tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post3173953802895125000..comments2023-10-14T03:58:59.333-06:00Comments on The Tao of D&D: Flexibility & the One DirectionAlexis Smolenskhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-44765142361306323092013-03-25T09:01:41.330-06:002013-03-25T09:01:41.330-06:00This observation, ESR, that you and others have ha...This observation, ESR, that you and others have had is probably the leading reason why so many DMs want to get rid of the thief class ... it offers too many opportunities for dicks to be dicks. As though the class were the reason and not the DM's style.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-2542212193687306252013-03-25T08:55:46.170-06:002013-03-25T08:55:46.170-06:00I have also had the experience that the players wh...I have also had the experience that the players who are dicks play (Chaotic Neutral) thieves/rogues...<br /><br />Funny, that.<br /><br />PS - none of them were named Dave, in or out of game. :-)Zrog (ESR)https://www.blogger.com/profile/09610162200721944106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-40728149849091027122013-03-16T09:56:49.590-06:002013-03-16T09:56:49.590-06:00Don't stress it Dave. Usually around here, th...Don't stress it Dave. Usually around here, the bad guy is Alexis.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-78547411643749852352013-03-16T09:29:50.405-06:002013-03-16T09:29:50.405-06:00I just don't know why the bad guy has to be &q...I just don't know why the bad guy has to be "Dave." I think I'll go out drinking tonight to drown my existential sorrows.<br /><br />Oh wait, I was gonna go out tonight anyway. Never mind.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10231423670489116607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-72181825797121752242013-03-15T07:23:25.269-06:002013-03-15T07:23:25.269-06:00In the original Player's Handbook, Gary Gygax ...In the original Player's Handbook, Gary Gygax gave advice that is still spot-on today: Players should try to come to the table with a plan. If you are arguing out the basics at the table, you are wasting your gaming time. That is not the fault of the person behind the screen.<br /><br />I have no problem if the party splits. I will run separate sessions. What I will not do, nor would expect anyone to do, is let one player "force" the session to be about him. <br /><br />You split off, fine. I will get to you as I deem appropriate. That might mean right now. That might be a long time later. <br /><br />There are times when it makes perfect sense for parties to calve like icebergs. If everyone has a stake in both groups, the odds are good I will let the players choose which to follow this session.<br /><br />The players get to choose where their interests lie. I get to choose how to deal with their choices. If anyone is unhappy with that, really, they should be doing something else with their time. Including me.ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-24313771378765938172013-03-14T16:59:17.766-06:002013-03-14T16:59:17.766-06:00This is the reason I stopped DMing. I didn't h...This is the reason I stopped DMing. I didn't have the courage to throw my friends out of the game one at a time until harmony returned.<br /><br />This is also the reason I've been reading your blog for so long. You give me something that I can't get anywhere else. Alexis, you give me insight.<br /><br />Carl-the-cryptic-soulOriginal_Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03521777462227997158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-28979803026613521562013-03-14T16:21:59.960-06:002013-03-14T16:21:59.960-06:00I've rarely had this happen to me, and I toler...I've rarely had this happen to me, and I tolerate it, to a point.<br /><br />Most recently, the mage and the cleric couldn't convince the fighter to follow them on a trail that led to certain death/adventure. The fighter was dead-set on walking the three hours to the nearest town, and did so.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the mage got herself murdered and the cleric was seriously wounded.<br /><br />Caught up with the fighter the next day, and there was hell to pay.joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12351926278188565029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-21773400399303422232013-03-14T15:49:34.284-06:002013-03-14T15:49:34.284-06:00You mention it's "always a guy"...ev...You mention it's "always a guy"...ever notice that guy is also often playing a Thief?<br /><br />And they're always a Thief that thinks they're going to somehow strike it rich by picking pockets or sneaking about into a gnoll tent. Sigh.<br /><br />I have very active players that are very motivated so often I have to shift focus between them so they can get their individual pursuits underway. This is, of course, different from your example in that it is a balancing act the players themselves are doing rather than the DM having to monitor the group.<br /><br />Most DMs have dealt with the "lone wolf" player who wants to go and Wolverine every situation they see. They're also usually the first to flip out and throw a fit when they get themselves killed or otherwise inconvenienced. Of course, the reason is because they're trying to play to their own ego rather than actually achieve in the game. It is an adolescent attitude that quite a few people never entirely grow out of.<br /><br />In my current group, though, I have found that in-character many times the players will be reluctant to necessarily go along with any single action...even if they might have the same actual goal in mind out of character. They just enjoy working to that point in-character...especially since it usually creates good quid pro quo for the characters. In general, I don't care how much they disagree in-character because it helps them work through their characters goals, pursuits and motives in a way that keeps those things in focus for them...and that is immensely useful for the game.<br /><br />So long as people can remain mature about everything and enjoy the interactions it's all good.YagamiFirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09280013813938686538noreply@blogger.com