Conduct Guidelines around the Table

[JoeGKushner]

Why would you even game with someone who doesn't bathe? Or steals? Or all the stuff you try to "teach"?

Most of what you spell out is the bare minimum that society expects for normal social interaction. IME, if you run into one of these nose-picking, body-odor, book stealing freaks, why would you even try to play with them?

Like I've noted, some of it's from RPG.net. I'm not saying I've played with those people mind you! There would have to be some serious beatings and crying out to Crom for vengence.

And yes, these people do exist. Go to any large social gathering of roleplayers like an auction. If you don't spot some sweaty nose pickers, you're venue is better than the ones I've seen.

 

[Odhanan]

Most of what nimisgod shared with us is discussed rather than formally pointed out at my game table. However, I share with you our table guide lines, just as a reference/inspiration for others:

1. If we’re missing one or two players, we play anyway. Characters not played receive no Experience Points – XP.
2. Phone to say you won’t be coming.
3. Talking about something else than the game events while we are playing should be discouraged, including rule talks which may happen but should remain as brief as possible.
4. Players tell about their characters reactions to events in the game in proportional order of their characters’ Intelligence scores, Combat being the exception.
5. No Dungeon Master rulings are questioned during the session – always after.
6. Speech not directly addressed to the Dungeon Master during the game is assumed to come out of the Character’s mouth.
7. Cocked dice and dice on the floor are re-rolled.
8. Magic items and important equipment are kept on individual index cards.

All these rules were created through many discussions with the actual players, and not only the fruit of the DM's inspiration imposed on the players. And it works quite well as guidelines, and not as hardcore do-it-or-die rules.

 

[iwatt]

And yes, these people do exist. Go to any large social gathering of roleplayers like an auction. If you don't spot some sweaty nose pickers, you're venue is better than the ones I've seen.

I agree they exist. At least according to Al Bruno. I've read all the scary stories. And they're funny as hell.

Personally, I've never gone to a GameCon or similar, since here in Chile the only big game conferences are for Magic and Vampire: The masquerade. None of which ar my cup of tea. So I've never had to deal with unsanitary individuals at my games.

Still, the point I was trying to make is that most of what you have written up is just plain common sense. And consist of bare minimum socially acceptable behavior. Makes me wonder were all these "freaks" are hiding in my country.

 

[focallength]

Yikes what kind of groups do you guys play with, where you actually have these problems?
I didnt realise people had to actually make up rules of conduct for players...then again there are a lot of people of less than average intellegence out there.

 

[loki44]

Ummm... puff-puff-give?

Yeah, that one depends on the crowd.....I can go either way......

.....but how 'bout these for starters, based on real experiences:
1. Don't stab other players in their legs with scissors (that's players, not PC's).

2. Don't do anything that would be grounds for ever-afterwards causing you to be
nicknamed "Matchstick Head".

3. No full frontal nudity allowed. NEVER. Not under any circumstances. Male or female.

4. Bards who play drums are not allowed.

5. Personal conflicts must be role-played out-of-game.

6. Please do not use actual chairs to demonstrate barroom brawl maneuvers.

7. No characters named Ryl'y'thar (don't ask).

8. No "tripping" unless everyone's on board and ready to blast off.

9. No "tripping" period.

10. And of course, the DM is always right.

 

[William_2]

I think an invitation to game is like other social invitations, which in my experience don't come with any instructions on how I should behave, either in general or while playing cards, trivial pursuit, Risk, or D&D. Any invitation that did wouldn't even get an answer from anyone I know, unless it was a brief "Serious?! Totally weak. Won't be there."
Sure, there is a small element of risk in inviting someone to join you socially, but if you don't enjoy their company for any of the myriad reasons you might not, don't seek it out anymore. Whoever is the host can invite or not invite whoever they want- it is their home; the DM does not have that role in any way, as far as I am concerned, outside of their being the host for any given game. So, I would suggest not taking this approach, at all, basically. Best of luck either way, though.

(actually, the original list up there is mostly things that I would think don't need to be said, at least until one becomes an issue. I would not worry about putting out fires that aren't there. Have fun with the new group!)

 

[focallength]

And remember no matter how bad you have to go do not ever relieve yourself in the neighbors yard.

 

[The_Universe]

I don't have any standard rules for this group, but I wish I had - there have been a few times where it would have helped.

 

[Kanegrundar]

Why would you even game with someone who doesn't bathe? Or steals? Or all the stuff you try to "teach"?

Most of what you spell out is the bare minimum that society expects for normal social interaction. IME, if you run into one of these nose-picking, body-odor, book stealing freaks, why would you even try to play with them?

Hehehe. I was in a group in college that we had to tell him to bathe or leave. Don';t get me wrong, we tried numerous times to diplomaticly broach the subject, but he never did anything about it. Finally we just had to give him an ultimatum. I felt bad for the guy, since he was a nice guy and was fun to play with (from the furthest point from him in the room), but he just had absolutely no concept of cleanliness.

Kane

 

[JoeGKushner]

Hehehe. I was in a group in college that we had to tell him to bathe or leave. Don';t get me wrong, we tried numerous times to diplomaticly broach the subject, but he never did anything about it. Finally we just had to give him an ultimatum. I felt bad for the guy, since he was a nice guy and was fun to play with (from the furthest point from him in the room), but he just had absolutely no concept of cleanliness.

Kane

I think that's one of the problem. Some people are just too damn polite or 'diplomatic' and so the other person just goes on their little disgusting stuff.