Some Character Like Conan to Bring Matters into Line

 "Anyone who has viewed a horror movie is aware of how dangerous angry villagers are. Whenever the referee finds that some player has committed an unforgivable outrage this rule can be invoked to harass the offender into line. Within the realm of angry villagers are thieves from the 'thieves’ quarter,' city watches and militia, etc. Also possible is the insertion of some character like Conan to bring matters into line."

This is the "Angry Villager Rule" of OD&D. I just wanted to muse on it, I don't have much of tremendous insight to say. It goes to show that some issues really have been the same since the start of the hobby, though today the advice would usually be to simply talk to the problem player. I suppose that might show a difference in maturity (of the hobby, not of individuals), but I can't help but miss this kind of off-hand, conversational advice. It feels less like I'm reading a rulebook, and more like I'm receiving advice from some guy in a game store, in a good way. Lots of OD&D feels that way. It also evokes a  kids smashing their action figures together sort of zany fun that I think maybe we need more of.

Maybe you should consider, if needed or desired, inserting some character like Conan to bring matters into line or, for that matter, out of it. After all, who is to say how the scenario will react to such an entrance. I guess if there's something to take away from this post, it's this: go read OD&D if you haven't. It's a quick read and whatever ways you're expecting it to be strange and intriguing, it will surprise you in a different way than that.