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<blockquote data-quote="robertliguori" data-source="post: 3851605" data-attributes="member: 47776">Well, not to put too fine a point on it, yes.&nbsp; D&amp;D has both rules, and assumptions about default PC actions, default NPC actions, and the PC's places in the universe.&nbsp; The rules state that if the PCs use the resources available to them in certain ways, they are virtually unassailable by common threats (such as poison, nighttime ambush, etc.).&nbsp; The assumptions about the PCs place in the universe are usually that characters above level 5 are rare and special.&nbsp; If you're playing in FR, for instance, than 10th-level PCs are nothing special.&nbsp; OTOH, if you're playing in a world like this, the assumption that peasants will live in villages instead of magically-fueled extradimensional arcologies is not necessarily a valid one.&nbsp; The assumptions of the NPC actions is that most non-heroic NPCs simply want to live their lives in peace, free from both blatant tyranny and major change or upheaval.&nbsp; Finally, it's assumed that by the time they've made it to 10th level, most PC parties have stumbled upon the basic tricks of the magic system (Rope Trick sleeping arrangements, magic-detecting watches, protective buffs and items on at all reasonable times, use of Prestidigitation to cut down on vulnerable moments spent bathing, etc.), and as such know exactly how to use their resources to circumvent common threats.Now, you can alter the rules so you're playing a more Iron Heroes-esque game.&nbsp; You can keep the rules, but change the assumptions, and forbid the PCs from using their resources effectively.&nbsp; Finally, you can up the average level of the world, so that their plotter has the necessary countermeasures to defeat Detect Thoughts and Divination.But given the D&amp;D rules, and no external metagamy restrictions on PCs behavior, yes, expecting a conventional web of conspiracy and politics to ensnare PCs rather than being being ripped up and set on fire is doing it wrong.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="robertliguori, post: 3851605, member: 47776"] Well, not to put too fine a point on it, yes. D&D has both rules, and assumptions about default PC actions, default NPC actions, and the PC's places in the universe. The rules state that if the PCs use the resources available to them in certain ways, they are virtually unassailable by common threats (such as poison, nighttime ambush, etc.). The assumptions about the PCs place in the universe are usually that characters above level 5 are rare and special. If you're playing in FR, for instance, than 10th-level PCs are nothing special. OTOH, if you're playing in a world like this, the assumption that peasants will live in villages instead of magically-fueled extradimensional arcologies is not necessarily a valid one. The assumptions of the NPC actions is that most non-heroic NPCs simply want to live their lives in peace, free from both blatant tyranny and major change or upheaval. Finally, it's assumed that by the time they've made it to 10th level, most PC parties have stumbled upon the basic tricks of the magic system (Rope Trick sleeping arrangements, magic-detecting watches, protective buffs and items on at all reasonable times, use of Prestidigitation to cut down on vulnerable moments spent bathing, etc.), and as such know exactly how to use their resources to circumvent common threats. Now, you can alter the rules so you're playing a more Iron Heroes-esque game. You can keep the rules, but change the assumptions, and forbid the PCs from using their resources effectively. Finally, you can up the average level of the world, so that their plotter has the necessary countermeasures to defeat Detect Thoughts and Divination. But given the D&D rules, and no external metagamy restrictions on PCs behavior, yes, expecting a conventional web of conspiracy and politics to ensnare PCs rather than being being ripped up and set on fire is doing it wrong. [/QUOTE]

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