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Message: <blockquote data-quote="pming" data-source="post: 7343646" data-attributes="member: 45197">Hiya!<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />This is good "old skool" DM'ing, m'boy! There's an old Gygaxian saying that goes something like: "Roll the dice and let the chips fall where they may". That sentiment has guided my hand at DM'ing since the 1e DMG came out. Your decision to 'go with the flow' was the best choice, IMNSHO. I approve. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" />Being able to cure disease by Laying on Hands is one of the coolest and most defining aspects of being a Paladin. Nobody else can do that without using a spell/item. By letting it work (IMHO it should), you didn't force "your" story. You let the players guide the story. You also let them have a great "out of the box" win! It's one thing to win a battle by rolling good and having good tactics...it's quite another feeling to win a battle without even drawing your sword! The Players now know that you will not 'punish' them for creative thinking. They also probably feel pretty damn giddy with pride! Ok. Now that the praise is over... you really are on the correct track. You stopped and thought "What would happen?", then decided, and now all you have to do is keep extrapolating. The grey dwarves didn't like the King...so they paused the attack. What do you think the 'next in line' would do? Think about what his motivation would be for Aggressive, Neutral, and Helpful stance to the PC's. The dwarves do have an evil society, so make sure to keep that perspective; showing weakness/kindness. Maybe the 2nd in command/line orders his men to hold. He then approaches the PC's and...? Tries to make a deal? Tries to get them to leave the King alone and leave immediately? Warns them that they will be attacked any second because the penalty for laying hands on the King (hehe...no pun intended...) and he's giving them a chance to surrender? (iirc, Duergar are LE?). In short...run with the direction the PC's seem to be leading the story. Then toss a monkey wrench into it somewhere near the end of the next session! Your players just got a taste of some serious "unexpected story turn" Roleplaying. You all should enjoy it! And reinforce it by adding another 'twist' that is related to their actions with the whole 'saving the king' thing. Showing actual "consequences" for actions is essential for a good, long-lasting campaign. It also shows your Players that you are NOT going to "force" your/the adventures Story Line regardless of their actions. This WILL have a POWERFUL effect on your Players future play. Don't underestimate the gold mine you just struck! <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />Keep up the good work! ^_^Paul L. Ming</blockquote>

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