| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Aielwyn
Acolyte
USA
7 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 18:24:18
|
Good morning fellow Faerunians,
I'm a new DM starting out and am currently running two games. I run one every Friday for the folks I work with and a second game for my friends that I've been gaming with now for a little over 5 years.
I currently run in 3.0 simply because I do not have much experience in the 3.5 system. I am having my players beginning in Waterdeep, as it provides so many plothooks and NPCs with which to deal with as well as a wealth of flavor that I can toss in.
My current dilema is that for both games, I have several ideas for what I would like to do, both of which end up along the same lines. For one, I am going to take them into the Underdark and then perhaps into the Planes. The second party is going to be going to Myth Drannor.
Which brings me to my point; how to spread this progress out over 15 levels + in order for them to get to those places in a manner that will leave the party feeling accomplished and happy about their progress. Since, as I said previously, I am new to this, I am mostly doing things on the fly, while taking copious notes on my end. Some of the players I have are presenting considerable..issues. One is RPing out his character, which is fine, but in doing so, it is shifting focus from the game to his character specifically. To alter this, I have had the character removed from places and cast upon (had Silence put on him), while another player is pressing the ability to use Shadow Weave Magic - which, in my campaign, I am ruling as something that touches upon evil stuff.
Both of these things are presenting problems for me, since I don't want to stiffle the ability for these players to RP and play their characters, however, the directions they are taking are not in the scheme of what I have laid out with 'my vision' of how the campaign will be going.
*sigh*
Well, that's all for now. Any feedback or suggestions would be more than welcome.
Thank you
|
|
|
Beirnadri Magranth
Senior Scribe
USA
720 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 18:32:46
|
| hey good afternon so tell us more about these two characters... like how s/he got to use teh shadow weave etc. |
"You came here to be a martyr in a great big bang of glory... instead you will die with a whimper."
::moussaoui tries to interrupt::
"You will never get a chance to speak again and that's an appropriate ending."
-Judge Brinkema |
 |
|
|
Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 18:33:51
|
hmmmm
Well reading the ways you want the game to progress makes the events seem to be epic in scope, that is not epic rules but like grand or final....
If I understand you correctly, it sounds like you have two paths created towards how you want the game to advance but both paths end at the same destination.
If you involve the planes, which planes btw? That might help some of us give better answers, then some of the mid to higher level spells and abilities would be useful and help the PC's survive.
Furthermore, the same can be said of Myth Drannor, if you use that city the way Ed intended it to be. It is supposed to be a ruin/dungeon where the PC's, and the players!, should quiver and in fear. :)
As for the shadow weave player and the other player... well how many players do you have? Have they shown any discontent that the one player seems to be taking center stage? Have you discussed how you feel about these to things with the players? My, sometimes you do have to outright ban an ability or idea, if it is going to cause problems with the group or the game... I hate to do it at times but, well, sometimes you have to.
However, if the only reason you are banning the abilities is because they interfer with your plot, then I'd have to say maybe you need to rethink your plot and change it to the changes the players want to try. I know, the DM has to enjoy the game as well, but so do the players and there's times that the DM just has to compromise his ideas for the players ideas.
I think I'm babbling here and so, I'll reply more later if you answer some of my questions. :) |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
|
|
|
Aielwyn
Acolyte
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 19:02:22
|
Thank you for your quick replies,
First, I intend for them to visit some of the more unsavory Planes. I have visions of them encountering the minions of the Spider Queen herself. On her native Plane. I'm thinking that the very thought of doing something like that will be daunting to my players.
For my first game, I have 7 players and in my second I have 6. Both are groups that are quite big, in my opinion - since these are my first stabs at running.
The first of my issues is our dear Halfling Rogue. He's the very embodiment of Chaotic Good. He understands that there is a broader picture that things need to be done for the greater good, however, has absolutely no respect for authority. As mentioned previously, he has been forcibly removed from both the Blackstaff Tower and one of the temples by a High Priest of Lathander. In both of those instances, he simply could've cared less. Rather than attempt to understand that he was removed from both those scenes due to his lack of discretion toward NPC's that were Level 20+, he opted to be obnoxious for the rest of the game. Being that said player is my best friend outside the game, I am hesitant to take him aside and crack him upside the head with a 2x4 and straighten him out.
My reasoning is that even a character, CG and 3rd Level would understand that getting a summons from Khelben Blackstaff is something that one does not lightly screw around with. One would be slightly awed in his presence and act accordingly. Trying to instill this in a player who has 'been there; done that' is difficult to say the least.
I've been playing for almost 20 years now and am still awed when my characters are in the presence of high-level NPC's. I suppose it's because I have respect for the people who are running the game; that they have taken these steps to incite these reactions in me as a player and character.
My second dilema is my Halfling Sorceress. The player has presented his case appropriately to me via e-mail; that he likes the challenge of playing a character like this to demonstrate that some characers with the taint of evil don't always turn out as such. While an admirable quality and goal, I am not sure that I want this kind of thing to take place.
I have my campaign walking firmly in the light, so to speak. The NPC's do not react favorably to PC's who carry the touch of Shadow - especially when one of the NPC's is married to a Chosen of Mystra.
I am not - or trying not to - invoke a Rule Zero™ on everything that does not meet with my express vision. I am one that is ever in favor of compromise, but I see that both of the above situations require more than me just saying "Because I said so."
With the Shadow Weave Magic; how I have it put down for my players is that tapping into the Plane of Shadow to work spells of this descriptor is bad - as is the worship of Shar. Doing so begins to corrupt and taint ones character. The aura of shadow and touches of evil begin to make other characters and NPC's react in a less-than-favorable way toward you. This is simply how I am running the world to simplify things for myself as a beginning DM. I am not overly inclined to allow these things to pass in my world simply because this player wants a challenge. If they would like a challenge, said option will be given to them in the form of encounters, RPing and other such circumstances.
For the other stuff, I have yet to talk to my friend to get this stuff straightened out, however other players have expressed that his behavior last Friday at the game was less-than-nifty and that several people were discouraged that more did not take place since 2 hours was spent on wrapping up his antics.
I hope that provides a bit more information for you all. I look forward to your comments :) |
|
|
|
Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 20:51:06
|
Hmmm, that CG players sounds more CN to me.....
I have to say, I don't expect PC's to be in awe of a NPC that is 20+ since a game mechanic, i.e. levels, shouldn't force a PC to be in awe of someone. How does the character know that Khelben, for instance, is 20+ level? Maybe the commoner they are interacting with might be that same level as well. So, what I'm saying is this: They should only be in awe because of someone's actions or history but that history might or might not be the truth.
Is the CG character from Waterdeep? If not, then he could very well not know that Khelben is, or is not, someone to screw with.
However, if the player is your best friend, then that is probably going to be a problem since he might take what you are saying the wrong way, and cause problems. Sigh.
Myself, I wouldn't make using the plane of shadow an evil thing. Does the Shadow Plane in 3/3.5 have an evil descriptor? If it does, that's kinda lame since shadows aren't good or evil. However, I can see the worship of Shar being evil, since all that she stands for is evil and so are her actions.
I dunno. I don't think all of us can truly help you and it's up to you to decide what and how you want to run your game. :)
I'm rambling again. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
|
|
|
Aielwyn
Acolyte
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 21:13:26
|
Hey all,
Again, thank you for the comments and feedback. I really do appreciate them a lot.
I will need to check out my Manual of the Planes again to see if touching the Plane of Shadows is actually an act that would 'taint' a character, but the worshipping of Shar is, what I would consider, overtly evil. What's more, is that it's willful, since the requirement for Shadow Weave Magic is that Shar is your patron Deity.
You've definitely given me things to think about, and for that I thank you. I will eagerly look forward to being able to read a bit more from such an awesome gaming community.
Thanks! |
|
|
|
Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 21:44:26
|
quote:
Originally posted by Aielwyn
Hey all,
Again, thank you for the comments and feedback. I really do appreciate them a lot.
I will need to check out my Manual of the Planes again to see if touching the Plane of Shadows is actually an act that would 'taint' a character, but the worshipping of Shar is, what I would consider, overtly evil. What's more, is that it's willful, since the requirement for Shadow Weave Magic is that Shar is your patron Deity.
You've definitely given me things to think about, and for that I thank you. I will eagerly look forward to being able to read a bit more from such an awesome gaming community.
Thanks!
Actually, I think they changed that feat in the Player's Guide to read that you don't have to worship Shar. :) |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
|
|
|
Beirnadri Magranth
Senior Scribe
USA
720 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 21:49:21
|
heroes of horror might be a good book for u to get if u dont have it already...
it has stuff on how to impress, intimidate and set oods for characters which can be really hard. players always want their characters to come across as smooth etc... so they never flinch in front of epics but maybe if this character is annoying enough: have him tossed about by some crazy epic like halaster or soemthing. see how nonchalant or layed back the character is then.
|
"You came here to be a martyr in a great big bang of glory... instead you will die with a whimper."
::moussaoui tries to interrupt::
"You will never get a chance to speak again and that's an appropriate ending."
-Judge Brinkema |
|
|
|
Aielwyn
Acolyte
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 22:06:55
|
quote:
Originally posted by Beirnadri Magranth
heroes of horror might be a good book for u to get if u dont have it already...
it has stuff on how to impress, intimidate and set oods for characters which can be really hard. players always want their characters to come across as smooth etc... so they never flinch in front of epics but maybe if this character is annoying enough: have him tossed about by some crazy epic like halaster or soemthing. see how nonchalant or layed back the character is then.
I definitely don't have any problem with doing that, in fact, I've already tossed out the name 'Master of Undermountain' - but I also hesitate to toss in too many high-level NPC's from the get go, as I don't want to bog down their experience with things like that. That said, I do want to have a display of the powers in the Realms.
Currently, one party has just finished a dungeon crawl and the second is on its way to the High Forest to pay a visit to the Grandfather Tree.
My Friday night group isn't too overly hard to run for - it's just that my two problem children are in that game (my friend and the Halfling Sorceress), but think that the storyline and things I have planned there might (hopefully) humble them so that they know their place in the grand scheme of things.
As Kuje mentioned, the characters are not all from Waterdeep. Perhaps this is my mistake in assuming that because of the notariety of Khelben Blackstaff, Eliminster, et al, that their names would be somewhat known. I will definitely give that more thought. |
|
|
|
Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 22:12:28
|
quote:
Originally posted by Aielwyn
As Kuje mentioned, the characters are not all from Waterdeep. Perhaps this is my mistake in assuming that because of the notariety of Khelben Blackstaff, Eliminster, et al, that their names would be somewhat known. I will definitely give that more thought.
I think a lot of people new to the world struggle with this, especially since I've seen to many, "The "iconics" are ruining my game" threads. Elminster is just one person out of millions and people seem to forget that as well as they forget that news/gossip/etc isn't as widespread in FR as it is in our modern times. Someone who lives in Shadowdale will probably never be heard about from someone living in Waterdeep or in Rashemen, etc.
Plus, most news comes from bards/merchants/etc and it's orally spoken and so it get's twisted or changed.
And I'm not trying to come across as a pain in the arse because it sounds like you have a good idea on what you'd like to do for the game. :) But I'm just rambling in general. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
Edited by - Kuje on 11 Apr 2006 22:16:43 |
|
|
|
Beirnadri Magranth
Senior Scribe
USA
720 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 15:41:06
|
i wasnt suggesting throwing out epics into your campaign but if ppl with power are involved in the campaign have them use that power... afterall leaders often do enjoy imprisoning ppl based on whims or pride.
|
"You came here to be a martyr in a great big bang of glory... instead you will die with a whimper."
::moussaoui tries to interrupt::
"You will never get a chance to speak again and that's an appropriate ending."
-Judge Brinkema |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Good Morning
