Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bazcasta 06-29-04, 07:07 PM	... Okay I like to roleplay my characters. Yesterday I had to take my mom to a doctors appointment. I wasn't sure if we were playing or not, but figured that it's the DM's job to tell me if we are playing and to call in advance and see if the palyers can play. Am I right? Well I didn't get a call so I thought we weren't playing. Well they did play. Didn't bother to wait for me to get home. If one of the other players couldn't have played the group would have waited to paly. In my own campaigns when all of the group can't be assembled to paly we don't play. And for that reason (my consideration) my campaign got forgotten. They didn't even call me to tell me they played. They went up 8 levels (from 4 to 12). SO my character went from: "Eldrin Thornriven, happy-go-lucky, northerner bard."; To: "Nick's character". Because I missed out on 8 levels of roleplaying, my character didn't advance personality wise. They claimed that I was "following the group" so I would be the same level, but yet I got no gear. So I am a 12th level bard with the gear of a 3rd or 4th level bard. Let's also note that I go to great lengths to create original and good roleplayable characters. They did something like this to me a couple of months ago too. We were set to play after school. They were going to pick me up, after I went home to get my books and playing accessories. They never came to get me. The car was full, so they didn't pick me up, or even call to tell me that they couldn't give me a ride. Now am I wrogn to be :censored: off? Unfortunantely I live a half hour from any town that has enough people to get a new group to play with so I am stuck here for 2 more years. Until I go to college. I'm comtemplating just quiting until then. What do you guys think?
Mordmorgan the Mad 06-29-04, 07:18 PM	I'd be pretty mad too. It sounds like these guys aren't really interested in playing with you, so you might be better off trying to form a new group in your town or finding an online game.
Elrana 06-29-04, 07:32 PM	For whatever reason it definitely sounds like they may be dropping hints. On the plus side what the hell kind of DM thinks that a group should gain eight levels in one session? Frankly you are better off not playing with them. Go and find a group of D&Ders instead of these cretins. I have never played in an on-line game so I can't comment on that score but it is definitely worth trying to find a group that play within a similar set of boundaries to you, not just with regard to game mechanics but also with regard to courtesy and social protocol. My group thinks about each other, we even have a campaign called Fallback that we play whenever a player is missing rather than the 'serious' campaign that we have been playing for some time. In my experience the game is no fun if everyone isn't enjoying it, and missing sessions, falling behind in the plot line and so on affects one's enjoyment. If you are desperate to play then scrape the bottom of the barrel and stay with these guys but don't moan about it, it's your choice. If playing is causing you more grief than joy then give yourself a break! Tell them to go and play with each other or themselves, they sound the type! In short no, you are absolutely right to be pretty damn unchuffed about this. :) (P.S. I hope it was nothing serious and that your mother is well. :) )
Bazcasta 06-29-04, 07:37 PM	Originally posted by Elrana For whatever reason it definitely sounds like they may be dropping hints. (P.S. I hope it was nothing serious and that your mother is well. :) ) They are/were my friends. My mom is fine, thanks for your concern. She had surgery, and had to have a post-surgery checkup to see how much progress she is making.
Thorak 06-29-04, 07:58 PM	What kind of DM lets you gain 8 levels in one game? Jeepers. IIRC, the DMG suggests a level every 3-4 sessions or so. The only way they could manage that is if they're slaughtering things far, far above the 'normal' CR, which makes me think the PCs are far, far overpowered for their level to begin with. Especially for someone interested in role-playing, quick leveling and nifty magical items are the worst thing that can happen to you. The emphasis then becomes on the powers the character and his trinkets have, rather than the difficult backstories and personalities you might have developed. Heck, I'm currently playing one of my favourite characters ever, and he's already gotten good "wow" factor with the party, and he's a 3rd level Human Paladin, who just got a +2 Bastard Sword as his only magical item (and was already doing really well without it). Not to mention, he's one of the two really interesting characters in the party, though IMHO that's because his issues are more evident than some of the other PC's have apparently been; I'm sure their issues and quirks will become more fleshed-out in the near future. But, more and more, I'm enjoying low-level play a lot more than high-level, simply because the focus is on the character's personality and tactics, not which bonuses his sword has or how many templates he's added on.
edgelett 06-29-04, 08:14 PM	hmm - a DM that advances characters 8 levels in 1 game?? that's insane. No, that's impossible. did they play continuously for 2 days or something?? Yes I'd be mad too. We play regularly, and basicly in our case either the DM lets people know there is NO game, or if one player can't make it they let the DM know and advise the DM if they're happy for another player to run their character. If they are, we play. If not, we don't. Try talking to your DM about it, and explain how you feel. Hopefully he'll say "dude, sorry didn't know you felt that way!! Let me make it up to you." If he doesn't care, turf him & join a new group.
SweetMeats 06-29-04, 08:24 PM	My group doesn't stop the game unless 2 or more players can't make it for some reason. The game shouldn't be stopped because of one player. Plus, its up to you to check and to inform the DM that you would be late because of having to take your ma to the doctors. I'm glad that she's ok though.
Nom 06-29-04, 08:32 PM	Additional comments: It's a good idea for any group to confirm whether the policy is "playing unless we call it off" or "not playing unless we confirm it". Otherwise you get confusion. That said, I'd agree that "Eldrin Thornriven, happy-go-lucky, northerner bard" is unlikely to fit in a group that raises 8 levels in a single hit, and that any bunch of people that "frequently" omits you (only you can decide what "frequently" is, depending on circumstances) probably isn't worth losing sleep over.
Tevandel Surefacet 06-29-04, 09:27 PM	Wow I would be really ****** off. We keep multiple campaigns going with the various subsets of people we play with, so if anyone can’t make it we have another campaign to pick up and run with. For combinations of people that are unlikely we may not play that campaign more than once every 4-5 months but at least we have a fallback position that does not involve having anyone “follow along”. Now this works with an older group (everyone in their late thirties or early forties or their kids) that have preplanned sessions –one a week – with the same people for years on end. When I was younger we had cases where we played when one or more members could not make it and we had a fairly clean method – the missing player’s character either mysteriously disappeared or went off on their own for a solo adventure (which the DM ran – as a solo adventure) before the next time that the group met. This worked in high-school and collage because we had time for multiple sessions per week. We could run the solo during a time when only the DM and player or players that missed the major adventure could meet. Having said this it really sounds like this group is playing slay the monster pickup the treasure, rinse repeat. Rather than D&D. You said that the group got 8 levels in one session, let me analyze what they would have to have done to do this. Let’s see 8 levels at an average of 13 encounters per level is 104 encounters at an average CR of their level. Figure that every combat takes on the average of ½ hour to complete (being very generous most of the combats in our group take at least ¾ hour an usually closer to 2½ hours), that means that they gamed for 52 hours straight in this session? Or the DM let them beat encounters that were worth twice the average CR in value and they finished 52 of these encounters and gamed for 26 hours? Or maybe the DM let them beat encounters that were worth 4 times the average CR in value and they finished 26 encounters in 13 hours? Anyway I am sure you see where this was going – this was a free giveaway of experience and treasure. If you want to role play rather than win a game show you would be better off finding another group. A half an hour from town should not be a big deal – I used to ride my bike an hour to game, and I run a game for my son where some of the kid’s parents drop them off from a 45 minute drive away. Where there is a will, gaming will find a way. I am glad to hear that your mom is okay, and I hope you can find another group. Don’t stop having fun!
Bazcasta 06-30-04, 12:00 AM	Thanks guys. The half hour drive wouldn't be a problem if my car was working (clutch is shot), and if one of the 8 or 9 places I applied at would hire me. I find it somewhat ironic that I want to work, but I can't find a job, but then people that don't want to work, or just want money to get thigns now instead of save for thigns like college or the future just get a job at the snap of their fingers. I won't ask my mom for gas money, so I can't drive back and forth (if my car was working that is).
Edward 06-30-04, 05:34 AM	I agree with Thorak on the adverse affects of gaining power to fast. I was playing a pixie druid. That was about 3 levels of druid in a 9th level game (we where inventing ECLs of the top of our heads savage species wasn’t out yet). Well I went on a scouting sortie with one other PC and threw good tactics, insane luck and not knowing to run we killed BBEGs third lieutenant and the command staff for his division of the army. +5 or 6 levels. Now my pixe no longer has need to be afraid. But one of his major character traits was that he was afraid of pretty much anything (and justifiably so given his HP) there was no time for him to get used to his powers and I never really enjoyed playing the character again. As to your problem with warning it depends. Do you normally get a call before a session? I play at a club so I only expect a call when we are not playing. If you don’t play at a regular time or the GM dose ring you then you have a right to be upset. Personally we play the game even if one or 2 players are missing but we try to find them first. I don’t know if you had time but if you did you should have called them. given the other incident it could be a pattern. I don’t know about where you live but hear almost nobody gets a job at the drop of the hat and 10 applications is what we have to do for centrelink every fortnight. The people that really want jobs do more. The people that don’t lie. Edward
roguebfl 06-30-04, 06:32 AM	Originally posted by Edward I was playing a pixie druid. That was about 3 levels of druid in a 9th level game (we where inventing ECLs of the top of our heads savage species wasn’t out yet). Well I went on a scouting sortie with one other PC and threw good tactics, insane luck and not knowing to run we killed BBEGs third lieutenant and the command staff for his division of the army. +5 or 6 levels. just a small point you do (at least now) know that XP is bassed on ECL not Character level right?
Wood 06-30-04, 09:27 AM	eight levels in one campaign. Christ. What kind of rules raping is going on there? Thats one of my major gripes against 3e. In real gaming we all know that it takes alot of experience to roll a level. eight levels in one game. ludicrous. As far as your lameting the gaming group leaving you out, I agree with the gentleman who posted somewhere above me. We always have silly or cartoony backup campaigns going on in the background for when one or two people are MIA. Id suggest that to your DM as a possible fix. But then, I've never played a bard... except that once... everybody loves a neutral evil bard named Roads. :D
Robert Craven 06-30-04, 10:37 AM	I think you are right to be mad. In our group we try to play only if all the players are present. Or our DM tries to create a little side-quest for the one missing. So that character isn't present in that session but does not lose too much XP. But it can turn just the other way around. Last time I missed a game, the whole party was robbed and almost killed. They lost about anything they had. So I am the only one with a full set of equipment (plus some extra gold from my side quest) just because I missed one session :) The worst thing that could happen in a case like yours, is when the character of the missing player dies. That can lead to some tensions within the group.
Stuntman 06-30-04, 12:38 PM	I'm not sure about other groups, but my group has limited time with other responsiblities. When we play, I am the organiser, so I give everyone notice of when our next session is and then contact them again a few days prior to the game to confirm that everyone can make it. I would never deliberately leave anyone out and would make sure that everyone has the means to get to the game as well. I'm not sure who is organising the games, but it seems to be irresponsible to leave anyone out without notice or with a lame excuse that the car was full. If it is only you that has been consistently left out of games, then they may be dropping some hints. If others have been left out as well, then it would seem to be a lack of good organisation. Knowing how this group is, you may be wise to proactively contact your group prior to any possible games to verify if the group is playing. If it is the lack of organisation problem, then you may have to pick up the slack yourself to ensure that you are not left out. I don't know if there is any way of improving the organisation of the games unless you choose to take on that job yourself. With such a big group, organising a game is a big job and does take some time to do so. I can see that the organiser(s) may slack off from time to time. If they seem to be deliberately leaving you out, then it is a different story altogether. I'm not sure if this is actually the case. It may be coincidence that you were left out both times. I don't know what your group is like, so I would not know if this is actually the case.
Hathorym 06-30-04, 12:48 PM	You know... you could have just called and asked if you were playing instead of just trying to place all the blame on the DM. The rest of your complaint is just a by-product.
Bazcasta 06-30-04, 04:46 PM	Originally posted by Hathorym You know... you could have just called and asked if you were playing instead of just trying to place all the blame on the DM. The rest of your complaint is just a by-product. You're right I could have done that. But I'm not DM so, it's not my job to setup the DM's games for him. (Sarcasm >) Should I call everyday to see if they are playing? I'm pretty sure (as in 99.9%) that it's just coincidence that I got left out twice. I don't think it's more of a lack of organization, but mroe a lack of consideration. Another thing I find soemwhat ironic is: Okay about 1 month before we started to even play DnD, my friend told me abotu it. He visits his father every summer, and his half-brother plays all the time. He thought it was cool. I didn't understand it. No one had any books or anything for it. I was in a bookstore, and saw a PHB and I was like, "I'll buy it to see what it's all about." So in a way I was the one that took the metaphorical ball (my friends idea of playing) and got everyone in our group to play. Just saying random thoughts. Sorry, if I need to be. Thank you
Theocracity 06-30-04, 04:52 PM	It's been said before, but it sounds like you really need to have a set time every week that you guys play. Find a time that's good for everyone and hold people to it. Otherwise problems are likely to occur.
Stuntman 06-30-04, 05:47 PM	Well, it sounds like someone has to take the responsibility to organise the games, whether it is the DM or some other person. You might assume that the DM should be the one who organises everything, but sometimes the DM may not see it as his responsibility to organise the games. You'll have to speak to him or the group to see who should take on this role. Perhaps no one (including the DM) though it was his role to call everyone up or organise it which is why you were accidentally left out twice. I would suggest that you discuss with the group how you guys should organise future games. To avoid missing players in the future, someone should take on the responsibility to organise the game. The organiser should notify everyone of the time and place of the game and also verify that everyone will indeed show up. This person does not have to be the DM. Sometimes the DM has enough responsibilities as it is and does not want to take on more. Organising a game to ensure everyone shows up does require some effort. You have to make sure you reach everyone. If you call someone and he is not there, you need to follow up later. Even if you leave a message, you need to make sure he got the message. The organiser should be someone that is responsible enough to do this. I'm sure you know who might qualify for this role in your group. Hopefully, you can get the organisation of the games handled better, so that no one is inadvertantly left out.
fenrisvulfe02 07-01-04, 04:31 AM	Originally posted by Bazcasta You're right I could have done that. But I'm not DM so, it's not my job to setup the DM's games for him. (Sarcasm >) Should I call everyday to see if they are playing? You know, he might've been a little harsher than everyone else, but he has a point. Did you even listen to the half-dozen other or so people who said more or less the same thing, but more calmly? I still don't know what your whole playing setup is, so I can't say much, but I can say that as a player, you make a commitment to the group. A small one, but nonetheless a comittment, and there is a kind of etiquette that goes along with this. You can be late, you can not show up, that is your perogative entirely. However, your actions have consequences that will affect the group, and how they deal with those will have consequences that in turn affect you. If you don't show up one day, everyone else does, they haven't heard from you and have seen neither head nor tail of you, they have made their own commitment and aren't willing to give up what they worked for. They are going to play without you, and that's the cost of not keeping track of your commitments. It is your job to keep track of them yourself, and it is not the responsibility of your DM or any one else to do that for you. If the game really matters so much to you, it is your responsibility to maintain your commitment to said game. Now, in this specific situation, it looks like you have some cause to be angry, if what I can infer from your posts is true. Apparently you suspected there was a game that day, but it was not clear. The clarity could have ranged from some people were considering it but no serious talk had come of it, or there were some tentative plans in place. Given the situation, it would have been a good idea if you had called to make sure, if the game meant that much to you. If there had been a game scheduled, I would say you would have had a responsibility to do so. However, if that was not the case, then it's possible that either you were just, by chance, overlooked, or everyone else is right and they're sending a hint. In the first you have the right to be annoyed, in the latter you have the right to be ****** off your *ing breeches. Still, it is possible that they did try to contact you while you were not at home, so still, if there was talk of a game and you were interested in playing, it was your responsibility to let them know what your schedule was, if you were going to be late, and so forth. If it were another case of full cars, yes, then be annoyed, but if it's just because you made a mistake, then your anger is highly misplaced. But, as I wasn't there and you haven't given a whole lot of information, you'll just have to decide for yourself. It is, after all, your choice.
Bazcasta 07-01-04, 11:49 PM	The group doesn't really have set day/time to play. They just play whenever, on the fly sort of thing. But what makes me even a little madder is that one of the players had driver's ed. so they would have had to wait until 2:30 to play anyway. I am half to blame, but still. But since they went up 8 levels which would drain my fun, because I couldn't roleplay them. I think I'll just respectfully (since they are my friends) to play, next time. I've been eyeing The Elder Scrolls III, Morrowind for a few days. So I guess if I get a job (which [not to get my hopes up] might happen next week. A printing shop that is looking for work is hiring, and I've been stopping in regularly to see if they still need help. I even brought in my report card, to subtley tell them that I have to have some incentive to work. [don't mean to brag, sorry]). Anyway, I'm way offbase here. just rambling, waiting for "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" to come on. (mon.-thurs., Cartoon Network, 11:00 central time) very funny. Thanks guys