NPC's insulting Paladin PC. Long...sorry.

[SoulStorm]

A little background first...

I joined a new group about a year ago. We just finished a campaign and are about 6 sessions into a new one. We have a different DM this time around, but he was the DM of the campaign the group had before I joined them. This new DM has stated many times the concerns he had about the PC's in the last campaign he ran being rude to NPC's. Apparently this included Kings' and such.

Well, I'm beginning to see why the PC's may have been so rude. Pretty much from the beginning of the campaign the NPC's have been insulting the party because of what we say or the decisions we make.

This last session was over the top, however. Comments like "maybe a muzzle would help; Not very bright are you?; He's not very smart though," were all directed at my character.

My character held his tongue each and every time.

Let me try to explain what was happening...

The PC's have been trying to unravel a plot involving missing citizens and a slavery ring. Now this city we work for (as special agents of a sort) would probably be defined as lawful good and by all accounts has a just King. The King, however, is still subject to the Laws of the imperial government. Unfortunately, the imperial government isn't quite as just as our King. Through an NPC, the PC's found out there was an imperial writ calling for our arrest. The NPC then suggest that we hide. Of course, the Paladin stated that he would have no part in hiding from the law and suggested that they speak to the King. The DM then made it perfectly clear both out of character and through the NPC's that the King wouldn't see us and that if we showed up at the palace the imperials would arrest us. The DM also implied that we would be killed. My character then stated, "So be it, but I will not run from the law." The DM then stated out of character that I was being lawful stupid because my character valued his honor more than his life.

Well, in short order we were taken to visit the crowned prince who sanctioned our hiding out until the King could resolve the situation. He then stated that we were essentially at war with the imperial government at this time.

During the remainder of the session my character was insulted by the NPC's for his actions.

Well, my character has decided that he wasn't going to tolerate being insulted any longer.

My character is actually a Monk2 / Paladin 2. Going for Sacred Fist at 7th level. My plan is to demand that insulting NPC's apologize immediately or prepare to defend themselves. If they refuse to apologize he will pummel them into unconsciousness with subdual damage. A bit brutal maybe, but not nearly as brutal as the Samurai who would kill to defend their honor.

Of course, I'm sure you can all guess what would probably happen as well as I can. Either the DM would revoke my Paladinhood, or I would be assaulted by insulting uber NPC's who would pummel my character every time I challenged them.

I will definately confront the DM if things continue like this or get any worse, but I would like to avoid metagaming this if at all possible.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

If your character has really had it with being insulted, he would probably do better to challenge them to combat in the culturally accepted form. ("You, sir, have insulted me. My honor demands satisfaction. If you and your seconds will not meet me in the gardens of Sune at sunrise tomorrow, I shall account you not only a rude and ignorant villain but an abject coward as well.")

This will leave you the option of fighting until one side yields (or is dropped unconcious) to the first blood or whatever version of combat seems appropriate to you. (Consequently you won't have to kill your enemies either and thus risk losing your paladinhood).

Alternatively, you could strike back rhetorically. ("If your honor is so cheap to you that you would purchase your life with its forfeiture then do as you will. I at least will stand for what I believe in regardless of the cost.") A strong statement made from within your character's point of view can very clearly imply not only that this is the only honorable course of action for your character but that those who choose otherwise are dishonorable cowards. (Then they may challenge you to a duel and you can select unarmed combat if you choose (the person challenged usually selects the weapons, IIRC although it would be dishonorable to select a weapon in which the other person is not skilled)).

And, win or lose, you'll be through with being insulted (either because you roll up a new character or because people learn that it's unwise to insult you).

But you definitely want to make it a formal challenge to a duel rather than a simple assault.

 

[Terwox]

Well, you and the DM have different ideas of what Lawful Good is. What I'd suggest is that you talk to him about your character's ideology, and see if there's any parts of it that will not work for his game. And, it is his game, it'll probably be easiest if you try not to be too defensive about your position (justifiable as it may be.)

But yes, as he said, having a character who values their honor more than their life, as many paladins do, is problematic in his game. Work with him on how your code might need to change, or how his game might need to change.

Also, if you're feeling brave and he isn't more petty than he has seemed so far, you could try asking him not to have NPC's insult you out of spite. He'll likely just get defensive and say "your char was being dumb so they're calling you dumb," but it could be worth a shot. Depends on your relationship w/ the guy I guess.

Dunno how helpful this reply is, but there are plenty more people here who are more helpful than I.

Oh, if nothing else, good luck w/ having fun w/ your game!

 

[S'mon]

I would tend to agree with your GM that your Paladin doesn't seem very Paladin-like, an over-concern with personal honour is not what most people would associate with paladinhood IMO - Samurai morals are a long way from paladinhood. The Paladinesque heroes I recall from Western movies generally didn't react at all to verbal insults - they were water off a duck's back. Only when the villain physically assaults them do they strike, swiftly killing or, if feasible, possibly suduing the offender. Even Luke Skywalker was willing to hide from the Empire on occasion!

 

[Ravellion]

I think that your paladin was very paladinlike. I think Sturm from Dragonlance would also be highly offended - Remember that Sturm did admit from being wrong in front of a Knight's council, instead of fleeing. And Tracy Hickman's favourite quote from chronicles: "Run? From this rabble?"

I would definitely hold up your honour, this kind of Paladin playing should be commended (though perhpas the NPC's really thought it was stupid behaviour, and this might be an interesting thing to continue with) IMO as opposed to being dissuaded from. This kind of behaviour set LG apart from NG.

Rav

 

[SoulStorm]

Wow, alot of different viewpoints. I'm still absorbing.

I would like to make some comments at this time though.

S'mon, your analogy to Luke Skywalker doesn't hold up. My character was advised to hide from the imperials before he knew about the King being at war with them. When he was informed about the imperial writ he believed the city to be subject to imperial law.

In addition, if you had actually read my post you would have noted that I haven't made any comments back to insulting NPC's to defend the characters honor, so what point are you agreeing with the DM on?

Elder-Basilisk, I like your idea about how to challenge others. I will state, however, that I've made many comments concerning honor. None of those comments involved insulting the lack of honor in others though.

Thanks for the support Rav. What bug's me most is that it is pretty clear that the NPC's insults are actual the DM insulting the players when he disagrees with the way they play their characters.

He's actually a pretty nice guy when he's not DM'ing, but I'm starting to perceive his DM'ing style as a power trip at the players expense. Keep in mind that I've been playing for over 15 years, so I think I can tell the difference. No DM is perfect, but this guy was just over the top last session.

Maybe I just need to find another group...

Terwox, there is wisdom in your statements, but as I stated, I don't want to metagame this.

 

[Thanee]

Being a Blackguard isn't all that bad. Just give in to your anger. Let your hatred flow!

*takes off the palpatine mask*

Ok, as a more serious reply, I'd definitely try to settle this out of game. It seems like a problem with your perceptions and the DM's perceptions being different. This cannot be solved in game!

Just talk to him and explain to him how you see this situation for your character and try to find a reasonable way to have more fun for all of you in the future!

Bye
Thanee

 

[SoulStorm]

Heh, now that was funny. Not such a bad idea either.

 

[Green Knight]

"If you only knew the power of the Dark Side."

 

[SoulStorm]

Heh, you know the funny thing about that? The character's father, once a hero in this city was branded a traitor and disappeared years ago. Now the Idea was supposed to be that he was framed, but you never know...