User:Moemura/GMing Policy

GMing is an extremely stressful job, especially when you aren't a robot like Nathan is. Due to recent burns and stresses involved I'm making a loose policy file I may occasionally link to when GMing big stuff. This is a tentative page and probably needs a lot of wording adjustments before I use it for anything.

• Scene sign ups are mantatory. Having a head count is an invaluable tool for a GM and too long I've let people just sort of state they were coming without ever confirming. This allows me to plan the scene better.

• Slots usually limited, entry not guaranteed. It is not rare I will announce a scene, state I want to keep it small, and then take all 15 sign-ups because I don't want to turn anyone away. Please understand I cannot always do that and sometimes I have to stick to the amount of scene slots I put up.

• No combat system. PL will not be ignored in the event of a dispute, but I try to sell everyone equally regardless of that. As long as your character is acting within his set of advantages you'll be awesome.

• I always try to have something to do for everyone. Combat, noncombat, irrelevant. If you are attending I will make sure there's something for you to do and be good at.

• Minimal railroading. I don't really enjoy railroading, so it's safe to assume you can head in whatever direction you want and try stuff. Some restrictions may apply but my goal isn't to guide people along the rails of a plot, it's to let them explore.

• No Abstractums unless pre-arranged. The player needs a break like everyone else, so unless he's willing, able, and 100% positive he can handle it, assume the answer is no.

• Please bring issues to me, unless they're sensitive enough you need to go to staff. If something or someone bothers you in the scene, I highly appreciate it when people tell me what's up. You don't have to, but as a GM, I feel it is my responsibility to ensure your fun, and a lack of communication about issues makes me feel pretty bad. If I find out after the scene something really pissed you off and took the fun out of it, you're setting me up for a downward spiral of sulking and wondering what I did wrong and being sure I could have fixed it and made it fun for you. If it's a big enough issue I may straight up not want to GM for you anymore. So please tell me if the scene isn't fun due to X reason, I will do everything in my power to fix X for you, and it will be way less stressful for me than learning about it afterwards.

• Minimal drama please. Especially on +ooc. It's fine if you have issues with the scene or the people in the scene you want to bring to my attention, it's not fine if you make a public mess.

• Intro scenes should be arranged beforehand. If you are using my scene as a makeshift intro scene or a way to springboard your character IC, a greater amount of communication will be expected so I can tailor the scene for you and make sure you have fun and feel like your character got some spotlight. This isn't required but I find it pretty stressful to run someone's "first time" for them, because then the pressure of making sure it's awesome falls on me, and failure to have provided a good first scene also falls on me. Having a gameplan diminishes that stress greatly. If you absolutely don't want to be given special consideration for your first scene that's fine too, just tell me.

• My answer is usually yes. Can I use this power? Can I try this? Can I try that? Can I be awesome? It's extremely rare I will no-consent to something if it's cool and works in the scene. Don't be afraid.

• Trust is a two-way street. If you don't trust me as a GM I can't trust you as a player. My number one priority when GMing is making sure everyone has fun. There will never be a greater rule in my book.