[Alignment Fun]My G party has a CE henchman!

[maddman75]

*Forge of Fury Spoilers in this thread*

I'm running my group through FoF. They've cleared the top level, finally getting to King Ulfe the ogre. When they went in, they kept in a tight formation to protect the spellcasters. The priestess opened with a Hold Person on one of the orcs. They took down the other five and the fighter cut off Ulfe's head just as the spell ended. The lone orc looked at the heroes and fell to his knees.

I'm looking at it like this - orcs (in this setting anyway) respect only one thing: strength. Ulfe was the most powerful creature around, and thus he led the tribe. These strangers come in, storm their impenatrable fortress. They hold him with their magics and slay mighty Ulfe. The orc sees that the PCs are much stronger than him, stronger even than Ulfe. So he pledges his service to the mighty warriors. They accept, rather tickled to have their own orc.

I've given them a couple of hints that this won't be simple. Throk is completely loyal - so long as the PCs are the big kids on the block. When they asked if he would pledge himself to serve Pelor, he responded that if the warriors who slew mighty Ulfe served Pelor, then so would he. The streets will run with the blood of the enemies of Pelor! When they went to town they bid him wait outside. He responded "Shall I kill any humans who attempt to escape?"

So what other ways can this turn out interesting? Keep in mind two things - Throk is completely loyal for now, and orcs are not redeemable. This isn't a grey area, they are spawn of demons and hate as men breathe.

 

[morbiczer]

When they went to town they bid him wait outside. He responded "Shall I kill any humans who attempt to escape?"

Not much to add, but this is really funny.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

When they barter for goods and a shopkeep will not give them the discount or raise his voice (which isn't that uncommon, an usual bartering tactic. "5 silvers? You insult me! I have three starving kids!"), their new pet will pounce on the poor guy and prepare to kill him for showing disrespect to the Masters.

Think Terminator 2: "You were about to kill him!" "Of course! I'm a Terminator."

 

[MrFilthyIke]

He responded "Shall I kill any humans who attempt to escape?"

I laughed.

 

[Nifft]

The streets will run with the blood of the enemies of Pelor!

I'm certain Pelor will be tickled.

-- N

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

If they ever bring Throk with them into a bar or other social setting, have him demand the best seat in the place, kicking people out of their chairs if necessary.

If they leave Throk outside instead, have him line up people he has "converted" to Pelor by threat of extreme violence.

Have Throk volunteer the party for dangerous duties since they are undoubtedly the most powerful people in the land.

 

[AuraSeer]

The most obvious way this will go wrong is for the PCs to admit weakness. If they ever flee combat, it'll be pretty obvious that whatever's chasing them is stronger than they are. The party may dash in panic out of the BBEG's lair only to do a head count and find that Throk remained behind and surrendered. Or depending on how smart the orc is, he may bide his time until they're asleep, and then harvest one of their heads to take back as a present for his new master.

it doesn't even have to be fleeing that triggers this. Simply speaking out loud about the party's capabilities-- "Hey, let's not attack that BBEG yet, we're not powerful enough"-- might inspire Throk to wander off and look for this stronger being the PCs are so scared of.

If that's not where you want to go, another option is to have Throk so convinced of the PCs' strength that he gets them in fights in over their head. When the party is in tense negotiations with a great wyrm, Throk may stroll on up and punch it in the eye, and start boasting about how his masters are going to kick the dragon's ass. (Generating a TPK with this schtick would be bad form, but a severe mangling is just fine.)

 

[jimpaladin]

Since you asked Throk won't last long in the world you described. How is he allowed to stay in the town if everyone knows orcs are the result of demon/human coupling? You would have a mob trying to kill him and he in turn trying to kill them. In addition he will constantly remind everyone in earshot that the group slays might creatures and will name the orge as the first of many. As others have said he will be a town crier of sorts for the party. If the party does as the town wishes, perhaps binding him, he will feel his loyalty has been challaged. It won't last more than a couple of sessions at best.

It was a good story

 

[sniffles]

Your priestess could have a lot of fun trying to convert Throk to Pelor's faith for real, instead of just as a representative of power.

One group I play with has a goblin NPC who started out as a captive. Our paladin has worked for many levels to convert him to the worship of her CG deity, and he's become a faithful and valued member of the party.

I've also just recently started playing in a campaign in which two of the party members are TN or CN rogues, and the other two are LG (ranger and wizard). It's going to be interesting to see how that plays out.

 

[Vorput]

Since you asked Throk won't last long in the world you described. How is he allowed to stay in the town if everyone knows orcs are the result of demon/human coupling? You would have a mob trying to kill him and he in turn trying to kill them. In addition he will constantly remind everyone in earshot that the group slays might creatures and will name the orge as the first of many. As others have said he will be a town crier of sorts for the party. If the party does as the town wishes, perhaps binding him, he will feel his loyalty has been challaged. It won't last more than a couple of sessions at best.

It was a good story

Gotta agree with jimpaladin here, if Orcs are as they say you are- this guy is gonna get torn apart, and indeed- I think the G party is committing a pretty evil act by letting one live...