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Message: <blockquote data-quote="hawkeyefan" data-source="post: 7965073" data-attributes="member: 6785785">Generally speaking, most NPCs and monsters seem much more willing to fight to the death than is probably reasonable. This is at least partly because they exist to be obstacles to the PCs and we often think of them only in that regard. If you try to actually play NPCs....even unintelligent animals...as actual beings with drives and goals, then things start to look different. Most beings do not want to die. So play them that way. Think what they want at any point, and then have them act in a way that makes sense. If that means killing a downed enemy rather than attacking someone who’s still on their feet and actively trying to kill the NPC, then so be it. Same with taking a hostage, or any similar action. Have the NPC make decisions based on their goals and how they can achieve those goals.As for the question of damage to a hostage or similar....the rules give the DM leeway in that the dice are only needed if there is doubt about the outcome. A NPC with a dagger to an unconscious PC’s throat? There’s no doubt in my mind what would happen. The only question seems to be if someone else can do something before the NPC can act.</blockquote>