Bodyguard Help Dice

[luke]

Oh ho. If you're looking for advice on how to take down a Dwarven power house, that's another matter! I'd be happy to post in that thread as well.

[ffilz]

In our games, we usually just play the bodyguard in the fights and leave the PC out of it. Makes things a lot simpler..

When you do this, I assume the player scripts for the bodyguard? I've been trying to find the right balance for myself in how to handle NPC allies. Back before I got into Burning Wheel I used to be quite comfortable with running NPC allies just like any other character, but I have really reconsidered this. But then, it leads to questioning on my part when is it appropriate to have NPCs make rolls that aren't essentially in opposition to the PCs?

Certainly I see the sense that, say you hire a guide to get you from point A to point B. Well, your intent is to get from A to B, and the task is circles, so that logic works for me. But have an NPC that whose presence isn't directly tied to such an intent, or have a Fight brew, and it's not so obvious to me (especially something like Fight!).

Frank

[luke]

Yes, the player rolls and scripts for the character. We only do this for NPCs that have been purchased with RPs or who are otherwise fixtures in the group. Otherwise, the GM makes the call.

[zabieru]

Certainly I see the sense that, say you hire a guide to get you from point A to point B. Well, your intent is to get from A to B, and the task is circles, so that logic works for me. But have an NPC that whose presence isn't directly tied to such an intent, or have a Fight brew, and it's not so obvious to me (especially something like Fight!).

Frank

This is rather beyond the scope of the original question, and if you'd like to discuss it further I'd suggest starting a new thread. But... As you say, if a player has succeeded in a test with the intent of gaining the NPC's help, they get it. You can't go back on that without reason. But otherwise? Ask two questions:

1. How do I play the world honestly?
2. How do I challenge BITs?

If the honest answer is "They'd shrug and let you fight it out: it's a dockside tavern, they aren't shocked by violence but they don't know you or care that you're being attacked," so be it. Same if they'd flee at the sight of blood, or leap to your defense, or if they have bodyguards who'd drag you out back and beat the stuffing out of you for drawing steel in the presence of your betters. If you can spin that answer to reflect or challenge someone's BITs, go for it. But start with what's real.