As much as I’m not proud of my artwork from 2 years ago, here’s my ode to the beard:

http://www.critical-hits.com/2006/08/10/the-seductive-powers-of-the-beard/

Bartoneuss last blog post..4e D&D SRD is up

Wait a minute, does that mean I have to start listening to all that yammering the players are doing?

Damn! I knew there was more work involved.

@Harry: Thanks for dropping by, after you guys shot me (thanks for the feedback, I implemented a lot of plugins after your drive-by consult).

Yeah, I find it surprising how many writer’s constraints GMs give themselves when designing what amounts to playgrounds for grownups… who cares if the slide is Bright orange and leads to a pool? It’s fun!

@Mike: Let us know how it turns out.

@Yax: You lazy bum!

Yaxs last blog post..Dragon cake and geeky desserts

Mundane tasks will become supraepic, hobgoblins coupled with Shakespeare, gelatinous cubes will be as gods!…

Point being, with enough convincing and a sufficient degree of awesome, a new system can enthrall a group of previously resistant players as they realize the inherent fun with in the idea of the game, despite the way it runs…

You’re so right, if the scene is happening, why stop it for logic? I’ve had that happen to me so many times while running a game and I laugh every time. I’ve sacrificed many of my own devices for the sake of The Scene. It’s a beautiful thing when it comes together (and utter hell when someone says “Hey, wait a tick, how’d *that* get in here?”)

Excellent post, Chatty.

Harrison McLeods last blog post..Separating Fantasy from Reality

“When you stare into the fridge, the fridge stares back at you.”

As you so eloquently say, the best thing about Fridge Logic is learning to use it. Embrace the fridge. When the player returns from the bathroom/kitchen/whatever and says “How come the Goblin only had one ear?”, or “How did he manage to hypnotize my character when we’re in an anti-magic zone?”, just smile.

Inside, you’re making mental notes to make that the topic of a future scenario, but outside, keep listening. Another player will always give a plausible explanation (because players are competitively clever like that – or maybe that’s just mine) which you can immediately snarf as the plot. You get one zero-effort scenario plotline and two players get to pat themselves on the back for a) noticing the thread, and b) figuring out the solution. Everyone wins. Apart from the other player who’s still at the fridge, but he’s just being greedy so doesn’t count.

Another way to look at fridge logic-driven storylines is to think of them like the games where you draw a body part then fold it over and pass it on. You create the rather dodgy plot hole, another player will spot it and a third will explain it away before passing it back to you, ready for another plot hole to be added. That’s how bad planning can turn into great campaigns, and all it takes is a GM willing to make the campaign by following on from the players’ wiggly lines.

I’m coming to think of 4e like a new car. Sure, it’s not got the CD multi-changer of the old car, and it lacks some of the refinements, but it is a newer model. It’s a little more fuel efficient, doesn’t have that annoying rattle when you hit 50, and it actually looks like it does on the brochures. Third Edition is the old and battered model you’ve driven for years, know all it’s quirks and are unwilling to part with. The best part is you don’t have to. We’re a two RPG family now

ok. I’m done. You can have your blog back now. I’ve hit my metaphor quota for the day.