tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post3225457563006970640..comments2023-10-14T03:58:59.333-06:00Comments on The Tao of D&D: Splitting the PartyAlexis Smolenskhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-56924170214975844602014-03-17T15:20:17.771-06:002014-03-17T15:20:17.771-06:00I take the position that more party splits occur d...I take the position that more party splits occur due to the behaviour of the DM than the players. I believe that IF the DM has the right attitude towards play, and towards presentation, then there is far less motivation for party splits to occur, and an easier means towards mending them again. Differing opinions will not drive people apart; but differing opinions, which are then counterbalanced by a DM with personally derived motivations in the campaign, WILL prove impossible to mend.<br /><br />Do remember that the above has a context that is not included. But I am learning a great deal from the comments today on how to wax a bit more on the subject.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-88358970192191347212014-03-17T14:38:05.119-06:002014-03-17T14:38:05.119-06:00This in a sideways manner DOES talk about in-game ...This in a sideways manner DOES talk about in-game party splits.<br /><br />After all, why would they have a chance to occur except that members find themselves too inflated or deflated to the point of revolt?<br /><br />If I value my companions as much as myself, would I not consider their opinions equally? Would I not be reasonable and come to a reasonable solution?<br /><br />Admittedly there is such thing as an intentional split. But the successful ones likely have "pre-determined" goals of meeting up again.Oddbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12091924105175846386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-87626936550317556762014-03-17T11:12:54.513-06:002014-03-17T11:12:54.513-06:00A few things I'm appreciating from these "...A few things I'm appreciating from these "How to Run" posts:<br /><br />1) A DM's charisma, or power of personality, which is often thought of as an important positive contributor to game success, is repeatedly highlighted as not just having a potential dark side, but possibly being an inherently flawed basis on which to manage a game. The idea of non-charismatic individuals making superior DMs is intriguing.<br /><br />2) It's good that you describe these problem DM behaviors in the first person. I know you want to make this a book of positive advice, not just a taxonomy of role-playing pricks, and using first person really helps with this. It also brings you as a person with experience in the game more forcibly into the text. These chapters come across as lessons learned through experience in the field.<br /><br />3) The bait-and-switch nature of some of these chapter titles, and the book title as well, is a good thing, maybe something to emphasize even more if you're still considering reworking the subtitle. If the intent of the book is to show the reader that the things they've been focusing on--new rules, new plot hooks, etc.--are not the things that make for a truly excellent game, then the disarming uses of "splitting the party" and "advanced guide" are useful. Putting in even more of this stuff can add a type of humor that reinforces the theme, which the mock-hyperbole of your alternate title did not.Silbermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03634048670337733047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-16645016156085693212014-03-17T10:44:14.297-06:002014-03-17T10:44:14.297-06:00Ozymandias,
I had intended the core rule point t...Ozymandias, <br /><br />I had intended the core rule point to be merely an example. Yes, there are many situations in which it can arise. I will adjust the wording in the final document to fix the misunderstanding.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-51096075040503692882014-03-17T10:27:15.834-06:002014-03-17T10:27:15.834-06:00I've experienced a similar dynamic but not in ...I've experienced a similar dynamic but not in relation to rules adjudication. I played in a group where the DM had a core set of friends who always went along with whatever 'plot' he had concocted for us. When he presented a new story, they followed and were glad to do so. When anyone resisted the railroad, he would lean on his supporters and influence their decisions in his favor. In this way, he was able to keep the game "on task," as it were, and follow the story he had written. Those who supported him had their choice validated with greater attention/rewards from the DM while the others felt like they were along for the ride.<br /><br />The dynamic you've described isn't restricted to core rules. It can potentially apply in any instance where there is a disagreement between the DM and any player, so long as the DM has players who are willing to support him.Ozymandiashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01065642299277380465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-34842101855927884992014-03-17T10:04:14.176-06:002014-03-17T10:04:14.176-06:00Ah. Well, that makes sense then.Ah. Well, that makes sense then.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-68013905667399731512014-03-17T09:40:50.012-06:002014-03-17T09:40:50.012-06:00If I can put words in Scarbrow's mouth for a m...If I can put words in Scarbrow's mouth for a moment, I will assume that he was expecting the sort of "splitting the party" advice that you get in normal RPG discourse. The sort of "Well, some players will feel left out if their characters go different ways. Make sure everyone gets some spotlight time. Try to encourage players to have their characters cooperate so that you don't have to run too many threads at once."<br /><br />I know that I was expecting that from the title. I wondered why you would be covering something so mundane and well travelled. I thought maybe you had some different insight to the issue. Instead you tackled a much more important issue.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17939309042792833333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-2292094360870703692014-03-17T09:20:20.988-06:002014-03-17T09:20:20.988-06:00I'd say, confounded by thinking that you'd...I'd say, confounded by thinking that you'd write about the in-game splitting of the party of characters, location-wise, and reading an inquisitive morcel about the splitting of the party of players, socially speaking (not sure if it's the correct way of saying that).<br /><br />Anyway, that's a very interesting post, a warning sign for every DM and "faithful" players alike.<br /><br />We must always try to avoid using this kind of "power" unless really necessary, only the smallest amount needed, and refrain from misuse.<br /><br />Logical, really but we do not always sense when that happen.<br /><br />And now I'm wondering how much bullying and misuse I've seen and done without my conscious knowledge ...Vlad malkavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14287760654547816927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-1061514609419563782014-03-17T08:42:23.054-06:002014-03-17T08:42:23.054-06:00Call me baffled ... how confounded?Call me baffled ... how confounded?Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-69028627379439707652014-03-17T08:20:29.578-06:002014-03-17T08:20:29.578-06:00Wow... I, for one, was completely confounded by th...Wow... I, for one, was completely confounded by that title. <br /><br />Still wanting your book to be completed, so I can plunge into larval stage and devour it. Scarbrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354844943665937610noreply@blogger.com