DM Piggy Note to Players

[thinkpig]

After DMing a while now I think I am a little different from what you guys seem to be used to, so I'd like to offer some comments on my play style and DM philosophy.

Stories have prime elements- Character, Setting, and Conflict. Our story medium is pre-set in Faerun, so that is a fixed part of our equation, but I would like to talk about character and conflict a little.

I believe that a good RPG is Player Character driven. The motivations of the PCs should be the primary driving force in a game, so I sort of favor goal-oriented PCs, and I am more likely to interact with or have ideas for characters who are trying to accomplish something than characters who are sitting around, especially in ad hoc sessions (which account for almost all of my sessions thus far). I try to be aware of the motivations and goals of all the PCs but it is a lot to keep track of and have in mind on the fly. Some DMs are more interested in their plot than the PC's stories. I am not one of those DMs. My games will always be about you.

That other element I mentioned, conflict? That's where I come in. You try to do something, I provide the obstacles. This goes for long-term and short-term goals alike. You have an idea I hadn't thought of or accounted for? No problem. I love it when my players outsmart me. That's one of the funnest challenges of being a DM! There will almost never be *only one* solution to a problem I present, and in fact I will always try to have several possible solutions in mind.

So if nothing's really happening yet, and I am logged in... feel free to let me know what you'd like to attempt today! I may well be picking my nose and be trying to dream up something interesting for you, which is fine, but if you have something specific in mind, don't be shy! Honestly I have been really surprised that nobody sends me tells saying "Hey, would you be available if I wanted to try to do -whatever- today?" I'm not a human doormat, if I am busy or have other plans I can always say no, too.

I try to be available in IRC if anyone needs anything, and I am a full DM now, too, meaning I can finally assist you guys with crafting requests and the like as well. Everyone warns me that crafting requests will wear me out, but I'm not worried about it yet.

I think that's about it for now, thanks for reading guys:)

[Riotnrrd]

I need to come play with you.

[NESchampion]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll see about thinking up some fun things to get involved in; reminds me that I need to update my bio soon too, it's getting very dated.

[dirsa]

Honestly I have been really surprised that nobody sends me tells saying "Hey, would you be available if I wanted to try to do -whatever- today?"

that's because everyone's afraid of you...

[Ronan]

You have an idea I hadn't thought of or accounted for? No problem. I love it when my players outsmart me. That's one of the funnest challenges of being a DM! There will almost never be *only one* solution to a problem I present, and in fact I will always try to have several possible solutions in mind.

Hmm, sounds like I need to return to TSM. This is how I DMed as well, although I think I was maybe more evil. I often presented players with challenges without even knowing how they could overcome them

Most even survived.