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Name of PC: Gabriel Kolko
Class/Level: human Fighter 9
Adventure: Tides of Dread
Location of Death: Farshore
Catalyst: Flesh Golems

Long, sad story: On the day of the invasion by the Crimson Fleet, warning fires from natives they had stationed on the isles alerted the PCs to the impending attack. Instead of staying as one group on shore waiting for pirates to fight, the druid Enki, as a dolphin, went out to cast wood shape on some ships. The rogue Kalidore, as a manta ray, followed suit, entering the captain's cabin of ships, starting fires, and, believe it or not, taking the time to loot!.

No matter how much I emphasized the size of the fleet, and described how these disturbances were only causing the pirates to get into longboats and therefore into Farshore quicker, they stayed out there.

That left the bard/cleric Gunther, the mage Theldore, and their one pure fighter, Kolko, to fight hand to hand on land. They dealt with the 6 pirates easily enough, but when the yuan-ti began shooting fireballs, Theldore got distracted and kept returning his own, getting more angry that one fireball did not take out whoever was out there, and 'how can he see me?' when he was sending out fireballs making himself a target, duh.

That left Gunther and Kolko 2 on 4 v the flesh golems. With 2 golems left, Gunther retreated for some self healing, and then Kolko said, "You better come help me soon." What he meant to say was, "You better come heal me now." But, he said what he said. Gunther came to his side, but fought on, no healing for Kolko due to the lack of communication. The golems split their attacks and one dealt Kolko 14 points of damage at which point Danny placed his fig on its side. Gunther went to revive him only to learn that he had had 3 hp, now -11, and was dead.

And, to make matters worse, Kolko wore the crown which if activated gives DR, but he was 'saving it for a bigger fight later.'

Pride goeth before the fall. . . . and never split the damn party!!

I am currently running ST [since fall '06, now in part 5 of 12, slowed by my putting in two other adventures which I had that fit] and RoRL [since Jan '08, still in part 1 of 6]. Both groups used 32 point PCs. ST has five PCs and I really felt they need that many. RoRL has four and so far they are doing OK, [maybe because it is designed for standard point buy]. Never considered SC, and the group now playing RoRL tried AoW but it just did not seem interesting. They really got into RoRL, however.

ST has been really fun, the most fun I've had DMing in a long time, and that is saying something cause two of the players actually played in a ten year campaign semi-home brewed with Dungeon mag supplements. ST has brought out/forced them to be Role Players. Having a clear story line with ample RPing opportunities makes a difference. Also, some important choices have to be made which affect the future of the plot. One problem is brought on by the absence of a cleric in the group. This has a far reaching story line with travel, land, sea, underground and well, you'll see . .. Highly recommended. But you will need to tweak things with only three PCs.

RoRL is off to a strong start. The beginning village is well fleshed out with room for more. Good RPing ops at the start set the stage for what will follow in the next installments. The second part is very inventive, IMO. Things are not telegraphed, and the NPCs have lives. This AP is more directed than ST. I am finding this one fun as well, and looking forward to its future. It has improved our Friday night game.

Bottom line. If your group is into the RPing part, and/or that is what you look for to get things going, either ST or RoRL will work for you. RoRL can be done with fewer PCs, story line is more directed. ST has ample RPing ops, is tougher, with more PC directed plot.

Offered my two sense,

thought it was a good survey, looking forward to others,

but . . . .

will there be a survey to evaluate the survey?? :)

added my vote, RotRL now up by 40+, UA real far back.

Going with

C) We'll see. Need more information.

But, won't be moving on any time soon.

TRUTH: if my Friday night 10 year old Second Ed game set in Greyhawk hadn't gone on hiatus in 2001 as the '20 somethings' got lives, we'd still be playing 2nd ed.

I only got into 3.0 to game again, Living Greyhawk. Had no choice to move to 3.5, but sure felt ripped off having to buy at least the basic books so soon. At least PDFs helped here with the extras.

Now that some of my old group have settled and with new blood added, I have abandoned 'Living' campaigns for the pure fun and camaraderie of a regular group, currently Savage Tides. As others have mentioned, there are so many really good and coherent resources for 3.5 there is no rush to move forward. And, with no intention of getting involved in 'Living' games with their ever changing rules, groups, versions, 4.0 and its anticipated revisions will not be rushed into.

So, 'C)' best describes my intentions and those of my group at this time.

There is no perfect set of game rules, but there are ones we each prefer. To each his own.