Alternate System for including major NPCs?


Jade Regent

Liberty's Edge

My group has just started Night of Frozen Shadows, and I've run into a problem with the number of characters running around (6 PCs, a cavalier's mount a druid's large constrictor, and however many NPCs).

I don't want to drag the party down with NPC actions (less time for the already time-constrained PCs to be awesome), and I don't want the NPCs to cower in a corner every time a fight breaks out (seems out of character), and I do want the NPCs to be present with the party (the PCs have shown real affection for characters they can interact with as opposed to those waiting at camp).

So, I propose a system where each NPC grants the party a combat boon. Trouble is, I'm not sure on what kind of bonus/how powerful this boon should be. So far I've got

Ameiko: +1 to attack and damage or +2 vs mind-affecting effects

Koya: Some kind of healing burst or pool that PCs can draw from? Bonus to stabilization checks?

Sandru: Allow a PC to consider an enemy flanked. +2 to initiative.

Shalelu: +2 to Perception, +2 to saves outside, maybe somekind of AC bonus representing cover fire?

Kelda: Allow a PC to rage for a number of rounds? bonus to Fort saves?

Ulf: Not sure...maybe overlap with Kelda and Shalelu's boons?

I'm also trying to figure out if there's a good way to integrate their relationship scores with the NPCs to these bonuses (so a higher score relates to a higher bonus).

Looking for input, suggestions, dire warnings! Thanks!

Grand Lodge

I like the idea. I have a nasty habit of forgetting about the npcs when I run combats. I came up with a plan to have more little minions around that "tie" them up while combat occurs, which allows them to help once in a while, but for the most part keeps them from being a strong presence in the combat (and detracting from the PCs which should be taking on the main villains.)

I think you should be careful about giving too big a bonus, but I could see the bonus scaling. Maybe +1 for each 10 pts of their relationship score.

Well good luck!


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Aeshuura wrote:
I came up with a plan to have more little minions around that "tie" them up while combat occurs, which allows them to help once in a while, but for the most part keeps them from being a strong presence in the combat

Thats about what we've always done when there were NPCs in a combat. Instead of the big bad guys and a couple of minions, place the BBG and 5-6 minions. Then just tell the players the NPCs are taking care of 4 of the minions and just let the combat play out as if they weren't there. If the combat is too easy for the PCs, you can always tell them Koya is in trouble, and add one of the minions to your main combat as the party takes care of it. If, on the other hand, they are having a very hard time, you can add Shalelu since she just finished her combat.

For the most part, however, you should not mix the NPCs into your combat, since you are taking game time from your PCs. The fight ends, both parties (PCs and NPCs) have won, and you can keep on with the adventure.


Fox1212 wrote:
Aeshuura wrote:
I came up with a plan to have more little minions around that "tie" them up while combat occurs, which allows them to help once in a while, but for the most part keeps them from being a strong presence in the combat

Thats about what we've always done when there were NPCs in a combat. Instead of the big bad guys and a couple of minions, place the BBG and 5-6 minions. Then just tell the players the NPCs are taking care of 4 of the minions and just let the combat play out as if they weren't there. If the combat is too easy for the PCs, you can always tell them Koya is in trouble, and add one of the minions to your main combat as the party takes care of it. If, on the other hand, they are having a very hard time, you can add Shalelu since she just finished her combat.

For the most part, however, you should not mix the NPCs into your combat, since you are taking game time from your PCs. The fight ends, both parties (PCs and NPCs) have won, and you can keep on with the adventure.

I really like this way. Up till now, I've just been doing the whole "Choose an NPC" thing, and the party takes the NPC they need for the situation.

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Give each PC a "follower" card (or two if a PC has a relationship with the follower). The PC may spend a card as a free action to have the NPC perform an action. (attack, pass an item drag a PC out of danger, or unique class abilities such as Bard song, sneak attack or channel energy). Or make a skill check ( such as a knowledge the PC has) the skill check will auto-succeed.

This gives an element of resource management and let's the PCs choose when their followers get spotlight time.

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