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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Trit One-Ear" data-source="post: 6096971" data-attributes="member: 6678017">I posted this a week or two ago in the 4E form, but thought I could appeal to the D&D masses on a whole for ideas. I know it's a long post, so thanks to those who bear with me enough to give their ideas.My players have been battling a cult who has, with the help of a succubus, taken control of the duke and his council, effectively taking control of the city. After replacing key members in the city, including the majority of the city guards, they have out the city into lockdown, and are preparing... something called The Grand Tribute. The heroes have yet to discover that this is a large ritual sacrifice of the souls of the city's residents to Glasya, Asmodeus' daughter.The heroes, meanwhile, have been organizing a resistance with the help of the local thieves' guild and the church of Erathis. They are now returning from the countryside, having just recruited a strong force of defected city guard still loyal to the "good guys" who had been fighting corruption using guerrilla tactics.Now the true question: how to make this assault on the cultist-controlled city as epic as my players deserve. Here are my current ideas.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The city is broken into three ringed districts (poor district, merchant district, noble's district [including the duke's citadel]). They must aid their forces to control each district, or at least slip through themselves.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">They must begin by opening the gates for their ranger army outside. Thinking the stealthy players (ranger and monk) could scale the walls and sneak to the gatehouse. Meanwhile, the wizard, cleric and paladin would battle cultist agents hidden within the ranks of the rangers, who try to give warning to their allies in the city.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Once the gates are open, the resistance comes out in full force. Some battle or encounter here where the players lead the charge against the cultist forces (very cinematic). Any advice how to run or design this event much appreciated.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The heroes have an ally within the library in the merchant's district who has been studying a ritual to help protect them against the succubus. They'll have to reach him... But is he under attack? Or perhaps they have to hold off his assailants while he completes the ritual. Either way, I think they'll be overrun and have to escape up to the library roof, while their ally holds off the cultists (dramatically).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Once on the roof, they find the library's enchanted gargoyles (surprise!) have come to life to protect the library. Using them as "mounts" they can fly over the walls and fighting to the citadel itself (fending off some flying devils in the process).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Once they hit the citadel... Who knows. Dramatic confrontation with the succubus (who still holds the duke and many of his guards under her thrall) is a must. But then there's also the corrupted captain of the guard, who has captured and tortured many npcs the players know. Do they find him in the dungeons, assisted by some sadistic devils? And what will help make the succubus fight feel satisfyingly dramatic after... almost three months of facing her agents and thrills?</li> </ul>Players are just about to hit level 8 if that helps define threats. We are playing 4E for any who want to give edition-specific advice. It may sound like I have a good framework, but I feel underprepared. I also want to avoid railroading the players into a battle plan (something the last few sessions has come dangerously close to). I figure the more I have planned, the more I can adapt to their moves.Thanks for having read this far, and thanks for any advice you see fit to give!Trit</blockquote>

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