Testing Materials
I am perhaps jumping the gun on this article a bit, since it depends slightly on a concept I haven't discussed yet. The concept is that all game systems are capable of being converted into any other system. That being said, I wanted to talk briefly about a great source of testing materials for the designer with limited time: Published adventures.
Miscellanea Creep
I thought I was making great progress towards finishing by the end of the year but the "read throughs" of my notes are taking longer than anticipated, lots of stuff to add because of them. Plus, I keep adding things to the list that I had put aside when writing. Formatting stuff, mostly, like making a concise list of character Backgrounds, a concise list of Races and one for Spells. Supernatural Attributes etc. are essentially done but I need to build a few Supernatural Powers as examples.
Secession: Comments and Gaming
In case you weren't aware, there's been a lot of talk about secession from every state in the United States this last week or so. Except it hasn't been the States, officially, just citizens of the states. I wanted to take a moment to comment on that and also look at the inspiration this can offer for GM's because, after all, everything in life is relatable to role-playing and vice versa.
Democracy in Fantasy
From past and recent posts, you may think this blog is rapidly becoming a socio-economic political blog. However, it is not. Gaming is still my passion so, instead of despairing or reveling in last nights results, let's look at them from another angle. Inspiration. Imagine what an election would look like if magic were involved.
To begin with, the things the candidates could promise the masses would be vastly more fantastic: eternal water wells, no blight for the crops, weapons and tools that never lose their edge, etc. etc. And what's more, they'd actually be able to deliver on it, unlike our current politicians who practically do offer such ridiculous things.
There are hooks galore one could take from this or the pre- and ongoing-elections. Let's look at a few:
-One candidate or another has been elected. Now he needs to deliver on those promises but his political opponents need a little "support" before they're willing to enact the laws that will send government wizards to all the towns for the crops.
-The newly elected Grand Citizen has enacted laws requiring all blacksmiths to install an enchanting circle in their forge so that the weapons and tools they make comply with the new law ... but the local guilds are resisting and they've got enough political clout to make a public move against them impossible. The PC's are brought in by one side or the other to enforce the law or defend the guild from rogue agents.
-The PC's wizard has been enlisted to visit towns and build the Well of Eternal water but certain supplies are needed and, like all efficient governments, only insufficiently close approximations have been provided. You'll have to do what you can with what you've got 'cause you're on a time schedule and you don't get paid if it's late. Whether it's done right or not, that's irrelevant to your pay scale.
-The election has yet to take place and one candidate or the other needs some more experienced, specialized protection to see them through the campaign.
--What if both feel they need protection and both contact the PC's? Are they really in danger from each other, something more sinister apart from them, or are they just paranoid. How do they react if the PC's take both jobs and try to keep their divided loyalties a secret?
-The PC's uncover information that the magically monitored and operated polls are being manipulated by a third party to some nefarious means. Do they get involved, is the nefarious goal truly nefarious or just politically selfish? What's involved and is their assistance viewed as such, or is it seen as illegal interference despite the need and benevolence with which it is performed.
-The PC's are tasked with guarding one of the wizards being sent to modify the wells and crops (or the PC's wizard is being sent). Wacky hijinks and/or dire consequences ensue when spells go awry, the influx of magic to the nations fields and water produces imbalances and unexpected side effects, etc. What about the results of people eating the MMO (Magically Modified Organisms) crops.
These are just a few of the possibilities. Do you have other ideas/suggestions? Drop them in the comments section for Mutually Assured Enjoyment or discussion!
To begin with, the things the candidates could promise the masses would be vastly more fantastic: eternal water wells, no blight for the crops, weapons and tools that never lose their edge, etc. etc. And what's more, they'd actually be able to deliver on it, unlike our current politicians who practically do offer such ridiculous things.
There are hooks galore one could take from this or the pre- and ongoing-elections. Let's look at a few:
-One candidate or another has been elected. Now he needs to deliver on those promises but his political opponents need a little "support" before they're willing to enact the laws that will send government wizards to all the towns for the crops.
-The newly elected Grand Citizen has enacted laws requiring all blacksmiths to install an enchanting circle in their forge so that the weapons and tools they make comply with the new law ... but the local guilds are resisting and they've got enough political clout to make a public move against them impossible. The PC's are brought in by one side or the other to enforce the law or defend the guild from rogue agents.
-The PC's wizard has been enlisted to visit towns and build the Well of Eternal water but certain supplies are needed and, like all efficient governments, only insufficiently close approximations have been provided. You'll have to do what you can with what you've got 'cause you're on a time schedule and you don't get paid if it's late. Whether it's done right or not, that's irrelevant to your pay scale.
-The election has yet to take place and one candidate or the other needs some more experienced, specialized protection to see them through the campaign.
--What if both feel they need protection and both contact the PC's? Are they really in danger from each other, something more sinister apart from them, or are they just paranoid. How do they react if the PC's take both jobs and try to keep their divided loyalties a secret?
-The PC's uncover information that the magically monitored and operated polls are being manipulated by a third party to some nefarious means. Do they get involved, is the nefarious goal truly nefarious or just politically selfish? What's involved and is their assistance viewed as such, or is it seen as illegal interference despite the need and benevolence with which it is performed.
-The PC's are tasked with guarding one of the wizards being sent to modify the wells and crops (or the PC's wizard is being sent). Wacky hijinks and/or dire consequences ensue when spells go awry, the influx of magic to the nations fields and water produces imbalances and unexpected side effects, etc. What about the results of people eating the MMO (Magically Modified Organisms) crops.
These are just a few of the possibilities. Do you have other ideas/suggestions? Drop them in the comments section for Mutually Assured Enjoyment or discussion!
Don't be an Ass
You'd think today's post would be politically related, what with it being the 6th and thus election day here in The States. But no, this is just an observation and a generally good rule of thumb. Don't be an ass.
For example, last night I noticed that someone in our apartment complex had parked over the line and partially in a striped off section that is a "continuation" of the sidewalk. I don't care that they parked there, but I've done that in this specific apartment complex and had my car towed. 48 hrs of pure frustration and inconvenience and $250+ later I finally got my car back. So, I decided to knock on a couple doors and find the person who's car it was. I did so and quickly found the owner, voiced my concerns and related my anecdote. She informed me that "they don't do that here at this apartment". Well, yes, they do, I just told you my car was towed, from that spot, just a few months ago. She didn't thank me. She didn't concede the possibility. She just gave a sort of lip curl that I guess was supposed to be a sneer and didn't say anything else. I left. She shut the door. This morning she had adjusted the car and was no longer over the line.
Her response was unnecessary. We live above her. I no longer worry about how much noise I make walking around or moving things. What could have remained a pleasant pseudo-acquaintance is now a restrained hostility. Rudeness is never necessary, even though it can be hard to reign in sometimes. Don't be an ass. It's just bad form.
For example, last night I noticed that someone in our apartment complex had parked over the line and partially in a striped off section that is a "continuation" of the sidewalk. I don't care that they parked there, but I've done that in this specific apartment complex and had my car towed. 48 hrs of pure frustration and inconvenience and $250+ later I finally got my car back. So, I decided to knock on a couple doors and find the person who's car it was. I did so and quickly found the owner, voiced my concerns and related my anecdote. She informed me that "they don't do that here at this apartment". Well, yes, they do, I just told you my car was towed, from that spot, just a few months ago. She didn't thank me. She didn't concede the possibility. She just gave a sort of lip curl that I guess was supposed to be a sneer and didn't say anything else. I left. She shut the door. This morning she had adjusted the car and was no longer over the line.
Her response was unnecessary. We live above her. I no longer worry about how much noise I make walking around or moving things. What could have remained a pleasant pseudo-acquaintance is now a restrained hostility. Rudeness is never necessary, even though it can be hard to reign in sometimes. Don't be an ass. It's just bad form.
Marx Was Right but got it Wrong
So I disagree with Socialism, Communism, Marxism, etc. etc. primarily because they all treat individuals as faceless members of an organic whole that they call society. Maybe I'll argue more on that point some other time but for now I just want you to know where I stand before I begin. I read a line just now that states that: "...Marx believed that power rested with those who controlled the means of production,..."1 and it is true that this is what he believed. However ...
Uninspired Friday is Uninspired
No updates today, but, it's finally Friday! I don't know about y'all but this seemed like the longest week. Except for that one week, THAT week was the longest. Anyway, let's see, updates, updates. Nope, been playing Skyrim since my last update despite my intention to NOT do that until I finished. I couldn't help myself, with all the news about The Elder Scrolls Online and the reviews people released about them the last few weeks after Zenimax let several leading bloggers and guild leaders in to play a pre-alpha version of the game.
In conclusion, the girl on the Dr. Pepper can today (Erin Rhodes) looks like Marsha from the Brady Bunch ... or what I remember of it. I was awfully young when that show was on and I never actually watched it but it was something that I was aware existed so, meh.
I guess I shouldn't end on "meh". How about, Happy Gaming to all and to all a Good Weekend!
In conclusion, the girl on the Dr. Pepper can today (Erin Rhodes) looks like Marsha from the Brady Bunch ... or what I remember of it. I was awfully young when that show was on and I never actually watched it but it was something that I was aware existed so, meh.
I guess I shouldn't end on "meh". How about, Happy Gaming to all and to all a Good Weekend!
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