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Message: <blockquote data-quote="AnotherGuy" data-source="post: 9457489" data-attributes="member: 7029930">[1] Hostile parties want to prevent peace so attempt to assassinate the groom during the journey to the meet-up.[2] After the PC defeat the assassin, the groom reveals to the characters that he is in love with someone else but that he is doing this all in an attempt to save his family. Hopefully this weighs heavily on the PCs, may be used later.[3]Plan a Skill Challenge or Social Combat Encounter as part of the Negotiations with the Queen.PreparationDig into NPC and PC Traits, Ideals, Bonds, Flaws (TIBF). Have them printed out before you for ease when you need to refresh your mind.Think about rebuttals from the Queen's side.Furthermore, the Queen requests a bride price as part of the Negotiations (could be a quest).TimeEach round is x minutes not 6 seconds long.Combat & AbilitiesIntelligence 1. Persuasion, argue logic (functions like a contested attack roll).Maybe the Queen can entertain a maximum of 2 arguments every combat round and any more are wasted or she picks the 2 easiest ones to defend against.Wisdom 1. Insight (action), reveals an opponents Truth (TBIF).Gaining a TBIF allows you to use it in a later round to make a Persuasion roll with ADV against Queen's persuasion. So it is contested with an ever-changing DC. Each TBIF can only be used once.2. Insight (reaction), see through BS. Contested against Deception (action).Charisma1. Deception (action) BS your way to score a point - attack roll. Contests against Insight (reaction)2. Deception (reaction) to hide your Truth (TBIF). This is contested against an Insight (action) roll.BBEG with MinionsThe Queen is there with her advisors (military advisor, high cleric).They could "attack" and "react" so it is not a solo boss encounter.The Barbarian's HindranceThe Barbarian naturally has disadvantage on his Persuasion check due to history, but his Insight (knowing her Truth due to their relationship) gives him advantage so it balances out. He cannot get more Insight, as he knows it all already.Motives & Help/Assist actionUse the rest of the PCs backstories/motives with these Commandments to hurt or improve their position, depending on the argument. Allow the Help action (to give advantage on an ally) who is making the Persuasion check.Conditions & Saving ThrowsIntroduce a distraction, an alluring servant girl, that captures the attention of those who fail their Wisdom saving throw.Perhaps a low-key bribe "stuns" the swindling merchant for a round.A threat via a shift in posture by the military advisor enforces "fear" effect (i.e. not more arguments or Help actions) until their save is made.Short RestAfter a certain point (time or otherwise) you could have the PCs request for a break in the Negotiations (costs and action or a success maybe).A Short Rest (1+ hours), allowing the PCs to regroup and regain composure (they may each select between gain Inspiration or resistance/immunity to a distraction, intimidation...etc)Determine Successes and Failure State of NegotiationsYou will determine how many successes are necessary to win over the Queen and how many failures will end the Negotiations.Auto-SuccessDo not be afraid to allow some arguments to win on merit without a roll.Most ImportantBe upfront on the mechanics for this encounter with what options are available to the PCs.It should be 100% player-facing.</blockquote>

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