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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JohnSnow" data-source="post: 4061024" data-attributes="member: 32164">Exactly. Thank you for putting it better than I could.I suppose the players have the right to ignore the quest that I've placed in front of them. But this whole "players should be able to do whatever they want whenever they want" reminds me of a Knights of the Dinner Table strip. Which is exactly the vibe I get from the hypothetical "Decanters in the Desert" scenario. The PCs are trying to "show off" and "outplay" the DM.As a player, I don't feel the need to show off my superiority in a D&D game by poking holes in the DM's plot. Frankly, I find that sort of behavior kind of pathetic. Being inquisitive about that sort of thing is fine (because it speaks to the verisimilitude of the setting), but assuming you can "outmaneuver the DM" is just sad.As a DM, I won't be pressured into making up a reason on the spot. If I honestly didn't think of it beforehand, I'm not going to say "ooo...good one guys...you caught me" and let my players go off and create a new adventure. I'm instead going to say "Hmmm...good question, and one your characters unfortunately don't know the answer too. I suppose you could try to find out, but that might mean missing out on this lucrative job guarding the caravans."At that point, it's the players' call. Most players (at least the ones I've gamed with) will take the hint and not go "free-wheeling" to force the DM to make it up as he goes. In between sessions, I'll come up with a good answer to their question about why nobody's already doing that, and (possibly) a good adventure (if there is one) for finding out what that answer is. And there's definitely another good adventure to be had for undoing the situation, if they so desire.But allowing the PCs to engage in mass-production of Decanters to "solve" the problem just because I, as DM, didn't think of it beforehand? To me, that's rather lame. With players like that, I'd quickly stop DMing rather than subject myself to that sort of gaming experience.The point is that gaming is supposed to be "fun" for everyone involved. Ask yourself this: is that kind of nitpicking "fun" for the DM? And is it "fun" for everyone else who just wanted to guard a caravan and kill some sand monsters?Sure, the showoff player is having "fun." But is it at everyone else's expense?</blockquote>

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