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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Skyscraper" data-source="post: 7441451" data-attributes="member: 48518">You mention that you don't want to foreshadow the spell and you want to force the PC's to flee the battle against this NPC. You're the DM, you do what you want. But IMO it seems much more interesting to let the battle be decided by actions on the spur of the moment, not by a predetermined outcome.I've played in a game last year where the DM realized his villain was going to get killed by a PC that did a great job at surprising him, and he steered the battle in a weird and unrealistic direction to avoid that, to save his villain so that his predetermined outcome would be maintained. Honestly, that just sucked and that's the main point I take away from that entire campaign, unfortunately.As for the counter to mass suggestion, I agree with others that it could be announced to the PCs in advance. You mention that the storyline does not allow this: again, I'd cut that predetermined storyline some slack and allow for some modifications or improvisation. Perhaps you have friendly or neutral NPCs warn the PCs of the villain's powerful charm powers that force entire groups to do his bidding.This especially makes sense since it is such a powerful spell. I think you have a great opportunity here to follow an interesting storyline with a defining power for an interesting villain. With advance information, if they win the battle, all the better! If they fail, perhaps plan for the villain to capture and imprison them. Maybe they have someone interesting to meet in the prison if they fail, or rescue from prison if they win? Maybe have some escape plan for the villain, such that he can have an opportunity to flee? Although, maybe he won't make it! I've had villains try to flee losing battles often, and only some manage that successfully, but in each case I'm not trying to fudge the battle to a predetermined outcome.Anyway, all the best,Sky</blockquote>

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