In the interest of increasing the speed at which the adventure proceeds (something everyone has complained to me about ) and to help facilitate greater player engagement in the story, in the campaign, in your characters, and with the overall goal of increasing the fun factorto the highest level, I am instituting some rather radical changes to how I am going to run the campaign, and in particular Game Session Ettiquette. Some of these changes, you will I expect, like.. others well... not so much at first glance. But I do believe that they will be found to enhance the experience of gameplay.
I am not going to implement all of them at once as we are all becoming old farts and thus change comes harder each year... (i.e. I am just now getting comfortable with the 3.5 ruleset) So here comes the first ones that will roll as of NOW.
1) the 10 second rule (It should really be the 6 second rule, but 10 works better for now)
The 10 Second Rule: When it is your turn in combat, you have ten seconds to declare your characters action(s) If you don't then you will automatically be considered 'Delayed' and the next in initiative order will go. (see PHB pg 160)
2) No arguing with the DM during Combat. Period. Take the ruling and move on, even If you think the DM was wrong on his call 100% or even by the rules he is. Make note of it, and bring it up after the session. The DM will look in to the complaint, get back to you with an answer and implement the correct ruling next time around. DMs aren't perfect but they are Omnipotent...
3) No more Wireless. The LAN is going to be turned off going forward. Too much distraction happening vs. potential benefits. If you want to send something to the DM. Paper works. If you want to look something up. The books will have to do.
4) more to come...