thread: 2009-06-22 : Secrets: the Smelly Chamberlain
On 2009-06-23, Christopher Kubsik wrote:
Emily,
Did you mean to say that the GM has the power to assert things about a Player's Character—to stage a coup upon the reality of the character? Can you give some examples of this, if this is what you meant?
I agree that the GM's job includes making secrets that are revelations (and reversals of fact) to the Players. ("Luke. I am your father.") But is that the same thing as deciding a Player's Character is stinky?
My own assumption is no. I, as GM, can make revelations and reversals of the fiction (as a GM, I consider it my job). But I can't alter a PC or determine a new fact about the PC. I can't say, "We never spoke of your guy having an affairs or involvement with any women while he was serving in Iraq, but I'm declaring that you have an Iraqi son." That would be staging a coup, I think, I that would rub me the wrong way. However, if the Player made a point of saying his character had an affair with Iraqi women while serving in Iraq, I could see, if it added to the narrative, that there's a secret of an Iraqi child that might surface during play.
Is there any difference for these things for you?
