bal3000's page

I was reading a "roleplay vs rollplay" thread on another forum when I was struck by a post from a confessed ROLEplayer. This guy didn't bother to pick a class or a race, instead he determined them RANDOMLY from the core choices. He then rolled his abilities (4d6 and drop lowest roll) IN ORDER. He figured it gave him something to work with and this gave me an idea for what I call the "DnD KARMATIC Campaign"

First, roll for your abilities in order. (4d6 and drop lowest for STR, then DEX etc.)

Second,roll 1d8 for your race.
1 - human
2 - elf
3 - dwarf
4 - halfling
5 - gnome
6 - half elf
7 - half orc
8 - roll again

Third, roll 1d12 for your class.
1 - barbarian
2 - bard
3 - cleric
4 - druid
5 - fighter
6 - monk
7 - paladin
8 - ranger
9 - rogue
10 - sorcerer
11 - wizard
12 - roll again.

start at level 1 with max HP and everything is decided by the player (alignment, equipment, spells etc.)

So far, so low fantasy (more Warhammer than Greyhawk)..and probably, PROBABLY, a bit tough..

But what I thought would be a good idea in said circumstances would be KARMA points equal to the character's cumulative level at death. Say the character dies at level 3, the NEXT character rolled up the same way gets 6 KARMA (or KP) points (1 + 2 + 3=6 ).

KP could be added or subtracted to either of the class or race rolls
OR
KP could be used to boost ability values on a cumulative basis (increase a value from 14 to 15 costs 1KP, to 16 costs 3 KP, to 17 costs 6 KP etc)

any thoughts?

Anybody here got any game related tattoos?
a mate of mine has the Dark Angel Death wing insignia ( GW's WH40K )on his upper right arm. It's a broken sword framed with wings. He had done years ago ( early ninties ) so it's a bit faded and he's getting it "touched up" shortly.
Funnily enough most people assume it's a "biker" tatt - even funnier as my friend has never owned a bike or a license for that matter:)

How do you guys feel about the cartoons being published in dragon?
Dork Tower could fall out completly and it wouldn't bother me. Nodwick is runs hot and cold with it's humour ( and I prefered Full Frontal Nerdity that was put up on the Nodwick site )but it certainly has it's moments.
T.O.O.T.S .....just doesn't work for me. I mean, I can see the funny side but it's never made me laugh out load.
Zogonia cracks me up. I like its old school, 1st edition, THACO and save vs poison or die feel. Kev, Domato and Dindal ( and Galeena from Mt. Zogon in Dungeon ) are DnD players I know and knew.
Another 4 page Zogonia story would go down a treat for this reader!

Is it just me or does the cover of Dungeon 133 owe it's inspiration to Erik Mona's editorial in issue 130?
To quote the kid mentioned in said editorial - " I magic missile him IN THE BALLS !!! ".
Am I reading to much into the cover artist going by the name of David Hudnut ? Or does David's DM use a home brewed critical hits table and he's reflecting game experience ?
I probably don't need any answers to these questions....