Hello, everyone.
My players and I (I'm the DM) are about to begin the "Prince of Redhand" adventure, and I've noticed a possible problem with one of my players, who happens to play a Monk with Vow of Poverty.
The (possible) problem refers to the "dress code" for the gala, which says that "Accessories and dress should be, at the minimum, on par with a courtier's outfit (30 gp) with at least 50 gp in jewelry or other accessories". Vow of Poverty, obviously, does not allow the player to wear this type of clothes.
So, I was thinking of suggesting (if the player himself - or anyone else - doesn't come up with the idea) that the monk pretend to be someone else's servant (like his fellow adventurer, the paladin of Tyr - yes, we're playing the AoW in Faerun).
Is this a good idea? Or would it be considered offensive to the Prince?
Jean
So, I was thinking of suggesting (if the player himself - or anyone else - doesn't come up with the idea) that the monk pretend to be someone else's servant (like his fellow adventurer, the paladin of Tyr - yes, we're playing the AoW in Faerun).
Is this a good idea? Or would it be considered offensive to the Prince?
I actually think that is an excellent suggestion. I certainly wouldn't change the adventure for your munchk.....I mean player. After all, to receive the special abilities (s)he gets from the "apparent" weakness of a vow of poverty, shouldn't (s)he must ocassionally deal with this weakness?
I would think that the Prince, being lawful, would respect the paladin's servant's holy vows (as long as the paladin can explain them properly). I would hate for a character to have to miss out on this part of the AP.
Hello, everyone.
I actually think that is an excellent suggestion. I certainly wouldn't change the adventure for your munchk.....I mean player. After all, to receive the special abilities (s)he gets from the "apparent" weakness of a vow of poverty, shouldn't (s)he must ocassionally deal with this weakness?
Hehe... You sound just like one of my players, he too views VoP as an "apparent weakness"... :))
I would think that the Prince, being lawful, would respect the paladin's servant's holy vows (as long as the paladin can explain them properly). I would hate for a character to have to miss out on this part of the AP.
That's exactly my main concern, that the player would "miss out" that whole part of the adventure. I'll see if the players come with this idea on their own, if they do I'll even reward them with some ad hoc XP. :)
Thanks!
Jean
My experience with one of the players as a servant was bad. That character was out of the action for the whole party. As a servant he really didnt' feel he could talk to the guests or Zeech and the servants aren't given much coverage in the adventure nor do they factor into the polt and intrigue. He could not participate in the challenges. He wasn't invited to eat at the table and be a part of the socialization. In generally wasn't a good idea and thus was his least favorite part of the path. I'd suggest against it.
Shade325
There is an easy way to deal with this. A) If it goes as written, shouldn't the characters get a invitation? Including the VoP Monk, who would have to show up in his standard robes and scandals, instantly insulting Zeech and will have to deal with the penalties whenever. (I haven't fully read the adventure only bits and pieces and mostly campaign journals that dealt with this.)
There is an easy way to deal with this. A) If it goes as written, shouldn't the characters get a invitation? Including the VoP Monk, who would have to show up in his standard robes and scandals, instantly insulting Zeech and will have to deal with the penalties whenever.
Heh, heh. Because if the monk doesn't show up ("Ummm, I see you brought a servant, but where is your other friend?"), then he has ALSO insulted Zeech. If Zeech then finds out that the "servant" is also the missing guest, you could call for a Diplomacy check to improve his attitude from Unfriendly ("Have I been insulted?") to indifferent ("whatever") or something better ("Ha! That's the best joke I've had in years!"). Obviously, some role playing is needed, too, not just dice rolling.
Heh. That's what he gets for taking vow of poverty, plain and simple.
Heh. That's what he gets for taking vow of poverty, plain and simple.
To an extent I agree. If the chararacter has chosen this path and wants to stick to it, the ball is the ultimate test of this, moreso than any combat encounter. I would treat it exactly the same as if a paladin of Heironious had shown up, with derision, possibly offending the prince and requiring numerous diplomacy, bluff, intimidate, sense motive, and a hefty amount of roleplaying. Vow of poverty in my opionion is extremely powerful (even with the obvious drawback), and as such demands strict enforcement, especially when paired with a class that makes easiest use of it (almost to the point of breaking the feat). Make the PC stick to their guns when they are forced to roleplay this out...you'll know if you have a power gamer trying to break the game or someone genuinely interested in a unique role-playing experience.
Have the party wizard use an illusion spell. It will of course be seen through at some point, but it gets him into the party and then puts him in a tough diplomatic spot, and likely poisoned. Much more fun than being a servant and unable to participate in the games.
--BS
Seems to me the whole point of a Vow of Poverty (besides powergaming benefits) is to display a certain attitude about material wealth to the rest of the world. If you're covering up the fact that you're a very powerful character who has chosen to forgo the benefits of material wealth, either by playing servant or having the party mage cover your half-naked frame with illusory gewgaws, you're not really living up to the spirit of your vow. So to play such a character in-character, it would be up to the player to take a principled attitude toward Prince Zeech and deal with the consequences. The character could be diplomatic about his vow, but must abide by the spirit of it, even if the host finds his austerity insulting.
Hope the character has a killer fort save, 'cause a dose of lethal poison is headed his way for certain! (I think this is how Zeech would deal with the insult, rather than having the fellow hauled off to the dungeons or whatever).