Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Restless 03-22-05, 09:48 PM	A new player in my group made a House Phiarlan Bard with Favored in House feat and I was wondering if anyone had some advice on how to get her adventuring with the group. I've read the DSs on the house, but I figured I could get some outside advice.
Shurijo 03-22-05, 09:57 PM	If your player uses the Favored in House feat, make sure it doesn't destroy your idea/campaign. I'd recommend using it as a good NPC hire or to give them some info that will help them continue their adventure - but not lose control of the game. One DM even came up with 3 different outcomes for the feat, then uses a DC of 10 (not as good, but still useful), 15 (what the DM thought was good), 20 (a little better than good) to determine (I think using diplomacy mods, if any).
Chiba_Monkey 03-22-05, 10:37 PM	I had an idea for a Phiarlan PC (and like most of my character ideas, he will end up as an NPC in a game I DM, namely b/c I DM more than I play). Especially when concerning the favors that one can call in, it's important to remember that House Phiarlan's real business is secrets. Even a valued and trusted agent will only be told what their superiors think they need to know. Don't let favors con you into giving out critical information that you might find unbalancing. If your PC rolls really high on the favor roll, don't send him/her away empty handed, though, that kinda nerfs the feat. Especially concerning House Phialrlan, such favors can be great tools for YOU, the DM, to move the plot along. Perhaps the Phiarlan contacts have gathered enough intelligence concerning the PCs question to point them to the next part of the adventure. It sort of skips some of the searching for clues process, but it rewards the character who does have access to a certain level of a ring of informants.
Bluebrush 03-22-05, 10:51 PM	How to get them to join the group? One simple answer is the other PCs could be useful. Not nescessarily in a evil "Mwahaha, you're all my pawns" way but I suspect part of the house's power comes from being full of people who know people. When someone needs a job done which requires someone who isn't an elf, who will they think of? A house member who's on good terms with someone with the exact skills nescessary. Of course, that's not to discount genuine friendship. Maybe the bard genuinely trusts and enjoys the company of the PCs. Also, just because you're with one of the houses of shadow doesn't mean you need to be involved in the spy work. Their primary buisness is what they tell everyone it is. Entertainment and craftsmanship. Maybe the PC is aware of the intrigue happening behind the scenes, but doesn't want to get too invovled in it. However he does know a few people in the house who he could pull some strings with... More detail on the character's background and other qualities would be handy.
The Rooster 03-22-05, 10:56 PM	I DM a campaign with a house Phiarlan PC with the favored in house feat. She gets help as needed through the feat. Just because it's a spy house, doesn't mean she has to be spying on the party. The PC in our group is the one finding information about intrigue with house Cannith and reporting back to her house when she can. This seems to work well and encourages her to stay with the party for the good of the info it can bring to her house. Rooster