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Message: <blockquote data-quote="merelycompetent" data-source="post: 3060361" data-attributes="member: 33830">Yes, I think it would be wrong to require some of these things of players, as outlined below. Others I think are just good manners and/or good gaming practices.In my game, if the players I DM for don't help clean up the room afterwards, they're getting a little talking-to. If that doesn't fix it, they can go play somewhere else. This is spelled out for everyone when they join the gaming group. If I'm the player, you better believe I stay after and help clean up. If the host/DM looks like he/she could use an extra set of hands for setup, then I ask if it's okay if I show up about 15 minutes early -- and lend a hand if it's alright. Anything less is just rude. If I'm a player joining a group that doesn't do these things, I try to start a trend.I, personally, won't go for buying the DM all the food and beer each session *UNLESS* the DM is a close personal friend (as in, adopted member of the family and has a standing invitation to eat with my family). I think I'd be uncomfortable with a frequent, regular attendance fee for a gaming group. Joining a gaming club and shelling out $10 a quarter - no problem. Bringing pretzels or chips & dip to share - no problem. Full meal plus beer for one person - problem. That's just me, tho. If it works for you, I certainly don't object. I deal with enough contractual obligations as it is - if my hobby starts doing that, I had better get some real value for my money. Is the DM who charges this fee giving me equivalent value for my time and money? That's a risky situation, to me.Sure, so long as I have access to those subscriptions and books for the entire year, whenever I want them. If it becomes a contractual agreement, such as with a gaming club, then I expect to benefit from the cash outlay.Charging money to play means that the situation can get *really* messed up when a disagreement arises. It turns a friendly get-together into a business transaction involving friendships and emotions -- a notoriously dangerous mix. I don't dispute that it works well for some groups. I'd be very leery of involving myself in this sort of thing unless it's with a well-run club or organization.I've done this in exchange for giving extra XP when I DM. I've also asked the DM if I can do it in exchange for bonus XP. I had one player who racked up enough XP to level because she created so many NPCs and their backstories - and I do mean *backstories*, to the tune of 6-7 pages each, all integrated with the homebrew campaign setting. Finally had to stop it because my notebook was getting full. I don't make it a requirement, though. It's a sure sign that a player is involved and trying when they do this.The last two items I do. I've never really had to "order it be done," because I end up asking an otherwise unoccupied player with rules lookup duties while I resolve the current initiative iteration. Players have no choice but to become familiar with certain rules in my games <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />. I haven't had a player say, "No, I won't do it!" yet. But if I do, I'm prepared to deal with it.One of the best things I did as a DM was establish clear lines for rules disputes:If a player disagrees with something the DM has done: A player gets 5 minutes, max, to argue his/her case, provided the issue passes at least one of these tests:1. Is your character dead and unressurectable?2. Is your character (broken/injured/destroyed) beyond any hope of recovery?3. Has your character lost something integral to the character, or otherwise been rendered unplayable?If the answer to all three questions is, "No," then it's not worth arguing over. If the player thinks the issue is important enough for further discussion, table it until after the game session is over.I don't budge on this table rule. I have, when a player has shown me where I've made an incorrect rules decision, gone back and retconned the situation - for that character.Sorry for the rambling - lack of sleep.</blockquote>

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