Why do levels one and two suck so bad?

[JDJblatherings]

Even a white dragon has some serious traps on his lair, and may return by the time you get there. As a DM, at first level, I wouldn't expect the party to head to the lair, and I would try to give them plenty of warning before the TPK that would happen if they continued. As a player, not only would I be more interested in where he was going, instead of his presumably safe treasure, if we did head to the lair, I'd feel uninspired by a simple lair robbing.

It's just one example, a lair robbing harldy has to be uninspiring. Some folks like sneak thievery so traps and some guardians (or competitors) can work very well, for folks that would think up and likely enjoy such schemes. Doesn't mean it's going to be a bright idea or successful if they are too low a level but it may/should be possible to foil or diusrupt more powerful NPCs in the campaign in ways different from head to head conflict.

As for where the dragon was heading that be a laudible goal as well and one that would certainly earn PCs exps in my campaign were they able to follow the creature and warn folsk more capable of dealing with it.

I also have battle encounters where when the PCs are low level and are aiding the heavy hitters or acting as skirmishers on the edges of the fight. "low level" types become famous in myth and legend by being there helping the heavy hitters (who turn out to be minor players after the real heroes tale(s) are told.

"Yup that was MY arrow that disctracted Lord Dark while he was trying to zap Maximus with some horrible spell and allowed Maximus to close and slay him !!" - that is the sort of stuff that becomes "character background" and means a lot more then beign the 11th bastard son to the true hier to the crown who dabbled in the dark arts yet fights for good that is 6th level with no actual history in the campaign behind the character.

low level PCs get to play small parts in big events and surive to become those that can tackle and motivate major events. Becoming a big shot is a lot more fun then ...wham, you are a big shot.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Well, no harm has ever occurred because someone snuck into a dragon's lair and removed a single cup, let me tell you!

 

[JDJblatherings]

Well, no harm has ever occurred because someone snuck into a dragon's lair and removed a single cup, let me tell you!

that's the type of thing that can come back to bite PCs in the back several levels later and remind them they are in a cohesive campaign and not a series of unrelated kleptomanical murder sprees.

 

[Nifft]

that's the type of thing that can come back to bite PCs in the back several levels later and remind them they are in a cohesive campaign and not a series of unrelated kleptomanical murder sprees.

There's a gentlemen by the name of Tolkien. You might enjoy his works. They're somewhat of an in-joke around here.

Cheers, -- N

 

[rgard]

There's a gentlemen by the name of Tolkien. You might enjoy his works. They're somewhat of an in-joke around here.

Cheers, -- N

That was gentle.



Thanks,
Rich

 

[rgard]

that's the type of thing that can come back to bite PCs in the back several levels later and remind them they are in a cohesive campaign and not a series of unrelated kleptomanical murder sprees.

"a series of unrelated kleptomanical murder sprees"

That is sig worthy!

 

[JDJblatherings]

There's a gentlemen by the name of Tolkien. You might enjoy his works. They're somewhat of an in-joke around here.

Cheers, -- N

I caught the refernece I took a similar que from tolkien 27 or so years ago, my players had a hell of a time getting a dragons loot back to town after they slew a dragon ( thanks to amazing luck and palnning when still only 2nd and 3rd level). 14 wagons full of treasure and a small army doesn't go unnoticed by every tribe of humanoids and group of bandits within 100 miles. Getting the treasue to town and keeping it prooved to be a much more harrowing adventure then knocking off the dragon.

 

[Raven Crowking]

There's a gentlemen by the name of Tolkien. You might enjoy his works. They're somewhat of an in-joke around here.

Cheers, -- N

I was thinking about Tolkein's source material, actually.....

RC

 

[JDJblatherings]

"a series of unrelated kleptomanical murder sprees"

That is sig worthy!

thank you very much, i've likely used similar phrases in the past.

 

[Patlin]

Typically the quick-advancement characters (clerics, thieves) will hit 2nd level after 3-4 sessions, everybody else will follow shortly thereafter so that by about 6 sessions pretty much everyone will be 2nd level and the clerics and thieves will be nearing 3rd, and so on.

Why do some classes advance faster than others in your campaign? In mine, everyone advances at the same rate... in fact, it's rare that the xp totals of the characters vary by even 1 xp one character to another.