How to kill a game in one easy mis-step.

When would-be player #6 and player #7 come up to you and say, “I’d like to join your D&D game…” the correct answer is not, “well, I’ll see if there’s a way to accomodate that.”

It is also apparently not, “You’ll have to make characters.”

It is also apparently not, “I think we can manage that.”

It is also apparently not, “I’ll have to ask my other players.”

It is also apparently not, “No, you can’t join.”

Nor is it, “The game is full.” These two phrases, while pleasing the existing players, anger the would-be players and it leads to conversations regarding “The game is ours.”

The following phrases will not mollify your existing players: “How about splitting all the interested players into two different groups?”

“They probably won’t play in the game very long.”

“I am not only the dungeon master, I’m the dorm master. I have a responsibility to all the kids in the building.”

“Well, no… I can do a half-assed job making their universe and your universe, or a reasonably good job making one for both of you.”

“No, player #8 never asked me about joining my d&d game. He’s not on the list because he’s not on thedorm.”

First one player decides he’s not going to play. Then two others drop out because the first one isn’t playing. Then two others. Now no one wants to play except the players #6 and #7, and the rumored #8. A second inquiry reveals that #7 and #8 don’t want to play ‘right now’, because Halo 2 is available. Meanwhile, players #1-4 are sulking in their rooms rather than wanting to play. And I am left with maps, dungeon keys, room-by-room descriptions of 50+ rooms. Argh

No word yet on whether the game will rise phoenix-like in three days or so.

Sigh. Bedtime for bozo now.

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