Drawing out the dwarf

[Hillsy7]

ah......

Just got in and looks like I was both a) rather unclear, and b) probably over-reacting. (Should also mention this is an online game, through RPTools and a chat client, not VOIP)

In a nut shell - the characters all don't know each other prior to the game starting, so my fears are that the player will follow his character's tendancies (as mentioned: the spiky dwarf archetype) and end up fighting the rest of the group before they can settle into the game. As mentioned, these guys are all new to RPGs in the main (and I'm new to GM-ing), and so their experience to dealing with "Instigator" players is probably zilch.

Someone mentioned examples. Well, very first session, one of the other (quiter) characters was talking (raising actually a clever point that unfortunately required everyone to stop and listen for a moment), said character barrelled him out the way and charged through the door. OK, they actually didn't have to wait and charging onwards was fine, but that's not the point. I let it go, as it was IC, then later another throw-away remark ("Say that again and you'll feel the blade of me axe" - or some such regurgitated dwarf line) that was again IC, but potentially conflagulatory. Now, throw on top of that, that in his character concept he drew up, he specifically mentioned that when pushed, outbursts of violence occur, I hope you see where my worries are coming from (even if they're unfounded).

OK, I'm probably overreacting, but as a new GM adding the tools I'll need to deal with this potential issue (one PC attacking another) before it arises seems prudent.

**though thanks for the tips so far....There's definately opportunities coming up where I can isolate and include a couple of the other guys directly**

 

[the Jester]

Ah, I see. I would let him know, privately, politely and out of game, that if he is unable to play well with others, the others will play well without him.

 

[Oryan77]

The main thing you should do is to talk to him about his "jerk" PC. Let him know that the group may no longer want to travel with him and if he wants to play, he needs to either shape up, or make a new PC that the party can tolerate.

It's one thing for a PC to be a jerk, it's another thing if he's a jerk to fellow party members. If a party doesn't like the guy, why would they keep him around? If he's only occasionally a jerk to them and they can tolerate it, then it shouldn't matter to you as a DM how the party interacts with each other.

If he isn't evil and he attacks PCs with "me blade", then remind him that his actions are evil and if he goes through with it, his alignment will change. If he is evil and his actions are bothering you, that's the mistake right there. Plenty of us (including myself) don't allow evil PCs in the group for this very reason.

If he continues doing anything to cause grief, then tell him he's a problem player and he's no longer invited to the game. Believe me, you may end up doing that a lot in this hobby.

As for spotlight hogging, create personalized scenarios to pull the other players out of their shell. The spotlight hog may still try to take control, but just brush him off and return your attention to the shy player. Two things to keep in mind about this:

1. Some quiet players just will not get more involved in the roleplaying scenarios no matter how much you try to encourage them. It sucks because they may be "nice" players, but I'd rather not play with them if they are boring to game with.

2. Players that try to suck the fun out of everyone else by interrupting their roleplaying and then having their PC stomp out the door to continue on with the mission is also the type of player I don't like to play with. If he can't let others enjoy themselves too, then we really don't need him around.

Figure out what you can tolerate with players and talk to everyone. If nobody will help improve the game, find new players. Luckily, getting people to play via Maptool is easy. Keeping them around is the hard part.