(Discussion) General Part IV

[Uriel]

So, here's a subject that may be touchy with a few people, Players, DMs and Judges alike:Not letting particular characters on an adventure.

I post this as a DM, btw.

I am developing a storyline, by the end of this week, I will have run and finished 4 adventures (that must be a record in PbPs...). leading up to a bigger inkling as to what's going on with these pesky Feral Kroggothites.

What I Dont want to do/have is more 1st level adventurers trying to sign aboard for the next adventure. Frankly, they will be dead as soon as I say 'Sure, come along'. This particular string of adventure is very combat heavy, with the enemy being bestial Orcs and other damage intensive adversaries, and while someone coming along with a schizophrenic Elf Wizard who seeks the ultimate truth behind just why the Gods do things as they do (a non-belligerant shot at some of the very cool and interesting backgrounds that the very creative LEW players have put forth), that same character with their 5 HP just isn't going to cut it in a game where the enemy fodder is doing 1D8+4 at a minimum. It's been a tricky bit of DMing to present the combat encounters in a way that the PCs aren't just slaughtered already (I haven't pulled punches, though, just had tactical options that may have thrown a few points in the favor of the PCs), there will come a time when a DM will need to say 'no PCs of less that Lvl 3' or something of the sort.

This is pretty much a post that isn't needed (for my game), since it is easy enough to just have a lead-in that encompases particular characters (those that want to continue, anyways), but it is going to come up in the future when there is a wide range of PC Levels and folks will get offended with the schoolyard 'you can't play with us, you're too wimpy' remarks (however politely worded).


I'm not sure what I am saying in the end, it's surely not some Grand Edict, but merely a comment that if some folks get offended when a DM (Me, in this case) says 'Sorry, I'd hate to kill Larzian the Mad, why don't you sit this one out and jump at the next adventure coming by, the Judges will be ready for the eventual comments/complaints.


Of course, I could just start another 3 adventures to accomadate the Lvl 1 folks...(head begins to throb).


EDIT: Since I'm off to sleep now, I wonder how many comments there will be on this when I get up in 7 hours... Just trying a bit of 'nip it in the bud' Barney Fife logic, get a gameplan to deal with this situation as it appears.


-Ron/Uriel

 

[Creamsteak]

I'd prefer it if we never officially "Arbitrate" level minimums since they are a meta-concept-thing. I would think that most players will realize that when the group they are trying to join is made up of 5th level semi-competent and experienced individuals playing under a DM they have gamed with many times, that player will back off. On the other hand, I'm a BIG fan of playing the overzealous and bold characters. Because of that, I could still see a legitimate attempt by a first level character to convince a higher level character of his necessity in a group.

I'd rather you Kill them if they don't pick up on any hints. I realize that we all want to be kind to each other because we game together and work towards greater goals all the time, but some characters are going to die. Ironically, the first character I almost killed was my own. I'm definitely NOT pulling punches on my current adventure. But I still think a player/character can choose to take a risk if they want to.

Let's use Gur for example: He can track, can survive pretty well on the minimum (+9 or such), and he can hide with some success and cunning. He might not be much of a spear carrier, but he wouldn't get in the way of a 3rd or 4th level party so much as a 1st level wizard with his 2 magic missiles would. If a 4th level party needed someone who would help them track (possibly as a second source of the feat, for insurance), they might use him. 13 hp won't stand up to much in combat, but since he can either scurry away or use his longbow, he has a chance.

Edit: Is this a touchy subject, really? I wouldn't think so... but then again I've not experienced too many DMs in my gaming.

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

Of course, I could just start another 3 adventures to accomadate the Lvl 1 folks...(head begins to throb).

This sort-of leads to a question I've been meaning to ask- I've got an adventure idea or two, but I'm not sure what's needed in terms of level and such (I held off until now because I thought everyone was off on an adventure). Is there any way of determining what adventurers of what level are available, or should I just submit what I have and wait for someone to pick it up?

 

[Creamsteak]

By 'in terms of level and such' are you refering to what kinds of levels most characters with free-time are at right now? Well, I know at least 3 characters that are 1st level could possibly get hooked into an adventure sometime soon. I started a new Red Dragon Inn thread, so if you watch that carefully you should be able to figure out when to send out your hook.

 

[WizWrm]

Are the stone-armored cultists (or whatever) still in the main room? You might want to mention that in the new thread.

 

[Creamsteak]

They left before the day was over. They'll be back if they live.

 

[Uriel]

This sort-of leads to a question I've been meaning to ask- I've got an adventure idea or two, but I'm not sure what's needed in terms of level and such (I held off until now because I thought everyone was off on an adventure). Is there any way of determining what adventurers of what level are available, or should I just submit what I have and wait for someone to pick it up?

There are 3 or 4 new characters in the last week, most of whom have been posting in the Red Dragon, looking for something to do...

 

[Macbeth]

There are 3 or 4 new characters in the last week, most of whom have been posting in the Red Dragon, looking for something to do...

Yeah, we just got quite a few new characters.

 

[Uriel]

I'd prefer it if we never officially "Arbitrate" level minimums since they are a meta-concept-thing. I would think that most players will realize that when the group they are trying to join is made up of 5th level semi-competent and experienced individuals playing under a DM they have gamed with many times, that player will back off. On the other hand, I'm a BIG fan of playing the overzealous and bold characters. Because of that, I could still see a legitimate attempt by a first level character to convince a higher level character of his necessity in a group.

I'd rather you Kill them if they don't pick up on any hints. I realize that we all want to be kind to each other because we game together and work towards greater goals all the time, but some characters are going to die. Ironically, the first character I almost killed was my own. I'm definitely NOT pulling punches on my current adventure. But I still think a player/character can choose to take a risk if they want to.

Let's use Gur for example: He can track, can survive pretty well on the minimum (+9 or such), and he can hide with some success and cunning. He might not be much of a spear carrier, but he wouldn't get in the way of a 3rd or 4th level party so much as a 1st level wizard with his 2 magic missiles would. If a 4th level party needed someone who would help them track (possibly as a second source of the feat, for insurance), they might use him. 13 hp won't stand up to much in combat, but since he can either scurry away or use his longbow, he has a chance.

Edit: Is this a touchy subject, really? I wouldn't think so... but then again I've not experienced too many DMs in my gaming.

I'm not going to have an 'In game' reason for excluding them, which may lead to the touchy feelings. I am simply going to tell any players (1st level), No, though politely. I don't see this as a problem for this game, really, but it may (will) be in the future, when new players appear in the RD and get told 'Sorry, you are a bit young/inexperienced/whatever' by a DM.

Ever had anyone say that you weren't good enough/old enough/fast enough/whatever? Imagine being that last kid not picked for (insert sport here) in Gym class...

This may be an overdramatization, but I'm just trying to get it considered before hand.

-Uriel

 

[Thels]

I think it's okay to have a higher character advice. In 3rd level parties, 1st levels could still be usefull if they manage to stay out of combat, but later on it'll really become a problem.

The only downside of the idea is that Uriel's games progress faster somehow, and those that sticked to his games so far are in lead of XP. If the higher level game they'll be in is also DMed by Uriel, they just get out of range with the rest and it'll be one party.

I decided not to follow Uriel's game, so there would be some spread of characters, and characters would meet other characters, even though I suspected that would put me on a loss qua XP on those that decided to follow Uriel's path (and I think besides Velmont and me everyone kept in Uriel's storyline).