Just a recent anecdote - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Just a recent anecdote

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Macv12
Sep 15, 2015 23:50:09
This post is inspired from some other discussions of metagaming and blocking and stuff going on, but it's not really related to them, so I figured I'd bring it here.

I recently GM'd a game for a first-time TRPG player and my normal gaming group. We used Fate for the simplicity, but I hand-drew the first map of LMoP and based the scenario on it, since we wanted to use a map. At some point after starting, she asked if her character's horse could be a flying one, since the cave wasn't suited to a regular horse. Against my better judgment, I said "sure," thinking about some advice from this forum and discussions about flying.

If not for that, I wouldn't have gotten the later scene where she burst into a room on a flying golden horse, shouted "I am your God!" at some goblins, succeeded on the intimidate/persuade attempt, ordered them to turn on their keepers and lead her to the treasure, and had a seriously metal fight with an ogre, flying around his head and dodging falling stalactites.

Point being, it's hard to imagine how I alone as the GM could engineer as many scenes like that as everyone at the table can do if I get out of the way. (Of course Fate makes this easier, since everyone's balanced by narrative impact instead of "power.") As well, the other players with more experience would get in the way of each other and themselves to avoid things being "too powerful," while the player with the horse was only worried about the best scene she could make with that horse. And I couldn't help but notice that everyone loved it and that scene moved lightning-quick, despite initial apprehension about power, simply because her approach didn't care about power.

I could go on about other stuff I tried, but you get the picture and my phone is dying. So enjoy that image, and thanks for all the discussions, advice, and ideas!

#2
Ralif_Redhammer
Sep 16, 2015 7:48:46
Nice! Playing an adventure should be a communal storytelling experience. It can be hard to let go, for fear of the consequences. But it can also be immensely rewarding.

#3
bawylie
Sep 16, 2015 9:43:53
Metal AF.

#4
sleypy
Sep 16, 2015 10:06:36
There is always uncertainty with putting the power in the player's hands, but it is almost always worth it; especially when both GM and Players care about the story.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Macv12 Sep 15, 2015 23:50:09	This post is inspired from some other discussions of metagaming and blocking and stuff going on, but it's not really related to them, so I figured I'd bring it here. I recently GM'd a game for a first-time TRPG player and my normal gaming group. We used Fate for the simplicity, but I hand-drew the first map of LMoP and based the scenario on it, since we wanted to use a map. At some point after starting, she asked if her character's horse could be a flying one, since the cave wasn't suited to a regular horse. Against my better judgment, I said "sure," thinking about some advice from this forum and discussions about flying. If not for that, I wouldn't have gotten the later scene where she burst into a room on a flying golden horse, shouted "I am your God!" at some goblins, succeeded on the intimidate/persuade attempt, ordered them to turn on their keepers and lead her to the treasure, and had a seriously metal fight with an ogre, flying around his head and dodging falling stalactites. Point being, it's hard to imagine how I alone as the GM could engineer as many scenes like that as everyone at the table can do if I get out of the way. (Of course Fate makes this easier, since everyone's balanced by narrative impact instead of "power.") As well, the other players with more experience would get in the way of each other and themselves to avoid things being "too powerful," while the player with the horse was only worried about the best scene she could make with that horse. And I couldn't help but notice that everyone loved it and that scene moved lightning-quick, despite initial apprehension about power, simply because her approach didn't care about power. I could go on about other stuff I tried, but you get the picture and my phone is dying. So enjoy that image, and thanks for all the discussions, advice, and ideas!
#2 Ralif_Redhammer Sep 16, 2015 7:48:46	Nice! Playing an adventure should be a communal storytelling experience. It can be hard to let go, for fear of the consequences. But it can also be immensely rewarding.
#3 bawylie Sep 16, 2015 9:43:53	Metal AF.
#4 sleypy Sep 16, 2015 10:06:36	There is always uncertainty with putting the power in the player's hands, but it is almost always worth it; especially when both GM and Players care about the story.