Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Rocket your D&D 5E and Level Up: Advanced 5E games into space! Alpha Star Magazine Is Launching... Right Now!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Noumenon" data-source="post: 4795945" data-attributes="member: 70102">This isn't as humorous a thread as the title would suggest.  I actually do want to think about what an NPC of each character class would do when the PCs give them the finger.  I've come to see that my players don't enjoy scoring points with NPCs and getting their love and respect.  They like to dominate my NPCs verbally, make fun of their gods and their combat prowess, and just stick mud in their eye.  After one too many of my quest-givers was left sputtering and gasping at the impudence (ie, I had no response prepared and couldn't think of one), I decided to change how I make NPCs.  I was giving them each a secret or helpful ability the players can "unlock" by gaining reputation with them.  (The bartender is feeding information to the pirates.  The prostitute can show you the back entrance from the brothel to the king's quarters.)  Instead, I am going to start making NPCs with an idea in mind of what they'll do when the party gives them the finger.  After generating a couple generic ideas any NPC could do, I decided to get less generic and find a response that would fit best for an random NPC of each class.  You could also go by alignment, but I don't use that much.So the scenario is: "You have an NPC of class X, up to 3 levels higher than the party.  The PCs probably don't know what class or level he is.  Instead of taking his quest or asking him nicely, the PCs have told him they won't help him... or the horse he rode in on.  What does he say?"<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Fighter: "This calls for a formal duel.  Bring a healer, we're going until one of us drops." </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Rogue: (bluffs) "OK, let me up the ante." (offers fake magic item) [See, a rogue won't fight, because they have no honor, but they are sneaky.] </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Ranger: Does the quest by himself instead.  [Rangers are independent.] </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Druid: Shapeshifts into a bear and attacks you.  [I want to try this one first.  Don't mess with Druid-Mayor!] Then he shifts back and apologizes for losing his temper. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Paladin: slaps you or moves as if to strike, then says "No, it is not honorable to fight over insults.  But we will not speak again until you have done Quest X to atone for your loose tongue." </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Cleric: "When you insult the most holy, he withdraws his favor from you.  Do not ask for spells from Kord, you will not receive them." </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Monk: (closes eyes, deep breath) "You are disturbing my peace.  Control your tongue, or I will teach you some discipline."  (then he grapples-pins-prevents you from speaking, or uses Stunning Fist as a neck pinch.) </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sorcerer: "You don't know when you're dealing with true power!" (pyrotechnics) </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Bard: (angry chord) "Stop this disharmony." (nice chords) Either "A gentle voice is more persuasive." or "I need music when I get angry," and then fascinate and suggest "Now, be civil." </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Wizard: "You idiots!  You don't understand!" (makes you look foolish, like turning you into a sheep) </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Dragon: "Let's talk about this in private." (snatch, fly) </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Dragon (2): "Well, you're not too useful.  At least you're tasty."</li> </ul>What do you think?  Suitably confrontational?  Too likely to devolve into full-on combat?  Will the players respect my NPCs again?  I often put a quote on an NPC's index card to help remember how to characterize him, is this a better way?  Or have I just spent the day at work creating some kind of revenge fantasy on my players?  Regardless, it was a fun time.Do you have any ideas to build on the "how does the NPC respond to a dis" concept?</blockquote>

Verification