Interacting with Players

DMs have a responsibility to manage their relationship with players. You should constantly be aware that, in-game or out-of-game, you are in a position of authority over the player – frequently controlling the life or death of their PC – and all interaction should reflect that responsibility.

In-Game

Clearly, it is in-game that the Player-DM relationship is most obvious. However good or bad your out-of-game relationship with a player may be, it is important to treat all PCs fairly – and to be seen to act fairly. Indeed, it can be helpful to maintain a certain distance between yourself and players while in-game. Part of a DM’s job is mediating and managing in-game tension between PCs and the impartiality required to fulfil this properly necessitates careful managing of in-game behaviour. Remember also that players have a responsibility to treat DMs with respect, and this includes responding politely to questions or directives and not spamming the DM channel. Where players are behaving inappropriately, politely remind them of their responsibilities before taking any other action.

Example: You are running a complex three-way discussion between two NPC factions and a party of four PCs; meanwhile another player logs on and proceeds to spam the DM channel with requests for you to possess an NPC so that they can find out a piece of information relating to a different plot line. You should politely inform the other player that you are currently busy and either give them an indication of when you will be finished with your current DMing and will have time to assist them or simply inform them that they will have to either wait for another DM or make an appointment via PM. If the player continues to message the DM Channel, warn them that their behaviour is unacceptable and that if it continues you will have to boot them from the server; and if it continues, do so.

Out of Game

While all ALFAns are expected to maintain a certain level of behaviour in IRC and on ALFA’s forum, DMs will be held to a higher standard. While disagreement is inevitable at times, DMs who conduct themselves inappropriately in their interaction with other members of the community may be subject to censure.