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DM tips - what makes a good DM?
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<blockquote data-quote="Umbran" data-source="post: 4805422" data-attributes="member: 177"><p>How would I deal with it? I wouldn't. If the PCs don't want to investigate something, then they don't investigate it. Later on, as that thing they ignored develops, it may well come back to bite them on the butt. This goes especially in play-by-post, as the game goes so slowly. You don't have the problem of having a bunch of folks sitting at your dining room table with nothing to do if they don't grab your plot hook. You can have hours to come up with something else for them to do if they choose to pass on your offering.</p><p></p><p>Note that in the above scenario (as far as you've described it) the NPC seems to be there only to punt the PCs into the action. Otherwise the NPC is superfluous. So, do away with him. Instead, have the PCs <em>witness events</em> related to what you, the DM, have prepared. Players usually don't like being given orders, but they love to jump into the fray. </p><p></p><p>(If, for example, a Thieve's guild has stolen the Crown Jewels, you could have the local Duke call on the PCs to investigate. Or, you could have them blunder into the middle of another robbery - the thief they catch is a coward, and is willing to give them a hint that something bigger is up if the PCs let him escape with his life.)</p><p></p><p>Or, if you really must have an NPC involved, have it be one <em>weaker</em> than the PCs - someone seeking aid in something they cannot accomplish themselves. Allow them to choose to engage for their own reasons, rather than feel forced to do it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Umbran, post: 4805422, member: 177"] How would I deal with it? I wouldn't. If the PCs don't want to investigate something, then they don't investigate it. Later on, as that thing they ignored develops, it may well come back to bite them on the butt. This goes especially in play-by-post, as the game goes so slowly. You don't have the problem of having a bunch of folks sitting at your dining room table with nothing to do if they don't grab your plot hook. You can have hours to come up with something else for them to do if they choose to pass on your offering. Note that in the above scenario (as far as you've described it) the NPC seems to be there only to punt the PCs into the action. Otherwise the NPC is superfluous. So, do away with him. Instead, have the PCs [i]witness events[/i] related to what you, the DM, have prepared. Players usually don't like being given orders, but they love to jump into the fray. (If, for example, a Thieve's guild has stolen the Crown Jewels, you could have the local Duke call on the PCs to investigate. Or, you could have them blunder into the middle of another robbery - the thief they catch is a coward, and is willing to give them a hint that something bigger is up if the PCs let him escape with his life.) Or, if you really must have an NPC involved, have it be one [I]weaker[/I] than the PCs - someone seeking aid in something they cannot accomplish themselves. Allow them to choose to engage for their own reasons, rather than feel forced to do it. [/QUOTE]
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