DM Q&A: DM: Roleplay and DM interaction

[Quadhund/Greenhouse]

When I think of roleplay, I often consider it to be character building. So I think of developing character's history, the character's perception of current events (including moralistic views on such) and the character's future aspriations.

Occasionally I will get some DM interaction when doing these things. But it seems that if I wanted to maximize my dm interaction, i would be better suited to gather a party and go adventuring. Now, while I agree that you can roleplay perfectly well while adventuring, it seems to be a more shallow type. I only go adventuring now on the occasion that i am either bored, or it fulfills a goal my character has.

So my question is: do the dms view character development as something that the player does on his/her own, or do the dms look to facilitate character growth by providing scenarios/dilemnas? And do most of the plots run by dms focus around adventuring? Is it right of me to assume that i will get more dm interaction if i gather a party and go adventuring?

[DM Justicar - Creator of FRC]

It's all of the above Quadhund, and also varies by DM.

Some of our DM's love to run quests, others like to inhabit NPC's and play around with players, still others like to play it by ear and just flow with what seems to be going on.

There are other methods and means we DM's use to get the fun rolling as well. If you see something "new" in the world, it is probably there for a reason and is likely the start of a plot or something else.

Character development is totally up to the players however, you certainly don't need a DM to role-play, and shouldn't need one anyway. As long as you develop your character within the rules of FRC you are golden. DM's will certainly help and do help, but also are not necessary to enjoy this facet of role-play.

One brief example of what not to do is to pretend that your character has been given some great mission to infiltrate Cormyr from the King of Sembia or anything along these types of lines. This implies some royal contact which should be DM'd only. Same thing as playing your character as a friend of Elminster, or any other well known NPC, that sort of thing.

Getting back to the point... do DM's pay more attention to adventuring parties? Certainly not. We are just as likely to pay attention to a group sitting on a hillside waxing philosophic.

Different DM's will interact with different players in different ways... just like everything else in life.

[heimdall]

~ Quotes from the "DM Bias? Good vs. Evil" Thread ~

quadhund said:

That is why as a player, i try to contact the dms as little as possible in game unless an emergency arrives because i do not wish to hog their time. Thus, I find it most enjoyable when a dm surprises me.

Don't be afraid to use the DM Channel; it may or may not produce a result depending on whether or not a DM is on (there usually is) or also depending on whether or not he or she is busy....but it helps us to know what you are up too - state real briefly before you head out to "area X" that this is where we are going and why, and you might get to see a little more interaction.

A message sent recently to the DM channel read

"This is the plan - we are heading to Espar to enter into the mines in the hopes of finding & retrieving one of those barrel kegs full of blasting powder. Then we are going to head back to the gates of "X" headquarters. We're going to blast the gates down and raze the place to the ground" (or something pretty close to this anyways)

Needless to say that plan was not fulfilled, but it surely was attention getting and interesting, and also let the DM's know they weren't just there farming the place - and clearly stated the RP reason for them to be there.

Now, don't spam the DM channel, just maybe once every 10 minutes or so give an update of what you are doing...if you are doing something interesting.

The worst thing that can happen is no response.

The best thing that can happen is obvious!

And remember.....roleplaying while adventuring is only as stale as you make it.