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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Celebrim" data-source="post: 7021038" data-attributes="member: 4937">This is what I asserted with respect to Rule Zero:"It's not a given that a DM can use Rule Zero not only to cover things not covered by the rules, but to decide not to follow the rules when he doesn't like the results of doing so. A player can be justly upset when Rule Zero authority is claimed in a situation that is well covered by the rules, and can justly protest that the referee is in fact being arbitrary, uncreditable, and inconsistent when the referee violates the letter of the rules. No DM that wants to keep his player's long calls Rule Zero when he's going to overturn a rule mid-session, without calling a quorum, explaining his position, and validating his authority in this matter with "the people". What is clear and sensible to one person by no means is going to be clear and sensible to everyone. And don't expect simple "majority rule" to be sufficient here. You need pretty much unanimous consent if you aren't going to harm the player's sense of you as a fair and neutral arbiter."You are focusing on whether the DM has the authority to ignore the rules, something I don't disagree with. What I wrote focused on whether he acts wisely when he does so, and is based on my practical experience as a DM and is meant as practical advice.  So which assertion is 'that assertion' that is incorrect?What is 'it'?  And whatever 'it' is, I doubt I'm going to agree that any one simple thing is the 'entire point' of Rule Zero.Right at the moment I run with a high trust group, and that's fine.  My advice regarding when to use rule zero would be one which I would certainly try to impart to any child that wanted to be a GM.  I think "YMMV" is entirely the point.  You pulling rule zero with a group of grognards to change or ignore rules on the fly is very different than a 12 year old DM pulling rule zero to ignore rules on the fly with a group of 12 year olds.  My advice is about maintaining and keeping trust even when you can't assume it exists."Get a better group" isn't a particularly helpful thing to tell that 12 year old DM.</blockquote>

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