This is Grey on a remote terminal.
Just wanted to say that I quite like this, and although I may not be able to get QUITE as much cooperation out of my players, this definetly inspires me to try more. Go to Comment

Great article with some excellent examples to prove your point. If only all the players understood the importance as much as the GM we wouldn't be in this dilemma. So easy for old hands to want to help out...or the know it all that wants to show, well, that he knows it all even though he already fell for the trap and is unconscious. 

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An impressive and emotional thesis. I won't argue the merits of free and loose at the table, or running a more draconian line of if you say it, your character does too. What I will say is that I would like to sit in at your game table for a session or three Go to Comment

I agree with much of what you have said here. I think the topic is relevant and it shows that you care about this, which is a good thing! As an article the layout may not be top notch. I would put on a few bold headers as well, they serve as good landmarks.

In my opinion this is a really good first submission and I hope to see more from you!

Are Virgin Swords up next?


Mike Go to Comment

After plowing trough many different groups and players trough the years I have discovered that it is simply beyond some people to play it in character. 

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I nodded my head a lot while I read this, a sign of recognition and agreement.

While the article might not be perfectly formatted, with bold text and paragraphs and all that, the essence of it remains pure and true. The heart of your text is that "everything has got to be in character", but I love all the extra anecdotes and what those trigger of memories in me as a GM.

Yes, everything has got to be in character, except for a couple of breaks, and yes: character centric gameplay does create a truly electric gaming environment. I have found that following your recipe for character development, coupled with "character ripple effect" and generational gameplay, is amazing. With the character ripple effect I mean the impact player character actions have on the world. Not necessarily the big effect, but often the small things, for in my GMing it is the little things that matter. That essential detail that touches the heart of the player, or triggers her imagination.

Like that player who played a chef character. Later they ate at his restaurant, several real life years and in game generations later. Or that enchantress painter PC whose painting was found over the villain's fireplace. Or the grand daughter of a PC, and the daughter of another PC, that the party rescued from a drug lord.

Further: Letting the players play the descendants of their old PCs is a truly wonderful GM tool. Not only does this give him some easy backup to rescue the party from TPK (total party kill... it is nice to have those powerful relatives that desire your well being), but more importantly the depth of the family history will weave a imaginary tapestry so powerful that all but the most hopeless player will be completely engrossed by the end result.

*steps off the soap box* Go to Comment

Well I have always been one for playing in character. While starting a new campaign a few weeks ago I actually determined that I was going to have issues with one of the players not listening to the simple rule of the GM is always right.

Following in Moonhunter's footsteps I have now begun to use player folders that have important information in them for the players. In them gives the basic rules of my table of playing in character, etc. Those that do not follow said rules are punished in game for a first offense, humiliated publicly for a second offense, and asked not to return until they can listen better than my five year old for a third offense. WHile this may be a tad off topic for a comment I am just giving credence to the, I agree with you. Go to Comment

What I will say is that I would like to sit in at your game table for a session or three--Scrasamax.

 

Me too!

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"So, you’re an evil thief who freelanced his way through life, bucked all thieves guilds (despite the pressure), and worked more outside the main gates of the nearby city, favoring breaking and entering of farm houses while their occupants were out working the farm during the day?  Now you have such a local reputation that you want to run away and seek employment through adventure…"

Okay, that being the case I lay out the facts to the PC: "You raised yourself and bucked society so: you can’t read."

Love that!

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well i guess as long the GMing doesn't go to your head, one should threaten and prod the players into form Go to Comment

Also agree with the general sentiment here - formatting needs work, and the content is indeed top-knotch!

Kudos good sir! Go to Comment

I liked this article and to be honest the game master must be the guiding force in the game. In my eyes the game only really comes to fruition when each person truly plays the character that he has picked. I seem to recall someone wanting to be a psionic orc or some mess like that and you put that junk down quick. My only wish is that you and the other gamers were closer so, Tarik could do his thing one more time. Where are those damn glasses and what is that de-testable muid (part mage/part druid) up to? Go to Comment

Updated: corrected spelling ;) (silly ol' me missed it...and so did the bloody spellchecker!) Go to Comment

Updated: Hey, I'm learning here! I took out some quotes from my title...(sigh). A mistake never to be made again...ahhhhh Go to Comment