RPG Bloggers » Advice/Tools http://www.rpgbloggers.com The best in tabletop RPG blogs Thu, 09 Sep 2010 23:51:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Let’s Have A Good Clean Fight… from Campaign Mastery http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CampaignMastery/~3/LgHvHZiQkSc/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CampaignMastery/~3/LgHvHZiQkSc/#comments Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:19:29 +0000 Campaign Mastery http://www.campaignmastery.com/blog/?p=2207 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CampaignMastery/~3/LgHvHZiQkSc/feed/ 0 Character Reputation from Reality Refracted http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/character-reputation.html http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/character-reputation.html#comments Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0000 Reality Refracted tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624244242117701070.post-2125431903478267773 http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/character-reputation.html/feed/ 0 You Don’t Always Need A Home Run from Stargazer's World http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StargazersWorld/~3/hrRSl4lHQt4/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StargazersWorld/~3/hrRSl4lHQt4/#comments Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:00:08 +0000 Stargazer's World tag:www.rpgbloggers.com://10af185324f34f44cd5e0c46a8a8bb68 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StargazersWorld/~3/hrRSl4lHQt4/feed/ 0 So you want to draw a really large dungeon? from Bat in the Attic http://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2010/09/so-you-want-to-draw-really-large.html http://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2010/09/so-you-want-to-draw-really-large.html#comments Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:00:00 +0000 Bat in the Attic tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-4794254146080756928 http://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2010/09/so-you-want-to-draw-really-large.html/feed/ 0 They Just Won’t Give Up! from Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/09/they-just-wont-give-up/ http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/09/they-just-wont-give-up/#comments Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:00:10 +0000 Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/?p=2063 http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/09/they-just-wont-give-up/feed/ 0 World Building 101: The One About Monsters http://www.rpgbloggers.com/2010/09/world-building-101-the-one-about-monsters/ http://www.rpgbloggers.com/2010/09/world-building-101-the-one-about-monsters/#comments Thu, 09 Sep 2010 07:17:42 +0000 Jonathan Drain's D20 Source http://www.d20source.com/?p=1997 http://www.rpgbloggers.com/2010/09/world-building-101-the-one-about-monsters/feed/ 0 Meeting Gamers from Back to (Role-Playing Game) Basics http://back2rpgbasics.blogspot.com/2010/09/meeting-gamers.html http://back2rpgbasics.blogspot.com/2010/09/meeting-gamers.html#comments Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0000 Back to RPG Basics tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459604270859239874.post-5817036733844735935 lot. While I'm a bit of an introvert I do enjoy meeting and talking with new-to-me people. Especially gamers. So I was pleased to meet another gamer on my most recent trip.

He was working the desk at the hotel I was staying at in downtown Phoenix. I had approached him because I needed information about getting to the airport the next morning to head home. As he answered my questions I noticed he was reading over a character sheet. An Order of Hermes character sheet from Mage: The Ascension, to be precise.

I asked him about it and he confirmed that he was playing in a Revised edition OWoD Mage game with his friends. I told him how cool that was and how much I love the original setting for Mage. We talked for several minutes about his game, the OWoD setting and getting back into play after a long absence. Talk quickly turned to technology, ebook readers and the iPad.

Eventually the client I was training arrived for our lunch meeting and I had to go, but, like a cheap whore, I scribbled down the URL to this blog and passed him the note. I walked away feeling very glad that I got to spend a few minutes during a long business week getting to talk about games with a fellow gamer.

This got me thinking about recognizing other gamers in the strangers around me. What could I do to let others know that I played RPG's to elicit further connection and interface? Is there an RPG 'gang sign' I can throw? Maybe some d20 bling? Obviously wearing my D&D t-shirt proclaims me as a member of the gaming set, but that is not exactly business attire when I'm working.

I think the simplest way to make that connection is reading gaming materials in public. Just as that character sheet clued me in that this fellow was a gamer, reading gaming material in public will let others know that I enjoy playing RPG's. Actual game books are best as they are iconic (and often very big and hard to miss). If I'm reading the Dresden Files RPG on my iPad (beautiful PDF that it is) someone has a to practically be looking over my shoulder in order to see what I'm reading. Nope, actual books are the way to go.

This also has the added benefit of inviting the curious on-looker to enquire about what it is at I'm reading. If the person is a non-gamer this gives me a chance to evangelize the wonders and magic that is the fantabulous world of RPG's. Three times a year there is the Read an RPG Book in Public Week. no reason to wait so long, grab a book and do it now.

I'm very interested in hearing how other folks proclaim their membership in the RPG Federation. Feel free to drop a comment on this blog post and share what you do to be recognized.


Follow your bliss,
JJ

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
]]> http://back2rpgbasics.blogspot.com/2010/09/meeting-gamers.html/feed/ 0 Adventures in Surrendering from Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/08/adventures-in-surrendering/ http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/08/adventures-in-surrendering/#comments Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:00:48 +0000 Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/?p=2060 http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/08/adventures-in-surrendering/feed/ 0 toolkit: five act structure from Fame & Fortune http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FameFortune/~3/s1AY0v--dcA/toolkit-five-act-structure.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FameFortune/~3/s1AY0v--dcA/toolkit-five-act-structure.html#comments Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:00:00 +0000 Fame & Fortune tag:www.rpgbloggers.com://61be738c73206b7de1201badabf05eed
Click the title if you want to know more...
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FameFortune/~3/s1AY0v--dcA/toolkit-five-act-structure.html/feed/ 0 Tales of Horror: D&D for TWEENS from Critical Hits » RPG http://critical-hits.com/2010/09/07/tales-of-horror-dd-for-tweens/ http://critical-hits.com/2010/09/07/tales-of-horror-dd-for-tweens/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:44:25 +0000 Critical Hits http://critical-hits.com/?p=15347 http://critical-hits.com/2010/09/07/tales-of-horror-dd-for-tweens/feed/ 0 101 Questions to Help Create Character Backgrounds and Personalities from Inkwell Ideas http://inkwellideas.com/?p=927 http://inkwellideas.com/?p=927#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:00:43 +0000 Inkwell Ideas http://inkwellideas.com/?p=927 http://inkwellideas.com/?p=927/feed/ 0 Opportunity Actions: DIY Templates 3 – Thunderwave from RPG Musings http://www.rpgmusings.com/2010/09/opportunity-actions-diy-templates-3-thunderwave/ http://www.rpgmusings.com/2010/09/opportunity-actions-diy-templates-3-thunderwave/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:51:29 +0000 DM Samuels RPG Musings http://www.rpgmusings.com/?p=1164 http://www.rpgmusings.com/2010/09/opportunity-actions-diy-templates-3-thunderwave/feed/ 0 hit point lessons from mm3 on a business card from Blog of Holding http://blogofholding.com/?p=782 http://blogofholding.com/?p=782#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:30:38 +0000 Blog of Holding http://blogofholding.com/?p=782 http://blogofholding.com/?p=782/feed/ 0 Such a Simple Yet Amazing Adventure Hook from Reality Refracted http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/such-simple-yet-amazing-adventure-hook.html http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/such-simple-yet-amazing-adventure-hook.html#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0000 Reality Refracted tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624244242117701070.post-1096523840062817096 http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/such-simple-yet-amazing-adventure-hook.html/feed/ 0 Risk and Reward In Gaming from RPG Blog II http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rpgblog2/~3/U-amlLZSI1Y/risk-and-reward-in-gaming.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rpgblog2/~3/U-amlLZSI1Y/risk-and-reward-in-gaming.html#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:03:00 +0000 RPG Blog II tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702508936667404812.post-7955901655126575216
One of the things I was thinking about was in regards to Risk and Reward in gaming.  Looking back at my earlier days of GMing, I used to run the super-easy, "Monty Haul"-type games.  No shame in it; I'm sure a lot of us did.  I threw out rune weapons left and right, even when I wasn't playing Rifts.  Base kobold raiders were sources of uncountable fortunes in gems and gold.  Even the lowliest mold or slime usually had a few invaluable tomes to give up.  It was like the players were in a card game with a $10 million jackpot, only the card game was 52-Card Pickup.

When the pendulum swung the other way, it swung hard.  Suddenly, everything was grim n' gritty.  I was a Killer DM.  A character couldn't take a leak without saving vs. death.  Every seemingly innocuous roadside inn was trapped, and every proffered dish poison.  Fortunately, I got called on this junk early, and it was a short phase. 

It took me an embarrassingly long time to understand that most players want appropriate challenges.  They don't mind the tough stuff, so long as there's an appropriate pay-off.  As Jeff Rients once said, "give the players the sun and make them fight for the moon".  You want to kill swamp rats all day for 1 tin piece each?  That's great, but all you're going to have is a bunch of dead rats and an empty stomach (unless...).  Oh, you want to be king?  Well, that's great, but the Royal Seal was lost in the Mountains of the Moon three centuries past, and the current Pretender on the throne is a bloodthirsty immortal necromancer, and there's the small problem of his army of stone giants...

So we get to balancing risk and reward.  This doesn't mean you have to give up the loot every time they kill something big.  Rewards can also be social, emotional, political, or spiritual; material rewards are just a small part of the whole.  That hill giant didn't have much loot, but damn if you aren't the hero of the entire barony now.  Sure, you lost 3 henchmen and an eye to slay him, but look at you now!

One of the big things to balancing risk and reward is to really sell it to the players.  They need to know the stakes, or at least the immediate consequences.  It can be as simple as "if I don't kill X right now, X kills me instead", but it can also be more involved as "if I don't become King of the Skelds by winning Lady Y's hand, my competition will have me beheaded as a traitor to the crown".  This risk should always be communicated.  Without risk, there is no heroism, no bravery, and not much in the way of a memorable tale. 

On the flip side, if everything is a risk, then it sort of loses its importance, doesn't it?  When you have to congratulate yourself for not fumbling and killing yourself while shoveling a dung heap, true risk tends to recede, because at that point everything is risky.

Now, there are some people who want Monty Haul campaigns, or want to make every 5-foot jump an Olympian test.  For those looking to find that happy medium, just remember your risk and reward.  A simple thing, apparently obvious, but one that hits people hard.
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rpgblog2/~3/U-amlLZSI1Y/risk-and-reward-in-gaming.html/feed/ 0 The Narrative Uses of Broken Things from Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/07/the-narrative-uses-of-broken-things/ http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/07/the-narrative-uses-of-broken-things/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:00:34 +0000 Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/?p=2057 http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/07/the-narrative-uses-of-broken-things/feed/ 0 Review: Dark Sun Campaign Setting, Part 4: Welcome to Athas from My Girlfriend is a DM http://mygirlfriendisadm.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/review-dark-sun-campaign-setting-part-4-welcome-to-athas/ http://mygirlfriendisadm.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/review-dark-sun-campaign-setting-part-4-welcome-to-athas/#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:45:56 +0000 My Girlfriend Is A DM http://mygirlfriendisadm.wordpress.com/?p=1793 Read more]]> http://mygirlfriendisadm.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/review-dark-sun-campaign-setting-part-4-welcome-to-athas/feed/ 0 Premature Ejaculation from Reality Refracted http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/premature-ejaculation.html http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/premature-ejaculation.html#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:15:00 +0000 Reality Refracted tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624244242117701070.post-5600892357997838670 http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/premature-ejaculation.html/feed/ 0 Game Science Dice from Back to (Role-Playing Game) Basics http://back2rpgbasics.blogspot.com/2010/09/game-science-dice.html http://back2rpgbasics.blogspot.com/2010/09/game-science-dice.html#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0000 Back to RPG Basics tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459604270859239874.post-1857586773022135503 GameScience Dice in actionBack at Origins I picked up my first pair of GameScience dice. After a busy summer I finally got a chance to give them a try. My oldest son offered to run Eberron (3.5) just so we could start gaming again. Between all the summer camps, travel, holidays and what-not, our semi-regular Back to Basics campaign had fallen by the wayside (as had my blog posting). Seems the only gaming I was doing was on Skype and there we used an on-line substitute to real dice.

So I dusted off Angus the Artificer and we picked up where we left off in the module Whispers of the Vampire's Blade. But before I could start playing I had an important ritual to complete with my new dice: coloring in the numbers. The opaque dice I selected at Origins (a nice dusty orange) did not come with painted numbers.

This didn't bother me in the least. See, the first (and second) set of gaming dice I acquired (and proudly still own) did not come with painted numbers either: the red Basic and blue Expert boxed sets of D&D. Those sets even came with a white crayon for the purpose of coloring in the numbers (yes, I still have the pieces of that original crayon in my dice bag; I'm working through this with my therapist); the GameScience dice did not. No biggie, I could borrow one from my boys.

(Some of you may be asking why I didn't use that original crayon for coloring in my new dice. Well, obviously, that crayon is only used for touch-up on the original dice. Yes, it is a sickness and admitting it is the first step to recovery.)

So, for the first time in 30 years I set to coloring in my dice. The artist in me settled on a dark blue-violet (I have to justify those years earning my BFA from time to time). I started with the d6, scraping the point of the crayon over each face. You see, the numbers on each die are indented, so, rubbing the crayon over these presses the dark wax into the recesses. It also sticks to the surface of the die; not very legible or pretty at this point. That is where the tissues come in.

The next step after coloring is polishing each die with tissues (a brand without lotion preferably, generic is preferred). Well, maybe not so much polishing as cleaning off the excess crayon. Throughout this process I'm turning the die over and over in my hand, feeling each side, each edge. In this way I'm getting to know each die. I notice at the edges are crisp and sharp. I also notice the rough spot where the die was broken off the 'tree' much like the parts of a plastic model kit.

This rough spot is a point of pride with the GameScience dice makers. It proves that the dice were not put through a tumbler to polish out the blemishes. Such polishing does smooth away the blemishes, but it also rounds the edges and results in unevenly-sized dice. By the way, that's also how dice with painted numbers are made: the dice are painted then polished to remove the paint from the sides while leaving it in the numbered recesses.

By the time I finished with my dice I was ready to start rolling. I gave each a few experimental rolls. I would drop each die from my hand at varying heights over the table. We were playing on a Chessex battle mat so it provided an even and slightly springy surface.

I was surprised to see that each die would bounce one or twice and then stop, even the d20. This was way cool. The sharp edges brought each die to a stop with a minimum of rolling. No more chasing run-away dice across the table. I could see that there would be much less sloppy die rolling in my future. As we played I paid attention to the results of each roll. While I did not try to stat the rolls I did feel that the results were suitably random enough for my tastes.

The end result is that I am very happy with my GameScience dice and I can't wait to get more. They have a great nostalgic quality and I can feel reassured that the dice are going to be impartial oracles. Now I wonder if the GameScience folks make Fudge dice too?

Follow your bliss,
JJ

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
]]> http://back2rpgbasics.blogspot.com/2010/09/game-science-dice.html/feed/ 0 Ask The GMs: Puzzles In Your Games from Campaign Mastery http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CampaignMastery/~3/TPDWVCYXfRk/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CampaignMastery/~3/TPDWVCYXfRk/#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:57:59 +0000 Campaign Mastery http://www.campaignmastery.com/blog/?p=2085 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CampaignMastery/~3/TPDWVCYXfRk/feed/ 0 Effort-based Experience Rewards from Sly Flourish http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SlyFlourish/~3/Uu6Ni6pFbmc/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SlyFlourish/~3/Uu6Ni6pFbmc/#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:39:44 +0000 Sly Flourish http://slyflourish.com/?p=1831 Continue reading →]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SlyFlourish/~3/Uu6Ni6pFbmc/feed/ 0 Some Ending Considerations from Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/06/some-ending-considerations/ http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/06/some-ending-considerations/#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:00:56 +0000 Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/?p=2054 http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/06/some-ending-considerations/feed/ 0 Cheap Alternatives to Miniatures from Jonathan Drain's D20 Source: Dungeons & Dragons Blog http://www.d20source.com/2010/09/cheap-alternatives-to-miniatures http://www.d20source.com/2010/09/cheap-alternatives-to-miniatures#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2010 07:00:07 +0000 Jonathan Drain's D20 Source http://www.d20source.com/?p=2000 http://www.d20source.com/2010/09/cheap-alternatives-to-miniatures/feed/ 0 From the Attic: Traveller Errata from Bat in the Attic http://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2010/09/from-attic-traveller-errata.html http://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2010/09/from-attic-traveller-errata.html#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:28:00 +0000 Bat in the Attic tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-297466698701204520 http://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2010/09/from-attic-traveller-errata.html/feed/ 0 quick and dirty geomorphs with inkscape from Fame & Fortune http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FameFortune/~3/UdBVhCGEhkg/quick-and-dirty-geomorphs-with-inkscape.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FameFortune/~3/UdBVhCGEhkg/quick-and-dirty-geomorphs-with-inkscape.html#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:00:00 +0000 Fame & Fortune tag:www.rpgbloggers.com://67b048c3ed9e27720e6ed2dd39ae8245
Click the title if you want to know more...
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FameFortune/~3/UdBVhCGEhkg/quick-and-dirty-geomorphs-with-inkscape.html/feed/ 0 TactiCon Day 2 (Friday) from Being an Online Dungeon Master http://onlinedm.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/tacticon-day-2-friday/ http://onlinedm.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/tacticon-day-2-friday/#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2010 06:41:13 +0000 OnlineDM tag:www.rpgbloggers.com://54f6baa1867bcf2acb50c2fc6fd265d7 ]]> http://onlinedm.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/tacticon-day-2-friday/feed/ 0 RPG Tools & Tech could kill Streamlined Mechanics from Free Spacer http://www.freespacer.com/2010/09/03/rpg-tools-tech-could-kill-streamlined-mechanics/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rpg-tools-tech-could-kill-streamlined-mechanics http://www.freespacer.com/2010/09/03/rpg-tools-tech-could-kill-streamlined-mechanics/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rpg-tools-tech-could-kill-streamlined-mechanics#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:42:14 +0000 Free Spacer http://www.freespacer.com/?p=165 [...]]]> http://www.freespacer.com/2010/09/03/rpg-tools-tech-could-kill-streamlined-mechanics/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rpg-tools-tech-could-kill-streamlined-mechanics/feed/ 0 Opportunity Actions: DIY Templates 2 – The Hardware Store from RPG Musings http://www.rpgmusings.com/2010/09/opportunity-actions-diy-templates-2-the-hardware-store/ http://www.rpgmusings.com/2010/09/opportunity-actions-diy-templates-2-the-hardware-store/#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:00:50 +0000 DM Samuels RPG Musings http://www.rpgmusings.com/?p=1034 http://www.rpgmusings.com/2010/09/opportunity-actions-diy-templates-2-the-hardware-store/feed/ 0 Lazy Friday Fantasy Metal Post: Edguy – Tears of the Mandrake from The Dungeoneering Dad http://thedungeoneeringdad.blogspot.com/2010/09/lazy-friday-fantasy-metal-post-edguy.html http://thedungeoneeringdad.blogspot.com/2010/09/lazy-friday-fantasy-metal-post-edguy.html#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:08:00 +0000 The Dungeoneering Dad tag:www.rpgbloggers.com://5559177c0a943df785616eb7ab5a79c8 ]]> http://thedungeoneeringdad.blogspot.com/2010/09/lazy-friday-fantasy-metal-post-edguy.html/feed/ 0 Minis Users: What About Classic Toy Soldiers? from RPG Blog II http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rpgblog2/~3/sWXtgc3B5NI/minis-users-what-about-classic-toy.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rpgblog2/~3/sWXtgc3B5NI/minis-users-what-about-classic-toy.html#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:03:00 +0000 RPG Blog II tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702508936667404812.post-5510979736621808755 Classic Toy Soldiers, a website that sells 25mm plastic soldiers, from fantasy to historical armies to the modern day.

Here are a couple of sets that caught my eye as far as populating my armies quickly:

Ancient Armies (Check out the Britons and the Hittites!)

Medieval (Vikings and Saxons and Saracens, oh my!)

For games like Colonial Gothic, there are also some pretty awesome sets:

Washington’s troops & Redcoats (I have no idea why there are Confederate soldiers included)

The pricing seems reasonable--has anyone had any experiences with them? What do you think?
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rpgblog2/~3/sWXtgc3B5NI/minis-users-what-about-classic-toy.html/feed/ 0 One hundred and seventeen pages of Errata!? from Bat in the Attic http://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2010/09/one-hundred-and-seventeen-pages-of.html http://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2010/09/one-hundred-and-seventeen-pages-of.html#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:00:00 +0000 Bat in the Attic tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-8270795558119766766 http://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2010/09/one-hundred-and-seventeen-pages-of.html/feed/ 0 Poker Face: Even DMs Make Bluff Checks from My Girlfriend is a DM http://mygirlfriendisadm.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/poker-face-even-dms-make-bluff-checks/ http://mygirlfriendisadm.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/poker-face-even-dms-make-bluff-checks/#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:07:46 +0000 My Girlfriend Is A DM http://mygirlfriendisadm.wordpress.com/?p=1455 Read more]]> http://mygirlfriendisadm.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/poker-face-even-dms-make-bluff-checks/feed/ 0 The Anatomy Of Evil: What Makes a Good Villain? from Campaign Mastery http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CampaignMastery/~3/dJWC3lkvnYs/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CampaignMastery/~3/dJWC3lkvnYs/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:11:57 +0000 Campaign Mastery http://www.campaignmastery.com/blog/?p=2196 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CampaignMastery/~3/dJWC3lkvnYs/feed/ 0 Needles of Knitting +5: Using The Craft Skill To Its Best Advantage from Geek's Dream Girl » Dungeons & Dragons / RPGs http://geeksdreamgirl.com/2010/09/02/needles-of-knitting-5-using-the-craft-skill-to-its-best-advantage/ http://geeksdreamgirl.com/2010/09/02/needles-of-knitting-5-using-the-craft-skill-to-its-best-advantage/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:31:19 +0000 Geek's Dream Girl http://geeksdreamgirl.com/?p=5894 http://geeksdreamgirl.com/2010/09/02/needles-of-knitting-5-using-the-craft-skill-to-its-best-advantage/feed/ 0 Wounds and Wound Penalties from Reality Refracted http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/wounds-and-wound-penalties.html http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/wounds-and-wound-penalties.html#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:40:00 +0000 Reality Refracted tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624244242117701070.post-7561980260652990165 http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/wounds-and-wound-penalties.html/feed/ 0 Random Generation: Interview With Chaotic Shiny’s Hannah Lipsky from RPG Blog II http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rpgblog2/~3/XtMbJVTjf_0/random-generation-interview-with.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rpgblog2/~3/XtMbJVTjf_0/random-generation-interview-with.html#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:02:00 +0000 RPG Blog II tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702508936667404812.post-8846039548729588695 Hannah Lipsky of Chaotic Shiny Productions, someone who knows as much about random generation programs for RPGs as anyone out there. Hannah is here to talk about her awesome new Kingdom Builder II program pack, her other available generators, Chaotic Shiny's other projects, and a bit about being a small-press gaming company.

Best of all, as a thank-you to RPG Blog 2 readers, the first twenty people to use the code "RPGB2ROCKS" at the Chaotic Shiny store this month receive 25% off any purchase! Act fast, because those twenty uses will go quick! How awesome is that? Now, on to the interview!

Chaotic Shiny has one of the largest collections of RPG generator tools I've seen. How did you get involved in writing these sorts of programs?

I started freeform play-by-post roleplaying way back on AvidGamers. I noticed that a lot of sites there had similar names, so I made a couple site name generators as a joke. Not long after, I realized I was playing a lot of similar characters, so I made a character generator as a way to help stretch my creativity.

A while later, I was running a tri-stat dX game and having a lot of trouble coming up with taverns on the fly. The tavern generator was the first really detailed generator I made, and the first one specifically for use in tabletop RPGs.

After that I made a generator whenever I thought I'd need something original on the fly during a game, and then I started making generators off other people's suggestions, or just because I had a cool idea.

What can you tell us about your upcoming generator, Kingdom Builder II?

It combines some of the existing generators on Chaotic Shiny, like the Law and Fashion gens, with some totally new generators. The Events gen comes up with things like "A new species of minotaur has been sighted near a southern forest, and there have been severe thunderstorms. A popular scion may be involved." The Conspirator gen gives you interesting people to build hooks from. And of course there's the visual Flag gen, which makes pictures of flags - you can even use your own image as the charge.

It's based on suggestions about the original Kingdom Builder pack, which is my most popular product to date. You can use the two together to create a fully fleshed-out kingdom brimming with plot hooks, or use any of the generators on their own whenever you need them.

How often do random charts, generators, and tables factor into your own games?

I used to use my generators during my games all the time. Recently I've been trying to run with just a notebook and pencil, no laptop in sight. It's a bit of a relief to run with just what's on the table in front of me, but it does mean that if I want to use my generators, I have to plan ahead.

You've also been working on some things with Chaotic Shiny Productions, both some generators and books like Martial Flavor, a 4e sourcebook regarding martial cultures. What are you currently working on?

The next book we have coming out is Arcane Flavor, the sequel to Martial Flavor. It has five unique cultures that each put their own twist on magic - from the half-fey city of Cailleath to the shadows where the Ternion stalk their prey, and the ringing peaks of Valok where evil bards reign supreme.

I'm very happy with the cool stuff I've come up with for the book, and the art by Rachel is absolutely gorgeous. She takes my artistic direction of, "I dunno, tall buildings and fire and stuff - and try to have fewer women this time; people complained" and comes up with digital paintings that are exactly what I envisioned, only better.

As a small press company, how do you compete with larger concerns that can perhaps afford more helping hands, art direction, or have more resources?

I don't. I do this because I love it. If I can break even or even make a profit, that's awesome. I certainly can't pay myself a living wage doing this, but that's why it's not my day job. Not to say I'm not serious about the business side of things - I am. But I know I'm not going to be the next Paizo, and I'm okay with that.

What's been the biggest lesson you've learned on the publishing side of things so far?

Never announce deadlines. Real life comes up, both for me and other people, and there's nothing worse than having to nag a friend who's already stressed out just so you can make a deadline you ignorantly set six months ago. Now I have general times when I shoot for releases, but I never make a specific date public. That way, when my internet goes down for a week or I'm invited on a spur of the moment camping trip, I don't need to apologize to my fans.

What sort of continuing impact do you see the digital revolution having on smaller gaming publishers, and, indeed, RPG publishers as a whole?

I wouldn't be able to publish at all if it weren't for the online market. It's made it possible for small press to exist, by drastically cutting down costs and making it easier to get the word out. As for larger publishers, that really depends on how they react to it. I think there's a lot of cool things that can happen if big publishers go with the new technology instead of trying to resist it.

What can we look for for the rest of this year and going into 2011?

I'm going to keep coming out with free generators on Chaotic Shiny, of course. I aim for two a month, though real life has been getting in the way a lot more frequently now that I have a full time job.

There will be more generator packs from Chaotic Shiny Productions, though I'm not sure yet what the next one will be. I'll be coming out with Arcane Cultures, taking the cultures from Arcane Flavor and releasing them in a (most likely) systemless form.

I'll keep coming out with cool free stuff like Tavern Tables, the Damager and 10 Fantasy Coins. Free products let me play around with new ideas without the pressure of making something that will sell, so they're a lot of fun to work on.

I'm working on some cool collaborative projects with some other people, though I can't say too much about them yet. Suffice to say that they are very shiny indeed.

Again, thanks to Hannah Lipsky for a great Q&A and a great special for the readers. Remember, the code for 25% off at the Chaotic Shiny store is "RPGB2ROCKS"! Hannah rocks, too--make sure to let her know!
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rpgblog2/~3/XtMbJVTjf_0/random-generation-interview-with.html/feed/ 0 Minions on the Table from Critical Hits » RPG http://critical-hits.com/2010/09/02/minions-on-the-table/ http://critical-hits.com/2010/09/02/minions-on-the-table/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:00:02 +0000 Critical Hits http://critical-hits.com/?p=15264 http://critical-hits.com/2010/09/02/minions-on-the-table/feed/ 0 Magical Location Design: Ravyn’s Guide to Geomancy from Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/02/magical-location-design-ravyns-guide-to-geomancy/ http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/02/magical-location-design-ravyns-guide-to-geomancy/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:00:57 +0000 Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/?p=2041 http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/02/magical-location-design-ravyns-guide-to-geomancy/feed/ 0 Inspired by Facebook (and Shelly Mazzanoble)… from StupidRanger.com » rpgbloggers http://www.stupidranger.com/2010/09/inspired-by-facebook-and-shelly-mazzanoble.php http://www.stupidranger.com/2010/09/inspired-by-facebook-and-shelly-mazzanoble.php#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:13:09 +0000 StupidRanger.com http://www.stupidranger.com/?p=948 http://www.stupidranger.com/2010/09/inspired-by-facebook-and-shelly-mazzanoble.php/feed/ 0 World Building 101: Another Day at the Races from Jonathan Drain's D20 Source: Dungeons & Dragons Blog http://www.d20source.com/2010/09/world-building-101-another-day-at-the-races http://www.d20source.com/2010/09/world-building-101-another-day-at-the-races#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:00:37 +0000 Jonathan Drain's D20 Source http://www.d20source.com/?p=1988 http://www.d20source.com/2010/09/world-building-101-another-day-at-the-races/feed/ 0 Toronto Fan Expo: The DM Master Class Seminar from Critical Hits » RPG http://critical-hits.com/2010/09/01/toronto-fan-expo-the-dm-master-class-seminar/ http://critical-hits.com/2010/09/01/toronto-fan-expo-the-dm-master-class-seminar/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:50:54 +0000 Critical Hits http://critical-hits.com/?p=15228 http://critical-hits.com/2010/09/01/toronto-fan-expo-the-dm-master-class-seminar/feed/ 0 Rolling the Hard Six from Reality Refracted http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/rolling-hard-six.html http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/rolling-hard-six.html#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:55:00 +0000 Reality Refracted tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624244242117701070.post-3785247777760306291 http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/09/rolling-hard-six.html/feed/ 0 Unisystem experiences and “unbalanced” games from The Omnipotent Eye http://theomnipotenteye.blogspot.com/2010/09/unisystem-experiences-and-unbalanced.html http://theomnipotenteye.blogspot.com/2010/09/unisystem-experiences-and-unbalanced.html#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:16:00 +0000 The Omnipotent Eye tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120006649160021749.post-7377880344300386220 http://theomnipotenteye.blogspot.com/2010/09/unisystem-experiences-and-unbalanced.html/feed/ 0 Magical Location Design: To Every Place, a Purpose from Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/01/magical-location-design-to-every-place-a-purpose/ http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/01/magical-location-design-to-every-place-a-purpose/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:00:58 +0000 Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/?p=2038 http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/09/01/magical-location-design-to-every-place-a-purpose/feed/ 0 preparation – everything or nothing? from Fame & Fortune http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FameFortune/~3/nCScST7nE8k/preparation-everything-or-nothing.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FameFortune/~3/nCScST7nE8k/preparation-everything-or-nothing.html#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:00:00 +0000 Fame & Fortune tag:www.rpgbloggers.com://daf1e15a17d3f61ba4f95239bb1377a3
Click the title if you want to know more...
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FameFortune/~3/nCScST7nE8k/preparation-everything-or-nothing.html/feed/ 0 The projector setup is a success! from Being an Online Dungeon Master http://onlinedm.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/the-projector-setup-is-a-success/ http://onlinedm.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/the-projector-setup-is-a-success/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:04:32 +0000 OnlineDM tag:www.rpgbloggers.com://9bb5d00e24896e585981bd9f35bb3e93 ]]> http://onlinedm.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/the-projector-setup-is-a-success/feed/ 0 The Importance of a “Go To” System from Reality Refracted http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/08/importance-of-go-to-system.html http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/08/importance-of-go-to-system.html#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:13:00 +0000 Reality Refracted tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624244242117701070.post-8647886709702768417 http://www.realityrefracted.com/2010/08/importance-of-go-to-system.html/feed/ 0 Come to me my jungle friends! from Stargazer's World http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StargazersWorld/~3/ncXCTVNecz8/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StargazersWorld/~3/ncXCTVNecz8/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:00:32 +0000 Stargazer's World tag:www.rpgbloggers.com://f334a0322434f61885301619f351174b http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StargazersWorld/~3/ncXCTVNecz8/feed/ 0 Magical Location Design: Establishing a Mood from Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/08/31/magical-location-design-establishing-a-mood/ http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/08/31/magical-location-design-establishing-a-mood/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:00:56 +0000 Exchange of Realities http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/?p=2035 http://www.exchangeofrealities.com/2010/08/31/magical-location-design-establishing-a-mood/feed/ 0 Dice, Dice Baby by MC 117 from The Dungeoneering Dad http://thedungeoneeringdad.blogspot.com/2010/08/dice-dice-baby-by-mc-117.html http://thedungeoneeringdad.blogspot.com/2010/08/dice-dice-baby-by-mc-117.html#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:36:00 +0000 The Dungeoneering Dad tag:www.rpgbloggers.com://71e14294775b532f10cb66ff15ae957f Ok, this is pretty good. Thanks to Dave "the Knave" for this one: Dice Dice Baby by MC 117.
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