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<blockquote data-quote="Celebrim" data-source="post: 6342370" data-attributes="member: 4937">I agree, but others find that line to be tyranny.&nbsp;&nbsp; And at some point, the DM could assert so much control over the PC's origins/personality/backstories/etc. that player is giving up significant agency.&nbsp;&nbsp; At some point, I'd rebel against DM misuse of his authority over the setting and say, &quot;You are going to far.&quot;I don't think you are going to find anyone that believes the DM has that right in the general case.&nbsp; The only exceptions to the general understanding that the DM doesn't play the character are going to be over things like possession, mind control, and so forth.&nbsp;&nbsp; Then the argument is going to be over how often that can happen before it constitutes DM abuse.&nbsp; That is going to depend in my experience on the player.&nbsp; I have one player at my current table that readily accepts loss of agency in return for power.&nbsp; I haven't found a real limit on what amount of freedom he'll give away in order to get mechanical rewards yet.&nbsp; He got possessed by a vengeful ghost spellcaster, and basically had a blast even though I was directing his goals of play and could overrule anything he did.&nbsp; He's willingly accepted ownership of an intelligent sword that regularly takes control of his character. My general theory is a lot of this depends on what you get back on the exchange.&nbsp; Players will put up with a lot if the DM manages to make it fun.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Celebrim, post: 6342370, member: 4937"] I agree, but others find that line to be tyranny. And at some point, the DM could assert so much control over the PC's origins/personality/backstories/etc. that player is giving up significant agency. At some point, I'd rebel against DM misuse of his authority over the setting and say, "You are going to far." I don't think you are going to find anyone that believes the DM has that right in the general case. The only exceptions to the general understanding that the DM doesn't play the character are going to be over things like possession, mind control, and so forth. Then the argument is going to be over how often that can happen before it constitutes DM abuse. That is going to depend in my experience on the player. I have one player at my current table that readily accepts loss of agency in return for power. I haven't found a real limit on what amount of freedom he'll give away in order to get mechanical rewards yet. He got possessed by a vengeful ghost spellcaster, and basically had a blast even though I was directing his goals of play and could overrule anything he did. He's willingly accepted ownership of an intelligent sword that regularly takes control of his character. My general theory is a lot of this depends on what you get back on the exchange. Players will put up with a lot if the DM manages to make it fun. [/QUOTE]

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