Unusual Player Requests

"Can I have a pet Hell Hound?"

D&D offers us freedoms that video games cannot. When players realize that the only true limit is their own imagination, you may find yourself having to deal with unusual requests--things not explicitly covered by the rules. As DMs, our initial reaction tends to be to answer "no," but there's generally a solution that makes all parties happy.

Unusual requests can be grouped into three categories: Appearance, Accessories, and Actions.

 

Appearance

"Can I have chalk-white skin and look like a demon?"

"Can I have a third eye on my forehead?"

"Can I have wings?"

Players who love character customization can come up with all manner of unusual requests. As long as the request is purely aesthetic, and the player can give a satisfactory explanation for why his character has a third eye or looks like a demon, then let him have it.

Be careful, though. Explain that you are allowing this request under the condition that it will not grant any type of in-game benefit. If your player wants wings, then they'll have to be vestigial wings--aesthetic and non-functional.

 

Accessories

"Can I make a necklace out of the skulls of the monsters I kill?"

"Can I have a bow made of elephant tusks?"

"Can I have a pet Hell Hound?"

Players who pore through fantasy art galleries or game concept artwork will be inspired by the images of crystal swords, dragon mounts, and grim trophies. Again, as long as the intent is not to gain an in-game advantage, such as by selling the accessory for coin, improving combat performance, or rendering gear immune to spell-effects that target specific materials, then allowing it shouldn't be a problem.

What about a pet Hell Hound? Unless you're prepared to deal with sourcebook rules on animal companions and exotic mounts, a fair compromise to a request for a monstrous pet would be to make the pet an infant or baby--something too young to provide aid in combat.

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