Great White Games/Pinnacle Entertainment Group

ProfMarks · Seasoned Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 212 Location: Nebraska

Question for the experienced mass,

What is the best way to handle a npc ally who will be travelling with the players throughout much of an adventure?

Wanting the players to 'drive' the npc during combat do you rotate who controls it? Do you act based on consensus among the players? Something else?

Thanks.

fanchergw · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:47 pm Post subject:

Hi ProfMarks,

In my experience, if there is one ally or one ally group, they are usually assigned to one player to run. This is generally determined based on whether there is a "leader" character (i.e. one with leadership edges), or a character that is in some way linked to the ally/allies. If not and multiple players want a turn, it could be rotated from session to session. (Trying to rotate within a single session is likely to cause confusion and slow things down.)

Gordon

TheLoremaster · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject:

Another option is to assign the Ally to a PC that has different abilities: give the man-at-arms to the wizard, the princess to the big burly fighter, etc. This lets the player have some options when taking actions.

Just remember that the Ally is an NPC and ultimately controlled by the GM. Don't let the player have the Ally do obviously suicidal tactics ...
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Lysander · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:28 pm Post subject:

If there are no volunteers, offer a bennie to play him/her/it

or:

Draw a card, lowest/highest has to play him for that combat.

next combat, draw again, excluding anyone who's already played him. repeat/restart until ally dies or game ends...
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Red Mercy · Seasoned Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 177

It could depend on the NPC's opinion of the PCs. Maybe he's drawn to the most charismatic character or the one most in line with his beliefs and follows him. Perhaps one of the players saved his life so he swears allegiance to him/her. But ultimately it should be what makes the game most fun for the players, whether it be using the ally to supplement a player's strengths/weakness, or just simply rotating.

Clint · Site Admin Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 16174