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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Quickleaf" data-source="post: 7829344" data-attributes="member: 20323">I think I've identified the key elements of a stealth mission (and specifically an assassination mission) which, in my case, have been the things I've focused on prepping...<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Write down the target/goal of the PCs.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Write down the situation, motives, and total roster of the enemies.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Draw up a map with attention to cover to hide, verticality, and multiple approaches (see above).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Use the map to set up the enemies' defenses, divvying up their roster into patrols. Also think in terms of concentric rings of defense or "defense zones" to reduce how many Stealth checks are called for.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Also include moments of enemy fallibility which suit the types of monsters you're using and can provide for levity or exploitable opportunities.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Consider optional rules for flashback planning and/or stealth takedowns (see above).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Write down a rough schedule for the enemies (see my example below).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Include at least one plot twist, preferably one per PC.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Include some kind of time pressure or limit on their planning, so the players don't get into analysis paralysis mode.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Write a table of complications for when the PCs fail a check or otherwise draw attention to themselves. These should put them at risk of discovery, but not leap immediately to the alarm being sounded and all enemies on high alert.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Write a table with snippets of conversation (see above). Ideally, these include a bit of humor, foreshadowing, clues, or hook into player motivations/emotions.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lastly, give a little consider to the recon options available to the PCs. For instance, doing this helped me realize that I wanted consequences if an enemy NPC succeeds a save vs. scrying (e.g. the night hag senses someone tried to scry, while the lizard king's decoy is scried upon instead).</li> </ul>Here is the schedule I settled on for the lizardfolk camp...1:00 Dinosaurs nap 5 hours2:00 “Nataxl”  uses Nightmare Haunting3:00 Aerial patrol wakes & resumes patroling4:00 Half kobolds wake & go check traps5:00 L.E. rises; Salida rummages hut for clues6:00 Agar’zush rises & Dinosaurs rise7:00 Reports given to deranged drunk Lizard King8:00 One-third lizardfolk patrols eat & sleep; Lizard King naps for 4 hours9:00 Iza’drask sleeps10:00 “Nataxl” experiments on a prisoner or kobold11:00 Some lizardfolk have breath holding contest12:00 Half kobolds return & Feasting; Lizard King rises & holds court with Salida at side13:00 Other half kobolds sleep & Dinosaurs nap 3 hours14:00 Dinosaurs cool off & fish in stream15:00 Interrogations/executions & Mwixlpitz abandons post to watch gleefully as a velociraptor16:00 One-third lizardfolk patrols eat & sleep17:00 Iza’drask rises and alarms the ruin’s side entrances18:00 Lizard King naps for 4 hours19:00 Aerial patrol reports to Iza’drask & L.E., then sleeps20:00 Half kobolds wake, other half sleep21:00 L.E. retires with Salida in hut22:00 Agar’zush sleeps & Lizard King wakes23:00 “Nataxl” goes ethereal to commune with Sisters24:00 One-third lizardfolk patrols eat & sleep</blockquote>

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