Interesting discussion.. I really, really like the idea of using the idea of assigning "hit dice" to non creature challenges as a way of awarding XP. Besides mystery solving, you could do it for things like traps, logic puzzles, court intrigue, you name it. Intuitive way of going things and works within the existing XP award framework with the character & fungon level concepts. Examples using court intrigue (which I have on the brain thanks to Game of Thrones and the endless scheming within Kings Landing): - A PC already has a position at the court of a minor king. He goes to court, asking for the right to scout out and claim some land outside the land's borders, for him to hold as a new fief. Roleplaying it out (including some preparatory greasing of palms and dealmaking), the PC succeeds. The DM decides is was a minor challenge as awards the PC xp for defeating a 3 HD monster. - A PC from a minor family on the borderlands comes to the king's court to plead for justice. A greedy noble at court wanted their land but refused to accept a no, and several days ago their small tower house was attacked and raised by mercenaries clearly hired by the greedy noble. All of the PC's family are dead and their lands occupied by their enemies. The PC pleads for justice to the king. Having no position at court, no friends and no money for bribes, the PC concocts an elaborate scheme to make this work and roleplays out the petition brilliantly. The king rules in the PCs favor. The DM rules this was a huge challenge to overcome, and awards the PC xp for defeating a 12 HD monster.
Interesting discussion.. I really, really like the idea of using the idea of assigning "hit dice" to non creature challenges as a way of awarding XP. Besides mystery solving, you could do it for things like traps, logic puzzles, court intrigue, you name it. Intuitive way of going things and works within the existing XP award framework with the character & fungon level concepts.
ReplyDeleteExamples using court intrigue (which I have on the brain thanks to Game of Thrones and the endless scheming within Kings Landing):
- A PC already has a position at the court of a minor king. He goes to court, asking for the right to scout out and claim some land outside the land's borders, for him to hold as a new fief. Roleplaying it out (including some preparatory greasing of palms and dealmaking), the PC succeeds. The DM decides is was a minor challenge as awards the PC xp for defeating a 3 HD monster.
- A PC from a minor family on the borderlands comes to the king's court to plead for justice. A greedy noble at court wanted their land but refused to accept a no, and several days ago their small tower house was attacked and raised by mercenaries clearly hired by the greedy noble. All of the PC's family are dead and their lands occupied by their enemies. The PC pleads for justice to the king. Having no position at court, no friends and no money for bribes, the PC concocts an elaborate scheme to make this work and roleplays out the petition brilliantly. The king rules in the PCs favor. The DM rules this was a huge challenge to overcome, and awards the PC xp for defeating a 12 HD monster.