Something occurred to me during the pandemic. After being locked in for a while we started exploring those less frequented corners of our house. It turns out I still had all the hobby stuff from my teen years.
Everything is still in pretty good shape so we’re HeroQuesting! We’re kicking in doors, we’re stabbing everyone inside! We’re… wait… what are we doing? These orcs were gathered around a fireside table with their only worldly possessions neatly stowed in a chest. We woke mummies from their tombs only to stuff their dusty bones back into their scarcoffigi after looting their final resting place. We stomped on goblins who stole our stuff. OK, well that one felt good. But who’s the real monster here?
I have to admit, I felt a little guilty about making every encounter a bloodbath. But that’s HeroQuest, the game is so small that’s all there is.
I asked friends that are serious D&D players if they talk through their conflict. Basically, no. It’s unabashed slaying unless there’s a defined story path to follow and information is needed.
Maybe a game about resolving conflict and listening wouldn’t be that much fun. Sounds like something from a “The More You Know” spot from the 80s. But this made me want to have a way to explore and plunder without racking up a body count.
That’s why I build into my game Which Way? an optional mechanic to navigate the drippy dungeons without orphaning goblins. Like most things in the game, it’s down to the luck of the dice, but it gets easier as you go. You learn the dialect, you’re blending in. You’re not JUST a wonton killing machine, you have feelings too.
I’m writing this to be funny, but there’s a grain of truth in there. I like it because NPCs lives don’t hinge on the GM pre-preparing a scenario that involves them living longer than 30 seconds.
So perhaps we can be a little more thoughtful during our next encounters. Or go in and wreck stuff, it’s all made up after all, do what’s fun. But maybe give non-combat a try, otherwise your character might just be a hero in name only.
