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<blockquote data-quote="Errant" data-source="post: 2290764" data-attributes="member: 1926">Hmmm, I've actually often added NPCs to the group as a DM. Always with non-dominating skills/stats &amp; generally a reserved/shyish personality to explain why they're often silent. It allows me to add the occasional clue/observation in-game without putting words in players' mouths. As already mentioned groups often call for clerics but few players enjoy being a walking Cure Wounds wand so my NPC clerics have often been very popular. When the going gets heavy I hand out the NPC's basic stats and let one of the more skilled players do the dice rolling. If a PC dies the player can take over the NPC &amp; stay involved until a suitable RP moment arises for the slain PC to be resurrected or replaced. The trick is keeping the NPC's knowledge and abilities broad enough to be useful but limited enough to not dominate any aspect of the game. Having said all that, my players don't tend to put a lot of effort into character backgrounds so that might have a lot to do with it. Getting back to the topic... PC deaths can hurt but if you never let PCs die you lose a lot of dramatic tension &amp; you cheapen the PCs' victories. If baddies aren't really dangerous beating them isn't much on an accomplishment.IMC resurrections are difficult to obtain from NPCs (churches) but possible, IF you're deemed worthy AND prepared to serve the church in return. Thats the route I'd go.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Errant, post: 2290764, member: 1926"] Hmmm, I've actually often added NPCs to the group as a DM. Always with non-dominating skills/stats & generally a reserved/shyish personality to explain why they're often silent. It allows me to add the occasional clue/observation in-game without putting words in players' mouths. As already mentioned groups often call for clerics but few players enjoy being a walking Cure Wounds wand so my NPC clerics have often been very popular. When the going gets heavy I hand out the NPC's basic stats and let one of the more skilled players do the dice rolling. If a PC dies the player can take over the NPC & stay involved until a suitable RP moment arises for the slain PC to be resurrected or replaced. The trick is keeping the NPC's knowledge and abilities broad enough to be useful but limited enough to not dominate any aspect of the game. Having said all that, my players don't tend to put a lot of effort into character backgrounds so that might have a lot to do with it. Getting back to the topic... PC deaths can hurt but if you never let PCs die you lose a lot of dramatic tension & you cheapen the PCs' victories. If baddies aren't really dangerous beating them isn't much on an accomplishment. IMC resurrections are difficult to obtain from NPCs (churches) but possible, IF you're deemed worthy AND prepared to serve the church in return. Thats the route I'd go. [/QUOTE]

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