I have run into a few perceptions that some players seem to have on an OOC level and I thought I would answer them OOC. I speak for how I run my plots, so I am not necessarily speaking for the team. I am an old school DM and have been DMing since the beginnings of D&D, back in highshool circa 1981 (No Amby, that's AD, not BC.
) I have developed a particular style that may be different then what some of you are used to. That's why I think these OOC questions have come up and why I hope this post is helpful to you all. 8) In the context of longer then one session plots:
1) Please continue to pick your actions based on what your character would do and not what you think I as the DM wants you to do. I understand and appreciate the support of players who want to help me have fun as well. Please be assured that when your reactions are IC and genuine, that is my reward. In other words, please do not feel you have to apologize for an IC and genuine response to something. I bring this up because a couple of players have sent me "thank you for the fun, I'm sorry I had to {insert character's reaction here}" tells this week. I want you all to have the freedom to play your character - in character.
2) As a branch off of the above point, please know that everyone who wants to be involved in one of my longer term plots will be included. This does not however, require you to be in the same "party" or work with the others involved in the plot. In other words, lets say you have a character which would not group with someone else because of a particular alignment, or belief, or you just don't like them IC'ly, or whatever.. I would much rather you act in alignment with your character and what they would do. We can always work out a way for you to be involved, even if it ends up being different then the way others are participating.
3) This also works with alignments. There are certain key choices I will include in my plots. If you want to ensure you stay on a particular side of an alignment, match your roleplay to the alignment you want. So far, this hasn't been a problem that I know of, I just thought I would mention it. On a side note: If you have a question about doing something IC and want to either 1) earn an alignment point or b) avoid an alignment point, please ask me beforehand. Also, if you are working on a alignment shift or want to do so, please tell me that too. I keep watch. 8)
4) Not all interactions are meant to be "won" the same way. That will mean different things for different encounters.
5) Continue to think creatively. My longer term plots do have multiple endings. Your actions, interactions, choices, and, of course, die rolls of lovely chance, are all are woven into what the ultimate outcome is. This goes back to point number one: react (or not) and interact (or not) based on what your character would do and not what you think I want or the outcome I want. It's really up to you all. 8)
6) Yes, I do have different ways I grant experience in encounters then critter experience. The better you play in character, the better the outcomes.
7) Please be aware that I have a partially crippled left hand so when large groups form, if you would please continue to slow down and pause and wait for answers, that would help me a lot. When everyone is speaking at the same time or running around in various small groups, I have to slow way down myself in order to be able to reply or get ahead of the group to trigger something, or take the time to bounce between groups. Sometimes answers back are accidentally overrun.
Continue the great role play gang! You all are great and a lot of fun! I have seen some awesome roleplay here and I am thrilled to DM for you.
Best Regards,
Varm
) ..and specifically our plots, but other team members might appreciate the heads up too. 8)