A strange development last night. One of my players noted that they had known that the encounter was dangerous because the NPC enemy was in red clothing with dark red armour, his troops had matching black spiffy uniforms and his pavilion tent was also a matching red(that was apparently the give away).
So here it is. Ever notice that the higher level a NPC is the more dangerous they are (duh). But as a general rule the higher level a npc(villian) is the more their items match their theme?
DM: "The door to the crypt opens with a low grating sound. As the dust clears you see a skeleton standing in front of you. It is wearing blackened full plate armour and weilds a black greataxe. It's eyes fill with a red glow. As the eyes start to glow so does the sword as it is sheathed in red flames."
Players: "Crap."
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Yup. I tend to give "special" NPCs a more distinct look and fancier gear than their basic counterparts. My favorite is when players don't necessarily pick up on this fact.
Once, in a two-player campaign I was running, I described an orc as wearing full plate armor and wielding matching battleaxes. Up until this point, the PCs (who were both level 9) had been facing small groups of 3-4 orcs who were varied in levels from 4-6. When they hauled up the the fully armored orc, they were expecting a cakewalk. They never suspected that this one happened to be a level 10 Fighter. One of the PCs nearly died for his hubris. It was great!
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So here it is. Ever notice that the higher level a NPC is the more dangerous they are (duh). But as a general rule the higher level a npc(villian) is the more their items match their theme?
Of course, you can now use this against the PCs, as their next encounter features a 2nd-level Henchmook in a flowing satin cloak with matching necklace, bracers and dragonskin belt, while the evil mastermind sneaks off in his brown robe and old boots.
Of course, you can now use this against the PCs, as their next encounter features a 2nd-level Henchmook in a flowing satin cloak with matching necklace, bracers and dragonskin belt, while the evil mastermind sneaks off in his brown robe and old boots.
So here it is. Ever notice that the higher level a NPC is the more dangerous they are (duh). But as a general rule the higher level a npc(villian) is the more their items match their theme?
I particularly like a sidebar in the FRCS which mentions a lich who is fond of wandering around in a horde of normal skeletons, looking like just another bone collection.
Players: *sigh* More skeletons? Where's this lich supposed to be, again?
Not-so-ordinary skeleton: Surprise, suckers!