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What do you do when the GM makes a rule call that is contrary to what the actual rule is? I had this happen in a game a while back, regarding poison. My character was hit by a poison crossbow bolt and made the initial save. The poison had in its description that it was 2/save cure. The rules state that if the first save is made, no other saves were required, regardless of how many saves are under the 'cure' line. The GM was adamant that a second save was needed by everyone hit regardless. Needless to say, my character failed the second, unneeded save and was rendered unconscious. The GM insisted that it was a unique poison that needed two saves, but I know the bestiary quite well from a lot and new the exact stat block of the creature in question (drow) and the details of the poison. I was also quite aware of the rules on afflictions that states the first save negates the effect, poison or disease.
What do you do when a wrong GM ruling creates dire in-game status effects that should never have been in effect in the first place?
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Some things can often be added in scenario's. Do you really know what kind of poison it is? Are you 100% sure of it?
But yes, in general first save negates poison totaly. Present the rule to him. Whatever happened , happened. If he admits his mistake at least he should take your advices more seriously in the future.
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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First of all, don't ever get into a heated argument with the GM while at the table, even if you're right. (Not saying you did, just getting that out there.)
Second, choose your battles: let things slide if it's not a big deal. (Though having to make extra saves against poison seems worth bringing up.)
Bring it up calmly. Something like "Actually, the rule in [section] says X." This gives the GM a chance to say "Oh! You're right, I forgot about that." If he sticks to his current position, then politely offer to look it up (pointing out that you can do so quickly).
Hopefully the GM will respond with something like "find it before your next turn and I'll have a look". If so, then the problem's solved. If not, then don't press it. Come to your GM later, either after the session or during an intermission so that you're not interrupting the game, and (politely) show him the rule.
This should work. If for some reason, despite your politeness and your willingness to not interrupt the session, the GM still won't listen, then talk to your VC. Every now and then there's a GM who isn't open to correction even when he's not in the middle of a game, and that's inappropriate and needs to be dealt with - but not by you.
I've probably been ninja'd by now, but hopefully this is helpful. :)
Canadian Maplecakes
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Something that's very common for GMs is the inability to admit a mistake during a game. It's something that's hard to handle mid-combat without hand-waving and re-writing history, so you'll find a lot of GMs will tend to go with their initial ruling when at the table.
If you end up in a situation where you're certain about the rules, be sure to point it out to the GM in a non-accusatory way; perhaps asking if it was a special case, or a misunderstanding of how the rule was presented. The GM will likely review the rule quickly at the table and review his original call.
What most GMs try to avoid is a situation where a PC dies as a result of a rules mistake (as it could have serious repercussions). That being said, if you approach the GM honestly and not being an accusing dick, if the rules flub ended up in a death, he'd be much more likely to reverse it.
Just my 2 cents :)
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OP
As a GM you have to keep the game moving. And as a GM you do make mistakes. I had to reread the affliction paragraph and the following pages to be sure. And I admit I would have done it wrong if not corrected.
I try to listen and I do change rulings if a player convinces me I'm wrong.
But during gameplay you seldom have time for reading rules. So either the player or the GM has to relent. I often do - but not always.
So best the discussion is done after the game.
And yes - it has happened a few times now that a player convinces me to be 'wrong' only for me to figure out that it was the player who was wrong.
Yes - GMs sometimes are wrong. So are players.
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As said by most people, I would mention it politely, and while its not my turn open up to the rule and read up on it without interrupting game play. As this was something that rendered your character unconscious I would be a little more insistent about the issue, especially if you were later killed because of it. Unless it is something that is life or death for the character though I leave the rule discussion till after combat finishes or a break, what ever happens first.
As I am usually a GM for my games and I have a rather well versed rule lawyer for a friend, I;m used to being interrupted with what may or may not have been a mistake. Playing in society though has helped us both when it comes to things like these.
I've never had a GM who woudl refuse to read a rule that I located for him, especially when the result would be so drastic for a character in combat. Remember though DO NOT slow down the game for the other players period. It only takes a few seconds to read a passage like that.