GM fiat - an illustration

[bloodtide]

You have no idea what you’re talking about. I run and play a variety of games, all of which can be very different. From 5e to Call of Cthulhu to Blades in the Dark to Stonetop to Spire to Mothership.

All of them function very differently, with varying levels of GM authority.

Thank you for making my point.

Sure, for you each official published game is different, and sure if you feel one way or another you play a specific game or two. And, sure, you might choose to play an Unlimited game where anything can happen.....but it does not seem like you'd choose to do so often. You do favor the other types of games, the ones where each game by itself is always the same. Every time you play "game Trolls and Trogs" it is exactly the same in tone and feel and everything else as the last game you played. Exactly like a board game. And sure you can change the fluff, but the game play never changes. The rules are the rules, after all.

But the characters don’t ask questions. In a mystery scenario.

Riiiight.

Characters can only ask questions in-game, as they are game characters. This is part of the role playing in my games.

 

[hawkeyefan]

Thank you for making my point.

Sure, for you each official published game is different, and sure if you feel one way or another you play a specific game or two. And, sure, you might choose to play an Unlimited game where anything can happen.....but it does not seem like you'd choose to do so often. You do favor the other types of games, the ones where each game by itself is always the same. Every time you play "game Trolls and Trogs" it is exactly the same in tone and feel and everything else as the last game you played. Exactly like a board game. And sure you can change the fluff, but the game play never changes. The rules are the rules, after all.

Unlimited game? What do you mean? You’ve described your games as pure railroads. That sounds pretty limited.

If you mean they have no end… then I’d be surprised to hear that because you’ve shared in the past how some of your games have imploded and ended. And how your fellow GM went away and you took over his game and promptly imploded that one, too.

Characters can only ask questions in-game, as they are game characters. This is part of the role playing in my games.

So then how is this different than the rule I shared from Stonetop?

 

[Manbearcat]

When some player asked "can my character walk across the room and close the door?", my answer will be a quick "no, as your not playing in this game anymore".

When a player says "my character will try and walk across the room and try to close the door", my answer will be "your character walks over and closes the door".

That second player didn’t specify that they are trying to respirate nor trying to blink to moisten their eyes!

Boot them the hell from the game! Bloodtide, you big softie! I expect more from you!

 

[bloodtide]

Unlimited game? What do you mean? You’ve described your games as pure railroads. That sounds pretty limited.

Unlimited as in anything can happen. As opposed to your limits.

If you mean they have no end… then I’d be surprised to hear that because you’ve shared in the past how some of your games have imploded and ended. And how your fellow GM went away and you took over his game and promptly imploded that one, too.

I do run a couple Forever Campaigns, but I guess you don't know much about this near forgotten play style.

I game hard and fast, so sure a lot of my games end in Blazes of Glory. But you can't play with fire without being burned sometimes.

So then how is this different than the rule I shared from Stonetop?

I need a reminder of the rule please....

 

[hawkeyefan]

Unlimited as in anything can happen. As opposed to your limits.

You said your games are railroads. You’ve also said that your players are free to have their characters try to do whatever they want.

So I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about.

I do run a couple Forever Campaigns, but I guess you don't know much about this near forgotten play style.

I suppose not!

I game hard and fast, so sure a lot of my games end in Blazes of Glory. But you can't play with fire without being burned sometimes.

Whoa that’s so cool!!!

I need a reminder of the rule please....

Scroll back.

 

[bloodtide]

You said your games are railroads. You’ve also said that your players are free to have their characters try to do whatever they want.

So I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about.

They can try whatever they want, on the Railroad.

I suppose not!

They are not so common any more.

Whoa that’s so cool!!!

Or hot!

Scroll back.

I tried. I rolled a 1 on my search check.

 

[hawkeyefan]

They can try whatever they want, on the Railroad

Sounds pretty limited if you ask me.

And what are they usually trying to do in your games? Is there a goal you’ve designed? One they’ve picked? Something else?

 

[Emerikol]

Which games allow you to do that, and which games don't?

While a DM who can technically do anything can allow narrative play in any ruleset there are games where it is front and center. Torchbearer is one I believe though I haven't played it. In D&D, it is not there by default. Players wouldn't pick up D&D and think narrative play is the default. That doesn't mean the DM cannot turn the dial and allow however much he wants in his game.

 

[Emerikol]

How about the Spire one from up thread? One a day a character has an ability that they can just say "hey I know a tavern/inn nearby with an owner I know" and 'pop', such a place must be added to the game world as per the rules.

How about games that have the "oh I remembered that rule" that let the players "remember" something they should have on their character but "forgot" to get or buy. So if like there character falls into a pit they can just say "oh good thing I was caring this 50 feet of rope the whole time" as they write down '50 rope' on their character sheet.

These are good examples of narrative play. The focus is not where my focus is at as a DM or my players. Remembering to bring rope is part of the skill of the game. I've had players preplan entire backpacks and then just keep that sheet for future reference. Prep is part of skill. If you can "conjure" without any penalty at will then that for me is a different sort of game.

I'm not saying it's not a fun game for a lot of people. Just not my cup of tea.

 

[bloodtide]

Sounds pretty limited if you ask me.

And what are they usually trying to do in your games? Is there a goal you’ve designed? One they’ve picked? Something else?

Have fun. And the goal is to have fun. And sure the players can 'pick' something....it does not matter to me.

These are good examples of narrative play. The focus is not where my focus is at as a DM or my players. Remembering to bring rope is part of the skill of the game. I've had players preplan entire backpacks and then just keep that sheet for future reference. Prep is part of skill. If you can "conjure" without any penalty at will then that for me is a different sort of game.

I'm not saying it's not a fun game for a lot of people. Just not my cup of tea.

I agree.