I am starting my first run of Out of the Abyss campaign and I am trying to think the best way to implement stats for the prisoner companions that the players can free from Velkynvelve to join them in their journey. So I'd like opinions on which of the following would you find the most exciting implementation:
2) Make the surviving NPCs just be copies of their regular race members statwise but keep their unique personalities
3) Other (please explain how you would do it instead.
As the NPCs will end up journeying with the party for multiple sessions I feel like they would be preferably a bit more fleshed out. Every feedback is held in great value!
I’d go 2. First, it’s easiest so you don’t have to run multiple DMPCs, just a couple different kinds. Even keep the races to a minimum. Or better yet, use stats for something like bandits or cultists (or whatever CR is appropriate) from the DMG. Then you only need to know one stat block. Second, you don’t want them to be so good they outshine the PCs. And as a player, it can be pretty boring on their turn as you just sit and watch the DM roll for enemies and allies while they don’t do anything. This gets even more complicated if you do something like make one of the allies a wizard, and now you need to learn their spells , and figure out which is best in a given situation. in short, make it as simple for you as possible so you can keep focus on the PCs.
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Hello all,
I am starting my first run of Out of the Abyss campaign and I am trying to think the best way to implement stats for the prisoner companions that the players can free from Velkynvelve to join them in their journey. So I'd like opinions on which of the following would you find the most exciting implementation:
1) Make the surviving NPCs a bit like Adventurer NPCs by giving them proper class, better stats etc than their generic race counterparts. I bought this DM Guild product to use as guideline https://www.dmsguild.com/product/212901/A-Motley-Crew-The-Velkynvelve-Prisoners-as-PCs-for-Out-of-the-Abyss .
2) Make the surviving NPCs just be copies of their regular race members statwise but keep their unique personalities
3) Other (please explain how you would do it instead.
As the NPCs will end up journeying with the party for multiple sessions I feel like they would be preferably a bit more fleshed out. Every feedback is held in great value!
I’d go 2.
First, it’s easiest so you don’t have to run multiple DMPCs, just a couple different kinds. Even keep the races to a minimum. Or better yet, use stats for something like bandits or cultists (or whatever CR is appropriate) from the DMG. Then you only need to know one stat block.
Second, you don’t want them to be so good they outshine the PCs.
And as a player, it can be pretty boring on their turn as you just sit and watch the DM roll for enemies and allies while they don’t do anything. This gets even more complicated if you do something like make one of the allies a wizard, and now you need to learn their spells , and figure out which is best in a given situation.
in short, make it as simple for you as possible so you can keep focus on the PCs.