Source
r/DMAcademy•
Axethor

TPK vs Jail Break Session?

I've been DMing a homebrew campaign for over a year now, and it's been going great. We've had a couple rough spots, but that natural among a new group of new players, and with it also being my first time DMing.

Before we get into the problem, I'm sure some of my players browse this subreddit. If y'all see this, please stop here. The username should give it away. Trying to get spoilers will just make me change things.

The session two weeks ago started with the party rushing into the boss encounter for a dungeon I had built. They had no real plan for what to do, and after a long fought battle it ended up with all but one player unconscious or put to sleep. The last player had snuck away to cast leomund's tiny hut and block off the entrance, preventing reinforcements from arriving. We ended the session there, and the last player will have a final attempt to save everyone or simply run away, if he choses.

My problem rests with what to do with the others should he fail or simply run. Now, they were fighting Yuan-ti. Given the situation, they would probably be sacrificed right there in service to their gods. The party got themselves into this mess, this is the consequence. However, I can also see reason to hold off for a more formal ceremony. In this world, many gods were killed in an ancient war, and the yuan-ti are attempting to revive one of their's. I could do a jailbreak session, but I'm worried it will just discourage some players if they fail and die anyway. No one knows they are there, so outside help would be a bit of an asspull. It was a mission listed as high rank from the employer, so even less chance someone else takes it and stumbles upon them.

I dont really want to kill them, there is so much lost history and potential. But they do need a "wake up call" that not everything works out in their favor, since they have been fairly irresponsible lately when it comes to how they tackle the jobs they take.

Posted Oct 15, 2019, 6:44 PM UTC

98
demondownload•

If it was me, I'd rather my character die in a jailbreak attempt, giving me an opportunity to get myself out of this mess, than have them effectively die between sessions.

7
AxethorOP•

Part of my trepidation comes from the fact that some players were already upset the encounter seemed "impossible." Some of them would definitely enjoy the chance though, so it's probably the better option.

I will mention, they aren't suddenly dead between sessions. There will be a chance at the start for the one character left to turn things around. This would happen after that.

1
imnotfingleaving•

I ran a session with some yuan-ti where I turned the party into slaves. Make them work to build some more of the dungeon until an opportunity arises for them to escape. You could try to draw it out if you wanted to as well. Let them watch the behaviors of their slave drivers or figure out where they keep the keys to the shackles. Maybe they find an unused tunnel that leads back out of the dungeon. You can even give them a sacrificial deadline as well. Like every Saturday they sacrifice one of the slaves so they know that time is not on their side. I would give them an option to save themselves though especially if this is their first one.

5
ApexHerbivore•

I second this idea, and like the "Sacrificial deadline" idea. However, maybe it could be more effective if each night the slaves who were sacrificed were pulled at random by dice rolls. Give the whole party immunity the first night (make them think they are at risk of being picked though), so that they have a chance to observe how things work, before putting their names "in the hat" for the next night (or whatever increment of time you think is fitting). This will light quite a fire under their ashes to get moving and figure a way out, however if, as you say, their problem is that they dont think things through before acting, this may be TOO MUCH of an incentive to get moving, and may motivate them to act hastily. You know your group best, so it's your call

2
AxethorOP•

Not a bad idea. I do have the Yuan-ti make heavy use of broodguards, so instead of sacrifices they could end up transformed. Part of my problems with the jail break scenario was determining how to give them a chance to escape. But if they are being pressed into slave labor, it presents a good opportunity.

1
ApexHerbivore•

As slaves, you could give them some opportunities to gain intelligence about their captors, to give them an edge in their plans. For example, perhaps one of their captors "The one with the snake arms and green stripes on its face" is wounded, and isn't as competent in combat at that time, but isn't informing it's fellows to this fact because it doesn't want to seem weak or inferior (fits with Yuan-ti lore). So if the players pay attention to their captors, they could conclude that perhaps a jailbreak during that particular guard's shift would have a greater chance of success.

1
Thesecondcomingof•

I'd give them x amount of time to try to jailbreak. If they fail or get caught, that's on them. They suffer the natural consequences. If they don't manage to get out in time, that's on them as well.

1
YallsATurnip•

Perhaps have them play other characters for a one-shot where they break the team out

1