Horrible Crippling Problems [Archive] - Wizards Community

Horrible Crippling Problems [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DanjaNinja
11-06-04, 07:40 PM This post requires little backstory about my DM. He's (so far as I know) been in a terrible financial situation ever since he was dishonorably discharged from the Marines. For those of you who don't know, that's about the same as commiting a felony as far as job applications go. Even still, he DMs just about every week and hosts the game even when he's a player. He works a full time job and repairs computers on the side for extra cash. He called me a little while ago and told me that the game was called off indefinitely becuase his Saturdays were no longer free. He got into a car crash (he's unhurt, which is very fortunate), but now he's taking on a second job (or something like that, I was a little unclear) to help pay for the $3000+ repair job.

This is very depressing, not only because I enjoy playing DnD, but because I consider him a good friend. I would dearly like to help him out, but being only sixteen I don't have any money, and I'm not sure he would accept it if I did. I'm not sure what I can do, and it would kill me to just sit around and do nothing. Can anyone here with more experience in such matters recommend a course of action for me to help my DM?
trapspringer
11-06-04, 07:57 PM Your just going to have to offer emotional support. Be nice to the guy. There is a reason being dishonorably decharged is so bad. You really can't help the guy. If he is a consistent and hard-working person, he will soon be back on his feat. This is the kind of thing that can happen to folks. The strong ones don't let it stop them.
Shard of Suzail
11-06-04, 11:13 PM Why did they kick him out of the army? I`m intrigued as to why a disreputable person has enough influence on you that you would consider giving them money. They dont kick people out of the army without good reason. As always, keep yourself safe and be aware of this person, just in case.
Ras Kass
11-06-04, 11:49 PM Why did they kick him out of the army? I`m intrigued as to why a disreputable person has enough influence on you that you would consider giving them money. They dont kick people out of the army without good reason. As always, keep yourself safe and be aware of this person, just in case.

Nitpick: He said the marines not the army, and the marines is part navy, so there is a difference, in case you were wondering.
mean_liar
11-07-04, 08:04 AM Be his friend, thats about it. If there's someone else in the group that can run a game, see if they can run, and then your friend perhaps would be able to at least play. Might help to take his mind off his troubles.
Kessalin Talira
11-07-04, 10:22 AM Also, dishonorable discharges could come from something as seemingly innocuous as not putting something on your enlistment papers, for some reason. If they think you left it off deliberately, then it's falsifying information and subject to at best OTH (Other Than Honorable).
DanjaNinja
11-07-04, 03:20 PM Why did they kick him out of the army? I`m intrigued as to why a disreputable person has enough influence on you that you would consider giving them money. They dont kick people out of the army without good reason. As always, keep yourself safe and be aware of this person, just in case.
I must say, this offends me quite a bit. Though I suppose I understand where you're coming from, considering I didn't elaborate very much.

Why did they kick him out of the army?
I'm not exactly certain why he was discharged from the Marines (there is a difference), it's not a subject I try to bring up. I believe it had something to do with disrespecting a higher-ranking officer. He deeply regrets whatever he did, because he loves (no exaggeration) the Marines.

I`m intrigued as to why a disreputable person has enough influence on you that you would consider giving them money.You make it seem as if he's some shyster trying to dupe money out of me. From all my experience with him, I find him to be honorable and honest, if sometimes a little lacking in common sense. My relationship with him is not characterized by the knowledge of his discharge, but rather by his traits as a friend. I would also like to point out that it is entirely my own idea to give him money, nowhere in our conversation did he even hint that I should do so. Although there is the possibility that he has tricked me, my parents and my fellow players about his integrity all this time, I don't think he is quite that subtle. I see giving him money as helping a friend in dire need of assistance (as there is the possibility he could lose his apartment).

They dont kick people out of the army without good reason. Unfortunately, yes they do.
Shard of Suzail
11-07-04, 04:02 PM Ugh, i`m not in the mood for a pointless fight.

Better to cause offense and ensure that you are safe than to stand by and do nothing.

Fair enough with the marines not being in the army. My mistake.
Cymraegmorgan
11-07-04, 05:48 PM Why did they kick him out of the army? I`m intrigued as to why a disreputable person has enough influence on you that you would consider giving them money. They dont kick people out of the army without good reason. As always, keep yourself safe and be aware of this person, just in case.

Yes, Shard, sometimes we dishonourably discharge from service good people. I spent six years in the US Army, four of those years I held a commission. Army culture is unique, Marine culture even more so. The mores of modern society do not always mesh with the military. What makes a great American does not always make for a good soldier. Many good men and women, upstanding citizens all, have received dishonourable discharges because they would not bend, and neither would the service.

That tirade out of my system, I would suggest, Danjaninja, stand by your DM. Maybe adjust your gaming schedule to shorter weekday afterschool sessions.
Let your friend know you will all wait on him, and play whenever it is convenient for him(and okay with your parents). Any former Marine(regardless of separation status) who loves the Marines and works two or three jobs plus repairs computers on the side will not fail. The Semper FI attitude cannot be killed so easily. Patience on the part of you and the other players is the best short term prescription to your dilemma.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DanjaNinja 11-06-04, 07:40 PM	This post requires little backstory about my DM. He's (so far as I know) been in a terrible financial situation ever since he was dishonorably discharged from the Marines. For those of you who don't know, that's about the same as commiting a felony as far as job applications go. Even still, he DMs just about every week and hosts the game even when he's a player. He works a full time job and repairs computers on the side for extra cash. He called me a little while ago and told me that the game was called off indefinitely becuase his Saturdays were no longer free. He got into a car crash (he's unhurt, which is very fortunate), but now he's taking on a second job (or something like that, I was a little unclear) to help pay for the $3000+ repair job. This is very depressing, not only because I enjoy playing DnD, but because I consider him a good friend. I would dearly like to help him out, but being only sixteen I don't have any money, and I'm not sure he would accept it if I did. I'm not sure what I can do, and it would kill me to just sit around and do nothing. Can anyone here with more experience in such matters recommend a course of action for me to help my DM?
trapspringer 11-06-04, 07:57 PM	Your just going to have to offer emotional support. Be nice to the guy. There is a reason being dishonorably decharged is so bad. You really can't help the guy. If he is a consistent and hard-working person, he will soon be back on his feat. This is the kind of thing that can happen to folks. The strong ones don't let it stop them.
Shard of Suzail 11-06-04, 11:13 PM	Why did they kick him out of the army? I`m intrigued as to why a disreputable person has enough influence on you that you would consider giving them money. They dont kick people out of the army without good reason. As always, keep yourself safe and be aware of this person, just in case.
Ras Kass 11-06-04, 11:49 PM	Why did they kick him out of the army? I`m intrigued as to why a disreputable person has enough influence on you that you would consider giving them money. They dont kick people out of the army without good reason. As always, keep yourself safe and be aware of this person, just in case. Nitpick: He said the marines not the army, and the marines is part navy, so there is a difference, in case you were wondering.
mean_liar 11-07-04, 08:04 AM	Be his friend, thats about it. If there's someone else in the group that can run a game, see if they can run, and then your friend perhaps would be able to at least play. Might help to take his mind off his troubles.
Kessalin Talira 11-07-04, 10:22 AM	Also, dishonorable discharges could come from something as seemingly innocuous as not putting something on your enlistment papers, for some reason. If they think you left it off deliberately, then it's falsifying information and subject to at best OTH (Other Than Honorable).
DanjaNinja 11-07-04, 03:20 PM	Why did they kick him out of the army? I`m intrigued as to why a disreputable person has enough influence on you that you would consider giving them money. They dont kick people out of the army without good reason. As always, keep yourself safe and be aware of this person, just in case. I must say, this offends me quite a bit. Though I suppose I understand where you're coming from, considering I didn't elaborate very much. Why did they kick him out of the army? I'm not exactly certain why he was discharged from the Marines (there is a difference), it's not a subject I try to bring up. I believe it had something to do with disrespecting a higher-ranking officer. He deeply regrets whatever he did, because he loves (no exaggeration) the Marines. I`m intrigued as to why a disreputable person has enough influence on you that you would consider giving them money.You make it seem as if he's some shyster trying to dupe money out of me. From all my experience with him, I find him to be honorable and honest, if sometimes a little lacking in common sense. My relationship with him is not characterized by the knowledge of his discharge, but rather by his traits as a friend. I would also like to point out that it is entirely my own idea to give him money, nowhere in our conversation did he even hint that I should do so. Although there is the possibility that he has tricked me, my parents and my fellow players about his integrity all this time, I don't think he is quite that subtle. I see giving him money as helping a friend in dire need of assistance (as there is the possibility he could lose his apartment). They dont kick people out of the army without good reason. Unfortunately, yes they do.
Shard of Suzail 11-07-04, 04:02 PM	Ugh, i`m not in the mood for a pointless fight. Better to cause offense and ensure that you are safe than to stand by and do nothing. Fair enough with the marines not being in the army. My mistake.
Cymraegmorgan 11-07-04, 05:48 PM	Why did they kick him out of the army? I`m intrigued as to why a disreputable person has enough influence on you that you would consider giving them money. They dont kick people out of the army without good reason. As always, keep yourself safe and be aware of this person, just in case. Yes, Shard, sometimes we dishonourably discharge from service good people. I spent six years in the US Army, four of those years I held a commission. Army culture is unique, Marine culture even more so. The mores of modern society do not always mesh with the military. What makes a great American does not always make for a good soldier. Many good men and women, upstanding citizens all, have received dishonourable discharges because they would not bend, and neither would the service. That tirade out of my system, I would suggest, Danjaninja, stand by your DM. Maybe adjust your gaming schedule to shorter weekday afterschool sessions. Let your friend know you will all wait on him, and play whenever it is convenient for him(and okay with your parents). Any former Marine(regardless of separation status) who loves the Marines and works two or three jobs plus repairs computers on the side will not fail. The Semper FI attitude cannot be killed so easily. Patience on the part of you and the other players is the best short term prescription to your dilemma.