"It starts with honesty and self examination....God must be there or our actions are for nothing." -Father Eric Gami
@Archaeo_Matt21 күн бұрын
I'm probably a little more loosey-goosey about this than most people would expect. Don't get me wrong, I keep most kinds of magic items pretty rare; however, I do try to keep in mind the requirements for allowing higher level PCs/NPCs to make many of the low to low intermediate tier magic items. Mainly, _Enchant an Item_ as a 6th level spell, and _Permanency_ as an 8th level spell. That said, and with a strong element of homebrewing involved, I also think of the section from the AD&D 1e DMG regarding magic armor, where it just says that +3 armor is made from meteorite iron, +4 is made with a mithral (sic) alloy, and +5 is made with an adamantite alloy. In some other materials, TSR usually had +1 or +2 armor and weapons equate to being quasi-magical in reality. So, I do tend to give out that level of item at a rate that by level 2 pretty much everyone in the party will have obtained something that has a "+" bonus, which will function as a magic item when required. Although, for example, I don't let such items have the "virtual weightlessness" of truly magic armor, etc; I mostly see them as items of the highest quality, and that have been associated with legendary deeds, people, etc., so sort of magical by association. Finally, I did let a magic user of at first level 15, then level 16, create a level 5 spell that would result in a permanent +1 weapon or piece of armor, then a level 7 spell that did the same for +2 items. In both cases, no extra magic features were possible, and the spells were set up to be pretty costly in terms of time and materials. EDIT: On a related note, I'm not too stingy with basic potions, or low level spell scrolls either.
@FindFamiliar21 күн бұрын
My players have yet to realize that each “zombie” defeated and left behind will eventually rise again. Will be an even sweeter reveal when the tomb they “emptied” will come back to the nearest village to bite them back.
@stevefugatt707521 күн бұрын
Years ago, I ripped off a house rule from "Dragon" that stated minor, skeletal undead takes half damage from piercing and stabbing weapons. This one little house rule have given groups who played in my games an entirely new level of respect for a random pile of bones. 🤣
@kentuckyrex21 күн бұрын
@@stevefugatt7075 BFRPG picked that up. And I think Zombies take half from bludgeoning.
@stevefugatt707521 күн бұрын
@@kentuckyrex Yep!
@retrodmray21 күн бұрын
Most modern systems don't really feel magical, due to removal of "cannot do/cannot affect" situations in the game (like you're saying... magic weapons, even silver or silvered, good quality magical spells that are actually magical and impactful rather than a bunch of auto-daily powers). 👊🤓
@kentuckyrex21 күн бұрын
@@retrodmray when everything is magical, nothing is.
@stevefugatt707521 күн бұрын
@@kentuckyrex I say this pretty often, myself. One of my MAJOR problems with the way the game is played today is that there is ENTIRELY too much magic and entirely too many special abilities.
@Archaeo_Matt21 күн бұрын
I have never played by post, although I can see that it could work well enough to be fun. I think I would still want to see at least one day every couple weeks where the majority of participants would pay closer attention to, and make faster replies to, the posted declarations. For pure play by post, with 24-48 hours allowed for every player response, then I think something more akin to a Braunstein would be better than an old fashioned dungeon/hex crawl, especially if the players all have the ability to exchange private messages between themselves. I never played any of those play by mail games that used to be advertised in the back of _Dragon_ and other magazines. Some of the startup and per turn costs always seemed way too expensive for what they could possibly offer playing out written turns at the pace of snail mail. I probably still have some bias against the idea left over from the days of "$8 USD to start, and $5 USD per turn."
@kentuckyrex21 күн бұрын
@@Archaeo_Matt I suddenly smell a very lucrative opportunity.
@Archaeo_Matt21 күн бұрын
@@kentuckyrex There probably could be a fair amount of money in running play by post if one hits a really enjoyable formula for resolving turns. You could probably do it cheaper, of course, like 25¢ per turn, but for more players, in more parts of the game world. I did used to play a game at my high school that was run by one of the kids who did computer classes; I forget the exact name, but it was something like Duel Masters, or Duel Arena, etc. You had to fill out a 10-round card, and for each round you could choose options like Slash, Thrust, Parry, and Riposte. It was $1 to play, and the guy would set up the characters in a tournament style bracket. The winner for that day got half the proceeds from the entry fee. The guy, I believe his name was Trey (this was around 1985), pocketed the other half every day, so he must have been doing pretty well with it.
@retrodmray21 күн бұрын
Depending on how crunchy the system is, it can work, I'm sure. I tried running one once, but it failed due to players not disciplining themselves to respond in anything like a timely manner, nor follow up well with everyone else or to me. 😕
@lordmatteus21 күн бұрын
Good topic. I haven't done play by post often or recently. It is an interesting way to do some gaming for sure.
@kentuckyrex21 күн бұрын
@@lordmatteus it definitely has its strengths. The accessibility aspects that I mention is definitely the key defining strengths of the format.
@stevefugatt707521 күн бұрын
I figure play by post is just another evolution of the old play by mail that was popular in the 70s and 80s. I've played solo adventures, play by mail, game books, play by post, etc, etc....If you enjoy it is valid....Gaming is gaming.
@kentuckyrex21 күн бұрын
@@stevefugatt7075 bingo, bango.
@Archaeo_Matt27 күн бұрын
Hey, that's useful when the wee ones bring back tabletop miniatures from their Trick or Treat excursions! I know the finer details come down to lack of awareness on the part of the company; but, I always wonder if some of those decisions aren't born out of wanting to reuse parts of a sculpt in making other toys. I'm definitely guilty of just using the common, usually generic, parts of names, like Deinonychus or Iguanodon. As groups, I tend to favor the Ankylosauria, Stegosauria, and Ceratopsia. My real love though is for the Synapsids, and especially the Therapsids. Best!
@kentuckyrex26 күн бұрын
@@Archaeo_Matt Deinonychus is definitely mine. John Ostrom and Robert Bakker used the animal as the starting point for discussion of dinosaurs as warm blooded, active, and (in the case of many dinosaurs) birdlike animals. This in stark contrast to the popular idea at the time of them as lumbering, clumsy lizards.
@Archaeo_Matt26 күн бұрын
@@kentuckyrex Deinonychus is up there for me, too. Bob Bakker was a character of the first rate, and definitely among the greatest paleontologists of all time. My favorites are Dong Zhiming, and Paul Serano...although I'll always have a soft spot for Roy Chapman Andrews.
@stevefugatt707527 күн бұрын
Cool looking little critter
@retrodmray27 күн бұрын
Cool mini of that T-Rex, Rex! 😋👊
@Order_of_ChaosАй бұрын
Why do you have chew in both cheeks?
@kentuckyrexАй бұрын
@@Order_of_Chaos I don't, actually. I had started using a different side of my mouth, so the "predominant" side was still stretched. Since I've quit, I've assessed a lot of the damage I've done to my gums, cheeks, and teeth. I think this was shortly before I permanently quit.
@lordmatteusАй бұрын
Kentucky Rex: "There's a cool mechanic that allows your players to be captured rather than killed. You should consider employing it." Lordmatteus: "No. I don't think I will." 🤣 In all seriousness, 7th Sea recommended something like this as well. In fact, it was built into the system as 7th Sea was designed to be a swashbuckling adventure game. Thus, the good guys were to be captured rather than killed. This, in turn, would set up the next session (or episode) to be a daring escape encouraging the players to use all their accumulated drama dice to effectuate their escape. Good points, Rex!
@kentuckyrexАй бұрын
@@lordmatteus it definitely doesn't get a lot of love. Normally, the captivity idea is used for session 1 setups, not fumbled dungeon delves.
@Archaeo_MattАй бұрын
But...if they make decisions that lead to their capture, and complain that's tantamount to me taking their agency away from them, then I get to kill them, right? I jest, of course! No player characters were harmed during the making of this comment.... It can be a bit of challenge to think of ways to deal them after capture. The more intelligent and forward thinking monsters might just ransom them back to the Keep, using the Caves of Chaos as an example. On the other hand, some of the other monsters might just think they look delicious, and add them to the dinner menu. One little trick might be to have them get rescued by what turns out to be a rival party operating out of the Keep. The cost of getting captured, in that case, might be that they have a new long-term challenge stemming from continued competition. Of course, that rivalry could be downgraded to "frenemies" or worse, depending on how things play out. Cheers!
@kentuckyrexАй бұрын
@@Archaeo_Matt of course, fiat trumps everything. The Undead seek to add to their legion as well as fill their cursed glut, just as an example. A zombie or ghoul will likely throw itself down the pit to eat. And rats are known to be extremely ravenous. In the cases of sentient humanoids, I'd suggest a sort of reaction roll for the situation. But, in terms of an early level adventure that's just getting players used to the game, ransoms work to punish rash and reckless adventurers but allow them to live another day. Plus, the narrative of avenging such a humiliation can also be enthralling. Results may vary.
@retrodmrayАй бұрын
Thnx for the "shout-out". 😋 But yes, the whole Mormons don't worship the same Jesus Christ that you and I do, was the issue for me and, in love, I pointed that out in there and then subsequently left the group as well. Their group name and it's statement to join is contrary to/antithetical to Mormons, LDS, and others of other religions, and I cannot call them brothers and sisters with my faith, or the one they originally claimed to stand upon. It's not "mean", it's just truth, which can be shared in love, which I tried to do, but they didn't want that, so rather than fight, I just backed away. 😔
@stevefugatt7075Ай бұрын
One thing you have to give Mormons: The Book of Mormon is some excellent Sci-Fi. 😁
@stevefugatt7075Ай бұрын
Matthew 10:14 .....You did the right thing Ray.
@stevefugatt7075Ай бұрын
I hear you! Every word of it! I hate that you and Retro DM had to deal with this....Both of you have been nothing but friendly cordial to me. I HATE the casual "Christian Culture." As you said: The first martyrs did not suffer and die for this, nor did Christ.
@kentuckyrexАй бұрын
@@stevefugatt7075 you wouldn't think "my God is not a culture or a gimmick" would be controversial.
@stevefugatt7075Ай бұрын
@@kentuckyrex I honestly think those who make a big deal of it feel guilty ...
@rockhopper01Ай бұрын
You’re exactly right. Biblical truth will get you in trouble… however, Christ warned us of this. And man, I am right there with you about silliness in the church. There’s no way you picture a bleeding, whipped, and crucified Jesus Christ, who was not spared the furious and righteous punishment from God the Father for OUR sins, wearing a t-shirt with a crass or irreverent “funny” message on it. You did right in separating from the group. We’re commanded to be salt and light to a lost world, but we don’t call unbelievers and followers of false religions “brothers.”
@kentuckyrexАй бұрын
@@rockhopper01 it is unloving to treat the lost soul as if they need no healer. Redemption is not the reward for the righteous, but the gift for the sinner, among which I number.
@retrodmrayАй бұрын
Amen!
@calvanoni5443Ай бұрын
Mixing religion with a hobby & thinking its not going to be a ruinous situation is the problem, so yes leave the group.
@kentuckyrexАй бұрын
Well, there's a little discussion to be had on that. For the sake of fellowship, like an after church thing? I think it's fine. But the "I'm nerdy AND a Christian" approach often puts the hobby before the faith. I love this hobby. And many of my fellow brothers and sisters play with me. And there is value in utilizing religious elements in a setting or game. And I'm also part of another Christian group that serves all these purposes better. That said, gun to my head, your hobby or your faith: my faith. Every. Single. Time. Luckily such a hypothetical scenario would never happen. But oftentimes, the best way to have a game with like minded believers is honestly through those you personally know.
@retrodmray2 ай бұрын
Another great one, Bro! Mimics exactly what I've been saying for 2 years now. 👏 👊🤓
@kentuckyrex2 ай бұрын
@@retrodmray I'm REALLY leaning into being a Grognard.
@retrodmray2 ай бұрын
@@kentuckyrex😅🤓👊The only way to roll, Bro!
@Archaeo_Matt2 ай бұрын
Good topic. I think that one of the big differences between the newer style of game/play, and the older style, in where the focus lies. In older games the rules, the settings and differences between character types were the sources of challenges that needed to be met, and obstacles that needed to be overcome. Character mattered to the extent that it helped fill out the players' shared picture of how the rules, the setting, and the adventure fit together. In today's games all the players can do pretty much everything, and the setting only matters to the extent that it provides more ways for players to talk about themselves through the identity of their characters. Challenges are probably not going to be deadly, and are just protracted opportunities for players to talk about their character's thoughts, abilities, and personal "story."
@FindFamiliar2 ай бұрын
Solid work, keep creating brother. Ravenloft is dope 👍
@retrodmray2 ай бұрын
Absolutely 💯 spot-on! Glad to see you finally got this posted, Brother! Couldn't agree with all these more... and I've run new school for several years as well, so I can speak from experience! "More about the adventure and less about the mechanics "indeed!! 👊🤓🔥 "Sure, you can certainly try." 🎲😎
@kentuckyrex2 ай бұрын
@@retrodmray yeah, I'm gonna have to play around with OBS settings. It does not like the new wifi at all lol. Something I forgot to write down was the tension, but I'll have another subject for the next one at least.
@lordmatteus2 ай бұрын
Startng with the lair is actually a good idea. Great video!
@Archaeo_Matt2 ай бұрын
I'm a fan of Swords & Wizardry. It's my favorite of the OD&D clones, mainly because it uses all the bells & whistles that were added through supplements. I don't really have an exacting method for dungeon building that I use consistently. I tend to think first of why the "dungeon" was actually built, then why it stopped serving that purpose, then how and where it started breaking down, then based on the types of monsters operating in the region (which could include the deeper "underdark") I start figuring out where and when they moved in, and how/if they're defending it.
@freddaniel50992 ай бұрын
I have always enjoyed low level play. It seems more dangerous and therefore exciting as chance and dice can quickly snatch victory from defeat or result in a quick character death. Randomness is fun. Also I am reminded that a strength of the "old school" or classic style games is their interchangeable nature. Borrowing from one for use in another encourages creativity as you consistantly demonstrate. Cheers!
@Wibstozbin2 ай бұрын
Hey buddy!
@sarahmcfadden48772 ай бұрын
New apartment is pretty nice!
@sarahmcfadden48772 ай бұрын
Wonder where the horses are
@Archaeo_Matt2 ай бұрын
Those are both difficult questions to answer. For me, the easier one is saying why I started making KZbin videos. I was thinking about doing archaeology/anthropology public education through Google Classroom, and realized that adding live action video would be a good component to add, rather than just narrated "PowerPoint" presentations. I had next to no experience with using video editing software, and needed something to use as a practice niche. I thought of a couple possibilities; but, I had been getting back into TTRPGs, after a long time away, and thought I had something different to say about some aspects of the hobby. I've learned some about the editing side, and also that I don't want to try going into the archaeology niche (will still post them on KZbin, but not planning to promote that channel directly). I am a bit like you, in the sense that I've always like to tinker with things, and figure out how they work; the urge toward artistic creation is something that is in some way almost compulsory for me. If I don't write, then it starts to weigh on me pretty quickly. But, even beyond writing, music, and even drawing call to me...and, I'm not especially great at either one, especially not with physically drawing stuff. I do remember how it started. When I was five someone official came to the house, and told my mother to "put the baby somewhere so they could talk business." I was incensed! I knew I had a book with the word baby in it, so I sat on the floor in my room for an hour or so trying to copy the letters I saw on the page. I distinctly recall how frustrated I was that I couldn't make my hand draw the letters neatly, so I just kept trying. I must've written the word baby a hundred times. Somewhere in all that I stopped being mad about being dismissed, and started trying to write other words that I recognized. Over time, that interest in learning the words, and how to write them, became an interest in writing them out as stories. As I grew up. writing to keep from focusing on negative stuff, and even work through it, just stayed with me. Best!
@freddaniel50992 ай бұрын
My thoughts may or may not seem helpful. Creative outlets can be an amusement for ourselves and for others. Pursuit of the "creation" can be an informative, revealing and insightful experience, I think. The created thing can be informative for others and ideally, may prompt some creative process in others, thus completing the circle. Gaming and content creation are excellent examples I believe. Being creative is a gift that begs to be shared among friends to the benefit of all. Cheers!
@FindFamiliar2 ай бұрын
Cheers for the response video! 🙌
@kentuckyrex2 ай бұрын
Correction: Christian D&D Group, not Christian Dark Souls Group.
@Wibstozbin2 ай бұрын
I was about to say... haha
@Wibstozbin2 ай бұрын
Right on!
@retrodmray2 ай бұрын
Sound cuts in and out pretty often. You've got a delay as well in video too. Your fingers on the keyboard are really, really thumpingly loud. It's good to see you pop up a video, Bro, though. Just trying to provide good feedback for ya for this. Streaming on KZbin kinda sucks in my experience. You should look into a secondary source to stream through that connects to you KZbin. When I tried it without such, it was pretty bad... just FYI. Take care and God bless, Bro!
@kentuckyrex2 ай бұрын
Yeah, this was pretty rough. Using mobile Hotspot didn't help, but I'm gonna try and get some wifi set up this week. The thumping is mostly where I lost my microphone I usually stream with. So the laptop mic is really picking up on my caveman fingers lol
@freddaniel50993 ай бұрын
A subgroup of a subgroup... Always appreciate hearing your well considered thoughts, sir. Cheers!
@stevefugatt70753 ай бұрын
I couldn't run a "rules as written" game if I wanted too. 🤣 It's been"rulings over rules for me for over forty years and I don't see me changing.
@Archaeo_Matt3 ай бұрын
I had not yet heard the rumblings that dungeon ecology equates to agnosticism. I just see it as a form of game balancing. I would agree with those that believe GNS theory is an imperfect way to discuss what people want out of RPGing; but, I think that more G-focused players approach balance on a per encounter basis, whereas the more S-focused players approach balance on a global basis (global meaning the game world as a whole, not necessarily an entire planet). According to my thinking on this, the N-split is between a narrative that centers on the players as protagonists, as opposed to a narrative that simply follows the unfolding of events within a fictive world. As you mentioned, the biggest reason for the "rules as written" approach in AD&D 1e was to standardize the game for tournament play. That said, the reason Gygax and TSR stood more firmly behind the rules was that, while they had anticipated players would revise, add, and/or drop rules to fit their group's interests, they hadn't really anticipated that people would make those changes on bases other than keeping the game as a whole balanced. They also intended OD&D to stay as the option for those who wanted a more "no holds barred" type of game. A lot of that is mentioned in Jake Jaquet's interview with Gygax in _Dragon_ #28, especially in the blue background Q&A on pages 4-5. As for 1:1 time, I do have a fuzzy understanding that there is a group out there promoting it as something more than how to handle the progress of the game world between sessions. As you note, that can get a bit tricky when play leaves off mid-dungeon. Ultimately, I chose to let players decide, per session, whether to move things forward in 1:1, or to have a full pause until the next meeting. The answer isn't always easy; sure, players don't want to be attacked in the dungeon when they're not directly controlling their character, but there are times when they're waiting for a henchman or alternate character to finish some task, mission, etc. and are willing to risk spiking a dungeon door and living off iron rations until next week. Of course, during a session you can move things forward by weeks, months, or even years, just by talking through what happens in terms of calendar time. You can also slow time down to a crawl to discuss what's happening in excruciating, second-by-second detail. In all these case, including 1:1, the flow of time within the world should affect the characters within the world in the exact same way. Finally, the way I internalized the OSR initialism was as "Old School Role-Playing." For me, it was neither a renaissance or a revival. I simply did not play until I once again players looking to play in the style that I play. I suppose that might leave me closer to "revival;" but, in truth, I still think the majority are more like me...just coming back to these games because we can now more easily find people playing in a similar style to our own. I have nothing against the new style games in terms of their mechanics: they're written for a game that follows a plucky band of heroes through the derring do of their exploits. I'm just interested in the interaction between the derring do of individuals and how that impacts the world around them. I don't blame players for being centrally focused on their own characters; however, as the DM, my "character" is the global setting, not one just one monster, or BBEG, or NPC.
@retrodmray3 ай бұрын
What's that Facebook group for Mystara, Bro?
@kentuckyrex3 ай бұрын
@@retrodmray facebook.com/share/P9AXrDgvN91mioL7/?mibextid=qi2Omg Looks like they ain't been active for a hot minute.
@retrodmray3 ай бұрын
Also, that Gygax quote is precisely how I've always approached dm-ing since 1979!! Some systems stress this, and in fact aren't built to be run any other way, but those are a bane to me as a DM, mostly. 😋 And I think they do harm to great, creative gaming! IMHO ONLY. 🤓
@kentuckyrex3 ай бұрын
@@retrodmray that's why most of my stuff is "Frankensteined". I know what I like and it's all about smoothly running a game without halting action. I will die on the rulings over rules hill.
@retrodmray3 ай бұрын
Brother, what sparked this or what's behind this? 🤔
@kentuckyrex3 ай бұрын
@@retrodmray a lot of ad hominem against people not playing "the one true way".
@kentuckyrex3 ай бұрын
Basically, some of the "representatives of the OSR" that about more personality than any real substance adopting the same approach of Ruckmanites when it comes to who has "the true OSR".
@stevefugatt70753 ай бұрын
@@kentuckyrex There is no "One True OSR." I'll argue that until my last breath.
@kentuckyrex3 ай бұрын
Well that's two subjects I'd never thought would intersect one day, but here we are.
@Archaeo_Matt3 ай бұрын
Great video! I watched this on my TV yesterday, but forgot to come back on the computer and leave a content, so I watched it again this morning. I enjoyed the mix of planning for town, wilderness, and dungeon. Glad you found something fiendish for Six-fingers to do! I had a friend who had a rough time with a brown recluse bite. The bite happened under a hat, on the back of the neck, above the hairline; it was a while before he figured out he'd been bit while out chopping some wood. He wasn't in the best condition to start off with, but ended up having some ongoing heart problems that lasted long after they'd dealt with the necrotizing tissue around the bite.
@kentuckyrex3 ай бұрын
@@Archaeo_Matt I could see that. Insect bites and stings around the head and neck are much more complicated than around limbs. I like to try to come up with an idea, place it, then build the map as I type things out. That "too dangerous" monster I swapped for the Goblin got replaced..... to inside the town. It made sense, and yall will see that when I upload again.
@freddaniel50993 ай бұрын
Rolling on a table for some random inspiration to then engage with our imagination is a great GM tool. The random result is just a suggestion and starting prompt. Thanks for taking time to post this video. It's nice to see your creative process at work. I think imagining our fictional world/setting for our game is one of the more enjoyable aspects of the GM's role. Of course not everyone will approach the game with the same assumptions or expectations, so "mileage will vary". Cheers!
@kentuckyrex3 ай бұрын
@@freddaniel5099 mileage may vary, indeed! RNG is a helpful tool in the box, like a GPS. But, from personal experience, you may not always rely on it. It might try and take you through a residential area that wasn't meant for a truck. Gary was a big proponent of changing results for verisimilitude. I'll provide the world and adventure. How players wanna tackle or even *if* they wanna tackle that adventure is all their choice. Using total RNG for creation is totally fine. I just think there is a balance between the more random sandbox style and the "Hickman model". All in all, as long as players enjoy it, who cares? I try to post my stuff to help encourage people to just sit down and bring something to the table.