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Date Posted: 10:06:34 02/13/04 Fri
Author: Bob
Subject: Re: Well...
In reply to: mvd 's message, "Well..." on 08:48:14 02/13/04 Fri

I agree. I think, under the ruleset described, the players should describe their actions and the DM should determine the outcome (or ask for rolls to determine success).

Having the rules in force (and not unspoken) is a contract between player and DM that the players' actions WILL influence combat and WILL be applied fairly to both hero and villian alike.

Truth is though, that can be a huge burden on the DM to have to keep track of any number of modifiers that may or may not be affecting different players at different times. I have trouble keeping track of one characters' situational modifiers. By having prescribed rules and modifiers that are agreed upon by the players and DM, the players can relieve some of that burden.

Back to my original point however, this sort of complexity is largely unnecessary and overly encumbering -- in fact, under the current set of rules, one can assume that a bar brawl involves the flinging of mutton whether stated or no! and it's simply a part of the combat that gives a higher dex fighter a better AC or what not.

What's good to take away from the idea of "Death by Purple Prose" is that combat can be made a lot more interesting by taking time to describe your actions -- it can involve you in the game and bring the world to life! Actual consequences for actions should be reserved for when the DM is particularly inspired by a description or feels that something special is in order.

Now, as for knowing the outcome of your actions -- well, we always know the outcome -- we're given the AC, we roll and we assess damage. If, on your 2 attacks you miss and deal 8 you can say: "I swing wildly at his head with my ax as he ducks out of the way but the return stroke rips a hole in his chain shirt and the sound of ribs cracking split the air -- I deal 8 points". If that's enough to kill him then the DM can say, "His convulsing body falls to the floor as blood pools about your feet" or if it doesn't kill him then he could say "Blood and phlegm foam out of his nose as a new rage burns in his eyes"

Sure, there's a half dozen things described there that some complex system of rules could give plusses and minuses for but the excitement of the describing is reward enough for me.


>You seem to intimate that I expect too much from a DM.
> Not at all. I just expect the DM to set the stage,
>as you say. I would not feel right hitting a guy with
>a lamb chop, and then telling the outcome. Life is
>not like this. If we could make up our own outcomes
>in life, things would certainly be different, wouldn't
>they? Who's to say what the NPC does or how he
>reacts? It is the DM's job. Plain and simple. I,
>personally, would feel cheated if I got to dictate the
>outcome of every little thing I did in this way.
>
>That's all. Do you see my point at all?

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