have Voz give Calmont scroll to summon fire mephits after the PCs have made a nuisance of themselves and order him to burn down the inn, or whatever building the PCs are staying in, which he will do out of fear.