Re: (TFT) Blane & SJ

[Michael Taylor <MichaelTaylor1@compuserve.com>]

Message text written by INTERNET:tft@brainiac.com
>
>>>>This is unfair.  Isn't the baseline level of roleplay the fair
>>>>determinant?  If they 'just roll to hit' in combat, and take no
>>>>penalties, shouldn't they be able to 'just roll to be
>>>>diplomatic', or 'to recognise value' or 'to swim'?

I dont think so. They *dont* just 'roll to hit'.  They pick their
positions, they pick their options and they pick which enemy they attack.
The 'roleplay' warriors even though most of them haven't had a real fight
since grade school. 

As a GM I don't tell them "Hey, you should remember that Orcs have troops
of 6 and so one of them is sneaking around behind you!" or "You'll get a +2
DX bonus if you attack from the side - dont forget this, because you have
the Sword talent!"

>>>>If you require a narration of what's being attempted before
>>>>every roll to hit, and some similar statement of detail for
>>>>every action, and if that's the baseline required to use skills,
>>>>and if you as GM narrate every on-camera NPC's actions, then
>>>>it's fair to penalise those who don't narrate.

So as a GM you *do* require narration of their actions. And there are just
as many oportunities for roleplaying in combat as well, earning the
appropriate roleplaying bonus or +2 DX bonus for clever moves as well. 

>>>>But say so in advance.  Make it clear to players building their
>>>>characters that if they can't narrate a skill's use, they will
>>>>fail at it.  Further, that if their narration doesn't please
>>>>you, they will succeed less often.  After all, you're the GM,
>>>>and it's all about you.

Yeah, okay, if  that's the way you feel, you go right ahead...

But I don't feel that GMing is at all about that. It's about entertaining
the audience. And the audience is both the GM and the other players. 

So while in some cases you might allow characters to ignore the tedium of
some procedures -- just like a 'quick cut' in television, you also allow
characters to make the same kind of mistakes that characters make in
television all the time - because it's more interesting to watch. 

>>>>Diplomacy should no more require detailed narration than
>>>>Armorer, or Fencing, or Create Gate.  

It doesn't. It requires the *same* narration! 

So let me get this straight. You just allow a player to walk up to a
hostile orc and say "I Diplomacy him." clatter of dice. "I made it."?
Sounds like fun....

>>>>.....but failing some kid's New Followers attempt because
>>>>you personally are unimpressed is not to my mind good GMing,
>>>>it's simply bullying.

Sure, but since you added the reasoning that it was about being "impressed"
it's a strawman position. 

Thanks!
Michael
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