Is this railroading? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Is this railroading? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sarrazon
02-20-07, 04:44 PM Me and my brother are starting a solo campaign, with him as the DM. I am playing a homebrew wolfman race, as a gestalt Druid/Barbarian. My character has white fur, and i was intending his mother to have it also. However he says that both my characters parents have fur that is not white, in fact none of the people in my village have white fur. I am kinda put off about this, as i feel that he's trying to set me up for something later on in the campaign (and that he's abusing his DM powers a bit). Then again, this is really my first time playing, so it could be nothing. Your opinion?
johnkretzer
02-20-07, 04:51 PM Me and my brother are starting a solo campaign, with him as the DM. I am playing a homebrew wolfman race, as a gestalt Druid/Barbarian. My character has white fur, and i was intending his mother to have it also. However he says that both my characters parents have fur that is not white, in fact none of the people in my village have white fur. I am kinda put off about this, as i feel that he's trying to set me up for something later on in the campaign (and that he's abusing his DM powers a bit). Then again, this is really my first time playing, so it could be nothing. Your opinion?

They might be something that fits in with his campaign ideas about the race, or maybe their is some prophecy or legend. I would probably just let it go and see where it goes.
Sarrazon
02-20-07, 05:27 PM They might be something that fits in with his campaign ideas about the race, or maybe their is some prophecy or legend. I would probably just let it go and see where it goes.
This is probably what i'm going to do, but it still is kinda annoying.
LordBOB777
02-20-07, 11:56 PM You wanna know why your fur is white?

Well there is two possibilities.

The first one involves your mother, though I dont think I need to go there.

Some species, while neither parent show any sign of sickness/something wrong, a few animals do end up being albino, and maybe Albino is a pure white in his world.
Mitchell
02-21-07, 12:54 AM Why ask if it's railroading? I see that term thrown around, and in this instance I get the vibe that if the answer were no it would somehow be palateable, while if it were yes than it automatically becomes some violation of you as a person and is completely unacceptable.
I don't mean to sound like I am going off here, but there seems to be some idea that all railroading is automatically bad, and that just isn't the case. Furthermore, if you have to ask, it doesn't matter.

On to the issue at hand... It is, at worst, a minor abuse of DM power (as of right now). It could be nothing, since, technically, your parents are NPCs, and therefore under the control of the DM. They may have a plan, as others have mentioned, so let it ride.
The bigger question is, why does it matter so much to you what color their fur is? Your fur is white. Is there a reason why it is important that your character's parents fur be white also? Is this a hill you are willing to die on? If the answer is yes, then make your stand and let the game die young. If the answer is no, then let it go and carry on.
ZolDarklock
02-21-07, 12:59 AM Also a DM has to have a say in your PC's history, for game play future ideas, and also because no PC should ever be allowed to have an absolute say in everything in his pc's past, especially the entire makeup of his race, village, these things especially should be left up to the DM
On_the_wings_of_TPK
02-21-07, 02:43 AM Is this railroading?

I don't see it.

Is this abuse of power?

Again i don't see it. Generally speaking Pcs should be generouse amounts of lie-way with their backstories. However NPCs, such as your parents and the rest of your villiage, are the DMs domain. Thus if minor changes need to be made the DM has the authority to do so.

I often have to use this occasionally as a couple of players write backstories like shakespeararian trageties. Dead NPCs are not very fun IMHO.
TheChilliGod
02-21-07, 03:28 AM So, you're getting niffed over the color of your PC's parents' fur?
And you're playing a gestalt character with a custom race that isn't itself specifically prohibited from white fur (by the context of the OP)?

I think that the DM's being plenty generous enough, so there isn't really any need to get niffed over something as trivial as fur color.
Not to mention that I cannot imagine anything a DM could use white fur to screw your PC over and abuse DM powers with.

...
*Snicker* Fur color...
johnkretzer
02-21-07, 03:44 AM This is probably what i'm going to do, but it still is kinda annoying.

Good idea. Also have you asked your brother why you are the only one in your tribe to have white fur?
Sarrazon
02-21-07, 09:02 AM Firs, let me say thank you for all your responses. Like i said in my first post, this is really my first time playing, so i wasn't sure. I'm not really quite sure WHY i got so ticked off about this, it was just sort of..... off putting. However, i suppose it's nothing. Again, thank you.
Orchomenos
02-21-07, 09:29 AM No, it's not. The DM is just finding a cool way to transform your otherwise normal character into a prophetized hero.

If the DM suddenly state that your PC is hit by a truck in the road and take exactly your HP+1 damages, thus making you momentary unconscious, that is railroading. But then, once in a while, it's still acceptable, since it's probably for story purpose.
If the campaign is set in a city, and you suddenly want to embark on a pirate ship, and the DM says "There's no pirate ship in this part of the world. In fact, there's absolutely no ship in this part of the world." that is also railroading. I think it's still acceptable, because the DM probably cooked many hours worth of gameplay in and around the city, and have no idea how to run a naval battle.
Sterling
02-21-07, 10:41 AM If its bothering you, just sit down and have a brief, friendly chat with the DM. Explain that you're not entirely comfortable with him dictating parts of your background. Be polite about it, though. There's absolutely no reason to be confrontational. You could even ask if he's doing this because of something he has planned (though don't expect him to tell you what it is if the answer is yes). You never know. He might have something really cool planned for your PC.
User5127
02-21-07, 12:27 PM If the campaign is set in a city, and you suddenly want to embark on a pirate ship, and the DM says "There's no pirate ship in this part of the world. In fact, there's absolutely no ship in this part of the world." that is also railroading. I think it's still acceptable, because the DM probably cooked many hours worth of gameplay in and around the city, and have no idea how to run a naval battle.

well, its not really rail roading if the city is in the middle of a desert! hahaha ^_^

but yea. rail roading does get kicked around alot. sometims the DM has a plan. and sometimes the world is just the way it is.

Just roll with the flow. Its a pretty minor issue.

(sometimes railroading is a necessary evil to get the story in the right place as well. but the DM should always be aware that if the PCs are uncomfortable with the ride on the train, he should probably stop it and let them off. ^_^)
Boraxe
02-21-07, 02:06 PM No, it is not railroading. If no member of your race has white fur then clearly you can't have it either. This is no different than not being able to play a human with glowing red eyes or an elf with four ears. If the race simply can't have said aesthetic then they can't have it. Period.
johnkretzer
02-21-07, 02:31 PM No, it is not railroading. If no member of your race has white fur then clearly you can't have it either. This is no different than not being able to play a human with glowing red eyes or an elf with four ears. If the race simply can't have said aesthetic then they can't have it. Period.

That makes no sense...he is saying that he is allowed to have white fur no problem...but no one in his village has white fur including his parents...

On a side note why do you want play a White Wolf werewolf in D&D....sorry that might be over your head....
Boraxe
02-21-07, 02:36 PM That makes no sense...he is saying that he is allowed to have white fur no problem...but no one in his village has white fur including his parents...

Ah, I misread it as teh DM banning it entirely, PC included. That casts a different light on it, suggesting that the DM has plans for making it a plot-point down the road. Still not railroading, though.

On a side note why do you want play a White Wolf werewolf in D&D....sorry that might be over your head....

What do you mean? I have expressed no such desire at all and it is certainly not "over my head."
johnkretzer
02-21-07, 02:39 PM Ah, I misread it as teh DM banning it entirely, PC included. That casts a different light on it, suggesting that the DM has plans for making it a plot-point down the road. Still not railroading, though.

What do you mean? I have expressed no such desire at all and it is certainly not "over my head."

I agree. It is not railroading...

As to the second point that was more directed at the OP
Sarrazon
02-21-07, 02:44 PM On a side note why do you want play a White Wolf werewolf in D&D....sorry that might be over your head....
I get the general gist of it, but yeah, over my head.

I've had a talk with my DM, and he's said "all will be revelaed in time" which is the part that rubbed me the wrong way. However, im just gonna roll with it and see what happens. Thanks for the responses.
johnkretzer
02-21-07, 02:57 PM I get the general gist of it, but yeah, over my head.

I've had a talk with my DM, and he's said "all will be revelaed in time" which is the part that rubbed me the wrong way. However, im just gonna roll with it and see what happens. Thanks for the responses.

White Wolf is the name of a gaming company that prints Vampire, Werewolf, Exalted, etc. That actualy give D&D it's first serious competion that I can remember.

But good luck with the game.
FeceMan
02-21-07, 03:42 PM Me and my brother are starting a solo campaign, with him as the DM. I am playing a homebrew wolfman race, as a gestalt Druid/Barbarian. My character has white fur, and i was intending his mother to have it also. However he says that both my characters parents have fur that is not white, in fact none of the people in my village have white fur. I am kinda put off about this, as i feel that he's trying to set me up for something later on in the campaign (and that he's abusing his DM powers a bit). Then again, this is really my first time playing, so it could be nothing. Your opinion?
That's not railroading. At all.

Railroading is when the DM forces (or essentially forces) the characters along a predetermined path and sequence of events that allows the campaign to go exactly as he plans.
kelvinaw273
02-21-07, 03:56 PM No it isn't railroading. It is touching on your backstory, but then backstory has to work out with the DM anyway, so this is legit.

White fur could be a throwback, a genetic freak, a prophecy or something else. Run with it - it could be a lot of fun finding out.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sarrazon 02-20-07, 04:44 PM	Me and my brother are starting a solo campaign, with him as the DM. I am playing a homebrew wolfman race, as a gestalt Druid/Barbarian. My character has white fur, and i was intending his mother to have it also. However he says that both my characters parents have fur that is not white, in fact none of the people in my village have white fur. I am kinda put off about this, as i feel that he's trying to set me up for something later on in the campaign (and that he's abusing his DM powers a bit). Then again, this is really my first time playing, so it could be nothing. Your opinion?
johnkretzer 02-20-07, 04:51 PM	Me and my brother are starting a solo campaign, with him as the DM. I am playing a homebrew wolfman race, as a gestalt Druid/Barbarian. My character has white fur, and i was intending his mother to have it also. However he says that both my characters parents have fur that is not white, in fact none of the people in my village have white fur. I am kinda put off about this, as i feel that he's trying to set me up for something later on in the campaign (and that he's abusing his DM powers a bit). Then again, this is really my first time playing, so it could be nothing. Your opinion? They might be something that fits in with his campaign ideas about the race, or maybe their is some prophecy or legend. I would probably just let it go and see where it goes.
Sarrazon 02-20-07, 05:27 PM	They might be something that fits in with his campaign ideas about the race, or maybe their is some prophecy or legend. I would probably just let it go and see where it goes. This is probably what i'm going to do, but it still is kinda annoying.
LordBOB777 02-20-07, 11:56 PM	You wanna know why your fur is white? Well there is two possibilities. The first one involves your mother, though I dont think I need to go there. Some species, while neither parent show any sign of sickness/something wrong, a few animals do end up being albino, and maybe Albino is a pure white in his world.
Mitchell 02-21-07, 12:54 AM	Why ask if it's railroading? I see that term thrown around, and in this instance I get the vibe that if the answer were no it would somehow be palateable, while if it were yes than it automatically becomes some violation of you as a person and is completely unacceptable. I don't mean to sound like I am going off here, but there seems to be some idea that all railroading is automatically bad, and that just isn't the case. Furthermore, if you have to ask, it doesn't matter. On to the issue at hand... It is, at worst, a minor abuse of DM power (as of right now). It could be nothing, since, technically, your parents are NPCs, and therefore under the control of the DM. They may have a plan, as others have mentioned, so let it ride. The bigger question is, why does it matter so much to you what color their fur is? Your fur is white. Is there a reason why it is important that your character's parents fur be white also? Is this a hill you are willing to die on? If the answer is yes, then make your stand and let the game die young. If the answer is no, then let it go and carry on.
ZolDarklock 02-21-07, 12:59 AM	Also a DM has to have a say in your PC's history, for game play future ideas, and also because no PC should ever be allowed to have an absolute say in everything in his pc's past, especially the entire makeup of his race, village, these things especially should be left up to the DM
On_the_wings_of_TPK 02-21-07, 02:43 AM	Is this railroading? I don't see it. Is this abuse of power? Again i don't see it. Generally speaking Pcs should be generouse amounts of lie-way with their backstories. However NPCs, such as your parents and the rest of your villiage, are the DMs domain. Thus if minor changes need to be made the DM has the authority to do so. I often have to use this occasionally as a couple of players write backstories like shakespeararian trageties. Dead NPCs are not very fun IMHO.
TheChilliGod 02-21-07, 03:28 AM	So, you're getting niffed over the color of your PC's parents' fur? And you're playing a gestalt character with a custom race that isn't itself specifically prohibited from white fur (by the context of the OP)? I think that the DM's being plenty generous enough, so there isn't really any need to get niffed over something as trivial as fur color. Not to mention that I cannot imagine anything a DM could use white fur to screw your PC over and abuse DM powers with. ... Snicker Fur color...
johnkretzer 02-21-07, 03:44 AM	This is probably what i'm going to do, but it still is kinda annoying. Good idea. Also have you asked your brother why you are the only one in your tribe to have white fur?
Sarrazon 02-21-07, 09:02 AM	Firs, let me say thank you for all your responses. Like i said in my first post, this is really my first time playing, so i wasn't sure. I'm not really quite sure WHY i got so ticked off about this, it was just sort of..... off putting. However, i suppose it's nothing. Again, thank you.
Orchomenos 02-21-07, 09:29 AM	No, it's not. The DM is just finding a cool way to transform your otherwise normal character into a prophetized hero. If the DM suddenly state that your PC is hit by a truck in the road and take exactly your HP+1 damages, thus making you momentary unconscious, that is railroading. But then, once in a while, it's still acceptable, since it's probably for story purpose. If the campaign is set in a city, and you suddenly want to embark on a pirate ship, and the DM says "There's no pirate ship in this part of the world. In fact, there's absolutely no ship in this part of the world." that is also railroading. I think it's still acceptable, because the DM probably cooked many hours worth of gameplay in and around the city, and have no idea how to run a naval battle.
Sterling 02-21-07, 10:41 AM	If its bothering you, just sit down and have a brief, friendly chat with the DM. Explain that you're not entirely comfortable with him dictating parts of your background. Be polite about it, though. There's absolutely no reason to be confrontational. You could even ask if he's doing this because of something he has planned (though don't expect him to tell you what it is if the answer is yes). You never know. He might have something really cool planned for your PC.
User5127 02-21-07, 12:27 PM	If the campaign is set in a city, and you suddenly want to embark on a pirate ship, and the DM says "There's no pirate ship in this part of the world. In fact, there's absolutely no ship in this part of the world." that is also railroading. I think it's still acceptable, because the DM probably cooked many hours worth of gameplay in and around the city, and have no idea how to run a naval battle. well, its not really rail roading if the city is in the middle of a desert! hahaha ^_^ but yea. rail roading does get kicked around alot. sometims the DM has a plan. and sometimes the world is just the way it is. Just roll with the flow. Its a pretty minor issue. (sometimes railroading is a necessary evil to get the story in the right place as well. but the DM should always be aware that if the PCs are uncomfortable with the ride on the train, he should probably stop it and let them off. ^_^)
Boraxe 02-21-07, 02:06 PM	No, it is not railroading. If no member of your race has white fur then clearly you can't have it either. This is no different than not being able to play a human with glowing red eyes or an elf with four ears. If the race simply can't have said aesthetic then they can't have it. Period.
johnkretzer 02-21-07, 02:31 PM	No, it is not railroading. If no member of your race has white fur then clearly you can't have it either. This is no different than not being able to play a human with glowing red eyes or an elf with four ears. If the race simply can't have said aesthetic then they can't have it. Period. That makes no sense...he is saying that he is allowed to have white fur no problem...but no one in his village has white fur including his parents... On a side note why do you want play a White Wolf werewolf in D&D....sorry that might be over your head....
Boraxe 02-21-07, 02:36 PM	That makes no sense...he is saying that he is allowed to have white fur no problem...but no one in his village has white fur including his parents... Ah, I misread it as teh DM banning it entirely, PC included. That casts a different light on it, suggesting that the DM has plans for making it a plot-point down the road. Still not railroading, though. On a side note why do you want play a White Wolf werewolf in D&D....sorry that might be over your head.... What do you mean? I have expressed no such desire at all and it is certainly not "over my head."
johnkretzer 02-21-07, 02:39 PM	Ah, I misread it as teh DM banning it entirely, PC included. That casts a different light on it, suggesting that the DM has plans for making it a plot-point down the road. Still not railroading, though. What do you mean? I have expressed no such desire at all and it is certainly not "over my head." I agree. It is not railroading... As to the second point that was more directed at the OP
Sarrazon 02-21-07, 02:44 PM	On a side note why do you want play a White Wolf werewolf in D&D....sorry that might be over your head.... I get the general gist of it, but yeah, over my head. I've had a talk with my DM, and he's said "all will be revelaed in time" which is the part that rubbed me the wrong way. However, im just gonna roll with it and see what happens. Thanks for the responses.
johnkretzer 02-21-07, 02:57 PM	I get the general gist of it, but yeah, over my head. I've had a talk with my DM, and he's said "all will be revelaed in time" which is the part that rubbed me the wrong way. However, im just gonna roll with it and see what happens. Thanks for the responses. White Wolf is the name of a gaming company that prints Vampire, Werewolf, Exalted, etc. That actualy give D&D it's first serious competion that I can remember. But good luck with the game.
FeceMan 02-21-07, 03:42 PM	Me and my brother are starting a solo campaign, with him as the DM. I am playing a homebrew wolfman race, as a gestalt Druid/Barbarian. My character has white fur, and i was intending his mother to have it also. However he says that both my characters parents have fur that is not white, in fact none of the people in my village have white fur. I am kinda put off about this, as i feel that he's trying to set me up for something later on in the campaign (and that he's abusing his DM powers a bit). Then again, this is really my first time playing, so it could be nothing. Your opinion? That's not railroading. At all. Railroading is when the DM forces (or essentially forces) the characters along a predetermined path and sequence of events that allows the campaign to go exactly as he plans.
kelvinaw273 02-21-07, 03:56 PM	No it isn't railroading. It is touching on your backstory, but then backstory has to work out with the DM anyway, so this is legit. White fur could be a throwback, a genetic freak, a prophecy or something else. Run with it - it could be a lot of fun finding out.