PC vs. PC conflict

[candidus_cogitens]

One PC makes a snide comment to a second PC in the midst of an engagement with some goblin warriors: "Is that what you call swordplay? I'll show you how it's done."

Following the insult, PC #2 decides to trip PC#1, while the foes still threaten.

Question #1: What does this say, if anything, about the two PCs alignments?

Question #2: Would you, as a DM, view this kind of conflict as a problem or as just part of the game?

 

[Tharkun]

Well, I'd say that:

1) a LG character I think could do that, they sound like knights competing with each other.

2) Sometimes it can be fun but if it doesn't get full blown like trying to kill each other.

 

[Crothian]

Question #1: What does this say, if anything, about the two PCs alignments?

Question #2: Would you, as a DM, view this kind of conflict as a problem or as just part of the game?

#1: The snide remarks don't indicate anything (unless your a paladin). THey guy who actually does the trip is probably CN or worse.

#2: It depends what brought it up. It could very well be part of their characters were they have this playful compitition between them. That would be a fine addition to anything character. Or it could be bad if they were doing this for meta reasons.

 

[Furn_Darkside]

Question #1: What does this say, if anything, about the two PCs alignments?

If it came out of nowheres, then I might examine alignments- it certainly does not seem lawful.

Question #2: Would you, as a DM, view this kind of conflict as a problem or as just part of the game?

Just part of the game- these things either spiral into a tpk, end of campeign .. or they work it out.

FD

edit: I do step in if it takes over a session, and will force them to resolve it one way or another. But, I tend to warn players when they are making a character I think will conflict with the rest of the party. We are a small group now- so it doesn't happen often.

 

[grimwell]

The insult by the first character could come from someone of most any alignment who's in the mood to be a bit showy and competetive. Snobs and chaos lovers might do it first, but anyone with a little pride could say that.

The trip action is a bit of chaos. More ordered individuals would not do it save for in their most rash moments. It increases the danger and threat level to a friend so most people who are lawful would not do it, unless they were LE and were hoping to actually harm the friend.

As a DM, it's a part of the game. PC's being competetive, bickering, and reveling in their differences can be a great thing. Or a terrible thing. Depends on the balance you strike. I would not consider this a critical junciton though, unless they were doing this in every fight (and even then, the combat could kill them both and take care of the problem).

If your players are fighting each other, even just verbally, it's time to stop the game for a few minutes and get things under control. If it's just their characters, it can often be part of the fun.

 

[laiyna]

If player 1 makes that remark he is not good.
If player 2 trips player 1 for that remark he is not lawful, neutral or good.

I would change they're alignments acordingly to they're game play and would speak to player 2 after the session that I will not tolorate it a second time.

The only exception is if both players made a background and agreed before the game that they would do this.

In my GM Book is infighting not allowed.

Laiyna

 

[jmucchiello]

If player 1 makes that remark he is not good.

Huh? I assume you mean character 1. There is nothing about boasting that is non-good. Character 1 was boasting about his own ability with the sword. It is also possible to insult someone and be good.

If player 2 trips player 1 for that remark he is not lawful, neutral or good.

I assume you mean character 2 and character 1. Someone who trips an ally in combat is foolish. This does not make them chaotic or evil. Reacting in anger to an insult is the mark of a foolish person.

Unless you can prove that in his heart character 2 would still want character 1 to die in a calmer moment, no alignment shifting at all should take place.

Now, getting back to the original questions, good characters can be petty and lawful characters can react in anger. I see no reason to change their alignment unless this became constant behavior.

If either player seemed to take the actions personally. I'd tell them both to knock it off right at the table. Sensitive DMs might talk to the players privately.

Joe

 

[candidus_cogitens]

I agree with what has been said above, about alignment. Tripping an ally is probably an indication of a chaotic alignment.

Alignment issues aside: I actually found the first player's words to be more disturbing than the second player's action. While it is possible to have a little rivalry between characters that is motivated purely by roleplaying interest, I suspect that usually this is not the case. More often, there is a rivalry between the PLAYERS.

Players dont play D&D to get their pride injured. And the fact is, players really do identify with the characters they play. So, even if you're insulting the "character" and not the player, the player is going to feel insulted all the same.

Infighting may arise between good characters, but it almost always indicates evil PLAYERS.

 

[candidus_cogitens]

Now, getting back to the original questions, good characters can be petty and lawful characters can react in anger. I see no reason to change their alignment unless this became constant behavior.

If either player seemed to take the actions personally. I'd tell them both to knock it off right at the table. Sensitive DMs might talk to the players privately.

I see your point about alignment. You've persuaded me that tripping an ally in a moment of anger does not necessarily mean chaotic, although I would say that a character with a frequent tendency to lose his temper is more likely to be chaotic than lawful.

But I do not agree with your last comment. It's ALL personal. Anybody who doesnt take it personal is just really good at supressing their emotions.

Many professional actors (though not all) really try to tap into their own personal feelings in order to play the role more effectively. But ALL actors are emotionally affected by the drama they create. Same goes for fantasy roleplayers.

 

[John Crichton]

In my GM Book is infighting not allowed.

I don't mind it once or twice. If it begins to disrupt gameplay or is completely out of character I will talk with the offending player and probably doc some XP.