D&D General Fighting Law and Order

[bloodtide]

Gotta say, the OP and further comments by the OP are really odd to me.

Well, I'm a Rebel.

The OP set up a railroad that somehow went sideways.

Well, the other DM set everything up...I'm just following the notes.

But rather than own up and discuss with the players the best way to proceed, he wants to further railroad them to the path that HE ASSUMES is the most fun for them (which incidentally is NOT what at least one of them TOLD him they were having fun doing).

Yea, as I said, I don't do the "talky thing".

Seems like completely ignoring player AND character input at this point - not sure how that can be fun for the table.

Ignoring character input? Do your characters in your game talk to you? I find that a bit odd....

And if 50% of the group has a bad experience, what's the attrition rate over the next 5 games? 50% of the groups in the first round have a bad experience. 50% of the remainder have a bad experience the next time--meaning 75% of the total, assuming people are even willing to come back. After just those 5 games, 97% of players will have had a "horror DM experience" somewhere along the way.

Not sure how your math works.

Turns out, being cavalier about how your players respond...has consequences!

Or better yet, a set outcome.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Yea, as I said, I don't do the "talky thing".

They already did the talky thing for you. Now it's on you to do the 'listen-y thing'.

 

[Professor Murder]

I know my answer. You're not looking at it from a narrative standpoint. You're looking at it from a simulationist standpoint.

If the stated goal is simulation, then can you actually object to any choices the players make?

 

[Oofta]

If the stated goal is simulation, then can you actually object to any choices the players make?

Speaking for myself I never object to what choices the players make. However, since I don't want to run a game for evil PCs, if someone crosses the line that PC becomes an NPC. All evil character are belong to me.

 

[dave2008]

Speaking for myself I never object to what choices the players make. However, since I don't want to run a game for evil PCs, if someone crosses the line that PC becomes an NPC. All evil character are belong to me.

Isn't that objecting to a choice a player made?

 

[Oofta]

Isn't that objecting to a choice a player made?

The PC did whatever the PC did, I'm not going to stop them. On the other hand, I won't enjoy a game with evil characters as a DM or player. Been there, done that, don't want to do it again. I have to enjoy the game too.

Players are always free to find a different group and DM if they really want to play evil PCs. I've had exactly one player leave because they really wanted to play an evil PC in all my decades of running games. I explain all of this when I ask players to join.

 

[hawkeyefan]

I know my answer. You're not looking at it from a narrative standpoint. You're looking at it from a simulationist standpoint.

I mean, how did the mysterious stranger get into the jail? He must have had some means. Why would he not use the same means to get out with the PCs?

Any number of things could be simulated that would avoid the chance for the PCs to have to fight their way out.

 

[Redwizard007]

It's not more common.

Well, actually...

Normal human beings don't go around randomly murdering people, outside of serial killers and the like, who are also generally utterly mentally unwell.

Crusader says what?

If you're playing some dude who murders other human beings over petty insults or whatnot or trivial matters then:

1) You're almost certainly NOT playing an actual realistic character, and
2) Who in their right mind would want to hang around with you (i.e the other players characters?)

Norsemen going a viking, Spanish explorers in the New World, sugar plantation owners, Wyatt Erp...

If you were to witness me hack some poor woman to death with a hatchet, over a few copper pieces, would you be comfortable heading out on an expedition in the wilderness with me? Or would you (like any sensible person) be utterly horrified and want nothing to do with me?

Honestly, this just sounds like stuff that happened in Europe and the Americas over and over again.

I mean come on. Lets talk actual people here.

When it happens in game, it's invariably some pimply faced angsty kid venting and being a jerk. It's almost never a genuine attempt to play an actual character. It's almost always poor form for the other players (unless they're all happening to also be playing serial killers as well for some reason) as it puts them in an ethical bind.

Probably, but its not your game, man. Just say you won't play with them again and move on.

For mine, If I saw someone murderhobo, Im calling the authorities and having nothing more to do with that person.

In modern society, that makes perfect sense. I'd probably do the same

 

[Micah Sweet]

If the stated goal is simulation, then can you actually object to any choices the players make?

Not really, no. Why do you ask?

 

[pemerton]

Speaking for myself I never object to what choices the players make. However, since I don't want to run a game for evil PCs, if someone crosses the line that PC becomes an NPC. All evil character are belong to me.

It appears to me that the second two sentences here contradict the first.