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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Musing Mage" data-source="post: 8444180" data-attributes="member: 7025552">Players are a crunchy little snack for DMs, best served with a garnish of salty tears... <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f608.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":devilish:" title="Devil    :devilish:"  data-smilie="29"data-shortname=":devilish:" />Okay...1) Is the DM a player? Damn right they are. They simply have a different role at the table, but they are there to have fun too.2) Are the players writers creating a narrative? <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f914.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":unsure:" title="Unsure    :unsure:"  data-smilie="24"data-shortname=":unsure:" /> Not quite... more like they are one of three points of view that propels the narrative. The other two being the Dungeon Master, and the Universe (as represented by the dice).3) Are the PCs able to have any narrative control of the world (before/after/or during game play)? Players/PCs have control over the actions of their characters and nothing else. They certainly influence the world and thus the narrative through these choices, but I wouldn't call it narrative 'control.'4) Are the players the audience watching 'the show' of the game? No, they are the protagonists of the show. 'Audience' implies a passive observation whereas players are most certainly active (or should be).5) Are players trying to 'win' by beating everything as best they can, or are they trying to make the most interesting story, or are they (oh god I hate this one) doing just what there characters would do? Neither and both... a player should ALWAYS being performing in a manner consistent with their chosen character even if it means being a jerk about it... yes that's my position. HOWEVER, to that point - the parameters of what's allowed at a table should definitely be outlined by the DM and players. Some of my tables include actors and improvisors who understand and separate their characters from themselves, and likewise with their fellow players - so anything goes and everyone's okay with it. If your table doesn't allow such conflicts then you really need to play within the bounds of your group, and stick to characters that fit.As for 'winning' well... survival to the next session counts as a win, does it not? Living to fight another day?</blockquote>

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