Role playing and Party Harmony

[SleepingPhoenix3]

I recently experienced a problem. I am running a 3.5 game in which the Pc's are orphans or some form growing up in the same orphanage toghether. Recently they got through half of a level of the dungeon where one of the NPC's fell. The Npc's closest friend was along and in fact hired. My most pushy or well most greedy of the char's demanded that the NPC that survived would recieve the slain mentor's stuff as his share. This caused a large argument that dominated the game. including The said NPC "MAX" to threaten and then leave. THis caused chaos with the PC that was the love interest of MAX. How should I or should I not deal with this/punish this or other wise. I do use Roleplayng XP Im not sure if this would be considered evil or otherwise.

 

[Sorry_Charry]

...How should I or should I not deal with this/punish this or other wise...

As long as the characters were acting as just that... characters, I'd say let the story play out.

So what if one of the PCs bears a grudge against another of the PCs... in the right context that could be amazing. As long as that is what it is.

What's not clear is the player motivation here. Are the players having fun in roleplying their characters as burgeoning rivals? Does it move the story forward?

If the answer to either of those questions is no... it bears addressing. Face to face, 'hey guys, can I speak with you for a moment before we start' kind of addressing... not an XP penalty.

If the answer is yes... the players are still having fun, and the story is benefitting from their quasi-enmity... then relish it, run with it.

 

[Dandu]

Please reformat your post, I have trouble following the story.

 

[NaturalFn20]

Please reformat your post, I have trouble following the story.

Player says "gimme monies of dead NPC" 2nd NPC says "i h8 u"

Punish greedy player or not?

 

[Dandu]

What kind of a question is that? A proper DM knows that he should always punish his players.

 

[SuperJebba]

What kind of a question is that? A proper DM knows that he should always punish his players.

Agreed. Spoken like a true DM. Set them all on fire and then find a giant cat to come along and use the remains as a litter box.

 

[Rhun]

What kind of a question is that? A proper DM knows that he should always punish his players.

Well said! You're not a true DM if you're not a rat bastard.

 

[Dross]

My 1st thought is whether any PC can claim the fallen NPC's equipment as theirs or the party's. Admittedly for some it is a mute point.

• If the equipment was loaned by the PCs as part as part of hiring, then they can do as they like.
• If the equipment was the NPC's, then the more lawful and/or good are more likely to say: goes back to family/friend, or stays with the fallen. (other circumstances may come into play such as not leaving potential useful items behind for foes of course).
• If it is found stuff, then under what conditions was it given to the NPC? This goes back to the other two points.

For the one playing as MAX's love interest, I'd let this run it's natural course (or talk with the player about options).

I'm one for having NPC's react realistically to the PC's actions. MAX is going to be informing others about said PC's actions. If he is a believable person then the greedy PC is not going to get a lot of help without having to pay for it.
Also, herilings may have to have a clause in their contract about what happens after their death and equipment (lodged with a 3rd party).

Being orphans, depending on how they got their equipment maybe having to pay rent on it or pay for it outright could be on the cards.

 

[NaturalFn20]

You could totally be an ass-hat and say a Colossal red dragon flies in and demands the NPC's items or your lives.

I've had DMs do that before.

 

[Pergentile]

Player chalks out his own cash for a hireling, and that hireling dies? Player gets rewarded for using his own resources to better the chances of the party, regardless of intent. Give him the gear, and have one of the items curse him.