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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mortellan" data-source="post: 3768758" data-attributes="member: 5089">The Concerns of the Mighty angle is quite convincing. I might put a new spin on the hate of FR's NPCs however. Take it with a grain of salt, I'm probably off by a mile. Anyhow, it is not that NPCs are stealing the spotlight directly from PCs, it's that these NPCs which have been meticulously detailed and glamorized in novels, sourcebooks and video games to the point where they have set the bar rather high for players. It's the envy factor. Mind you, Greyhawk has its share of unattainables too in the Circle of Eight and the dozens of quasi/hero deities. This is what I've seen in my campaigns. I do not even have to use Mordenkainen directly, but to name drop him results in sneers and jeers. Why? He never swooped in and 'stole their kill', he never hired them for a quest nor so muh as personally met their characters. It's because they know the unwritten, unspoken rule of campaigns say DMs should not let their characters advance ahead of these iconic figures. The reason? I believe one reason is the game breaks down fast once PCs are the same plateau as Mordenkainen or Elminster. This is why many high level PCs are forced into retirement and why Epic level play in most editions never really worked good. I've read on the forums many times that alot of people's campaigns never get over 15th level for example. I don't think thats a coincidence and its probably why they are tweaking the levels in 4e. To reiterate, players are shown in the uber-NPCs what they can aspire to be, but the goal is often too lofty and unrealistic for the game system employed. It's like young adults aspiring to be supermodels or professional athletes while at the same time resenting these figures and looking for ways to tear them down if they can't achieve their goal.</blockquote>

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