GMs: Giantslayer Half-Orc Hatred in Trunau

[HannersBlaaarg]

Aight, so I wanted to know if others GMs went through what I am going through.

I've had Jagrin and Omast really lean into hating "halfies" and "filthy green skins" and most of my PCs now also are leaning into this.

Spoiler:

Right before Rodrik's funeral, 3/4 of the PCs wanted to round up all the half-orcs and put them in an encampment until the traitors could be found, not knowing there are also a few humans that have infiltrated the town. They decided to wait until after the funeral and then the siege of Trunau began. I'm a little worried about Brinya's safety, even with Halgra's "intervention."

Anyone else have players that wanted to do something like this? What did you do to help or stop them?

[Azothath]

if your players want to act on a moral imperative, you should shrug and not interfere or say, "I'm just the GM, you guys should talk about it". As a GM it's your job to follow up with consequences (alignment, story, etc) rather than assist or hinder unless the PCs or Plot make skill checks or have need. GMs have to maintain some impartiality as they manage story/plot, game balance and fairness, along with PCs acting within character(what's actually on paper). You can inform characters as to what their faith/church believes based on their skill bonus.
Sometimes challenges are moral or ethical rather than martial or diplomatic. So you should award XP based on what you think is fair. Awarding XP for roleplaying is what the game is about.

I would remind players that they are not the Law or the police/local militia. Having lawful NPCs overheard referring to the PCs as vigilantes usually gets the point across. Other NPCs might be grateful for the temporary murder hoboing of common foes. Gaining a temporary juvenile NPC follower who wants to emulate and share in their power by "killing all his foes just like you(looking at powerful PC) do" is also instructive. Another way to highlight the drama is to have a faithful underdog who is punished/persecuted by the bad moral NPCs in front of the PCs. You may have to use a moral "baseball bat" to convey the drama to some players. You don't have to do any of that, but it is a Story and needs drama like a Play.

If an adventure casts some NPCs as bad moral characters, that's fine. You can lean into it as it's acting, a role, and players have to make a moral decision (see above paragraph about moral challenges). Read ahead in the AP and see what the writer is up to. Is he just typecasting common foes and providing moral support to take action? Is there an actual moral question and possible answer at play?

[Melkiador]

The Trunau Native campaign trait does give you a certain level of authority and responsibility.

Quote:

As a native, you have served in Trunau’s militia, and fought alongside Patrol Captains Kurst and Rodrik Grath.

[zza ni]

If I recall a native is forced to join the militia.
The fact the character fought alongside the captain and others doesn't mean she has done so willingly. Nor does it enforce good will on her part toward them.

I agree with Azothath . this should be left in the player's hands and the GM should follow it with the right consequences.
Although knowing that some players are thicker then mud, giving them a head's-up before a major fiasco is within limits as their characters (depending on their mental abilities) should (or might) know better.

[Azothath]

Melkiador wrote:

The Trunau Native campaign trait does give you a certain level of authority and responsibility.

Quote:

As a native, you have served in Trunau’s militia, and fought alongside Patrol Captains Kurst and Rodrik Grath.

laying the groundwork for roleplay opportunities.

[HannersBlaaarg]

Thanks y'all for all the advice! My PCs definitely like to ask me for "advice" and I do have them roll their skills to gain information, but you are right, I need to be better about saying I'm just the GM you guys talk about it to yourselves.

There is only one PC that is a Trunauan, the sorcerer, and they are interested in setting up a magic school eventually, so I don't think any of them joining the militia is really in their minds.