Is it OK to...

[shilsen]

I'm not sure I agree, Merric. I mean, sure it's ok if an NPC kills a character. I just don't think the DM has to put a sign on the NPCs neck saying "I'm too tough for j00!" There isn't any reason why the PCs should assume that they can take anthing or anyone they run across. And they shouldn't be encouraged to fight first and ask questions later.

I once had two 3rd level PCs confront a man who they *suspected* was involved in a kidnapping & murder plot. He turned out to be an 8th level fighter who killed one of them, and seriously damaged the other. I'd say they got what they deserved--barging into the guy's hotel room and pushing him around, just because the local priest had mentioned that said guy just got into town and was asking questions.

Buttercup the bloodthirsty

I agree completely. You can't immediately look at most PCs and tell how tough they are, and the same goes for my NPCs. There will be some NPCs for whom I'll say "she looks really tough" and others who may look innocuous, but that doesn't necessarily correlate to their character levels. Any PC who assumes he can just pick a fight with random people IMC and get away with it is in for a world of hurt.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

Whoa. In 2e, using the abilities of your previous class before having reached it again in level means no XP. Wacky rule, but plenty justified here since this is exactly the kind of situation it was written for. So this ex-wizard guy is renouncing all the XP for his current adventure - whatever this means for an NPC - just to make some money brawling?

Sure... why not? He was a hustler and making lots of money by suckering people in. XP isn't something that I believe that a "character" seeks out. It is something that a player wants but is an intangible as far as the character is concerned. Making money drives pretty much every living person's life in the real world... why not in a fantasy world?

Really it was just set dressing for the game. A PC obviously wouldn't do it because of the XP penalty. It was more of a random urban encounter than anything to do with the overlying plot of our campaign.

 

[Parlan]

An example would be one of my arrogant Pcs hearing about a very powerful general that leads the army of the kingdom they are in. And they get the chance to meet them. And then challenge them because he beleives he would be better.

Being arrogant to a powerful general? sounds like the PC needs a little reality check.

What if the general sundered the PC s prized magic weapon while laughing all the while? It would get the message across without having to kill the PC...

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

An example would be one of my arrogant Pcs hearing about a very powerful general that leads the army of the kingdom they are in. And they get the chance to meet them. And then challenge them because he beleives he would be better.

I'd say its fine, but in this case I probably wouldn't do all that much harm to the PC. I'd do enough to humiliate him and then watch him and his party suffer later as word of his humiliation spread though the community.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

I'd go with humiliation as well. Have the general sunder or disarm him. Have the general trip him. Have the general grapple and pin him for a couple of rounds.

Of course, that's bearing in mind that the general has somekind of sense of humor.

If he doesn't, the PC shouldn't get to challenge the general. I mean, the guy was probably appointed to his role by the king, and has served the kingdom for many years. (I'm assuming that) this isn't a tribe where the alpha male can be challenged by anyone.

If I were to play the general, and I heard that some idiot wants to challenge me for the leadership of my army, the leadership of the official kingdom army, I'd take him for an idiot. If he were to insist, I'd take him for maybe a dangerous idiot, and have him put in jail. Who's going to take the challenger seriously, I ask you?

AR

 

[eris404]

I'd go with humiliation as well. Have the general sunder or disarm him. Have the general trip him. Have the general grapple and pin him for a couple of rounds.

Of course, that's bearing in mind that the general has somekind of sense of humor.

If he doesn't, the PC shouldn't get to challenge the general. I mean, the guy was probably appointed to his role by the king, and has served the kingdom for many years. (I'm assuming that) this isn't a tribe where the alpha male can be challenged by anyone.

If I were to play the general, and I heard that some idiot wants to challenge me for the leadership of my army, the leadership of the official kingdom army, I'd take him for an idiot. If he were to insist, I'd take him for maybe a dangerous idiot, and have him put in jail. Who's going to take the challenger seriously, I ask you?

AR

I agree 100%. I think in this situation it should be about the NPC's personality and what he thinks is an appropriate response to the PC's challenge, given the other factors of the situation, such as the NPC's reputation, personal honor, whether the army is currently at war, whatever.

Having said that, though, if the PC continues to push the issue for some reason, I wouldn't pull any punches.

 

[The_Gneech]

Maybe smack 'em up with subdual damage after they've had their HP reduced to a suitably low number. "Consider this a warning -- it would have been easier for me to kill you."

-TG

 

[jerichothebard]

Whoa. In 2e, using the abilities of your previous class before having reached it again in level means no XP. Wacky rule, but plenty justified here since this is exactly the kind of situation it was written for. So this ex-wizard guy is renouncing all the XP for his current adventure - whatever this means for an NPC - just to make some money brawling?

Yeah, or maybe it's just payback time for a lifetime of being the scrawny, picked-on, nerdy kid...

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Yeah, or maybe it's just payback time for a lifetime of being the scrawny, picked-on, nerdy kid...

Not in D&D. You don't pick on people who turn you into a toad (or a pile of ash).

 

[4everdm]

Yes players get what they deserve the good, the bad & the ugly