D&D General The Player's Quantum Ogre: Warlock Pacts

[GobHag]

Their house, their rules.

Only if most of the players accept it

 

[Scribe]

Only if most of the players accept it

I mean that is how social contracts work.

The 'game' gives the DM the ability to do whatever. Player acting a fool? "A bolt of lightning from a clear sky comes down, you have no reaction, and take 2d100 damage".

Rules are suggestions, and without the social contract and playing in good faith, it all falls apart.

 

[Necropolitan]

Only if most of the players accept it

Nope.

The DM decides how the campaign goes period. If the players don't like that they can find a different DM.

 

[GobHag]

So why are the players even playing then? The GM can just have a bunch of mannequins that'll do whatever they say anyways

 

[Necropolitan]

So why are the players even playing then? The GM can just have a bunch of mannequins that'll do whatever they say anyways

That's a complete non-sequitur.

People want to play D&D and will seek out DMs who they're willing to abide by the social contract with.

If they don't like how a DM does things then they can find another.

Are you seriously arguing that DMs should be forced to do what players want?

 

[GobHag]

That's a complete non-sequitur.

People want to play D&D and will seek out DMs who they're willing to abide by the social contract with.

If they don't like how a DM does things then they can find another.

Are you seriously arguing that DMs should be forced to do what players want?

Partially yes, that is part of the social contract no? Here's my end of the bargain; Participation, politeness, and respect of the world and scenario you created with the payment that I have final say over my character.

 

[Necropolitan]

Partially yes, that is part of the social contract no? Here's my end of the bargain; Participation, politeness, and respect of the world and scenario you created with the payment that I have final say over my character.

You have final say over your character and the DM has final say of if you can play that character in their campaign.

And they can also say whether or not you can play in their campaign at all.

If a DM is trying to run a serious Curse of Strahd campaign they shouldn't be forced to accept a pink plasmoid named "Princess Petticoats" who spends all their time singing as loudly as they can about how much they love the color pink just because the player refuses to play anything different.

 

[GobHag]

You have final say over your character and the DM has final say of if you can play that character in their campaign.

And they can also say whether or not you can play in their campaign at all.

If a DM is trying to run a serious Curse of Strahd campaign they shouldn't be forced to accept a pink plasmoid named "Princess Petticoats" who spends all their time singing as loudly as they can about how much they love the color pink just because the player refuses to play anything different.

and DM has made a mistake if the group decides to go to the Isle of Dread but then next session retcons it so that they go to the Mountains of Death.

 

[Seramus]

So why are the players even playing then? The GM can just have a bunch of mannequins that'll do whatever they say anyways

Usually because the GM wants the players to have fun and engage in the world cooperatively. If the GMs goal is for the players to have fun, they are not going to intentionally try to make the situation unenjoyable for the player, and will make a reasonable effort to discover what the players find enjoyable to put those things in their world. How far an individual GM is willing to go depends wildly on the GM in question - and the players that match with that GM will hopefully enjoy the kind of show the GM is putting on.

Just because the GM can blow up the world or do stupid things, doesn't mean they even want to, or find that enjoyable. Especially if they respect and enjoy the company of their players. Hopefully the players are meeting the GM halfway, find themselves okay with the thematic and mechanical restraints of the campaign (if any), and work well together with the other players.

And maybe, just maybe, everyone can have a grand old time.

and DM has made a mistake if the group decides to go to the Isle of Dread but then next session retcons it so that they go to the Mountains of Death.

Of course, the GM might be totally alright with allowing that if they feel comfortable doing so. Or they could politely inform their players that they don't have anything prepared for the Isle of Dread, would they like to adjourn for the evening or play what he has prepared? Ooooorrr the ever handy "You'll never know these Isles of Dread were secretly the Mountains of Death all along - the mountains are just... mostly submerged by the ocean!"

 

[Necropolitan]

Usually because the GM wants the players to have fun and engage in the world cooperatively. If the GMs goal is for the players to have fun, they are not going to intentionally try to make the situation unenjoyable for the player, and will make a reasonable effort to discover what the players find enjoyable to put those things in their world. How far an individual GM is willing to go depends wildly on the GM in question - and the players that match with that GM will hopefully enjoy the kind of show the GM is putting on.

Just because the GM can blow up the world or do stupid things, doesn't mean they even want to, or find that enjoyable. Especially if they respect and enjoy the company of their players. Hopefully the players are meeting the GM halfway, find themselves okay with the thematic and mechanical restraints of the campaign (if any), and work well together with the other players.

And maybe, just maybe, everyone can have a grand old time.

100%.

If a player believes the DM doesn't want them to have fun then they should leave the campaign.