need a bit of DM help

Ok, so most of my DMing problems come from lack of experence, like letting someone get C-4 (so much for that mass combat). That should fix it's self in time.

But my real issues stem from the newness of the system to my group. I don't really feel like they understand how the virtues work. Honestly, I'm having a bit of trouble with it myself, which is a bit of a problem when it comes to enforcing the virtues. Namely, I haven't yet.

For an example, one of my players is an allie seeker in pretty much every game he plays in. I know he wants to try and get some titanspawn on his side, and so far I havn't let it happen. But when if ever could it be done? Not to mention how.

And on the rare occasion someone channels a virtue for a roll, I've let some fairly shady reasonings for useing that virtue through. I doubt vengance should really be used the first time you fight an enemy, but it's happened.

What are some good examples when a virtue would force a PC to take or not take an action? I've tried to wrap my brain around this on my own, but there's only so much I can get out of the virtue section of Hero, and frankly, that's about taped out.

Its a pretty broad question.  There are lots of reasons for everything.  Ones that have come up in my game.  Someone with courage running from a battle.  Someone with Valor wanting to use a baby as a weapon.  Someone with intellect pretty much being retarded and wanting to just fight everything.  Someone with Harmony watching a titanspawn destroy a forest.  Hero does a fairly good job of listing a lot of possibilities. 

trainer343:

Ok, so most of my DMing problems come from lack of experence, like letting someone get C-4 (so much for that mass combat). That should fix it's self in time.

Eh, C-4 won't be a kingmaker forever. a lot of enemies it won't hurt in Demigod.

trainer343:

But my real issues stem from the newness of the system to my group. I don't really feel like they understand how the virtues work. Honestly, I'm having a bit of trouble with it myself, which is a bit of a problem when it comes to enforcing the virtues. Namely, I haven't yet.

I admit I am not too hardcore on the Virtues. They are, to some degree, open to interpretation. Mainly look at what you can and can't do, though I don't enforce that unless they have at least 3 dots to save rolls.

trainer343:

For an example, one of my players is an allie seeker in pretty much every game he plays in. I know he wants to try and get some titanspawn on his side, and so far I havn't let it happen. But when if ever could it be done? Not to mention how.

Depends on the titanspawn. My PCs have allied with a few, but only a small handful over the past two and a half years. Usually they were set up to have it be possible. The trick is give whatever Titanspawn  you want them to have the potential to ally with their own goals that may be pointed out to not jive with those of the titans. My PCs have allied with a werewolf who was mostly a hitman, a vampire more interested in taking care of "her" city then anything else, and while not exactly allies have pushed Angrboda and Utgard-Loki toward at least Neutrality for now in the conflict.

Also allies need not necessarily be titanspawn to begin unfriendly and be turned friendly. Check out my Yokai thread, or set up situations where, say, a group of Nymphs who would rather just play need to be convinced to help, or a pantheons lesser immortals need to be convinced to help a band with no scions from that pantheon (especially uppity ones like Celestial Bureaucracy or Devas).

trainer343:

And on the rare occasion someone channels a virtue for a roll, I've let some fairly shady reasonings for useing that virtue through. I doubt vengance should really be used the first time you fight an enemy, but it's happened.

If said enemy was among those who did some nasty thing the PC is pissed about sure. If they are investigating the people killed in a YMCA by a group of Centaur for instance. If they are wandering in Jotenhiem and happen across a giant not so much.

trainer343:

What are some good examples when a virtue would force a PC to take or not take an action? I've tried to wrap my brain around this on my own, but there's only so much I can get out of the virtue section of Hero, and frankly, that's about taped out.

a Valor-oriented PC to attack an unarmed foe (who does not have specific tricks, or claws) , a Vengance oriented PC to allow a serious insult to go unpunished. a Conviction oriented character to give up on their goal.

I wanted to note after thinking, the add'l Companion Material in the Epitaph has a page that discusses each of the 4 main Celestial Bureaucracy Virtues and how the reflect the Bureaucracy. (if you were unaware of it, it was also free and has info on the Japanese Crom Cruach Titan Omukade and some of it's spawn).

Scion: Ragnarok has a similar examination of the 4 Aesir Virtues, with again how they reflect the Pantheon, pg. 48-50.

trainer343:

For an example, one of my players is an allie seeker in pretty much every game he plays in. I know he wants to try and get some titanspawn on his side, and so far I havn't let it happen. But when if ever could it be done? Not to mention how.

This is what Birthrights are good for. Followers, Guide, etc... Minotaurs are Titanspawn, but can be Followers or Creatures.

ABERRANT_SCION:

This is what Birthrights are good for. Followers, Guide, etc... Minotaurs are Titanspawn, but can be Followers or Creatures.

Actually Minotaurs technically are not Titanspawn IIRC, they are from Poseidon technically.

I think the point, from what I am hearing, is he likes converting foes, or at least those not initially on the players good side. I may be misinterpreting here.