2 players - what about NPCs?

[Bystander]

Alright, I'm not posting MY characters or NPCs here. Instead I have a question ABOUT USING them, for the people in the thread that know 'em best!

Im about to DM 3rd for the first time. I'm running the Sunless Citadell module, and it says its, "Designed for a party of 1st level characters, or 2nd or 3rd if you don't mind some easy going at first." Problem is, it doesn't tell you HOW MANY CHARACTERS from each level would keep the party balanced with the module.

I'm assuming just 4 or 5. But that presents a problem too. I only have two players, and they both decided on warrior classes as opposed to ranger, rogue, mages, or clerics. So I need to provide at least some of those deficiencies, no?

So I'm assuming my only options are:
1. They each run two pcs each - takes away from role-playing aspect.
2. They each run one, and I run 2 or 3 NPCs - much more work for me, a beginner, and especially so since they've kind of forced the spell caster roles on me.

I don't want to tell them they have to pick the harder classes or they don't get them in the group. What would you experienced DMs do if you were me?

-Lysander

 

[Mr Fidgit]

IIRC, all of the 'adventure path' modules (WotC's Sunless Citadel and the rest) are built for 4 PCs

if i were in your situation, i would leave the choice to the players whether to run more than one PC each, have you run NPCs or even start their PCs at 2nd or 3rd level (you could even encourage them to multi-class to have all of the 'bases' (basic character types) covered)

if they're stuck on playing only fighter-types, you may need to explain to them that running the mod and running NPCs is just too much for you to handle as a beginner DM...

if all else fails, bribe them into handling multiple or multi-classed PCs with a minor magic item or masterwork weapon for each

good luck!

 

[perivas]

There does not need to be any kind of compromise. As I see it, you can have the cake and eat it too by simply bumping up the levels of the PCs. Although it might make it easier for them to fight certain creatures, it will still be a challenge, due to the lack of player turns. However, I must advise you to convince one or both of them to possess some kind of healing power. Otherwise, their adventures may be cut short, unless of course, they are wily and cautious players, in which case, with a little DM help (i.e., placing healing sources at timely places may work out for them).

 

[Cyndre01]

Hmm.. I think you should let them play 2nd level characters, and give them all a bonus feat just for being such terriffic players

 

[DiFier]

I am currently in a campaign where I am one of 2 charachters. We started out at 3rd level in a campaign designed for first level charachters. (The first of the freeport trilogy) My charachter started out as a human wiz2/fighter1 and the other charachter as a elven rogue2/fighter1.

definitlly suggest to your charachters to multi class. there is a really cool fighter/wizard PrC called spell sword that I am currently advancing in (I'm currently wiz6/fighter2/spellsword2)

if your charachters are just warrior types, they will be limited. but it still might be fun.

 

[DiFier]

oops double post

 

[Cyndre01]

I'm one of his players... our first two characters were:
Fighter 2
Barbarian 1/Fighter 1

Our second two are:
Rogue 1/Ranger 1
Paladin 1/Sorcerer 1