D&D 5E (2014) Real Emotions at the Gaming Table

[Lakesidefantasy]

Don't overthink it (I'll be handing out citations for such).

I've always said that "Dungeons and Dragons is better in the telling." Meaning that, at the table, we, the Players, feel real emotions that are not always comfortable. It's not till later, after the emotions have dissipated, are we better able to enjoy the experiences in the "telling" of the tales.

Anyway, in last night's game, one of my players got swallowed by a giant toad. Maybe she was just exhausted from work, but she didn't look too thrilled about. However, she escaped the toad by pulling a riding horse out of her robe of useful things, thus exploding the toad (obviously).

How do you think you would feel if you're character got swallowed by a toad? Would you feel differently depending on what kind of character got swallowed?

 

[Charlaquin]

My reaction would depend on a lot of factors, from in-game context to my real-life emotional state on that particular day. I think I tend to lean towards “this will make a great story,” but if the tone of the campaign is super light and goofy, that would likely shift me towards “that’s hilarious.” If I’m not loving the campaign and kinda checked out, I might tend towards “I’ve seen worse.” If the tone of the campaign is serious and I’m having a bad day, I might get too caught up in “what if she dies?” and lose sight of the story it’ll make later. I don’t really see myself being embarrassed about it.

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

Don't overthink it (I'll be handing out citations for such).

I've always said that "Dungeons and Dragons is better in the telling." Meaning that, at the table, we, the Players, feel real emotions that are not always comfortable. It's not till later, after the emotions have dissipated, are we better able to enjoy the experiences in the "telling" of the tales.

Anyway, in last night's game, one of my players got swallowed by a giant toad. Maybe she was just exhausted from work, but she didn't look too thrilled about. However, she escaped the toad by pulling a riding horse out of her robe of useful things, thus exploding the toad (obviously).

How do you think you would feel if you're character got swallowed by a toad? Would you feel differently depending on what kind of character got swallowed?

What was her answer to your survey?

 

[DragonLancer]

Personally it does put me into a slightly bad mood if a character of mine dies, especially if I've put a lot of effort into the character. But I accent that character death is part and parcel of the game. It just irks me a little I guess. I want them to survive and tell the story at the table.

By sounds of it, your friend might have had a bad/rough day. Maybe reach out and ask if everything is okay?

 

[Maxperson]

Anyway, in last night's game, one of my players got swallowed by a giant toad. Maybe she was just exhausted from work, but she didn't look too thrilled about. However, she escaped the toad by pulling a riding horse out of her robe of useful things, thus exploding the toad (obviously).

That was an amazing escape.

 

[aco175]

I tend to play halflings a lot and several have been killed or nearly killed by giant rats in the past. This would likely be just as embarrassing.

Not as embarrassing as the old story of the 1e mage who summoned a familiar and received a toad. Thinking that was rubbish, he stepped on it and ended up taking half damage from the telepathic link and killed himself.

 

[overgeeked]

It’s always hilarious. Always.

 

[MarkB]

I've seen too much Konosuba not to find it hilarious. If there's not a Spellcaster with Prestidigitation in the party, my main concern would be how far the nearest bath house is.

With some characters I'd feel more sorry for the toad, swallowing all that spiky metal.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

What was her answer to your survey?

That's a good question. I've only played with her for about a dozen sessions, but if I had to guess it would "This is cool."

I feel all of these emotions at the table including others like frustration, confusion, and contentment (I'm a sucker for descriptions of a halfling village). Sometimes I purposely try to create confusion if the encounter will gain from it. Frustration often happens when I'm faced with a challenge that requires thinking and puzzle solving. It's balanced by the elation that comes with solving puzzles and riddles. Even just seeing another Player solve things gets my mirror cells ringing.

I think the negative emotions may have a deeper impact, so that we have to remind ourselves that it is just an elf game. I mean, when I'm most victorious, sitting in a pile of toad offal next to a dead horse, in a dungeon no less, I'm not trying to remind myself that it's just a game.