NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Bawylie" data-source="post: 6511969" data-attributes="member: 6776133">I have to disagree - starting with your base assumptions. The system for resolving tasks doesn't dictate a style of play. In fact, system is largely irrelevant once you understand your role as a DM. What I'm doing is Identifying my players' goals, and then Putting Obstacles between them and their Goals. Everything else is bookkeeping. Now, you may believe that D&D's bookkeeping is process-sim bc of "objective" DCs, but when it all gets down to it, the game system, whatever it is, doesn't mandate use. I, as DM, determine whether players' actions succeed or fail. Sometimes, when I am personally not clear as to the outcome of a proposed action, I turn to the game's task resolution system to generate an outcome for me. In other words, the system works for me. Simply because the target numbers used in the random outcome generator are integrated doesn't mean the game is pushing fantasy action. Simply because the target numbers used in the random outcome generator are derived from some expectation of difficulty doesn't mean they simulate a fantasy world physics. They just generate outcomes when given variables. A coin toss generates outcomes, and I could play any TTRPG with just a coin, but I like accounting for variables. That said, I don't assume a fantasy physics world at all. Gravity, atoms, covalent bonds - cannot be said to apply. The world described in the books is a world where the elemental forces are Fire, air, water, etc, where Deities literally grant miracles to the faithful and can be slain by the blasphemous and mighty. In such a world, I'm not anywhere near ready to say "The mechanics simulate the inherent physical processes and interactions between bodies." They don't. All they've ever done, regardless of edition or game, is generate outcomes. Once this becomes clear, you can run any system, any edition, and always produce an excellent game. Because the source of the excellence is independent from system - it's everything to do with conflict and uncertainty, with overcoming randomness and chaos to achieve something. The system and the rules serve me, I serve the players, and I serve them well. Coming back around, then, yes - my players can pray for miracles. And yes, they may be granted, not simply because they rolled a nat 20, but because their characters, in selfless desperation, offer the sincere prayer that things turn out okay for the helpless or weak or needy, even if it means the players themselves are ruined. I'll grant that miracle in a heartbeat - no roll needed - it would just get in the way.</blockquote>

Verification