DMs DMing A Land Far Away

[Inaubryn]

K. I said this:

One of the major differences between ALFA and PnP is that in PnP the DM has the whole of the Realms as his/her playground. A single adventure can stay in one relatively small locale or span the breadth of Faerun (or wherever).

In ALFA we kinda shut that down. DMs don't really feel free to cross server lines. It's like they're cops and can only patrol in their citiy's jurisdiction. I've thrown this out before and I'll throw it out again. What if we opened up every server to every DM? And considerin' we have all these standards and such now, a DM should operate the same on one server as they would on another. So, if a PC heads to another server, any DM can just as easily head there as well. We have this whole, ask permission, reluctant giving of the DM password thing we do now. Opening up ALFA to ALFA DMs, I know that's crazy, would:

A.) provide consistent DMing on all servers as any DM can log onto any server and DM at any time.

and...

B.) minimize the dreaded, log onto a server devoid of DM life, when in fact, that Westgate DM can say, "gimme a sec, I feel like DMing. I'll jump onto Raven's Bluff and hook up something for ya."

DMs hang out in chat all the time. But whatta you see all the time? Somebody logs in and says, "Hey, any SD DMs on?" None of the other DMs bother to say anything because they don't DM on Shadowdale. But if any ALFA DM can DM anywhere in ALFA, someone can log into chat and simply ask the question, "Hey, any DMs on?"

Then Jayde said something, then daniel said this:

Sorry, if I follow the tracks where they lead, but I agree with Jayde on his points. It isn't easy for a dm to know the history/NPC's/factions/pc groups/pc's histories and desires and goals/ emplaced monster tribes/ important places on one server...let alone multiple servers. There is just too much info. to make the storyline persistant...ie. a dm dedicated to one server plays an NPC one way, so does the whole team, DM X who dm's all servers comes along and totally fubars that NPC's knowledge/reactions in front of PC's that already have a well grounded relationship with said NPC.

Global Dm's is a decent way to go....but I would say we would need each person of a global dm team to cover a two way street, not the whole city,
ie... responsible for dming on two servers. Player Group A travels from NC to SD, there is a global dm that handles both NC and SD, and takes care of said group. Said group then moves on to SEmbia, Global DM 1 hands the reigns to global DM 2, who is responsible for SD and Sembia.

Just my thoughts. Sorry to derail even more...move to another thread?

Daniel

Good points all, but here's the thing, daniel. If you've ever DM'd in PnP and you've ever DM'd more than one locale, you do your research. You don't just jump in. You pour over source material, you create NPCs, you write up ytour adventure and layout your dungeons, you do all this work before PCs set one foot into the area you'll be DMin'. DMs here would be remiss if they didn't do the same things in order to tell their story.

You talk to the DMs that regulary DM there, you research the area, you plot things out and set things up. That's what a DM should do. So that when you do DM there, everything is mostly seamless. That's what I'd do. It's what I've done.

And, Jayde, this DMs don't have to be chartered up as global DMs. This is just a privilege that an ALFA DM has. They don't need any special monikers, titles, or such things. If they DM in ALFA, they DM in ALFA.

Now there's no way in hell, ALFA as it stands now would ever go for anything like this. But I like to throw things out every now and again.

[Swift]

Considering many DMs have to squeeze in what DMing they can do into their real life schedules, i find it hard to imagine that there would be more than 1 or 2 that would have the time to research half a dozen locales to be able to DM all over the place and not break immersion for people.

[Inaubryn]

Well, the don't DM there. Don't do yourself, the players or ALFA the disservice of DMin' some place you know nothing about. For those that will do what it takes to DM in this vast and wonderous place we call the Forgotten Realms, then seize the opportunity nd have fun.

Either way, all DMs can still have the option of DMing anywhere in the Realms they like.

[Veilan]

Cooperation between teams, with "open DM borders" so to say, is rather successful where it happens. Maybe people could try out what's possible so far - you can guest DM and the like, and with dwindled numbers and close proximity, there is little paranoia going around .

[Rusty]

There is no particular policy prohibition on DMs working on multiple servers.

[JaydeMoon]

The something I said:

There are at least two major issues in dealing with the topic of DMs being able to DM on all servers:

Issue 1: Ownership

HDMs have, and some still do, feel like they own their module. This combined with a lack of standards across the board to cause HDMs to only allow in those DMs they felt comfortable with, DMs they felt would run things according to the respective HDMs standards and opinions. This is still apparent in some places.

HDM Q knowing that DM A runs adventures on Server X that seem to HDM Q to be low risk high gain doesn't want DM A dming on his server where he likes to play things with high challenge and little reward. Since it's his server, that becomes his prerogative.

Now, ALFA as a community has set a few (some might say dangerous) precedences regarding module 'ownership'. Modules developed with ALFA in mind become community property. You are welcome to take it away, but ALFA will keep it as well, and the one connected to ALFA is under the authority of ALFA as a whole.

With the community taking 'ownership' of the modules that connect to it's vault and other servers and with the community creating solid standards of awards for DMs to give their players, I think that in NWN2, the issue of ownership should be less of one. The result could be a centralized DM application process that gives successful applicants who are properly trained access to DM on all servers.

HDMs would still be the arbiters of what constitutes realistic plots, but they could rest easy knowing that DMs are not going to unbalance the server they hold stewardship over by increasing average wealth or over rewarding in terms of XP.

Issue 2: DMs as Players

Now, if all DMs become global, do we allow them to play at all? On which servers? This becomes an issue if we make a ruling that if you are a DM, you must be a global DM. Now, if we make it so that some DMs are global and some are local to one or two servers, then DMs can have their choice. Less to write about on this issue, since the points within are pretty much known to all.

Possible Solution:

Ownership of ALFA modules is extended to ALFA. Certainly creators can keep their own copy and do with it as they please, but a module submitted to ALFA is also given to the community and cannot be taken away. The server, as attached to ALFA's vault and other ALFA servers, is under the authority of ALFA's Admin.

HDMs are not the owners of their respective servers, but stewards who are responsible to ensure that plots on their servers are realistic and mesh with the overall direction of their server and ALFA's world as a whole. HDMs may or may not be GDMs as they desire.

DMs step up incrementally as they desire. Applicants choose a server and start as a PADM. Once they have proven their mettle as a DM, having passed requisite training and standards testing or whatever we instill, they become an ADM of that server.

PADMs and ADMs are allowed to play PCs on servers they do not DM.

ADMs may wish to take the next step towards more global DMing. GDMs would have to pass muster at the DMA level. Once granted, these GDMs can no longer play a PC, but have the broad ability to take their plots everywhere.

ADMs may DM on multiple servers, but we should cap that amount (based on the servers we have available) before they must apply as GDMs if they wish to DMon additional servers.

This creates some exciting possibilities as well. A GDM team could more plausibly create Global Events, with less likelihood of stalling out. A lead GDM could coordinate efforts. Maybe it would be waaay too much infrastructure, but it is wholly possible with motivated, creative, organized individuals.

Maybe you feel that it "just won't happen" and all you are doing is musing, but it's a very justifiable thought process, Inaub.

The biggest thing holding back such a process was HDMs having control over their servers and wanting to tightly rein in who could and could not DM on their servers.

If servers are seen as ALFA servers and not HDM Joe's server and HDM John's server, etc, then there is less reason to disallow DMing on a global scale.

I only bring up a difference between HDM, ADM, and GDM to address the issue of a member simultaneously holding a position as a DM and playnig a current PC.

I think you cannot allow DMs to play in a place where they have DMing access. Forcing members to choose between DMing and playing did not work before, not enough members were interested in strictly DMing.

A difference between server specific DMs and ALFA wide DMs could be a possible compromise to those two points.

To address daniel's points:

Indeed, that is a very real issue. However, it's a weak method of reasoning and exhibits some manner of laziness on the DMs who are not interested in getting to know the backgrounds of the places they are going to be DMing. If you are going to DM on one server, two servers, or 10 servers, you learn what you're doing.

Forcing this onto all DMs is one thing, it is a lot of information for a person to digest. But again, differentiating between DMs who operate on one or two servers and DMs who operate on all servers can help this.

If you are not inclined to learn all the ins and outs of every server on ALFA and to coordinate your activities so they make since and are realistic and contribute to overall continuity, then you stay an ADM. To go the next step as a GDM, you must exhibit to the DMA your willingness and ability to place continuity in the forefront of your DMing.

Certainly there are ways the DM Corps as a whole can work to make this easier, but ultimately DMs need to know what the hell they're doing. I point to standards and training and the wonderful things they have done so far and their potential to do even more.

There is no particular policy prohibition on DMs working on multiple servers.

While true, I think Inaubryn is pointing more to the creation of a policy that would, in not nice terms, force HDMs to accept DMs on their server. Which is not something we currently have.

[FanaticusIncendi]

There is no particular policy prohibition on DMs working on multiple servers.

Yeah that about sums it up. If you want to global DM, you can. *shrugs* You guys are picking nits, as usual.

[JaydeMoon]

Not necessarily. HDMs can turn you down.

[danielmn]

Indeed, that is a very real issue. However, it's a weak method of reasoning and exhibits some manner of laziness on the DMs who are not interested in getting to know the backgrounds of the places they are going to be DMing. If you are going to DM on one server, two servers, or 10 servers, you learn what you're doing.

Or option C...you have job, family, outside things that allow you just enough time to dm one server and keep up with all its happenings, but not enough time to do more than one. Agree though, those without the time/inclination shouldn't step up to such a task.

[JaydeMoon]

Apologize to those with families and jobs and stuff. My statements were based on the assumption that you have enough time to DM on the servers you have access to and, that being the case, not keeping up with events on those servers is uncool.

[Rusty]

That HDMs can turn you down doesn't contradict the statement that there is no particular policy prohibiting DMs working on multiple servers. HDMs and DMA, as far as I am concerned, will always have a veto power over DM appointments. If teams want to work together, more power to them. If someone convinces every HDM and DMA that they should DM across the whole place, doublepluspower to them. (Fairly obviously, that would mean not playing a PC.)

[FanaticusIncendi]

Not necessarily. HDMs can turn you down.

lol. So instead you want to force someone to have you on a server who doesn't want you there really? Who would want to be somewhere they aren't really wanted? No thanks.

From what i've seen and experienced, when someone wants to gain DM privileges on another server, the current DMs give input in a private discussion on whether or not they want that person on their team. If the majority of the current team says no, then it's no. Often there are very good reasons for the no.

In any case, the team as a whole functions much better when everyone gets along and there is at least a somewhat unified server philosophy on DMing. Just like some applicants are not a good fit for ALFA, some DMs are not a good fit for particular servers and teams.

It would suck mightily to have no say about who's on your team.

[danielmn]

Agreed!!

[indio]

Post removed - Mikayla.

[Nyarlathotep]

I tend to think it best for it to be in the HDMs hands, they can assure that the DM is conversant in the necessary information. Its a great deal of work to keep up with everything, not so much NPCs as PCs. The everchanging NPC/PC interactions can take a great deal of effort, more than just knowing the NPCs themselves. Its easy enough to know that a hO warlord is vicious and an opera afficiando...but knowing that PC A spit on his foot a few days ago can be a bit more difficult to keep track of. It can certainly be done but I'm not sure if every DM could find that sort of time(depending on the number of Live servers of course).