151
Role Playing Public Radio Podcast / Re: New world campaign
« on: June 08, 2010, 10:29:28 PM »
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152
Role Playing Public Radio Podcast / Re: Fuzzworld: Dan's Exodus
« on: June 08, 2010, 10:24:48 PM »
I would be game for that. Hell, I'll even run a one-shot! Not that you guys know my GMing skills or anything.
153
Role Playing Public Radio Podcast / Fuzzworld: Dan's Exodus
« on: June 06, 2010, 11:21:52 AM »
Ok, for those of you who listen to the main podcast (which is what, nobody? 
), I want to know what the gaming scene in San Diego is like. I'll be staying with family close to the navy base for awhile until I land a job (College degree don't fail me now) and get out on my own.
And yes, I realize a city that large is going to have many different scenes. I just want to get a sampling.
), I want to know what the gaming scene in San Diego is like. I'll be staying with family close to the navy base for awhile until I land a job (College degree don't fail me now) and get out on my own.And yes, I realize a city that large is going to have many different scenes. I just want to get a sampling.
154
RPGs / Re: Running 4th Edition: Deck of Many Encounters
« on: May 24, 2010, 11:27:43 PM »
I started it for when my heroic tier campaign was going on a cross-country trip to deliver undeniable proof of demonic incursions in their home village to the Emperor. Originally I had used that template to assign monsters to each card and deal them for each encounter. Mechanically I wanted them to gain a level during the trip, and with 52 cards, that gives you 10 encounters w/ 5 monsters each, with 3 extra for variety, so about one level. I took the levels from the suggested encounters from the DMG, tuning it a little harder as my crew was running 6 players at the time with some stupid synergy (Human Fighter, Half-Elf Warlord, Eladrin Rogue, Eladrin Wizard, Tiefling Feylock, and Human Archer Ranger)
About halfway through the trip, I decided that the leveling curve was slower than I'd like, so instead of adhocing levels, I granted bonus xp for each milestone beyond the first, so I abandoned the assigning cards for each level, and just left it tuned hard to keep them from hitting Milestone 4. Milestone 2, 3, and 4 would give each player the exp of an equal level monster, elite, and solo respectively. You'd be amazed how the Solo Exp Carrot can influence decisions on when to rest.
If you want to balance it down closer to party level, you are going to want to change enough of the pluses to minuses to take the total down by about 25-30 (if I mathed it right).
About halfway through the trip, I decided that the leveling curve was slower than I'd like, so instead of adhocing levels, I granted bonus xp for each milestone beyond the first, so I abandoned the assigning cards for each level, and just left it tuned hard to keep them from hitting Milestone 4. Milestone 2, 3, and 4 would give each player the exp of an equal level monster, elite, and solo respectively. You'd be amazed how the Solo Exp Carrot can influence decisions on when to rest.
If you want to balance it down closer to party level, you are going to want to change enough of the pluses to minuses to take the total down by about 25-30 (if I mathed it right).
155
RPGs / Running 4th Edition: Deck of Many Encounters
« on: May 23, 2010, 10:35:14 PM »
I've been going through my RPG stuff, and found this Template I drew up back when I first started DMing 4th. Use it with a regular deck of playing cards. +X, -X, =X refers to party level. Minions come in groups of four.
I've used this in a few different ways. Typically I deal Number of party members +2, and return two of my choice back to the deck. Once a card is used, keep it aside until the party levels up before shuffling it back in. I also use Jokers for a random solo encounter or significant event (Natural Disaster, BBEG crashing the party, Etc.) if I feel like I want to have the chance at one.
Another thought I had was to let the players have a hand of cards, where the GM calls for a random encounter and each player hands him a card.
| Hearts: 2: Brute -1 3: Soldier = 4: Brute +1 5: Soldier -1 6: Brute = 7: Skirmisher +1 8: Skirmisher -2 9: Skirmisher +4 10: Minion +4 J: Artillery -2 Q: Controller +4 K: Minion +5 A: Elite Artillery +3 | Diamonds 2: Brute = 3: Soldier +1 4: Soldier -1 5: Soldier = 6: Brute +1 7: Skirmisher -1 8: Skirmisher -2 9: Skirmisher -2 10: Minion +2 J: Artillery -2 Q: Controller +5 K: Artillery -1 A: Elite Controller +3 | Clubs: 2: Brute +1 3: Soldier -1 4: Brute = 5: Soldier +5 6: Brute -1 7: Skirmisher = 8: Skirmisher +2 9: Skirmisher +1 10: Minion -2 J: Artillery = Q: Controller +1 K: Controller = A: Elite Lurker +3 | Spades: 2: Brute -1 3: Soldier = 4: Soldier +1 5: Soldier -1 6: Brute = 7: Skirmisher +1 8: Skirmisher +2 9: Skirmisher +1 10: Minion -2 J: Artillery -2 Q: Controller +2 K: Lurker +2 A: Elite Soldier +3 |
I've used this in a few different ways. Typically I deal Number of party members +2, and return two of my choice back to the deck. Once a card is used, keep it aside until the party levels up before shuffling it back in. I also use Jokers for a random solo encounter or significant event (Natural Disaster, BBEG crashing the party, Etc.) if I feel like I want to have the chance at one.
Another thought I had was to let the players have a hand of cards, where the GM calls for a random encounter and each player hands him a card.
156
General Chaos / Re: Hey Patrick...
« on: May 19, 2010, 01:19:01 PM »
Kasteel drinks like juice with nearly 9% alcohol content. Now to balance the equation, I also enjoy a nice loaf of Guinness, Blue Moon, local microbrews, pretty much anything that's not made in the US. Now I will drink Bud (Golden Wheat, preferably) or Coors when there's nothing else available or if someone else is paying.
157
RPGs / Re: 4th Edition: Player's Strategy Guide
« on: May 17, 2010, 11:35:10 PM »
It's essentially a thinner DMG for players. From how to identify a GM that won't match your style, to how to select powers/skills/feats that don't counteract your ideas of the character for efficiency. And yes, there are sections on how to do some silly things (How to build the fastest character).
If you guys really want I can give a full-blow review once I'm done, hopefully something shiny does not come along to distract me. I was just more curious if anyone else braved these waters.
If you guys really want I can give a full-blow review once I'm done, hopefully something shiny does not come along to distract me. I was just more curious if anyone else braved these waters.
158
RPGs / 4th Edition: Player's Strategy Guide
« on: May 17, 2010, 09:46:59 PM »
Anyone else pick this up? I'm a couple chapters in and I think it's a good book to have on hand when new players keep asking questions about how to build characters.
159
General Chaos / Re: Hey Patrick...
« on: May 17, 2010, 01:17:35 PM »
I had two that night. And a vodka/gin martini, anda couple import beers. And a car bomb.
-Dan, classy alcoholic since 2006
-Dan, classy alcoholic since 2006
160
Role Playing Public Radio Podcast / Re: Cody Fan Club
« on: May 15, 2010, 05:58:04 PM »
I have no clue how this only lasted 17 episodes.
161
Role Playing Public Radio Podcast / Re: Codex of War - New World ransom
« on: May 15, 2010, 01:30:42 PM »Ive never seen them on somone whos got bolognai nips, I bet that woudl be gross.... Or big pastys.
Cold day in Missouri.
*froths at the mouth a little*
So we can pass a bill to invest taxpayer money to enforce the reduction of a vice industry (which tends to be one of the things that is successful during tough economic times), but this is the same MO legislature that continues to bleed it's child and family services funding, including the elimination of the Family Reunification Services budget. Family Values indeed.
163
General Chaos / Re: Way more exciting than it should be.
« on: May 13, 2010, 07:08:24 PM »Let me warn you about something annoying about smart phones. Because I teach at two different colleges right now (one semester is ending but my summer teaching has already begun), I get approximately 75 emails a day to the three different accounts I have set up. So I've had to turn off all my notifications so that my phone only makes noise if someone is calling me.
Fortunately, the Devour has the most unobtrusive-but-noticeable vibe setting of any phone I've ever had. It's like a marimba bar being struck, only tactile.
Also, in before vibration jokes.
Is that what she said?
164
General Chaos / Re: The Corrupt A Wish Thread
« on: May 12, 2010, 10:22:34 PM »I wish I had a teaching bot programmed with AI that matched my personality to teach my classes.
Granted. The bot commits itself to mastering every aspect of your personality. Eventually its studies leads it to find your performance wanting and plans to kill you and assume your identity.
I wish I had $3000, American, with no strings attached, physical, metaphysical, metaphorical, etc.
165
General Chaos / Re: The Corrupt A Wish Thread
« on: May 10, 2010, 12:58:10 AM »
I wish I had the time to watch beowuuf enjoy his time in my car by him self.
Granted. You are in the next car over, similarly trapped but with only 3/4 as much water, a pant leg full of sand, and a vague Idea that maybe, just maybe, the sand can filter your urine.
I wish I don't spend much time unemployed once I move to San Diego.