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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Sep 2009 : 21:10:42
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I had a whole huge post outlining the events in the 7 sessions of my campaign so far.... but decided not to post it, as it was very cathartic to vent a bit.
However, when writing out my vent, I came to a rather nasty solution I may use for an on going issue that keeps coming up.
In the last session the PCs (evil, zhents) tried to shake down a merchant for 500gp on a prearranged 200gp job, where they netted over 7000gp in loot. The merchant didn't have that kind of gold, as he was just starting up his business.
I had designed this NPC to be a book binder, and the PCs know this right now. I had also designed an artifact that is located in their current dungeon. The artifact is to be a book, which will need repaired. I had planned to have the PCs go to the book binder to have the book repaired. Which, is still possible, but definately not at the discount I was originally going to have offered.
Problem: Due to the merchant's refusal to give up the 300 extra gold, two of the PCs decided to try and hire a group of street urchins to burn the merchant's shop. The night the burning was to happen, it didn't occur. (IE. the PCs are constantly destroying their relationships with other NPCs)
Solution:
If the PCs have the merchant repair the book, I could have one of the street urchins to finally get up the nerve and set the place on fire. Putting the book at great risk.
It's hard to build a campaign around a group that are repeatedly abusing their relationships with NPCs for little gain.
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Session Reports posted at RPG Geek.
Stem the Tide Takes place in Mistledale.
Dark Curtains - Takes place in the Savage North, starting in Nesmé. I wrapped my campaign into the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but it takes place in 1372 DR. |
Edited by - Wenin on 08 Sep 2009 21:13:17
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Teneck
Learned Scribe
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2009 : 21:56:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Wenin
It's hard to build a campaign around a group that are repeatedly abusing their relationships with NPCs for little gain.
Build a few game sessions around ..PUNISHING them...whip them...flay them...drag them through the muck that is called your revenge.
A few game sessions such as this will make them tremble in awe at your DM power...then explain to them that even bad guys need reliable contacts and go-to's. Or to save time, just take it to an "out of game" situation and let them know your thinking about the whipping and flay technique.
Then you may continue you previously scheduled campaign |
"Go ahead...Sleep in the church...the vampires can't get ya in the church" Any DM...any time.
"He's like a trained ape...without the training"
Simon after Jane trashed the Med lab |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36906 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2009 : 03:50:15
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If they keep screwing over NPCs, all it takes is one of them to have enough, and to make a point of making sure the PCs run into NPCs that are way too powerful for them.
Or let them screw over some wimpy NPC, and then said NPC reveals himself to be someone bigger and badder than them -- a shapechanged blue dragon, perhaps.
It sounds like your PCs have fallen into the "any evil alignment" = "psychopathic murderer" routine.  |
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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2009 : 06:04:08
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We've played an evil campaign in the past, and the players (I was one of them at the time) went through the same process. It took time, but the GM fostered attachment to the characters for the players, and then we pushed to far one time... and it resulted in a TPK. The GM had a system where we had two cards we could turn in to reroll bad rolls, and such. There was no way to earn more during the game, but we got new ones for each session. They could also be used to have a smoke break, otherwise we played straight through.
Anyhow, he demanded that everyone give up one card, in order to replay the scenario that led to our deaths.
The problem I have, is that even after 7 sessions, I don't feel they are at that point of attachment.
I think I'll go with the ounce of pain, due to their actions.
I'll have it appear that the book burned in the fire, along with the merchant trying to save one of his children. The players will be encounter his screaming wife outside the building as the citizens rush to try to put it out. During this moment, a young street urchin will bump into them, with his hand out, asking to be paid. I'm hoping for a touching moment. =)
The street urchin, while one of the original kids, didn't actually set the fire. I'll have it that the Welcomer's (turned evil/roguish) found out about the book, and stole it, using a fire to cover up the theft. This way, sometime in the future, I can reintroduce the book. |
Session Reports posted at RPG Geek.
Stem the Tide Takes place in Mistledale.
Dark Curtains - Takes place in the Savage North, starting in Nesmé. I wrapped my campaign into the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but it takes place in 1372 DR. |
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bladeinAmn
Learned Scribe
199 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2009 : 18:44:58
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quote:
Originally posted by capnvan
IOW, make them feel how interconnected the Realms really are. Make them feel the consequences of their actions by the repercussions that play out "behind the scenes." I think you'll have a richer game for it.
Bang on.
I think it'd be especially funny if when these power-trippin characters anger the wrong person, and a green dragon then decides to recruit them (and by recruitment I mean slavery!), deeming them to be the perfect expendable assets for a job it has in mind. And if they survive the first job, again ensure that they understand that the smallest slip up would end up costing them their lives.
Or if you want it to be done in simpler terms, just introduce the drow rogue Jarlaxle into your campaign. He seems to have his way w/these type of folks! |
Edited by - bladeinAmn on 09 Sep 2009 18:46:03 |
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Chosen of Moradin
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1120 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2009 : 18:48:23
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They are zenths, and the zhentarim organization aim to the mercantile control of all the heartlands, and they are harassing merchants???
What a bad way to enter in problem with Manshoon´s organization, no?  |
Dwarf, DM, husband, and proud of this! :P
twitter: @yuripeixoto
Facebook: yuri.peixoto |
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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2009 : 20:24:15
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That would be funny if their next mission were to kill some upstart adventurers who have been harassing undercover Zhentarim merchants.... those adventurers being themselves.
Of course they must bring the heads of the dead upstarts back to the merchant that ordered the hit. =) |
Session Reports posted at RPG Geek.
Stem the Tide Takes place in Mistledale.
Dark Curtains - Takes place in the Savage North, starting in Nesmé. I wrapped my campaign into the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but it takes place in 1372 DR. |
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PCs burning bridges...
