AnotherGuy
Hero
As our table is approaching the end of the Tyranny of Dragons adventure path while concurrently running Storm King’s Thunder (STK), Out of the Abyss (OotA), Descent into Avernus (DiA), Rime of the Frost Maiden (RotFM) etc as a possible prelude to Doomed Forgotten Realms, I decided to do what WotC has been unable to do for three publications of this adventure path, being the mechanisation of the allies gained as well as the other decisions taken by the party through the course of the adventure.
At the outset, some of this may be an anathema to persons who dislike player-facing mechanics, but this idea may bring about some inspiration.
I did not want to run the Unearthed Arcana's Mass Combat rules or the mechanics from Kingdoms & Warfare by MCDM. I very much wanted the mechanics to assist the PCs directly in their quest to face down Severin, the Red Wizards and Tiamat.
So,
FIRST, I provided a list of the Planned Encounters (7 + Random Encounters) for the final Chapter in Rise of Tiamat. Along with the encounter list I provided the XP budget for each, 5 of which would be considered Deadly, the final (Tiamat) being considered Insane, one Hard encounter, and the Random Encounter (which would either be Medium, Hard or Deadly) and which had the potential to increase the total number of encounters the party faced since it was time-based.
Some of the above player-facing knowledge can be explained away with the knowledge gained by Cylanestrial (RoT, Fallen Hero, page 7), by the factions using the Farseer of Illusk (HotDQ, Observatory, page 58) to spy on the Well of Dragons, divinatory magic, interrogation of Cult of the Dragon deserters or captured prisoners or even by asking the right questions at the Divination Pool in the Tomb of Diderius (RoT, page 40-45). The attachment includes that section in more detail.
SECOND, I explained how the Encounters will be calculated, which rule will be tossed (the XP multiplier for many enemies), and the calculation of their Expected Player Level (EPL) given the party's magic items and our homebrew rules.
THIRD, I provided a list of Opponent categories to be faced (guard, elite, Minor BBEG, Major BBEG) analysing each category's hit point %, number of feats and number of magical items each would likely have (consumables or otherwise).
FOURTH, I provided details of the Clock and how the clock is used to mechanise the game. How arriving late as per the Clock increases the XP budget and how that is allocated amongst the planned Encounters. The attachment includes that section in more detail.
FIFTH, I mechanised all the Storyline Awards, essentially the decisions taken by the party over the course of the campaign and how they will affect this last Chapter.
SIXTH, I mechanised all the allies gained over the course of the campaign based on their actions and the final score card results. It details the various levels of support (Moderate, Considerate, Total) and what the effects are for each. The attachment includes that section in more detail.
SEVENTH, I revealed our homebrewed Scorecard to the players, with the explanation being that the points reflected their intuitive knowledge as to how committed each Council Member was. A final day was used to outline everyone's position, the plan to be used for the attack as well as the forces each council member would commit to. A mini-game was created, very much based on my table, whereby each party member had x number of attempts to negate a minus signs (-) on the Scorecard using an argument they had to come up with. If the table (majority needed) thought the argument was a reasonable one, then the character could make the attempt via a Persuasion roll.
More on this here.
EDIT: Although not included in the document the Recharge abilities represent an abstract version of the faction teams and allies that accompany the PCs in the final skirmishes and ultimate battle.
Certain monsters or their attacks will be able to negatively impact that Recharge die (increase the die type for instance or negate the Recharge ability until abc threat is dealt with).
Shout out to @MerricB as I said I was going to include him once I posted this.
At the outset, some of this may be an anathema to persons who dislike player-facing mechanics, but this idea may bring about some inspiration.
I did not want to run the Unearthed Arcana's Mass Combat rules or the mechanics from Kingdoms & Warfare by MCDM. I very much wanted the mechanics to assist the PCs directly in their quest to face down Severin, the Red Wizards and Tiamat.
So,
FIRST, I provided a list of the Planned Encounters (7 + Random Encounters) for the final Chapter in Rise of Tiamat. Along with the encounter list I provided the XP budget for each, 5 of which would be considered Deadly, the final (Tiamat) being considered Insane, one Hard encounter, and the Random Encounter (which would either be Medium, Hard or Deadly) and which had the potential to increase the total number of encounters the party faced since it was time-based.
Some of the above player-facing knowledge can be explained away with the knowledge gained by Cylanestrial (RoT, Fallen Hero, page 7), by the factions using the Farseer of Illusk (HotDQ, Observatory, page 58) to spy on the Well of Dragons, divinatory magic, interrogation of Cult of the Dragon deserters or captured prisoners or even by asking the right questions at the Divination Pool in the Tomb of Diderius (RoT, page 40-45). The attachment includes that section in more detail.
SECOND, I explained how the Encounters will be calculated, which rule will be tossed (the XP multiplier for many enemies), and the calculation of their Expected Player Level (EPL) given the party's magic items and our homebrew rules.
THIRD, I provided a list of Opponent categories to be faced (guard, elite, Minor BBEG, Major BBEG) analysing each category's hit point %, number of feats and number of magical items each would likely have (consumables or otherwise).
FOURTH, I provided details of the Clock and how the clock is used to mechanise the game. How arriving late as per the Clock increases the XP budget and how that is allocated amongst the planned Encounters. The attachment includes that section in more detail.
FIFTH, I mechanised all the Storyline Awards, essentially the decisions taken by the party over the course of the campaign and how they will affect this last Chapter.
Allies Gained
Gained allies partnered with the Council in the fight against the Cult of the Dragon.
Mirabar - Reduction in opponent’s Encounter Budget
Arcane Brotherhood - Gained greater arcane spells
Metallic Dragons - Variety (refer later in document)
Thay - Reduction in opponent’s Encounter Budget
Blue Dragon Mask Ritual
The elven artificer Fivin and the Harper dracologist Leosin Erlanthar managed to create and successfully implant a ritual upon the Blue Dragon Mask to make Tiamat’s blue dragon head in Toril less effective should she be summoned using the Mask of the Dragons.
Tiamat’s blue dragon head damage output is reduced by 50%
Destruction of A’tars Looking Glass
The destruction of the portals thus reducing the supply of off-world mortals (tie in to Red Hand of Doom) to be utilised for sacrifices for their souls to be stored in gems, delayed the Cult of the Dragon. The Clock is increased by d10 days.
Secured Talisid’s Portals
Nullified the threat to one of the Council's portals near the Well of Dragons necessary to ensure the armies of the Council can provide a united front against the Tiamat and her forces.
Averted 6,900 XP encounter budget loss being negated.
Gained allies partnered with the Council in the fight against the Cult of the Dragon.
Mirabar - Reduction in opponent’s Encounter Budget
Arcane Brotherhood - Gained greater arcane spells
Metallic Dragons - Variety (refer later in document)
Thay - Reduction in opponent’s Encounter Budget
Blue Dragon Mask Ritual
The elven artificer Fivin and the Harper dracologist Leosin Erlanthar managed to create and successfully implant a ritual upon the Blue Dragon Mask to make Tiamat’s blue dragon head in Toril less effective should she be summoned using the Mask of the Dragons.
Tiamat’s blue dragon head damage output is reduced by 50%
Destruction of A’tars Looking Glass
The destruction of the portals thus reducing the supply of off-world mortals (tie in to Red Hand of Doom) to be utilised for sacrifices for their souls to be stored in gems, delayed the Cult of the Dragon. The Clock is increased by d10 days.
Secured Talisid’s Portals
Nullified the threat to one of the Council's portals near the Well of Dragons necessary to ensure the armies of the Council can provide a united front against the Tiamat and her forces.
Averted 6,900 XP encounter budget loss being negated.
SIXTH, I mechanised all the allies gained over the course of the campaign based on their actions and the final score card results. It details the various levels of support (Moderate, Considerate, Total) and what the effects are for each. The attachment includes that section in more detail.
SEVENTH, I revealed our homebrewed Scorecard to the players, with the explanation being that the points reflected their intuitive knowledge as to how committed each Council Member was. A final day was used to outline everyone's position, the plan to be used for the attack as well as the forces each council member would commit to. A mini-game was created, very much based on my table, whereby each party member had x number of attempts to negate a minus signs (-) on the Scorecard using an argument they had to come up with. If the table (majority needed) thought the argument was a reasonable one, then the character could make the attempt via a Persuasion roll.
EDIT: Although not included in the document the Recharge abilities represent an abstract version of the faction teams and allies that accompany the PCs in the final skirmishes and ultimate battle.
Certain monsters or their attacks will be able to negatively impact that Recharge die (increase the die type for instance or negate the Recharge ability until abc threat is dealt with).
Shout out to @MerricB as I said I was going to include him once I posted this.
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