Alright guys…I have to bring a point up and get some perspectives. It seems that every time I take the Hoarian Temple quest, I always travel with a group of adventurers that fight savagely all the way to the hole…then decide “Erm…time to turn around.” “Our contract has been fulfilled, let's pull out.” “We are not strong enough for that”. This drives me nuts.

I can understand for most chaotic neutral or evil characters to pull back at that point, but I have seen LG paladins do it without at least sticking their head inside the hole and spotting the first zombie. I think almost 90% of characters know what lies ahead, and that is what makes them turn around. Hence…metagamming. What are your thoughts?

One final comment...I know that further inside of that hole is very dangerous, so I give some lead way. But I would think for most good characters to fight until their enchantments start to fade, monsters swell in numbers etc., before turning around.

As a player, its not your responsibility to comment to them ooc about their choices. If a paladin is breaking his oath, a dm will eventually catch him and make the adjustment if one is called for. If you're worried someone is metagaming, Id say give them the benefit of the doubt. Lets also keep in mind that roleplaying is something that is learned, and we all have to start somewhere.

If your character has a problem with what he sees as cowardice, then definately use in character methods to address the situation. If they haven't looked inside the hole, and announce "We must turn back, we're not strong enough for this," ask them in character what the hell they're talking about.

If you don't like the playstyle of certain people, its perfectly acceptable to find new friends to play with. Everyone has their own reasons for why they enjoy the game. This is one reason I don't generally like creating random parties of strangers to quest with.

I feel very strongly about this as well but Brok when he hears the leader say..."lets turn back". He isn't one to argue...he is not intelligent and he is a follower not a leader so...he follows the crowd.

Most parties are just not prepared to handle the interior of that hole. You are also getting spammed with messages like: "YOU FEEL A MASSIVE CHILL AND WANT TO FLEE," when you do enter. Ultimately, not going down can simply be explained by the fact that the party knows it isn't prepared to face more undead. Leaving the hole can be explained by the cold premonitions that you face in it.

Bottom line, people very rarely do a quest with a party completely unsuited to succeed at it. This is simply an extension of that practice, and you shouldn't really berate people for it. No one wants to die attempting a quest area that they have zero chance of succeeding in. Is metagaming involved? Tacitly, perhaps, but I really don't think it's any different than the implicit metagaming that takes place on any other quest. You do not need to enter the hole to compete the quest for a reason. The Temple of Hoar has been plagued by, and will continue to be plagued by, undead for all recent history. For the purpose of the quest, stopping the immediate threat is enough. Would a character try to go further? Maybe. But no character is forced to-even a lawful good paladin doesn't have a mandate to commit suicide if he knows he can't hack any more undead after that battle with the boss.

In short, it just seems silly to get upset about this. That area is very hard, and a lot of parties cannot handle the very hard quests. Until the DMs change the quest design so that you have to enter the hole in order to complete the quest, I assume the current common practice in regards to it is perfectly acceptable. If you do go the extra mile, maybe you'll get rewarded one day. If you don't, no big deal.

Yeah you'll get a reward like Leon Belmont did ;)

And that my friends, is the kind of wisdom only a true disciple of FF8 can provide.

WM summed it up quite well.