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From: sps@drusd.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: Game Balance / High Level - Low Level
Message-ID: <1142@drusd.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 30-Oct-84 13:53:20 EST
Article-I.D.: drusd.1142
Posted: Tue Oct 30 13:53:20 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 31-Oct-84 01:29:28 EST
References: <3905@decwrl.UUCP> <1662@ucla-cs.ARPA>, <187@tilt.FUN> <1816@ucla-cs.ARPA>, <196@tilt.FUN>, <26@sdamRe: Game Balanc
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Message-ID: <1142@drusd.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 30-Oct-84 13:53:20 EST

e / High Level - Low Level
Lines: 30

I agree, high-level games can be fun when well played.
I also agree that such games are extremely taxing on the DM.
At higher levels, the fun of the game comes from PC/NPC interactions,
	NOT from "hack and slash."
Unless the DM is a great actor,
capable of playing dozens of parts in the same session,
the game loses its luster.
Creating all these NPC, and fleshing them out to high levels with
fully developed personalities, requires time and imagination.
If the PCs happen to take a "path" other than what the DM planned,
the DM is faced with the frustration of lost effort,
and the task of creating new NPCs "on the fly."

One solution, creating a different game situation,
is for the DM to revert to the role of moderator.
The DM creates a "world."
Then has two or more parties running around in it.
Assign each player a city, or other suitable locale,
to flesh out with characters and mythos.
The DM then coordinates the various locales and player interactions
for consistancy with established guidelines.
The DM may retain some of the locales, or mythos,
for his/her own play.
The game then becomes truly "Role Playing,"
with character interactions taking on the prime aspect.

Steve Shapland, aka Amlwch, Lord of the Karpian Dragons
11655 Logan St.
Northglenn, CO 80233
drusd!sps