tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post5992306741050102130..comments2024-03-29T20:04:30.755+08:00Comments on Monsters and Manuals: Something I Can Use at the TableUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-60382106787234863972017-02-14T23:48:55.405+08:002017-02-14T23:48:55.405+08:00@Jorunkun
The ACKS Lairs & Encounters book did...@Jorunkun<br />The ACKS Lairs & Encounters book did finally get released a bit ago. I've skimmed through it. The prebuilt lairs do contain a few "ogre in room" entries, but some are kind of interesting and novel.maimed autarchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01519668649420482914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-64861414124948102472017-02-14T06:58:41.714+08:002017-02-14T06:58:41.714+08:00It's far more common to come across people in ...It's far more common to come across people in RPG circles who imagine themselves as especially creative, but are barely average with too much time on their hands. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-59230481199881797442017-02-14T05:32:43.810+08:002017-02-14T05:32:43.810+08:00"Not often, but sometimes, you come across pe..."Not often, but sometimes, you come across people in RPG circles who almost bemoan creativity - as though it is a dangerous thing and the less of it the better."<br /><br />Pure resentment - sour grapes on the part of uncreative people.spigothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10731224119469018601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-34449631403521879312017-02-11T07:02:06.091+08:002017-02-11T07:02:06.091+08:00But I'm wrong - there is some use in diagnosin...But I'm wrong - there is some use in diagnosing a problem, even if you haven't got a solution.spigothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10731224119469018601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-15384025714725422952017-02-11T06:58:15.676+08:002017-02-11T06:58:15.676+08:00==there's no point shitting all over everythin...==there's no point shitting all over everything unless you're willing to tell us how it could be better<br /><br />'Better' is what smart people are doing, keep your D&D gaming thoughts offline and in real life.Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11165997449776226774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-27671534086617433302017-02-11T06:55:19.257+08:002017-02-11T06:55:19.257+08:00==Thank you for recommending the campaign journals...==Thank you for recommending the campaign journals.<br /><br />The ones written by 'premier' are best. Premier was a player.<br />http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=34856Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11165997449776226774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-16585156320360437382017-02-11T06:45:48.360+08:002017-02-11T06:45:48.360+08:00Again Kent, I think you're right, but like Joh...Again Kent, I think you're right, but like John says there's no point shitting all over everything unless you're willing to tell us how it could be better. Thank you for recommending the campaign journals.<br /><br />And Zak, I'll remember to get your permission in triplicate before commenting again... a thousand pardons my liege!!spigothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10731224119469018601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-19815126738849648752017-02-11T02:43:42.934+08:002017-02-11T02:43:42.934+08:00==I think you're right Kent, but what's yo...==I think you're right Kent, but what's your solution? <br /><br />There is no solution. It's far too late. As soon as the egomaniacs (Raggi, Zak Smith et al.) scented dollars back in 2009/2010 it was too late. They carved out safespaces for themselves to be adored. The fledgling community grew by attracting in gullible consumers and shit content publishers rather than arty brainy hobbyists who have no interest in interacting with low calibre people. Personally I enjoy a good scoff.<br /><br />==And what do you think is the best that's come out of the last 15 years or so?<br /><br />I used to think Carcosa was very good but when it came out it coincided with my reading CA Smith for the first time and I think my enthusiasm for both bleed into each other. Now, Im not so impressed with CA Smith or Carcosa.<br /><br />I would say Melan's D&D campaign journals on Dragonsfoot are probably the best thing Ive read.Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11165997449776226774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-3148205537285825742017-02-11T02:23:48.242+08:002017-02-11T02:23:48.242+08:00John, hear hear.
Owen is somebody with an intere...John, hear hear. <br /><br />Owen is somebody with an interesting blog by the looks of things. I think Kent is half right insofar as K&KA and Dragonsfoot go. The quasi-religious puritanism of many of the posters on those places is really odd. I remember reading a forum thread on K&KA years ago in which a former TSR employee - a very nice polite person involved in 2nd edition - was more or less being metaphorically flayed alive for daring to suggest Zeb Cook isn't actually all that bad a guy. It was like watching the two minutes hate.noismshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09933436762608669966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-55057959904079698892017-02-11T02:18:47.698+08:002017-02-11T02:18:47.698+08:00Haha. All the more reason for me to do a good vers...Haha. All the more reason for me to do a good version then.noismshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09933436762608669966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-36572464210869525022017-02-11T01:29:17.841+08:002017-02-11T01:29:17.841+08:00Kent, that's three comments of almost nothing ...Kent, that's three comments of almost nothing but bitching. I don't care about your issues with Zak or KK&A or whoever. If you're unhappy with the current state of D&D, your time is better spent writing the sort of material you'd like to see rather than complaining about what already exists.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07090296806321882601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-4341693248156936262017-02-10T22:56:14.538+08:002017-02-10T22:56:14.538+08:00Book of Lairs is _sooooo_ bad.
There's an ogr...Book of Lairs is _sooooo_ bad.<br /><br />There's an ogre! <br /><br />He's in.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................a cave,Zak Sabbathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08812410680077034917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-47617077908736557742017-02-10T22:55:07.775+08:002017-02-10T22:55:07.775+08:00we all know Kent is insane, but who is this Owen d...we all know Kent is insane, but who is this Owen dickhead?Zak Sabbathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08812410680077034917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-18446349399870270082017-02-10T17:32:50.759+08:002017-02-10T17:32:50.759+08:00I think you're right Kent, but what's your...I think you're right Kent, but what's your solution? And what do you think is the best that's come out of the last 15 years or so?spigothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10731224119469018601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-1929095767797325532017-02-10T07:46:16.890+08:002017-02-10T07:46:16.890+08:00To the dismay of sane D&D gamers (like me) we ...To the dismay of sane D&D gamers (like me) we are squeezed between the D&D forums of mindless grinning 1979 clones and the cult of personality tyrants, with their bollock licking lieutenants (who also have shit to sell) and the anus licking crowd of dull consumers who have fuck nothing to offer. James Raggi and Zak Smith ? are you fucking kidding. That is the best has been produced recently ? Shame on you. Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11165997449776226774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-1439151289586419032017-02-10T07:26:28.560+08:002017-02-10T07:26:28.560+08:00OK, let's put it down to miscommunication whic...OK, let's put it down to miscommunication which is commonplace where there is nothing at stake.<br /><br />My contempt is honed on those, like (but not exclusively) the Knights & Knaves Alehouse Shitbrains, who persist within a TSR safespace bubble from 1979, and who describe D&D invention that is not derivative and remedial as "a novel" as if there were no difference between a Dragonlance novel and The Worm Ouroboros.<br /><br />The gremlins at K&KA typify the 99% of D&Ders who are confused and drowning (and angry) when not presented with a 1979 TSR safespace dungeon map, and with religious puritanism describe anyone who does not distribute the Gygax sanctioned monsters from the MM onto a standard dungeon grid as "sexual perverts".Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11165997449776226774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-66373867605707528172017-02-10T04:42:01.787+08:002017-02-10T04:42:01.787+08:00Yes, that thing about reading the whole book and p...Yes, that thing about reading the whole book and prepping some index cards or other notes is crucial for me too, which is why I wonder whether it isn't just as fast to come up with your own things? (Except if you are lacking mental energy, which is fair enough - a pre-written adventure is always more convenient in that respect.)noismshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09933436762608669966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-3344928588498763762017-02-10T04:40:28.768+08:002017-02-10T04:40:28.768+08:00Thanks mate!Thanks mate!noismshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09933436762608669966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-90729526844318594702017-02-10T04:39:19.683+08:002017-02-10T04:39:19.683+08:00Yeah, that set design thing is interesting. Yeah, that set design thing is interesting. noismshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09933436762608669966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-32726253122946216682017-02-09T19:40:08.896+08:002017-02-09T19:40:08.896+08:00By all means do, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Th...By all means do, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. The ACKS guys are supposed to have a re-make in the pipe, but it's overdue and has been very quiet.<br /><br />Thing is, there is a middle ground between generic "Orc guarding treasure here" and the creative weirdness the OSR likes to come up with. It may be more craft than art, but it's actually not trivial to do well, imo. <br /><br />A good example is Rob Conley / BatInTheAttic's Scourge of the Demon Wolf. Uses a sparse selection of standard fantasy trappings, but arranges them well. Easy to slot into any campaign. Easy to spice up with sex, drugs, and Cthulhu references as well. Because the substance of it is solid. Not art, but really good craftsmanship.<br />Jorunkunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09426891713637954230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-12146513673607912892017-02-09T17:33:40.768+08:002017-02-09T17:33:40.768+08:00By co-incidence, Courtney Campbell's latest po...By co-incidence, Courtney Campbell's latest post on 'set design' - described as the 'stat block' for the 'exploration phase' is a good example of thinking about how material can be more 'usable at the table'. <br /><br />In lots of adventures it isn't even 'boxed text', which at least serves an immediate game purpose, but lots and lots of text hiding the details and moving parts of the adventure.<br /><br />So, with Yoon-Suin, it is not it's deviation from vanilla fantasy that matters, it is whether the material is presented in a game-able format. And it is!Andy Bartletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06683770320671028815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-51593149683388462822017-02-09T17:25:00.563+08:002017-02-09T17:25:00.563+08:00For me, 'something I can use at the table'...For me, 'something I can use at the table' is more about the structure and form than the flavour of the content. Even if it is just the sort of 'orc dungeon' that I could throw together in 15 minutes, it is capable of being presented in different ways, some more immediately useful than others. Andy Bartletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06683770320671028815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-27276628196408524132017-02-09T09:23:47.105+08:002017-02-09T09:23:47.105+08:00There are so many different levels of players, and...There are so many different levels of players, and so many different directions. You've got novice (the hardest market to nail unless you are corporate)to the very advanced (another hard market get because they want very little). Then you have styles, be it random players that can't get enough crazy lists, traditionalists that are happy with sticking to mega-dungeons, Role Players that love culture, Hack-n-slashers that want mechanics, you name it, there is a subreddit for it, and typically the biggest discussions are the ones dissing the other subreddits. <br /><br />At it's heart, we are all playing the same game, but we are convinced that we aren't. We all play in different ways, and you are always going to have those people that just don't get it.<br /><br />You are a brave soul, Noisms. You put yourself out there and that is never an easy thing to do. Just know that we, the quiet majority, are behind you, and all of those idiots fueled by jealousy and insecurity can just get their heads soaked.RipperXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506064393275174920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-45207232699531075632017-02-09T04:31:33.734+08:002017-02-09T04:31:33.734+08:00@Kent I always read a product before using it. The...@Kent I always read a product before using it. The difference between DCO and a gazetteer is that DCO is actual game material and does not require further work by myself (except some light highlighting, the writing style is not to my liking) before I can run it.<br /><br />If I just want material from which to abstract ideas, I can do better than the writers of RPG supplements, who in general are no authors. And although a game which the DM has thought up him or herself is superior to one got out of a box, other forms of entertainment like books or film don't exclusively consist of deeply thought-out classics, yet we still enjoy them. Given the time constraints facing many DMs, it's nothing but petulant to insist that they all should devote considerable work to a leisure activity even though a less prepared game can still be quite enjoyable. That work being not just reading and taking notes, as you imply, but essentially writing all the parts of the adventure their players actually interact with in the case of the more abstract supplements.<br /><br />Moreover, any way you slice it, coming up with interesting in-game material is a major part of the workload of being DM. I take inspiration from the minutiae of published adventures, and steal material to rewrite to fit my own games. I don't want to manufacture countless details in accordance with someone else's vision; I want a supply of details I can modify to match my own.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07090296806321882601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513019539869706574.post-35133731467505375672017-02-09T02:31:32.283+08:002017-02-09T02:31:32.283+08:00I'm a bit on both sides here. I generally like...I'm a bit on both sides here. I generally like settings of broad strokes where I can use my creativity and fill in the blanks. But I can see the appeal of just having everything in a slim book ready for a quick session or two of play. Some days, I have the mental energy to be creative and get an adventure going. Other days, usually the weekends where I work doubles and we get slammed in the kitchen, I'm simply too tired to come up with anything. So it's nice to have something I can read and run.<br /><br />That said, I think there are two things that are important for running a module or adventure path. Firstly, you really have to read it in its entirety. Whether it's Deep Carbon Observatory or Rise of the Runelords, reading the module cover to cover is necessary so you don't stop in the middle of the game to check stuff. No matter the game, some amount of prep and effort is required. Even when I do off-the-cuff one shot session, I still at least write up some index cards. Secondly, I feel GMs can get lazy when it comes to pre-published adventures and prep. I've seen GMs just read as they run, or mindlessly follow the module without making any rulings about player actions. Even with a simple Free RPG one shot, you can't really go on autopilot and expect the adventure to do everything for you. Modules and adventure paths are there to do the hard stuff for a GM. Stats, story, setting, scenarios... but as a GM, you still have to make rulings and roll with the punches.<br /><br />For accessible books, I like two types. I like plug and play books that give you examples of NPCs, organizations, and locations. I always love me a Monster Manual and get excited when Paizo releases a new Bestiary. The second type are the toolkit books, where it's just a giant tome of ideas and random generators that excite creativity and require some assembly, but still give great ideas. Opiyelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02417788307268767696noreply@blogger.com