Should I allow players to recreate the exact same character if they die?

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I'm a fairly new DM playing the 5e Starter Set campaign, Lost Mine of Phandelver, with a completely new group of 3 players.




After the last session Thundertree seems like an ever more likely next destination for the party, which means they will likely run into Venomfang. My group has shown they do not try to win every encounter by fighting and even avoided fights altogether because they seemed intimidating (avoiding the 3 bugbears in the Redbrand hideout because they remembered Klarg being strong), but I feel like I should prepare for them to end up in a fight with the young green dragon and be wiped out anyway.




I know the players well and like most players they're attached to their characters and I feel like they might want to recreate those exact same characters if they die. Since I don't have the time to create my own adventures I thought of simply going for the Hoard of the Dragon Queen adventure after this. I heard that has some new background options so I thought about making someone who has to create a new character choose from only the background options that adventure provides.



But regardless, my basic question is:
Should I allow people to recreate their beloved characters if they die?



I feel like recreating characters over and over again might make it less fun for both the players and DM, but I also don't want to limit players by thinking of random character creation rules at my own discretion. Should I discuss it with them (I should probably do this either way), have them find out playing the exact same character from level 1 again isn't very fun for themselves, or enforce rules on recreating characters?










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  • I generally like this question, but I' pretty sure this will barely ever become a problem.
    – Silverclaw
    1 hour ago










  • Are the players new players or experienced players?
    – KorvinStarmast
    51 mins ago










  • The question in the body of the post doesn't match the one in the title, but the question in the body does seem to be your primary question. I've edited the post accordingly. Feel free to change the title and post body to clarify if this is not your intent.
    – V2Blast
    19 mins ago










  • Also, quick note: HOTDQ doesn't have additional full backgrounds (in the game's sense of the term), but it does have some optional bonds to connect the characters with others in the adventure, and has 2 different optional features you can take instead of the one from your background (you'd get one feature, not both).
    – V2Blast
    17 mins ago















up vote
2
down vote

favorite












I'm a fairly new DM playing the 5e Starter Set campaign, Lost Mine of Phandelver, with a completely new group of 3 players.




After the last session Thundertree seems like an ever more likely next destination for the party, which means they will likely run into Venomfang. My group has shown they do not try to win every encounter by fighting and even avoided fights altogether because they seemed intimidating (avoiding the 3 bugbears in the Redbrand hideout because they remembered Klarg being strong), but I feel like I should prepare for them to end up in a fight with the young green dragon and be wiped out anyway.




I know the players well and like most players they're attached to their characters and I feel like they might want to recreate those exact same characters if they die. Since I don't have the time to create my own adventures I thought of simply going for the Hoard of the Dragon Queen adventure after this. I heard that has some new background options so I thought about making someone who has to create a new character choose from only the background options that adventure provides.



But regardless, my basic question is:
Should I allow people to recreate their beloved characters if they die?



I feel like recreating characters over and over again might make it less fun for both the players and DM, but I also don't want to limit players by thinking of random character creation rules at my own discretion. Should I discuss it with them (I should probably do this either way), have them find out playing the exact same character from level 1 again isn't very fun for themselves, or enforce rules on recreating characters?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Nickienator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • I generally like this question, but I' pretty sure this will barely ever become a problem.
    – Silverclaw
    1 hour ago










  • Are the players new players or experienced players?
    – KorvinStarmast
    51 mins ago










  • The question in the body of the post doesn't match the one in the title, but the question in the body does seem to be your primary question. I've edited the post accordingly. Feel free to change the title and post body to clarify if this is not your intent.
    – V2Blast
    19 mins ago










  • Also, quick note: HOTDQ doesn't have additional full backgrounds (in the game's sense of the term), but it does have some optional bonds to connect the characters with others in the adventure, and has 2 different optional features you can take instead of the one from your background (you'd get one feature, not both).
    – V2Blast
    17 mins ago













up vote
2
down vote

favorite









up vote
2
down vote

favorite











I'm a fairly new DM playing the 5e Starter Set campaign, Lost Mine of Phandelver, with a completely new group of 3 players.




After the last session Thundertree seems like an ever more likely next destination for the party, which means they will likely run into Venomfang. My group has shown they do not try to win every encounter by fighting and even avoided fights altogether because they seemed intimidating (avoiding the 3 bugbears in the Redbrand hideout because they remembered Klarg being strong), but I feel like I should prepare for them to end up in a fight with the young green dragon and be wiped out anyway.




I know the players well and like most players they're attached to their characters and I feel like they might want to recreate those exact same characters if they die. Since I don't have the time to create my own adventures I thought of simply going for the Hoard of the Dragon Queen adventure after this. I heard that has some new background options so I thought about making someone who has to create a new character choose from only the background options that adventure provides.



But regardless, my basic question is:
Should I allow people to recreate their beloved characters if they die?



I feel like recreating characters over and over again might make it less fun for both the players and DM, but I also don't want to limit players by thinking of random character creation rules at my own discretion. Should I discuss it with them (I should probably do this either way), have them find out playing the exact same character from level 1 again isn't very fun for themselves, or enforce rules on recreating characters?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Nickienator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I'm a fairly new DM playing the 5e Starter Set campaign, Lost Mine of Phandelver, with a completely new group of 3 players.




After the last session Thundertree seems like an ever more likely next destination for the party, which means they will likely run into Venomfang. My group has shown they do not try to win every encounter by fighting and even avoided fights altogether because they seemed intimidating (avoiding the 3 bugbears in the Redbrand hideout because they remembered Klarg being strong), but I feel like I should prepare for them to end up in a fight with the young green dragon and be wiped out anyway.




I know the players well and like most players they're attached to their characters and I feel like they might want to recreate those exact same characters if they die. Since I don't have the time to create my own adventures I thought of simply going for the Hoard of the Dragon Queen adventure after this. I heard that has some new background options so I thought about making someone who has to create a new character choose from only the background options that adventure provides.



But regardless, my basic question is:
Should I allow people to recreate their beloved characters if they die?



I feel like recreating characters over and over again might make it less fun for both the players and DM, but I also don't want to limit players by thinking of random character creation rules at my own discretion. Should I discuss it with them (I should probably do this either way), have them find out playing the exact same character from level 1 again isn't very fun for themselves, or enforce rules on recreating characters?







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edited 19 mins ago









V2Blast

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asked 1 hour ago









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  • I generally like this question, but I' pretty sure this will barely ever become a problem.
    – Silverclaw
    1 hour ago










  • Are the players new players or experienced players?
    – KorvinStarmast
    51 mins ago










  • The question in the body of the post doesn't match the one in the title, but the question in the body does seem to be your primary question. I've edited the post accordingly. Feel free to change the title and post body to clarify if this is not your intent.
    – V2Blast
    19 mins ago










  • Also, quick note: HOTDQ doesn't have additional full backgrounds (in the game's sense of the term), but it does have some optional bonds to connect the characters with others in the adventure, and has 2 different optional features you can take instead of the one from your background (you'd get one feature, not both).
    – V2Blast
    17 mins ago

















  • I generally like this question, but I' pretty sure this will barely ever become a problem.
    – Silverclaw
    1 hour ago










  • Are the players new players or experienced players?
    – KorvinStarmast
    51 mins ago










  • The question in the body of the post doesn't match the one in the title, but the question in the body does seem to be your primary question. I've edited the post accordingly. Feel free to change the title and post body to clarify if this is not your intent.
    – V2Blast
    19 mins ago










  • Also, quick note: HOTDQ doesn't have additional full backgrounds (in the game's sense of the term), but it does have some optional bonds to connect the characters with others in the adventure, and has 2 different optional features you can take instead of the one from your background (you'd get one feature, not both).
    – V2Blast
    17 mins ago
















I generally like this question, but I' pretty sure this will barely ever become a problem.
– Silverclaw
1 hour ago




I generally like this question, but I' pretty sure this will barely ever become a problem.
– Silverclaw
1 hour ago












Are the players new players or experienced players?
– KorvinStarmast
51 mins ago




Are the players new players or experienced players?
– KorvinStarmast
51 mins ago












The question in the body of the post doesn't match the one in the title, but the question in the body does seem to be your primary question. I've edited the post accordingly. Feel free to change the title and post body to clarify if this is not your intent.
– V2Blast
19 mins ago




The question in the body of the post doesn't match the one in the title, but the question in the body does seem to be your primary question. I've edited the post accordingly. Feel free to change the title and post body to clarify if this is not your intent.
– V2Blast
19 mins ago












Also, quick note: HOTDQ doesn't have additional full backgrounds (in the game's sense of the term), but it does have some optional bonds to connect the characters with others in the adventure, and has 2 different optional features you can take instead of the one from your background (you'd get one feature, not both).
– V2Blast
17 mins ago





Also, quick note: HOTDQ doesn't have additional full backgrounds (in the game's sense of the term), but it does have some optional bonds to connect the characters with others in the adventure, and has 2 different optional features you can take instead of the one from your background (you'd get one feature, not both).
– V2Blast
17 mins ago











3 Answers
3






active

oldest

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up vote
4
down vote














I feel like recreating characters over and over again might make it less fun for both the players and DM




What do they feel?



Ultimately they are not your characters, your feelings don’t matter.



Some people like to try different character concepts and personalities and some people are always the gruff dwarves fighter with a heart of gold.



Who are you to tell them they’re right or wrong?



That said, it’s your campaign and if you were to decide that there are no dwarfs in your world you’re free to do so. Your players are free to tell you to stick that idea where the sun don’t shine - a dwarf mine near Waterdeep I think. Ultimately you have to agree on the parameters if you want to play together.






share|improve this answer




















  • +1 But The Place Where the Sun Doesn't Shine is in Slice.
    – Sarriesfan
    1 hour ago


















up vote
0
down vote













If this happens, you could gently ask the players if they'd like to try something a little different, this time. I haven't actually seen this to be a problem. Players generally want to at least try out something new, in my experience.



Even if mechanically they end up with very similar characters, work with them to make sure the character is distinct w/ background and personality. Have people react to them differently, pull in NPCs who knew them in the past. Or even just letting the character find a unique magic item could be enough to provide distinction for the character.



But hey, maybe you end up with Slashy McPaladin VIII from one of your players. Just roll with it and people will still have fun.






share|improve this answer








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    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Sure, it's not a problem




    But regardless, my basic question is whether to allow people to
    recreate their beloved characters.




    If that's what's fun for them, then don't get in their way. I've been playing D&D with the same crazy mugs from high school, off and on, since about 1975. One of them has, in our 5e campaigns, created the same dwarf five or six times, and even named him the same most of those times. That's what he loves: dwarves. The rest of us have a variety of favorite characters, to include one who has made the same Totem of the Bear Barbarian four games in a row. None of us, as fellow players or DM's, object to that. We roll with it.



    Go to where the fun is.



    The TPK is not inevitable.



    There are a variety of ways for you to signal to those three that they can't take down this dragon, up to and including them falling in combat and waking up, in chains, as the dragon's prisoner. You have a lot of latitude as DM to shape the adventure. YOu have the ability to shape and craft the information that the players receive that allows them to make decisions In Character. (Look up the Three Clue Rule, Alexandrian, for an idea on how this tool works).



    Don't let the published adventure railroad you as a DM. You are in charge.



    It's OK to role play the encounter with the dragon as a horrifying prospect of "you all shall die unless you agree to serve me" or "unless you agree to do this one thing for me." (Pick a quest, or problem, in the published adventure, or make one up.)



    You can also have various monsters or NPC's alert the characters of the lethal threat awaiting them. Dragons leave traces of their existence.



    But even with any hints or clues, a failure/TPK can happen.



    No worries, have them create new characters, and then Do Not Interfere with that process. Let it grow organically from the players.



    You are the DM. You run and own the whole world. What you don't run, and what you don't own, are the player characters. So let them be what is fun for them.






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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      4
      down vote














      I feel like recreating characters over and over again might make it less fun for both the players and DM




      What do they feel?



      Ultimately they are not your characters, your feelings don’t matter.



      Some people like to try different character concepts and personalities and some people are always the gruff dwarves fighter with a heart of gold.



      Who are you to tell them they’re right or wrong?



      That said, it’s your campaign and if you were to decide that there are no dwarfs in your world you’re free to do so. Your players are free to tell you to stick that idea where the sun don’t shine - a dwarf mine near Waterdeep I think. Ultimately you have to agree on the parameters if you want to play together.






      share|improve this answer




















      • +1 But The Place Where the Sun Doesn't Shine is in Slice.
        – Sarriesfan
        1 hour ago















      up vote
      4
      down vote














      I feel like recreating characters over and over again might make it less fun for both the players and DM




      What do they feel?



      Ultimately they are not your characters, your feelings don’t matter.



      Some people like to try different character concepts and personalities and some people are always the gruff dwarves fighter with a heart of gold.



      Who are you to tell them they’re right or wrong?



      That said, it’s your campaign and if you were to decide that there are no dwarfs in your world you’re free to do so. Your players are free to tell you to stick that idea where the sun don’t shine - a dwarf mine near Waterdeep I think. Ultimately you have to agree on the parameters if you want to play together.






      share|improve this answer




















      • +1 But The Place Where the Sun Doesn't Shine is in Slice.
        – Sarriesfan
        1 hour ago













      up vote
      4
      down vote










      up vote
      4
      down vote










      I feel like recreating characters over and over again might make it less fun for both the players and DM




      What do they feel?



      Ultimately they are not your characters, your feelings don’t matter.



      Some people like to try different character concepts and personalities and some people are always the gruff dwarves fighter with a heart of gold.



      Who are you to tell them they’re right or wrong?



      That said, it’s your campaign and if you were to decide that there are no dwarfs in your world you’re free to do so. Your players are free to tell you to stick that idea where the sun don’t shine - a dwarf mine near Waterdeep I think. Ultimately you have to agree on the parameters if you want to play together.






      share|improve this answer













      I feel like recreating characters over and over again might make it less fun for both the players and DM




      What do they feel?



      Ultimately they are not your characters, your feelings don’t matter.



      Some people like to try different character concepts and personalities and some people are always the gruff dwarves fighter with a heart of gold.



      Who are you to tell them they’re right or wrong?



      That said, it’s your campaign and if you were to decide that there are no dwarfs in your world you’re free to do so. Your players are free to tell you to stick that idea where the sun don’t shine - a dwarf mine near Waterdeep I think. Ultimately you have to agree on the parameters if you want to play together.







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered 1 hour ago









      Dale M

      97.2k19250440




      97.2k19250440











      • +1 But The Place Where the Sun Doesn't Shine is in Slice.
        – Sarriesfan
        1 hour ago

















      • +1 But The Place Where the Sun Doesn't Shine is in Slice.
        – Sarriesfan
        1 hour ago
















      +1 But The Place Where the Sun Doesn't Shine is in Slice.
      – Sarriesfan
      1 hour ago





      +1 But The Place Where the Sun Doesn't Shine is in Slice.
      – Sarriesfan
      1 hour ago













      up vote
      0
      down vote













      If this happens, you could gently ask the players if they'd like to try something a little different, this time. I haven't actually seen this to be a problem. Players generally want to at least try out something new, in my experience.



      Even if mechanically they end up with very similar characters, work with them to make sure the character is distinct w/ background and personality. Have people react to them differently, pull in NPCs who knew them in the past. Or even just letting the character find a unique magic item could be enough to provide distinction for the character.



      But hey, maybe you end up with Slashy McPaladin VIII from one of your players. Just roll with it and people will still have fun.






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      lampreyOne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.





















        up vote
        0
        down vote













        If this happens, you could gently ask the players if they'd like to try something a little different, this time. I haven't actually seen this to be a problem. Players generally want to at least try out something new, in my experience.



        Even if mechanically they end up with very similar characters, work with them to make sure the character is distinct w/ background and personality. Have people react to them differently, pull in NPCs who knew them in the past. Or even just letting the character find a unique magic item could be enough to provide distinction for the character.



        But hey, maybe you end up with Slashy McPaladin VIII from one of your players. Just roll with it and people will still have fun.






        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        lampreyOne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.



















          up vote
          0
          down vote










          up vote
          0
          down vote









          If this happens, you could gently ask the players if they'd like to try something a little different, this time. I haven't actually seen this to be a problem. Players generally want to at least try out something new, in my experience.



          Even if mechanically they end up with very similar characters, work with them to make sure the character is distinct w/ background and personality. Have people react to them differently, pull in NPCs who knew them in the past. Or even just letting the character find a unique magic item could be enough to provide distinction for the character.



          But hey, maybe you end up with Slashy McPaladin VIII from one of your players. Just roll with it and people will still have fun.






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          lampreyOne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.









          If this happens, you could gently ask the players if they'd like to try something a little different, this time. I haven't actually seen this to be a problem. Players generally want to at least try out something new, in my experience.



          Even if mechanically they end up with very similar characters, work with them to make sure the character is distinct w/ background and personality. Have people react to them differently, pull in NPCs who knew them in the past. Or even just letting the character find a unique magic item could be enough to provide distinction for the character.



          But hey, maybe you end up with Slashy McPaladin VIII from one of your players. Just roll with it and people will still have fun.







          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          lampreyOne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer






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          answered 20 mins ago









          lampreyOne

          1




          1




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              up vote
              0
              down vote













              Sure, it's not a problem




              But regardless, my basic question is whether to allow people to
              recreate their beloved characters.




              If that's what's fun for them, then don't get in their way. I've been playing D&D with the same crazy mugs from high school, off and on, since about 1975. One of them has, in our 5e campaigns, created the same dwarf five or six times, and even named him the same most of those times. That's what he loves: dwarves. The rest of us have a variety of favorite characters, to include one who has made the same Totem of the Bear Barbarian four games in a row. None of us, as fellow players or DM's, object to that. We roll with it.



              Go to where the fun is.



              The TPK is not inevitable.



              There are a variety of ways for you to signal to those three that they can't take down this dragon, up to and including them falling in combat and waking up, in chains, as the dragon's prisoner. You have a lot of latitude as DM to shape the adventure. YOu have the ability to shape and craft the information that the players receive that allows them to make decisions In Character. (Look up the Three Clue Rule, Alexandrian, for an idea on how this tool works).



              Don't let the published adventure railroad you as a DM. You are in charge.



              It's OK to role play the encounter with the dragon as a horrifying prospect of "you all shall die unless you agree to serve me" or "unless you agree to do this one thing for me." (Pick a quest, or problem, in the published adventure, or make one up.)



              You can also have various monsters or NPC's alert the characters of the lethal threat awaiting them. Dragons leave traces of their existence.



              But even with any hints or clues, a failure/TPK can happen.



              No worries, have them create new characters, and then Do Not Interfere with that process. Let it grow organically from the players.



              You are the DM. You run and own the whole world. What you don't run, and what you don't own, are the player characters. So let them be what is fun for them.






              share|improve this answer


























                up vote
                0
                down vote













                Sure, it's not a problem




                But regardless, my basic question is whether to allow people to
                recreate their beloved characters.




                If that's what's fun for them, then don't get in their way. I've been playing D&D with the same crazy mugs from high school, off and on, since about 1975. One of them has, in our 5e campaigns, created the same dwarf five or six times, and even named him the same most of those times. That's what he loves: dwarves. The rest of us have a variety of favorite characters, to include one who has made the same Totem of the Bear Barbarian four games in a row. None of us, as fellow players or DM's, object to that. We roll with it.



                Go to where the fun is.



                The TPK is not inevitable.



                There are a variety of ways for you to signal to those three that they can't take down this dragon, up to and including them falling in combat and waking up, in chains, as the dragon's prisoner. You have a lot of latitude as DM to shape the adventure. YOu have the ability to shape and craft the information that the players receive that allows them to make decisions In Character. (Look up the Three Clue Rule, Alexandrian, for an idea on how this tool works).



                Don't let the published adventure railroad you as a DM. You are in charge.



                It's OK to role play the encounter with the dragon as a horrifying prospect of "you all shall die unless you agree to serve me" or "unless you agree to do this one thing for me." (Pick a quest, or problem, in the published adventure, or make one up.)



                You can also have various monsters or NPC's alert the characters of the lethal threat awaiting them. Dragons leave traces of their existence.



                But even with any hints or clues, a failure/TPK can happen.



                No worries, have them create new characters, and then Do Not Interfere with that process. Let it grow organically from the players.



                You are the DM. You run and own the whole world. What you don't run, and what you don't own, are the player characters. So let them be what is fun for them.






                share|improve this answer
























                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote









                  Sure, it's not a problem




                  But regardless, my basic question is whether to allow people to
                  recreate their beloved characters.




                  If that's what's fun for them, then don't get in their way. I've been playing D&D with the same crazy mugs from high school, off and on, since about 1975. One of them has, in our 5e campaigns, created the same dwarf five or six times, and even named him the same most of those times. That's what he loves: dwarves. The rest of us have a variety of favorite characters, to include one who has made the same Totem of the Bear Barbarian four games in a row. None of us, as fellow players or DM's, object to that. We roll with it.



                  Go to where the fun is.



                  The TPK is not inevitable.



                  There are a variety of ways for you to signal to those three that they can't take down this dragon, up to and including them falling in combat and waking up, in chains, as the dragon's prisoner. You have a lot of latitude as DM to shape the adventure. YOu have the ability to shape and craft the information that the players receive that allows them to make decisions In Character. (Look up the Three Clue Rule, Alexandrian, for an idea on how this tool works).



                  Don't let the published adventure railroad you as a DM. You are in charge.



                  It's OK to role play the encounter with the dragon as a horrifying prospect of "you all shall die unless you agree to serve me" or "unless you agree to do this one thing for me." (Pick a quest, or problem, in the published adventure, or make one up.)



                  You can also have various monsters or NPC's alert the characters of the lethal threat awaiting them. Dragons leave traces of their existence.



                  But even with any hints or clues, a failure/TPK can happen.



                  No worries, have them create new characters, and then Do Not Interfere with that process. Let it grow organically from the players.



                  You are the DM. You run and own the whole world. What you don't run, and what you don't own, are the player characters. So let them be what is fun for them.






                  share|improve this answer














                  Sure, it's not a problem




                  But regardless, my basic question is whether to allow people to
                  recreate their beloved characters.




                  If that's what's fun for them, then don't get in their way. I've been playing D&D with the same crazy mugs from high school, off and on, since about 1975. One of them has, in our 5e campaigns, created the same dwarf five or six times, and even named him the same most of those times. That's what he loves: dwarves. The rest of us have a variety of favorite characters, to include one who has made the same Totem of the Bear Barbarian four games in a row. None of us, as fellow players or DM's, object to that. We roll with it.



                  Go to where the fun is.



                  The TPK is not inevitable.



                  There are a variety of ways for you to signal to those three that they can't take down this dragon, up to and including them falling in combat and waking up, in chains, as the dragon's prisoner. You have a lot of latitude as DM to shape the adventure. YOu have the ability to shape and craft the information that the players receive that allows them to make decisions In Character. (Look up the Three Clue Rule, Alexandrian, for an idea on how this tool works).



                  Don't let the published adventure railroad you as a DM. You are in charge.



                  It's OK to role play the encounter with the dragon as a horrifying prospect of "you all shall die unless you agree to serve me" or "unless you agree to do this one thing for me." (Pick a quest, or problem, in the published adventure, or make one up.)



                  You can also have various monsters or NPC's alert the characters of the lethal threat awaiting them. Dragons leave traces of their existence.



                  But even with any hints or clues, a failure/TPK can happen.



                  No worries, have them create new characters, and then Do Not Interfere with that process. Let it grow organically from the players.



                  You are the DM. You run and own the whole world. What you don't run, and what you don't own, are the player characters. So let them be what is fun for them.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited 17 mins ago









                  V2Blast

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                  17.5k247111










                  answered 41 mins ago









                  KorvinStarmast

                  69.6k16217385




                  69.6k16217385




















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