Comments on: Roman Reigns and the Perils of NPC Course Correction https://www.tribality.com/2017/04/19/roman-reigns-and-the-perils-of-npc-course-correction/ D&D / Role Playing Thu, 20 Apr 2017 11:27:00 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Colin McLaughlin https://www.tribality.com/2017/04/19/roman-reigns-and-the-perils-of-npc-course-correction/#comment-2664 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 11:27:00 +0000 http://www.tribality.com/?p=19923#comment-2664 In reply to tribality.

Exactly!

]]> By: MTi https://www.tribality.com/2017/04/19/roman-reigns-and-the-perils-of-npc-course-correction/#comment-2663 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 07:43:00 +0000 http://www.tribality.com/?p=19923#comment-2663 This is great. I had the same more or less problem: I am running LMoP for my regular group (6 experienced players) and at some point I had Daran Edermath (a NPC presented in the module) to help them out clearing the Redbrands (local bandits) Hideout. I made Daran a LG lvl7 Fighter, as he is a retired adventurer who decided to take up arms again to help a noble cause. The PCs were all at lvl 3, so compared to them, Daran is a badass. Also, I wanted Daran to be liked from the PCs, as he is also a faction member, so having a lead to that can help them in future endeavors.

So, they entered the Hideout, cleared it, but they completely scorned Daran. They are not hostile to him, they just see him as a guy who helped them out and that is all to it.

I’ll put into motion some of the remedies you’ve suggested Colin. The PCs have used practices (decapitation of fallen foes, excessive looting) that Daran does not approve. So, he’ll be more harsh towards them from now on. Plus, as a faction member Daran has his own agenda. This means that he’ll try to stick with it and maybe act against the PCs at some time.

]]> By: tribality https://www.tribality.com/2017/04/19/roman-reigns-and-the-perils-of-npc-course-correction/#comment-2662 Wed, 19 Apr 2017 21:34:00 +0000 http://www.tribality.com/?p=19923#comment-2662 In reply to Sporelord0179.

Nice. Every NPC they meet… “I heard you were rude to Joe. Not cool man! We’re sold out of potions.”

]]> By: Colin McLaughlin https://www.tribality.com/2017/04/19/roman-reigns-and-the-perils-of-npc-course-correction/#comment-2659 Wed, 19 Apr 2017 18:21:00 +0000 http://www.tribality.com/?p=19923#comment-2659 In reply to Sporelord0179.

That’s exactly what I am getting at with the first point. The displeasure of the players should remain in-world, and the world should react in kind.

]]> By: Sporelord0179 https://www.tribality.com/2017/04/19/roman-reigns-and-the-perils-of-npc-course-correction/#comment-2657 Wed, 19 Apr 2017 18:12:00 +0000 http://www.tribality.com/?p=19923#comment-2657 This was a pretty good read, I’ve come off with some good advice for running my NPCs in the future.
One thing you might do is have the other NPCs react off this. I mean, if you have your NPC offering vital help or saving them in the nick of time and the characters immediately hate them that’s going to seem very ungrateful and obnoxious.

]]> By: tribality https://www.tribality.com/2017/04/19/roman-reigns-and-the-perils-of-npc-course-correction/#comment-2656 Wed, 19 Apr 2017 17:38:00 +0000 http://www.tribality.com/?p=19923#comment-2656 Great post! I like flipping them into a foil or even a bad guy.

]]> By: The One-Armed Man https://www.tribality.com/2017/04/19/roman-reigns-and-the-perils-of-npc-course-correction/#comment-2655 Wed, 19 Apr 2017 15:40:00 +0000 http://www.tribality.com/?p=19923#comment-2655 In reply to Colin McLaughlin.

The first is definitely the best. It adds depth to one character instead of HOPING that the players care enough when they suffer some misfortune.

I’m still a little burned that the match DIDN’T end that way.

]]> By: Colin McLaughlin https://www.tribality.com/2017/04/19/roman-reigns-and-the-perils-of-npc-course-correction/#comment-2654 Wed, 19 Apr 2017 14:51:00 +0000 http://www.tribality.com/?p=19923#comment-2654 In reply to The One-Armed Man.

Of those two I prefer the first. It puts the emphasis back “in-world” where it needs to be, and the motivations for the behaviors can be results of the players reactions. A great example could have been Roman Reigns losing to the Undertaker, but then “destroying” him after the match to “end his career.” The fans would have had the thrill of a final Undertaker victory, the glee of Roman being beaten, and the excitement of the heel turn. Aware from the performance, we all knew the Undertaker was retiring – so why not use it within the narrative?

]]> By: The One-Armed Man https://www.tribality.com/2017/04/19/roman-reigns-and-the-perils-of-npc-course-correction/#comment-2653 Wed, 19 Apr 2017 14:44:00 +0000 http://www.tribality.com/?p=19923#comment-2653 Good topic, I definitely think the first 2 options usually work best in these situations, and THE BIG DOG was a great real world comparison.

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