Im working on a Campaign and i need to create a NPC PC's really trust.
But i think it is better to roughly sketch the world, so you know what im talking about.
The PC's got send out to recover an Artifact, got killed by a Demon, Demon stole their souls, send them to a plane that got overrun by demons (a former elvish plane)
(i changed some fluff around demons, devils, gods and planes to fit my needs): demons are gathering souls to start a war with the good gods on their planes, to cereate a demonic multiverse. PC's dont know about that yet.
On arrival they meet an angel like create who got captured by demons. PC's and Angelguy flee from captivity, gather with the help of some elvish/human resistance at an old tavern.
Where do i need help with?
I want the PC's to really trust the Angelguy. He is wholehearted and benignant. His desire to protect the planes and the good is so imense, he struck a bargain with a demon to give him the abilitis to protect them all, even if this means that he will be exiled. (Angelguy knows about the demons plans to bring war to the other planes and gods)
How to make the PC's really like him. Should i send him out with them on Quest's, have him save their lives?
I really dont know how to do this...
How would you do this?
This is my first Campaign after we played the DND Starter Set so im relativley new to this.
Thanks for some advise, and excusse my writing, english isnt my mothertounge.
Personally I would avoid scenarios where the Angelguy has to come in and save the PCs - it tends to have the opposite effects that you wanted and you're removing player agency (they will feel like their choices/actions aren't impacting the world).
There are several things I have found tend to establish an npc as "trusted" but it will very much depend upon your players and the characters they are playing.
If an NPC just offers help, without wanting anything back, people will become suspicious, as that doesn't feel like normal behaviour - you're much more likely to establish the npc as trusted if they are open and honest about what they want in return for helping the player characters.
Your starter is a good one - the players rescue Angelguy from the demons (the player clearly interference wasn't expected). Angelguy can then lead them all to somewhere safe, that can be used as a base of operations (even if only temporarily) and agree to help them, in return for having been rescued. I suggest having Angelguy be fairly open about wanting to defeat the demons and explain why (demons want war and destruction).
Angelguy will be useful to the player characters - it is in their best interests to cooperate with him and work with him and in return he will help them.
Trust is built and earned.
PCs are more likely to trust characters that the players can relate to - that means having flaws as well as strengths.
You can also use him as a source of side-quests. The PCs want some healing potions? Angelguy knows where they can find a druid who can make them for them, but they'll need to go find the druid first.... you get the idea. :)
Alternatively, rather than avoid having Angelguy consistently save your PCs, have it so that when he does so, he does so at great, obvious personal expense. Such as literally taking a bullet (arrow?) for someone in the party, or anytime he casts a spell that would result in the PCs' bacon being pulled from the fire, he loses a portion of his divine essence, or maybe have some penalty inflicted by his demonic contract as it collects its due for services (power) rendered.
Trust is earned, and takes time, and can't be forced.
Have him adventure with the party for a good stretch of time. Have him demonstrate that he considers the party "team". Have him become friends with the party, and treat them as friends and teammates.
Don't force the situation - don't manufacture scenes of "big and showy" self-sacrifice. Don't "try to hard".
I don't think there are really any shortcuts to this.
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Sounds like a wild campaign, Darfiss! Great ideas as to how to build trust.
I'd add that trust has to be a mutual thing, too. Others have touched on it, but we're sceptical by nature, and an offer of unconditional support will always be treated with suspicion immediately - especially with everything your players have been through!
I've been in a similar situation, where there was an NPC that would really benefit the party if they'd allow him to come with them. I found actually having the NPC needing convincing of the *parties* trustworthiness first really helped. It made for a much more natural: 'You've demonstrated you are worth helping. I now lend you my wholehearted aid!' conversation.
Also made it a lot more gut-wrenching when the NPC turned out to be an agent working against the party the entire time. But still. Drama.
Have him save a puppy and give it to the party as a mascot and moral support for hard times. Don't let puppy die. Show that he helps out and even let them see a dark side to him. Like he will be overprotective of puppies. More realistic that way.
Have Angelguy maintain their safe house. He looks after their stuff, maybe fends off an attack while the party is gone. He can give them leads of rumors he has heard or show them the location of where the party is needed.
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Hello fellow DM's,
Im working on a Campaign and i need to create a NPC PC's really trust.
But i think it is better to roughly sketch the world, so you know what im talking about.
The PC's got send out to recover an Artifact, got killed by a Demon, Demon stole their souls, send them to a plane that got overrun by demons (a former elvish plane)
(i changed some fluff around demons, devils, gods and planes to fit my needs): demons are gathering souls to start a war with the good gods on their planes, to cereate a demonic multiverse. PC's dont know about that yet.
On arrival they meet an angel like create who got captured by demons. PC's and Angelguy flee from captivity, gather with the help of some elvish/human resistance at an old tavern.
Where do i need help with?
I want the PC's to really trust the Angelguy. He is wholehearted and benignant. His desire to protect the planes and the good is so imense, he struck a bargain with a demon to give him the abilitis to protect them all, even if this means that he will be exiled. (Angelguy knows about the demons plans to bring war to the other planes and gods)
How to make the PC's really like him. Should i send him out with them on Quest's, have him save their lives?
I really dont know how to do this...
How would you do this?
This is my first Campaign after we played the DND Starter Set so im relativley new to this.
Thanks for some advise, and excusse my writing, english isnt my mothertounge.
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D&D Beyond FoundersHey there Darfiss,
that sounds pretty cool!
Personally I would avoid scenarios where the Angelguy has to come in and save the PCs - it tends to have the opposite effects that you wanted and you're removing player agency (they will feel like their choices/actions aren't impacting the world).
There are several things I have found tend to establish an npc as "trusted" but it will very much depend upon your players and the characters they are playing.
If an NPC just offers help, without wanting anything back, people will become suspicious, as that doesn't feel like normal behaviour - you're much more likely to establish the npc as trusted if they are open and honest about what they want in return for helping the player characters.
Your starter is a good one - the players rescue Angelguy from the demons (the player clearly interference wasn't expected). Angelguy can then lead them all to somewhere safe, that can be used as a base of operations (even if only temporarily) and agree to help them, in return for having been rescued. I suggest having Angelguy be fairly open about wanting to defeat the demons and explain why (demons want war and destruction).
Angelguy will be useful to the player characters - it is in their best interests to cooperate with him and work with him and in return he will help them.
Trust is built and earned.
PCs are more likely to trust characters that the players can relate to - that means having flaws as well as strengths.
You can also use him as a source of side-quests. The PCs want some healing potions? Angelguy knows where they can find a druid who can make them for them, but they'll need to go find the druid first.... you get the idea. :)
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Alternatively, rather than avoid having Angelguy consistently save your PCs, have it so that when he does so, he does so at great, obvious personal expense. Such as literally taking a bullet (arrow?) for someone in the party, or anytime he casts a spell that would result in the PCs' bacon being pulled from the fire, he loses a portion of his divine essence, or maybe have some penalty inflicted by his demonic contract as it collects its due for services (power) rendered.
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I think StormKnight has it right.
Trust is earned, and takes time, and can't be forced.
Have him adventure with the party for a good stretch of time. Have him demonstrate that he considers the party "team". Have him become friends with the party, and treat them as friends and teammates.
Don't force the situation - don't manufacture scenes of "big and showy" self-sacrifice. Don't "try to hard".
I don't think there are really any shortcuts to this.
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
Thanks for your input, this really helped me!!!
Sounds like a wild campaign, Darfiss! Great ideas as to how to build trust.
I'd add that trust has to be a mutual thing, too. Others have touched on it, but we're sceptical by nature, and an offer of unconditional support will always be treated with suspicion immediately - especially with everything your players have been through!
I've been in a similar situation, where there was an NPC that would really benefit the party if they'd allow him to come with them. I found actually having the NPC needing convincing of the *parties* trustworthiness first really helped. It made for a much more natural: 'You've demonstrated you are worth helping. I now lend you my wholehearted aid!' conversation.
Also made it a lot more gut-wrenching when the NPC turned out to be an agent working against the party the entire time. But still. Drama.
Have him save a puppy and give it to the party as a mascot and moral support for hard times. Don't let puppy die. Show that he helps out and even let them see a dark side to him. Like he will be overprotective of puppies. More realistic that way.
Have Angelguy maintain their safe house. He looks after their stuff, maybe fends off an attack while the party is gone. He can give them leads of rumors he has heard or show them the location of where the party is needed.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Just always have the Angel guy around to offer tips and such. Always ready to help, or just have a fun convo.
Routine breeds comfort, comfort breeds trust.
And then KILL the angel guy because what is better than messing with the players emotions!