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Online Gaming: The House Rules

© Frank and Brandy Ross

Gaming online,

There are many ways for gamers to get together and play Dungeons and Dragons online. One of my favorites is the chat-based rpg using Dungeons and Dragons rules. Players and Dungeon Masters (DM’s) alike need to understand several things about chat-based roleplaying. First, you need a chat room and a way to roll dice. If the chat room server you use does not have a dice bot your not out of luck. You can assign one person to have a set of dice next to his computer and they will handle all of the dice rolls. This is usually done by the Dungeon Master and allows him to have a greater degree of control of the game. By control I mean the DM may choose to lessen the amount of damage a player receives or change a failed savings throw so that the character lives rather than die. Of course the dm may also choose to add to the Players must be able to trust their DM and the DM must remember that the object of the game is to have fun not crush the player characters. On the other hand the DM must not make the game too easy for the players. It’s no fun if the players feel like they were not really challenged.

In a private game with a set number of players there are relatively few problems. Usually the players and the DM all know each another, prior to gaming together. In an open setting where anyone can wander in off the web there are tons of problems. Every game has house. House rules are those that are specifically created for that group by the DM and/or the players themselves. The house rules can cover a variety of subjects. Some DM’s do not allow psionics while others allow dark elven fighter mages to become Bladesingers and own moonblades.

One game I played in had a rule covering emergency teleportation. The rule dubbed “kicking the Victor” stated that anyone wishing to teleport for any reason must stand up and announce his intention to teleport by saying “I kick the Victor.” The rule came about when frustrated players finally got enough of Victor always having his character teleporting away to safety when the chips were down so they all independently got the notion to kick poor Victor under the table at the same time. The DM who was tired of Victor’s antics as well thought this was hilarious and made it a standing rule that anyone wishing to teleport could do so simply by kicking poor Victor. As time passed and Victor got tired of being kicked he eventually moved to another gaming group and the rule was modified to say anyone teleporting must announce his intent by saying “I kick the Victor” and so the rule still lives on today.