Michael Hopcroft Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 This is more a story-mangaement question than a rules-based question, but how do HERO GMs handly prophesies of doom that come from supposedly reliable sources. prophesies like "Unless (insert relatively weak PC) is killed the world will end" or "The Dark Lord Kvack is destined to cover the world in avian shadow". If the PCs believe the prophecy, will they fight to stop it from coming true? Or will they resign themsevles to the inevitable? Would they kill that unfortunate PC to save the world -- and what if it doesn't work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Re: Prophesies of Doom The problem with prophecies in rpgs is that unlike a novel, anything can happen. A roll of the dice can end in an anticlimactic conclusion to the game. Either the prophecy comes true and disaster falls, or the PCs get really lucky and stop it too soon. Either, there goes the campaign. Having a deus ex-machina sae the day will also be unsatisfying to everyone. It's probably best to keep the prophecy vague and open-ended. That way, there's room for you and the players to maneuver, so to speak. Then you can have more options and the ability to add plot twists, red herrings, or what have you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reneshat Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Re: Prophesies of Doom I actually kind of like the heroes failing, and doom falls on the world. It brings closure. But only if all the PCs die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Re: Prophesies of Doom I actually kind of like the heroes failing' date=' and doom falls on the world. It brings closure. But only if all the PCs die.[/quote'] The PCs don't necessarily have to die. It could be the start of a new campaign where the PCs must learn from their failure and redeem themselves by undoing the disaster (or lessening its effect somehow) they failed to prevent. Alternatively, their descendants can try to succeed where their ancestors failed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reneshat Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Re: Prophesies of Doom The PCs don't necessarily have to die. It could be the start of a new campaign where the PCs must learn from their failure and redeem themselves by undoing the disaster (or lessening its effect somehow) they failed to prevent. Alternatively' date=' their descendants can try to succeed where their ancestors failed.[/quote'] But then there wouldn't be closure.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Re: Prophesies of Doom Okay, how about this. Everyone dies except the PCs. For their failure, they are unable to die and are doomed to wander the earth forever. Note that they can still suffer from starvation and sickness; they just won't die from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reneshat Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Re: Prophesies of Doom The best part of doom is the PCs dieing..... It's just not the same... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eosin Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Re: Prophesies of Doom You can check out my ideas on prophecy in this PDF -- It is your Destiny I am working on something similar to this for Antoginists - Evil Bad Guys right now. Any feed back is welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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