Running Sigil - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Running Sigil

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
ohtar_turinson
Jan 19, 2005 20:13:36 I'm running a game. Now, I haven't in the past had that much success in running cities, but the way things are heading the party going to Sigil.

Which leads to my questions 3:

1) What sort of advice can I get for running Sigil? How do I describe events, get the players moving, and how do they get from place to place when they don't have a map or something?

2) How can I get the factions involved, even though I don't think that the party would all be the same faction? (I'd like to start prefaction war, and run right up through it)

3) What would you do to make it clear to some of the denser/more-boneheaded players (not characters) that it doesn't matter how epic he gets (which is a long long way away, so I'm unclear on why he's thinking that far away)-- he cannot kill the Lady, he cannot even approach her power, and hasn't a prayer of defeating her? This guy's going based off of the mentions of her in 3ed stuff, so on the one hand I guess I can't blame him for not catching on- but I still need a way to make it clearer.

So there we have it. Any help on these three things?
#2
sildatorak
Jan 20, 2005 0:54:17
1) What sort of advice can I get for running Sigil? How do I describe events, get the players moving, and how do they get from place to place when they don't have a map or something?

There is no definitive map, so all you really need to know what ward something is in and what other landmarks it is near. I wouldn't worry too much about players not knowing exactly how to get where they are going, touts and light boys are a good, cheap source of information regarding the location of things. Past first level the price invovled with either of these is negligible.

2) How can I get the factions involved, even though I don't think that the party would all be the same faction? (I'd like to start prefaction war, and run right up through it)

I've found that having minor NPC's put a faction spin on things that are unrelated tends to at least perk the players up a bit. Say you've got a godsman weaponsmith that they're buying a masterwork sword from, you can just roleplay it out a tiny bit (you don't want to bog things down too much), and have him ask what they want the sword for, and when they tell him have him say something like, "Ah, to be young and headstrong again. I remember when I thought the that mattered most was to kill the most fiends and end up with the most treasure, but the forge tests your patience in a way you won't get gallavanting around in the Abyss."

3) What would you do to make it clear to some of the denser/more-boneheaded players (not characters) that it doesn't matter how epic he gets (which is a long long way away, so I'm unclear on why he's thinking that far away)-- he cannot kill the Lady, he cannot even approach her power, and hasn't a prayer of defeating her?

Let him try. There are a few noteworthy folk in Sigil that have attempted such things before (or in the near future if you're preFW), so delusions of grandure are not completely out of the question. He'll figure out that they are just delusions soon enough.
#3
old_sage
Jan 23, 2005 2:41:23
3) What would you do to make it clear to some of the denser/more-boneheaded players (not characters) that it doesn't matter how epic he gets (which is a long long way away, so I'm unclear on why he's thinking that far away)-- he cannot kill the Lady, he cannot even approach her power, and hasn't a prayer of defeating her? This guy's going based off of the mentions of her in 3ed stuff, so on the one hand I guess I can't blame him for not catching on- but I still need a way to make it clearer.

Allow the players in question to witness first hand, the ire of Her Serenity. Let them see what happens to those who would seek to challenge Her power. If they can "SEE" it, rather than "HEAR" about it in the local dimly lit tavern... they're more likely to appreciate the effects that come with such action.
#4
bob_the_efreet
Jan 23, 2005 17:20:04
3) What would you do to make it clear to some of the denser/more-boneheaded players (not characters) that it doesn't matter how epic he gets (which is a long long way away, so I'm unclear on why he's thinking that far away)-- he cannot kill the Lady, he cannot even approach her power, and hasn't a prayer of defeating her? This guy's going based off of the mentions of her in 3ed stuff, so on the one hand I guess I can't blame him for not catching on- but I still need a way to make it clearer.

Just have her float down the street. She's not doing anything, just making an appearance. As I understand she does that from time to time. And everyone on the street leaves, through whatever means possible.

...or, you could play like Shemeska, and publicly flay Alisohn Nilesia. Whatever works for you.
#5
Shemeska_the_Marauder
Jan 24, 2005 15:10:06
...or, you could play like Shemeska, and publicly flay Alisohn Nilesia. Whatever works for you.

And that's the only time that I've had to actually feature The Lady. There's been plenty of hints and allusions, but never has The Lady personally reappeared since that time. (Unless you count a statue or two in UnderSigil). My players panic at the insinuation of involvement by Her Serenity, and given what I sprang on them with Nilesia getting flayed, it stands to reason I think.
#6
bob_the_efreet
Jan 24, 2005 22:46:58
My players panic at the insinuation of involvement by Her Serenity, and given what I sprang on them with Nilesia getting flayed, it stands to reason I think.

And that's how it should be, if your players are familiar with the setting. And not crazy.
#7
zombiegleemax
Feb 06, 2005 23:55:15 It is funny, but through general talk with the players and in character roleplaying by NPCs, my players wouldn't do ANYTHING that might upset the lady. When I tell them that, not only is she a god, but she kicks other gods asses, they prettymuch know they will never want to mess with her.
-Aphyosemion

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 ohtar_turinson Jan 19, 2005 20:13:36	I'm running a game. Now, I haven't in the past had that much success in running cities, but the way things are heading the party going to Sigil. Which leads to my questions 3: 1) What sort of advice can I get for running Sigil? How do I describe events, get the players moving, and how do they get from place to place when they don't have a map or something? 2) How can I get the factions involved, even though I don't think that the party would all be the same faction? (I'd like to start prefaction war, and run right up through it) 3) What would you do to make it clear to some of the denser/more-boneheaded players (not characters) that it doesn't matter how epic he gets (which is a long long way away, so I'm unclear on why he's thinking that far away)-- he cannot kill the Lady, he cannot even approach her power, and hasn't a prayer of defeating her? This guy's going based off of the mentions of her in 3ed stuff, so on the one hand I guess I can't blame him for not catching on- but I still need a way to make it clearer. So there we have it. Any help on these three things?
#2 sildatorak Jan 20, 2005 0:54:17	1) What sort of advice can I get for running Sigil? How do I describe events, get the players moving, and how do they get from place to place when they don't have a map or something? There is no definitive map, so all you really need to know what ward something is in and what other landmarks it is near. I wouldn't worry too much about players not knowing exactly how to get where they are going, touts and light boys are a good, cheap source of information regarding the location of things. Past first level the price invovled with either of these is negligible. 2) How can I get the factions involved, even though I don't think that the party would all be the same faction? (I'd like to start prefaction war, and run right up through it) I've found that having minor NPC's put a faction spin on things that are unrelated tends to at least perk the players up a bit. Say you've got a godsman weaponsmith that they're buying a masterwork sword from, you can just roleplay it out a tiny bit (you don't want to bog things down too much), and have him ask what they want the sword for, and when they tell him have him say something like, "Ah, to be young and headstrong again. I remember when I thought the that mattered most was to kill the most fiends and end up with the most treasure, but the forge tests your patience in a way you won't get gallavanting around in the Abyss." 3) What would you do to make it clear to some of the denser/more-boneheaded players (not characters) that it doesn't matter how epic he gets (which is a long long way away, so I'm unclear on why he's thinking that far away)-- he cannot kill the Lady, he cannot even approach her power, and hasn't a prayer of defeating her? Let him try. There are a few noteworthy folk in Sigil that have attempted such things before (or in the near future if you're preFW), so delusions of grandure are not completely out of the question. He'll figure out that they are just delusions soon enough.
#3 old_sage Jan 23, 2005 2:41:23	3) What would you do to make it clear to some of the denser/more-boneheaded players (not characters) that it doesn't matter how epic he gets (which is a long long way away, so I'm unclear on why he's thinking that far away)-- he cannot kill the Lady, he cannot even approach her power, and hasn't a prayer of defeating her? This guy's going based off of the mentions of her in 3ed stuff, so on the one hand I guess I can't blame him for not catching on- but I still need a way to make it clearer. Allow the players in question to witness first hand, the ire of Her Serenity. Let them see what happens to those who would seek to challenge Her power. If they can "SEE" it, rather than "HEAR" about it in the local dimly lit tavern... they're more likely to appreciate the effects that come with such action.
#4 bob_the_efreet Jan 23, 2005 17:20:04	3) What would you do to make it clear to some of the denser/more-boneheaded players (not characters) that it doesn't matter how epic he gets (which is a long long way away, so I'm unclear on why he's thinking that far away)-- he cannot kill the Lady, he cannot even approach her power, and hasn't a prayer of defeating her? This guy's going based off of the mentions of her in 3ed stuff, so on the one hand I guess I can't blame him for not catching on- but I still need a way to make it clearer. Just have her float down the street. She's not doing anything, just making an appearance. As I understand she does that from time to time. And everyone on the street leaves, through whatever means possible. ...or, you could play like Shemeska, and publicly flay Alisohn Nilesia. Whatever works for you.
#5 Shemeska_the_Marauder Jan 24, 2005 15:10:06	...or, you could play like Shemeska, and publicly flay Alisohn Nilesia. Whatever works for you. And that's the only time that I've had to actually feature The Lady. There's been plenty of hints and allusions, but never has The Lady personally reappeared since that time. (Unless you count a statue or two in UnderSigil). My players panic at the insinuation of involvement by Her Serenity, and given what I sprang on them with Nilesia getting flayed, it stands to reason I think.
#6 bob_the_efreet Jan 24, 2005 22:46:58	My players panic at the insinuation of involvement by Her Serenity, and given what I sprang on them with Nilesia getting flayed, it stands to reason I think. And that's how it should be, if your players are familiar with the setting. And not crazy.
#7 zombiegleemax Feb 06, 2005 23:55:15	It is funny, but through general talk with the players and in character roleplaying by NPCs, my players wouldn't do ANYTHING that might upset the lady. When I tell them that, not only is she a god, but she kicks other gods asses, they prettymuch know they will never want to mess with her. -Aphyosemion