Gamer Forger Listener Email:

Name: Javik

Comments: I apologize beforehand if this question has been asked before, I was not able to find one, except this, which may be related: Dealing with players who try to run from everything?. Also I'd like to note that english is not my native tongue, so please be gentle.

The problem

I have a player in my group which tends to approach local authorities (may it be guards or churches) when facing a threat. He thinks that, given his role (a bard in a medieval world, so, more or a less, a civilian), this is what one of his kind would do in such situations. The other characters, more powerful (knight, ranger, sorcerer, ...), are the passive kind of players and do not prevent him from doing that.

While this behavior is not unjustified, the whole point of playing the game is to solve problems on your own (IMHO), even if they seem to be overwhelming. Sometimes it is justified, but most of the time it makes things only more complicated in terms of:

•The storyline, like the one time they faced a single undead raised by a curse in a city at night, where he handed over the ring which has caused the curse to the local temple, instead of trying to find out about the origins of the curse and how to break it. As soon they have found out that the curse has not been broken and it only affects a certain party member, the required ring was out of reach ... ooops, now they are in trouble (including the storyline).
•The threat level, because the encounters have to be extended, so that they are a threat to a group of adventures AND a bunch of guardsmen. One time the same player in another group abandoned the whole group for a 14 days travel to contact a befriended inquisitor about a serious evil thread to get the support of a bunch of knights.
The examples above are presented in a more superficial way than they actually are. The true story behind is way more complicated, including aspects of personal motivation.

I could tell the player to stop doing that, but I'd prefer to solve the issue in the game, without overstretching means like:

•Authorities are too ignorant/busy/incompetent to care (which in the long run will seem like all authorities in the world are essentially only decoration)
•The adventure is happening in a "closed" environment like extreme wilderness, a ship on the ocean, an area locked because of a plague etc.
The question

What can I do ? How do you deal with such behavior ?


Gamer Forger Response:

This one was a long question, but we got your solution in one neat, tidy packet! Your party needs a spoony bard, and here's some good reasons why you should keep doing it. But being a bard ain't easy. When it comes to really confusing situations with your bardy-bard, DCR says:

1. Bards aren't really fighters, anyway. Not fighting is just as legit as getting your hands dirty. Indeed, the concept of "bard" was never intended to be a heavy damage dealer. They were meant to supplement the others in their duties and function as spokesman for the party. Playing a coward is just as valid as playing a fearless barbarian. There's no need to encounter the pressure of others to behave as they do. Other players should worry about how they play, not how others do.

2. You've encountered the consequences of your actions, now you get to deal with it. Not much else to say about that. Running away is just as good, but there's still consequences. No matter what you do, this will always be the case. Ain't no running away from your fate.

3. Talking is your job. If you're not feeling up to snuff keeping up with the "tanks" and "casters", maybe "bard" isn't the right choice for you. Nothing wrong with that. The classes were created to have distinct strengths and were meant to played to those strengths. Frankly, it's best and easiest to say that it's time to consider trying a different character class. There's no shame in realizing you may be wrong. Just remember to handle that gracefully, please. Firebird suggests that you ask "What do I want to play today?" Think of how you like to do things.

*Bonus XP: When running and/or playing any tabletop RPG: Everything is a variable. Never count on players behaving a certain way. Never count on a GM to behave a certain way. You may no always be comfortable being outclassed or overmatched, but you must be okay with the circle of life. Just because you see a mountain, doesn't necessarily mean you have to be the one who climbs it. Its just a mountain.

Remember to listen to the complete Gamer Forge segment each week during the "live" broadcast from Epic Puzzles and Games in West Valley City, Utah every Monday from 6-8 pm MST. If you have issues or questions in your game, contact DCR to help level up your game at [email protected]!

This week, DCR smashes down several questions regarding rulings on commonly encountered problems. Guaranteed fresh!

Listener Email:

Name: Sarah
Comments: What are the most beginner friendly table top role playing games out there?


Gamer Forger Response:

When you're looking for "beginner-friendly", DCR says:

Dungeons and Dragons 4th edition is easy to transition to if your only familiarity with RPG's is MMOs. Everything is organized into macros and character creation is pre-sorted, so all you've got to do is decide what type of role in the party you wish to play.

Just about anything involving Unisystem is a winner. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is definitely geared towards a simple mechanic and character creation is a breeze. It also favors action and plot advancement above the statistical advantages players have over enemies.

Marvel Superheroes from Margaret Weiss productions is great due to its simplicity of advancement. It features a slightly higher learning curve than the other two, but the advantage is that once your character is generated, any further statistical growth is already built in to the character.

Listener Email:

Name: TJ
Comments: Does the main target of the ghoul touch spell get a saving throw?

Gamer Forger Response:

When stinking up the place with "Ghoul Touch", DCR says:

You can't target a person, as a single object doesn't constitute and area. You will be targeting the area the person is standing on. You can target a floor or wall or ceiling, but you can't cast it on a table or a horse. Whomever is at the center of the area is granted a saving throw, as normal. If your player argues with you, give a sucker punch and tell 'em, "Guy Named Joe sent ya!"



Listener Email:
Name: Midvale Gaming Group
Comments: Is the animating force of a golem always from the Elemental Plane of Earth?

Gamer Forger Response:

When making your Golems, DCR says:

The primary animating force of a Golem is usually from the Elemental Plane of Earth. But not always. The animating force can be defined as just about anything ethereal, such as the souls of dead orphans or the woe of a million angels. Give your golem that extra special something by defining this power source with an offbeat description.

Listener Email:

Name: Calvin Smith
Comments: Can you help me out here. Is it possible to creating weapons and armor from giant crab remains?

Gamer Forger Response:

You too, can have a set of crab armor! DCR says:

Totally! We say that it most likely will be a description of hide or scale armor, depending on the game system you are using. Dark Sun is all about using hides and shells as armor.



Listener Email:

Name: Fort Worth Gaming Group
Comments: We ran into your show by accident and have loved what we have heard so far. We have a question that has been buzzing around the table. Would you be able to weigh in on this one?

Does making an opportunity attack with a ranged weapon provoke an opportunity attack?



Gamer Forger Response:

Opportunities abound! When making an opportunity attack, DCR says:

Yes and no. Just because you are entitled to make an opportunity attack, doesn't mean you should get it. Take into account line of sight, cover, and relevant abilities or feats. If you have a ranged attack prepared (such as a crossbow or spell) then you can make the attack, provided you are within range. However, countering that opportunity attack is also possible, provided that another opponent has an attack prepared. As always, think of how the character would behave, not what you would do.

*Bonus XP: Keep in mind what would make your character awesome in the context of an action sequence in a movie, not what your stats read and what your bonuses are. Taking a gamble on a friend can reap huge rewards for all parties involved. Think beyond the squares and tiles and the keyboard; get active in telling your own character's tale!