State of the Game
(Created page with "[size=6]Oct 22, 2016[/size] [size=5]Big Picture[/size] At a recent MH meeting several guildies expressed possible interest in some tabletop role-playing. I put together a po...") |
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| − | + | == Oct 22, 2016 == | |
| − | + | === Big Picture === | |
| − | At a recent MH meeting several guildies expressed possible interest in some tabletop role-playing. I put together a possible campaign. I'm happy to have many guildies on board, so we're moving forward. The first session will be | + | At a recent MH meeting several guildies expressed possible interest in some tabletop role-playing. I put together a possible campaign. I'm happy to have many guildies on board, so we're moving forward. The first session will be Fri, Nov 4, 9-11:30 EST (I aim for 120 minutes and guarantee no longer than 150). |
| − | + | === We're Just Starting === | |
If you're reading this and you haven't gotten involved, it's not too late. We're at a comfortable number of players (~7), but many things affect group size. For example, someone may discover that their tastes don't match my campaign and DM style, and that's OK. Someone else may wait and see if this surge of interest launches into a long-term game, and only then decide to join--that's also OK. At this point, I'm not turning anyone away. Also, spectators will be welcome. | If you're reading this and you haven't gotten involved, it's not too late. We're at a comfortable number of players (~7), but many things affect group size. For example, someone may discover that their tastes don't match my campaign and DM style, and that's OK. Someone else may wait and see if this surge of interest launches into a long-term game, and only then decide to join--that's also OK. At this point, I'm not turning anyone away. Also, spectators will be welcome. | ||
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Recall that this is a newbie-friendly group. I'm always happy to teach someone the basics of tabletop gaming and the D&D system. | Recall that this is a newbie-friendly group. I'm always happy to teach someone the basics of tabletop gaming and the D&D system. | ||
| − | + | === Failure to Launch? === | |
Speaking of "wait and see," most tabletop RPG veterans have experienced one or more failed campaigns. Personally, on multiple occasions, I've poured hours into learning a system and creating a character, only to play once or not all. Such experiences lead to a kind of wariness around new campaigns. | Speaking of "wait and see," most tabletop RPG veterans have experienced one or more failed campaigns. Personally, on multiple occasions, I've poured hours into learning a system and creating a character, only to play once or not all. Such experiences lead to a kind of wariness around new campaigns. | ||
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For what it's worth, I've run face-to-face and online campaign lasting real-life years. I've received very positive feedback from my players, and I'm always trying to improve as a DM--both how I run the game and how I keep the players together as a group. I've got the time and stamina to make this awesome, with my players' help. I've certainly got plenty of story to tell, as I think my initial work demonstrates. Starting out, we've got a nice mix of veterans and newbies (or folks coming back to tabletop D&D), within the larger community of MH. I'm confident this campaign and this group will grow into something long-term and special. | For what it's worth, I've run face-to-face and online campaign lasting real-life years. I've received very positive feedback from my players, and I'm always trying to improve as a DM--both how I run the game and how I keep the players together as a group. I've got the time and stamina to make this awesome, with my players' help. I've certainly got plenty of story to tell, as I think my initial work demonstrates. Starting out, we've got a nice mix of veterans and newbies (or folks coming back to tabletop D&D), within the larger community of MH. I'm confident this campaign and this group will grow into something long-term and special. | ||
| − | + | === Start-up Costs === | |
Speaking of wariness, I don't fault someone for hesitating to buy a D&D 5e Player's Handbook ($25 on Amazon) and Tabletop Simulator ($20 on Steam; some players have extra copies to give away). There's wisdom in playing one or more sessions to get a taste of my campaign and DM style, and the group. The D&D 5e Basic Rules are a free download and more than adequate to start. I'll stream the tactical battlefield, so there's no urgent need to buy Tabletop Simulator. | Speaking of wariness, I don't fault someone for hesitating to buy a D&D 5e Player's Handbook ($25 on Amazon) and Tabletop Simulator ($20 on Steam; some players have extra copies to give away). There's wisdom in playing one or more sessions to get a taste of my campaign and DM style, and the group. The D&D 5e Basic Rules are a free download and more than adequate to start. I'll stream the tactical battlefield, so there's no urgent need to buy Tabletop Simulator. | ||
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Incidentally, Tabletop Simulator supports a variety of non-RPG tabletop games, such as poker and board games. We/guildies should keep those possible uses in mind. | Incidentally, Tabletop Simulator supports a variety of non-RPG tabletop games, such as poker and board games. We/guildies should keep those possible uses in mind. | ||
| − | + | === Initial Calendar === | |
MH currently isn't focused on a specific game (as we were with Albion Online). There's a growing interest in general gaming on Friday evening, perhaps every couple weeks. With that in mind, see below for the initial calendar for Hulks & Husks. H&H will be 9-11:30 pm EST. MH General Gaming will likely be the same approximate times. If MH General Gaming isn't planned, we may decide as a group to use the slot for H&H. | MH currently isn't focused on a specific game (as we were with Albion Online). There's a growing interest in general gaming on Friday evening, perhaps every couple weeks. With that in mind, see below for the initial calendar for Hulks & Husks. H&H will be 9-11:30 pm EST. MH General Gaming will likely be the same approximate times. If MH General Gaming isn't planned, we may decide as a group to use the slot for H&H. | ||
| − | + | Fri, Nov 4: H&H | |
| − | + | Fri, Nov 11: MH General Gaming | |
| − | + | Fri, Nov 18: H&H | |
| − | + | Fri, Nov 25: MH General Gaming? | |
| − | + | Fri, Dec 2: H&H | |
| − | + | Fri, Dec 9: MH General Gaming? | |
| − | + | Fri, Dec 16: H&H | |
| − | + | Fri, Dec 23: Christmas weekend | |
| − | + | Fri, Dec 30: MH General Gaming? | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
If I had to choose between shorter, more-frequent sessions and longer, less-frequent sessions, I prefer longer. It takes a minimum amount of time to start a session and wrap it up, and I like having more time and narrative space to get the party into an interesting situation and back out. This also fits with my experience with online groups: that it's helpful to end every session in a way that eases PC drop-in/drop-out. For example, it's better for the party to end a session back at the entrance to a dungeon than still three floors down in the middle of a battle. | If I had to choose between shorter, more-frequent sessions and longer, less-frequent sessions, I prefer longer. It takes a minimum amount of time to start a session and wrap it up, and I like having more time and narrative space to get the party into an interesting situation and back out. This also fits with my experience with online groups: that it's helpful to end every session in a way that eases PC drop-in/drop-out. For example, it's better for the party to end a session back at the entrance to a dungeon than still three floors down in the middle of a battle. | ||
| − | + | === Current Party === | |
Below is a link to my notes on the current state of the party. We've got good variety and balance so far. Note that there's nothing wrong with two or players choosing the same class, especially since 5e allows for considerable variation even in the same class. At this point, any additional characters might want to consider frontline/tank classes (e.g., barbarian, fighter, ranger). | Below is a link to my notes on the current state of the party. We've got good variety and balance so far. Note that there's nothing wrong with two or players choosing the same class, especially since 5e allows for considerable variation even in the same class. At this point, any additional characters might want to consider frontline/tank classes (e.g., barbarian, fighter, ranger). | ||
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https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12UhOca5PoSs8Sz8WCcOU_HUNU3p9wZ_CiSsyu3erb5Q/edit?usp=sharing | https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12UhOca5PoSs8Sz8WCcOU_HUNU3p9wZ_CiSsyu3erb5Q/edit?usp=sharing | ||
| − | + | === On the DM's Desk === | |
FYI, here's some of what I'm working on. | FYI, here's some of what I'm working on. | ||
| − | + | Checking characters and backstories | |
| − | + | Continue planning the campaign | |
| − | + | Prologue for all characters (a little more info on what everyone experienced before the story starts) | |
| − | + | Episode 1 (the first session) | |
| − | + | Map #1: A partial map of the continent, including the border of the Shangon Empire, the forested neutral zone, and the border of the Freelands Republic | |
| − | + | Map #2: A general map of the neutral zone | |
| − | + | Tabletop Simulator: Minis: expanding my collection of miniatures to give players some appealing options | |
| − | + | More on religion (especially since we've got a cleric and a paladin) | |
| − | + | More on Tessera, including the world's special traits around plants, writing, and the goblinoid races (teaser: they're not all evil) | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | === Final Thoughts === | |
I'm very excited to run this campaign and delighted to see a group come together. This is DM Cinero, and I'll see you on the battlefield. | I'm very excited to run this campaign and delighted to see a group come together. This is DM Cinero, and I'll see you on the battlefield. | ||
Revision as of 02:05, 4 May 2017
Contents |
Oct 22, 2016
Big Picture
At a recent MH meeting several guildies expressed possible interest in some tabletop role-playing. I put together a possible campaign. I'm happy to have many guildies on board, so we're moving forward. The first session will be Fri, Nov 4, 9-11:30 EST (I aim for 120 minutes and guarantee no longer than 150).
We're Just Starting
If you're reading this and you haven't gotten involved, it's not too late. We're at a comfortable number of players (~7), but many things affect group size. For example, someone may discover that their tastes don't match my campaign and DM style, and that's OK. Someone else may wait and see if this surge of interest launches into a long-term game, and only then decide to join--that's also OK. At this point, I'm not turning anyone away. Also, spectators will be welcome.
Recall that this is a newbie-friendly group. I'm always happy to teach someone the basics of tabletop gaming and the D&D system.
Failure to Launch?
Speaking of "wait and see," most tabletop RPG veterans have experienced one or more failed campaigns. Personally, on multiple occasions, I've poured hours into learning a system and creating a character, only to play once or not all. Such experiences lead to a kind of wariness around new campaigns.
For what it's worth, I've run face-to-face and online campaign lasting real-life years. I've received very positive feedback from my players, and I'm always trying to improve as a DM--both how I run the game and how I keep the players together as a group. I've got the time and stamina to make this awesome, with my players' help. I've certainly got plenty of story to tell, as I think my initial work demonstrates. Starting out, we've got a nice mix of veterans and newbies (or folks coming back to tabletop D&D), within the larger community of MH. I'm confident this campaign and this group will grow into something long-term and special.
Start-up Costs
Speaking of wariness, I don't fault someone for hesitating to buy a D&D 5e Player's Handbook ($25 on Amazon) and Tabletop Simulator ($20 on Steam; some players have extra copies to give away). There's wisdom in playing one or more sessions to get a taste of my campaign and DM style, and the group. The D&D 5e Basic Rules are a free download and more than adequate to start. I'll stream the tactical battlefield, so there's no urgent need to buy Tabletop Simulator.
Incidentally, Tabletop Simulator supports a variety of non-RPG tabletop games, such as poker and board games. We/guildies should keep those possible uses in mind.
Initial Calendar
MH currently isn't focused on a specific game (as we were with Albion Online). There's a growing interest in general gaming on Friday evening, perhaps every couple weeks. With that in mind, see below for the initial calendar for Hulks & Husks. H&H will be 9-11:30 pm EST. MH General Gaming will likely be the same approximate times. If MH General Gaming isn't planned, we may decide as a group to use the slot for H&H.
Fri, Nov 4: H&H Fri, Nov 11: MH General Gaming Fri, Nov 18: H&H Fri, Nov 25: MH General Gaming? Fri, Dec 2: H&H Fri, Dec 9: MH General Gaming? Fri, Dec 16: H&H Fri, Dec 23: Christmas weekend Fri, Dec 30: MH General Gaming?
If I had to choose between shorter, more-frequent sessions and longer, less-frequent sessions, I prefer longer. It takes a minimum amount of time to start a session and wrap it up, and I like having more time and narrative space to get the party into an interesting situation and back out. This also fits with my experience with online groups: that it's helpful to end every session in a way that eases PC drop-in/drop-out. For example, it's better for the party to end a session back at the entrance to a dungeon than still three floors down in the middle of a battle.
Current Party
Below is a link to my notes on the current state of the party. We've got good variety and balance so far. Note that there's nothing wrong with two or players choosing the same class, especially since 5e allows for considerable variation even in the same class. At this point, any additional characters might want to consider frontline/tank classes (e.g., barbarian, fighter, ranger).
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12UhOca5PoSs8Sz8WCcOU_HUNU3p9wZ_CiSsyu3erb5Q/edit?usp=sharing
On the DM's Desk
FYI, here's some of what I'm working on.
Checking characters and backstories Continue planning the campaign Prologue for all characters (a little more info on what everyone experienced before the story starts) Episode 1 (the first session) Map #1: A partial map of the continent, including the border of the Shangon Empire, the forested neutral zone, and the border of the Freelands Republic Map #2: A general map of the neutral zone Tabletop Simulator: Minis: expanding my collection of miniatures to give players some appealing options More on religion (especially since we've got a cleric and a paladin) More on Tessera, including the world's special traits around plants, writing, and the goblinoid races (teaser: they're not all evil)
Final Thoughts
I'm very excited to run this campaign and delighted to see a group come together. This is DM Cinero, and I'll see you on the battlefield.
