What I want 5e to do.

Simple.  I want support, however measly that is, for interesting backgrounds that makes a character live and breathe.

Last night, one of my players had fun with Central Casting.  It was Paul Jaquays' book on generating character backgrounds for fantasy characters, first edition.  We spent more time on building his character's father's career than his.

As a result, we got an interesting background for a nezumi or ratkin, or skavin character.  The results were simple.  Here's a conversation between a 4e character and this Pathfinder Nezumi.

4e Character: "Hello, happy world!  Hello, happy tree, hello happy bunny, hello happy squirrel!"

Pathfinder Character (who looks like a rat): "Hello, clueless one."

4e Character: "Oh hi!  Can we be friends?"

Pathfinder Nezumi character: "Maybe.  Tell me about yourself."

4e Character: "Well, my name's George.  I'm a house Deneith Mercenary and I fought in the Last War."

Pathfinder Nezumi Character. "Well, you're certainly acting pretty one dimensional, what was your military experience?"

George Deneith (4e): "I don't know.  I'm just a veteran of the Last War.  But I have Intimidate as an associated skill!"

The Nezumi does a face palm.  George. "What?"

"Your player is a gamist, right?"

"Yes."

"Thought so.  My player took the trouble generating my background, but my exploits pale in comparison to my father's."

"Oh?  What happened?"

"First of all, we were kicked out of Nezumi lands for being different.  My father found work as a fisherman and joined the Home Guard so we can have some money.  At first, he saw little action, ran away from some, and joined up to prove himself.

"There was a major war with a neighboring kingdom and his actions got him promoted to corporal.  There was many battles, and he was finally decorated for his bravery and became an officer.  He was so good that he signed on for another five years and was assigned to special forces -- in the Ranger division.  Another war broke out with Drow and he kills one of their generals!  There were major battles, where he lost most of his forces, but he proved himself and became a knight!  A KNIGHT!

"There was another war that broke out, and his stint was increased.  I never saw him but I knew he was doing well.  When he returned, he taught me some of his swordcraft, and taught me sword fighting the soldiering way.  Finally, there was a major coup on our kingdom and he led it.  He slew the king and took over the kingdom."

George looked at the Nezumi with his jaw open.

"And you think you have problems.  I've been adventuring in my father's shadow ever since!"


The difference between 4e and 3e is that 4e has little Roleplaying support.  You get backgrounds and you get themes, so what?  Tell me more about your character.  Give him a reason that he's alive, that he fought in the Last War and returned a hardened veteran.  After all, Roleplaying is ROLEPLAYING!  4e has little of that.

If you want to pick up a character sheet, write down some figures, and play; there's nothing wrong with that.  Character creation in 5e at the start should be quick and easy and fun.  However, if you want depth with your character, there should be options to build an interesting background for your character.  Some of us don't want to pick up and play, we want to know everything about that character so we can just get started.

It's as simple as that.

Galatea Cover

It's one of those times you find a use for the DAZ Girl. :D



Galatea Cover Art by ~Atlantean6 on deviantART

Now available as prints!  This work will possibly grace the cover of the Galatea Campaign Setting.  Oh, and the little halfling is the Girl 4.  The Barbarian is a She Freak 4, and the wizard a Hiro 4.

Adventure to be 4th Edition?

Anyone want to see an official conversion of the current adventure I'm working on to 4th edition?

Since it's going to be open sourced, wouldn't it be better if you converted it yourself?


If you want to see the adventure I'm working on: Blood Challenge, to be statted for 4e; then there's something you've got to know.  It's a character development piece for an orc character.  Which means it follows the orc PC's character and develops him or her quite closely.  It has heavy RP elements, however don't worry, you'll get to beat people up and take their stuff. *har har*.  If you want to see it statted for 4e by me . . .stand up and be counted and write your approval on the blog.  If not, then go ahead and write your approval anyhow.  And Greywulf, the tribe in question is the Grey Wolf tribe.

First thoughts: DMG 4e

My first thoughts:

WotC should have packaged the DMG with the PHB.  It would have saved the PHB.

James Wyatt wrote the DMG, and it looks like he is the sole author.  He joins the ranks of John Curtis III, Gary Gygax, Robin Laws, and other luminaries that wrote on this craft.  I really think he deserves his place.

I still like skill challenges. More on this later.

Minions are a great add to the game (they are discussed in the MM, to be sure).  Pretty much something that was added by Robin in 3rd Edition with his Burning Shaolin adventure.  

It's been told to me that the DMG had all the roleplaying, if that is so, then Wizards really should have combined them together.  A lot of people are paying $60 for the Pathfinder RPG, I bet a lot of people would have paid $60 for a Dungeons and Dragons RPG.  Although you still get that annoying *you must use miniatures* rule.  you can throw that out, but you throw out all the other rules that depend on it.

I really think that the DMG is the best book out of the three.  It's written well and concise.  Although I won't get a chance to run the adventure in the back of the DMG.  I really don't want to break up my group over something like 4th edition.  Still, I wonder if I can still play a military wizard. . .

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Note, this is just my first impression of the DMG.  So, it's stream of consciousness on what went through my mind when I read it.  My PHB review may have been a good example of how *not* to write a review, but then the PHB is organized badly, and there is just too much in the PHB to take in.  The PHB was written wrongly, that is all there is to it.  The DMG rounds it out, and the DMG should have been packaged with the PHB.  It would have made the PHB seem a lot more complete.

Curse of Weakness

Curse of Weakness by ~Atlantean6 on deviantART

This Warlock is casting curse of weakness against an orc foe.  In D&D 4e, curse of weakness would be a per encounter power instead of an at will power.  In 3e, it's a spell that can be cast that reduces strength, sort of like ray of enfeeblement.

The morph is Jammin'Wolfie's Tindra Thompson, and the orc is Ghost of MacBeth's War Orc morph for M4/F4.  Fun, eh?

The Trouble with Players!

Okay, so Greywulf said to post something about a class or a race we have troubles with.  Unfortunately, I don't have trouble with any class or any race.  I don't play enough to have any one class to give me grief.  But I do have trouble with one aspect of the game.

I hate to say this, but I have trouble with players.  The reason is, I'm very very liberal when it comes to being a DM.  Liberal!  I'd like to use new rules that I have and use them I must.  One of my favorite rule sets to use is Advanced d20 Magic published by Guardians of Order (I don't know if the copyright has passed into the authors or not).  Most players of 3.x complained when using the rule set.  They complain that it uses too much math.

Excuse me?  too much math?  Are you men or are you mice?  What is wrong with a little math?  Why can't you add and subtract in your head?  The bonuses to spellcasting do mount up that is true.  Especially with Wish having a spellcasting DC of 101. (Wish is the most powerful spell in the entire game, apparently).  I love this rule set and I plan on using it when I get my grubby mitts on the 4th Edition books.  I'm convinced that the rule set is much better than Vancian or the 4th Edition powers set. Although some classes have to be tied to using the powers set (Psionic types and Warlocks mostly); the set works well since it copies the spellcasting you see in books and in anime.  So players, standing rules, we use the Advanced d20 Magic rules.  I love them, I really do.  If you hate them, please note that I'm DM and if I say we use them to have the flavor of the campaign I want, then we will use them.

THEE EDITION WARS!

(An Unbalanced post)

So, why do people fight over D&D?  Why do they fight?

I really think a lot of people are non-confrontational when it comes to their favored version of D&D.  So, why are people so passionate to have a heated discussion about D&D and it's various editions?  There are a few things about 4e I don't like as to what happened:

* Too many people complained on the official boards that earlier classes were unbalanced.
* Too many people tried to break earlier editions.
Blah, blah, blah . . .

D&D 4e is the fault of everyone who has played D&D and complained to Wizards about how an earlier edition rules system doesn't work.  ITS OUR FAULT!  GET OVER IT!  Balance, balance, balance -- what happened to play?  But we fight about it.  We fight that people use earlier editions and use backward clones, we fight because we pick other systems other than D&D.  We fight because someone uses the earlier clones.  We sell each other heavily on the current system, but when someone creates a character outside of all others  -- there is a repulsion effect.

Okay, Dungeons and Dragons is not perfect.  But we don't have to act like jackasses.  Do we?  Or, why do we have to act like jackasses?  I bet in Conventions, people who only argue their opinions of the rules between systems are jackasses.  But then again, maybe we argue because we can't seem to accept that other people see their beloved edition of the game as flawed.  Maybe we argue because we feel insecure about Dungeons and Dragons and Dungeons and Dragons is our security blanket.  How do we stop the Edition Wars?  I guess we all have to grow up and love each other.

Storytelling/Acting Roleplaying and D&D

What is Storytelling? What is acting in the realm of Roleplaying games? Why is it that I'm so hung up on 4th edition?

4th edition is a rework of 1st Edition and a lot of people have taken a liking to it. A lot of people do not feel that it is really D&D. Even myself haven't bought the books and learned the new set of rules beyond character generation (and a lot of the mystique and the magic is lost). The old D&D is over, much of the gambling chance has given over to choosing "cewl" superpowers and customizing your character.

In the OLD DAYS when I had D&D Basic, you created your character by rolling dice. 3 six sided dice to be exact. You created your character, defined his role, and then played him in the scenario according to your role. In the NEW DAYS, a character that is created with dice, randomly created, is unacceptable in the RPGA's living campaigns.

Plus, you don't tell your people what your role is, you just tell them what kind of role you serve in combat in an RPGA scenario. From my point of view, D&D has devolved into a sport. You play your role, you have fun. What happened to roleplaying in D&D?

For me, it's all about the story. 2e provided a way for the story to be followed. AD&D 2nd Edition had lots of options for character generation and optimization for a storyteller/actor game. You actually acted your role in a second edition game. And the DM would tell sweeping stories, most of the time with combat involved. You had character development in 2e. "Cewl" superpowers aren't at all important. After all, campaigns ranged from Crusader Europe to homebrews. Even wierd campaigns, like Eberron, could have worked out in 2e.

Can you roleplay in 4th Edition? Yes. But I'd like to see more options supporting storytellers/actors in 4th edition. More accomodations, more of the fun. More of the mysterious. Points of light? BAH! Commandos with superpowers who go hog wild only seeking to defeat the monsters in a scenario? Not for me thanks.

I want my character to grow and develop. When I play, I want to take on the role of my character, whether he is Cymbeline, MacBeth, Robin of Locksley, or Richard the First. I want to play underpowered characters when appropriate, and godlike characters when I choose. Give me the options to play the roles of a lifetime. Whether it is a craven noble who takes all the credit, even when his companions drag him into a dungeon (I actually did create a noble in D&D 4e, I just DIDN'T want to play by the rules. Because, frankly, D&D 4e character creation rules suck sparrow eggs and howl at the moon!).

Okay, that's my new rant.

NEXT: The New 4th Edition,
What would I change to create options for storytelling fun.

My First 4e Character

Elessar Calanor by ~Atlantean6 on deviantART

This is my own first 4e character. I'm determined to give it a playtest. While creating him, I found it completely and utterly frustrating that there wasn't any thing I could use for my concept, so I had to make do with what the Character Builder had available (and I had to use windows, WotC is making an assumption that everyone has windows, ugh!).

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ======
Elessar Calanor, level 1
Human, Warlord
Build: Inspiring Warlord
Commanding Presence: Inspiring Presence

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 12, Con 16, Dex 16, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 17.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 12, Con 16, Dex 14, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 17.


AC: 13 Fort: 15 Reflex: 14 Will: 15
HP: 28 Surges: 10 Surge Value: 7

TRAINED SKILLS
Endurance +8, History +8, Athletics +6, Diplomacy +8, Insight +5

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +3, Arcana +3, Bluff +3, Dungeoneering, Heal, Intimidate +3, Nature, Perception, Religion +3, Stealth +3, Streetwise +3, Thievery +3

FEATS
Human: Weapon Proficiency (Rapier)
Level 1: Melee Training (Charisma)

POWERS
Warlord at-will 1: Commander's Strike
Warlord at-will 1: Opening Shove
Warlord encounter 1: Leaf on the Wind
Warlord daily 1: Fearless Rescue
Human: Wolf Pack Tactics

ITEMS
Riding Horse, Rapier, Fine Clothing
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ======

Moral Code: A part of his personality is his moral code. Elannar is Directed by his own moral compass, the stirrings in his heart. He follows his gut on principle.

Background: Elessar Calanor is the first son of Lord Earl Farathorn Calanor and the Lady Rowena Calanor. Because the family has distant elven blood from the Elves going back 5 generations, Elessar was given an Elvish name. Because he is first in line, the Lord Earl kept him on a tight leash and sent him to the Academy to be educated. He recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree and have returned home. He's frustrated at home, his home having become a hotbed of intrigue and politics. Although he can deftly maneuver through the intrigue at court as best as he can, he often leaves the family manor to explore the family lands.

Elessar has recently been betrothed in an arranged marriage by his mother, the Lady Rowena. His fiance has so far proven to be kind and considerate. And she seems to be more adroit in maneuvering the courts than he is. He has also fallen in love with her and thus confides in her often. However, she's not around often at night.

[Place Holder for the fiance's render]

During his childhood, Elessar had a childhood friend by the name of Elaine. A commoner she is blonde headed. He had great fun with Elaine before he went to the Academy to be educated. He fell in love with Elaine, seeing as how they had a lot in common. When he returned, Elaine had married a shopkeeper. The marriage is a bad one, but unlike his arranged betrothal Elaine seems to have married for love. Although she loves him and he doesn't love her.

Traits/Demeanor: Elessar is somewhat reserved, holding his anger in check. He's also shy, hiding his shyness with the Pride of the nobility. He is surprisingly confident and loyal to his friends. Persons who betray him soon lose his respect. He is also quite naive, taking most everything said at face value. But he is a natural leader, so its quite possible he will learn discernment.

Elessar is hot-headed. Meaning he feels anger or indignation quite easily. He mostly keeps this in check, but there were times that he does let his anger go. He usually takes it out on a tree or some other object rather than a person. However, he warned Elaine's husband by pushing him against a stone wall and holding him by the neck that if he ever hurt Elaine, he will kill him. Finally, he has a strange way of attracting girls and guys to him that are easily distracted. The girls and guys are easy pickings. He's a bit bored with the girls and he doesn't give the guys any attention.

4th Edition, Again!

Oh yes, somebody tried to sell me the 4th Edition of Dungeons and Dragons today on the WotC boards. I told him to relax and calm down. Basically, 4th Edition is the current incarnation of the game, but really is it worth it to buy? Seriously, I ask myself this. Why buy a system that could change in the next year?

I have realized that there is more to life than playing Dungeons and Dragons; especially when it has become a game that keeps on changing every 2 years. Dungeons and Dragons follows all the trends, but now it's gotten out of hand. Looking at the History of Dungeons and Dragons, the game has gone from the iconic RPG to one that follows trends in RPGs. This is because I've heard that they are working on 4.5. And the game isn't even 2 yet!

So, what am I getting out of Dungeons and Dragons, playing it? So far, I made myself a social outcast. I mean really, I am a social outcast for much of my life. I either took life too seriously, or I found it to be too oppressive on myself. Or I was making myself into a victim, when in fact I create my life.

Looking around, I really don't like the results. Unmarried, hardly any friends except family and ward members. No girlfriend. And living with my parents and brother, who I question their ability to love me. Maybe I don't feel inspired, or I take on too many unproductive tasks for charity. Maybe, I lack inspiration lately. Maybe I fear marriage in a way, thats why I'm not taking any action towards that goal. Heck, I have enough RPGs to last a lifetime, and I don't want to get into the RPG race any more.

I'm not giving up RPGs, heck no! My favorite activity -- Worldbuilding -- is closely linked to it. Worldbuilding is the funnest, most beautiful ART in the Universe! I love doing it! I absolutely love worldbuilding to it's very core! It excites me to use this exciting knowledge of everything I have!

When I am building a world, I am in "the Zone." It's where everything clicks and I feel very, very happy. In fact, when I was adapting Eberron to Rolemaster, I felt happy. After all, I managed to stat out 14 different Martial Arts for use in Rolemaster! YAY!! And I did it in three days, YAHOOOO! The Force is with me, very, very much.



So, I feel unfulfilled, uncontent. And really, I didn't need a 4th Edition Fanboi to really make me feel explaining my feelings about Dungeons and Dragons. And you know what, he didn't. The Fanboi said all the flavor is in the system, after I said that flavor is more important for the DM and the players to fill and create. Because, it really is up to the GM and the players to create the feel of your game. Anyone who says different is selling something.

"4E will make your game better! It can do everything you want it to do!" Oh please . . . I don't really need that. I already know that Dungeons and Dragons is severely limited to what I want it to do. It's up to me to fill in the cracks and the spaces that D&D misses.

But what I need now is not the newest Roleplaying Game System to come out of Wizards of the Coast, especially when its going to be made obsolete already. What I need is something more lasting, something I can count on being there. Something I can get joy. Or rather, Someone. Isn't LIFE wonderful?

4e Classic Play

Clark Peterson over at Necromancer Games is trying to make 4e feel better for us who enjoy our D&D in certain recipes. What he is doing is taking out the heart of 4e as it is now, and transplanting it with the heart of AD&D or OD&D.

Although I said my piece on the forums, I think the idea is good and sound. For me, I want to play a 4e game where it's gritty and the danger is real. Heroism comes from with in, and unless you are playing Superheroes with the conviction that someone has got to save the world, I'd rather play 4e with combat where it's scary (combat should be deadly and lethal).

When I chimed in, Clark said that 4e isn't really for me, and yeah he's right. But when, or if, I DM 4e I'd like to DM a game I'd be more comfortable DMing. And Clark is going to attempt that. Pop on over to the Necromancer Games' forum and take a look at what he's doing and say hi!

http://necromancergames.yuku.com/forums/81

Unconfirmed Rumor

The GSL may stand to being revised. Note this is an unconfirmed rumor floating around Enworld and other D&D sites (such as Necromancer Games). But there is an unconfirmed report that certain people have seen a draft copy of a revised GSL.

So, what is the GSL? Compared to the OGL, nothing short but Corporate bullying. It's one of the major reasons why I steer clear of D&D 4e.