Cinematic Climax or Sound Strategy?

[klofft]

Advice sought on the Battle of Brindol in RHoD (spoilers)


Tomorrow night, my party will be fighting the general and his friends. I've already set up the scene as the cliffhanger of last session, so they've had a few weeks to think about the battle (which they realize is very much against them in their current state).

Via email, they have been telling me of their desire to retreat into the cathedral to use the door as a chokepoint. I understand that the scene is set up as a big climax battle. I also realize that the inside of the cathedral is essentially a hospital at this point.

But without hamfisting it, how do I keep the fight in the open square where it belongs? Or, if not, what might happen if the party does retreat to the cathedral?

My only thoughts so far are: a) it may not be a Good action to lead an enemy army into a fortress full of wounded and dying men and b) the Wyrmlord is not stupid: if his nemesi refuse to fight his mano a mano battle, he'd fall back and let a thousand hobgoblins wash over the cathedral instead. The latter situation would surely kill the party through attrition, which means I preserve their freedom as players, but end up killing them anyway, in a battle that is perhaps more desperate but less cinematic and heroic.

Thoughts? Ideas? Help!
C

 

[billd91]

You basically want to try to avoid railroading them, but that doesn't mean you can't provide in-character nudges. The religious people tending the wounded in the cathedral will probably not be happy to have the PCs bring the fighting directly to the door of the cathedral. Have a vociferous priest expound on that point to them. Perhaps even mention that they really don't want to be blockaded inside the cathedral and besieged. What will the wounded do for water, food, other supplies? Consumption plus basic sanitation will undoubtedly take more water than the priests can create with their spells. Encourage them to defend a well out in the square or something.

 

[GMVictory]

If your prey goes to ground you flush them out.

Option one: Burn them out. Fireballs, flaming arrow volley, or flaming pitch catapults.

Option two: Bomb them out. The giants start tearing down buildings and ripping out paving stones to throw at the cathedral.

Option three: Taunt them out. The Wyrmlord mocks them, calls them cowards, executes prisoners, etc.

If the PCs still won't budge, he orders his troops continue containing the PCs and the other forces present while he deals with taking the rest of the city. He orders a couple of giants to start lobbing debris to block the cathedral door and deny the PCs the chokepoint and easy escape.

If you really want to freak them out, have the Wyrmlord and his minions crash into the cathedral. Shattering the stained glass windows on the east and west sides of the building and smashing down walls to get inside.

Once that happens panicked injured attempt to flee and are casually killed by the falling debris and monsters. Clerics try to get the wounded to safety while those unable to move may be doomed unless rescued by the PCs. The Wyrmlord and his crew kick the wounded out of the way or simply trods on the bodies on the way to the PCs. The giants have no trouble moving around because of the high-vaulted ceiling and don't care about stepping on the wounded.

The PCs won't be able to get out of the cathedral as the Wyrmlord's forces have moved to surround it and are blocking all exits. This isn't because of masterful tactics. They want to see this fight and have crowded the exits to watch. Of course, anyone trying to flee the fight gets tossed back inside. (As an added touch you can have the hobgoblin version of "Fight! Fight! Fight!" being chanted until the combat actually starts then it changes into a roar of approval)