Team without social skills - LM problem

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gothpunk
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Team without social skills - LM problem

Post by gothpunk » Mon Dec 29, 2014 9:14 am

The fellowship we tell tales with is composed of a Beorning, an Elf from Woodland Realms and two woodmen. None of them have Courtesy, one of them has only a single level of Persuade. The Beorning has an impressive Awe, however, there are many encounters where this trais cannot be used - Courtesy is required. (I use the Tales from Wilderland book.) What would you do in a situation as a LM where your player's have absolutely no chance of winning in a social situation like this? Last time this came up when they met Irime and tried to impress her - none of them succeeded.

Yepesnopes
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Re: Team without social skills - LM problem

Post by Yepesnopes » Mon Dec 29, 2014 9:58 am

None of them would consider to re-skin his character to have courtesy, song, or persuade?

Terisonen
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Re: Team without social skills - LM problem

Post by Terisonen » Mon Dec 29, 2014 10:15 am

At this point, the GM has a responsability to tell his players that some skill 'might' be wise to know. It' somewhat of meta-playing, to see with your players. As a GM, I always permit my players to change their characters after a few session of gaming to fix something they don't like, or to take some skill badly needed during play.
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Yusei
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Re: Team without social skills - LM problem

Post by Yusei » Mon Dec 29, 2014 10:37 am

Or you could design an adventure motivated by their lack of courtesy (eg. they offend someone and have to make it up to them), and have the players agree to spend the APs they gain on that skill during the next fellowship phase.

Pangea
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Re: Team without social skills - LM problem

Post by Pangea » Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:07 am

I imagine you have looked into this, but what about their Traits? Is there anything they can rely on there to get by in some situations? (that might require less changes to their characters)
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SirGamingScotsman
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Re: Team without social skills - LM problem

Post by SirGamingScotsman » Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:35 am

The other suggestions are a good idea. Although, as an LM, I don't always let the dice do the talking, that's what the players are for. I will let them talk and introduce themselves, and if they roleplay their character well then I will give them a point or two towards the Encounter, even if they do roll and it goes badly I might not take away too much Tolerance.

Of course if one of your characters does do particularly well, give them an advancement point, or more, in their Personality area and try to persuade them to spend those points in another social skill, as they have begun to learn how to address those they meet in Middle Earth and from learning from others, if there are other NPCs talking etc.

Glorelendil
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Re: Team without social skills - LM problem

Post by Glorelendil » Mon Dec 29, 2014 2:14 pm

This is starting to sound a lot like Christmas with my in-laws.
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Stormcrow
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Re: Team without social skills - LM problem

Post by Stormcrow » Mon Dec 29, 2014 3:21 pm

So, what, there's no place in Middle-earth for heroes who are rough around the edges?

Let them handle situations however they want; don't force them to try to be Courteous just because the adventure calls for a task of Courtesy. Not every company is a cookie-cutter imitation of each other. Different companies can find different sorts of challenges in their adventures. Yours simply doesn't impress polite society.

Looping
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Re: Team without social skills - LM problem

Post by Looping » Mon Dec 29, 2014 5:40 pm

I, too, let my players do minor changes to their characters after a couple sessions but I wouldn't worry about having an unconventional company. It may be provide the LM with challenges but it may also be interesting to see how players handle situations their characters are not designed for.

Depending on the circumstances and how the LM wants to adjust the situation, gaining the favors of your interlocutor may be an opportunity for a minor side quest ["Yes they were rude, but they meant well. They solved our goblin problem."]. Or it may just mean that the group does not get the best reward/advantage possible. After all, they should not be advantaged in social situations if they put all their points in Axe; just like you would not allow a group of diplomats to narrate their martial prowess in a battle-centered scenario if they did not have the adequate weapons skills.

Morgoth
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Re: Team without social skills - LM problem

Post by Morgoth » Mon Dec 29, 2014 5:51 pm

Stormcrow wrote:So, what, there's no place in Middle-earth for heroes who are rough around the edges?
Certainly there is a place for them. But if everyone in your fellowship is a curmudgeon, then you might have a hard time getting people to do you favors.
I smashed down the light and dared Valinor
I smashed down the light, revenge will be mine

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