D&D 5E (2014) Concentration mechanic can ruin plots in adventures

[Helldritch]

Yep. But I do like my NPC to follow the same rules as the players. Maybe a wish gave him that power but it drove him mad... I don't know. But most suggestions (even mine) seems wonky.

But nice suggestions did came up. Thank you all. I'll have to rewrite a bit of Excapode's background.

 

[JeffB]

These people have to eat & drink. Slip a potion into their rationed food/drink.

But yeah- Make up a rule/trait/item that does what you want,

 

[Esker]

Or make him an aboleth in disguise.

(Or have him working with an aboleth)

 

[jayoungr]

I do like my NPC to follow the same rules as the players.

Then you're going to run into problems with 5E, because it's not designed around that assumption.

 

[Oofta]

I've always assumed that NPCs don't have to follow the exact same rules as PCs. After all if they did, where would those evil cult rituals to raise a dead ____ come from?

 

[prabe]

I've always assumed that NPCs don't have to follow the exact same rules as PCs. After all if they did, where would those evil cult rituals to raise a dead ____ come from?

I've always assumed those cultists had found a book or some other source, which the PCs could in theory use to raise that same Dread Thing, if they were so inclined. I'm also happier if the NPCs at least very much mostly follow the same rules as the PCs, and concentration is a rule I'd be really reluctant to hand-wave away if I were working on something like this.

 

[Helldritch]

Then you're going to run into problems with 5E, because it's not designed around that assumption.

Yep, always was a grip I've had with 5ed. I prefer the NPC to follow the same rules as the players. Sometimes a special power here and there but it should be not be the norm. My Excapode has illusions of grandeur, he is not grand nor is he a BBEG or even close to a BBEG. I guess I'll have to work with some of the suggestions I've had earlier.

 

[jayoungr]

Sometimes a special power here and there but it should be not be the norm.

One thing that can help--maybe not for this adventure, but for future reference--is lair actions. If the PCs confront your villain in his lair, he'll have all sorts of chances to rig it up ahead of time.

 

[iserith]

Another thing you can do is take the line in your programming that says NPCs and PCs should work that same and delete it when you're playing D&D 5e. You can reinstate it when you're playing D&D 3.Xe. It'll go a lot easier for you after that.

 

[Salthorae]

The School of Enchantment level 10 ability lets you essentially get a twin effect on your charm spells that target only one creature as well.

Though there are other great ideas already up the thread that are probably better than that. You could flavor the NPC as a master enchanter who has unlocked greater secrets of the school of enchantment.