Party infighting - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Party infighting

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
revan54115110
Oct 11, 2008 14:57:28 Well in my current game there is a bit of a problem of adding a new character that is a cleric of (elf god ( cant remember his name )) but the character acts in both words and actions like a drow and another character in the group is a rouge how is member of a royal taskforce that operatives like the American CIA is yelling that he smells a rat and then is plating agents the cleric my character ambits that there is something odd about how the other guy is playing his character should my character try to step in (one way or another ) or what for the DM to get evolved ? any addvice
#2
doomsought
Oct 11, 2008 15:17:47 let them communicate their actions to you in secret with notes, and watch the showdown from a nice and distant neutral perspective.
#3
CrispyCrew
Oct 11, 2008 15:18:16
Well in my current game there is a bit of a problem of adding a new character that is a cleric of (elf god ( cant remember his name )) but the character acts in both words and actions like a drow and another character in the group is a rouge how is member of a royal taskforce that operatives like the American CIA is yelling that he smells a rat and then is plating agents the cleric my character ambits that there is something odd about how the other guy is playing his character should my character try to step in (one way or another ) or what for the DM to get evolved ? any addvice

Point of advice 1: punctuation.

Point of advice 2: Party in-fighting is typically not an enjoyable experience for most members of the group. Sometimes it's caused by antisocial players who want to vent a little real-world frustration; sometimes it's caused by genuinely good roleplayers trying to play a specific role.

Either way, tell the responsible player to cut it out. If he's antisocial, he'll throw a fit and leave. If he's just a good roleplayer, he can take on a new role and (probably) be just as happy.

I never understood why any group of people would come together and make each other miserable for 5 hours a week. If someone is ruining the fun, tell that *player* to stop. This is, after all, a game.

I mean, would you put up with this sort of behavior in Monopoly?
#4
homicidal_squirrel
Oct 11, 2008 16:11:01
Point of advice 1: punctuation.

you get a cookie for your excellent advice
#5
lord_karsus
Oct 11, 2008 16:19:45 -So, you're a player, and the other two players are the ones doing the fighting? First thing I'd do is, after the game, or before the game, or whenever, talk to your DM. He might not realize that their fighting is aggravating you. He might be seeing that kind of conflict as a good thing, that is going to enhance the game. He might not realize that it's annoying you. If you do that, and the DM still does nothing, then I'd let the other two players know. Tell them what you told the DM.
#6
drmorganes
Oct 11, 2008 20:17:02 Honestly?

If the group is into intra-party conflict, play Paranoia or Vampire: The Whateverthecurrentrulesarecalled. D&D is designed as a cooperative game between a group of heroes. That's not to say everybody has to like everyone - they don't. But they should be able to put differences aside most of the time in order to Get Things Done.

In any event, Lord Karsus has the right idea. Follow his advice.
#7
minja_dup
Oct 14, 2008 17:51:38 Some infighting can be in character, in game, and in fun. However if the infighting is causing distress then it is something that should be addressed, The best ways to address issues with other players is to do so directly at the source by having a conversation.
#8
doominabottle
Oct 25, 2008 15:42:54
Honestly?

If the group is into intra-party conflict, play Paranoia or Vampire: The Whateverthecurrentrulesarecalled. D&D is designed as a cooperative game between a group of heroes. That's not to say everybody has to like everyone - they don't. But they should be able to put differences aside most of the time in order to Get Things Done.

In any event, Lord Karsus has the right idea. Follow his advice.

I too agree with both DrMorganes and Lord karsus though I think you may be over reacting, the only source of worry is if the players begin to react to it personally or begin disrupting the game too much. It may be worth just politely asking for them to "tone it down a bit" which most reasonable players will do.

Otherwise just step back and watch it unfold or begin planning a plot of your own to counter any attempts either may have to kill one another.

For example: In my current campaign I am playing, I decided to play a 141 old lawful evil dragonwrought kobold necromancer and a friend of mine then decided to play paladin. At first I had to be very careful with my spell usage and managed to persuade the paladin (after been punted about a bit and been threaten alot) not to kill me by bordering on the neutral/evil line and apparently using many spells for good (though for evil motives but to the villagers I appeared good).

While I did make plots to kill the paladin character with power groups building on both sides of the party alignment divide (I allied with the changeling warlock whilst the paladin befriended the dwarf fighter) I recently had to resist two chances of killing the paladin thus earning his trust somewhat and now he has stopped threatening me my character now has no reason to actively use these plans... won't stop me making them just incase though.;)
And everyone in the group is betting that the final show down of the campaign will be us engaging in a epic battle.

I hope that shows how infighting players can run for the entertainment of the whole group.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 revan54115110 Oct 11, 2008 14:57:28	Well in my current game there is a bit of a problem of adding a new character that is a cleric of (elf god ( cant remember his name )) but the character acts in both words and actions like a drow and another character in the group is a rouge how is member of a royal taskforce that operatives like the American CIA is yelling that he smells a rat and then is plating agents the cleric my character ambits that there is something odd about how the other guy is playing his character should my character try to step in (one way or another ) or what for the DM to get evolved ? any addvice
#2 doomsought Oct 11, 2008 15:17:47	let them communicate their actions to you in secret with notes, and watch the showdown from a nice and distant neutral perspective.
#3 CrispyCrew Oct 11, 2008 15:18:16	Well in my current game there is a bit of a problem of adding a new character that is a cleric of (elf god ( cant remember his name )) but the character acts in both words and actions like a drow and another character in the group is a rouge how is member of a royal taskforce that operatives like the American CIA is yelling that he smells a rat and then is plating agents the cleric my character ambits that there is something odd about how the other guy is playing his character should my character try to step in (one way or another ) or what for the DM to get evolved ? any addvice Point of advice 1: punctuation. Point of advice 2: Party in-fighting is typically not an enjoyable experience for most members of the group. Sometimes it's caused by antisocial players who want to vent a little real-world frustration; sometimes it's caused by genuinely good roleplayers trying to play a specific role. Either way, tell the responsible player to cut it out. If he's antisocial, he'll throw a fit and leave. If he's just a good roleplayer, he can take on a new role and (probably) be just as happy. I never understood why any group of people would come together and make each other miserable for 5 hours a week. If someone is ruining the fun, tell that player to stop. This is, after all, a game. I mean, would you put up with this sort of behavior in Monopoly?
#4 homicidal_squirrel Oct 11, 2008 16:11:01	Point of advice 1: punctuation. you get a cookie for your excellent advice
#5 lord_karsus Oct 11, 2008 16:19:45	-So, you're a player, and the other two players are the ones doing the fighting? First thing I'd do is, after the game, or before the game, or whenever, talk to your DM. He might not realize that their fighting is aggravating you. He might be seeing that kind of conflict as a good thing, that is going to enhance the game. He might not realize that it's annoying you. If you do that, and the DM still does nothing, then I'd let the other two players know. Tell them what you told the DM.
#6 drmorganes Oct 11, 2008 20:17:02	Honestly? If the group is into intra-party conflict, play Paranoia or Vampire: The Whateverthecurrentrulesarecalled. D&D is designed as a cooperative game between a group of heroes. That's not to say everybody has to like everyone - they don't. But they should be able to put differences aside most of the time in order to Get Things Done. In any event, Lord Karsus has the right idea. Follow his advice.
#7 minja_dup Oct 14, 2008 17:51:38	Some infighting can be in character, in game, and in fun. However if the infighting is causing distress then it is something that should be addressed, The best ways to address issues with other players is to do so directly at the source by having a conversation.
#8 doominabottle Oct 25, 2008 15:42:54	Honestly? If the group is into intra-party conflict, play Paranoia or Vampire: The Whateverthecurrentrulesarecalled. D&D is designed as a cooperative game between a group of heroes. That's not to say everybody has to like everyone - they don't. But they should be able to put differences aside most of the time in order to Get Things Done. In any event, Lord Karsus has the right idea. Follow his advice. I too agree with both DrMorganes and Lord karsus though I think you may be over reacting, the only source of worry is if the players begin to react to it personally or begin disrupting the game too much. It may be worth just politely asking for them to "tone it down a bit" which most reasonable players will do. Otherwise just step back and watch it unfold or begin planning a plot of your own to counter any attempts either may have to kill one another. For example: In my current campaign I am playing, I decided to play a 141 old lawful evil dragonwrought kobold necromancer and a friend of mine then decided to play paladin. At first I had to be very careful with my spell usage and managed to persuade the paladin (after been punted about a bit and been threaten alot) not to kill me by bordering on the neutral/evil line and apparently using many spells for good (though for evil motives but to the villagers I appeared good). While I did make plots to kill the paladin character with power groups building on both sides of the party alignment divide (I allied with the changeling warlock whilst the paladin befriended the dwarf fighter) I recently had to resist two chances of killing the paladin thus earning his trust somewhat and now he has stopped threatening me my character now has no reason to actively use these plans... won't stop me making them just incase though.;) And everyone in the group is betting that the final show down of the campaign will be us engaging in a epic battle. I hope that shows how infighting players can run for the entertainment of the whole group.