Rusty DM Needs Your Campaign Advice!

[NMatuzic]

Thanks for the headsup! Will look into that for sure...

 

[jbear]

while agreeing with others to some degree that you don't want to write a script, I do think it is fair game to say to your players at the beginning of the campaign that this is the adventure you have created and that is all you have for now. Goblins causing trouble, you're going to deal with it. Let's get cracking.

Having reached a certain point in the initial linear flow of events your players then come to a crossroads where they decide where and what they are going to do next. Some of the options might lead in the same direction but depending on the decision via different routes or with different advantages/disadvantages. They can all be connected to what is ocurring at a larger scale, they just get to decide which part the want to deal with. And each decision has varying consequences.

Personally I don't have time to prepare every option. Just some loose ideas more or less where each one will take them and how that affects things. When they reach that crossroad I spell out the choices, including or 'do something else' (with gritted teeth and a loaded revolver below the table of course). That is usually at the end of a session and the next session doesn't happen until I've had time to develop the branch they have chosen. That next part will be fairly linear until it has been dealt with and then the story will branch out again and they can choose which new path to follow out of those that branch off from the new point they have reached.

All of that with the Prince whose being possessed sounds like some great twists in the plot that will make for some fun gaming. You just need to find a structure whereby all does not pend on the fact that the PCs WILL be captured! Why couldn't the Prince himself help them if they valiantly attempt to resist arrest and flee for their lives?

Anyway, you have some really cool ideas. I'm sure you and your players will have a blast!

 

[NMatuzic]

Thanks for the vote of confidence jbear. That's how I plan on doing things for the most part, and hopefully steering things towards the Demon Prince plot.

I've posted on several forums this exact same topic, and as a consequence I've come up with alternatives to the imprisonment.

I really do hope I can work out the prison stuff, because it is such an iconic scenario. But it is difficult to pull off, and I'll have to make that decision when the time comes.

Alternatives include:
- the Prince saves them from the initial arrest
- a resistance movement prevent the PCs from being captured and request help to save the Prince, who is imprisoned and scheduled for execution
- the Prince makes contact with the PCs right after the defeat of the Goblins, already an outlaw and attempting to quell civil war...

Just a few ideas I've picked up off various people which may go down a lot easier.

Thanks for everyone's input so far! I'll let you all know how it goes. I feel confident in at least beginning the first arc, that of the Goblin Invasion.

Cheers!

 

[JoeGKushner]

And don't forget the adventure from WoTC is free on their website. Useful for the maps if nothing else.

In addition, Fiery Dragon did a free set of counters for that adventure so if you need goblin minis but don't have 'em, it's a good resource.