Houston we have several problems!
Okay, I have not posted in a couple of days, and the reason is that I have had to cope with alot of private messages concerning several different things. I want a solution to these issues, though, so I am going to state a few things.
1. I am the GM. It is as simple as that. Your advice and concern is appreciated and I have the utmost respect for your abilities, but please do not dictate how I should do my thing, even if you normally do things entirely different.
2. Be civil. OOC Sarcasm and derogatory comments will get you nowhere. I am a tolerant person, but constant complaining and bad behaviour is not going to make me see things from your perspective. I am trying to create a cool and fun game for all here and I will NOT tolerate being mocked and harassed.
3. Try to search for positive solutions. Everyone can be difficult, it is really easy, and I am sure I could have invented a thousand reasons for killing y'all a thousand times. It would, however, NOT be any fun, nor create a positive atmosphere.
4. Talk together. Let this game be a fun experience and try to help each other out with nice gameplay.
5. Whenever I play Hans, Craeth or any other NPC, I am telling the story from their perspective. If Hans is thinking he is "superior" to any of you, it is because he THINKS himself to be so, and NOT because he actually is. Hans can be an overinflated airbag at times. Additionally: if Hans favours anyone, it is NOT because the GM favour anyone, but because HANS does. This is roleplaying guys... We act/play different roles.
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Concerning the GEASES:
I have been talking to a player about a solution to an intraparty disagreement. Two characters do not get along and the mood is getting murderous. I had a solution, but that solution was not to everyones taste. I have several solutions, but the fundamentals of the first solution WILL NOT change, however much you may hate it.
The fundament of the first solution is the Geases.
Now, as you all now, there are geases and curses in the Tattoos. Let us explore the nature of a Geas:
A geas (also geis), has two interpretations in Irish mythology and folklore. First, it is considered some kind of bond that people or even gods can be placed under; later, it took the aspect of a taboo or prohibition. A geas can also be compared with a curse. If someone placed under a geas breaks it, the infractor will suffer dishonour or even death.
In Coldforged a Geas is a magical obligation which the Geased individual has to fulfill. Failure to do so results in pain, dishonour, death and disfigurement, depending on the severity and nature of the Geas broken. (Other effects might also exist, but for the sake of gameplay, I will not reveal those)
A curse is also negatively aspected and, in the case of the tattoos, is a side effect and a balancing piece of magic to counteract the vast positive effects of the Tattoos. (re: the Newtonic Magic principle). The older a tattoo becomes, the more it is changed and balanced by the flow of essence. This is why your primary, new, tattoo has no cursed effects.
Now I must, unfortunately, reveal one aspect of the tattoos which you do not yet know. Please do not act upon this piece of meta knowledge.
As one possible solution to the intraparty problem I simply said: Go ahead and do it. This is because the first commandment / geas ("Thou shalt be as one") has connected your spirits and hinders you all from actually harming each other or even splitting up. This I consider a logical piece of magic, since the ones that placed your tattoos upon you are unlikely to let their hard placed magic tools just go on and kill each other or not do your appointed task... Is it really that hard to understand? Do you think they simply tattooed you for the fun of it? Nay, the reality is that you are enslaved now, bound to someone elses will.
You can cope with this in either way you want: You can whine and complaint or quit the game or make my life hell, or you can say: Fine, I am a roleplayer and, dammit, I am going to find a solution to this. That is what Coldforged is all about: Fledgling heroes put in a difficult situation, and the tale about their rise to the task and how they eventually ascend above and beyond the call of duty, to true hero-dom.
The loss of freedom and forcing someone to do somthing is a theme in many heroic sagas and fantasy litterature. Now your characters have been enslaved, in a way, and you MAY break free from that, but that is for another day and clever investigation and turning the tables upon those who marred you thus. It will NEVER be up to a dice roll to see if you "resist the magic". That is an awful piece of DnD heritage which I loathe.
Now you know the nature of the game. You have been wronged and are forced to do someone elses bidding. This is your tale and I sincerely hope you see the possibilities in that. I sure do!
What are your thoughts on this subject?
Anybody want to leave the game as a result of this?
~AG
(Who likes all of his players, but has to set some ground rules. I hope ALL of you guys remain, even though I had to put on my nazi-GM trenchcoat. )
