IC:Court Intrigue/Politics Freeform Underdark Drow Game
In reply to Anachronist (msg # 5):
In my experience, generally in any Freeform game, the player is expected to moderate themselves in regard to success and failure, abilities, skills, etc. Just as, in a fight, they would be expected to work out the outcome and details with the other player like reasonable, intelligent adults. Obviously, this is not always a realistic expectation, and we've all likely encountered (or been at one, more immature time) difficult players who want to be Superman. In those situations, the GM steps into either decide the outcome, or discuss the unrealistic character proficiencies and abilities.
At this point, I rarely spend a lot of time trying to correct poor gaming behavior with players. Because most of the time it just becomes a pointless back and forth, so if I have a player with a character that always wins, is the best at everything, so on and so on, I will attempt to address the issue once, and then it's out of the game. Because I've had too many arguments with players that went on too long until my desire to even run the game anymore was beaten and dragged through the mud.
The other primary difference, is that in a lot of freeform games, the GM is a far less prominent influence in the game. In a campaign, the GM or DM guides the story, the activity, the interaction, the NPCs, so so many NPCs. In a lot of freeform games that don't have a primary story or adventure to follow, the GMs are more like that babysitter that puts you in front of the TV and spends the rest of the time on the phone with her boyfriend. We're kind of just there to make sure you don't burn the place down.
The players would primarily drive the narrative. With the desired outcome being players filling rolls of power, of intrigue, of darker pursuits. Then the favor currying happens between player characters. Subversion and manipulation is carried out between player characters. Assassination, from the hiring of, to the attempt at fulfilling the contract would all be between player characters with very little GM interference, minor NPCs handled by the players as necessary as well.