NationStates Jolt Archive

What are you doing to celebrate it?

I, in truly nerderfific fashion, am playing GURPS. :p

What are you doing to celebrate it?

I, in truly nerderfific fashion, am playing GURPS. :p

I'm playing D&D.

EDIT: and tonight I'll be watching the movie Dungeons and Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God

WTH! Today?! As in 3rd of November?! Today is International D&D day?!

What are you doing to celebrate it?

I, in truly nerderfific fashion, am playing GURPS. :p

D&D stinks, along with every other d20 system game. Play this (http://www.dyingearth.com/). GURPS is okay compared, and D&D pales in comparison.

D&D stinks, along with every other d20 system game. Play this (http://www.dyingearth.com/). GURPS is okay compared, and D&D pales in comparison.

ahem... D&D 3rd edition and on are D20 system. not the editions before that.

THAC0 rules!!!!

Damn it! It is! And it's 8:15 over here and I haven't done anything to celebrate yet...

Oh I know! I'll update my Character sheet with some neat Skill Tricks from the Complete Scoundrel supplement.

Yes, I am a 3.5 Edition D&D Player who uses supplement books, and I'm proud of it.

I roll for initiative.

I will be rolling up a character for a game tomorrow that I don't know where is. Will take any suggestions on character to play - standard classes.

ahem... D&D 3rd edition and on are D20 system. not the editions before that.

THAC0 rules!!!!

Older D&D editions are even worse. That game is written with cheesy sauce ink, and punctuated with corn kernels.

I like the Dying Earth RPG. Magical and wondrous (like the books), yet very comic, and not overly epic.

GURPS is better.

I roll for initiative.

I will be rolling up a character for a game tomorrow that I don't know where is. Will take any suggestions on character to play - standard classes.

If you like Roleplaying in particular, choose a Bard. I'm very partial to them, because they're not like other classes who are more stabby stabby or magic poof.

I love thier social skills and feats.

Smoking chronic, duh.

If you like Roleplaying in particular, choose a Bard. I'm very partial to them, because they're not like other classes who are more stabby stabby or magic poof.

I love thier social skills and feats.

Be careful if you do this. I was considering a Bard once for a character (non D&D system), and my GM told me I'd have to roleplay (AKA sing) my spells. I picked a Fighter instead.

I hate GURPS. Never liked the mechanics.

Be careful if you do this. I was considering a Bard once for a character (non D&D system), and my GM told me I'd have to roleplay (AKA sing) my spells. I picked a Fighter instead.
You should have hit him in the face with a chair then played a Bard.

International D and D Day? Get outta town!

Damn, and I bet my nerd-clan has no clue about this. They're all playing Ebberon tomorrow (I'm not in that particular campaign), so I'm not sure how to celebrate it. I think I'll go get drunk. My girlfriend likes D and D too, so maybe she'll also come out and drink, and then we'll have D and D sex.

Make a roll...

You should have hit him in the face with a chair then played a Bard.

Couldn't really do that. He is one of my best friends, and used to be one of my co-workers. That, and I got over my disappointment, because fighters usually get more hit points than bards. :D

International D and D Day? Get outta town!

Damn, and I bet my nerd-clan has no clue about this. They're all playing Ebberon tomorrow (I'm not in that particular campaign), so I'm not sure how to celebrate it. I think I'll go get drunk. My girlfriend likes D and D too, so maybe she'll also come out and drink, and then we'll have D and D sex.

Make a roll...

D&D Sex? Let's just hope you don't roll a critical failure... Oy...

Sh*t, nobody told me! Why?! Today is Saturday, a best day for RPGing! If I knew I would be playing just right now!!! :mad:

BTW, why D&D and not just RPG? Product placement stuff?

D&D Sex? Let's just hope you don't roll a critical failure... Oy...

I'm hoping for a natural 20, but making the roll is what it's all about. At least I'm playing the game. :-)

Be careful if you do this. I was considering a Bard once for a character (non D&D system), and my GM told me I'd have to roleplay (AKA sing) my spells. I picked a Fighter instead.

I have mixed feelings about this. I mean yeah, being immersive blah blah blah...but a lot of people are playing character that can do things that they really can't do (isn't that at least in part kind of the point?)-so to a degree isn't this like asking the thief to actually pick your pocket if he wants to steal something? Or asking someone to actually shoot an arrow?

I don't know, there is a lot of room for detail and what is essentially 'improv' in roleplaying, and if you leave everything to the dice then why not just play a computer game? But there is a middle ground before you're just a LARPer...and no one wants that...though if any role playing can be said as 'a way to get chicks', LARP is it...

Couldn't really do that. He is one of my best friends, and used to be one of my co-workers. That, and I got over my disappointment, because fighters usually get more hit points than bards. :D

Hit points be damned Sah!

I would also have slapped some sense into your DM. As a Bard, I don't have to sing my spells. However, when I roll for diplomacy and bluff checks etc, I relish the oppurtunity to show off my oratory skills. I do occasionally, just for fun, compose the odd tune. But it's not compulsary in my group.

D&D?! I've never played such a game!

What are you doing to celebrate it?

I, in truly nerderfific fashion, am playing GURPS. :p

Good ol' D&d. I can't play today, but next weekend perhaps...
I'll celebrate with a beer or two tonight!

I'm hoping for a natural 20, but making the roll is what it's all about. At least I'm playing the game. :-)

If you've got enough time, just take 20. :D

D&D?! I've never played such a game!



Don't.

Do.

D&D?! I've never played such a game!

Don't.

Don't.

I've wanted to though. I've wanted to for a long time, but I can never find anyone to play with, nor do I have any of the materials.

If you've got enough time, just take 20. :D

...

Yer a damn genius!!

I roll for initiative.

I will be rolling up a character for a game tomorrow that I don't know where is. Will take any suggestions on character to play - standard classes.

It depends on your playing style.

Fighters (and their subclases) would fit almost anywhere.
Mages/clerics depends on how prevailant magic is in the world.
Monks kick it... if you have the right temperment...
Theives are great survivalists... just don't get caught!

International D and D Day? Get outta town!

Damn, and I bet my nerd-clan has no clue about this. They're all playing Ebberon tomorrow (I'm not in that particular campaign), so I'm not sure how to celebrate it. I think I'll go get drunk. My girlfriend likes D and D too, so maybe she'll also come out and drink, and then we'll have D and D sex.

Make a roll...

Sex and D&D? where did I hear that before... (http://www.studiofoglio.com/growf.html)

If you've got enough time, just take 20. :D

He can't... not if there is a risk to him should he fail. and failing that... well, that would be pretty damn risky.

I suggest some modifiers... Giving her Alcohol will give him a major bonus...







so I hear... :p

I suggest some modifiers... Giving her Alcohol will give him a major bonus...

so I hear... :p

Nah, alcohol is a beginner's tool. Laughter is the ultimate aphrodesiac. I have several ranks in 'Instill Giggliness'.

He can't... not if there is a risk to him should he fail. and failing that... well, that would be pretty damn risky.

Doh! I forgot about that. :(

I suggest some modifiers... Giving her Alcohol will give him a major bonus...







so I hear... :p

Hire a bard, too. That should help with stacking modifiers in your favor. :p

Not unless you enjoy a game where you can chop a guy's head-off, and just see the "DM" remove a few hit-points.

Puh-leeze. That would be a crappy DM indeed.

Do.

Not unless you enjoy a game where you can chop a guy's head-off (and not just un-dead!), and see the "DM" remove a few hit-points before stating: "okay, the guy attacks you."

Puh-leeze. That would be a crappy DM indeed.

I agree.

Yeah, play the Dying Earth RPG. A mean, c'mon: trying to recover a tapestry from a rampaging creature who collects eyeballs, and weaves a cloak out of them? How cool it that!?

How the FUCK could you weave a CLOAK from EYEBALLS?!

Yeah, play the Dying Earth RPG. A mean, c'mon: trying to recover a tapestry from a rampaging creature who collects eyeballs, and weaves a cloak out of them? How cool it that!?

How the FUCK could you weave a CLOAK from EYEBALLS?!

I'm guessing the creature was magical in nature (or was a spellcaster of some sort).

Puh-leeze. That would be a crappy DM indeed.

My DM was crappy; that system is infamous anyway. You keep getting hit with a sword and surviving.

And let's not forget they ripped-off the spell system from the Dying Earth, plus the Excellent Prismatic Spray, and IOUN stones.

How the FUCK could you weave a CLOAK from EYEBALLS?!

He's sews the eyeballs together, always searching for a new victim. He has never lost anyone he went after. He is "Chun the Unavoidable", and moves with a canine gait.

He's sews the eyeballs together, always searching for a new victim. He has never lost anyone he went after. He is "Chun the Unavoidable", and moves with a canine gait.

How does he keep them together? How does he keep the eyeballs from rotting? Hell, how is it possible to sew something like that to begin with?!

I'm guessing the creature was magical in nature (or was a spellcaster of some sort).

He's not magical, just a Mister Hyde shaped super-powered guy. If he ran into a magician, he'd probably be screwed.

ahem... D&D 3rd edition and on are D20 system. not the editions before that.

THAC0 rules!!!!

*rattles her 4-siders, 8-siders, 10-siders, six-siders, 12-siders, 20-siders and her hundred-sider.*

How does he keep them together? How does he keep the eyeballs from rotting? Hell, how is it possible to sew something like that to begin with?!

He uses special strings from a tapestry which preserves all they touch. He pocks a whole through the eyeball, and pulls the thread through, duh. When the strings are all united into the tapestry, it opens a porthole to a paradise.

But anyway, you should just read the stories the game was based-off of. Tales of the Dying Earth collects them all. In the first book, read the story Liane the Wayfarer.

He uses special strings from a tapestry which preserves all they touch. He pocks a whole through the eyeball, and pulls the thread through, duh. When the strings are all united into the tapestry, it opens a porthole to a paradise.

Sounds very.... plausible.

He uses special strings from a tapestry which preserves all they touch. He pocks a whole through the eyeball, and pulls the thread through, duh. When the strings are all united into the tapestry, it opens a porthole to a paradise.

But anyway, you should just read the stories the game was based-off of. Tales of the Dying Earth collects them all. In the first book, read the story Liane the Wayfarer.

That sounds really weird and ridiculous. But perhaps I'm just not in the mood for fantasy today.

Anyone hear about 4 edition coming out? Its fucking everything up. Absolutely everything.

2nd edition for the win!

Liane before he sets-out for Chun:

"Liane will kill you ten men. Two steps forward, thrust--thus!"And souls go thrilling up like bubbles in a beaker of mead."



*maniacal laughing* :p :p :p

Actually, the books are mostly comedy, with the first being less jocular in tone then its sequels. My sig is always a qoute from one.

Comedy, eh? That might make them worthwhile after all.

That sounds really weird and ridiculous. But perhaps I'm just not in the mood for fantasy today.

Actually, the books are mostly comedy, with the first being less jocular in tone then its sequels. My sig is always a qoute from one.

Anyone hear about 4 edition coming out? Its fucking everything up. Absolutely everything.

2nd edition for the win!

I'm still using AD&D 2nd ed. I really, REALLY don't like D20.

Anyone hear about 4 edition coming out? Its fucking everything up. Absolutely everything.

2nd edition for the win!

May, according to the owner of the games shop I go to.

3.5 4ever!

Comedy, eh? That might make them worthwhile after all.

Very comedic. Right now I'm running an RP based-off the fourth book (Rhialto the Marvelous) http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=541959

Yeah, personally I'm not too excited about 4th edition. 3.5'll do me fine.

I'm still using AD&D 2nd ed. I really, REALLY don't like D20.

Can you give me a brief run-down on the Editions and the major differences?

Very comedic. Right now I'm running an RP based-off the fourth book (Rhialto the Marvelous) http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=541959
Here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=540235) is a smattering of quotes.

I always felt like a huge douche when tabletopping.

I do play a MUD fanatically, though. Based off of Darksun, which is a harsh, desert-themed DnD campaign. Great fun. www.armageddon.org

Can you give me a brief run-down on the Editions and the major differences?

Quick Mikesburg-biased run-down for you;

1st Edition - Evolved from tactical war-gaming in the mid-70's. Includes many charts and tables to resolve combat. The rules evolved over time in many various supplements, including classes like the assassin, cavalier and such. Notorious for 'witchcraft and demonology' and the like, which was rather silly.

2nd Edition - Revised the rules to reduce the amount of charts and tables, including something called 'THAC0' (To hit armor class zero). Also, removed references to demons and devils, assassins, half-orc characters, etc. These elements eventually found their way back into the game. LOTS of material was put out for this, and while it had a large following, in the 90's plenty of alternative game systems emerged which showed some of the creative limitations of the grandfather of RPG's. While D and D languished, Games like Vampire and Rifts soared.

3rd Edition - A complete top-to-bottom revision of a classic game, 3rd turned most conflict resolution game mechanics to a contested d20 roll. Rather than use charts, you roll d20, add your modifier, and compare it to a target number. On top of that, the game was much more 'flexible' in the fact that you could build your character via-multi-classing easier, as well as many optional feats and skills. A 3.5 revision came later, but it was essentially the same game. Again, lot's of material has come out for this.

4th Edition - Rumour has it that the game will be even more 'simple'. To me, it seems they are really after the world of warcraft audience, by tieing abilities with your choice of weapon, and defining the 'roles' of characters, as well as making it more computer-playable. Also, a major revision to the way magic works.

3.5 edition is basically 3rd edition except they've reworded certain rules and such to clarify them. There was some dodgy writing in the 3rd edition rulebook.

3.5 edition is basically 3rd edition except they've reworded certain rules and such to clarify them. There was some dodgy writing in the 3rd edition rulebook.

Not enough to warrant a whole new rule-set in my opinion. It seemed like a rather expensive fix to the ranger class.

Quick Mikesburg-biased run-down for you;

1st Edition - Evolved from tactical war-gaming in the mid-70's. Includes many charts and tables to resolve combat. The rules evolved over time in many various supplements, including classes like the assassin, cavalier and such. Notorious for 'witchcraft and demonology' and the like, which was rather silly.

2nd Edition - Revised the rules to reduce the amount of charts and tables, including something called 'THAC0' (To hit armor class zero). Also, removed references to demons and devils, assassins, half-orc characters, etc. These elements eventually found their way back into the game. LOTS of material was put out for this, and while it had a large following, in the 90's plenty of alternative game systems emerged which showed some of the creative limitations of the grandfather of RPG's. While D and D languished, Games like Vampire and Rifts soared.

3rd Edition - A complete top-to-bottom revision of a classic game, 3rd turned most conflict resolution game mechanics to a contested d20 roll. Rather than use charts, you roll d20, add your modifier, and compare it to a target number. On top of that, the game was much more 'flexible' in the fact that you could build your character via-multi-classing easier, as well as many optional feats and skills. A 3.5 revision came later, but it was essentially the same game. Again, lot's of material has come out for this.

4th Edition - Rumour has it that the game will be even more 'simple'. To me, it seems they are really after the world of warcraft audience, by tieing abilities with your choice of weapon, and defining the 'roles' of characters, as well as making it more computer-playable. Also, a major revision to the way magic works.
Interesting...it almost sounds as if a combination of the 2nd Edition rules with the 1st Edition setting and character material would be best...

If you had Skill Mastery, you could take 10...:D

For some reason pen and paper RPGs just never appealed to me. I played Inquisitor a few times and it just never interested me that much. Oh well, I guess that just leaves me more time to paint my Imperial Guardsmen.

I played Exalted all day. I don't have a D&D group. I start running a Forgotten Realms 3.5 game on Wednesday.

As to 4e, I won't be getting it, I don't think. 3.5 works perfectly fine, and unless something really catches my eye (nothing has), I'll stick with it. To be frank, I like the d10 system way better than the d20 system, but I tolerate the d20 system for the D&D flavor.

What are you doing to celebrate it?

I, in truly nerderfific fashion, am playing GURPS. :p

Isn't it "GRPS"?
And you need to get your brethren off my lawn. We've lost enough pets in this neighborhood to your ilk. How do you expect science to advance if the same subjects are pilfered by cults? It's back-asswards, you know.

Ah, memories. I haven't played D&D since... about 10 years ago. I had no idea there even was a D&D Day.

I've still got all my dice.

Ran my usual group through the celebratory module. Played pretty well, but the characters they gave were seriously dodgy.

*Uses his Chronomancer build with a spell that allows a total of 4 spells per turn*

Time Fold, Haste, Fireball, Fireball.

*Next turn*

Lightning Bolt, Cone of Cold, Cone of Cold, Cone of Cold.

Isn't it "GRPS"?
And you need to get your brethren off my lawn. We've lost enough pets in this neighborhood to your ilk. How do you expect science to advance if the same subjects are pilfered by cults? It's back-asswards, you know.

Nope, its Generic Universal Role Playing System.

*Uses his Chronomancer build with a spell that allows a total of 4 spells per turn*

Time Fold, Haste, Fireball, Fireball.

*Next turn*

Lightning Bolt, Cone of Cold, Cone of Cold, Cone of Cold.

If I was your DM, you'd be facing a group of spell theives every morning...

That build might work for a single battle, but after that, you're hosed.

If you like Roleplaying in particular, choose a Bard. I'm very partial to them, because they're not like other classes who are more stabby stabby or magic poof.

I love thier social skills and feats.

Bards are pretty powerful but I refuse to play them because they are just so darn gay.

If I was your DM, you'd be facing a group of spell theives every morning...

That build might work for a single battle, but after that, you're hosed.

That's why I have my other power: Re-rolling like crazy with the Chronomancer power and some other class builds I have.

Bards are pretty powerful but I refuse to play them because they are just so darn gay.

Yeah, because we all know homosexuals are all supposed to be like stereotypical women and that enjoying music and dancing makes you a homosexual. It has nothing to do with your sexual orientation and there's no way a heterosexual man could enjoy dancing and singing. Oh no, not at all. :rolleyes:

If I was your DM, you'd be facing a group of spell theives every morning...

That build might work for a single battle, but after that, you're hosed.

To help contain a metagaming bastard of a wizard that played in one of my D&D campaigns, I'd routinely have other 10th level wizards pop up from behind a grassy knoll. Nothing says "No!" like counterspelling. :)

What are you doing to celebrate it?

I, in truly nerderfific fashion, am playing GURPS. :p

I, as usual, am writing a new set of home rules for Rolemaster.

nerdage...:)

To help contain a metagaming bastard of a wizard that played in one of my D&D campaigns, I'd routinely have other 10th level wizards pop up from behind a grassy knoll. Nothing says "No!" like counterspelling. :)

That's just mean...

Is that sort of spell casting really meta-gaming?

That's just mean...

Is that sort of spell casting really meta-gaming?

You better believe it is. There's a reason why Wizards and TSR always put a one spell per turn limit on spell casters. Using Chronomancy to gain even a short term ability to cast 4 spells per turn is broken beyond all hell.

For a subtler approach though, you could just put lots of null magic areas in your dungeon crawl, or deny the party opportunities to rest. If wants to turn his Wizard into a bottle rocket in terms of staying power, then he can pay the price that way, and quickly become nothing but dead weight.

You better believe it is. There's a reason why Wizards and TSR always put a one spell per turn limit on spell casters. Using Chronomancy to gain even a short term ability to cast 4 spells per turn is broken beyond all hell.

For a subtler approach though, you could just put lots of null magic areas in your dungeon crawl, or deny the party opportunities to rest. If wants to turn his Wizard into a bottle rocket in terms of staying power, then he can pay the price that way, and quickly become nothing but dead weight.
Intriguing.

You know, I have to wonder: how would I find D&D players around where I live? As I've said I've never played and I really, REALLY want to, but I don't know how to find any.

To help contain a metagaming bastard of a wizard that played in one of my D&D campaigns, I'd routinely have other 10th level wizards pop up from behind a grassy knoll. Nothing says "No!" like counterspelling. :)

Hmm... Grassy knoll... I think I shall try the same thing for an overpowered beguiler in my party.

*A wizard pops out from behind a gassy gnoll and counterspells your > 100% real illusion!*

Fecking Shadowcater/Shadowcraft Mage. And he doesn't even use the Shadow Weave, so I can't sick Shar on him...

Intriguing.

You know, I have to wonder: how would I find D&D players around where I live? As I've said I've never played and I really, REALLY want to, but I don't know how to find any.

Find the local game store. It's the best way to find games. Other ways I've found a game include attending other geek heavy events, and developing a network of geeks. Somebody always has a friend who plays D&D.

Intriguing.

You know, I have to wonder: how would I find D&D players around where I live? As I've said I've never played and I really, REALLY want to, but I don't know how to find any.

Where do you live? If it's a smaller, more rural area it will be pretty hard to find other people.

You could check local hobby shops. That's kinda the mecca for gaming stuff in any community. People post bulletins for gaming party recruitment there all the time.

Find the local game store. It's the best way to find games. Other ways I've found a game include attending other geek heavy events, and developing a network of geeks. Somebody always has a friend who plays D&D.

Unfortunately the local gamestore(which is itself twenty minutes away) is purely about comics and card games, like Yu-Gi-Oh!
Where do you live? If it's a smaller, more rural area it will be pretty hard to find other people.


Quite rural indeed.

You could check local hobby shops. That's kinda the mecca for gaming stuff in any community. People post bulletins for gaming party recruitment there all the time.

Well, as I said, the only things played in the closest place is card games.

If I really want to find D&Ders I'll probably have to go to Denver, and I can't exactly afford to go to Denver all the time.

Ah well. I'll figure a way out one of these days.

Intriguing.

You know, I have to wonder: how would I find D&D players around where I live? As I've said I've never played and I really, REALLY want to, but I don't know how to find any.

You could join the D&D game forming Here (http://pnpo.roguemediapro.com/forum) Something I've mentioned on and off GM for over a month now.

There's also a MURPG game I'm running there.

The offer to join the D&D game on that site is also open to anyone else reading this. Just make an account, send a PM to MindsI, and you should be added to the D&D usergroup so you can check it out/make a character.

Quite rural indeed.


Well, as I said, the only things played in the closest place is card games.

If I really want to find D&Ders I'll probably have to go to Denver, and I can't exactly afford to go to Denver all the time.

Ah well. I'll figure a way out one of these days.

Well, a couple of my friends and I sometimes meet over Yahoo messenger and play D&D. If you have a yahoo handle you'd be welcome to join us sometime. It's not quite as good as playing in person, but it works.

Unfortunately the local gamestore(which is itself twenty minutes away) is purely about comics and card games, like Yu-Gi-Oh!


Quite rural indeed.


Well, as I said, the only things played in the closest place is card games.

If I really want to find D&Ders I'll probably have to go to Denver, and I can't exactly afford to go to Denver all the time.

Ah well. I'll figure a way out one of these days.


try www.meetup.com and search fo Dungeons and Dragons.

Well, a couple of my friends and I sometimes meet over Yahoo messenger and play D&D. If you have a yahoo handle you'd be welcome to join us sometime. It's not quite as good as playing in person, but it works.

Does this actually work? I want to get a Friday night Vampire group going, but I can't get the membership on campus. Can I keep the mood for the game with that?


Well, as I said, the only things played in the closest place is card games.

If I really want to find D&Ders I'll probably have to go to Denver, and I can't exactly afford to go to Denver all the time.

Ah well. I'll figure a way out one of these days.

I think you'd be suprised how many games are close to you. Meetup may help, elsewise, just finding out where the local geek population congregates is a safe bet. And, like I said, everyone has a friend who plays D&D, you just need to ask.

Does this actually work? I want to get a Friday night Vampire group going, but I can't get the membership on campus. Can I keep the mood for the game with that?



I think you'd be suprised how many games are close to you. Meetup may help, elsewise, just finding out where the local geek population congregates is a safe bet. And, like I said, everyone has a friend who plays D&D, you just need to ask.

I have done this a few times with my group since Yahoo has voice capabilities it seems like it would be easy. It can become difficult if you use a map of any sort. But yes, Messenger does work depending on how your group plays. My guys are very visual so they like maps, which makes using Yahoo Mesenger complicated.

Does this actually work? I want to get a Friday night Vampire group going, but I can't get the membership on campus. Can I keep the mood for the game with that?

Unfortunately, it is a lot harder to establish a mood over a chat program. Basically, it becomes up each individual to "feel the mood", since it's hard to properly convey emotions without voice and gestures.

I mostly use it for one shot campaigns that I do to kinda flesh out the world that I've built for a much larger campaign that my group does when we can get together (next session is over Thanksgiving break, since we're all scattered to the four winds at different colleges right now).

Unfortunately, it is a lot harder to establish a mood over a chat program. Basically, it becomes up each individual to "feel the mood", since it's hard to properly convey emotions without voice and gestures.

I mostly use it for one shot campaigns that I do to kinda flesh out the world that I've built for a much larger campaign that my group does when we can get together (next session is over Thanksgiving break, since we're all scattered to the four winds at different colleges right now).

You should try playing/running on a board.

It's considerably slower, but the amount of detail and description you can put into a post certainly goes a long way to establishing an atmosphere.

Unfortunately, it is a lot harder to establish a mood over a chat program. Basically, it becomes up each individual to "feel the mood", since it's hard to properly convey emotions without voice and gestures.

I mostly use it for one shot campaigns that I do to kinda flesh out the world that I've built for a much larger campaign that my group does when we can get together (next session is over Thanksgiving break, since we're all scattered to the four winds at different colleges right now).

Regrettably, Vampire is much more dependant upon mood. Well, I may try it anyway, and get them to set themselves up as they see fit to get the mood for the game ("What do you mean, you're wearing bondage pants?"). I've got two people on campus, but if I can pick up two people from my home gaming group, I'm set.

I am beating up geeks and stealing their lunch money.
*giggle*

I am beating up geeks and stealing their lunch money.
*giggle*

Dear, D&D geeks are the worst choice for geeks to beat up. I've never been in a D&D group where we didn't have at least 2 black-belts, and I've only been in a couple where someone didn't have a concealed carry permit... D&D nerds, unlike computer nerds, like fighting. :p

Dear, D&D geeks are the worst choice for geeks to beat up. I've never been in a D&D group where we didn't have at least 2 black-belts, and I've only been in a couple where someone didn't have a concealed carry permit... D&D nerds, unlike computer nerds, like fighting. :p

Especially LARPers.

I am beating up geeks and stealing their lunch money.
*giggle*
Shows how much you know. DnD Geeks don't have Lunch Money... it's all spent on their source books and dice!

Dear, D&D geeks are the worst choice for geeks to beat up. I've never been in a D&D group where we didn't have at least 2 black-belts, and I've only been in a couple where someone didn't have a concealed carry permit... D&D nerds, unlike computer nerds, like fighting. :p

don't forget their collection of Medival weaponry... :p

Bards are pretty powerful but I refuse to play them because they are just so darn gay.

1 - Any class is powerful if you know how to twink it.

2- Way to show "security" about your own sexual option.

1 - Any class is powerful if you know how to twink it.

2- Way to show "security" about your own sexual option.

Bards suck. I don't care how powerful you think they are, I don't how secure you are with your sexuality, they just plain ol' suck.

Bards are right up there with clerics as my least favorite classes.

Edit: Junii, if you're still around, help me convince people to join PNPO!

Bards suck. I don't care how powerful you think they are, I don't how secure you are with your sexuality, they just plain ol' suck.

Bards are right up there with clerics as my least favorite classes.

Edit: Junii, if you're still around, help me convince people to join PNPO!

Hey, I don't play bards, I play Wizards (or Chronomancers), though I know of a few builds that would do pretty well.

I also do think that bards are a very hard class to twink, so, yes, I agree with you that they suck - for that purpose. For roleplay, however, and for having a friendly face for the group to prevent, say, an unfair (or even fair!) accusation, they can be very valuable.

Especially LARPers.

<.< No comment.

Hey, I don't play bards, I play Wizards (or Chronomancers), though I know of a few builds that would do pretty well.

I also do think that bards are a very hard class to twink, so, yes, I agree with you that they suck - for that purpose. For roleplay, however, and for having a friendly face for the group to prevent, say, an unfair (or even fair!) accusation, they can be very valuable.

S'pose, but you can generally accomplish just as much with a sorcerer and a ton of social skills.

S'pose, but you can generally accomplish just as much with a sorcerer and a ton of social skills.

Even easier with a Favored Soul. More buffs, still Cha based, and it still has better nukes and better armor than a bard.

Even easier with a Favored Soul. More buffs, still Cha based, and it still has better nukes and better armor than a bard.

True, but a lot of the stuff in the Complete books are horribly, horribly unbalanced. I mean seriously, Dervishes? It's impossible NOT to break that class.

Well, regardless a Bard can have its value. What I was criticizing was the "I don't play them because they look gay" rather than even an "I don't play them because they suck".

True, but a lot of the stuff in the Complete books are horribly, horribly unbalanced. I mean seriously, Dervishes? It's impossible NOT to break that class.

That's why you have gassy gnolls to deal with unfortunately overpowered builds.

That's why you have gassy gnolls to deal with unfortunately overpowered builds.

It's tricky. One the one hand I agree in principle, but I've taken dives over the deep end into overpoweredness myself, and so I can generally sympathize. Plus more often than not those classes are banned at the outset, cutting off such problems.

In fact, in the D&D game Junii and a few others and I are playing on PNPO, I designed the class I'm playing myself (with DM oversight), and it turned out, while balanced with barbs and palis, to be horribly overpowered when compared to fighters.

It's tricky. One the one hand I agree in principle, but I've taken dives over the deep end into overpoweredness myself, and so I can generally sympathize. Plus more often than not those classes are banned at the outset, cutting off such problems.

In fact, in the D&D game Junii and a few others and I are playing on PNPO, I designed the class I'm playing myself (with DM oversight), and it turned out, while balanced with barbs and palis, to be horribly overpowered when compared to fighters.

I rarely ban classes. I often rebalance them. I don't mind powergaming, but if my people powergame, I often find ways to make them still struggle (sometimes up monster diff. sometimes make them roleplay hard to even get fights, sometimes put them is situations where they have to not fight if they want to live) .

And anyone who tells you that a fighter is weaker than a barbarian or Palidin is missing brain-cells, my friend. As evidence, my Damage build, size-expansion fighter regularly dealt 40d6 a round by level 15.

Yeah, because we all know homosexuals are all supposed to be like stereotypical women and that enjoying music and dancing makes you a homosexual. It has nothing to do with your sexual orientation and there's no way a heterosexual man could enjoy dancing and singing. Oh no, not at all. :rolleyes:

Bards are even gayer that homosexuals.

I rarely ban classes. I often rebalance them. I don't mind powergaming, but if my people powergame, I often find ways to make them still struggle (sometimes up monster diff. sometimes make them roleplay hard to even get fights, sometimes put them is situations where they have to not fight if they want to live) .

And anyone who tells you that a fighter is weaker than a barbarian or Palidin is missing brain-cells, my friend. As evidence, my Damage build, size-expansion fighter regularly dealt 40d6 a round by level 15.

That's pretty unbalanced. I tend to shy away from that sort of min-maxing.

That's pretty unbalanced. I tend to shy away from that sort of min-maxing.

No Min-Maxing. I had 14 int and 12 Charisma (useless stats for a fighter) and split the rest between Con and Str, and put my bonus points into Str. The damage came from the DM fucking up and giving us a +6 equivalent Greatsword which he expected me to sell (hell no! Give up 7d6 damage?) and then my aquiring a 2 size-expansion item from a group of psions who cheated the hell out of me for it. It's just that as a large size, by level 15 I had taken all of the weapon spec and weapon focus feats, like most fighters do, and I had something like 26/21/16 to hit and 11d6 + 30someodd a hit, and an expanded crit range so that I normally critted every 7 hits or so.

The funny thing is that I was stronger than the group's powergamers who had built, respectively, an economist/dread necromancer/swordsage (touch attack manouvers and an obsession with efficiency in the workplace through resurection as undead), a favored soul, and a custom class, the unfavored soul.

No Min-Maxing. I had 14 int and 12 Charisma (useless stats for a fighter) and split the rest between Con and Str, and put my bonus points into Str. The damage came from the DM fucking up and giving us a +6 equivalent Greatsword which he expected me to sell (hell no! Give up 7d6 damage?) and then my aquiring a 2 size-expansion item from a group of psions who cheated the hell out of me for it. It's just that as a large size, by level 15 I had taken all of the weapon spec and weapon focus feats, like most fighters do, and I had something like 26/21/16 to hit and 11d6 + 30someodd a hit, and an expanded crit range so that I normally critted every 7 hits or so.

The funny thing is that I was stronger than the group's powergamers who had built, respectively, an economist/dread necromancer/swordsage (touch attack manouvers and an obsession with efficiency in the workplace through resurection as undead), a favored soul, and a custom class, the unfavored soul.

Urgh. Why do DMs give out such stupidly ridiculous items. I tend to be a miser when it comes to giving out gold and items, and putting more emphasis and reward on player-made items.

And anyone who tells you that a fighter is weaker than a barbarian or Palidin is missing brain-cells, my friend. As evidence, my Damage build, size-expansion fighter regularly dealt 40d6 a round by level 15.

lol... easier ways to prove that.

Fighter vs Barbarian: Fighter challanges the barbarian. each have to read sealed orders and follow those directions. (FYI for those who DON'T know... Barbarians are illiterate. they need to spend 2 skill points (or take a level in another class) to remove illiteracy.)

Fighter vs Paladin: Stamina contest... in a Bordello! (Make sure the Paladin isn't from the order of the Fertility/Beauty Goddess tho...)

Urgh. Why do DMs give out such stupidly ridiculous items. I tend to be a miser when it comes to giving out gold and items, and putting more emphasis and reward on player-made items.

That puts the burden on the spell casters.

sure it's easy for a fighter to pick up weaponsmithing and make a sword... but for a wizard to charge his ring? or wand? that costs XP!

We make items available... just expensive. "Want that Vorpal Blade? how much you got? oh, I guess you need to do more adverturing... hope it's still there when you get back." :p

Playing new WoD, TBH. I still loves me some D&D, but I'm experimenting with the revamped (lol) Vampire, Werewolf, and Mage systems. I got into old WoD just in time for it to go defunct on me, but the new rules systems are pretty shiny.

Maybe I should pick up Monte Cooke's D20 WoD...


oh, the things I could do with my money but don't...

Urgh. Why do DMs give out such stupidly ridiculous items. I tend to be a miser when it comes to giving out gold and items, and putting more emphasis and reward on player-made items.
Our DM gave out some weird ass dagger last night that if we sold would be worth more than all of our wealth-per-level wealth put together (three 4 levels, two 1 levels, and a 2 level) - it was a +4 Dagger of Detect Evil and Major Trap-finding that was slightly sentient (this was in addition to a Spellbook of Copying, an Elven Blade of Finesse (+1 Longsword with Weapon Finesse(Longsword)), and some Elven Chainmail of the Wood(+2 Mithral-like chainmail with +2 Hide and Move Silently bonuses and lets the wearer cast Pass without Trace in forests and woodlands once a day). But of course, the group's last DM before I joined gave out tons of weird ass +1 magic shit.

Urgh. Why do DMs give out such stupidly ridiculous items. I tend to be a miser when it comes to giving out gold and items, and putting more emphasis and reward on player-made items.

The crafting system sucks, to be honest, and our DM certainly made up for our power by challenging us. That table was graced by the phrase "Yup, TPK" more often than I'd care to count. And yet we still had some awesome roleplay moments.

- The favored soul decided that the Necromancer and my fighter were lovers, and would constantly make excuses to let us be together, even though we were not.

- I got in a brawl with half of the palace guard because I got fired for political reasons.

- My previous character was arrested and executed for sedition

- We managed to pull a Good Cop/Bad Cop on a soul theif, who, unfortunately, didn't know anything.

- The Un-favored Soul called the High Priest of Lathander a "Scrawny, useless old man", and was subsequently forced to do a month of hard labor for the church.

- We managed to fuck up negotiations with the only good vampire in Damara (my fault, I'm afraid, my character that got arrested for sedition had killed his pet, by accident, thinking it was a monster, and then told him, thinking he would earn favor with the vamp), and we ended up getting him killed.

- We pissed of a level 60 cleric (who was, for all intents and purposes a God), and got stuck with a geas that made us all praise her god whenever we attempted to discuss our plans, thus keeping us from planning, and creating some very awkward situations. "Well, High Priest, our plans are to PRAISE THE SHADOW LORD! PRAISE THE 8 Pillars!"

Khadun;13191254']Playing new WoD, TBH. I still loves me some D&D, but I'm experimenting with the revamped (lol) Vampire, Werewolf, and Mage systems. I got into old WoD just in time for it to go defunct on me, but the new rules systems are pretty shiny.

*hissssss*

Blasphemer! The rules work well, but the lore is fucking godawful. The Nos lose all of their flavour, the Tremere are gone, the Brujah lose all of their flavour... In short, icky.

Bards are even gayer that homosexuals.

Which is why they go from inn to inn getting laid with every single woman they want by rolling a CHA test.

The only D&D I've played is in Computer Games like Neverwinter Nights, which is absolutely stuffed with uber items.

Our DM gave out some weird ass dagger last night that if we sold would be worth more than all of our wealth-per-level wealth put together (three 4 levels, two 1 levels, and a 2 level) - it was a +4 Dagger of Detect Evil and Major Trap-finding that was slightly sentient (this was in addition to a Spellbook of Copying, an Elven Blade of Finesse (+1 Longsword with Weapon Finesse(Longsword)), and some Elven Chainmail (+1 Mithral-like chainmail with some Hide and Move Silently bonuses). But of course, the group's last DM before I joined gave out tons of weird ass +1 magic shit.

You are Soooooooooo fucked. Trust me, a sentient item is no gift, it's a plot hook. You are sooooooooo fucked.

You are Soooooooooo fucked. Trust me, a sentient item is no gift, it's a plot hook. You are sooooooooo fucked.
Don't count on it being a plot hook. With this DM we are playing single-action campaigns. One stand-alone campaign per session and we got this from an apparently level 1-5 or something adventure. And the item almost kicked the guys ass who took it, but he is Half-Elven and Elven blood saved him.

And I get the Elven Blade of Finesse and Elven Chainmail of the Wood since I can best use them. Go me.

Don't count on it being a plot hook. With this DM we are playing single-action campaigns. One stand-alone campaign per session and we got this from an apparently level 1-5 or something adventure. And the item almost kicked the guys ass who took it, but he is Half-Elven and Elven blood saved him.

Campaigns from books? Blech...

Okay, in that case, the thing is going to get you found in some inconvenient time, or start fucking up something. Intellegent weapons are never good.

Trust me, I have a +3 intelligent Shortsword in my Epic Campaign that forces me to battle for control on a regular basis, because of it's geas to "Kill all lawbreakers".

Campaigns from books? Blech...

Okay, in that case, the thing is going to get you found in some inconvenient time, or start fucking up something. Intellegent weapons are never good.
It is only semi-sentient. It speaks telepathically to the wielder when near a 'large' trap and glows green when in the presence of evil. Otherwise it's a normal +4 dagger. And Elven blood lets the guy wield it without a problem - it is apparently cursed to only work with Elves (the DM forgot he was Half-Elf and had it burn him, then had to go back on it so that is what I'm assuming - magical Elven item).

The crafting system sucks, to be honest, and our DM certainly made up for our power by challenging us. That table was graced by the phrase "Yup, TPK" more often than I'd care to count. And yet we still had some awesome roleplay moments.

- The favored soul decided that the Necromancer and my fighter were lovers, and would constantly make excuses to let us be together, even though we were not.

- I got in a brawl with half of the palace guard because I got fired for political reasons.

- My previous character was arrested and executed for sedition

- We managed to pull a Good Cop/Bad Cop on a soul theif, who, unfortunately, didn't know anything.

- The Un-favored Soul called the High Priest of Lathander a "Scrawny, useless old man", and was subsequently forced to do a month of hard labor for the church.

- We managed to fuck up negotiations with the only good vampire in Damara (my fault, I'm afraid, my character that got arrested for sedition had killed his pet, by accident, thinking it was a monster, and then told him, thinking he would earn favor with the vamp), and we ended up getting him killed.

- We pissed of a level 60 cleric (who was, for all intents and purposes a God), and got stuck with a geas that made us all praise her god whenever we attempted to discuss our plans, thus keeping us from planning, and creating some very awkward situations. "Well, High Priest, our plans are to PRAISE THE SHADOW LORD! PRAISE THE 8 Pillars!"

chuckle

It is only semi-sentient. It speaks telepathically to the wielder when near a 'large' trap and glows green when in the presence of evil. Otherwise it's a normal +4 dagger.

Well what use is that? Your DM is passing up a wonderful opportunity.

chuckle

See, my character was a thei- er "revolutionary socialist" who beleived in stealing from the rich and giving to himsel- the poor. Unfortunately, my scheme to pick a fair number of pockets by setting up a protest against the institution of martial law was foiled, and, since I already had a death sentence over my head, I was executed.

You are Soooooooooo fucked. Trust me, a sentient item is no gift, it's a plot hook. You are sooooooooo fucked.

Oh I've had some EPIC moments with intelligent items.

A friend of mine once got an intelligent longsword that would randomly threaten to kill people around him, forcing him to constantly pretend he had a speech impediment and that the sword was him mispeaking.

"I'm going to kill you for that."

"WHAT?!"

*cough* "I said 'I'm going to have to bill you for that."

Well what use is that? Your DM is passing up a wonderful opportunity.
He had plenty of fun last night.

We ran into some insane elves behind a barricade in a room. The lowest level people in the group (*read idiots*) approached them and they threw spears at us (one got a critical failure and hit another elf with the spear). One went through the Wizard's chest causing him to fall down. He decided to shoot his magic +1 Crossbow of Burning anyway which ends up hitting the level 1 Cleric who just got his full plate melted off by some sort of plot hook rust gunk and only has a base outfit on. Then I try to intimidate them, after reasoning doesn't work (we would get bonuses rewards for bringing them back alive), 3 don't care but 1 freaks out and throws another spear at me which almost takes off my arm. Then the Druid in the group shoots and arrow at one and they are like "oh shit, run away." And the rest of us are like "god damnit" because we all 3 almost died.


And about bringing the back alive, we just ended clubbing them all out. At the end we were fighting one last crazy Elf and I had a spear from earlier when they were throwing them at us, so I threw it at the last Elf with the blunt end as the attacking end and ended up knocking him out.

Oh I've had some EPIC moments with intelligent items.

A friend of mine once got an intelligent longsword that would randomly threaten to kill people around him, forcing him to constantly pretend he had a speech impediment and that the sword was him mispeaking.

"I'm going to kill you for that."

"WHAT?!"

*cough* "I said 'I'm going to have to bill you for that."

Christ... Yeah, the campaign's intro went something like this, "And, last we have the rogue. Go ahead and describe yourself, Tim."

"Notwen is a ... and his hand is currently buried in the Wizard's pocket."

"James, roll a will save against your weapon's ego."

"Shit! Failed!"

"Okay, so Daeh'raj lunges at Notwen and is only barely stopped by the timely intervention of the Steward."

"This is gonna be a really long campaign..."