NPC Reaction Chart?

[Supplement Four]

There's no random generation chart for NPC disposition?


EDIT: NM - Found it under the Diplomacy skill. :shock:

2nd EDIT: So, the question becomes, "How do you set the initial attitude of the NPCs randomly or based on a CHA throw?"

 

[VincentDarlage]

Why would you want to randomly determine this?

I determine initial reactions based on the situation. How does the PC begin the interaction? Is the person a guard and paid to be wary? What is the personality of the NPC?

I wouldn't want a random chart. I'd rather base it on the situation - otherwise you have everyone acting all random and insane.

 

[rabindranath72]

Well, random determination of reactions can be fun also for the DM. Obviously the situation must impact the result somewhat. Perhaps that NPC has the wrong moon that day, or his cat died, or he has an irrational antipathy for the PC, or he is really insane!
The important thing is that the system used has a "neutrality" zone with the larger probability mass. For example, in my Classic D&D games I use the reaction table to quite good effect, but that works on a bell-shaped probability curve; I can't recall how Diplomacy work, but I would think the table has a wide range of "neutral" behaviour.

 

[Supplement Four]

I wouldn't want a random chart. I'd rather base it on the situation - otherwise you have everyone acting all random and insane.

You, yourself, said that you were used to the old ways of AD&D. That edition of the game used a random chart (as many rpg's do).

If you have a chart, the GM has a choice. He can either base the NPC's attitude on the situation (basically, he picks a reaction from the chart), or he can determine it randomly, using some modifiers based on the situation and the PC's CHA.

Like other things determined randomly, it can be quite fun to roleplay an NPC in an unexpected way.





Looking around on the net, I see that there is an Initial NPC Attitude generation using in vanilla 3.5 D&D. It's in the Player's Handbook.

Sadly, I don't have that book (nor any of the D&D books--I just play Conan).

Can anybody give me the details from that book about generating initial NPC attitudes?

 

[VincentDarlage]

You, yourself, said that you were used to the old ways of AD&D. That edition of the game used a random chart (as many rpg's do).

I remember the chart; I just never used it. Never saw the point in randomly determining something I didn't need to randomly determine.

 

[Supplement Four]

I remember the chart; I just never used it. Never saw the point in randomly determining something I didn't need to randomly determine.

Which I think is strange. You prefer random stat generation. You wrote the excellent random character background generator in the Player's Guide. But, you wouldn't use a random NPC initial attitude chart?

What I was going to use it for is to determine how one of the NPC girls thinks of one of the PC characters. It could go either way, in my estimation. I have no pull or feel if she likes or dislikes the PC, so I wanted to let the dice decide and keep that in mind when I role play the NPC.

 

[VincentDarlage]

I use the random stuff when I need inspiration. For NPC reactions, the needs of the story usually pull me along. Looking up a chart in the middle of a game isn't my style. Using random generators in prepping for a game.... that is more my style.

I'm not against them, I just don't use them during the game.

 

[Supplement Four]

Using random generators in prepping for a game.... that is more my style.

That's exactly what I'm doing! I'm prepping for our next session. I've got this NPC girl who is going to ooohhh and aaahhh over the Ras Croi runners, but I thought it would be interesting to random roll it.

If the result is a strong dislike, it will get me to wondering...what happened for her to dislike the PC so?

Or, if the result is a strong like, then maybe she's got the hots for the PC.

I like to random roll things and then build off of that.

 

[strategos14]

Always by the situation in my opinion. I have a player with a high diplomacy skill who already tries to use THAT chart every chance he gets. Meaning he feels that a roll of his die should mean he can befriend and/or seduce everybody and everything. If he had ANOTHER chart concerning npc attitudes, the abuse would be great indeed.

 

[Supplement Four]

Always by the situation in my opinion. I have a player with a high diplomacy skill who already tries to use THAT chart every chance he gets. Meaning he feels that a roll of his die should mean he can befriend and/or seduce everybody and everything. If he had ANOTHER chart concerning npc attitudes, the abuse would be great indeed.

Like Vincent, I don't think I'd use it in the middle of a game. I might, but I'd lean against it.

I really just want to see it to use while I'm planning the session. Which basically means that the players wouldn't see it.

 

[strategos14]

That'd be smart. Damn nosy players lol

 

[Supplement Four]

So, nobody has the chart? I'm sure it's a simple one. I can make one up on my own, I was just hoping someone would post the official one.

 

[VincentDarlage]

I thought you said you found it under Diplomacy.

 

[Supplement Four]

I thought you said you found it under Diplomacy.

The chart under Diplomacy is the one used to change initial attitude. I'm looking to see the one that determines an NPC's initial attitude.

It's supposed to be in the 3.5 D&D PHB.