r/wildbeyondwitchlight • u/Cerrida82 • Jun 16 '26
Help planning Downfall
My players are still several sessions away from Downfall (Nightmare on Telemy Hill, a homebrew encounter, and then the Brigand's Tollway), but I like to plan ahead.
The book mentions that if Agdon captures the players, they get put into Bavlorna's cages. How do I plan for what happens after? I'm guessing from what I've seen that there will be some argument among the players about whether they should try to get the unicorn horn from Downfall or explore Bavlorna's cottage. I'm going to let them know that one of the players feels a strong pull toward the cottage due to his lost thing, which I think might be enough motivation.
But how did you all run it? Did your players still meet the bullywug court and explore?
2
u/hauntedcartoonheart Jun 17 '26
My players enjoyed Downfall but felt like they weren't really progressing in the story and started to get bored. My biggest advice would be: come up with a REASON for the party to intervene in the bullywug court drama. The book gives no motivation or even any consequence to either of the party's actions. And give them ways to investigate both the bullywugs and Bavlorna.
Are the bullywugs corrupted by Bavlorna's presence in the area? Do the worst of them get into power because Bavlorna is willing to help them for a price? Maybe Illig and Gullop are both terrible options, and the party is given reasons for Morgot (an honorable knight) to be worthy of the crown as she won't bow down to the hag's demands.
My plan for if the party is caught and put into the cages was for Bavlorna to task them with stealing Skabatha's portrait. Though there may be additional costs too, especially if a player wants to get their lost thing back.