I've got a problem in my game! Help!

[theredrobedwizard]

To play Devil's Advocate, that's a hard thing to avoid. It's like telling a child "Don't ever, *EVER*, push the button on the wall." It's temptation incarnate. Just because he gave in doesn't make him a villain (as it seems he is being made out). Maybe you expect too much out of a lurker.

Knowing that the player mentioned frequents the forums, I'd say it wasn't the brightest idea to ask about it here. There are other RPG related forums, and most likely, your player doesn't frequent all of them. Not trying to make you the bad guy in this, either.

How is this situation any different than playing a PC in a module that you've ran before? Heck, I ran B2 KotBL at least 5 times in high school; I've played in it several times after with different groups. I don't act on information gleaned from running the module, and if your player is saying the same thing, then give him the benefit of the doubt (unless this is a recurring theme, in which case, the last sentence of the next paragraph is important).

Look, bottom line is, forgiveness and friendship are more important than being in the right. Give the kid another chance. If it becomes a habitual thing (reading the modules while playing in them and acting on information gleaned) then, by all means, have a group discussion about that player's future with the group.

-TRRW

 

[Mouseferatu]

Look, bottom line is, forgiveness and friendship are more important than being in the right. Give the kid another chance. If it becomes a habitual thing (reading the modules while playing in them and acting on information gleaned) then, by all means, have a group discussion about that player's future with the group.

One of the key elements of friendship--maybe the key element--is trust. If my DM told me "Hey, there's a thread on ENWorld that contains spoilers for our adventure, please don't read it," you know what? I wouldn't read it. And I wouldn't want to game with anyone who would.

The fact that it might have been "tempting" doesn't in the least excuse it.

 

[tylermalan]

Are you certain of this?

-Samir

I haven't asked him specifically, but the guy I actually sent an email to, the other guy in our group, he said that that's what happened. Further, when I confronted the guy who cheated, he didn't dispute what he had done. Though I don't know if it was IMMEDIATE, I do know that he read the thread AFTER he was told not to.

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Think he'll read this one, too?

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Course of Action

I haven't asked him specifically ....

I would, just to be certain. He might lie to you, but it's the sporting thing to do.

... but the guy I actually sent an email to, the other guy in our group, he said that that's what happened.

Do you trust his judgment? How does he know?

Further, when I confronted the guy who cheated, he didn't dispute what he had done.

Absence of evidence is proof of nothing. Ask the "cheater" about the e-mail.

Though I don't know if it was IMMEDIATE, I do know that he read the thread AFTER he was told not to.

If you're sure of this, then get rid of him. Otherwise, I'd hear the guy out.

-Samir

 

[theredrobedwizard]

One of the key elements of friendship--maybe the key element--is trust.

Apparently I associate with far too many liars, back stabbers, and generally disreputable people. I enjoy hanging out with my friends, I love gaming with them; but I don't trust most of them. Trust is to be earned, the player in question hasn't earned his; and doesn't look like he'll be doing so anytime soon.

Assume everyone you meet is Chaotic Evil until they prove themselves otherwise.

Maybe I'm just really jaded, who knows.

If my DM told me "Hey, there's a thread on ENWorld that contains spoilers for our adventure, please don't read it," you know what? I wouldn't read it. And I wouldn't want to game with anyone who would.

Good. I'm glad your moral compass is stronger than average.

The fact that it might have been "tempting" doesn't in the least excuse it.

I'm not saying what was done was excusable, I'm just saying it should be expected. When it *doesn't* happen, you should be pleasantly surprised.

My best guess is, no matter if you'd posted the thread or not, the player would have looked up information about this module. He either would have flipped through it at a bookstore, posted his own thread about it (under the guise of running it himself), or just read every thread he could about the subject to try and gain an edge.

Hear the kid out. Let him explain why he read it, in spite of your insistence that he not. If he doesn't even bother trying to rationalize what he did, doesn't show any remorse (even if it's just because what he did upset you), then he's pretty much out of luck.

-TRRW

 

[SiderisAnon]

I have to say that if this were one of my players, I would be very angry at him. That would blow my trust in the player. I would have to question any module I bought and ran, for fear that he'd run out, find a copy, and read it.

However, if this is a long time friend, such a childish act probably shouldn't be the end of the friendship and probably not of gaming together.

Since what the player did is cheating, he needs to be punished for cheating. What I would do is ask him to take some time out of the game until the module finishes. His character loses all experience and treasure for the module. This seems like a reasonable punishment. You'll need to let the other players know why you're doing this. This will both give him time to think about how what he did was cheating and give him incentive not to do it again. (Both from the losses to his character and because the other players will be annoyed that they lost his help on the module.)

I would also directly (not through someone else) ask the player to not communicate any of the spoiler information to the other players in the game.

That should handle things.



Now if the player does try to let everyone else know the spoilers so they can cheat too, then I'd boot him out of the game for a while. If he does that, he's clearly at a point where he needs to rethink his attitude. Once he is ready to apologize and grow up, you can let him back in.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Leviathan 2007

Assume everyone you meet is Chaotic Evil until they prove themselves otherwise.

Well, at least in my case you don't have to assume.

Maybe I'm just really jaded, who knows.

Not necessarily, but you do have a rather intriguing view of human nature.

-Samir

 

[Psimancer]

A while ago I was think about running a post-modern game; contemporary setting with magic & supernatural themes. I made an off-hand comment that there were a lot of settings and systems from which I was going to draw; the usual suspects, Cthulhu, Alternate Armies, Kult, Whispering Vault, World of Darkness, etc. I also said that whatever system I ran, the setting may or may not include elements from each, and I wouldn’t be telling the players specifically what was in or out ahead of time, unless it involved their character’s background directly. Our resident Min-maxing Power-gamer almost exploded, crying foul, saying that this was ‘dirty’. The other players were more than fine with it…

It still makes me smile when I think about it…

My point here is; if he is going to cheat, you cheat too… use the boards to your advantage. Purposefully post red herrings and wild geese. Enjoy the experience.

 

[Nate Jones]

First, give yourself a day or three to cool your jets before you talk to ANYONE who you are not positive will keep your conversation confidential. So don't talk to your fellow player's about what they think you should do, talk to you're long-time penpal instead. In these kinds of situations, it is much easier to say a few, well-chosen words belatedly then spend a lifetime trying to un-say a few less aptly chosen ones.

Pragmatically, you lose nothing by waiting a few days. The issue certainly won't go away (But hey, if it were to, it'd be a win for you), and this way, you a chance to let emotions on both sides cool (And honestly, maybe this guy's way of dealing with his guilt and other emotions is just to pretend they aren't there - i.e. he acts like he has no remorse).

Hopefully, during that time, you'll come to see that its a lot easier to change an adventure than it is to get a new friend. And besides, if you kick this guy out, you'll be down to two players - certainly not the ideal playing group.

Alright, so this guy has read spoilers on the adventure. You've got two choices. You can either play Moral Cop with your "friend," or you can find some way to reconcile your differences and keep playing the module. Which one would most benefit the group? (Any there is no real way to get the best of both worlds)