How to be a Kender: Dealing with kleptomania? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

How to be a Kender: Dealing with kleptomania?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Oct 05, 2003 0:49:46 I've been DM'ing a DL game for quite some time now, and we just can't seem to get the kender right. The DLCS gives the kender bonuses to SLight of Hand checks, but how do you portray the kender's inability to remember or percieve his/her thieving deeds?
Our kender hardly ever steals (borrows!) simply because she doesn't like her low Slight of Hand score, and a kender that doesn't steal (borrow!) isn't really anything but a small bothersome creature that no one pays attention to.

How do you guys handle playing and DM'ing kender?
#2
Nived
Oct 05, 2003 1:06:26 Well be thankfull this is probably a much better situation than the Kender PC that wants to rutinely steal anything of value from fellow partymembers without reprocussions. The thing is the Kender is often unaware that they take something so don't force it on the Player to choose to steal (borrow) every time the Kender would have handled something. After staying at an Inn pass a note to the player that the next time she looks in her pouches she finds some silverware, a empty mug, some other weird stuff.

Sometimes as useless as a shiney button, sometimes as adventure starting as a Black Robed Wizard's spellbook he must have misplaced.

That's not to say that you should do all the Kender's stealing (borrowing) for her. Try to encourage her with elaborate room descriptions telling about the things on the shelves... hopefully she'll go 'look' at them.

Just try not to overplay it and keep it fun.
#3
kipper_snifferdoo_02
Oct 05, 2003 7:53:56 I have to agree with Nived. I'm running a game and I have an NPC kender sor/rog (wish it was a PC, but you know always the DM never the player) Anyway I suggest that you help her out by having her find items that she did'nt even know she had. Just mention, (or slip her a note) that her pouches seem heavier and add some additional stuff yourself. Since MOST items they take are done without them actually "trying" to be sneaky. Just don't make her roll for it. If she shows an interest in something and you find it reasonable that she could have easily picked it up without anyone noticing give it to her. This can also be very helpful if you need to get the party pointed in the right direction "What do you MEAN you just FOUND the queen's crown in one of your pouches?!?"

If she wants to be sneaky and try to take something from someone for a reason (like keys from a guard or a dagger from a potential opponent, then make her roll) otherwise, just give her new stuff every now and again. That really is the easiest way and it gives that sense of "How the heck did THAT get in there?!?!" and the kender doesn't have to lie "I don't remember picking that up. Maybe you dropped it." and it does not interfere with game play so other players aren't "waiting for the kender to finish picking pockets" and if you want the kender to get caught, then it's also makes for an interesting encounter "I saw that kender stick that mug in his pouch!" "Uh? What? Oh my there is a mug in my pouch. It much have fell in." Just let your player know this is how you'll be playing it ahead of time.
#4
Dragonhelm
Oct 05, 2003 9:10:42 Totally agreed with Kipper. I think an old DM of mine did the same thing when I played a kender cleric/handler.

Also, I would suggest that the handling could be somewhat focused. For example, perhaps the kender likes to cook, and only handles things like silverware and cookbooks. This way, your kender isn't your average, borrowing little scoundrel. He's got a niche that helps to develop him as a character.
#5
dragontooth
Oct 05, 2003 21:24:17 I like Kips idea as well.

Or you can always keep an updated list of items each character has. Then you roll the Kender Sleight of Hands, and the other PC's spot every once in a while, and when the party camps you hand a note to the Kender, and the unlucky party members what they no longer has, and what the Kender is fooling around with.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Oct 05, 2003 0:49:46	I've been DM'ing a DL game for quite some time now, and we just can't seem to get the kender right. The DLCS gives the kender bonuses to SLight of Hand checks, but how do you portray the kender's inability to remember or percieve his/her thieving deeds? Our kender hardly ever steals (borrows!) simply because she doesn't like her low Slight of Hand score, and a kender that doesn't steal (borrow!) isn't really anything but a small bothersome creature that no one pays attention to. How do you guys handle playing and DM'ing kender?
#2 Nived Oct 05, 2003 1:06:26	Well be thankfull this is probably a much better situation than the Kender PC that wants to rutinely steal anything of value from fellow partymembers without reprocussions. The thing is the Kender is often unaware that they take something so don't force it on the Player to choose to steal (borrow) every time the Kender would have handled something. After staying at an Inn pass a note to the player that the next time she looks in her pouches she finds some silverware, a empty mug, some other weird stuff. Sometimes as useless as a shiney button, sometimes as adventure starting as a Black Robed Wizard's spellbook he must have misplaced. That's not to say that you should do all the Kender's stealing (borrowing) for her. Try to encourage her with elaborate room descriptions telling about the things on the shelves... hopefully she'll go 'look' at them. Just try not to overplay it and keep it fun.
#3 kipper_snifferdoo_02 Oct 05, 2003 7:53:56	I have to agree with Nived. I'm running a game and I have an NPC kender sor/rog (wish it was a PC, but you know always the DM never the player) Anyway I suggest that you help her out by having her find items that she did'nt even know she had. Just mention, (or slip her a note) that her pouches seem heavier and add some additional stuff yourself. Since MOST items they take are done without them actually "trying" to be sneaky. Just don't make her roll for it. If she shows an interest in something and you find it reasonable that she could have easily picked it up without anyone noticing give it to her. This can also be very helpful if you need to get the party pointed in the right direction "What do you MEAN you just FOUND the queen's crown in one of your pouches?!?" If she wants to be sneaky and try to take something from someone for a reason (like keys from a guard or a dagger from a potential opponent, then make her roll) otherwise, just give her new stuff every now and again. That really is the easiest way and it gives that sense of "How the heck did THAT get in there?!?!" and the kender doesn't have to lie "I don't remember picking that up. Maybe you dropped it." and it does not interfere with game play so other players aren't "waiting for the kender to finish picking pockets" and if you want the kender to get caught, then it's also makes for an interesting encounter "I saw that kender stick that mug in his pouch!" "Uh? What? Oh my there is a mug in my pouch. It much have fell in." Just let your player know this is how you'll be playing it ahead of time.
#4 Dragonhelm Oct 05, 2003 9:10:42	Totally agreed with Kipper. I think an old DM of mine did the same thing when I played a kender cleric/handler. Also, I would suggest that the handling could be somewhat focused. For example, perhaps the kender likes to cook, and only handles things like silverware and cookbooks. This way, your kender isn't your average, borrowing little scoundrel. He's got a niche that helps to develop him as a character.
#5 dragontooth Oct 05, 2003 21:24:17	I like Kips idea as well. Or you can always keep an updated list of items each character has. Then you roll the Kender Sleight of Hands, and the other PC's spot every once in a while, and when the party camps you hand a note to the Kender, and the unlucky party members what they no longer has, and what the Kender is fooling around with.