So, I was participating in a semi-regular meeting of GMs I know around the web. No, I will not tell you who they are. We are a secret cabal of faceless megaloman- uh, I mean delightful fellows. Anyway, it was one fellow's turn to tell a story about an argument with a player (yes, our discussions are themed). His story involved a player whose character (a paladin of unwavering, but untested, goodness) facing a large moral dilemma. Well, large for a level 5. The dilemma was thus: The paladin had to choose between two entirely innocent nations of people. Whichever he chose would live in peace for a millennium. The other would be wiped off the face of the world, even from memory. The only people who would know the nation ever existed would be the gods, and the paladin himself. Basically, the only way for the paladin to do something big enough to atone, and thus regain his paladin abilities, would be to build a new nation. Which, coincidentally, was what the GM wanted the campaign to be about.
Now, I immediately called him out. What were his other options? None, said the Speaker (what we call the rotating host of each discussion).
Me: Well, what about offering his own life instead, or just walking away?
Speaker: The gods put him in limbo, and made him immortal.
M: What about his powers? If he fails at rebuilding a nation, or refuses, or doesn't even think to do it, does he remain a powerless paladin?
S: He can multiclass.
3rd GM: So, it's "Do what I say or pay the price"?
S: Yeah, pretty much.
3: That's a dick move, man. Why choose the paladin? You essentially just made his choice of character completely moot, just to satisfy your own whims. That's not GMing. That's railroading.
S: Nobody asked you, 3 (real name withheld due to mutual agreement). You don't get to judge me (cue "I'm better than you and you are jealous" rant)
Anyway, it escalated from there, and ended with myself and several others removing our names from the mailing list. This kind of "DMing" infuriates me. This guy basically masturbates at the gaming table, and makes the others participate. It's bullshit. No decent player should have to put up with something like this. Hell, even a poor player shouldn't have to. They'll never learn this way. It's a good way to turn people away from the table forever.
Anyway, this has been bugging me, so I had to let it out. Happy gaming, and always keep the 1-side up.
Love and kisses,
Badger
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