Sorry for deleting the comments to my previous post. I was trying to clear duplicates and it cleared everything. The comments section of my blog has been fritzing a lot lately. I better get Georgi on that fast...
AD
Barking Alien
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
No Greater Feeling
One of my players recently gave me what I feel is a huge compliment. Huge to the point where I've been inspired, spurred on if you will, to up my game even more than I try to do already. I've only been GMing for this fellow for about a year and a half and this is what he said to me last Sunday...
"The first campaign I played in [with the current group] was a D&D game and it was hot. The next one was hot too. The third one was also pretty hot. Then...nothing. You came along, joined the group, started GMing your game and it was FIRE. Everything you touch is fire. I will play in any game you run."
At the risk of sounding sappy, this kinda moved me. Sometimes you see your players faces, hear the gasps and laughs and cheers and you still go home and say to yourself, "Man, was that good? Did they really like it?" Do you? I do. I put forth a lot of bravado at the table but I'm actually not that self-assured. This was like getting solid proof of a job well done. This was better than a pat on the back, someone buying the GM a soda or any kind of thank you. It was made even more meaningful because I know for myself that I don't need or want a thank you. I do want people to tell me whether they liked my game or not though so I can constently adjust and improve it.
My friend's statement was all that and a bag of chips.
Good gaming all,
AD
Barking Alien
"The first campaign I played in [with the current group] was a D&D game and it was hot. The next one was hot too. The third one was also pretty hot. Then...nothing. You came along, joined the group, started GMing your game and it was FIRE. Everything you touch is fire. I will play in any game you run."
At the risk of sounding sappy, this kinda moved me. Sometimes you see your players faces, hear the gasps and laughs and cheers and you still go home and say to yourself, "Man, was that good? Did they really like it?" Do you? I do. I put forth a lot of bravado at the table but I'm actually not that self-assured. This was like getting solid proof of a job well done. This was better than a pat on the back, someone buying the GM a soda or any kind of thank you. It was made even more meaningful because I know for myself that I don't need or want a thank you. I do want people to tell me whether they liked my game or not though so I can constently adjust and improve it.
My friend's statement was all that and a bag of chips.
Good gaming all,
AD
Barking Alien
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Dragons I Have Known
Discussing the dragons of 'How to Train Your Dragon' with a friend of mine I realize that I like the way the beasties were depicted. The creatures in the movie definitely have a form of Gygaxian naturalism but one I sort of prefer over D&D's Red, Blue, Green, Gold, Tin, Chartreuse, etc.
Left unchecked, the idea of categorizing and defining magical life can get a bit too MMO sounding for me, but if handled just right, it adds that perfect blend of realistic human nature (our desire to label and therefore believe we comprehend things better), whimsy (creative naming is fun and helps one remember) and awesome (the first time something with a funny name that you think you know kicks yours ass you gain a new found respect for it).
The dragons of my primary D&D universe are a unique case. Aside from varying greatly in size and power, they mostly follow the classic chromatic and metallic patterns of distinguishing them. This is because I've been running this world off and on for 25 years and its definitely built on old school foundations, even if the ground level up no longer really reflects that.
The following dragons hail from other places and times, perhaps even here, now, just to the left of the shadow at the corner of your eye. Others are long gone, never to be heard from again, though the woods will tell you to keep listening for them just the same.
The Bric-a-Brac Filthwyrm
Like all 'Filthwyrms', this medium sized snake-like dragon has long thin limbs, a narrow neck, and a slim head. It dwells in garbage piles, sewage holes, or other places where large amounts of trash are gathered. The Bric-a-Brac is visually distinguished by it natural camouflage of alternating green, brown and greyish bands of color. The wings of a Bric-a-Brac, as is common for Filthwyrms, are vestigial and always pulled tight against the body. It is nocturnal and prefers to sleep under its trash during daylight hours. Even at night it appears to have a disdain for bright lights.
The beast gets its name from its habit of not simply wallowing in humanity's waste and rubbish but collecting pieces to adorn its nest and its body, further adding to its camouflage and in some cases creating an extra layer of armor. Its breath is a flammable, noxious gas that clings to surfaces like a sticky mist (which is how it attaches items to its skin). It will aim this breath at the first person carrying a lighted torch that it perceives, resulting in a dangerous, explosive cloud burst.
The Gable Canyon Hell Kite
Do not let the size of this creature fool you into underestimating its ferocity. Barely larger than a herding dog, the red clay-colored Hell Kite of the dry and desolate Gable Canyon is a force to be reckoned with. Its 'wings' are more folds of skin, similar to those of a flying squirrel. Its extremely long tail (about twice the length of the body) has three sets of rudder fins making it phenomenally maneuverable, even at high velocity.
Left unchecked, the idea of categorizing and defining magical life can get a bit too MMO sounding for me, but if handled just right, it adds that perfect blend of realistic human nature (our desire to label and therefore believe we comprehend things better), whimsy (creative naming is fun and helps one remember) and awesome (the first time something with a funny name that you think you know kicks yours ass you gain a new found respect for it).
The dragons of my primary D&D universe are a unique case. Aside from varying greatly in size and power, they mostly follow the classic chromatic and metallic patterns of distinguishing them. This is because I've been running this world off and on for 25 years and its definitely built on old school foundations, even if the ground level up no longer really reflects that.
The following dragons hail from other places and times, perhaps even here, now, just to the left of the shadow at the corner of your eye. Others are long gone, never to be heard from again, though the woods will tell you to keep listening for them just the same.
The Bric-a-Brac Filthwyrm
Like all 'Filthwyrms', this medium sized snake-like dragon has long thin limbs, a narrow neck, and a slim head. It dwells in garbage piles, sewage holes, or other places where large amounts of trash are gathered. The Bric-a-Brac is visually distinguished by it natural camouflage of alternating green, brown and greyish bands of color. The wings of a Bric-a-Brac, as is common for Filthwyrms, are vestigial and always pulled tight against the body. It is nocturnal and prefers to sleep under its trash during daylight hours. Even at night it appears to have a disdain for bright lights.
The beast gets its name from its habit of not simply wallowing in humanity's waste and rubbish but collecting pieces to adorn its nest and its body, further adding to its camouflage and in some cases creating an extra layer of armor. Its breath is a flammable, noxious gas that clings to surfaces like a sticky mist (which is how it attaches items to its skin). It will aim this breath at the first person carrying a lighted torch that it perceives, resulting in a dangerous, explosive cloud burst.
The Gable Canyon Hell Kite
Do not let the size of this creature fool you into underestimating its ferocity. Barely larger than a herding dog, the red clay-colored Hell Kite of the dry and desolate Gable Canyon is a force to be reckoned with. Its 'wings' are more folds of skin, similar to those of a flying squirrel. Its extremely long tail (about twice the length of the body) has three sets of rudder fins making it phenomenally maneuverable, even at high velocity.
Often, you will see its shadow on the ground before it strikes, though the image will appear to be that of a kite gently gliding high above the canyon. Moments later, the dragon will make a dive toward its target with incredible speed, firing off a quick, thin jet of flame before shooting back up into the sky or landing on a high outcropping. The foul beast will repeat this aerial 'hit and run' tactic until its opponent is dead. It will then descend to eat or to tear off pieces to eat in safety and privacy somewhere in the canyon crevices. Mostly solitary, reports of two or three attacking at once are not unheard of if food is scarce.
The Dotted Lurking Luomber Drake
A most curious member of the dragon family lives in the ruins of Luomber Castle, nestled high in North Eastern mountains. Rarely seen (largely because few want to visit it), this creature most often makes its presence known by its unusual call, a melodic, although near-deafening, bellow of melancholy tones. It only makes this powerful and moving sound during terrible storms and on the anniversary of Hansel Von Luomber's birth and tragic death. Some believe that Hansel, a sailor and adventurer, found the dragon as an egg and raised it. When a terrible storm at sea claimed the young man's life the dragon began its endless mourning.
Many fools have attempted to pilfer the treasures of the castle since the last Luomber perished but the Drake will have none of that. He (it is often called he though no one knows its gender for certain) will defend the castle with every ounce of his being and is quite the formidable foe. The Drake has six limbs, four legs and two large wings and his forelimbs end in hands resembling a man or ape. Both hands and hind feet have large, curving, razor sharp claws that aid in climbing as well as combat. The Drake is approximately the size of an elephant, with a neck and tail half as long as its body (the tail may be a bit longer). Its scaly hide is a deep blue-black color, with pale blue-grey and grey-lavender spots done its neck, back and on its hind quarters. The smallest of these spots is the size of a thumbprint and the largest the size of a man's palm.
In addition to its fiery breath, which is blue in color and can melt the finest armor to a pool at your feet in but one or two blasts, the Luomber Castle Drake can apparently turn invisible or at least clear as one Monk observed while assisting distant relatives with the families affairs many years ago. The Monk said he felt as if he were being watched and turned to see glowing, pale lavender eyes like those of a cat, looking out at him from the face of dragon "seemingly made of water or glass. I saw the shape of it and I saw through it as well."
The Drake has never attacked clergy or Luomber kin or anyone else who has approached the castle with a lack of ill intent.
AD
Barking Alien
The Dotted Lurking Luomber Drake
A most curious member of the dragon family lives in the ruins of Luomber Castle, nestled high in North Eastern mountains. Rarely seen (largely because few want to visit it), this creature most often makes its presence known by its unusual call, a melodic, although near-deafening, bellow of melancholy tones. It only makes this powerful and moving sound during terrible storms and on the anniversary of Hansel Von Luomber's birth and tragic death. Some believe that Hansel, a sailor and adventurer, found the dragon as an egg and raised it. When a terrible storm at sea claimed the young man's life the dragon began its endless mourning.
Many fools have attempted to pilfer the treasures of the castle since the last Luomber perished but the Drake will have none of that. He (it is often called he though no one knows its gender for certain) will defend the castle with every ounce of his being and is quite the formidable foe. The Drake has six limbs, four legs and two large wings and his forelimbs end in hands resembling a man or ape. Both hands and hind feet have large, curving, razor sharp claws that aid in climbing as well as combat. The Drake is approximately the size of an elephant, with a neck and tail half as long as its body (the tail may be a bit longer). Its scaly hide is a deep blue-black color, with pale blue-grey and grey-lavender spots done its neck, back and on its hind quarters. The smallest of these spots is the size of a thumbprint and the largest the size of a man's palm.
In addition to its fiery breath, which is blue in color and can melt the finest armor to a pool at your feet in but one or two blasts, the Luomber Castle Drake can apparently turn invisible or at least clear as one Monk observed while assisting distant relatives with the families affairs many years ago. The Monk said he felt as if he were being watched and turned to see glowing, pale lavender eyes like those of a cat, looking out at him from the face of dragon "seemingly made of water or glass. I saw the shape of it and I saw through it as well."
The Drake has never attacked clergy or Luomber kin or anyone else who has approached the castle with a lack of ill intent.
AD
Barking Alien
Monday, March 29, 2010
Now That's A Dragon
Finally! Finally someone understands the scope that dragons should encompass in a medieval fantasy world. One can be St. George's opponent, roughly the size of a dog and the next can be the Midgard Serpent.
I went to see How to Train Your Dragon last night and I really liked it. I was most impressed by the way the dragons looked, as they somehow managed to be simultaneously cartoonish, dangerous looking and in some cases majestic.
Also, without spoiling anything, there is at least one dragon in the film that I saw and said quietly to myself, "Now that's a dragon. That's how they look in my world."
AD
Barking Alien
I went to see How to Train Your Dragon last night and I really liked it. I was most impressed by the way the dragons looked, as they somehow managed to be simultaneously cartoonish, dangerous looking and in some cases majestic.
Also, without spoiling anything, there is at least one dragon in the film that I saw and said quietly to myself, "Now that's a dragon. That's how they look in my world."
AD
Barking Alien
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thank You New Jersey
No one who knows me well would ever believe I would be thanking New Jersey for anything. My general disdain for the foul scented place is well known. However, I always give credit where credit is due and although its more swamp-ridden and mosquito infested than any northern state has the right to be, I've got to give the ol' girl a hand.
Why? Because periodically I get to go there and play with members of my old gaming group who just straight up rock. Saturday we got to play another installment of our really cool Ghostbusters (Ghostbusters/InSpectres) game and it was just so much fun I am still jazzed from the experience.
Not only are these four of the funniest, smartest, and downright feel-good-love-in-est people I've ever known but they also just play really well in the style I like the most. No one cares if their character is the toughest or most powerful. No one backpedals from a bad move by saying, "I never said I was over there actually looking into the room" or similar bullshit.
Why? Because periodically I get to go there and play with members of my old gaming group who just straight up rock. Saturday we got to play another installment of our really cool Ghostbusters (Ghostbusters/InSpectres) game and it was just so much fun I am still jazzed from the experience.
Not only are these four of the funniest, smartest, and downright feel-good-love-in-est people I've ever known but they also just play really well in the style I like the most. No one cares if their character is the toughest or most powerful. No one backpedals from a bad move by saying, "I never said I was over there actually looking into the room" or similar bullshit.
Instead they create characters, get into the character's personalities, develop character backgrounds as we play and get to know them like in a TV show, Movie, Book, or Comic and then explore the world and its challenges that I've created as GM. I mean, you can't believe how awesome that is and how much I've been missing that lately.
I...I'm not tearing up. There's something in my eye. Back off ya pansies.
Anyway, its my sincerest hope that I not only get to play with this bunch again real soon but hopefully expand to gaming with them more often. I'd love to restart my Galaxy Quest game...Ooh or make a new full-on Faery's Tale Deluxe game...Yes! How about a Mekton game...yeah...
With New Jersey, the possibilities are endless.
I can't believe I just wrote that.
AD
Barking Alien
I...I'm not tearing up. There's something in my eye. Back off ya pansies.
Anyway, its my sincerest hope that I not only get to play with this bunch again real soon but hopefully expand to gaming with them more often. I'd love to restart my Galaxy Quest game...Ooh or make a new full-on Faery's Tale Deluxe game...Yes! How about a Mekton game...yeah...
With New Jersey, the possibilities are endless.
I can't believe I just wrote that.
AD
Barking Alien
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