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You: I want to be able to fly! Me (GM): And I want to accommodate you. I'll see what I can do next session. Next Session: Skyrim Space Program - Liftoff - YouTube

You realize comparing the player's portrayal against the character sheet *is* metagaming, right?

Can we coin a new phrase? "Mother, may I roll to think of this?"

Campsites in the dungeon? You mean like Final Fantasy?

“When a [module] and a head collide and there is a hollow sound, is that always in the [module]?”

So what do you, as DM, do about it? How to you regulate his behavior in this respect? What is the practical, at the table, in-game adjudication you apply in Dave's case? Have it interact as the rules indicate, since there are rules for how his alignment interacts with that spell.

That's why I don't believe in 'backgrounds' for beginning level characters. Your character's background will be the story you forge at the table, in-game. When you are 10th level looking back over your exploits, that's your background.

How can your character really be anything other than how you have it act in-game? The dissonance you describe seems like objecting that the player is deviating from a script of some kind. You have repeatedly mentioned 'immersion' as something valued at your table: why are the players acting on...

Man too is a social animal. :p

The low Cha character still faces mechanical drawbacks, such as limited number of henchmen (in legacy D&D), or negative modifiers to Will-based saves (like in Castles & Crusades), negative initial reaction rolls, etc. There are plenty of mechanical effects that mental and social attributes can...

*raises hand*

I don't think you quite see what I'm saying here. Flip your attitude for a moment, pretend you were a gamer who had no problem using player knowledge for your and your party's benefit. As the DM, how do I stop you from doing so? What is the practical application of my refereeing your play at the...

Feel free to assemble the chemical components. I'll let you know what the result is. [physics may not be what you think they are in my fantasy universe] Feel free to pull upon any player experience you have at my table. I would expect an experienced D&D'er to have such knowledge. At the same...

The agreement you reached is an example of how a role-playing game is a social activity (as I've opined in other threads recently). A type of 'social contract' is formed about certain activities, strategies, and tactics to make the overall game better. Sometimes it takes the form of a type of...

If we're talking about the 'codification of rules' (or systemization) particularly the expectations of 'complex-tactical combat' in the D&D context, being that it grew out of a war game (as you noted), why then was the first version of the game the *least* complex and most open in rules...

DM adjudication is the rule itself.

What is commonly called 'metagaming' in RPGs is really just 'gaming.' Otherwise, the game-form requires a type of double-think that is impossible to regulate fairly. The only 'metagaming' (using information or abilities from 'outside the game') that is cheating is when players peek at the DM's...

If this is true, then LARPs are not actually role-playing games.

In instances where this is true for a LARP, it is my firm opinion that the game is no longer a role-playing game when physical characteristics impact success. It becomes more a sport.

A role-playing game is a mental and social activity, so those attributes of the players are "tested" by the game. It is wholly appropriate for players with prowess in those areas to use them to succeed, even if their character is less smart or charismatic then they are. Charisma and Intelligence...