Take care,

Derek

@-Kaine- :While I also use the “let the players solve it for you” technique from time to time, my preferred solution comes in five steps: (1) “It’s a mystery you don’t have time to solve right now,” (the stall); (2) between sessions, come up with a way for someone to get over / under / through / around whatever the problem or objection was; (3) look at what else someone with those capabilities might have done in the past (and, if necessary, why they don’t appear to have done so); (4) look at what else someone with those capabilities might be able to do in the future; and (5) craft a scenario or two (or more, if necessary) in which the initial incongruity becomes the first clue leading to exposure and confrontation with the person or persons responsible. In other words, I let the PCs return the campaign status to what it had appeared to be from the start, undoing complications of their own devising (at a metagame level)!

“Hang on a minute, shouldn’t the psyonic shielding mean that the assassin couldn’t have teleported into the Peace Garden in the first place?”

We’ve all been there at one time or another I’m sure (if you haven’t, maybe it’s your turn next). For me, I’m a big fan of “Gameplay trumps rules” – In fact, I’ll use that card even when I haven’t made a mistake.

When that won’t cut it “Change your own plans” usually works well – although sometimes it does take some significant changes it’s usually worth the effort. (Hang on, just changing the physics of the Universe. Don’t mind me…) The trick, of course is not to introduce more problems with your fix! Don’t try to patch it up on the fly if you’re not sure – take a break – think it through.

I have found that often it is possible to recruit the players to unwittingly help you find a solution by simply following up thier initial query with a casual:

“But the assassin must have teleported in there… you saw her… right?”

Then sit back while the players discuss how it might have been done or what they might have missed. Halo-Projectors? Psyonic shield disruption? Twin sisters? I’m often amazed at how inventive players can be….

-K-
.-= -Kaine-´s last blog ..Volatile Memory =-.

Note *this* sequence.
Error happens…
perceive error….
admit error…
propose a solution (or path thereto)…
recruit players to help fix error….

A minor loss of face or gaming atmosphere is accepted to prevent major problems later.
Better, yes?
This is called forethought, wisdom, Good GMing or just “the bitter fruit of experience”.

Now add “Draw a lesson from the incident to prevent it from happening again”. Ohhh…. you just gained a level of GM skills…. :)

@Ian – also a great suggestion about offering a reward for player-inspired fixed. Thanks.

From personal experience, trying to retcon something major in the middle of play never goes well, even with a deus ex machina. Better to work things out later.

One trick to consider is introducing “No-Prizes” to the game (refer Marvel Comics). Basically, if a Player can give a plausible (and GM-acceptable) explanation for something recognized as an in-game glitch / inconsistency, they get a few extra XPs. Worth thinking about, IMO.

Of course, like any of the other solutions, this one needs to be used sparingly. But, it has the advantages of a)not requiring as much player buy-in to retcon, and b)turning the retcon into a major plot point.
.-= Lugh´s last blog ..How fragile we are =-.