Desdichado
Hero
I don't think that's a good presumption. I think your campaign is actually fairly atypical. In most that I'm aware of, monsters are monsters, and are treated as such without much question. And I don't understand the implication at all that you presume that monsters all think like humans. Say what?Well, presuming that most campaigns treat sentients as sentients...and all gamers are, apologies to any exceptions, human, then we are left with presuming, other than cultural differences, that goblins...on an instinctual level...will think how we think. (I'm talking goblin humanoids here, not "fey" creatures or whatnot) And animals will act the way we understnad animals to act...and "monsters" (being to the human perspective nothing more than deadlier, more unusual "animals") will act as animals and/or humans/sentients do.
Actually, not only do I think that, but I think that the idea that monsters should be worthy of human consideration or dignity or respect is faintly amusing.steeldragons said:I'm not sure what is meant here...but if you think because it's a "monster" then it is not worthy of human consideration or basic human standard dignity or respect, then I really don't know what to say.
Oh, no! You mistake me. My games are never black and white. I just don't have heroic characters who wring their hands over the implications of killing monsters. My characters are much too pragmatic to worry about things like that. As well as not heroic. Or good. When we use alignment at all. My games are more likely to be a fantasy version of The Godfather with characters who are nasty, brutal and violent--professionally!--and have come to terms with that.steeldragons said:Thankfully (to my sensibility), my players see things differently...more "shades of grey", if you will...than you. That said, if you had been one of the PCs and just killed everything, then that would have happened...and the story would have continued from there.7
OK. Well I think it is correct. Did you have any meat to go with that statement, or is it just out there?steeldragons said:But, I think, imho, that to say there is no ethical standard is incorrect.
See, you're humanizing your monsters. That makes them less monstrous. I'm more likely to demonize my humans in my campaign, but there you go. Different strokes for different folks.steeldragons said:Yes, because it was not a human or demi-human or humanoid or even an "NPC"...it is thus, a "monster." The only name it has/had was "Hargak" which I said translated from the kobold language as "death rock" or "rock of death." Maybe it has a name among its kind...but I don't speak roper.
You did ask, after all, how it would be handled with my group. My group only occasionally picks the good alignment. Our tastes range a bit more towards sword & sorcery and dark fantasy rather than high fantasy and Medieval romance.
Dude, I'm not offended. I'm just giving more detail on my group, how we'd handle, what our tastes and preferences are. Since it seemed to be a little against the grain here, I thought a little backup would be good to explain where I'm coming from.steeldragons said:Well, I'm sorry to hear it and offend any sensibilities you possess. I certainly was not attempting to be "contrived, artifical and frankly precious."
Nor, did my players think so. They thoroughly enjoyed the dilemma and the discussion/moral argument that ensued. They also came out of the experience with a greater/deeper/more secure understanding of their characters and their moral stances and ethical concerns...and how they might view a similar situation in the future...kinda the point.
I didn't say that you did. I'm speaking more generally.steeldragons said:No one, no where, in this post said anything about the players not having an understanding of the "kind of game" they were entering, nor have any concept of some kind of DM-driven "disservice".
Maybe you should check a handy dictionary. Your conception of what it means to be a monster is not the standard one.steeldragons said:There is no "concept of monster" beyond a "monster" is some creature that does not fit into the easy slots of "human-/goblinoid." The term "mosnter" does not automatically translate as "unnatural", as would be the case for undead or demonic/diabolcic/celestial beings. It is simply that, until explained, defies explanation/characterization.
I do already, but thanks for the endorsement. I'm sure your players do enjoy it. Based on the fact that they stopped to debate the question, clearly it's something that they find interesting.steeldragons said:As always, have fun and (to borrow from JamesonCourage) "play what you like." My players like my game just fine, thank you.