Is our setting a character too?

[Rance]

Hey guys!

I've been thinking about this post for awhile, so you'll have to bear with me if some parts of it sound a little ridiculous. We've all, as players, been a very busy bunch lately, because there are so many open plots to take place in. This is a wonderful thing, because everybody has a chance to play and be involved regardless of whatever kind of character they are. Every few nights, there is something very important and awe-inspiring happening in the heart of the Broken Dagger, always something to read and always something to push plots along more. With the advancement of plot comes battle -- this is inevitable, and with battle comes destruction, which can at times be great.

I have had to instruct myself to refrain as well, and I would like to remind everybody, if possible, to remember that the Broken Dagger is just as much a presence and a character as we. Recently, because of so many things going on, the Broken Dagger has undergone some immense abuse -- doors being broken down, windows being shattered, stairs being ripped apart, floors being destroyed.

I like to think that, even though we all consistently respect one another as players, it's sometimes hard to remember that the Broken Dagger itself is pretty much one of the most important characters there is, for without it, we would not have such a great, centralized location in which to play out all of our plots. With all of the chaos going on, the Broken Dagger has been getting battered left and right.

I'm honestly curious of opinion -- do you guys think that, at times, we batter it apart too much? Every other day, it seems like there's a new, massive wound to repair that it's hard to keep track of them.

So, what do you think? I'm curious to know what everyone feels -- of course, a broken rail, a shattered beam, broken windows, and some boards now and then don't seem so bad -- but when does it become implausible, if not downright bothersome?

Speak out! ^ ^ Let us know what you think! Does our beloved Dagger get too abused, or does the amount of damage it takes seem acceptable?

[Rattrap]

Well, while my characters do give the Broken Dagger some abuse (though, to be fair, It has yet to damage the structure itself at all, the dark wizard is responsible for only one or two holes in the floor, and Damien only kicks the door really hard (and throws furniture)), I've always tried to keep in mind that...well, the damage won't be there in the next morning. Not in any way players will recognize it (the topic just isn't allowed that much).

So, with that said, I try to keep the damage reasonable - because, say, collapsing the whole second story onto the first won't make much sense because in the next morning, players will come and play as if nothing happened.

...one of my first times ever visiting this channel, I had a character burn the place down, actually. One of the other players who was playing had a line something like 'doubtlessly, whatever magics enchanted the building would have it rebuilt by the morning'.

Then the ops told me I couldn't do that.

[BrokenDreamer]

If there were phones in Myrken, the carpenters would be on speed dial.

Destruction is all good and well, but I do think that it gets a bit much when there is a new hole every other night. Patrons may soon be charged a 'Molly' tax upon entrance just to keep the building in one piece! XD

And ... While the building does not heal itself, the staff has gotten very good at rigging up quick fixes come morning at the very least.

[Mongrel]

I have thought about this many times over the years too. Not only does someone have to have VERY deep pockets to repair it all, but it's really a wonder that ANYONE even goes there! I certainly understand why brainbusting Medieval biker-types would go there; it's a place to be tough and kick some backside. But why would any normal person without years of weapon training or the blessing of an Angel or the gift of magic go within a mile of the place? I wouldn't.

So, yes, Rance, I think it can get excessive. However, it's also fun and fantasy...so...you know... happens.

[channe]

Perhaps.

Every so often I wonder just how much the Dagger would resemble a crazy quilt were it actually to exist: patchwork here and there, with elements from one day to a dozen years old. How many different kinds of wood? Glass? Metal doorknobs? Colors of bar polish?

Which, of course, makes me think that, yeah, sometimes we may abuse it a little too much. I do think, however, if fighters refrain from wantonly smashing chairs, etc., if they don't absolutely have to, things could slow down a bit...? I've seen a couple of fights where there's been no choice but to crack a railing or punch a hole in the wall, but I've also seen a few fights where that sort of thing is used in a more 'decorative' fashion, where something could have been totally avoided. At the end of the day, though, it's fantasy, and there could always be a plausible reason (why, doesn't Yves the alcoholic carpenter drink on the house year-round in exchange for working? etc., etc.)

I liked how there was a hole in the roof for days, though; when there is damage, it's mostly realistic (as much as a place that serves beer to dragons & drow can be realistic), and I appreciate that.

Molly could actually tack a tax onto each drink for the Repair Fund; I actually think that would be cool plotting, actually. It might... (oops) start some fights.

*ducks and runs, grinning*

[Carnath-Emory]

This is one of those tricky, perennial (watch me mispell that) issues. My personal feeling -- and it's quite possibly inapplicable to this tavern's case -- is that the more impervious the building, the more tempting it is to do damage to it.

And actually, this does make a sort of sense, if you think of the building as a character for a moment. Many players will tell you that they tone down (or build up) their attacks during combat, depending on the power/strength/resistance of their opponent: they won't drop meteors down onto the head of Joe Bootmaker from down the road, for instance -- but Fabio WorldEater had better watch out. *g* I think it tends to go the same way for the setting. A roof that is repaired overnight not only invites the person to put holes in it again, but to make bigger ones: it becomes a "Yeah, but can you handle this?" dare.