How do you deal with canon fanatics?

[molonel]

I went into an ongoing D&D campaign one time that focused on a city the size of Ptolus. Millions of people. Huge. Major NPCs. I was asked to step up when the main DM stepped down.

One of the first things I did was drop a comet on the city, and wipe it out.

It was fun.

The look of, "No, you didn't!" was priceless.

 

[HolyGrenadeFrenzy]

I'm sorry but I'd have to say that your original method IS the better, more effective way to address the issue. Honestly, if a player comes out at you like that then he/she deserves the blunt response, I can tell you it'd be the one that I'd give them. For me using a setting AS IS defeats the entire purpose of a DM using his/her creativity to mold and play in the campaign world. It's one of the reasons that I DM and one of the reasons I DONT use campaign settings. I'd go as far to be obnoxious (as a few other posters here have been) and say that if the canon fiends want to play canon only games maybe they should pick up a few of the FR based video games out there and play THOSE instead of sitting down and playing a tabletop game. If you as a player are looking to straightjacket the DM by attempting to force him/her to adhere to canon then you need to find a DM that wants to run that type of game and go play with him.

I know that's not what you were looking for, but in my experience, it's not worth being kind
OR civil to obnoxious gamers, especially canon fiends.

Yeah, ShinHakkaider is correct. Yet an interlude needs to be said about people.

DMing is no place for cowardice, and unfortunately you have to say things some have to just simply get over. I am not jumping to conclusions here but it does present a nasty picture for your game if it is tolerated.

I am a DM and a player because the good DMs in my area group together. We will run for anybody yet the Canon Fiends (So Dubbed) hit and run away to their loss.

If, and this is a big if, the aurguing continues from such a player then you have to quickly calculate your options. So perhaps we could draw off everyones options and make a bullet list for you, I haven't done it yet and someone else might beat me to it.

I often confront someone who does this sort of thing by degree of their intentions. Intentions can often be sensed, call it a real life "sense motive" if yoiu desire. If they simply want to Bulldoze the DM into getting their way I often will ask a series of questions.

Often their interperatations of the rules are the only ones that matter to them even if the DMs interperatations are the only ones that matter according to the Core Rules in the D&D game and pretty much that is the case in any Tabletop RPG.

@JD
"Are you a Player or are you the DM? Because the last time I checked I was DM in this game!" Is something you might what to say to the player next time.

If that doesn't work you could ask inquistively like you don't quite get it. " Are you trying to bully me into giving you your demands? Because like that is no way to treat anybody around here and especially not the DM if you are! Or are you just opinionated and need to learn your place in the game (Harsh but true)" is the next level of things generally I like to get cleared up in a game.....But then again I don't like to be bullied and some do put up with it.

There are always more options to try if you can't get it worked out with your players..maybe running something completely different even. Yet, I find it difficult to believe that a discussion about social elements could result in a non-gaming response....

...Is it possible your player was just interested in understanding what the previous cannon game setting social order thought of the new social order? Like if it was invading or always present? Was this a parrellel universe or not? Where any of these questions asked?

.......The reason I am curious is that the Scarred Lands have had plenty of room in their history for differing social agendas to try and take root and fail and even more are secret.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Come to think of it, Planescape had a pretty clever way to deal with what was "canon." All it's information came in-character, and was subject to that own character's biases and beliefs (both of which played a huge part in the PS feel, to boot). So it's entirely possible that a given narrator was unreliable, that it was just the ale talking, or that they were pushing some agenda.

I've used that to this day to get myself out of some tight narrative corners that I occasionally paint myself into.

 

[Dross]

While I have never had to suffer under cannon-lovers here is a thought.

Nowhere in the books do they talk about the actual characters that the player are going to use. Thus they CANNOT exist!

 

[jdrakeh]

DMing is no place for cowardice, and unfortunately you have to say things some have to just simply get over.

True, but DMing is no place for arbitrary fiat with total disregard for other players, either. Those DMs end up without any players, as I learned in the now distant past.

I am not jumping to conclusions here but it does present a nasty picture for your game if it is tolerated.

Addressing something in a polite manner =/= tolerance.

Yet, I find it difficult to believe that a discussion about social elements could result in a non-gaming response....

Note my location. I really can't go into any detail due to board policy, though Google should enlighten you

 

[jdrakeh]

@JD> Sounds like you are doing pretty well with your own perspective and the advice here. Is there something, specifically, that you think could be done to assist in moving things more smoothly in your situation?

No, not really, just looking for other perspectives.

 

[HolyGrenadeFrenzy]

It is just as you say.....I would never suggest intentionally to get involved in power struggles with players because of how quickly it becomes ridiculous.

Caring about others feelings is fine and good. The line is where taking responsiblity for their feelings are for no one is capable of taking responsiblity for others feelings. The most we can do is take responsiblity for our own and be sensitive to others feelings. I personally don't like it when others chew their nails.....Yet, it really isn't my problem unless I start chewing mine ot they are spitting them in my direction or on my carpet.

Toleration is paramount to many things in life including a good time gaming. Yet an occasional chastisement for players out of concern for them and yourself and both your gaming and personal relationship means understanding the differences necissary when different roles are held by the same two people.

I am DM and player to several of my friends, rarely do we have such issues and when we do we leave better than when it started. The few other friends we have such troubles with have this same trouble in many areas in their lives.

I can't afford to loose any friends because I am not very good at being a simple aquaintence in person.....Thus, only my friends really know me very well.

I feel a Mark Twain quote bubbling up about men and their stories and how important a mans intellect is for him to defend.......When that happens with a player/DM relationship sometimes the player needs something from the DM they have a difficult time putting into words or request.

This can sometimes be satiated by allowing them to assist with something for a light XP reward of say 10% for mapping and/or keeping track of what initiatives are and what players do each round. Some players are great at getting a book and page for data from memory and even if you can do it yourself it can pay off to allow them to get it for you. It can simply be the need to contribute part of what and whom they are in addition to playing their character.........It can even be wrong to disallow some kind of contribution at times. Yet you are DMing........then it is still up to you.

If the DM doesn't draw on the strengths of their players then the players thirst and strive to proove the worth of their strengths. This is part of the human condition often referred to as human nature.

-HGF

And on my other posts I have mentioned some other important things to consider.

Note: My location comes from a quote by two people I love and admire very much in regards to the area I once again reside in.