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Off Screen NPCs Purely Detrimental?
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<blockquote data-quote="Jackelope King" data-source="post: 4031226" data-attributes="member: 31454"><p>I think a better way to state what Mallus was trying to get across would be to say:</p><p></p><p><em>"So you want a character who doesn't come with any plot hooks? Fine. Hopefully you'll understand when the other characters who did come with plot hooks are going to be the ones who get the time in the spotlight."</em></p><p></p><p>It's not always kidnapping or murdering or ransoming, either. Certainly that's one of the easiest ways to add personal stake into an adventure beyond what is normally possible, but NPCs are also there to support the PCs. Some of the best moments are the ones where they really shine only because they have a particular NPC relationship. In our M&M game, the group's psychic ninja had relationship with a member of the UN's super-team, which ended on a good enough note that they're still close friends. Just this past weekend, she managed to leverage some legitimacy to her own organization's cause by asking her ex for help. Another character's ailing, bedridden sister contacted the PC at a key moment to encourage him to rise to the occasion and help save the day. Still another PC has many friends within the local police department only because her mother worked in forensics with the police department for almost fifteen years, which has helped the group in investigating crimes.</p><p></p><p>Good things can happen, and bad things can happen. If a player can't accept bad things, or only wants good things to happen to their character, then your group needs to take a look at their game preferences and decide what's best for everyone. If everyone would be happier with NPCs remaining untouched, then so much the better. But if most people are fine with the challenge presented by beloved NPCs put in jeopardy, then it's a matter of whether or not the game is fun for you if that's going to be the case.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Jackelope King, post: 4031226, member: 31454"] I think a better way to state what Mallus was trying to get across would be to say: [i]"So you want a character who doesn't come with any plot hooks? Fine. Hopefully you'll understand when the other characters who did come with plot hooks are going to be the ones who get the time in the spotlight."[/i] It's not always kidnapping or murdering or ransoming, either. Certainly that's one of the easiest ways to add personal stake into an adventure beyond what is normally possible, but NPCs are also there to support the PCs. Some of the best moments are the ones where they really shine only because they have a particular NPC relationship. In our M&M game, the group's psychic ninja had relationship with a member of the UN's super-team, which ended on a good enough note that they're still close friends. Just this past weekend, she managed to leverage some legitimacy to her own organization's cause by asking her ex for help. Another character's ailing, bedridden sister contacted the PC at a key moment to encourage him to rise to the occasion and help save the day. Still another PC has many friends within the local police department only because her mother worked in forensics with the police department for almost fifteen years, which has helped the group in investigating crimes. Good things can happen, and bad things can happen. If a player can't accept bad things, or only wants good things to happen to their character, then your group needs to take a look at their game preferences and decide what's best for everyone. If everyone would be happier with NPCs remaining untouched, then so much the better. But if most people are fine with the challenge presented by beloved NPCs put in jeopardy, then it's a matter of whether or not the game is fun for you if that's going to be the case. [/QUOTE]
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