Discouraging Mass Murder

[haakon1]

On having realistic consequences as a deterrent, may I quote Lt. Cdr. McGarrett in the latest episode of Hawaii Five-O ("E Malama")?

"They killed two cops and a Federal Marshall. The only question is: how are they going down?"

Then there's a whole bunch of stuff about using SEAL tactics, tracker dogs, choppers, and so forth. The D&D equivalent of sicking Warduke on the baddies.

 

[Orius]

It depends on what they're killing.

Are they killing innocents? Break out the paladins. After changing everyone's alignment in the party to something appropriately evil. Don't hesitate to smite them. If they're getting into the paragon and even epic levels, then maybe the gods of good don't like their followers being slaughtered and they send down some devas or better yet solars (or whatever 4e uses for angels) to take care of things.

Antagonists? Well, it's less of a problem, but if you want less killing, then give them a reward for bringing villains to justice. And maybe even penalize them as vigilates if they kill outside of self-defense, such as having them brought to justice or declared outlaws or something. Don't do this right away because they might become more bloodthirsty if you do it without warning.

Marauders like raiders, golblins, orcs, and the like? Well, if they kill everything attacking a village or town, not a big problem, but if they actively hunt down a tribe of humanoids and kill every last one, then other tribe might come after them for revenge.

If it's just hostile monsters, then try not to use too many scenarios with monsters that are just there to be killed. OTOH, maybe that's what the players want from the game.