Dm's Expectations

EXPECTATIONS

Before we start, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about the kind of game that I’m going to be running. I think it’s important to manage your expectations and let you know the kind of campaign we will be playing. The Impaled Rift is a largely grim-dark fantasy, with some elements of political intrigue, sabotage, and war. There are instances of violence, drugs, and sex in my games, as it is intended for mature audiences.

Always remember everyone is here to have fun, and that your actions will impact the entire group. Be considerate and courteous. While this is just a game, you are talking to real-live people, and feeling can, and will, get hurt occasionally.

The GM’s Role

Sometimes players can feel like the GM is their enemy, only there to cause mayhem, and get them into situations where they will be killed, I feel this is an unfair portrayal. I feel there are some GMs that actually do that, but I am not one of them. I would never put my players in a no-win situation without having discussed the possibility of it existing first. That being said, that doesn’t mean things will always be easy. Your enemies will behave like intelligent creatures and act appropriately. So wounded enemies will attempt to flee or raise alarms, sometimes enemies will try and take you alive if there is some benefit to them doing so, and sometimes they will fight to the death, tooth and nail.

Alignment

The only restriction I am placing on your alignment is that you cannot be Evil in my games. You can fall anywhere else on the alignment spectrum. This is because of the type of game I run, and the setting's current existence.

Encounter Types

There are lots of ways to play TTRPG, and not all of them are going to appeal to everyone. For me, the biggest draw to roleplaying games is the roleplay itself. If you just want to slash monsters there are numerous games to do it in, both board and video games. I do not encourage Murder-Hoboing or wanderlust killers.

Creative Solutions

Never assume that there’s only one way to approach a problem. Even if I’ve only written a single way for you to approach a task, I want you to talk and come up with inventive ways to get around the problems I put in front of you. Just because you can't think of something else, doesn't mean there aren't other ways to deal with problems. I will encourage you to explain your thinking to me actively. So be prepared!

Character Death

Sooner or later, one or more of your characters is probably going to die. Remember that enemy NPCs want to win, which means there are scenarios in which you will be actively pursued and attacked. If you go into an encounter unprepared or end up separated and surrounded, you could die. I will NEVER set you up for something that you will die for unprepared. Even if it's a one-off. My goal is to have you experience an adventure, not go in-to-die. Once you’ve made your new character they will be introduced to the party in the most natural way possible, and everything will continue as normal. But remember that death is always a possibility, it doesn’t have to be the end of the game.

Important

I do not tolerate "Rules Lawyers", or "The book says", behavior. If I make a decision as DM, that is my decision, even if it's not "what the book says". I want to make sure that I make myself clear on this.