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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mustrum_Ridcully" data-source="post: 2781353" data-attributes="member: 710">I think you should consider that the Duke doesn't die - if the characters can survive the encounter, so can he, especially since he has more levels than them (even in a NPC class), and so does his bodyguard. There are two problems, basically: 1) The players must be able to contribute. Otherwise, its boring and the PCs could as well hear from this in stories (if the knew both characters beforehand and later are informed of the wizards betrayal, you could achieve similar "emotions")2) The players must be able to survive a encounter that contains enemies that are considerably stronger than them.Maybe balancing the encounter should work on the following premise:First set up an encounter between the characters and the Wizard associates, and perhaps also the defense system. Second set up an encounter between the Wizard and the Duke (and his Bodyguard), and perhaps some constructs or undeads of the defense system. Since it is hard to find constructs in the desired range, you could simply reduce the hps of a stronger one (while ensuring it deals less enough damage that it doesn't kill the PCs with a single hit)Combine them in a way that ensures that the wizard associates block the group from the wizard (in a way that ensures that the wizard doesn't "accidently" interferes with the group, especially with a misplaced area spell (like a fireball) )The Wizard and the Duke should probably go together to the book, ordering the PCs to stand at the door. Once the wizard takes the books and sets off the defense system, a wall of force or similar effect blocks the way between the two groups. The constructs/undeads appear and engage. After some amount of time (maybe 5-10 rounds) the wall of force breaks down (could be a malfunction), allowing the PCs to help the duke or his bodyguard, or vice versa (depending on how well the encounter worked). You could even make deactivating the defense system a part of the characters action - maybe there is a switch they have to reach.</blockquote>

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