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<blockquote data-quote="Arbiter of Wyrms" data-source="post: 1893637" data-attributes="member: 18021">A setback that, in the long view, might seem relatively minor feels like a big deal when there's nothing to be done about.&nbsp; &quot;And Bethran has lost his arm to the Toll Witch's first attack in the surprise round, so he'll have to weild that axe in the other hand I guess.&nbsp; Now she'll move the other 60 feet to you, Jendi, with rage and joy flaring in her expression.&nbsp; Oh, look at the time.&nbsp; Well, let's leave it there for tonight.&nbsp; Gotta get some rest y'know.&nbsp; See y'all next time!&quot;&nbsp; This gives me a chance to worry the players without cutting too deeply into their PC's.On the other hand, a big challenge presented as a cliffhanger is great if it's one that can be worked through strategically, because the players have the entire intervening time before the next session to plan how they will respond.&nbsp; &quot;Alright, Maxsef, you've got the trap disabled and should have about thirty seconds to unlock the vault door before it resets.&nbsp; Daevon, you hear boots on the cobblestones and the voice of Sgt. Tamarthane, of the city guard.&nbsp; Sounds like he's headed your way.&nbsp; And, with that I think we'll just call it a night, and you guys can work on this for next week.&nbsp; Good luck.&quot;I like cliffhangers as long as they're used judiciously.&nbsp; If every session I ran or played in ended that way, it would get old pretty quickly.&nbsp; I think the key is to only use cliffhangers to heighten dramatic suspense.&nbsp; If you can't do that, just push through to a natural stopping point.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Arbiter of Wyrms, post: 1893637, member: 18021"] A setback that, in the long view, might seem relatively minor feels like a big deal when there's nothing to be done about. "And Bethran has lost his arm to the Toll Witch's first attack in the surprise round, so he'll have to weild that axe in the other hand I guess. Now she'll move the other 60 feet to you, Jendi, with rage and joy flaring in her expression. Oh, look at the time. Well, let's leave it there for tonight. Gotta get some rest y'know. See y'all next time!" This gives me a chance to worry the players without cutting too deeply into their PC's. On the other hand, a big challenge presented as a cliffhanger is great if it's one that can be worked through strategically, because the players have the entire intervening time before the next session to plan how they will respond. "Alright, Maxsef, you've got the trap disabled and should have about thirty seconds to unlock the vault door before it resets. Daevon, you hear boots on the cobblestones and the voice of Sgt. Tamarthane, of the city guard. Sounds like he's headed your way. And, with that I think we'll just call it a night, and you guys can work on this for next week. Good luck." I like cliffhangers as long as they're used judiciously. If every session I ran or played in ended that way, it would get old pretty quickly. I think the key is to only use cliffhangers to heighten dramatic suspense. If you can't do that, just push through to a natural stopping point. [/QUOTE]

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