Asking what others would do about a situation that is going on in my game

[Belares]

This is how it stands. We have a NPC NG cleric of Pelor that has been with the party since it started. The others in the group are N Psion, CN soul knife, LN rogue, and a Ninja I believe is LN as well. Now 3 games ago the party found a tower encased in a forceshield and was investigating. During that time came across a woman in distress and helped her out and she joined the group. She is a NE cleric of Nerull. At the time she was rescued she had undetectable alignment up so we could not detect evil but the cleric had no reason to do it anyways. The psion read her mind but failed so she ask to tag along as she could be helpful and so the group said yes. Mind you she is a player so it was easier to say yes...hehe.

During the adventure the woman showed some evil tendancies and finally cast a spell that confirmed the Cleric of Pelor suspicions that she was indeed evil. He didnt try to kill her but suggested that they part ways when this was over. The Cleric of Nerull said that was fine and she would not try and kill him unless he was not useful anymore. That of course alarmed the man and then the Cleric of Nerull asked the Psion to drop the priest of Pelor into a 20' pit for 10g and a favor later on. The psion agreed as he is neutral and decided a favor later could come in handy. The pelor priest did not die but was hurt bad but healed himself. After trusting the psion to pull him up with his telekinesis again and having faith that he would the Pelorian cleric made it clear that he thinks something is up and wonders if he is being betrayed. The psion convinced him he was not (great bluff role about a 32) and so he nodded and the group kept going. The part gains access to the tower and during that time the Cleric of Pelor learns that the other cleric is learning how to become a Lich. Now as a NPC only it is hard to really do what needs to be done but he knows now he needs to destroy her. The reason is that he is a Cleric of Pelor and he is sworn to DESTROY all undead. That is what he has from the beginning meant to do. Of course, she is not a lich yet but may be and he cannot take the chance.

So what i am asking is this what would other DMs do and as players even with those other algnments what would you do. Take into account that as a DM i am more privledged in knowing exactly what is going on but the players have a really good idea as well. The Cleric of Nerull is not hiding the fact she is what she is now and she is reading in this tower about how to become a Lich and everyone knows it because she asked the bookshelf in the room for info on the subject (i want all information about how to extend my life and become a lich). It is in the adventure so in case you are wondering what is up lol.

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

I'm not clear on whether the Cleric of Nerull is a PC or not. If the Cleric of Nerull is a PC...drop the Pelor Cleric NPC and let the PCs role play it out among themselves. Unless there's a super important plot reason for the NPC Cleric to be there, get rid of him. He's the one, from your description, that appears to be causing friction, not the evil character.

 

[Hjorimir]

Meh.

Eh, nevermind. Just noticed the cleric of Pelor is an NPC. Just dump the NPC in a hole.

 

[delericho]

I'm not clear on whether the Cleric of Nerull is a PC or not. If the Cleric of Nerull is a PC...drop the Pelor Cleric NPC and let the PCs role play it out among themselves.

Yep, that's basically what I think, too.

In addition, it might be useful for you to stop thinking of the characters as "just an NPC" or "a PC". Think of them as people, and have them act accordingly. So, if one PC betrays another, the first shouldn't let them off lightly because "hey, it's another PC, right?" Conversely, if the Pelorian Cleric is sworn to destroy undead, have him attempt to do this, exerting all the resources at his command in the attempt. (In effect, this may lead to your party having a Good 'villain' to deal with.)

The only area where this advice emphatically shouldn't hold, though, is in terms of the spotlight. Your PCs are absolutely the stars of the show, and what they do and what happens to them is important, while what the NPCs do off-stage, and what happens to them, is essentially irrelevant. So, don't let your Pelorian NPC steal the show. (If that makes sense.)

 

[DJCupboard]

If handled right this is a great outlet for some good social RPing and storyline conflict. If they cannot get along (and I expect they can't), I'd turn your Pelorian NPC into an antagonist even if he stays inside the party [NG should have no qualms about subterfuge], since the Nerull cleric is the PC and the other PCs seem to have no problem getting / going along with her whims. If it comes to all out battle, the Pelorian should be played excitingly, but not optimally, to help ensure the PC goes on, rather than just caving in and nixing the NPC.

This sounds like an exciting development if everyone can go along with it, rather than just trying to complain OoC that they can't play with this kind of oposition.

Good luck
~Dave~

 

[Nifft]

Yes. Uppity NPCs should be dropped in holes and covered.

-- N

 

[Umbran]

If the cleric of Pelor were intended to be a long-term character, as a DM I'd not have allowed the situation to arise in the first place, by not allowing a character I could plainly see was going to be a problem into the party. A little bit of interpersonal stress can be interesting, but I prefer it not come to blows.

However, given the situation at hand, the NPC doesn't get special favor. Unless someone in the party has a special attachment to the cleric of Pelor, or the party members see a lack of wisdom in replacing a good cleric with an evil one, the cleric is likely going to die. But as an NPC, I don't see that as a problem.

If any PC dies at the hand of another PC because of this, and someone is cheesed off by that, this will become a major lesson to be learned about party conflicts.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Of course, she is not a lich yet but may be and he cannot take the chance

You said he was a NG cleric of Pelor. You're the DM, you can run the NPCs as you choose. Would he kill anyone who expressed any interest in the undead because they might become one or create them, or would he instead try to convince them to turn from away from a dark temptation? If she hasn't become a lich yet, why can't he take the "good" route and try to convince her not to do it rather than to just destroy her?

If, after a while nothing has changed you can have the cleric take his leave of the group and let the other PCs choose who to follow.

 

[Kaladhan]

This will probably come to blows, probably sooner than later. The Priest of Pelor (NPC) should get ready for this by recruiting other team members again the Cleric of Nerull. For example, he could offer something to the rogue and ninja for their help.

The only problem that I have, is that you have a good chance to kill a PC for something that I'm not sure is worth it.

 

[JustKim]

So what i am asking is this what would other DMs do and as players even with those other algnments what would you do.

I would not allow evil characters because I don't find inter-party conflict to be fun or productive. It sounds like you're concerned about the conflict to come, too, and I think that's wise. Even after the cleric of Pelor is gone, this character is evil and the player is really hamming it up. She will cause problems unless the other players are just totally docile.