Honesty is best, man.

From what will he gain more Joy?
Will he let the player win, enjoyinga victory of the team, knowing that it is not 100% deserved?
Will he give the Victory to Sanji, build for cooking, played by him (mostly), enjoying having done a fine job?

Since I do not know anymor how this part of the story went in the original, I can see him do both, and neigther would be a downside to the players.

(In the end, Sanji is a part of the team... so even if Sanji wins, the whole profits.)


So yes, it is just a question of what he thinks to be right in this situation.

I never watched the show so I don't know about no cooking contest, but I remember Sanji walking though Roguetown with an elephant tuna slung over his shoulder in the manga.

Ditto that, I think sanji will win in the end.

I expect it to be a turning point for Gordon too, but I don’t know if he’ll choose to lie or not.

Meta-answer:

The black text is all about Gordon's turning point, where he learns to balance his desires with the desires of the team. Gordon wouldn't be a good DM if he made a habit of fudging the dice to allow his players to win. This is a low risk way of letting them know he'll be honest and fair with them.

Meta-meta-answer: DT doesn't seem like the type who wants to play a table of assholes. When you find out the DM lies about rolls in your favor, that encourages reckless gameplay. If Luke gets reckless, that will result in parts of the team dying, if not a TPK.

Que the Sabody Archipelago arch

Honestly I really dislike the Sabody arc. Really feel like Luke just wouldn't agree to it, and it'd help get to water 7 faster.

Honestly I really dislike the Sabody arc. Really feel like Luke just wouldn't agree to it, and it'd help get to water 7 faster.

??
Water 7 came before Sabaody..?

Sabaody come a while after Water 7. it's W7, Enies lobbies, Thriller Bark, the Duval mini-arc and Sabaody.

I can see him being called out on “making the ‘should I fudge the dice to let the PC win’ face.” Maybe it’ll be Carmen’s player herself that calls him out on this.

Not familiar with Steven & the crystal GMs, but...Think Marceline would not enjoy the GM letting her win anyway.
Gordon would play fair, and while unhappy that she lost, she will be glad that he played seriousely.