Re: the fine art of being cruel!

<<You're evil. You're going to hell, I swear. ;) Let me guess...The PCs are
discovered doing something dastardly, and this poor fool is sentenced to
mutilation by a magistrate. (Suddenly killing beggars and skipping out on
inn fees seems like a bad idea...) Hey, it's to be expected. Such a person
will likely do something again to justify it. What did he do, if I may ask?

>*The Point* >I just wanted to see where everyone stood on the issue of DM
cruelty. >Thanks all.

I'm all for general cruelty, but generally not for personal grudges. You
see, it increases player resentment and paves the way for the declaration of
player independence. "For character atrocities committed past and present,
and lack of treasure and magic>>

If the gm is being cruel as a personal slight, then hell no.  Smack him or
her with the nearest Unabridged complete oxford english dictionary (thicker
than websters IMO).

if this is an npc's retribution, then go for it...