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Message: <blockquote data-quote="magnusmalkus" data-source="post: 6533066" data-attributes="member: 34915">How can you present the BBEG to the party and ensure his escape without 'railroading' the players into that end-scenario (that the BBEG gets away)?   OR, how do I use a BBEG as a tool, and not a killable punching bag? This question arises because I'd like to write a story where the BBEG strings the players along its path of chaos across the land for its own reasons.  It needs certain items which are protected and wants to lure the PC's to a specific, far away location.  And instead of making the BBEG this being who's always out of reach, eternally one step ahead, I'd like to have this being taunt and face off with the PC's, making them more invested in following that carrot-on-a-stick.  Now here's a twist... I don't know who my PC's will be.  I'm trying to create a publishable adventure module, not something custom made for a specific gaming groups.   If I was writing for specific players, i could use a PC's 'personal' hook to somehow string the plot along, but this is different.Now, you know PC's are going to try and 'defeat' the BBEG at every and any opportunity.  I could avoid physical confrontation thus eliminating the possibility for combat but I don't want to bore the players by leading them on with endless 'notes left behind', dream visitations, illusory projections, simulacrums, minions with messages, etc... I want to make the BBEG a real threat but not deadly. Unstoppable but not undefeatable.  Elusive but not intangible.  Mysterious but not unknowable.  And a reason for why people don't just throw down their swords in the face of such a force...Thanks for your time and attention, folks.</blockquote>

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