| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
With the players being rulers of they're own country in Kingmaker it should be safe to assume that they have NPCs that follow they're orders. Particularly during the later part of the campaign when they're raising armies.
So they probably could bring a few hirelings and henchmen along with them during adventures if they so wished. However, what if they sent NPCs out on missions alone? Certainly some missions would be too much for such NPCs, such as the main quests, but perhaps if there is a secondary concern that the PCs judge is too minor for they're attention. A lot of this seems to be already part of the Kingdom Building rules, the Bandit Activity event for instance. But perhaps in some cases the players could play through these- not using they're normal characters, but in fact running some of they're subjects. Another thing I'm wondering is whether or not the PCs have to do the exploring to expand they're kingdom. A hex must be explored to add it to the kingdom, but must it be explored by the PCs themselves or could they send out scouts?
Another thing I'm wondering is whether or not the PCs have to do the exploring to expand they're kingdom. A hex must be explored to add it to the kingdom, but must it be explored by the PCs themselves or could they send out scouts?
I'll probably allow it, but they won't get the XP for it, and if something dangerous is there, the exploration party may be lost and never heard from again, may cause some unrest as rumors spread of the big bad thing inhabiting that hex.
Mechanicwise:
Exploration Party - 1 BP / Upkeep.
Allowed to reveal a hex. If explorers encounter a dangerous creature, they are lost. 1d4 Unrest occurs as rumors about their disappearance circulate unless a Stability Check is made.
Thoughts?
zack, the situation is really up to the DM.
I'd let the PCs send a henchman on these tasks, backed up with NPC soldiers/etc, as long as the players accepted the possible consequences of their not being present (the gamut from betrayal to loss of a treasured henchman). Does the NPC have authority to speak/act on behalf of the PC(s)? How will conflict be arbitrated? Would the PC step into the role of the NPC and go through the related encounters roll by roll? Or, would the PC allow the DM to abstract the result of conflict into a few dice rolls or an arbitrary storyline?
Certainly the XP earned by the PCs should be substantially reduced, but not eliminated. There *are* potential risks of sending a henchman (NPC death or problems created which the PC needs to resolve), after all. A successful mission executed by a well-chosen NPC could earn the PCs some XP for planning and leadership (10%?).
It takes more than four iconic PCs to create an empire!
I like Geeky Frignit's mechanic, but would also require the PCs send a henchman (hard to replace/speaks on behalf of the master) vice a hireling which can be replaced with a few cp.