Comments for Azor Lok http://zardok.wordpress.com Ian's Library Gaming and RPG/D&D World Development Blog Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:31:13 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on More on Monday’s game by CRader http://zardok.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/more-on-mondays-game/#comment-30 CRader Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:31:13 +0000 http://zardok.wordpress.com/?p=131#comment-30 One of the things I love about the DiTV mechanics is that you tend to be more creative in using your character in situations and have a clearer picture about your character's capabilities. Externalizing conflict to the rules also makes it easier to adjudicate inter-character conflict, and I don't know if you are doing this, but losing in a conflict is the only way to make your character better. (What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger, and wiser, I suppose). Plus, an assassin, a ninja, an ex-miner, and a werewolf in the same party?!? Shiny!!! One of the things I love about the DiTV mechanics is that you tend to be more creative in using your character in situations and have a clearer picture about your character’s capabilities.
Externalizing conflict to the rules also makes it easier to adjudicate inter-character conflict, and I don’t know if you are doing this, but losing in a conflict is the only way to make your character better. (What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger, and wiser, I suppose).

Plus, an assassin, a ninja, an ex-miner, and a werewolf in the same party?!? Shiny!!!

]]> Comment on Why D&D is not a good fit for libraries by Welcome, LJ blog readers « Azor Lok http://zardok.wordpress.com/2008/12/22/why-dd-is-not-a-good-fit-for-libraries/#comment-29 Welcome, LJ blog readers « Azor Lok Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:34:07 +0000 http://zardok.wordpress.com/?p=61#comment-29 [...] and gets a bit further into the how-to of running an RPG in a library setting.  The post about why D&D is not a good fit for libraries is an interesting place to start if you want to get an idea of where I am coming from for planning [...] [...] and gets a bit further into the how-to of running an RPG in a library setting.  The post about why D&D is not a good fit for libraries is an interesting place to start if you want to get an idea of where I am coming from for planning [...]

]]> Comment on Wizards flips out by Ian http://zardok.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/wizards-flips-out/#comment-27 Ian Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:50:17 +0000 http://zardok.wordpress.com/?p=103#comment-27 Yeah, and see, something like that could have been implemented without interrupting service to the huge population of non-pirate customers and without the ensuing firestorm of controversy and protest. Yeah, and see, something like that could have been implemented without interrupting service to the huge population of non-pirate customers and without the ensuing firestorm of controversy and protest.

]]> Comment on Wizards flips out by Mike http://zardok.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/wizards-flips-out/#comment-26 Mike Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:44:57 +0000 http://zardok.wordpress.com/?p=103#comment-26 One of my favorite publishers of computer books (Pragmatic Programmers) has a great solution to this. You buy the book at their web site as dead-trees and/or PDF and for the PDFs they generate a fresh PDF for you to download. The smart part is that every page of the PDF has "For the use of YOUR NAME" on it. Sure, determined pirates will set up a fake person for this, but there is a credit card with that name associated with it and now you're talking credit card fraud. One of my favorite publishers of computer books (Pragmatic Programmers) has a great solution to this. You buy the book at their web site as dead-trees and/or PDF and for the PDFs they generate a fresh PDF for you to download. The smart part is that every page of the PDF has “For the use of YOUR NAME” on it. Sure, determined pirates will set up a fake person for this, but there is a credit card with that name associated with it and now you’re talking credit card fraud.

]]> Comment on Game this summer by Ian http://zardok.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/game-this-summer/#comment-25 Ian Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:03:15 +0000 http://zardok.wordpress.com/?p=99#comment-25 Those are interesting suggestions. The direction I'm moving right now is a more narrative approach, where there are still some mechanics, but a lot of the storytelling is up to the player and the GM, rather than the dice. One system I'm considering using is Dogs in the Vineyard (by D. Vincent Baker, http://www.lumpley.com/dogsources.html). I'd only be using it for the mechanics, not the setting, as I don't think it's going to be terribly compelling to a lot of teens. I can see I've got some reading to do at your blog - it looks like you're using it as a play aid, which is a great idea that I will have to incorporate. Thanks for stopping by! Those are interesting suggestions. The direction I’m moving right now is a more narrative approach, where there are still some mechanics, but a lot of the storytelling is up to the player and the GM, rather than the dice. One system I’m considering using is Dogs in the Vineyard (by D. Vincent Baker, http://www.lumpley.com/dogsources.html). I’d only be using it for the mechanics, not the setting, as I don’t think it’s going to be terribly compelling to a lot of teens.

I can see I’ve got some reading to do at your blog – it looks like you’re using it as a play aid, which is a great idea that I will have to incorporate. Thanks for stopping by!

]]> Comment on Game this summer by gnombient http://zardok.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/game-this-summer/#comment-24 gnombient Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:41:06 +0000 http://zardok.wordpress.com/?p=99#comment-24 Have you considered using Original D&D or its "retro-clone" Swords & Wizardry? Those might be a good compromise if your players want to play "D&D" but you want fewer mechanics. I've run some pretty successful Swords & Wizardry adventures for kids (10-13 y.o.) at a local branch library, and the rules are surprisingly free-form compared to other iterations of D&D. The mechanics are still combat-focused though, so that may be the deal-breaker. Just a thought. I'm looking forward to reading more about "Ian's Awesome RPG"! Have you considered using Original D&D or its “retro-clone” Swords & Wizardry? Those might be a good compromise if your players want to play “D&D” but you want fewer mechanics. I’ve run some pretty successful Swords & Wizardry adventures for kids (10-13 y.o.) at a local branch library, and the rules are surprisingly free-form compared to other iterations of D&D. The mechanics are still combat-focused though, so that may be the deal-breaker. Just a thought.

I’m looking forward to reading more about “Ian’s Awesome RPG”!

]]> Comment on D&D Pictionary by Ian http://zardok.wordpress.com/2009/03/04/dd-pictionary/#comment-17 Ian Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:25:08 +0000 http://zardok.wordpress.com/?p=84#comment-17 I'm hearing the voice here as a combination of Kang and Kodos from the Simpsons. I’m hearing the voice here as a combination of Kang and Kodos from the Simpsons.

]]> Comment on Play by email/play by post by C.Rader http://zardok.wordpress.com/2008/12/30/play-by-emailplay-by-post/#comment-14 C.Rader Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:16:50 +0000 http://zardok.wordpress.com/?p=65#comment-14 We must be on the same wavelength because I've been meaning to send you some email regarding this very topic. I like how more time can be spent on considering story and motive, and it would be possible to game things like telepathy and multiple story lines more easily, especially with a written record to provide more continuity. I'm very interested in the topic and look forward to what you find out / try out. CR We must be on the same wavelength because I’ve been meaning to send you some email regarding this very topic.

I like how more time can be spent on considering story and motive, and it would be possible to game things like telepathy and multiple story lines more easily, especially with a written record to provide more continuity.

I’m very interested in the topic and look forward to what you find out / try out.

CR

]]> Comment on Made the final by Ian http://zardok.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/made-the-final/#comment-13 Ian Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:37:46 +0000 http://zardok.wordpress.com/?p=56#comment-13 Out in 49th place. Go me! Out in 49th place. Go me!

]]> Comment on Made the final by Ian http://zardok.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/made-the-final/#comment-12 Ian Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:14:58 +0000 http://zardok.wordpress.com/?p=56#comment-12 I have made the top 100, which is good for some kind of prize. Currently 38/61. I have made the top 100, which is good for some kind of prize. Currently 38/61.

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