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Message: <blockquote data-quote="olshanski" data-source="post: 5711691" data-attributes="member: 7441">I think it looks railroady because of your own descriptions.Even before the encounter started you have planned what the party will do (roleplay), and what the result will be (make an ally).  This doesn't sound like a railroad, until I hear your reaction to it:The fact that you consider this a problem, and had to stop the game, you were railroading.  If you were not railroading you would have just gone with the flow... so the party didn't trust her and threatened her?  Is that so bad? the players are blundering along... that's pretty much business as usual.  The fact that you felt you had to "stop the game" means that you felt things had gone off the rails and needed to be corrected.  This is a symptom of railroading.I think you need to be less married to your plans, or plan for more options.  Consider that every encounter could be combat/negotiation/skill, and be prepared to live with the results of the players actions.  You only provide dramatic elements, let the players decide how those elements fit together.Also, I'm not saying you are a bad DM. Everyone is guilty of a little railroading or having too set of expectations of the PCs from time to time.  I think you are probably a good DM (since you recognize a problem), and with a little work could easily be a great DM.</blockquote>