Not Everything is Meant to be Defeated
Sometimes, the Heroes lose. Sometimes, the Heroes lose horribly. Not every threat encountered is meant to be defeated with violence - or is ever able to be overcome with violence regardless of how 'good' the group is. Not every threat can be negotiated with. Not every threat can be avoided. And this doesn't mean the GM is being malicious, or 'out to get the players' -- yes, there are game masters like that, but that's a different problem to discuss another time. No, this is the game master showing that - no matter how good the PCs are, there is always something out there bigger than them. A good GM gives warnings -- signs that things aren't right. You come across a village - one that's not on any maps. The colours are grey, the people fidgety and you see strained smiles when you walk in. One comes up to you, all smiles. "Think happy thoughts," he says. "Only happy thoughts. Keep any angry thoughts or sad thoughts or anything els...