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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hussar" data-source="post: 8304883" data-attributes="member: 22779">Because, by adding this notion that the DM is empowered to alter character's by fiat, we are training players to turtle up.  I've seen far, far too many players who, when it's time for character generation, present me with yet another orphan whose entire family is dead, and just arrived at the beginning location from a land far, far away a week ago.  Yet another blank slate character because players have been taught over the years that any time they allow the DM the slightest inch, the DM's will take a mile.  I want players who will enthusiastically engage with the setting when they create characters.  I want characters with families and friends, and ties to the community.  But, players are so paranoid about doing anything that even remotely suggests the merest whiff of a tie, let alone a tie with any sort of authority over the character, that they would rather chew glass than allow it.  So, yes, it is, IMO, objectively better for the game to emphasize that a player's character belongs 100% to the player.  If the PLAYER approaches you with the notion that they want some sort of mechanical change or whatnot?  Fantastic.  Bend over backwards to help them make that happen.  But, it has to come from the player, never, ever from the DM.  Because, unfortunately, every player at your table has had other DM's than you.  While you would never take advantage of this and would always work with the player, never against the player and you are obviously invested in making sure that it's fun, the unfortunate truth is that that player has also had DM's who are not so inclined and have abused the privilege time and time again, all the while pointing to the same arguments you are making to justify their decisions.</blockquote>

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