Goals of PC's caught in a siege?

[ruemere]

It is hard to propose ideal solution not knowing party level (after all depending on character abilities, they may singlepartedly wipe out crucial opponents or... get wiped out in a random skirmish).

However, if possible try to underline personal aspect of the event - if they have any friends, relatives or business associates, they may get treated to goodbyes, farewell suppers, rousing oratories.

Also, field hospitals make for a great way to setting mood - scores of wounded, buzzing flies, overwhelming feeling of hopelessness. If you use it, PCs should be strongly motivated to bring the siege to an end.

Regards,
Ruemere

 

[Allegro]

One aspect about a siege is there is always too much to do. Consider Gandalf at Pelennor Fields, he turned the Witch King back from the gates but then had to choose between letting the Witch King continue his mischief or saving Faramir. An example of this could be:

• Resupply archers who have run short of arrows
  • If not undertaken a couple archer battalions will be destroyed
• A traitor and his personal guards are on the loose somewhere within the keep
  • If not undertaken, a side gate will be opened to the enemy
• Siege ladders are approaching the North wall
  • If not undertaken the companies of soldiers on the north wall will be destroyed
• The head cleric cannot be woken from his slumber; a mysterious yellow shroud has been placed over him. After investigating, she is trapped in some kind of dream word and any PC putting on the shroud might be able to save her
  • If undertaken and successful, 25% of destroyed battalions are healed and reconstituted into a new battalion to continue the fight.
• The soldiers at the dyke have failed to release the waters.
  • If the waters were released a significant number of enemy might drown
• Soldiers are throwing down their weapons and fleeing the eastern wall; if the PCs investigate they will notice the attackers are lighting fires under strange green idols
  • The PCs could bolster the moral of the soldiers or try to destroy the idols
• Some soldiers on the walls are drunk; a merchant is selling liquor to bolster nerves to make a quick profit.
  • If the PCs don’t investigate the effectiveness of the soldiers will decrease

Now if the PCs undertake the dyke quest, this has a significant potential payoff but it also precludes the PCs from undertaking some of the relatively easier quests like resupplying the archers. If the party splits up, let the PCs not playing in a particular region take over a NPC soldier for the area.

 

[Raven Crowking]

The primary goals of a besieged force are (1) ensuring a clean supply of food and water, (2) keeping the enemy outside, (3) dealing with disease vectors, (4) morale, (5) sorties against the besieging troops, and (6) ensuring enough food and water for the upcoming winter.

In general, sieges are a seasonal activity. Neither side can actually afford to avoid planting or harvesting, so they occur in the summer months. Because the enemy troops can despoil fields, the beseiged have a strong reason to sue for terms (if they believe such to be possible). Even in a D&D world, it is unlikely that magic can supply all the food and water needed to sustain a population through the winter months.

I would break the seige down into several interesting events, and then run those events. The degree of success (or failure) the PCs have in dealing with those events influences the overall outcome of the seige. Events could include (for example):

1. Beseiging force tries to poison water supply.

2. Sappers dig under town wall, creating a gap.

3. Outbreak of disease.

4. Sortie to destroy seige towers, catapults, etc., being built, before they can be brought to bear on the walls.

5. Attempt to sow disease/magical contagion among besiegers.

etc.

The PCs could also (depending upon their fame/reputation) be asked to help parlay terms to end the seige. Even orcs want something, and sitting outside the walls day after day, week after week, is boring.


RC