Can One Actually Be XPED Too Much?

[Kastil]

Okay, my question is: Where's the balance?

In all the online games I have ever played in, he who posts their character's thoughts/actions/etc. gets a little xp for doing so. Almost similar to RPing in the game itself. The posting not only gives the insight of the character's views but can also give the DM character hooks etc.

In one game, it puts me and another player slightly ahead of the game xps-wise. Everyone has the opportunity to post, some just choose not to because it's not their cup of tea and they're, for the most part, fine with the idea they might be slightly behind. Heck if they're too far behind, I've seen the DM run a special session with just them if deemed necessary.

Well this poor DM is burnt out and needs rest from DMing. I could probably name why I think he's really burnt out but I choose not to go there at this time. I am sad about the game ending but if it's no fun for him, it's no fun for me.

Enter the person taking over, one of the other players and posting fiend listed above. The former DM is also a mad poster when he's on the player's side of the screen. So here's what the e-mail for the game had.........the ex-DM and I get a 1/4 of what the other people who don't like to post for our backgrounds. What, What, WHAT?!?! I'm being penalized for getting into my character and building them a history?!? Hmph.

Honestly it looks like he's trying to draw out the players who normally don't give what I consider 'DM cannonfodder' but the pessimist in me says he's penalizing those who do which I find funny because he's always on the good end of the receiving in the burnt out game.

His other rules are very, ummmmmm, gamer unfriendly? He's taken everything bad he's ever seen in a game and made a 'you can't do that with out good cause' thing. For instance, you have to have a darn good reason to pick the CN alignment because he knows what a pain in the butt that alignment is. He should! His last two characters have been that alignment and none too good on keeping unity within the party. Let's just say if a town wanted to lynch one of his characters, mine would supply the rope and the other party members would gladly build the platform.

Is he ruining the fun or am I just too close to 'that time of the month'?

 

[AnthonyJ]

It really depends on the current dynamics of the group. Making strict rules, if not needed, is a problem, but sometimes they really are needed. In terms of the posting issue, it really depends on what the scale of the awards are in the first place: if by posting regularly you'd wind up with a 2-3 level edge on the other PCs, that would create its own problems.

Banning CN alignment is just a sensible choice, though

 

[Elf Witch]

Okay, my question is: Where's the balance?

In all the online games I have ever played in, he who posts their character's thoughts/actions/etc. gets a little xp for doing so. Almost similar to RPing in the game itself. The posting not only gives the insight of the character's views but can also give the DM character hooks etc.

In one game, it puts me and another player slightly ahead of the game xps-wise. Everyone has the opportunity to post, some just choose not to because it's not their cup of tea and they're, for the most part, fine with the idea they might be slightly behind. Heck if they're too far behind, I've seen the DM run a special session with just them if deemed necessary.

Well this poor DM is burnt out and needs rest from DMing. I could probably name why I think he's really burnt out but I choose not to go there at this time. I am sad about the game ending but if it's no fun for him, it's no fun for me.

Enter the person taking over, one of the other players and posting fiend listed above. The former DM is also a mad poster when he's on the player's side of the screen. So here's what the e-mail for the game had.........the ex-DM and I get a 1/4 of what the other people who don't like to post for our backgrounds. What, What, WHAT?!?! I'm being penalized for getting into my character and building them a history?!? Hmph.

Honestly it looks like he's trying to draw out the players who normally don't give what I consider 'DM cannonfodder' but the pessimist in me says he's penalizing those who do which I find funny because he's always on the good end of the receiving in the burnt out game.

His other rules are very, ummmmmm, gamer unfriendly? He's taken everything bad he's ever seen in a game and made a 'you can't do that with out good cause' thing. For instance, you have to have a darn good reason to pick the CN alignment because he knows what a pain in the butt that alignment is. He should! His last two characters have been that alignment and none too good on keeping unity within the party. Let's just say if a town wanted to lynch one of his characters, mine would supply the rope and the other party members would gladly build the platform.

Is he ruining the fun or am I just too close to 'that time of the month'?

You should talk to the new DM nothing ruins a gamefaster than an over strict DM. I don't see a problem with banning certain alignments maybe he does not feel that he can run a game with a player character like himself.

I do think it os wrong to penalize a player because of what other players do or don't do. I certainly don't think it is fair to give you less XP for doing the same thing as another player just because you usually do something and they don't.

 

[Kichwas]

So here's what the e-mail for the game had.........the ex-DM and I get a 1/4 of what the other people who don't like to post for our backgrounds. What, What, WHAT?!?! I'm being penalized for getting into my character and building them a history?!? Hmph.

Could you rephrase this?

I'm not sure I understand it. Specifically "the ex-DM and I get a 1/4 of what the other people".

1/4 of what? XP bonus? Allowed background length? Total starting XP?

 

[Wycen]

I was going to say this sounds somewhat similar to our game, but rereading your post I see that's not quite the case. We have people who post on the forum, between weeknight sessions, more than others in the group, but we aren't losing the DM or switching anything like that.

You should talk to the DM, the new one, and ask him what he's trying to accomplish with the XP imbalance. Maybe he doesn't think he's doing that. Or maybe you'll get an answer, though you might not like it, so be prepared for that.

I just looked at the post count for all the current game members. I didn't realize but I'm in the lead, despite there being 2 others who've been in the campaign longer and 1 who joined about the same time. Only the DM has more posts, way more at 600 compared to my 200.



For those interested: http://forum.sonomarin.net/index.php

 

[Kastil]

Could you rephrase this?

I'm not sure I understand it. Specifically "the ex-DM and I get a 1/4 of what the other people".

1/4 of what? XP bonus? Allowed background length? Total starting XP?

we get 25xps, they get 100xp. Bacgroundlength only has to be about 3 paragraphs.

 

[Kastil]

You should talk to the DM, the new one, and ask him what he's trying to accomplish with the XP imbalance. Maybe he doesn't think he's doing that. Or maybe you'll get an answer, though you might not like it, so be prepared for that.

He's trying to throw a carrot in front of the horses who don't normally post. Most people are shy about posting, especially if they think they're writing stinks or something.

And on a side note the DM is my husband and he knows my views on his rules. I tend to drop it when it comes up because hearing the 'I quit or you should quit' speech is getting real old. I'm going to take one for the team and suck it up for now. Afterall, I'm the only band aid this party has and I hate playing clerics!

 

[krazykid]

Talking is the answer everytime - how-ever that is easier said than done in some cases. I can relate - Our most annoying player is currently the DM.
And I understand you are trying to get a perspective before you sit down and talk to him about it. More power to you.

But as for the XP bonus for writing a back-ground - if this is just a one-time hit where you get 75xp more if you write 3 paragraphs - why are you worried? Even if it is 75xp difference per week it is still pitance. To me the xp is a non-issue.

That is not to say other stuff isn't - just don't worry about the xp.

 

[Elf Witch]

He's trying to throw a carrot in front of the horses who don't normally post. Most people are shy about posting, especially if they think they're writing stinks or something.

And on a side note the DM is my husband and he knows my views on his rules. I tend to drop it when it comes up because hearing the 'I quit or you should quit' speech is getting real old. I'm going to take one for the team and suck it up for now. Afterall, I'm the only band aid this party has and I hate playing clerics!

That makes things a little tougher but have you asked him what he would say if another player other than you brought this up to him?

Why are you playing the cleric if you don't enjoy them? I just see some resentment coming into your future.

AS for the XP I don't think that is right you all should get the same amount for same thing. I ahve found that people either write or they don't. If they don't enjoy it they just are not going to do it.

 

[Arnwyn]

He's taken everything bad he's ever seen in a game and made a 'you can't do that with out good cause' thing. For instance, you have to have a darn good reason to pick the CN alignment because he knows what a pain in the butt that alignment is.

I see nothing wrong with this whatsoever - in fact, it's probably a good idea.

His other rules are very, ummmmmm, gamer unfriendly?

Doesn't sound like that to me.

Doesn't sound like he's "ruining the fun" at all (based on the rather sparse amount of information that was provided).

As for the XP thing - I agree with the poster above, it's a pittance. However, I also agree that you should speak with the DM to find out exactly why there is an XP variance between players. Your hunch may be right, but it's good to discuss the reasonings behind your (both you and the DM's) feelings regarding this matter.