DM's Delema: To kill or not to kill

[fuindordm]

Sounds like a good time was had by all. Good job!

Ben

 

[genshou]

Sounds like everybody had fun. Nice going!

 

[the Jester]

Good job- you managed to avoid a tpk, keep it fun for everyone and not entirely rewrite your setup. A tricky combination in a circumstance like this! Well done!

 

[KRT]

Since it seems the party is being hunted by two different groups (the shadow/sidhe and the inquisition) how about just running the encounters in opposite order?

The Inquisition locates the PC's, captures them and strips them of their weapons (let them keep armor though) - They are suspicious, but can't quite believe the PC's are responsible and want the PC's for questioning.
Have them be as fair as possible, so that the PC's will agree to surrender without a fight.

Then have the shadowmen attack (remember to use all their abilities), let the PC's see how dangerous they are, but unable to do anything (due to being unarmed and possible bound). when the fight starts to go against the inquisition, let the inquisition accept the help the PC's have probably been offering since the fight started.

The PC's may win this or they may not - either way you get some benefits from this solution:
1. The forces of good (inquisition) are as active as the forces of evil (shadowmen)
2. The PC's do not feel like they are being rescued!
3. The PC's feel like heroes - whether others agree is a different story, the inquisition might still hold a grudge for getting them in the mess in the first place.

This is an excellent idea. When the Inquisition attacks the PCs have the inquisition forces initially try to subdue the PCs, but will use lethal force if necessary. It would be quite possible for some PCs to die here if they don't surrender. The Inquisition would bring dead bodies back to their base (in case they Party was actually innocent and thus would need to be raised). When the fight occurs between the Shadowmen and the Inquisition the PCs can try to get to their own equipment (locked up but visible) or they can snatch up weapons and wands off the dead from either side that they have seen being used in the big fight. (Their cell would have to be in view of the batlle). You could have a large room in the centre with cagelike cells down each side. One side holds gear the other prisoners.