Aldarc
Legend
I just want to make it clear where I was coming from with my own preferences and experiences. DMing is definitely a balancing act. I just happen to believe that the story's not centered around the DM, but revolves in that space between the DM and players.I've seen campaigns fail because the DM tries to please everybody and ends up pleasing nobody, or because the DM lacks the force of will to hold the thing together. I think DMing requires leadership. Good leaders won't leave a sour taste. That said, good leaders are hard to find, in any domain. Again, I think that rules aren't a substitute for good DMing.
Do I have a script? Do I cut things that don't work after they happen? No. I'm directing an improv. It did take me time to learn how to balance the few things that I dictate over reactions and developments that happen during play. I think my players have complained more about having too much responsibility than not enough! But these days everyone's on the same page.
Hopefully. This conversation has been beneficial, as I think that the major point of disagreement is not whether save-or-die is in the game, but whether or it not it is the default setting for monsters and spells.I suspect that this is true. I think I've stated my case well and you seem to have done yours. I doubt either of us is likely to change philosphies, so I'll amicably agree to disagree and hopefully the coversation will be an interesting read for others.