This is my entry into this month's blog carnival on the Future of Roleplaying by the RoleplayingPro where they asked some questions for thoughts on what will happen to roleplaying in the future. These are mostly disturbing dreams and visions from a half-crazed mind touched by aberrant forces. Heed or ignore them at your own peril!
While I was writing my first entry to the blog carnival, my mind was attacked by feverish dreams and visions that gave me a glimpse of what will transpire in the future of gaming. They involved many bizzare images and a mysterious voice which whispered to me the dark future that lies ahead of us, unless we stop the dark forces that threaten the very universe of RPG itself. With my sanity at stake, I hereby transcribed these frightening visions to serve as a warning for the sake of our survival.
What games do you see emerging as the big players in the near future?
In the 26th edition of D&D which will come 3 months after the previous edition, the game company, whose name remains unknown, has introduced a subscription model of the core rulebooks that will be digitally delivered to paid customers on a weekly basis.
Each core rulebook will contain 7 new classes along with 7 new races as playtest that will never be canonized. There is no more Monster Manuals as a result as it's compulsory for players to generate their own monsters out of these core rulebooks. To compensate for the loss, they will have a Equipment Encyclopedia that will have stats for every 5,000 magical equipment (mundane items are gone by now) and loot. That's right, players can buy their own loot without having to go through the dungeons.
Once a customer has decided to subscribe, they are given 2 lifetimes membership which cannot be cancel at any point by the subscriber and their children. Price of the subscription increases on a yearly basis as 52 core rulebooks are deemed appropriate for higher level of content.
Other things that are required to play the 26th edition of D&D is the latest console, a virtual reality room, a satellite and a can opener (which is the hardest to find among the formers).
What companies should we be watching out for to release the next big product?
Everyone is anticipating the next big release to come from Nintendo when they release another supplement under the Mario label. Roleplaying as plumbers and stepping on mad caps has been seen as one of the most venerable forms of roleplaying by even the oldest of the oldest grognards that they believe will make even the fathers of RPGs shed a tear of joy in heaven.
How will technology become more integrated into roleplaying games?
The greatest development in RPG technology nowadays is in the field of Artificial Intelligence. RPG scientist and researches are close to perfecting the ultimate algorithm that will look ahead of potential players' decisions and improvise a balanced TPK for them in advance. Once this technology is complete and used by gaming companies, a computer would be all that is required to play a RPG session but controversy arises when it said to use a Nanosoft platform.
What industry writer do we need to be on the look out for?
Writers in the future of RPGs are an extinct species as game publishers now rely on random math, plot and design generators to come up with the latest RPG product. The only job that is left in the RPG industry is button pusher for these generators. Retrenched writers as a result are now looking for jobs in the TV industry where having writer strikes to kill off popular TV shows is a lucrative source of income.
What blogs do you see exploding into becoming the next big thing?
The oppressed minority by gaming companies and gamers alike. Some say that they are the final bastion of true roleplaying back in the heydays of using primitive tools such as out of shape polyhedrons and poisonous carbon leads. Such forms of roleplaying are now deemed inappropriate since it deals a high amount of environmental damage due to their paper usage for character sheets. Many still blame them for causing the post-apocalyptic era in RPGs when they raise many ideas, dubbed the 'zombie ideas' that were done to death and back again.
The most popular blog at this time is known as the Questing GM who resides in an urban jungle somewhere in Madonesia.
What do you see for the future of the industry?
RPGs has replaced all forms of gaming. It started by absorbing elements of board, card and miniature gaming and slowly made its way into the computer and console industry, following the phenomenal success of the Dragon Age RPG by Green Ronin in the 21st century. Since then, RPG has become a multi-trillion dollar industry and has become an academic subject in major universities.
Now, RPGs are looking forward to absorb reality TV elements where producers believe that watching a player smash and swallow his own dice would improve ratings.
As you can see, how grim our future will be if we maintain at our present course. So be prepared to face these consequences. Hide your books, hide your dice but most of all, pray to the gods that the Far Realm never reaches here.
Or you can just laugh it off and drop a nice comment.
May 31, 2009
Questing for the Future of Roleplaying
This is my entry into this month's blog carnival on the Future of Roleplaying by the RoleplayingPro where they asked some questions for thoughts on what will happen to roleplaying in the future. These are mostly just speculative musings and by no means are supported by any statistical or factual evidence or any inside knowledge on the industry. So take these with a grain of salt and don't forget to drink lots of water after that.
What games do you see emerging as the big players in the near future?
The traditional structure of leading games in the industry from what I've gathered has always been Dungeons & Dragons leading the pack for the past 30 years, followed by a strong suit of World of Darkness games. I'm not sure if there is anything currently that could topple either one of these games from their comfortable seats in the near future but it would be very interesting to see who takes third place.
For my candidates I think it would be either Savage Worlds, Pathfinder or the D6 system.
Savage Worlds has been receiving some rave reviews and uses quite an innovative approach to their gaming that emphasizes on speed and simplicity which is quite a far cry from the models of traditional roleplaying. This might be the edge needed to attract old and new players. Also, Pinnacle Entertainment has greatly maximized its open license which has given it plenty of support and settings that will give a special niche to all of its players one way or another.
I have big hopes for Pathfinder. They have a great team that is creating a great system. If they are able to win big attractions from the OGL crowd, they will surely make Wizards pay for their mistake by abandoning the OGL and resort to 4E.
West End Games studio has recently opened their main game system with the launch of Open D6 and this might herald a major revitalization for this system. If enough momentum is started and sets in for content producers for this system, it might win a lot of fans because it has been a tried-and-true system that many gamers still think its version of the Star Wars RPG is superior than its decedents (i.e., Wizards).
What companies should we be watching out for to release the next big product?
Well, almost every product released by Wizards for D&D has always been taken as the next big product by their fanboys so that was a bit of a moot question.
Alright, seriously, I don't know but I probably won't be surprised if its from Green Ronin. I'm not saying that Dragon Age is going to take over the P&P RPG world by storm but they seem to have a track record of adapting many desirable IPs into pretty solid gaming product lines, so maybe the time will come when they release a RPG based on one really popular product that creates a huge market.
How will technology become more integrated into roleplaying games?
As much as I hate to admit it, yes, technology will play a bigger part in RPG days to come. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike technology but I really enjoy the simple joys of rolling actual dices and using graph paper tactical maps while we let our imaginations do the rest. Nowadays, technology is slowly finding its permanent spot on the gaming table from projector maps, laptops for managing in-game and out-game notes to using iPhone as dices (though they are not quite as sturdy as good old dice).
On the industry side, Wizards have already begun adapting more digital technology to provide additional content and services and it could set the days of how other publishers would provide these services for days to come. We'll also be seeing subscription as the base model for many RPG companies to provide content to their customers.
A curious piece of technology now is probably Amazon's Kindle and it might be the chosen method for Wizards and other gaming companies to distribute their products if it gains enough traction among gamers when e-books have become very common.
What industry writer do we need to be on the look out for?
To be honest, my knowledge of prolific writers in the industry can be considered shamefully dismal as it rarely goes beyond the well-known names within Wizards' office. So my money could be on anyone. I like to see myself making it in the industry about 20 years from now.
What blogs do you see exploding into becoming the next big thing?
There's plenty of great blogs out there in the RPG Bloggers Network so this is really hard to say. Almost everyone is on the equal balance of making the next big thing and they have my utmost admiration.
If I really had to pick and based on my regular Questing's Readings, I think we can expect to see some big things from the villainous trio At-Will, The Core Mechanics and Mad Brew Labs. They've already worked on some epic evil schemes together and who knows what other nefarious plot would they unleash on us next?
In terms of popularity, I think everyone should watch out for Wyatt of The Spirits of Eden. He is gaining quite a following from big time and lowlife bloggers like myself with his 'captivating' style. He could make a good representation of the younger generation of gamers.
Honorable mentions go to Dungeon's Master, RoleplayingPro (duh!) for their great resource and advice and Stargazer's World because you can't beat someone who is looking at stardom right in the eye. But again I would just like to say that any blogger is far from capable of making it big.
What do you see for the future of the industry?
Despite what many other bloggers have said about the bright futures of RPGs, I'm tending towards a more pessimistic view of our future. While game companies are constantly attempting to bring more younger players into the fold, I think computers and consoles will be the P&P RPG industry's greatest and fiercest threat. I'm fearful of the days when young potential gamers have chosen to pick up a console game for solo amusement which takes less time than the social camaraderie of P&P RPGs that can be time consuming and tiring at times.
RPGs in the future would have to be designed to be less about imitating their computer/console counterparts and more emphasis on a social type of play and fun.
So that's all my serious thoughts on the future of roleplaying and the state of the industry in the future. I would love to see some of these predictions come true and some I would rather not (like the last one) but we'll see in the coming years. One thing's for sure, it's going to be an interesting future ahead.
What games do you see emerging as the big players in the near future?
The traditional structure of leading games in the industry from what I've gathered has always been Dungeons & Dragons leading the pack for the past 30 years, followed by a strong suit of World of Darkness games. I'm not sure if there is anything currently that could topple either one of these games from their comfortable seats in the near future but it would be very interesting to see who takes third place.
For my candidates I think it would be either Savage Worlds, Pathfinder or the D6 system.
Savage Worlds has been receiving some rave reviews and uses quite an innovative approach to their gaming that emphasizes on speed and simplicity which is quite a far cry from the models of traditional roleplaying. This might be the edge needed to attract old and new players. Also, Pinnacle Entertainment has greatly maximized its open license which has given it plenty of support and settings that will give a special niche to all of its players one way or another.
I have big hopes for Pathfinder. They have a great team that is creating a great system. If they are able to win big attractions from the OGL crowd, they will surely make Wizards pay for their mistake by abandoning the OGL and resort to 4E.
West End Games studio has recently opened their main game system with the launch of Open D6 and this might herald a major revitalization for this system. If enough momentum is started and sets in for content producers for this system, it might win a lot of fans because it has been a tried-and-true system that many gamers still think its version of the Star Wars RPG is superior than its decedents (i.e., Wizards).
What companies should we be watching out for to release the next big product?
Well, almost every product released by Wizards for D&D has always been taken as the next big product by their fanboys so that was a bit of a moot question.
Alright, seriously, I don't know but I probably won't be surprised if its from Green Ronin. I'm not saying that Dragon Age is going to take over the P&P RPG world by storm but they seem to have a track record of adapting many desirable IPs into pretty solid gaming product lines, so maybe the time will come when they release a RPG based on one really popular product that creates a huge market.
How will technology become more integrated into roleplaying games?
As much as I hate to admit it, yes, technology will play a bigger part in RPG days to come. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike technology but I really enjoy the simple joys of rolling actual dices and using graph paper tactical maps while we let our imaginations do the rest. Nowadays, technology is slowly finding its permanent spot on the gaming table from projector maps, laptops for managing in-game and out-game notes to using iPhone as dices (though they are not quite as sturdy as good old dice).
On the industry side, Wizards have already begun adapting more digital technology to provide additional content and services and it could set the days of how other publishers would provide these services for days to come. We'll also be seeing subscription as the base model for many RPG companies to provide content to their customers.
A curious piece of technology now is probably Amazon's Kindle and it might be the chosen method for Wizards and other gaming companies to distribute their products if it gains enough traction among gamers when e-books have become very common.
What industry writer do we need to be on the look out for?
To be honest, my knowledge of prolific writers in the industry can be considered shamefully dismal as it rarely goes beyond the well-known names within Wizards' office. So my money could be on anyone. I like to see myself making it in the industry about 20 years from now.
What blogs do you see exploding into becoming the next big thing?
There's plenty of great blogs out there in the RPG Bloggers Network so this is really hard to say. Almost everyone is on the equal balance of making the next big thing and they have my utmost admiration.
If I really had to pick and based on my regular Questing's Readings, I think we can expect to see some big things from the villainous trio At-Will, The Core Mechanics and Mad Brew Labs. They've already worked on some epic evil schemes together and who knows what other nefarious plot would they unleash on us next?
In terms of popularity, I think everyone should watch out for Wyatt of The Spirits of Eden. He is gaining quite a following from big time and lowlife bloggers like myself with his 'captivating' style. He could make a good representation of the younger generation of gamers.
Honorable mentions go to Dungeon's Master, RoleplayingPro (duh!) for their great resource and advice and Stargazer's World because you can't beat someone who is looking at stardom right in the eye. But again I would just like to say that any blogger is far from capable of making it big.
What do you see for the future of the industry?
Despite what many other bloggers have said about the bright futures of RPGs, I'm tending towards a more pessimistic view of our future. While game companies are constantly attempting to bring more younger players into the fold, I think computers and consoles will be the P&P RPG industry's greatest and fiercest threat. I'm fearful of the days when young potential gamers have chosen to pick up a console game for solo amusement which takes less time than the social camaraderie of P&P RPGs that can be time consuming and tiring at times.
RPGs in the future would have to be designed to be less about imitating their computer/console counterparts and more emphasis on a social type of play and fun.
So that's all my serious thoughts on the future of roleplaying and the state of the industry in the future. I would love to see some of these predictions come true and some I would rather not (like the last one) but we'll see in the coming years. One thing's for sure, it's going to be an interesting future ahead.
Questing's Readings - 'Old School' Arguments Getting Old Edition
If you an old school gamer then you probably didn't miss the recent maelstrom that has struck the old school gaming community. It all started with this post in Grognardia and it has stirred quite a storm among other old school bloggers.
Being too young to even be born during the old school days and unable to mature myself into that mode of thinking about gaming, I'm normally indifferent or not interested in this issue but I've included this edition because it's an interesting reaction in the RPG bloggersphere and it's probably a bigger deal than I imagined.
So, if you somehow managed to avoid or miss the thunder and lightning or just want to get a clearer picture of what everyone is saying about it, then please feel free to use the list below. If you have something to say about it or feel obliged to enlighten this youngling, then feel free to drop a comment or two.
Alex Schroeder
Old School Affordances
Bat in the Attic
Old School is an attitude
Where that Old School Feeling Is Important
Chogwiz's Old Guy RPG Blog
No, seriously. There is no spoon.
Tales of the Rambling Bumblers
Old School is a Perfectly Cromulent Term
The Dwarf and the Basilisk
About This "What is Old-School" Argument
The Omnipotent Eye
What the heck is this "old school" anyway?
Wondrous Imaginings
My Response to the Grognardia essay "More Than a Feeling"
Being too young to even be born during the old school days and unable to mature myself into that mode of thinking about gaming, I'm normally indifferent or not interested in this issue but I've included this edition because it's an interesting reaction in the RPG bloggersphere and it's probably a bigger deal than I imagined.
So, if you somehow managed to avoid or miss the thunder and lightning or just want to get a clearer picture of what everyone is saying about it, then please feel free to use the list below. If you have something to say about it or feel obliged to enlighten this youngling, then feel free to drop a comment or two.
Alex Schroeder
Old School Affordances
Bat in the Attic
Old School is an attitude
Where that Old School Feeling Is Important
Chogwiz's Old Guy RPG Blog
No, seriously. There is no spoon.
Tales of the Rambling Bumblers
Old School is a Perfectly Cromulent Term
The Dwarf and the Basilisk
About This "What is Old-School" Argument
The Omnipotent Eye
What the heck is this "old school" anyway?
Wondrous Imaginings
My Response to the Grognardia essay "More Than a Feeling"
Questing's Readings - 31/5/09
It's great to be back to doing this weekly feature now that my time has been freed up quite immensely thanks to the coming end of the semester (and hopefully my degree course). This also means that I have some good reading time to spend for blogs from the RPG Bloggers Network and now we're back to our regular format including blurbs for great post that I recommend.
This week, we had a couple of posts and thoughts on equipment and encumbrance rules which I think is a good topic to be tackled someday.
Advanced Gaming & Theory
REPOST: Villain Creation
A long but good post on how to create villains and what they can do to make them memorable.
Campaign Mastery
Top 9 Dungeon Master Screen Hacks
9 things that you can add to your DM screen to make it more useful.
Cogito, ergo ludo
Basics of dice probabilities
A basic introduction to calculating probability including and/or probabilities.
Dungeon Mastering
Deadliest Monster, Part I: Ancient Red Dragon vs Ancient Gold Dragon
Pitting the most powerful ancients of the Chromatic and Metallic dragons in 4E, Deadliest Warrior style with a point by point comparison between the two stat-wise.
Dungeon's Master
10 Things I Learned at World Wide D&D Game Day
10 things to-do and not-to-do during a short one-shot convention game.
GamesTopica.Net
Making the Meta-Plot Works for You
Ways to insert the meta-plot into your campaign and a couple of pointers on how to manage it.
Ideamancer
How To Go Over 200 MPH in 4E
Using 4E rules to create a character that can run up to that speed. An interesting demonstration of the mechanics.
James Wyatt's Musings
Night Below conversion, part 1
James Wyatt converting the Night Below to 4E rules. This is sure to be interesting to read if you have that module.
Jonathan Drain's D20 Source
Player's Guide to D&D 4th Edition (For 3E Players)
A great list of things that has changed from 3.x to 4E from the basics, races, classes, skills, feats, equipment, combat, magic and other minor changes. A very good introduction to the 4E mechanics if you are coming from 3.x.
Life and Times of a Philippine Gamer
Motivational Triggers
Finding the buttons to make your players more proactive with their characters.
LivingDice
Do RPG Bloggers Focus Too Much on Dungeons and Dragons?
Some thoughts on whether it's healthy for the industry for bloggers to pay so much attention to D&D.
Sly Flourish
Four Tips for Buying D&D Miniatures
Some money-saving tips on buying D&D's randomized miniatures and how to store them.
RoleplayingPro
How Not To LARP
A very funny video of a fictional LARPer getting arrest.
Sham's Grog 'n Blog
Q&A with Greg Svenson
An old school blog that isn't caught up with the debacle this week and interviewed someone from Arneson's gaming table. Very interesting piece of Blackmoor and gaming history.
Stargazer's World
Mercator-style maps in Photoshop
A link to a tutorial on how to create old styled maps during the early Renaissance.
The Bone Scroll
But It's on My Character's Inventory Sheet
Some alternative solutions to determining equipment and encumbrance.
Uncle Bear
Worldbuilding 101: Skill Tweaking
Fleshing out your world from a skills list.
Worlds in a Handful of Dice
Weighty Matters
Some house rules to make equipment and encumbrance rules more meaningful in D&D 4E.
This week, we had a couple of posts and thoughts on equipment and encumbrance rules which I think is a good topic to be tackled someday.
Advanced Gaming & Theory
REPOST: Villain Creation
A long but good post on how to create villains and what they can do to make them memorable.
Campaign Mastery
Top 9 Dungeon Master Screen Hacks
9 things that you can add to your DM screen to make it more useful.
Cogito, ergo ludo
Basics of dice probabilities
A basic introduction to calculating probability including and/or probabilities.
Dungeon Mastering
Deadliest Monster, Part I: Ancient Red Dragon vs Ancient Gold Dragon
Pitting the most powerful ancients of the Chromatic and Metallic dragons in 4E, Deadliest Warrior style with a point by point comparison between the two stat-wise.
Dungeon's Master
10 Things I Learned at World Wide D&D Game Day
10 things to-do and not-to-do during a short one-shot convention game.
GamesTopica.Net
Making the Meta-Plot Works for You
Ways to insert the meta-plot into your campaign and a couple of pointers on how to manage it.
Ideamancer
How To Go Over 200 MPH in 4E
Using 4E rules to create a character that can run up to that speed. An interesting demonstration of the mechanics.
James Wyatt's Musings
Night Below conversion, part 1
James Wyatt converting the Night Below to 4E rules. This is sure to be interesting to read if you have that module.
Jonathan Drain's D20 Source
Player's Guide to D&D 4th Edition (For 3E Players)
A great list of things that has changed from 3.x to 4E from the basics, races, classes, skills, feats, equipment, combat, magic and other minor changes. A very good introduction to the 4E mechanics if you are coming from 3.x.
Life and Times of a Philippine Gamer
Motivational Triggers
Finding the buttons to make your players more proactive with their characters.
LivingDice
Do RPG Bloggers Focus Too Much on Dungeons and Dragons?
Some thoughts on whether it's healthy for the industry for bloggers to pay so much attention to D&D.
Sly Flourish
Four Tips for Buying D&D Miniatures
Some money-saving tips on buying D&D's randomized miniatures and how to store them.
RoleplayingPro
How Not To LARP
A very funny video of a fictional LARPer getting arrest.
Sham's Grog 'n Blog
Q&A with Greg Svenson
An old school blog that isn't caught up with the debacle this week and interviewed someone from Arneson's gaming table. Very interesting piece of Blackmoor and gaming history.
Stargazer's World
Mercator-style maps in Photoshop
A link to a tutorial on how to create old styled maps during the early Renaissance.
The Bone Scroll
But It's on My Character's Inventory Sheet
Some alternative solutions to determining equipment and encumbrance.
Uncle Bear
Worldbuilding 101: Skill Tweaking
Fleshing out your world from a skills list.
Worlds in a Handful of Dice
Weighty Matters
Some house rules to make equipment and encumbrance rules more meaningful in D&D 4E.
May 30, 2009
Word of Wizards - 30/5/09
This week is all about winding up for May. While the excerpt from Eberron Player's Guide on religion was not enlightening, the Self-Forged managed to deliver a rocket punch for many fans of the setting. We also had a podcast on the Monster Manual 2 which had some pretty good discussions and insights to the new design of monsters.
So here's the rundown for a decent week over at Wizards ending for the month of May.
Wednesday (27/5/09)
Dungeon 166 Art & Map Gallery
Eberron Player's Guide Excerpts: Self-Forged
June Editorial Calendar
D&D Podcast: Monster Manual 2 (May 2009)
Friday (29/5/09)
Dragon 375 Art Gallery
Eberron Player's Guide Excerpts: Religion
On the first week of June, we'll be seeing a big amount of excerpts from the Eberron Player's Guide and there's that big update that will be coming for the Compendium and Character Builder.
So here's the rundown for a decent week over at Wizards ending for the month of May.
Wednesday (27/5/09)
Dungeon 166 Art & Map Gallery
Eberron Player's Guide Excerpts: Self-Forged
June Editorial Calendar
D&D Podcast: Monster Manual 2 (May 2009)
Friday (29/5/09)
Dragon 375 Art Gallery
Eberron Player's Guide Excerpts: Religion
On the first week of June, we'll be seeing a big amount of excerpts from the Eberron Player's Guide and there's that big update that will be coming for the Compendium and Character Builder.
Word of Wizards - Excerpts: Eberron Player's Guide Religion
Eberron Player's Guide Excerpts: Religion
In this excerpt, we take a look at religions in Eberron and to be honest, it's probably one part of the setting that I pay very little attention to, so it's hard for me to catch any minor differences. A couple of religions got realigned because of the new 4E alignment system. The Traveler from the Dark Six is now pretty much a freelancer deity that is Unaligned (if he hasn't always been).
The Blood of Vol has been noted as Unaligned which brings speculation to the changes of the tone of this religion but I think they are more inclined towards evil.
Many of the gods from the Sovereign Host (Aureon, Balinor, Dol Dorn, Kol Korran and Onatar) has also become Unaligned but I guess that's how they should fit into the new alignment system.
If you are new to the setting, this is definitely another excerpt worth reading into to get the feel of how religions work in Eberron.
Anything you want to say about the new realignment of the Eberron gods?
Word of Wizards - Dragon 375 Art Gallery
Dragon 375 Art Gallery
This month's issue of Dragon doesn't seem to have a lot remarkable artwork except for this one. But there are useful ones like a map of a lighting train in Eberron along with an illustration for it. There's even a couple of illustration of gaming groups here and here if you somehow happen to need those.
But my favorite of them all just cracked me up, so I've decided to make a poster for it (click to cast Enlarge Image).
This month's issue of Dragon doesn't seem to have a lot remarkable artwork except for this one. But there are useful ones like a map of a lighting train in Eberron along with an illustration for it. There's even a couple of illustration of gaming groups here and here if you somehow happen to need those.
But my favorite of them all just cracked me up, so I've decided to make a poster for it (click to cast Enlarge Image).
May 28, 2009
{Quest Log} Play by Facebook, Seriously?
Yes! I'm back!
I'm finally free from stressful hours of brain wrenching for assignments and all that's left are the finals which won't be taking up that much of my time. So it's time to talk about gaming.
While I was away doing my assignments, I did a little research on social networking sites. So in a half-crazed state of mind, a sudden idea struck me and asked could we use the technologies available in social networking sites to be a replacement of an online game table?
I'm not talking about applications like Tiny Adventures in Facebook but using the actual features and functions that are provided in these sites. And guess what. Without even looking or searching for the tonnes of weird to worthless applications that are in Facebook, I think it can be done.
Think about it.
In Facebook, the Wall is actually the game table where the DM narrates the description and your players who are from your friends list, respond by commenting on your status. The DM's profile could be used as an in-game journal or campaign wiki of a sort and there are photos which you can use to post description or illustration as visual aids.
It's like a PbF, a campaign wiki and an in-game journal all in one place.
For conflict resolutions, you could probably challenge your players in a certain Facebook game and if they could beat your score (which all of you would have to publish onto the profile) then they succeed. What the players are trying to do will determine what game is being played. So for example, you player wants to make a Geography check, challenge them to a game of GeoChallenge and the ones with the higher score wins.
Combat can be resolved in small round of Texas Hold Em Poker where players and monsters who lose all their chips is considered to be taken down.
Alright I think my mind hasn't fully recovered from all the stress so this might sound really crazy. If you think so then please ignore this but if not, tell me more ways that you would make this work.
Now I should go grab some long overdued sleep.
I'm finally free from stressful hours of brain wrenching for assignments and all that's left are the finals which won't be taking up that much of my time. So it's time to talk about gaming.
While I was away doing my assignments, I did a little research on social networking sites. So in a half-crazed state of mind, a sudden idea struck me and asked could we use the technologies available in social networking sites to be a replacement of an online game table?
I'm not talking about applications like Tiny Adventures in Facebook but using the actual features and functions that are provided in these sites. And guess what. Without even looking or searching for the tonnes of weird to worthless applications that are in Facebook, I think it can be done.
Think about it.
In Facebook, the Wall is actually the game table where the DM narrates the description and your players who are from your friends list, respond by commenting on your status. The DM's profile could be used as an in-game journal or campaign wiki of a sort and there are photos which you can use to post description or illustration as visual aids.
It's like a PbF, a campaign wiki and an in-game journal all in one place.
For conflict resolutions, you could probably challenge your players in a certain Facebook game and if they could beat your score (which all of you would have to publish onto the profile) then they succeed. What the players are trying to do will determine what game is being played. So for example, you player wants to make a Geography check, challenge them to a game of GeoChallenge and the ones with the higher score wins.
Combat can be resolved in small round of Texas Hold Em Poker where players and monsters who lose all their chips is considered to be taken down.
Alright I think my mind hasn't fully recovered from all the stress so this might sound really crazy. If you think so then please ignore this but if not, tell me more ways that you would make this work.
Now I should go grab some long overdued sleep.
Word of Wizards - D&D Podcast: Monster Manual 2 (May 2009)
D&D Podcast: Monster Manual 2 (May 2009)
In this month's podcast, Mike Mearls and Jeremy Crawford brought in Rob Heinsoo, lead designer for Monster Manual 2, to talk about the monsters in the book. They verified and explained the reasons for the changes they have made to minions and solos. They shared about the process of how monsters are selected to be in the book and how they converted old monsters into the 4E mechanics. There's even a segment podcast where they give some great ideas on how to use the monsters for adventures.
Here's some key points that I heard in this podcast
- Solos hitpoints have been reduced because they made combat too lengthy but to compensate for this reduction, their attacks are boosted to make them more dynamic.
- Myconids were not originally going to be in Monster Manual 2 and now they are going to be take 2 pages in an upcoming Underdark supplement.
- Old school monsters were given new mechanics which were distinct from their older edition version and this could be a trend to look forward in future MMs
Any thoughts to share on this episode?
Word of Wizards - June Editorial Calendar
June Editorial Calendar
The editorial calendar for June is up and I can say that I'm stoked. The whole month is going to be a excerpt fiesta. As excerpts from Eberron Player's Guide will end on 12th, we are going to get excerpts from the Eberron Campaign Guide AND Divine Power along with a couple of snippets from other products.
Subscribers should also have something to look forward too in this month with contents such as Ecology of the Rust Monster, Class Acts: Bard and if you are a Forgotten Realms fan, there are going to be 2 FR-related articles in this month's Dragon. Let's not forget that subscribers will also get to playtest something from Monster Manual 3.
Looks like it's going to be a very busy month for me.
Is there anything that you are looking forward to?
The editorial calendar for June is up and I can say that I'm stoked. The whole month is going to be a excerpt fiesta. As excerpts from Eberron Player's Guide will end on 12th, we are going to get excerpts from the Eberron Campaign Guide AND Divine Power along with a couple of snippets from other products.
Subscribers should also have something to look forward too in this month with contents such as Ecology of the Rust Monster, Class Acts: Bard and if you are a Forgotten Realms fan, there are going to be 2 FR-related articles in this month's Dragon. Let's not forget that subscribers will also get to playtest something from Monster Manual 3.
Looks like it's going to be a very busy month for me.
Is there anything that you are looking forward to?
May 27, 2009
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Preview #3
This week, we look at another iconic, Seoni, who will be represented as a 10th level sorceress.
Seoni
Female human sorcerer 10
Init +2; Senses Perception +11
Defense
AC 23, touch 15, flat-footed 20; (+4 armor, +2 deflection, +2 Dex, +1 dodge, +4 shield)
hp 57 (10d6+20)
Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +12
DR 10/adamantine
Offense
Spd 30 ft.
Melee staff of fire +4 (1d6–1)
Ranged ray +6 (by spell)
Special Attacks metamagic adept (2/day)
Spells Known (CL 10th)
5th (4/day)—cone of cold (DC 22)
4th (6/day, 5 remaining)—dimension door, ice storm, stoneskin, wall of fire
3rd (7/day)—dispel magic, fly, haste, lightning bolt (DC 20)
2nd (7/day, 6 remaining)—invisibility, mirror image, resist energy, scorching ray, web (DC 17)
1st (8/day, 7 remaining)—burning hands (DC 18), enlarge person, identify, mage armor, magic missile, shield
0 (at will)—acid splash, arcane mark, daze (DC 15), detect magic, light, mage hand, prestidigitation, ray of frost, read magic
Statistics Str 8, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 20
Base Atk +5; CMB +4; CMD 20
Feats Alertness (from familiar), Dodge, Extend Spell, Greater Spell Focus (evocation), Quicken Spell, Spell Focus (evocation), Spell Penetration, Still Spell
Skills Bluff +14, Climb +2, Fly +11 (+16 using fly), Knowledge (local) +9, Perception +11, Spellcraft +9
Languages Common
SQ arcane bloodline, arcane bond (familiar, lizard), bloodline arcana (+1 DC to metamagic spells)
Combat Gear lesser metamagic rod of empower, potion of cure serious wounds (2), scroll of greater dispel magic, scroll of wall of force; Other Gear cloak of resistance +2, headband of mental prowess +2 (Wis and Cha), ring of feather falling, ring of protection +2, slippers of spider climbing, staff of fire
Some other changes highlighted by Jason Bulhman for sorcerers, spells and magic items:
- Bloodlines provides additional spells known, a bonus class skill, a special bonus for a specific group of spells and other benefits (for Seoni's case, a familiar, less casting time when using a metamagic feat and an additional spell known).
- Ice Storm still deals the same amount of damage but also creates difficult terrain and a penalty to Perception checks.
- Dispel Magic and Greater Dispel Magic only requires one check and targets all spells activated on a person.
- Staves now have 10 charges but can be recharged by spending spell slots.
Finally, here's the reworked version of Mirror Image but I don't have my old books handy and the time with me right now to spot the difference.
Mirror Image
School illusion (figment); Level bard 2, sorcerer/wizard 2
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range personal
Target you
Duration 1 min./level
This spell creates a number of illusory doubles of you that inhabit your square. These doubles make it difficult for enemies to precisely locate and attack you.
When mirror image is cast, 1d4 images plus one image per three caster levels (maximum eight images total) are created. These images remain in your space and move with you, mimicking your movements, sounds, and actions exactly. Whenever you are attacked or are the target of a spell that requires an attack roll, there is a possibility that the attack targets one of your images instead. If the attack is a hit, roll randomly to see whether the selected target is real or a figment. If it is a figment, the figment is destroyed. If the attack misses by 5 or less, one of your figments is destroyed by the near miss. Area spells affect you normally and do not destroy any of your figments. Spells and effects that do not require an attack roll affect you normally and do not destroy any of your figments. Spells that require a touch attack are harmlessly discharged if used to destroy a figment.
An attacker must be able to see the figments to be fooled. If you are invisible or the attacker is blind, the spell has no effect (although the normal miss chances still apply).
I really like the new options that they've added to the sorcerer and it makes me look forward to the progression more than it used to be in 3.x. The changes for staves is very neat too. I'm still a little worried that book keeping and tracking is still going to be long and tedious for spells but at least they've been simplified somewhat.
Any thoughts you want to share on the Pathfinder Sorcerer?
Word of Wizards - Excerpts: Self-Forged
Eberron Player's Guide Excerpts: Self-Forged
The Self-Forged is a paragon path for the artificers that can be taken by any race except a warforged. These artificers see the warforged as the embodiment of physical perfection and have taken mad and drastic measures to be able to attain that perfection. By grafting mechanical parts to replace their original flesh, Self-Forged are tempering themselves in order to become more tougher and stronger than their original body would ever allow.
Self-Forged artificers begin their transformation by replacing one of their arms with a Battlefist (11th level path feature) which can also be used as a mace that deals 1d8 damage if it not holding any object. The Self-Forged is also proficient with it so he gains a +3 proficiency bonus to his attack roll whenever he uses the battlefist. The Battlefist can be improved with enchantments from rituals and is not destroyed when Disenchant Magic Item is used on it.
Self Forged artificers use Fortifying Action (11th level path feature) which grants them 5+1/2 their level temporary hitpoints whenever they spend an action point to take an extra action.
The Supporting Construction (11th level path feature) that they have done to themselves makes them less prone to ongoing damage. A Self-Forged gains +2 bonus to saving throw against ongoing damage.
As Self-Forged artificers continue to modify themselves even further, they eventually become More Metal Than Flesh (16th level path feature) which allows them to add warforged components as though they are a warforged.
They also gain Added Resilience (16th level path feature) against death. Whenever the Self-Forged rolls a death saving throw, he can pick either to keep his die roll or select 10.
A Self-Forged can use his battlefist to make a devastating Battlefist Smash (Level 11, Encounter) on a target. The target takes damage, pushed a number of squares equal to the Self-Forged Con mod and grants combat advantage until the end of the Self-Forged's turn.
When a Self-Forged is badly hurt, he can use Self Repair (Level 12, Daily) to regain hitpoints equal to twice his healing surge value.
The battlefist can be turned into a Flailing Gauntlet (Level 20, Daily) that detaches from the arm which increases the reach the battlefist after knocking an opponent prone.
On a first glance, I have to say that this paragon path feels a little broken, especially with a feature such as Added Resilience which basically makes them almost immune to death and a power like Self Repair which doesn't spend a surge or second wind. Flavorwise, it has the cyberpunk vibe especially with the rocket punch and added warforged component which sounds suitable for the setting.
Any comments on this paragon path?
Word of Wizards - Dungeon 166 Art & Map Gallery
Dungeon 166 Art Gallery
Dungeon 166 Map Gallery
I have to say that the artwork quality for this month's Dungeon does feel a little poor except for a neat illustration for a ranger/druid with a couple of wolves. But I'm glad they have included the complete gallery of all the comics done by Penny Arcade for their podcast game which I think is funny (the one above being my favorite line).
On the other hand, the map gallery seem to have provided some pretty nice unmarked maps for an entire dungeon and an Eladrin encampment. But my favorite of them all is definitely this extended map of the Nentir Vale region which makes me curious about this month's content if they have tied in with the Nentir Vale.
May 24, 2009
Questing's Readings - 24/5/09
There goes another week but things are still busy over here. Nonetheless, I've managed to get a few reads through for this week which I enjoyed and would really recommend to you.
Sorry once again for not including a blurb for them this week but it's really worth checking out these posts if you already haven't done so.
Advanced Gaming Theory
Good vs. Good
Handling Invisibility Fairly
Capturing Fantasy
What to Do When a Scene Takes a Twist
Critical Hits
Lessons from the Heroic Tier
Dungeon's Master
Deal The Most Damage
Rewards Beyond Experience
Exchange of Realities
How To Hide Archetypes Use
Dealing With Large Casts of Characters
Narrative Anchors: Keep Characters From Disappearing!
Gaming Brouhaha
One time at D&D camp...
GamesTopica.Net
The Meta-Plot as Railways
J.R. Blackwell
Role-Playing Week
Kobold Quarterly Forums
How does the query process work?
Musings of the Chatty DM
Friday Chat: Dealing with Instigators
Robertson Games
Gaming on the Right Side of the Brain
RPG Centric
Is this the future of your gaming table?
Sly Flourish
Three Tips for Thunderspire Labyrinth
The Fine Art of the TPK
More real life creatures that would slowly digest - then excrete your players.
The RPG Athenaeum
Tantalize your players with a well-crafted prophecy
Need a jump-start on adventure writing? Start with a legend
Uncle Bear
Worldbuilding 101: Storybuilding
For the Players: Character Building 101
Sorry once again for not including a blurb for them this week but it's really worth checking out these posts if you already haven't done so.
Advanced Gaming Theory
Good vs. Good
Handling Invisibility Fairly
Capturing Fantasy
What to Do When a Scene Takes a Twist
Critical Hits
Lessons from the Heroic Tier
Dungeon's Master
Deal The Most Damage
Rewards Beyond Experience
Exchange of Realities
How To Hide Archetypes Use
Dealing With Large Casts of Characters
Narrative Anchors: Keep Characters From Disappearing!
Gaming Brouhaha
One time at D&D camp...
GamesTopica.Net
The Meta-Plot as Railways
J.R. Blackwell
Role-Playing Week
Kobold Quarterly Forums
How does the query process work?
Musings of the Chatty DM
Friday Chat: Dealing with Instigators
Robertson Games
Gaming on the Right Side of the Brain
RPG Centric
Is this the future of your gaming table?
Sly Flourish
Three Tips for Thunderspire Labyrinth
The Fine Art of the TPK
More real life creatures that would slowly digest - then excrete your players.
The RPG Athenaeum
Tantalize your players with a well-crafted prophecy
Need a jump-start on adventure writing? Start with a legend
Uncle Bear
Worldbuilding 101: Storybuilding
For the Players: Character Building 101
May 23, 2009
Word of Wizards - 23/5/09
It has been pretty exciting over at Wizards with the release of Monster Manual 2. This week, they have given us every opportunity to use the book with Vicious Venues and an encounter to Use This Book Tonight. If there weren't enough monsters already, Wizards have also created stats for 3 more from the latest Forgotten Realms novel, The Restless Shore.
But the major news for this week is that Wizards have officially announced that they would increasing the subscription rates for D&D Insider on July to make up for new exclusive content from the Player's Handbook 3.
Now that the Monster Manual 2 is out of the way, we also started seeing the excerpts coming from the Eberron Player's Guide and things are just starting to get better.
So here's the rundown of what has been at happening at Wizards for this week, in case you missed any of them.
Monday (18/5/09)
Monster Manual 2 Art Gallery
Eberron Player's Guide Excerpts: Introduction
Nightmare Creatures of The Restless Shore
Wednesday (20/5/09)
Vicious Venues - The Deep Shaft
D&D Insider Announcement
Success Along the Adventure Path 5: Den of the Destroyer
D&D Miniatures Gallery: Dangerous Delves
Friday (22/5/09)
D&D Alumni: Demogorgon
Spotlight Interview: Adam Phillips
Use This Book Tonight: Monster Manual 2
Eberron Player's Guide Excerpts: Alchemy
Don't forget that today is also World Wide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day to celebrate the launch of the Monster Manual 2, so find your nearest participating game store here and have some fun. If you are England, you might not want to forget who is coming to town.
Next week starts off with Memorial Day so there would presumably be no updates. After that it will be closing week for May with the usual Dungeon and Dragon compilation but we still get more excerpts and maybe even a podcast.
It's also going to be another great week for subscribers since they are going to be playtesting the hybrid classes again, hopefully with some changes and improvements.
So here's a Happy Game and Memorial Day to my readers.
But the major news for this week is that Wizards have officially announced that they would increasing the subscription rates for D&D Insider on July to make up for new exclusive content from the Player's Handbook 3.
Now that the Monster Manual 2 is out of the way, we also started seeing the excerpts coming from the Eberron Player's Guide and things are just starting to get better.
So here's the rundown of what has been at happening at Wizards for this week, in case you missed any of them.
Monday (18/5/09)
Monster Manual 2 Art Gallery
Eberron Player's Guide Excerpts: Introduction
Nightmare Creatures of The Restless Shore
Wednesday (20/5/09)
Vicious Venues - The Deep Shaft
D&D Insider Announcement
Success Along the Adventure Path 5: Den of the Destroyer
D&D Miniatures Gallery: Dangerous Delves
Friday (22/5/09)
D&D Alumni: Demogorgon
Spotlight Interview: Adam Phillips
Use This Book Tonight: Monster Manual 2
Eberron Player's Guide Excerpts: Alchemy
Don't forget that today is also World Wide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day to celebrate the launch of the Monster Manual 2, so find your nearest participating game store here and have some fun. If you are England, you might not want to forget who is coming to town.
Next week starts off with Memorial Day so there would presumably be no updates. After that it will be closing week for May with the usual Dungeon and Dragon compilation but we still get more excerpts and maybe even a podcast.
It's also going to be another great week for subscribers since they are going to be playtesting the hybrid classes again, hopefully with some changes and improvements.
So here's a Happy Game and Memorial Day to my readers.
Word of Wizards - Excerpts: Eberron Player's Guide Alchemy
Eberron Player's Guide Excerpts: Alchemy
In this excerpt, it gives a short list of the new alchemical formulas in the book. However, only 2 of these alchemical items are fully stated.
The first is the Clockwork Bomb which is generally a time bomb that the PCs can set the time it will detonate up to 6 rounds. But it is also very unstable and could shake away from its original spot and/or detonate prematurely. The area of the blast (burst 1 centered on the bomb) remains the same but it's damage, attack bonus and DC for disarming it (Thievery) increase as the level goes higher.
The Clear-Path Mist is used to remove any difficult terrain caused by foliage or undergrowths but is also a deadly poison against plant creatures. As the level increases, it deals a greater amount of poison and ongoing damage to a larger area of difficult terrain or plant creatures.
Word of Wizards - Use This Book Tonight: Monster Manual 2
Use This Book Tonight: Monster Manual 2
Got yourself a nice new copy of the Monster Manual 2 and can't wait to unleash the new monsters as you flip every page? Throw this complete encounter at them straight away as a test run or to simply give yourself the joy of using these monsters immediately.
This encounter is suitable for 9th level adventurers but can be easily scaled up and down for lower and higher levels.
The PCs hear chanting voices and sharp screams as they are camping one night and the duergars are up to no good. If the PCs decide to follow the racket, they will have to be prepared to stop a ritual sacrifice in an underground complex guarded by new monsters that armed PCs would fear to face. But if they are too late then a greater threat will emerge.
Word of Wizards - Spotlight Interview: Adam Phillips
Spotlight Interview: Adam Phillips
If you have been enjoying the recent D&D cartoons that have been posted on the Wizards website during the release of 4th edition which immortalized the gnome as one of our favorite monsters (RAWR!) then you should read this interview
(which by the way if you are a subscriber, you can take a look at his latest work with Demogorgon and the Gnome).
Adam Phillips, art director and animator, talks about the process behind making the D&D cartoons, how to work with cute creatures like the gnome and dangerous ones like dragons, beholders and Demogorgon (he should be awarded XP to even survive that one). He also shares a little bit on his animation experience and his own site, Biteycastle.
Word of Wizards - D&D Alumni: Demogorgon
D&D Alumni: Demogorgon
This month's historical spotlight shines on none other than the new poster child of the Monster Manual 2 that will tear your PCs apart in both ways.
The origins and inspiration for Demogorogon until today is uncertain but Wizards seems to have a few theories about how this demon came into existence. The D&D world was introduced to this bizarre demon together with the other demon prince, Orcus and they rivalry has started since then.
It was interesting to find out how Demogorgon evolved through the editions where he wasn't always a baboon-headed demon, the sort of creatures that used to worship or serve it and where did Dagon came into the picture.
But it all comes to the question of who will win in a slug fight between Demogorgon and Orucs. Although it isn't exactly scientific or mechanically proven but Wizards has an answer for you.
May 20, 2009
Word of Wizards - D&D Miniatures Gallery: Dangerous Delves
Dangerous Delves Miniature Gallery
The full gallery for the Dangerous Delves monster miniatures is now up on the Wizards' site. In case you missed any of their previews for these miniatures, you can look at all 40 of them there.
Wizards have also indicated the rarity of these miniatures which might be helpful although they are scattered all over the place. So I've taken the liberty of rearranging the miniature list according to rarity with a link to the picture of the miniature.
If you just want to see all of it in their fully glory, then head over to the link above.
Common
There we go.
This set is a pretty mixed bag for me. While there are some miniatures that I don't really need, there are quite a few must-haves for me too. I think there is quite a low representation of heroic level monsters than paragon ones, so I think you would have to rely on the older sets to get what you need for campaigns that are still in the lower levels.
Any comments on the Dangerous Delves?
The full gallery for the Dangerous Delves monster miniatures is now up on the Wizards' site. In case you missed any of their previews for these miniatures, you can look at all 40 of them there.
Wizards have also indicated the rarity of these miniatures which might be helpful although they are scattered all over the place. So I've taken the liberty of rearranging the miniature list according to rarity with a link to the picture of the miniature.
If you just want to see all of it in their fully glory, then head over to the link above.
Common
- Blood Scarab
- Bloodseeker Drake
- Foulspawn Grue
- Goblin Sharpshooter
- Grimlock Minion
- Kruthik Young
- Orc Terrorblade
- Snake Swarm
- Arbalester
- Berbalang
- Feygrove Choker
- Gnoll Huntmaster
- Goblin Delver
- Kobold Wyrmpriest
- Rust Monster
- Yuan-ti Fangblade
- Aspect of Vecna
- Banshrae Warrior
- Beholder Eye Tyrant
- Bonechill Chimera
- Chain Devil
- Clay Golem
- Ghaele of Winter
- Githyanki Warrior
- Githzerai Zerth
- Harpy
- Hellstinger Scorpion
- Medusa Archer
- Minotaur Battle Shaman
- Orc Eye of Gruumsh
- Xen'Drik Drow Stingblade
- Young Gold Dragon
- Aboleth Slim Mage
- Bloodrager Troll
- Cyclops Crusher
- Frost Giant
- Hippogriff
- Skalmad the Troll King
- Unicorn
- War Devil
There we go.
This set is a pretty mixed bag for me. While there are some miniatures that I don't really need, there are quite a few must-haves for me too. I think there is quite a low representation of heroic level monsters than paragon ones, so I think you would have to rely on the older sets to get what you need for campaigns that are still in the lower levels.
Any comments on the Dangerous Delves?
Word of Wizards - Success Along the Adventure Path 5: Den of the Destroyer
Success Along the Adventure Path 5: Den of the Destroyer
More tips on how to handle plot deviation by players in this adventure but at this point, I think most of these advices are generally not useful or helpful anymore. It's more about how to setup the encounters with Dungeons Tiles and D&D Miniatures.
So if you prepping for this adventure and have a lot of these accessories at your disposal, then head on over to the link for the detailed list.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Preview #2
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Preview #2
This week's preview features the Pathfinder stats of Valeros, a level 14 human fighter and one of the iconics of the Pathfinder RPG.
Valeros
Male human fighter 14
NG Medium humanoid
Init +5; Senses Perception +13
DEFENSE
AC 28, touch 17, flat-footed 23; (+10 armor, +2 deflection, +5 Dex, +1 shield)
hp 137 (14d10+56)
Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +3 (+7 against fear)
Resist fire 10
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft.
Melee +3 keen longsword +23/+18/+13 (1d8+13/17–20), +2 frost shortsword +20/+15/+10 (1d6+7 plus 1d6 cold/19–20)
Ranged +1 flaming composite shortbow +20/+15/+10 (1d6+4 plus 1d6 fire/x3)
STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 10
Base Atk +14; CMB +17; CMD 34
Feats Combat Expertise, Double Slice, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting, Greater Weapon Focus (longsword), Greater Weapon Specialization (longsword), Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Vital Strike, Power Attack, Toughness, Two-Weapon Defense, Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Rend, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (longsword, shortsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword)
Skills Climb +20, Intimidate +17, Perception +13, Ride +22, Swim +20
Languages Common, Halfling
SQ armor training +3, bravery +4, weapon training (heavy blades +3, light blades +2, close +1)
Combat Gear necklace of fireballs (type V), potion of cure serious wounds (3), potion of fly, potion of heroism, rod of flame extinguishing; Other Gear bag of holding (type II), +4 fire resistant light fortification breastplate, +1 flaming composite shortbow (+3 Str), +2 frost short sword, belt of physical perfection +2, boots of levitation, +3 keen longsword, periapt of wound closure, ring of protection +2, ring of the ram
Most of these stats would be familiar to the 3.x D&D player except for a few extra bits and pieces that the Pathfinder RPG beta has added like new feats, new class features and new names for skills.
What's really new here is that Jason Bulhman explains about CMD (Combat Maneuver Defense). It's the DC that opponents would have to beat in order to perform a grapple, bull rush, trip or disarm against the character. It is derived from his CMB+10 and other protective bonus (in which case it is his Dexterity mod and Deflection bonus) which works pretty much like AC except having a CMB base. Class features like Weapon Training can also increase the CMD against certain combat maneuvers like Sunder and Disarm.
There are probably more stuff to unravel but I don't really have the time to do that right now. But what I can do is to point you to this discussion thread where you might find some extra bits of information that wasn't very prevalent from the stats.
But if you do anything from the numbers, please tell me in my comment box.
Word of Wizards - D&D Insider Announcement
D&D Insider Announcement
There's the good news and the bad news. Well, except that it isn't really major bad news but it definitely isn't good news. So let's get that out of the way first.
If you remembered when Wizards started charging for DDI subscriptions, they had lowered the actual rate because they barely had the bare bone features. Well, since then they have already delivered the Character Builder and greatly improved the Compendium, along with online issues of Dungeon and Dragon and some other bonus tools
So in order to 'reflect the increasing value and new content', Wizards have raised their subscription rates. The new subscription rates are;
However this doesn't take effect right away and in fact will only start from July 2. So in case you subscribe before July 2, you still pay at the introductory rate (the ones listed in parentheses).
Now for the good news or if you can't make up your mind to subscribe, perhaps this will entice you further. Starting on July 7, subscribers will be getting their hands on playable and final sections from the Player's Handbook 3.
This is not a playtest version. This is the actual completed version of rules that will be printed. This means that subscribers will be able to play with 102 pages worth of Player's Handbook 3 material 9 months ahead of its release date!
What better incentive is there to be a subscriber now? Get your subscriptions before July 1 at 12 midnight EDT before the new rates kick in.
There's the good news and the bad news. Well, except that it isn't really major bad news but it definitely isn't good news. So let's get that out of the way first.
If you remembered when Wizards started charging for DDI subscriptions, they had lowered the actual rate because they barely had the bare bone features. Well, since then they have already delivered the Character Builder and greatly improved the Compendium, along with online issues of Dungeon and Dragon and some other bonus tools
So in order to 'reflect the increasing value and new content', Wizards have raised their subscription rates. The new subscription rates are;
- U$9.95 for 1 month (formerly at U$7.95)
- U$23.85 for 3 months (formerly at U$19.95)
- U$71.40 for 12 months (formerly at U$59.40)
However this doesn't take effect right away and in fact will only start from July 2. So in case you subscribe before July 2, you still pay at the introductory rate (the ones listed in parentheses).
Now for the good news or if you can't make up your mind to subscribe, perhaps this will entice you further. Starting on July 7, subscribers will be getting their hands on playable and final sections from the Player's Handbook 3.
This is not a playtest version. This is the actual completed version of rules that will be printed. This means that subscribers will be able to play with 102 pages worth of Player's Handbook 3 material 9 months ahead of its release date!
What better incentive is there to be a subscriber now? Get your subscriptions before July 1 at 12 midnight EDT before the new rates kick in.
Word of Wizards - Vicious Venues - The Deep Shaft
Vicious Venues - The Deep Shaft
This month's Vicious Venues features a shaft which nests a group of harpies and their savage allies. The PCs could be called to this shaft for a various of reasons which this article explains with some ideas.
Other than dealing with the dangerous inhabitants living in the shaft and climbing down to whatever underground complex it might lead to, the PCs would also have to deal with a draft that comes from the bottom of the shaft. This location is suited for PCs from the mid-heroic tier to the early paragon tier.
Also, don't forget to check out the slightly upgraded version of the Bloodfire Harpy that can be found at the bottom of this article.
May 18, 2009
Word of Wizards - Nightmare Creatures of The Restless Shore
Nightmare Creatures of The Restless Shore
The Restless Shore is set in the Forgotten Realms where a band of adventurers have to traverse across Spellplagued lands. To celebrate the release of this novel, Wizards have posted up the stats of 3 plaguechanged monsters that will be found in the novel.
The Bone Moth Swarm is a Level 7 Brute that is drawn towards natural and body heat where it lays their egg around the former and feeds on the flesh of the latter. The Bone-Gnawing Swarm (standard; at-will) deals 1d6+4 and 5 ongoing damage (save ends). When it is first bloodied, its Swarming Frenzy makes it deal 2d6+4 and ongoing 5 damage (save ends) to all targets within close burst 1 instead.
The Kaia are believed to be serpents that were transform by a foul god to be devourers born out of a nightmare. While the regular Kaia Spawn (Level 4 Soldier) is small in size and has a Stinging Tail Strike(standard; at-will) with a poison that can slow their targets, the huge Kaia Mother of Nightmares (Level 12 Solo Soldier) prefers to Swallow (standard against grabbed target; at-will) its prey from the ground.
An Oenath is similar that to a wolf except that their fur is interspersed with fish scales and skin. It has a Thundering Howl (standard; encounter) that not only deals thunder damage but also pushes and knocks their targets prone.
Most of the time, Oenaths hunt in packs lead by a large Oenath Pack Leader which is a Level 9 Brute (Leader). The rest of the Oenath Pack Mate (Level 6 Soldier) surrounds their prey where they can utilize their Pack Attack to deal extra damage.
An Oenath Prowler (Level 8 Skirmisher) moves ahead of the pack and circles around any potential prey to lure them back to the pack.
Although used in the Forgotten Realms, these monsters can generally be used as a freaky version of normal animals.
The Restless Shore is set in the Forgotten Realms where a band of adventurers have to traverse across Spellplagued lands. To celebrate the release of this novel, Wizards have posted up the stats of 3 plaguechanged monsters that will be found in the novel.
The Bone Moth Swarm is a Level 7 Brute that is drawn towards natural and body heat where it lays their egg around the former and feeds on the flesh of the latter. The Bone-Gnawing Swarm (standard; at-will) deals 1d6+4 and 5 ongoing damage (save ends). When it is first bloodied, its Swarming Frenzy makes it deal 2d6+4 and ongoing 5 damage (save ends) to all targets within close burst 1 instead.
The Kaia are believed to be serpents that were transform by a foul god to be devourers born out of a nightmare. While the regular Kaia Spawn (Level 4 Soldier) is small in size and has a Stinging Tail Strike(standard; at-will) with a poison that can slow their targets, the huge Kaia Mother of Nightmares (Level 12 Solo Soldier) prefers to Swallow (standard against grabbed target; at-will) its prey from the ground.
An Oenath is similar that to a wolf except that their fur is interspersed with fish scales and skin. It has a Thundering Howl (standard; encounter) that not only deals thunder damage but also pushes and knocks their targets prone.
Most of the time, Oenaths hunt in packs lead by a large Oenath Pack Leader which is a Level 9 Brute (Leader). The rest of the Oenath Pack Mate (Level 6 Soldier) surrounds their prey where they can utilize their Pack Attack to deal extra damage.
An Oenath Prowler (Level 8 Skirmisher) moves ahead of the pack and circles around any potential prey to lure them back to the pack.
Although used in the Forgotten Realms, these monsters can generally be used as a freaky version of normal animals.
Word of Wizards - Excerpts: Introduction
Eberron Player's Guide Excerpts: Introduction
Excerpts from the Eberron Player's Guide have begun and they have started with ten important facts about the setting. Not much has changed if you are already familiar with the setting.
It looks like Wizards have maintained most of the trademark and the pulpy feel of the setting. Nothing old has seemed to be removed but nothing new has been added so far. It has been confirmed that the setting has not gone through a time leap unlike the Forgotten Realms so much of the information from the sourcebooks in the previous edition are still relevant.
If you are new to the setting, this is definitely the first thing that you should read, especially for DMs, to know the gist of the setting. I've always praised the potential of this setting and this introduction surmises what is likable about the setting very well. So give it chance if you are having second thoughts about the setting.
However while no harm is being done by revealing these facts to a player but I do felt that some of the information feels kind of misplaced and should have been in the Campaign Guide which is more for the DM.
Stay tune for more excerpts as Wizards have kindly placed an excerpts schedule which shows the items that they will be previewing until its release.
Any thoughts on this first preview of the Eberron Player's Guide?
Word of Wizards - Monster Manual 2 Art Gallery
Monster Manual 2 Art Gallery
Wizards have released the art gallery from the Monster Manual 2 just before its release. Here you would get to take a sneak preview at all the new monsters that will be in the book. It is slightly disappointing that Wizards have decided to use some recycled art for some of these monsters. But overall, the gallery looks pretty awesome.
As usual, subscribers would be able to get them in one convenient pack but it's worth having your own collection even though you are a non-subscriber.
May 17, 2009
Questing's Readings - Appendix N Edition
Zach from RPG Blog II asked a very interesting question last week. He asked what would be in our Appendix N?
Now for those who are easily confused by Appendices and arbitrary alphabetical numbering, the Appendix N was a list of literature sources that inspired Gary Gygax when he was writing for the game that was at the back of the 1st Edition AD&D DMG.
In this special edition, I have collected some of the respective Appendix Ns shared by our fellow bloggers which serves as a good base of understand their taste and maybe you could find some blogs that might have more similarities with you. It's also interesting to see what significant works have inspired the older and younger generation of gamers.
As fantasy and science fiction are now staple among other media, so many of these appendices include sources that comes from film, TV, games and comics.
Dice Monkey
Vulcan Stev's Database
Tales of the Rumbling Bumblers
Symptoms of Madness
Savage Swords of Athanor
The Spirits of Eden
The Dwarf and the Basilisk
Worlds in a Handful of Dice
hack/
Dungeon Mastering 101
I'm still trying to write my own Appendix N but that post would have to wait until I get my hands free.
Now for those who are easily confused by Appendices and arbitrary alphabetical numbering, the Appendix N was a list of literature sources that inspired Gary Gygax when he was writing for the game that was at the back of the 1st Edition AD&D DMG.
In this special edition, I have collected some of the respective Appendix Ns shared by our fellow bloggers which serves as a good base of understand their taste and maybe you could find some blogs that might have more similarities with you. It's also interesting to see what significant works have inspired the older and younger generation of gamers.
As fantasy and science fiction are now staple among other media, so many of these appendices include sources that comes from film, TV, games and comics.
Dice Monkey
Vulcan Stev's Database
Tales of the Rumbling Bumblers
Symptoms of Madness
Savage Swords of Athanor
The Spirits of Eden
The Dwarf and the Basilisk
Worlds in a Handful of Dice
hack/
Dungeon Mastering 101
I'm still trying to write my own Appendix N but that post would have to wait until I get my hands free.
Questing's Readings - 17/5/09
Time for another weekly round of great readings to be found from the RPG Bloggers Network. Unfortunately if my current busy schedule, I haven't been able to get a lot of reading done so some of you may find this week's very lacking. Still, these are the ones that I've managed to squeeze through and would still recommend them to you.
I would like to apologize for not including a blurb for all these posts but I believe from the titles you could surely grasp the general usefulness of their content. Let's hope I can do this properly next week.
Advanced Gaming & Theory
Creating Encounters with Meaning
Meaningful Keys & Triggers
At Will
The battle of the bog: ways to keep your game from bogging down
Search for traps - or else
Campaign Mastery
Ask The GMs: The right to be heard
DungeonMastering
Epic Showdown" Role-players vs. Powergamers
GamesTopica.Net
The Meta-Plot and Game Design
Meta Plot, Love and Hatred
Musings of the Chatty DM
Do You Throw Rocks in Your PC's Puddle?
Newbie DM
Advice for new DM's only!
Points of Light
Error: Rule Not Found
Sly Flourish
Tips For Running One-Shot Games
tenletter
Ad hoc player-driven environment augmentation
The Free RPG Blog
Rob Lang's free guide to organising your RPG
The RPG Athenaeum
Sharpen player combat tactics with a session debriefing
Ten things NOT to do around female gamers
I would like to apologize for not including a blurb for all these posts but I believe from the titles you could surely grasp the general usefulness of their content. Let's hope I can do this properly next week.
Advanced Gaming & Theory
Creating Encounters with Meaning
Meaningful Keys & Triggers
At Will
The battle of the bog: ways to keep your game from bogging down
Search for traps - or else
Campaign Mastery
Ask The GMs: The right to be heard
DungeonMastering
Epic Showdown" Role-players vs. Powergamers
GamesTopica.Net
The Meta-Plot and Game Design
Meta Plot, Love and Hatred
Musings of the Chatty DM
Do You Throw Rocks in Your PC's Puddle?
Newbie DM
Advice for new DM's only!
Points of Light
Error: Rule Not Found
Sly Flourish
Tips For Running One-Shot Games
tenletter
Ad hoc player-driven environment augmentation
The Free RPG Blog
Rob Lang's free guide to organising your RPG
The RPG Athenaeum
Sharpen player combat tactics with a session debriefing
Ten things NOT to do around female gamers
May 16, 2009
Word of Wizards - 16/5/09
Although Insiders have been very excited about the Monk playtest that had a few surprises, things have been pretty dead on the freebie content from Wizards.
I guess Wizards have generally run out of things to show without spoiling the anticipation for the release of the Monster Manual 2 and World Wide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day.
Here's the rundown of a very quiet week at Wizards.
Wednesday (13/5/09)
iPhone Wallpaper
Steal This Hook! Ankhegs, Kenkus and Golems, Oh My!
Friday (15/5/09)
WWDDGD: UK/Reading
Hopefully things will get back on track next week. As Monster Manual 2 will be released on the 19th (Tuesday), we'll be starting to excerpts from Eberron Player's Guide beginning Monday. We'll also probably get a Vicious Venues and some tips on how to use your newly bought Monster Manual 2.
It also looks like a good week for Insiders. On Monday, they'll be looking at a new Domain of Dread and a Forgotten Realsm article on Friday. Best of all, there's a playtest for Monster Manual 3!
After all that, gamers around the world will probably be geared up for World Wide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day on the 23rd.
I guess Wizards have generally run out of things to show without spoiling the anticipation for the release of the Monster Manual 2 and World Wide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day.
Here's the rundown of a very quiet week at Wizards.
Wednesday (13/5/09)
iPhone Wallpaper
Steal This Hook! Ankhegs, Kenkus and Golems, Oh My!
Friday (15/5/09)
WWDDGD: UK/Reading
Hopefully things will get back on track next week. As Monster Manual 2 will be released on the 19th (Tuesday), we'll be starting to excerpts from Eberron Player's Guide beginning Monday. We'll also probably get a Vicious Venues and some tips on how to use your newly bought Monster Manual 2.
It also looks like a good week for Insiders. On Monday, they'll be looking at a new Domain of Dread and a Forgotten Realsm article on Friday. Best of all, there's a playtest for Monster Manual 3!
After all that, gamers around the world will probably be geared up for World Wide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day on the 23rd.
May 15, 2009
Word of Wizards - WWDDGD: UK/Reading
WWDDGD: UK/Reading
This is for my British readers (if there are any, please say 'hi' in the comment box). If you are somewhere near Reading and somehow missed this piece of great news, then you are in luck for reading this.
Newly named D&D lead developer, Stephen Schubert will be making an appearance in Eclectic Games for the May 23 World Wide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day in conjunction with the release of the Monster Manual 2. While he's there, you can get him to sign books and ask him a few questions. Eclectic Games, which has been selected to be the headquarters for WWDDGD in England, is also planning to hold seminars, run side games and delves and a generally awesome day of gaming for British fans. They are also door prizes and other giveaways to be won during this event, so it's definitely worth dropping by.
More information will be posted up as soon as they get them so check up on their site, their Facebook or this thread.
If you are in Britain but can't make it for this event then don't fret. It's not the only store that is participating in WWDDGD. Wizards has released the complete list of participating game stores all across England, so check it here to find your nearest one and prepare yourself for the Journey Through the Silver Caves with any of these 5th level pre-gen characters from here.
Uthal, Goliath Barbarian
Althaea, Eladrin Wizard
Arjhana, Dragonborn Rogue
Chance, Tiefling Warlord
Eomer, Dwarf Paladin
May 14, 2009
{Quest Log} RL and RP Don't Mix
From this week onwards, things would probably be very slow here on the Questing GM.
Unfortunately, while I really like to get on writing about my own Appendix N and a post for this month's blog carnival, real life priorities (i.e., assignments followed by final exams) are now my current concerns that will probably last throughout this week until mid June.
Although this sounds like I'm taking a short hiatus from my regular RPG blogging, I'll still be trying to cover the updates coming from Wizards and now Paizo. If not, you probably won't hear from me until all is settled and done.
While I'm dreading to face the next few weeks that will determine if I walk out of university with my degree and dignity intact, but I digress. Quest Log is all about gaming related topics. So let's talk about what I would like to do once I've achieved freedom.
I'm really looking forward to share more of my gaming thoughts but then first things first. Wish me luck and enjoy your gaming life.
Unfortunately, while I really like to get on writing about my own Appendix N and a post for this month's blog carnival, real life priorities (i.e., assignments followed by final exams) are now my current concerns that will probably last throughout this week until mid June.
Although this sounds like I'm taking a short hiatus from my regular RPG blogging, I'll still be trying to cover the updates coming from Wizards and now Paizo. If not, you probably won't hear from me until all is settled and done.
While I'm dreading to face the next few weeks that will determine if I walk out of university with my degree and dignity intact, but I digress. Quest Log is all about gaming related topics. So let's talk about what I would like to do once I've achieved freedom.
- Now that I have a free and legal copy of H1 Keep on the Shadowfell, I intend to start reading, re-read and prep for this adventure so that I can run this once I get back to my gaming group in my hometown. I'll probably be posting my 'prep log' on this blog just to show you how I do things (for good or for ill).
- With more free time, I could also start reading more games to learn their new rules. Dissection and breakdown of these systems are probably also forthcoming for this blog. Haven't decided which rules I should go first but it should be anyone that is in my top ten list.
- I should also probably start to plan for a campaign since I haven't done so for a very long time. Maybe a revisit for my Githyanki Incursion campaign is in order for this one. It would probably start with my system I would be using to the main plot and so on. Then again, there are so many other campaigns that I feel like running.
I'm really looking forward to share more of my gaming thoughts but then first things first. Wish me luck and enjoy your gaming life.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Preview #1
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Preview #1
After months of playtesting, followed by months of additional design and compilation, the Pathfinder RPG was finally sent out to the printers about two weeks ago.
Today, Paizo started a 14 part series that will preview the final version of the Pathfinder RPG in the Paizo Blog and what better way to start by showing the final Table of Contents?
The book clocks slightly less than 600 pages that will have everything you need to play and run a Pathfinder game. Compared with the beta version, the final version will also include the Prestige classes and magic item rules that were released during the later days of the beta playtest as their own chapters. This makes the total number of 15 chapters, 4 appendices including its very own Appendix N and a 4-page Index.
The second piece of preview is a couple of pages from the Races chapter. On the first page, we are shown the racial mugshot. They have replaced the blocky racial mugshot art from the beta with a new art that looks much cleaner to me. While on the second page, we have the dwarf description. Looking at the Dwarf's racial traits, you might notice that it has lost its Keen Sense bonus and there seems to be no more Favored Classes, at least not by race.
It's been quite a while since I have done a Pathfinder update so I'm really glad that I will have something to look forward to for the next 14 weeks. This is really building up a lot of drooling anticipation for the game and it keeps getting better. You can also keep up with the Paizo on Twitter.
Any thoughts on the preview?
After months of playtesting, followed by months of additional design and compilation, the Pathfinder RPG was finally sent out to the printers about two weeks ago.
Today, Paizo started a 14 part series that will preview the final version of the Pathfinder RPG in the Paizo Blog and what better way to start by showing the final Table of Contents?
The book clocks slightly less than 600 pages that will have everything you need to play and run a Pathfinder game. Compared with the beta version, the final version will also include the Prestige classes and magic item rules that were released during the later days of the beta playtest as their own chapters. This makes the total number of 15 chapters, 4 appendices including its very own Appendix N and a 4-page Index.
The second piece of preview is a couple of pages from the Races chapter. On the first page, we are shown the racial mugshot. They have replaced the blocky racial mugshot art from the beta with a new art that looks much cleaner to me. While on the second page, we have the dwarf description. Looking at the Dwarf's racial traits, you might notice that it has lost its Keen Sense bonus and there seems to be no more Favored Classes, at least not by race.
It's been quite a while since I have done a Pathfinder update so I'm really glad that I will have something to look forward to for the next 14 weeks. This is really building up a lot of drooling anticipation for the game and it keeps getting better. You can also keep up with the Paizo on Twitter.
Any thoughts on the preview?
May 13, 2009
Word of Wizards - iPhone Wallpaper
iPhone Wallpaper
Here's a simple treat for you techno-junkies. Wizards has released the covers of Player's Handbook 1 & 2, Monster Manual 1 & 2, Dungeon Master's Guide and 2 other illustrations as backgrounds for your iPhone.
Head over to the link for downloading instructions and how to set it up onto your iPhone.
Here's a simple treat for you techno-junkies. Wizards has released the covers of Player's Handbook 1 & 2, Monster Manual 1 & 2, Dungeon Master's Guide and 2 other illustrations as backgrounds for your iPhone.
Head over to the link for downloading instructions and how to set it up onto your iPhone.
Word of Wizards - Steal This Hook! Ankhegs and Kenkus and Golems, Oh My!
Steal This Hook! Ankhegs and Kenkus and Golems, Oh My!
With Monster Manual 2 being released in less than a week from now, DMs are surely starting to think up adventures where they can use the new monsters from the book. This month's Steal This Hook! is a good way to warm up your creative engines with 3 plot hooks based on 3 new monsters that will be appearing in the book. Unfortunately, they didn't provide the stats for these new monsters but you can already stat up the encounters for one of them.
Chained Up
This one features the Chain Golem which is causing a ruckus among the wagons of a caravan outside a local tavern. Why is there a chain golem or who does it belong to will be some of the main background questions and your answer could be a wizard that lives in the wilderness, barbarian raiders or something more infernal that has an attachment with chains.
The Raven People
The PCs chance upon a robbery gone bad as undead followed by a birdlike figure emerge from the sewer, attacking both the muggers and their victim. Why are there kenkus in the sewers, who is leading them and what else could be hidden in the dank tunnels could form the basis for an underground urban adventure. Not all tunnels have to be in a dungeon.
Ankhegs Galore
A rich merchant is trying to make it big with a new trade route but he needs guards to protect his caravan from the Ankhegs that are known to infest the area. Many potential guardians have ignored this job but what will it be for the PCs? It can be just a simple guard duty across dangerous terrain or perhaps there is someone who is controlling the Ankhegs. Time to find some extra help from someone who might know what is best when trespassing Ankheg territory or knows a thing or two about Ankhegs.
The Ankheg stats can be found in this preview so you can get on expanding this plot hook right away.
May 10, 2009
Questing's Readings - 10/5/09
This week we had some great number of contents coming out from specific blogs alone. Hats off goes to Dungeon's Master, Exchange of Realities, Philippine Gamer and The RPG Athenaeum for their great series of posts which were useful and interesting this week.
That doesn't mean to say there hasn't been other good readings from other blogs. Some bloggers are starting to test the limitations of 4E and it would be interesting to see where the results of their experimentation would take the game. This week, we had some interesting discussions and thoughts about roles in 4E, a focus on players and the usual rounds of GMing advice.
I hope you will enjoy these readings as much as it's my pleasure to recommend these to you.
A Butterfly Dreaming
The Rules Gap
A very good post on how to look at 4E rules fitting into our games.
Advanced Gaming and Theory
Constructing Magic Items
The hassles and pains of creating magical items if you want to make your game feel more realistic.
Bard of Valiant
How Would Elminster Peel a Banana?
A link to a video talk on how to think differently about solutions. Can be used to reverse engineer an adventure.
Campaign Mastery
A Different Perspective: Changing the dynamic with a different metaphor
An very interesting look at using card games and a roulette for different conflict resolution.
Crtical Hits
Being a Good New Player
4 considerations to think about when you are new to an ongoing gaming group.
DND Corner
5 Tips for Managing DM Prep Time
5 ways to maximize your prep time.
Dungeonmastering
The Secrets of Great Solo Adventures
3 simple tips of running a solo campaign
Dungeon's Master
Running Memorable Skill Challenges (Part 1)
Running Memorable Skill Challenges (Part 2)
A good series to learn the basics of skill challenges and some ways of designing them.
Redefining Character Roles
Some thoughts on roles becoming the real class in 4E.
The Fighter as a Striker
Should classes be attached to roles?
Exchange of Realities
Long Narratives: Why Go For It?
Long Narratives: What Can Go Wrong?
Long Narratives: Avoiding the Hazards
A good series on understanding the long narratives and how to avoid its pitfalls. Very useful for planning or running long campaigns.
Gaming In Code
D&D Insider Compendium - API Part 1
A very useful guide to improve your search using the D&DI Compendium.
Geek Related
Some Thoughts On 2e and 3e
A good look at the differences between 2E and 3E and how these are addressed in 4E and Pathfinder.
Greywulf's Lair
Separating Class from Role
Some ideas on how to separate roles from classes.
Ideamancer
Alternate Power Source Class: 4e Divine Bard
APSC: 4e Divine Bard Character Sheet
An step-by-step explanation of creating the Divine Bard and a sample character.
Inkwell Ideas
Top 5 Overlooked Rule Subsets of RPGs
5 commons rules in fantasy RPGs that we often forget or refuse to enforce.
Kobold Quarterly
A Better Play Experience: a Conversation with Jason Bulmanhn
An interview with the lead designer of Pathfinder where he talks about some of his design philosophies for the game and some changes they have in Pathfinder.
Life and Times of a Philippine Gamer
The Joys of Healing Time and Irreversible Character Modifications
A very good example of what characters can do when they are recovering and still be in the game.
Players... Go Play, Dammit!
3 ways that a player can make the game more enjoyable for themselves.
Character Development Happens In-Game
A good reminder of why we don't need a detailed backstory for our characters.
Musings of the Chatty DM
Adventure Prep: The City Adventure
2 types of urban adventures that you can run in a city and how to mix them up.
Old School, New School and Gygaxian Naturalism (or not)
Chatty's take on old school, new school and Gygaxian naturalism. A good and easy introductory read regarding these issues with some useful definitions and links.
Neitherworld Stories
Great GMing Advice
A link to a post on computer game level design but has a lot of great points that should be kept in mind for DMs when designing encounters and dungeons.
NewbieDM
Playing at paragon tier, or learning to crawl before you can walk
A game report on paragon tier play in 4E with some valuable lessons.
Points of Light
Interview: Ari Marmell
An interview with a writer and designer with Wizards of the Coast.
RPG Blog II
Gaming Companies on Twitter
A list gaming companies that has twitter with added links.
Tankards and Broadswords
RPG-Writing Style - Professional or Personable?
An interesting dilemma when it comes to writing RPGs.
tenletter
Does 4e Hamper Creative Play in Combat?
3 reasons why 4E combat is restricting player creative.
The Bone Scroll
The Art of GM BSing
5 tips on how to be prepared to improvise.
The Core Mechanic
Towards more Cinematic Gaming, Part 1 - RPG Statistics
Some interesting success/failure statistics and finding an alternative to the d20.
The RPG Athenaeum
Four tips for writing effective D&D read-aloud text
4 strong rules of writing to improve your read-aloud text.
Session time is precious: here's how not to waste it
3 ways to prevent session time from being wasted with an approximation of how much time can be used from these methods.
The Spirits of Eden
Wyatt's Words: Daydreaming Design
Designing adventures based on scenery and daydreams.
Uncle Bear
Is 4th Edition D&D Really "Old School"?
Berin puts 4E to the test of whether it can be 'old school' based on the Quick Primer for Old School Gaming.
That doesn't mean to say there hasn't been other good readings from other blogs. Some bloggers are starting to test the limitations of 4E and it would be interesting to see where the results of their experimentation would take the game. This week, we had some interesting discussions and thoughts about roles in 4E, a focus on players and the usual rounds of GMing advice.
I hope you will enjoy these readings as much as it's my pleasure to recommend these to you.
A Butterfly Dreaming
The Rules Gap
A very good post on how to look at 4E rules fitting into our games.
Advanced Gaming and Theory
Constructing Magic Items
The hassles and pains of creating magical items if you want to make your game feel more realistic.
Bard of Valiant
How Would Elminster Peel a Banana?
A link to a video talk on how to think differently about solutions. Can be used to reverse engineer an adventure.
Campaign Mastery
A Different Perspective: Changing the dynamic with a different metaphor
An very interesting look at using card games and a roulette for different conflict resolution.
Crtical Hits
Being a Good New Player
4 considerations to think about when you are new to an ongoing gaming group.
DND Corner
5 Tips for Managing DM Prep Time
5 ways to maximize your prep time.
Dungeonmastering
The Secrets of Great Solo Adventures
3 simple tips of running a solo campaign
Dungeon's Master
Running Memorable Skill Challenges (Part 1)
Running Memorable Skill Challenges (Part 2)
A good series to learn the basics of skill challenges and some ways of designing them.
Redefining Character Roles
Some thoughts on roles becoming the real class in 4E.
The Fighter as a Striker
Should classes be attached to roles?
Exchange of Realities
Long Narratives: Why Go For It?
Long Narratives: What Can Go Wrong?
Long Narratives: Avoiding the Hazards
A good series on understanding the long narratives and how to avoid its pitfalls. Very useful for planning or running long campaigns.
Gaming In Code
D&D Insider Compendium - API Part 1
A very useful guide to improve your search using the D&DI Compendium.
Geek Related
Some Thoughts On 2e and 3e
A good look at the differences between 2E and 3E and how these are addressed in 4E and Pathfinder.
Greywulf's Lair
Separating Class from Role
Some ideas on how to separate roles from classes.
Ideamancer
Alternate Power Source Class: 4e Divine Bard
APSC: 4e Divine Bard Character Sheet
An step-by-step explanation of creating the Divine Bard and a sample character.
Inkwell Ideas
Top 5 Overlooked Rule Subsets of RPGs
5 commons rules in fantasy RPGs that we often forget or refuse to enforce.
Kobold Quarterly
A Better Play Experience: a Conversation with Jason Bulmanhn
An interview with the lead designer of Pathfinder where he talks about some of his design philosophies for the game and some changes they have in Pathfinder.
Life and Times of a Philippine Gamer
The Joys of Healing Time and Irreversible Character Modifications
A very good example of what characters can do when they are recovering and still be in the game.
Players... Go Play, Dammit!
3 ways that a player can make the game more enjoyable for themselves.
Character Development Happens In-Game
A good reminder of why we don't need a detailed backstory for our characters.
Musings of the Chatty DM
Adventure Prep: The City Adventure
2 types of urban adventures that you can run in a city and how to mix them up.
Old School, New School and Gygaxian Naturalism (or not)
Chatty's take on old school, new school and Gygaxian naturalism. A good and easy introductory read regarding these issues with some useful definitions and links.
Neitherworld Stories
Great GMing Advice
A link to a post on computer game level design but has a lot of great points that should be kept in mind for DMs when designing encounters and dungeons.
NewbieDM
Playing at paragon tier, or learning to crawl before you can walk
A game report on paragon tier play in 4E with some valuable lessons.
Points of Light
Interview: Ari Marmell
An interview with a writer and designer with Wizards of the Coast.
RPG Blog II
Gaming Companies on Twitter
A list gaming companies that has twitter with added links.
Tankards and Broadswords
RPG-Writing Style - Professional or Personable?
An interesting dilemma when it comes to writing RPGs.
tenletter
Does 4e Hamper Creative Play in Combat?
3 reasons why 4E combat is restricting player creative.
The Bone Scroll
The Art of GM BSing
5 tips on how to be prepared to improvise.
The Core Mechanic
Towards more Cinematic Gaming, Part 1 - RPG Statistics
Some interesting success/failure statistics and finding an alternative to the d20.
The RPG Athenaeum
Four tips for writing effective D&D read-aloud text
4 strong rules of writing to improve your read-aloud text.
Session time is precious: here's how not to waste it
3 ways to prevent session time from being wasted with an approximation of how much time can be used from these methods.
The Spirits of Eden
Wyatt's Words: Daydreaming Design
Designing adventures based on scenery and daydreams.
Uncle Bear
Is 4th Edition D&D Really "Old School"?
Berin puts 4E to the test of whether it can be 'old school' based on the Quick Primer for Old School Gaming.
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