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Message: <blockquote data-quote="LostSoul" data-source="post: 5175465" data-attributes="member: 386">I think the difference is that the DM only creates the setting + characters (NPCs), and then turns it over to the PCs to set their own goals in that situation.If the situation is "small town of normal men + pirates looking to sack it", the PCs can respond in any number of ways:Maybe the PCs will join with the pirates and sack the town.Maybe the PCs will use the threat of the pirates to "organize a defense", when all they're trying to do is gain access to the treasury to rob the town blind before they leave.Maybe they'll butt heads with some of the townspeople and decide it's not worth it, these people deserve to get attacked.Maybe they think the townspeople should stand up for themselves and it's not their job to worry about it.Maybe they take over the pirates and sack another town.Maybe they convince the pirates to attack a more lucrative town.I think there is a problem when you have world-ending situations, though.Anyway.  If the DM decides what the PC's goals are or how they should go about achieving them then I think you start getting into railroad territory.  I think that, in order to avoid it, the DM should consciously make an effort to be unconcerned with what happens.</blockquote>