More sensitive players
The essence of giving a shit
I love bad-ass stuff! I like punches, kicks, stabs, slices etc... but I personally enjoy being alive.
Im not the first to wonder and I will not be the last
Sometimes, I like to pretend fiction is real. Especially when I am Up In It, Playing. When you take the game seriously, all the stealing and the killing can seem pretty ridiculous!
I want to run a lighthearted game. Im saying, how do we discourage fuckin Cruelty in our Players? And beyond that, for my purposes, how do I encourage Selflessness and Heroism?
The obvious answers are obvious.
Punishment, reward. In fiction or mechanics, either way. There was a Japanese Tunnels & Trolls module where if the players refused to take the adventure, they would have their attributes drained. At first, I laughed, but I actually kind of enjoy it upon reflection. Its like karma, and could have some implications to the world... but its ultimately railroading in the example shown.
Of course, everyone involved should just have a conversation. If you want to play a game about heroes doing the right thing then put it in a pitch.
And, yet, Im playing in NBateman's Devil's World Heroes game and players are frequently far from heroic. Whats up with that?
Intelligent creatures should be, generally, opposed to murder. Thats a start.