When PCs are the supporting cast

[ruleslawyer]

Yes. I have played 2nd Edition Forgotten Realms

Why not name *one* module of this sort in 2e FR play, hmm? Or mayhap you're counting the Avatar trilogy, in which the PCs supposedly play second fiddle to the "name" characters... except that those name characters don't actually *do* anything except in three discrete instances throughout the modules.

In short, I have started campaigns this way; 1st-level PCs make great retainers or guards to a more powerful merchant, noble, or even adventurer type, who can then conveniently be killed/disappear/send them off on their own. Lots of the most time-honored fantasy fiction runs this way; even the Conan saga, in which one could hardly argue that the hero plays second fiddle to anyone, features the Tower of the Elephant, in which

Spoiler

the Cimmerian accompanies Taurus of Nemedia, "prince of thieves," on a burgling run and is then forced to fend for himself when the more experienced rogue perishes.

So sure, starting the PCs off as red-shirts is often a great idea! Running 7th-level PCs this way doesn't strike me as particularly interesting, but for novice-level characters, I think it makes plenty sense.

 

[Storyteller01]

Not quite what you asked for, but...

I'm running a military campaign. Players, while not subordsinate to herons, are subordinate to powerful folks. Had to modify it in two ways.

1) You don't get to keep treasure. Instead you get a requisition account equal to the treasures market cost. Gives the players some versatility, and I can use major artifacts without worrying about game balance later on.

2) Open DM. Given that the players have no real choice in what they do, the players get to DM. Helps, since you don't need to create a previous reason as to how they got together in the first place...

 

[diaglo]

Why not name *one* module of this sort in 2e FR play, hmm? .

only 1? alex i can name that tune in 1 note.

and give it several titles if you so choose.

most are now free downloads on the WotC site.

the Marco Volo trilogy comes to mind right off the top... Departure...blah.. blah..blah

or how about the one with Waukeen needing rescue... for Duty and Deity or somesuch...

or the one in Undermountain with Elmunchkin asking you to rescue/find Halaster Blackcloak

 

[francisca]

Have you ever DM'd or played in a game where the PCs were actually direct subordinates to more powerful adventurers?

For one session. It was one of the straws that broke this camels back when I gave up gaming in 1986. And it's not that I'm not a team oriented player. I enjoy filling whatever gap needs to be filled in a party. But I'm not there for the DM (via NPCs) to dictate my actions.

If the big Guy(gax?) wanted us to play hirelings/henchmen/cohorts/etc.... he wouldn't be awarding us full XP.

 

[Janx]

I'm using the players work for somebody else model myself. Works well.

The trick is to NOT have the boss adventure WITH the PCs. The boss sends the PCs on missions. The boss pays the PCs, maybe even lets them keep the loot.

Contact with the boss should be limited to giving advice, giving assignments, and casual interactions. You don't want the boss deciding things for the players.

In my case, I'm running a naval military campaign.

Half the players are officers, the other half enlisted. The captain would send them off on various away missions. (kinda like star trek). Thus, the players had a main goal handed to them (saving time on "finding the plot hook"). They then solved it in whatever means they found.

After about 4th level, the captain (and the ship) got destroyed during the final battle with the elves.

It worked for us. Now the players have their own ship, but still work for the navy. So they take orders, but their in command of more.

Janx

 

[D+1]

Have you ever DM'd or played in a game where the PCs were actually direct subordinates to more powerful adventurers?

In several old FR adventures. I sometimes think "railroading" was invented just for FR.

In essence, have you ever played followers/cohorts? If so, how did it go?

Only when PC's were still around to lead them.

I'm thinking this might be an ideal way to begin a campaign. You're training under the leader in the first few adventures when *wham* your leader is slain in an ambush, leaving your PCs to pick up the current mission.

That sounds quite workable, but definitely the exception. As a rule, when PC's become the supporting cast the DM needs to be shot. With a sledgehammer. Twice.

 

[HeavyG]

The whole thing makes me think of the start of Vecna Lives, a Greyhawk adventure.

In the opening scene, the Circle of Eight gets wacked and their henchmen (which are still pretty powerful characters) are left to pick up the pieces and save the day.

 

[Stone Angel]

We did this for a short campaign once and I only had three players. They were all in service to an older famous and quite powerful monster hunter dragons mostly. One PC was an aspiring Paladin(a convenient story term to get his four levels of fighter for Weapon Spec. lol) who idloized him. The Second was a rouge/sorcerer that the hero rescued from herself and she has been indebted to him eversince while at first she hated him she has come to love him like an older brother or uncle. The Last was a scholarly cleric sent by an order of monks to document his travels and record any relics and treasures that may be found(aka big influencial nosy church)

In his younger days he had tried to slay a powerful dragon of legend but they just ended up wounded and at a stalemate. He has been searching for clues to destroy it ever since. The Dragon eventually has the knight offed ala powerful vampire. And then the pc's had to avenge their masters death and save a city from the wrath of the Dragon.

It was bloody fun I tell you a hoot.


The Seraph of Earth and Stone

 

[maddman75]

Having him killed is a good one, though I agree that its best that they don't adventure directly with him. Better to have him betray the party. Either the commander is actually a villain and starts sending the group on more and more questionable missions, or he betrays them directly. In one memorable campaign the patron lord actually wanted the PCs eliminated for political reasons. It took several adventures before they realized he was just sending them on suicide missions hoping they'd die. Easier than killing them himself, and no one can blame the lord - adventurers die all the time.

As far as the Realms comments go, I find they're very true. Every time I tried to run an earth-shattering adventure, the PCs would ask, and rightfully so, if this is so danged important, why doesn't Elminster take care of it? Or the Seven Sisters? Or Blackstaff Arunsun? Or any of the 17th level adventurers that now run a bar in every town and village?

The best realms was the 1e boxed set. No uber NPCs, no novels to worry about, and Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul as the Big Three.

 

[RodneyThompson]

Nope, I've never played any 2e FR modules.

*dies*

Hoody hoo! Perfect answer.

Actually, you ever played any Star Wars RPG games and tried to follow events in the movies? That's kind of like being second banana to the "real" heroes. It goes something like this:

General of the Rebellion: I've gathered you all here because I have a mission. The fate of the entire Rebellion may depend on your success.
Players: Uh, shouldn't you be sending Luke Skywalker if it's so important?
General: Good thinking. I have an important mission for you. We need snacks for the briefing when I tell Luke to save us all again. It's a dangerous mission: Luke hates celery sticks.