The Unseen Servant forums

Xaxyx got my mental juices flowing, when I'm supposed to be working no less, darn it to heck.

Anyone ever use the DM's blue bolt of lightning? Actually I'd love to know if it was an actual blue bolt, but have you ever had to "punish" players? I've never done it, though did get really frustrated with a group once.

I did have a DM in a mid level game that we had in HS, once punish a cleric by not allowing him spells above 3rd level for a module or two. That was interesting. But he ignored indirect hints from his god about a chaotic act he was doing (and I think he was Lawful Good) and rolled the dice to randomly pick which PC he'd raise from the dead, he had a scroll. He didn't pick me ( ) a fellow cleric, who worship the brother of his god (Celestian and Fharlaghn IIRC) and instead raised the CN fighter. Too funny.

Anyone else? Any thoughts?

Sometimes it is a meteor...

http://itispitchdark.blogspot.com/2011/ ... amers.html

rredmond wrote:Anyone ever use the DM's blue bolt of lightning?

I've never even heard of the "DM's blue bolt of lightning" before.

dmw71 wrote:

rredmond wrote:Anyone ever use the DM's blue bolt of lightning?

I've never even heard of the "DM's blue bolt of lightning" before.

I wouldn't worry - that just means you've been a good player dmw!...BTW is dmw your initials?

Heh, sorry the blue bolt is like punishment from the gods. You do something to anger the DM he hits you with lightning from the gods, no Save, roll 20d6 damage or some such. There are variations on that theme - the DM metes out punishment, whether deserved or not, to severely harm or kill a PC or group of PCs. There's DMs who enjoy playing this way, and arguments for anywhere on that spectrum of "do it alot" or "do it never".

In short: what salaaria said!

saalaria wrote:I wouldn't worry - that just means you've been a good player dmw!

I don't think I'd go that far. It's more likely a case of my DM not being familiar with it, either!

saalaria wrote:BTW is dmw your initials?

They are. And I was born in 1971.

Arr - that was going to be my next question!!

Ah, good ol' bolt from the blue... Lightning with no storm, must be from the gods, right? Right?

Cue Druid sidling slowly behind his tree, smiling smugly....


Anyway. I've had it happen, and done it, but I was young (don't judge me! ). Looking back, I don't think it's ever really worthwhile. Anything bad enough to kick a player out of the game for, you kick them out of the game. Being punitive in-game is just poor sportsmanship.