So, here's an update pertaining to all the irons I have in the fire at the moment.
The Bloodrose campaign - Still working on it. The story line is all laid out. Just filling in the details and stat blocks. 91% complete.
The world of Nohj - Adding to it every week. This is approaching Forgotten Realms level of detail. Not what everyone wanted to hear, I'm sure. Never ending, 100% runnable, just adding little stuff all the time.
Hell's Symphony - The all Bard campaign. I have 2 of the major story lines and some minor encounters. Still needs lots of work. 10% complete.
Psionics re-write - Taking the Psionics from 1st edition and revamping the process and calculations. This one isn't even close. 3% complete. I still hold out hope of an epiphany.
Millenniums End/Traveller Expendables - 10% complete. Major characters realized, basic plot lines outlined.
1st edition RAW experiment - Abandoned. I tried, I really tried. After 5 in town encounters and 3 Dungeon/Combat encounters. I can state unequivocally we never used every rule from the books, back in the day. I'll do a post on house rules next to explain.
Witch class for 1st edition - 60% complete. This is closer to a Bene Gesserit from the Dune franchise, than an old crone. Right now... Things change and this might too.
BBEG card game - 30% complete. Concepts down, half of the mock up cards done There is still a bazillions play test games to play, rules rewrites, and getting the kinks out activities. And more play testing, and even more play testing. From everything I've read you have to play test a game right up until you die. Then your estate can make money. You won't ever get dime.
Of course I'm just waiting for the weather to warm up, and I'll be back in the garage, playing with wood again. :-) All the writing/design get put on hold for that.
Happy Gaming!
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Sunday, March 20, 2016
At the crossroads...
My wife and I have decided that 2016 is the year of ridding ourselves of clutter. We are world class crap stackers. There are piles of books, art projects, empty boxes, and what have you all over the house. My wife is an artist, avid reader, a crafter. I'm a gamer, collector, and crafter as well. Technically we're both collectors... of hobbies. She has expressed interest in building dioramas and gaming terrain with me. I recently took up book binding and as of last year started wood working again, making wands. I still want to make props for games at some point. So yes, we chase a lot of chickens. Big shiney chickens.
We have come to the conclusion that in order to pursue all the projects we want, we have to make space. We are both avid readers, so getting rid of books is out of the question. Never entered our minds, never will. The library is off limits, in perpetuity. Cast in stone this is. As there are books in the bedroom, there really isn't anything in the bed room to put away or get rid of anyway. Yes we'll be rearranging the living room and kitchen and dining room, but the 800 pound gorilla in the house is the office. Where I keep my gaming stuff. Shelves upon shelves of miniatures, books, board games, reams of hand written notes and ideas. All the typical gamer clutter gathered over the 35 years I've been gaming.
OK, so I'm a packrat. I admit it freely and without an ounce of guilt. I know a lot of other gamers are too. So here's my dilemma. How do I part with a significant chunk of memories? Packing up and storing game books is easily done. But what about the miniatures? I have a regimental combat team of just Inner sphere Battletech minis, at least a Galaxy of Clan mech minis, not to mention the Silent Death and Full Thrust minis. However of all the miniatures I own, the D&D minis represent the largest chunk of lead in the room. Not all of them are painted, a substantial amount are still in their packaging. Realistically, I know that selling off some of them will not only give me money to buy other things. But the primordial lizard brain keeps screaming at me not to. Yes I could probably summon the requisite will power to shut down the greedy, treasure hoarding little monster. But C'MON! THESE ARE PLEASANT MEMORIES. I go in there, I cast my gaze across the shelves and I get misty eyed.
So I am at a crossroads. I am having such trouble letting go of the past. I won't lie, part of what I'm feeling is a reaction caused by the thoughts of becoming housebound by the MS. Fear is a natural reaction to an unknown situation. Yes the logical parts of my brain tell me I'll need the space, I could use the money, and psychosis be damned. I checked on ebay recently and the Battletech minis are commanding descent prices. I probably won't clean out my entire collection, but I'll sell off a considerable amount. Being the fan of D&D that I am, all my books, magazines, and modules will never be sold while I still draw breath. You can have my 1st Ed. DMG when you pry it from my cold dead fingers...
I just needed this opportunity to whine about my dilemma. I'll pull up my big boy pants and figure out a solution. But until such time as I actually grow a spine, I'll stare wistfully at my shelves and remember Arrow IV strikes and an entire star of identically painted Piranhas. I'm sure there will be a certain amount of melancholy attached but I will persevere. I shall attempt to put on a brave face as I send them off to new homes with the hope someone will get as much enjoyment from them as I did. This will be difficult. It's hard to part with the elements of my past. The victories, the defeats, the many hours spent with friends.
Anyway, thanks for listening and Happy Gaming.
We have come to the conclusion that in order to pursue all the projects we want, we have to make space. We are both avid readers, so getting rid of books is out of the question. Never entered our minds, never will. The library is off limits, in perpetuity. Cast in stone this is. As there are books in the bedroom, there really isn't anything in the bed room to put away or get rid of anyway. Yes we'll be rearranging the living room and kitchen and dining room, but the 800 pound gorilla in the house is the office. Where I keep my gaming stuff. Shelves upon shelves of miniatures, books, board games, reams of hand written notes and ideas. All the typical gamer clutter gathered over the 35 years I've been gaming.
OK, so I'm a packrat. I admit it freely and without an ounce of guilt. I know a lot of other gamers are too. So here's my dilemma. How do I part with a significant chunk of memories? Packing up and storing game books is easily done. But what about the miniatures? I have a regimental combat team of just Inner sphere Battletech minis, at least a Galaxy of Clan mech minis, not to mention the Silent Death and Full Thrust minis. However of all the miniatures I own, the D&D minis represent the largest chunk of lead in the room. Not all of them are painted, a substantial amount are still in their packaging. Realistically, I know that selling off some of them will not only give me money to buy other things. But the primordial lizard brain keeps screaming at me not to. Yes I could probably summon the requisite will power to shut down the greedy, treasure hoarding little monster. But C'MON! THESE ARE PLEASANT MEMORIES. I go in there, I cast my gaze across the shelves and I get misty eyed.
So I am at a crossroads. I am having such trouble letting go of the past. I won't lie, part of what I'm feeling is a reaction caused by the thoughts of becoming housebound by the MS. Fear is a natural reaction to an unknown situation. Yes the logical parts of my brain tell me I'll need the space, I could use the money, and psychosis be damned. I checked on ebay recently and the Battletech minis are commanding descent prices. I probably won't clean out my entire collection, but I'll sell off a considerable amount. Being the fan of D&D that I am, all my books, magazines, and modules will never be sold while I still draw breath. You can have my 1st Ed. DMG when you pry it from my cold dead fingers...
I just needed this opportunity to whine about my dilemma. I'll pull up my big boy pants and figure out a solution. But until such time as I actually grow a spine, I'll stare wistfully at my shelves and remember Arrow IV strikes and an entire star of identically painted Piranhas. I'm sure there will be a certain amount of melancholy attached but I will persevere. I shall attempt to put on a brave face as I send them off to new homes with the hope someone will get as much enjoyment from them as I did. This will be difficult. It's hard to part with the elements of my past. The victories, the defeats, the many hours spent with friends.
Anyway, thanks for listening and Happy Gaming.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Odds n Wierds
In the course of listening to podcasts this week, I've heard a few things that have spurred me to put some thoughts out there.
Character Death
It may be because my entry into gaming was through war games, but I have never been all that upset when one of characters has died. Miffed maybe, perturbed, disappointed possibly. But never enough to cry over. This is why I can't quite understand someone being heart broken when one of their characters takes a dirt nap. One of your characters dies, that just makes the next characters success that much sweeter. I don't get into the "deep" roleplay. The game is supposed to be fun, I don't consider an instrument of social change or an opportunity for emotional exploration. IT'S A GAME! Your characters are scribbles on a piece of paper, not alter egos, not reflections of the id or the ego or the super ego. Do you burst into tears when your Monopoly token get sent to jail? No, you roll the dice until you get doubles. Do you have a fit when your Tsuro token goes off the map? No, you get up, grab a coke and wait for the next game to start.
Seriously folks, table flipping because a character dies shows a stunning lack of maturity. You need to sit back, make a note not to open that chest again without checking for traps and roll up a new character. DCC has the right idea with the "funnel" roll up abunch of characters and see which one survives. This approach helps you develop Player skills. You should learn from your mistakes. having a character die is a mistake. Either on your part or your dice's part. Learn from and don't do that again. Or throw your dice across the parking lot out back of the hobby shop...
Crunch vs. Fluff and the Rules lite argument
Again, because my entry into gaming was thru war games I happen to like complicated rule sets. My secret shame is that I like to read government documents. Not sure why, just like reading complicated language. An aside: the rules for Starfire 3rd edition read like stereo instructions, GAWD I love reading them.
It's up to the GM and the players to create the stories (fluff). It's like trying to play out the plot of a movie substituting your characters for the main characters in the movie, never ends well. Metaplot should be used to generate ideas for games, not make the GM and players slaves to the story. Don't be lazy, write your own stories.
On the subject of Rules Lite vs. Rules heavy. It comes down to personal preference. Quit shouting at everyone that they have to like what you like.
My preference is somewhere in between the two extremes. I believe in rulings not rules. Let the GM of the game decide what makes sense in their game. I refer you back to this post.
I haven't played or even looked at 5th edition D&D, but I hear it's a modular rules set. You can pick and choose what rules you want to use. That seems like a pretty good compromise for all the rules ragers out there. Of course any rules set can be modular, provided your table isn't chock full-o-rules lawyers.
So there it is. More pointless dribbling of my ever twisted mind. Consider it or not. Just go play and have fun.
Happy gaming!
Character Death
It may be because my entry into gaming was through war games, but I have never been all that upset when one of characters has died. Miffed maybe, perturbed, disappointed possibly. But never enough to cry over. This is why I can't quite understand someone being heart broken when one of their characters takes a dirt nap. One of your characters dies, that just makes the next characters success that much sweeter. I don't get into the "deep" roleplay. The game is supposed to be fun, I don't consider an instrument of social change or an opportunity for emotional exploration. IT'S A GAME! Your characters are scribbles on a piece of paper, not alter egos, not reflections of the id or the ego or the super ego. Do you burst into tears when your Monopoly token get sent to jail? No, you roll the dice until you get doubles. Do you have a fit when your Tsuro token goes off the map? No, you get up, grab a coke and wait for the next game to start.
Seriously folks, table flipping because a character dies shows a stunning lack of maturity. You need to sit back, make a note not to open that chest again without checking for traps and roll up a new character. DCC has the right idea with the "funnel" roll up abunch of characters and see which one survives. This approach helps you develop Player skills. You should learn from your mistakes. having a character die is a mistake. Either on your part or your dice's part. Learn from and don't do that again. Or throw your dice across the parking lot out back of the hobby shop...
Crunch vs. Fluff and the Rules lite argument
Again, because my entry into gaming was thru war games I happen to like complicated rule sets. My secret shame is that I like to read government documents. Not sure why, just like reading complicated language. An aside: the rules for Starfire 3rd edition read like stereo instructions, GAWD I love reading them.
It's up to the GM and the players to create the stories (fluff). It's like trying to play out the plot of a movie substituting your characters for the main characters in the movie, never ends well. Metaplot should be used to generate ideas for games, not make the GM and players slaves to the story. Don't be lazy, write your own stories.
On the subject of Rules Lite vs. Rules heavy. It comes down to personal preference. Quit shouting at everyone that they have to like what you like.
My preference is somewhere in between the two extremes. I believe in rulings not rules. Let the GM of the game decide what makes sense in their game. I refer you back to this post.
I haven't played or even looked at 5th edition D&D, but I hear it's a modular rules set. You can pick and choose what rules you want to use. That seems like a pretty good compromise for all the rules ragers out there. Of course any rules set can be modular, provided your table isn't chock full-o-rules lawyers.
So there it is. More pointless dribbling of my ever twisted mind. Consider it or not. Just go play and have fun.
Happy gaming!
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
30 Day D&D challenge. Day 30
Best playing/DMing experience
1978 or 1979, that's when I started playing D&D. I have played on and off in the intervening years. I took a break from that world for a few years because my hormones got the better of me. Girls didn't like D&D nerds back then, so I stopped playing to chase skirts. Yes I know NOW to just be myself and everybody else can get bent but the world was different place back then, and I had different priorities.
I have played in innumerable games from the time I started. I have run innumerable games. Despite all the minor frustrations. Idiot, power mongering, munchkin, baby bird, "my character wouldn't do that" players, I've had plenty of enjoyable experiences while both playing and DMing. I was spending time with people I mostly liked. I told stories to great acclaim. I got to exact vengeance on those that annoyed me. Hell, I used to keep score... 237 PCs and 16 TPKs. I have many massive 5 inch 3 ring binders full of material I came up with for games. I enjoyed every second of the creation process. I still do.
I still enjoy the thought of all the material I've written down being released upon my death, and all the haters can do is rail against the wind. I enjoy the knowledge of all the secrets in my games dying with me, NONE OF YOU KNOW WHAT TRULY WAS GOING TO HAPPEN!!!! MUHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!'
[Sorry about that. The maniacal secret keeping killer DM broke loose for a minute.]
The point of this exercise was to get me to write more to improve. I probably haven't. This whole exercise was about forming the writing habit. I'm going to find another one these and do that next. It won't be immediately, but soon-ish. I have a pile of ideas to get down on paper before I forget them. If any of you know of any of these blogging challenges (must also relate to gaming) let me know.
I have many fond memories of gaming because I had fun while doing it. Go out there and have fun playing whatever game you want to play. Just remember the Golden Rule of Gaming: Life is to short to game with dick heads, don't do it.
Happy Gaming!
1978 or 1979, that's when I started playing D&D. I have played on and off in the intervening years. I took a break from that world for a few years because my hormones got the better of me. Girls didn't like D&D nerds back then, so I stopped playing to chase skirts. Yes I know NOW to just be myself and everybody else can get bent but the world was different place back then, and I had different priorities.
I have played in innumerable games from the time I started. I have run innumerable games. Despite all the minor frustrations. Idiot, power mongering, munchkin, baby bird, "my character wouldn't do that" players, I've had plenty of enjoyable experiences while both playing and DMing. I was spending time with people I mostly liked. I told stories to great acclaim. I got to exact vengeance on those that annoyed me. Hell, I used to keep score... 237 PCs and 16 TPKs. I have many massive 5 inch 3 ring binders full of material I came up with for games. I enjoyed every second of the creation process. I still do.
I still enjoy the thought of all the material I've written down being released upon my death, and all the haters can do is rail against the wind. I enjoy the knowledge of all the secrets in my games dying with me, NONE OF YOU KNOW WHAT TRULY WAS GOING TO HAPPEN!!!! MUHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!'
[Sorry about that. The maniacal secret keeping killer DM broke loose for a minute.]
The point of this exercise was to get me to write more to improve. I probably haven't. This whole exercise was about forming the writing habit. I'm going to find another one these and do that next. It won't be immediately, but soon-ish. I have a pile of ideas to get down on paper before I forget them. If any of you know of any of these blogging challenges (must also relate to gaming) let me know.
I have many fond memories of gaming because I had fun while doing it. Go out there and have fun playing whatever game you want to play. Just remember the Golden Rule of Gaming: Life is to short to game with dick heads, don't do it.
Happy Gaming!
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