I want to live dangerously and intercede on behalf of Mike, Steve,
and Cynthia--before they feel compelled to jump in kicking.
I *think* I heard all three of you say roughly the same thing. To wit:
It is the GM's job. Don't abrogate it to a determined player. (more or
less.)
Internal consistency is one of the tools at our disposal. Secret weapons
are another. "Just say 'no'" is a third. Choosing to use one in prefer-
ence to another does not make you a bad person (tm). It only means you
have individual tastes.
To paraphrase Steve, the mind is our, and our players' most potent tool.
Occassionally one will misuse it. Our job is to be prepared. *Sometimes*
we can make our point by duking it out with the characters. Often we
have to flex our muscle on the player.
(Or did I miss your points altogether?)
- --
Richard Johnson [email removed]
Qui custodii ipsos custodes?