NationStates Jolt Archive

I have to admit, I'd love to attend this con just to say I played with the most heavily armed D&D party ever.

When President Bush ordered troops to Iraq, he probably never imagined that he would be ultimately be responsible for what very well could be the very first D&D convention/game day ever held in a war zone. Ziggurat Con, being held June 9 from 1200 to 2100 hours at Camp Adder/Tallil Airbase, is open to all allied military personnel and civilian contractors in Iraq.

"Here in Iraq, we do many things on the different Forward Operating Bases to help keep our spirits up," said SPC David Amberson, the Con's organizer. "Here at Camp Adder/Tallil Airbase, we have lots of sports activities -- baseball, football, dodgeball, kickball -- and we work with many marathons across the US like the Boston Marathon. This is a great way to improve morale among the troops, but what about those who prefer Role-Playing Games?"

The Con's historical landmark "mascot" -- the Ziggurat that gives the Con its name -- can be found on the post, and hails from the ancient city of Ur. Nearby is the house where it is believed that Abraham (a large figure in the Bible, the Koran and the Torah) was born. Cool digs for a Con -- if not for the fact that there's a war going on. Amberson, however, emphasized the need for soldiers to relax and kick back with enjoyable activities from time to time.

"There is a deeper sense of camaraderie in a war zone than you see back home," said Amberson, who is a supply soldier with Alpha Company, 86th Signal Battalion. "You eat with these people, work with them on a daily basis, and can even share a tent with the same people. When work is over for the day, we can sit back, relax, drink our favorite sodas, eat our favorite snacks, and play a bit of D&D. This helps us relax in a very stressful environment. We found a place where we can go somewhere far away from the IED's, mortar attacks, and gunfire, without ever leaving the safety of our camp. The next step was only logical."

Miss Joy Brown, an employee with KBR who works with MWR (the army’s Morale Welfare & Recreation Department) has graciously allowed service members to use part of the Community Activity Center to hold the Game Day. The Ping Pong room will be set up for RPGs (Role-Playing Games, not to be confused with the rocket propelled grenades which share the same acronym), and the DVD Movie room will be playing Anime Movies all day in support of the event.

"Miss Brown has expressed her support of the soldiers who are planning this event, and who keep her in the loop," said Amberson. "In many events, MWR does the running around, trying to get supplies and support; however, in this case, it is the service members themselves who are contacting the publishers and manufacturers. This makes it a real event for the service members, by the service members."

The largest problem with running a Con in Iraq, of course, is that there are no local stores or game publishers, and few game books on the post. Even dice are in short supply, with many soldiers breaking the unwritten taboo held by many gamers and (gasp!) sharing dice. Thankfully, many game publishers have also lent their support, and have agreed to supply game products to help the Con along. aethereal FORGE, Sovereign Press, Final Redoubt Press, Goodman Games, Paizo Publishing and Steve Jackson Games are among those that have thrown in their support for the convention. But Amberson indicated that the soldiers could definitely use more.

"This convention is currently in drastic need of prizes and giveaways for the troops," he said. "Everything donated will go directly to the troops, or to MWR to use as loaner books for the soldiers."

For more information, contact SPC David Amberson at the following address: (Address removed for posting reasons, you can find it at the original link)

Donations can also be sent to SPC Amberson directly at the following address:

(Address removed for posting reasons, you can find it at the original link)

"We thank you all back home for supporting us, and we promise that we will try to come back home safe and sound," said Amberson.
http://www.gamegrene.com/node/790
D&D, anime, and all the snacks you could want. Sounds like a small slice of heaven to me... even if it is in a war zone.

"You're confronted by a 50ft tall monster"

"I threaten the DM with my sidearm."

"The monster disappears, sir".

Hey, I remember reading about the Ziggurat of Ur back in gradeschool. Glad to see we own it now. :)

"You're confronted by a 50ft tall monster"

"I threaten the DM with my sidearm."

"The monster disappears, sir".

I think that would more likely be:

"You're confronted by a 50ft tall monster"

"I remind the DM that I can put him on permanent KP duty."

"The monster disappears, sir".

I think that would more likely be:

"You're confronted by a 50ft tall monster"

"I remind the DM that I can put him on permanent KP duty."

"The monster disappears, sir".

The amusing image remains.

The thought of Spec. Ops. Dwarven Warriors makes me giggle.

Hey guys I grabbed the Players Handbook as soon as I read the OP

http://www.rpgshop.com/images/RPG/TSR17524.jpg

Everyone roll up a character!

Lessee I'm a neutral Half-Elf Bard : Which DnD character are you? (http://fantasyherald.com/quiz/dand/index.php)

good for them, better to play than to kill/get killed


Which DnD character are you? (http://fantasyherald.com/quiz/dand/index.php)

i'm a chaotic good halfling bard!

i'm a chaotic good halfling bard!
Me thinks that thing like bards, I got chaotic-neutral Elf bard.

Hey guys I grabbed the Players Handbook as soon as I read the OP

http://www.rpgshop.com/images/RPG/TSR17524.jpg

Everyone roll up a character!

Lessee I'm a neutral Half-Elf Bard : Which DnD character are you? (http://fantasyherald.com/quiz/dand/index.php)

I got Chaotic Good Half-Orc Barbarian...

Retook and got Chaotic Good Elf Barbarian. Feh, whatever. The other three factors hold more personal importance.

My rival would be:

Chaotic Evil Dwarf Thief Mage

or perhaps

Lawful Evil Human something

Me thinks that thing like bards, I got chaotic-neutral Elf bard.

who doesn't like bards?

I'm a neutral good elf bard :D

good for them, better to play than to kill/get killed




i'm a chaotic good halfling bard!

Chaotic Good Human Fighter, woot!

I'm a neutral good elf bard :D

bards FTW

Chaotic Good Human Fighter, woot!

I got Chaotic Good Half-Orc Barbarian...

chaotic good also FTW

we're like one big family

*hands out beer for our annual family reunion and starts playing on his lute*

Hey, I remember reading about the Ziggurat of Ur back in gradeschool. Glad to see we own it now. :)

yah, i read about it in grade school 50 years ago too. and i'm NOT glad to see "we own it". to the contrary i am deeply disturbed by the "ownership" of the middle east giving fanatical christerism a handle on rewriting history.

and likewise by real people killing real people, with their heads full of us or them, slay the terrible monsterous beastie.

=^^=
.../\...

yah, i read about it in grade school 50 years ago too. and i'm NOT glad to see "we own it". to the contrary i am deeply disturbed by the "ownership" of the middle east giving fanatical christerism a handle on rewriting history.

and likewise by real people killing real people, with their heads full of us or them, slay the terrible monsterous beastie.


Come on now. It's the most famous symbol of one of the first true world civilizations! Show a little pride! :)

I have to admit, I'd love to attend this con just to say I played with the most heavily armed D&D party ever.

D&D, anime, and all the snacks you could want. Sounds like a small slice of heaven to me... even if it is in a war zone.

Nice to see that they were able to get organized for that...can't be easy to synch up people's schedules in a war zone.

Sounds like fun. :)

Which DnD character are you? (http://fantasyherald.com/quiz/dand/index.php)

I be a True Neutral Half-Elf Fighter!

chaotic good halfling cleric ftw!! lol

No idea what it means though, im not a big DnD fan, in fact I dislike everything 'big D' related.....

This has been circulating most gaming boards for some time now. Nice to see at least some of the troops can get a break.

And CG Elf Bard

Lawful Good Elf Fighter.

Who would have thought it. :p

Chaotic Neutral Halfling Bard :D

Neutral good elven wizard!

Oh the old times. I can't play it anymore.

And yes, the bit about "owning it" was a bit offensive.

Lawful Good Human Fighter

xP

Me thinks that thing like bards, I got chaotic-neutral Elf bard.
Methinks NS is just too effete for its own good.
Says the Lawful Neutral Dwarf Barbarian. (Is that even possible?)

Chaotic Good Half-Elf Fighter

Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.

Race:
Half-Elves are a cross between a human and an elf. They are smaller, like their elven ancestors, but have a much shorter lifespan. They are sometimes looked down upon as half-breeds, but this is rare. They have both the curious drive of humans and the patience of elves.

Class:
Fighters are the warriors. They use weapons to accomplish their goals. This isn't to say that they aren't intelligent, but that they do, in fact, believe that violence is frequently the answer.




I was just a stone's throw away from monk. 13 points there and 14 in fighter. Oh well. Thief had a score of -3. Apparently I don't like thieves.

Hey guys I grabbed the Players Handbook as soon as I read the OP

http://www.rpgshop.com/images/RPG/TSR17524.jpg

Everyone roll up a character!

Lessee I'm a neutral Half-Elf Bard : Which DnD character are you? (http://fantasyherald.com/quiz/dand/index.php)

Chaotic Good Human Barbarian....

http://fantasyherald.com/quiz/dand/index.php

Which DnD character are you? (http://fantasyherald.com/quiz/dand/index.php)
These tests never manage to coincide with what I play. (It gave me Chaotic Neutral Elf Barbarian).

Chaotic Good Halfling Rogue.

This is the wrong version anyway.

Which DnD character are you? (http://fantasyherald.com/quiz/dand/index.php)

Chaotic Good Halfling Ranger

The test says I'm a chaotic good half-Orc bard, which seems surprisingly accurate considering that I am a well-meaning but extremely bitter anarchist with an interest in music. "Half-orc" may be stretching it, though.

Hey, nothing wrong with some DnD! IF the soldiers want to kick back and kill some pretend monsters for awhile more power to 'em. I'm gonna do it tonight...

I got Lawful Good Human Paladin is my primary, or Nuetral Good Human Bard for my secondary class.

Methinks NS is just too effete for its own good.
Says the Lawful Neutral Dwarf Barbarian. (Is that even possible?)

No, Barbarians can't be lawful so by real rules you would be bumped to true nuetral.

I am, apparently, a Neutral Good Elf Bard. Given that that is very probably the race/class/alignment breakdown I would have chosen for myself, I am moderately impressed with this quiz. :)

No, Barbarians can't be lawful so by real rules you would be bumped to true nuetral.

True neutral always struck me as incredibly boring.

"What makes a good man go neutral? Lust for gold? Power? Or were you just born with a heart full of neutrality?"

Neutral Good Half-Elf Cleric Ranger is what I be, apparently.

Anyway, this is actually not all that surprising to me, these people playing D&D in a war zone. What else are you going to play when all else fails, eh?
Note: I've never actually played the game.

Chaotic Good Human Cleric Druid

Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.

Race:
Humans are the 'average' race. They have the shortest life spans, and because of this, they tend to avoid the racial prejudices that other races are known for. They are also very curious and tend to live 'for the moment'.

Primary Class:
Clerics are the voices of their God/desses on Earth. They perform the work of their deity, but this doesn't mean that they preach to a congregation all their lives. If their deity needs something done, they will do it, and can call upon that deity's power to accomplish their goals.

Secondary Class:
Druids are a special variety of Cleric who serves the Earth, and can call upon the power in the earth to accomplish their goals. They tend to be somewhat fanatical about defending natural settings.

We should set up some sort of NSG D&D game or something. Would people be up for that? I wonder how it would work exactly...

The quiz says...
Chaotic Evil Elf Mage :)

I'm a Chaotic Neutral Elf Bard (bard had only one more than barbarian)

The test says I'm a chaotic good half-Orc bard, which seems surprisingly accurate considering that I am a well-meaning but extremely bitter anarchist with an interest in music. "Half-orc" may be stretching it, though.

I heard half-orc women have really big butts :)

We should set up some sort of NSG D&D game or something. Would people be up for that? I wonder how it would work exactly...

I don't know, but I'd be up for it, if only to play at least one D&D game, which is something I've wanted to do for a while.

I don't know, but I'd be up for it, if only to play at least one D&D game, which is something I've wanted to do for a while.

It's fun :)
Unfortunately, all my friends have the attention spans of goldfish, so it's hard to find people to play with.

I got Chaotic Good Half-Orc Barbarian...

Holy banana leaves! Same here!

We should set up some sort of NSG D&D game or something. Would people be up for that? I wonder how it would work exactly...

I, for one, would be up for it. Almost all my friends are geeks and gamers, but I have somehow never managed actually to play D&D. It's really rather ridiculous. :p

We should set up some sort of NSG D&D game or something. Would people be up for that? I wonder how it would work exactly...

Yes..... I think we would....

*laughs* Go whoever decided to set up the gamer day! :)

And my results: Chaotic Good Elf Mage Cleric
Definitely me. I'm surprised that I'm not also druid. Those are pretty much the characters that I create - even as NPCs! <-_-> I'm predictable.
Then again, results were 11 mage, 10 cleric, 9 monk and paladin. Druid was next, tied with bard at 6. Hm...

True Neutral Halfling Bard

Bard and Monk were tied for 10

We should set up some sort of NSG D&D game or something. Would people be up for that? I wonder how it would work exactly...
Sure, if you want to use 3.5, which this character thing is not.

Holy banana leaves! Same here!

Sorry to tell you, but retest gave me Chaotic Good Elf Barbarian.

But I was tied w/ half-orc, so... ???

i got a "lawful good human". oh, and hi everybody, first post :)

Most of the army types I've met have been gamers, or really into strategy games or something on the nerdy side. Not terribly surprising, mind you the reason I probably know those guys is because of all those similar hobbies...


Which DnD character are you? (http://fantasyherald.com/quiz/dand/index.php)

I'm a Lawful-Good Human Fighter.

What? Quit laughing! Now give me a pint or taste steel!

I'm a Lawful-Good Human Fighter.

What? Quit laughing! Now give me a pint or taste steel!

Isn't that a contradiction? :confused:

Isn't that a contradiction? :confused:

Perhaps. But in my mind, beer = good, and you must follow my lawful demands that you bring it to me, or suffer the consequences.

I was this close to being a barbarian, so, who knows?

Pbeer = good

I can agree w/ this.

You must follow my lawful demands that you bring it to me, or suffer the consequences.

... Not what Lawful means... or what Good means...

I was this close to being a barbarian, so, who knows?

I sure as hell don't. I just took the quiz.

I can agree w/ this.

Well, then we're on the same page!

... Not what Lawful means... or what Good means...

Yeah, my answer was 'in jest'. I've been playing the game for something like... twenty-five years.

*cries*

I sure as hell don't. I just took the quiz.

Have a beer. It won't help you figure it out, but it's all good.

EDIT: Correction, it's only been a little over 20 years. Now, I'm off to follow some of my own advice.

Neutral Good Human Barbarian.

Damn humans mucking up everything.

Sure, if you want to use 3.5, which this character thing is not.
I wasn't referring to the quiz - this is entirely separate.

Chaotic Good Elf Bard

Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.

Race:
Elves are the eldest of all races, although they are generally a bit smaller than humans. They are generally well-cultured, artistic, easy-going, and because of their long lives, unconcerned with day-to-day activities that other races frequently concern themselves with. Elves are, effectively, immortal, although they can be killed. After a thousand years or so, they simply pass on to the next plane of existance.

Primary Class:
Bards are the entertainers. They sing, dance, and play instruments to make other people happy, and, frequently, make money. They also tend to dabble in magic a bit.

The bard part doesn't make any sense at all. And I got a 0 for mages, which is what I play in about every RPG...

Primary Class:
Bards are the entertainers. They sing, dance, and play instruments to make other people happy, and, frequently, make money. They also tend to dabble in magic a bit.

The bard part doesn't make any sense at all.

Let me put it this way. Bards are the precursors to pop singers and band players. They sing, dance, play instruments and generally make people happy. Unless they suck at it.

At first they don't make a lot of money, but once they increase their skills and sign record contracts, the money starts pouring in. They also dabble in stage magic (FX).

Hey guys I grabbed the Players Handbook as soon as I read the OP

http://www.rpgshop.com/images/RPG/TSR17524.jpg

Everyone roll up a character!

Lessee I'm a neutral Half-Elf Bard : Which DnD character are you? (http://fantasyherald.com/quiz/dand/index.php)
Chaotic Good Elf Bard

I wonder if they'll have a Twilight 2000 game.

Let me put it this way. Bards are the precursors to pop singers and band players. They sing, dance, play instruments and generally make people happy. Unless they suck at it.

At first they don't make a lot of money, but once they increase their skills and sign record contracts, the money starts pouring in. They also dabble in stage magic (FX).

true, but if you were a 2nd edition Bard... :D

Neutral (2) Good (6) Halfling (9) Fighter (14).

As for my runner up, it would've been a Human or Gnome (they tied at 7) Paladin (13), although Barbarian (12) was a close third.

There was no second for alignment, as I got 5 in both law and chaos, so they cancel each other out. As for good/evil, both neutral and evil were in the negative numbers, so I didn't count them.

I wonder if they'll have a Twilight 2000 game.

The scary, nightmarish world of the year 2000! How could they resist?

I heard half-orc women have really big butts

Oh?

Sweet! Sounds like fun. <3 Sucks that some of those guys might die in RL though. :(

Oh?

She is insulted.

Sweet! Sounds like fun. <3 Sucks that some of those guys might die in RL though. :(

Well... so might we! At least they're living it up... well, kinda.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I think I'd need something a bit more than an RPG to unwind after a busy day of risking my life. Maybe that's just me though.

Well... so might we! At least they're living it up... well, kinda.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I think I'd need something a bit more than an RPG to unwind after a busy day of risking my life. Maybe that's just me though.

Chances are they're the ones who can't get some vigorous sex.

Chances are they're the ones who can't get some vigorous sex.

Oh, yeah, those. I emp... I mean, sympathise!

Either way, they've completely destroyed my mental image of the macho, gun-toting hard-ass military. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.

I got Chaotic Good Half-Orc Barbarian...

Retook and got Chaotic Good Elf Barbarian. Feh, whatever. The other three factors hold more personal importance.

You Are A:

Lawful Good Human Fighter

Alignment:
Lawful Good characters are the epitome of all that is just and good. They believe in order and governments that work for the benefit of all, and generally do not mind doing direct work to further their beliefs.

Race:
Humans are the 'average' race. They have the shortest life spans, and because of this, they tend to avoid the racial prejudices that other races are known for. They are also very curious and tend to live 'for the moment'.

Primary Class:
Fighters are the warriors. They use weapons to accomplish their goals. This isn't to say that they aren't intelligent, but that they do, in fact, believe that violence is frequently the answer.

Secondary Class:


Detailed Results:

Alignment:
Law and Chaos:
Law ----- XXXXXX (6)
Neutral - XXXXX (5)
Chaos --- XXXX (4)

Good and Evil:
Good ---- XXXXXXXX (8)
Neutral - XXX (3)
Evil ---- (-2)

Race:
Human ---- XXXXXXXXXXXX (12)
Half-Elf - XXXX (4)
Elf ------ XXXXXXXXXX (10)
Gnome ---- XXXXXXX (7)
Halfling - XXXXXXXXXXXX (12)
Dwarf ---- XXXXXXXXX (9)
Half-Orc - XXX (3)

Class:
Fighter -- XXXXXXXXXXXXX (13)
Barbarian -XXXXXXXXXXXX (12)
Ranger --- XXX (3)
Monk ----- X (1)
Paladin -- XX (2)
Cleric --- (-3)
Mage ----- (-9)
Druid ---- XXXXX (5)
Thief ----X (1)
Bard ----- XXXXXXX (7)

Chaotic Evil Half-Orc Barbarian

Alignment:
Chaotic Evil characters are the most 'evil' people out there. They are willing to do anything to get ahead, and will kill anyone who stands in their way. A chaotic evil person sees no value in order and governments, and believes to the utmost in the tenant that 'Might Makes Right'.

Race:
Half-Orcs are often brutish and mean creatures, unaccepted by both thier heritages. They are little better than orcs. But some can be clever and successful in the society of adventurers

Primary Class:
Barbarians live outside the 'civilized' They have tribal goverments, and are often nomads. What they may lack in refinement is balanced by there strength of individual character and ability to survive.

Secondary Class:


Detailed Results:

Alignment:
Law and Chaos:
Law ----- X (1)
Neutral - (-2)
Chaos --- XXXXX (5)

Good and Evil:
Good ---- X (1)
Neutral - (-2)
Evil ---- XXXXX (5)

Race:
Human ---- XXXXXXXXXX (10)
Half-Elf - XX (2)
Elf ------ (-1)
Gnome ---- XX (2)
Halfling - (-1)
Dwarf ---- XXXXXXXXX (9)
Half-Orc - XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (15)

Class:
Fighter -- XXXXXXXX (8)
Barbarian -XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (25)
Ranger --- XXXXXXXXXX (10)
Monk ----- XXXX (4)
Paladin -- XXXXXX (6)
Cleric --- XXX (3)
Mage ----- (-4)
Druid ---- XXXXXX (6)
Thief ---- (-14)
Bard ----- (-1)

By Mikesburg--*cries*

Emo... :p

Emo... :p

No, no, those were tears of gamer joy. Celebratory tears even. Nothing angsty in that at all.

Seriously...

No, no, those were tears of gamer joy. Celebratory tears even. Nothing angsty in that at all.

Seriously...

Then what's with the bandage on your wrist? :p

Then what's with the bandage on your wrist? :p

I tripped and fell on my 4-sided die collection. Those things are pointy, and I need to keep my blood inside my wrist, and not on my dice collection.

This reminds me of a certain discussion from a different forum...

Me: "Life is not D&D. If it were, Bush would have invaded Iraq personally, accompanied only by Rice, Cheney and someone else of his White House buddies ;) "

The Other One: "Yeah, but Bush had read Heroes of Battle supplement, which describes the rules for fights of big formations :P "

I tripped and fell on my 4-sided die collection. Those things are pointy, and I need to keep my blood inside my wrist, and not on my dice collection.

Then explain the bloodied razors.

spec ops dwarven wariors thats funny.
When I was in the army and dm'ing i had Spec ops goblin fighters.
(just as a point the 2nd ed book said goblins have average int)

Then explain the bloodied razors.

Left over from my LARP days, (dreadful mistake that.) They elected me Sherriff, and my job was to collect everyone's weapons upon entrance into Elysium. In addition to bloody razors, I collected nerf swords, squirt guns and tips on how to win at rock/paper/scissors.

I'm not emo, I swear. My hair isn't long enough to hang in my eyes, and the eyeliner is just to reduce the glare while driving, I swear!

Left over from my LARP days, (dreadful mistake that.) They elected me Sherriff, and my job was to collect everyone's weapons upon entrance into Elysium. In addition to bloody razors, I collected nerf swords, squirt guns and tips on how to win at rock/paper/scissors.

I'm not emo, I swear. My hair isn't long enough to hang in my eyes, and the eyeliner is just to reduce the glare while driving, I swear!

And why is "Emo Kid" playing on your iPod?

And why is "Emo Kid" playing on your iPod?

Uhm, I uh... I'm using that as 'background music' for my next gaming session... yeah.. that''s it...

*hides*