Players reading DM-only material

Wolfspider · Mar 2, 2002

Recently in another thread I blew up about a group of players reading a thread that the DM had clearly marked as containing sensitive material, clearly warning his players away from it. This made me wonder about what the general policy was toward players reading such DM-only material, such as modules and Dungeon magazines.

Quickbeam · Mar 2, 2002

I encourage my players (when I'm DMing) to avoid reading sensitive campaign material when possible. However, our group rotates DM chores between three different people, so there is bound to be some overlap...which is where the trust comes into play.

Overall, the players IMC are pretty good about leaving personal knowledge out of the game itself. There are a few notable exceptions, but aren't there always

?!? In those instances, I make every effort to scrutinize whether the offending player's PC is acting as he/she would normally, or is being manipulated based on inside information.

Chronosome · Mar 2, 2002

I just give fair warning, a la
"Hey, guys...I bought the new Dungeon; stay away from it, OK?"

Mark · Mar 2, 2002

I'm ion the "Player's will do what they do" camp. It's hard to keep people from being curious. Most stuff is based on what happens in the game, but there are instances where the twist of a plot will be ruined by fore-knowledge. If a player does this insistantly and too often, they really ruin the game for everyone playing. At this point, it's just not likely anyone will invite them back to the table to ruin yet another night of gaming, especially when it's so tough to get a good group together and make the time for everyone to be there. *shrug*

drothgery · Mar 3, 2002

Same here, though until I started the d20 WoT message board game, I'd never used a published adventure. Adventures are the only thing where I might complain a bit if players read them, other than my personal notes.

I'd think it a great thing if players read more setting and background stuff. I don't use monster books other than the MM (unless the Player's Handbook counts). And I rally want players to be interested in making their characters better.

Darkness · Mar 3, 2002

Heh. A pity that this isn't a multiple-choice poll.

All of the following applies to me:

I encourage them not to read the materials and trust that they won't.

I make enough changes to published materials that they'll just screw themselves if they do read them.

Not in my campaign! *boot*

It's the first of these three, though.

King_Stannis · Mar 3, 2002

Darkness said:
Heh. A pity that this isn't a multiple-choice poll.

All of the following applies to me:

I encourage them not to read the materials and trust that they won't.

I make enough changes to published materials that they'll just screw themselves if they do read them.

Not in my campaign! *boot*

It's the first of these three, though.

that about sums up my views, too.

Wolfspider · Mar 3, 2002

Heh. This is my first poll, so it's a bit flawed. Next one will be better, I promise.

Thanks for the input.....

333 Dave · Mar 3, 2002

For me its "I never use published materials, so it doesn't apply to me.", but when I get around to publishing my own stuff (some of which will be in the territory of DM's notes, as a poster above mentioned), then it'll be "I encourage them not to read the materials and trust that they won't.". So I checked Other (in case you were wondering who checked Other...)

Trevalon Moonleirion · Mar 3, 2002

I voted other, but on second thought, I really should have put the "hard to monitor, so i trust them" one down...

I think it really spoils the fun for them if they find out stuff, so I'm not too paranoid about them reading stuff, especially since the one player of mine who is also a DM is the person who introduced me to the EN Boards (Fayredeth is his handle now I believe...used to be Fayredeth Meadowstar )and is a very mature and responsible guy. Hell, I've asked him privately in game on numerous occaisions about rules that would really give away a lot to the other players. He's a great sport about it.

My only peeve is players messing around with my DM Screen...makes me very angry and territorial.... LOL