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Kentinal
Great Reader
4692 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Jan 2005 : 16:40:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Fend Of Greathold
ehhe. potions have hardness?
Err the containers holding the potion does. Generally glass vials. Hardness 1 hitpoints 1/inch of thickness (minimun hot point of 1.
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Im guessing it is a Called shot to Hit potions. and Potions on the belt must make a fort Save or shatter if the player falls more than 10 feet?
One can target an object, look at attacking or breaking items.
As for Fort saves, this works. Generally if character saves (for falls Reflex might be better for character, how well one lands)) items not at risk, if failing the save items are at risk of breaking. The normal rule barely touches potions in most cases. However certainly can justify a saving throw for more fragil items. Landing badly would then be best time to determine if vial (or more then one) breaks.
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Im thinking this - For the potion case
+4 circumstance bonus to all Saves - 6 GP (my campaign is in GP) - 1 Case can be Strapped onto a belt at no penalty. 2 Cases at -2 to reflex saves because of their bulkyness.
Each case can hold 6 Potions of any kind.
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Normally potion limitations on Belt's should max out at 6. though i still think this may be too easy on my players.
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Looks okay to me.
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Quick makes drinking a potion a partial action - Cause if im right its normally a full round action.
Normal retrive item is a move action, quick from belt makes it a free action.
Drick a potion a standard action.
Thus without Quick, retriving and drinking a potion normally is a full round action.
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- Btw - I played my first ever Game of DND as a player today and upon that i realised somthing - the other dm had jack all on me. and although i Tried to RP, My Meta-gameing Freinds Soon Broke down my spirit. No one was their alignment - they all acted evil with good intentions ... although they were chaotic good (i was lawful). They bossed each other around into using their abilities for their own gain. and when they begged me to use lay on hands rather than healing myself on 0 hitpoints i couldnt help but tell them to screw themselves - despite being lawful good.
Well... for a first time experiance of DND from the players perspective - i realised only 1 thing - Critical hits suck monkey nuts on level 1 characters.
What can I say, some players are more muture then others, this is not age dependent (I have known some very mature 16 year old roleplayers and some 40+ year old immurture role players).
Critrical hits never fun, at least do not die at 0 hit points any more ;-)
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Fend Of Greathold
Acolyte
Australia
40 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2005 : 01:11:43
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anyway - ill allow Quickdraw then, for use with Belted potions - making it a Partial Action to both Draw and drink. (Drawing becomeing a free action from quick draw - however, Drinking of the often foul, often far Ranging consistancies of potions takes time).
Im not sure how to introduce the portal demolisher -
you see , If i tell them it is a portal demolisher, they will run past my elemental, And Destroy the portal. and well... thats the end of him.
Im thinking The Drow Want the Player to walk through the portal, Carrying the demolisher... so they dont have to pay them. but then my players would be Stuck in the middle of Ogremoch's Hoard of Terran creatures... and that would be baaaaad ju ju.
so i came to this end -
I either Jack up the Spawn Rate for Portal monsters (to slow the players down... but they will get over run in mere seconds)
Or i Narrow the space to travel. OR put the portal up some natural obstacle. Or mine the Area with spell gems.
i dno im stumped. suggestions? |
"Wisdom is the gift of patience" |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4692 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2005 : 03:33:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Fend Of Greathold
Im not sure how to introduce the portal demolisher -
you see , If i tell them it is a portal demolisher, they will run past my elemental, And Destroy the portal. and well... thats the end of him.
Im thinking The Drow Want the Player to walk through the portal, Carrying the demolisher... so they dont have to pay them. but then my players would be Stuck in the middle of Ogremoch's Hoard of Terran creatures... and that would be baaaaad ju ju.
so i came to this end -
I either Jack up the Spawn Rate for Portal monsters (to slow the players down... but they will get over run in mere seconds)
Or i Narrow the space to travel. OR put the portal up some natural obstacle. Or mine the Area with spell gems.
i dno im stumped. suggestions?
Perhaps do something like this.
The way to distroy the portal is not using the portal distroyer directly on the portal. It must be placed or ativated in some other place near the portal. Perhaps 50 foot West of the portal, perhaps behind a concealed locked door.
This way they can be told what it does, however not be able to tell them where it wil work.
"The magic of this item will close the portal, however we only know a little about where to activate it. We know it must in no closer then 30 feet and no greater then 100. We also know that it must be a certain compus point of the Portal, perhaps North or East, but it could be South or West"
If you do something like this, the party will need to try many locations. Of course you might need to alter your map a little to acomodate this idea. I would not as a player be given an artifac and told this might be useful, but I can not tell you how it might be.
There might be a few other ideas I can come up with, however this should serve to provide combat and perhaps puzzle sloving if you want to offer hints as to direction. |
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Fend Of Greathold
Acolyte
Australia
40 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2005 : 08:35:04
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i dno... since i played the game as a player... i feel kinda burnt out about finishing the blingdenstone mission. do you guys ever take Breaks from DND - like years between games or months? how long have you gone without playing or making a mission?
:) BTW - i found a cool tool called "DMSCREEN" you can find it on www.dndadventures.com
Its making me think about Buying a Laptop computer for my DND sesions in future. other than that nothing to report today. |
"Wisdom is the gift of patience" |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4692 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2005 : 15:14:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Fend Of Greathold
i dno... since i played the game as a player... i feel kinda burnt out about finishing the blingdenstone mission. do you guys ever take Breaks from DND - like years between games or months? how long have you gone without playing or making a mission?
Well a bad experience can sour a person, however you might bounce. Some have taken long breaks, sometimes by choice sometime because of circumstances. |
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Fend Of Greathold
Acolyte
Australia
40 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jan 2005 : 08:29:40
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Ok guys - Bad news - Ive shelved my Underdark campaign... possibly permanently. you were all right. this was Over my head.
Instead ive opted for the Mask Campaign on Dndadventure's Site.
Its an awsome campaign, and should give my players a genuin feel for role playing And even put the fear of nature into them.
Ive made these changes based on my players ...
Player Before Play Now
Barbarian Rouge - so he doesnt be so cocky.
Cleric Cleric - He wouldnt change...
Rouge Fighter - Hes not cocky. hell do this well.
NEW PlAYER Fighter - 2 Fighters is acceptable.
NEW PLAYER Sorceress - yes... i found a lady gamer.
I hope this goes well. I convinced them to be good alignment (to control their spontanious urges).
I hope this goes well, but i read the campaign and it almost seems like suicide at some points - just the campaign i like ;) cause my players have a habit of surviving against all odds.
I plan to make Ressurection available as opposed to making a new char. |
"Wisdom is the gift of patience" |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4692 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jan 2005 : 10:10:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Fend Of Greathold
I hope this goes well. I convinced them to be good alignment (to control their spontanious urges).
I hope this goes well, but i read the campaign and it almost seems like suicide at some points - just the campaign i like ;) cause my players have a habit of surviving against all odds.
I plan to make Ressurection available as opposed to making a new char.
Good luck.
As for encounters you can tone down the ones that look too hard, they do provide less experience, however can save from using Ressurection too often. Also you can use encouter calculator to try to balance better. Remember your goal as DM is not to kill the PCs, it is to provide a game fun for all.
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Fend Of Greathold
Acolyte
Australia
40 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jan 2005 : 15:10:29
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mmm i know
I plan for this one to be fun - seeing as its pretty linear, and has a good plot (collecting Masks of power - under the influence of an evil mage from an extinct race who "wants" them to bring the masks back together - only they dno it and they are only collecting the masks for their own reasons (one of many of which 1 involves competition with another group and 2 being working for an NPC who's funding their journey)
It should be good - yes im quite aware of my role as a dm.
any hints you would care to give before i go walking off into this one kentinal? |
"Wisdom is the gift of patience" |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4692 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jan 2005 : 15:24:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Fend Of Greathold
any hints you would care to give before i go walking off into this one kentinal?
So far does seem straight forward, only thing you might want to watch out for is the party members doing reseach on the masks. They might learn more about them too soon and not complete project or change focus of the mission. Either going against employer or try for the mage directly.
I would perpare for those posiblities. |
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Fend Of Greathold
Acolyte
Australia
40 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2005 : 04:22:41
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ok. well i played my first game with 5 players. and i must say, it was indeed fun (they all brought funny hats and i wore a mad hatter hat) :P the wacky things we did do...
they began in a town called landover, there were 5 of them - Muhamid a human fighter,Tara a human sorceress, Andril a Dwarven fighter, Aramil an elven rouge and Bregor an Elven Cleric "agnostic"... i know, it with my head too.
Anyway. they all kicked off at level 3 and met up with the first NPC omar at the inn. now heres where problem 1 began. my Party... has a deep seeded Hatred for the bard class. they think they are the least manly class. and i cannot convince them to like bards... as a result they were Unfreindly and even threatened him with death (many wanted to kill him there and then) so it took alot of work from me to keep Omar alive.
anyway, he gave them their mission and they traveled with him for 2 hours north out of town to a Gorge. Now, heres where i began editing the campaign. I made it so they would have to Climb down a 50 foot drop to reach the cave. Tara Got worried about her climb skill, so i had Omar Knot her rope for her so she could climb easier. funnily enough her and everyone else made it down just fine - Until bregor failed and fell from the top of the rope down 50 feet landing on Tara. he took 19 damage from the fall and tara took 9 damage for being crushed.
Now heres where Argument 1 occured. I said Bregor's Arm was broken and he would need to concentrate to heal himself. but he said i cant tell him his arm is broken. So then Andril attempted to heal him in the Lull of the argument and Bregor' just snapped and said FINE I WONT CAST ANY SPELLS THEN... in the end i just told him to have his frikking arm back. I hate it when the players Argue with god, but i wanted to keep the fun.
Anyway. Aramil Scouted into the cave and discovered a manticore, hastily Retreating and warning everyone. I had Omar sing a Bardsong of Greatness directed towards Muhamid and Andril to win some hearts (they were his greatest haters) but they seemed ungreatful at the bards abilities.
the fight with the manticore ended in relitivly 4 turns with the party taking no damage and the manticore dieing a terrible terrible death (Muhamid and Andril both Scored Critical hits before Bregor charged in and finished the beast off).
They looted the cave, found there was no merchants hoard but found the mask which Tara then put on and discoverd its specialness. at this point Omar had a deathwish and fled from the cave where the party realised that a chimera had burnt the ropes up the cliff. luckily the party still had 2 unused Coils (and omar had one too) And they got back up 1 by one into combat with the chimera.
I showed no mercy. The chimera used its breathweapon often every few rounds and often aimed at the weakest and closest. Aramil Dissabled the Goat head with a Critical hit from his bow (called shot). Muhamid was Toasted and took the brunt of the attacks, ending up dieing in a near by tree where he was eventually flung. Tara and Andril Suffered a Breath attack (which almost killed Tara). Bregor didnt get into combat and neither did Omar (they were the last ones up the rope). In the end I Zapped the Chimera with a lightening bolt from The next NPC (charilus) and the players all scored attacks of opportunity as it stumbled off the cliff and fell into the gorge (effectivly giving them the Exp).
I then went into a linear phase for the next stage pretty much argueing out the role play between omar and charilus myself with a couple intergections from the party before heading them back to town - trying to give them the feeling omar felt really bad about using them.
They healed up in town, Went to the tavern and at a grand meal with charilus and omar and i told them all about the masks and what they had to do. however it was pretty linear anyway because the players really had no other choice but to agree - however, they did break omar's nose for lieing to them.
the next day i used a scared little boy to lure them into the forest (i love the word lure  ) where i had them Mugged by a band of Level 7 NPC's and 15 level 2 fighters. They fought a valient combat but they refused to just surrender. my party always seems to want to fight to win. or fight to the death... or somthing. Example
during the loosing battle Muhamid was Sneak attacked and lay dieing (i had to "fluff" a stabalisation roll to save him) - Tara was bullrushed from her horse and then boot bashed into unconciousness - Bregor scored the only kill and cut a scar across the main NPC enemies face before being pounded into gooey Mush by the Oger NPC (though he was only unconcious from subduel) - Aramil was surrounded and bashed down to zero hp... where... Get this - instead of playing dead he Drew and Arrow and continued fighting back. i had to teach him a lesson by stabbing him to -8 hp. (though he stabalised naturally). Lastly, i cast hold person on Andril to immobalise him.
then i tied them all to the roadside trees and gave them an RP show from the NPC's. 1 bit i added myself was one of the NPC's (Marne) pulling out a pair of Clippers and Cutting off the Top half of Aramil's Ear (i wanted to make him hate her + she is psycotic) - also I stole the mask from them (as stated in the campaign).
Anyway. long story short - Omar Rescued them, though they didnt react freindly, they Actually chased him off with their weapons after he freed them. they went back to town. Charilus Blew his Stack at them. New NPC introduced, Charilus's Daughter Elan. She joined the party. Charilus tells party to head north to kingsreach to find the next mask. Party Sets out the next day on a 7 day journey to kings reach.
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As a Dm, i never really elaborated journeys too much... but this time i actually tried to creat a picture. :) i think im getting better at DMing now. but its still hard to manage a group of 5. I noticed that the 2 sitting closest too me Had the most fun. the ones beyond them didnt seem to connect with the NPC's on any level and the player at the end (muhamid) ended up not doing much conversation. i dno if this is a theory on player positioning but i plan to Rotate the seating next game.
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anyway, on the journey the party wanted to split up (they saw smoke off the path to the west) Tara and Andril just simply didnt want to help out. From Andril i can understand (hes Chaotic Neutral) but Tara is Neutral Good? Shoudl i make an Alignment ajustment if her behavior continues?
anyway. Aramil, Bregor, Elan and Muhamid investigated and found 20 orcs and an Oger Looting a wagontrain. other than that another NPC was wrestling the oger (keetha) and the farmers were getting Gleefully butchered. Now, At this point Aramil was becoming rather intrigued with Elan because she has Comliness 14. so he was RPing to look after her. she charged into combat, took damage, fell to the ground whimpering and began Wrestling the orc cheif single handedly and he tried to save her , by charging with his Bow and Arrows into combat (but was held off by an orc with a glaive for 3 turns). luckily elan managed to survive. (meanwhile, Bregor and Muhamid were making light work of the 20 orcs and the oger with Sound burst and Cleave...)
they came out of that combat with a new NPC - Keetha (a level 4 warrior). but im getting worried maybe too many NPC's in the party (Elan and Keetha) maybe to much of an EXP drain + elan took the pretty looking neclace from the orc cheif (Muhamid wants to kill her and take it now... but he is Chaotic good. should i penalise him?)
They eventually made it to kingsreach where they had a bar brawl with 6 Local Gaurds (Baron Ganth's men) and won taking no damage and killing 4 of them (the other 2 rode off shaking their fists). Tara did somthing especially chaotic - Grappling, pinning and Burning a hole in ones face with a Jar of Acid... should i take action and change her alignment? or make her suffer an XP penalty?
After this they gathered information about the mountain and i told them these rules about snow travel -
No metal armor
They must wear snowshoes but cannot run or charge in them
there is a high risk of hypothermia
there is a very real possilibily of death from exposure.
This is wear my party became sneaky however -They argued with me abotu the metal Armor thing. They said they could wear their Winter Cloths under their Armor to negate the rule. however, i broke out my iron fist and told them NO - It cannot be Done. and they became all snotty and hissy fitty at me. Hell i was Tempted Not to Tell them anything and have them Go up and learn that metal armor = Death in the cold the hard way. :S grrr. Maybe i wont tell them anythign in future (a ranger told them about all this).
anyway. At the end of the whole Session - the party is preparing to travel into the mountains on a 3 day hike to a haunted cave. But im worried about the main NPC in the party - Elan - Because 3 of the 5 party members want to Deform her with Acid... (Led by Tara because she is jealous of Elan's 1 point more comliness) While the other 2 (protecting her because of her comliness - and playing their alignments) are willing to defend her with their lives. Aramil even Attacked Muhamid, (sneak attack with his bow) when he Tried to Grapple elan down.
SO thats Session 1.
What do you guys think?
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"Wisdom is the gift of patience" |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4692 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2005 : 05:44:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Fend Of Greathold
Now heres where Argument 1 occured. I said Bregor's Arm was broken and he would need to concentrate to heal himself. but he said i cant tell him his arm is broken. So then Andril attempted to heal him in the Lull of the argument and Bregor' just snapped and said FINE I WONT CAST ANY SPELLS THEN... in the end i just told him to have his frikking arm back. I hate it when the players Argue with god, but i wanted to keep the fun.
Too bad you can not use a 1st Edition bard , they would learn respect real quick. As to arm breaking, it does make some sense, however core rules does not used called shots or limb damage. Oh you can cot off an arm, leg or head with right weapon and rolls, just can not break them *wink*. The DM is god, but must be a benicial god. The arguement was not worth it, the game should proceed.
Nor can you require a player to heal their PC, if they want to walk around with one hit point and if deciding not heal so be it.
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They fought a valient combat but they refused to just surrender. my party always seems to want to fight to win. or fight to the death... or somthing.
A common event, that some will stick with then blame the DM for being a killer DM. At least this time it was not fatal.
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anyway, on the journey the party wanted to split up (they saw smoke off the path to the west) Tara and Andril just simply didnt want to help out. From Andril i can understand (hes Chaotic Neutral) but Tara is Neutral Good? Shoudl i make an Alignment ajustment if her behavior continues?
Well not yet alignment concern, however would be more concerned about party willing to split up at all. Seeing smoke does not mean somebody is in trouble. So not wanting to walking in the woods is not an alignment issue in this case. For all Tara knew it could have been a forest fire and did not want hair signed. Not an evil choice, at all
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they came out of that combat with a new NPC - Keetha (a level 4 warrior). but im getting worried maybe too many NPC's in the party (Elan and Keetha) maybe to much of an EXP drain + elan took the pretty looking neclace from the orc cheif (Muhamid wants to kill her and take it now... but he is Chaotic good. should i penalise him?)
You might need the NPCs to keep the party good, but yes they can become experience point drain.
Kill for a necklace is not good, however desire (thinking about it) generally not enough and one needs to look at total picture. Not just one event , the whole picture should be looked at.
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They eventually made it to kingsreach where they had a bar brawl with 6 Local Gaurds (Baron Ganth's men) and won taking no damage and killing 4 of them (the other 2 rode off shaking their fists). Tara did somthing especially chaotic - Grappling, pinning and Burning a hole in ones face with a Jar of Acid... should i take action and change her alignment? or make her suffer an XP penalty?
I would worry about the whole party for killing in a bar brawl, such combats are susposed to be (for most of the time) non fatal. This event as far as Tara goes using acid certainly memits alignment warning, at best, unless can explain why she did it in such a way that it appears consistant with declared alignment.
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After this they gathered information about the mountain and i told them these rules about snow travel -
No metal armor
They must wear snowshoes but cannot run or charge in them
there is a high risk of hypothermia
there is a very real possilibily of death from exposure.
This is wear my party became sneaky however -They argued with me abotu the metal Armor thing. They said they could wear their Winter Cloths under their Armor to negate the rule. however, i broke out my iron fist and told them NO - It cannot be Done.
Let them wear the armor and impose cold damage, each day. Use fatique, make it hard to sleep. Increase travel time because the metal slows them down. I have an in game solution. Winter clothes, cloaks and the rest are designed to be worn out side the armor, the metal closer to the body, the metal sapping body heat. To do the reverse, the cold will contrat the metal and the extra padding they have under it to stay warm. This will cause preasure on the chest limiting the breathing ability. They will tire quicker, perhaps only able to travel 6 hours per day then 8. Try to present as reasonable arguement as they persent you. Oh it is posible the armor might even damage the winter clothes after a day or two. Actual scince does not apply and it does depend on type of metal, chain far more flexable then plate or other ridig metal armor.
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What do you guys think?
Are you having fun?
I do think you have an alignment problemk, but if the players want to go more evil you just might have to make them chiminals, occassionally trying to get them to repent. Good luck. |
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Fend Of Greathold
Acolyte
Australia
40 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2005 : 16:39:38
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:) yeah i am having fun - however my PC's have no feelings whatsoever for any NPC, commoner, gaurd they encounter. to them , they are completely and totally expendable. their deaths will have little impact on themselves and will possibly serve to back me into a Dming corner - not knowing what to do next.
for example - this is how i make campaigns -
I put a story (or use a story) and stick mainly too one story line estimated from the players alighnment and generally do my best to heard them along it. however this can get linear. Or Quickly Degenerate into repeditive acts of benevolence when the party "really" wanna do some gutting. however, its unrealistic to set town gaurds to level 8 or higher just to keep the players in check.
there for - when the players wanted to kill Omar with each and every scene with him - i didnt know what to do when they kept breaking the poor guys nose. I read he was a man of peace - who hated violence so i had him take the diplomatic, understanding why their angry aproach rather than the fight back and jepordise everything - especially in a room with several key NPC's present in a tavern which they will most likely be kicked out of for destroying.
also, when Andril wanted to kill Omar right there and then on the side of the road by the tree's where they were bound - i panicked and decided - its time to muscle this back into my hands -
I took a Diplomacy DC for Omar and a Sense motive for Andril. Telling him that omar talked him out of killing him.
Is this right? or should the players be able to do concious actions without the aid of diplomacy?
Either way... i think my other players are imposing their hates and superstitions onto the newer players -
For instance - I was teaching my newer players to make their characters, and as an example i filled their inventories with things such as winterblankets, a cooking pot, silk rope, grappling hook, a potion of invisibility, tobacco leaves, Etc - anything they could use for RP potential. also i encouraged them to use whatever weapon they imagin they would wield. however...
my veteran characters overpowered me :P and said - Take the biggest weapons, the best armor, the Least inventory junk - go meta it rules.
this annoys me. Also, what really annoys me is my parties Reluctance to Factor in encumberment. they dont calculate their inventorys, and i never have time to whip out a calculator and spend an hour researching just how much weight they are carrying.
also, there is a thin line between "killer dm" and "killer stupidity" - The players think that "the dragon combat should be easy because Fend works so hard to make the rest of the campaign, he wouldnt let us die" - Then go ahead, assaulting and killing an important Dragon who is spose to come back later for another plot - Is it just me or are my players completely dumb?
when is it a player cannot see when something has been put their for their benefit or amusment? - lets face it - If they were to kill of Omar it would have been a really short and boring night. yet they still wanted to? I think my players just dont have enough for site to tell when somthing is there for a reason.
:S Can you guys understand this? |
"Wisdom is the gift of patience" |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4692 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2005 : 18:03:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Fend Of Greathold
:) yeah i am having fun - however my PC's have no feelings whatsoever for any NPC, commoner, gaurd they encounter. to them , they are completely and totally expendable. their deaths will have little impact on themselves and will possibly serve to back me into a Dming corner - not knowing what to do next.
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You need to be starter then the players. Those guards that rode away, should return soon with 10 to 20 more, with Wizard and Cleric as part of the group. They should be higher levels as well. The players are trying to force you off the map from the sound of it. Have off the map plans. Pointing them North with the NPC and they decide to go East they find a Dragon lair, an old Dragon, They go East they find marsh and qucksand, they go South they find a nation of Orcs. Develpe essentially randon ecounters and events that should discourage them to continue in that direction. Yes I know it takes time and depending on type of encounter they need to get added to the map, a problem that after gaining some levels might actually be able to defeat (like the Orc civilization or the Dragon) in the future, others can be wandering monsters, first in smaller bands, but if continue off the map run into larger bands.
Rolf says, "They must be a city of them somewhere in that direction, but we are not strong enough to approch it. Those last 10 trolls nearly killed us. I for one do not want to meet 15. I say let us go North and away from this vile place"
This type of thing, at least yet might not require a city, in fact in might be a one time migation of a few hundred trolls seekin a new home. That in a moth or two no trolls will be found in the area. Not all encounters need to be deadly or combat, however you appear that most are willing to fight first rather then talk.
You can also try to put them in situations where combat is the wrong answer, something that requires skills, tactics and planing. Perhaps a place where all metal is heated, removing use of most weapons and armor or perhaps an enchacted place where each point of vilocence inflicted resuts in the PC taking two points of damage ( magical warded place against viloence. The foes encountered would only use non damaging attacks (or perhaps indirect effects, such as traps, illusion, non trageted area effect (eathquake as oposed to fireball).
Ideas to consider, however it has to be stories that they will enjoy playing. If they want to hack and slash the rewards will be lower. The greater treasure and experience awards would have resulted from talking. After they finish the mission tell them too bad you killed George, if you had spoken with him he would have told you about how to find a +5 sword and you would have earned about 1/3 of experience points needed to gain a new level.
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for example - this is how i make campaigns -
I put a story (or use a story) and stick mainly too one story line estimated from the players alighnment and generally do my best to heard them along it. however this can get linear. Or Quickly Degenerate into repeditive acts of benevolence when the party "really" wanna do some gutting. however, its unrealistic to set town gaurds to level 8 or higher just to keep the players in check.
The twon guards, depending on size of town should perhaps be level 4, however they certainly can call on reserves and as far as it goes even the citizens of the town as a militia. At the level the PCs will not get ex. pts. for killing level 1 however 200 level 1 can kill the party. The power of the guards is not thier level, it is in how many there are of them though out the realm. Also for crimes, the Baron would post a reward for their capture (if wanting to give them a trial) or for thier heads (having already been convicted by trail in absentia). There is a cost for being a criminal element. You know the realm and how much damage the realm can do to them. Also the NPCs based on alignment might decide to depart the party, least they become wanted criminals as well.
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also, when Andril wanted to kill Omar right there and then on the side of the road by the tree's where they were bound - i panicked and decided - its time to muscle this back into my hands -
I took a Diplomacy DC for Omar and a Sense motive for Andril. Telling him that omar talked him out of killing him.
Is this right? or should the players be able to do concious actions without the aid of diplomacy?
The DM can roll for the players, most often is things like finding traps or secert doors when PCs have an inate ability, otherwise the player would need to roll each move, to speed the game along. Roll the dice often behind the screen and occasional say "Oh interesting" or "Oh that is a shame" when the dice rolls do not mean anyhing at all. To impose a player to sense motive is perhaps going a little too far, however outright hated of bards was going too far on the part of the players so in this case I would not believe you were wrong. How you described omar and how you played him, there was not good reason to want to murder him IMO.
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Either way... i think my other players are imposing their hates and superstitions onto the newer players -
This is not good.
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For instance - I was teaching my newer players to make their characters, and as an example i filled their inventories with things such as winterblankets, a cooking pot, silk rope, grappling hook, a potion of invisibility, tobacco leaves, Etc - anything they could use for RP potential. also i encouraged them to use whatever weapon they imagin they would wield. however...
my veteran characters overpowered me :P and said - Take the biggest weapons, the best armor, the Least inventory junk - go meta it rules.
What you might need to do here is first create characters one a one on one base, use weapon that makes sense for your character, before introducing the new PCs to the old ones. As they are already equiped the senior players will not be premitted to have inventory changed. The party in character can discuss the equipment that collectively they have. Perhaps try to convince the new PC to sell that short sword and buy a long sword. meta and/or power gaming should be discouraged. Another way to get those minor items useful is set up sitiations, where the pot or perhaps even a fishing hook is important. Yes I know more work for you, but it sounds like you desire to get that roleplay aspect more in the game and the only way to achieve this is by making rolls less important.
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this annoys me. Also, what really annoys me is my parties Reluctance to Factor in encumberment. they dont calculate their inventorys, and i never have time to whip out a calculator and spend an hour researching just how much weight they are carrying.
You have two choices, tell them to provide inventory with correct values to you or you will treat all as being heavy loaded or take the time to calculate the numbers yourself. You if take the first option you still will need to scan the sheet to make sure the numbers are correct and added correctly.
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also, there is a thin line between "killer dm" and "killer stupidity" - The players think that "the dragon combat should be easy because Fend works so hard to make the rest of the campaign, he wouldnt let us die" - Then go ahead, assaulting and killing an important Dragon who is spose to come back later for another plot - Is it just me or are my players completely dumb?
Well not educated enough, that player stupid does get PCs killed. You might have to kill them off from time to time. If party dies, have another adventure ready. Tell players that you might want to try something different and all should have ready a first level character ready to play in event campaign stalls for one reason or another.
You talked abot omar being killed would have ended your campaign,this is not always correct. Often what happens is a delay and another party and another bard, seeks recuits for a simalar mission. It can be very important to have many options available or be very good at adapting when players have thier PCs do some ill advised things. You might need to kill a few PCs , try to refain from killing players (even if you get the desire at times) over time you will have no players *wink*
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when is it a player cannot see when something has been put their for their benefit or amusment? - lets face it - If they were to kill of Omar it would have been a really short and boring night. yet they still wanted to? I think my players just dont have enough for site to tell when somthing is there for a reason.
:S Can you guys understand this?
Actually I can understand part of the players desire to resolve things quickly to get the reward, though have a hard time understanding why the PCs would want to kill off an NPC that might aid them. The players do need to respect that the PCs should be treated as an acting role. PCs do not care about hit points or experience points, what they care about is staying healthy and learning talents to better achieve thier goals. |
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Campaign Diary - I Want your Two Cents
