Fate [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Fate [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
TheFlyingAsian
04-12-08, 06:19 PM Hello, everyone.

What're all your theories and opinions on Fate in the Game World? Do you have characters fated to do/be something (via prophecy, or whatever)? Is having a sense of Fate in your game the same as railroading? Is it acceptable to use Fate as a plot device?

Discuss, please.

Edit: Whoops...this was supposed to be in the DM section. Well, I guess you can still discuss this, but from a PC perspective, then.
Etarnon
04-12-08, 11:18 PM Some campaigns, works well.

Time travel games, certainly fate plays a role, depending on how you do it.

In my own SW Saga Game, each character has selected a generic destiny, mostly to teach others (mostly Jedi), or discover something (mostly Scoundrels, but one Jedi). one player wanted "Anything, as long as it's dramatic."

I once ran a complex D&D campaign where a certain character was fated / prophecied to become an evil overlord, while the PC was still Chaotic Good.

Over time, the character did change alignment, and still years later he, and the rest of the group reminds me how epic, and memorable that game was, because of the choices involved for their characters and actions, as we worked out that plot.
Shaggy_Shaggs
04-12-08, 11:40 PM I don't like fate in games, myself. The main thing that appeals to me about D&D over CRPGs is that with D&D I can (theoretically) do whatever I feel like doing. If I'm the greatest hero the land has ever seen and I suddenly get the urge to quit risking my life, settle down and make shoes, that's an option. If I'm upset at an event that a political superpower or even a god is responsible for, I can go after them and bring them down (admittedly, this takes a lot more time, effort, and planning than the shoes thing). To me, fate is just another way of saying "this is going to happen and you get no say in the matter", which might as well be reading a book.

If I wanted to just participate in battles with a pre-determined overall outcome, I might as well be playing a CRPG. I mean, if I don't get a say in the story I'll likely tune it out entirely and just focus on the tactical aspects of the game, and at least with a CRPG I don't have elitist bastards calling me munchkin for doing so.
kelvinaw273
04-13-08, 03:45 AM There is an old saying: "No battle plan survives contact with the enemy."

In the same way: "No predetermined plot thread survives contact with player characters."

Fate is doable, but you either have to work with your players before hand (and give away some of the plot) or else be really, really good at winging it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TheFlyingAsian 04-12-08, 06:19 PM	Hello, everyone. What're all your theories and opinions on Fate in the Game World? Do you have characters fated to do/be something (via prophecy, or whatever)? Is having a sense of Fate in your game the same as railroading? Is it acceptable to use Fate as a plot device? Discuss, please. Edit: Whoops...this was supposed to be in the DM section. Well, I guess you can still discuss this, but from a PC perspective, then.
Etarnon 04-12-08, 11:18 PM	Some campaigns, works well. Time travel games, certainly fate plays a role, depending on how you do it. In my own SW Saga Game, each character has selected a generic destiny, mostly to teach others (mostly Jedi), or discover something (mostly Scoundrels, but one Jedi). one player wanted "Anything, as long as it's dramatic." I once ran a complex D&D campaign where a certain character was fated / prophecied to become an evil overlord, while the PC was still Chaotic Good. Over time, the character did change alignment, and still years later he, and the rest of the group reminds me how epic, and memorable that game was, because of the choices involved for their characters and actions, as we worked out that plot.
Shaggy_Shaggs 04-12-08, 11:40 PM	I don't like fate in games, myself. The main thing that appeals to me about D&D over CRPGs is that with D&D I can (theoretically) do whatever I feel like doing. If I'm the greatest hero the land has ever seen and I suddenly get the urge to quit risking my life, settle down and make shoes, that's an option. If I'm upset at an event that a political superpower or even a god is responsible for, I can go after them and bring them down (admittedly, this takes a lot more time, effort, and planning than the shoes thing). To me, fate is just another way of saying "this is going to happen and you get no say in the matter", which might as well be reading a book. If I wanted to just participate in battles with a pre-determined overall outcome, I might as well be playing a CRPG. I mean, if I don't get a say in the story I'll likely tune it out entirely and just focus on the tactical aspects of the game, and at least with a CRPG I don't have elitist bastards calling me munchkin for doing so.
kelvinaw273 04-13-08, 03:45 AM	There is an old saying: "No battle plan survives contact with the enemy." In the same way: "No predetermined plot thread survives contact with player characters." Fate is doable, but you either have to work with your players before hand (and give away some of the plot) or else be really, really good at winging it.