Let me explain, older games, and I’m talking second edition and older (I wouldn’t include the Player’s Options books near the end of 2e btw.), had only a few things listed in the rules that a PC could do in any given situation. And the further you go back in the rules, the fewer things you’re going to find. Now, I’m a UX designer by trade (User Experience) and I’m a HUGE fan of simple. If you can hit the mark with a simple solution without adding extra layers of complexity then you’ve done your job. (more…)

Instead of writing a long diatribe about the game in general, I think I’d like to list those things that I think Wes does well and those things that I think I would do differently. (more…)

Well, to begin, I am not one of those people who believe in making new year’s resolutions. It’s just not something that works for me. I find that most of my life-events happen right around the fall. I don’t necessarily know why, they just do. And when they happen, THAT’S when I like to make my “resolutions”. If you could ask anyone who knows me they would tell you that I am NOT a planner. Unfortunate or not, I react to stimuli, and am constantly readjusting in order to make things work a little more smoothly. (more…)

Just returned from a vacation in Germany over the girl’s fall break. We were gone for 9 days, October 17 through the 26th, and let me tell you, what a blast. But I deviate, this isn’t really about the trip, although I’m sure that I’ll write a few memories down as I make my clumsy way through this posting. (more…)

How many times have you ever come up with this great idea or retort or question and then paused as you glanced at your character sheet…”Oh whoa…my intelligence score is pretty damned low. I wouldn’t think of that.” and begrudgingly dropped the idea?  I certainly know that I have. Which brings into question the idea of a numerical score for intelligence. (more…)

I suppose I ask because death has been a frequent visitor lately. My father’s not doing well and I’m not sure that he’s long for this mortal coil. It makes you stop and think, and take stock of things.

Is death like stepping through a door? I’m not sure that’s a good analogy but if you think about it, it’s pretty apropos.  You know where you “are” right before you step through that door. You “think” you’re pretty sure where you’re going to be after you step through the door, but you’re not certain. Does it matter though? You’re going to step through that door and whatever happens, happens. Should “knowing” change how you’re living today? Do we ever really know what’s going to happen? No. It’s the human condition. We can NOT see into the future.

So I guess that the old addage, live for today, holds some water.

A little history, if you’ll allow me, might help to illuminate the motivation behind the post. Simply put, I’ve been playing RPGs (Role Playing Games) since the late 1970’s. Dungeons and Dragons is my game of choice, and that’s a long long time to spend with a hobby. Long enough to become pretty well acquainted. I get the game. I mean, I “get it”. Or at least, I thought I did. (more…)

Yeah, I suppose it is but that’s boring. Everyone’s heard of Batman and Robin. This post isn’t actually ABOUT Batman and Robin though. It’s about The Dark Knight.

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