A Land Far Away

I like to meet and come up with interesting ad hoc encounters for as many different players and PCs I can.

I will sometimes log in and try to come up with something interesting for the players logged in at the time I am on, which unfortunately is somewhat random as I don't usually try to schedule events I might have to break due to RL responsibilities. If I can log on I will and try to think of something. I am usually fairly accommodating to Players that want to try out something, meet an NPC or do something specific. If you have such things dont be afraid to ask. I just ask that you understand when I cannot accommodate you. Trust me, I really try to consider doing something when a player asks.

I am feeling more and more comfortable about balancing play and making more difficult encounters. I imagine this will eventually lead to PC deaths as I broaden my skills to manage combat.

I think that is part of the dangers we as a community like to hold dear. I am sure I will make mistakes, and those mistake will lead to disgruntled players that will be considered on a case by case basis. When I feel the error was precipitated by something I didn't prepare for or something I didn't make clear in RP ((or OOC communication)), I would like the option to role back things both RP and combat related.

Along that note, I see many of the places on the server that are off the beaten path to be dangerous places, if I find players out in these areas, expect the unexpected! And expect challenges that will be comparable to your character strength and even greater! If that means you high tail it out of the cloakwood when DM lokan logs in...well...

I always hate when PCs die, always..but I'm going to put those dangerous things out there, and hope you make the right decisions, but if worse comes to worse and your PC dies so be it....long live the next PC.

I see things in RP within Alfa as series of choices, so I really tend to rethink tech rezzes due to mechanic glitches. What I mean is, I wont always rule that just because the game engine caused a bug and killed your PC that your PC should get a tech res. I think we live and die by a game engine that we all will use to our advantage from time to time..so if the gods deem that you get lag at that certain moment and are sent to meet Ilmater or Bane...then ((sometimes)) so be it.

Of course all alfa rules, and appeals apply.

I don't always expect PC to bite on an encounter either. Please don't go along with what I offer you as an encounter just because its a DM. Your PC is free to choose NOT to go look for the lost puppy in the goblins cave. ((because there just might be a demon in that cave waiting to take your soul....or...there is a sword of great power..hmmm))

My disclaimer is... that if you except to follow along with the encounter, story, or NPC metting, or what have you that I present to you, you are agreeing to whatever the result ( within the rules set in ALFA).

PC deaths involve glitches and mistakes, always. I've never seen one that didn't, largely because all adventures involve glitches and mistakes. Usually these mistakes benefit players, because NPCs never notice them and notify their DMs. Unless the cause is a blaitant bug (e.g. you get an EL 6 encounter where you should have had a EL 2), its the DM's judgement call on whether or not these issues matter enough to affect the outcome of an encounter.

Thanks Ronan

And thank you Lokan.

I wish you didn't feel as if you had to express some kind of disclaimer at all.

You've DM'd my PC often, even giving me solo DM attention when many others are on, and of course most times you are all over other PCs/players. You're an amazing DM. DMs don't need disclaimers.

People get attached to their PCs especially as they get older IRL time, but if there was no fear or risk the game would be no fun also. Cheers!

Thanks Galadorn,

All of the players I have dealt with are great!

It just makes me feel better putting out how I see some things ahead of time.

With all of the above said, I don't want players to avoid exploring and adventuring thinking I'm going to drop monsters right on their heads or something.

Drop em.
I double dare you.

kid wrote:Drop em.
I double dare you.

There appear to be conflicting statements:

Lokan wrote:Along that note, I see many of the places on the server that are off the beaten path to be dangerous places, if I find players out in these areas, expect the unexpected! And expect challenges that will be comparable to your character strength and even greater!

Lokan wrote:I don't want players to avoid exploring and adventuring thinking I'm going to drop monsters right on their heads or something.

Not to claim that either stance is irrational, but it's hard to tell where you stand on account.

I don't think of them as conflicting really.

I guess what he wants to say is that a chance for encounters to appear can be everywhere, especially in dangerous places .. however having an encounter does not mean that it has to be a bad thing or something that gives a player no chance or way to retreat, or a possible good end for the encounter.

Making someone realize that a dangerous place is a dangerous place is quite different from outright just killing a player in a dangerous place just because it is one.

Melaire wrote:I don't think of them as conflicting really.

I guess what he wants to say is that a chance for encounters to appear can be everywhere, especially in dangerous places .. however having an encounter does not mean that it has to be a bad thing or something that gives a player no chance or way to retreat, or a possible good end for the encounter.

Making someone realize that a dangerous place is a dangerous place is quite different from outright just killing a player in a dangerous place just because it is one.

Yes, you captured it well Melaire, thank you.

And I would add, that I try to be creative enough to allow for more than one outcome especially if the encounter is dangerous to the PC, but sometimes I will put something out there hoping the PC will recognize that retreat is the best bet. If a PC ever finds themselves in a place where they must fight a loosing (high probability of loosing) battle, I hope that I gave more than one opportunity to escape, or choose a different course, or their RP/SKill rolls have gotten them to that point. I say that I "try to be creative enough" because I have limitations, and for all the hours we all ever spend on this hobby I am sure to come up short from time to time.