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Message: <blockquote data-quote="FrozenNorth" data-source="post: 8812054" data-attributes="member: 7020832">I would say that nothing separates a “Krynn doesn’t have any orcs in it” and a “Thieves’ Guild campaign” make some criminal characters, at that stage.What separates the two campaigns is how the DM responds to the next question: “Why can’t I play an orc?” or “Why can’t I play a paladin?”.Several posters have argued that the DM explaining why is very important.On a first level, it provides information that the player can use to determine if they want to play in the campaign or not.  “Because Krynn doesn’t have any orcs” is a terrible response, not only because it doesn’t add any new information, but also because the DM is refusing to take responsibility for something that is ultimately their descision.On a deeper level, the Why? plays another role.  It allows the player to address the concern raised by the DM so both of them get what they want.Let’s take the thief campaign as an example.“Why can’t I play a paladin?”There are two principal concerns to playing a paladin in a thief campaign: one narrative and one mechanical.  Narratively, the paladin ethos and tenets often conflict with the goals of a criminal campaign.  Mechanically, paladins often have poor Dex, are untrained in Stealth and wear heavy armor, which may render a more Stealth based campaign impossible.But what if the player responds:“You know, I was thinking of playing a Dex-based Oath of the Crown Robin-Hood type paladin.  He is an outlaw because he objects to the usurper and still hopes for the return of the rightful king”That’s an interesting character.  It’s an interesting character that would work in a thieves’ based canpaign and more importantly, would add to it.And it is important to encourage players like that rather than shut down such ideas before they start.</blockquote>

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