Hey everyone! Yeah, the title is clunky. I tried to succinctly state what I'm asking about.
I'm running Out of the Abyss for 6 players of varying skill and experience. I've been stressing to the group that it's important to the setting that they closely stick to their character's personalities and motivations. I have discussed with each player what drives their character and what their core beliefs are. Having said that, I have a rogue thief in my group and his flaw is that he is constantly trying to get treasure and wealth, even if it's risky or foolhardy.
Enter Gracklstugh, the city of duergar. It's my understanding that the setting has written the law of the duergar as draconian. Any transgression results in death. Secret police are everywhere, invisibly watching, and every duergar is prepared to fight. What should happen to this character when he tries to pickpocket and is caught? He's a new player and has difficulty grasping how a character can act and have actions happen to his character as consequences.
I'd recommend playing it straight - with modifications.
Make sure you have a little scene in which the Draconian laws of the area are made clear to the Party. Ideally, show don't tell. Have some transgressor ( ideally a minor theft ), caught, apprehended, and executed in front of the Party, with bystanders after-the-fact making comments about the harsh rule of law, how the thief had it coming, and how they should have known better. Message sent. This is also really good for helping to establish the tone/mood of Gracklstugh.
If the Character is about to try something like this, remind the Player/Party that legal transgressions are dealt with harshly.
If they decide to press forward, and if they get caught ( which they might not do ) play it straight - right up to the point of execution.
If you wish, you could use that situation to seed a new plot hook. The Character is under sentence of death, but since they are outsiders and non-Duergar, someone in authority takes notice, and execution is delayed. Since the Party is not involved in local politics they are the perfect vehicle to carry out an "extra-legal" operation for the Duergar rulers, and their actions can't be traced back to the rulers. If they agree, and perform well, their friend's life could be spared. If not, well ...
It's a whole optional "side quest" that you could have in your back pocket.
This allows your Player to still pursue whatever action they feel is right for their Character, still drives home the consequences of their actions, and doesn't instantly kill the Character of a new Player.
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I like it! Your solution is simple, easy to understand, and direct. I will definitely use this.
I like the idea of the rogue getting arrested and the whole party having to do something to save their ally. It will play well towards creating some party cohesiveness.
Make sure you have a little scene in which the Draconian laws of the area are made clear to the Party. Ideally, show don't tell.
QFT. Show, don't tell.
If the player doesn't take the hint, have them attempt to pickpocket someone. If they fail, then the character is caught and killed. Time to generate a new character.
I think Out of the Abyss is an adventure path where being harsh actually suits the setting.
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Hey everyone! Yeah, the title is clunky. I tried to succinctly state what I'm asking about.
I'm running Out of the Abyss for 6 players of varying skill and experience. I've been stressing to the group that it's important to the setting that they closely stick to their character's personalities and motivations. I have discussed with each player what drives their character and what their core beliefs are. Having said that, I have a rogue thief in my group and his flaw is that he is constantly trying to get treasure and wealth, even if it's risky or foolhardy.
Enter Gracklstugh, the city of duergar. It's my understanding that the setting has written the law of the duergar as draconian. Any transgression results in death. Secret police are everywhere, invisibly watching, and every duergar is prepared to fight. What should happen to this character when he tries to pickpocket and is caught? He's a new player and has difficulty grasping how a character can act and have actions happen to his character as consequences.
What would you recommend I do?
I'd recommend playing it straight - with modifications.
If you wish, you could use that situation to seed a new plot hook. The Character is under sentence of death, but since they are outsiders and non-Duergar, someone in authority takes notice, and execution is delayed. Since the Party is not involved in local politics they are the perfect vehicle to carry out an "extra-legal" operation for the Duergar rulers, and their actions can't be traced back to the rulers. If they agree, and perform well, their friend's life could be spared. If not, well ...
It's a whole optional "side quest" that you could have in your back pocket.
This allows your Player to still pursue whatever action they feel is right for their Character, still drives home the consequences of their actions, and doesn't instantly kill the Character of a new Player.
Good luck :)
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.
I like it! Your solution is simple, easy to understand, and direct. I will definitely use this.
I like the idea of the rogue getting arrested and the whole party having to do something to save their ally. It will play well towards creating some party cohesiveness.
QFT. Show, don't tell.
If the player doesn't take the hint, have them attempt to pickpocket someone. If they fail, then the character is caught and killed. Time to generate a new character.
I think Out of the Abyss is an adventure path where being harsh actually suits the setting.