@ChrisPerkinsDnD out of curiosity, 'How much diplomacy would a player need to convince a young Dragon to do its budding?'

— Man with the Voice (@NOELonPC) August 15, 2016

All the diplomacy in the world won't help if the dragon is dead-set against it. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/DICpeNKSb4

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) August 15, 2016

@ChrisPerkinsDnD This is the problem with both 5e and diplomacy rules in games in general.

— (((Korbl Klimecki))) (@Korbl) September 19, 2016

It's a feature, not a bug. Not every crisis or conflict can be resolved diplomatically. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/MwIzLcQ1mf

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 19, 2016

@ChrisPerkinsDnD @Korbl It doesn't always mean fighting though! As @PatrickRothfuss demonstrated, maybe you can pay off or trick the dragon.

— Thomas Whitney (@SoulofTwhit) September 19, 2016

Yes. if you throw gold at a red dragon, the DM can freely change its disposition. The game allows it. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/vBY7vKuyYg

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 19, 2016

@ChrisPerkinsDnD @SoulofTwhit @PatrickRothfuss this is part of the problem with social interaction systems in trpgs.

— (((Korbl Klimecki))) (@Korbl) September 19, 2016

It's not a "problem" unless you make it one. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/V4Gjks2IqV

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 19, 2016

@ChrisPerkinsDnD @SoulofTwhit @Korbl @PatrickRothfuss the function of the DM is to mediate gray areas that are not covered in manuals

— Krakaton (Cody) (@Krakat0n) September 19, 2016

That's the truth. The game doesn't let rules trample imagination or agency, which is part of its genius. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/s7Jkp4iDlL

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

@ChrisPerkinsDnD Again. D&D has rules for taking a pickax to a dungeon wall, I don't think wanting rules for social interaction is too much

— (((Korbl Klimecki))) (@Korbl) September 20, 2016

Hitting a wall is straightforward. Social interaction, not so much. Strict rules would be detrimental. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/70bTUfXCPh

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

@Korbl @ChrisPerkinsDnD Dont think youre using the term “DM Fiat” properly. DMs choose how the world operates. They’re not neutral arbiters. They exist to help tell the story, which is ultimately a heroic fantasy by and for the players.

— Exploding DM (@Askren) September 20, 2016

Yes. There are elements of shared storytelling that cannot and should not be systematic. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/ucs5hG91fr

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

@Askren @ChrisPerkinsDnD if a player wants to parley a dragon, let them. And the rules should support that by at least presenting framework

— (((Korbl Klimecki))) (@Korbl) September 20, 2016

The DM decides, based on the circumstances, whether or not a particular monster can be negotiated with. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/FjjiqDG6MI

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

@ChrisPerkinsDnD SHARED storytelling means everyone has input, you're saying DM decides outcome of dragon social encounter

— Jagi Helmet (@HokutoAndy) September 20, 2016

It's not a social encounter if the monster just wants to eat you. You still have options, but negotiation isn't one. https://t.co/8U7qTdOqfy

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

@HokutoAndy @ChrisPerkinsDnD Chris has never said otherwise. But that ALSO means that you can't always talk your way out of the fight.

— Brian Tabletop (@BrianTabletop) September 20, 2016

That's basically the point I was trying to make. Thank you for saying it more eloquently. https://t.co/i32rkPWMgi

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

@HokutoAndy @ChrisPerkinsDnD Sometimes your input is in how you react to a situation. Not every approach will work every time.

— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) September 20, 2016

Yes, exactly. A DM might design a challenge that can't be resolved by sword or silver tongue. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/1J1pLYR90s

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

@ChrisPerkinsDnD But what determines if talk works or not? One person, the DM, there is no neutral arbitration in rules to settle disputes

— Jagi Helmet (@HokutoAndy) September 20, 2016

In every edition of D&D, it's the DM's job to settle disputes and be fair-minded. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/LTS6NtEGz8

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

@ChrisPerkinsDnD I always viewed a DM as game designer and storyteller both.

— Amanda Lycan (@alienfirst) September 20, 2016

The DM wears many fantastic hats! #WOTCstaff https://t.co/Bfgx2LJCm9

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

@ChrisPerkinsDnD and rules help do that, rules tell me if the dragon dies if I stab it. Without rules to settle disputes its Cops & Robbers

— Jagi Helmet (@HokutoAndy) September 20, 2016

It's the DM's job to settle disputes. The rules help the DM make fair, informed rulings. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/IwITGJNCiO

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

@SpaceGodfather @ChrisPerkinsDnD but "make it up" isn't an acceptable answer in a $50 book.

— (((Korbl Klimecki))) (@Korbl) September 20, 2016

"Make it up" is the very essence of the game. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/FwAuOQpTwL

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

@ChrisPerkinsDnD Then why do you have a job? If "Make it up" is the essence of the game, why buy rule books?

— (((Korbl Klimecki))) (@Korbl) September 20, 2016

Good questions. I buy books because I like reading them. https://t.co/WN2Wl2xXAT

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

@ChrisPerkinsDnD That doesn't answer the question of why D&D needs rulebooks if we're supposed to make everything up.

— (((Korbl Klimecki))) (@Korbl) September 20, 2016

Books inspire. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/wdnOwZZIUK

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

@ChrisPerkinsDnD I tried convincing the dragon in #LostMinesOfPhandelver that the castle is far better than a broken tower. Rolled a nat 20.

— Mathew Michalak (@Trogaf) August 15, 2016

As long as it thinks there's something to be gained, you can persuade a dragon to do just about anything. #greed https://t.co/cNosphM6eS

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) August 15, 2016

@ChrisPerkinsDnD Player agency is having rules to know their chance of success/failure, leaving it up to DM alone is the opposite of agency

— Jagi Helmet (@HokutoAndy) September 20, 2016

DMs can't have agency? 😳 https://t.co/WIHf2ADDzg

— (((Chris Perkins))) (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 20, 2016

It's interesting watching @ChrisPerkinsDnD trying to explain to people that the role of a DM is not to be a 100% deterministic rules robot.

— Gareth Wilcock (@Gazza_N) September 20, 2016