D&D General What Should High Level (17th+) PCs Be Doing?

[Reynard]

In the world of the game, what should high level PCs be doing? Should they be "adventuring"? Should they be ruling? Should they be saving the world?

Obviously, what is in the poll is just what came to mind.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

Most of those things plus there's this that might need their attention:

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[Shardstone]

I don't think there should be any one answer to this question. After, what should lower levels be doing? Looking only for treasure/saving villages from monsters/clearing out dangerous dungeons etc etc etc.

 

[Vaalingrade]

~Looks at poll~

Yes.

And they should be doing some of them in order to facilitate others. Not even in expected order. Maybe they take over a kingdom in order to meddle in the affairs of some NPCs for the purpose of locating an artifact that lets them traverse the multiverse... in order to brew the perfect cuppa for their old nan.

 

[aco175]

Maybe some depends on what you consider high level. IO guess the game considers 17+ level to be that, but in my games anyone over like 7th level is rather high. Down here they tend to stick with saving the city or kingdom. And when a group of PCs gets to level 10+, then people tend to come looking for favors from them. My games never seem to involve plane hopping or many portals and alternate worlds to get to.

 

[Reynard]

I don't think there should be any one answer to this question.

Good thing I made it unlimited votes!

After, what should lower levels be doing? Looking only for treasure/saving villages from monsters/clearing out dangerous dungeons etc etc etc.

That sounds like a great idea for a thread.

 

[Reynard]

Maybe some depends on what you consider high level. IO guess the game considers 17+ level to be that, but in my games anyone over like 7th level is rather high. Down here they tend to stick with saving the city or kingdom. And when a group of PCs gets to level 10+, then people tend to come looking for favors from them. My games never seem to involve plane hopping or many portals and alternate worlds to get to.

Good point. I will edit the thread title for clarity.

 

[Krachek]

All of these seem ok.

 

[Pedantic]

I picked several, but I wanted to highlight these:

• Defeating Ancient and/or Powerful Evils.
• Wresting Power from the Mightiest Beings.
• Meddling with the Affairs of "regular" NPCs and factions.

At the highest levels, PCs must be presented with proactive challenges. Not, "the evil baron's excesses must finally be stopped!" which is a mid-level problem, but, "everyone knows the lich-king hides in his plane of eternal death, minions occasionally sneaking out to manipulate world affairs." That's a problem that PCs have to get to, and then handle. It's not a thing they react to, it's part of the status quo they pointedly decide to change.

 

[ezo]

In the world of the game, what should high level PCs be doing? Should they be "adventuring"? Should they be ruling? Should they be saving the world?

Obviously, what is in the poll is just what came to mind.

Retiring and enjoying reminiscing about their past deeds.