PC vs. PC XP

[freebfrost]

OK, I'm not entirely sure how to catagorize this one, but here goes.

Last night I started playing in a new campaign, and got into a confrontation with the other party members. I am playing a young female druid, who has led a reclusive life and was quite taken aback to see the party ranger skinning a wolf that was unfortunately slain to save two human children. I didn't have a problem with killing the wolf to save the kids, but skinning the wolf was out of bounds for me.

So, I stated that my druid and her wolfish companion were moving to attack the ranger - I was hoping for a bit of a one-on-one RP opportunity with the ranger's player, but he pressed the issue and I pressed the attack. I thought it highly likely we could take him down without unduly harming him, then I could use a Cure and Healing to bring him around and we could RP from there...

Except the party sorcerer intervened and brought the rogue into combat with me as well.

OK, fine. I expected to be knocked down and we'd go from there, but instead I end up kicking booty and take the sorcerer and the ranger down and the rogue surrenders after seeing this.

This was last night, and I got to thinking that I just survived a fight with three CR1 combatants - and well, thats XPs right?

All KotD thinking aside, I went out to see what precedence I could find online for this situation and either there is none or my google-fu is weak today.

At this point, I got to thinking how I would handle this in my own game, and I don't have a good answer yet. It was a legitimate encounter in that lives were on the line (one crit would likely have been lethal), so I am tempted to say that I would award appropriate XP myself. However, I wouldn't want to set that as a precedent for abuse either.

Opinions?

 

[IcyCool]

At this point, I got to thinking how I would handle this in my own game, and I don't have a good answer yet. It was a legitimate encounter in that lives were on the line (one crit would likely have been lethal), so I am tempted to say that I would award appropriate XP myself. However, I wouldn't want to set that as a precedent for abuse either.

Sometimes PC vs. PC happens. I'm sure as heck not going to reward it.

I would say no XP.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Definitely no XP. I'd have more to say on this particularly scenario, but you didn't solicit additional opinions.

 

[Goolpsy]

I can see why i feel a Xp reward is in its right place. I might actually award some xp, but it could probably split up the group/campaign, and it would encourage people to go Pc vs Pc.. even as training abuse?

With my experience Pc vs Pc is one of the worst things that can happen, sometimes its a basic for their meeting, or a minor split in their way of thinking etc "poor wolf" - "New skin for me" druid opposet to the ranger in your campaign.
But sometimes it really split up the entire group, and mostly (even with the minor encounters with eachother) it has a strongimpact on the game.. for the whole campaign or just the gaming session.

Btw Pc's are stronger than the general Npc, so you cant count the encounter in the same way.

If your DM runs individual xp for each Char, your char should recive a few extra points. If not... No XP should be given

 

[Bastoche]

On that specific encounter I'd say no XP. If I were the ranger player, I would've taking it out-game with you to clear things up. IMO in such a scenario, it should've never ended like it did IMO.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

Definitely no XP. I'd have more to say on this particularly scenario, but you didn't solicit additional opinions.

Agreed.

Though the urge to discuss why, precisely, a druid protested a ranger making use of an slain animal is kinda strong.

Brad

 

[darthkilmor]

To those that are saying "no xp", why? It certainly seems like a legitamite encounter, the druid was RP'ing in that her character wouldnt let someone else skin a wolf.
Would it be any different from a paladin PC attacking a chaotic evil ranger PC that was say, skinning a child? Maybe dont reward it as combat xp but as RP xp instead, but still some xp should be given out. Otherwise its like saying "Don't bother to RP at all, this guys going to do everything your character hates but since you dont get xp for confronting him, dont bother."

 

[nittanytbone]

I would either say:

(1) No XP. It creates group harmony problems that go against the grain of a cooperative RPG and has high potential for abuse.
(2) Full XP. The druid has -- by her actions -- taken a strict vow that forbids making use of any animal matter. She's a vegan druid. That means that rations are heavier (it takes a lot of plants to feed an omnivore), she cannot wear leather or hide armor, she cannot use bows (the strings are probably of sinews...), etc. Violation of this vow would lead to suspension or loss of druid status. In addition, its a tick towards neutral evil alignment. Basically, the character has crippling limitations and should probably be relegated to NPC status.

In other words, it should be allowed, but not rewarded. If you award XP, then there should be some other sanction, either in an onerous code of conduct over the percieved slight that must be upheld, the ability of the other PCs to ditch the non-cooperative individual at first opportunity, involuntary alignment changes, and other such penalties.

 

[Goolpsy]

Freebfrost, is there anyone else from your RPG group using this site? Could be fun to hear thier side of the story

Maybe they all thought of it as PURE hostility.. and saw no other option than fighting? Ones intentions aren't always the ones others see.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Maybe they all thought of it as PURE hostility.. and saw no other option than fighting? Ones intentions aren't always the ones others see.

Of course it was pure hostility. The druid didn't even say boo and just "moved to attack the ranger." Don't reward PvP unless a PvP game is desired by all the players (and DM). Argh. This situation irritates me to no end . . . must . . . stop . . . posting.