D&D General The Monsters Know What They're Doing ... Are Unsure on 5e24

[AlViking]

@Remathilis posted this, and since @AlViking rejected it and considered this not compromise then it really is uncompromisable.

The answer boiled downto "DM capitulates an allow a new species. Here's how." That's not compromise, that's telling the DM what to do.

 

[GobHag]

So what does compromise look like?

My attempt was fairly straightforward. Get the cultural feel and mannerisms of a tortle, the physical benefits of a tortle's shell. The character's species is still from the curated list but has the feel and characteristics of a tortle. People might think they're a bit odd. Heck, I think it's a bit odd and I'm going to have to put some thought into what it means and how to handle it. But there was no need for me to add a new species.

Now, I'm not saying it's a perfect solution, but that's where conversations and compromises start. It doesn't start with "I must get everything I want 100%".

What else could a compromise look like if that's not it?

Are these not compromises?

So here is the funny thing. IF you okayed my (lets say) Hermit Tortle Druid, I'll give you all that info. I'll work around in your setting to make that character fit. Maybe he was awakened by a druid ritual and the spell mutated him to a more humanoid shape? Maybe I'm one of the last of a weird offshoot of lizardfolk. Maybe a mad alchemist dropped a cannister of mutagen on me. I'm usually cool with making him fit because you worked we me on letting me play the character I wanted.

 

[Belen]

I mean, the real thing you can do is make sure to mention in online discussions that cosmopolitanism and inclusion of fantasy tropes should be the default in D&D and D&D-like games, and that the idea of defining settings via strict species curation is an outdated and moldy approach.

And you can make sure to take a similar approach in RL games that you play and DM.

So kitchen sink is only style allowed.

 

[GobHag]

The answer boiled downto "DM capitulates an allow a new species. Here's how." That's not compromise, that's telling the DM what to do.

If you don't consider those compromises then there's really nothing to discuss

tl;dr 'Wehweh I don't wanna see a green dude as a hero in my brain theater wehweh'

 

[Dire Bare]

Of course there is, but that wasn't the question. The scenario was:

1. The player will only play a tortle
2. The DM will not allow tortles

I can see no way to compromise those two stances.

Okay, no compromise between two extreme positions no one is actually arguing for. I guess you're right. But I'm still a bit confused.

 

[Dire Bare]

There are people here saying the DM should fully capitulate to anything the players wants to create for his PC.

No, there really isn't.

 

[TwoSix]

I'm all for trying to work out a compromise, but why does the DMs fun have to take a back seat?

Because as a DM, you shouldn’t be having fun by excluding things. Like, just don’t be that guy.

Here’s a fun magic trick. You can exclude dozens of races if none of your players pick them. Just don’t use them as NPCs! No one else even needs to know!

 

[TwoSix]

So kitchen sink is only style allowed.

It’s the only style we should be encouraging. “Allowed” is a meaningless descriptor, who would have authority to enforce that?

But yes, if you’re trying to make a LOTR-style setting while using D&D as your system, you definitely failed to understand the assignment.

 

[SableWyvern]

Because as a DM, you shouldn’t be having fun by excluding things. Like, just don’t be that guy.

Here’s a fun magic trick. You can exclude dozens of races if none of your players pick them. Just don’t use them as NPCs! No one else even needs to know!

If you honestly believe that it is the act of excluding itself that creates fun for the GM, it's understandable that people are talking past each other.

 

[SableWyvern]

It’s the only style we should be encouraging. “Allowed” is a meaningless descriptor, who would have authority to enforce that?

But yes, if you’re trying to make a LOTR-style setting while using D&D as your system, you definitely failed to understand the assignment.

I encourage people to play and run the games they find fun. I absolutely deny that we, or anyone, should be encouraging the wider hobby to adopt and approve of a single style above others.