Umbra
First Post
So there I was reading various threads, picking up ideas here and there and then on the How far do you go in planning solutions to problems? thread these two sentences...
NPC's that block or distract the party from achieving their goals simply because they are too self absorbed, or are greedy, or are following there own agenda can be great fun. They help bring the world to life showing that the PC way is not the only way.
(My little old lady who was just trying to walk to the next town to visit her sister generated 2 hours of roleplay as the party felt obliged help her).
But I suddenly thought, what if the BBEG isn't bad or evil. What if he/she/it is simply trying achieve certain goals (see the thread linked above) that come across as evil. Not an original thought by any means but it got me wondering if other DM's have used a BNG (big neutral guy) or a BGG (big good guy) in their campaign as the opposition for the PC's.
Here are some ideas off the top of my head:
The PC's would find themselves in more moral/ethical quandries than usual (would your players cope?)
Would the anti-climax of the campaign be the PC's realising that it's all a big misunderstanding?
The BNG has unwitting put a potential BBEG in charge of some project or other who is using questionable strategies and tactics. And the potential BBEG is planning to knock off the BNG and take his/her/its place so the party ends up helping the BNG.
The BGG actually has the same long term goal as the PC's or the PC's factions/employers.
So. Have you used a BNG or BGG as the problem your players need to overcome? Did it work out? How did your players react to it?
BardStephenFox said:What I mean is you have your BBEG with his/her/it's Master Goal, as oppossed to Master Plan.
...triggered a little cascade of thought.barsoomcore said:Really, a great campaign is about great NPCs who cause trouble.

NPC's that block or distract the party from achieving their goals simply because they are too self absorbed, or are greedy, or are following there own agenda can be great fun. They help bring the world to life showing that the PC way is not the only way.

But I suddenly thought, what if the BBEG isn't bad or evil. What if he/she/it is simply trying achieve certain goals (see the thread linked above) that come across as evil. Not an original thought by any means but it got me wondering if other DM's have used a BNG (big neutral guy) or a BGG (big good guy) in their campaign as the opposition for the PC's.
Here are some ideas off the top of my head:
The PC's would find themselves in more moral/ethical quandries than usual (would your players cope?)
Would the anti-climax of the campaign be the PC's realising that it's all a big misunderstanding?
The BNG has unwitting put a potential BBEG in charge of some project or other who is using questionable strategies and tactics. And the potential BBEG is planning to knock off the BNG and take his/her/its place so the party ends up helping the BNG.
The BGG actually has the same long term goal as the PC's or the PC's factions/employers.
So. Have you used a BNG or BGG as the problem your players need to overcome? Did it work out? How did your players react to it?