Because Good is Dumb

Criticism is something every game designer faces. It’s part of the job. You can’t please everyone. However, some complaints are so strange, so unexpected, I’m left scratching my head.

So there’s this thread on rpg.net about the thrallherd. The original poster came forward, concerned, because he (or she) felt the thrallherd paragon path had crossed the line. From the story text alone, the path was unequivocally evil or something like this. A discussion followed about mind rape and whether or not it’s worse than killing monsters and taking their stuff. I’m sure the conversation continued, but I navigated away before the temptation to reply became too great to resist. As you can see, it’s been lingering in the back of my head ever since and thus we’re here.

First, a bit of history. The thrallherd paragon path is not unique to Psionic Power. It existed in 3rd edition as a prestige class with the same name. The concept, for those not in the know, is that you, the psion, dominate another creature and compel them to fight on your behalf. In the previous edition, your thrall was a lot like a cohort gained from the Leadership feat with a few extra benefits. My thrallherd is very similar in theme, though the execution is a bit different since we don’t have anything like the Leadership feat (and thank Odin’s eyepatch for that!). Instead, by entering the paragon path you acquire a semi-mindless henchman who uses rules similar to those for beast companions in Martial Power. Features and powers let you use the thrall in interesting ways.

The objection, from what I was able to figure out, was with how I (or we if you include developers and editors) approached the bond. Rather than weave some sweet story about a devoted servant who sets aside his or her life to aid in your endeavors, I simply cut through the BS and explain the most likely relationship, which, in this case you crush another person’s mind to compel him/her/it to serve.

This isn’t a nice thing to do. I understand this and I absolutely intended this. Story, though, is flexible. If the story offends you, it is certainly within your purview as a player or DM to alter it to suit your tastes. Is the thrallherd beyond redemption. No, not at all. Here are a few stories you can use to make the path more palatable to a character of spotless virtue.

Fight an Affliction: The thrall is someone suffering from a terrible psychic disease, a illness so profound not even Cure Disease can remove it. The disease twists the target’s thoughts and compels it to act in evil or destructive ways. You help the thrall by shutting down its thoughts until you can find a cure.

Illithid Victim: The thrall had some of its brain devoured by a mind flayer, enough to ruin the creature’s mind, but not enough to kill it. You might be able to heal this individual given time and training, so you bring him/her/it along with you.

Justice Served: A thoroughly wicked villain has troubled your team throughout the heroic tier. Rather than execute the villain to who knows what fate you shackle its mind in a psionic prison. You will free the villain once it has paid for its crimes, but until then it must serve good’s cause.

Devoted Companion: Rather than be your mental slave, your thrall is a devoted servant, one whose adoration and dedication compel him or her to follow you wherever you go.

The Robert Jordon Solution: The Seanchan? Yeah, these folks are villains, but the arrangement between the channeler and the handler is one of mutual protection. Maybe the thrall is a volunteer and the arrangement lets you grow your psionic ability to reach an even loftier potential.

Catch and Release: You cycle through numerous thralls rather than create a permanent bond. The thralls you take are people who can help you on your mission. They might agree to your arrangement or be unwilling. You never hold them for long and never exploit your bond beyond gaining the thrall’s assistance. It’s for the common good.

Ectoplasmic Creation: Instead of a thrall, you create a companion from raw psionic energy. This being, shaped by your will, resembles a creature but is in fact the product of your imagination.

See how easy this is?

Maybe The thrallherd is a dark and sinister paragon path. Maybe as written it should be for evil adventurers. I think this is okay and I think the game is big enough to accommodate unusual characters and parties. Just as a person is free not to see I Spit on Your Grave, a person is also free to not use every mechanical option. However, before you chunk something on the grounds of story, stop, take a deep breath, and think about how you can alter that story in a way that’s more in line with your expected play experience.