Breaking up is hard to do

[Felon]

Sound of Azure, if a DM's going to have a world that's intensely magical, then you're damned right in expecting the DM to jot down a few notes for the players. You're playing some pseudo-medieval character trying to operate in what is essentially a high-tech futuristic setting.

You tried to give input and it was rejected. Sounds like a pretty slack, half-arsed DM, though there's a lot you say that isn't explained clearly enough to make sense. I don't get the part about you having to be disguised constantly or burning in holy areas, for instance.

 

[taliesin15]

If I may initiate a small thread highjack, your #3-High Magic makes me think of all the discussions we've had and still have time and time again about low vs. high magic. I honestly don't remember the last time someone was really complaining about low-magic and uber-raving about high magic settings. It seems to me that there are more people complaining about high magic than people complaining about low magic. Far from making low magic settings more appealing to me (and they already are in some specific circumstances), it seems to point out, to me at least, that the problem is the suspension of disbelief - basically, people who want low magic need more parallels with "real world situations and circumstances" to be able to relate to the game and immerse themselves in it.

here's a really good point to discuss--most of the high magic milieus I've read about are kind of like this--magic stores in every town, even NPC commoners carry magic weapons, etc. Which really more resembles kind of a joke milieu, at least in my mind seems more like Bob Aspirin's Another Fine Myth series

I think there are better ways of doing high magic, and I'm attempting one right now--the magic is more shamanic, more natural, more primitve. Its not so much gadgets (i.e. bling) that characters (i.e. "playas") buy at ye olde magic shop (i.e. the mall). Maybe its not better, but it certainly is another flavor, one that I'm attempting to make more organic, and closer to the roots of actual historical magic

 

[Sound of Azure]

Azure: I may be wrong, but didn't you make a topic a few months ago about joining a new group that you thought might fall apart from arguing? Is this the same one? (I may have you mixed up with osmeone else :O)

I had a topic like that, yeah. The post was about an existing group beginning to disintegrate due to infighting over tactics and character types.

The DM of the group I just left was a player in that group. Another guy I know better invited me into the game since they were short one player.

 

[Sound of Azure]

Seems like playstyles not matching, mostly. Plus, I understand these people were not really "friends" per se but more like gaming buddies than anything else. In the end I don't think you share the responsability of the game not working with everyone around the table really.

If I may initiate a small thread highjack, your #3-High Magic makes me think of all the discussions we've had and still have time and time again about low vs. high magic. I honestly don't remember the last time someone was really complaining about low-magic and uber-raving about high magic settings. It seems to me that there are more people complaining about high magic than people complaining about low magic. Far from making low magic settings more appealing to me (and they already are in some specific circumstances), it seems to point out, to me at least, that the problem is the suspension of disbelief - basically, people who want low magic need more parallels with "real world situations and circumstances" to be able to relate to the game and immerse themselves in it.

Yes, that's very true. I admit I had reservations when I first joined in, learning that the game would be a higher magic thing set in Forgotten Realms. I just decided to expand my horizons, especially after hearing how interesting the DMs games are. They certainly are interesting, but it turns out... just not to my taste. C'est la vie.

One guy at the table I'd call a friend (though not a close one), the other two are the DM's younger cousins.

I think you've pegged me about right though. I need a certain amount of "real world-ness" to believe in the world. Yes, there are wizards who can cast spells and make magic items, and certanly priests and druids can create miracles. There are fantastical creatures all over the world in a fantasy setting. That's what makes it Fantastic.

But beyond a certain amount of exposure to such things... I feel oversaturated by the "wonders". When the fantastic becomes common, I lose interest.

I've found in a "regular" D&D game, as long as you remin close to the guidelines in the DMG, you don't run into the magic shop problem, and there aren't spellcasting priests and wizards around every corner. And that's just dandy, for me at least.

Now that I think about it, the DM in question doesn't rave about High Magic settings either, but he does make it known his preference for ease of access to magical things... understandable given his preference for Wizard-types. Still, I've learnt a bit more about running such setting should the need come up in the future.

 

[Nyaricus]

So, um, when can I expect you to show up in my game? I'll be running my FR 'Insidious Threat' campaign in two weeks Saturday (yesterday, IOW), and I got an extra chair if you'll take it

 

[Nyaricus]

But seriously, it just sounds like your playstyles didn't match. It happens. It's like being on a sports team with someone who never seems to be able to match your style, so you end up upsetting him, and he upsets you, and one of you eventualy has to bow out from the team.

It happens man, it really does. I hope you'll be able to get into a good group which matches your playstyle and that you cna have a blast with (and hopefully get that SE Asian Campaign going we've heard so much about )

cheers,
--N

 

[Odhanan]

Yes, that's very true. I admit I had reservations when I first joined in, learning that the game would be a higher magic thing set in Forgotten Realms. I just decided to expand my horizons, especially after hearing how interesting the DMs games are. They certainly are interesting, but it turns out... just not to my taste. C'est la vie.

Yes, I see that. And you know what? It's okay.

I mean: we all had experiences (or so I hope) where we didn't play with the kind of people that really had the same tastes as ours. It's part of the experience of being a gamer, really.

What I think you should get from it is not bitterness or hatred, but plain experience. Use it to your advantage. Start your own gaming group. Be the DM. Have fun with people sharing the same kinds of tastes or better, introduce new people to the game. You may have a revelation there. When you start, as a player, to wonder about the inclination and tastes of the DM, I think it's time for you to DM yourself.

Take it as an opportunity and if you need any help to make your life as a DM easier, remember there is ENWorld: we'll always be happy to provide you with a bunch of advice when you need it.

 

[Sound of Azure]

But seriously, it just sounds like your playstyles didn't match. It happens. It's like being on a sports team with someone who never seems to be able to match your style, so you end up upsetting him, and he upsets you, and one of you eventualy has to bow out from the team.

It happens man, it really does. I hope you'll be able to get into a good group which matches your playstyle and that you cna have a blast with (and hopefully get that SE Asian Campaign going we've heard so much about )

cheers,
--N

Yeah, I really ought to get back onto that. Thread resurrection is imminent, especially now that I have my internet connection back again.

As for arriving at your table....the next time I come to Canada I'll have to make it out to Winnipeg. It was really magical seeing snow up close at christmas-time when I was in Ontario back in 2001. One of the girls I stayed with at the time was from Winnipeg (she invited me out, but I had to decline at the time )

Overall though I'm realising a little more about my own limitations, and just how different other folk can be. I've always prided myself at my control of my emotions, for being easy going, and not allowing much to get me down. But sometimes things just don't work out. And.... that's OK.

It's funny, I felt better immediately after writing all those thoughts above even before the comments). The comfort of writing. Of language. Releasing my thoughts into the aether, as photons on a message board.

Now that's magic.

 

[Sound of Azure]

Yes, I see that. And you know what? It's okay.

I mean: we all had experiences (or so I hope) where we didn't play with the kind of people that really had the same tastes as ours. It's part of the experience of being a gamer, really.

What I think you should get from it is not bitterness or hatred, but plain experience. Use it to your advantage. Start your own gaming group. Be the DM. Have fun with people sharing the same kinds of tastes or better, introduce new people to the game. You may have a revelation there. When you start, as a player, to wonder about the inclination and tastes of the DM, I think it's time for you to DM yourself.

Take it as an opportunity and if you need any help to make your life as a DM easier, remember there is ENWorld: we'll always be happy to provide you with a bunch of advice when you need it.

Good point. It would be nice to DM once more, as I haven't since the end of last year. Just have to finish my source material... back to "work"!
One of these days I really ought to actually run a normal campaign setting that I haven't heavily modified...haha.

Thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to pick everyone's brains in the not-too-distant future.

 

[Nifft]

Hey, it's a game. If you're not having fun, you should leave (politely, which you did).

If the think that's killing your fun is the color of the wallpaper, you should leave. It's just a game, it's not a value judgement!

-- N