If PCs are 1st level, why don't their 9th level patrons help?

[random user]

I really don't understand what the problem is, and I think a real world analogy works fine.

Let's say you are a new hire in sales. There is a potential client out there that the compnay thinks can make a tidy $10k profit to the bottom line if you can land the deal.

Why doesn't the CFO or VP of Sales land the deal? Well, for many of the reasons listed above. I mean, you're kind of green, you may not be a powerpoint whiz... I'm sure these execs know how to wine and dine well (well most of the time... let's not talk about bad companies).

1. $10k profit may not be that big of a deal. Maybe the VP of Sales is trying to land a $3m 3 yr/contract which they can get a press release and maybe some analyst upgrades for. The CFO may be busy working on the numbers for the quarter, pr out looking for new financing (without which the company may go under regardless of your $10k profit).

2. Maybe there are a lot of potential deals going around. The VP Sales can't go out on every single call. That's why they hired you in the first place! Even if your sale doesn't pan out, there will be more work to do than one person could possibly handle. And everyone (well everyone in sales) needs to learn how to make a snazzy powerpoint presentation sometime. They're going to need managers and directors someday, might as well start training now.

In either RL or D&D, if it's known it's an "end of the world" situation (ie you're Peoplesoft and Oracle just offered $26/share of stock to buy you out, or 2 vampires and a couple mummies are ravaging the landscape), sure the head guy is going to deal with it. But I assume you're not going to send your level one characters into a situation which is so much over their heads...

 

[StalkingBlue]

I've never had a problem with lower-level PCs getting sent to do stuff. As random user points out, it's precisely what happens on a daily in any modern RL company.

It's all about delegating tasks and responsibilities, freeing up more powerful and more skilled people to deal with the Really Big Stuff, and not least training more junior personnel by giving them challenges that will allow them to grow - which also means of course that if the juniors seriously screw up, they might actually (gasp!) fail.

No big deal really, to me.
Shrug.

 

[Maggan]

A bunch of excuses

9th level cleric: Go out and adventure!
PC's: Why don't you go yourself, mighty NPC?

9th level cleric: Errrm... you see, this is the deal... (rolls a d13)

1. What, are you scared? My oh my, the mighty heroes are scared! (imitates sound of a chicken)

2. Alas, I can ill afford to be away from my congregation at this time. Tomorrow is the monthly mass, and it is very important to show strength in our faith now that missionaries from other gods are walking the lands.

3. I chose you to do this task to try you and to see if you are worthy of my patronage! Now get going!

4. It was in a vision I saw it. A vision from my god, where you battled evil, and of greater things! Now begone, and walk with the eyes of my god upon you, for you have been chosen!

5. Sorry, there's to much going on concerning the visit of the head of my church in a couple of days. I cannot leave the church at this time.

6. Well, there's only a rumor of evil things in those caves, and that rumor came from that filthy hermit, Morrisey the Mad, and frankly I don't put much credence to his ramblings. Go and check it out. If there's anything going on I'm sure you can handle it. Otherwise just come back with information, and we'll mount a proper expedition.

7. There are bandits about! I cannot leave my flock, because that fearsome and thrice damned pirate The Cat has wowed to plunder this very church and put my rule to shame!

8. I have to much to do. There is a plague running rampant in the village, and all my powers need to be focused on fighting it. Maybe there is a connection?

9. Wayne the Lion is stalking the land. This fearsome beast has been sighted close to the village, and I need to be ready to deal with it before he eats more of the tasty villagers!... Did I say tasty? I meant... frightened.

10. I suspect that it is only a diversion. That evil wizard Ru has his eyes on the relics of this temple, and I fear he is causing trouble to draw me away from the keep. But I need someone to check this rumour out, so I'm relying on you!

11. I'm afraid I can't go, I'm due in court any day now. There's this grumpy old man who's been suing me for negligence, because I don't deal with this myself. So now I'm all tied up, and have been ordered to remain available for further questioning. Gods! So you have to go instead. It's a funny life, aint it?

12. I am sorry. As you have seen, my adventuring friends from days of old have just arrived, and they need my attention! Rounser the Rogue and Hong the Horrible have been killed, and I need all my powers to raise them from the dead! Well, maybe not Hong...

13. The evil Dark Jezter has amassed a force of 47 other evil jesters, and I need to aid our king in the mighty battle that is brewing. So you have to deal with this threat. I am sure you can manage. But if I fail... the fate of the world might well rest on you shoulders when you return.

Anyone else got any suggestions?




Cheers!

Maggan

 

[jester47]

Great post Maggen!

Another thought has just occured to me. Send the high level guy with the party to take out a really bad nasty, but then show that some of his lower minions are going elsewhere. The high level guy says that the PCs need to follow the minions while he travels to the lair of the really bad nasty by way of the Monastery where he can pick up some support. Then you could have him disappear and the PCs have to find him...

just a thought.

Aaron.