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Message: <blockquote data-quote="tomBitonti" data-source="post: 7085391" data-attributes="member: 13107">Re: The challenge of outing the Baron.  The discussion is focused on how play continues after the scene in which the baron's nefarious schemes are revealed to the king.  In particular, what actions the Baron might take, and whether any mitigation of the revelation are possible.A key issue is the separation of the Baron's immediate goals (to maintain influence on the king) from the Baron's longer term goals (which are unstated, but are presumed to exist, and, since the Baron still exists, will still be pursued.To make the example more concrete, I change it to the following:* The kingdom fell into rebellion.  Loyalists were driven to a mountain redoubt, which is under siege by forces of the Baron.* A convoy of three airships with much needed supplies, including three arcane ballistae which are to be used to break through the walls of the redoubt, was sent to bolster the Baron's forces.* The players undertook a challenge to prevent the airships from arriving.  They were successful in meeting the challenge.  Ultimately, the airships were crashed, leading to the destruction of nearly all of the supplies.Within this example, there is no "uncrashing" the airships.  The challenge was met and the airships and supplies were destroyed.But also within this example, the kingdom is still in rebellion, and the Baron still has the redoubt under siege.  Yet, the balance of force has been changed.  The Baron's forces will soon come under attack by newly mustered Loyalists and is facing likely defeat.  If captured, the Baron faces a grim death after long hours of torture.The now desperate Baron will certainly do something.  Make an unwise pact.  Flee.  Launch a risky decapitation strike against loyalist leaders (the PCs).  Something.  One finds inconceivable that the Baron will not continue to try to reach his long range goal.Out of this example I find two issues relating to the current discussion:* "Railroading" would be a play by the GM to undo the effect of crashing the ships.  Say, by announcing that there was a unknown fourth ship which arrived unhindered.  Or by having a large fraction of supplies survive the crashes.* A question of agency in regards to what happens next (with a nexus on the Baron): Will any new plot elements be introduced to the store?  (Secret demonic forces allied with the Baron.  A discovery of the Baron of the King's nephew, who is one of the few surviving heirs, as a hostage.)  Will the introductions be driven by the players or by the GM?As an example of a possible continuation:Doubling down: The Baron, driven to extremes, has one of his battalions bring a village to a desolate temple, where both the villagers and the battalion are sacrificed to a greater demon, so to summon a host of demons to attack the redoubt.  The PCs are informed of the sacrifice, but are unable to prevent it.  The PCs face new challenges: To close the gate opened for the demons.  To reveal the Baron's horrific act to his troops -- which will convert them to loyalists.  To hunt down and slay the demonic forces making their way to the redoubt.Or:Folding: The Baron flees to a nearby country, leaving the rebellion in disarray.  Order is restored in the kingdom.  The chapter in the PCs story ends and a new one begins.Thx!TomB</blockquote>

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