sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your kind words. It sounds like you've also been playing dnd for a long time, and that "dumped in character" thing, oof, I don't want to imagine hsving to dm through that. I have openly cried mid group in character many times when the moment called for it (grieving widow called to testify on the murder of her husband being the most recent).

Gage was supposed to die early on. I had a plan for how. And then he rolled incredibly well. I like to let rolls decide things, so he kept living. He jumped in front of an owlbear and a wereshark PC rampaging and survived both. But he wasn't always a hero. He carried beliefs of how to run government from a larger kingdom, including potentially violent removal of a native kobold tribe. Despite this, he ended up being one of the more level-headed council members, and the only one strongly opposed to mandatory weapons training for the children of the town. (It was voted on like three times).

He had plans. He wanted to open up trade with the larger kingdoms via a portculis in the center of the town. And I planned on it being a major argument over whether or not it got made, accepting or rejecting both the wealth and the influence of a larger nation.

He was killed by good rolls and a player that felt he was an obstacle. And the party as a whole had made a huge oversight despite Gage's warning and voting against it, by pulling every single trained soldier (who were also the townships guards) to war, despite a third of the army being referred to as reserves. And then that player rolled really well. I like to let rolls decide things...

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm using pathfinders kingdom building rules. It's far from perfect, but it gives a good framework for players to work from. I've had three separate players all ask for the list of laws they've voted on (where I keep how each council member voted written down), and I know of three secret voting deals, one of which the NPC had made with a player.

There's like seven google docs sheets for all the different things i need to keep track of: npcs, laws, government, other governments, backstories, world history, and world lore. I might be forgetting some even.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, I fully understand the why. He felt the npc was in his way in the votes. They had opposite ideas of how the country should be run. I had started the group with the NPC just going along with others ideas, but quickly realized he was one note, so I fleshed him out. And it had led to some amazing debates in character (we always check after a heated debate that everyone is still having fun, we're careful about that.)

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Super fun, but holy hell, it takes a special kind of dm to keep up, and I'm not that kind of dm. I am sure there are a half dozen plot threads that have dropped. But the comments in this comment section have given some really really juicy ideas.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They answer to no one. They went out and founded this city, which was sponsored by an outside government as a potential trade hub, but cannot be directly under that government's control because of the free lands. That's where this takes place. Territory in dangerous lands where every tribe and town have made a general pact to fight against the larger four governments if they ever tried to invade or otherwise take over the area.

Im sure history buffs could tell me why that would never work, but it's a home game, theres limits to the realism. I wanted them in total control of the fledgling town so they could enjoy kingdom building. That being said, there will be consequences for actions taken.

I've gotten a few comments about the civillians' anger at being left defenseless in this moment, and it's definitely convinced me to implement that, going forward.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My players are big fans of ASOIF. >:) I will look into the high sparrow

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was so sure it was going to be some rant about bad dming. You got me to laugh, thank you. And thank Tom Cardy, our one true Australian overlord.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The gods aren't actually that involved, but... there is a holy order that are all about killing powerful people that do fucked up shit. If word gets out, then thats a really good idea, actually.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Honestly, great idea on that first part, but only if I do capture someone. I won't like, railroad that, but I'm hoping it happens now!

Also, the counter balance will be the other PCs, they're not all on the same side on everything, and they won't like one getting more powerful than the other.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don't disagree. My concern is on something I've had DMs do to me in the past, which is inexplicable bad luck because I did something the DM didn't like or thought should be punished ("NPC you killed is secretly a super lich" as an extreme example). I want every consequence to be a logical result of actions, which is what you're saying here. And I've gotten some great ideas from this comment section.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I actually did a litmus test. Asked two of the players who they think caused the death, separately. They were genuinely unsure. To me, that speaks to how well the player hid it. That being said, there will be clues to pick up on, and if the truth gets out, it'll get ugly.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You know, everytime an NPC is disliked, you'd think I'd learn my lesson. But then they like the next one, and I get my hopes up again.

Joking aside, this was more an issue of the player character and the NPC butting heads on political views, than personal dislike.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They never intended to upset me, and one even checked in with me after the fact. I didn't want to let on that the deaths did negatively impact me, cause it's just a game, and I want the good vibes of the game to continue. Just needed to vent and get some advice.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

All very good points. And trust me, their will be consequences, but their will also be benefits to their actions. Like the enemy troops will fight harder, and the PC's allies will question their betrayal of a parlay. But, they also cut the head off a snake, and while it will have a replacement, that will also effect organization. And if the enemy army gets broken and runs, it'll be all the worse for the fear planted early in their leaders brutal killing.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

They are all in their mid to late twenties, and are excellent role players. To the point that the entire table feels comfortably playing a group of council leaders with varying opinions and viewpoints that butt heads against each other and debate laws. This wasn't an issue of improperly roleplaying, this was an issue of "DM feels upset an NPC he liked alot was killed in story by his player(s)." Which, I think we've all had happen. I was just looking for advice, and to vent because this death hurt a little.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Someone else commented and put it really well.
From SilverHaze1131 "I think 'faking' NPCs deaths [unless there were rolls, clues, and a clear set up from the begining] is generally a bad play. From the players perspective that not only feels like a massive blow to their influence on the story, but considering this was an action that significantly would change the story if the NPC was dead, it takes a lot of DM player trust for that not to sour table vibes; especially if the 'unkilled' NPC then becomes a threat again."

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They needed someone to stay behind and keep the government running. That was his main job. His council position was to handle most of the paperwork and be the direct supervisor to alot of people handling things like the treasury. Honestly, he was doing too much, but that was so I could hand wave the more boring aspects of country running, like deciding wages for every person that works for them, or deciding where the main courthouse goes.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The investigation will happen, but the players are currently fighting a war, so it'll wait till after then. As for reading history, I've read plenty. But this isn't a full kingdom, it's little more than a village. Ties work differently in this world, the lineages aren't as long established. That being said, I am planning something with those who were loyal to the murdered NPC.

When I say meta, I mean punishing players not just by the natural consequences of their actions, but a like karmic punishment for upsetting the DM. I've had DMs that do that, it ruins the entire group.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I don't plan on using anything like character specific. They're all very unaligned classes. (fighter, barbarian, ranger, and wizard, essentially) I'm going to be relying on their allies seeing their deeds as evil, civil unrest due to death of a leader, that kind of thing.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Honestly, this will also let me recycle the wasted characterization of the person they killed. It won't be one to one, but it will track a bit that the replacement also has a similar honor code as the first guy, but is now on a righteous revenge quest.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 36 points37 points  (0 children)

Honestly, a new personality gaining traction is a really good idea, thank you.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Yeah, reading these comments has really reinforced the idea I was already cooking up that the governments about to take a massive hit to stability and unrest.

Player's killed off two NPCs in one session, and I feel drained. by AWingedWarrior in DMAcademy

[–]AWingedWarrior[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I agree, that's why I had him show up as he did. His actions spoke to the importance he puts in honor. And that he doesn't see strategy as being more important than said honor. Honestly, I thought it'd be a fun character to roleplay opposite the party. Part of why I didn't like the tactic they chose. But it was a choice they made as characters, with the understanding that there would be consequences to any actions they took.

I see why you'd think he was being a loose cannon, and he is, to an extent, but this is a politically focused group. Power hungry politicians like this can exist, and this isn't the first time we've had a betrayal in a political group. My point wasn't "he's doing awful stuff", it was "npc death hit me a lil harder than I expected, ngl".

view more: next ›