Plot Review Please

[Aholibamah]

I wanted to run by people here a plotline I was putting together. Essentially a noble character is helping escort the future bride of a duke plus some retainers to a monastery where she is to undergo a test of purity. Unfortunately along the way the test supposedly goes awry and she apparently runs off with one of the courtiers. This is however untrue--a sorceror who has long been deceiving the monks in order to read their library has abducted her in order to sacrifice her on an ancient altar--he needs a virgin of noble birth of a certain age, a rare commodity.

I dunno--is this too much of a race against time scenario, or could it be drawn out by the pcs not knowing that she is being held for the right time of sacrifice, believing that she is simply a runaway?

 

[keylan]

It sounds like a good plot to me. It is always easy to adjust your game to fit your group. If they are not following your plot the way you designed it, just give them a few hints along the way. Another way you could run your adventure is, have the time of the sacrfice be something like the new moon or other event that does not happen right away. That will give your pcs time to figure out what really happened. If they still miss the event then continue on from there with the after effects of said event.

 

[Spectator]

I wanted to run by people here a plotline I was putting together. Essentially a noble character is helping escort the future bride of a duke plus some retainers to a monastery where she is to undergo a test of purity. Unfortunately along the way the test supposedly goes awry and she apparently runs off with one of the courtiers. This is however untrue--a sorceror who has long been deceiving the monks in order to read their library has abducted her in order to sacrifice her on an ancient altar--he needs a virgin of noble birth of a certain age, a rare commodity.

I dunno--is this too much of a race against time scenario, or could it be drawn out by the pcs not knowing that she is being held for the right time of sacrifice, believing that she is simply a runaway?

So the PCs and the Noble, go on a wild goose chase after the Courtier?
Sounds like the Virgin is going to be a sacrifice?
Also if the purity test goes awry, would the Duke still want his presumably tainted Piece of A$$?
Are the monks going to railroad the PCs into the right direction ie: (Hey sword wearing guys, don't chase after the courtier, chase afte the wizard who successfully decieved our collective dumb-a$$es?
Are the PCs under any obligation to go gallivanting after a wizard?
Can the Noble afford their services if not?
What's the motivation to do so?

This is where plot development helps a lot?
Why even have the Monks involved?
Why not just get stolen by the Wiz in the first place instead of this less than elaborate scheme (if its too elaborate of a scheme, the PCs will go on a wild goose chase and the virgin will be toast).


The ticking timebomb scenarios workbest when the PCs know which way to go, because more often than not, PC will ass around, try toextract more loot for their services, think that their is a clue in every room and then shazam the bride to be is toast.

Just my opinion, man.

 

[Style]

The ticking timebomb scenarios workbest when the PCs know which way to go, because more often than not, PC will ass around, try toextract more loot for their services, think that their is a clue in every room and then shazam the bride to be is toast.

I hear what you're saying, but this is easily fixed. Yes, the timing of the sacrifice is important, and it can not occur until the stars are in a certain alignment. But when exactly is that again? Why can it not be the second the PCs burst through the door? In pretty much every book and movie the heroes arrive "just in time". I see little reason to not fudge it so that it's like this most of the time in a rpg.

 

[Stygian Devout]

Assuming the your players won't be reading this thread - what are the details of the NPC sorcerer you are going to throw at them?

 

[Spectator]

The ticking timebomb scenarios workbest when the PCs know which way to go, because more often than not, PC will ass around, try toextract more loot for their services, think that their is a clue in every room and then shazam the bride to be is toast.

I hear what you're saying, but this is easily fixed. Yes, the timing of the sacrifice is important, and it can not occur until the stars are in a certain alignment. But when exactly is that again? Why can it not be the second the PCs burst through the door? In pretty much every book and movie the heroes arrive "just in time". I see little reason to not fudge it so that it's like this most of the time in a rpg.

Yeah the players I was with could play the GM like a cheap fiddle.
Sample PC: "uhhh GM, were going to rest in the Inn before we go tothe castle and assault it"
GM: "guys the sacrifice is tonight on the full moon"
PC: "yeah but were at 1/3 HP after all the crap we went through to get here, expecially the HAUNTED FOREST OF CRAP THROWING GOBLINS"
GM: yeah but she's going to die if you don't save her! You have to d it tonight!
PC: We we would have goine straight in there, but the damn goblins chewed are party up real well! IF you wanted to save her you could hve left some healing stuff hanging around.
GM: ugghh,groan, grumble, Uhh your wizard realizes that this sacrifice occurs at the new moon, not the full moon, and understands that the evil sorceror will realize it in 30 minutes as well. You guys have 2 weeks to get drunk and cavort with the women of the Inn for 2 weeks.
ugghhh....

 

[keylan]

I laughed so hard at your gaming group that I nearly chocked on my pizza. I have had some adventuring groups like that when I was DMing.

 

[Style]

I'm not really a fan of hard core gamist-style games. There is too much of that sort of thing going on. My game focus on story and role-playing. The players get into it, and the story and tension tend to build as things develop, so that it only feels natural when the reach the climactic finale.

 

[Spectator]

I laughed so hard at your gaming group that I nearly chocked on my pizza. I have had some adventuring groups like that when I was DMing.

Thanks man, unfortunately it is so true.
I rarely play anymore, actually never play, I just love designing scenarios and characters that one day I will eveentually publish.

 

[Aholibamah]

I wanted to run by people here a plotline I was putting together. Essentially a noble character is helping escort the future bride of a duke plus some retainers to a monastery where she is to undergo a test of purity. Unfortunately along the way the test supposedly goes awry and she apparently runs off with one of the courtiers. This is however untrue--a sorceror who has long been deceiving the monks in order to read their library has abducted her in order to sacrifice her on an ancient altar--he needs a virgin of noble birth of a certain age, a rare commodity.

I dunno--is this too much of a race against time scenario, or could it be drawn out by the pcs not knowing that she is being held for the right time of sacrifice, believing that she is simply a runaway?

So the PCs and the Noble, go on a wild goose chase after the Courtier?
Sounds like the Virgin is going to be a sacrifice?
Also if the purity test goes awry, would the Duke still want his presumably tainted Piece of A$$?
Are the monks going to railroad the PCs into the right direction ie: (Hey sword wearing guys, don't chase after the courtier, chase afte the wizard who successfully decieved our collective dumb-a$$es?
Are the PCs under any obligation to go gallivanting after a wizard?
Can the Noble afford their services if not?
What's the motivation to do so?

This is where plot development helps a lot?
Why even have the Monks involved?
Why not just get stolen by the Wiz in the first place instead of this less than elaborate scheme (if its too elaborate of a scheme, the PCs will go on a wild goose chase and the virgin will be toast).


The ticking timebomb scenarios workbest when the PCs know which way to go, because more often than not, PC will ass around, try toextract more loot for their services, think that their is a clue in every room and then shazam the bride to be is toast.

Just my opinion, man.

Well, a lot of Conan plots have twists and turns and complications don't they? Anyway I do see your point but it might be wisest to fudge it as others have suggested. The reason why I have the monks in it though is in order to suggest evil cult plots--it's not meant to be an isolated incident entirely.