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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gothmog" data-source="post: 4035237" data-attributes="member: 317">Thanks for the response Slaygrim.  You confirmed pretty much everything I had assumed about this player based on previous experiences with this sort of person (both in gaming and non-gaming environments).    Now, while some people here might take exception to your DMing style, don't let it get to you.  There is no right or wrong way to play.  A narrative campaign with set encounters that weaves into a bigger picture is great, and you should be commended for putting that much forethought into the game.  Also, you were a responsible DM for having the 19th level wizard have fought through the same dungeon and depleted many of his spells- it makes sense, and levels the playing field some.  The only caution I'd give you is don't assume the players will take some action or force them to do so.  The problem with the former is that players do the damndest things, and will surprise you with a way to solve a problem you never considered.  The problem with the latter is that being "railroaded" into doing certain actions takes the autonomy of the characters out of the players hands, and that his VERY frustrating.  I don't see you railroading, but I can see how some people might think you are.  I can tell you from experience, with a guy who was and is a good friend from high school but was the ultimate railroad DM (to the point where he actually had a script of events he wanted played out), that being forced to do something the DM has in mind causes player resentment and frustration.  Its tempting for beginning DMs to do this, especially if you have an awesome scene in your mind- but resist the dark side.  If you make the players do something, why play the game?  A railraoding DM is much better off just writing stories.You also confirmed something else I expected- that the group breezes through most encounters, and probably has an equivalent level of 13th or 14th due to gear, high point build, etc.  Being in a fight where they weren't the top dogs might have been jarring to them- and to an immature player like your whiner, its a severe ego blow to suddely be upstaged.  To the whiner, I'd reply "grow up- you're not the biggest, baddest thing in the world, otherwise this game would be boring as hell since there would be no challenge to you."The bad news is, he won't see reason- EVER, and he will never EVER admit he's wrong or was acting childish.  People like this guy who are immature, have a huge ego, inferiority complexes, and who want attention desperately (whether to be a "badass" or portray themselves as a victim), do these things because its a part of their personality/neurobiochemistry.  So that leaves you with two choices- eject the guy from the group, or try to reason with him and make him see he's impacting other people's fun in the group.  If however the rest of the group has no problem with the whining (and I can't imagine they COULD think his antics were ok), then I'd chalk this one up to differing playstyles and that means you should do the mature thing and excuse yourself from the group.  You said you have another friend who is more narrative/roleplaying oriented- why not try to recruit some new non-gamers?  People who have never gamed before are the perfect new players- they don't come in with munchkin dreams of grandeur, and take guidance in their playstyle and likes from the other players in the group.  With this tactic, pretty soon you could wind up with a group of RP-heavy players, which seems like a better fit for your playstyle than the dice-slinging powergamers.In any case, its good to hear more about this situation, and I wish you good luck in resolving it such that all parties are happy.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></blockquote>

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