Getting the players to think about their actions more.

[Laraqua]

I figured I'd misinterpreted you, Gaffer, but couldn't help myself!

Some interesting comments, but I think this all comes down to your group's expectations of the game they are going to play. It is often worth having a few minutes discussion with the group to come to an agreement about how you are going to play the scenario/campaign. As long as you are all having fun, it really does not matter how you play the game, AFAIC there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to play, you should all be playing and enjoying the experience.

This, Zackspacks, is the very reason why I adore Yog-Sothoth and Call of Cthulhu players. I have met many snobbish purists in certain other gaming genres but haven't found anyone lambasting folks for playing Pulp Cthulhu or Chirpy Cthulhu or Cthulhu Hugs The People Of Innsmouth. People really understand here that how other people play their games really won't dilute their own gaming experience which is something a few other systems fans could use an epiphany about.

So just wanted to say, you guys are ALL Awesome and thank you for being so mature and thoughtful.

Sorry for the tangential 'I love you guys'. Let's get back to your regular programming.

[Orenda]

I figured I'd misinterpreted you, Gaffer, but couldn't help myself!



This, Zackspacks, is the very reason why I adore Yog-Sothoth and Call of Cthulhu players. I have met many snobbish purists in certain other gaming genres but haven't found anyone lambasting folks for playing Pulp Cthulhu or Chirpy Cthulhu or Cthulhu Hugs The People Of Innsmouth. People really understand here that how other people play their games really won't dilute their own gaming experience which is something a few other systems fans could use an epiphany about.

So just wanted to say, you guys are ALL Awesome and thank you for being so mature and thoughtful.

Sorry for the tangential 'I love you guys'. Let's get back to your regular programming.

*scribbles furiously*

"Cthulhu.. Hugs.. the.. People.. of.. Innsmouth"

Maybe not that fuzzy, but certainly not the malevolence Derleth assigned him.

A certain amount of Alien power hunger, Human insanity, Great Old Ones rolling like the waves.. and, of course, Nyarly having "fun".

[mosswood17]

Thought I should clarify my previous post a bit. I wasn't advocating making players roll lots of times to get to their bullets-in-a-briefcase because it is fun to make people jump through hoops. I was using it as an illustration that it is not very feasible in a combat situation to have your ammo carried in such a way. I brought it up as an exercise in realism. I play Cthulhu not as a fantasy game where people can whip out twin .45's and blast away while sliding down the mountainside but as a gritty, realistic game. I think reminding players of their vulnerability is very important to make them afraid. Making them afraid is one of the major components of a horror game. If they are feeling more safe and secure about carrying 500 rounds of pistol ammo, give them a reason to doubt that safety. I am not a big fan of DM's that are power tripping. Anything and everything should serve the story. If it doesn't serve the story, toss it out.

[ElijahWhateley]

This, Zackspacks, is the very reason why I adore Yog-Sothoth and Call of Cthulhu players. I have met many snobbish purists in certain other gaming genres but haven't found anyone lambasting folks for playing Pulp Cthulhu or Chirpy Cthulhu or Cthulhu Hugs The People Of Innsmouth. People really understand here that how other people play their games really won't dilute their own gaming experience which is something a few other systems fans could use an epiphany about.

Of course, then you have problems like I have with my group, where everyone wants to play a different game - there's a pulp partisan, a Lovecraft purist, a classic horror gamer, and a borderline munchkin, making Keeping a very rewarding but sometimes tricky juggling act. This is why I often defer to reality, or the most realistic presentation, since it is usually the best middle ground. And my personal view is that everything should be as realistic as possible except for the supernatural horror that the players encounter, so that the contrast is highest and the horror is sharpest.