Players using the Surgery Clause to alter their characters

The Surgery Clause of the House Rules is the Rule Zero of the Wold. Here it is in its entirety:

SURGERY CLAUSE

Characters may be modified by the player via character surgery with the approval of the players DM and the Campaign DM.

In addition, if the Campaign DM determines at any time that any PC has become too powerful in any way, he reserves the right to strip a PC of anything he feels is needed. If he decided to do this, the player may always choose to retire the character rather than undergo surgery. Retired characters may return with permission, subject again to possible surgery. Remember, D&D is a game. It is not as fun for your friends or the DM to play, if a PC is too dominant, overbearing or is exhibiting behaviors that the Campaign DM believes is contrary to the precepts with which he runs the game.

The Campaign DM retains the right to inform any player that they should find somewhere else to play. This Surgery Clause may be used if the actions of any player are preventing other players from enjoying the game and having fun. The Campaign DM also retains the right to change any House Rules without vote to preserve game balance and continuance.

The very first part is what we are discussing here -- surgery initiated by the player. And the philosophy behind it is entirely lacking. So here is my personal and unofficial take, and we'll let Jerry weigh in later if anyone reminds him of this conversation when he gets back.

Cayzle's Opinion: The Wold has two goals that sometimes compete with each other. They are:

(1) We want players to play characters they enjoy. The number one reason for the Wold's existence is to have fun.

(2) We hope to see players stay in the Wold for a long time, taking a character from level 1 to level 20. Of course, players start at higher levels all the time. And most Woldians drop out before getting to level 20. But that's the goal -- we'll be here, a long-term gaming site, where you'll have a home to bring your character from a humble beginning to an epic conclusion.

The problem comes when a player discovers that he is not having fun playing his character. Often, a new rule set or a new Woldian option is added, and players naturally want to take advantage of that. Often, players realize that their understanding of the rules has grown, and they wish they knew before what they know now about making a character. Sometimes people just realize that they want to do something different.

Goal 1 trumps Goal 2. If a you hate your character, you are not stuck with it. You can start over with a new one. We want you to have fun. If it is not fun, you will leave, so making sure you have fun is key.

That said, Goal 2 is important too. We would really frown on a player who changes characters every month. Or even every year. We WANT you to run the same character for your whole Woldian career.

So the relief of the tension between these two conflicting goals is surgery. We would rather that you play a version of the same character than make a brand new one. Therefore, we allow surgery to let you play a version of your character that you will enjoy, and that is (in descending order of desirability) a slight variation on your original PC. Or that is a close sibling to your original. Or that is a kissing cousin to your original. Or that bears a resemblance to your original. Or that has the same name as your original.

So what's off the table? You have to stay in the rules. You still have to have a 30-pt build. You have to have a reason for your change (granted, "because it would be ever so much more fun" is a fair reason, but you still have to have one). You have to understand that major changes (ability scores, classes, race) are actually a BIG DEAL, so really really try to anticipate options you will enjoy your whole time here in the Wold and stick to them.

Then, after those caveats, the PTB tend to say, "Sure, no problem, have fun."

---

Return to DM Rules and Resources Pages