The rogue stole my paladin's pants

[Pants]

The true paladin answer, handle it with grace!

Oh god...
Talk about the Shovel of Subtlety

 

[Buttercup]

Really? Why? She's not annoying *me*. If anything, she's annoying the group. Point of fact, she's already annoying the Ranger by stealing his arrows. Once he caught her, he dealt with her in his own way. As far as I'm concerned, it's the player's responsibility to deal with annoying characters, not mine. I just like to sit back and watch the show. It's likewise up to the Paladin to deal with her in his own way.

I expect all my players to play a character who can be a team player. If the group is always distracted and angry about the behavior of one of the characters, then we can't get down to our real business, which is having fun.

In my experience, when a player creates a character who likes to jerk around the other members of the group in some way, it results in hard feelings and ends up dissolving the game. We all have such a small amount of free time in our busy lives that we don't want to waste it with people who can't work and play well with others.

 

[buzzard]

Simple enough solution. If I were one of the members of the rogue's party I'd send the rogue off on a mission, and move to the next continent. There is no way I'd put up with adventuring with someone like that. Now granted it may not be the DM's problem, but I certainly hope the DM would not penalize the rest of the party if they did deal with it appropriately or undo their solution. The rogue's player should be made to understand that actions have consequences. The consequences here should be that nobody would want them around.

buzzard

 

[Alenda]

Buttercup wrote: "In my experience, when a player creates a character who likes to jerk around the other members of the group in some way, it results in hard feelings and ends up dissolving the game. We all have such a small amount of free time in our busy lives that we don't want to waste it with people who can't work and play well with others."

I have just recently taken on the role of DM, so I may not know much about the intricacies of handling a game. Even so, it seems to me that this whole incident is being blown way out of proportion. It sounds to me like this group is having a lot of fun with their characters. No one in the group seems to be taking offense at the little rogue's actions--even the Paladdin's post seemed more humorous than offended. I hope both the DM and players in this group realize that laughter, fun, and good times are more important than DCs and Spot checks.

In all seriousness though, I think this incident is a great way for the players to further develop their characters. The Paladdin, for example, might think the Rogue's actions require revenge. He might start plotting pranks of his own, causing his character to loosen up. (Perhaps it's my prejudice, but I tend to see Paladdins as rather uptight and serious).

Moreover, if the Rogue falls victim to several pranks, she may come to realize that they're not quite as funny when she's on the receiving end. This may cause her character to become more considerate of others.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that this incident has a two-fold importance.

1. It made everybody laugh and enjoy themselves.

2. It offers future role-playing potential and character development.

What more can a gaming group ask for?

Alenda

 

[Wolfspirit]

First of, yes, boottothehead is my DM. A very kind, benevolent DM. (Please don't kill my character )

Second off, I had intended my post to be funny, not critisizing. I probably should have used the Humor tag. It also should be noted that my group occasionaly has a bit of a non-serious gaming style with out of character jokes thrown in.

As to the rogue in question, she'd actually been darn good about it in the past. Heck, she had the group convinced that she was a travel guide up until about two sessions ago. She's also been a saint compared to some of the disfunctional rogues I've seen played in our group and in others.

Finally, umm, I hope noone's gotten hard feelings about this.

 

[boottothehead]

Simple enough solution. If I were one of the members of the rogue's party I'd send the rogue off on a mission, and move to the next continent. There is no way I'd put up with adventuring with someone like that. Now granted it may not be the DM's problem, but I certainly hope the DM would not penalize the rest of the party if they did deal with it appropriately or undo their solution. The rogue's player should be made to understand that actions have consequences. The consequences here should be that nobody would want them around.

Agreed. You can't really have one without the other. If they decided to eject the character, or bump her off, or turn her in, that's their choice. As it turns out, the Rogue has a price on her head. If she's not careful, the group could turn her in and collect the reward money.

I expect all my players to play a character who can be a team player. If the group is always distracted and angry about the behavior of one of the characters, then we can't get down to our real business, which is having fun.

Not necessarily, depending on the group. But you bring forth a very good point. I still think that forcing a new character is a little extreme and should probably be the last option. (Actually, I'd say the last option is to eject the player).

We all have such a small amount of free time in our busy lives that we don't want to waste it with people who can't work and play well with others.

Amen.

In my experience, when a player creates a character who likes to jerk around the other members of the group in some way, it results in hard feelings and ends up dissolving the game.

Having witnessed this before (and in fact, felt this before) your point is well taken.

However, to tie the two together:
As a player, I'd want the ability to handle it in game if the DM allows me the freedom to do so. This forces both the player, and the character to take responsibility for their actions.

 

[Voadam]

Oh god...
Talk about the Shovel of Subtlety

Grace. Paladins. Get it? Oh never mind.

 

[tensen]

Two words: Smite Evil.

Stealing pants is obviously an evil act (or so a good diplomacy check could say!), and evil must be stopped (or so most paladins say), so the combination of the two should allow you to reduce the gnome to a pile of unholy ash!

Avenge your pants, o mighty warrior!

Stealing pants is evil?
No, evil is allowing the Paladin to stay dressed in such tacky attire. Everyone knows a Paladin must be well dressed. I wonder if there is a Queer Eye for the Medieval Guy?

 

[Ashwyn]

Oh god...
Talk about the Shovel of Subtlety

Hey! Get back on that Paladin!

 

[tensen]

I have to say I agree here. Taking off a suit of full plate takes 1d4+1 minutes. If it's just the leg armour (which is far more than just greaves) it would only be a fraction of that time, maybe a quarter, but that should still give the paladin more than one chance to look, and really it's just impossible.

If you want to go all game mechanics on the DM.. you might realize that if the rogue has the ability to even make any of the slightly high DCs you are talking about... it is actually highly unlikely that a Paladin will have the skill to spot it.
And with the paladin's initial roll of 1, a DM could quite reasonable either say 1... the Paladin is distracted on all further spot attempts -5 penalty. Or else they saw the Rogue doing the action but it never quite clicked in there head.
I mean, normally people see things that are unbelievable and come up with a reasonable answer to pass off the action. Seeing a Rogue trying to unbuckle your armor while you are there wearing it might be one of those unbelievable circumstances... Perhaps the Paladin thought of it in a manner where they thought they were just having a day dream.... and promptly shrugged off the view thinking nothing of it, until someone pointed out they weren't wearing pants...

It apparently is a fun situation and the way the GM is happy to play their game. Which is a good thing. It is playful and apparently not that annoying.
I've played in campaigns where pranks like that got other party members killed. "Oops, that ring of fire resistance that you thought would keep you alive from the breath weapon... well it wasn't on your finger."