Do DM's ever go on strike?

[BlackMoria]

I have run an 'open' table (anyone can join in) for my 27+ years of DMing. Rarely do I have a problem with people and those few problems that have popped been resolved in short order.

I went 'on strike' once. The player in question (a relative new player) kept questioning and arguing my decisions and the normal method of arbitrating such issues wasn't working with him.

Finally after putting up with several hours of his arrogant, pompous arse; he finally stated - "I can DM better than you..."

He didn't get to finish the sentence as I abruptly stood up and in a very quiet but terse voice said "Ok then...."

The group was dead quiet as I gathered up my books and DM screen and walked over to him and loudly plunked the lot down in front of him. I then returned to my chair, ask for a character sheet from another player and then asked the shocked player; "Are we continuing with current characters or are we starting with 1st level characters?"

The player in question sat in shocked silence as did the others. I didn't say anything and started rolling the dice to make up a character.

It was priceless. Not only did I get an apology from the player but I held out for penance - he provide me a 2 liter of pop and a large bag of chips for each play session for a month if I would resume DMing.

I never had a problem with him again..... and yes, he stayed with the group and I didn't kick him out for being a jerk. And I got free pop and chips for a month....

 

[Mystery Man]

I'll be taking a Kill Bill Volume 2 break this weekend instead of running a game. It would be a crime not to go see this movie asap.

p.s. I'll be taking 2 of my players, the other two will be at a wedding, hopefully not to each other. If so I hope they're very happy.

 

[Talmun]

I don't know about 'going on strike' exactly, I have said "Look, I've been running for more than a year straight, when this campaign is over, one of you is taking over so I can PLAY!" It didn't work though, so I have relegated myself to being the DM for the rest of my life.

 

[kirinke]

i think our dm is on strike. i dunno.... we've been really good. (mostly).
i mean, all of us have taken his suggest err hints (and our characters have lived as a result ^_^) and have generally been good. but lately, he's not been posting (its a play by post game).
we dunno what's wrong.

 

[Emiricol]

It didn't work though, so I have relegated myself to being the DM for the rest of my life.

You and me both :/

 

[Liquidsabre]

I'm just curious but doesn't anyone run a game and then find a separate group to play in so they can git in on the PC-action? I always try to make sure I play in something at least some of the time, even if it's only once a month, so I do not lose touch with the player inside so I don't develop DM-blinders.

As for unruly player behavior, I took a cue from a good DM I played under. Instead of running the game I sit back, stay silent, and quietly look around the table or if the offending player is being particularly bad I stare at them quietly. If the session has been exceptionally noisy I extend the silence a little beyond what is normally comfortable to nail in the point and then I continue right where I left off as if nothing had occurred. Seems to keep them in line most of the time. Barring the "silent" treatment I just get up and use the bathroom, grab a drink, or walk around/stretch my legs/refresh myself for a bit before coming back to the table. The group usually gets control of themselves and decide they want to play and we start again.

I haven't had any real problems as yet, besides having my first real large group (bursting at 7-8) and learning how to manage so many there. So no real strikes for me, unless you count the "Silences' as a few mini-strikes

 

[Umbran]

....even if it's only once a month....

Dude, some of us who DM for people beyond their mid-20s only manage one game a month as it is.

I myself do prefer playing to GMing, and will generally jump at a chance to play. However, the needs of gamers with full time jobs, families, and all sometimes makes that impossible.

 

[Talmun]

I'm just curious but doesn't anyone run a game and then find a separate group to play in so they can git in on the PC-action? I always try to make sure I play in something at least some of the time, even if it's only once a month, so I do not lose touch with the player inside so I don't develop DM-blinders.

Just a guess, but your under 25 and aren't married, right?

I'm lucky to be able to game once every week.

 

[Liquidsabre]

Heh, sorry to disappoint gents. 27 here and getting married this September (in the middle of wedding stuffs as it is). No kids yet but we do have a 3 month old puppy to take care of at the moment, he's still trying to get the hang of the whole housebreaking thing heh.

I generally play ~4-5/month and we generally alternate between two campaigns every other week. As a result I have long since given up any and all TV (except the news of course) and rarely watch movies (though I did listen to NPRadio regularly, mostly for the news lol). Total time spent I've found that it's roughly equivalent and I figure it's a good trade off.

 

[scourger]

embargo on!

I call it the DMing embargo, which I instituted after several friends didn't show for a couple of games I was running for the group--which I think was designed to pressure me into resuming a prior game that some of them preferred. My "embargo" (on the supply side) is a response to their "boycotts" (on the demand side). Others have stepped up to the DM plate, so I still get my playing time; but it's not the same now.