What do you do when you get one of those players in your group. You know, the kind that gives all of us a bad name. The guy that doesn't speak out of character even when the game is long over and nobody from the group is around. The guy that walks around with a fake sword, or a real kitchen knife, just in case he is attacked by goblins on his way to the grocery store.
Do you let him stay in your group and just deal with the akward moments, or kick him out and risk a potentially unstable crazy person with a kitchen knife being mad at you?
Do you try to help this person, or leave it to the qualified professionals with white coats and clip boards?
Do you call the police, or just ignore him when he wakes you up in the middle of the night, hunting kobolds in your back yard?
What do you do when you get one of those players in your group. You know, the kind that gives all of us a bad name. The guy that doesn't speak out of character even when the game is long over and nobody from the group is around. The guy that walks around with a fake sword, or a real kitchen knife, just in case he is attacked by goblins on his way to the grocery store.
Do you let him stay in your group and just deal with the akward moments, or kick him out and risk a potentially unstable crazy person with a kitchen knife being mad at you?
Do you try to help this person, or leave it to the qualified professionals with white coats and clip boards?
Do you call the police, or just ignore him when he wakes you up in the middle of the night, hunting kobolds in your back yard?
... Please tell me you're exagerrating.
Let me start counting, one, two, three swords (Longsword, Saber, Katana) in ready reach plus one machete. Two light sabers near the bed. One AR-15 and 500+ rounds of 5.56mm NATO. Yep it looks like I'm the one. Damn.
Sorry about hunting those kobolds in your back yard, but I'm pretty sure they had it comming.
For instance, in the group I had last year, one of our players believed, genuinely, that they were Dante from Devil May Cry. This wasn't half hearted playtend fun- this was honest to god in character all the time actually thinks they're Dante- with the minor exception that the person in question was a girl.
Years and years ago, there was a kid with a similar issue in a game a friend ran, who thought he was Goku, from Dragonball Z. Not pretend, not play- he honestly thought he was, and he was constantly swimming in it- much to the annoyance of other players. I think that was the only time I actually played to someone's psychosis to try and get them to behave normal- I convinced him that the reason he didn't have any powers was because aliens had put up an anti-superpower field around the planet, and that I knew this because I was actually a legendary dragon from before the start of history- but that I'd been sealed to.
I suggested to him that the aliens might be on the look out for all the superpowered indivduals they've locked, and that maybe he should tone it down a bit so they don't 'catch us'.
It worked.
Years and years later I ran into him again, and he still thinks he's Goku. But the whole 'aliens are sealing my powers' thing has become sort of a core part of that identity- he doesn't call himself Goku, and he doesn't swim in it or bring much attention to it. He seems a pretty normal guy, having accepted that the aliens have sealed away his awesome powers and there's nothing he can do about it.
So... I dunno really, it depends on how much of a true believer your guy is, and what you're willing to do- and how rational he is.
If the guy is really a true believer, and not a playtender, then the one thing to remember is to keep your rational consistent- even if you don't believe a lick of it, if you tell him one session that the evil wizard put a curse on you to perform this game 'out of character'- then remember that. Don't make up another excuse or put him in a position where his fantasy is damaged, because those people can take things poorly- and some take it violently, and others take it just blaise.
T
A) ohh boy... ignore the madman...
B) 9...1...1...
C) FORSOOTH, GOOD SIR KNIGHT! I AM MARK OF WELLINGTON! MY KINSMEN AN I ARE IN DIRE NEED OF ASSISTANCE! WE REQUIRE DESPERATE ACCESS TO THE APOTHECARY ACROSS THE STREET BUT THE INFERNAL METAL CHARIOTS OF MEPHISTOPHELES BAR OUR WAY!
AID US, GOOD SIR KNIGHT! AID US BY VANQUISHING THE HORRORS SO WE MAY OBTAIN THE CURE TO WHAT AILS OUR STOMACS AND THE FIRE THAT BURNS WITHIN OUR CHEST!
...
what? either :
A) darwinism takes it's course
or
B) we get something for the thai food induced heartburn
What do you do when you get one of those players in your group. You know, the kind that gives all of us a bad name. The guy that doesn't speak out of character even when the game is long over and nobody from the group is around. The guy that walks around with a fake sword, or a real kitchen knife, just in case he is attacked by goblins on his way to the grocery store.
Do you let him stay in your group and just deal with the akward moments, or kick him out and risk a potentially unstable crazy person with a kitchen knife being mad at you?
Do you try to help this person, or leave it to the qualified professionals with white coats and clip boards?
Do you call the police, or just ignore him when he wakes you up in the middle of the night, hunting kobolds in your back yard?
You shouldn't shun them because these are our people
If it's not seriously that bad then depending on age and situation they may grow out of it.
If it really is as extreme as you say, this is the wrong venue to come for help. There must be some sort of mental health hotline you could call?
Personally I can't say I've ever had one of "those" people in my group. Hmm. I wonder if like with poker if you can't tell who the "sucker" is then you're it.
Let me start counting, one, two, three swords (Longsword, Saber, Katana) in ready reach plus one machete. Two light sabers near the bed. One AR-15 and 500+ rounds of 5.56mm NATO. Yep it looks like I'm the one. Damn.
Sorry about hunting those kobolds in your back yard, but I'm pretty sure they had it comming.
Heh, it's not that you have these things that causes a problem, it's whether or not you're likely to commit a felony with one of them.
Generally speaking, I just let them be. If they want to play they can play- I don't treat them any different.
For instance, in the group I had last year, one of our players believed, genuinely, that they were Dante from Devil May Cry. This wasn't half hearted playtend fun- this was honest to god in character all the time actually thinks they're Dante- with the minor exception that the person in question was a girl.
Years and years ago, there was a kid with a similar issue in a game a friend ran, who thought he was Goku, from Dragonball Z. Not pretend, not play- he honestly thought he was, and he was constantly swimming in it- much to the annoyance of other players. I think that was the only time I actually played to someone's psychosis to try and get them to behave normal- I convinced him that the reason he didn't have any powers was because aliens had put up an anti-superpower field around the planet, and that I knew this because I was actually a legendary dragon from before the start of history- but that I'd been sealed to.
I suggested to him that the aliens might be on the look out for all the superpowered indivduals they've locked, and that maybe he should tone it down a bit so they don't 'catch us'.
It worked.
Years and years later I ran into him again, and he still thinks he's Goku. But the whole 'aliens are sealing my powers' thing has become sort of a core part of that identity- he doesn't call himself Goku, and he doesn't swim in it or bring much attention to it. He seems a pretty normal guy, having accepted that the aliens have sealed away his awesome powers and there's nothing he can do about it.
So... I dunno really, it depends on how much of a true believer your guy is, and what you're willing to do- and how rational he is.
If the guy is really a true believer, and not a playtender, then the one thing to remember is to keep your rational consistent- even if you don't believe a lick of it, if you tell him one session that the evil wizard put a curse on you to perform this game 'out of character'- then remember that. Don't make up another excuse or put him in a position where his fantasy is damaged, because those people can take things poorly- and some take it violently, and others take it just blaise.
Sounds like sound advice, thanks muchly.
My worry, by the way, is that carrying around a knife in case of goblin attack seems a lot like paranoia, which can rapidly develop into being dangerous to others. Of course, I am not a mental health professional.
If it really is as extreme as you say, this is the wrong venue to come for help. There must be some sort of mental health hotline you could call?
Heh, mental health institutions don't seem like a bad idea to contact. I really was concerned about calling the little white men in little white coats too early though. What, with fandom and obsession not being so cut and dry anymore, it's hard to tell what exactly is taking things "too far".
Thanks to all for the input. I think I'll start by calling the community, friends and family together to discuss the issue. And allerting local community watch and maybe even law enforcement/mental health depending on the conclusion of the community.
But seriously, mental health professionals really might be the way to go, although maybe an intervention first (don't forget your kevlar vests).
My worry, by the way, is that carrying around a knife in case of goblin attack seems a lot like paranoia, which can rapidly develop into being dangerous to others. Of course, I am not a mental health professional.
If it really is as extreme as you say, this is the wrong venue to come for help. There must be some sort of mental health hotline you could call?
I carry a knife, and a gun. If people ask why I say "just in case" So what if he carries a knife, don't sleep with his mom/sister you'll be fine.
My worry, by the way, is that carrying around a knife in case of goblin attack seems a lot like paranoia, which can rapidly develop into being dangerous to others. Of course, I am not a mental health professional.
If it really is as extreme as you say, this is the wrong venue to come for help. There must be some sort of mental health hotline you could call?
I carry a knife, and a gun. If people ask why I say "just in case" So what if he carries a knife, don't sleep with his mom/sister you'll be fine.
There's a difference between reasonable precautions of self-defense - I'm assuming of course you have the proper permits for the gun? - and outright delusion.
in the US you don't need a permit to carry a gun, just to carry a concealed weapon, unless your state only has carry/conceal permits like Indiana of which I do indeed have the proper paperwork.
Aha. See, I'm one of those crazy ice people to the north (or, as we prefer to be called, Canadian!), so, I'm not that familiar with what sort of documentation is generally required.
in the US you don't need a permit to carry a gun, just to carry a concealed weapon, unless your state only has carry/conceal permits like Indiana of which I do indeed have the proper paperwork.
At the risk of getting further off topic, not completely true. Americans have the right to own guns, but we cant take them everywhere (such as Chicago). Here in Illinois conceal is illegal, open carry is effectively illegal because the cops will nab you for public disturbance in a second if local ordinances don't cover it. I've never seen anyone carry before here in Illinois (I know one guy who illegally carries a .45 in his car).
Aha. See, I'm one of those crazy ice people to the north (or, as we prefer to be called, Canadian!), so, I'm not that familiar with what sort of documentation is generally required.
Nah, go 8 miles form me and everyone is carrying a weapon on them, just not legally.
As for the topic at hand, thats insane. I dont know if he is dangerous, in fact I doubt it because he is carrying the knife for an idiotic situation opposed to hurting anyone. If what you described is true he has mental health issues, talk to his parents if he is a kid.
Heh, it's not that you have these things that causes a problem, it's whether or not you're likely to commit a felony with one of them.
I work for the US Government, so I am fairly unlikely to commit any felonies since my employer looks down upon such activity. Although when I go to the range and start unpacking my AR-15 I usually draw some curious looks from all the usual local hunters with their bolt action rifles. After I drop a quick 60 rounds (two clips) downrange at 200 yards in the time they've placed 5 shots I think they appreciate the difference between volume fire and slow precision fire. They've got tighter overall groups, but my target is pretty well saturated with a nice sized hole taken out of the center.
For instance, in the group I had last year, one of our players believed, genuinely, that they were Dante from Devil May Cry. This wasn't half hearted playtend fun- this was honest to god in character all the time actually thinks they're Dante- with the minor exception that the person in question was a girl.
Wait... how is that an exception?
What do you do when you get one of those players in your group. You know, the kind that gives all of us a bad name. The guy that doesn't speak out of character even when the game is long over and nobody from the group is around. The guy that walks around with a fake sword, or a real kitchen knife, just in case he is attacked by goblins on his way to the grocery store.
You talk to him very briefly, once and only once: In-character ends when the game ends. Either he drops the stupid ****, or he doesn't play with you. If he responds in-character, he's gone. If he ever shows up with a weapon ever again, he's gone.
Anyone carrying a blade for "self-defense" is an idiot. I'm generally of the opinion that most people who carry guns for self-defense are also idiots, but that's not because they carry guns - idiocy often causes "wanting to carry a gun", not the other way around.
Do you let him stay in your group and just deal with the akward moments, or kick him out and risk a potentially unstable crazy person with a kitchen knife being mad at you?
Kick him out.
Do you try to help this person, or leave it to the qualified professionals with white coats and clip boards?
He is not your problem. Do not engage with toxic people. Kick him out and let someone whose job it is to fix him fix him.
Do you call the police, or just ignore him when he wakes you up in the middle of the night, hunting kobolds in your back yard?
Call the cops. Report an armed trespasser.
And if he gives you any trouble at all, treat him like you would any other stalker: Do not respond or engage, at all, ever, not even in the smallest way. Never, ever, EVER attempt to deal with him directly. Get a restraining order and call the police immediately without ever addressing him, every time he shows up.
And if he gives you any trouble at all, treat him like you would any other stalker: Do not respond or engage, at all, ever, not even in the smallest way. Never, ever, EVER attempt to deal with him directly. Get a restraining order and call the police immediately without ever addressing him, every time he shows up.
Are you speaing from personal experience somehow? I sense an interesting story here.
And if he gives you any trouble at all, treat him like you would any other stalker: Do not respond or engage, at all, ever, not even in the smallest way. Never, ever, EVER attempt to deal with him directly. Get a restraining order and call the police immediately without ever addressing him, every time he shows up.
Are you speaing from personal experience somehow? I sense an interesting story here.
Not personal experience, but I've known people on the receiving end of stalkers before.
The procedures for dealing with them are the same no matter what: Do not, ever, ever engage in any way. Not even if they "just want to EXPLAAAAAAIN" or if they promise to go away. All attention is positive, therefore give them nothing.
On another note, the righ thing to do is get the guy help. But he is going to want it, only he can admit himself for psychiatric help. You can take him to the hospital, but unless he gets arrested, he can't be forcably admitted. Which leads to my next advice, he gets dangerous, threatening even if it sounds like a joking, call the police and make a police report. It sucks, but that is the first step in getting someone involuntary psychiatric help.
I had a good friend go schizophrenic, while I was in college. The moment they shot him up with medicine, he started behave normal. He felt he was really high, like on LSD and just wanted to come down. I had to fend off his step father who tried to attack me with an umbrella in order to stop me from taking him to the hospital. His step father and mother thought he was possessed and wanted to exercise the demons. If your close then take the responsability, ask your friend if he wants help, my friend did, and try to get him some help. If he doesn't want help, gets crazy, then don't hesitate to call the police. If your not close, then get rid of him, no one needs a crazy person arround. Ohh, watch your back, I've worked with psychoitic and violent youths and have been attacked with pencils, forks, knifes, feet, fists and even doodoo.
And if he gives you any trouble at all, treat him like you would any other stalker: Do not respond or engage, at all, ever, not even in the smallest way. Never, ever, EVER attempt to deal with him directly. Get a restraining order and call the police immediately without ever addressing him, every time he shows up.
Are you speaing from personal experience somehow? I sense an interesting story here.
Not personal experience, but I've known people on the receiving end of stalkers before.
The procedures for dealing with them are the same no matter what: Do not, ever, ever engage in any way. Not even if they "just want to EXPLAAAAAAIN" or if they promise to go away. All attention is positive, therefore give them nothing.
This is not transferrable to all mental health issues - and frankly, when dealing with a delusional individual, your prior advice is wrong and dangerous, they're liable to lash out to protect the delusion. Again, my advice is to contact a mental health professional before taking any other action in this matter at all.
Seriously, this sounds NOTHING like a stalker, honestly. I'm not reading any of the obsessive tendencies involved in that. Though, again, not a professional in the field, nor looking at enough information to make a proper judgement even if I was.
Heh, it's not that you have these things that causes a problem, it's whether or not you're likely to commit a felony with one of them.
I work for the US Government, so I am fairly unlikely to commit any felonies since my employer looks down upon such activity. Although when I go to the range and start unpacking my AR-15 I usually draw some curious looks from all the usual local hunters with their bolt action rifles. After I drop a quick 60 rounds (two clips) downrange at 200 yards in the time they've placed 5 shots I think they appreciate the difference between volume fire and slow precision fire. They've got tighter overall groups, but my target is pretty well saturated with a nice sized hole taken out of the center.
Yeah, but it'd ruin the meat of anything you shot, putting it solely in the area of 'killing weapon' and not 'food gathering tool'
What do you do when you get one of those players in your group. You know, the kind that gives all of us a bad name. The guy that doesn't speak out of character even when the game is long over and nobody from the group is around. The guy that walks around with a fake sword, or a real kitchen knife, just in case he is attacked by goblins on his way to the grocery store.
Do you let him stay in your group and just deal with the akward moments, or kick him out and risk a potentially unstable crazy person with a kitchen knife being mad at you?
Do you try to help this person, or leave it to the qualified professionals with white coats and clip boards?
Do you call the police, or just ignore him when he wakes you up in the middle of the night, hunting kobolds in your back yard?
When we play at the local game shop on mondays, we have a guy like that who is the DM for someone else's campaign. He gets very loud, and animated, and talks like a movie commercial announcer, in character at all times.
I told my players yesterday "if i ever get like that, please kick my ass".
It's people like this that make normal people not want to play D&D, because they think EVERYONE that plays D&D must be like that.
What do you do when you get one of those players in your group. You know, the kind that gives all of us a bad name. The guy that doesn't speak out of character even when the game is long over and nobody from the group is around. The guy that walks around with a fake sword, or a real kitchen knife, just in case he is attacked by goblins on his way to the grocery store.
Do you let him stay in your group and just deal with the akward moments, or kick him out and risk a potentially unstable crazy person with a kitchen knife being mad at you?
Do you try to help this person, or leave it to the qualified professionals with white coats and clip boards?
Do you call the police, or just ignore him when he wakes you up in the middle of the night, hunting kobolds in your back yard?
When we play at the local game shop on mondays, we have a guy like that who is the DM for someone else's campaign. He gets very loud, and animated, and talks like a movie commercial announcer, in character at all times.
I told my players yesterday "if i ever get like that, please kick my ass".
It's people like this that make normal people not want to play D&D, because they think EVERYONE that plays D&D must be like that.
Talking in character and believing yourself to be a character are two different things. If he can tell reality from game that's all that matters...nothing wrong with getting animated, especially if you're dming.
Heh, it's not that you have these things that causes a problem, it's whether or not you're likely to commit a felony with one of them.
I work for the US Government, so I am fairly unlikely to commit any felonies since my employer looks down upon such activity. Although when I go to the range and start unpacking my AR-15 I usually draw some curious looks from all the usual local hunters with their bolt action rifles. After I drop a quick 60 rounds (two clips) downrange at 200 yards in the time they've placed 5 shots I think they appreciate the difference between volume fire and slow precision fire. They've got tighter overall groups, but my target is pretty well saturated with a nice sized hole taken out of the center.
Yeah, but it'd ruin the meat of anything you shot, putting it solely in the area of 'killing weapon' and not 'food gathering tool'
You are quite right on that point. I don't use my AR-15 for hunting, I have a Winchester model 1200 12 gauge for hunting (pheasant, rabbit, quail, etc.). I don't believe in trophy hunting from my personal point of view (what other people legally do is up to them). If something "needs dying" to protect your life (or your family's life) then kill it anyway available. If you need to eat then take your time and legally shoot an appropriate quarry just the one time necessary to kill it right. If you need something to decorate your wall, use a poster, a photograph, or a painting.
The AR-15 I purchased for target shooting. I only plan to "kill" a lot of paper with bullseyes. With paper the bigger hole at the end of the day the better as far as I'm concerned with that platform. If I'm shooting bolt action with a greater magnification than 4x (the magnification on my trijicon ACOG), then the goal will be to put each bullet through the hole made by the first bullet.
It's people like this that make normal people not want to play D&D
That hurt
What do you do when you get one of those players in your group. You know, the kind that gives all of us a bad name. The guy that doesn't speak out of character even when the game is long over and nobody from the group is around. The guy that walks around with a fake sword, or a real kitchen knife, just in case he is attacked by goblins on his way to the grocery store.
Do you let him stay in your group and just deal with the akward moments, or kick him out and risk a potentially unstable crazy person with a kitchen knife being mad at you?
Do you try to help this person, or leave it to the qualified professionals with white coats and clip boards?
Do you call the police, or just ignore him when he wakes you up in the middle of the night, hunting kobolds in your back yard?
When we play at the local game shop on mondays, we have a guy like that who is the DM for someone else's campaign. He gets very loud, and animated, and talks like a movie commercial announcer, in character at all times.
I told my players yesterday "if i ever get like that, please kick my ass".
It's people like this that make normal people not want to play D&D, because they think EVERYONE that plays D&D must be like that.
My players couldn't kick my ass. I'm like that. What?
This is not transferrable to all mental health issues
Stalking is a mental health issue, like any other.
and frankly, when dealing with a delusional individual, your prior advice is wrong and dangerous, they're liable to lash out to protect the delusion.
So, if you think they're delusional, *don't address them at all ever*. Not even to ask them to cut it out.
This doesn't change that the correct course of action is to cut ties completely and never, ever, ever engage - you just think it's dangerous to give him a chance to correct the behaviour, whereas I think you give them the chance to behave like a rational adult JUST IN CASE they're not the tiny minority that actually are head cases.
I do not generally feel threatened by anyone I game with. I realise this colours my perceptions. If you DO feel threatened, or you think this person may become threatening, then you should take Inarai's advice and not mine: You should immediately and without any question cut contact completely, call the police as soon as this person addresses you in any respect, and get a restraining order THE INSTANT they violate your expressed no-contact wishes.
Again, my advice is to contact a mental health professional before taking any other action in this matter at all.
This is the OPPOSITE of your problem. Cut contact, and let the police handle the loony if he pushes it.
He is NOT YOUR PROBLEM. Do NOT let him pretend he's your problem. Do NOT be fooled into thinking he is your problem.
If he's not delusional, he will grow up or leave you alone, hopefully BOTH.
If he is delusional, you still want to not engage and not deal with him. Do not spend money. Do not spend time. Do not spend effort, and do not waste headspace. He is toxic. All effort you spend on him is wasted and can only serve to make you miserable.
AVOID AVOID AVOID.
Seriously, this sounds NOTHING like a stalker, honestly. I'm not reading any of the obsessive tendencies involved in that.
You treat him like a stalker because he's either stupid, or a stalker. If he pursues post-contact-cutting, you treat him like a stalker because he is a STALKER. If he doesn't pursue, your problem is SOLVED and your involvement is OVER.
The Geek Social Fallacies are fallacies. The mental problems of your acquaintance are not your problem and are HIS responsibility to fix before you have to deal with him.
He is not your brother, your father, your son.
He is not your friend.
He is SOME GUY who happens to share a hobby.
You owe him NOTHING.
Has anyone seen the tv movie Mazes and Monsters with Tom Hanks. Tom Hank's plays a guy like that. I think that movie was why DnD was banned from my highschool in the early 80s.
I have, and personally movies like this (there have been a couple) have done the most damage to the game than anything else. Has anybody read Bimbo's of the Death Sun? It has a very similar character in it.
I've only dealt with the fanatic myself. The one who lives to play the game; talks about the game constantly, about his characters constantly, about his next character, or whatever. I think it gets old after a time. The one I had to deal with we basically weeded him out of the group so we didn't hurt his feelings because he got on everyone's nerves.
Eric the Grey-M
This is not transferrable to all mental health issues
Stalking is a mental health issue, like any other.
and frankly, when dealing with a delusional individual, your prior advice is wrong and dangerous, they're liable to lash out to protect the delusion.
So, if you think they're delusional, *don't address them at all ever*. Not even to ask them to cut it out.
This doesn't change that the correct course of action is to cut ties completely and never, ever, ever engage - you just think it's dangerous to give him a chance to correct the behaviour, whereas I think you give them the chance to behave like a rational adult JUST IN CASE they're not the tiny minority that actually are head cases.
I do not generally feel threatened by anyone I game with. I realise this colours my perceptions. If you DO feel threatened, or you think this person may become threatening, then you should take Inarai's advice and not mine: You should immediately and without any question cut contact completely, call the police as soon as this person addresses you in any respect, and get a restraining order THE INSTANT they violate your expressed no-contact wishes.Again, my advice is to contact a mental health professional before taking any other action in this matter at all.
This is the OPPOSITE of your problem. Cut contact, and let the police handle the loony if he pushes it.
He is NOT YOUR PROBLEM. Do NOT let him pretend he's your problem. Do NOT be fooled into thinking he is your problem.
If he's not delusional, he will grow up or leave you alone, hopefully BOTH.
If he is delusional, you still want to not engage and not deal with him. Do not spend money. Do not spend time. Do not spend effort, and do not waste headspace. He is toxic. All effort you spend on him is wasted and can only serve to make you miserable.
AVOID AVOID AVOID.Seriously, this sounds NOTHING like a stalker, honestly. I'm not reading any of the obsessive tendencies involved in that.
You treat him like a stalker because he's either stupid, or a stalker. If he pursues post-contact-cutting, you treat him like a stalker because he is a STALKER. If he doesn't pursue, your problem is SOLVED and your involvement is OVER.
The Geek Social Fallacies are fallacies. The mental problems of your acquaintance are not your problem and are HIS responsibility to fix before you have to deal with him.
He is not your brother, your father, your son.
He is not your friend.
He is SOME GUY who happens to share a hobby.
You owe him NOTHING.
So, it is your point of view that people who need help should be ignored, never get it, and get worse until someone gets hurt? Very well, I respect your right to your opinion, but I cannot respect the opinion itself enough to continue the discussion. I just feel it needs to be said: If everyone did things your way, nobody would ever get any help other than that which is ordered by a judge. It's bad advice on the premises I consider - AND contacting a mental health professional is always, always, always the single first step to take in such a scenario. They will advise you on your best course of action, depending on what you aim to do. Some people actually care about others, and want to help them.
And, as an aside: All mental health issues are different. What applies to stalking does not apply to all mental health issues, as in, different issues require different advice/actions.
So, it is your point of view that people who need help should be ignored, never get it, and get worse until someone gets hurt?
No. It is my point of view that helping them is *not your problem* and you should not ever make the mistake of thinking it is. And you make sure that you are *not* getting hurt above all else, while you call the people whose job it IS to deal with them.
I just feel it needs to be said: If everyone did things your way, nobody would ever get any help other than that which is ordered by a judge.
Yes, because nobody EVER has contact with anyone except strangers who shows up to gaming events. And so, when their fellow gamers come to the conclusion "I am the object of the dangerous stranger's lunacy, this is bad, I will get the **** out" that leaves them completely helpless and alone, floating lost in a people-less void.
Once again, we're not talking about a family member, or a friend (he never, ever speaks out of character, so you know nothing about what he's really like. He CANNOT be your friend, by definition) or even a neighbour. We're talking about *some guy*, who wants to join in your hobby time.
All mental health issues are different. What applies to stalking does not apply to all mental health issues, as in, different issues require different advice/actions.
Your mental health issues are not my problem. My solution ensures that your problems REMAIN your problems, not mine, regardless of what your problems really are.
In the mean time: If you have issues, it is YOUR job to make sure you have them under control before you try to join my game. It is NOT my job to repair your major malfunctions, and even if I was willing to give up all my free time to cater to you, I'm way too close to the object of your insanity to be safe while trying.
This dude may or may not need professional help. You? Are not a professional, are not related, are not his friend, and are not getting paid. You have no responsibility to put yourself in danger by "helping". There are, conveniently, people who ARE professionals paid to do this, which is why you call the police while getting the **** out yourself.
Also, it should be noted: Mental health issues are not genereally a police matter. Most cases, the subject is not a danger to others OR themselves. Which is why most people who walk into a therapist's office walk back out and can go home.
Years and years ago, there was a kid with a similar issue in a game a friend ran, who thought he was Goku, from Dragonball Z.
I've always transliterated that title as "Dragonballz." As in "Lick my sweaty dragonballz."
I like anime for instance. I am a fan, no I am not dumb enough to call myself an Otaku. I understand what the word means in Japan.
In English in Canada the word otaku translates to 'freak' (and even less pleasant terms).
I don't associate with 'freaks' of any flavour.
I don't work in the mental health industry and I have no desire to spend time with their clientele.
The guy wouldn't be in my game that's for sure.
There's only one thing in the OP's post that makes me twitch: the knife.
All hobbies have obsessive people. All good people want to help folks who are having trouble. But the knife makes him potentially dangerous. Do not let hinky, armed people spend time in your home. Do not willingly spend time with hinky, armed people.
If you want to help your friend (and kudos to everybody who posted that seems to genuinely want him helped,) get a professional involved. If you want to help your friend, don't try to fix him yourself (and a quick dope smack to everybody who posted telling you you should.) Once somebody who seems delusional gets armed, the risks of you screwing up far outweigh the possible benefits you offer.
Somebody at this level should be handled like somebody with a serious drug addiction (on the level of stealing your stuff to buy more drugs.) Help them get help, but maintain a safe distance.
A friend brought over someone they knew. The guy reeked of weed. He was clearly 'influenced'.
I told the person he was under no conditions to ever bring that person into my home ever again.
You can justify almost any bad habit if you want, but, I call the shots on which bad habits are an auto ban in my home.
Drugs are for losers.
...
"I take out my bastard sword and kill those filthy f'ing kids!"
"Dude! They're just orc babies!"
"Yeah! Babies with dark vision! Babies with a base land speed of 30 feet!"
This thread is just made up of so much win, it really is. You crazy Americans & your obsession with fire arms. Theres a reason i am happy to be living in a country with proper gun control laws. There is no reason for about 90% of the gun owning citizens of America to own guns.
-M
Protection from all those crazy gun obsessed Americans is reason enough in America to carry a gun. A loaded gun, only a fool carries an unloaded weapon.
I just feel it needs to be said: If everyone did things your way, nobody would ever get any help other than that which is ordered by a judge.
If someone has serious mental issues and does not want help, the only way to get them help is through court order.
If someone you know is facing seriious mental issues ever starts becoming even just verbally threatening, call the police. I am difinitly one to take care of business and take care of myslelf. I have a sorted history with police and a deep prejudice against them, but I also understand that involving the police is the first step in getting someone with mental issues involuntary help.
Sometimes the only way to get people the help they need is to envolve the police, courts and a judge.
You're not a medical or mental health professional and anything you do to "help" directly could in fact just make things worse. The knife thing? HUGE red flag and I really hope you were kidding about it. I would never allow that person back into my home. Do you really want to deal with the risk that this person snaps one day and beats you with a hammer?
Inarari, its a beautiful sentiment you have, but I don't think LordofWeasels is trying to be a misanthrope or cruel - it is practical and I think he makes a good point to emphasize not getting involved. People are encouraged to care about other people. We're constantly told it's the "right thing to do" but that can be a destructive path if not done wisely. I'm not a firefighter so rushing into a burning building would not be wise for me - I could get myself and someone else killed. I am not a liscensed mental health professional and trying to "help" someone displaying severe behavioral or mental health problems would also not be wise for me to attempt.
I am however fully authorized to use this here phone. *holds up cellphone* I am trained in all methods of long and local distance dialing, including 800 numbers, 411 info, and 911 emergency. I am confident in my civic duty that I will use it wisely and whenever necessary -- and that is what I encourage the OP to do.
This thread is just made up of so much win, it really is. You crazy Americans & your obsession with fire arms. Theres a reason i am happy to be living in a country with proper gun control laws. There is no reason for about 90% of the gun owning citizens of America to own guns.
-M
If you will permit me to quote from the United States Constitution Amendment II of the Bill of Rights.
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
The reason is the security of a free state. You are of course perfectly welcome to enjoy living in a state which is not free. I would personally rather not.
I hope this helps.
If you will permit me to quote from the United States Constitution Amendment II of the Bill of Rights.A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
The reason is the security of a free state. You are of course perfectly welcome to enjoy living in a state which is not free. I would personally rather not.
Right, because what some guys two hundred years ago thought might be required to be "free" in their circumstance is OF COURSE the full and complete necessary definition of "free". You don't need anything else - as long as you're allowed to own as many guns as you want, you're TOTALLY FREE. If someone stops you from owning even a single gun, you're TOTALLY NOT FREE AT ALL, regardless of everything else.
(And, of course, warfare totally hasn't changed even a bit in the last two centuries. An untrained militia will TOTALLY still be effective against an army. Really and for true. It's what makes you free.)
What he said, that 90% of the US has no reason to own a gun, is still true. Nothing's STOPPING said 90% from owning them, but pretending it's anything other than a luxury hobby shows a dangerous lack of understanding.
What he said, that 90% of the US has no reason to own a gun, is still true. Nothing's STOPPING said 90% from owning them, but pretending it's anything other than a luxury hobby shows a dangerous lack of understanding.
Let's put it together in terms of the logic you are using. D&D is also considered a luxury hobby as you put it. Some religious groups perceive in their opinion that D&D is dangerous to the moral fabric of society. By your logic it should be perfectly ok for them to ban D&D because it isn't necessary, and some people consider it potentially dangerous. Is my estimation correct?
Please clarify if you will. Because it seems to me that when you take away something granted to someone as a right, they do not therefore retain their freedom. I agree that some people may be perfectly happy to live without their freedom in exchange for a false sense of security. Other people are perfectly happy to take away someone elses freedom in furtherance of their own power. In the US owning a gun does not give anyone the right to deprive another person of their life and liberty. It does allow them to protect their own life and liberty from an oppresive government.
Your point that since the US government has through military advancement outstripped the ability of a small militia to enact a viable defense of their liberty does not mean the right to bear arms is no longer needed. It simply points out that the right is endangered, and the ability of the people to protect the freedom of the people from a government which may become oppressive has become endangered.
I say this as someone who works for the US Government, and takes our US Constitution very seriously. Any time a government loses sight of the fact that its purpose is to serve the people, not to have the people serve the government or the politicians, then you know that a problem exists.
However, there is something else to consider. As someone who works for the US Government I know I still am vulnerable to a single armed US citizen with a gun. It has the potential to give me pause in considering whether being oppresive to the people in my position as a goverment employee is a personally "safe" thing for me to do. In that sense the second amendment still serves an effective role in safeguarding the freedom of the people.
I hope this helps.
What he said, that 90% of the US has no reason to own a gun, is still true. Nothing's STOPPING said 90% from owning them, but pretending it's anything other than a luxury hobby shows a dangerous lack of understanding.
Let's put it together in terms of the logic you are using. D&D is also considered a luxury hobby as you put it. Some religious groups perceive in their opinion that D&D is dangerous to the moral fabric of society. By your logic it should be perfectly ok for them to ban D&D because it isn't necessary, and some people consider it potentially dangerous. Is my estimation correct?
No. You have completely misunderstood the discussion to this point, in such a thorough way that I have to suspect your misunderstanding is deliberate and intended to allow you to argue against things that were not said since you are unable to address what was said.
Please clarify if you will.
Please try reading what was said before, and responding to it. Your current "response" does not even partially address what was said.
What do
Anyone carrying a blade for "self-defense" is an idiot. I'm generally of the opinion that most people who carry guns for self-defense are also idiots, but that's not because they carry guns - idiocy often causes "wanting to carry a gun", not the other way around.
Now see, I'm not so sure about that. I have a knife that I carry ninety percent of the time, because I'm fairly weaksauce in a fight, and if actually threatened (as in, my life may be in danger from a beating, not the "you stole my woman" fight), I know it's better to be able to stop the fight with minor debilitating injuries then either one of us lose our life if possible. I sure the heck don't whip it out for kicks...it stays more or less hidden until needed...or I need to open bokes (they're handy like that).
As for a gun...I don't own one yet, as it's both unnecessary right now and I can't afford it, but when I move in with my girlfriend and her kids, I sure the heck am getting one for the house. Last thing I need to happen is that some crazy guy breaks into our place in the middle of the night and I can't protect the kids. Which is a very real threat, considering all the crazy crap in the news (living near Chicago, it's everywhere).
So idiocy? Sure, you have your idiots who get weapons just to be "bad-ass", but it's a case-by-case thing. As long as you understand the responsible use of (or display...if I still had my sword collection it would be awesome...stupid ex-girlfriends) such items, then doing so is sensible.
The guy walking around with kitchen cutlery thinking he truly IS a D&D character? not very sensible. There is helpful info throughout this thread, so I won't waste anymore of us poster's time repeating. Use any or all of them, and you should be good. Just remember, sometimes the best of friends have the courage to do the right thing, even if that person hates you afterwards.
Anyone carrying a blade for "self-defense" is an idiot. I'm generally of the opinion that most people who carry guns for self-defense are also idiots, but that's not because they carry guns - idiocy often causes "wanting to carry a gun", not the other way around.
Now see, I'm not so sure about that. I have a knife that I carry ninety percent of the time, because I'm fairly weaksauce in a fight, and if actually threatened (as in, my life may be in danger from a beating, not the "you stole my woman" fight), I know it's better to be able to stop the fight with minor debilitating injuries then either one of us lose our life if possible.
You are not improving my estimation of the intelligence of people who carry a blade for self-defense.
(Hint: A knife is a deadly weapon. Pulling out the knife makes people MORE likely to die, not less.)
Also, your Quote Tag Fail makes it look like I said the abysmally stupid thing, because you have put the dumb INSIDE the Quote tag for me. Please fix that. I would hate for anyone to mistake that for something I might have said.
*edit* As wizards of the cost forum moderators consider the topic of weapon ownership and the US Consititution as without bearing on their game or carrying the potential to violate their site rules, I will find a forum of less restrictive opinions to continue this discussion and post the link here.
I hope this helps.
Anyone carrying a blade for "self-defense" is an idiot. I'm generally of the opinion that most people who carry guns for self-defense are also idiots, but that's not because they carry guns - idiocy often causes "wanting to carry a gun", not the other way around.
Now see, I'm not so sure about that. I have a knife that I carry ninety percent of the time, because I'm fairly weaksauce in a fight, and if actually threatened (as in, my life may be in danger from a beating, not the "you stole my woman" fight), I know it's better to be able to stop the fight with minor debilitating injuries then either one of us lose our life if possible.
You are not improving my estimation of the intelligence of people who carry a blade for self-defense.
(Hint: A knife is a deadly weapon. Pulling out the knife makes people MORE likely to die, not less.)
Also, your Quote Tag Fail makes it look like I said the abysmally stupid thing, because you have put the dumb INSIDE the Quote tag for me. Please fix that. I would hate for anyone to mistake that for something I might have said.
I apologize for the quote issue...Since the new boards came up and I stopped posting for the most part, my skills at this have been....lackluster. As soon as I figure this out, I'll fix it.
As for the part before that...it wasn't intended to be a statement to alter an opinion...but rather to state what I feel are my "norms" and extremism either way. Yes, a knife is a deadly weapon. But a door can be also if you run headlong into it. If you don't know how to use something the right way, don't use it at all. Stick to Mace (not the metal kind, the kind that burns like crazy), or even better, those personal tasers (watched a documentary on it somewhere...effective, and more or less the safest bet). I would carry a taser, but I know whats going to happen...Im somehow gonna stick myself with it doing something unrelated and its going to suck. Whereas I'm much more confident that I can use a knife both as a deterrant and to protect myself in only the most dire situations. Pulling it out in any other circumstance is...bad news.
To each his own, however. Clearly though, weaponry should not be in the hands of those who cannot distinguish real-life from fantasy. Which is the point of my statement. I just have difficulty ending a post (I blame lack of sleep and this cold...and trying to stall going to work :p)
What do you do when you get one of those players in your group. You know, the kind that gives all of us a bad name. The guy that doesn't speak out of character even when the game is long over and nobody from the group is around. The guy that walks around with a fake sword, or a real kitchen knife, just in case he is attacked by goblins on his way to the grocery store.
Do you let him stay in your group and just deal with the akward moments, or kick him out and risk a potentially unstable crazy person with a kitchen knife being mad at you?
Do you try to help this person, or leave it to the qualified professionals with white coats and clip boards?
Do you call the police, or just ignore him when he wakes you up in the middle of the night, hunting kobolds in your back yard?
1. Get rid of the player. You do not necessarily need to kick him out. You could just stop inviting him. If he then keeps showing up call the cops on him, possibly file a harrassment charge against him.
2. Tell him to seek professional help. If he does not then tell his family that he needs help.
3. If he is in your backyard hunting kobolds at night call the cops, regardless of whether or not he is still in the group. You can ask the dispatcher to list the call as anonymous and the person will never know who called the police.
4. Call Tom Hanks for an intervention.
I'm generally of the opinion that most people who carry guns for self-defense are also idiots, but that's not because they carry guns - idiocy often causes "wanting to carry a gun", not the other way around.
Just an FYI, but studies have shown that every year guns are used 800,000 to 2,000,000+ times a year to prevent crimes. That is a huge range, but even the low end figure of 800,000 greatly exceeds the number of gun deaths each year in this country.
If you were meaning the things you said literally, not as hyperbole or humor, you need to run very far and very fast from this person. Someone who is packing a weapon and literally concerned about goblins and kobalds is disaster waiting to happen. They can't seperate fact from fiction, and that makes them dangerous. They may never get violent, but then again they may. Its not that big a step to sticking that knife into someone they think is a goblin. If this is a person you care about, consult a mental health professional about options of trying to get them help. If they are not some you care about, kick them out, lock them out, and get a restraining order if they don't get the point. Your first priority is to protect yourself and the people you care about. This person is a potential danger.
Now, if these examples were maybe just more hyperbole than litteral, well, I gamed with a guy in highschool who wore his hand made cloak to the mini mart when we broke for snacks. (He was quite handy with a sewing machine, the thing looked great.) Colorful is one thing. In fact, colorful is fun. But my buddy knew where he was, who he was, and reality of goblins at all times. If your person does not, hit the panic button.
..., but pretending it's anything other than a luxury hobby shows a dangerous lack of understanding.
Thinking people will not rob and kill you in the U.S. is pretend. I'm going to shoot someone before they shoot me. America is not the only country where people carry guns, there are other cultures and countries in the world where carrying a gun is a right of manhood. I'm not saying these are the most civilizedm places but niether is the U.S.
This thread has ranged far and wide. I am going to confine my comments to the OP's situation.
If you were meaning the things you said literally, not as hyperbole or humor, you need to run very far and very fast from this person. Someone who is packing a weapon and literally concerned about goblins and kobalds is disaster waiting to happen. They can't seperate fact from fiction, and that makes them dangerous. They may never get violent, but then again they may. Its not that big a step to sticking that knife into someone they think is a goblin. If this is a person you care about, consult a mental health professional about options of trying to get them help. If they are not some you care about, kick them out, lock them out, and get a restraining order if they don't get the point. Your first priority is to protect yourself and the people you care about. This person is a potential danger.
Now, if these examples were maybe just more hyperbole than litteral, well, I gamed with a guy in highschool who wore his hand made cloak to the mini mart when we broke for snacks. (He was quite handy with a sewing machine, the thing looked great.) Colorful is one thing. In fact, colorful is fun. But my buddy knew where he was, who he was, and reality of goblins at all times. If your person does not, hit the panic button.
Agreed.
I'd read the rest of these responses, but I value my own sanity too much to weigh in on a hypothetical discussion of everyone else's.
First, move this to the off-topic tavern. This has nothing to do with D&D, this is about how to deal with a mentally ill person, and so really doesn't belong here.
Second, stay the hell away from people who are both armed and violently insane.
I have two pieces of advice:
First, move this to the off-topic tavern. This has nothing to do with D&D, this is about how to deal with a mentally ill person, and so really doesn't belong here.
Second, stay the hell away from people who are both armed and violently insane.
Having attempted this before the off-topic tavern will not allow "continuation" discussions of threads which have been "booted" from other forums. Just letting you know. As this is a player problem with another player, it still has a level of relevance to the game by the way. Just watch the dreaded and oft cursed "Monsters and Mazes" movie to understand.
I hope this helps.
battle him? :/
See, that would be breaking the first two rules of knife fighting:
"Don't get in a knife fight"
AND
"No. Really. Don't get in a knife fight".
(Seeing as the individual in question apparently carries a blade.)
Second, stay the hell away from people who are both armed and violently insane.
When my current group formed back in 2000 one of the guys told a horro story about how in his previous group a new guy showed up wearing combat boots, full camo (including a hat), fingerless leather gloves, and about 20 knives. Most of those knives got drawn at various times during the game, sometimes while in character, sometimes for no apparent reason, and sometimes as a pointer when telling another player what to do! After hearing that story the group decided on its first official rule. Any new people who show up in camo are not invited back.
Second, stay the hell away from people who are both armed and violently insane.
When my current group formed back in 2000 one of the guys told a horro story about how in his previous group a new guy showed up wearing combat boots, full camo (including a hat), fingerless leather gloves, and about 20 knives. Most of those knives got drawn at various times during the game, sometimes while in character, sometimes for no apparent reason, and sometimes as a pointer when telling another player what to do! After hearing that story the group decided on its first official rule. Any new people who show up in camo are not invited back.
What do you do with someone like my former roommate from college who is a fourth don black belt in Jujitsu? You can't very well tell him to forget how to kill people with his bare hands. (He didn't wear camo, but he did wear his Gi on occasion.) I think I got lucky since he only choked me out a couple of times. hehe.
What do you do with someone like my former roommate from college who is a fourth don black belt in Jujitsu? You can't very well tell him to forget how to kill people with his bare hands. (He didn't wear camo, but he did wear his Gi on occasion.) I think I got lucky since he only choked me out a couple of times. hehe.
The worry is not "who can beat you up or kill you".
The worry is "who threatens to do so".
A guy who owns a knife and is a master of silat isn't dangerous. A guy who carries a kitchen knife "for self defense" and pulls it out during unrelated things? ****ing dangerous.
A guy who owns a gun and knows how to use it and isn't carrying it? Not dangerous. A guy who carries a gun in a safe and legal way? Not dangerous, potentially still threatening. A guy who carries a gun unsafely? ****ing dangerous.
It doesn't matter if you're the black belt and this guy is a mall ninja in about the same physical shape as the pillsbury doughboy, who is 50kg lighter than you - what matters is that he's THREATENING to start a fight, or acting in a dangerous way, and it doesn't matter if you could kick his ass, you simply don't play with that guy because *that guy is dumb*.
As far as the general presense of weapons being the threat I don't necessarilly agree with that. I have worked around people who carry firearms from pistols to fully automatic assault weapons for a living for over 18 years. I haven't felt threatened by it once. It does in fact deliver a level of piece of mind understanding if something happens in my workplace and things go south the guys with the weapons are right on hand to deal with it. Three people I have known and worked with have been killed/shot by hostile action in the line of duty over the years. Would those three people have been any safer in the performance of their job without their weapons? Not likely.
The point I'm making is that even without firearms or knives somone can readily kill another person if they have the knowledge and intent. Looking about a typical kitchen without using a typical weapon I could probably conceive of at least 20 viable ways to murder someone if that was my intent. I will forego listing them because I would rather not give anyone bad ideas on the subject. Intent and will are the deliberate killer in my estimation and experience, any object involved is just a tool.
Second, stay the hell away from people who are both armed and violently insane.
When my current group formed back in 2000 one of the guys told a horro story about how in his previous group a new guy showed up wearing combat boots, full camo (including a hat), fingerless leather gloves, and about 20 knives. Most of those knives got drawn at various times during the game, sometimes while in character, sometimes for no apparent reason, and sometimes as a pointer when telling another player what to do! After hearing that story the group decided on its first official rule. Any new people who show up in camo are not invited back.
What do you do with someone like my former roommate from college who is a fourth don black belt in Jujitsu? You can't very well tell him to forget how to kill people with his bare hands. (He didn't wear camo, but he did wear his Gi on occasion.) I think I got lucky since he only choked me out a couple of times. hehe.
If your friend showed up in his "karate garb" (or dressed like a ninja!) and/or was doing his moves during the game then he would not be asked back! The fact that he could probably kill us with his bare hands really does not matter. It is how he is acting!
My above post is not meant to imply that I or my group fears weapons or anything like that. But if you are going to meet people for the first time it seems to use that decking yourself out like Rambo and carrying a small arsenal with you is NOT the way to go about making a good first impression. Sure, a lot of people can kill without a weapon, but again it is not about the weapons. It is about the image that some portrays to strangers.
And regarding weapons, most of my group is armed in some manner. I always have a quick release pocket/utility knife with me wherever I go. Another member of the group (a woman who often travels home alone at night) carries a 6" knife with her wherever she goes. When we meet at my place I have weapons on my living room wall. When he meet at another player's place there are also weapons in the living room. I am also a gun owner who grew up hunting and have been surrounded by firearms my entire life, also spent time in the Marines. I am not bothered by weapons in the least bit. But, what rational person would bring 20 knives with them to a D&D session at someone's house for his first meeting with said D&D group?
Having attempted this before the off-topic tavern will not allow "continuation" discussions of threads which have been "booted" from other forums. Just letting you know.
I have no idea what you are talking about.
As this is a player problem with another player, it still has a level of relevance to the game by the way.
A crazy-person at a D&D game doesn't make it a D&D issue, it is still a crazy-person issue. The solution is to stay the hell away from the crazy person.
Just watch the dreaded and oft cursed "Monsters and Mazes" movie to understand.
Seen it. Read it. Again, it was a crazy-person issue not a D&D issue. It was also fiction.
I hope this helps.
Not even slightly.
In terms of "what I am talking about" the rules posted for the "off topic tavern" are that only light non-serious discussions about movies, comics, and other subjects of general interest to the gaming community are to be discussed there. They do not allow "threads" which have been asked to leave a particular area as not being relevant to "continue the debate" within their area. I've gone over this before with their administrative staff/frequent posters there, and have agreed that they have the right to set their "area" rules. Thus taking this discussion to the "off topic tavern" is not a permitted option. There is either dropping the topic, or moving it to a different Forum unrelated to Wizards altogether.
If someone is so engrossed in the fantasy presented by movies, books, comics, and games that they leave behind a grasp of reality, then it most certainly can become an issue for that medium. I well remember the "demonization" of D&D which occured in the 1980's based on a couple of individuals with their screws a bit loose, who just happened to play the game. The movie Monsters and Mazes was written to specifically capitalize on that terror propaganda created that D&D and other games like it would cause individuals to become deranged (somehow missing the fact the individuals were probably deranged long before any exposure to the subject matter).
Does the misanthopic nature of a few D&D players reflect on D&D as a whole? In an ideal world it shouldn't, but in this world it unfortunately does. That is why this is a relevant issue to discuss within the context of a D&D group how to handle a player of this nature. Because those of us who have been around long enough, have unfortunately seen the backlash the hobby experiences from their actions.
Is it the fault of the game or the people enjoying the hobby? Of course it is not. Unfortunately that doesn't prevent some groups including religions and quack pop psychologists from attempting to assign the blame there. As the people who will have the fingers pointed at them, it is up to us to take positive corrective actions where possible.
I hope this helps.
What do you do when you get one of those players in your group. You know, the kind that gives all of us a bad name. The guy that doesn't speak out of character even when the game is long over and nobody from the group is around. The guy that walks around with a fake sword, or a real kitchen knife, just in case he is attacked by goblins on his way to the grocery store.
Do you let him stay in your group and just deal with the akward moments, or kick him out and risk a potentially unstable crazy person with a kitchen knife being mad at you?
Do you try to help this person, or leave it to the qualified professionals with white coats and clip boards?
Do you call the police, or just ignore him when he wakes you up in the middle of the night, hunting kobolds in your back yard?
I have no idea; My friends are cool.