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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cadfan" data-source="post: 4605527" data-attributes="member: 40961">Playing and running RPGs is a social activity.  You have exactly as much authority and power as your social circle allocates to you.  And the consequences for trying to use authority will be purely social. So... If you tell them that its your way or the highway, and they quit, that's fine.  And the outcome is your problem. If you tell them that its your way or the highway, and they agree but then undermine you at the table, that's fine.  And the outcome is your problem. If you tell them that its your way or the highway, and they tell everyone in your social circle that your a huge jerk and a terrible DM, and everyone loses respect for you, that's fine.  And the outcome is your problem. And if you tell them that its your way or the highway, and they agree and you all have a good time, that's fine.  And the outcome is your problem. Look, we're way past etiquette here.  This isn't about etiquette and it never was.  Etiquette doesn't even begin to be involved in a situation where one friend tells a bunch of other friends that he has a list of ultimatums that must be complied with or else he's taking his basketball and going home.   And to the extent that you have the right to do this, its something the players also have the same right- there's no disparity in rights inherent in being a DM or a player.  You're all just guys sitting around a table issuing ultimatums to their social equals.  The only question is the ability to back up that ultimatum, and its generally easier to get new players than to get new DMs. Social groups are organic entities.  Your question is literally no different from "I want to go bowling, but my friends want to play pool.  I am the only one who owns a car.  Should I refuse to drive them if they don't agree to go bowling with me?  I think I can get some different friends to go bowling."  And the answer is the same.  Work it out.  No one else can help you with this.</blockquote>

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