D&D 5E When an entire campaign comes down to one roll

[Sacrosanct]

You're forgetting none of those "bad choices" happened until after the critical failure that enraged the dragon. So it literally was the result of a single critical failure that caused the scenario. Agree with the DM or not, thats what happened.

Also, it was only one PC who decided to combat. Did you not read my summary?

 

[LordEntrails]

. I totally get two 1's is a colossal set-up for something, but a TPK seems unnecessary. As a player, I would be pretty upset with the DM for taking this direction especially if my character's actions didn't warrant it. The drow who attacked? Maybe. Your poor rolls? The dragon could laugh that off or have done something else. Maybe that isn't in line with the personality of that NPC in the adventure, so I couldn't say for certain I suppose.

I don't think it was the DM that screwed up here, it was the players. They attacked, and some of them even lasted until round 2, so they had a chance to run away, they had a chance to surrender and beg for mercy, they had a chance to take an action that did not need any die roll to prevent a TPK. But they didn't. They thought that a failed social roll meant their only option was a fight to the death. Now maybe that's the DMs fault for setting such expectations, but I doubt it.

 

[LordEntrails]

You're forgetting none of those "bad choices" happened until after the critical failure that enraged the dragon. So it literally was the result of a single critical failure that caused the scenario. Agree with the DM or not, thats what happened.

No I'm not.

Its not the DM's actions I disagree with. Not at all. The Players got their characters killed. No one else.

So what they rolled a pair of 1's? Big deal, the characters started combat, the character stayed in combat, the characters fought until death. Therefore they are the cause of the TPK.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I don't think it was the DM that screwed up here, it was the players. They attacked, and some of them even lasted until round 2, so they had a chance to run away, they had a chance to surrender and beg for mercy, they had a chance to take an action that did not need any die roll to prevent a TPK. But they didn't. They thought that a failed social roll meant their only option was a fight to the death. Now maybe that's the DMs fault for setting such expectations, but I doubt it.

Reread what I wrote. I DID surrender. And even those that fled couldn't outrun a freaking dragon. I think you'd understand better if you read what I wrote

 

[Sacrosanct]

No I'm not.

Its not the DM's actions I disagree with. Not at all. The Players got their characters killed. No one else.

So what they rolled a pair of 1's? Big deal, the characters started combat, the character stayed in combat, the characters fought until death. Therefore they are the cause of the TPK.

If you actually read what I wrote, you'd know we did not fight until death. We did not stay in combat. After the critical failure to persuade happened, the DM called for initiative. That made the rogue think we had to fight, so she fired an arrow and ran towards the exit, which was also where the gold was. The rest of us either surrendered or tried to flee.

Stop blaming the players when you clearly didn't even read the scenario

 

[LordEntrails]

Reread what I wrote. I DID surrender. And even those that fled couldn't outrun a freaking dragon. I think you'd understand better if you read what I wrote

This is what you said;

Then it all fell apart. Thinking battle was imminent the drow rogue pulled back her bow and shot. Knowing us low level PCs wouldn't have a chance, I tried pleading one last time

Note here you said the drow started combat? So who's fault is that? The drow's. No one else's.

Yes you tried pleading again, good move. You failed again, so that's two rolls and I guess you got eaten for your troubles, bummer, but fun if you imagined it that way. What did everyone else do? Fight, surrender or run away? If they fought, well then they got what they should have.

The Vault is full of columns, small spaces and places to hide, so sure, they dragon could come after them, but in a single round they probably could have gotten back to the stairs, which the dragon would be too large to climb as a dragon.

Look,we don't know all the details, maybe your GM had the dragon in dragon form chase the players back through the vault and hunt them down, you didn't say. But whatever the case, it still not a single roll that caused the TPK. Maybe a roll put your group on that path, but even more than that first 1, the drow's decision set the path, that's not a roll, that's a choice.

I hope you all had fun, TPKs are, imo, chances for a great story. Hopefully you will all have this as some sort of lore in your future campaigns, or at least an inside joke ("don't let the drow carry a bow!")

 

[Sacrosanct]

Read post #11 again. You clearly didn't in your haste to blame the players of things we didn't do as explained in post #11

 

[Oofta]

@Sacrosanct, if you enjoyed the game and the outcome, you're in the right game.

Personally? The only one who deserved to die here was the idiot rogue. Seriously? Knowingly needling the dragon then attacking while running towards the treasure?

There is no save vs chaotic stupid.

 

[Sacrosanct]

@Sacrosanct, if you enjoyed the game and the outcome, you're in the right game.

Personally? The only one who deserved to die here was the idiot rogue. Seriously? Knowingly needling the dragon then attacking while running towards the treasure?

There is no save vs chaotic stupid.

The rogue WAS chaotic neutral lol.

 

[prabe]

The rogue WAS chaotic neutral lol.

Emphasis on the past tense.