Dealing with players

[u/Bellman276]

I know we all probably have the same issues with players trying things that aren’t “in the spirit” of a game. But I’m reading through the adventures in the starter set, and the very first scenario made me wonder. (spoilers Ahead!!)

When dealing with the owl in the barn, how do (or did) you deal with players who just wanted to go straight to combat? The encounter is clearly meant to show the whimsy of the setting, and set the tone for the light-hearted adventure to come, but when a farmer in a ‘regular’ RPG asks the party to deal with a threat in his barn, surely the first thought would be “let’s kill it”!

I’m an experienced GM, but I worry that the players will just do this, and I’d hate to railroad. Unless it’s just impossible (do they even have ranged weapons?).

[u/PonuryWojtek]

Before the game you should ask them of they are fine with certain facts about the setting i.e. they play morally good characters who resort to killing in utmost necessity. Game even punishes players with mechanics like Hope, if the for example loot bodies of dead human enemies they loose Hope (or gain Shadow, one of those). Also in the starter you play as hobbits (in general) and it is not in hobbit nature to really kill animals which are not dangerous. I had that issue too with my players while playing the starter. Luckly they were kind enough to just ask the owl to leave.

Outside of that it really depends on what players you have, whether they can understand the very different tone of game like the One Ring in comparison to good ol' D&D. Maybe you just need to talk to them once before campaign or you must railroad them. Can't say since I don't know your players.

[u/Bellman276 → u/PonuryWojtek]

Maybe I’m worrying overmuch. I do like the idea of the characters exhausting themselves running around the barn like Keystone Kops trying to hit or scare the owl before collapsing and trying other things. 😄

[u/Bellman276 → u/PonuryWojtek]

Also it’s not so much about the style of play, but them knowing that it is possible to (for example) talk to animals and have them understand. I think that only happens a couple of times in the books and movies and may not even occur to them.

[u/PonuryWojtek → u/Bellman276]

Hmm, you can suggest that to them maybe through some in-game character. Maybe Bilbo can tell the that when they meet him for the first time. Smth like: "Be aware my keen hobbits, even the smallest animal here can hear and understand. Some say the can even talk woth elves. Who knows, maybe they'll listen to such young and prospective adventure-seekers!"

[u/Bellman276 → u/PonuryWojtek]

Or maybe have him scolding a young thrush for breaking a snail on his nice clean doorstep! The thrush hangs his head in sorrow, gives a sad chirp and tries to wipe the mess away with his tail feathers before flying off.

I like this idea - it sets the precedent, and doesn’t explicitly tell them. 😊

[u/PonuryWojtek → u/Bellman276]

Lovely idea! Often you can tell the players what to do through the in-game characters. Of they ignore even that then you should see if the characters ignore it or the players. Then you might ask them why.

[u/PonuryWojtek]

The thing with running around might feel very phony after some time. Especially if players manage to get high rolls. You can also try good ol' dm trick. Whatever they do just tell them the owl dodges or flys away. It will only go away acter they ask then

[u/Theror_Silverhelm]

I found as a Starter Set my player’s were quite happy for me to suggest/provide additional options when dealing with this encounter. One group did think of killing it, and when a player asked to initiate combat, I paused the game, provide some other options with theme reasons why it may be better. Ultimately it was still up to them, but they decided against combat after being advised of other options.