D&D (2024) No NPC Magic in PCs Homebase

[R_J_K75]

Starting to DM a new campaign with "the Fouled Stream" in the DMG. (2) players, Ranger and a fighter. I'm fleshing out the village of Ery a bit and decided it's an agrarian settlement. 33 adults and 33 children is the population. Small building for clergy of the god to agriculture, but none that actually have spell casting abilities. My intention is to have magic introduced gradually over the first few sessions. Although, there is one guy in the village, Capt. of the village guard, who randomly cast spells under duress, but has no recollection afterwards and denies it, and can't cast or prepare any specific spell. Anyone see any problem with denying these PCs magic in the first few levels?

 

[GMMichael]

Don't be surprised if your PCs tie the captain of the guard to the front of their wagon and tug on his hair whenever they need a spell cast.

 

[Mad_Jack]

Outisde of access to healing spells/potions until they get to someplace else (which will affect how they plan their adventuring days), there's not really all that much they'd be missing.

 

[R_J_K75]

Don't be surprised if your PCs tie the captain of the guard to the front of their wagon and tug on his hair whenever they need a spell cast.

The Capt has no control over what spells come out or when so if they do that they will most likely be disappointed. But I'll create a random table to check if he emits a spell at any given time. I think emit is a better word than cast.

 

[R_J_K75]

Outisde of access to healing spells/potions until they get to someplace else (which will affect how they plan their adventuring days), there's not really all that much they'd be missing.

I just don't want everything to be solved by immediate magic

 

[bedir than]

Anyone see any problem with denying these PCs magic in the first few levels?

My concern would be with PC to PC balance. The Ranger is giving up significant features and the fighter isn't.

 

[R_J_K75]

My concern would be with PC to PC balance. The Ranger is giving up significant features and the fighter isn't.

The Ranger can still get spell casting, I just meant NPC spell casting would be very restricted. Probably didnt make that clear

 

[Micah Sweet]

Starting to DM a new campaign with "the Fouled Stream" in the DMG. (2) players, Ranger and a fighter. I'm fleshing out the village of Ery a bit and decided it's an agrarian settlement. 33 adults and 33 children is the population. Small building for clergy of the god to agriculture, but none that actually have spell casting abilities. My intention is to have magic introduced gradually over the first few sessions. Although, there is one guy in the village, Capt. of the village guard, who randomly cast spells under duress, but has no recollection afterwards and denies it, and can't cast or prepare any specific spell. Anyone see any problem with denying these PCs magic in the first few levels?

Not from me, but I'm on record as believing PCs have too much magic as it is.

 

[Micah Sweet]

My concern would be with PC to PC balance. The Ranger is giving up significant features and the fighter isn't.

Make them multi-class into magic-users. That way everyone starts in the same place.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

With only 33 adults in the village, is he captain of the guard or just the guard?