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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SableWyvern" data-source="post: 9699141" data-attributes="member: 1008">If doing the things you listed means you're being a fan of the PCs, then the implication is that if you aren't a fan of the PCs you'll do the following:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Refuse to include PCs background in the setting story (even if they make sense).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Refuse to support associated NPCs, including animal companions, familiars, constructs, intelligent weapons, etc (just because you can).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Refuse to allow PC goals or desires to be aligned with the setting story (even if it would make sense to do so).</li> </ul>My problem with "be a fan of the PCs" is that in order to defend it against people who say they don't subscribe to it as a philosophy, it always ends up being explained as just doing basic things in a reasonable fashion. At that point, it's really just saying the GM shouldn't be out to mess with the PCs in arbitrary ways that will ruin the players fun, in which case a much better pithy saying is the more general, "don't be a dick."I am absolutely a fan of the PCs inasmuch as I enjoy my players enjoying playing their PCs. But I don't feel that I need a special phrase to describe this or point out how important this is. It's just basic stuff.I'm certainly never thinking, "How can I show I'm a fan of the PCs when I make this ruling?" which is what I would expect from someone who genuinely believes that being a fan of the PCs is of critical importance. If any type of bias is creeping in along those lines, it will absolutely not be about the PCs, it will be, "How will my players feel about this?"In summary: There is nothing wrong with the idea that "be a fan of the PCs" is a particular GM style you might want to support and encourage. But for that to mean something, it should mean more than just not being out to ruin or disregard what your players enjoy. Claiming every GM should be a fan of the PCs is either watering the phrase down to the point where other terms would serve better, or pushing your own preferences as universal.</blockquote>

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