i need some help [Archive] - Wizards Community

i need some help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
cluny
12-09-07, 01:31 PM i dont want to be rude or insulting but the players in my group just dont understand how to play properly they dont search rooms befor entering when they know there will be something in there, and they dont look around villages for adventures they wait until someone approaches which is what ive had to do twice now when they dont do anything can someone help me teach them submissivley what to do

thanks

JJ
Space_Dragon
12-09-07, 01:41 PM If they don't search, they don't find, and not finding has consequences.

For example, if they refuse to go after adventure, they will not be able to attack the caverns of the orc chief when he begins raiding cattle from the surrounding lands to provide food for his army. In a few weeks, though, when the orcs attack and destroy the village that the PC's are in, they will realize that they could have prevented the attack if they had been more proactive.
cluny
12-09-07, 02:31 PM ah so youre saying that if i set up traps that come in to effect when they dont do anything then they will hopefully get it, the only thing is how do i hint that if they had done something then it would have been avoided
BENEVOLENT_DM
12-10-07, 12:42 PM Sounds like inexperienced players to me.

Heres an idea.

use a session to make characters and play cannot start until each has a fleshed out back ground. This will make them care if there characters die.

spend some time even multiple playing sessions having them build relationships in their home area. This gives them attachments. You could even make one of these attachments be a grizzled old adventure that tells them stories of his adventures. You could relay the value of search when he describes the careless Half-Orc Fred who rushed into the room without looking for traps and was instantly beheaded, or the reckless fighter Barney who didn't search the room and later Wilma and Betty found the 5000 GP diamond hidden there.

Not looking around for adventure is not always bad. Maybe they have plenty of money and aren't in a hurry. Drop hints for hooks but not necessarily have NPC's approach them for help.

If they don't investigate the hints, have another NPC Party come back from that adventure with a major haul. The town could even give special honors. Make it clear in game that they may want to have a clue whats going on. If the ask in game how these people knew where to go, have people tell them that it was common knowledge around here, they came in a couple weeks ago asked a few questions and were on there way. It should be obvious that the hints you gave them should have been followed up on.

If they ignore rumors of Orc raids. Start having the raids affect them. Farmland is burned, trade routes are cut off. People are suffering in the village. Prices just to eat go up, way up.

There are probably some other good in game ways to do this.
GoriceXII
12-10-07, 12:58 PM Good ideas put forth there.

Also talk to them openly gm to player; I advise doing it politely but clearly, making it very clear that they are expected to do such things. Tell them that this is how you play D&D; roleplaying is good, fighting tactics are good but they need to learn to be proactive and actually seek out information, seek out npcs, find places to buy more equipment, search areas where they are exploring, etc.
Lelander_the_L
12-10-07, 08:44 PM If they don't search, they don't find, and not finding has consequences.

For example, if they refuse to go after adventure, they will not be able to attack the caverns of the orc chief when he begins raiding cattle from the surrounding lands to provide food for his army. In a few weeks, though, when the orcs attack and destroy the village that the PC's are in, they will realize that they could have prevented the attack if they had been more proactive.

I agree with space dragon. If you like some good dungeon crawling and they don't do any checks, set traps. Lots of traps. Until they start to get the picture or if they start to complain meerly say "everyone look at your skills column. Use it more often"
Me thinks your going to have to be a little rough on them.
cluny
12-11-07, 12:31 PM thanks guys you've been a great help ill be harsher on them so thay get the pic and if not ill have a GM to player talk and if that dont work well im trumped lol

thanks

Cluny
GoriceXII
12-11-07, 12:34 PM Good luck man, I hope things improve. And I second the thing about traps--traps are a good idea.

One more thing: NPCs can sometimes be a good way to shed the light--have some rogue they briefly team up with search a body or some rotting furniture and find something neat--say a magic potion or some gold coins in a rotting leather bag or something like that.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
cluny 12-09-07, 01:31 PM	i dont want to be rude or insulting but the players in my group just dont understand how to play properly they dont search rooms befor entering when they know there will be something in there, and they dont look around villages for adventures they wait until someone approaches which is what ive had to do twice now when they dont do anything can someone help me teach them submissivley what to do thanks JJ
Space_Dragon 12-09-07, 01:41 PM	If they don't search, they don't find, and not finding has consequences. For example, if they refuse to go after adventure, they will not be able to attack the caverns of the orc chief when he begins raiding cattle from the surrounding lands to provide food for his army. In a few weeks, though, when the orcs attack and destroy the village that the PC's are in, they will realize that they could have prevented the attack if they had been more proactive.
cluny 12-09-07, 02:31 PM	ah so youre saying that if i set up traps that come in to effect when they dont do anything then they will hopefully get it, the only thing is how do i hint that if they had done something then it would have been avoided
BENEVOLENT_DM 12-10-07, 12:42 PM	Sounds like inexperienced players to me. Heres an idea. use a session to make characters and play cannot start until each has a fleshed out back ground. This will make them care if there characters die. spend some time even multiple playing sessions having them build relationships in their home area. This gives them attachments. You could even make one of these attachments be a grizzled old adventure that tells them stories of his adventures. You could relay the value of search when he describes the careless Half-Orc Fred who rushed into the room without looking for traps and was instantly beheaded, or the reckless fighter Barney who didn't search the room and later Wilma and Betty found the 5000 GP diamond hidden there. Not looking around for adventure is not always bad. Maybe they have plenty of money and aren't in a hurry. Drop hints for hooks but not necessarily have NPC's approach them for help. If they don't investigate the hints, have another NPC Party come back from that adventure with a major haul. The town could even give special honors. Make it clear in game that they may want to have a clue whats going on. If the ask in game how these people knew where to go, have people tell them that it was common knowledge around here, they came in a couple weeks ago asked a few questions and were on there way. It should be obvious that the hints you gave them should have been followed up on. If they ignore rumors of Orc raids. Start having the raids affect them. Farmland is burned, trade routes are cut off. People are suffering in the village. Prices just to eat go up, way up. There are probably some other good in game ways to do this.
GoriceXII 12-10-07, 12:58 PM	Good ideas put forth there. Also talk to them openly gm to player; I advise doing it politely but clearly, making it very clear that they are expected to do such things. Tell them that this is how you play D&D; roleplaying is good, fighting tactics are good but they need to learn to be proactive and actually seek out information, seek out npcs, find places to buy more equipment, search areas where they are exploring, etc.
Lelander_the_L 12-10-07, 08:44 PM	If they don't search, they don't find, and not finding has consequences. For example, if they refuse to go after adventure, they will not be able to attack the caverns of the orc chief when he begins raiding cattle from the surrounding lands to provide food for his army. In a few weeks, though, when the orcs attack and destroy the village that the PC's are in, they will realize that they could have prevented the attack if they had been more proactive. I agree with space dragon. If you like some good dungeon crawling and they don't do any checks, set traps. Lots of traps. Until they start to get the picture or if they start to complain meerly say "everyone look at your skills column. Use it more often" Me thinks your going to have to be a little rough on them.
cluny 12-11-07, 12:31 PM	thanks guys you've been a great help ill be harsher on them so thay get the pic and if not ill have a GM to player talk and if that dont work well im trumped lol thanks Cluny
GoriceXII 12-11-07, 12:34 PM	Good luck man, I hope things improve. And I second the thing about traps--traps are a good idea. One more thing: NPCs can sometimes be a good way to shed the light--have some rogue they briefly team up with search a body or some rotting furniture and find something neat--say a magic potion or some gold coins in a rotting leather bag or something like that.