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PCs that are too big for their britches...do they live or die?
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<blockquote data-quote="Dausuul" data-source="post: 6358513" data-attributes="member: 58197"><p>If I've just set up the PCs for a big fight scene with a villain (it's usually pretty clear that's what's happening), then I don't expect them to treat the villain with respect. Why would they? He's about to try to kill them anyway. Maybe he can succeed, maybe he can't, but either way they have no reason to make nice. If the villain feels the need to chat, I expect him to do it while fighting. There's nothing like D&D to show up why villainous monologues are silly. If I ever start one, I can count on the entire party declaring "I waste him with my crossbow!" or the equivalent, which is exactly what any sensible person <em>would</em> do.</p><p></p><p>My PCs do sometimes encounter creatures and NPCs that can wipe the floor with them, and in <em>those</em> instances they are well advised to be polite. Mouthing off to the ancient red dragon will get a reply along these lines:</p><p></p><p><em>"Ah, a comedian. Do you know what would improve your jokes, comedian? Making them while on fire. Shall we see if you can?"</em></p><p></p><p>Back down, and the dragon will make fun of you and needle you for the rest of the encounter, but it'll let you live. Crack another joke, and the next words out of my mouth are "Roll initiative." And I will pull no punches, at least to the person who was mouthing off. (If dealing with new players, I might pause briefly to ask out of character, "Why exactly are you picking a fight with the ancient red?" in case they're operating on assumptions like "The DM would never have a monster we couldn't beat" or "We're going to end up fighting it anyway." However, if the player insists on fighting, then a fight there will be... albeit a short one.)</p><p></p><p>Likewise, if you insult the king, you get an impromptu fight scene with his elite bodyguard that probably ends with you in a dungeon, facing execution (but the party members who were polite can get you off if they're willing to plead your case). Fortunately, it usually only takes one example before the lesson sticks--but you do have to be willing to follow through.</p><p></p><p>I cut them a fair bit of slack on excessive familiarity, though. Yeah, the king probably should take offense to not being treated with the formality due his position, but as long as the PCs aren't insulting him, I let them get away with it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Dausuul, post: 6358513, member: 58197"] If I've just set up the PCs for a big fight scene with a villain (it's usually pretty clear that's what's happening), then I don't expect them to treat the villain with respect. Why would they? He's about to try to kill them anyway. Maybe he can succeed, maybe he can't, but either way they have no reason to make nice. If the villain feels the need to chat, I expect him to do it while fighting. There's nothing like D&D to show up why villainous monologues are silly. If I ever start one, I can count on the entire party declaring "I waste him with my crossbow!" or the equivalent, which is exactly what any sensible person [I]would[/I] do. My PCs do sometimes encounter creatures and NPCs that can wipe the floor with them, and in [I]those[/I] instances they are well advised to be polite. Mouthing off to the ancient red dragon will get a reply along these lines: [I]"Ah, a comedian. Do you know what would improve your jokes, comedian? Making them while on fire. Shall we see if you can?"[/I] Back down, and the dragon will make fun of you and needle you for the rest of the encounter, but it'll let you live. Crack another joke, and the next words out of my mouth are "Roll initiative." And I will pull no punches, at least to the person who was mouthing off. (If dealing with new players, I might pause briefly to ask out of character, "Why exactly are you picking a fight with the ancient red?" in case they're operating on assumptions like "The DM would never have a monster we couldn't beat" or "We're going to end up fighting it anyway." However, if the player insists on fighting, then a fight there will be... albeit a short one.) Likewise, if you insult the king, you get an impromptu fight scene with his elite bodyguard that probably ends with you in a dungeon, facing execution (but the party members who were polite can get you off if they're willing to plead your case). Fortunately, it usually only takes one example before the lesson sticks--but you do have to be willing to follow through. I cut them a fair bit of slack on excessive familiarity, though. Yeah, the king probably should take offense to not being treated with the formality due his position, but as long as the PCs aren't insulting him, I let them get away with it. [/QUOTE]
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PCs that are too big for their britches...do they live or die?
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