New term: HOG is an acronym for “Harmony of the Game”.

I first heard this term used during a gaming session with Anglachael where he said for the HOG I will not do this. I immediately wanted to know what the heck is HOG? To which he replied for the Harmony of the Game.

Sometimes players (and even DMs to a limited extinct) have to behave in a way that doesn’t necessarily align with their characters philosophy but for game sake will do it.

An example is that once while playing an AD&D game one of the players lost his character (rather he became bored with him and did not want to play him anymore) so he rolled up a new character. A demon type character, I was playing a good cleric and when I saw through his disguise and was able to see his demonic stated and I called him out on it.

I explain to the demon character that had this mission not be so important I would destroy him where he stood, or die trying. I really wanted to smite the evil and vile character, but I told the player for the HOG I would tolerate him for the time being.

Other sample HOG actions:

• A paladin turning his back on certain party members who are acting suspect
• A necromancer hiding his evil schemes from the party while working with them
• Party members resorting to diplomacy rather than slugging it out with each other

Sometimes players need to be more flexible and tolerate other players/characters. If you spend the entire gaming session arguing on how you will kill each other nothing gets accomplished. Sometimes somebody has to say I will do it for the HOG.

After all don’t we game to have fun?

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