Re: [DL] The old Powergamer question

["Ronald Conner" <marshalron@hotmail.com>]

<snip long player related problems.>

Ok here is the way I see the problem.

Your player doesn't want to play a hero in a western horror game, he wants
to play an anti hero in a super powers game.

Think the really nasty version of batman who would just as soon shoot the
joker as arrest him.

Now the solution.

1.Let the other players deal with him In character.  If he shoots of the
fingers of the other players, let him, but they will toss him out of the
group.

2.If he wants to start player on player combat tell him that the attacker
can't chip anything.  Rolls, damage whatever, no chips for bastards who
shoot their allies in the back.

3. Tell him his actions have gained him the attention of some powerful
friends. (aka the reckoners).  Let him start hearing voices that urge him to
do things.  Award him chips for being evil in character, tell him that
cheating is ok and is now encouraged and he should do it blatently and
obviously in front of the other players. (note: do not tell the other
players this or you may have a small riot)

Ok now the down side.  His character is now on a slideing alignment scale.
Take his spirit die type and multiply it by 2.  Take that number and set up
a chart in your notes.  Every time he performs an evil act give him a point
on the scale.  For every two points, give him (note you may want to choose
the powers for him because some of them would be too wussy)  a new spell or
ability from the book o' the dead, yes that means he gets free harrowed
powers for nothing without the manitou and while still living, these powers
should be described in use in the most disgusting way possible, he is useing
powers not meant for the living remember.  When he hits half way strike the
character down and bring him back horrowed, don't let him make dominion
rolls just set his dominion total at 1 give the rest to the manitou and say
that the reckoners are letting him run his own show.  Continue to give him
points for cheating, hurting innocents, or attacking party members.  When he
has a full score, take his character away and use it as the new villian.

Should he get thrown out of the group before he is fully evil allow him to
continue to play as a villian against the other players.  But, give the
other players 2 levels of faith each for free.  That gives them the
protection miricle, next rule that his character has tainted his soul to
such a degree by accepting powers of the reckoning that he is now considered
to be an evil creature and thus is subject to all the penalties there of and
can be blocked with protection.

This is not an easy or short way to do this but it will show him that
playing an evil character takes practice and skill that he neither has nor
can fake.  If he has a problem with any of this and decides that he doesn't
like it, now the real fun begins.


If he decides to repent:

Now that handy chart that you have is going to be his lifeline.  If he
reached halfway, and want to turn back bring the full power of the undead to
bear on him.  Use chips to take control and ruin his plans at least three
times a game.  send cultists after him with spells that force him to make
dominion checks.  As long as he wants to try and be good fight him for every
point.

Now everypoint on that chart must be bought off with legend chips.  Not the
kind that you just go out and earn either.  He must make some kind of
sacrifice to urn his part of the chip.  He must defer to the other
characters, be kind, save the innocent, and generally be a repentant sob.
If you feel like it you can have the other players vote to see if he
deserves a chip for his actions in the adventure.

side notes, if he's trying to be good don't let him buy new harrowed powers.
Also it's a good idea to take away the use of the free powers while he's on
the recovery.  Should he reverse course again either forwards or back kill
the character.  The reckoners have pulled his manitou or the side of good
has pulled his soul for jacking around with fate.

Now the final solution: (sounds very wwII and you're right it's close)

Kill him.  Kill him again, and again, and again.  Use a NPC blessed that
declares his actions an abomination to the lord and slays him on the spot.
no save, no appeal.  Keep the priest in town, make him invincible it's easy
with blessed.

If he deceides that you are being heavy handed, you are, tell him to put up
with it or leave, it's a horror game not a hack and slash fest for his
amusement.  You run the game the way you want to, not the way he wants you
to.

Use this as your mantra, "I'm doing this for your own good."

Whenever he calls you on a rule, or makes you feel like you aren't doing a
good job. just say it "I'm doing this for your own good."

Ron Conner

Say it with me now!  "I'm doing this for your own good."