Friday, January 20, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
GM Questionnaire
1. If you had to pick a single invention in a game you were most proud of what would it be?
My current rolemaster character has excelled at making artistic full helms and selling them to the local militia. I was pretty happy with that.
2. When was the last time you GMed?
Aug of 2010 I think.
3. When was the last time you played?
Jan 2012 / in both Chris & Jeff's games
4. Give us a one-sentence pitch for an adventure you haven't run but would like to.
A mysterious space hulk floats in orbit above a dying star, What mysteries of the ancients does the ship contain?
5. What do you do while you wait for players to do things?
Look at my wandering monster table (or join the laughs if jokes are flying about).
6. What, if anything, do you eat while you play?
Online, nothing usually - sessions are not long enough. In face-to-face - trail mix or M&Ms.
7. Do you find GMing physically exhausting?
No, not really.
8. What was the last interesting (to you, anyway) thing you remember a PC you were running doing?
Got revenge for a fellow player's character that had been robbed (this was in my local face-to-face Rolemaster game).
9. Do your players take your serious setting and make it unserious? Vice versa? Neither?
Sometimes, a little of both (and I am ok with that).
10. What do you do with goblins?
Not much, I like humans as the baddies.
11. What was the last non-RPG thing you saw that you converted into game material (background, setting, trap, etc.)?
Clone Wars animated series - stated up some old school droids.
12. What's the funniest table moment you can remember right now?
In a Rolemaster game (my local group), years ago one of the brothers of the GM was trampled by no less than 4 scared horses at a cave entrance. The brothers argued about the realism of such a thing and it was pretty funny for all observing.
13. What was the last game book you looked at--aside from things you referenced in a game--why were you looking at it?
Black Crusade,purchased it recently
14. Who's your idea of the perfect RPG illustrator?
Paul Mullen and Kelving Green - I like the new old school artists.
15. Does your game ever make your players genuinely afraid?
Once when I ran a "Night of the Living Dead" game using Rolemaster (characters played themselves). Got some scares in the initial zombie attack from a player or two.
16. What was the best time you ever had running an adventure you didn't write? (If ever)
Don't recall. Haven't run modules in years.
17. What would be the ideal physical set up to run a game in?
Nice open deck in the mountains, with no breeze but nice cool air. Big table, comfy chairs a must.
18. If you had to think of the two most disparate games or game products that you like what would they be?
Burning Wheel and Advanced Squad Leader (ok, that is a wargame, but you didn't specify).
19. If you had to think of the most disparate influences overall on your game, what would they be?
RObert E. Howard and George R.R. Martin - pretty lame answer I think.
20. As a GM, what kind of player do you want at your table?
Smart and good sense of humor.
21. What's a real life experience you've translated into game terms?
Serving in the Marines - used that for Twilight 2000 many times.
22. Is there an RPG product that you wish existed but doesn't?
Not currently.
23. Is there anyone you know who you talk about RPGs with who doesn't play? How do those conversations go?
My wife - she tries to understand but is new to the whole idea of RPGs.
My current rolemaster character has excelled at making artistic full helms and selling them to the local militia. I was pretty happy with that.
2. When was the last time you GMed?
Aug of 2010 I think.
3. When was the last time you played?
Jan 2012 / in both Chris & Jeff's games
4. Give us a one-sentence pitch for an adventure you haven't run but would like to.
A mysterious space hulk floats in orbit above a dying star, What mysteries of the ancients does the ship contain?
5. What do you do while you wait for players to do things?
Look at my wandering monster table (or join the laughs if jokes are flying about).
6. What, if anything, do you eat while you play?
Online, nothing usually - sessions are not long enough. In face-to-face - trail mix or M&Ms.
7. Do you find GMing physically exhausting?
No, not really.
8. What was the last interesting (to you, anyway) thing you remember a PC you were running doing?
Got revenge for a fellow player's character that had been robbed (this was in my local face-to-face Rolemaster game).
9. Do your players take your serious setting and make it unserious? Vice versa? Neither?
Sometimes, a little of both (and I am ok with that).
10. What do you do with goblins?
Not much, I like humans as the baddies.
11. What was the last non-RPG thing you saw that you converted into game material (background, setting, trap, etc.)?
Clone Wars animated series - stated up some old school droids.
12. What's the funniest table moment you can remember right now?
In a Rolemaster game (my local group), years ago one of the brothers of the GM was trampled by no less than 4 scared horses at a cave entrance. The brothers argued about the realism of such a thing and it was pretty funny for all observing.
13. What was the last game book you looked at--aside from things you referenced in a game--why were you looking at it?
Black Crusade,purchased it recently
14. Who's your idea of the perfect RPG illustrator?
Paul Mullen and Kelving Green - I like the new old school artists.
15. Does your game ever make your players genuinely afraid?
Once when I ran a "Night of the Living Dead" game using Rolemaster (characters played themselves). Got some scares in the initial zombie attack from a player or two.
16. What was the best time you ever had running an adventure you didn't write? (If ever)
Don't recall. Haven't run modules in years.
17. What would be the ideal physical set up to run a game in?
Nice open deck in the mountains, with no breeze but nice cool air. Big table, comfy chairs a must.
18. If you had to think of the two most disparate games or game products that you like what would they be?
Burning Wheel and Advanced Squad Leader (ok, that is a wargame, but you didn't specify).
19. If you had to think of the most disparate influences overall on your game, what would they be?
RObert E. Howard and George R.R. Martin - pretty lame answer I think.
20. As a GM, what kind of player do you want at your table?
Smart and good sense of humor.
21. What's a real life experience you've translated into game terms?
Serving in the Marines - used that for Twilight 2000 many times.
22. Is there an RPG product that you wish existed but doesn't?
Not currently.
23. Is there anyone you know who you talk about RPGs with who doesn't play? How do those conversations go?
My wife - she tries to understand but is new to the whole idea of RPGs.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Down the Mouse Hole!
So, I am itching to run some kind of G+ game in the Flail Snails universe, and recently I found a copy of one of the Mice Templar comics laying around in my basement hideaway. If that picture doesn't scream out good old D&D action, I don't know what does.
So my proposal is "Down the Mouse Hole". Here are the basic rules I whipped up this morning while listening to "The Sword".
Down the Mouse Hole Campaign Guide
This is a Flail Snails game, and as such players are encouraged to bring characters from previous expeditions to the Mouse Hole game. However, upon entering this realm, all characters are instantly transformed into Mice (also all equipment carried is transformed into mouse-sized gear). All classes are kept however, in addition the following is gained by each outside character joining the Mouse Hole game (these powers are lost when leaving this realm to adventure in another game):
Darkvision (or Infravision – whatever you call it) to 30’
Hear as Thief of current level (+1 level if already a thief)
Climb as Thief of current level (+1 level if already a thief)
For players wishing to create a new character for the Mouse Hole game, character creation uses the Labyrinth Lord game with the following house rules:
Roll abilities with 3d6 in order.
Roll starting money with 3d6x10 (gp).
The classes available are Fighting-Man, Thief,Cleric, and Magic-User.
If your character leaves this realm, he is transformed into a 3’ to 4’ “mouse-man”. Hope you aren’t mistaken for a were-rat.
The first session will be centered on a dungeon called "The Vaults of the Vulture King".
I am thinking of running this game on Thursday evenings starting at 9:30 (eastern time) / 8:30 central and going for 2 to 3 hours each week. I plan on starting Jan 19th.
Please post if you are interested and if I get too many I will randomly determine each week's player pool.
You can email characters to me at mike.davison317 AT gmail (dot com).
Friday, January 6, 2012
D'kota Hill Tribe Barbarian
Took a break from my OD&D scribbles to try one for myself. I am working on a setting using the Outdoor Survival map and my house ruled OD&D set for an upcoming Flailsnails game I may run on google+. This drawing is of a D'kota Hill Tribes barbarian. My setting will not use much in the way of humanoid monster types, humans will fill that role - but the dungeons will be full of odd and creepy monster types I am sure.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Another drawing...
my version of the OD&D Dwarf from Book 1:
They may not be very good, but it is fun practice doing quick drawings.
Trying out my art skills
or lack thereof, I did up some of the OD&D images from book 1. Seems I am good enough for the oldest of old school books. :) Not bad for a copy of bad art.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A new year, and a resolve to post more...
Happy new years. I would like to post at least 3 times a week this year but I know how my resolutions go, so lets just go with one day at a time.
Today I would like to start with my current work on a 2d6 rule-set for D&D style play. I am starting with a fresh look at character attributes. Here are my current rules for character stats and how to test them...
For example, Mike rolled 3d6 for his Strength and got a total of 11, looking at the table, he sees that 11 gives his character a Base Target Number of 8+ (a very average score).
Today I would like to start with my current work on a 2d6 rule-set for D&D style play. I am starting with a fresh look at character attributes. Here are my current rules for character stats and how to test them...
ATTRIBUTES
There are six characteristics that define your character, and these six attributes will be used throughout the game to gauge how well your character can perform certain tasks. The six characteristics are:
• Strength [STR]: This measures a character’s physical prowess and toughness. Tests involving strength could be as simple as breaking down a door, lifting heavy weights, or arm wrestling.
• Intelligence [INT]: This measure’s a character’s intuition, reasoning, and memory. Tests involving intelligence could be recalling a conversation, decipher a code, or solving a riddle.
• Perception [PER]: This is a character’s ability to notice his environment. Tests could involve spotting hidden objects, or noticing someone tracks.
• Agility [AGL]: This is a character’s hand-eye coordination as well as their ability to move gracefully and in control of their body. Tests could involve trying to dodge a trap or jump a chasm.
• Constitution [CON]: This is a character’s overall health and endurance. It could be tested against the effects of poisons and disease.
• Charisma [CHA]: This is the character’s presence and social graces. It could be tested against the reactions of strangers, and in dealing with hirelings and mercenaries.
DETERMINE CHARACTERISTICS
To determine your characteristics roll 3d6 (6 separate times) and total each result. Look at the table below to find your Base Target Number for each characteristic.
For example, Mike rolled 3d6 for his Strength and got a total of 11, looking at the table, he sees that 11 gives his character a Base Target Number of 8+ (a very average score).
3d6 Roll Base Target
3 11+
4-6 10+
7-8 9+
9-12 8+
13-15 7+
16-17 6+
18 5+
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