In my experience, the most difficult concept for players to get their heads around is creating aspects. Some are used to playing more traditional roleplaying games and are thrown by not having a fixed and finite list of things to choose from. Others see the infinite possibilities, but their minds are blown trying to figure … Continue reading
The end of the year is stressful for most people, and it’s no different for me. There is a lot that I need to get done by the end of the month, personally and professionally. As a result, between now and approximately December 12th I will unfortunately be difficult to reach in real time. I … Continue reading
When Katie and I joined our new church home this past year, I told our senior pastor that we were there to serve, and that we picked this church because of the many opportunities for service and outreach that are available. I am not and have never been a “Sunday Christian”. To me, what happens … Continue reading
Monday night was the first session of the Spirit of the Century-inspired, Greek Myth-based superhero soap opera roleplaying game. Allow me to start by introducing the player characters: Dr. Appoline Jackson (Deb’s character) Daughter of Apollo, a god. Half-sister of Lance Jackson (same mother, a mortal). Friends with Lance Jackson Rivals with Dr. Philip Hecht, … Continue reading
Following on the heels of the last session, the party arrives at the elven village of Anial to discover it abandoned but in good shape. There is no sign of a fight anywhere. Looking around through the houses, which are in and around trees, doors open and close and items move, leading the party to … Continue reading
This is what I’m bringing to dinner tomorrow. I’ve made a variant of this once before, and it was delicious and went over very well. It’s a good way to get multiple veggies into one dish, especially if (like me) you like cranberries but the rest of your dining companions don’t (or are at best … Continue reading
A Guide to Faking-Up Supporting Characters I’ve been applying the concept of fake shemps and shemping, to tabletop roleplaying games for years in a number of ways. As a game master I’m called upon to create supporting characters on the fly. There are a number of techniques I’ve developed to keep the players from noticing … Continue reading
Both of these are easy to make, go well together, and are especially comforting in cool weather. Cheater’s Chili Not that chili is particularly hard to make, but this is an absolute no-brainer. Serves 4. 1/2 pound ground beef 1 – 14oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes 1 – 21oz can Bush’s Texas Ranchero beans Brown … Continue reading
Back in July, Fraser Ronald was kind enough to send me an advanced copy of the “quick and dirty GenCon edition” of Kiss My Axe: Thirteen Warriors and an Angel of Death. The text was final, the layout was not, but it was as much as could be completed in order to make some form … Continue reading
In yesterday’s Focus Journal I talked about the site redesign and importance, to me, of being genuine and mentioned in passing the idea of having mission and vision statements for this blog. I’m finally at a point where I feel I can get back to blogging regularly, and I have a good idea what that’s … Continue reading
