GM Dilemma

[Nareau]

Just to throw out an alternative view: Run with it.

The pirate rogue has been the liason between the King and a fleet of "Privateers" who act as a suppliment to the country's navy. Recently, there's been trouble with the Privateers, so this rogue has been recalled to protect him. It is feared that the privateers will become pirates, and that a naval war may loom on the horizon.

The barbarian was captured during a great battle 10 years ago. He was given the choice of being executed, or becoming a slave. He chose enslavement, and managed to work hard to earn enough to buy his freedom. During that time, he was sold to a powerful noble--whom he later saved by single-handedly defeating a band of brigands on the road. The noble has since become a member of the King's court, and has convinced the King to let him prove himself at the King's table. The orc is close to buying his freedom, but is considering staying with the humans: The king has proven himself to be compassionate, honorable, mighty, and wise. Not to mention that the other orcs consider him a traitor, and would likely kill him on sight.

The Ninja is one of the King's assassins. He's a bounty-hunter of sorts, with a mysterious past. Perhaps the King saved him from the gallows when he was just a young prince. Perhaps he's the King's long-lost brother, come home to reclaim the throne that's rightfully his. Nobody really knows...

The Drow Necromancer acts as the capital city's chief investigator. Not only is he brilliant and widely feared, he has the magical abilities necessary to divulge the secrets of a murder scene. The Necromancer has held this position for 3 human generations, and is an established (if unusual) member of the guard.

There. The players give you weird PC's, you throw some weird requirements into their backgrounds, and voila, you've got the groundwork for a pretty interesting campaign.

Spider

 

[SweeneyTodd]

This is why I actually get everybody for a pre-game session to talk about the campaign, and let the players provide input. It helps with misunderstandings like this.

Having said this, I'd personally roll with it and cast the PCs as opposed to this group of noble knights. The incongruity seems like it'd be interesting.

 

[Mercule]

This is why I actually get everybody for a pre-game session to talk about the campaign, and let the players provide input. It helps with misunderstandings like this.

I try this. Really, I do. I specifically tell them to not come with any concepts. Still, most of them end up with half-written-up character sheets coming in the door. *sigh*

 

[blargney the second]

Just to throw out an alternative view: Run with it.

Color me impressed! I like that idea
-blarg

 

[Metus]

My God, this sounds exactly like my group of players, all the time, every time.

As far as "running with it," you have to realize that even if you accommodate them as a DM, that doesn't mean they'll accommodate each other as players. Will the pirate and ninja get along? My money's on no, and so then we're right back where we started.

 

[Arrgh! Mark!]

I've had parties that have a hard time working together, but in an arthurian game thats a bit much. In future, I suggest you mention exactly what characters they can play.

But as spider said, run with it. You have an excellent opportunity to adventure without rather chivalric ideas stopping you. Knights might kill monsters... but you stop the rebellion before it happens with well placed poison, blamed on another of Arthur's enemies.

Players "Forced" to attend banquets and chivalric tournaments due to rank and prestige when they could be finishing the last of the rebellious northern lords.

I'd suggest only a change of flavor for the ninja.

It's not that hard to integrate most things. But if you have a dark elf, I'd suggest elves and such being common, integrated perhaps into society.

Elsewise, make them all human. A Saxon barbarian, an English privateer, etc etc.