I'm running HTBM. The PCs have just started encountering Orlangru and they just defeated the first wave of gargoyles.
As a bit of background, I created a Healer (Minis Handbook) as a DMPC to act strictly as a box of band aids. She is a complete non-combatant and really all she can do is heal. My intention with this was to allow the players to pick what they wanted and not have to worry about someone being a healer. We do have a cleric, but she is a very martial type with the Spontaneous Domain casting alternate feature from PHB2.
My question for the group - should Orlangru abduct the healer (in place of Urol in the shrine). I'm not intending to kill her outright, but I think the PCs would be way more motivated to save the box of band aids rather than the somewhat flighty, pedantic gnome. Would that be unreasonably mean of me? Will they all die horrible deaths?
What are your thoughts, oh paizonians?
What are your thoughts, oh paizonians?
Disclaimer: I've heard a lot about, but have not read this adventure.
I say go for it - you're not denying them all manner of healing, but you make it a good tough run.
They've already dug themselves in a bit, and if they can't punch their way through without a healbot, or strategize appropriately to account for that, then let the dice fall where they may.
My bet - they'll bring out their biggest guns, and best dice, and lay waste to Orlangru.
Don't take it wrong, but the goal of a DM is not be mean with the players, not even to oppose them. He is not playing against them.
This being said, he should feel free to play his NPCs and monsters as cruel and mean they should be.
But if in an adventure the enemies of the characters plan to kidnap one of the party, they shouldn't consider PC or NPC, as these concepts are irrelevant.
They should consider which character would be the most useful, either by weakening the group (main caster, main fighter, healer), giving up information under interrogation, most valuable hostage, and so on.
If you're interested, check out what I did to our group on our blog. This is about where they entered Fogmire. What I did with Diamondback (who became an party member after being ‘reformed’) sounds very similar to what you want to do with your NPC healer. It does not have to be an either/or. Have her taken early on, and Urol just be the last one. Because the party, at one point, decided not to press on once they found the shrine, but instead camped for the night, I made the consequence be that Olangru used that time to assault Diamondback in a very R-Rated manor, if you take my meaning. This was intended as a consequence for the players’ decision. Bonus – Diamondback had formed a romantic relationship with the lead PC up to this point.
Oh, and making the players “suffer,” at least in the context you use it, is the DM’s job. Setting up a good story with lots of conflict for the PCs to overcome is all the fun of the game. The more you throw in, the more fun it is. Easy = not fun. Challenge with high stakes = lots of fun.
Sounds like my gut instinct was correct. It only makes sense Orlangru would want to separate the party from the healer - and objectively she's one of the easiest people to snatch.
I agree, wholeheartedly in fact, that it is not my job to play "against" the PCs, but it is my job as the DM to provide memorable challenges and solid conflict to motivate the players. Given the cunning nature of the opponent, it seems quite likely that he'd grab the healer if at all possible.
[edit]BTW Troy, I have actually read some of the blog already. Good stuff! Definitely got my creative juices bubbling to read some other interpretations of the material.
Given the cunning nature of the opponent, it seems quite likely that he'd grab the healer if at all possible.
You know, after the final battle with Olangru, the players actually expressed the battle was almost anticlimactic because, as tough as he was, he wasn't as tough as they'd expected. As one of my players put it, "You played him so smart, we tought we were just screwed." I've always contended that the real power is in the player, not it the stats.
BTW Troy, I have actually read some of the blog already. Good stuff! Definitely got my creative juices bubbling to read some other interpretations of the material.
Thanks, FilmGuy. The blog started out just as a recap for our own use, but it has taken on a life of its own. I've now created a wiki (linked to from the blog) to act as our Dramatis Personae or character catalog. Glad you enjoyed it.
The art of being a DM is to make the group suffer just so much that they feel they really need to go after te healer, but not to overdo it (e.g. that they are so weak or lack so much healing that they do not have the courage anymore to go after the healer). So if possible let Olangru kidnap the healer not too early in the adventure, and preferably after a battle where the characters lost some resources, but not all of them, so that they have to improvise.
I am curious to read how things turned out. My group is approaching that moment in probably 2-3 sessions.
I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out Luna. The Campaign is on hold for a few weeks as I'm getting married on the 29th. Just a bit too much to do between now and then to justify 3-4 hours of gaming every other week. :-)
Once I'm back from the Honeymoon in early April, however, all bets are off - I've been jazzed about running this portion of the adventure for months now. Orlangru is going to be mean and nasty - Bwa ha ha!
I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out Luna. The Campaign is on hold for a few weeks as I'm getting married on the 29th. Just a bit too much to do between now and then to justify 3-4 hours of gaming every other week. :-)
Once I'm back from the Honeymoon in early April, however, all bets are off - I've been jazzed about running this portion of the adventure for months now. Orlangru is going to be mean and nasty - Bwa ha ha!
You think you're comming back after the wedding? Good luck.
Seriously, congrats!
I should be coming back - my fiance actually seems to enjoy the occasional evening to herself. :-)
Congratulations on your wedding. Have a very nice day and a very nice honeymoon.
I'm running HTBM. The PCs have just started encountering Orlangru and they just defeated the first wave of gargoyles.
As a bit of background, I created a Healer (Minis Handbook) as a DMPC to act strictly as a box of band aids. She is a complete non-combatant and really all she can do is heal. My intention with this was to allow the players to pick what they wanted and not have to worry about someone being a healer. We do have a cleric, but she is a very martial type with the Spontaneous Domain casting alternate feature from PHB2.
My question for the group - should Orlangru abduct the healer (in place of Urol in the shrine). I'm not intending to kill her outright, but I think the PCs would be way more motivated to save the box of band aids rather than the somewhat flighty, pedantic gnome. Would that be unreasonably mean of me? Will they all die horrible deaths?
What are your thoughts, oh paizonians?
do it! hit where it will hurt most!
do it! hit where it will hurt most!I'm running HTBM. The PCs have just started encountering Orlangru and they just defeated the first wave of gargoyles.
As a bit of background, I created a Healer (Minis Handbook) as a DMPC to act strictly as a box of band aids. She is a complete non-combatant and really all she can do is heal. My intention with this was to allow the players to pick what they wanted and not have to worry about someone being a healer. We do have a cleric, but she is a very martial type with the Spontaneous Domain casting alternate feature from PHB2.
My question for the group - should Orlangru abduct the healer (in place of Urol in the shrine). I'm not intending to kill her outright, but I think the PCs would be way more motivated to save the box of band aids rather than the somewhat flighty, pedantic gnome. Would that be unreasonably mean of me? Will they all die horrible deaths?
What are your thoughts, oh paizonians?
You've coddled them enough ... the mewling, mousy little girl is now my ... "toy" ...
If her friends are swift and intelligent, they may even get her back alive. In what condition is subject to interpretation...
Gleeful cackling fades into the dark night of the jungle after the woman's scream is sharply cut off. A brief silence greets the stunned party before the susurrus of insects resumes its mockery.
Gleeful cackling fades into the dark night of the jungle after the woman's scream is sharply cut off. A brief silence greets the stunned party before the susurrus of insects resumes its mockery.
EEK! having flashbacks!