I've been to Canada...once. :3
I know...haven't we all. *nudgenudgewinkwinksaynomore*
- Senator
Well, I don't understand the disconnect we had myself, but you may be right there. He was getting pretty excited so I had to back right off and just agree that he had a valid point. I value his friendship.
I do have another young DM lined up for this weekend. I also go to Calgary to a store called "The Sentry Box". I'm friends with the owner and there are always groups playing. Maybe I'll sign up for a Saturday game. I try to get down there as often as I can.
- Senator
I hear ya. Sometimes its a tricky thing balancing in-game and outside-human concerns. I hope you'll have a good report after the weekend. Will you be playing 3.5? Pf?
Howdy Senator, and welcome! As you've noticed, these are friendly folks hereabouts.
Only played since 1984 myself (I favored the "basic" D&D for years before someone drug me into AD&D).
For gaming options in your area, you might try the Edmonton Tabletop Role-Playing Community. I organize our local meetup here in Birmingham, AL and it's proven to be a great place for learning new systems.
I also offer up my character generator (check my profile) as another means of playing around with the game's mechanics. It also has most of the Open Game Content (OGC) that Paizo has put out to date, things like feats, traits, weapons, and armor. It's in beta test right now, so let me know if you use it and find any bugs!
Oh, and I've been to Regina. Once.
Howdy Senator, and welcome! As you've noticed, these are friendly folks hereabouts.
I have noticed and thanks for the welcome. Also thanks for that link (it has been bookmarked.) I will have a look at your generator on Sunday morning, with a cup of tea and all the time in the world. I shall have a can of bugspray ready, eh? ;)
Regina? Relatives there? (I try not say anything mean until I know what's fair game.) Must....resist...making fun of....Regina.....
- Senator
I hear ya. Sometimes its a tricky thing balancing in-game and outside-human concerns. I hope you'll have a good report after the weekend. Will you be playing 3.5? Pf?
Well, I can only get down on the weekends, so it's limiting. I'm going to try and either sneak or bribe (Coke, Mountain Dew?) my way into a game. 3.5? definitely, Pathfinder? oh yeah, if there is one, I will buy pizza if necessary. ;)
- Senator
I would offer to run a pbp (play-by-post), but I only play 3.5 and I really believe that if you plan on playing PF, you should start with that if you can. 3.5 and PF are close, too close. If you start one and then go to the other, there are bound to be rules that you will confuse. If you can avoid that, I would try if I were you.
If you have a gaming group already, and you all are going PF, you might as well just start together, like you did at the very beginning (you know, when the rules were written on papyrus, ;) jk).
Good luck.
I would offer to run a pbp (play-by-post), but I only play 3.5 and I really believe that if you plan on playing PF, you should start with that if you can. 3.5 and PF are close, too close. If you start one and then go to the other, there are bound to be rules that you will confuse. If you can avoid that, I would try if I were you.
If you have a gaming group already, and you all are going PF, you might as well just start together, like you did at the very beginning (you know, when the rules were written on papyrus, ;) jk).
Good luck.
This is true. There's no point in learning the 3.5 versions of, say, Cleave and Power Attack and then having to unlearn them and learn the Pathfinder versions (same name, slightly different). It's unnecessary confusion.
This is true. There's no point in learning the 3.5 versions of, say, Cleave and Power Attack and then having to unlearn them and learn the Pathfinder versions (same name, slightly different). It's unnecessary confusion.I would offer to run a pbp (play-by-post), but I only play 3.5 and I really believe that if you plan on playing PF, you should start with that if you can. 3.5 and PF are close, too close. If you start one and then go to the other, there are bound to be rules that you will confuse. If you can avoid that, I would try if I were you.
If you have a gaming group already, and you all are going PF, you might as well just start together, like you did at the very beginning (you know, when the rules were written on papyrus, ;) jk).
Good luck.
Ooooh, good point! I hadn't considered that. Yes, I will do it. Just start fresh with the group itself and we will learn together. After all I have this great resource of minds to tap into if I get it wrong. Excellent!
Papyrus? *looks at carved stone tablets* What's papyrus?
- Senator
Me too. I wonder if he still keeps his hoard in the same place? ~heads off to raid Saern's hoard~I remember Saern...
Welcome back to the Boards!
Thanks, guys. Good to be back.
** spoiler omitted **
No, it's all gone. I woke up groggy one morning and found myself face-to-face with a group of people whom I suddenly got the impression were unlikely heroes who had managed to put aside their differences for the greater good. "Bloody hell!", I thought, "I've gotten myself sucked into another Adventure Path!" Needless to say, I only lasted the projected 3-5 rounds of the typical opponent before I was cut down and my hoard looted. All they left me with was one of Lilith's cookies.
"What's this?", they asked. "Does it give a bonus to attack or AC? Can I consume it for a spell effect like a potion?" When the answer appeared to be only that it was a delicious morsel with no combat benefit whatsoever, they laughingly tossed it aside.
Ah, man. What edition dragon are you, Saern? Did the DM roll that miserable percentile for your being asleep? (I always found it unrealistic that younger dragons slept more than older ones. Smaug, anyone?)
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Senator,
You mentioned Greyhawk earlier and I figured I'd let you know that a few years ago Paizo made a huge, 4 panel map of Greyhawk -- the thing all put together is like 4'x4' -- and Paizo's having a sell on them as we speak. All 4 panels for $10.
Also, you mentioned making a long post of some old DMing stories. Beware, sometimes the Paizo Messageboards eat longer posts. Lots of us will copy longer posts that way if we lose them after we hit the "submit post" button we can just go back and paste them back.
Just wanted to add another welcome, Senator.
I'm sorry to hear you've had troubles "getting to know" version 3.5. I 'll echo the sentiment of others that you may also find Pathinder as a good version to learn. In any case, I hope you find some folks to help you learn the mechanics of the game. I'm at the other end of the continent myself, so no helpful suggestions, I'm afraid.
I've been playing since the D&D Red Box Basic - 1980 vintage I believe , so color me impressed as well on the longevity of your campaign.
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i gotta second the fact that learning 3.5 to learn pathfinder is not the best idea
the changes between the 2 aren't really obvious and striking, its a lot of subtle changes that you learned and then need to unlearn. its even worse if you played 3.5 for a decade then switched.
but it does sound like you asked your friend how to fish and he kept explaining you should be vegan
If you ever find yourself in Virginia Senator let me know, I'd be happy to let you sit in on my table. Unfortunately I doubt you are up to comuting down to Virginia on Saturdays.
And let me echo those who've said "please post your stories". It can be a lot of fun to hear what others have gotten up to. I consider my greatest achievement as both a GM and a player that stories I have told have been repeated to those who've never met me by people who were never in the game the stories come from.
Some people seem to be too much on their respective crusades.
Yeah, I'd grant you the right to feel slightly disappointed. In fact, I wouldn't reject a request of being allowed to feel pissed.
His view of "modern" roleplaying might be all nice and well, but if a friend asks me to show him a system, I show him the system - or say, "nah, I don't do that sort of thing." I don't drag him to brainwash camp.
Plus, if we're throwing around terms like "modern", I'd say the trend clearly goes towards more rules rather than less.
Did anyone suggest Pathfinder yet, by the way? It's an improved version of 3e, with a lot of the things people complained about fixed.
Barring the use of role-playing as part of psychological therapy
And that's not really the same. Not the same role-playing, either. In fact, they don't even use the term role-playing, any more. It's usually called dramatherapy, or something like Psychodrama.
And, to my knowledge, this very rarely includes pretending to be a wizard or elf and fighting orcs ;-) (In fact, if you're in therapy because you have progressed to the "Steam tunnel" stage of fantasy roleplaying, dramatherapy might involve you imagining how it would be to not be a magical elf wizard fighting orcs, but a human dealing with other humans using tools other than longswords and fireball spells)
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Senator: I want to learn how to drive a manual transmission!
Dude: Hop in, I'm gonna take you on a cool, scenic route around town. Isn't this awesome?
Senator: Dude, this isn't what I asked for.
Dude: You're confused, man. Stickshifts don't matter, you can ride a bike, or take a taxi, or whatever! It's about the *scenery*, not the *driving.*
Internet: DUDEFAIL!
So...this gaming session happened in the Bay area?
The end?: Way back in 1978 I began my world with the erupting of the "Phoenix Stone". It was my macguffin to explain how things came to be. The birth of the gods, etc. Well, at one time or another my players have quested for it but never found it. We were sitting around after a game recently talking about times changed and people gone and seriously discussed a reboot with more modern rules and new concepts and ideas. I said, "Maybe it's time to find the Phoenix Stone." And they went crazy!
What better way to end it than the way I began it. So we had our "Apocalyptic Adventure", they've found the stone. All is in ruins. Most lie dead. The Gods have burned out. Ultimate evil defeated. Time to bring new life, new legends, new heroes and start again.
It's kind of like the new BSG, "This has all happened before and it will all happen again."
Too melodramatic?
You kidding? That sounds EPIC! I started playing in the early 80's, have played every version except the original booklet although I have a set, one of my most prized possessions.
As to your original question, If you've been running an OD&D campaign for 30 years, did this guy really think he could teach you something about 'winging it'? My God, your preferred rules have had virtually no support for a quarter of a century! I'm pretty sure you know your way around a story. *Insert much rolling of eyes here*
Anyway, I hope you find a good GM to help you get the feel of the 3.5/PF rules. And welcome to our dysfunctional little part of the family of gamers. ;^)
Is Lilith in hibernation? I don't think I've ever seen a thread by a newcomer go this long without her-cookie-delivery-with-a-smile.
Oh, and welcome to the boards Senator....
It's kind of like the new BSG, "This has all happened before and it will all happen again."
Please, never mention that horror again. I'm kidding. No, I'm not, it was incredibly horrible.
I've been playing since the D&D Red Box Basic - 1980 vintage I believe , so color me impressed as well on the longevity of your campaign.
The 1981 Moldvay Basic box? Am I the only person who, in these conversations, likes to hear when other people started with the same box as you? Hee-hee.
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The 1981 Moldvay Basic box? Am I the only person who, in these conversations, likes to hear when other people started with the same box as you? Hee-hee.I've been playing since the D&D Red Box Basic - 1980 vintage I believe , so color me impressed as well on the longevity of your campaign.
It was red, you had to colour in your own dice, and my first glimpse was when my english teacher had it on his desk during class - I later found one in a local toy store. I have to ask though, 'Moldvay'?
My take on 3.5 vs Pathfinder vs 4E
3.5 has everything the previous editions of D&D had, except for the silly restrictions such as elves not being able to get past X level. But much of it was disguised, and much of it was presented in the numerous "splatbooks" that came out. Also, a large number of new and beloved tropes came out with 3rd edition, such as half-orc paladins.
4E deliberately removed a lot of Dungeons and Dragons tropes. Not only were they gone, but the very concepts that supported them were gone -- no Great Wheel cosmology, no chaotic good alignment, no "unnecessary symmetries". Gone, deliberately gone.
Pathfinder is an evolution of 3.5, but because it is new and because a lot of Dungeons and Dragons is held under WotC's copyright, Pathfinder does not have everything. You can bring it in from 3.5 relatively easily, but some thought might be required.
My preference is actually to go with 3.5 with perhaps some of the fixes from Pathfinder. But I would try all three, if I had the chance.
The 1981 Moldvay Basic box? Am I the only person who, in these conversations, likes to hear when other people started with the same box as you? Hee-hee.
Mairkurion: I'd probably have to dig it out to confirm (yes - I still have it stored somewhere), but it is the Moldvay version. It's the cover that sticks with me that I remember immediately. I still have the original yellow dice - with pencil-in on the numbers since it was so hard to read them. ;-)
I also find it interesting to hear about which version got people started; it's neat to hear about others' perspective on how they started in the hobby.
It was red, you had to colour in your own dice, and my first glimpse was when my english teacher had it on his desk during class - I later found one in a local toy store. I have to ask though, 'Moldvay'?
Brock: There are basically three version of the D&D basic set for those who got their start with that set. The most basic difference is the box cover and who edited the D&D rulebooks. The first version of the basic set was edited from original D&D rules by Dr. Eric Holmes and the box cover was done by Dave Sutherland. The second version was edited by Tom Moldvay and had the classic Errol Otis cover - this set delineated D&D into Basic and Expert sets (red and blue boxes). The third version - from which TSR expanded the rules even more - was edited by Frank Mentzer and had the Larry Elmore cover.
So to delineate the "basic" sets you might ask which version - Holmes, Moldvay, or Mentzer. Each version I think has a certain amount of nostalgia for different folks - which I don't want to ignite into a discussion here. ;-)
The end?: Way back in 1978 I began my world with the erupting of the "Phoenix Stone". It was my macguffin to explain how things came to be. The birth of the gods, etc. Well, at one time or another my players have quested for it but never found it. We were sitting around after a game recently talking about times changed and people gone and seriously discussed a reboot with more modern rules and new concepts and ideas. I said, "Maybe it's time to find the Phoenix Stone." And they went crazy!
What better way to end it than the way I began it. So we had our "Apocalyptic Adventure", they've found the stone. All is in ruins....
Wow, that sounds like an awesome way to create/destroy a world.
HEY WHAT IS THAT OVER THERE???!!!!!
*steals idea*
But seriously, this idea is pretty cool.
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Brock: There are basically three version of the D&D basic set for those who got their start with that set. ...
So to delineate the "basic" sets you might ask which version - Holmes, Moldvay, or Mentzer. Each version I think has a certain amount of nostalgia for different folks - which I don't want to ignite into a discussion here. ;-)
Cool, thanks. Looks like mine was the third version.
It's clear I need to create a Moldvay alias and thread now. I weep for you Holmes and Mentzer people. :D
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The very first D&D box we had also had the chits instead of the dice. We moved to the dice you had to color in with the crayon next and then on to the Big time - real dice, actual Players Handbook, DM's Guide etc ... we had so many GREAT times playing AD&D
On a side note, I actually got to meet Frank Mentzer back in the early 80's at ... wait for it ... D&D Camp. He even did a Q&A kind of thing the one night - fun, uber geek time!
The 1981 Moldvay Basic box? Am I the only person who, in these conversations, likes to hear when other people started with the same box as you? Hee-hee.Mairkurion: I'd probably have to dig it out to confirm (yes - I still have it stored somewhere), but it is the Moldvay version. It's the cover that sticks with me that I remember immediately. I still have the original yellow dice - with pencil-in on the numbers since it was so hard to read them. ;-)
I also find it interesting to hear about which version got people started; it's neat to hear about others' perspective on how they started in the hobby.
It was red, you had to colour in your own dice, and my first glimpse was when my english teacher had it on his desk during class - I later found one in a local toy store. I have to ask though, 'Moldvay'?
Brock: There are basically three version of the D&D basic set for those who got their start with that set. The most basic difference is the box cover and who edited the D&D rulebooks. The first version of the basic set was edited from original D&D rules by Dr. Eric Holmes and the box cover was done by Dave Sutherland. The second version was edited by Tom Moldvay and had the classic Errol Otis cover - this set delineated D&D into Basic and Expert sets (red and blue boxes). The third version - from which TSR expanded the rules even more - was edited by Frank Mentzer and had the Larry Elmore cover.
So to delineate the "basic" sets you might ask which version - Holmes, Moldvay, or Mentzer. Each version I think has a certain amount of nostalgia for different folks - which I don't want to ignite into a discussion here. ;-)
I would recommend pathfinder, just because the natural progression of gaming is to go from simplified to complex rules, and maybe back to basics again (depending on your preference). At least that was my path starting with blue book version in middle school so many years ago up to 4E.
4E is more basic compared to 3.5, but it is not a huge gap, all the fluff is available, but they concentrated on the mechanics first. That has hurt the game in some aspects; nothing a good DM can't fix.
I envy anyone who is approaching roleplaying as a new hobby, because there is less bias involved, even those that have been enjoying 1E/2E for while. I am already taking a look at retro-clone systems and fantasycraft, just to see how much has changed and to take a look at some new ideas.
www.retroroleplaying.com/content/retro-clones
No, the one with Larry Elmore art and far more red all over it. Can't link "counterproductive material" while at work, will look it up at home :)
Yep, that's the Mentzer.
FYI - if you look at my post above, there are image links of the three covers.
On a side note, I actually got to meet Frank Mentzer back in the early 80's at ... wait for it ... D&D Camp. He even did a Q&A kind of thing the one night - fun, uber geek time!
Ahh yes, that's when the game hobby was really hitting a peak. I heard about those, but never went to one myself.
By the way, I hope Senator doesn't mind us rambling off his original topic - I think he was looking for advise and suggestions more than nostalgia.
FYI - if you look at my post above, there are image links of the three covers.
<cut>
By the way, I hope Senator doesn't mind us rambling off his original topic - I think he was looking for advise and suggestions more than nostalgia.
Yeah, I guess folks miss links sometimes if they aren't bolded.
It's kind of like the new BSG, "This has all happened before and it will all happen again."Please, never mention that horror again. I'm kidding. No, I'm not, it was incredibly horrible.
Oh nooo, nonono! You misunderstood me. I was referencing Peter Pan. Which is about learning By Seriously Growingup. BSG. See? And the line is from Peter Pan.
See?
Really.
- Senator
What better way to end it than the way I began it. So we had our "Apocalyptic Adventure", they've found the stone. All is in ruins....Wow, that sounds like an awesome way to create/destroy a world.
HEY WHAT IS THAT OVER THERE???!!!!!
*steals idea*
But seriously, this idea is pretty cool.
If you liked that guess what happens when they activate the Phoenix Stone. C'mon guess!
- Senator
On a side note, I actually got to meet Frank Mentzer back in the early 80's at ... wait for it ... D&D Camp. He even did a Q&A kind of thing the one night - fun, uber geek time!Ahh yes, that's when the game hobby was really hitting a peak. I heard about those, but never went to one myself.
By the way, I hope Senator doesn't mind us rambling off his original topic - I think he was looking for advise and suggestions more than nostalgia.
Don't mind in the least. I've been enjoying your appreciation for the early editions. I still have my old Holmes box edition. I love the scene on that one. And my old boxed Moldvay basic and expert. I relied on these to fill in missing game info and stats.
When I first started someone gave me a copy of Tegel Manor. When I was running it I suddenly realized I didn't have any idea of what ghosts were capable of. No stats. We ended up phoning other gamers all over the continent. XD
- Senator
Ah tegel manor was the first group dungeon I ran in high school when the computer teacher let us stay for extra credit (even teachers back in the day played). That brings up memories of operation ogre, and related judges guild releases.
Ah tegel manor was the first group dungeon I ran in high school when the computer teacher let us stay for extra credit (even teachers back in the day played). That brings up memories of operation ogre, and related judges guild releases.
Some of those were pretty good, like Caverns of Thracia, others not so, Of Skulls and Scrapfaggot Green. I loved the hall of paintings in Tegel though.
- Senator
Ah tegel manor was the first group dungeon I ran in high school when the computer teacher let us stay for extra credit (even teachers back in the day played). That brings up memories of operation ogre, and related judges guild releases.Some of those were pretty good, like Caverns of Thracia, others not so, Of Skulls and Scrapfaggot Green. I loved the hall of paintings in Tegel though.
- Senator
Welcome Senator..I too am one of the originals(began playing in 1974) and have fond memories of Tegel Manor and the early Judges Guild stuff.
Welcome Senator..I too am one of the originals(began playing in 1974) and have fond memories of Tegel Manor and the early Judges Guild stuff.
Thank you venerable sir! It's been a great ride all these years, no? When I think of visiting the little, dusty Sentry Box back then with most of the space taken up by wargaming and just a small space to begin with for Dungeons and Dragons I'm overwhelmed with nostalgia. The little miniature blister packs that came in containing a few blobs of lead with the title "Assorted Slimes and Molds" made me chuckle fondly. The smell of Judges Guild's new releases on newsprint paper, (sometimes with a single color to fancy up the front page, wow!) Coloring in the plastic dice yourself. Twenty siders that you used two colors on, one for the 10's another for the 20's. Then the innovative 20 sider that had a little cross on half the numbers so you could color them all black and still tell the 10's from the 20's. INNOVATION! Finding out what the word "chits" meant. And so much more.
On the day I got married I dressed up in my tux with my best friend and fellow gamer, Bruce Birch and walked to the Sentry Box for a last visit as a "bachelor". Everyone wished me well and off I went to the church!
I don't consider myself weird, strange, or anything else than incredibly blessed to have such good friends over so many years. The thrill of adventure week after week. "To wear a sword instead of a walking stick...just once!"
Even the huge intervention from my church and the great burning didn't keep me down!
Excelsior!
- Senator