So while taking a look at the Cavalier orders for a game I'll be both GMing and likely manipulating a PC level NPC (our group is down to 4 including myself) for We Be Goblins, I noticed a particular part of the edict Order of the Cockatrice:
The cavalier must take every opportunity to increase his own stature, prestige, and power.
Seems to me that with this one line, a particularly combative GM could cause a cavalier to be forced in a lose-lose situation akin to a paladin fall-fall scenario simply by having every big bad guy offer the cavalier a high ranking position in their NWO, but only if they help said BBEG kill the rest of the party.
Any thoughts on this? Am I over analyzing, or is this just an inherent risk in taking the Order?
Why would the cavalier join the BBEG who, from his persepective, is about to lose ALL prestige and power after the party wipes him out?
The kind of GM who would try and force this situation would be the same kind of GM that tried to force a fall-fall scenario. That kind of GM is the type you don't want to be playing with in the first place, so it's probably a good opportunity to bow out.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
What Blakmane said. If your GM is out to get you, he's gonna win no matter what class you play. A Paladin's code may be a big flashing target, but a Wizard's spellbook or a Fighter's sword hand (or sword) or a Rogue's eyesight are all soft targets as well.
As with so many game-related 'problems,' it's one you solve before sitting down at the table, not afterwards.
Both very reasonable responses, and ones that I personally agree with. We're a tight knit group and Cockatrice is the only one that really fits with Goblin attitude anyway. I would never push a scenario like this on a person as a GM, but the argument "Yes, but if I kill you, I'll get even more prestigious in the already established order!" is very compelling, and one I'd use as a player if I had to.
Both very reasonable responses, and ones that I personally agree with. We're a tight knit group and Cockatrice is the only one that really fits with Goblin attitude anyway. I would never push a scenario like this on a person as a GM, but the argument "Yes, but if I kill you, I'll get even more prestigious in the already established order!" is very compelling, and one I'd use as a player if I had to.
Since you're GMing, your GMPC should ideally serve the purposes of a normal NPC, support and plot advancement while focusing on the players.
Having him switch sides could be a solid plot twist assuming you balance the encounter correctly.