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 How to punish a player for drinking too much?
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore

USA
1378 Posts

Posted - 19 Aug 2005 :  14:45:07  Show Profile Send Crennen FaerieBane a Private Message  Reply with Quote  Delete Topic
A good number of my players like to consume alcohol when we game (We are all over 21). Now, they usually only have like 2 beers for like 4-5 hours of gaming, so it's no big thing. However, every once and a while, one of my players gets loopy and starts doing things that are counteractive and downright dumb... He begins to sound like that guy in the "Dead Ale Wives" skit asking if there are any girls at the tavern, and so on.

The group really likes the guy, so I don't want to rock the boat too much, but I hate when my games go awry....

Besides barring him from the table, which I wish I could do, what do guys recommend?

C-Fb

Still rockin' the Fey'ri style.

Kentinal
Great Reader

4689 Posts

Posted - 19 Aug 2005 :  16:57:50  Show Profile Send Kentinal a Private Message  Reply with Quote
This is a hard one.

You of course could go with no drinking, though that might upset all the players.

You could try to convince the one player that drink more adversely effects his play then others. This can be a hard sell though. I know people that 2 are their limit and others that can do fairly well with consuming 6 times as much.

In game ways to discourage behavior could be giving the PC a villian that shows up when player begins to get distracted. A pickpocket to perhaps something like a bad dream. In tavern scenes you might have NPC take objection to the face of the PC and have the PC thrown out.

Part of the problem with in game soluctions is that the other players and PCs will be effected.

"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon
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Gray Richardson
Master of Realmslore

USA
1291 Posts

Posted - 19 Aug 2005 :  18:49:39  Show Profile  Visit Gray Richardson's Homepage Send Gray Richardson a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Hide some of the beer, or make sure that there is only just enough for everyone to have one or two, and then you are out of beer for the rest of the evening. Make lots of coffee, buy gourmet coffee and praise its taste. Keep the coffee coming, especially when you run out of beer.

Have lots of soft drinks in the fridge for those who don't like coffee. Jolt cola has a lot of caffeine in it. Or you could go with energy drinks like Redbull or Sobe.

Or you could have traps or encounters or city guards that require the player to say the alphabet backwards.
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Melfius
Senior Scribe

USA
516 Posts

Posted - 19 Aug 2005 :  21:45:47  Show Profile  Visit Melfius's Homepage Send Melfius a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Had the same issue once, and all it took was saying that we wouldn't allow folks getting snookered anymore. Everyone was adults, so there was no problem.

Melfius, Pixie-Priest of Puck - Head Chef, The Faerie Kitchen, Candlekeep Inn
"What's in his pockets, besides me?"
Read a tale of my earlier days! - Happiness Comes in Small Packages
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ode904
Learned Scribe

Finland
193 Posts

Posted - 19 Aug 2005 :  21:56:53  Show Profile Send ode904 a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Gray's idea is good. Or just ask them to drink not at all or not so much.
But punishment...Hmm.. Here:
If he gets snookered too much:
Next time you play he doesn't drink AT ALL. And if he says 'no', you tell him to drink at home.
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Shadovar
Senior Scribe

785 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2005 :  01:52:39  Show Profile  Visit Shadovar's Homepage Send Shadovar a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Well, if he is a good drinker, able to drink many rounds of beer without getting drunk, I think there should not be a problem. But persistent drinking with bad attitudes displayed, then I highly recommend barring this particular player away from the group until he agrees to the DM conditions before allowed to play again.

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Kentinal
Great Reader

4689 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2005 :  02:19:49  Show Profile Send Kentinal a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Banning is considered a bad option as other players aparently are not complaining from the occassional laspe, based on OP. A ban might break the game. From here I can not tell. The question was more focused on how to deal with a player that strays from time to time when most (if not all drink) a few.

Limit amounts might work, but if the culture of the game players do not want this or even worst enjoy the interludes, it might not work.

"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon
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Fletcher
Learned Scribe

USA
299 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2005 :  06:56:00  Show Profile  Visit Fletcher's Homepage Send Fletcher a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I went through a similar experience, except with a player who came in completely high on drugs.
We asked him to stop smoking pot before the games. Though he did complain bitterly, he did stop and gaming was agin good.

Run faster! The Kobolds are catching up!
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Dargoth
Great Reader

Australia
4607 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2005 :  07:33:08  Show Profile  Visit Dargoth's Homepage Send Dargoth a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Fletcher

I went through a similar experience, except with a player who came in completely high on drugs.
We asked him to stop smoking pot before the games. Though he did complain bitterly, he did stop and gaming was agin good.



Lol!

Now that could have had some interesting side effects

DM: Youve run into a pack of Kobolds, they leap at the party!

Stoned Player: AGHH THERE ALL OVER ME GET THEM OFF GET THEM OFF!!! *Starts rolling around on the lounge room floor*

Achole is banned at my gaming time. A previous DM used to allow booze at the table and i found that it makes a number of players sleepy.

“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”

Emperor Sigismund

"Its good to be the King!"

Mel Brooks
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Mournblade
Master of Realmslore

USA
1287 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2005 :  10:42:04  Show Profile Send Mournblade a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth

quote:
Originally posted by Fletcher

I went through a similar experience, except with a player who came in completely high on drugs.
We asked him to stop smoking pot before the games. Though he did complain bitterly, he did stop and gaming was agin good.



Lol!

Now that could have had some interesting side effects

DM: Youve run into a pack of Kobolds, they leap at the party!

Stoned Player: AGHH THERE ALL OVER ME GET THEM OFF GET THEM OFF!!! *Starts rolling around on the lounge room floor*

Achole is banned at my gaming time. A previous DM used to allow booze at the table and i found that it makes a number of players sleepy.



Well it all depends on WHAT they are drinking for me.

If they bring budweiser, miller, or some other American spring water disguised as terrible tasting beer, then they must immediately leave. However if they bring Guinness or even something as simple as Harp, or OOOOH!!! BODDINGTONS!! they can drink to their hearts content.

BUt if all the players are happy and you are not, I would say you pull the DM card. You drink to much to play so go home. If this proves to be an issue, the player is PROBABLY one you don't want to play with.


A wizard is Never late Frodo Baggins. Nor is he Early. A wizard arrives precisely when he means to...
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Dargoth
Great Reader

Australia
4607 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2005 :  12:32:22  Show Profile  Visit Dargoth's Homepage Send Dargoth a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Aghhhh you'd let them drink Guinness!?!?!

I firmly believe that Gary Gygax got his inspiration for UNHOLY water from a taste of that Vile Irish brew Guinness

“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”

Emperor Sigismund

"Its good to be the King!"

Mel Brooks
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Melfius
Senior Scribe

USA
516 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2005 :  16:36:04  Show Profile  Visit Melfius's Homepage Send Melfius a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Dargoth! How dare you speak so about that most holy of Irish brews! Heretic!

Melfius, Pixie-Priest of Puck - Head Chef, The Faerie Kitchen, Candlekeep Inn
"What's in his pockets, besides me?"
Read a tale of my earlier days! - Happiness Comes in Small Packages
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore

USA
1378 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2005 :  17:02:14  Show Profile Send Crennen FaerieBane a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Well... to be honest, most of the time the guy is chill - We usually all have like 1 or 2 Newcastles or Karl Strauss Red Trolly (an excellent brew).

In fact, we have a round robin system and the guy only gets snookered when he brings his choice of beer: some 10% AC Belgian ale called Chimay. Good stuff, just a little strong for a gaming night!

C-Fb

Still rockin' the Fey'ri style.
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36805 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2005 :  17:12:09  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I'm of Irish descent (there's even a irish whiskey that bears my last name), but Guinness is not something I care for.

CFB: if that's the case, then simply place a cap on how much can be brought and/or consumed by one player.

And have you tried talking to him, 1 on 1, about it?

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Misericordia
Seeker

Italy
66 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2005 :  17:34:54  Show Profile  Visit Misericordia's Homepage Send Misericordia a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane


In fact, we have a round robin system and the guy only gets snookered when he brings his choice of beer: some 10% AC Belgian ale called Chimay. Good stuff, just a little strong for a gaming night!

C-Fb



Really good stuff indeed Chimay, and really too strong for playing!

Omnia sunt communia.
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore

USA
1378 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2005 :  20:14:15  Show Profile Send Crennen FaerieBane a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

I'm of Irish descent (there's even a irish whiskey that bears my last name), but Guinness is not something I care for.

CFB: if that's the case, then simply place a cap on how much can be brought and/or consumed by one player.

And have you tried talking to him, 1 on 1, about it?



Yeah, but the quandry really is the fact that he says he gets to choose the beer when its his turn and the fact that none of the other players seem to mind - It's me the DM who gets the short end of the stick.

I've asked him to get a little less potent beer, but still make sure it tasted good... so what did he do? He bought "Eye of the Hawk" from Mendicino Brewing Co, which measured in at 8%!

I think the hardest part is that the group thinks its all funny, but the DM (me) is getting fed up. It's not to the point where I don't want to run for them, but it's getting close.

C-Fb

Still rockin' the Fey'ri style.
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Dargoth
Great Reader

Australia
4607 Posts

Posted - 21 Aug 2005 :  12:05:22  Show Profile  Visit Dargoth's Homepage Send Dargoth a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Melfius

Dargoth! How dare you speak so about that most holy of Irish brews! Heretic!



Im convinced that Guinness is manufactured from distilled red army truck tyres


“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”

Emperor Sigismund

"Its good to be the King!"

Mel Brooks
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warlockco
Master of Realmslore

USA
1695 Posts

Posted - 21 Aug 2005 :  13:26:09  Show Profile  Visit warlockco's Homepage Send warlockco a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Could invite someone else to run a game on the nights that he brings brew.

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Xysma
Master of Realmslore

USA
1089 Posts

Posted - 02 Sep 2005 :  15:43:03  Show Profile  Visit Xysma's Homepage Send Xysma a Private Message  Reply with Quote
All this talk of beer.... I'd kick my mom for a Victoria's Bitter right now.

I would talk to the guy one-on-one and just tell him that he's disrupting the game, and that he needs to knock it off. It sounds silly, but I was having problems with some of my players seemingly trying to out-stupid one another for awhile, I started handing out demerits (which I think was actually a joke from KODT.) Anytime someone did something stupid (and I mean stupid like humping the statue you come across in an eerie clearing in the forest, after a ghostly voice tells you to leave), used out of game knowledge, "sassed the dm," wasn't paying attention when their turn came around, etc, I would point at them and say "That's a demerit!" It was funny and silly, but it made them conscious of what they were doing to disrupt the game.

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