Adventure Log #006 - Lios Campaign: Parting is Such Sweet Succor

Aug 20 2008, 3:15 pm

Players' whimsy being what it is, I had no idea how long Heran Axeword would be needed, dynamically or rhetorically. His presence was that of the instigator, an NPC who would prod players into discovering their characters' personalities and toward the entire party's ostensible goals. Heran's purpose as an NPC was really only vaguely pre-defined, evolving with the pace of the story and the PCs' interactions.

In attendance: Terry, Karlene, Elise, Kelly, Kalan, and Colin (good gravy, the gangs' all here!)

In our last game night we continued on the trek away from the fun and intrigue of Tiller's Bay to the ever-taciturn dwarves and their home at Mt. Brekknor. Wait, did I just employ a cliche about dwarves? Heran so far had been the sole representative of the dwarves aside from the player character, Kenny. Kenny's player is not bound to the dictates of dwarven personality as I present them, so Kenny doesn't count.

Heran has been generally disliked by player and PC alike, I believe, expressing very delineated opinions of those around him, almost universally impatient and gruff. Again, this personality was gradually formulated to be a firebrand sounding board, allowing players to exercise their role playing skills. It worked, more or
less.

Heran almost took too much of a toll on one character, and failed to adequately engage another. I felt his presence was becoming less interesting and more unsuitable to enjoyable game play. I didn't decide this until after I had another NPC dwarf ready to introduce, incidentally a polar shift from Heran's brusque demeanor. An ale maker by the name of Mantlebrew joined the group and almost at once I saw that Heran could take a hike. The new guy gladly dispensed ale, for frakking sake!

The truth is, I always planned on Heran parting with the company, but lost sight of where and when that should be until the time came upon me nearly by surprise. No one spared a tear at his absence the following morning. No one mourned the loss of his insight or knowledge base. In fact, I needed a break from Heran, until his background and abilities make sense to reinstall.