DMing: How do I setup philosophical in-character discussions?

[Raven Crowking]

Removed

 

[Mallus]

You've just explained the Internet to me!

And "paranoia".

 

[librarius_arcana]

Implausible isn't the same as impossible.

It is if you can't spell, (lol)

Anyhow The Grumpy Celt,
Thats a really unhealthy way of thinking

Not debating can be more alot more dangerous than debating, as you will start to become insulated within your own little world,

(btw, there are "friendly fight's" you never had a play fight as a kid?)

 

[LostSoul]

Anyhow The Grumpy Celt,
Thats a really unhealthy way of thinking

Not debating can be more alot more dangerous than debating, as you will start to become insulated within your own little world,

Naw, I think he's just saying that you should check with the players before you do this sort of thing - they might not like it.

I imagine that blargney knows his players well enough to decide for himself if they'll dig it or not. (And hey, if you don't know, might as well give it a shot, try something new. You might like it. But that's just my view.)

 

[ThirdWizard]

Planescape is practially built on philosophical debate.

I think a good part of this is that it focuses more on the Chaos/Law axis than the Good/Evil axis. Players themselves can more often relate to this axis without drawing heavy bias away from or toward the subject matter. They can have PCs generally on either side who they can relate to or empathise with.

It is also highly political. Various groups control various aspects of the city, and Players get mechanical benefits for joining them and taking their own beliefs, ensuring that most PCs will have a vested interest in taking a philosophical view that doesn't necessarily match their own.

Plus, the Planes are built on philosophy, making it so that your philosophy can actually alter things around you. That means that you can have a philosophical debate and have actual physical consequences come about because of it. Mountains can move, litterally.

So, my recommendations to create a good philosophical environment are: focus on Law vs. Chaos, create a intrigue-based adventure, and give real benefits for those who stand for a particular philosophy.

 

[GVDammerung]

One of the coolest sessions I've ever played in involved a great philosophical discussion with a single NPC that lasted for over an hour. Recognizing that it was going to be a long one, we actually left the table and all went to sit on the couches to make ourselves more comfortable. I don't remember the specifics of it anymore, but in retrospect I've realized how much work must the DM must have put into setting that up.

I'd like to do something like that with my groups, but I have *no* idea how to make it happen.

Help?
-blarg

As a DM, I love what you are describing and IMC encourage it - PC and NPC, as well as, PC to PC. The way I get players intersted is to present them with synopses of in game books. that their characters can acquire or otherwise reference. The two to three paragraph synopses 1) describe the contents of the book, 2) provide the in game author's opinion, which usually identifies a counter opinion or controversy at the same time, and 3) drops an adventure hook or two if they want to take the discussion to an actual adventure. A little NPC/DM prompt and philosophic/literary/historical/artistic discussions are off and running.

If you are interested in what this looks like, I've posted numerous ones at www.canonfire.com. All are in a Greyhawk context as Canonfire is a Greyhawk fansite. On Canonfire, search for Literature in the Flanaess (17+ entries) or The Wizards Library (6 entries). Each entry contains multiple "volumes."

 

[Raven Crowking]

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[Hussar]

As far as debates, I encourage them. If you have a religious type in your group, he SHOULD be engaging everyone around him in dialectics. NPC and PC alike. After all, his prime calling is to educate the masses, whether he's a cleric, druid or paladin.

Some of the most fun I've had as a player is engaging NPC's or PC's in running discussions about my character's beliefs. Heck, the character was trying to start himself a cult, so, how else is he going to get some followers? I figured it was just laying the groundwork for when I took the leadership feat to get some disciples.