My PCs are almost 9th lvl, and as such the dynamic is starting to shift a bit. I want to convey the sense that Golarion doesn't have a ton of high-lvl NPCs running around, at the very least the dynamic is different than the feel I get from FR, of which many of the PCs are most used to.
I'm curious if anyone has any ideas on how to convey this? Obviously I can just tell them: "NPCs over 10th are rare, beyond 10th are exceptions to the rule. Keep in mind, though, power comes in many varieties of which "level" is one."
Thanks!
Director of Brand Strategy
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I'd say that while they are rare, they do exist, and it is only logical that the types of challenges a party of near 10th level characters would face would be to eliminate rarer and larger threats than they would have done with less experience, less magic and martial access, and less renown. Generally at higher levels you also face less humans with class levels and fight more monsters. At least in published adventures that seems to be the case.
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You probably are better off setting higher level PCs against monstrous foes.
The epic nature of defeating some spawn of blasphemous horror from beyond space and time, must surely rank as more worthy of a tale, than beating up 'some guy with class levels, just like you have'.
Another thing to consider, is that every time they beat a classed NPC, they gain a sackfull of magic loot, that the NPC needs to carry out his daily doings.
You can give your Blob From Beyond The Stars the exact same powers as innate abilities, and still keep the economy of the game from spiralling out of control.
So, double win!
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I'm curious if anyone has any ideas on how to convey this? Obviously I can just tell them: "NPCs over 10th are rare, beyond 10th are exceptions to the rule. Keep in mind, though, power comes in many varieties of which "level" is one."
People recognize the strong...when they go into a poor district of a city have a mob of sick asking for heals from the cleric/pally, poor asking for handouts of the 'great, powerful, and generous' PCs. Have them receive invitations from other powerful people for dinner and have them remark that it's been month since they had seen someone with a similar resume to his/her own come through.
Things like that
Thanks for the comments.
People recognize the strong...when they go into a poor district of a city have a mob of sick asking for heals from the cleric/pally, poor asking for handouts of the 'great, powerful, and generous' PCs. Have them receive invitations from other powerful people for dinner and have them remark that it's been month since they had seen someone with a similar resume to his/her own come through.
Things like that
I think that's a great idea - let the characters know their relative power level by what happens to them. This also works in combat too - put them up against a creature that at levels 3-5 really caused them problems, but now should be a cakewalk, just to let them flex their 'name level' muscles, not as a challenge. That will let the players know they're in a different playing field now.
Turn them into celebrities, let other NPCs automatically know their names (if they are not secretive types) or when they enter a room, their obvious power makes all the NPCs notice and look on (unless the onlookers are of a similar stature, in which case let the PCs know that the NPCs are powerful, but that they regard the PCs as their equals)
That help?
These ideas will definitely help convey the sense that the PCs have become "heroes."
I'm wondering if that will convey to the players the NPC dynamic of Golarion. That is what I'm pondering at the moment.
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Director of Brand Strategy
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These ideas will definitely help convey the sense that the PCs have become "heroes."
I'm wondering if that will convey to the players the NPC dynamic of Golarion. That is what I'm pondering at the moment.
Introduce them to some NPCs they may assume are really high level. Leaders of in-world organizations like the Sable Company or Eagle Knights. Show them, either in combat or in non-combat situations, that these "high level" NPCs aren't really all that tough. If they can get an idea where the ceiling is for standard NPCs, they might better understand how rare the people they are going up against are, and what a huge threat the pose to the rest of Golarion.