I think thats a good idea and all, but its really hard to tell them to stop and get them to listen and to give them consequences for their actions.
I wouldn't try taking the authoritarian stance of "I have to teach you there are consequences for your actions" because players often don't appreciate being taught a lesson.
Instead, try and get the players to see how this feels from your perspective, which if they're just d*cking around at the table they might not have considered.
"Hey guys, I put a lot of work and my own free time into prepping this game and it seems like you're not really trying to engage with it, which makes me feel disrespected. I'm not trying to point the finger or make anyone the bad guy here, I just want you to consider my perspective here. I'm a player at the table too and I'm not having fun with this playstyle."
If that doesn't prompt a larger conversation about the kind of game you'd all like to run, then either change your campaign plans to be more casual murder-hobo friendly, or call it. Maybe DND isn't the game you play with this friend group.
I think thats a good idea and all, but its really hard to tell them to stop and get them to listen and to give them consequences for their actions.
I'm sorry to hear that talking to your friends about something that they are doing is potentially disruptive is hard for you to do. The DM is the leader of the table, and as such, has the hardest job. Sometimes the DM has to make decisions that are unpopular, or talk to someone because they are doing things that make the game un-fun. If your group doesn't support you in your job as the DM, find a new group. The implication here is that if your group contains people that claim to be your friend, maybe a reassessment of that friendship is in order. Actual friends support each other and are willing to tell each other when they are screwing up. Good friends can accept that correction and still be friends afterward.
Giving them consequences in game will not stop their out of game decision to make a character that acts in this manner. They'll just make another one to replace the last. This goes for any suggestions of applying brute force to kill the party. I do advocate that you talk to the party, but if that ignites into a dumpster fire, break contact and create a new group to DM for. There are loads of players. Few DMs. You'll find your spot, but you have to try.
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“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
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Just quit. They'll want to play and behave theirselves.
=^.^=
Either that or date around for a bit.
Run your prepared sessions with another group or two. This could also help you (and your players) compare and contrast how things go.
I wouldn't try taking the authoritarian stance of "I have to teach you there are consequences for your actions" because players often don't appreciate being taught a lesson.
Instead, try and get the players to see how this feels from your perspective, which if they're just d*cking around at the table they might not have considered.
"Hey guys, I put a lot of work and my own free time into prepping this game and it seems like you're not really trying to engage with it, which makes me feel disrespected. I'm not trying to point the finger or make anyone the bad guy here, I just want you to consider my perspective here. I'm a player at the table too and I'm not having fun with this playstyle."
If that doesn't prompt a larger conversation about the kind of game you'd all like to run, then either change your campaign plans to be more casual murder-hobo friendly, or call it. Maybe DND isn't the game you play with this friend group.
I'm sorry to hear that talking to your friends about something that they are doing is potentially disruptive is hard for you to do. The DM is the leader of the table, and as such, has the hardest job. Sometimes the DM has to make decisions that are unpopular, or talk to someone because they are doing things that make the game un-fun. If your group doesn't support you in your job as the DM, find a new group. The implication here is that if your group contains people that claim to be your friend, maybe a reassessment of that friendship is in order. Actual friends support each other and are willing to tell each other when they are screwing up. Good friends can accept that correction and still be friends afterward.
Giving them consequences in game will not stop their out of game decision to make a character that acts in this manner. They'll just make another one to replace the last. This goes for any suggestions of applying brute force to kill the party. I do advocate that you talk to the party, but if that ignites into a dumpster fire, break contact and create a new group to DM for. There are loads of players. Few DMs. You'll find your spot, but you have to try.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad