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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Iosue" data-source="post: 6094402" data-attributes="member: 6680772">I think Beowulf is highly instructive on this point.  I mean, if hadn't been written over 1,000 years ago, it'd seem like the lamest D&D cliché.So this monster is terrorizing a king's town, and the PCs go to there to take care of it, and hopefully to get some gold and glory.  They arrive on the coast, where they are met by the coast guard.  He's not indifferent, he's not overly friendly, nor is he incompetent.  He can't handle Grendel, but he knows what to do when an unknown party of armed adventurers arrives on his coast.  He courteously demands their name and business.  He is wary, but not rude or paranoid.  The party's Caller, Beowulf, tells him who they are, where they are from, and what their business is.  The coast guard can see that these are well-mannered and capable adventurers, so he takes them to the main road to the king's hall.  He assures them that he'll make sure their boat is taken care of while they are on their errand.Once at the king's hall, they now meet Wulfgar, the king's chief-of-staff.  He, like the coastguard, quickly takes measure of the PCs, and notes that they are proud adventurers, not wandering bums.  Again, he treats them courteously (and they him), but at the same time, he doesn't trip over himself accepting their help.  Heorot may be terrorized by a rampaging troll-beast, but Wulfgar's going to carry himself with some frickin' dignity.  He goes in, and tells the king.  The king is happy to hear the PCs have come, and bids them welcomed.  Wulfgar goes back out, bids the PCs leave their weapons outside the door, and welcomes them to the hall.Hrothgar is enthusiastically welcoming, but does not forget his station.  He notes that the PCs have come in honor and bravery, and also notes in passing that he helped Beowulf's father out of some sticky business a while back, paying off a blood feud, and notes that he can reward the PCs as well.  He doesn't beg for their help, even though none of his thanes can handle the beast.  He just courteously notes that he is glad they are come, and will make their fight against the beast worth their while.After the feast has started, though, he tests Beowulf's mettle and resolve through his thyle Unferth.  Unferth launches a verbal attack on Beowulf, presenting a true account in a bad light -- telling no lies -- and indicating he doesn't think the PCs are up to the job.  Beowulf eloquently responds in kind, ending with an arch-ironic put-down of the Danes.  But this a test, and Beowulf's response passes with flying colors.  The Danes don't get angry; they simply laugh and start downing their mead.So the PCs fight the monster, and it is defeated.  The king is overjoyed, and honors them in words and in treasure.  Another monster attacks, and the PCs go into action again.  Before Beowulf jumps into the mere after Grendel's mother, Unferth, the man who belittled him just the other night, now gives him a mighty sword to use in the battle, which Beowulf graciously accepts.  When Beowulf returns victorious, he is again well-rewarded, and he and his men leave Denmark on friendly terms with the king and his people.So here you have a bunch of NPCs who are fairly positive about the PCs, but not unreservedly so, and certainly not without conflict.  When the PCs prove their worth, the NPCs acknowledge that.</blockquote>

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