Assassination of the Prince

[buddhafrog]

This isn't too rare of a storyline, but I'm having a heck of a time trying to find out how to set it up correctly and would LOVE some ideas, inspirations, or module recommendations. I tried to DM this campaign freer than I have in the past, but now after following the unexpected actions of the PC's, I unsure of how to best proceed.

Small 3rd level party - (freshmen in High School players so)

• Coastal lands have been overrun by powerful Drow kingdom and allies. The despised, high-tax-collecting, aging King of the nearby island nations signed a truce with the Drow King to not interfere with the Drow's raids of the coastal towns and cities - taking slaves and brutally sacrificing many in newly built temples bring the favor of evil gods upon the Drow King.
  • The PC's found out about the planned raid on their home village... and unexpectedly, did nothing to stop it. Instead, they semi-successfully infiltrated the enemy forces in order to save themselves and possibly learn more about the enemy.
    • This led them to a few successes but to an eventually bone-headed episode where their cover was blown. They were thrown into a gladiator pit for the entertainment of the allied orc armies.
      • (after the PC's ignored my leads/hints of possible ways to try to escape) Watching their gladiator victories, a drow leader offered the party a deal - freedom to carry out the assassination of the prince, who some believe would fight against the Drow if he comes to power. The Drow can not get near him, but this primarily human-based party could....
        • Caveat: the party was given a slow poison to ensure they don't escape - they must return in 12 days for the antidote or the poison will kill them.
        
        Three primary choices going forward:
        
        • try to find an antidote on their own - doubtful
        • warn the Prince and fight against the drow/allies - doubtful
        • try to kill the one possible good leader - likely as these PC's have enjoyed lack of concern for the world around them and have sought to find personal power/wealth instead
        
        HELP
        
        • I don't know how to set up the choice I think they will take - the assassination. Suggestions????
        • Almost nothing is known by the PC's about the Prince's land, security, etc, so it's an blank slate for creation which should help a lot.
        • The PC's are pretty poor at roleplaying (I'm trying to help them), so I don't know think I'll be able to direct them to one of the other options without railroading them.
        
        Thanks ya'll!

 

[BENINHB]

Drow King??

Anyway, missions like this can be a lot of fun. In game, get the PC in a room and get them to brain storm ways to make this assassination happen. This will give you info on how they want to tackle the situation. Maybe a Drow NPC is there to help them procure supplies or provide some information about the target. Then let then do some leg work, disguise themselves and scout out the area, a few gather information checks, observe guard schedules and rotations, check out some taverns that the prince/guards/palace staff etc. frequent (drunk lips let secrets slip and tend not to remember to whom)

So basically by doing this you are really getting them to build there own encounter. After the session above you should have a good idea of how they want to go about this. All you have to do is put together the board for them to play this out.

I had a similar experience in a game i run. the PCs needed to steal some cargo from a heavily secured storehouse. I had them meet there contact at a local tavern on the other side of the harbor from the target. He pulled them down into the cellar and told them he could help them local supplies if they needed and would help them with any info he had. I sat back and let the players talk and took a few notes. From "eaves dropping" on their conversation i knew exactly what they where expecting and what they planned to do. They asked the NPC a few questions and I gave some vague answers or just said he didn't know. The players went and looked at the warehouse, from the outside it was relatively simple and plain and the PCs didn't have any access to scrying or anything like that to see the inside. The Players got a little too nosey and stumbled across some smugglers unloading some cargo from there ship and weren't too keen on leaving witnesses. Combat broke out and then was resolved and the characters returned to HQ to heal and sleep. END SESSION. This gave me a whole week to prepare the warehouse, the guards, traps and wards and everything else based on what i knew about how the PCs were going to go at it. This way i am prepared and their assault can actually go (somewhat) as they planned. I just made the encounter fit what they expected to find and threw in a few well placed curve balls and everything worked out (except for when one of the players nat 1'd a throw with a thunderstone when trying a SWAT style dynamic entry and dropped it at his feet)

 

[buddhafrog]

Drow King??

Um, yeah. My excuse is I'm still new. And I didn't really think about it. And the kids I'm playing with have no idea. Yeah, I'm pretty humbled....

 

[buddhafrog]

Great advice and example BENINHB - thanks. They'll need to meet a contact before sailing to the island to give them some basic info which will allow them to brainstorm (and me to steal their ideas) more effectively.

 

[thejc]

Beninhb has some great advice. You may just consider asking them before the session actually starts. Recap "This is what has happened so far. Your options are this(list the three you mentioned). Then just ask them realistically where they want to go."

I assume you are fine with the direction that this has went so far?

 

[buddhafrog]

Beninhb has some great advice. You may just consider asking them before the session actually starts. Recap "This is what has happened so far. Your options are this(list the three you mentioned). Then just ask them realistically where they want to go."

I assume you are fine with the direction that this has went so far?

In hindsight, I'm fine with it except for my present unease of how to proceed. It certainly wasn't what I was planning. But I do want to allow more meaningful choices from my players, so this a solid step in the right direction.

I did ask them very directly where they wanted to go earlier in the campaign when they learned about the eminent raid on their village. I'm hesitant to tell them their choices exactly b/c I don't want to lead them, but when I do my recap (which I always do), I think I might make vague references that they have other options rather than assassination if that is what their characters would prefer.

 

[BENINHB]

Glad i could help.

Follow up and let us know how it goes.

I'm always curious to see how these things play out. We can talk and plan all we want but when the players get involved things always take an unexpected turn ; )

 

[BENINHB]

Oh and if you feel like back pedaling at all to make the Drow a little more traditional the "King" could easily be the surface world puppet of the Matron Mothers who remained at home in the Underdark. Why risk there own necks when they could send a lowly male to do it ; )

The PC of course wouldn't find this out til much later. Like right after they defeat the mighty and powerful evil Drow King... and then find out he was only the pawn of much mightier, older, smarter and more powerful Drow Priestesses with the divine blessing of Lolth who have nothing better to do than plot and exact there vengeance on the PC in the most twisted and horrible way possible... or something like that

 

[buddhafrog]

Oh and if you feel like back pedaling at all to make the Drow a little more traditional the "King" could easily be the surface world puppet of the Matron Mothers who remained at home in the Underdark. Why risk there own necks when they could send a lowly male to do it ; )

The PC of course wouldn't find this out til much later. Like right after they defeat the mighty and powerful evil Drow King... and then find out he was only the pawn of much mightier, older, smarter and more powerful Drow Priestesses with the divine blessing of Lolth who have nothing better to do than plot and exact there vengeance on the PC in the most twisted and horrible way possible... or something like that

I've already thought that through in the past couple hours, so that's good to know you agree with that potential plan. I've laid the groundwork for other powers behind the scenes though the building of temples on newly acquired land and sacrificing of villagers to other, darker powers that remain mysterious.

 

[thejc]

So what are your expectations for the human army...I mean an assissination of a political and beloved ruler won't be taken down. This may even pave the way for a strong LN millitant to take control and make it a very policed nation with emphasis on it's millitary?

A lot of options here. I like it.