Semi-urgent: Tips on getting PCs to parley before shooting

[Asmor]

So I've got a game in a half hour, and while it won't break if the PCs shoot first and ask questions later, I'd like to find some way to encourage them to speak with people they'd likely attack on sight. To wit, a group of goblins are raiding a village (actually running an adventure called The Legend of Jub Jub Lake-- google it if you're interested, it's free) out of desperation more than malice. It's totally fine if the PCs attack the goblin camp when they find it, but it just seems like it'd be a fun roleplaying encounter if they talked with them.

There are over 20 able-bodied goblins and several dire wolves (incidentally, this is a savage worlds game) in the camp, so I'm hoping the sheer numbers will make the PCs think twice. But assuming it doesn't, what other ways could I subtly suggest that the goblins would be willing to talk and that they have an option other than "sneak in when the guard's back is turned and shank him?"

 

[Cadfan]

Have the PCs overhear something that suggests a possibility of productive conversation. They can overhear it while they're sneaking in to shank the guard while his back is turned.

 

[Asmor]

Actually, that would work really well... They'll likely get a goblin prisoner lead them to the camp, and he could tell them about how they're only attacking because they're starving...

Thanks!

 

[rkanodia]

This is more of a general thing, but I tell players that they don't lose a 'surprise round' for talking. That is, if you sneak up on the BBEG and catch him unawares, you are allowed to have dialogue with him, and if the dialogue turns to combat, the combat will start with the PCs getting a surprise round.

 

[JiffyPopTart]

I tried to guilt the characters into holding back.

Setup: PCs advancing on a desert temple inhabited by Yuan-Ti. Two guards standing outside the front door, between them a sleeping wizard in a robe.

Action: PCs open suprise round by lacing up the "wizard" who never moves again. Combat ensues and the PCs win.

Follow-Up: When looting the bodies the PCs discover the "wizard" was actually a old slave woman chained up at the guards feet. Word quickly spreads about the ruthless actions of the drow cleric (one of the PCs) and how they shot down the innocent. Cleric was forced to rethink his approach to ingratiating himself with society.

DS

 

[Jubilee]

You could try having the goblins surrender immediately and beg the mighty warriors to save them from the terrible famine.. But some groups might kill 'em all anyway.

/ali

 

[Kheti sa-Menik]

Wierd that this thread appears here today. Tuesday night, my players' PCs were after an object that resided under a keep held by several bands of ogres. I planned on the PCs sneaking in, forcing in, trying to draw the ogres out, using subterfuge and guile, etc.
The PCs talked. They captured a hostage, offered to parley with the ogre leader (who fancied himself a very human-like lord of his manor type noble rather than a marauding pillaging monster), and in exchange for a peek beneath the keep, the PCs agreed to help the ogre leader stage a "tournament."

Yeah the PCs talked. So yeah, so much for my work. Oh well, it went well, very entertaining.

 

[green slime]

I've tried to get to parley, I've tried to get players to act brashly and loudly, I've tried to get players to surrender when all hope is lost, I've tried to get players to consider alternative methods.

Invariably, I've failed. They solve the situation with their own hive-mind in non-sensical manner displaying complete disregard for what is good strategy, common sense, sound tactics, or standard diplomacy.

But we've always had fun

 

[RangerWickett]

Best way to have conversation instead of combat is to have an NPC engage the PCs in conversation. If the PCs are sneaking up to the goblin camp, a goblin scout comes upon the party (maybe he misses the rogue sneaking in the bushes, but he sees the rest of the group), and says, "Oy, humans. Do you have anything to eat? I'm starving."

And if said scout has no weapons out, and presents himself in a completely non-threatening, friendly manner, hopefully the PCs will talk to him.