D&D General Styles of Roleplaying and Characters

[Bill Zebub]

It seems to me that sometimes, by control, you mean something like being free to declare actions for my PC (eg "in control of what my PC does, how they act". And I agree that getting temp hp doesn't affect that.

But I don't see how it doesn't affect what your PC thinks and feels. If nothing about your PC's mental state has changed, where do the temp hp come from?

For the record, even though Inspirational Leader doesn't impel or limit any action declarations, I still see that feat as philosophically problematic. Sure, when somebody uses it I take the temp HP and keep my mouth shut, but I'm also thinking that I don't like the implication that my character automatically finds this other character inspiring. I'd much rather it be along the lines of, say, a song, and any character who joins in the song gets the benefit. That way I'm making a decision for my character.

I never take that particular feat, even when it might otherwise make sense for my character.

 

[Aldarc]

For the record, even though Inspirational Leader doesn't dictate any actions/beliefs, I still see that feat as crossing the line. Sure, when somebody uses it I take the temp HP and keep my mouth shut, but I'm also thinking that I don't like the implication that my character automatically finds this other character inspiring. I'd much rather it be along the lines of, say, a song, and any character who joins in the song gets the benefit. That way I'm making a decision for my character.

Here you go, @Swarmkeeper. I told you that these people exist.

Edit: So why can't you consider the effects of that feat "Background Magic," to borrow the much earlier snippets that @Oofta found from Jeremy Crawford?

 

[pemerton]

...but MAGIC!

To explain my sad face: you were ninja'd by @Hussar!

 

[Bill Zebub]

Edit: So why can't you consider the effects of that feat "Background Magic," to borrow the much earlier snippets that @Oofta found from Jeremy Crawford?

I missed those snippets. If it were a really important issue I might worry about how to justify/explain it. As it is, it's just one of those outliers that I don't really like, but I don't let it spoil the game.

 

[pemerton]

He was stubborn? He left and then changed his mind over Leia? It's not hard to come up with a very reasonable explanation.

Okay. I was responding to a post which seemed to imply that a change of mind constituted a redefinition of a character. Apparently you don't agree with that other post on this point?

 

[pemerton]

I don't think anyone is arguing that supernatural effects can't affect character thoughts and emotions.

I'm arguing that Gandalf is not using a supernatural effect. That's a misreading of JRRT, in my view - actually quite a deep one.

EDIT to make this slightly less gnomic: Gandalf is not Saruman. That's one of the central motifs of LotR, and thematically quite fundamental.

 

[Bill Zebub]

I'm arguing that Gandalf is not using a supernatural effect. That's a misreading of JRRT, in my view - actually quite a deep one.

EDIT to make this slightly less gnomic: Gandalf is not Saruman. That's one of the central motifs of LotR, and thematically quite fundamental.

Excellent point! And to extrapolate...

RPGs that dictate player emotions are designed inspired by Saruman.

RPGs that let players determine their own emotions are designed inspired by Gandalf.

 

[chaochou]

Excellent point! And to extrapolate...

RPGs that dictate player emotions are designed by Saruman.

RPGs that let players determine their own emotions are designed by Gandalf.

You seriously believe this gibberish?

 

[Aldarc]

I missed those snippets. If it were a really important issue I might worry about how to justify/explain it. As it is, it's just one of those outliers that I don't really like, but I don't let it spoil the game.

Snippets here.

I'm not sure how you missed it. It was part of the discussion on Frightening Presence in 3e. It's talking about whether a dragon's breath weapon is "magical" in 5e. You even liked the post above it where it was first mentioned, and you posted after me responding to it.

The principle of "background magic" could easily extend to satisfy a number of your other aesthetic preferences.

Excellent point! And to extrapolate...

RPGs that dictate player emotions are designed inspired by Saruman.

RPGs that let players determine their own emotions are designed inspired by Gandalf.

That's some pretty wild cognitive bias in that reading of LotR and RPGs. Wait. Let me try.

RPGs that dictate player emotions are okay if it's magic are inspired by Saruman.

RPGs that influence player emotions without magic are inspired by Gandalf.

 

[Bill Zebub]

You seriously believe this gibberish?

Absolutely. Gandalf and Saruman are real people, and all RPGs are designed by one or the other of them. All the other supposed "authors" have either been mind controlled or persuaded (as appropriate) to take credit.

Next question....?