tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post785977390392724887..comments2024-03-27T22:32:17.055-05:00Comments on Jeffs Gameblog: how to run a crappy old game at your local storeJeff Rientshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17493878980535235896noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post-35430920597909942112011-08-12T10:57:00.802-05:002011-08-12T10:57:00.802-05:00lol. locked comments after Kent makes a post. Clas...lol. locked comments after Kent makes a post. Classic!Jeremy Deramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13166744272459044563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post-77272500002148419332011-08-12T10:55:44.846-05:002011-08-12T10:55:44.846-05:00New question: If I were to say, "you can play...New question: If I were to say, "you can play any race as long as it has 2 legs, 2 arms, 1 head, and no wings" would that be more super-awesome fun, or would it kill the game before it starts?<br /><br />If I were to do such a thing, there would be no mechanics outside the standard B/X classes. You want to be a goblin? Ok, do it up as a halfling or thief, but write "goblin" on your sheet.<br /><br />What are your thoughts on something like this? I know you suggested it as reasonable for a con game on Jamesnardia's site, but how about for this game?Jeremy Deramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13166744272459044563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post-29347252587597114242011-08-06T18:23:00.429-05:002011-08-06T18:23:00.429-05:00"Nothing wrong with a polite but firm warning..."Nothing wrong with a polite but firm warning the first time they cross the line, but if you allow multiple offenses they are running the game and not you."<br /><br />Exactly. Better one set of hurt feelings than a game no one wants o play.<br /><br />"Regular players don't want to read our crappy houserules. We as GMs take this shit several quanta more seriously than they do."<br /><br />Yeah. It's true. If you can at least keep them to one page then there's a chance, but no one wants a spare pamphlet or supplement to carry around.Blacksteelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16289298640828309072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post-89016638950861708202011-08-05T15:01:46.182-05:002011-08-05T15:01:46.182-05:00how to run a crappy old game at your local store
...<i>how to run a crappy old game at your local store</i><br /><br />Your unflagging self-deprecation begs the question how do you define a *good game* or are all games to you (and not just you) either crappy or pretentious?Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11165997449776226774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post-15810175595543295552011-08-05T14:13:13.313-05:002011-08-05T14:13:13.313-05:00what about the transition from a "drop-in&quo...<b>what about the transition from a "drop-in" game to an on-going campaign?</b><br /><br />I don't know what to tell you. The way I do things now seems perfectly natural to me and I have no interest in transitioning it to something else.Jeff Rientshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17493878980535235896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post-16645541429387097492011-08-05T13:51:07.875-05:002011-08-05T13:51:07.875-05:00Quoted. For. Truth.
Damn, Jeff - how do you man...Quoted. For. Truth.<br /><br />Damn, Jeff - how do you manage to boil everything down to really awesome advice? I have to particularly underline the advice about maintaining good diplomatic relations with your FLGS, but that also <a href="http://sandboxofdoom.blogspot.com/2009/09/table-fees.html" rel="nofollow">cuts both ways.</a><br /><br />There's another topic suggested by this: what about the transition from a "drop-in" game to an on-going campaign? Or is that not something that really matters?Victor Raymondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05928494560036528653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post-76544959745276043192011-08-05T13:16:19.486-05:002011-08-05T13:16:19.486-05:00The player roster is very fluid. There is no reas...The player roster is very fluid. There is no reason to suspect that the same people who play session 4 will show up for session 5 but there will be some sort of overlap.<br /><br />Players A, B, C, D end session 1 in the dungeon, on level 5. A and C can't make session #2. B and D show up expecting to resume play inside the dungeon, but new players E, F and G also show up. Do you drop E, F and G's new character right into level 5 with no explanation? Or do you yank B and D out, leaving A and C still rotting on level 5?<br /><br />There are other ways to manage these issues, but the simplest is one session = one expedition.Jeff Rientshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17493878980535235896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post-54428450688049462442011-08-05T13:03:54.200-05:002011-08-05T13:03:54.200-05:00Also, I've heard a lot of people talk about en...Also, I've heard a lot of people talk about ending sessions outside the dungeon, but what is the rationale behind that? It never caused a problem in my home game, so the answer isn't readily apparent to me.Jeremy Deramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13166744272459044563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post-19332593712587845072011-08-05T12:52:41.400-05:002011-08-05T12:52:41.400-05:00Thanks a bunch, this is very helpful. I plan to st...Thanks a bunch, this is very helpful. I plan to start with the basic rulebook, and switch to LL as people start reaching level 4. I figured "Dungeons & Dragons" would be more of a draw than "Labyrinth Lord", which I can guarantee none of them has ever heard of.<br /><br />I did verify that they can get LL from their distributors, and I bought a copy to have at the table to show people what they will be buying, should they care to.<br /><br />And you are totally right about players not giving a shit about the GMs crazy inventions, whether they be rules or elaborate setting background. I plan to mostly run by the book, and add the fun through crazy items rather than crazy rules.<br /><br />Thanks again!Jeremy Deramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13166744272459044563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post-43517759159170350252011-08-05T11:31:15.313-05:002011-08-05T11:31:15.313-05:00I was referring to the BX originals. I will clari...I was referring to the BX originals. I will clarify.Jeff Rientshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17493878980535235896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post-52007756763305732282011-08-05T11:30:07.407-05:002011-08-05T11:30:07.407-05:00The PDFs can only be aquired illicitly, which I wo...<i>The PDFs can only be aquired illicitly, which I would never, ever, ever recommend.</i><br /><br />Actually, you can get a free PDF of Labyrinth Lord from Goblinoid. But it won't have any artwork, just the rules.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06346892249648511888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post-66095131142049412642011-08-05T11:26:55.278-05:002011-08-05T11:26:55.278-05:00"All this covers is how to shoot someone and ..."All this covers is how to shoot someone and how to get shot, at the simplest possible level. To be better at shooting and less likely to get shot, make something rad up. I will play ball. At worst, you'll get a die throw to see if your cool idea succeeds. If I really like your ploy, we'll skip that part and go straight to you being awesome."<br /><br />This makes me want to have your babies. <br /><br />How many akward middle school games could have been saved from dissolution if this was printed on the interior of every GM Screen.heyjames4https://www.blogger.com/profile/16001886521427679105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7652921.post-14226546585003520152011-08-05T09:30:23.589-05:002011-08-05T09:30:23.589-05:00This is all valuable advice. Sadly, my local game ...This is all valuable advice. Sadly, my local game store is downright hostile towards the idea of anybody running any RPGs other than 4E D&D Encounters... and even those are strictly limited to a couple of hours one day a week. I know most of their business comes from Magic: The Gathering and Games Workshop stuff, but jeez.letsdamagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02145102722055581254noreply@blogger.com