Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jeff Wilder" data-source="post: 1981310" data-attributes="member: 5122">Monte Cook did a column recently about codifying "table rules" for a game ... i.e., those rules that apply to players, rather than to characters.  It inspired me to codify my own -- included below -- and I'm curious as to how other folks' table rules differ, if they're codified, and why or why not.Jeff’s Table RulesI.    AttendanceA.    Absences1.    Notification – Please notify the group as soon as possible of an absence.  With a day’s notice, email is fine.  With less than a day’s notice, call the other players.2.    Characters – Please have an updated character sheet available to the DM.  If possible, your character will be removed from the current action – and removed from danger – but will receive no XP.  If that’s not possible, your character will be played by the group, with the DM as final arbiter.  The character will be at risk, and will earn one-half normal XP.3.    If two players are absent, the game will be cancelled.  It’s the responsibility of the second canceling player to notify the other players by phone and email that the game is cancelled.B.    Punctuality1.    Notification – Please call the host if you’re going to be substantially late.2.    Carrot and Stick – The first player to arrive on time (other than the host) will receive a 50 XP per level bonus.  The last player to arrive, if late, will receive a 50 XP per level penalty.  In both cases, people who arrive together will split the award or penalty.II.    ComestiblesA.    Food – Please plan on eating before or after the game, and refraining during the game.  If necessary, a break can be called for food, but we won’t play and eat at the same time.  If absolutely necessary, bring raw vegetables or the like.B.    Drinks – All drinks are fine.C.    Cigarettes – Please smoke only outdoors.D.    Drugs – Drug use is your business, as long as it doesn’t have a significant negative impact on the game.  If you’ve got good stuff and are willing to share, feel free to ask around.  (You did bring enough for the whole class, right?)III.    EtiquetteA.    Dice – Any die rolled off the table doesn’t count and will be re-rolled.  Any die that is even questionably cocked will be re-rolled.B.    Laptops – Please no laptops at the table, except for the DM.  PDAs or tablet PCs are fine.C.    Out of Character Comments – Because we’re all friends and like to socialize, it’s would be counter-productive to ban OOC chatter.  But try to keep it under control.  Anybody at the table can call “enough” on OOC comments, which means cut them out completely for a half-hour or so.  Be especially mindful of breaking the mood when people are making attempts to roleplay, and be seriously mindful of it when people are “in voice.”  Even if you’re not involved in a particular instance of roleplay, be respectful and don’t distract from it.D.    Time – Players should begin definite actions for their characters within 15 seconds after the character comes up in the Initiative Order.  If not, the character will be assumed to be delaying.  Some allowance will be made for players with less familiarity with the rules.E.    Advice – Out of Character advice on tactics should only be given if solicited.F.    Metagaming – Metagaming is rude and reduces the fun for everyone.  Eliminating it completely is impossible, but limit it as much as possible.IV.    Projects for PlayersA.    Background – A good character background or introduction (typically one or two pages, from an In Character perspective, or in short story form) earns the writer a one-time-per-character 200 XP bonus.B.    Logging – Writing a detailed log of a session (typically one to two pages, from an In Character perspective) earns the writer a 50 XP per level bonus.  Only one log per session is needed; if two or more players want to log, they can rotate sessions.C.    Creating – Designing a detailed NPC, location, magic item, spell or something similar (typically a page or so) will earn a bonus of  25 to 50 XP per level, if useable by the DM, and depending on how useful it is.  This is limited to once per player per session.V.    DisputesA.    Rules Disputes1.    The DM is Right – If the DM makes a final ruling, it stands, and ends all discussion until after the game.2.    Finding Rules – If a rule can’t be found within 30 seconds, the DM is free to make a ruling and move on.3.    Sicilian Clause – If death is on the line, the DM will almost always be more lenient with both rules above.B.    In Character Disputes – Please be very clear when an argument or dispute is between characters.  A dispute between characters should never be taken personally by the players, and all players involved need to take every step to be sure it is not.C.    Out of Character Disputes – We have very rarely had these.  If one arises, immediately put it aside until after the game.  Period.  Then, preferably, grab a mediator to talk things out.</blockquote>

Verification