Very new DM here, I'm currently running a module but want to deviate from it to include my own Ideas.
Within the next session the PCs will meet a NPC from which they need some help, to earn the help from the NPC I'd like the PCs to do them a favor. I do have multiple ideas for small encounters, maybe a puzzle - that's not the issue. Since the NPC is right there, I struggle to find an in-game justification why they can't be included in the encounter/puzzle.
Stuff I though of:
The NPC is somehow incapacitated, a curse, petrified, ... the PCs find their journal and (hopefully) figure out what to do. My Players are only lvl 2, they don't have access to remove curse or greater restoration, giving it to them - a potion, scroll, ... - doesn't feel right, dealing with these kind of problems are suitable for more experienced adventures.
A puzzle where 2 things need to be done in 2 locations simultaneously, so one spot is taken by the group, the other by the NPC.
The NPC wants to complete a ritual, while he is guarded by the PCs. - feels video gamish
The NPC needs some resources gathered to complete given ritual and sends the PCs. - again, feels like a sidequest from a video game: "gather 10 something flowers for me so can brew that potion"
I'm looking for inspiration, do you have stories to share how you solved the issue "the seemingly capable NPC can't join the party although they are right there"?
One option is to have the NPC extremely paranoid, maybe they were recently attacked or think there's someone after them. Therefore, they don't want to reveal themselves to the party before knowing that they can be trusted, hence the favor.
Or, maybe the NPC wants something illegal done, say a sabotage or assassination, but if they do it themselves, then it's going to be very obvious that it was them. Therefore, they hire an outside group, your party, to do it on their behalf.
Another option I've done before is have the NPC unable to access the item or area they need, so they hire the party to go instead. An example would be that the NPC is banned from a certain tavern which sells an exclusive ale, and the NPC wants the party to get it for them. Or a vampire, that can't enter without being invited, and can't go out during the day, wants the party to go for them.
Even if the NPC is "seemingly physically capable", then that doesn't mean they're strong enough to want to risk their lives on adventure with the players. That's why people hire heroes, they're either too busy to deal with something, or more likely, they don't want to risk their life unnecessarily when they can afford not to.
You could also make it so that the NPC has some business that they need to accomplish where they are and they can't give it up + go somewhere else.
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Very new DM here, I'm currently running a module but want to deviate from it to include my own Ideas.
Within the next session the PCs will meet a NPC from which they need some help, to earn the help from the NPC I'd like the PCs to do them a favor. I do have multiple ideas for small encounters, maybe a puzzle - that's not the issue. Since the NPC is right there, I struggle to find an in-game justification why they can't be included in the encounter/puzzle.
Without knowing the context - an NPC "not wanting to help" is different than "I will help, but I need your help first."
It's pretty common that an NPC be a "quest giver" - where the players encounter them, and they say, "Listen. I'd be glad to help. But before I do, I will need you to collect a few things so that I can create that which you need." And then the NPC gives the players a list of things they must collect.
You could also level with the players and say the point of the quest is for the party to resolve it themselves. Then you just come up with a throwaway reason in-game and everyone understands that this is how it's going to be.
Very new DM here, I'm currently running a module but want to deviate from it to include my own Ideas.
Within the next session the PCs will meet a NPC from which they need some help, to earn the help from the NPC I'd like the PCs to do them a favor. I do have multiple ideas for small encounters, maybe a puzzle - that's not the issue.
Since the NPC is right there, I struggle to find an in-game justification why they can't be included in the encounter/puzzle.
Stuff I though of:
I'm looking for inspiration, do you have stories to share how you solved the issue "the seemingly capable NPC can't join the party although they are right there"?
Thank you.
One option is to have the NPC extremely paranoid, maybe they were recently attacked or think there's someone after them. Therefore, they don't want to reveal themselves to the party before knowing that they can be trusted, hence the favor.
Or, maybe the NPC wants something illegal done, say a sabotage or assassination, but if they do it themselves, then it's going to be very obvious that it was them. Therefore, they hire an outside group, your party, to do it on their behalf.
Another option I've done before is have the NPC unable to access the item or area they need, so they hire the party to go instead. An example would be that the NPC is banned from a certain tavern which sells an exclusive ale, and the NPC wants the party to get it for them. Or a vampire, that can't enter without being invited, and can't go out during the day, wants the party to go for them.
Even if the NPC is "seemingly physically capable", then that doesn't mean they're strong enough to want to risk their lives on adventure with the players. That's why people hire heroes, they're either too busy to deal with something, or more likely, they don't want to risk their life unnecessarily when they can afford not to.
You could also make it so that the NPC has some business that they need to accomplish where they are and they can't give it up + go somewhere else.
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.Think about any time you've paid someone to do a job for you.
You don't have the requisite skills.
You don't have the required tools.
You simply couldn't be bothered.
It was too dangerous.
You don't have the time due to other obligations.
Without knowing the context - an NPC "not wanting to help" is different than "I will help, but I need your help first."
It's pretty common that an NPC be a "quest giver" - where the players encounter them, and they say, "Listen. I'd be glad to help. But before I do, I will need you to collect a few things so that I can create that which you need." And then the NPC gives the players a list of things they must collect.
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You could also level with the players and say the point of the quest is for the party to resolve it themselves. Then you just come up with a throwaway reason in-game and everyone understands that this is how it's going to be.
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