Bodyguarding NPCs [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bodyguarding NPCs [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
TRCEttin
12-07-04, 08:41 PM At the moment I'm running a game where the PCs - 6-8 level 7s - are guarding a pair of NPC elf nobles visiting a human city for the purposes of signing a treaty. So far I haven't needed to, but now I need to do up their sheets before the next session, so I'm wondering: what level should they be? They can't be too low-level (one is supposed to be the elven equivalent of a general, and the other a competent mage), but they likewise can't be too high a level because then there wouldn't be a need for hiring a bunch of guards. About what level bracket should I be aiming for?
DM Denubis
12-07-04, 09:23 PM Try for two levels lower than the PCs.
BW0222
12-07-04, 09:46 PM >They can't be too low-level (one is supposed to be the elven equivalent of
>a general, and the other a competent mage),

That depends. It is possible such things are just bought or hereditary titles. In most cases, you are likely correct. They'd need some levels to have enough skills to justify their positions.

>but they likewise can't be too high a level because then there wouldn't be a
>need for hiring a bunch of guards.

Not true. You can have a 10th-level aristocrat or a 9th-level expert. Neither would have a lot of hit points, combat ability, etc. Even with standard PC classes, a 9th-level bard or wizard not designed for combat isn't necessarily able to stand up to a fight. Even for really high-level NPCs, they still need to sleep, rest, and do their business. Also, even "good" high-level NPCs like having a wall of "underlings" for the attackers to get through. A 5th-level PC can delay a 10th-level fighter for a round while the wizard gets his big spells off.

Aristocrat/3 Bard/3-5 should do for a diplomat. An aristocrat/3 wizard/5-6 should to be the wizard. Just give them lots of non-combat feats and skills.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TRCEttin 12-07-04, 08:41 PM	At the moment I'm running a game where the PCs - 6-8 level 7s - are guarding a pair of NPC elf nobles visiting a human city for the purposes of signing a treaty. So far I haven't needed to, but now I need to do up their sheets before the next session, so I'm wondering: what level should they be? They can't be too low-level (one is supposed to be the elven equivalent of a general, and the other a competent mage), but they likewise can't be too high a level because then there wouldn't be a need for hiring a bunch of guards. About what level bracket should I be aiming for?
DM Denubis 12-07-04, 09:23 PM	Try for two levels lower than the PCs.
BW0222 12-07-04, 09:46 PM	>They can't be too low-level (one is supposed to be the elven equivalent of >a general, and the other a competent mage), That depends. It is possible such things are just bought or hereditary titles. In most cases, you are likely correct. They'd need some levels to have enough skills to justify their positions. >but they likewise can't be too high a level because then there wouldn't be a >need for hiring a bunch of guards. Not true. You can have a 10th-level aristocrat or a 9th-level expert. Neither would have a lot of hit points, combat ability, etc. Even with standard PC classes, a 9th-level bard or wizard not designed for combat isn't necessarily able to stand up to a fight. Even for really high-level NPCs, they still need to sleep, rest, and do their business. Also, even "good" high-level NPCs like having a wall of "underlings" for the attackers to get through. A 5th-level PC can delay a 10th-level fighter for a round while the wizard gets his big spells off. Aristocrat/3 Bard/3-5 should do for a diplomat. An aristocrat/3 wizard/5-6 should to be the wizard. Just give them lots of non-combat feats and skills.