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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 15:33:24
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Poll Question:
My question to you all are the following... What do you and your players like most? To play and fight against monsters (orcs, dragons, demons and the like) or do they favor to be put against the more humanoid NPC (human, elf, dwarf and so on)? If it is a mixture, please explain what mix works for you.
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"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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webmanus
Learned Scribe
Sweden
338 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 15:36:15
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| A mixture. I like to create encounters, and make adventures, where the enemies ranges from humans and orcs to demons and zombies. |
Link to my homepage: http://user.tninet.se/~bsu242v/ |
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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 15:37:50
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| My players favor to be put against villains from the normal humanoid races. They like it because there are (in my mind) more cool characters to develope from these races because you can mold the into whatever shape you want to. The NPC isnt necesarily put in a certain category from the start as with greenskins for an example which you can almost always trust to be more or less evil, uninteligent and agressive... Please let me know your adventuring preferences. |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 15:39:32
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| OK... you are indeed a fast poster. Your post was in before i had typed my reply to my own poll... Good to see you again Webmanus. Always a pleasure to have you in the debate. |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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Misericordia
Seeker
Italy
66 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 15:45:19
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NPC, absolutely. Humans and demi-humans, no matter, with a bit of humanoids. Tey're more versatile, more variable...and I prefer lo leave monsters more "exotic".
Surely the PC will fight against demons, dragons and so on, but they must be strange and rare creatures, who inspires awe also for they're not so known! |
Omnia sunt communia. |
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Fletcher
Learned Scribe
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 16:34:33
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| My players prefer to interact with people that they have to judge based on actions rather than species. A good recurring villain will arrange for all sorts of monsters, demons, and red herring adventures that lead to dragons and undead. An intelligent villain can create a forum for any monstrous encounter desired by a GM. |
Run faster! The Kobolds are catching up! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 17:12:23
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| I voted for a mixture. Monster-bashing is always a worthy cause, but the human/demihuman opponents can be just as satisfying -- just in a different way. |
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 17:54:43
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My parties have always liked eventually fighting those really epic monsters - dragons, demons, devils, yugoloths... etc.
I, however, always leave sort of a demihuman/human NPC bad guy involved in the whole mix, since a villian that will think of reality in the same way as the PCs is always much more dangerous, if you ask me. Only a NPC would think to kidnap a loved one, or set someone up for failure. Most of the epic creatures are far beyond considering mortal PCs for doing that sort of thing.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2005 : 00:02:56
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| A mixture, variety is the spice of life. I do feel that nothing tests a party as well as a well rounded NPC (or group of them). |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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VEDSICA
Senior Scribe
USA
466 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2005 : 03:13:13
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| I'm going with the mixture as well.Though as a DM,I favored the great monsters......I liked to throw in a little mixture of all kinds of little nasty encounters leading to the ultimate fight... |
LIFE,BIRTH,BLOOD,DOOM---THE HOLE IN THE GROUND IS COMING ROUND SOON----BLS |
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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2005 : 11:28:01
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| Good to hear your replies... they are as different from each other as i thought they would. But keep them comming. I am very interested in your playing tendencies... |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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Shadovar
Senior Scribe
785 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2005 : 13:38:56
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I tend to prefer waging war or battle against greater monsters(dragons and demons) as they tend to provide a rewarding experience and a sense of achievement. Also, I tend to enjoy beating the crap out of them. Same for fighting lesser monsters.
I normally try to avoid confrontation with folk like elves and humans as fighting them tend to go against the grain for me. |
We have fostered trust, recruited loyalty, and gathered the faithful. We have trained thousands. Our legions can cover the land, fill the sky and travel through the darkness. We can hunt any and all that would deny our heritage. Now is our time, now is the time of the Dark Reign(Rain) of the Empire of Shadows.
- High Prince Telemont Tanthul, Lord Shadow
In a speech given to the citizens of Shade Enclave
At the celebration of the Shinantra Battle victory when he revealed that he was THE Lord Shadow of legend. |
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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2005 : 13:43:20
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| Go against the grain of you??? Please explain? I dont follow you... |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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Shadovar
Senior Scribe
785 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2005 : 14:12:58
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quote:
Originally posted by Faramicos
Go against the grain of you??? Please explain? I dont follow you...
Very well, for I tend to favor humans, elves, dwarves and gnomes as well as shades more often, yes, sort of biased in a way. And since I very like playing such races, attacking a member of these races is something I do not really wish to do unless really forced to. |
We have fostered trust, recruited loyalty, and gathered the faithful. We have trained thousands. Our legions can cover the land, fill the sky and travel through the darkness. We can hunt any and all that would deny our heritage. Now is our time, now is the time of the Dark Reign(Rain) of the Empire of Shadows.
- High Prince Telemont Tanthul, Lord Shadow
In a speech given to the citizens of Shade Enclave
At the celebration of the Shinantra Battle victory when he revealed that he was THE Lord Shadow of legend. |
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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2005 : 15:13:33
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| OK... I can follow you. Thanks |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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Shadovar
Senior Scribe
785 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2005 : 01:39:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Faramicos
OK... I can follow you. Thanks
No problem. |
We have fostered trust, recruited loyalty, and gathered the faithful. We have trained thousands. Our legions can cover the land, fill the sky and travel through the darkness. We can hunt any and all that would deny our heritage. Now is our time, now is the time of the Dark Reign(Rain) of the Empire of Shadows.
- High Prince Telemont Tanthul, Lord Shadow
In a speech given to the citizens of Shade Enclave
At the celebration of the Shinantra Battle victory when he revealed that he was THE Lord Shadow of legend. |
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Sir Luther Cromwell
Learned Scribe
Canada
158 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2005 : 01:03:21
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You see, I live with the philosophy that if they can be trained, it will be trained. the 'typical' example of any specie is boring, predictable, and somewhat of a snore. Now obviously, a Bullete with character levels is a bit of a stretch, but creatures that normally wouldn't take levels are interesting enough in that they don't have to.
I mean, who honestly wants to face your average orc? Ok, Orc's with levels in the Barbarian class can be assuming. Orcs with ranger or druid levels, now we're talking. Orcs in Monk levels: my players found them quite amusing.
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"At what temperature does a Goblin boil?"
"Any Rakshasa should eat a healthy diet that is high in wood elf, and low in shield Dwarf. One must always watch those cholesterol levels."
"If a Svirfneblin falls in the underdark, does anybody care?" |
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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2005 : 12:28:58
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| I agree... It gives a cool twist and it surprises the characters the first time they meet a snarling orc who turns out to be more than they expected. Give them levels and personal characteristics and a cool NPC is in the making... |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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warlockco
Master of Realmslore
USA
1695 Posts |
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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2005 : 14:33:42
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| He he he... That is a lesson learned for them... Dont underestimate ogres just because you have gained some levels yourself. |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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warlockco
Master of Realmslore
USA
1695 Posts |
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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2005 : 13:42:15
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| That is how it should be. Impose paranoia in the players. Makes them more aware of their surroundings. Makes for lots of good RPG... |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2006 : 12:47:59
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I voted mixture. It is difficult to say which category I use the most in adventures. Humans, demihumans and some humanoids I generally use for intrigue, but a hidden or surprising monster works well in the same adventures. Humanoids and monsters are more common in "quest-type" adventures. However many of these "monster" encounters how ever are potentially non-combat
I have never been a fan of demons as presented in the game so I generally don't base adventures around them. Mostly I like keeping players guessing to a degree and making them a bit unsure on who they're real opponents are. Often I end up winging it and changing the real opponent as the game evolves. |
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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2006 : 12:23:06
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| I have just played a session where they where to assassinate a high priest of Cyric. They didnt know how powerful he realy was, but as they initiated the adventure them selves, i chose not to adapt the power of the encounter to their level. Pointing out to them that the world isnt created for them, but around them, and an encounter they seek themselves can be of all levels of power. They survived, but heavily damaged. 2 headshots saved them. Otherwise they would have been dead, all of them. But the encounter served the purpose of making them uneasy when around enemies in the future as they cant know how powerful i have made them... And they are as powerful as the setting dictates... A great human villain. |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2006 : 12:40:44
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One thing I have learned is that if I want a villain that I want my players to really hate, humans or elves are usually my best bet. There seems to be something about these races that leaves my players bearing a grudge. Monsters, humanoids and for some reason dwarfs are often well liked even if they are adversaries.
I don't think it comes from some sense of betrayal when its a human villain and I dont play them as worse than monsters so I am not really sure why this happens. I have seen it with several players who never even met each-other; if I want a villain that the players will go out of their way to kill elf or human it is.
Any one else seen the same tendency in their campaigns? |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2006 : 13:12:21
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Mixture 'tis for me, and prolly for my players as well, they haven't really faught any NPCs yet, mainly because I didn't want to... The last time I pitted a group against a worthy adversary the group wined and complained afterwards because I actually played the character to the max, we'll see how the party will fare against their own duplicates when I run "Ravager of Time", because I will play their own selves to the max then also!!!!
Maybe they learn something...like reading the rules themselves! |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2006 : 16:59:41
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they probably learn something about their own characters. I just arranged a battle against a copy of the group and all of them where surprised with how hard hitting they actually is, if played correctly.
A fun little experiment, enjoyed by both DM and players. |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2006 : 15:49:57
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| A bit of everytying makes things more interesting. |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2006 : 11:15:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Mace Hammerhand
Mixture 'tis for me, and prolly for my players as well, they haven't really faught any NPCs yet, mainly because I didn't want to... The last time I pitted a group against a worthy adversary the group wined and complained afterwards because I actually played the character to the max, we'll see how the party will fare against their own duplicates when I run "Ravager of Time", because I will play their own selves to the max then also!!!!
Maybe they learn something...like reading the rules themselves!
Nice one! 
To my voting:
I voted the mix. I use them all from Orcs Orges Gnolls to Dragons Demon & Devil to the whole scale of undead to NPC's. Diversity rules!
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"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Mazrim_Taim
Learned Scribe
341 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2006 : 01:30:58
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| I like a mix, well. I lean more towards monsters. But I like to throw a very smart band of NPC's at my PC's every once in a while to show them just how powerful a well played class is. |
And if the PCs DO win their ways through all the liches to Larloch, “he” will almost certainly be just another lich (loaded with explosive spells) set up as a decoy, with dozens of hidden liches waiting to pounce on any surviving PCs who ‘celebrate’ after they take Larloch down. As the REAL Larloch watches (magical scrying) from afar. Myself, as DM, I’d be wondering: “Such a glorious game, so many opportunities laid out before your PCs to devote your time to, and THIS fixation is the best you can come up with? Are you SURE you’re adventurers?” -Ed Greenwood
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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2006 : 14:09:14
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| Precisely. And there is more finece to a well played NPC than to a mindless brute of a monster. Anybody have some experiences with memorable NPC's they would like to share? |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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Topic |
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Monsters or NPC´s?
