Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 TrueManiek Oct 30, 2014 1:10:45	I played a session last Monday, when two other player character started to fight each other, and DM did nothing about it.   Let me tell you more about it: Our default team consist of paladin (me), warlock and ranger (friends) – and two session ago there was new addition of monk (also a friend of ours). Session was “meh” overall, most of the time we didn’t know what going on or what to do, and DM hint were so very subtle, and so few that no one couldn’t even pick on them ( I talked to him after session, to bad he doesn’t see his mistakes, oh well). Anyway the thing that sting me the most was the end of the session. We acquired a cursed magic item, some kind of crown, after killing one of the npc that was linked to it, the two players that were next to it, the monk and warlock (we were in different place at the time) got into the conflict. The warlock wanted to put the crown on his head, the monk was afraid what it can do so he tried to force the crown from warlock with strength. They haven’t talked about it and immediately went to combat, the rolls started rolling, the most damaging spell were cast, and Ki was used. DM allowed it, no problem, didn’t even narrated the fight, only how the scenery looks. So basically, monk player won, the warlock was unconscious, so monk tied him up, and locked in the room, and the session time was over. The players say now, that it is ok, no hard feelings (altought they are sure that they wont be adventuring toghetere with this characters and the team need to changed) , but the warlock player that lost was pretty shaken up about it then, and I’m guessing that he harbored grief to the monk player.   So what do you guys thing? How we could have handled this situation? How do you handle conflict between characters/players when they arise? I tried talking to the DM , and the player playing warlock, and both seems to be convinced that it is not their fault it was like that. They did everything right - thats what they are saying
#2 mikelzap Oct 30, 2014 2:43:07	I think this is awesome! A little unfortunate being a bystander of a fued but they fought it out IN GAME! With my group I'm not cinvinced it would have been so civil. The players will hold grudges and resentments towards others in game and it adds to flavor and backstory. the main downside I can think of is if the players start resenting the game/group and their frequency to join or wanting to play wanes. As a DM I would absolutely let my players fight it out, as long as they kept it in game. I'm glad it only led to a player going unconcious. technically the monk could have kept going and taken out the warlock with three more hits essentally equalling 3 failed death saves.
#3 OrwellianHaggis Oct 30, 2014 3:30:09	I'm lucky that my group never goes in for this behaviour, but as DM I wouldn't allow it. To answer your questions: How could you have handled this situation? By agreeing beforehand if such behaviour was acceptable or unacceptable. If it's agreed acceptable then there's no problem (and from what you're saying both players are fine with the outcome, so this seems to be the unspoken decision). How do I handle player/character conflicts? If it's player conflict I pause the game and have a frank talk about it, and if no compromise can be made between the two I make a ruling and ask they stick to it this game until we can talk more in depth about it. If it's character conflict, I absolutely do not allow the characters to attack each other. In your example, I'd have tried to convince the monk player to allow the warlock to put on the crown, because there would be interesting consequences, and I'd encourage the monk player to roleplay through his character coming to terms with the event. If the conflict can't be solved in this way I'd again make a ruling and ask them to stick with it until later, when we could make a more permanent decision. Hope this helps.
#4 Theros Oct 30, 2014 4:30:11	I’ve seen this sorta thing before. The guy playing the monk is still easing into the game and figuring out your gaming group. There just sorting out who top dog is, the crown was an excuse. It’s a bit of a pain and can be awkward but things should settle down soon.
#5 TrueManiek Oct 30, 2014 5:53:08	Well, we played before with the 5 of us, we are all friends. But this time, “the monk” guy could not play the first 3 sessions, and so he joined later… and this happens cause as they said it “they are just roleplaing their character that way”.   Maybe there is no problem there, but for me it wasn’t fun and unnecessary. I’m a staunch supporter of team play… and there was none of it.
#6 iserith Oct 30, 2014 6:13:45	When players are in conflict, a discussion outside the context of the game is called for. When characters conflict, the players have to both agree and understand that it will go somewhere interesting, be fun for everyone, and create a memorable story in the doing. Oftentimes, it's hard to see whether a character conflict is really just a player conflict by proxy which is what this appears to be (given the warlock player's response). In these situations, I think it's important to have a quick aside to make sure everyone's on the same page as players before playing out the conflict between characters.   In our game, we do not block, so what would happen is the warlock would put the crown on his head and the monk would say that he tried to stop him but couldn't (or was too late or whatever). If the monk however said that nobody should put the crown on because it is dangerous before the warlock decided to wear it, then the warlock would have to respect that call and build on it from there.
#7 TrueManiek Oct 30, 2014 6:21:00	iserith wrote:
#8 iserith Oct 30, 2014 6:26:56	TrueManiek wrote:
#9 Timborama Oct 30, 2014 6:48:47	TrueManiek wrote:
#10 sleypy Oct 30, 2014 9:21:34	I wouldn't do anything about character conflicts that lead to combat. I pretty much say that up front so if anyone had an issue about it and didn't say anything /shrug. If the layers feel like their characters have to do what their doing because whatever reason I'm more than happy to work with them on a solution to the conflict that is acceptable for their characters.   If it seems more like a player conflict then I will deal with that out of character and hopeful resolve the issue.