Agreed 100%? When an algorithm is driving what we see and engagement. Interactions can feel a lost less legitimate.

Sometimes that means being the “bad guy.” But know that when you sign up to be the DM, this is part of the job.

If any thing erodes any of those legs, than the table falls, and it doesn’t matter how good of a campaign you build, the group will fail and fall apart. It’s a DMs duty to ensure that they “protect the table,” at all costs.

Leg 1 - “Trust and Respect between players”
Leg 2 - “Players Trust and Respect for the DM”
Leg 3 - “DM’s trust and respect for the players”
Leg 4 - “Safe Environment for playing.”

For me, the “Table” is held up by 4 legs, and they are the elements most important to the longevity of the game.

In this context, “the table,” is the foundation of DnD, or any TTRPG. This is the group and the environment where games are played. And that is foundation of any TTRPG.

And for the record, I mean that as a very high compliment.

Every time I see your work, all I can think is. Wow a hard boiled noir comic would be so amazing!

If you are a DM, before world building , encounters, story etc. Your most important job is to protect the table. If anything erodes the trust and respect within the group, it can destroy your game.

The only times I play the “I’m the DM and it’s my decision.” I have always gotten feedback from the group. But I’ve done it in cases of problem players to protect them and shoulder the blame myself.

I rarely play the “I’m the DM and made the decision.” Card. And exclusively it has been when I have to do something to protect the table. Wherever possible, it’s important to treat the table as a shared space and either hold a vote of talk to each person individually.

In my experience TTRPGs only work when 3 things are true:
1. Players have trust and feel respected by each other.
2. Players trust and respect the DM.
3. The DM trusts and respects the players.

Absolutely loved your legion run. Definitely one of my favorite!