Did I overreact?

[reveal]

Situtation:

Our group went to a mercenary town, basically nothing more than a trading post and a tavern, to get some information. I told the party that I would go inside to get a bit of info and then rest come in a few minutes later. My character is Halfling Rogue/Bard.

So I waltz in and everyone stops to look at me. The DM tells me there are a bunch of gruff human soldiers sitting at tables as well as a handful of gruff half-orcs. I saunter up to the bar and say "Give me a glass of warm milk."

The next thing I know I'm being told my halfling is flying out the door of the bar after getting thrown out.

That's where I got upset. My character is 3'1". He has high ranks in Bluff, Diplomacy and Tumble (8 total in Tumble).

I told the DM that was bull that I just got thrown out without even getting a chance to defend myself. Here is a bar full of tall humans and humanoids and the 3'1" Halfling doesn't even get the chance to even TRY to wiggle out of getting thrown out. I told the DM at the least let me roll to see if I get away from the first guy, only to be picked up by the next guy, rather than just arbitrarily being picked up and tossed out.

Was I out of line? I'm just curious because this really bothers me. I mean, what's the point of putting points into certain skills if, in a time when they would come in REALLY handy, you can't use them at all?

 

[Piratecat]

Getting thrown out of a bar is cinematic tradition! If it was me, and I didn't take any damage in the process, I'd have been a little irked... then I would have stormed back into the bar and kicked me some knee. (I probably couldn't reach their butts.)

Note that this sort of DM license is better in games that are less tactical than D&D.

 

[The Crimster]

These types of question are always hard to answer. There is your side, his side, and of course, the truth. That said, we only have your side of the story to go off of. Fair enough.

If I was the DM, and I had a bar filled with 'tall folk' that were prejudiced against the 'wee folk' - I would probably have you thrown out. BUT - yes, you're right, I would have allowed for some type of contest. Dex vs dex, etc. Arbitrarily having you thrown is a crappy way for the DM to enforce his vision, IMHO.

On the other hand - what if the game was already bogged down by incessant combat? What if everytime another player says, "I examine the chest." You rush in there saying, "I want to too! Dex off!" If I were the DM in this case, well I would get a little annoyed as well with the constant dice rolling.


<shrugs> My dual opinion before my AM coffee, take it for what it's worth.

 

[drnuncheon]

I don't think you were out of line - at least, objecting to that sort of thing is not out of line in and of itself.

The manner in wich you object may be, of course, but if you kept your cool and said something like "I really don't think it's fair to handle that without rolling", you're OK. If you cast aspersions on the DM's character, parentage, and personal habits, on the other hand...

Anyway, I know how frustrating it can be when a DM walks all over your mental image of your character - especially when it's for a cheap laugh. If you can talk about this calmly with him and try to express your frustration it might help - if he's a good DM anyway.

J

 

[reveal]

I did tell him I didn't like it, but I didn't yell and throw a hissy fit. I explained that felt like railroading by the DM and my wife, who agreed with me, offered that it's easier as a player if the DM gives you at least the appearance that you're actually doing something useful. I suggested maybe I could have rolled and something like "You get past the first guy only to roll right into the second guy" could have happened.

He seemed to understand and hopefully it didn't fall upon deaf ears. He's a good DM, so I'm sure he'll try to remember it in the future.

The Crimster - I don't do things like that. I let everyone have their moment and don't barge in. I may ask if I see things (example: the cleric coming back from a clandestine meeting while I'm coming home from a gig), but never get upset or pout if I don't.

 

[Eryx]

To be honest, in any game I run, if a character walked into a tavern of warriors and ordered milk, I would probably have them thrown out just as your character was.

There are some scenes that don't require dice rolls, or even have to be logical. That sort of scene is traditional cinematic.

 

[Roland Delacroix]

To be honest, in any game I run, if a character walked into a tavern of warriors and ordered milk, I would probably have them thrown out just as your character was.

There are some scenes that don't require dice rolls, or even have to be logical. That sort of scene is traditional cinematic.

Ditto.

 

[Crothian]

To be honest, in any game I run, if a character walked into a tavern of warriors and ordered milk, I would probably have them thrown out just as your character was.

There are some scenes that don't require dice rolls, or even have to be logical. That sort of scene is traditional cinematic.

Sometimes it does seem a little harse on the player knowing there are times when sometimes happens and they don't get a chance to do anything. So, I allow for a few dice rolls and then toiss the halfling out of the bar. The players getts to feel that he had a chance to stop it, and want i want to happens happens. Sometimes giving the player the illusion that something could have been done is enough for the scerne to work for everytone envolved.

 

[Tom Cashel]

To be honest, in any game I run, if a character walked into a tavern of warriors and ordered milk, I would probably have them thrown out just as your character was.

There are some scenes that don't require dice rolls, or even have to be logical. That sort of scene is traditional cinematic.

Ditto yet again. Ordering warm milk in that situation seemed like a comedy routine to me. Maybe the DM thought he was playing along by supplying the obligatory comedy outcome: you getting thrown out.

And...if you're going to get thrown out anyway, I'd wager none of the other players (except your wife) have any interest in watching you make "just a couple rolls" to see if you evade the first few tall folk. DM Ex Machina seems justified in this case.

 

[Tom Cashel]

Situtation:

I told the party that I would go inside to get a bit of info and then rest come in a few minutes later.

So I waltz in and everyone stops to look at me.

And could it be that the DM and other players (except your wife) might be tired of this kind of solo play?

Just an idea. I've experienced this situation as a DM and as a Player.