We were actually thinking on the same wavelength. My comment wasn't concerning the game's enjoyment, rather me rolling the dice instead of playing it safe. I was so laser focused on getting everyone back in the action, I thought it wouldn't be fair to let 5+ players hang in the balance.wrote:When I read this comment it only made me wish I would have pulled the plug earlier, without trying to implement replacements. I was really pulling for the few players who were trying to keep things on track. Maybe I had higher hopes we could pull something out than I should have.Quonundrum wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 6:28 pm…that's why Lestadt ultimately didn't drink the potion of gaseous form and escape.
On retrospect, I should not have assumed and I apologize.
I was aware of what you were trying to do with NPC replacements, but Lestadt was trying to identify the assassin first. He knew it was a leader and wanted to do a surgical extraction rather than assault the whole castle. Ironically, he had finally pegged the silent council member as the main suspect, but he needed concrete evidence.
The plan was to get the prisoners free and while the castle guard were distracted, pursuing, he would investigate the leaders' chambers in gaseous form. After that, recruit the paladin and Priska's old companions. We just missed it by that much. It was quite enjoyable though and we were still able to trace the clues regardless of the mishaps.
I think a mystery/investigation game over PbP would work much better with a smaller group. Perhaps 4 players at most, rounded out with henchman/hirelings as needed. I was super impressed at how adroitly you handled each curveball (fireball?). I probably would have pulled the plug MUCH sooner if I was DM.
