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From: js2j@mhuxt.UUCP (sonntag)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: How do YOU fleece PCs? (How NOT to fleece PCs.)
Message-ID: <739@mhuxt.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 9-Apr-85 09:53:55 EST
Article-I.D.: mhuxt.739
Posted: Tue Apr  9 09:53:55 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 10-Apr-85 06:28:28 EST
References: <2441@drutx.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 33

> There has been some discussion of ways to keep magic users from
> obtaining mass quantities of magic objects.  This is along the
> same line.
> 
> When do you know that PCs have too many goodies? What is your 
> favorite way of separating PCs from their funds--the nastier 
> and more devious the better, of course.  I am an inexperienced 
> DM and could use some pointers.  I don't think that I've given 
> them too much yet, but it may be time to taketh away.

    I don't have any real good ideas offhand for fleecing PC's, but 
I have been given a demonstration twice in the last year (by my DM)
in how *NOT* to fleece PCs.  Remember: PCs *sincerely* resent finding
out that a given scenario was made up by the DM for the sole purpose
of seperating them from their much-loved magic items.  
    An example (from a recent campaign): about 7 PCs, of levels 7-9 or
so, a well balanced party who have each acquired quite a bit of magic
during their travels.  They open the next door in this medium level
dungeon they've been clearing out.  KAZAM!  They are *ALL* breathed on
by a (get this) a sapphire dragon.  ALL normal materials are disintegrated,
players must save versus disintegration, *ALL* magic items must save versus
disintegration at -4.  We ended up losing about 2/3 of our magic, and
about 95% of our tempers.  MY GAUNTLETS OF OGRE STRENGTH WERE DISINTEGRATED!
Everyone lost many of their favorite things.  But it was obvious that
the DM had set this up just to fleece us, and we sorely resented it.
     It's much better if you can find a way to fleece your PCs while
letting them think that they had a decent chance to avoid losing their
stuff, but it was lost because of a mistake on *their* part. 
-- 
Jeff Sonntag
ihnp4!mhuxt!js2j
    "You're from Joisey?  I'm from Joisey!"
    "Which exit?"