I created a series of skill challenges plus a way of using parts of the action economy and combat rules to run a "social combat" in D&D 4e. Perhaps some of the ideas can be used to come up with something that fits D&D 5e.
Premise: The campaign is a D&D/supers mashup, typical fantasy medieval fare but with some anachronistic technology and comic book tropes. The PCs are superheroes: The Punchmaster, Hawkguy, The Unbelievable Bulk, Mastermind, and Arachnikid. Their nemesis, a noblewoman with an alternate identity called Luscious Luminary, calls a gathering of movers and shakers to her home to push her agenda of unmasking superheroes, registering them, and passing laws against vigilantism. She's also the patron for a new breed of heroes - "adventurers" - and hopes to see these morally gray mercenaries be the solution for the city's problems. Only one PC is invited - Dr. Brice Banter, a famed scientist, and former colleague of Luscious Luminary. (When Dr. Banter gets really angry, he transforms into The Unbelievable Bulk.) The rest of the PCs have to figure out a way to contribute.
The challenge takes place at Luscious Luminary's mansion which I had all mapped out on a grid. Guests, guards, agents, and adventurers were spread out through the place, which made exploration important and frequently forced touch decisions, especially since most of the PCs were not supposed to be there.
"Combat" Rules: Basically the action economy was used to manage spotlight and narrative control. Everyone acted in initiative as if in combat.
[sblock]As a
standard action, engage in
The Supers Solution (or other) skill challenge.
As a
move action, move to anywhere visible on the map (ground floor, second & third stories). Anyone along the route can take note of your passing if you don't take steps to avoid it.
As a
move action, move a guard, neutral or pro-super guest to anywhere visible on the map (ground floor, second & third stories). Agents, adventurers, and Luscious Luminary cannot be moved without a skill check (DC 15) while you are in the room with them. Failure results in 2d6+7 damage. (Damage incurred in this manner can only be healed with an extended rest. If reduced to 0 hit points, the hero is taken out of the challenge.)
As a
minor action, figure out a noble’s secret motivation (DC 15 History, Insight, Streetwise). If you succeed, the secret motivation will be revealed. Failure results in 2d6+7 damage. (Damage incurred in this manner can only be healed with an extended rest. If reduced to 0 hit points, the hero is taken out of the challenge.) If you then promise to fulfill their wishes, it counts as an automatic success on the skill challenge. However, if those promises are not kept in short order, complications ensue.
As an
immediate action, respond to complications arising from
Baiting the Bulk skill challenge. You must be in the same room as Dr. Banter. If more than one PC responds to the complication, it becomes a group check. Half (rounded up) must succeed to count as a success toward the skill challenge.
As a
free action, ask for a favor from a pro-super guest. This gives you an Advantage. You must declare this before a roll. Alternatively, you can instead ask them to counter a foil. There is a limit of one favor per pro-super guest in this scenario.
Spend your
action point to immediately take yourself out of one scene and enter another.
All DCs for the skill challenge are moderate (DC 15) except when a foil is also in the room (DC 23). Foils are Luscious Luminary, anti-super guests, Luminary agents, and adventurers. Use of a skill means all subsequent uses of the same skill are at +4 to the DC.
Advantage:
- A success with a hard DC complication counts as two successes: a success against both a hard DC and a moderate DC.
- A success with a hard DC complication removes a failure that has already been accumulated in the challenge instead of counting as a success.
- A success against an easy DC (11) counts as a success against a moderate DC complication.
- A success against a moderate DC counts as a success even though the superhero making the check has already used the same skill to gain success against a moderate DC.
Success in
The Supers Solution ends the
Baiting the Bulk skill challenge.
Defeat in the
Baiting the Bulk skill challenge means accruing one failure in
The Supers Solution skill challenge.[/sblock]
The Supers Solution (Skill Challenge): This is the main challenge. There were equal numbers of pro-super guests, anti-super guests, and guests that were neutral on the issue of reigning in superheroes. So the challenge for the PCs was in convincing just enough of the neutral guests to go pro-super. As mentioned above in the "Combat" Rules, certain NPCs work against the PCs' efforts.
[sblock]8 successes before 3 failures
House Goldwise: A mercantile house, Goldwise is very wealthy but not well regarded. Eldar Goldwise is the very old head of the house. There is much controversy now among his many children as to who will take control when the Eldar is gone.
Complications: Senility, Squabbling Children.
Secret Motivation (History, Insight, Streetwise): To get his squabbling children out of his hair for the rest of the night.
NPCs: Eldar, Eldar Jr., Eldara
House Fey: Scholars and gentlefolk, House Fey normally avoids confrontation and rarely gets involved in squabbles between other houses. A family of elves and half-elves belong to this house, headed by Faye Fey, a half-elf.
Complications: Missing Heir, Supremely Neutral
Secret Motivation (History, Insight, Streetwise): To get proof that Luscious Luminary knows something about their missing heir's whereabouts.
NPCs: Faye Fey, pixie handmaidens Flora & Fauna
House Looker: A wealthy house, Looker is known for its talented, glamorous, and attractive family. Devina Looker is the head of the house, which patronizes the arts.
Complications: Image is Everything, Art Snobs
Secret Motivation (History, Insight, Streetwise): To get into a torrid love affair with Hawk Guy.
NPCs: Devina Looker, her publicist Vicki, and two veiled hand maidens, Trish and Chantal.
House Boor: Famous for its military leadership and martial prowess, House Boor is made up of arrogant oafs and self-righteous warriors. Churl Boor is the current master of the house.
Complications: Boorish Personality, One-upmanship.
Secret Motivation (History, Insight, Streetwise): To set up an exhibition match between himself and Punchmaster - and Punchmaster must take a dive.
NPCs: Churl Boor and his squire, The Boob.
Success: Luscious Luminary’s plans are thwarted. The council will not take up legislation as she has proposed.
Failure: Luscious Luminary has garnered enough votes on the ruling council to convince the Governor to enact legislation to curtail superheroes – unmasking, registration, crackdown on vigilantism.
[/sblock]
Baiting the Bulk (Skill Challenge): Luscious Luminary invited her old colleague Brice Banter for one reason - to enrage him into transforming and causing a scene. A sudden appearance of The Bulk and the chaos he leaves in his wake would help sway neutral guests to her way of thinking. So while the PCs are trying to succeed at
The Supers Solution, they must also help Dr. Banter avoid becoming The Bulk, despite Luscious Luminary and her agents' best efforts.
[sblock]6 successes before 3 failures
Complications: “Accidental” Cockpunch (DC 15), Insult Research (DC 15), Question Credentials (DC 15), Bring Betty Into It (DC 15), Threaten to Reveal a Secret (DC 23), Mistreated Kid (DC 23).
Success: Dr. Banter keeps his composure and doesn’t Bulk out.
Failure: Dr. Banter Bulks out and destroys a portion of the estate before escaping. A failure is accrued on the Supers Solution skill challenge.[/sblock]
Man, I miss this campaign.
