I'm running a game where the party is caught up in a city descending into total anarchy. Roving gangs of looters, spontaneous mob formation, etc. I've put together some custom rules for formation of the mobs, how quickly they grow, etc., but I could use some advice for answering some general questions:
- What should a PC's movement rate through a mob be? Treat is as difficult terrain, or something more complicated? If the former, should a monk really be able to disregard it?
- In the case of the mob being hostile and openly attacking members of the party, I'm inclined to treat the mob as some sort of swarm (else these lvl 8+ characters could just walk through the crowd and ignore it like it wasn't even attacking them...I want it to be a very desirable thing to be as far from the riots as possible).
- Perception: with all that yelling and screaming and jostling going on, I'm inclined to think perception is reduced...but by how much?
Any other thoughts/ideas/suggestions welcomed.
A mob that is not explicately hostile to the party should be difficult terrain. A mob that is hostile to the party ought to use the swarm rules.
The perception to notice a mob? Very very low. -10 maybe?
A mob that is not explicately hostile to the party should be difficult terrain. A mob that is hostile to the party ought to use the swarm rules.
The perception to notice a mob? Very very low. -10 maybe?
I was thinking about the perception to notice something small going on within a mob. Like, someone attempting to pick your pocket during all the yelling and jostling going on.
Ah well that could be appropriate. Perhaps using the swarm traits but replacing the nauseated effect from distracted to a penalty to perception? Since people around you arent as likely to make you nauseous as a swarm of bugs or whatever.
That's a good idea.
Are there rules for herds? Maybe some of those apply here.
There is also a D&D 3.5 Mob template that may give you some ideas.
http://dnd-wiki.org/wiki/Mob_(3.5e_Template)