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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jeffh" data-source="post: 2683628" data-attributes="member: 2642">I wrote, but never actually handed out (or even printed), a document along these lines a while back, after both my groups had managed to piss me off in the same week. Unfortunately I lost it to a hard drive crash along with a ton of other stuff, so I can't just paste it in here. Most of it is basic, don't-be-a-nickname-for-people-named-Richard stuff, but some is specific to our group. One reason I did not ever actually hand it out is that it's full of little digs at current and former players (the worst ones at a former one everyone would pretty much agree deserved them, but stilll) - I didn't feel that was appropriate conduct on my part.Here's the short versions of as much of it as I can remember offhand.(Incidentally, to whoever takes care of such things - the List button above DOESN'T WORK, and as far as I can tell, never has.)GENERAL HOUSE RULES* Smoking is strictly forbidden. Even heavy smokers who don't currently have anything lit up can be a serious problem. As far as I know that goes for more than just tobacco (I personally have no issues with pot but I think the person who owns the house does).* Alcoholic drinks are acceptable, but anything remotely resembling drinking to excess is not. Hard drugs are right out, not that it's ever actually come up.* We're not the best housekeepers in the world, but I for one draw a fairly sharp distinction between "cluttered" (which rarely bothers me) and "dirty" (which rarely fails to). Do not leave dirty dishes, used napkins, etc etc in the gaming area. The rule of thumb is, if you can concieve of mold growing on it under reasonably normal circumstances, get rid of it as soon as possible. If in doubt, clean it up.* We have cats. If that bothers you, whether for medical, psychological or aesthetic reasons, this may not be the game for you.* Non-gaming guests (surprisingly common, even though I can't fathom why anyone would want to WATCH people play D&D) are expected to be quiet and non-disruptive. It is very helpful if they bring an activity of their own to do, provided it meets the "quiet and non-disruptive" requirement. Brenna's artwork from the last time she was here is a perfect example of the sort of thing they should bring (and had the added advantage of being cool and vaguely on-theme).* We're well insulated and in a stand-alone house. Noise is rarely an issue. Even if someone's trying to sleep upstairs, you can pretty much get away with murder on that front.ATTENDANCE* You're expected to be at every session if reasonably possible. Work, school and OCCASIONALLY other things such as relationship issues can take priority, but in general, we try to set the bar pretty high for what counts as sufficient reason to miss a session.* If you can't make it, let me know at least 48 hours ahead of time if at all possible. Whenever feasible, call me AND e-mail our Yahoo group so others are aware of the situation.* Multiple unexplained absences in a short period can get you booted, ESPECIALLY if you express surprise that there was a game and/or that I expect a good reason why you weren't there.PUNCTUALITY* I don't care if you're late, as long as it's by less than, say, an hour. Please stop bothering me about being ten minutes late when you know very well that we won't have started by then anyway.QUORUM* If anyone is missing (four-person Eberron group) / two or more people are missing (seven-person Mystara group), we don't play - assuming I find out at a reasonable time. I reserve the right to push ahead without you if I only find out we'll be shorthanded at the last minute, or even moreso, in the case of an unexplained no-show.THE LIST* You are expected to be as up to date as possible with what is happening on the relevant Yahoo group, especially little things like, oh, whether or not there's a game. Try to check it at least three times a week, one of which should be right before you leave for the game if at all possible. Being at the university is NOT sufficient reason to claim this wasn't possible, there are usable computers all over the place.* When I ask who is able to make it to the game, I expect replies. From everyone. Including you. In my experience, policies like "I'll let you know if there's a problem, no news is good news" don't work, at least over the long haul - from my point of view that's indistinguishable from "who knows whether I'll show up" or even "the game isn't even on my radar this week", and the first turns into the second and that in turn becomes the third all too easily.THE ACTUAL GAME* Try to pay attention and, in particular, know what is going on and what you are planning to do when your turn comes up in combat. I don't expect everyone's rapt attention at all times (which would probably creep me out anyway) but I don't expect to have to recap everything that's happened since your last turn every time I call your name either.* Reading that isn't of direct and immediate relevance to the current game session is strongly discouraged, as is doing anything non-game-related with your laptop or palmtop. Naturally, this rule is relaxed considerably during "talky" scenes that your character isn't present for. Even then, though, if you're doing something like playing a computer game, you MUST do it with the sound off or with headphones, which should be on ONE ear.* Turn off your cell unless you're expecting an important call.* Non-game-related conversations should be rare, quiet and NEVER be held "across" people who are doing something game-related.* Try to keep anachronisms to a minimum. I can cut people some slack since I do it too occasionally, but a constant stream of them just wrecks SOD.* We are definitely not one of those "if you say it, your character does" groups - I think that is completely ridiculous, and doubt very much that the groups that claim to use such a rule actually follow it consistently - but when you can reasonably be interpreted as speaking in character, try to at least give a nod in the direction of describing things in terms your CHARACTER would understand. (I.E. talk about injuries and fatigue rather than hit points and spell slots, unless it's obvious you're NOT speaking in character).* Nature calls once in a while and that's fine, but do not leave the table right before your turn in combat if at all possible. That's inconsiderate of everyone who is left waiting for you. In this and similar situations, I reserve (but very rarely actually invoke) the right to make your decision for you, or allow a player or vote among the players to determine it.RULE DISPUTES* "The GM is always right" is a complete line of crap. This one goofs up all the time, even on rules he WROTE. Thus, if you think you notice something fishy, PLEASE bring it to my attention.* When doing so, bear in mind that insulting me, or excessive beligerence of any kind, will naturally make me LESS inclined to rule in your favour and will probably upset your fellow players - possibly to the point of asking me to boot you - largely independantly of who is actually right. (This is not a rule of mine, it's simply a reminder of a basic fact about human nature.) They are also just not very effective ways of making your point. Basic internal consistency also helps - if you preferred rule X to rule Y last week, I am unlikely to look kindly on it if you now prefer rule Y (now that you've been on the recieving end of rule X).* Try not to tie up excessive time on rules disputes. In particular, do not continue to pursue complaints after I have already overruled you, unless you have good reason to believe I misunderstood you. (The mere fact that I dared to disagree with you is NOT a good reason.)* I will give my reasons for ruling one way rather than another if so moved; I will also usually give them if asked, but do not assume this is an absolute entitlement. (Generally, in the rare cases where I refuse the reason will be that revealing the answer would be a plot spoiler. I may or may not TELL you that it would be a plot spoiler, since that can itself be a plot spoiler.)* I sometimes resolve such situations by making up a simple rule on the spot, often a single die roll with whatever (not necessarily equal) probabilities seem to make the most sense to me. Feel free to suggest such a rule; do not feel free to unilaterally make one up and expect me to be bound by it!* If you must continue to hound me about a ruling, do it after the game at the soonest. Much better is to wait a couple of days, which allows tempers to cool and - among other things - forces you to do the "does it still seem worth bothering with?" test.</blockquote>

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