Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Malraux 09-28-07, 09:35 PM	So in my campaign the next session logically should have the two big powers in the campaign have a big drag out fight in front of the party, but I don't want to bore them. EtCR spoilers: The party is about to reach one of the fanes (swamp fane). I used the witch summoning subplot; and the aspect has escaped from the party's ability to destroy. In fact, he's set himself up as a major rival to strahd's power, taking advantage of strahd's distractions with irenna to strip strahd of one fane and allied himself with Valacia. Unsurprisingly, the aspect likes the idea of taking over Barovia. Currently, two of the party has been dominated by a vampire under Strahd's command (but is subtly resisting Strahd because he has turned his attentions away from her to focus on Ireena). The party also agreed to kill strahd and serve the Verdant Lord (aspect) in exchange for their lives. In short, I'm trying to play up internal conflicts and giving the party a chance to play both sides against each other. So any suggestions for setting up a fight where the two antagonists fight each other, but involve the party in an interesting way? Any one else set up fights like this and had it succeed?
Unluckylukey 09-28-07, 10:08 PM	So in my campaign the next session logically should have the two big powers in the campaign have a big drag out fight in front of the party, but I don't want to bore them. EtCR spoilers: The party is about to reach one of the fanes (swamp fane). I used the witch summoning subplot; and the aspect has escaped from the party's ability to destroy. In fact, he's set himself up as a major rival to strahd's power, taking advantage of strahd's distractions with irenna to strip strahd of one fane and allied himself with Valacia. Unsurprisingly, the aspect likes the idea of taking over Barovia. Currently, two of the party has been dominated by a vampire under Strahd's command (but is subtly resisting Strahd because he has turned his attentions away from her to focus on Ireena). The party also agreed to kill strahd and serve the Verdant Lord (aspect) in exchange for their lives. In short, I'm trying to play up internal conflicts and giving the party a chance to play both sides against each other. So any suggestions for setting up a fight where the two antagonists fight each other, but involve the party in an interesting way? Any one else set up fights like this and had it succeed? I have never done this but you don't have to give a blow by blow description. Just summarize or say they fought for hours but talk it up. High lights so to speak.
Uratoh 09-28-07, 10:20 PM	Well, there's two ways to do this well that I've seen... 1: As mentioned above, gloss over it. do the highlights reel. This really only works if the PCs don't/can't influence the outcome in any reasonable way. 2: What I tend to do during big clashes like this, is have the PCs use it either as cover to accomplish something neither 'big player' would allow to happen...but neither can do anything right now because they're at each other's throats, or to do something that will actually influence the outcome of the fight. If Strahd is engaged in mortal combat, he can't be defending his castle at the same time...giving the remaining PCs free reign in comparison to find his coffin, etc...
Malraux 09-28-07, 10:34 PM	Well, I don't like option 1 all that much. And the PCs can influence the events. Obviously strahd can't be killed, but the aspect can be. That said, I'd rather not have strahd off the aspect, as the PCs really want to do that, and I think that in a 1 on 1 encounter the Aspect could come out ahead. However, he will be weakened. But I don't want the players to be spectators in the fight. I do like option 2 somewhat, though I suspect the party will want to retreat and heal up, as last encounter I think I sucked about 12 Con in total. That does give me some stuff to think about.