When the Rules Say One Thing and Yer Gut Says Another

Mike’s Take

By Torvak’s busted shield, every GM hits this wall: the dice or the rulebook says one thing, but yer gut’s screamin’ the opposite. Maybe the rogue rolled low on a wild, brilliant idea that deserved to work. Maybe the monster crits so hard it’d drop the paladin in one blow and ruin the night. Do ye follow the letter of the law, or trust the ale-soaked instinct in yer gut?

That choice, lad, is where the true weight o’ GMing lives.

Why the Rulebook Ain’t a Chain

The rules give us balance, fairness, and a common tongue. But they ain’t the heart of the game. The heart is trust. Players trust ye to run a fair, fun, and memorable story. If clingin’ to the book makes the table groan, then the book’s workin’ against ye.

When Yer Gut’s Right to Overrule

• Creativity beats math: A mad idea that gets the table cheerin’ deserves more than a “rules don’t allow it.”

• Protectin’ story beats: A crit that kills the bard mid-wedding might be legal, but it’s a wet blanket on the drama.

• Pacin’ matters: If the fight’s draggin’, shave a rule, shorten an effect, and keep the tension alive.

📌 Barkeep’s rule: Rules keep bones straight, but yer gut keeps the tavern singin’.

When to Stick With the Rules

• Fairness at stake: Don’t let one player skip the rules while another suffers by ‘em.

• Consistency matters: If ye bent the rule last time, ye’d better be ready to bend it every time.

• Abuse risk: Clever’s good. Exploitin’ holes until the game breaks? Nay.

The key’s transparency. Tell ‘em why ye bent or stuck. Players forgive rulings they understand.

Fer GMs Caught Between Dice and Instinct, Try These Tankards:

• When No One Agrees on What Winning Means

• When the Story Matters to You — but They’re Just Here for the Fights

• When Session Zero Didn’t Save You

• When the Loudest Player Starts Running the Table

• The Sword That Remembers Every Kill It Makes

• The Goblin Cleric Who Hates Healing (But Does It Anyway)

• Yer Not the Chosen One, Yer Just Another Player

FAQ

Q: If I fudge dice, am I cheatin’?
A: Aye, technically. But if it makes the table cheer instead of groan, it’s craft, not crime.

Q: Should I tell players I changed a rule on the fly?
A: Be open if it affects fairness. Mystery’s fine; betrayal ain’t.

Q: How do I stop second-guessin’ myself?
A: Remember — yer players don’t see the rulebook in yer head. They see the story at the table. Trust that.