Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dempstar 09-14-07, 10:56 AM	Hi, my name is Ryan and I'm a first time DM and needed help with a question. One of my players is going to be an evil were-tiger(I had to do it because he has assured me that he will figure out a way to get some form of monster enhancement) Druid. The problem stands that he is telling me some of the things that he plans to do and it sounds like he is going to be a CE. When I remind him that on one of the two axies he has to be Neutral he responds that do what he wants in game and then say a druidic prayer for those killed. Another thing he asked was if he can basicly bend plants to do his bidding. By this I mean that he wants to comand a small plant that happens to be in a trap filled corridor and order it to go through the hall in front of him in order to set off the traps. Does that seem right to you? What would be a reasonable standard of neutrality? -Ryan
Kouk 09-14-07, 11:42 AM	Hi, my name is Ryan and I'm a first time DM and needed help with a question. One of my players is going to be an evil were-tiger(I had to do it because he has assured me that he will figure out a way to get some form of monster enhancement) Druid. The problem stands that he is telling me some of the things that he plans to do and it sounds like he is going to be a CE. When I remind him that on one of the two axies he has to be Neutral he responds that do what he wants in game and then say a druidic prayer for those killed. Another thing he asked was if he can basicly bend plants to do his bidding. By this I mean that he wants to comand a small plant that happens to be in a trap filled corridor and order it to go through the hall in front of him in order to set off the traps. Does that seem right to you? What would be a reasonable standard of neutrality? -Ryan First-time DMs should avoid allowing any kind of Evil alignment from the players. What kinds of things is he proposing that sound Chaotic to you? I don't think just saying a prayer will make all his actions neutral though... Whether a mobile plant can set off a trap depends on the nature of the trap; a pressure-sensitive trap probably won't trigger on something lighter than 15 pounds (no sense setting it off on every rat that scurries by). Some traps attack motion though, or "life", or rely on the victim to have certain senses like vision (for the Symbol spells) or to otherwise breathe or something (for drowning traps and poison gas). I would not expect most dungeons to be teeming with large plants though, maybe some mushrooms and other fungus but not bushes and trees. EDIT: And don't immediately let yourself be dictated to by the players. What level characters are you starting with? Weretigers have some hefty +3 LA and special abilities (how many enemies are going to carry silver weapons? DR10 is serious business.). And nothing is stopping him from turning the entire party into weretigers...
tricky_bob 09-14-07, 11:48 AM	First-time DMs should avoid allowing any kind of Evil alignment from the players. What kinds of things is he proposing that sound Chaotic to you? I don't think just saying a prayer will make all his actions neutral though... Whether a mobile plant can set off a trap depends on the nature of the trap; a pressure-sensitive trap probably won't trigger on something lighter than 15 pounds (no sense setting it off on every rat that scurries by). Some traps attack motion though, or "life", or rely on the victim to have certain senses like vision (for the Symbol spells) or to otherwise breathe or something (for drowning traps and poison gas). I would not expect most dungeons to be teeming with large plants though, maybe some mushrooms and other fungus but not bushes and trees. Further to the above, IMO, for a first time DM, any Druid is going to cause you problems and game imbalance. I hope your other player's are prepared to be second best at pretty much everything! I'd say no to all of it, Druids are powerful enough without Bells and Whistles (and some would say they have those already too!)
Onikani 09-14-07, 01:29 PM	1. Take your DMG. 2. Show the player in question the corner of the DMG as you repeatably hit him on the forehead with it. 3. Profit. Seriously, this campaign is likely headed for disaster. As a first time DM you shouldn't allow evil, and you shouldn't allow templates. Lycanthropy included. Actually, ESPECIALLY lycanthropy. Stick to a by the book, 1st level campaign only using elements from the PhB.
Orchomenos 09-14-07, 01:33 PM	Further to the above, IMO, for a first time DM, any Druid is going to cause you problems and game imbalance. I hope your other player's are prepared to be second best at pretty much everything! I'd say no to all of it, Druids are powerful enough without Bells and Whistles (and some would say they have those already too!) IMHO, he screwed his druid build with his were-tiger thingy. You know, a were-tiger is ECL +9: 6 tiger HD and +3 LA. So a druid 1 were-tiger would be the equivalent of a 10th level human wizard or rogue. I don't think that saying a druidic prayer to the fallen would push the Lawful side of the balance. I suggest him to often speak about the Natural Order of Things. If he would be able to defend this Natural Order of Things, that would be better, even if his methods are cruel and painful. Adding to that some Chaotic Evil actions, the resulting alignment would somewhat be Neutral Evil. That is if you finally allow an Evil alignment in your first game ever...
Puca 09-14-07, 01:45 PM	1) You define what is chaotic, lawful, and in between. If you think his actions are chaotic, youre right because youre the DM. If he cant handle that, sorry. My opinion, "planning to be sorry when youre done" is among the top three dumbest things Ive heard today. 2) The others are right. Youre new: evil isnt a good way to start, templates arent a good way to start. They cause enough trouble for experienced DMs with non-assface players. Yes he is:(I had to do it because he has assured me that he will figure out a way to get some form of monster enhancement)Dude, you dont have to do a damn thing. It is your game. Im sure you want everyone to have fun, but thats not the same as giving every individual whatever they want. A lot of times, its the opposite. Also just a little bit of advice: NO PLAYER WHO TRIES TO BULLY A DM INTO LETTING HIM PLAY A STUPID OVERPOWERED CHAOTIC RETARDED EVIL PSYCHOTIC CHARACTER WITH DRUID LEVELS TOO SHOULD BE ALLOWED AT YOUR TABLE. KICK HIM OUT. DO IT. DO IT RIGHT NOW! But thats just my opinion. You know, whatever.
Dunsel 09-14-07, 03:14 PM	Ditto to the above. It sounds like this player wanted you to DM so he could create and play this character from hell! SOmeone tried that crap on me once! Don't let the players dictate your world! Eventually, your world will crash and burn as you lose control and then you will have to either yank everyone back to a reasonable level or end the game entirely. Now, to answer your questions... His grasp on neutrality is incorrect. He needs to read the phb. The standard for neutrality is noted within. His grasp on the druid class is incorrect. Once again, he needs to read the phb. I would question a druid who used a plant to find traps. Alignment is the hardest aspect of the D&D game, especially for a new DM. Be careful with it and do not let anyone pressure you into a decision you will likely regret later.