A Player's Thoughts On Dm Events And Interaction

[*cryptc]

So far the most amusing thing I've seen was when one of my PC guards got alerted when there came goblins out of a goblin cave. <,< It's like it was something unheard of!... now maybe if they had actually attacked somewhere or done something else than just come out of the cave it might've been worth noting :P

Haha, I think this was something I DM'ed on TFR... just playing around in toolset, making a couple of goblin casters that did hit and run tactics, and finally attacking a few players outside the goblin cave... and I was as flabbergasted about their shock of goblin attacks as you :P "omg goblins here?? near the goblin caves?? omg!!1one"

[*Minotaurs88]

As much as I'd love to give my full hearted opinion upon this matter. I'm just going to have to say, Yes Locke. Yes Snynster. I agree with you both. Considering you guys have both said what I feel, deep down in my heart of hearts. Plus I'm just waking up...

[*Lemonade]

See item #1:





Honestly. Most DMs have a very loose plan when they start something they hope to be a "long term" campaign. Any attempt to strictly plan anything will swiftly be met with player sabotage and invention.

You really do change what happens.

[*Spiegel1]

I read that last post just after I finished reading DM Of The Rings. I guess it must be true though i've never played DND.

[*Swiftbow]

Still, having DMed, it can be rather frustrating when you've mapped out a whole dungeon, and the players decide to go three towns to the west instead...

[*Ceremorph]

Absolutely true. Railroading never works when sitting around a table... and even less so in NWN2. Things are going to happen that you're not prepared for... which means that as much of DMing is making changes on the fly as it is meticulous preparation.

But... to go back to a few of the mentioned points in this thread.

Yes, there are always options. One of my favorite things as a DM is to see peopel find interesting ways of getting around a problem; yes, sometimes there will be an instance of "ONLY this thing will work", but if that's the case it's going to be pretty obvious from me. And I can also guarantee that taking the "I'm epic, so I'm just going to start destroying anything that may be an enemy" may quickly lead me to hit the "Immortal" button on that enemy and start boosting it, just to see if said player will ever be willing to back down. If not... well, welcome to the mortuary.

And YES, the "oooh, I bet something bad is about to happen so I'm going to start buffing now" is definitely a pet peeve of mine, especially if it's being done while I'm typing a big chunk of expository text. The same also applies to moving your character into posiiton for combat (preparing to flank the big bad, dropping into HIPS, swapping out your robe for full plate, etc.). But once again, I'd like to remind people that there is a button I can press to force your character to rest... as well as a "freeze 10 seconds" button. If something is being thrown at you without giving you a chance to buff, there's probably a reason behind it. I only speak for myself here, but I do not run "tournaments" when I'm DMing. There is no bonus for "winning". I'm never going to try to force a TPK (at least not unless there's an actual story reason for it and the RP will continue beyond the grave), so it's up to you guys as players to realize that all you're doing in this instance is making yourselves look bad, both to the DM running your quest, and to the other players you're questing with.

Now, I don't want to leave this sounding like "ooh, Ceremorph is really angry at the players!" To tell the truth, most of these activities are rather rare, and I've spoken to the few people who have done these sorts of things. Just felt it worth the while to mention it here, primarily for the benefit of new players.

And Syn... well said.

[*Product of Void]

People showboating for dms is common as dirt, just as you can only make death as meaningful as players want.

I prefer to treat the dustmen as a OOC thing, never happened or someone found you unconscious. I typically see it as being ran off or overran. Making death a serious and fearful matter.

Just as wounds or injuries. Sadly magic or clerics make such things a minor incoveince.

Jim "hey bill feel like going to kill some trolls?"
Bill "Naw my arm is still growing back, also saving up for a hair growth spell got a date thursday".

I have had some terrible Dm experiences over they years.

That was else were, here I have been in roughly 4-5 events. Some I opted out due to RL time. They have been unique and enjoyable.

How to modify how people are? To change others you must first change yourself. Lead by example.

If I want others to stay in character I must stay in character, using tells to say ooc things. If I want others to take death seriously I must have my character take it seriously and discuss matters ooc if they have questions. If I find rp I do not like I need to inform others ooc or remove myself form it.

That being said I prefer a little realism with my insane dose of fantasy. In escaping reality death of a character should be escapable yet have effects. Let the fun continue as well as characters enjoyed.

I have one character that is rped as having died 3 times, lost parts and had them replaced. Others have made light of his problems due to divine abilities. though being athar means he sought all his solutions via arcane. Painful, scaring solutions.

Dms might reward with items, xp, or gold. Knowing the hi

as for orginal post.

We might have expectations of how a character or class might react. Expect this to be broken or shattered by others allow people to play as they wish and see the reasoning over time. Ask questions of it instead of telling them how. By questions eventually they might question it themselves and change. Or maybe not. Push and people push back, pull and they are drawn into new ideas.

I often have to correct players assuming shiv is under the effects of a Nightsheild spell. I correct them ooc with it is modified spell rp wise. Just as when I has shiv wearing his simon outfit someone said his voice was the same. Impossible its a faked accent, again corrected ooc. these are expected things to happen that you deal with on case by case.

[*Minotaurs88]

Alright to be honest, I'm actually looking forward to more DM activity. Considering for the past month or so I've only been involved with.....maybe one. I would like for the rp to be drawn away from the main hub points. If possible. While I think plots can be changed due to character actions. I also think if the character shouldn't be allowed to just "run it".

Death is a big deal for me. My characters generally over react to it. Dave not so much, seeing as he's dealt with it more. I think it should be something feared by most with acceptions. However, when you've got a server full of those "acceptions" it gets boring. *cough cough* The Frozen Ring. *eyes narrow*This server is doing really well, there will always be bad apples and such. Anyway...my input...is verging on bad stuff so. G'day.

[*jasonpauldegraaf]

A few random thoughts in response to this thread:

First, I've seen a lot more interaction on the server lately by DM's. *applause* A lot of people don't realize how frustrating their job can be, and how easily a sloppy, undisciplined PC can make an event pretty miserable. Although it took a long time to see my first DM interaction (I think Amycus was almost level 20), it was an excellent little event (though I drove DM Raziel nuts with me being rather clueless that night. Sorry, yo!).

Personally, I love it when DM's interrupt a party's exploring/hunting party with a minor interaction, even if it's something simple. It slows the party down, brings them together, makes everyone feel like part of the server and that DM's are paying attention.

In regard to building, I love that this server let's you build what you want and even make-up races, so to speak. There's a limitlessness and freedom that I truly do enjoy. It gives people the option of playing what they truly love, which is my RPing motto.

I also love the balance of the server. I love RPing, but I also love to explore, hunt, and wheel-and-deal for items. SCoD's let's me do all that. When I'm in the mood to grind, I burn through areas. When I'm in the mood to trade, I hustle. When I'm in the mood to RP, there are plenty of good RPer's around. There's a sweet balance here that I really do appreciate. A player has the freedom to focus on whatever he or she wants, which is awesome.

[*TheFrozenWind]

I'd like to see more in character trolls.