This is a fun article, and the campaign on which it is based seems to have been similarly fun and well-constructed.
To amplify the words of bluegirl, I would caution GMs who have sensitive or inexperienced players not to interfere too much with party solidarity.
Personally, I have enjoyed giving the PCs various purposes that sometimes run contrary to each other. The problem is that it's a delicate balance; once PCs stop trusting each other, the party becomes a grim little group. I have yet to meet the person, good roleplayer or otherwise, who can wholly divide in-game antagonism from out-of-game relationships.
Also note that the "party infiltrator" tactic is much easier in some game settings than in others. In a world where mind-reading exists, spies must take extra precautions to maintain their identities. This necessity may force the GM to perform some credibility-straining maneuvers to keep an infiltrator in place.
I think this article is good for groups that know and trust each other, and that have developed a certain level of compacency. Used in that context, I think the idea of the party infiltrator is very appropriate indeed.
This is a fun article, and the campaign on which it is based seems to have been similarly fun and well-constructed.
To amplify the words of bluegirl, I would caution GMs who have sensitive or inexperienced players not to interfere too much with party solidarity.
Personally, I have enjoyed giving the PCs various purposes that sometimes run contrary to each other. The problem is that it's a delicate balance; once PCs stop trusting each other, the party becomes a grim little group. I have yet to meet the person, good roleplayer or otherwise, who can wholly divide in-game antagonism from out-of-game relationships.
Also note that the "party infiltrator" tactic is much easier in some game settings than in others. In a world where mind-reading exists, spies must take extra precautions to maintain their identities. This necessity may force the GM to perform some credibility-straining maneuvers to keep an infiltrator in place.
I think this article is good for groups that know and trust each other, and that have developed a certain level of compacency. Used in that context, I think the idea of the party infiltrator is very appropriate indeed.