Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Machinima 10-15-06, 02:53 AM	Now, right off the bat, our gaming group isn't what you'd call role-play heavy. Generally we're pretty amicable, taking the obvious adventure hooks as they come and role-playing enough to get us into the meat of the adventure. None of us has any problem with this--except the DM. When we players show up for the session every week, we're there to game, yes. But before that we're there to see friends we don't get to see at all under any other circumstances. Naturally, we have a lot to talk about and admittedly, this can disrupt the game. Recently, our DM seems to have been going on a bit of a power trip. Our characters of a year and a half and thirteen levels suddenly find our abilities working in new and confusing ways because our DM arbitrarily changed something he saw as 'unbalanced' in the midst of play with no prior warning. In his newest campaign to try and 'balance' the game he seems to have cracked down on talking about anything that isn't directly concerning D&D. This normally wouldn't be a bad thing, but he also decides to go on his own non-game-related yarns. Me: Okay, I'm going to charge the troll and... Him: Hey, did you guys see South Park the other night? Me: ....hey... Him: Hold on, hold on...it was so awesome, they had this joke... At first we thought this was his way of 'punishing' us for not wanting to stay as focused on the game as he wanted us to, so we decided to play his way for awhile. However, he keeps doing it, almost as if he's oblivious, and starts to yell across the table if we deviate for more than a sentence. When confronted that he is going on long non-sequiters, he simply glares and continues talking. I can understand his position...the DM works hard to provide an adventuring world that is lush and entertaining. I've been there, it can be hard work, and it's not always rewarding. But is it right for him to try and squelch the players into a style they're not comfortable with (despite having given it the good ol' college try)? We've talked it over amongst ourselves and we feel that he's not running the kind of game we enjoy, especially when he tries to keep us completely silent while he rambles off on a tangent. Are we being selfish to the feeling of the DM, or are we justified in our reactions?
Toloran 10-15-06, 03:04 AM	One thing you have to keep in mind is that it goes both ways: Everyone should have fun, just just any one person. Second thing: A DM should be (above all) consistant. If he rules that something works one way once, and then a different way some other time: that is bad. Once there has been a ruling, that is how it works always (although he can theoretically place conditional modifiers that say "Yeah X was that way then, but now Y has changed so it isn't true anymore"). If he does decide something needs to be changed for balance (which does happen), then he should always check it with the players first. Basically, talk to him outside the game (away from the other players) and tell it to him straight. Don't suger coat it, but don't be too harsh. He should understand.
Thunder Dragonbane 10-15-06, 10:54 AM	I would say the stress of GMing has finally made him crack. Take the group asside and tell them that you are going to run the next game. Let him know by having no one arrive at his house on the next game day. When he calls to find out where you are ask him to join and act surprised that he did not get the message. Yes this is over the top sarcasim, but D&D is supposed to be fun, not to be a rant session. By anyone.
On_the_wings_of_TPK 10-15-06, 12:14 PM	Just explain to him everything that you've told us about, and see what he says. i ahve a simmiliar problem with my group. They like to joke around a bit. Especially my monk/Paladin. I've that they have more fun when i let get the giggles out of their system. At the beginning of the night, I give them as much time as they want to joke, talk, and generally do whatever. Heck I even encourage it, just to get it out of their systems. Then when everyone is ready I hand out character sheets and we start. Their is a little bit in game, but nothing seriouse. And if i need to I don't mind stopping the game, and waiting patiently for them to finnish whatever tangent they've gone of on. I doesn't happen often, and I find that my game runs smoother, then when I'd crack down on it.
kelvinaw273 10-15-06, 03:57 PM	Now would be a good time to spell him at DMing.
Dragonsblood 10-15-06, 04:29 PM	I think Thunder Dragonbane is on the right track, but perhaps a less sinister way of changing DMs is more appropriate. Next session ask the DM if he'd like someone else to start DMing a new campaign and invite him to be a player. Either you or someone else in the group should give it a try.
trapspringer 10-15-06, 06:13 PM	Yea but... OtWoaTPK is the most correct. If you haven't had this exact discussion with your DM then what are you doing here?
Cold Napalm 10-15-06, 06:37 PM	1) talk with the DM and group If that fails 2) Say you wanna try your hands at DMing If that fails 3) get a new group.
braindead345 10-17-06, 02:46 AM	Ask that you either meet an hour ahead of game time to BS or have a wrap-up meeting after the game. This type of distraction needs to be eliminated and either of these will help-especially if enforced. Of the two, I would go for the pre-game just to get everything out of the way. It does have the drawback of people wanting to continue after the game starts. The post-game would work if people can learn to wait with the distractions. The best answer would be to meet twice a week. One day it is for the bull, the second (the next day if possible so stuff won't build-up) is for the game.
Archangel62 10-17-06, 03:20 AM	The thing is that what he's doing isn't exactly what I'd call constructive, passive-aggressive yes, but not constructive. Explain to him what you explained on the thread. Also, I'd have to agree that I think he's starting to get overwhelmed maybe ask him if he wants someone else to take the seat for a bit. Finally...much as I hate to say it Players not paying attention is bad but the DM doing it that way is worse. The players will talk and BS some when they aren't involved simply because it can go on for quite some time. When the DM does it they are basically stating that they don't want to run and that the players mean nothing.
Sinner6 10-25-06, 04:01 PM	Just explain to him everything that you've told us about, and see what he says. i ahve a simmiliar problem with my group. They like to joke around a bit. Especially my monk/Paladin. I've that they have more fun when i let get the giggles out of their system. At the beginning of the night, I give them as much time as they want to joke, talk, and generally do whatever. Heck I even encourage it, just to get it out of their systems. Then when everyone is ready I hand out character sheets and we start. Their is a little bit in game, but nothing seriouse. And if i need to I don't mind stopping the game, and waiting patiently for them to finnish whatever tangent they've gone of on. I doesn't happen often, and I find that my game runs smoother, then when I'd crack down on it. WOOT A DM of my own heart. Although I tend not let tangents run on at all during combat. When I DM I use egg timers, everyone has to get their action in. That is a hold over from a shadow run game I ran and used egg timers for dramatic effect. This is a great way to start and adventure. Me-DM: Your new cyber arm explodes. What do you do? (start a 10 or 15 minute egg timer ) It is even better if someone wants a new character, and the player doesn't tell other players he wants a new character. DM: Your head explodes. What do you do? (start the timer) Players: WHAT?!?@#?@# you can't do that? Unfair!@# PC who just died: No, I want to see where he is going with this. And it has to be a REAL PC a DMPC will not have ANY impact on the players. Other then that I just want to second the opinion of On_the_wings_of_TPK. Although I think the stress is getting to him and he may be suffering some DM burnout. Suggest this option; it eliminated heavy DM burnout in my group a number of years ago. Everyone in the group makes a character, EVERYONE. Then one person DMs a one shot, then next person DMs a one shot, and so on until everyone has DMed a session. Suggest in a way that your trying to get everyone to understand the difficulties of being a DM. By the last DM runs their session the plot has completely fallen apart and makes no sense and usually the DM has recouped. Our (starwars) plot had us as former stormtroopers who were fallen jedis who were redeaming themselves by working with the some of the huts, to overthrow the empire with the help of the imperal guard using a stolen super star destoyer. Yea clear as mud.
The Jake 10-25-06, 07:17 PM	I'd take the DM aside and have a chat, outside of game session quietly. If he doesn't listen, I'd quit the game.
santa0 10-25-06, 07:45 PM	one good sounding thing to do is to kill the charcters... not literally ... but just kind of nudge towards a completly new camp. every one splits up.. then they all some how get back together .. person a&b go to basicly a fighters guild.. c does his own thing.. and d a manges guild... you all do that for a coupple a weeks then you all get back together
Witch 10-25-06, 07:54 PM	Just a tip for the future: if you have a title like "Help! My DM is unreasonable!", you either are, or create the illusion of being, unreasonable yourself.
Ashok_Lal 10-25-06, 09:52 PM	Now, right off the bat, our gaming group isn't what you'd call role-play heavy. Generally we're pretty amicable, taking the obvious adventure hooks as they come and role-playing enough to get us into the meat of the adventure. None of us has any problem with this--except the DM. When we players show up for the session every week, we're there to game, yes. But before that we're there to see friends we don't get to see at all under any other circumstances. Naturally, we have a lot to talk about and admittedly, this can disrupt the game. As long as only the players can efect the flow of the game all is good? Recently, our DM seems to have been going on a bit of a power trip. Our characters of a year and a half and thirteen levels suddenly find our abilities working in new and confusing ways because our DM arbitrarily changed something he saw as 'unbalanced' in the midst of play with no prior warning. Some examples of this would be handy. DM's have this power & are sometimes even suported on these boards. In his newest campaign to try and 'balance' the game he seems to have cracked down on talking about anything that isn't directly concerning D&D. This normally wouldn't be a bad thing, but he also decides to go on his own non-game-related yarns. Me: Okay, I'm going to charge the troll and... Him: Hey, did you guys see South Park the other night? Me: ....hey... Him: Hold on, hold on...it was so awesome, they had this joke... How many times a nite do you do this? At first we thought this was his way of 'punishing' us for not wanting to stay as focused on the game as he wanted us to, so we decided to play his way for awhile. However, he keeps doing it, almost as if he's oblivious, and starts to yell across the table if we deviate for more than a sentence. When confronted that he is going on long non-sequiters, he simply glares and continues talking. I can understand his position...the DM works hard to provide an adventuring world that is lush and entertaining. I've been there, it can be hard work, and it's not always rewarding. But is it right for him to try and squelch the players into a style they're not comfortable with (despite having given it the good ol' college try)? We've talked it over amongst ourselves and we feel that he's not running the kind of game we enjoy, especially when he tries to keep us completely silent while he rambles off on a tangent. Are we being selfish to the feeling of the DM, or are we justified in our reactions? A bit of both. All in all a storm in a tea cup. Take a 3 week break & when you all come back you will all be keen to start afresh. If things haven't changed then you have a problem
Ashok_Lal 10-25-06, 09:56 PM	Now, right off the bat, our gaming group isn't what you'd call role-play heavy. Generally we're pretty amicable, taking the obvious adventure hooks as they come and role-playing enough to get us into the meat of the adventure. None of us has any problem with this--except the DM. When we players show up for the session every week, we're there to game, yes. But before that we're there to see friends we don't get to see at all under any other circumstances. Naturally, we have a lot to talk about and admittedly, this can disrupt the game. As long as only the players can efect the flow of the game all is good? Recently, our DM seems to have been going on a bit of a power trip. Our characters of a year and a half and thirteen levels suddenly find our abilities working in new and confusing ways because our DM arbitrarily changed something he saw as 'unbalanced' in the midst of play with no prior warning. Some examples of this would be handy. DM's have this power & are sometimes even suported on these boards. In his newest campaign to try and 'balance' the game he seems to have cracked down on talking about anything that isn't directly concerning D&D. This normally wouldn't be a bad thing, but he also decides to go on his own non-game-related yarns. Me: Okay, I'm going to charge the troll and... Him: Hey, did you guys see South Park the other night? Me: ....hey... Him: Hold on, hold on...it was so awesome, they had this joke... How many times a nite do you do this? At first we thought this was his way of 'punishing' us for not wanting to stay as focused on the game as he wanted us to, so we decided to play his way for awhile. However, he keeps doing it, almost as if he's oblivious, and starts to yell across the table if we deviate for more than a sentence. When confronted that he is going on long non-sequiters, he simply glares and continues talking. I can understand his position...the DM works hard to provide an adventuring world that is lush and entertaining. I've been there, it can be hard work, and it's not always rewarding. But is it right for him to try and squelch the players into a style they're not comfortable with (despite having given it the good ol' college try)? We've talked it over amongst ourselves and we feel that he's not running the kind of game we enjoy, especially when he tries to keep us completely silent while he rambles off on a tangent. Are we being selfish to the feeling of the DM, or are we justified in our reactions? A bit of both. All in all a storm in a tea cup. Take a 3 week break & when you all come back you will all be keen to start afresh. If things haven't changed then you have a problem
Ashok_Lal 10-25-06, 09:58 PM	QUOTE=Machinima]Now, right off the bat, our gaming group isn't what you'd call role-play heavy. Generally we're pretty amicable, taking the obvious adventure hooks as they come and role-playing enough to get us into the meat of the adventure. None of us has any problem with this--except the DM. When we players show up for the session every week, we're there to game, yes. But before that we're there to see friends we don't get to see at all under any other circumstances. Naturally, we have a lot to talk about and admittedly, this can disrupt the game. As long as only the players can upset the flow of the game all is good? Recently, our DM seems to have been going on a bit of a power trip. Our characters of a year and a half and thirteen levels suddenly find our abilities working in new and confusing ways because our DM arbitrarily changed something he saw as 'unbalanced' in the midst of play with no prior warning. Some examples of this would be handy. DM's have this power & are sometimes even suported on these boards. In his newest campaign to try and 'balance' the game he seems to have cracked down on talking about anything that isn't directly concerning D&D. This normally wouldn't be a bad thing, but he also decides to go on his own non-game-related yarns. Me: Okay, I'm going to charge the troll and... Him: Hey, did you guys see South Park the other night? Me: ....hey... Him: Hold on, hold on...it was so awesome, they had this joke... How many times a nite do you do this? At first we thought this was his way of 'punishing' us for not wanting to stay as focused on the game as he wanted us to, so we decided to play his way for awhile. However, he keeps doing it, almost as if he's oblivious, and starts to yell across the table if we deviate for more than a sentence. When confronted that he is going on long non-sequiters, he simply glares and continues talking. I can understand his position...the DM works hard to provide an adventuring world that is lush and entertaining. I've been there, it can be hard work, and it's not always rewarding. But is it right for him to try and squelch the players into a style they're not comfortable with (despite having given it the good ol' college try)? We've talked it over amongst ourselves and we feel that he's not running the kind of game we enjoy, especially when he tries to keep us completely silent while he rambles off on a tangent. Are we being selfish to the feeling of the DM, or are we justified in our reactions?[/QUOTE] A bit of both. All in all a storm in a tea cup. Take a 3 week break & when you all come back you will all be keen to start afresh. If things haven't changed then you have a problem
Ashok_Lal 10-25-06, 09:59 PM	Sorry About The Multiple Posts
The White Sorcerer 10-26-06, 09:47 PM	Sorry About The Multiple Posts Edit the useless ones to just say something like "double post" so that they don't take too much space.