tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764158821384594980.post6858771312849530655..comments2024-03-27T03:37:22.778-04:00Comments on Age of Ravens: Gamemastering NPCs (Part Two)Lowell Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02359280169506945906noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764158821384594980.post-32877807777332714752009-05-18T11:06:00.000-04:002009-05-18T11:06:00.000-04:00The authority thing's an interesting thing-- after...The authority thing's an interesting thing-- after playing with some players for a time, you can begin to gauge how they'll react to certain kinds of figures. But often before you get there, you'll have odd reactions you're not sure about. That means situations where a player reacts to an NPC in a way that doesn't seem to make sense in terms of the context, the NPC's attitude or actions, or the player-character's personality. I've gotten better about being able to recognize that over time. Just as there are certain kinds of plots players have visceral reactions to. For example, some players shut down when 'mystery' situations occur in fantasy worlds. Some times this can come from the assumption that such things actually can't be solved because 'magic' means there's too many options. Or they focus on motive rather than an analysis of clues. <br /><br />I'm not saying all or most players have that authority reaction, but I've seen it enough times to be aware of it. One of the advantages to playing with people for a long time comes from a certain degree of...well, I don't want to say predictability, but I do want to say knowledge of what they want or expect of of situations or interactions. And, quite frankly, if they do have a weak spot about always reacting in X way about Y thing, that's to my advantage. Not that I'm always going to tweak them on that, but I can lead them down the gilded path to answer the Bone-a-phone.Lowell Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02359280169506945906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764158821384594980.post-5219128018363126132009-05-17T01:37:00.000-04:002009-05-17T01:37:00.000-04:00I haven't GMed much, really only one session since...I haven't GMed much, really only one session since I got out of college in 1992. Which is a lot like not having read a comic book since 1992. Lots has changed, and some stuff I wasn't ready for back then I'm ready for now. Issues I'd never considered, like PC 'ownership' of NPCs, and floating plot points that the GM hasn't affixed to a specific locale or NPC are really making me think.<br /><br />In my limited experience, I've never had a problem with NPC rebellion against authority. I suspect this might be because when I'm earnest, I'm obviously earnest. So my honest authority figures are obviously trustworthy to my players. At least in game, Lowell, you have infectious fun with being sinister. A nice, dry sinister that would seem campy coming from me.<br /><br />It could also be a difference in player groups, but I haven't been around the block enough to know.Gene Hahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07389258008505629339noreply@blogger.com