Etiquette on talking to DM's

[szabot]

Hi All,

During my second day of playing in Avlis, I lead some fellow adventurers near Elysia to some chili plants that I had already found. My right-hand dialogue box showed a 50 point XP gain. I assumed this was what people refer to as an XP cookie from a DM. I also think I may have been saved from Death once by a DM when I was still a 1 XP first level character who strayed a little to far, and that once a DM made some trolls disappear rather than attack me.

My question is, what, if anything, is one supposed to do in these situations? I mean this both IC and OOC. As for IC, should I act, for example, as if I just saw some trolls disappear? As for OOC, for example, should I talk to the DM channel and say thanks for the cookie?

And on a related note, is it kosher to write in the DM channel something like "Any DM who's here want to run a quest for me or something right now?"

Or, if (although this hasn't happened), my alignment changes, should I ask the DM (since I'd assume one is present to shift my alignment) why my alignment shifted?

Any thoughts on this matter would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Nighthawk4]

If you get a cookie or you think the DM healed you, just be grateful and say nothing. These are OOC events. I suppose you could thank your God for the healing, but it is best just to say nothing.

If your alignment shifts, this usually means you have done something good or bad - you should usually know what it was. You can always ask, but the DMs may choose not to tell you.

We do not usually run personal quests on request - you may just have to hope you get involved in something by chance.

Good RP gets you noticed - and perhaps rewarded.
Bad RP gets you noticed as well - and perhaps rewarded (you don't want this kind of reward).

Just relax and enjoy the game. Sooner or later, DM love will find you.

Enjoy yourself - welcome to Avlis

[Vergilius]

During my second day of playing in Avlis, I lead some fellow adventurers near Elysia to some chili plants that I had already found. My right-hand dialogue box showed a 50 point XP gain. I assumed this was what people refer to as an XP cookie from a DM.

I can answer this one because that was me. That is indeed a cookie. I stopped by your party and watched for a minute or two to check and see if you were RPing and/or needed any other help. Each of you then received a 50pt cookie.

I also think I may have been saved from Death once by a DM when I was still a 1 XP first level character who strayed a little to far, and that once a DM made some trolls disappear rather than attack me.

Thats possible, but it wasn't me.

My question is, what, if anything, is one supposed to do in these situations? I mean this both IC and OOC. As for IC, should I act, for example, as if I just saw some trolls disappear? As for OOC, for example, should I talk to the DM channel and say thanks for the cookie?.

IC---be as creative as you'd like

OOC---some players say thanks for the cookie, most do not. Its not necessary or required.

And on a related note, is it kosher to write in the DM channel something like "Any DM who's here want to run a quest for me or something right now?"

Its kosher to write that, just don't expect a response. DMs generally pay attention to groups of players who are RPing together first. Second of all, We have our own quests that we may be running at the time. If I'm not doing anything else and I'm in the mood, sometimes I'll take requests like this, but realize I'm going to find a way to engineer you and several other players together to solve it, it won't be a solo shot.

Or, if (although this hasn't happened), my alignment changes, should I ask the DM (since I'd assume one is present to shift my alignment) why my alignment shifted?

If the reason for your alignment change is not clear, please ask politely. Please not that there are quests as well that can shift your alignment based on your choices. Some changes are scripted based on your actions.

[Vergilius]

If your alignment shifts, this usually means you have done something good or bad - you should usually know what it was. You can always ask, but the DMs may choose not to tell you.

The player has the right to know why their alignment shifted. Most of the time it should be obvious, but if they ask, you SHOULD tell them.

[Fifty]

I say treat DMs mean, keep 'em keen.

(joking! joking!)

[Nighthawk4]

If your alignment shifts, this usually means you have done something good or bad - you should usually know what it was. You can always ask, but the DMs may choose not to tell you.

The player has the right to know why their alignment shifted. Most of the time it should be obvious, but if they ask, you SHOULD tell them.

Sounds fair enough - I will remember that

[Nighthawk4]

I say treat DMs mean, keep 'em keen.

(joking! joking!)

*Makes note to test Fifty's Sense of Humour*

[TheElvenKing]

I say treat DMs mean, keep 'em keen.

*puts on his nasty face as finger hovers above the DM Kill button*

[Nightshade]

I say treat DMs mean, keep 'em keen.

(joking! joking!)

*takes 2 steps sideways, away from Fifty*

[Spell Singer]

Thanking the DM for a cookies is probably not worth doing simply because it will spam the DM channel with loads of the things...and it spams all the DMs at once.

However, if you are part of a DM run adventure it would be very nice if you said thank you.

Another thing for the DMs to consider is to take an OOC moment at the end of adventures to let people make comments on the adventure (for those adventures where it seems appropriate anyway) and to maybe ask questions (answers not guarenteed).

I did this all the time when doing PnP. It gets you feedback on what people liked or didn't like and that can't hurt. It also depending on the adventure be useful to allow people to ask "exactly what did happen" sort of questions to ensure no confusion.

This is more appropriate to long running adventures but the point of getting a bit of feedback is always good.

I will also recall that time Icarus Daddy ran the Valentine Adventure and he did the loot division himself by giving each person something.

[Mistcaller]

Another thing for the DMs to consider is to take an OOC moment at the end of adventures to let people make comments on the adventure (for those adventures where it seems appropriate anyway) and to maybe ask questions (answers not guarenteed).

I did this all the time when doing PnP. It gets you feedback on what people liked or didn't like and that can't hurt. It also depending on the adventure be useful to allow people to ask "exactly what did happen" sort of questions to ensure no confusion.

I agree on that, even though I was hesitant at the beginning.
It can be indeed very useful for both sides.

[Beary666]

I say treat DMs mean, keep 'em keen.

*puts on his nasty face as finger hovers above the DM Kill button*

No, no, no, no. Penguin him first, then spawn Prismatic Dragons to chase him around the immortal area.

[Khaelindra]

Another thing for the DMs to consider is to take an OOC moment at the end of adventures to let people make comments on the adventure (for those adventures where it seems appropriate anyway) and to maybe ask questions (answers not guarenteed).

I did this all the time when doing PnP. It gets you feedback on what people liked or didn't like and that can't hurt. It also depending on the adventure be useful to allow people to ask "exactly what did happen" sort of questions to ensure no confusion.

I agree on that, even though I was hesitant at the beginning.
It can be indeed very useful for both sides.

Yeah, Mistcaller is quite heavy on the evaluation indeed. Last two quests he ran for me we had 4 hours of questing followed by 2 hours of evaluation...



Must say it was very useful though, especially the part about not leaving any misunderstandings. It's not that important if a DM runs a run-of-the-mill kill a random bad guy event for a random party, but in a "story-plotline" it can often be vital to know what you do and do not know.

[Jorio Alerian]

What is the correct response when you get the following message from a DM?

"Your worst nightmare is about to happen. You are walking into a wholesale slaughter and there is nothing you can do about it! The term "rip you a new one" applies- so be ready.


joking of course

[Aloro]

What is the correct response when you get the following message from a DM?

"Your worst nightmare is about to happen. You are walking into a wholesale slaughter and there is nothing you can do about it! The term "rip you a new one" applies- so be ready.


joking of course

The correct response is, "Please, sir, may I have another?"

Followed rapidly by a "connection error" as you log out in terror...

- Aloro

[Arond]

One of the things that I've tried to do after a good DM adventure is post something on the boards about it. It's a fun IC way to say thanks and recognize the hard work that went into it on the part of the DM. Saw this idea on a previous post, but puting it up here again for some of the newer folks to use as well.

[diddeecoy]

One of the things that I've tried to do after a good DM adventure is post something on the boards about it. It's a fun IC way to say thanks and recognize the hard work that went into it on the part of the DM.

totally ... and if you're a bard, you might seize this as RP opportunity in itself. Was really successfully done not long back. After the end of a major plot (one that lasted months in all) a certain bard organised events of his own in Mikona, Deglos and Le'Or and other bards turned up and I had a great time.