Search results

Not necessarily. One could fudge merely to narrow the range of possible outcomes to focus on the "more interesting" ones. One of the best ways to fudge is to simply not request a dice roll, even if the rules, strictly speaking, demand one for that particular situation. For example, I usually...

Do you automatically get access to the DDI archives/back issues when you subscribe?

EDIT: Getting back on topic... Anyone want to fill me in on how action points are supposed to work? I'm not familiar with the mechanic.

But the rules say that before you do X, remember that X is open to interpretation, revision, selective enforcement and the arbitrary whim of fate.

Ah, but remember that the rules of RPGs are subject to GM authority, interpretation, revision and selective implementation. We're not playing Monopoly or Risk here; there's a human decision making element in these games for a reason.

Well, even from the "Challenge Game" perspective (as opposed to the "Interactive Storytelling" one) it is occasionally necessary to fudge; it is part of the GM's job in that school of gaming to produce reasonable challenges. I'm more of an Interactive Storytelling type myself, but in the...

Nope; you can have gritty superheroics. It's more an issue of tone than it is of trappings.

Any reasonable GM will let you redo a character. If it's the same level (or point value, or XP, whatever) then there shouldn't be an issue.

Sure, if there was a particular handicap that was deemed uniquely interesting and colored the setting, why not include it? I mean, if you're going to go by straight population dynamics, then the only race that should be in the corebook is "Human" and the only class "Peasant." It is part of...

Well... 1. It wouldn't have been that infrequent in the world in question, with regular raids into human territory by Orcs. 2. Sizable numbers might occur after towns or villages or cities were overrun, even if "random raiding" was rare. It occurred after real conquests in history, and given...

Which is why you imply, and if you notice someone becoming uncomfortable, you drop it. Or not do it at all, which is the risk-free option and always a good idea.

Nah, it's not cheating. The GM is supposed to use his discretion with regard to the application and interpretation of game mechanics. It does tend to sap something from the game, in my opinion though. Especially if done too often or obviously.

As I recall there weren't supposed to be all that many half-orcs. Not enough to really have a society or culture.

It's not even about proof. You will almost certainly never meet someone whose been possessed by a demon; and if they claim such they should be seeking serious psychiatric help. Rape victims or people who know rape victims (in fact, anyone with more than five female friends will, statistically...

I don't personally, no. But I do find the idea pretty interesting- there's a lot to be had with characters who come from tragedy and don't really have a place in their society.

The one game I ever ran where rape came up had a female player in it. To my knowledge she was fine with it, insofar as her saying, "Yes, I'm fine with this" can be deemed accurate. You have to follow some guidelines, though: 1. It must handled with extreme respect. In my scenario it was never...

I don't think it is; I can see the logic. I was just saying that for those of us who do enjoy grim, human settings, it's almost a necessary background element of the race, barring exceptional circumstances. Of course I am offended and disgusted by it, but that doesn't stop me from reading...

Not that I would bring up the threat to a female player, but anyone using a more morally grey or dark setting is going to have to at least face the fact that it is an omnipresent truth of human history. In a more heroic high fantasy "Shining Heroes versus Ultimate Evil" sort of game, sure, it...

Why not just say that Orcs sometimes rape human women? (And, of course, that human men sometimes rape Orc women...) It made sense in terms of "fantasy genetics" and the necessary world-building, plus it provides some interesting avenues for character development. Honestly I don't see what was...

I don't want to work with mechanics. They're a necessary evil. I want to work with story and character- that is where I do my squeezing. Mechanics are there to add some uncertainty. I don't believe they are good for anything more than that.