Hi, not AI generated itself, but translated with it and 'polished', so I can explain my point better. There are many words, that I did not now. English is not my native language.
D&D General Need advice from experienced DMs - Curse of Strahd: Party arrested after PvP & insulting guards in Vallaki
- Thread starter Aenwyn11
- Start date
bsss
Hero
Fair enough. I was worried my bot detector was miscalibrated. You should be aware that doing that, especially without a disclaimer, is generally frowned upon and could be considered a rules violation.
Emerikol
Legend
This. Their very lives are on the line. If they were roleplaying well, they wouldn't think of drawing attention to themselves in this way.
I’m a player in Curse of Strahd, a once every month of two campaign, haven’t read it, and haven’t visited Vallaki yet.
Those non-bona-fides established, I’ve been a DM since before 2e was published.
What I’d do is consequences that match the characters’ individual actions, social standing, and the setting. I’d have magistrate or the mayor decide.
Or go with the earlier suggestion of Stradh steps in as judge and gives them fetch quests.
If non-Stradh:
For the paladin with upper class connection who actually didn’t commit a crime: released with the apologies of the court, after a night in jail. Magistrate makes a snide remark about doing a better job keeping their “servants” in line.
For the bard, public nudity, disrespectful to officers, and cast a hostile spell the officers didn’t witness but were told about : Disorderly conduct. 3 nights in jail, cops give water but “forget” to feed her so she has a level or two of exhaustion - if she complains they say they can’t hear her because the words “(whatever she said)” to their friends keep playing in their heads, then released but her stuff is stolen, so she has only her cloak.
After that sinks in, Ireena actually saved her stuff for her and brings it to her.
For the Ranger, who shot the bard with an arrow, which has obvious physical proof of assault with a deadly weapon, but is inconsequential for the bard “victim” who the court doesn’t much like: Misdemeanor Assault. 3 nights in jail, last day in the stocks being jeered at and having garbage thrown at them so they are dirty and stinky. When gear is returned, the jailer says “Don’t try that again in Vallaki. The Magistrate let you off easy because you’re friends with the Paladin, but we don’t take kindly to repeat offenders.”
Out of game, if necessary, explain NPCs are people, it’s not a video game, and just as PCs can do anything within the nature of their character, so can NPCs. PCs aren’t special or above the law/social reactions, so don’t act like criminals if you don’t want to be treated like criminals.
Basically just a slap on the wrist as a warning for first offense, though.
And if I got wrong who did what, so be it. The police and magistrates aren’t always right either.
Those non-bona-fides established, I’ve been a DM since before 2e was published.
What I’d do is consequences that match the characters’ individual actions, social standing, and the setting. I’d have magistrate or the mayor decide.
Or go with the earlier suggestion of Stradh steps in as judge and gives them fetch quests.
If non-Stradh:
For the paladin with upper class connection who actually didn’t commit a crime: released with the apologies of the court, after a night in jail. Magistrate makes a snide remark about doing a better job keeping their “servants” in line.
For the bard, public nudity, disrespectful to officers, and cast a hostile spell the officers didn’t witness but were told about : Disorderly conduct. 3 nights in jail, cops give water but “forget” to feed her so she has a level or two of exhaustion - if she complains they say they can’t hear her because the words “(whatever she said)” to their friends keep playing in their heads, then released but her stuff is stolen, so she has only her cloak.
After that sinks in, Ireena actually saved her stuff for her and brings it to her.
For the Ranger, who shot the bard with an arrow, which has obvious physical proof of assault with a deadly weapon, but is inconsequential for the bard “victim” who the court doesn’t much like: Misdemeanor Assault. 3 nights in jail, last day in the stocks being jeered at and having garbage thrown at them so they are dirty and stinky. When gear is returned, the jailer says “Don’t try that again in Vallaki. The Magistrate let you off easy because you’re friends with the Paladin, but we don’t take kindly to repeat offenders.”
Out of game, if necessary, explain NPCs are people, it’s not a video game, and just as PCs can do anything within the nature of their character, so can NPCs. PCs aren’t special or above the law/social reactions, so don’t act like criminals if you don’t want to be treated like criminals.
Basically just a slap on the wrist as a warning for first offense, though.
And if I got wrong who did what, so be it. The police and magistrates aren’t always right either.
Last edited:
About PvP, my inclination is to allow it. Their PCs are physically capable of doing it, and I would not say “you can’t do that” as DM and rules enactor.
But if it happens again, I’d OOC ask them to act as a team, not infighting all the time and making the game less fun for you.
“Work with me people”.
First time players with a first time DM, everyone is feeling their way through.
But if it happens again, I’d OOC ask them to act as a team, not infighting all the time and making the game less fun for you.
“Work with me people”.
First time players with a first time DM, everyone is feeling their way through.
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