D&D 5E Rise of Tiamat - sprucing up the Council sessions

[Sloblock]

Good greetings

Erm there maybe spoilers so please look away if playing

we are now part way through RoT, and although the first council session went well and those playing enjoyed it.

I am wondering what others have done to make the next few more interesting.

As the book guidelines aren't the best.

Any tips or thoughts would be appreciated

 

[Superking]

I have printed pictures of the main NPCs and also made sure each PC was connected or familiar with their faction. Each faction has its own agenda so to speak. This helps in the RP aspect and gave the player some framework. For our group, we started from Lost Mines of Phandelver. So at the first meeting, in the waiting area where guards and secondary members where hanging out prior to the meeting, I gave the PCs a chance to mingle.

There they encountered old friends such as Sildar Hallwinter and Daran Edermath from Phandalen that they were affiliated with at low levels. I also introduced rumors and guards from various regions affiliated with the main members of the council. One important rumor I kept dropping was that spies of the cult could have infiltrated the council and the PCs should be on the lookout.

Later on with council session two the PCs where more familiar with the council, I had them investigate the spy side quest, which was suggested in the book with a succubus. The side quest for the council spy led them to a notorious Zhentarium owned bathhouse in Waterdeep. The spy turned out to be non other than Sildar who was under the influence of a Succubus. This ended up being a RP encounter as they once again saved Sildars hide.

My goal was to personalize the council and have the PCs feel connected and more immersed within the council and its actions.

 

[jayoungr]

I'm trying to give each PC at least one council member who has a connection to or takes a particular interest in him/her. That council member will chat with the PC outside of meetings and offer a more "behind the scenes" view of the various factions' concerns.

• Ontharr Frume is practically a surrogate father to our Eldritch Knight, and of course he's been with the group almost from the start of the adventure.
• Likewise, Remalia Haventree has been a major contact for the Harpers in our group since they arrived in Waterdeep. The party was also very helpful to her when her husband was assassinated.
• Taern Hornblade once lectured at the Hosttower; he remembers our Wizard, and also Maccath the Crimson, from their student days.
• Sir Isteval once adventured with our Battlemaster's grandparents, who were famous dragon-slayers.
• Elia remembers our Cleric from the days when he used to be a gold dragon.
• Dala Silmerhelve's dragon patron also told her she could trust the Cleric.

I second the recommendation of running the "Death at the Council" subplot (p. 7) if you want to further flesh out the council sequences.

 

[GuardianLurker]

Don't forget to checkout this thread:
http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?394129-Enhancing-quot-Rise-of-Tiamat-quot-%28Practical-stuff-to-try-at-your-table!%29

It has lots of useful info on RoT.

For myself, I intend to make the PCs the lead of many strike teams/adventuring parties used by the Alliance/Council.

And yes, Death at the Council is highly recommended. In fact, try to have the council refer (at least) some of the other side-quests mentioned, even if the party themselves don't deal with them. The more dynamic you make the Council feel, the better. You really want to avoid having the Council act as "Just a quest-giver". Make it clear that the Council is analyzing their intel (which is coming from more than just the PCs), and trying to find out more. As the councils progress, shift the background "noise" from intel-gathering to crisis-dealing.

 

[jayoungr]

In addition to "Death at the Council," I'd also recommend using the "Fallen Hero" sidequest. It would cause quite a stir if Cylanestriel stumbles dramatically into a council meeting, severely wounded, with her sensational story.

 

[discosoc]

I plan on having a "the cult strikes back" happen at the next one. That should shake things up a bit.

 

[jayoungr]

I plan on having a "the cult strikes back" happen at the next one. That should shake things up a bit.

Great idea! Will any of the delegates fight?

 

[discosoc]

Great idea! Will any of the delegates fight?

Of course! And hopefully it will lend some weight to the player's request for more immediate action from some of the less-than-enthusiastic members of the council. I also think my players need a reality check when it comes to their power level. They've been approaching these NPC's as simply politicians to be manipulated, when in reality most are seasoned veterans in their own right.

 

[jayoungr]

Of course! And hopefully it will lend some weight to the player's request for more immediate action from some of the less-than-enthusiastic members of the council. I also think my players need a reality check when it comes to their power level. They've been approaching these NPC's as simply politicians to be manipulated, when in reality most are seasoned veterans in their own right.

Ooh, now you've really got me excited about this idea. Could I talk you into posting statblocks once you have them worked up?

 

[discosoc]

Ooh, now you've really got me excited about this idea. Could I talk you into posting statblocks once you have them worked up?

I can probably copy/paste them in a little bit.