House of Cards GM Log

Player vs. Player

posted by Ginger at 10:04 AM, February 10, 2005 | Filed under : Netiquette & Play Procedures | Comments and Followups

From the beginning of House of Cards, the GMs have been neutral on the question of whether PCs trusted each other and worked together or opposed each other. For the most part, the PCs have been in the former camp. However, reading over what people told us they thought they wanted to do over the next year has made it clear that we’ve now got some PCs who oppose each other strongly and may end up trying to kill each other or in a blood feud. Arden is the most obvious, but not the only, such case.

The GMs have played in games where player vs. player was the order of the day, and we’ve been unhappy with some of the outcomes. We’re taking this opportunity to lay down some ground rules and expectations about how things will happen to keep everyone’s experience as good and fun as possible.

These expectations are part of our agreement with the players and anyone who can’t live inside them needs to reconsider their participation in the game. We believe our expectations are reasonable and nobody will have any difficulty living with them; however, if you think you really can’t live with them, let us know ASAP.

First, and most importantly, PC vs. PC is NOT player vs. player. Please remember that you are not your PC and the other player is not their PC. What happens in the game isn’t personal and you shouldn’t take it personally.

Second, we don’t guarantee outcomes. If you get into a tangle with another PC (or a major NPC with power equivalent to a PC or greater, like an elder), we’re not going to say you’ll be able to win or the other PC will be able to win. Along similar lines, we don’t guarantee that NPCs or the universe will be fair. We will be fair with the rules, but Dara is never going to be reasonable, and she’s pretty tough. Your cousins are all tough, even if they’re more reasonable than Dara. If your character concept depends on winning every time, your concept will be broken.

Along these lines, we also expect players to be mature about discussions of in-character disputes outside the game. If you’re uncomfortable with an OOC discussion about in-game matters and/or feel unduly pressured, let the other player know, or bring the matter to the GMs’ attention and we’ll put a stop to it. And if you’re asked to let an OOC discussion go, please do so.

Third, losing isn’t the end. It’s possible for a PC to learn and grow from losing. Even being captured isn’t the end; that’s the lesson of Brita’s capture by Dara and Cleph, where she was rescued by Ambrose and went on to further adventures. Your character may not get everything he or she wants, but there can still be stories to tell about the character after that.

Fourth, PC-killing is a Bad Thing. The GMs will not guarantee that a PC can’t kill another PC, but we will work to make it hard. The world and the NPCs do not support killing your family, particularly casually. PCs and NPCs alike have been horrified by Aisling’s gruesome demise; Martin’s near-death at Brand’s hands was a significant reason he was shot like a mad dog; Brand’s and Borel’s deaths in the war are considered possible reasons for blood feud.

Fifth, your character doesn’t have to kill someone just because he or she is mad at them. Snub them at dinner, badmouth them, carry grudges, take their parent or child as a lover, etc. Plot and scheme to make them look bad in front of powerful NPCs. Generally make their lives hell—but remember that if you kill your cousin, you’ll have to answer for it.

Last, again, PC vs. PC is NOT player vs. player. This is the most important thing to remember.

Please contact the GMs for any clarifications or with any questions you may have.

Follow up: the trackback URL for this entry is: http://www.whiterose.org/MT/mt-tb.cgi/5071

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