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Negociating with a villain
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<blockquote data-quote="Umbran" data-source="post: 6494176" data-attributes="member: 177"><p>But that's not what that suggestion is for. It is there to suggest *to the GM* that the NPC in question, by the writer's intention, might well be open to negotiation. Just like the PCs can get stuck in the rut of "if it is easier to light it on fire, I do that", so GMs can also get stuck in behavior patterns, including turning down attempts to negotiate and just skipping to the combat.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>Most of your points are good ones, though I think the order ought to be reconsidered:</p><p></p><p>Step 1: Find a way to message to the PCs that the NPC is *willing* to talk, and might bear fruit. If they don't get this message from you, they are unlikely to try at all. So, have the NPC talk to them to say something other than, "Kill them all! Now!" Remember that banter between opposing sides is a fantasy genre staple anyway! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>Step 1a: Find a way to message to the PCs that fighting might be a costly endeavor... for both sides. For PCs, it is usually enough to win - if they win, everyone survives. A win for the NPC probably means some number of mooks lost, at least. And if Baron Killemall gets a rep for having is people die all the time, he won't be getting new people, or he'll have to pay them more for the higher risk. The result is that the Baron can show up to the fight with overwhelming force, but still not actually think fighting is his best option, either. Play the NPC like you would a PC - and use up resources only when necessary. </p><p></p><p>In many games, someone with social skills and/or a high Intelligence or Wisdom can usually suss these points out. I have often used the tool of "please make a check" to get across to the player something that would be obvious to someone living in the world, when the player is only there a few hours every week or two.</p><p></p><p>Your Step 2 holds. Screwing people over is bad business for most NPCs. Only some of them will seriously throw an agreement out the window just 'cause.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Umbran, post: 6494176, member: 177"] But that's not what that suggestion is for. It is there to suggest *to the GM* that the NPC in question, by the writer's intention, might well be open to negotiation. Just like the PCs can get stuck in the rut of "if it is easier to light it on fire, I do that", so GMs can also get stuck in behavior patterns, including turning down attempts to negotiate and just skipping to the combat. Most of your points are good ones, though I think the order ought to be reconsidered: Step 1: Find a way to message to the PCs that the NPC is *willing* to talk, and might bear fruit. If they don't get this message from you, they are unlikely to try at all. So, have the NPC talk to them to say something other than, "Kill them all! Now!" Remember that banter between opposing sides is a fantasy genre staple anyway! :) Step 1a: Find a way to message to the PCs that fighting might be a costly endeavor... for both sides. For PCs, it is usually enough to win - if they win, everyone survives. A win for the NPC probably means some number of mooks lost, at least. And if Baron Killemall gets a rep for having is people die all the time, he won't be getting new people, or he'll have to pay them more for the higher risk. The result is that the Baron can show up to the fight with overwhelming force, but still not actually think fighting is his best option, either. Play the NPC like you would a PC - and use up resources only when necessary. In many games, someone with social skills and/or a high Intelligence or Wisdom can usually suss these points out. I have often used the tool of "please make a check" to get across to the player something that would be obvious to someone living in the world, when the player is only there a few hours every week or two. Your Step 2 holds. Screwing people over is bad business for most NPCs. Only some of them will seriously throw an agreement out the window just 'cause. [/QUOTE]
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