Post/Author/DateTime	Post
elven high mage 07-21-03, 12:34 PM	i am a dungeon master of a group of 3PC's and my NPC (i have done for 1.5 years) and recently one of those players decided to DM for the first time. he invited all his friends (11 people in total, he cant say no) he divided the group into 2 (one really small and the other quite large) he stuck all the people that he doesnt like and that annoy him (not because of bad playing but because they ask too many questions) in one group and all of his best friends into the other group. most of the people are new to D+D. my problem is basicly that he doesnt have a clue what he is doing. he only knows the basic rules through other people. he owns most of the books out but he doesnt know any rules because he "cant sit down and read a large book without losing interest" He has barely opened some of his books like "races of faerun" and "the book of vile darkness". every time he DMs a session he asks me a ton of questions and i am meant to be a player then he moans when other people ask me things instead of him then when they ask him he doesnt know the answer. if i correct him on a rule he has got wrong he punishes me in the worst way ever "for being a smart ar*e" he tells people off for talking to each other and the players have to stick thier hands up to talk and the only person they can talk to is the DM, the worst thing is is he answers his best friends questions but lesser friends can sit with thier hands up all session for one question. if you talk without your hand up you get a "warning" or he hits you. another major problem is he will quiet the group and then sit there for 15 minutes and look up somthing that he should have looked up before the session and expect everyone to sit silently while he does it. one of his favorate threats out of game at school or somthing when people wont tell him somthing or let him look at somthing is "there will be concequences in D+D" or "remember i am the DM". some of his punishment are ridiculous for example he had a gorgon fly through the wall of a tavern then nearly kill all of the players then it "runs of into the wild" leaving all of the PCs damaged or he will give 20 gold to all the other players if you take too long eating, he also just deals damage to people spontainiously. i have tryed to talk to him but he punishes me in game, gets in a strop and will hit or kick me and then says that my games are worse, which they are not and i know this because i have spoken to one experienced player who has played both games. i havent spoken to any of the other PCs yet because they all seem to enjoy it because this is thier first game of D+D they dont know any better and if they all fear the DM more then me. me and the one other player that i have spoken to are strongly considering walking out (if we do other players will hopefully follow) but if we do the DM who is also one of my PCs might stop coming to my games which is bad because he is a good player. at the moment i think that it is a risk worth taking because there are some other players that i think might want to join my group if he quits. they are really eager to learn how to play and they enjoy the good gaming that they get once in a blue moon. the most disturbing thing about his DM is that he is giving first time gamers a false and negative view of D+D. any advice would be greatly appreciated:sad: :behold:
artman 07-21-03, 12:47 PM	On just the game play aspect, QUIT PLAYING WITH HIM! You take over again and refuse to let him ever run a game again. Jhe is the worst DM i have heard of. Making out of game stuff affect in game stuff is horrid. He sounds immature and insecure in his abilities to run a game. And rightly so, as he apparently cannot run a game for crap. if you talk without your hand up you get a "warning" or he hits you. This is unacceptable. If he is really hitting you, in real life, just because he is bad at DMing you should drop him fast. No game is worth getting punched for. Except boxing.
Gnate the Gnome 07-21-03, 12:51 PM	Sounds like an immature jerk to me. If damage and bad luck comes from the DM for no particular reason, he's got a problem. If I were you... I'd try talking to him one more time and if he's no better start another group. Invite some of the same people, teach them the game the way its supposed to be played, but don't make it a rival group. Continue to play his game. People in both groups will soon learn that there are fair DMs that are after creating a good story,:angel: and their are power hungry DMs that are only interested in controlling this little world they've trapped their friends in.:behold: Its supposed to be fun! Not a militant prison where the DMs the warden?!?!?!!!
elven high mage 07-21-03, 12:56 PM	i cant stop him DMing because my game runs seperately from his and even if i did stop him somehow i wouldnt be very popular because i wouldnt DM all 11 of his players i could do a few but not all. i would lose my focus on my original game which i love to piecies and i work hard on it. if i did stop his game many of the PCs would use thier chance to play D+D the only options are to let the other PCs walk ou on themselves and one of them become a DM or for this DM to change his ways. i will go to the next gaming session and if he hasent got his act together i will quit
artman 07-21-03, 01:01 PM	How do you play a role-playing game without talking to each other, the corner stone of RPing.
elven high mage 07-21-03, 01:11 PM	one person puts thier hand up suggests somthing then the DM from hell asks whether everyone agrees even if everyone doesnt agree he goes ahead with what he likes. this is bad because no one can make plans and no disscusions take place, you cant edit each others plans till you get something that works or anything like that (basicaly you cant roleplay) another thing that he does is he runs a "kick in the door game" but he wont admit it and i got punished for saying that it was
DM142 07-21-03, 01:47 PM	You know, I've DMed the same group for nigh on 6 years. And I have used the "Watch out! I'm the DM!" card outside of role-playing... but as a joke. You know, we go out for a beer, and I remind the players that I'm the DM and they should buy me a drink...:angel: Sometimes it works. Most often they tell me to screw off... but it is all in good fun. The fact that this weenie you speak of won't let his players talk, plan... roleplay is appaling! As a DM, I love the times when my players go off on a planning tangent and I can just sit back and chill or roll up monster stats or plan the next encounter whilst they and busy figuring out who is going to distract the beastie so the rogue can sneak attack! I love that stuff! Sounds like this guys is removing everything that is good about role-playing and D&D for the sake of his ego. I like Gnate the Gnome's advice of starting another group while still sticking with Psycho-DM's for a bit. If he keeps "punishing" your PC (ridiculous!! ) ditch 'im all toghter. So... does this guy plan any adventures? Or is it just a room-by-room slaughterhouse?
elven high mage 07-21-03, 02:05 PM	he does try to plan adventures but they are hopeless they lack motivation, thrill and a good storyline. they normaly end up as motivationless hack and slash. i have just thought of a problem with quiting the group. i really like my character he is a half aquatic elf cleric of deep shashelas (faerun for those who dont know who that god is):confused:
MRDOD 07-21-03, 02:05 PM	Quit and play over the internet, either by message board or by chat, but lose this guy as fast as possible.
Hellbore 07-21-03, 02:08 PM	Ditch the fool. If I played with a DM that hit me, I would kick his arse.
elven high mage 07-21-03, 02:18 PM	you are not going to believe what he has just done. he has just rung me to see if i knew the page of the dungeon masters guide with the experiance tables on. he didnt have the initiative to look in the contents:(
Gnate the Gnome 07-21-03, 02:24 PM	Don't stick with a game because you're attached to a character. Characters come and go. And from the sounds of this game - you'll probably end up hating what happens to this character anyway. Hard to develop a character when you have to raise your hand to speak.:rolleyes: Other strategy(s) to passively-aggressively combat this loser: >Teach the others in the group the rules. At your locker, in the lunchroom, just casually bring them up. >Start an email list with the group, do the fun stuff there: character histories, motivations, rumors, tactics for dealing with the DM. Sounds like this guy has control because not only does he have the DM screen, but he also supposedly has knowledge of the game in a room full of newbies. Enlighten them and he loses power or is forced to change.
flavored_soda 07-21-03, 02:46 PM	I now feel bad for EVER complaining about MY DM! If you have interest in staying with this group at all, want to keep your character, and believe there is hope for the DM then talk to him! Calming explain how you're feeling (its ok for guys to use that word 'feeling'). Say why you don't like the way he runs things, what you think he could do better. Let him know you're bringing this up for the sake of the players and him so that everyone can enjoy the game. Trust me. It just might work. If nothing changes the you can quit. You may want to consider 'quiting with flare' go off on the DM with a vengence in front of the whole group explaining allllll the things he does wrong. They players may see the light and one of them will likely get the initiative to see what the REAL D&D is like. He'll either get his own books and learn or ask to join your campaign (and if its just one player, i'd say let him so that he can learn, be your apprentice and eventually venture off on his own). That might not be the best solution... but its something I'D be tempted to do. My DM sort of threatens the "I'm the DM" but its always joking. But if you do nice things for him (take a shift at work that he really needed off, save his butt from something at school, etc) he often rewards your character. Granted the rewards are few and far between and many times have little to no real impact (a few xp, a common item at first level that you fell a few gold short of). I realize its not entirely FAIR, but no one really minds because we all seem to have equal opportunities (especially while we are actually playing and the DM says "who wants to get me a soda!")
Edymnion 07-21-03, 03:02 PM	Don't think a character is tied to a game. Its not. Stop playing with him all together, and just take your character to another game. And personally, DM lays a finger on me personally, he's getting sucker punched, black eye, or a particular kick that would best be described as using the Dirty Fighting feat... But seriously, attend your next game. Next time he pulls something like that, just announce to the entire group that you're sick of it, not going to put up with it anymore, and walk out. And don't forget, if it gets bad and he tries to beat you up (assuming you can't dish it out as well as he can), its still assault and battery, you CAN call the cops on him. But crikey, if I was stuck in a game like that, I'd be carrying my big pocketknife to games for self defense...
Furion Thamior 07-21-03, 03:24 PM	Heh, I do that "Hey, you know, I am your DM...." thing here and there, but more often than not I say.... "Well, I was going to write in a <insert name of phat magic item here>, but now..." or simply threaten them with ridculous amounts of pirates and ninjas. For example, I was playing a game of Magic with several of my players, and the number of ninjas increaded from eight to 150 in 20 minutes. Of course, 150 ninjas will never happen, they all know that.... On topic, sheesh, this guy is pathetic. Walk out. I'm not comfortable in a game with more than 6 people + the DM. If you like a character, write his sheet out at 3rd leve, and place it in a 'character folder'. It's what I do when I'm bored - make a character that one day, I will want to play.
Salla 07-21-03, 04:42 PM	If a DM hit me, I'd be callin' the cops, myself.
zephyrmage42 07-21-03, 05:18 PM	i've done in game punishment, but only something like 'that accent is really annoying (not his PC's, just screwn around) lose 1 XP.' or other such very minor things that really dont affect the game, but i think are ammusing. quit. right now. definitly not worth it.
unclejoey 07-21-03, 05:29 PM	DnD is a social game that is played for fun. The game that elven high mage describes doesn't sound social OR fun. I would just quit, no matter how much I liked my character. And hitting? That's BS. No way would I put up with that.
OrigamiCommando 07-21-03, 05:56 PM	Originally posted by elven high mage if you talk without your hand up you get a "warning" or he hits you. i havent spoken to any of the other PCs yet because they all seem to enjoy it because this is thier first game of D+D they dont know any better and if they all fear the DM more then me. I don't know whose nuttier, the new players or the DM. I don't care how new you are to D&D; assaulting another person is not only bad manners it is also illegal in most cases. Normally, I try to be optimistic about new DMs but as far as this one. I have one word for you: walk. Sheesh, sounds like this guy missed his calling... Should have been a football player or a boxer. D&D doesn't sound like it would be for him. Unless, of course, you mean he was playfully hitting you. But if he's decking people, I stand by my words. :mad:
NinjaHedge 07-21-03, 06:23 PM	1d3 damage for not using paragraphs 1d3 damage for the post being too dang long make a fort save for not using capital letters I'm not going to read it, because my eyes started bleeding just glancing over it, but I'm sure a generic answer will probably do the trick If you're not enjoying playing, don't. Would you read a book by an author you did not like? Then why play a game of D&D with a DM who you do not like. It does not matter if it is because he is being a jerk or because you just do not enjoy his style of play. If you do not like it, return the book to the library, and do not read the sequel. I understand it is sometimes difficult to find DMs. In some areas, it is sometime as if there is only one book on the shelf, and if you really like reading, it's your only option, but that is a choice you will have to weigh yourself. However, consider the options of letting someone else DM, kicking him out of the group, advertising for a group, either at a local game shop or some-such, or anything else you can think of.
Nephet 07-21-03, 07:16 PM	Start your own game and show the newbies how D&D can be fun without the random acts of 1d3 subdual damage. DMing is not the easiest job but it's not rocket science either.
dark_kiri 07-21-03, 09:49 PM	To the rambling post: I had to make a will save at +10 to the DC just to read that... but a few points caught my eye: "he tells people off for talking to each other and the players have to stick thier hands up to talk" Wow, he gets ticked off if you role-play? "if you talk without your hand up you get a "warning" or he hits you." Yeah, and I'd break his arms. Both of 'em. In self-defence. But if it's in-character hittin', I'd kill anything that tried it... oh, wait a minute, all enemies get Protection from Player Characters and "Invoke the Law of DM-ex-machina." "one of his favorate threats out of game at school or somthing when people wont tell him somthing or let him look at somthing is "there will be concequences in D+D" or "remember i am the DM" My advice. Call a certain phone number on behalf of him. One. Eight hundred. Charter. It's for his own good.
Dreamstryder 07-21-03, 09:58 PM	Sounds like you just need someone else (or some two or three else, looking at the number of players) to DM. Let him see how decent DMs run a game. He'll learn more of the rules he needs know to by being a player long enough. Giving the other players access to the basic rules may also be nice, but giving them access to a decent DM might be better. Good journeys.
General Dorsey 07-22-03, 11:46 AM	From your posts, it looks like you are already running the game without the title of DM. I recommend that you talk to the other players, find out who else wnats to DM and split the group into 2 smaller groups with their own DMs. The two DMs could still talk to each other to make sure that the world remains "alive" with news and rumors of the other party creeping in every now and then. If this DM is too lazy to look up anything in the DMG, then he is too lazy to take on a role such as DM. Looking up a table should take all of 30 seconds with the index and page turning accounted for. His phone call took more time than that. Drop his game. This is only a game and it can be played with almost anyone.
Dungeon_Master 07-22-03, 02:21 PM	Originally posted by Nephet Start your own game and show the newbies how D&D can be fun without the random acts of 1d3 subdual damage. DMing is not the easiest job but it's not rocket science either. I agree. Sounds like the other DM is the DM from hell to me. Also, he sounds like he's too lazy to put any effort at all into the game. My suggestion? Buy any books you need to DM, and start your own group with the players he's excluded. You and them can go to a session, and tell him, unless he makes changes, you'll quit.
king_of_evil007 07-22-03, 02:36 PM	Ditch him. Pick the players you like the best (or all of them) and start your own game, a FUN game, without hitting each other or random acts of damage, or gorgons flying through tavern walls. . . and the ability to roleplay. D&D is a roleplaying game, if you can't talk to each other, even in game. . . then it's just not worth your time. If he actually hits you (and hurts you) deck him. Kick him where the sun doesn't shine. That, or call the cops, depending on whether you can actually fight him or not, and whether you want to hurt him or not. If he actually hurts you, it's not worth your time. Do you play video games you don't like? No, you sell them (most of the time) or trade them in for something better. You can't sell the game, but you can leave it and get a better game, as I said above. But whatever you do, don't play in this game anymore. Your time is better spent twiddling your thumbs then playing with that guy. People like him are the people who disgrace D&D.
Nei 07-22-03, 04:24 PM	Step 0: Confront the DM about his behaviour. I suggest you do this in a tactful way, and with plenty of witnesses if you're afraid he might hit you. Step 1: Tell the other players that D&D can be a whole lot more fun than what the hellish DM is throwing at them. Step 2: Ask the other players if they'd like to leave this group and play under you, or even want to DM themselves. Step 3: Ditch the bad DM, and form a new playing group (or more) with the players who wish to continue with you. Step 4: Don't let the former DM play in your own group anymore. After you ditch him, he'll only want to make trouble and ruin the game. Step 5: If the former DM harasses you or threatens you, call the cops. Or at least tell your parents or your schoolteachers (I don't know how old you are) about it. Step 6: Keep us posted on how the situation is working out :) Nei
Dungeon_Master 07-22-03, 11:11 PM	Originally posted by king_of_evil007 If he actually hits you (and hurts you) deck him. Kick him where the sun doesn't shine. That, or call the cops, depending on whether you can actually fight him or not, and whether you want to hurt him or not. Hmmm..... Where the sun don't shine...... I'm assuming that would be in the general below the belt area? ;) True, he may get angry, but that just shows he's too immature for this game. You may recieve a black eye, but he shouldn't be able to do much. Don't worry about that though. If you bring plenty of witnesses, you could resolve this on your own, or (depending on your age) with adult intervention. Besides, depending on your ages (and if you have backing) he can't do much beyond a black eye. Of course, adult intervention could mean being told that this game causes violence, and.... :(
Talcos Stormweaver 07-23-03, 07:58 AM	:eek: The story of your DM horrifies me greatly! I, as a DM, am dumbfounded at how he runs things. This must go on no longer! Talk to him about how you are dominating the group, and using very violent tactics to do so, and ask him to change, or you quit, and you are taking the newbies with you. Once you show them how a real Dungeons and Dragons game is played, they will quickly leave. Also, tell the Newbies what is wrong with his style of gameplay. He should never have this power, and quote from the Dungeon Master's Guide, if you prefer, regarding the section about campaign building, and what is a bad campaign. However, beware, if you start telling about real campaigns, he will probably try to strangle you, ;) . ADDED: However, you should build up a strong case of rule breaking on his part against him. Use the dungeon masters guide in order to help you. Quote pages directly, and mass all of them together before bringing your case against him. Here are some examples: PG 100, Dungeon Master's Guide: "A bad event-based adventure is marked by mandates restricting PC actions..." "Don't put the PC's in situations in which they can only survive through the intervention of others..." Also, ask him A LOT about the dungeon or location because it might affect gameplay. Obscure questions, like "Is the stone Hewn or Unworked?" Or maybe "What material is the enemy sword made of, I can make a check to see if my character knows that?" If he gets angry, then he isn't a very good Dungeon Master. Most DM's can come up with suitable lies on the spot, ;) .
elven high mage 07-23-03, 09:24 AM	However, you should build up a strong case of rule breaking on his part against him. Use the dungeon masters guide in order to help you. Quote pages directly, and mass all of them together before bringing your case against him Here are some examples: PG 100, Dungeon Master's Guide: "A bad event-based adventure is marked by mandates restricting PC actions..." "Don't put the PC's in situations in which they can only survive through the intervention of others..." . i have already tried this and he always says "it will make sense further on in the adventure" or" there is a reason for it". I cant ask what the reason is because he says he cant tell me without giving away all of his adventure. Also, ask him A LOT about the dungeon or location because it might affect gameplay. Obscure questions, like "Is the stone Hewn or Unworked?" Or maybe "What material is the enemy sword made of, I can make a check to see if my character knows that?" Me and the other player that i have spoken to about this were already plotting this and we plan to use it next session:angel:
General Dorsey 07-23-03, 12:17 PM	My roommate had a wonderful suggestion for you: Whenever you have to look up rules for him, only mention the parts that favor the players. Since he doesn't want to do the work himself, he will have to take your word for it. Of course, he could decide to learn the rules...but that doesn't sound like something you'll have to be concerned with for some time. If he actually hits you at anytime, defend yourself accordingly. Leave that game. Under no circumstances should you play in a game where punishments are real. This isn't Iraq, it's Dungeons and Dragons.
Dungeon_Master 07-23-03, 12:59 PM	Originally posted by General Dorsey If he actually hits you at anytime, defend yourself accordingly. Leave that game. Under no circumstances should you play in a game where punishments are real. This isn't Iraq, it's Dungeons and Dragons. I agree. But, try to avoid violence unless absolutely neccesary. Grill him on ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. He'll eventually crack under the strain, since he obviosuly doesn't devote much time to this. Talcos is right. A good DM could come up with a good lie that works on the spot without getting mad.
Talcos Stormweaver 07-25-03, 07:58 AM	Also, when he says "it will make sense later..." Tell him that it is STILL a bad-event based adventure, and this is not how the game is played. It does not matter if the adventure is good later on in this case! He will, based on what you have told us, maintain his personality and his ignorance, so the game will not actually progress.
elf archer 07-25-03, 10:13 AM	i am sooooo incredibly new it aint funny (started yesterday) first game today!!! yea!!! i no my friend wont be such a weasel as this weasely weasel weaselmore an such think.....(all of the above posts).:invasion: :fight!: :turkey:
bitnine 07-25-03, 12:13 PM	And to think, you'd probably get in trouble if you decided to beat him to death with a sack of doorknobs. In any event, for that reason I can't really recommend that particular course of action. In all honesty, I'd leave the game. This doesn't sound like the type of person I care to deal with. If you could get a few people - as many as you think you could handle DMing - to join a new game with you, or even just walk out, that'd be nice.
Kexizzoc 07-25-03, 01:03 PM	All I can say is that this guy had no real interest in DMing. The sole reason he started a game was so that he could revel in his role of "being the boss", and control everyone else. Of course, he wants nothing to do with any responsibility involved with being the DM, so he relies on you for rules. Just out of curiosity, how old are all of you guys? More specifically, the DM sounds like he's 8. Some advice? When he's obviously driving you guys towards some adventure ("uh... the barkeeper says there's some goblins in a cave north of here, and..."), refuse to participate. Say your character is going to rob the castle or something; make it more fun then whatever the adventure was, so the rest of the party will want to come too. The DM will be left high and dry, running an event he doesn't want to run, screwed out of his prepared adventure, and he's lost control of the game. If he drops a 30 ton bag of bricks on you, act like you have no idea why he did that, as you just wanted to go on an innocent little robbery, all in good fun. Believe me, I speak from experience when I say nothing ticks of a DM like blowing off his adventures to go on some stupid antic. Alternatively, make a couple of fun little mini-games behind the DMs back that everyone can participate in. Explain that this is how D&D REALLY works, and that the DM has no idea what he's doing. When people stop going to his adventures, he'll get the hint. Best of all, pick out the most DM-like person(s) from among this group, and when they're ready, lend them an old adventure you once ran (home-made or bought). Then they can DM their own little group, and viola! New gamers!
bleek 07-25-03, 01:26 PM	I've DM'd and played characters in many groups, and, while sometimes I or another DM pulls the "I'm the DM" thing, Its always in jest. Sometimes One of us comes up with a ridiculous situation(You fall off a cliff, and the cliff falls on you) but it never is serious. As to the hitting thing...WTF? The people I play with, well, we sometimes get physical, but more like tossing a die at someone when they do something extraordinarily dumb. Once in a while a well-intentioned slap to the back of the head is in order, but, from a friendly standpoint. AT no time would I let a DM hit my angrily...that would be the point where I punched him and left...probably taking along a few of the other players.
Dungeon_Master 07-25-03, 06:34 PM	Originally posted by bleek The people I play with, well, we sometimes get physical, but more like tossing a die at someone when they do something extraordinarily dumb. Once in a while a well-intentioned slap to the back of the head is in order, but, from a friendly standpoint. Same way here. Occasionally we'll toss dice or something, but nothing that could really HURT each other.
Dracknem2 07-25-03, 06:47 PM	Originally posted by Dungeon_Master Same way here. Occasionally we'll toss dice or something, but nothing that could really HURT each other. Over here we put these little barbs on the dice and aim for the eyes........ohhh the point is NOT to hurt other people. Whoops. As for the DM abusing his power, REBEL! Do whatever you think will mess up what he has planned, make him so annoyed he either changes or stops DMing, then you take his throne. :eek: I have an example illistrated below: :fight!: <--- The DM. The Players -----> :invasion: See, no WAY he can win......except he has godly powers, but oh well.
Shoegaze99 07-25-03, 06:58 PM	Originally posted by elven high mage any advice would be greatly appreciated:sad: :behold: The best advice I can give you is this: Use paragraphs when you post. I couldn't muster up the will to trudge through that entire block of text. The fact that you couldn't even bother to capitalize at the start of your sentences made things even worse. Because finding the start of a new thought or idea was difficult thanks to your aversion to the Shift key, even skimming that chunk o' text to get my bearings was near impossible without effort. It looks more like one of those "Find These Words" puzzles than a message trying to get something across. In order to get the best advice you can possibly get, try to make your posts more reader-friendly. You'll find a lot of otherwise helpful people will simply skip over the whole thing altogether if you just drop a mountain of unformatted text on them. Seriously. Nine times out of ten I skip this stuff altogether. See also, this thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=56468). I'm not slamming you or flaming you, I'm giving you honest advice. I got three lines into that mess and couldn't be bothered to read the rest. If you have something to express and you hope somebody reads it, it's in your best interest to ensure the post is easy to read. As to the question at hand, in reading the replies I have some idea of your problem thanks to the wonderful miracle of "context." Most of the advice you've gotten is sound. Ditch the DM and run the games yourself. Sounds like the kid who is the DM takes his "power" too seriously. He won't have many friends after high school, because adults tend to be less tolerant of that sort of nonsense. Just take over. Don't ask, announce. And that's it. Hope that helps.
Mordenkainen's Rubber Duck of DOOM 07-25-03, 07:48 PM	Okay, by popular demand, here's the message with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Elven High mage: I am a Dungeon master of a group of 3 Players and my own NPC (I've DMed for 1 and a half years, by the way), and recently one of those players decided to DM for the first time. He invited all of his friends, (11 people in total, he can't say no). He divided the large amount of people into two unequal groups, one quite large and one small. He placed all the players that annoy him by asking too many questions in one group, and all of his best friends in the other group. Most of the people are new to D&D. My problem is that he basically doesn't have a clue what he's doing. He only knows the basic rules by asking other people. he owns most of the books but he doesn't know any of them because "[he] can't sit down and read a large book without losing interest". He has barely opened some of his books like the BoVD and Races of Faerun. Every time he DMs a session he asks me a ton of questions and I am still meant to be a player even when most of my time is spent answering rules questions. Then he moans when other people ask me things instead of him. If they ask him, he never knows the answer. If I correct him when he is wrong he punishes me in the worst way ever for "being a Smart Ar*e". He tells people off for talking to each other and the players have to raise their hands to talk. However, the only person they can talk to, even if they raise their hands, is the DM. The worst part is that he answers his best friends when they raise their hand, but his lesser friends can go for a whole session with their hand in the air without being called on. If you talk without your hand in the air, and/or talk to someone other than the DM, you get a warning or he hits you. Another major problem is that he will quiet the group and then sit there for 15 minutes, doing nothing, and look up something that he should have looked up before the session and expect everyone to sit silently while he does it. One of his favorite threats Out Of Game at school or something when people won't tell him something or let him look at something is "There will be consequences in D&D," or "Remember.. I am the DM". Some of his punishments are ridiculous. For example, he had a Gorgon [Note from MRDOD, linguistics translator: Gorgons can fly? :uh-huh: ] through the wall of a tavern then nearly kill all of the players. Then it "runs off into the wild", leaving all the PCs damaged. Or sometimes if a PC takes too long eating [Note from MRDOD, translator: Probably this means Out of Game eating] he'll give the rest of the players 20 GP each. Damage also occurs to players spontaneously when he feels like it or when we disobey his rules. I have tried to talk to him but he punishes me In Game, gets in a temper, and will hit or kick me. [note from MRDOD, translator: Out of Game kicking and hitting?]Also he says that "[My] games are worse". My games are not worse, according to one of my players who is experienced in D&D. I have not spoken to any of the other PCs yet because they all seem to enjoy it because they probably don't know any better, this being their first campaign and all. They seem to fear the DM more than me, so they might not listen. Another player and I are considering walking out very strongly. Hopefully the others might follow if we do, but if we do the DM, who was a former PC of mine, might not come to MY campaign, which I would not like because he is good as a player. At the moment I think it is a risk worth taking because there are some other players that I think might want to join my group if he quits. They are really eager to learn how to play and they enjoy the good sessions they get once in a blue moon under my former Player, now DM. The most disturbing thing is that he has some fresh players and is giving D&D a negative light for the newbies. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. [Note from MRDOD, Translator: Smilies deleted from translation because this message suffered from extraneous, useless smilie disorder.]
SirisC 07-26-03, 12:54 AM	said by Black Mage, 8-bit Theater It's called NOT BEING SO STUPID THAT IT WARPS THE UNIVERSE. That DM is messed up.