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General Tabletop Discussion
*TTRPGs General
Realistic Consequences vs Gameplay
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<blockquote data-quote="Lanefan" data-source="post: 8004024" data-attributes="member: 29398"><p>That's quite bit different than a King and his retinue, which is the context I first read this in (and which IMO would make for better discussion: attacking a King whose word really is the law is somewhat more all-or-nothing than attacking some minor local noble-wannabe).</p><p></p><p>Which now has me wondering: if he and his guards are so pathetic how did the PCs ever manage to blow their shot at taking him out?</p><p></p><p>System differences aside, I would agree with that; and go on to say it's not that much of a problem.</p><p></p><p>Physical stuff like dealing with a trap plays out by the mechanics we use to replace doing it for real. But social stuff not so much, and as the mad tyrant is a character his reaction to being threatened is going to come under 'social'.</p><p></p><p>Each DM who runs that module is going to, from the information given, develop his-her own idea of what makes that mad-tyrant guy tick and play him accordingly. One DM might play up the 'mad' aspect and have the guy start giggling uncontrollably at the sight of a drawn weapon. Another DM might play up the 'tyrant' part and have him sic his guards on the PCs at the very first sign of disrespect. A third DM might see him as a typical bully - all bluster and no real bravery - who at first sight of a weapon drawn against him breaks down into a cowering mess.</p><p></p><p>All are valid; though I suspect the 'average' of all might end up trending a bit toward the 'tyrant' version.</p><p></p><p>To the extent that 3e-4e-5e took them, I'd agree. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>This to me conflates two separate and disconnected issues: mechanics use and end satisfaction.</p><p></p><p>Sure, what happened from the NPC side was completely within the DM's power to control. And in hindsight maybe the DM wasn't too pleased with what he-she did with it and how it all shook down - we've probably all had those moments more often that we'd care to admit <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> - but that's much the same as a DM making any other call and later realizing it could have been done better: live with it and move on.</p><p></p><p>Had some systemized mechanics been used there's nothing saying they couldn't have led to the exact same outcome, and what then? Does the DM blame the mechanics for leading to an unsatisfactory result?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lanefan, post: 8004024, member: 29398"] That's quite bit different than a King and his retinue, which is the context I first read this in (and which IMO would make for better discussion: attacking a King whose word really is the law is somewhat more all-or-nothing than attacking some minor local noble-wannabe). Which now has me wondering: if he and his guards are so pathetic how did the PCs ever manage to blow their shot at taking him out? System differences aside, I would agree with that; and go on to say it's not that much of a problem. Physical stuff like dealing with a trap plays out by the mechanics we use to replace doing it for real. But social stuff not so much, and as the mad tyrant is a character his reaction to being threatened is going to come under 'social'. Each DM who runs that module is going to, from the information given, develop his-her own idea of what makes that mad-tyrant guy tick and play him accordingly. One DM might play up the 'mad' aspect and have the guy start giggling uncontrollably at the sight of a drawn weapon. Another DM might play up the 'tyrant' part and have him sic his guards on the PCs at the very first sign of disrespect. A third DM might see him as a typical bully - all bluster and no real bravery - who at first sight of a weapon drawn against him breaks down into a cowering mess. All are valid; though I suspect the 'average' of all might end up trending a bit toward the 'tyrant' version. To the extent that 3e-4e-5e took them, I'd agree. :) This to me conflates two separate and disconnected issues: mechanics use and end satisfaction. Sure, what happened from the NPC side was completely within the DM's power to control. And in hindsight maybe the DM wasn't too pleased with what he-she did with it and how it all shook down - we've probably all had those moments more often that we'd care to admit :) - but that's much the same as a DM making any other call and later realizing it could have been done better: live with it and move on. Had some systemized mechanics been used there's nothing saying they couldn't have led to the exact same outcome, and what then? Does the DM blame the mechanics for leading to an unsatisfactory result? [/QUOTE]
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