Dealing with THAT player...

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Dealing with THAT player...

Postby Lady Grace » Thu Feb 02, 2017 6:24 pm

Not sure if I'm at Defcom level yet, but I need to vent constructively and hopefully get some feedback.

I've got a player at my table who's been leaning towards "bloodthirsty sociopath" in my current 7th Sea game. Guy's playing an Avalon pirate type (a blatant Jack Sparrow knockoff even down to the name) who knows Rasmuessen.

The player seems to be an OK guy. Soledad's player foisted him upon us when my Mike was GMing D&D and he wasn't showing any asshole/disruptive tendencies then. Soledad's player is also flakier than a buttermilk biscuit, so I don't feel confident that she would address the problem if I take her aside and say "You brought him in -- deal with it".

The PC has fired guns in a crowded casino, abandoned a vulnerable inebriated PC (NPCed by me at the time) to go drinking himself, extorted drinks from an innocent bartender. Next session, he hit on the damsel in distress while everyone else was fighting bandits (this isn't the problem, it's just setting up the next problem) and got near-violent (IC) on the damsel's doofus bodyguard when he justifiably got concerned that Jake was hitting on his charge and he didn't know if the PC was another bandit.

What makes this the next problem is Doofus is the cousin of the Inishman's Vendetta. And I'm trying to do a non-angsty spin on it by actually having Cousin be in the Right of the trouble (Inish PC's family squatted on the land -- Lord Cousin is genuinely trying to improve the property, but they're being irrational about it. Also, Lord Cousin is as annoying as Bono). I'm worried that Pirate Boy's bloodthirstiness could be spreading as the LOOK of hatred that crossed the Inishman's face when he found out about Doofus. In fact, Pirate Boy has volunteered to slit Doofus' throat in the middle of the night while he sleeps -- and I don't think it's hyperbole...

I have stressed -- quite vocally -- that Heroes don't Murder/Torture/Rape. I've already penalized Pirate Boy negative rep already after the casino incident AND told him if/when he hits -30 rep, I take away his character. Mike's offered to talk to him, but I'd like to know if there's any other anvils I can use that could get it through his head...
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Re: Dealing with THAT player...

Postby salamanca » Thu Feb 02, 2017 8:22 pm

In game punishments. That reputation hit should precede him in game. Bar him from pubs because word got out. Merchants are suddenly closed to him. Ladies hear what he did and cross the street to avoid him. And bill him for the damaged stuff.
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Re: Dealing with THAT player...

Postby Lady Grace » Thu Feb 02, 2017 10:41 pm

One potential problem to justify that is that I've moved them from Freiburg (where the casino incident was) to Malaca (where the damsel was) as a form of handwavium to move the plot forward.
"You're still mad at me about that whole 'gun-pointing' thing, aren't you?" -- Fortunato Valeri

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Re: Dealing with THAT player...

Postby Sister Sonya » Fri Feb 03, 2017 1:56 am

Absolutely! Make the punishment fit the crime.

However, some people are just dicks. If he doesn't start shaping up, have a quiet talk with him. If you can look into his eyes and don't see any remorse or redeeming features, tell him he's out!
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Re: Dealing with THAT player...

Postby Black Jack Rackham » Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:43 pm

Don't know how much this will help, but maybe you can cull something from my ramblings.

I had THAT player in the form of one of my (oldest) son's friends. I have been running RPGs for him and his group on and off for a couple of years now. He joined up when we were playing 7th Sea and proceeded to become a complete murder hobo, threatening to torture innocent townsfolk, and demanding tribute from those they "helped."

I tried talking to him about 7th Sea, mentioned the whole HEROES = NO MURDER, TORTURE, CRIME thing. But it didn't seem to sink in with him. Looked to me more like he was enjoying the reaction he was getting from the other players.

I thought about changing the focus, making them more pirate and less heroic, but the other players enjoyed their characters and didn't want to go "dark side" (and to tell you the truth, while I certainly enjoy playing in the grey areas of moral ambiguity, I don't much like it in 7th Sea).

So, I came up with a compromise, I decided to play a game were such villainy would be acceptable. So I got everyone to agree to Shadowrun. It worked out far better. The other players enjoyed it just as much as when they'd been playing 7th Sea, and our murder hobo could do his thing.

Naturally, he started doing good deeds for his neighbors (free of charge) and turning over his hard earned nuyen to local charity groups.

I think he just likes playing against type.
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Re: Dealing with THAT player...

Postby daundelyon » Fri Feb 03, 2017 6:16 pm

I've been the target of "THAT" player before, and it's never fun. Had a guy walk into our LARP and treat it like a video game-he killed another PC in the middle of the tavern, then fled. Unfortunately for him, a group of the heavy hitters took exception and chased him. He'd been doing this all day, and he had been warned. The staff let the group deal with it in game, and the guy left in a huff. "I want this to be like WOW, where I can do whatever I want without penalties."
I agree with the in game penalties. You've made it very clear what kind of game you are running, and that the majority of your table are enjoying it. If he continues to be a jerk, cordially invite him to find another game that will be more to his taste.
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Re: Dealing with THAT player...

Postby Black Jack Rackham » Mon Feb 20, 2017 12:33 pm

LG How did this go with your problem?
smafdi wrote:STOP BEING SO DARN POPULAR GUYZ SRSLY I NEEDZ MEH GAMEZ TIHS YAER!!!

kenderleech wrote:If the cows were not meant to be ridden, why would they be so close to the chase scenes?
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Re: Dealing with THAT player...

Postby Lady Grace » Mon Feb 20, 2017 10:48 pm

Well, due to the fact I've been shanghaied into helping a friend this past month, the game is on hold until March. And hopefully we'll be back to having a full table. I'm hoping the honorable Eisen player back will help put the pressure on in doing the Right Thing.
"You're still mad at me about that whole 'gun-pointing' thing, aren't you?" -- Fortunato Valeri

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