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Shadowdale Besieged
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<blockquote data-quote="Theron" data-source="post: 1747437" data-attributes="member: 2326"><p>I just throw realism out the window in favor of interesting narrative. Trying to play out the entire battle turns a roleplaying session into a wargame, typically a wargame consisting of the GM vs. all the players (or, worse, only the players who dig wargames).</p><p> </p><p>My approach is to figure out in advance how the battle is likely to play out (for good or ill), then figure out ways the PCs can influence the outcome (because ultimately, the game is about them, not the competence of some NPC commander).</p><p> </p><p>Once you've got that figured out, put the PCs where you need them, within the constraints of character class and personality, etc. If Our Heroes are in different parts of the battlefield, so much the better. That gives you the chance to jump around from scene to scene, giving each a bit of spotlight time, while keeping the narrative moving.</p><p> </p><p>Spotlight time can be things like a Rogue or Ranger scouting enemy movements comes across an unsuspecting unit and can perhaps lead them into an ambush. Or a doughty warrior glimpses that moment when there is literally nothing between him and the enemy banner carrier. A mage might suddenly find his position overrun and have to deal with an oncoming horde of orcs with insufficient mundane protection. The possibilities are endless.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Theron, post: 1747437, member: 2326"] I just throw realism out the window in favor of interesting narrative. Trying to play out the entire battle turns a roleplaying session into a wargame, typically a wargame consisting of the GM vs. all the players (or, worse, only the players who dig wargames). My approach is to figure out in advance how the battle is likely to play out (for good or ill), then figure out ways the PCs can influence the outcome (because ultimately, the game is about them, not the competence of some NPC commander). Once you've got that figured out, put the PCs where you need them, within the constraints of character class and personality, etc. If Our Heroes are in different parts of the battlefield, so much the better. That gives you the chance to jump around from scene to scene, giving each a bit of spotlight time, while keeping the narrative moving. Spotlight time can be things like a Rogue or Ranger scouting enemy movements comes across an unsuspecting unit and can perhaps lead them into an ambush. Or a doughty warrior glimpses that moment when there is literally nothing between him and the enemy banner carrier. A mage might suddenly find his position overrun and have to deal with an oncoming horde of orcs with insufficient mundane protection. The possibilities are endless. [/QUOTE]
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