PWW: Challenging the Inner Half-Orc
Hurrah! It’s time for another PM post!
Do you know what happens when you leave your inner half-orc in a closet for too long? First, you start talking about him using the 3rd person. Second, he builds up an immense amount of RPG inertia and should he ever gain momentum, he could do something very dangerous… like trying to run his own adventure.
This is a follow-up post to my last entry where I first suggested this new course of events. I already identified my first weakness and suggested a solution. Now I want to tackle another one. (There are many, I’m sure)
Not happy with the already challenging quest of running ANY adventure with my diminutive experience, I want to run a CUSTOM scenario. Take that mister Kennedy! How does that one compare to your greatest challenge on which man has ever embarked!
[...crickets...cough...more crickets...]
Okay, well they won’t build any monuments to my image, but you gotta admit, it’s pretty daring nonetheless.
This was initially a completely subjective decision, but creative processes are rarely otherwise so there’s no surprise there. For lack of a better explanation, a scenario spontaneously emerged from the eternal turmoil that is my mind and I started building around it, using extra pieces of new knowledge I gathered talking with experienced players and DMs.
With that scenario off to R&D, I started to look at my newfound ambition in a less emotional way and revised the different feedback I received in the intervening days. The majority strongly suggested running a published story first to get the hang of how things work. Only then, and if, I reached a comfort zone should I try to experiment with a custom adventure. I couldn’t find much fault with that reasoning so I asked ChattyDM to supply me with some material so I could see what it meant to run somebody else’s creation.
It’s not easy to explain, but the way the information is presented in those adventures is completely alien to me and I have a real hard time imagining running this without constantly referring to the material. It’s as if I couldn’t process and memorize what I read. And I’m not talking about the crunch either, I may not be able to manipulate it as others do, but I can memorize that easily.
I’m talking about NPC knowledge and personality, story-arcs and world lore… I don’t feel I can ever absorb the information in such a way that I could then “perform it” to anyone’s entertainment. (A year long running gag of PM’s Shakesperian delivery of the wrong dialog does not count. ) By running my own custom scenario, I feel I’m better prepared to deal with the players’ action. If need be, I can substitute a plot device for something else or keep one in reserve should an opportunity arise.
Am I the only who feels this way?
It would be foolish to think I can seriously hope to succeed without at least a basic structure to guide my way. Most DMs create their structure through experience but I have no time for rational solutions. Lucky for me, my gaming roots are set firmly in 80s and 90s PC adventures. like Space/King/Police/LeisureSuitLarry Quest, the Gabriel Knight series, etc. and as a result, my storytelling style is a child to these influences. (This might explain big “Do Not Press” buttons here and there and a fascination for space brooms.)
Seriously, it means that my mini-story arc will divided in a multitude of clues, some minor some major that allow the players to reach the next scene. I don’t have much field data yet, but I think I will rely heavily on Fluff and improvisation; which makes sense considering I am a method actor player.
I think of it as a sandbox, but that’s not quite true because there’s a benevolent presence who nudges clues in front the player’s eyes. I think I can avoid my players not doing anything with my clues (through lack of direction or not recognizing the clue for what it is) by using my experience in the aforementioned games. (Nothing enraged me more than scanning every pixel in each location to find that darn interactive item that I previously overlooked…)
Between 1 and 10, how would rank my inevitable crash and cremation?
"A Memory of Light" Author Chosen
Brandon Sanderson, author of the Mistborn series, has been chosen to finish the Wheel of Time series from Robert Jordan’s notes. I have not read any of Mistborn, so any comments on it would be welcome. I certainly don’t envy Mr. Sanderson, but I’m glad that someone is going to step in and finish the series. Dragonmount has an interview with him.
(via /.)
Inq. of the Week: Pirates Ahoy
As expected, To Hit Armor Class 0 is the best nerd rockband name ever as has been proven conclusively, and I didn’t even have to cheat. On our worldwide tour, Rock Into Mordor can open for us for coming in a respectable second. Various other band names (both real and imagined) all came in with 1-4 votes.
Switching gears completely, I lately have been debating writing an article about the popular comics download site ZCultFM being served with DMCA notices by both Marvel and DC. ZCultFM (to which I am a longtime member) was the most popular place to find scanned versions of comics, most notably for their “0 day” packages of comics that hit stores the previous day.
ZCultFM is merely a “tracker” that provides links to torrents with this information, and their removing these links means that the torrent will go away. The scanners who do this work will most likely continue- they call themselves the “Digital Comics Preservation Society” to bring an air of nobility to their work. And indeed, it is because of them that I was able to read lots of older comic stories that are unavailable in stores.
I am a firm believer in creators being paid for their work, but the current state of comics makes it nearly impossible to follow the massive complex storylines that stretch over nearly an entire product without reading everything. Pirating them was one way to keep up, but it seems like the only options are to have a lot of money and buy the dreck along with the quality titles (which is what the companies want you to do) or receive review copies (which I’d like, but is not an option to the casual reader.) The timing of the take-down notices coincides with DC and Marvel attempting to launch their own digital comics versions, but there is no way it’ll be under the same terms as ZCultFM provided.
This is a long winded way of getting to asking my question, and it’s about digital content and piracy. Not just in the area of comics, but books, movies, and the ubiquitous music downloads.
Loading ...I will also not blame anyone if they choose not to answer the poll, since the poll software does track how you vote, and there could be some way out chance that our hosting company could one day be subpoenaed for this information. However, I would prefer that if you do vote, vote HONESTLY. If you don’t feel comfortable admitting that you’re a pirate, avoid this poll entirely!
Armor Check Penalty Applies for Fetch
Armor for Dogs (and other animals) is apparently available. It comes in both light and heavy armor, in case your dog is supposed to be a rogue or a fighter respectively.
(thanks, joshx0rfz)
The Dungeonmaster's Creed
This is a repost from Greywulf’s blog. It rings true enough to my needs as a role player to warrant a re-post. Although I can live with 3 core books… 
Maybe if enough of us post this, some wizards who work by the sea will take notice.
If you agree, please say so in comments… I’ll send a link back to Greywulf. If you disagree, feel free to tell me so and why! This will make an interesting discussion.
Also, I’m making this a Meme, I ask all DM bloggers to post it on their own blog and re-direct the feedback to Greywulf.
Edit: I’ve had several discussions on this today and am posting a slightly revised creed.
We, the undersigned……
- Demand a rules system that is consistent, clear and concise in all respects
- Want one book that contains character generation, the game rules and a wide and inspiring selection of opponents (Chatty DM: I disagree, I prefer Players, Rules Compendium and Organization/antagonists book separate)
- Expect regular supplements which take the game in fun, exciting and unexpected directions. Give us new monsters, new rules and new ideas, not formulaic repetition and rehashes of previous material
- Need published adventures created by the best minds in the industry that are fun to run and don’t require multiple rule books and monster manuals open at the table just to run a simple encounter. Give us all we need to run the encounter straight off the page
- Demand a system which works with (but doesn’t demand) miniatures, an internet connection or an electronic gaming aid. Let us choose how we play rather than be dictated by the financial interests of your company. Get this right and the profits will follow. Have faith in your customers, and they will have faith in you
Want a combat system which can scale with the number of opponents, whether it’s a single foe or a thousand screaming goblins. Demand a set of resolution systems (including combat) that can scale from quick one-roll resolution to fun and detail-producing minigame, both of which use the game’s basic resolution as the core.- Expect to be able to be able to create and customize monsters and NPCs simply, whether we be planning a scenario or sat at the table mid-game. We demand simplicity.
- Want stat blocks which take up a few lines of text, not a whole page
- Demand character generation that is as flexible and unrestricted as possible
- Expect the rules system to reflect the genre, not mould the genre into it’s image
- Want game designers who listen, not preach; improve, not re-invent; and inspire, not promote.
- Require a freely downloadable Test Drive Preview of the game with which we can run a sample adventure from start to end.
In return, we will…..
- Advocate, promote and play this game at every opportunity
- Make this game our game through customization of the classes, features and game world
- Introduce new players to the game, and thereby expand the hobby and profits of the company
- Buy the game, buy the supplements and buy the adventures, for they will be good, and worth our hard earned cash
- Have fun and be very, very happy indeed!!
signed
ChattyDM, taken from Greywulf, and modified based on discussions on this site. (With Thanuir’s feedback)
(add your name in the comments and/or cross-post in your blog if you agree).
Expanded quarters for the Overlords and his Minions (i.e. New Forum!)
I’ve been sitting on this post for two days, it was supposed to go up tonight, but screw it, 3h00 PM EST is evening in Europe… close enough.
Well, it’s done.
I have been asked if I could add a forum to this blog.
While I love the feeling of back and forth generated by blogging and comments, I agree that sometimes, a discussion could be explored in deeper details in a forum, where spontaneous subjects can be brought up, and topics fall off a page at a much slower rate and can be resuscitated more easily.
I gave it a flavor of it’s own. Picture the forum as being the Blog’s Evil Overlord Hideout… where the minions have free room and board, can work and play. The only drawback is that they can be terminated at the whim of the overlord. Did I mention that being a minion there comes with complete clone coverage? That makes summary termination a technicality but let’s not tell our Overlord-in-exile ok?
One huge Caveat, I know perfectly well that there are a tons of RPG forums out there and mine, apart from a weird layer of fluff, has nothing quite special about it. I have absolutely no intention of competing with theRPGsite, RPGnet, Treasure Table, Gleemax, EN World or Okay…Your turn.
However, it costs nothing more for me, and I want to give this growing community an easier outlet for it’s voice. I don’t fear it will be a bandwidth monster.
Here’s a few things I would to do with the forums:
- Exchange on my campaign projects (Current D&D campaign and Summer Mini-Campaign).
- Move discussions from my Google DM group (which has picked up recently) to the forum.
- Allow non-bloggers to post their campaign journals if they don’t already do it on another board (or link from other forums to here)
- Be a place for Play by Post RPGs. (I’m thinking about a Trope-fueled Risus game myself)
So as I post this, the Forums have been opened for some time, I sent special invites to members of my DM club and I was impressed by the level of activity already!
The forums can be reached here and in the top links of the blog’s 1st page.
See you there…
Mini-Links: Japanese Lupine Cubs
I’m sitting on a big announcement and I promised myself I’d only post it Sunday night.
But my urge to post something is so strong! 
So here’s a few more links for you to look at… not all RPG related.
When a hobby becomes an incredible opportunity
This morning in my morning newspaper, there was a story about a Country Music garage band that plays in some of Montreal’s seediest dives. Well it just happens that they were playing this country song about barflies drinking lukewarm (‘Tablette’ for all you Frenchies out there) Molson all day long.
Well there was this Japanese chick in the bar that day and she asked the guys to write the lyrics in English. She took them and translated the song to Japaneese. She then showed the signer how to sing it phonetically…. The song became an instant Tavern hit!
A Japanese agent was found and the guys got invited to Tokyo and played in a few restaurants and bars.
But even better, they got themselves a video. These are 4 French Canadian guys that don’t speak Japanese and have no intention of making it big ever….
They had a Hobby, they didn’t mind being silly and bang! Japanese Country Music Video.
What’s the link to RPGs? None! But never let anything stop you from doing something out of love, no matter how geeky or sappy… you never know where this will lead (Hey, a guy can dream, no?).
The Return of the Wulf!
Greywulf is back on the interweb! Our DM, Ubuntu trainer*, Photograph and Self-published wizard has started posting on his site again!
Have a look at his excellent Save or Die RPG Webzine.
Online Flash Games that are family friendly!
My 5 year-old son and I have made Stumbling for online games a daily hobby. We found quite a few cool places. Our latest find is a Wii-friendly grouping of incredibly nice-looking flash games.
Oh and you want to have a really lively time? Try this. Not indicated for anxious and nervous people…
See ya tonight for the announcement!
*Ubuntu… That’s a type of Pokemon right?
Independent Games Festival 2008 Award Nominees – Part 1
The Independent Game Festival occurs every year at the Game Developers Conference. It’s purpose is to showcase and reward the efforts of independent game developers who have produced outstanding innovative games. For those who are interested in watching last year’s Independent Game Festival(which, from this point on in the article, will be abbreviated IGF), the IGF website has it up for viewing at the IGF 2007 video page.
After the break, We look at the first six nominees in this year’s IGF.
For Glory!
I’ve been clamoring to post this all week, apparently one of the greatest television shows of all time that has been big in re-runs lately is making it’s glorious return on January 8th, 2008. It’s American Gladiators! You can visit the nbc site for the re-launch of the show, and I highly recommend watching the hilarious tv-spot if you haven’t seen it already. Judging from how the new gladiators look, this new American Gladiators is going to rely heavily on some of the same hilarity that we see in the original show. The question is, will it be as funny and entertaining when it’s being done intentionally, or will it only really catch an audience 10 years down the line as re-runs on ESPN?
If you’re some kind of hermit and scratching your head at all of this, please go to the AG wikipedia page and read plenty more then you’d ever want to know about this 90′s gem. It looks like a lot of the same events and obstacle courses are making their return in the new show, thank god, with some potential for some new fangled 21st century stuff thrown in. Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali are “hosting” and I honestly couldn’t think of anyone better to do it, though this might be a step down for Laila coming off of Dancing with the Stars I assume the publicity and fame is good no matter what. The first thing everyone says when hearing this news is, “Well, at least we know they won’t need any writers for this one…”
But for crying out loud, will Malibu come back for some guest appearances?!?!
