Grug
2011-12-23, 10:37 AM
First off, I know that at least one of my players frequents the Giantitp.com forum. Skellengar, avert ye gaze. Also avert your gaze Matt, Mike, Neal, Zach, Evan of Amherst MA.
Are they gone? Okay good.
So, myriad and experienced roleplayers, I have a conundrum. I'm going to be running an upcoming short horror campaign with an original mythology, involving a parallel dimension called The Deep. The Deep is populated by two races, The Stonedwellers and The Seadwellers, which live far underground/water, where no light reaches. The races are embroiled in a cold war, and have approximately Roman Empire levels of technology plus some magic. Humans, being from The Empty, are regarded as demons and mythological figures, and it just so happens that the Players are summoned by a wayward sorcerer and become the force that heats up the war.
Ultimately, each side developing their own super weapon that would destroy the other side. If the Stonedwellers win, the oceans all turn to stone. If the Seadwellers win, the Earth's mantle becomes flooded. It will come down to the players deciding which to prevent, and which way to make the human race go extinct. The thing is, I realized that if BOTH doomsday weapons are utilized, then the Human race has a chance to survive, which is the happiest ending the players are going to get.
But how can I hint that's an option without outright showing them the easy way out? Players have a tendency to latch on to every hint and plot hook along the way. In addition, if they pick one or the other, when should I share that they had a third, better option all along? Do I wait until after the session is concluded and go "Neener neener, you could have won"? Or should I wait a few days?
Are they gone? Okay good.
So, myriad and experienced roleplayers, I have a conundrum. I'm going to be running an upcoming short horror campaign with an original mythology, involving a parallel dimension called The Deep. The Deep is populated by two races, The Stonedwellers and The Seadwellers, which live far underground/water, where no light reaches. The races are embroiled in a cold war, and have approximately Roman Empire levels of technology plus some magic. Humans, being from The Empty, are regarded as demons and mythological figures, and it just so happens that the Players are summoned by a wayward sorcerer and become the force that heats up the war.
Ultimately, each side developing their own super weapon that would destroy the other side. If the Stonedwellers win, the oceans all turn to stone. If the Seadwellers win, the Earth's mantle becomes flooded. It will come down to the players deciding which to prevent, and which way to make the human race go extinct. The thing is, I realized that if BOTH doomsday weapons are utilized, then the Human race has a chance to survive, which is the happiest ending the players are going to get.
But how can I hint that's an option without outright showing them the easy way out? Players have a tendency to latch on to every hint and plot hook along the way. In addition, if they pick one or the other, when should I share that they had a third, better option all along? Do I wait until after the session is concluded and go "Neener neener, you could have won"? Or should I wait a few days?