Lysander
First Post
We have a bit of a dilemma developing in our gaming group; one that may be coming to a head shortly and so I decided to break my silence (I've been lurking these boards for a few months now) to ask for a little bit of advice.
Here's the situation (sorry if this is long):
I'm a player in a new gaming group (actually, for most of us it's our first group), we've been playing (and having a blast, mostly) for a few months now. The DM is also relatively inexperienced, but has run a campaign or two before and seems to be balancing maintaining his authority and listening to our opinions quite well.
Although this is probably an unfair assessment, the real trouble seems to come from one player. He's a blast to play with, and a great guy, but he's a bit sensitive and his prode is easily hurt. After one of our last sessions (this player and his girlfriend had already left), the DM gently pointed out that our method of handling treasure was haphazard and prone to abuse. Specifically, the absent player had (through no machinations of his own, I assure you, but by our sheer newness to the game) walked away with roughly three times the loot as everyone else. We agreed, upon seeing our mistake, that a new system of dividing up treasure was needed.
Cut to the next week. In walks the "troublemaker" (late, as he is often enough), and we proceed to bring up the subject. Unfortunately, the topic is broached by our most abrasive player and the troublemaker immediately gets defensive. Once another player appears to attack also (essentially, "hey, you owe us 2000gp for that cloak"), the guy ups and leaves, girlfriend (and another player) in tow.
Now so far this is a relatively minor squabble that we could resolve amongst ourselves. But these two had planned to be out of the country for our next two sessions. Previously, when a player has been away (only happened once or twice), the rest of the group plays the character and they gain full xp and treasure as if they had been there. That was the plan this time, as well. Unfortunately, the girlfriend left us her character sheet, but the guy didn't. The DM, upset at this guy's behavior, made up some lame excuse as to why his character was absent from the party (basically, "you guys got into and argument and he stormed off." ) and we went on our merry way. So we played the girlfriend's character, but simply ignored his character.
The couple will be returning soon, and if the DM does what he says he will, the girl's character will be getting full xp for the three sessions she missed, while the guy will get absolutely zero. Since we are playing in a fairly low-level campaign (5th level), that's a hefty dose of xp. I'm worried if he returns to find his character almost a level behind the whole party, he very well might drop out of the game; inevitably, his girlfriend (an able player in her own right, very creative) will also drop out.
I really enjoy both of their company, and don't want to see either one leave the game. Except for this one incident, things have run quite smoothly, and they've been a joy to game with. The player, and his character, is a real risk-taker, and it always makes for more exciting sessions.
So I guess I'm asking for any and all advice. The DM says he's willing to lose these players to assert his authority over the game, and I can see his point, but the whole issue came up over a misunderstanding (one that he failed to reconcile, even though he drove them to the airport! He says he forgot to ask for the guy's character sheet, which is most likely true).
I just feel that he's punishing this guy a little too much, perhaps even trying to push him out the game. (he has been a little hard to control at times, I'll admit.)
Ok, that was very long and I thank anyone who stuck around to read it all.
Suggestions?
Here's the situation (sorry if this is long):
I'm a player in a new gaming group (actually, for most of us it's our first group), we've been playing (and having a blast, mostly) for a few months now. The DM is also relatively inexperienced, but has run a campaign or two before and seems to be balancing maintaining his authority and listening to our opinions quite well.
Although this is probably an unfair assessment, the real trouble seems to come from one player. He's a blast to play with, and a great guy, but he's a bit sensitive and his prode is easily hurt. After one of our last sessions (this player and his girlfriend had already left), the DM gently pointed out that our method of handling treasure was haphazard and prone to abuse. Specifically, the absent player had (through no machinations of his own, I assure you, but by our sheer newness to the game) walked away with roughly three times the loot as everyone else. We agreed, upon seeing our mistake, that a new system of dividing up treasure was needed.
Cut to the next week. In walks the "troublemaker" (late, as he is often enough), and we proceed to bring up the subject. Unfortunately, the topic is broached by our most abrasive player and the troublemaker immediately gets defensive. Once another player appears to attack also (essentially, "hey, you owe us 2000gp for that cloak"), the guy ups and leaves, girlfriend (and another player) in tow.
Now so far this is a relatively minor squabble that we could resolve amongst ourselves. But these two had planned to be out of the country for our next two sessions. Previously, when a player has been away (only happened once or twice), the rest of the group plays the character and they gain full xp and treasure as if they had been there. That was the plan this time, as well. Unfortunately, the girlfriend left us her character sheet, but the guy didn't. The DM, upset at this guy's behavior, made up some lame excuse as to why his character was absent from the party (basically, "you guys got into and argument and he stormed off." ) and we went on our merry way. So we played the girlfriend's character, but simply ignored his character.
The couple will be returning soon, and if the DM does what he says he will, the girl's character will be getting full xp for the three sessions she missed, while the guy will get absolutely zero. Since we are playing in a fairly low-level campaign (5th level), that's a hefty dose of xp. I'm worried if he returns to find his character almost a level behind the whole party, he very well might drop out of the game; inevitably, his girlfriend (an able player in her own right, very creative) will also drop out.
I really enjoy both of their company, and don't want to see either one leave the game. Except for this one incident, things have run quite smoothly, and they've been a joy to game with. The player, and his character, is a real risk-taker, and it always makes for more exciting sessions.
So I guess I'm asking for any and all advice. The DM says he's willing to lose these players to assert his authority over the game, and I can see his point, but the whole issue came up over a misunderstanding (one that he failed to reconcile, even though he drove them to the airport! He says he forgot to ask for the guy's character sheet, which is most likely true).
I just feel that he's punishing this guy a little too much, perhaps even trying to push him out the game. (he has been a little hard to control at times, I'll admit.)
Ok, that was very long and I thank anyone who stuck around to read it all.
Suggestions?
