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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mordane76" data-source="post: 3051843" data-attributes="member: 7172">They are on a time constraint in a way - if they can keep the artifact they have away from the BBEG for another 200 some-odd game days, his plans will be upset for the next 224 years, as he must use the first artifact on a particular concordance of calendars and energies which only occurs once every 224 years - this they know.The plot involving the one character's father is on a time constraint as well, of which they are aware.As for a trusted ally... they don't really have any true NPC allies.  The closest they have are two NPCs whose true allegiances they don't really know, otherwise everyone they've come in contact with so far has proven to somehow be in league with the bad guys.  Perhaps I should give them a clear-cut ally?This might not be a bad idea, and has actually started to head a little in this direction.  The PC with sympathies towards the BBEG is the high-Cha PC.Tried this...unfortunately didn't work.  The PC whose father is implicated in the BBEG's scheme is set to be executed in one month's time as a traitor to the crown.  The plot is disintegrating because no one can agree on what is the best course of action in combating the charges against the PCs father.  He is being held by a LN(G) nation, and the character wants to stay within the boundaries of the law so that his father (a noble) will retain his lands and title once they exonerate him.I did just send in an agent of the BBEG who slaughtered one of the PCs outright (save a revivify by the cleric, as my campaign doesn't allow standard resurrection spells) as a warning that their course of action was a bad one.  I think they got the message about that particular course of action being a bad one in the BBEG's eyes... however, I don't necessarily want them NOT to pursue it.  My problem is that I'm walking a very thin line of trying to force the PCs to act without necessarily closing off any avenues to them by railroading them in a particular direction.  My initial idea is to show them just how far the plot goes, because they don't truly understand just how long ago the BBEG set this plan in motion, and I don't think they understand why they are the ones involved.  This plot began before most of them were born, and actually involved some of their fathers and forefathers.  I also don't think they understand just how far ahead of them the BBEG is, and how much he knows that they don't think he knows.  How much can I get away with revealing, in the esteemed opinions of you ENWorlders, without totally defeating the players/characters and/or killing my game which is going very well other than this slow-down in decision making?</blockquote>

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