Hello,
I'm in progress of starting up an adventure path and i ran into a silly trap.
two of my players wanted to play a dhampir as they are mentioned in the player guide. So i allowed them to play that race.
now i know there are challenges in playing such a class and i am sure that the players are up to the roleplay.
but...
One of the other players wanted to play a paladin. no big deal you would say. He is against Undead (oathbound vs undead)
So as a DM i have a challenge. I already had a challenge with the damphir versus all the evil they have to fight. but now the challenge is even bigger.
i can simply disallow the damphir, but to me that would be a no-no. Just like ruling out the core class paladin. also a no-no.
i see the party as somwhat similar to the "buffy the vampire slayer" or "angel". good and evil working together for a greater goal.
i'm not going to rule out anything, but i would like to hear what other players or dm/gm might have to say as advice about a similar situation. (in relation to the carrion crown adventure path)
The Dhampir aren't TECHNICALLY undead, but that's like saying a half-orc isn't technically an orc. The whole "Buffy" comparison is valid and functional, as long as the paladin isn't Lawful Stupid. If there is reason to work with Dhampir, in this case AGAINST fouler undead, then perhaps he can bite his tongue and avoid smiting party members. It can make for some interesting roleplaying and dramatic tension, but only if the players are mature and creative enough. Some groups would have great fun with it, but others would turn to infighting, both in and out of character. You know your group best, if you think they can handle a little tension, then have at it. The module is designed with Dhampir in mind, so that in itself shouldn't be too disruptive to the overall story arc.
The Dhampir aren't TECHNICALLY undead...
It can make for some interesting roleplaying and dramatic tension, but only if the players are mature and creative enough.
My idea.. they (story writers) also warn that it will be a more challenging play. The players are PbP and i know some of them The ones i do know are fully capable of running the show. (they didn't engage in a fight with each other... yet)
Some groups would have great fun with it, but others would turn to infighting, both in and out of character. You know your group best, if you think they can handle a little tension, then have at it. The module is designed with Dhampir in mind, so that in itself shouldn't be too disruptive to the overall story arc.
Thanks for your response!
It helps me to bring things into perspective.
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Are your dhampir characters evil? I can see where there might be some initial tension, but a well played paladin should judge the others based on their actions (i.e. alignment) rather than their race. Heck, I could even see playing a dhampir paladin who hunts undead.
We just started that same AP and our group has a dhampir summoner, a paladin, and a cleric of Pharasma. There are some tensions but the dhampir seems like a nice enough guy so there haven't been any major issues. Even if his eidolon is modeled after the Grim Reaper from Castlevania. There will probably be a lot more problems with the sorcerer who wants to delve into Things Man Was Not Meant To Know.
I would remind the paladin player that while the dhampir are tainted by undeath, they are not truly undead, just kinda cursed.
I would remind the paladin player that while the dhampir are tainted by undeath, they are not truly undead, just kinda cursed.
Indeed -- I'd think he'd be more sympathetic to an unlucky dhampir, not less.
Are your dhampir characters evil?
... Heck, I could even see playing a dhampir paladin who hunts undead.
Grinn... yes... i would like that :D
No they are not evil. And the paladin is a stubborn dwarf who judges people by their actions so... in a sense he says already the right things. :)We just started that same AP and our group has a dhampir summoner, a paladin, and a cleric of Pharasma.
nice.. i like all those fun combinations!
Even if his eidolon is modeled after the Grim Reaper from Castlevania.
LOL...
There will probably be a lot more problems with the sorcerer who wants to delve into Things Man Was Not Meant To Know.
Sorcerers ... almost as bad as oracle lore or wizards ;)
I would remind the paladin player that while the dhampir are tainted by undeath, they are not truly undead, just kinda cursed.
he wanted to aid with bunny band-aid's so i think where ok there :D
Thanks for your reply!
What our good GM has failed to stress is that this should not be considered a (Dhampir or not) issue.
The Paladin was created and dropped into the mix with no discussion about it, only after four of the six PCs were already declared and in late development. Until the Paladin was suddenly posted as a PC, the player creating him was indicating that he was thinking of making a Rogue. Big difference.
Dhampir Sorcerer CN
Dhampir (not sure details on this one yet)
Human Necromancer LN
Human (Blind) Monk or Ninja
Note: The party dynamic is already established as 'gray' or neutral...
Well theres a few different ways to approach it. Dhampir's are a very rare race so I wonder how 2 of them got together but thats another discussion. I would think the paladin shouldnt approach the situation as working with undead because they arent undead (thier subtype is humanoid) but instead approach it as working with two cursed individuals.
The addiction to blood can be treated like any other addiction, something that can be fought and overcome. Would he feel the same way about an alchoholic or someone addicted to opium? I would think so
i think theres plenty of room to find common ground for the paladin and the rest of the group
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It is usually a bad idea to tell a player that he cannot play the character he wants to, but you should mention to him that this could be problem. He might have a solution himself.
Also, consider using his hatred for the undead to tie him in with the dhampir. Maybe they met while hunting the vampire the dhampir are descended from. Maybe the paladin saved their lives, or maybe he screwed up and the dhampir saved him from the vampire. There could be plenty of reasons for these characters to work well together. And if he does play the situation well (ie avoids lawful stupid) then you could set up some great roleplaying later, where he has to defend his dhampir companions from more judgemental paladins
As long as the dhampir are not actually evil, this party could work quite well, and if some PCs are evil, then he is looking for trouble in playing a paladin. The paladin is the only class who the rules basically require party permission to play, because its restrictions effect the whole party and not just the one character.
Talk to your players, mention that their could be a problem and point out that it is the paladin whose class restricts the party's behavior, so it is really his responsibility to see that his character does not spoil the game for the others.
Force him to watch castlevaina symphony of the night and vampire hunter D hundreds of times!