Tabletop Epics!

Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition...Time for You to Decide!

2012-01-09T09:31:00.001-08:00

Well, friends and fellow gamers, it appears that Wizards of the Coast finally made their way through all of the feedback on Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition. I wonder if they noticed the hefty amount of criticism from the various cadres of "Gamerdom," most issuing from members of the "Old Guard" (or so I've deduced from message board discussions and local game shop chats). I assume then that they chose to ignore the neophyte dice-slingers who cut their teeth on 4E and have supported it thus far, or perhaps that group lacks the significant representation required for recognition in the great Parliament of Graph Paper and Polyhedrons. Whatever it was they have apparently decided to pay heed to the opinions of the seasoned and dissatisfied because today they revealed their plans to create the next edition of everyone's favorite, legendary tabletop roleplaying game!

Both the New York Times and Forbes reported on the titanic announcement, and if you wander on over to WotC's neck of the internets you'll see a delightful pop up window with some nifty dragon artwork asking you to sign up to be a part of gaming history. The part you are invited to play, if you so choose, is the part of playtester in their newly proposed, massive next edition playtest. How generous of them. It's oddly familiar, though. Oh, that's right, Paizo, the hugely successful publisher and developer of the hit roleplaying game Pathfinder which was most definitely the victorious rules set of the last significant Gamer War, did exactly the same thing when they chose to honor the roots of good old D&D and not run off chasing MMORPG formulas for the development of a tabletop game.

In the last few months articles have surfaced with comments from developers and big names at Wizards referring to their failings with 4th Edition. Monte Cook, the modern Game Design Master, was invited back to contribute his winning instincts to their R&D department. Lead designers of 4E were let go. Now we have a company which seems to rarely reach out to its consumers for feedback suddenly asking all of them to step up, playtest an upcoming rough draft of a new edition, and contribute their thoughts and desires. Such a series of events is not at all surprising if you understand the basics of business and the logic of following a winning formula, but it does mean that finally the opinions of the folks who fork out their cash on a somewhat regular, almost four year cycle are being seriously considered. It's about time.

This decision to move to a new edition will most certainly earn Wizards a heap of guff from various groups such as, again, the new players who found their way in through 4E, the old gamers who found themselves growing used to the new, yet ill-fated rules set, gamers who don't want to spend another hundred plus dollars to acquire new rule books, and the troll community which randomly grazes the wild fields of the digital landscape, seeking out the perfect thread onto which they will mindlessly bitch. Certainly the valid, constructive responses will shine through and lead us to what will hopefully be a move towards an incredibly successful and thoroughly enjoyable tabletop gaming experience for all tabletop role players. Hopefully this is an honest attempt to actually respect the opinions of the gaming community, and hopefully this next edition will last for more than just a few years. Right now Wizards and D&D need two fairly obvious things, the proof that they can follow through with promises and actually deliver a winning game and to be able to show evidence of their ability to create a system that will stand for many years without expensive alterations (3.5) or a need for another overhaul after a few years.

This announcement finds me quite hopeful for the future of tabletop gaming. I'm hoping that the playtest is fair and worthwhile, and I hope that an edition of my favorite tabletop game will surface after this process that will not only stand the test of time but prove to everyone that you don't need anything digital to enjoy a gaming experience. I'm already signed up to play my part in the "History of gaming." How about you?

Here are articles addressing the announcement and WotC's page announcing the new plan:

-Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2012/01/09/wizards-announce-new-dungeons-and-dragons-an-inside-look-at-the-game/
-The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/arts/video-games/dungeons-dragons-remake-uses-players-input.html?pagewanted=all%3Fsrc%3Dtp&smid=fb-share
-Wizards of the Coast: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.aspx?x=dnd%2F4ll%2F20120109

Editions of a Classic Game...which side are you on?

2011-09-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, 1st Edition D&D is not 2nd, 2nd is not 3rd, and so on. Gamers have played the various versions, chosen their favorites, and will stand by their preferences no matter what. Won't they?

I find that declaring allegiance to a product is a proud tradition of geeks, especially gamer geeks. They are the consumer type that companies hold high (and more than likely upside down to catch what might fall from their pockets). Lately I've seen this practice of boasting one's favored gaming product diminish as the hobby has been opened wide for new blood curious enough to see what this gaming thing is all about. With them we have a fresh group ignorant of traditionalist ways and opinions and of the history of the hobby. Also, there's been a lot of folk outspoken in their hatred of Edition X, instead praising the name of it's counter Edition X.X. These people, as more and more new folk turn up, seem to be willing to ease up on their criticisms and belly up to the table anyway just to have something to play. Is this an honest and honorable way to approach something? Does it display one's principles or highlight one's own foolishness?

It seems to me that anyone willing to be on the fence about which edition is good and which is bad, or someone who makes a show of shifting back and forth, especially in the midst of an "Edition Debate," is either someone who stands to gain from both sides, like a third party developer, or someone whose focus goes beyond a number and rules set. The former gets significant exposure, naturally, since they have product which provides them an increased voice proportionate to the popularity of their material. This is an individual whose comments and arguments are to me completely invalid. I don't want some flexible simp telling me what I'll enjoy just so they can make a buck. If that's what they're business plan requires then I hope failure soon finds them. The latter is an individual who is both a publisher's dream come true and a person who understands what gaming is really about. The fun.

While writing this I realize that I enjoy gaming because it's fun, but I also know that I have certain brands I trust and will give them my loyalty no matter what. I straddle the columns (both A and B, fun and loyalty), not the Editions. I've decided to avoid declarations and just quietly enjoy what I enjoy. Those who deserve my money will get it.

Back to it then. Game on!

The faces of my players and the joys of GMing

2011-09-02T09:33:00.000-07:00

In recent weeks I've managed to successfully run an ongoing Pathfinder campaign for my wife and three friends. With the exception of the odd weekend day that just won't jive with schedules we've met about every two weeks. The last session was our third and according to my players it was the best thus far.

I've learned a lot about my hobby over the years of rolling up characters, poring over rule books, and just sitting down at the table to game. In these last few sessions I've grown as a GM and found that my knowledge of gaming has increased significantly. I don't mean my technical, rules-based knowledge but my ability to understand what my players want, how they want it, and to know that a good game can become great with a few minor tweaks. This has been a priceless period for growing as a GM, and it makes me really appreciate the duties of Game Mastering.

Knowing that you're successful in the moment you apply your skill is probably the most intoxicating period of any endeavor. I found that as I ran my last session my players weren't just sitting around a table, mindlessly calling out character actions and dice roll results, they were looking at me through their character's eyes and talking to me, in NPC mode, like their lives depended on the discussion. When they were trying to bluff the village's dwarven battle commander they weren't just rolling the skill, they were actually trying to lie to me. Their eyes were pleading, hoping that I, not the dwarf, would buy their story. It was truly a magic moment that gave clarity to what it was I actually enjoy about the hobby of tabletop roleplaying. This form of gaming is definitely a way to get lost in another world and to have a hell of a fun time while doing it. That last session proved it for me.

I look forward to tomorrow. As I write this I am thinking of the things and peoples I'll subject my party to when they come to the table. With my new confidence and knowledge I'm pretty sure that I can reel them in again and for a moment give them the fantasy world they wish to inhabit, if for only a small while by playing pretend.

Oh, and I totally put them up against a dragon. It was awesome!

Personal Fantasy Worlds, we all must have them...

2011-07-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

Inside our heads are brains that function on amazing levels and give us not only the ability to act with and react to the physical world but also the ability to create worlds of our own. It is my wish that everyone of us, geek or average person, would dedicate themselves to sitting down and writing of the world(s) they hold inside their heads. The worlds powered by their imaginations.

I'd love to write of the world I go to in my dreams. It's very much like the world I live in everyday but there are so many magical differences. I sometimes wonder if exposing that world to others would ruin it for me. That hesitation keeps my imagined world locked away. Perhaps that's fair or perhaps that's a problem. I guess there's only one way to find out.

The gaming world I work on and subject my players to is something else entirely. I'd love to dedicate much more time to writing of that world than I really can. Sadly that world will have to make due with a few notes, scribblings, and graph paper maps. Maybe one day I can bring it out for the world of gaming to use and build upon. Maybe.

My try at the "Hardest Gary Gygax Quiz in the World"

2011-07-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

Jonathan took the Hardest Gary Gygax Quiz in the World and got 90%!

You are a Gary Gygax Lord. Wow, you know a lot about Gary Gygax! My guess is that you are one of those Old School Renaissance guys, or else your last name is Gygax. Seriously, I didn't think anyone would do this well on this quiz.

Proposal: Grand Rapids Gaming Convention

2011-07-18T22:12:00.000-07:00

Here is my proposal for an event Grand Rapids has had need of for quite some time. I propose that we assemble a team of Game Masters and run several scheduled games one weekend during this Fall or Winter at a local hall or other large venue.

I will be posting details as I get them, but for now, if you're reading this and are an experienced Game Master who lives in or around Grand Rapids please get in touch with me through email @ tabletop.epics@gmail.com

If you have any suggestions for a place that might host an event that would span a weekend with a two day schedule of 12pm to 6pm gaming, also let me know.

I hope that we can build up our resources and get this thing moving soon. Game on!

The Geek Says His Piece

2011-03-27T08:05:00.001-07:00

Keeping an eye on the times and trends of this modern day and reacting to a recent viewing of a certain documentary I've decided that I should probably state my geek here and now before I'm lumped in with some bandwagon or seen as some irresponsible outcast.

From a very early age I've been introduced to and become smitten with several pieces of entertainment that most would file under the sub-culture of geek. I did not consciously enjoy these items because of that label, I do not now consciously boast about my favorites in hopes of being considered a geek, and it wasn't until after primary school that I was able to make such connections between television shows, movies, games, comics, toys, and more with the geek sub-culture. By that time I was already an avid fan, thanks to my father and uncles, of Star Wars, Doctor Who, Star Trek, Mystery Science Theater 3000, comics, and the list goes on. I had also found for myself several other interests such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, and other fantastic movies, cartoons, and literature of the late '80s early '90s.

As I grew up I found myself gravitating to new media that shared common themes with all others I had grown up loving. I was fortunate enough in my middle school years to stumble upon a certain game and comic book shop called White Cap Comics where I fed my existing comic addiction and finally discovered what those ads in all those comics and magazines were talking about when they declared the wonders that were to be found in Dungeons and Dragons. It was also in that time, about early seventh grade, that I caught on to some friends at school playing a certain card game at lunchtime. The game was Magic the Gathering, the friends were the first gamers I had ever encountered, and my love for the game still strongly exists. After my introduction to gaming I chose a book for a reading assignment that would not only educate me on the founding of the Fantasy genre but would change my life and outlook from then on out. That book with it's hole-in-the-ground-dwelling Hobbit was The Hobbit. So there I was after just a few years of life already saturated in the products and media of a sub-culture(s) I knew nothing about, and I was reveling in all the joys a young boy could find in his hobbies and interests.

Now as an adult after years of late night viewings of movies and television series, rolling dice, shuffling cards, drawing my favorite characters, writing my own epics, and keeping up on all my old past times, I find myself needing to not only reflect but think about the future. I see much of what I've loved becoming part of society's "Cool School," where historically media has gone to be played out and disembowled by the low-brow members of a coked-up, party society. Such an acceptance doesn't deter me from enjoying what I've always enjoyed but it does strike up natural insecurities dealing with social perceptions. I know that I don't care about being called a geek but I do definitely care about being lumped in with the zealots of popular culture. For now I'll enjoy what I enjoy in the privacy of my keep, but I fear for the future of much of what I love.

Another concern is that I may have become too wrapped up in my pursuits and am separating from society in an unhealthy way, alienating everyone else around me. I don't want to lose any part of myself or what I enjoy, but I also don't want to be the lone figure apart from the world watching it like a lonely outcast, an alien on the impenetrable fringes of a desirable world. I don't want to be like those who give up sense and comfort to dedicate themselves twenty four hours a day, seven days a week to entertainments that will in the end offer them nothing but lost time and real world misery as they neglect to take care of themselves and those who depend upon them. I want to keep my social life, my humanity, and at the same time be able to lose my self for a time in the realms of dream, imagination, and the joys of geekery.

So I will continue to constantly reflect and prepare for tomorrow. I will keep a clear head about priorities, about self-truth, about life, and about what's most important in the macro sense. Yesterday was introductions and initial glee, today is joy in long-loved pursuits, and tomorrow is continued appreciation for my life-long pleasures as I maintain a functioning, positive, and happy lifestyle.

Here's to yesterdays, today, and all the possible tomorrows. Geek out.

Multiverse...Limitless Adventure

2010-11-26T22:51:00.000-08:00

There was an idea amongst the early players of Dungeons and Dragons. The idea was that all the games played by all the groups across the world were actually events occurring on different planets or within different dimensions based on or of a single, gargantuan universe. This epically gigantic universe was, and is, called the Multiverse.

It is incredibly fascinating to think that with the right magic item or cosmic occurrence the party could skip to another DM's world. It's a shame that when the idea of the Multiverse was bandied about regularly the internet was not in wide public use. It's even more shameful that groups don't share their worlds and the varied stories of their experiences in those worlds. There's this great absence of a community of gaming creativity that should not be.

I'd love to have the time or resources to try and network the creations of various DM's and encourage the sharing of adventure stories. Just hearing about how Group A reacted to the setting created by the DM of Group B and vice versa would be entertaining by itself. There very well could be small collectives of groups doing this, but on a greater, worldwide scale it would be all the more marvelous.

This is a dream of mine that I would love to see made a reality. As a hobbyist it gets at me that I alone can't make this possible. Not right now at least.

Life...it gets in the way

2010-11-24T06:26:00.000-08:00

It's been months now since I've posted something here on the old Blog. Damn.

I've been run through the gauntlet of life, balancing both university duties, work duties, and home duties. This hasn't been easy, but one can survive if one's constitution is high and hope is strong.

Now to gaming. I'm excited because as the semester winds down I'm able to set up the Star Wars adventure I've been conceptualizing for some time now. It will take place at the end of the Galactic Civil War between the Battle of Endor and the Truce at Bakura. I figure that this time period along with the setting will provide some gritty background for a smuggler/fledgling Jedi type campaign.

Obviously the Fringe members of Galactic Society will be taking advantage of the lack of Imperial presence after its many years of oppression. Crime syndicates will lunge at opportunity to grab territory, raise prices, start conflicts, and perhaps even team up with Imperial deserters who wish to use the tools of the now defunct Empire for their gain. In this time of confusion and potential darkness there is a light though. In the far corners of the Galaxy, hidden away on worlds and moons where civilized life fears to tread, are small enclaves of Force sensitive individuals. These fledgling Jedi, trained by lost remnants of the Old Order who have either survived long enough to teach others or are still alive, are now migrating in towards the inner areas of the galaxy at the beckoning of the Force.

I'm very excited to run this setting, and I hope that the turn out and feedback are both equally awesome!

A Classic Purchase of Boxed Gaming Delight!

2010-06-26T17:01:00.000-07:00

Today I had the great honor and pleasure of stumbling upon a box full of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons boxed sets. The ones of note that I perused included the original Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, The Ruins of Undermountain, and Dragon Mountain. The latter I was able to purchase after being disappointed by the news that the others were being held for eBay sales.

After arriving at home and having a proper look at the box's contents, I was astounded to see that everything in the box looked as if it just left TSR's printer. No creases, no dirt, no old food stains, no finger prints, just perfection. This adventure, though it doesn't directly relate to the systems I run, will no doubt provide me with endless ideas and inspiration. Not to mention it's hella cool to own a classic piece from D&D history!!

Adventures in Pathfinder, 06/19/10

2010-06-26T16:42:00.000-07:00

After being on hiatus since late February, early March, my group and I once again dove into our campaign.

The night started off rough with the PCs finally concluding a five day trek through thick woodland. They arrived at an elven outpost on the isle of Alus Enial ("Water home") and there met the ranger guard of the elven wood and their druid leader. After much role playing, setting up adventure hooks and acquainting the party with the society of the isle, the PCs were off to questing. Investigating the disappearance of elven rangers led them to a rough encounter with boggards (Pathfinder's answer to bullywugs) which they survived without a hitch. Carrying one of the enemy bodies back to the elves to answer their questions regarding what may have caused the disappearance they then struck out to find a boar for an upcoming feast. This led them down a particularly large trail left by what appeared to have been a massive beast. Following this with little difficulty due to the destruction surely caused by the beast's size, they, once again, encountered boggards, coincidentally in the same "marshy area" they fought in previously.

After overcoming another encounter with the vile frog-like men, the majority of the party continued after the boar. The elven cleric decided to take it upon himself to further investigate the marsh after hearing sounds of boggard-like conversation. He stumbled upon a small, mud hut village populated by women and the elderly. He essentially went Anakin Skywalker on the lot and the massive tadpoles they were nursing.

The rest of the party, in the meantime, continued on the trail only to run into a dire boar that was in the process of rooting through vegetation. The two who made this discovery were a bard and a sorceress, hardly melee combatants. The bard, through clever spell use and trickery managed to distract the boar while the sorceress stealthily moved behind the beast to begin attacking it. After a long exchange of goring blows from the enraged animal and jabs from both party combatants, with the sorceress eventually falling unconscious from damage, the party managed to fell the beast.

Taking their hard earned trophy back to the elven village, after being rejoined by the wayward cleric, they returned back to the safety and gratitude of their new elven allies. Now they wait for the feast and the coming of the king's ambassador's envoy.

I'm thankful that after some rigid role play to start the evening, the players finally eased themselves back into their roles and did splendidly at playing their very interesting characters. I'm looking forward to leading them further into my home-brewed world.

Stay tuned for more from our the Tabletop Epics! adventures!

Sitting, Writing, Anticipating the Weekend...

2010-06-16T07:28:00.000-07:00

Today, my only weekday off from work, I sit at my computer and let the fantasy world I've crafted spin through my head and out onto game notes. Today I craft adventures in worlds beyond the norm and deep with history and magic.

I really enjoy this part of the hobby. Not only can one sit and play creator to a whole new world, shaped by one's whims and imagination, but you can prepare others to delve into it.

I'd love to post the history for the world I've created and the ideas I have for the character party but I'd rather not spoil the fun.

One day I hope to shape all these efforts of mine into a publishable campaign setting for many other gamers to dive into. One day, perhaps.

Kenzer & Company, Keeping Gaming Fun

2010-06-16T06:59:00.001-07:00

For years now I've enjoyed the offerings of David S. Kenzer, Jolly Blackburn, Steve Johansson, and company. Not only do they provide one of the best gaming magazines ever, they do it with all the love for the hobby one could ever possibly have.

Knights of the Dinner Table is a publication worth subscribing to if you enjoy gaming at all. The laughs provided in the comics are gut-busting, the content of the game related articles is rich with helpful information, and the staff behind it makes sure to provide as much fun per issue as possible. I actively seek for the newest issue any time I'm in a game or hobby store. It's what gets me through the year when my own table is in a slump.

Among the games they publish Hackmaster is the most noteworthy. Now in the Basic incarnation, this game continues to build upon the original role playing game penned by Gygax and Arneson. It differs in many ways, yet stays classically flavored. Anyone looking to try out a new role playing system should absolutely give this one a read. I'd also recommend Tech Support especially if you're into an easy card game to share with your friends. I had the pleasure of play testing this item at the KenzerCo. booth at Gen Con Indy 2005, where I was fortunate to meet Jolly Blackburn, the creative mind behind the Knights Comic, and have him sign issue #100.

I can't express how much entertainment this company has given me over the years. They're magazine lifts my spirits when life has beaten them down, and they're games remind me that the heart of the hobby is the pursuit of having fun!

Make mine KenzerCo!

Paizo, the saviors of the Gygaxian/Arneson Legacy?

2010-06-09T10:53:00.001-07:00

Paizo games, a company definitely worth noting, has really proven themselves in recent years. They've always delivered, in my opinion, while they were publishing Dungeon and Dragon magazines. Now they are the publishers of one of the best products to come out of the d20 Open License. The Pathfinder RPG is not only a direct descendant of Dungeons and Dragons 3.5, it is, for my money, a superior descendant. It should rightfully hold the license that Wizards of the Coast has mistakenly applied to their new RPG which is NOT Dungeons and Dragons.

My title for this blog is probably off. Paizo, in their grand effort to continue and better the legacy of 3.5, have really saved the worked of Cook, Tweet, and Williams. These names, for me, are no less than divine in the realms of tabletop gaming, though they aren't Gygax or Arneson.

I'm excited about running Pathfinder. I can't stop being excited. It's so friendly towards a DM who would rather have the core books and be left alone to my his own designs, like myself. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to have fun role playing or looking to get back into the hobby.

Paizo, whose message boards I've begun frequent, will have my business for as long as they maintain the quality I've known them to have. The creative team there deserves much praise!

A Favorable Day...

2010-06-06T17:57:00.000-07:00

On June 19, 2010 my gaming group and I will be off to enjoy a local Renaissance Faire and all its wonder. After that blessed madness we shall trek back to the sofas and coffee tables of our house to game on into the night. Pathfinder shall be our system, the story is a tale crafted by me, myself, and the beverage of the night will probably be tied between Monster and the traditional elixir of choice, Mountain Dew.

I've not been this excited about gaming in a long time. A day to not only attend Ren Faire (FUN, FUN) but to also come home and continue our campaign, which I wrote, that has been in an unfortunate hiatus since late February (my fault). I look forward to pulling back some more of the slightly open curtain for my group to show them the labors of my mind and the fantasy therein. Here's hoping all works as close to plan as possible.

In regard to my home-brewed campaign, for the sake of not spoiling anything much, I've found that I'm really fond of elves after all. There was a time when I absolutely had to be a dwarf, close-cropped hair, long, braided beard, and an axe at hand. Since writing this game and expanding my horizons with other races of the fantasy role playing genre, I've been able to accept races that before were better in my mind as two-dimensional background dressing. Though, as much as I've enjoyed writing my version of these people, their history, and how it's shaped and will shape events, I'm going to enjoy flipping the table on the group at the end. We shall have to wait for that report, folks.

Game on, friends! Play till ye can no more, fellow dice slingers!

Gaming Troubles, Sad but True...

2010-06-03T22:06:00.001-07:00

I'm a fan and player of many games. My interests range from CCG's like Magic the Gathering and the X-Files CCG to RPG's like Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder. I like to imagine and create, to revel in a fantasy world.

Sadly to game one must find others with at least that one shared interest. My misfortune is being surrounded by people I can't comfortably play with or people whose play style clashes tragically with mine.

No one seems to look for the fun in gaming anymore. It's all competitive, down to the prize card for tournament events or the XP heavy adventure with enough Magic Items to frighten a wizard's school. Rules systems have become crazy and over complicated, at least in regards to RPG's, in their attempt to be "Realistic." Strange that realism is in such demand for a hobby built up in the Fantasy and Sci-fi genres.

I'd like to take a nice rules set for RPG's, find people who don't mind casually sitting around and chatting all while enjoying an adventure, and actually have fun gaming. I'd also like to make some casual play card decks and attempt to have fun without feeling bullied or like I'm guilty of bullying (my wife's complaint when playing against me). I'm tired of stressing over the lack of fun I'm having in my favorite hobby. I refuse to let Munchkin demands make DMing feel like a second job or to let over-caffeinated, teenagers at the game store make me feel inferior because I haven't spent the last month indoors analyzing every potential combination in the nth million set of cards!!

My cardinal gaming rule:
IF YOU WANT TO GAME BE PREPARED TO HAVE FUN!

The X-Files CCG, a trip down memory lane...

2010-05-17T19:24:00.001-07:00

If there's one show that thrills me it's the X-Files. It was a show that I grew up on and was enchanted by. It had a great deal of effect on my life. Then there, of course, is the fact that I'm a gamer. I've seen my share of and had the opportunity to play many different games based on shows, movies, and novels, but no game, for me, compares to the X-Files CCG (Collectible Card Game), a game about as fun as the show.

As a young Magic the Gathering player, coming into the game around Fifth Edition and the Tempest Block, I spent a lot of my time hanging out at the local game store, White Cap Comics, the place where I first found and lost myself to gaming. There were a lot of us younger folk there, most of us, like me at the time, in middle school. Then there were the older gamers, men I consider great gaming influences on my life, the "Titans of Gaming." Ben Hyde and Daniel Rowland were two that stand out in my mind, along with Larry the DM (which is another great story). These guys, Ben and Dan, set up tournaments, were willing to teach and chat, and were always willing to build up the local gaming community (I even still have copies of a newsletter they put out). One thing they did for me was help start my crazy obsession with the X-Files CCG.

They had returned from some gaming event (Gen Con?) and brought with them, like vikings returning from o'er the grayed seas, treasure in the form of a little CCG inspired by an amazing television show, whose creators sadly went under. This game, X-Files of course, was to be a staple in the store for many months after. Tournaments and introduction sessions were scheduled. Starter decks and booster packs were made available at very, very reasonable costs (especially for a kid with pocket change). We had an X-Files gaming community that seemed to spawn overnight. I was soaking it up, enjoying not only the fact that my favorite show had been brought into my favorite hobby, but that the game was fun, simple, and probably the most fun I've ever had collecting a card game. It gave kids like us another reason to enjoy those beautiful Saturdays of our youth.

I was in deep. I picked up as many decks and packs as I could, considering the little money I had, and I fought to make sure I could attend every scheduled event. A local grocer/department store had been carrying, in their collectibles and games section, old, shrink-wrapped boxes of sports cards and obscure games. It was to that store that I, a newb to this awesome game, was directed to pick up a booster pack box of the X-Files game for a mere $20.00!! For anyone who doesn't know, these boxes come with thirty-six packs of fifteen cards per pack, and generally CCG booster boxes tend to hold price tags of somewhere around a hundred dollars plus. It was the jackpot in every sense. I can remember the shock of having that many cards from a game I loved so much and the awe of opening every pack, especially when I stumbled upon Ultra-Rares representing the characters I knew and adored. Wowsers, I was over the moon!

Unfortunately, as fast as the game rose in popularity, the folks playing, being gamers who naturally break down their hobby into strategy and killer combos, played the game out and interest waned to nothing. Suddenly the store was back to its old games and no one cared to play a pick up game. That was the beginning of the end for that benchmark point in my gaming youth. From there the guys, the Titans, broke apart, moving and letting life relocate their interests and time. The kids were left with fond memories and our own gaming interests to pursue. Many a night I'd sit on my bed and sort through the cards, begging my sister to play a game with me, which she did now and then.

Then we come to the present, this weekend actually. While visiting another local shop, a comics and collectibles store, I discovered a large quantity of this rare, out of print game that I loved so and that meant so much to my youth. I grabbed a few packs and a starter deck for old times sake, worse case scenario I'd have more for my collection. When the time came to check out, one of the clerks at the store asked if I was really going to buy those and I answered with a resounding, heck yeah! He then proceeded to ask if I'd like to buy one of their remaining, sealed booster boxes. I, of course, accepted. Walking out of that store, box tucked under arm, I couldn't help but grin like an idiot. It was a reunion with childhood that I think everyone could use in their lives every now and then.

Now I'm spending my free time sorting out the set, placing single cards in protective sheets, and assessing the gaps I still need to fill. Oh, if you're reading this and have some free time, let me know. I've got this great game to show you.

Whilst writing for my group...

2010-05-13T11:55:00.000-07:00

I just realized, after writing for well over 6 hours now, that I'm assembling a publishable adventure module for the Pathfinder RPG. The level of detail I have put in, along with the fleshed out, fully statted NPCs, speak highly of it, I think.

Perhaps after completing it, fine tuning it, and then play-testing it, I can submit it to Paizo. Here's hoping!

Now to get back to finishing it.

The Pathfinder Campaign, so far...

2010-05-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

Before I deleted my Facebook profile (the best decision I've made in regards to online services) I recorded the log of gaming events as they occurred in our ongoing Pathfinder campaign. I shall post them here, now, to give an idea of where we've come and where we are. Let's hope the group continues on with this campaign, which has now been changed to monthly meeting times.

-01/16/10 - Taur Rast

Since arriving in this port city, a combination of man's conquests and the remnants of elven civilization, you have managed to secure a room at the Inn of Shelyn's Grace, witness the townsfolk response to a recent rash of vandalism and cryptic graffiti, and become recruits in a town wide attempt to find those guilty for the disturbances.

Achievements thus far - Trudy has managed to earn some coin plying her bard skills and gambling, Matt has discovered some of the history of the once proud elven shipwrights who had constructed the port and left their glorious mark, Jesse has struck up a working relationship with the local smith and his apprentice and became acquainted with Trudy's bard.

-01/17/10 - Taur Rast, continued

After receiving the charge from Harbormaster/Mayor Heinrich, the party split itself amongst volunteers and the regular city watch for night patrol against the vandals. The elven cleric of the group traced back the graffiti to an area of its highest concentration, and amongst the inane blather found evidence of foot and hand prints. After some prodding he discovered a goblin traveling through a refuse pile that obscured a secret stone door in the town wall. At this point the group bard and sorceress were silently exploring the top tier of the town, and the bard happened upon the roof of the smithy next to the fight between the cleric and a goblin that emerged from the refuse. She literally dropped in after the fight as the sorceress took the safe way round and the party, assisted by volunteer watch and town guards, unearthed, through the refuse, what further inspection revealed to be the previously mentioned door.

The town guard carried away the dying goblin's body for interrogation and the party was left wondering and expecting answers from the mayor the following day. Receiving nothing more than a cold shoulder, and discovering that there was a mysterious murder of a town guard by the very door they discovered in the late night, the party rushed back to the site to discover the opening mechanism and descended down a dark, fine quality, stone stair way. Here they encountered a pair of goblin dogs which they slew, and after long inspection, they discovered the remnants of an ancient elven tomb.

While probing the first room of the tomb, the cleric discovered an irregularity in the statuary, the bard investigated old sarcophagi, and the sorceress discovered an old, locked door. The bard, seeking rope after the cleric narrowly avoided a trap door leading to a mysterious burial pit, was apprehended by the town guard after leaving the tomb, the cleric discovered a mysterious door behind a trigger statue, and the sorceress tried to avoid capture by attempting to kill a guard that descended the stairs to investigate and apprehend trespassers. She was beaten nearly to death and taken for healing and questioning at the harbor master's tower, which is where the bard was just explaining the mysteries found below to the ever curious, yet quiet mayor.

The sorceress was revived by the elven priest Jacen and held for questioning, the cleric locked himself in an ancient elven tomb to avoid capture and ended up discovering the hidden tomb of Earendil the Mariner, his map of the ancient world, his jewels, and a mysterious torque. The bard managed to convince the mayor of her innocent curiosity and escorted back a pair of guards to explain her findings in the mysterious tomb.

Total XP received 475 per PC. Great game, guys! Let me know if you have any suggestions, ideas, or criticism.

-01-23-2010 - Taur Rast, continued

With the Sorceress recovering under the supervision of the town's elven cleric Jacen, the Bard reporting back with the town guard, her findings in the catacombs beneath the town, and the cleric sneaking out of the tomb undetected, back to his room at the inn, the night began. After standing before the mayor to report their position and receive their judgment, the Bard and Sorceress were allowed to go back to the inn for the evening, charged with a request to report back in the morning. They learned of the interest of the elven cleric in the findings of the elven tombs beneath the city, that he wished to report this to the local elven enclave's emissary, and that they were to be requested to further exploration into the depths of the tomb.

That night the Cleric had a chance to finally meet Clifford, the owner of the Inn of Shelyn's Grace, as the Sorceress entertained herself at the tavern, The Oaken Whale, and the Bard encountered Clifford, who has a deep hatred towards bards due to past encounters. The Cleric made his way to the Traveler's Temple and had a chance to become acquainted with the holy side of life in Taur Rast, and review tomes and scrolls in the temple's library. The Bard, after smoothing over her presence with Clifford, also visited the temple, paying respects to her god, the god of luck, and conversing briefly with a cleric of that god's order. The Sorceress spent her time attracting drunken sailors eager for a groping and sharing of ales. She did, however, fall unconscious after drinking what was freely offered to her by the local dock hands. The Bard and the Cleric eventually made their way down to The Oaken Whale for a chance to encounter a different part of town, and, for the Bard, a chance to earn some coin plying talents. They were informed of the challenge Humbold, the pub owner, placed forth to win an item called the “Sailor's Purse.” The Bard was discouraged by an off night and retired to the inn, the Cleric made his way about, avoided a fight, and had to carry the drunken, unconscious Sorceress back to her room at the inn.

The next day the party left on their way to make good with the mayor by attending a meeting he arranged to schedule a group, especially those interested, or, for what he knew in the case of the Bard and Sorceress, folk who had been in the catacombs to explore those same catacombs. They arrived during a period where a recently arrived caravan from the mountains was unloading to have their cargo put aboard ships. The Bard managed to talk to the dwarven guards, who accompanied the caravan from their home in Stradtdam, about the happenings of the area. They disclosed that there was a threat of an old enemy in the woods and that the roads, especially trade on the river, were very unsafe as of now. The party eventually managed to make their way inside the tower to hold a secret meeting with Heinrich the mayor who proposed that they, accompanied by two of the town guard, explore the catacombs, find the length and depth of them, and determine any immediate threat to the town and destroy it. He offered generous reward for their part.

The party left Heinrich then, accompanied by Falk and Emil, two of Taur Rast's guards, to the opening of the catacombs and down into the darkness below. After some exploration of the familiar first room, the party made its way down a narrow corridor that opened onto a slightly wider hall that was inhabited by two stray goblins that put up a fight, wounding the torch-bearing town guard Falk, but were bested by the party's skill. The Cleric fought skillfully on the front line of combat as the Sorceress sent her magic missiles to their mark, and the Bard successfully inspired courage in her comrades by playing her instrument skillfully, driving the party towards victory. After searching the bodies, the Cleric discovered an amulet bearing a symbol of an black, upside down tear drop with two curly horns coming off of its widest end. They then pressed forth, after Falk broke down the door at the hall's end, into another tomb, this one in great disrepair, especially where the ocean managed to wear away the floor and cause the tomb to slope down into the briny depths. While exploring this space, and the sarcophagus within, the guard Falk was grappled by an octopus that was frightened into action, but with the party's quick response, was frightened into fleeing back into the depths, saving Falk from a horrific death. The party, having realized they just discovered the tomb of Glorfindel “The Second, Rudder of his people,” seeing that they could go no farther since the tomb ended in eroded ruin, back tracked to the first room where they realized that their recent combat had stirred up a goblin offensive that was emerging from a formerly locked door. There ended this night's events.

-02-06-2010 - Tomb of Earendil the Mariner -

Tonight the party continued on the cliffhanger where they left off last week. Rounding a corner they came face to face with a party of goblins and their goblin dog. Battle was had and an NPC death occurred, much to the despair and grief of the other, town guard, NPC. They pushed onward after slaying their goblin foes to enter a new portion of the tomb, The Tomb of Sorrows, where, amongst 3 sarcophagi, set the makeshift goblin quarters and a big old hobgoblin, ready for action. The party valiantly fought this menace and his two goblin companions, slaying them, and finding a parchment bearing the symbol of the Sect of the Dark Blooded (which the Sorceress remembered hearing, was an ancient, long extinct order of evil mages in the northern lands).

After searching and finding that the sarcophagi were, in fact, the tombs of the "Daughters," and finding a miniature statue of, as far as the Cleric knew, Earendil, they pressed on to a passage in the eastern wall. Straight down they encountered a large statue unlike the others of the tomb thus far, and a passage leading off to the south that was the remnants of a cave-in and thick, dead vegetation, mostly thorns and bramble covering up a gap. The Sorceress worked at removing this obstacle with her spear as the Cleric inspected the statue to discover a pendant that, once moved, revealed a key slot. Based on script engraved on the tombs in the previous rooms on the daughter's sarcophagi, the Bard suspected that the keys lay within those hallowed, stone caskets. After retrieving a key from one of the caskets they were able to open a lock that caused the statue to descend. Another lock was behind that, hidden in the symbol of a star. They found yet another key in another casket and were able to open this lock. After gaining entry to the room beyond, they found a large, high ceiling chamber, with a hole worn in the ceiling, that held a monument to the mariner and was magically guarded by skeletal, elven sentinels, that the Cleric defeated with sound tactics. During this event, through accident and shock from fear, the Cleric finally revealed his class to the curious Bard. The party, after exploring the room, back tracked and hacked their way out through the bramble and debris into a forest clearing at the base of a steep hillside. Here they encountered an elven archer hiding in the wood who had made his way to this clearing after tracking a party of goblins through the woods. After a discussion and his notice that the Cleric was an elf as well, he followed them inside and briefly surveyed the tomb he previously had no idea of. He offered them a chance to accompany him back to his camp to discuss their time in the legendary tomb. Falk, the town guard, NPC, was upset at the dealing with the elf and set off back to the town through the tomb. The party decided to follow the elf in this case, possibly losing their chance to enter Taur Rast again or to reap their reward from the mayor/harbor master.

-02-20-10 - The Drümelhelm -

Tonight the party started off on their journey into the wild woods of the Drümel, led by a mysterious elf named Kamroth. After getting acquainted and picking up on a little bit of elven opinion on this new land, especially concerning the distrust between humans and elves, they journeyed on into the night and set camp. The next day they happened upon a burned out campsite, old by a few days, and then came to the trade road that leads from Taur Rast, inland to the other settlements of the massive wood. Kamroth, wary of the peoples they might encounter on this road, advised their quickness and stealth when crossing. After the bard and sorceress crossed, just before the cleric attempted to cross from the safety of the thick wood to the other side, an owlbear tore its way out of the thick branches just a bit down the road. It managed to spot the party watching it and engaged them in a combat that led to its near death.

After an intense and frightening battle, in which the bard convinced the beast that the party was poisonous and shouldn't be consumed, the cleric deemed the beast worthy of saving and stabilized it. They then dove back into the woods, hurried off the road by Kamroth, and after hours more traveling through the thick forest, they came upon a magnificent structure of ancient elvendom. Before them, in a slight raised clearing was a massive humanoid statue, worn from years, cracked and overgrown. Just as Kamroth was prepared to explain the significance of the monument, he and most of the party detected smoke and sinister cackling from beyond. After quiet surveillance, Kamroth discovered an orc and goblin encampment, the very group he had been tracking. Using their skill and wits the party managed to sneak up on the fiends and battled ensued. Combat ended with the party victorious and, after heated, hate-filled interrogation between Kamroth and a prone, sole-surviving goblin it was learned that this was a party delivering supplies to the goblins inside the Tomb of Earendil, prepared for infiltration and invasion. He quickly dispatched the beast. The sorceress found, while searching the bodies, orders, written in fine common, to prepare for "the Coming" and for the retaking of the wood for the goblin and fell folk. With that the party settled in to camp for the night as the sun quickly fell.

A new purpose for this series of writing...

2010-05-10T10:01:00.000-07:00

Not only shall I utilize this blog to spew all my geeky rants on all sorts of gaming/geekery but also to promote my local gaming group, titled the same as this blog.

I hope to reach out to our local community and unite with other gamers. The ends of this hope and effort are that those who have no one to play with, but do have an interest, will always have a connection for gaming.

Here's hoping that soon to be scheduled events pan out!

I think I get it, seemingly too late...

2010-05-08T18:46:00.000-07:00

I've had a revelation about DMing/GMing. It's not that you set up the sandbox, populate it, and loose the characters upon it, it's that you fill it with purpose as well.

My guilt lies in my foolish misconception that if I provide the PCs NPCs with full stats and a world full of history and plot that that would be enough. I missed the hook, the reason for the PCs to adventure in the world. I have made no connection to the true purpose of NPCs or world events to the the adventuring party. Instead of Bob the Millwright who will give you his opinions on milling I should have made Bob, a "Living" person who needs or wants something in which the players may be able to assist.

I have a lot to learn and that makes me happy. As these revelations come, some of them embarrassingly obvious, I am growing in my wealth as a DM/GM. I look forward to all the lessons I still have to learn in my lifetime of gaming. Here's to future sessions and late night dice rolls!

Gaming of a different sort...

2010-05-03T16:52:00.000-07:00

I've finally taken the bait. I'm playing WoW, World of Warcraft, and I'm two 12-14th Level Characters invested. Sad? No. One's a Tauren Shaman (go Horde?) and the other is a Night Elf Hunter. Besides a slight feeling of, "I've done this before, not only in this game but in so many others," there's a realization that time passes so fast in so few quests. I can see how not coming out for a day or two could be easy if you become as engrossed in the monotony of quest, quest, level up, quest.

In tabletop news, shame on me for discussing anything else, our group is getting back together again after a crazy-long hiatus that I imposed like a damned fool. Last recorded adventure for the Pathfinder party of three was February 20th. Damn. Now we're dusting off the characters, frozen in time, to run through a re-vamped campaign setting that does nothing to ruin their progress, yet gives them a bright future for their, now, 2nd Level characters! Want to play?

Then there's tonight. Tonight I join thousands in playing the Halo: Reach Beta. Here's hoping I'm quick, not only at adapting to the new controls but also at avoiding head shots. Gamertag is jonathansample. Suit up!

Tonight, DM feelings of shame...

2010-02-20T20:41:00.000-08:00

Tonight we ran our regular, bi-weekly game with the Pathfinder Role Playing Game system. I was left with feelings of failure, for my part.

The party performed as best they could under my poor instruction and description. I can only slight my poor delivery and lack of imagination in regards to my feelings of inadequacy.

Perhaps I was misinterpreting my part and, maybe, the party was enjoying the game. I can't tell and I don't know if that's my failing as a DM or my constant self-criticism.

Oh, well. Another night of adventure down, the plot thickens and the story continues. Gosh, I hope I'm rewarding the players with adequate treasures as well as experience. Oh, boy.

The cover opens, the story unfolds...

2010-02-19T20:59:00.000-08:00

I've always enjoyed writing. Mostly I've enjoyed making things up, creating wild prose. I kid myself that I'm a clever artist or an exceptional singer, but I find that my real passion lies in my tendency to place down random thoughts till they become verbose text. I dig the feeling of words flowing through me, out to spin, like the base elements of creation, into a discernible universe from the clutter.

This love of penning story or thought has naturally traveled across the interests of my life and, like any worthwhile pursuit, began to meld with them. No where does this seem to best fit than with my love of gaming. A hobby made for one such as I, it would seem. A joyous recreation that embraces my ability to imagine and create.

So to appease my need to write and my love of gaming, I've decided to play scribe and document my thoughts, feelings, adventures, experiments, and randomness concerning and surrounding the noble hobby that is gaming.

Before I go any further let me define what I mean by "Gaming." When I refer to this hobby I speak not of activities where folks huddle around a computer or television set. I don't mean the decorative or automated pleasures of a casino either. I am referring to the enlightening activity of taking a board game, cards, dice, miniatures, paper, pencil, and one's imagination, sitting at a table of some sort, and diving into the depths of random, creative potential stored in the dreamscapes of the human mind.

Join gaming groups, friends, random souls, and I, as the documentation of a hobbyist and his joy are presented to you in regular, or perhaps irregular, posts. May you be entertained, educated, or, god forbid, inspired. Enjoy!