A One-Trick Pony Character and TPK

[Surfing HalfOrc]

I've been DMing a group through The Savage Tide, and I'm getting kind of frustrated with one particular character and player. The character is named "Crazy Ivan," he's a rogue who uses explosives. One problem is that he always wants to do the exact same lame trick: "Here, hold this!"

It was funny the first time, but it's getting more than a tad stale. The other problem is that he also has this "They pissed me off, so now I'm going to kill them all," attitude. The thing is, they have just returned to the Lotus Dragon's Thieves' Guild, where they were given a good deal by Rowenna Kellani, in exchange for information about the Farshore colony. The entire party accepted the deal, but while leaving the Guildhall, Crazy Ivan decided to toss a grenade and start a fight. We had to break for the night, but when the fight starts in ernest, the party can (and probably will) get slaughtered.

I hate punishing the entire group, but I'm getting frustrated, and in private conversations, so are the other players. I upgraded the traps and the rogues in response to the party's earlier incursions, and the party is about to charge headlong into a severe beating.

I really don't want to stomp a hole through the party, but I'm getting tired of my NPCs being treated like chumps. Especially since I've made it clear that I'm playing these thieves as if they were the Mafia.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Including suggestions that I simply stomp everybody into goo, and start all over again. (Getting their butts whipped might get them to respect the NPCs.)

[Jasdoif]

Crazy Ivan? Oh man, those guys were atrocious to use in Red Alert 2. But anyway.

Have you talked to the player of this Ivan-alike about his behavior? If not, do so. Killing a party in lieu of talking to a player is very bad.

[horseboy]

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Including suggestions that I simply stomp everybody into goo, and start all over again. (Getting their butts whipped might get them to respect the NPCs.)

Well, if it's the mob, use some mob imagery. Yeah, there's a big explosion, they're going to be busy digging people out, putting out the fire. They don't have to take their revenge right away.

Hide a poisonous snake in his outhouse.
Next time he comes back they're invited to dinner. Then have someone club him to death with a baseball bat.
Blow up his inn room while he's asleep.
Have the "face" of the party brought before the "Donna" and have it explained to them that it's either him or them.
Leave his mount's head in his bead, with a time bomb.

[Raltar]

The players can disown him and help the thieves deal with him. There is no reason you, as the DM, can't have the thieves believe the other PCs when they say they had no part in the bombing.

[Miles Invictus]

Any worthwhile adversary would notice that he only uses explosives, and plan accordingly. Rings of Fire Resistance. Hasted melee fighters that close in before he can make use of his bombs. Invisible rogues that steal his stuff -- or taint it so that it explodes in his face.

Personally, I don't think you're obligated to protect him from the consequences of his own stupidity. I'd take steps to avoid a TPK, but you can make sure that his character dies in the ensuing battle.

[OverdrivePrime]

Horseboy's suggestion about the Don calling in the party's face seems like the best option.

Alternatively, having a player get beaten down by a seemingly weak enemy is great for teaching lessons. Have some kid pick your Ivanna-be's pocket, get noticed, and run into an alley. Once in the alley, have him get jumped by a number of mooks. It doesn't sound like your players are too high in level, so three warriors (yeah, the NPC class - it's extra lessony) and three rogues of level 2 or 3 ought to do the trick. KO him and put him in cement shoes... or maybe the mob boss will just want to shove one of his own explosives down his throat. :smallwink:

[Surfing HalfOrc]

Crazy Ivan? Oh man, those guys were atrocious to use in Red Alert 2. But anyway.

Have you talked to the player of this Ivan-alike about his behavior? If not, do so. Killing a party in lieu of talking to a player is very bad.

I have, and he says he's just playing the character the way he is written.

Other players say he has a tendancy to write up and play seriously suicidal characters. Ivan died once already, after he decided to chase off after Ripclaw the savage raptor. Solo. It didn't work out that well for him, and this could be much worse.

I planned on the Lotus Dragons to take betrayal very seriously, especially since I JUST reread "The Godfather." Messing with Rowenna is like messing with Michael Corelone.

I've also added a few traps, a pit trap with green slime at the bottom near a key intersection, and a portecullis trap in the other entrance rooms. Finally, Rowenna has bought and equipped three of her rogues (rogue/sorceror) with wands of magic missile. Like shooting fish in a barrel.

[SoulCatcher78]

Hide a poisonous snake in his outhouse.
Next time he comes back they're invited to dinner. Then have someone club him to death with a baseball bat.
Blow up his inn room while he's asleep.
Have the "face" of the party brought before the "Donna" and have it explained to them that it's either him or them.
Leave his mount's head in his bead, with a time bomb.

Sitting him down for a serious talk about what is and what's not acceptable might help, if not, there's always the baseball bat theory (which I heartily endorse). Here comes the dumb question *ducks the rocks sure to be heading this way*...where the heck did he get explosives from? Even if the alchemist can whip it up, it should be 1. Difficult to predict so that it doesn't make a good weapon and 2. To darn expensive to be tossing all over the place.


I have, and he says he's just playing the character the way he is written.

I've also added a few traps, a pit trap with green slime at the bottom near a key intersection, and a portecullis trap in the other entrance rooms. Finally, Rowenna has bought and equipped three of her rogues (rogue/sorceror) with wands of magic missile. Like shooting fish in a barrel.

That pit trap is looking like it's right underneath him then...green slime is sooooo handy for cleaning up messes. If he persists, kill him and make him reroll a non stupid (i.e. get everyone killed while he's grandstanding) character.

[Xuincherguixe]

I say he should take a swim with the fishes.

[horseboy]

Horseboy's suggestion about the Don calling in the party's face seems like the best option.

Alternatively, having a player get beaten down by a seemingly weak enemy is great for teaching lessons. Have some kid pick your Ivanna-be's pocket, get noticed, and run into an alley. Once in the alley, have him get jumped by a number of mooks. It doesn't sound like your players are too high in level, so three warriors (yeah, the NPC class - it's extra lessony) and three rogues of level 2 or 3 ought to do the trick. KO him and put him in cement shoes... or maybe the mob boss will just want to shove one of his own explosives down his throat. :smallwink:

Oh, have experts duel weilding magic missile wands (What is it lvl 5 for three missiles each?) start wailing on them as they come out of the inn. Bonus points for putting it on the 14th day of the second month.

But if you have to, TPK. That way the players will police themselves from their own stupidity.

[Bassetking]

I say he should take a swim with the fishes.

He should swim with the Puddings.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

I say he should take a swim with the fishes.

Their retreat route takes them through the pool of Ixychitles (or however the heck you spell that!)

I'm sort of the new kid in town, I moved to McAlester for a job/school, and went looking for a new group to play with/DM. The adventure is moving on well enough, but this one amazingly stupid move by Ivan could easily undo two month's adventuring.

And the real problem is that Ivan is sticking with the group, who had a side quest (DMed by a different DM) and leveled up to level 7, while Ivan remains at level 2 (3-1 due to death and Raise Dead). I can't really separate Ivan from the group; they planned an assault, but they are attacking an area I upgraded. They suffer from poor impulse control, and I see them easily running headlong into the meatgrinder.

[Xuincherguixe]

He should swim with the Puddings.

And Bill Cosby. Can't forget the Coz.

[Tallis]

He threw the bomb, he should be the first target for the thieves. Once he's down they might be willing to talk to the others and let them live, for a price. They should definitely be aginst Crazy Ivan being ressurrected. Burn the body to ash.

[Xuincherguixe]

I think that the real answer here is. "No you didn't just do that."
"Yes I did!"
"Well, no explosion has happened. Everything is still in one piece. Obviously you didn't do what you just did."
"Wait what?"
"Moving on."
"But..."
"MOVING ON."

[LotharBot]

he says he's just playing the character the way he is written.

Then tell him he needs to write a new character who is not written that way.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

He threw the bomb, he should be the first target for the thieves. Once he's down they might be willing to talk to the others and let them live, for a price. They should definitely be aginst Crazy Ivan being ressurrected. Burn the body to ash.

They killed their escorts/witnesses. The remaining thieves and Rowenna don't know who all did what, and are ready to assume the worst. And with a second "assault/extraction team" invading right after the negociation team turned traitor? Things are looking mighty grim for "Our Heroes."

And pulling my punches will emphasize their "the NPCs are chumps" attitude they seem to have in every game, not just mine.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

Thanks for the advice given so far! I need to call it a night, but I'll check this thread again before I go to work.


Again, thanks!

[LotharBot]

You can always have the mafia don call them in and say one word:

BUCKWHEAT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Things_to_Do_in_Denver_When_You're_Dead).

May as well end the campaign with a bang. And what better bang then to have each and every character killed brutally by the mafia's best assassins?

[Folie]

Then tell him he needs to write a new character who is not written that way.

QTF. The Giant actually wrote an excellent article (
http://www.giantitp.com/articles/tll307KmEm4H9k6efFP.html) that dealt with this very issue. As he put it:


I can't tell you how many times I've heard a player state that their character's actions are not under their control. Every decision your character makes is your decision first. It is possible and even preferable for you to craft a personality that is consistent but also accommodating of the characters the other players wish to play.

Speaking of the other players, how do they feel about Ivanna-be's behavior? You could solicit their opinions while he's out of earshot: if there's a general consensus that his actions are hurting the group, you can use that consensus to add weight to your arguments. Alternatively, you could encourage the other players to have their characters conspire against Ivanna-be.:nale:

EDIT: Still can't figure out how to do links.

[Beren One-Hand]

QTF. The Giant actually wrote an excellent article (http://www.giantitp.com/articles/tll307KmEm4H9k6efFP.html) that dealt with this very issue.

EDIT: Still can't figure out how to do links.

Replace your HTML with URL

[Diggorian]

You've spoke to the player directly and he's shifted it to the PC fidelity. Now you should play the NPCs as they would normal react to what he's done: unabashed beat down.

Or, the softer approach: That Ivan is lower level is great, as he'll likely die first. When he bites it, or if the fight is heading to TPK, have the guild ask why they shouldnt kill everyone else in the party. If the others give reasons that include a lasting debt to the guild and surrender, take their goodies and arrange a payment plan. [EDIT] Ofcourse dispose of Ivan's body too.

Another soft option is to have the local authorities respond and break up the fight or join in, again once Ivan's dead. The non-suicidal players can escape in the added confusion. This stinks of script immunity though, not letting the story's stars die.

If they stand their ground, or you cant bring in the guards, the hard approach: Kill all of them if you can. You gave'em an out, they chose not to take it.

P.S. -- Nice to see another Paul Kidd fan around. :smallbiggrin: Escalla's halfling size though :smallamused:

[Townopolis]

Have someone place a bomb in Ivan's room that does 30 damage. With a CON of 15 or less he'll die instantly and everyone else should be fine, bleeding at worst and that's an easy fix provided the party has at least 1 person with heal and decent survivability (and shame on them if they don't). This is, of course, assuming max HP. If that's not the case, make a bomb that does (Ivan's HP+10) damage.

Actually, I'd go with the Donna+party face idea.

[The_Werebear]

I wouldn't even kill them.

I would go for capture. Knock them all out, tie them up, and start taking off toes until someone cracks and fingers who planted the bomb. Then, start extracting (in a rather literal sense, i.e., internal organs) revenge from Mr. Explodieman. I wouldn't kill him though. When he is about to die, heal him and repeat. Let that be a lesson to him.

If he repeats stupidity after that, then throw him to the fish.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Hmm...I may have some solutions for you but I need to know how far you've gotten into the Savage Tide adventure path.

[Kurald Galain]

If the others give reasons that include a lasting debt to the guild and surrender, take their goodies and arrange a payment plan.

I'd suggest this leads to a situation where the NPC mafia owns them, and they get to make demands and request favors basically forever. "Remember Ivan?"

[Fixer]

I have, and he says he's just playing the character the way he is written.

I have a fellow player in a game who is doing the same thing. Unfortunately he is unable to differentiate between attacks on his character and attacks on him personally. If not for that fact my character would have blasted his little halfling into oblivion already. Stupid people deserve stupid character deaths.


This man has the right idea.


I wouldn't even kill them.

I would go for capture. Knock them all out, tie them up, and start taking off toes until someone cracks and fingers who planted the bomb. Then, start extracting (in a rather literal sense, i.e., internal organs) revenge from Mr. Explodieman. I wouldn't kill him though. When he is about to die, heal him and repeat. Let that be a lesson to him.

If he repeats stupidity after that, then throw him to the fish.

[Kioran]

Any thing that lets the Party walk away from this wothout either being very creative or handing over Ivan would stink of plot-immunity to the heavens. Let those NPCs do what they do, and if that´s killing some PCs then sorry, but that´s the way it is. If your players get an increasing sense of bravado because of their character-shields, this might harm or ruin the story at some time in the future.
Killing them now and starting over or starting something different can be quite therapeutic and better than everything crashing in another two months time.

Of course the Death of Ivan and maybe only one of the others would be better than TPK - teaches them not to mess with your NPCs, finishes Ivan, and let´s you keep playing the campaign, which is vastly preferrable.

[Behold_the_Void]

Haven't read too much since I'm a PC in this campaign myself (different game of course), but I'd suggest that you eject Ivan from the game and rule the explosive throwing never happened.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

Any thing that lets the Party walk away from this wothout either being very creative or handing over Ivan would stink of plot-immunity to the heavens. Let those NPCs do what they do, and if that´s killing some PCs then sorry, but that´s the way it is. If your players get an increasing sense of bravado because of their character-shields, this might harm or ruin the story at some time in the future.
Killing them now and starting over or starting something different can be quite therapeutic and better than everything crashing in another two months time.

Of course the Death of Ivan and maybe only one of the others would be better than TPK - teaches them not to mess with your NPCs, finishes Ivan, and let´s you keep playing the campaign, which is vastly preferrable.

I might be able to go with this one. The extraction team is about to find themselves trapped in their entrance room, and I should be able to limit myself (Rowenna) to killing just Ivan and one of the others on the negociation team.

Still, it's fairly early in the story. TPK might not spell doom for the group as a whole. It might even instill a bit of caution, and a need to make and stick to agreements.

Old Skool DM vs. Powermunchkins. Such is my life here an toasty, muggy, humid, Bible-Belt Oklahoma. Gotta take what you can get.

[Dausuul]

I have, and he says he's just playing the character the way he is written.

What, his character background just wrote itself without any input from him? That doesn't absolve him of responsibility at all.


Other players say he has a tendancy to write up and play seriously suicidal characters. Ivan died once already, after he decided to chase off after Ripclaw the savage raptor. Solo. It didn't work out that well for him, and this could be much worse.

I planned on the Lotus Dragons to take betrayal very seriously, especially since I JUST reread "The Godfather." Messing with Rowenna is like messing with Michael Corelone.

Here's what I suggest. Explain to Ivan's player that you and the other players are no longer willing to put up with his troublemaking, so he can either rewrite this character to not be such a troublemaker, or dump this character and make a new one. You will also give him the option to retract the statement that his character was tossing a grenade.

If he refuses to make a new character or change the one he's got, then tell the other PCs that they have the option to disown him. If they take the lead in killing or disabling Crazy Ivan, apologize to Rowenna, turn him over to Lotus justice, and make restitution for the deaths (in the form of a quest to take out one of Rowenna's most hated enemies), the Lotus Dragons will consider the matter settled.


They killed their escorts/witnesses. The remaining thieves and Rowenna don't know who all did what, and are ready to assume the worst. And with a second "assault/extraction team" invading right after the negociation team turned traitor? Things are looking mighty grim for "Our Heroes."

Rowenna is a suspicious sort. Whenever the Lotus Dragons send out a negotiating team, Rowenna's sorceror lieutenant watches the whole thing by scrying on the lead negotiator. Partly it's to make sure the negotiators are keeping faith with the Dragons and not selling out the guild, partly it's in case somebody decides to do exactly what the PCs just did. The Dragons know exactly what happened and who did it.

[mudbunny]

I have, and he says he's just playing the character the way he is written.

If he's just playing his character the way that it is written, then it kinda behooves you to play your NPCs the way they are written.

And even if he looks hard at the NPC descriptions, I doubt he will find anything along the lines of

Will let PCs kill them without reaction
in their descriptions.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

You've spoke to the player directly and he's shifted it to the PC fidelity. Now you should play the NPCs as they would normal react to what he's done: unabashed beat down.

Or, the softer approach: That Ivan is lower level is great, as he'll likely die first. When he bites it, or if the fight is heading to TPK, have the guild ask why they shouldnt kill everyone else in the party. If the others give reasons that include a lasting debt to the guild and surrender, take their goodies and arrange a payment plan. [EDIT] Ofcourse dispose of Ivan's body too.

Another soft option is to have the local authorities respond and break up the fight or join in, again once Ivan's dead. The non-suicidal players can escape in the added confusion. This stinks of script immunity though, not letting the story's stars die.

If they stand their ground, or you cant bring in the guards, the hard approach: Kill all of them if you can. You gave'em an out, they chose not to take it.

P.S. -- Nice to see another Paul Kidd fan around. :smallbiggrin: Escalla's halfling size though :smallamused:

The upgrades to the Guildhall were in response to the earlier incursions by the PCs, and to keep expecially nosy guardsmen out of the way.

I tried my best with discribing Escalla! Any smaller, and she would have vanished! Paul Kidd writes her as being about two feet tall, and Jus at 6' 4" or so.

Maybe I should try to add in Polk (badger form? Or big nose form?), Private Henry and Enid?

[Roderick_BR]

That's easy. Put them near some NPC with lots of influence, and smarter then average. If Ivan do something wrong again, the NPC will punish only him, and let the rest of the group off with just a warning, or a ticket.

[elliott20]

I would go with Kioran's suggestion too.

This way, it doesn't seem like a personal vendetta against the offending player but it also doesn't make it like you're indiscriminately punishing the players for one idiot's mistake.

[DeathQuaker]

Sorry if I missed this, but DO please make sure you've discussed this with him out of game first, and make clear that, "Your actions will result in appropriate consequences."

If you go with the in-game solution, I agree with the sentiment that you should NOT punish the whole party for this one characters--UNLESS the party, in-character, supports Crazy Ivan's actions.

If the party does NOT support his actions, give them the opportunity to bow out of the situation, or even turn on him themselves. Maybe even let the other players know, those who are also concerned about the character, and remind them they have the option to run if they want to, leaving Ivan to suffer the consequences of his actions.

As to how, there are a number of good suggestions already, and variations on the old "V trick" of "I prepared Explosive Runes this morning" etc might also give him a taste of his own medicine.

[mostlyharmful]

they've already raised him once right? Surely then the way to reward stupid behaviour is to have the NPCs react convincingly, knife in the kidneys and body in the habour, and then have him raised again. good players don't get killed, get to keep their levels and stay useful, bad players get deaded and suck monumentally, if he's already behind them then this method of punishment will effectivley turn him into their pet, if he wants to be useful/cool/able to fight a hamster without falling ofver he'll roll up a new character, hopefully one with three working braincells.

the character murdered mobsters, for no reason, and then didn't leave town or go into hiding or anything. Knife in the Kidneys!

[Diggorian]

The upgrades to the Guildhall were in response to the earlier incursions by the PCs, and to keep expecially nosy guardsmen out of the way.

Earlier incursion ... huh. Didnt know they attacked the Guild before. And guardsmen are out of the way, too. I'd go with Kioran's suggestion then.

That the PC's are split up, negotiation and attack teams, is great; kill the team with Ivan when he started the fight it's not a true TPK but a Partial-PK. You wont have to scrap the whole campaign. He doesnt mind dying but other PCs with him likely do. You've mentioned the other players are tired of him this will get them to police their own should he continue like this. They'll be victims of his actions, not yours.

I've been the new DM to a group. I know you dont wanna seem bloodthirsty, but these guys are asking for it. I've TPKed a party from the actions of a single dumb PC. We still game together 5 years later and they enjoy knowing that the stakes are high cause that's what makes real heroes. You're the Old Skool DM, ok dont back down now. :smallcool:


I tried my best with discribing Escalla! Any smaller, and she would have vanished! Paul Kidd writes her as being about two feet tall, and Jus at 6' 4" or so.

Maybe I should try to add in Polk (badger form? Or big nose form?), Private Henry and Enid?

Confusion likely came from her being a Pixie, which are small like halflings in 3.X. Think small like Belkar, but proportioned like Haley, with wings. Definately put Enid and Badger Polk in to complete the party. :smallbiggrin:

[Just Alex]

Don't coddle. If you've explained that the situation does not always warrent explosives, deel free to destroy in violent and impressive ways. My players still remember the most vicious PK I've ever pulled. But when the player attacks the mob boss, and the mob boss is mostly not evil, has access to the information the party needs, and most importantly, is a freaking genie, don't pick a fight.

In case you're curious, the boss's LT used the Genie's Wish ability to cast Dominate Monster. The Genie then pulled out a Deck of Many Things with the command "Draw All Cards". Best part is that the party knew he had the deck. They traded it to him for the information needed.

Now admitadly, I run a high power campaign, but the lesson remains valid.

[Kizara]

I think that the real answer here is. "No you didn't just do that."
"Yes I did!"
"Well, no explosion has happened. Everything is still in one piece. Obviously you didn't do what you just did."
"Wait what?"
"Moving on."
"But..."
"MOVING ON."

I'm not sure if it will work with the atmosphere in your campaign, but I found this suggestion humorous and effective.

[Prometheus]

Of course, if decide to keep him prisoner for the rest of his life (without explosives) then it is up to the rest of the players if they want to attempt a (suicidal) rescue for someone who almost got them TPKed or have the player roll a new character (if he does, make it one level lower, as if he had been raised).
If it is likely that he will continue this behavior, make it clear that you want his new character to have some long term goals or that he won't play.

Alternatively, you can try to work with the character, but it wouldn't be easy. Try to encourage him to do different tricks by giving him a variety of resources or, as has been said, enemies that a handheld explosive won't demolish so easily. Getting him out of suicide is a harder task, especially if the player truly is trying to be suicidal. Alluring him with more goodies down the road might help, or threatening circumstances that let him no he might not make him come back so easily. Again, the pressure of the other players is key: it is a suspension of the imagination that they are even traveling with Crazy Ivan and they might as soon decide he is deadweight especially if he loses levels and gold to resurrecting himself periodically.

[Tallis]

I think that the real answer here is. "No you didn't just do that."
"Yes I did!"
"Well, no explosion has happened. Everything is still in one piece. Obviously you didn't do what you just did."
"Wait what?"
"Moving on."
"But..."
"MOVING ON."


I disagree with telling the players the can't do something unless it's established at character creation. You could have his explosives not go off though. It's a bit late now, but if he somehow survives (I recommend he doesn't), you could use this trick next time he does something this stupid. After he's gone I recommend putting some restrictions on the type of character he can play. Otherwise he'll probably just cause problems again.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

All right, for anyone following this thread, here are the results:

The extraction team didn't count on Rowenna upgrading the guildhall, and ended up trapped in the entrance room when the portcullis dropped into place and lock itself. Oops! They easily survived the Sleep spell, but the alarm spell brought half of the guildhall into a combonation shooting gallery/fish barrel. They wisely surrendered.

The negociating team was hit by an ogre zombie, a rhagodessa (big spider with squid-like tentecles and a vicsious bite, a half dozen rogues and Rowenna. The spider chomped the offending character in half, the ogre went down fighting, and the PC archer fell victim to a Suggestion spell. (It was suggested that he stand-down, and wait for the guildmistress.) The barbarian chose not to attack the rest of the guildmembers after Rowenna had the guild to also stand down.

Rowenna hacked the head off of the offending character, and carved the words "POOR IMPULSE CONTROL" into his forehead. She then returned the head to the barbarian, with a warning to never return to Dead Dog Alley, unless specifically summoned. The body was dumped into the pool of ixytles ixityllies uh, the hard to spell intellegent shark/ray things.

I think they got the hint.

Oh, for those wondering, the player had two characters: his explosives laden rogue and the primary muscle for the extraction team. He's still in the game, but since the group has grown to a size I like, and they like, I think he will be happy with just one character in the game. Earlier on, we were short PCs, so I allowed doubling up. Now only one player has two PCs, and he's a little more cautious.

Thanks to everyone for their advice and suggestions!

[Driderman]

Glad to hear it worked out and I'll just add that you might have seen this coming...

Personally, I would've pulled the brakes at the 'my characters name is Crazy Ivan' part

[Diggorian]

There ya go! Didnt even need to kill most of'em. :smallbiggrin:

You're welcome. Game on.

[CASTLEMIKE]

They killed their escorts/witnesses. The remaining thieves and Rowenna don't know who all did what, and are ready to assume the worst. And with a second "assault/extraction team" invading right after the negociation team turned traitor? Things are looking mighty grim for "Our Heroes."

And pulling my punches will emphasize their "the NPCs are chumps" attitude they seem to have in every game, not just mine.

There should be some kind of cause and effect in the campaign. Good versus Evil. Law versus Chaos. Good heroes are usually responding to the antics of Evil monsters. Evil parties are just having fun without as many rules constraints.

Getting a reputation for being crazy and regularly tossing and setting off explosions as a CN PC isn't CN.

You are the DM there is No Reason half the NPCs could not have made their Evasion checks or gotten lucky and rolled a 20 which blew them to safety unobserved by Crazy Ivan. A good to time to fudge NPC rolls is when they players start ruining the game for you and the other players.

There could easily have been a reliable witness a Rogue would be best to witness Crazy Ivan (Who should have some kind of reputation for his established antics) who Ivan failed his Spot check on because he was behind him trailing him wearing a Elven Cloak and observing from behind cover hidden in the shadows.

Curse Crazy Ivan so he has to reroll each explosive tossing and when he gets that 1 up he goes. Tough to evade that explosive that unexpectedly blows up in your hand. Kind of like the firecracker mostly noise unless it goes off in your closed fist and you probably lose the hand.