D&D Encounters

Many play in adventuring groups with the same folks for many years. They look at new players like they mailman who is screwing their old lady. Me, not so much. I'm always looking for new and interesting players. Know anyone? Anyway, last night we completed the first of WOTC's weekly Encounters, at the local gaming store. Here are my first impressions.

For the Store: Awesome swag. WOTC must have hit the lottery. The package included drink coasters, condition cards, signs and window clings, player rewards cards, and even a small digital camera.

The adventure: Meh, we'll see. It's to early to tell, but it's OK so far.

The most important thing is bringing people together to play a Roleplaying Game. And by that I mean new players. I'm impressed.

One suggestion: TV commercials. Local Gaming Stores are just barely making it, how about some targeted advertising.

Overall: Big Win, keep up the good work.

"Hammerfast" is a Big Bag of Cool

• Just by happenstance I was in the FLGS when the UPS guy showed up. He had all kinds of dice and Mini's and goodies and such. In the stack was the RPG supplement "Hammerfast". O.K., I knew it was coming. But I wasn't prepared for the coolness.As everyone knows I'm a Dwarf-a-holic, so I had high expectations. In brief here are my thought at first blush.
• I think it was an excellent idea.
• The art is excellent, and I like the whole Old School vibe.
• The big pull-out map is very nice. One side is the whole town (scaled to fit) the reverse is the town's most interesting Tavern. I'm definitely going to get it laminated.
• Each feature, NPC and building has a little fluff but not too much.
• It does have some adventure hooks in the back, saving those for later.
• It's vague enough to be dropped into any setting.
• The inside cover map of the area is a nice touch (love the hexes).

Long story short, if you like Dwarves, buy it. If you need a base of operations for your party, buy it. If want someplace that ready to go when your party needs a rest and refuel, buy it. I plan on keeping this within arms reach whenever I'm playing D&D.

I give it a 5 out 5.

Do I Need to Write My Own Setting?

Just asking. But I'd like some feedback on this. I have an outline, rough sketch and an inspiration. Would my time be better served elsewhere though. Like painting that huge pile of Mini's on my table. I also am trying to run 4th edition while reading Pathfinder and Everquest. And I need to finish cleaning the basement.
I was thinking along the lines of a Hyperborian/Lovecraft kind of place. I suppose that I just want someplace that I can plug into any RPG system. (maybe because I'm trying to learn 3 systems at once) Unless someone can talk me out of it, I'm gonna do it. I'm going to put it on Obsidian Portal, which is one of my Favs BTW. I'll put up a link if it doesn't suck.

My 4th Ed. Character won't DIE!!

Not that I want him to die mind you. A little more Drama would be cool. I'm starting to see what the Haters are talking about.
Tonight the PC's were randomly transporting around floating elemental moats fighting whatever the DM put on them. First up for me was a solo with an Immolith. I should have saved my dailys', cause up next was an adult Black Dragon. To be fair, had not my party members showed up (see Cleric*) I would have been in big trouble. Then, after a short rest, the Aspect of Lolth. Luckily for us she had a previous engagement and left early. All this is a lot to chew for an 11th level Dwarf Warlord.
Having said that, I've been playing this guy for almost a year now. He has taken on a near legendary status. He's got 11 ex-wives and 17 children to feed. And, he possesses the "Axe of the Dwarvish Lords" Come to think of it, I am very attached to Grognard Deepmug. I'm hoping that I can take him all the way to Level 30.
I guess what I'm saying is that when a campaign is well run, it's like a book. And, no one likes it when their favorite character dies before the book is done.

Advertising RPG's

How do we get new players into RPG's? Is it even our responsibility? While it's unrealistic to expect WOTC or Chaosium to buy a Super Bowl commercial, there are some things we can and should do.
First of all, represent your hobby well. Be polite to Magic, Pokeman and even WoW players. Who knows, they may be persuaded to come to the Dark Side.
Volunteer. DM some games at the library or gaming store.
Next, start them early. I have two nephews who I've already got playing D&D miniatures. One is 7 and the other is 13 and ready for RPG's. I'm going to DM a game for he and some of his buddies on his Birthday,(here's a secret, it's alot of fun doing this too).
Just recently I sent out a Facebook message to friends who I thought might be interested about the upcoming D&D game day. Included in this message was a link to the "actual play" videos that Wotc is doing with the guys from Robot Chicken.
I would love hear any suggestions from the blogosphere. Remember, each gamer that leaves the hobby needs to be replaced and we could actually grow it. Any growth should be initiated by players and not the big companies.

What is Best in Life?

Now, crushing your enemies is cool. And, hearing the Lamentation of their Women never gets old. But, what is best in life? Seeing your dreams come true is what's best in life. What does that mean to us gamers? Why everything really.
You control your dream as a dungeon master. And you should dream big. Fill a continent or a world or a galaxy. You control the environment and the players perceptions of it. You are the creator and the fates control who lives and who dies.
Dream that dream and find 5 or 6 people to share it with you. Do it now!

Your Hobby Needs You!

I think we owe it to ourselves to get as many new people to play RPG's as we can. One of the best ways that I've seen is the WOTC Game Days. The next one is March 20th to promote the Players Handbook 3. I don't always agree with everything that WOTC does, and I don't plan to buy the PHB3, but I think that these are genius. For those of you not familiar, WOTC sends a box of fig's, pre-gen characters, and maps to your local store. On the designated day anyone who shows up should be able to play 4th Ed. Now, here's the rub. The folks who own the store need Dungeon Masters.

Personally I have a blast doing these. The first one I did was out of my comfort zone, but now I find myself really looking forward to doing these events. I would like to see Hasbro pony up some cash to really promote these Game Days. One of better moments was when a dad who had played in the 80's brought his son in to play for the first time. The way his face lit up when he found out that his character was a Dwarf like that movie and he likes to fight giants.

Do yourself and the Hobby a favor and run a game on the 20th, you might find your next gaming group.

http://www.dndgameday.com/