RPGaDAY2016: Day 11

Which gamer that you have played with has most affected the way that you play?

Hmm.  I know it sounds cheesy but I am going to have to say my kids.
They have changed how I prepare adventures and structure games.  I have played some really long games/campaigns in the past, but what I have had to do to keep them involved and away from the siren song of video games and the Internet has really challenged me.

Yes. I let them play video games and get on the net.  But what I do has to be just as entertaining to them, or more so, to keep them wanting to do this.

http://www.brigadecon.org/rpgaday2016/

RPGaDAY2016: Day 10

What was the largest in-game surprise you have experienced?

Wow. I need to think about this one.

I think it would have been how well the flashback episodes worked with my kids.
I had done flashbacks during the run of the Dragon and the Phoenix campaign for Buffy, but it never felt like it did with my sons playing Come Endless Darkness for D&D 5.

I mean I knew it was going to work and work well, but I had no idea that the kids were going to enjoy it as much as they did.   It was so satisfying that I want to figure out ways to do it in other campaigns.

Anytime my players can surprise me with their cleverness is also a great time.

http://www.brigadecon.org/rpgaday2016/

RPGaDAY2016: Day 9

What things are a part of your ideal session, other than the actual game?

I prefer to sit at a table with a good chair, but one that will also let me stand up a lot; so one that won't knock over or not slide easily.   I like to have a lot of really sharp pencils, plenty of paper to write notes and of course something to drink.  Not alcohol, I learned a long time ago that drinking and D&D don't mix with me, but something to keep my throat from getting dry.  It used to be Mt. Dew, but these days it is more likely to be water or tea.  And plenty of light.

One of the things I am happiest about is to be at a point in my life to be able to afford the game room of my dreams.  I have shelves where all my books are easy to get to, I have a nice table and cool art on the walls.  Plus my kids my love it and I often find my son down there just working on characters or adventures.

I also love having people are that there to play.  I don't mind table talk or the inevitable Monty Python quote storm; that's all part of the game really.


http://www.brigadecon.org/rpgaday2016/

RPGaDAY2016: Day 8

Do you prefer hardcover, softcover, or electronic books? What are the benefits of your preference?

In truth it sorta depends on the game.  I love my softcover old-school books, my hardcover books and my PDFs.  In general, I do like physical books, but I also love the convenience of PDFs.

I have put my PDFs on various cloud systems I have access too so being able to get to my collection at anytime is great.

http://www.brigadecon.org/rpgaday2016/

RPGaDAY2016: Day 7

What aspect of Roleplaying Games has had the biggest effect on you?

The writing really.  I wanted certain books or content to play and it was not out there, so I had make it myself.  In the process, I had to write and I had to get better at it.

Never thought I would be in a place where I am writing every day because I wanted to and even other people wanted me to.

Also, I have to admit the friendships I have made over the years have made a huge impact on my life and my kids love playing.


http://www.brigadecon.org/rpgaday2016/

RPGaDAY2016: Day 6

What is the most amazing thing that you know a game group has done for their community?

Hmm. I have seen a lot of game groups online give to charity. I organized some charity give aways with my game groups as well.  DriveThruRPG gives a lot to charity and that is nice.

I have seen gamers donate their time, money and books to children in need. Volunteering for various groups.

I like to think that in general that gamers are good people.

http://www.brigadecon.org/rpgaday2016/

RPGaDAY2016: Day 5

What story does your group of players tell about your character?

If it is my witch character then it is about the time took out a couple of ghouls at 2nd level.  The best part of it all was she was the almost the last one standing.
Managed to get them all and save the party.

But I have not had many characters in a few years due to always running games.


http://www.brigadecon.org/rpgaday2016/

RPGaDAY2016: Day 4

What is the most impressive thing that you can remember another player’s character doing in a session?

I think that would have to have been my youngest son Connor who made three called shots in a row with a bow and rolled three nautral20s in a row.
Damnedest thing I ever saw.


http://www.brigadecon.org/rpgaday2016/

RPGaDAY2016: Day 3

What is something you have done with your game character that you are the proudest of?

I have so many characters, but it is my iconic witch Larina I am most proud of.  She has been my playtest character for every witch book I have ever done and have multiple versions of her over many different systems.

She is also the character I have the most art of.  Here is my newest one.

Larina Nix and her winged cat by Agregor

http://www.brigadecon.org/rpgaday2016/

RPGaDAY2016: Day 2

Day 2. Let's do this.
What is the best game session you have had since August 2015?

We have had so many really. I think the first flashback episode we did that gave the players some insight to their current campaign.
It worked so weel that I also did a couple more to give them even more information.

http://www.brigadecon.org/rpgaday2016/

RPGaDAY2016: Day 1

It's August and I am participating in the RPGaDAY2016 blog marathon.  This year hosted by BrigadeCon.

So let's get started!

Do you prefer to use real dice, a dice application or program, or use a diceless system?

I am old-school. I prefer real-dice.  I have used many dice programs and apps of all sorts going back to the dawn of both D&D and computers.  But for me the feel and sound of dice hitting the table is where it is as for me.

RPG a Day, James’ Appendix

+James Mishler also added some questions.

1. Best non-RPG property to licensed RPG you’ve ever played
Easy. Ghosts of Albion.

2. Best RPG you’ve ever read but never played
Keltia from Cubicle 7.  It looks amazing.

3. RPG core rulebook you would take with you on a desert island
Only one?  The D&D Rules Cyclopedia. One book, endless possibilities.
That or the WitchCraftRPG.

4. Favorite RPG vaporware.
I hate to throw another designer under the bus, so I won't mention the one I am thinking of.
So I will go historic.  I would have to say the B/X Companion from TSR.  There was a BECMI Companion and a couple of other B/X Companions, but the TSR one is the one I wanted back in the day.

5. Best houserule that ended up with the worst results
Using a d30 for anything.  I know they are fun looking, but damn a flat 1 to 30 range is nearly useless for most games.

6. Worst kerfluffle that ever ended an otherwise good, ongoing campaign
The biggest campaign killers for me have been time to meet.

RPG a Day 2015, Day 31

Day 31: Favorite non-RPG thing to come out of RPGing

That's a pretty easy one.

The friendships I have made over the years.  Going all the way back to Jr. High to today I have had the pleasure to meet so many really cool people.  Not just "famous" people, but people I consider friends.

One of the the things I love most about Gen Con, or any large Con, is walking around and seeing so many people enjoying the same hobby as me. Maybe not always the same game, but the same sorts of things.   These people are kindred. They are my tribe.

Despite anything else that happens in gaming I still value to people I have met along the way.

RPG a Day 2015, Day 30

Day 30: Favorite RPG Playing Celebrity

I will be honest I have never given it much of a thought.

I did think it was cool that Vin Disel plays, and not only plays but knows things about the Silmarillion that only a true fan would know.

But I will be honest and say that I have recently become a fan of Felicia Day.  She seems to have been the model for the word "adorkable".  Plus I loved her on Supernatural.  No, I have not seen Season 10 yet.

I also have not seen "The Guild" yet either. But I do at least know about it.

RPG a Day 2015, Day 29

Day 29: Favorite RPG Website/Blog

Again, so many.

I think I am going to have to go with DriveThruRPG/RPGNow.

I LOVE the idea that any game I want is at my finger tips.  Old, new, sometimes free.  It is one of the best things about gaming in today's age.

RPG a Day 2015, Day 28

Day 28: Favorite Game You No Longer Play

There are actually a few.

I would have to say Mage: The Ascension.

I didn't play a lot of it, but what I did I really enjoyed.  Have not had the chance to play it the last 10 or so years.

RPG a Day 2015, Day 27

Day 27: Favorite idea for merging two games into one

I have had a few to be honest.  In fact they get their own label here, Plays Well With Others.

My favorite though is "Black Rose", my mixing of Blue Rose with Ravenloft.

Here are some of the posts from back then.

• Black Rose, Part 1
• Black Rose, Part 2
• Black Rose, Part 3
• Black Rose, Part 4

It was a lot of fun.

RPG a Day 2015, Day 26

Day 26: Favorite Inspiration for Your Game

I have said it before, but I am heavily influenced by music.  What ever album, CD or playlist I am listening to has the next adventure idea for me.

Also I have been undoing influenced by Hammer Horror, B-grade horror movies, 70 Euro-trash horror and 80s slasher flicks.

RPG a Day 2015, Day 25

Day 25: Favorite Revolutionary Game Mechanic

I think we are reaching now.

I have been doing this so long that things that were revolutionary now seem old-school.
Though I will admit I really felt that Point-Buy character creation really changed how I look at games.  That goes back to GURPS or even before.

RPG a Day 2015, Day 24

Day 24: Favorite House Rule

Hmm.  Hard call.

It's not so much a house rule, but a roll of 20 in D&D is always double damage. No rolling for crits. No rolling the damage die twice.  What you roll x 2.

Not really a big deal but I like to play the rules as written most times.