Editing Midnight RPG - Alignment Conversations (section)

==Kevin==
On Bill's note:  '''''"I know you've got the power to just decide anything works any way you want, but the game is sooooooooooooooooo much more fun when you don't."'''''  I just completely disagree.  And I'd have to question WHY you think that??

: <font color="red">'''''Bill:''' Because arbitrary changes to things that should be within the realm of knowledge or control of our characters is maddening.  To me.  Do I really have to put the words "to me" at the end of everything I write?  It's me writing it.  "The game is soooo much more fun (to me) when you don't."  See?  Anyway, point was that because it's possible to use the rules to make something work, it's best to do so (I'm making this as an absolute statement, not a matter of opinion or to point out my preference) rather than just not bothering with explaining how it's done, because at some point an explanation '''will''' be necessary, for one reason or another.  And if your only explanation is "because I'm the GM dammit" then it makes me as a player feel pretty powerless, and makes me want to give up trying to answer the more interesting questions.  Questions deserve answers, and "because I'm the GM dammit" is a cop-out, considering that it is totally within the realm of your abilities (and ours, by extension) to come up with a legitimate answer for the way things are.  '''Point:''' hey, let's at least TRY to come up with something.''</font>

I will always use internal continuity with the game, and traditionally I WILL use monsters/spells/NPCs/places as written in the books when I use them - I do NOT AGREE that "its more fun when I don't".  I know it might be confusing to YOU as a player who KNOWS the rule or rules or description or whatever.  But that shouldn't make it "less fun" in any way.  In the best of worlds for playing a game YOU (the player) wouldn't know or have read ANY of the rules for the things that come after you or things you meet.  Yes... that's let predictable, but that's life.  That's the adventure of the unknown, that's FUN. 

I don't like, don't plan to, and don't want to go into every situation with YOU knowing exactly what "xx" monster can do.  Or what "xx" disease is and how to counter it.  Or knowing the answer because you read it in a stat block.  That's SOOOOO less fun for me GMing.  And frankly it hamstrings the stories we can tell.  

So as noted I will follow an internal consistency, but two things you'll have to just deal with:
:*  the GM can/will change anything as needed  (but I'll always be fair about it)
:*  not knowing is not a bad thing  (its another part of the game's challenge)

In the end I'm happy when you come to me with "this is different from the rules, here's the book/page on how it normally works..."  but DO NOT just expect me to say "oh, you're right...."  This is still an issue I have with your (Bill) and Adam's communication style.  Your manner of relaying this make me feel like you think I'm an idiot, that I didn't read or KNOW its different.  Sometimes I might miss it, but the majority of the time I know EXACTLY what I'm doing.  I have ran the game fairly smoothly for 38 sessions.  Not to mention all the other games I've ran or am running.  Your comments always ALWAYS seem antagonistic in nature.  You might not mean them that way - but that's my perception.



Next...

Bill you noted some interesting thoughts on what's "really" happening with Zal (if anything IS happening at all).  If you want to entertain those ideas, I'm more than happy to help.  I'd suggest either exploring them by talking to the other PCs in a Bluebook, in-character in-game, or both.  You're welcome to note how you go about this investigation in bluebook or during games and I'm happy to help Kyuad roll through those ideas.  Remember though, I've never confirmed nor denied that there is ANYTHING going on with Zal.  So this is all hypothetical.  Remember one BIG part of Midnight as we've established is PARANOIA... Don't forget that.  Cause this is NEAT!


I've noted all your thoughts on changing into something else.  Good thoughts, if it ever comes up it'll be handy for reference.  On your last notes...

:::  '''''"If it's judged that this is a bad idea, I'm still not too hip to him becoming a demon."'''''
:::  and your comparisons to Kyuad becoming a Lich. 
:::  and this note... '''''"But I kinda wish the situation had less than a plainly obvious correlation with what happened to Kyuad. Seems like we could come up with something more imaginative than "Let's do this again!" For that reason more than the demonic stuff, I hope something else is going on. It really makes Kyuad's situation seem like a trial run instead of something unique in the group. Then again, I don't know, maybe this is just "the plan" for everyone, and Kyuad was only the first of the four of us to get hit with it."'''''


Don't be concerned... IF ever there comes some change I'll consider this.  I also agree that I don't ever want any PC to have a rehash of the same thing.  That's lame.  So if it were to happen it would have a different situation and set of criteria.  I would use Kyuad (and other notes) as precident, but not just to "Let's do this again".  


I'll ask again that you (and Adam) PLEASE not talk in absolutes.  You set down this "ultimatums" of your like/dislike of things and it make it REALLY hard for me to GM the situations.

When you note "If it's judged that this is a bad idea, I'm still not too hip to him becoming a demon." it makes me feel like if its not done YOUR way you'll disapprove and have less fun or be unhappy with my choice.  I don't want or need to hear that.  It makes the game less fun for me.  And honestly I wish you wouldn't summarily comment that way.  Same said with the above:  '''''"but the game is sooooooooooooooooo much more fun when you don't."'''''.  That's ONLY your point of view.  Some people actually LOVE when things get changed.  One of those players is me.  Please consider that.



On to Andrew's comments...

You're right Andrew - I was referring to that BSG episode, and I do know that the "good guys" went back and fixed it.  However the people that made the choice (the secondary characters to Adama and Roslyn) totally thought they were doing it for a GOOD cause.  It was just a comparison.  I know what eventually happened in the show, but UNTIL others learn of the true outcome of the vote, it CAN'T be "changed" for the better by anyone.  'Cause no one knows... yet.  ;)


As for WHY Zal made the deceptions of the vote... I don't know.  It wasn't my choice.  I was just noting that I "think" he did it from a non-Evil point of view.  I could be wrong though, he IS "Chaotic" after all.  I was giving him the benefit of doubt.  :)

Good point about knowing "as a player" that Adam considers Wilhelm to be "an empty suit".  I forgot that.  Damn, I wish Adam could keep some things private.  In a way that'd be more fun to have private.  In a way though, its fun being public since its made a fun conversation here... :)


I agree that you shouldn't feel "constrained" as much anymore.  He's been "warned" in and out of character.  I'd note though, as a point of reflection, that Durgaz learned (and is learning) LOTS about the way of humans.  Last session was awesome for this fact.  So I'm wondering if these revelations will offer any more insight into Zal as a fellow warrior in the battle.  Maybe giving him another benefit of doubt.  I'm not saying you SHOULD do that.  I'm just noting a thought that might happen.


On that note - I forgot to mention...  Remind me of something that Captain Willis wants to talk to Durgaz about next game session.  Or if you want we can do a bluebook about it.  Its not alot but I think its a very important character bit for that NPC to talk to Durgaz about.


Back to Zal...  Overall, I'm NOT defending/disagreeing or arguing with you about an alignment shift.  I'm just playing devil's advocate (hehe, no pun intended but oh so appropriate!) and asking questions to get the conversation thought through enough to GO to Adam with the change if necessary.  So don't think I'm disagreeing with you.


You're right about not wanting to destroy the campaign for everyone though, that's my main focus.  I don't think its necessarily headed that way, but I'll always have that at the highest point of my consideration.  Don't worry on that angle. 


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