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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Herremann the Wise" data-source="post: 4465720" data-attributes="member: 11300">Some comments on your question:- Mechanics along with flavour should inform not dictate (scratch the unnecessary negative connotation).- Exactness in even a rpg simulation is going a little far wouldn't you say? I'll settle for a good representation of the action that keeps my group happy - YMMV.- Should be described or could be described? I think anything that aids the DM in describing what has happened is a good thing. Or if you invert the question and put the shoe on the other foot:"Is it an objection that the mechanics inform the players and GM what has happened in the game?"Let's take your example:What happens if a character gets a closer look before the situation is resolved? I suppose you have to say "you're not sure but they don't look in a good way - they definitely need some help." Players will quickly understand in terms of mechanics what this means. However, what story are you left with at the end of the day?[Our adventuring heroes Pemerton and Herremann gather around the evening campfire to discuss the day's adventuring]Pemerton: Hard day today Herremann, how are you feeling after that axe to the head?Herremann: Axe to the head? Is that what it was? I seem OK, I can still cast my spells fine. It must have been a grazing shot then.Pemerton: Actually it looked pretty bad at the time. Blood sprayed everywhere.Herremann: Really? Was it that bad? I suppose it must have been as it knocked me clean out.Pemerton: I reckon you could have been seconds away from death actually.Herremann: Surely not... I couldn't have been that bad because I'm fine now - just a little bit weary though... near my bedtime actually.[Herremann thinks for a moment reviewing his adventuring career with Pemerton before asking something he'd been meaning to for a while]Herremann: It's funny that.Pemerton: What?Herremann: I've never been seriously injured.Pemerton: Never?Herremann: Nope. Never. Just scratches and bruises; although my head is a little sore come to think about it. No gut openings, no broken legs. I mean look... I've still got all ten fingers.Pemerton: Actually you're right come to think about it. I've never been seriously injured either.[Pemerton thinks hard and can't think of a time when a good night's rest hasn't done the trick]Herremann: Hmmm... must be something with the new deity around here that controls things.Pemerton: New deity? Oh yeah that's right.Herremann: I mean I like the old one, don't get me wrong but you hear stories of flayings and spells that can rip your guts out from the bad dudes that followed him. You don't get stuff like that with the new guy. I feel much safer actually.Pemerton: I've heard stories about other deities that would curl your toes... then make them fall off along with your head. The world's a much safer place now.Herremann: So it is... so it is. It might be interesting though.Pemerton: What?Herremann: It might be interesting to deal with a broken leg. Or even just a good gash that'll leave a big scar. Like the old days... you know?Pemerton: Nuh, it'll never happen.Herremann: Never?Pemerton: I don't think so... unless of course you want to die from it. Then you can get a broken leg, a big gash right through your belly and maybe even a decapitation... all at once even.Herremann: But only if I die?Pemerton: That's the rules I think. Can't happen any other way.[Herremann shakes his head in wonder then gets up to pull out his spellbook and bedroll before retiring. He ponders the wonders of this new adventuring world]Best RegardsHerremann the Wise</blockquote>

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