From the ashes will rise a new Hivemind.

[Dog Moon]

Yay, got a new monitor today. It's pretty slick.

I'll be doing a little drinking on Friday night. Debating on beer or Captain Morgan [which I like the taste and goes down well] with some sort of side drink. Decisions decisions.

 

[Jdvn1]

I didn't want to hijack the other thread, but I wanted to mention.

You look at the stories of Jeanne D'Arc's early career- when people thought she was just a jumped-up peasant girl and nothing more- and she was doing stuff like that. She'd charge when others retreated. She stood her ground when lightly armed and wounded while others resolve was shaken.

Sure, St. Joan of Arc was a BA. If we're going to talk saints, there are a number of pretty awesome stories, though (and, possibly, bordering on breaking forum rules). This is my girlfriend's favorite saint, by far, and she's a good example of a lot of good qualities.

And, IMHO, rewarding her for taking that kind of classic action by letting her get the unusual benefit of full use of her powers? That will only encourage role-play and lead to a fairly cinematic game.

Thanks! I was a little concerned at first--it was a "practice" adventure to teach D&D to a number of new players, so I didn't want to confuse them by "changing up" the rules on them... on the other hand, it hopefully taught them that you get rewarded for coolness. My next worry is that, as they start the "real" adventure (WotBS! I'm excited!), they'll be too attached to their characters to try daring stuff like that in the future (a sentiment I've noticed in new players in general).

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Usually, when introducing newbies to the game, I try to include veteran players. That way, they can give them some of the benefit of their past experiences.

In addition, I occasionally set one of those vets up as "The Black Guy"*- IOW, that PC is only there to show the seriousness of the situation. The player understands going in that this particular PC is slated for death.

That can go a long way to illustrating to the new guys and gals that its OK to get into character and even love them, but that all PCs are mortal.

* a.k.a. "Red Shirt"

 

[Jdvn1]

Interesting idea, but do you think it probably limits scenic moments?

I don't generally have a spare experienced player--my most experienced player had started playing 4e something like a month or less prior to that session, though he has substantial AD&D experience. So, I suppose I could have used him for that, but I'm afraid it's too late for that. He's currently planning on using a character he's attached to, and I think that since the last time he gamed was so long ago, he never got over the character-attachment problem.

"Character-Attachment Problem" might be a bad term to use because I don't think it's necessarily a problem, but you have to balance coolness and survivability in order to maximize fun.

I'll bring up the Black Guy* idea with my one more experienced player. Maybe if he decided to play a different character, he'll be okay with me killing his first one.

*(it took me longer than it should have to understand the term... I must be tired)

 

[Relique du Madde]

In addition, I occasionally set one of those vets up as "The Black Guy"*- IOW, that PC is only there to show the seriousness of the situation. The player understands going in that this particular PC is slated for death.

* a.k.a. "Red Shirt"

Horror Trope 61: The black guy always dies first.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Horror Trope 61: The black guy always dies first.

Horror Trope 61a (revised): The black guy has only a 1% chance of making it to the end of the story.

Interesting idea, but do you think it probably limits scenic moments?

Mmmm...yes & no. The death only comes when its really justified- a chance is taken and there is a failure...and the chance was REALLY risky or the failure was extreme. Like kicking a dragon in the nards while you're on a tightrope or something.

Or when the PC takes a heroic risk, like holding off the charging horde while the rest of the party escapes...

That way, you let players know that their PCs are not protected by Plot Armor, but that risks are still part of the heroic theme.

I'll bring up the Black Guy* idea with my one more experienced player. Maybe if he decided to play a different character, he'll be okay with me killing his first one.

Or you could just talk to your players, not about PC death, but to keep an eye out for whomever is dissatisfied with their PC (if anyone, and usually, someone is). That person would be REALLY open to the idea of a PC mulligan, especially coupled with the chance to go out in a blaze of glory.

 

[Relique du Madde]

Mmmm...yes & no. The death only comes when its really justified- a chance is taken and there is a failure...and the chance was REALLY risky or the failure was extreme. Like kicking a dragon in the nards while you're on a tightrope or something.

Or when the PC takes a heroic risk, like holding off the charging horde while the rest of the party escapes...

That way, you let players know that their PCs are not protected by Plot Armor, but that risks are still part of the heroic theme.

Damn... you're lucky that standard dnd doesn't have FATE styled FATE points.

Or you could just talk to your players, not about PC death, but to keep an eye out for whomever is dissatisfied with their PC (if anyone, and usually, someone is). That person would be REALLY open to the idea of a PC mulligan, especially coupled with the chance to go out in a blaze of glory.

That's a good idea since it at least gives you the opportunity to set up a character's retirement, (rail roaded) heroic departure, retconn, or a gm-player approved turn to the darkside all while having a new pre-generated pc waiting in the wings.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I want a Taekwondonut.

 

[Jdvn1]

Can I have a dozen?

 

[Relique du Madde]

Does it have the ultimate power?