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How to run a successful "poisoned NPC" scene in 5e?
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<blockquote data-quote="jgsugden" data-source="post: 8188916" data-attributes="member: 2629"><p>Your gut instinct tells you the right path - this just doesn't work in D&D once you reach a certain level without awkward force. </p><p></p><p>This storyline is best run at low levels when the PCs do not have easy access to methods to remove poison. After they can just get rid of it with a spell they likely have prepared, it becomes a bit obvious that you want to tell your story despite their abilities. I run these storylines (not for a king, but for a local figure of power in a town, such as a mayor) at levels 1 or 2. I can extent it with curses in the place of poisons at levels 3 and 4. At 5 to 8 I can do a short term storyline with a curse, as PCs do not often have remove curse prepared, but you can expect them to prepare it with the next long rest (or even a short rest for a few oddball characters). </p><p></p><p>Similar storylines that can achieve similar goals and can still work (although PCs can overcome these with a little guile) are: Imposters replacing the king, Misdirection (I had an NPC use phantasmal force to make the leader of the PCs see his patron ordering the group away on a mission at once), and old age (The king collapses as you speak to him, and his attendants announce his body is giving out. This is no disease, curse, poison or wound - it is just the ravages of time. Unless someone brings him a potion of longevity within X hours he will pass from this realm).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="jgsugden, post: 8188916, member: 2629"] Your gut instinct tells you the right path - this just doesn't work in D&D once you reach a certain level without awkward force. This storyline is best run at low levels when the PCs do not have easy access to methods to remove poison. After they can just get rid of it with a spell they likely have prepared, it becomes a bit obvious that you want to tell your story despite their abilities. I run these storylines (not for a king, but for a local figure of power in a town, such as a mayor) at levels 1 or 2. I can extent it with curses in the place of poisons at levels 3 and 4. At 5 to 8 I can do a short term storyline with a curse, as PCs do not often have remove curse prepared, but you can expect them to prepare it with the next long rest (or even a short rest for a few oddball characters). Similar storylines that can achieve similar goals and can still work (although PCs can overcome these with a little guile) are: Imposters replacing the king, Misdirection (I had an NPC use phantasmal force to make the leader of the PCs see his patron ordering the group away on a mission at once), and old age (The king collapses as you speak to him, and his attendants announce his body is giving out. This is no disease, curse, poison or wound - it is just the ravages of time. Unless someone brings him a potion of longevity within X hours he will pass from this realm). [/QUOTE]
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How to run a successful "poisoned NPC" scene in 5e?
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