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How far is too far when describing what a PC senses and feels?
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<blockquote data-quote="FXR" data-source="post: 7598999" data-attributes="member: 6781105"><p>Something I’ve not delved into much, but I see Matt Mercer do quite often, is describing the internal state of a PC, even up to recalling memories and having thoughts...</p><p></p><p> For example, when encountering some scary creature he might suggest that the PCs feel a sense of dread and a cold pit in their stomach. When encountering an intimidating NPC he might describe a PCs throat going dry. When entering some familiar location he might describe a PC having a memory of some past experience. He’s even gone so far as to suggest what a character thinks! That last one seems like a step too far for most tables but his players trust that these moves are all in aid of building an engaging and memorable story (which is reliably the case).</p><p></p><p> So, where do you draw the line? Do you describe autonomic reactions the PCs might feel? Sweat, hairs rising, bile in the throat? Do you provide memories that the player didn’t suggest they try and recall? Do you describe what PCs think about a situation? </p><p></p><p>My guidelines are the following:</p><p></p><p>i) I never contradict something which was written in the character's background, but I can freely add something to it. For instance, if Manuel the Minotaur was borned and raised in Neverwinter and never left it, until the Campaign started, I'm not gonna add that he went on a pilgrimage to the Moonsea, but I can state that the bandit he just fought in the forest looks like Ben the Shoemaker, who was his grumpy neighbor when he grew up. Just the same, I can add that, on certain trip, he remembers that when he was young, he caught a fever and his hands felt like two balloons. </p><p></p><p>ii) I describe autonomic reactions, but I tried not to go the lazy way and actual describe what causes this reaction. It is also very clear that this description in no way prevent a player from choosing how his character acts. Exemple: "Looking at the strange idol with green glowing eyes, you feel a wave of dread coming over you", doesn't prohibit the player from smashing the idol to pieces, trying to pick the precious stones that are inserted in it or leaving the room. If I want to a character to act in a certain way, there has to be failed saving throw involved.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="FXR, post: 7598999, member: 6781105"] Something I’ve not delved into much, but I see Matt Mercer do quite often, is describing the internal state of a PC, even up to recalling memories and having thoughts... For example, when encountering some scary creature he might suggest that the PCs feel a sense of dread and a cold pit in their stomach. When encountering an intimidating NPC he might describe a PCs throat going dry. When entering some familiar location he might describe a PC having a memory of some past experience. He’s even gone so far as to suggest what a character thinks! That last one seems like a step too far for most tables but his players trust that these moves are all in aid of building an engaging and memorable story (which is reliably the case). So, where do you draw the line? Do you describe autonomic reactions the PCs might feel? Sweat, hairs rising, bile in the throat? Do you provide memories that the player didn’t suggest they try and recall? Do you describe what PCs think about a situation? My guidelines are the following: i) I never contradict something which was written in the character's background, but I can freely add something to it. For instance, if Manuel the Minotaur was borned and raised in Neverwinter and never left it, until the Campaign started, I'm not gonna add that he went on a pilgrimage to the Moonsea, but I can state that the bandit he just fought in the forest looks like Ben the Shoemaker, who was his grumpy neighbor when he grew up. Just the same, I can add that, on certain trip, he remembers that when he was young, he caught a fever and his hands felt like two balloons. ii) I describe autonomic reactions, but I tried not to go the lazy way and actual describe what causes this reaction. It is also very clear that this description in no way prevent a player from choosing how his character acts. Exemple: "Looking at the strange idol with green glowing eyes, you feel a wave of dread coming over you", doesn't prohibit the player from smashing the idol to pieces, trying to pick the precious stones that are inserted in it or leaving the room. If I want to a character to act in a certain way, there has to be failed saving throw involved. [/QUOTE]
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How far is too far when describing what a PC senses and feels?
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