Is this a cruel DM?

[Xarlen]

I really have to wonder where the Fun in this is.

"Quick, the Pit Fiend is coming!"

"I cast magic weapon on my crossbow... Oh wait, my god forsake me and my spellbook was eaten."

 

[buzzard]

I'd bail on that game in no time. That DM sounds like a pure bastard. Unless you have some kind of masochistic streak, I can't see why it would be enjoyable. In three years no one has made it past 7th- this is a clear indication of a sadistic DM.

buzzard

 

[DanMcS]

And that's why the CR charts and the 'suggested treasure guideline' lists are useless, and the suggested treasure bit especially should be dropped. If a DM isn't tracking with them exactly, his players point to the book and complain. "I'm level N, I should have at least a +2 weapon and bracers of whininess by now!"

 

[Femerus the Gnecro]

It sounds to me like your DM is having a huge problem understanding the fundamental point of the game, namely that it's supposed to be fun for both the players AND the DM.

The game seems to be (from your descriptions) a constant struggle between the DM and the players, where the DM is actively trying to screw you and the players are unable to cope with the (overpowered) challenges presented.

I would leave this game in a heartbeat, and take the other players with me. DM's whose entire purpose in life is to 'stomp all nifty things' aren't worthy of DM'ing in my opinion.

Thankfully, I've never had to deal with this particular situation. Sure, I've argued long and hard with every DM I've played under, but at the end of the day I'm still great friends with all of them, and I think the campaigns were better for it.

So, tell your DM what you're thinking, and let him know some of the cardinal rules of gaming.

1. The game is not a contest between the players and the DM
2. When the game ceases to be fun for anyone, then it has failed
3. The PC's *should* be able to win occasionally. Otherwise, what's the point of playing?

-F

 

[Hammerhead]

Kill everyone in the group at night. Then smile at the DM, shake his hand, and congratulate him:

"Way to go. You ruined your campaign."

 

[barsoomcore]

Me, I like playing spellcasters, and actually having magical items that I don't need to play grenade-diver just to keep.

Mm, Grenade-Diver d20.

...

sorry, can't carry that one any further, giggling too much.

 

[kenjib]

By the way, to the poster that suggested finding as many of the pages from the spellbook and then putting them back to together and mending them. I suggested that to the DM, and was told the wererats ate the paper. So, no luck there.

Okay, so the DM says that the wererats destroyed all of these objects, then you come up with a potential solution.

Then, he retro-actively changes the past just to prevent you from solving the problem?

Pfft!

DM: You come to a magic well at a farm and you need some of the water to cure your affliction, but there's no bucket in the well.

Methos: I affix my bucket to the rope and get some water.

DM: Sorry. You just notice for the first time that there's a hole in your bucket.

Methos: Okay, I fix it with straw from the barn.

DM: The straw is too long.

Methos: Okay, I cut it with my knife.

DM: You just discovered that your knife is too dull.

Methos: Okay, I sharpen it with a stone.

DM: The stones are all too rough.

Methos: Okay, I smooth a stone with water.

DM: Where do you get the water from?

Methos: The well.

DM: HA! HA! GOTCHA! I WIN! *SNORT*

 

[Tiefling]

It sounds very much like the DM is at fault, but too often I've heard a player complain about a DM or vice versa and I condemn the person who's being talked about, only to discover, when I hear the story from the other person's side, that it's not really that simple. Of course, I've also told Methos that it would be better not to bring the DM here.

What I would suggest, Methos, is that you explain to the DM what's been said here. If he doesn't relent, record his side of the story (on paper, in memory, whatever) and then tell it to us. Then we can help further from there

 

[Valmur_Dwur]

I think you said it best earlier He doesn't like high level campaigns. So kill off the most powerful party member and the rest fall like chaff from the wheat mwuhahahaha! I would exclude Mr DM from your new group as it seems he doesn't like to play nice. Never would I think of screwing over my players with NO chance of redemption...Heh wait a minute, I would do these things to a player I was trying to get rid of...Nah just coiencdence<sp>. Well since you can't play your wizard because there is no spellbook and you can't be a cleric since you no longer have a god and you can't fight since I assume your +1 spear was destroyed also(and if not I would ask the DM why spare that?) the only option you have is to become stressed so you change form again and the leave the dungeon and run free amonst the hills and ..oh sorry wrong were creature. Anyway I hope you can work it out, but I don't see it.

 

[Methos]

To tell you the truth, my line of thinking is to do the following since I'm role-playing my character that he is now bitter, disillusioned, hates the world that hasn't rewarded him for his heriocs to this point, etc.:

Become a selfish individual who is primarily looking out for himself now. He isn't going out of his way to hurt anyone, but he certainly doesn't go out of his way to help anyone either, including his comrades. In effect, he becomes a "me first" individual and to heck with anyone else. The world hasn't helped him, why should he help anyone else. Effectively a CN type of character.

I'm sure that he will eventually get clerical powers back even if it means worshipping another god, perhaps even a god who is a bit on the dark side. So, he will have some minimal healing powers again.

Enter combat. Other party members at least need to be stabalized in the middle of combat. Guess what???? Methos' character does not heal them. Why???? Needs the few healing spells that he has for himself. Also, party members dropping like flies, but the bad guy is still standing maybe in combat with the last remaining party member. Hmmmm....... Methos' character decides that sticking around isn't a good idea. So, he high tails it out of the dungeon. But, before he does, he helps himself to whatever interesting magic items the now dying party members have. Why???? Because that is his "me first" attitude.

Effectively, the campaign ends because everyone else is dead, but my actions are totally explainable in the context of the campaign. This is even a better way to end the campaign than simply killing everyone else. I am a product of the DM's creation.

Cheers

I think you said it best earlier He doesn't like high level campaigns. So kill off the most powerful party member and the rest fall like chaff from the wheat mwuhahahaha! I would exclude Mr DM from your new group as it seems he doesn't like to play nice. Never would I think of screwing over my players with NO chance of redemption...Heh wait a minute, I would do these things to a player I was trying to get rid of...Nah just coiencdence<sp>. Well since you can't play your wizard because there is no spellbook and you can't be a cleric since you no longer have a god and you can't fight since I assume your +1 spear was destroyed also(and if not I would ask the DM why spare that?) the only option you have is to become stressed so you change form again and the leave the dungeon and run free amonst the hills and ..oh sorry wrong were creature. Anyway I hope you can work it out, but I don't see it.