(no subject)

[gothwalk]

OK. Just so ye all know, I'm trying to follow a policy of not doing any non-work surfing between 10:00 and 12:00 and 13:00 and 17:30, with a brief glance at lj at 16:00 to make sure the world hasn't exploded. This is part of my new time management efforts. Also part of the new time management efforts will be forcing Marketing, with harsh words, dirty looks and blunt weapons, to fill in specification forms at the beginning of projects. If anyone out there has such a spec form, I'd appreciate a copy.

Last night's Middle Kingdoms game was rather good. It was something of a hack-fest, but it ran very well, since I had matched the opponents nicely to the party, and niallm has a good knowledge of the rules (and is wonderfully non-oppositional in his way of introducing them) and a solid notion of tactics to boot. So Eres, Gaspar and Clainlee managed to hack, slash, burn, and generally wreak mayhem through to about 2500 xp each. I'm going to get myself a new d20, though, the lethal little spider-things (which will remain unnamed until the players or the characters figure out what they are) weren't nearly lethal enough. I kept rolling 2s. Eres pushing a thug into a fireplace and holding him there was funny, though, especially given that there was a good fire lighting in it.

I woke up this morning not hungry. This is unusual, but I thought nothing of it. By the time I got to the DART, though, I was really hungry, and had a headache by the time I got to work. I have now been fed, but the headache is kicking the doors on the way out.

Comments

Rules lawyers, how not to be one

[niallm.livejournal.com]

Having been a DM and player in more-or-less equal measure for the 14 years, I know how much of a pain it is when someone is aggressive about rules. I present them as things to think about rather than to blindly follow because, ultimately, they are there to guide. It's also easier to decide what to do when the situation isn't loaded with anti-GM or anti-player feeling.

And, my father was a diplomat :)

[gothwalk.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know how close it was - that's why it was good. If a combat doesn't carry any risks for the PCs, it's just Diablo-esque monsterburger manufacture. As it was, there was risk of dying, and that's more fun.

[radegund.livejournal.com]

>>As it was, there was risk of dying, and that's more fun.

Very much for the first time, too, since niallm and I joined in. Quite a rush. (I get a serious kick out of playing a testosterone-sodden brick-shithouse-in-training. No surprises there, then.)

We were commenting on GMing styles in the car on the way home. My impression is that gothwalk favours a game universe that is ultimately on the benign side, and where Things Are Possible(TM). The other GMs I've played with all seem to take a far bleaker approach - it's either "Puny People Pitted Against Invisible Enemies With No Useful Knowledge Or Equipment" or "Think You'll Outsmart Me, Do You?". Both excellent when done well, of course - and variety is also refreshing.

Anyway, great session.

[radegund.livejournal.com]

olethros, you clearly have a way with dice. They listen to you.

[sage-and-sea.livejournal.com]

I'm trying the same thing, as of yesterday. Reading mail and LJ first thing in the morning (usually takes me from 9-10ish), then I'm not allowed to look at it again until noon (lunchtime) then again at 4 pm. In between, I must study (since I don't have any work to do) - brushing up the HTML, working toward getting a MOUS certification, something that isn't just random surfing.

Good luck to you!