Is this fair? -- predict the general opinion

[Quasqueton]

Note: This poll is asking what you think others will say about the fairness of this scenario. This thread is for discussing how you think others will respond to this scenario.

Hypothetical scenario:

You’ve cleared out the dungeon and found the McGuffin you were seeking. Then you come to a room located in the back corner of the dungeon. In the room is only a large lever sticking up out of the floor. You search the room and find a secret door in one wall. You can’t find a way to open the door. The rogue searches the door and lever for traps, and finds none. The monk pulls the lever. He has to make a saving throw – he rolls a 19 on the die, adds in his mods, and fails the save. He turns into a pile of fine dust on the floor.

What will the general opinion be of this question: Is this fair?

I will post another thread/poll asking what you, personally, think/feel about this in a couple of days, or when the poll has at least 100 votes.

Please, vote only how you think others will think/feel about this scenario.

Quasqueton

 

[monboesen]

It will depend on peoples usual playing styles. Experienced hard core multiple editions gamers will find that the monk was needlessly careless.

Their thought will be along the lines of "Why didn't he just tie a rope to the lever and back up 50-100 ft. before pulling."



Players with less experience or used to be Dm cuddling will find it outrageous.

Their thoughts will be along the lines "How was I to know not to pull that lever? Nobody told me that. And what's going with that save, I rolled a 19 that should be an automatic pass vs. anything at the CR I'm supposed to meet"

 

[frankthedm]

Not fair.

Life is not fair either.

They had what they came for.

Curiosity killed the cat.

 

[Quasqueton]

Not fair.

Life is not fair either.

They had what they came for.

Curiosity killed the cat.

Are you saying that people here will say that the scenario was not fair? Your post is confusing in this regard.

I just want to make sure people are voting as the question is asked -- what other people will say.

Quasqueton

 

[Sidekick]

I'd have to agree with monboesen.

Those with more experience or who play under a RBDM will say they deserved it.

Less experienced players and those who are used to being mollycoddled by their DMs (which I sometimes do, naughty of me I know) will think that its an unfair reaction.

Juging my the fact that this IS Enworld I wil say that the general consensus will be for....

[drumroll please]

Fair (but statistically only just (50-57%)

 

[Kesh]

I had to vote Other, because it depends on the circumstances.

If it happened exactly as described, it's completely unfair. Further, I'd consider it unfun.

If this is deep in a dungeon full of insta-kill traps, then it's a bit of a toss-up. They've got the macguffin, they are trying to get out, there's no other (obvious) avenue of escape... well, they should have seen it coming. Still, not that fun.

If, however, there's an obvious warning that the only way to escape is to pull the lever, but whoever pulls it will die, it just became a dramatic situation. Someone can choose to sacrifice themselves for the others, or the group can try to figure out a way to trigger the lever without someone getting killed, or they can look for another way out.

The difference is, in the latter instance, the players choose how to react instead of getting a "bang, you're dead" response. Which wasn't fun when playing cops 'n robbers as a kid, either.

I realize you wanted how I think others would react, but... well, those are the ways I'd expect people to react. I can only go by my own responses, and my interpretation of how others have reacted in similar circumstances.

 

[Fishbone]

It just seems like a real cheap way to go. A monk, with the best saves in the game, with save boosting materials, and a rolled 19 is vaporized at the end of the campaign. I don't know if its fair or not but I'd be filled with rage if that happened to my monk. Stop thinking about fair or not and start thinking if its fun for everyone involved, thats what I'd tell the DM. Is it fair? Depends on group and the rest of the actions and challenges in the dungeon. Does it suck? Is it not fun? Yes, and yes.
The majority, a slim majority will probably vote fair. Me, I want a 3rd option
Impossible to tell, but either way it sucks.

 

[darthkilmor]

I said not fair mainly because the lethality of the trap isn't conveyed. The direct assumption would be that the level opens the door, which is a fairly reasonable deduction. A save-or-die effect with no indication that its a save-or-die is just not fair. For the described scenario there should be maybe something like "this room seems much more dustier than normal, like some fire or ash was dispursed here" or "there's a pile of dust next to the level". If say, some othe kind of dmg was dealt with a reasonable save DC then that would be fair.

As described, it seems unfair and the votes seem to indicate most ppl feel the same way.

 

[Agent Oracle]

*Makes note* Buy... more... rope...

I voted "Other". The "failed" saving throw seemed blatantly unfair (if the monk couldn't make that save, who could?) but there must have been some REASON for this trap. Ask the GM, and give us their explanation behind it. If the GM refuses to tell you, it was probably unfair. If the GM actually explains it as "You missed something important in the previous room due to factor X, Y, or Z" it might be acceptable.

For instance: if the trap only goes off if you pull the switch after the McGuffin has been removed from the pedestal (necessitating the bag of sand / idol swap.)

 

[Quasqueton]

As described, it seems unfair and the votes seem to indicate most ppl feel the same way.

If people are voting as the poll explains, the votes indicate that most people feel that most people will say it is unfair.

Quasqueton