Ever had a Player Threaten you Like This?

[The Grackle]

I've found that if somebody is doing something that you don't like, generally, if you stab them in the face, they'll stop.

Unless the thing they're doing is bleeding or screaming. Then they do it even more.

 

[Ringmereth]

In my games, players who don't show and don't make plans to deal with it don't get XP (though they get some loot, albiet not as much as those who showed up). It's lead to significant level imbalances (at one point we had 8th and 12th level characters in the same party), but no one minds too much. On the other hand, no one objects if an absent player hands their character over for someone else to play, and get full XP for. Of course, they run the same or greater risks as everyone else, as per Hypersmurf's games-absent players usually get their characters volunteered for stupid things.

 

[Von Ether]

She knows when the sessions are and she's the one who chose to be in the play ...

Mmmm, yeah, but I don't full support this attitude. Sometimes the meeting every week, come sun or shine, and at the expense of other activities makes gaming feel like a chore to me. And sometimes gamers need a break for some variety. The play may be a one-shot thing for her, the game is there all the time evidently.

I've been on both sides of the fence, bowing out for a date as a player and being yelled at by a miffed GM -- as I give him notice several days in advance -- and then as a GM waiting for an unreachable player who decide just not to show and tried to blow me off because "it's just a game."

 

[Iku Rex]

There seems to be a surprising number of hyper-sensitive DMs in this thread.

The way the OP describes it, the player said.
1) This is what I want.
2) If I can't get that, I no longer want to play in your game. ("It's really important to me.")

There's nothing wrong with that. It's not a "threat". It's not "blackmail". It's not "hostile".

"Blunt" maybe. But mainly "honest".

I don't think it's my business to tell other people what they're allowed to find important in a game.

 

[MadMaxim]

There seems to be a surprising number of hyper-sensitive DMs in this thread.

The way the OP describes it, the player said.
1) This is what I want.
2) If I can't get that, I no longer want to play in your game. ("It's really important to me.")

There's nothing wrong with that. It's not a "threat". It's not "blackmail". It's not "hostile".

"Blunt" maybe. But mainly "honest".

I don't think it's my business to tell other people what they're allowed to find important in a game.

I'm afraid I'll have to correct you on that one, Iku Rex. It was a regular ultimatum, blackmail and all that. As I said before, I apoligized for the lack of XP and playing her character (and she isn't playing a mute invisible gnome, but she isn't exactly taking charge at any point, she's more following than leading). As it is the first time she ever pulled that stunt, I'm letting it slide, but such outbursts aren't exactly the best way to get your DM's attention. I'm not hyper-sensitive, but when players make completely unreasonable demands like that, you can only be extremely tempted to kick them out. And for the record, she may be a friend, but she's not that much of a friend. She's the girlfriend of one of my male players.

By the way, I ran a session yesterday (Sunday, which is our regular gaming day) and it went smoothly and there was no hostility of any kind, but I'll still keep the experience in the back of my head in case she pulls the same stunt again (hopefully not).

 

[MadMaxim]

Mmmm, yeah, but I don't full support this attitude. Sometimes the meeting every week, come sun or shine, and at the expense of other activities makes gaming feel like a chore to me. And sometimes gamers need a break for some variety. The play may be a one-shot thing for her, the game is there all the time evidently.

I've been on both sides of the fence, bowing out for a date as a player and being yelled at by a miffed GM -- as I give him notice several days in advance -- and then as a GM waiting for an unreachable player who decide just not to show and tried to blow me off because "it's just a game."

Well, if it was up to her, we would play more than once a week, and we don't play if half the group can't make it (which has happened quite a few times), so I'm not running a session if only one or two players are present.

I don't mind people doing other stuff those Sundays, but they know when we play so they should be able to plan accordingly. If something is more important than the game, then skip this week's session, I don't mind. Even I have to work some Sundays, so it's not like the players don't get breaks.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I wouldn't call that hostile. Angry, demanding, and rude perhaps, but not hostile. Hostile is "I'm going to slash your tires if I don't get what I want". She probably was just having a bad day. Don't make it into more than it is.

 

[LordBOB]

hit them in the face with a frying pan!!!!


Plain and simple!!!!

 

[MadMaxim]

I wouldn't call that hostile. Angry, demanding, and rude perhaps, but not hostile. Hostile is "I'm going to slash your tires if I don't get what I want". She probably was just having a bad day. Don't make it into more than it is.

Okay, we'll say angry instead Ogrork, but she can't slash my tires since I don't have a car (but I get the point)

 

[MadMaxim]

hit them in the face with a frying pan!!!!


Plain and simple!!!!

Instant solution there, LordBOB, but I can't make myself do it