Comments on: Chatty’s Ptolus 4e Demo: A Tail of Two Shities, Part 3 http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/ The Journal of Gamer Culture Fri, 25 May 2012 20:39:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57351 ChattyDM Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:05:03 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57351 I've thought about it, except that I usually don't play in English (this session being a special exception). Maybe I'll record my con games in the future. I’ve thought about it, except that I usually don’t play in English (this session being a special exception).

Maybe I’ll record my con games in the future.

]]> By: borisCallens http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57350 borisCallens Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:21:35 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57350 Hey, just a brainfart: you could maybe make it a pod cast (or even a web-cast) too? It looks like you're a good DM and have a nice party going there. There's some potential in there if you ask me.. Hey, just a brainfart: you could maybe make it a pod cast (or even a web-cast) too? It looks like you’re a good DM and have a nice party going there. There’s some potential in there if you ask me..

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57349 ChattyDM Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:13:12 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57349 Thanks Boris. I'm really happy that you compared my series to the D&D Podcast as I'm an avid fan of them. I totally get the 'playing in an internal system' reference. Many of us have had periods like that, especially before the Internet. Stay tuned for the game reports of my new D&D Clockwork game. I think it it will be very fun too. Thanks Boris. I’m really happy that you compared my series to the D&D Podcast as I’m an avid fan of them.

I totally get the ‘playing in an internal system’ reference. Many of us have had periods like that, especially before the Internet.

Stay tuned for the game reports of my new D&D Clockwork game. I think it it will be very fun too.

]]> By: BorisCallens http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57348 BorisCallens Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:09:12 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57348 Loved the series. It's a bit like the audio series with Penny Arcade on Wotc podcast. As my D&D minded friends are limited we are all self-thought and our play-styles can become a bit incestuous (don't know how else to put it). A series like this shows in a fun and easy to digest way how other's are dealing with it. Would love to see more in this genre Loved the series. It’s a bit like the audio series with Penny Arcade on Wotc podcast.
As my D&D minded friends are limited we are all self-thought and our play-styles can become a bit incestuous (don’t know how else to put it). A series like this shows in a fun and easy to digest way how other’s are dealing with it.
Would love to see more in this genre

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57347 ChattyDM Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:27:36 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57347 @WalkerP: My main goal of the night was not to convert any of you to 4e. I wanted to outline how fun this action adventure Roleplaying game was. The rest was just pure fun for me, you were a great group. @WalkerP: My main goal of the night was not to convert any of you to 4e. I wanted to outline how fun this action adventure Roleplaying game was. The rest was just pure fun for me, you were a great group.

]]> By: walkerp http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57346 walkerp Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:18:26 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57346 Doomdreamer, that quote is originally from Raymond Chandler. Great game, Chatty. I had a really good time. I loved that rolling ball obstacle. I don't have much else to say as I am very busy with work and holidays and life and all that, but also because I'm still trying to process how I take D&D 4e. It's a weird game to me, just doesn't feel like anything I've played before and I don't quite know why or how. So I'm still thinking about it. .-= walkerp´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.therpghaven.com/podcast/?p=203" rel="nofollow">episode 7 - Friendly Neighbourhood Gamer #2</a> =-. Doomdreamer, that quote is originally from Raymond Chandler.

Great game, Chatty. I had a really good time. I loved that rolling ball obstacle. I don’t have much else to say as I am very busy with work and holidays and life and all that, but also because I’m still trying to process how I take D&D 4e. It’s a weird game to me, just doesn’t feel like anything I’ve played before and I don’t quite know why or how. So I’m still thinking about it.
.-= walkerp´s last blog ..episode 7 – Friendly Neighbourhood Gamer #2 =-.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57345 ChattyDM Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:19:51 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57345 @Colmarr: As a 'mini-solo' monster I wanted the Rat Ogre to be mobile and relatively easy to kill. As a level 5 monster, it remained killable for the PCs. Also, it's based on the Umbral Ogre Savage, a Skirmisher. @Colmarr: As a ‘mini-solo’ monster I wanted the Rat Ogre to be mobile and relatively easy to kill. As a level 5 monster, it remained killable for the PCs.

Also, it’s based on the Umbral Ogre Savage, a Skirmisher.

]]> By: Colmarr http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57344 Colmarr Fri, 11 Dec 2009 06:03:54 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57344 I'm curious why the rat ogre is a skirmisher. Maybe I'm too biased by my time with Games Workshop products (especially Blood Bowl), but I see them more as soldiers or brutes. .-= Colmarr´s last blog ..<a href="http://astralsea.blogspot.com/2009/12/sow-fresco-chamber.html" rel="nofollow">SoW: Fresco Chamber</a> =-. I’m curious why the rat ogre is a skirmisher. Maybe I’m too biased by my time with Games Workshop products (especially Blood Bowl), but I see them more as soldiers or brutes.
.-= Colmarr´s last blog ..SoW: Fresco Chamber =-.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57343 ChattyDM Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:25:15 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57343 @Claus: Tell that worldbuilder that if he can come up with the answer during prep, he can also come up with the answer just as a player asks him... then he only has to come up with stuff when it matters. :) @Claus: Tell that worldbuilder that if he can come up with the answer during prep, he can also come up with the answer just as a player asks him… then he only has to come up with stuff when it matters. :)

]]> By: Claus Aranha http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57342 Claus Aranha Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:04:29 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57342 @doomdreamer I have read that somewhere else before, like it, and keep trying to follow that advice, but the worldbuilder in me keeps asking "Sure, but where the hell did that gunner came from? huh? huh?" @doomdreamer

I have read that somewhere else before, like it, and keep trying to follow that advice, but the worldbuilder in me keeps asking “Sure, but where the hell did that gunner came from? huh? huh?”

]]> By: doomdreamer http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57341 doomdreamer Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:32:52 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57341 Jim Butcher, Author of the Dresden Files Series of books, among other things had some interesting things to say about action. While I cannot quote him exactly, the summary is this: Whenever things ever got too talky, or people seemed clueless or lost, I always had someone burst through a door with a gun and start shooting, or something very close to that. That way my readers are never bored or skipping ahead until the book got good. I have followed that advice for a while now, and it has served me well in D&D, specially with the ones with short attention spans. .-= doomdreamer´s last blog ..<a href="http://paperlessrpg.blogspot.com/2009/12/quick-note-conundrum.html" rel="nofollow">Quick Note Conundrum</a> =-. Jim Butcher, Author of the Dresden Files Series of books, among other things had some interesting things to say about action. While I cannot quote him exactly, the summary is this: Whenever things ever got too talky, or people seemed clueless or lost, I always had someone burst through a door with a gun and start shooting, or something very close to that. That way my readers are never bored or skipping ahead until the book got good.
I have followed that advice for a while now, and it has served me well in D&D, specially with the ones with short attention spans.
.-= doomdreamer´s last blog ..Quick Note Conundrum =-.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57340 ChattyDM Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:20:45 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57340 @Doomdreamer: I know! It baffles the mind really. :) @wrathofzombies; I'll convert you to 4e one day... or convert the poop gun to Savage Worlds @mistr: A few points of advice: Skill challenges aren't essential elements of 4e that new players have to experiment. If you have a 10 year old, focus all your prep on his tastes and expectations. Go directly to the action... he'll love it. Play Do like I did, play areas 1, 3 and 4 but add a 'boss' that will appear after the PCs beat the Wyrmpriest. Take a lvl 4-5 Elite that should work just fine... For example, once the Boss dies, have the Bunker's door open and a Gelatinous Cube come out... it's the perfect size to patrol around the 'doughnut' Action, Action, Action... that's how you captivate the mind of a 10 yo @Doomdreamer: I know! It baffles the mind really. :)

@wrathofzombies; I’ll convert you to 4e one day… or convert the poop gun to Savage Worlds

@mistr: A few points of advice: Skill challenges aren’t essential elements of 4e that new players have to experiment. If you have a 10 year old, focus all your prep on his tastes and expectations. Go directly to the action… he’ll love it. Play Do like I did, play areas 1, 3 and 4 but add a ‘boss’ that will appear after the PCs beat the Wyrmpriest. Take a lvl 4-5 Elite that should work just fine…

For example, once the Boss dies, have the Bunker’s door open and a Gelatinous Cube come out… it’s the perfect size to patrol around the ‘doughnut’

Action, Action, Action… that’s how you captivate the mind of a 10 yo

]]> By: sicnaxyz http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57339 sicnaxyz Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:01:37 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57339 That looked like tons of fun. Sorry I had to miss it. If you do a part deux, I'll try to make it that time. That looked like tons of fun. Sorry I had to miss it. If you do a part deux, I’ll try to make it that time.

]]> By: mistrlittlejeans http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57338 mistrlittlejeans Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:08:49 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57338 Great series Chatty! I wanted to ask your advice. I'm going to run Kobold Hall (or some version of it) as a one shot for my siblings and my nephew over Christmas. A couple of them have played 4e, but my brother hasn't played dnd since 2e and his nephew (age 10) has never played. Any advice for running it? I really like your 3 room idea; I'd like to keep it short (3-4 hours tops). I wanted to do a short skill challenge like you did at the beginning to find the hall, but I'm afraid it will eat up a lot of time. Any advice for making it short and sweet? Any advice for playing with kids for the first time, especially with a mixed group? I really liked your idea for quick character bios (I plan to have pregen characters to save time) and backgrounds. Hopefully that will help pull everyone in. This will be a new DMing experience for me (some casual gamers, one old-school who's been out of the game, and a complete newbie child). It should be fun. Great series Chatty! I wanted to ask your advice. I’m going to run Kobold Hall (or some version of it) as a one shot for my siblings and my nephew over Christmas. A couple of them have played 4e, but my brother hasn’t played dnd since 2e and his nephew (age 10) has never played. Any advice for running it? I really like your 3 room idea; I’d like to keep it short (3-4 hours tops). I wanted to do a short skill challenge like you did at the beginning to find the hall, but I’m afraid it will eat up a lot of time. Any advice for making it short and sweet? Any advice for playing with kids for the first time, especially with a mixed group? I really liked your idea for quick character bios (I plan to have pregen characters to save time) and backgrounds. Hopefully that will help pull everyone in. This will be a new DMing experience for me (some casual gamers, one old-school who’s been out of the game, and a complete newbie child). It should be fun.

]]> By: wrathofzombie http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57337 wrathofzombie Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:46:20 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57337 Great Post Chatty! Heh. Poop guns. Love it. .-= wrathofzombie´s last blog ..<a href="http://wrathofzombie.wordpress.com/2009/12/08/clockworks-hits-50/" rel="nofollow">Clockworks Hits 50!</a> =-. Great Post Chatty! Heh. Poop guns. Love it.
.-= wrathofzombie´s last blog ..Clockworks Hits 50! =-.

]]> By: doomdreamer http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57336 doomdreamer Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:54:09 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57336 I have found that whenever I make a trap quite obvious my players fall for it, but whenever I conceal one, they suddenly go mission impossible and disable it. .-= doomdreamer´s last blog ..<a href="http://paperlessrpg.blogspot.com/2009/12/quick-note-conundrum.html" rel="nofollow">Quick Note Conundrum</a> =-. I have found that whenever I make a trap quite obvious my players fall for it, but whenever I conceal one, they suddenly go mission impossible and disable it.
.-= doomdreamer´s last blog ..Quick Note Conundrum =-.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57335 ChattyDM Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:26:15 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57335 Thanks Claus. I was impressed how different these changes made the whole adventure. In hindsight, I should have hidden the Rat Ogre behind the Boulder, on the Platform where the Boulder is supposed to be resting in the original adventure. When the PCs entered the room, I could have had a nice little cut scene where the Rat Ogre would push the Boulder down, jump down and start pushing it to crush all PCs. :) But it worked out fine anyway. Thanks Claus. I was impressed how different these changes made the whole adventure. In hindsight, I should have hidden the Rat Ogre behind the Boulder, on the Platform where the Boulder is supposed to be resting in the original adventure.

When the PCs entered the room, I could have had a nice little cut scene where the Rat Ogre would push the Boulder down, jump down and start pushing it to crush all PCs. :)

But it worked out fine anyway.

]]> By: Claus http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/10/chatty%e2%80%99s-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-3/#comment-57334 Claus Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:51:29 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4365#comment-57334 Thanks for the report series! Having read and DM'ed the Kobold hall a few times, it is impressive how some well chosen changes can change an adventure completely! Thanks for the report series! Having read and DM’ed the Kobold hall a few times, it is impressive how some well chosen changes can change an adventure completely!

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