Help Needed - Dealing with an Erratic Player

[Herremann the Wise]

Hello Everyone,

The player concerned is playing a Cleric of Heironeous but he plays him very erratically. While some of the time (when he focuses), he plays a "typical and true" NG Cleric of Heironeous, the other part of the time, he reverts back into his natural play of "kill the monster and take their stuff". As the DM of this game, I was looking for a bit of advice how to handle the situation.

Now we have a variety of roleplayers in our group but several have questioned his play to me. Most recently was when the Cleric of Heironeous effectively hid behind the wizard whilst the rest battled a very tough Lizardfolk King, only to then jump towards his body when finally beat to loot any useful material from the foe before offering healing to obviously distressed party members. Obviously this does not speak of courage, honour or valor any of the other tenets of Heironeous.

However, I don't wish to castigate a sensitive player (who does not accept any form of criticism well) and who is going through a tough time (outside of the game) at the moment. At the same time, I'm not one for penalising a player just because roleplaying against their natural somehwat chaotic nature is difficult.

Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

I had the following idea (typical as it is):

Have an Angel in Heironeous's service visit him in a dream saying that Heironeous has noticed his increase in power and virtue (the Cleric is now 8th level) and as such in a darkening world, he needs those who carry His light to shine like the brightest beacons. Be it upon the forefront of the battlefield or when dealing with the general populous, all should know that Heironeous's presence is most firmly represented when they see the valorous and well spoken Sir Marlon Brent. He will find a small Heironeon token (a medal of silver shaped in the angel's image in front of Heironeous's Symbol) upon his chest when he wakes up to highlight the "reality" of the vision and the seriousness of the contact.

While I'd like him to pick up from this that in battle, he should be at the forefront and that ranks in diplomacy would be handy now that the Paladin of the group has died, I'm more expecting him to cast detect magic on the medallion and ask "so what bonuses does this give me?".

Perhaps I just need to be more direct?

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[Nonlethal Force]

I have never been a fan of the penalize through RP as a first method. Warnings are nice, they allow for gentle self-correction. Do not fear to use it in the future though if the correction doesn't "take."

I would talk with the player - specifically remind him to re-read the bits about Heironeous in the PHB. What domains did he take? It might help to remind him to re-read the crunch and the fluff about his domains, too. If you have the Complete Divine ... have him read the paragraph on Rites as stated on page 113 (Not so much for the rites but the recognition of the traitsa desired by Heironeous). Also, for your note as the DM - if you are going to go the celestial visit route note that the solar is the preferred herald for Heironeous. I would recommend talking with the player outside the game (OOC as it were) so that the IC visitation doesn't come as a shock. I might even mention that the situation will be handled ICly for the benefit of the rest of the group [Since they have been complaining - although I wouldn't tell the player others have been complaining].

In general, I think a decent balance between an OOC small chat and an IC RP moment could do the trick. Besides, it might give him an RP moment on which his player can hang a trophy: "My character was visited by a solar!"

 

[shilsen]

*is rendered redundant by Nonlethal Force's post*

 

[Nonlethal Force]

*is rendered redundant by Nonlethal Force's post*

Wow. This is a stepping stone moment. I respect much of what you have to say on these boards, Shilsen, so thank you.