Post/Author/DateTime	Post
heirodule 06-05-07, 10:07 AM	I'd like to see the opportunity for negatively impacting story objects in DMs marks. I'd like to provide both carrots and sticks for actions within DMs marks, and there isn't a great way to do that right now.
smerwin29 06-05-07, 10:29 AM	I like this idea. The issue is that we are allowed only one story object for a DM's Mark. It is a very difficult thing for me to say, "OK, here is something people are going to play, and the only 'special' thing I am going to include is something negative." And I know I shouldn't be thinking that way--I should be thinking about story and balance first. But it is tough, especially considering the propensity for certain segments of the player population to complain first and think later (if at all), to do anything that might upset people. For my part, though, I will certainly consider it in the future. And I will channel all complaints to you! ;-D
Harliquinn 06-05-07, 11:36 AM	I was under the impression that the DM is always free to add other 'results' to the character sheets with their signature? This can be used for 1) meeting special PrC/feat requirements, 2) awarding additional information about factions/events, or 3) other RP/flavor results. I don't think you can add a 'mechanical' benefit (Like increasing EV, GP limits, access to feats without expanions, etc.) but I thought you could put in other results. If this is true, and you run the majority of the games for your players, you could have a 'stick' in the form of an RP/Flavor negative effect. For instance, "Suffer a -2 circumstance bonus when dealing with Dragons." because of something they did in a Codex mod. It would really only apply when you run games but would be a way to do it I believe. Harliquinn
heirodule 06-05-07, 02:38 PM	I like this idea. The issue is that we are allowed only one story object for a DM's Mark. It is a very difficult thing for me to say, "OK, here is something people are going to play, and the only 'special' thing I am going to include is something negative." For my part, though, I will certainly consider it in the future. And I will channel all complaints to you! ;-D Heh. I didn't realize that there could only be one object in a Mark. I'd think that if the other object wasn't a benefit to the PCs, there wouldn't be too many imbalance problems with giving two, so unless its a DB coding issue, maybe someone could be prevailed upon to relax the stricture....
smerwin29 06-05-07, 03:03 PM	I didn't realize that there could only be one object in a Mark. I'd think that if the other object wasn't a benefit to the PCs, there wouldn't be too many imbalance problems with giving two, so unless its a DB coding issue, maybe someone could be prevailed upon to relax the stricture.... Heh. I have too many smart-aleck responses to this, but they would all result in me getting banned from the forums. :bravo: Suffice to say that I think the two story object for faction and Expeditions, and one story object for DM's Marks, are fairly "hard-coded" into the campaign for the foreseeable millenium. You do have me thinking, though. It may be possible to do something like you ask within one story object. Shawn
ktatroe 06-05-07, 05:01 PM	You do have me thinking, though. It may be possible to do something like you ask within one story object. I did this with Blackwheel 5 (minor spoilers). I made a negative cert. fairly minor in game terms, but meaningful in role-playing terms, and counter-balanced it by making the other cert. easier to obtain than I'd normally do, without lowering its benefit.
Harliquinn 06-05-07, 06:06 PM	You do have me thinking, though. It may be possible to do something like you ask within one story object. Shawn I know that Cabal often combines 4 Certs into 1 with the different obscura (Now 5). However, I don't know how it would work to have a positive and negative effect in one cert. I look forward to seeing what you come up with :) There was also a recent module that had a kinda negative reward (not a DM's Mark). However, I think in general the punishment for failing at an adventure or doing the wrong thing is usually a decrease in XP/GP or the lack of a cert. I'm not sure that most people would want their characters further punished. Depends a lot on the type of cert I suppose. Harliquinn
Herrbard 06-05-07, 06:51 PM	You do have me thinking, though. It may be possible to do something like you ask within one story object. Attention all dragons of the Crimson Codex! Shawn is thinking about adding something negative! Run! Hide! As fast as you can! :devil: :gel: :88E: :dragon: :coolcthul: :behold: It could be any of these. Or worse! :cheer: (And we'll play it and love it and complain about it still.) :D
heirodule 06-06-07, 03:23 PM	There was also a recent module that had a kinda negative reward (not a DM's Mark). However, I think in general the punishment for failing at an adventure or doing the wrong thing is usually a decrease in XP/GP or the lack of a cert. I'm not sure that most people would want their characters further punished. Depends a lot on the type of cert I suppose. Well, I'm thinking more along the lines of: you guys fought all the bad guys and took their stuff great. You roleplayed to the max. Full XP and gold for all! BUT, your decision to give the thingy to the Dreaming Dark instead of House Cannith will have consequences. Have a story object!
Harliquinn 06-06-07, 04:09 PM	Well, I'm thinking more along the lines of: you guys fought all the bad guys and took their stuff great. You roleplayed to the max. Full XP and gold for all! BUT, your decision to give the thingy to the Dreaming Dark instead of House Cannith will have consequences. Have a story object! That sounds like a major plot change. Something like that (Where the characters have a big choice to make and either is okay) probably warrants a real story object in a normal faction/expedition game. In a DM's Mark, I would say mark that down as a DM and sign, but likely it will have no impact on games not run by you. However, when you run more DM's Marks, it would certainly come into play and perhaps give your players some interesting options :) Looks good, Harliquinn