Recent content by FrozenNorth

The problem isn’t that fantasy realistic doesn’t track actual reality. The problem is two-fold: 1. GMs that claim their actions are constrained by realism, when the broad nature of fantasy realism means that it isn’t a meaningful constraint on their actions; and 2. GMs that point to fantasy...

It was a movie, not an RPG, so the answer to the question depends on the assumptions you make on the scene. Could the party have pushed forward at higher risk but decided that cutting through the mine was safer? Could Gandalf who was also a powerful wizard and had the benefit of being present at...

1. Ask your contacts in the city’s underworld whether they have a contact in the guards who is bribeable. 2. Surveil the guard and create a dossier on them. Do they seem to have money troubles? 3. Physical observation of the guard. Does he seem to have bling on him that looks expensive on a...

We were all mediocre DMs once. When we started, and we didn’t know what we were doing, and our pacing was bad, etc. Those are the people who benefit from better or more clear rules. Those are the people who benefit from being reminded that compromise is at the heart of GMing.

But that is exactly why it is a poor example. If « Less than 1% of people are willing to suffer certain death for their beliefs » than it strains credulity to claim « random NPC is so opposed to alcohol that they would rather be tortured than quaff a drink ».

That is wrong. People dying for their beliefs is extremely rare. That is why it is notable when it happens.

Plato also believed the geocentrism model, that the sun and the moon and the stars rotated around it. The fact that an intelligent person believed something more than 2000 years ago isn’t evidence that it is true or remotely scientific.

I would have no problems with it, and would probably choose my race based on my choice of class, as in choose based on interesting narrative interactions between race as class.

For most campaigns, I won’t restrict races (except for flying races as difficult to balance around). In a themed campaign, I’ll limit races to a list (like a short list of Underdark races for an Underdark campaign). Even in a themed campaign, I would generally offer 6 or more races.

However, it is also something I’ve never personally seen « in the wild ». The worst I’ve seen with disaffected players is: 1. Trying to get themselves killed; 2. Just sort of tuning out; or 3. Cracking jokes and getting somewhat silly.

Definitely with respect to food, your taste buds are less sensitive, so it is definitely worth while to experiment. I find, even if I don’t like a system, I will often find a mechanic that is interesting enough that I can tweak into my game.

Or players that show up but aren’t really invested in the game.

Eh, I try to be charitable when possible. There are certain game experiences that are so bad that I would not tolerate them, but there are a lot of young DMs fumbling and making the same mistakes we did when we were their age. I definitely remember both my phase of « here’s 5 combat encounters...

I think your response is what makes @Micah Sweet’s post feel so disingenuous. It claims that GMs are burning out because of the demands of their players and the players’ unwillingness to compromise. Fact is: No GM is ever forced to run a game they don’t want.

Players playing heroic characters is very, very, very common in this hobby. I’m not sure it qualifies as a « curveball » for the DM. I honestly don’t think the DM even thought of it much. Definitely didn’t mention it in his pitch.