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Message: <blockquote data-quote="payn" data-source="post: 8756083" data-attributes="member: 90374">There was a time where I would, as GM, stick to what was hardcoded in my mind. Like the fireball example, I might reason that there is no space for the evasion or save to happen or whatever. Although, I might have forced the coup de grace and/or encounter rules on stabbing a defenseless PC/NPC. I played it by feel.Then, as a player I was in a group with an old schooler (older than me!). This guy was always coming up with stuff to force on the PCs. Got feared? "Yeap, that PC runs straight into a raging river which will likely kill them by drowning...no exceptions...I said no exceptions!" Got grappled? "Oh yeah you toss your weapon at least 30 ft during the grapple. Yes, that is correct over the edge of the bridge and into the 1000 ft ravine...no exceptions!" He always had the absolute worst interpretation of the rules and he wasnt even the GM. Yes, he was saying these things from the player seat to the GM running the game... <img class="smilie smilie--emoji" alt="🤦‍♂️" src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f926-2642.png" title="Man facepalming    :man_facepalming:" data-shortname=":man_facepalming:" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" />   I realized how unfun it was to play with this guy. His interpretations always screwed the PCs hard (well he always clammed up when it was his turn of course). It occurred to me that its better to stretch my imagination a little and let the PCs be awesome and have fun than to hardcode reality into the game. As for attacks, damage, and saving throws, what is the context? Why is a PC tied up and defenseless? Why is an NPC stabbing them? Sadistically hurting a character? Thats not likely something I'm gonna put in my games. Now, there might be an elaborate encounter where the PCs have to stop a madman from hurting their companion. Thats gonna be a series of checks and such that gives everyone a chance. As much as I love the PCs being awesome, they can still fail and face consequences and death. Though, they will always get a fair chance. So, my answer hasnt really changed over the years, I still do it by feel. Though my adjudication of the rules and fiction scale has slid over into a slightly more lenient space that encourages better fiction and fun. Obviously, subjective and going to be different at different tables.</blockquote>

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