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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site stolaf.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!decvax!harpo!ihnp4!stolaf!twiss
From: twiss@stolaf.UUCP (Thomas S. Twiss)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: Homebrew rules sets
Message-ID: <1310@stolaf.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 20-Jan-84 18:19:52 EST
Article-I.D.: stolaf.1310
Posted: Fri Jan 20 18:19:52 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 23-Jan-84 03:00:11 EST
References: <210@shark.UUCP>
Organization: St. Olaf College, Northfield MN
Lines: 26


	It sounds like Steve Hutchinson has the right idea.  I've been a
game player for many years and I've played with some really excellent
players and DMs.  I don't, however consider myself to be either a good
player or DM and my friends and I just play for fun.  But there is one
VERY important thing I've learned.  It is ridiculous to try and adhere
strictly to the rules of any system because 1) they are not exhaustive
enough, and 2) it destroys creativity which is the very antithesis of the
game.
	Now I know I'll get flames saying "it takes more intelligence to
be creative under strict rules".  Well, this may be true, but it seems
that the original precepts of the game can be met by players OR a DM who
can show a little ingenuity.  And rather than argue endlessly about the
rules, all participants should be governed by the will to do what is
reasonable and not try and needlessly cheat somebody by bending the rules.
If a party comes up with something really smart and it isn't outrageous,
they should be rewarded, but at the same time, it hardly seems reasonable
to have a party of second level characters hauling around whales.  The
DM and the players should be able to rationally deal with "rule bending".
	When Steve Hutchinson makes up his own rules, it seems that he is
fulfilling the purpose of the game: creativity within a definite but
loose framework of constants and rules.  Congratulations Steve!

						Tom Twiss
						!ihnp4!stolaf!twiss
P.S. The inevitable flames are welcome.