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Message: <blockquote data-quote="LeanAsc22" data-source="post: 9590350" data-attributes="member: 7049419">Hey all. I'm currently facing a problem which might be just me and that I'm not that experienced, so I came seeking advice. I'm running Book 2 (session 2, party already at Thinking Man's tavern) for a party of 6. After the scene at the consulate, the PCs have multiple threads they can pursue, and the book itself even suggests that one possible way to resolve the adventure is by splitting up and following different leads. I like this idea, especially because I have six players, and having them all together following the same thread and talking to the same NPC makes things less interesting. It would also speed up the mystery.The problem I see is this: let's say, for example, Thread 1: Smugglers. The PCs visit Danisca’s shop and Blander. Unlike other encounters, like the smuggler operation at the docks, or going to MacBannin's mansion, I can imagine my players  thinking that visiting the Waryeyes would just be to see what they know, but I know that it could easily lead to combat. And I don’t want to end up with only two players fighting, or worse, having to run two or even three simultaneous combats just to give everyone some spotlight and action. Even if I create interesting social events for the ones who aren’t present, it’s not the same as having an exciting fight. It would be a dream to have them go together but split between her shop and his building, but they could also go to interrogate the cleric who healed Nilasa (which is something they want to do) and miss the combat...I thought about hinting through descriptive details or prior information, that things could escalate quickly at some locations—for example, describing Danisca’s apothecaries as being guards, so the PCs who were there would potentially decide to get the whole team together. Of course, I would have to do the same for every encounter in which I want them to be together.Has anyone run into a similar issue? Do you have a better solution I might not be considering? I understand that heavily hinting that they should be together for certain scenes might be railroading them, but I don’t think it would be fun for two or three players to be in combat while the rest are investigating Wolfgang’s hotel, or talking with Jack Byron the driver.Ultimately, I think it would be great that they split up, but I don't love the idea of 3 players fighting the Cloudwood brigands and Lorkan Kell's men, and the other 3 investigating a hotel. Even if I can get them to go with the Waryeyes, running two separate combats at the same time would be too much for me I think...Thanks for reading and any advice would be appreciated.</blockquote>

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