I need help!!!

[Northern Dungeon Master]

Ok my main group at the moment is one with my little brothers
since my mum isnt a gumball machine there are only 3 of us

that leaves me as DM and my little brothers as the players

an army of two and not a video game...
theres a problem

right now they are in the city so i can chuck in guards to help when things get tough
but once they're out in the big bad world I dont think the city gaurd can come running
so
i had the idea of creating a bunch of walk in walk out characters who appear to help the gang or accidentaly join in

the thing is
can i control them as DM so long as i remain unbiased towards them?

[Jon Irenicus]

You can control them or you can let your brothers control them. Whenever I DM for a small group I usually let the players make 2 characters each or whatever.

[yilduz]

With only two PCs, it's a good idea to have a good NPC or two that helps out from time to time. Maybe your brothers can hire a mercenary or two, or maybe someone owes them a favor, just think of something that works and have the NPCs go with your brothers.

There is one thing you should remember, though. DO NOT LET THE NPCs BE MORE POWERFUL THAN YOUR BROTHERS' CHARACTERS! That is very important. A DM I had in the past always had to have an NPC go everywhere with us, regardless of how many players were in the party. Of course, his NPC always had to be more powerful than we were and have about five more levels and unlimited gold for magical items. It's really annoying and takes every bit of fun out of the game when the DM puts us in battles way too strong for us just so he can have his uber NPC come save us and show off his "skills."

Do not do it. They will lose interest in the game, very quickly.

The best thing you can do is make a support NPC. I had another DM (who I still consider to be the best DM ever) and he had several NPCs that would come and go. It was never someone that had a lot of power, in fact, they were often people we needed to save. They always had a way to help us, though. When we escaped from slavery, he had one NPC that found us in town and gave us a place to sleep, some food, a couple pieces of gold and a dagger. Considering we were about fifth or sixth level at the time, it wasn't a lot, but did help. He'd also have NPCs that gave us information. Then he had some that were clerics and would heal us. He never had any that fought our battles, though. That is very important.

Don't take the main focus from the players, they'll lose interest. Find a way to help them without them relying on you. Also, bring the NPCs into the game realistically. Don't have a high leveled cleric/wizard pop up in front of the players just as they're about to die and say "I just happened to be scrying on you guys and noticed you could use some help so I teleported here to heal you."

[RevLemmon]

Depending on the setting it could be posible that there are hunters or other adventures outside of town they may lend a hand from time to time.

[Deedlit]

Since all the smart people already put their input, I'll say this:

That Army Of Two game is badass, and I only watched it being played. My Papa and my Brother beat it today and they started it Sunday. insane.

[Jon Irenicus]

Army of Two was kinda meh. I played it but it was just ok nothing great.

[yilduz]

Apr 23, 2008 23:15:23 GMT -5 Jon Irenicus said:

Army of Two was kinda meh. I played it but it was just ok nothing great.

I played it and like it. I think it's a lot better to play split screen, though. The NPC can be a bit annoying.

[Azon Blackheart]

I must be a flake, the only video games I've ever played consistantly are Final Fantasy VII and Civilization III (aside from various hockey and football games).

[yilduz]

Apr 23, 2008 23:34:18 GMT -5 Azon Blackheart said:

I must be a flake, the only video games I've ever played consistantly are Final Fantasy VII and Civilization III (aside from various hockey and football games).

I didn't like FFVII a whole lot and never played Civilization III.
I have played a lot of hockey and football games, though.

[Azon Blackheart]

Yeah, I'm a Civ III junkie.

Civ IV has been out, never played it though I hear it's pretty monotonous.

The trailer is pretty funny, though:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br1BWPWEdlQ

[Northern Dungeon Master]

ok thanks

now i just have to make up a couple of characters...

hmm monk sisters
a couple of marauding half orcs
and some wizards for good measure

[rynyth]

Apr 23, 2008 22:21:23 GMT -5 Deedlit said:

Since all the smart people already put their input, I'll say this:

That Army Of Two game is badass, and I only watched it being played. My Papa and my Brother beat it today and they started it Sunday. insane.

o.O you complete it in like 5-6 hours ..well i did anyways.

[Deedlit]

they didnt put alot of effort into the time they were playing it. Im sure they could have pulled it off alot faster, but my bro was just visiting and im sure his wife would have killed him had he sat and played for too long, if i didnt do it first..

Yilduz- I CANT BELEIVE YOU DONT LIKE FF7. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU THAT GAME IS LIKE THE BIRTHPLACE FOR GAMERS.

except i played 8 first. love them both tho.

[yilduz]

Apr 28, 2008 23:24:52 GMT -5 Deedlit said:

they didnt put alot of effort into the time they were playing it. Im sure they could have pulled it off alot faster, but my bro was just visiting and im sure his wife would have killed him had he sat and played for too long, if i didnt do it first..

Yilduz- I CANT BELEIVE YOU DONT LIKE FF7. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU THAT GAME IS LIKE THE BIRTHPLACE FOR GAMERS.

except i played 8 first. love them both tho.

I just couldn't get into it. I don't think I got past disk 2. At the time it was Legend of Dragoon or FFVII. I like dragoons more than I like materia.

[Deedlit]

hehe, yea i guess that makes sense. I just love the story lines in FF tho. They have something for guys and gals. Im a sap for a little romance.