In my LATEST phase, I feel that character background should be 25 words or less, and the GM's world background should be 500 words or less. The GM may have more information, but all the PLAYERS get is 500 words or less.
After all, George Lucas only needed 83 words to introduce players to HIS universe.
93 words if you include
"A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..."
--oldgeezer, a.k.a. Gronan of Simmerya a.k.a. Mike Mornard a.k.a. Mister I Played In The Original Blackmoor, Greyhawk and Tekumel Campaigns
We got to hand it to oldgeezer. Few can live up to his gaming CV.
ReplyDeleteIs it confirmed though?
ReplyDeleteRumours point in another direction.
It's good to have phases, but it's valuable to recognize them :)
ReplyDeleteI'm still in my "do whatever rocks" phase, but we all spin 'round the same great gaming wheel of life :)
Jeff, where does this quote come from anyway? I'd like to read that article or thread.
ReplyDeleteSo far Mr. Oldgeezer's non-nonsense attitude has never disappointed me.
I have a couple of his lines on my "Wise Gaming Words" entry at my blog.
Settembrini: Unless oldgeezer is someone passing for the person he claims to be; then I'd say it's pretty much been confirmed.
edsan: The quote comes from page 3 of an Odd74 thread: http://tinyurl.com/64nalz
ReplyDelete(My first time using tinyurl.com. Hope it works!)
settembrini: Man, I don't have the time or energy to give a crap. As long as he's giving out interesting advice, he could be the Queen of England for all I care.
Is it confirmed though?
ReplyDeleteRumours point in another direction.
I find it hilarious/depressing that rumors are being spread about people possibly masquerading as 1970s gamers.
I have no idea whether OG has done all that which he claims on the gaming front. It really doesn't matter. I do know I've done online business with the man (sold him some games a few years back) and the name matches the Paypal account that paid me.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, the guy's a treasure trove of perspective. I'm yanking the quote to share with my gamers.
Actually this was the first time I heard of these "rumours" about OG. I pretty much agree with Jeff and Theron on this.
ReplyDeleteWhat I would like is acess to the technology to distill OG's (and others like him) gaming wisdom into liquid form and preserve it cryogenicaly for the benefit of future generations. :)
You know, I really have to agree with this. It would seem to encourage strong, over the top characters, which is all to the good.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite characters of my own were a gnome based on Beavis from Beavis and Butthead and a vampire for a LARP (I know, I know but it was fun before it degenerated into gothgeek politics) who was Mexican, homeless and had delusions of granduer (and has a giant cockroach as a pet).
Eventually they both grew into more nuanced characters, but I doubt they would have been as much fun in either phase if they hadn't started out as very simple concepts in the first place.
For settembrini and others who have heard "rumours":
ReplyDeleteoldgeezer, AKA Michael Mornard, is an old friend of mine. He's originally from Lake Geneva (you'll find his name in the front cover of Greyhawk - you know, Supplement One for OD&D?), and from discussions I've had with Dave Arneson, I know he played in Blackmoor.
Lastly, his Tekumel credentials are impeccable: oldgeezer began in Prof. Barker's game as the inestimable "Haughkk'p'too" (precise English transliteration questionable - the guy's originally from the Southern Continent, doncha know), but rose steadily in the ranks to become Kerdukoi Korunme Mnashu hiChaishyani, commander of the Legion of Mnashu of Thri'il.
That good enough for you? ;)
Oh?
ReplyDeletePray tell, o venerable settembrini.
What have you heard? From whom?
Do tell.
Tell you what, Sparky. Although Gary has shuffled off this mortal coil, Dave Arneson is still alive.
Rob Kuntz is still alive.
Phil Barker is till alive.
Go ahead and contact them. Ask them if Michael Mornard has done the things he claims.
And post the results here.
I BEG you.
Old Geezer
I can confirm MM's true nature, Sett.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Geezer, do you have anything you'd like to send to Fight On!? Content, reminiscences, a guest editorial, whatever - it would be great if you could do something for us.
- Calithena
Hmm, two weeks since I told Settembrini to "publish and be damned".
ReplyDeleteNot a word.
One might almost think that he had nothing other than innuendo, the coward's weapon, to work with.
Just like my Grandfather always said: "Talk is cheap."
"Rumors point in another direction." My ass.