iserith
Magic Wordsmith
Honestly, this is more of a math question than anything else. My brain is tired today and I can't seem to come up with a decent answer. So I'm hoping you math-inclined folks can help me with prep for a one-shot scenario.
Imagine a social interaction challenge where two NPCs are trying to claim the throne of a dying king. The succession goes to the one who can sway the majority of a set number of NPCs - or PCs - to their respective sides. The scenario starts with some, but not all, of the NPCs having decided and it's currently an even split between the two vying for the throne. Others remain undecided. At the start of the scenario, the PCs are effectively undecided as well.
However, the PCs may just decide that one of their party members deserves to be the next ruler instead of the two NPCs making the claim. They would have to get a majority of the NPCs (less the other two claimants who won't support a PC without being magically compelled) to come to their side.
The goal here is to have the players interact with NPCs to convince them to side with one claimant or another. It's easier to sway someone who is undecided and harder to convince someone who has already decided. I don't want it the players to be able to just throw the party's weight behind one claimant or the other in order to turn the tide. Some convincing of additional NPCs is desirable otherwise the scene falls a little flat in my view. There are three basic outcomes: one claimant or the other is proclaimed the new ruler or one of the PCs is.
I currently have 16 NPCs in the scene (plus the two claimants) plus 5 PCs. The number of NPCs can change - I settled on that number as being a tough, but manageable fight should hostilities break out. I feel like convincing about three to five NPCs is "right," in terms of the difficulty and real time allotment of the challenge, but I can be moved off that position. The other claimants will seek to oppose and thwart any PC's efforts against them, effectively setting the DC and potentially imparting disadvantage to any checks. So what I need to know is the total number of NPCs and the number of decided and undecided at the start of the scene to achieve the aforementioned design goals.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. If anything wasn't clear, please let me know what I need to clarify. XP will go to everyone who contributes.
Imagine a social interaction challenge where two NPCs are trying to claim the throne of a dying king. The succession goes to the one who can sway the majority of a set number of NPCs - or PCs - to their respective sides. The scenario starts with some, but not all, of the NPCs having decided and it's currently an even split between the two vying for the throne. Others remain undecided. At the start of the scenario, the PCs are effectively undecided as well.
However, the PCs may just decide that one of their party members deserves to be the next ruler instead of the two NPCs making the claim. They would have to get a majority of the NPCs (less the other two claimants who won't support a PC without being magically compelled) to come to their side.
The goal here is to have the players interact with NPCs to convince them to side with one claimant or another. It's easier to sway someone who is undecided and harder to convince someone who has already decided. I don't want it the players to be able to just throw the party's weight behind one claimant or the other in order to turn the tide. Some convincing of additional NPCs is desirable otherwise the scene falls a little flat in my view. There are three basic outcomes: one claimant or the other is proclaimed the new ruler or one of the PCs is.
I currently have 16 NPCs in the scene (plus the two claimants) plus 5 PCs. The number of NPCs can change - I settled on that number as being a tough, but manageable fight should hostilities break out. I feel like convincing about three to five NPCs is "right," in terms of the difficulty and real time allotment of the challenge, but I can be moved off that position. The other claimants will seek to oppose and thwart any PC's efforts against them, effectively setting the DC and potentially imparting disadvantage to any checks. So what I need to know is the total number of NPCs and the number of decided and undecided at the start of the scene to achieve the aforementioned design goals.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. If anything wasn't clear, please let me know what I need to clarify. XP will go to everyone who contributes.