Fantasy Aficionados discussion
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RPGs
I'm an avid RPG'r, though I limit myself to contemporary horror and dystopian scifi. Fantasy RPGs still have a lion's share of the overall market, both for products and players.Have you looked into hooking up with a play by post game? It's a different feel than tabletopping, but you get to practice your writing skills a lot more.
Hey Brainycat! Welcome, and thanks for joining!Actually, I have thought about those post games. But there are so many, I have no idea which are good and which are crap.
Do you have any recommendations?
I can't really vouch for any specific ongoing games, but I do have a feel for the look and feel of different game systems.What do you like? Do you like heroes vs. dragons? Gods vs. Gods? Running around the countryside chasing orcs, or padding through the city at night cutting purses?
As for systems, D&D is still the 400kg gorilla that sets the archetypes for the industry. It has several different incarnations alive right now. 3.5e is very numbers crunchy, and is considered the last "old school" version. 4e is much more streamlined, but at the expense of limiting characters to sharply delineated advancement paths.
A lot of the fantasy RPG'rs are playing Pathfinder, they feel it's a good mix of crunch and open-ended character development. Exalted is a very complex game wherein you play characters with the powers of gods - want to move a mountain? Roll some dice - and it has a very large and loyal following. Warhammer Fantasy RPG (WHFRPG) is also popular. I haven't played the latest version, but it's supposed to have open-ended character advancement mechanic coupled with streamlined combat resolution and a very gritty, noir feel.
Some play by post games focus on the story and characters while minimizing the crunchiness, others are really focused on the letter of the law. Send some messages to the GameMasters and ask them how they're running their game, and you should be able to find a good fit :)
When I was with my ex-husband we played a lot of pen and paper gaming...mostly DND but also a lot of the White Wolf games like Vampire The Masquerade, etc. I am also addicted to online video games and trying very hard to break myself of the habit...lol.
I liked Vampire the Masquerade and All Flesh Must be Eaten. There's also a Lovecraft one but the name escapes me.
Amanda wrote: "I liked Vampire the Masquerade and All Flesh Must be Eaten. There's also a Lovecraft one but the name escapes me."Call of Cthulhu. This was my my favourite PnP RPG. High death rate in it though.
Phil wrote: "Amanda wrote: "I liked Vampire the Masquerade and All Flesh Must be Eaten. There's also a Lovecraft one but the name escapes me."Call of Cthulhu. This was my my favourite PnP RPG. High death rate..."
Yep that one. I kept meaning to get the book but never got around to trying it.
I haven't played CoC, but I hear very good things about it. Any game where you have a better then even chance of seeing your character mangled beyond recognition or driven irreparably insane sounds like a lot fun.I know some people playing CthulhuTech, but it seems that game is covering the same territory as Eclipse Phase, and EP is SOOOO GOOD I'd rather just keep playing it.
So I'm having flashbacks by reading some posts. Been a long time since I threw down, but still enjoy collecting and seeing where things are headed. Since we have a few PnP'ers here, I have a few questions for you all.1. What is your favorite PnP RPG system and why?
2. System aside, what universe/world do you enjoy habiting the most?
3. Do you play online/PC/console 'RPGs'? What are you thoughts on the electronic incarnation of Role Play's.
1) Unisystem, from Eden Studios. I like it because it's point-buy chargen, the combat/opposed task mechanics are FAST, the books are available in PDF, and there's enough material that I can scale a game from one-shot horror to multiyear campaign with angels and demons. 2) I like contemporary horror and far dark future (cyberpunk/transhumanism) the most, but I could get into a fantasy game as long as it's not a dungeon crawl.
3) No, I haven't yet. I'm on a linux machine with a crappy videocard, so I'm not sure how well any of the virtual tabletops would work. I'll have a win7 box put together in a couple of weeks, and I'd be willing to buy some software at that point.
I have a full subscription to Obsidian Portal, I'm not sure if I can transfer GM-ship to another user there. RP Online makes text only games easy.
1. What is your favorite PnP RPG system and why?I'm a bit of a cheat and play many of these through role play over the systems. I do like Vampire and AD&D's though.
2. System aside, what universe/world do you enjoy habiting the most?
Pretty much any horror or fantasy related game is great for me. I love living in the dark or fantastic world that is often far removed from my own.
3. Do you play online/PC/console 'RPGs'? What are you thoughts on the electronic incarnation of Role Play's.
I've always been more fond of Japanese plot driven RPGS like Suikoden, Grandia, Final Fantasy and Strat RPGs like Grimgrimoire. There's gotta be serious story nad plot in an rpg for me to be interested and most American games don't offer morethan hack n slash in my mind. I am fond of Fable 2 however.
bumpity bumpSurely we can get a crew together for a game? A bunch of creative, smart people like us?
Would this be a game we played online with each other (I don't know if that is even possible)? I've never played a tabletop RPG, but have been interested and would love to give it a shot if you guys are trying to get something together and are willing to play with a newbie.
My concept is of an online "play by post" game, where we commit to at least one post a day that describes your actions and stuff. I think with the crowd we have here, we should emphasize the storyline (roleplaying) and de-emphasize the number crunching.Of course, now that I've taken it upon myself to set the ground rules, I don't think I have the time to run it.
Check out rpol.net for examples of what I'm thinking about.
I like this idea. And thanks for posting that link, Brainycat! I've checked it out, but ran out of time, so I book marked the site.
I'm actually a member of a bulletin board RPG based off of Rowling's world. It's called Virtual Hogwarts, and it's pretty awesome. I have a friend who was an avid bulletin board-style RPGer in high school and I introduced him to the site. A few weeks later, once he had gotten the hang of it, he told me that it was the best one he had ever joined. We do our best to follow canon and there are some wonderfully talented people on the site. I have three characters.
This is something I'd really like to do one day. I don't really have the time right now, though. :(
I pine for the good old days where I had many local RPG'er and so many different world to play in.
Just came across this thread and it brought back memories! I played PBMs (Play by Mail) for many years, later PBEMs (Play by Email), mostly of the swords & sorcery variety and latterly of the space opera kind. The RP bit came from the history/background I'd created with my chars, how I interacted with other player's chars and the political 'banter' on the game forum. I attended a few game meets back when it wasn't cool to meet up with 'people you only know off the internet' but it was fun!A year and a bit ago, the boyfriend introduced me to World of Warcraft which I still play today. As a hobby, it works out cheaper than the PBM/PBEMs I played but there's no real RP interaction, unless you join a RP realm (mine isn't)
I think there are some free PBEMs out there but the ones I played were Quest and Phoenix run by KJC Games http://www.kjcgames.com/quest/quest.htm where you had to pay per turn.
1. What is your favorite PnP RPG system and why?D&D - haven't played anything else, because all the groups i played in wanted to play D&D. The reason therefore is that a lot of people playing PnP already have some D&D rulebooks and are familiar with the possibilities to create a character and the basic rules.
2. System aside, what universe/world do you enjoy habiting the most?
same here
3. Do you play online/PC/console 'RPGs'? What are you thoughts on the electronic incarnation of Role Play's.
I played Baldur's Gate 2, Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, Fable and if you let it count Diablo 1 and 2
Although those are/were considered to be top games in the genre none of them were as funny as PnP
I like the idea of the 'post by post' RPG. I'll try to read the rules during the next days.
guess I'll answer my own questions as well..1. What is your favorite PnP RPG system and why?
--Don't really have a favorite, but I really liked the reliability of the old D6 WEG system and of course the D20 System out of familiarity alone. I do really enjoy the Palladium system and Games Workshop as it ties into the Tabletop stuff. Still trying to find a classless system that works well, but as of yet, I've not played enough variety to make a concrete 'This is my Favorite' as yet.
2. System aside, what universe/world do you enjoy habiting the most?
--Cyberpunk/Sci-Fi tends to be my favorite, although I do enjoy other realms as well.
3. Do you play online/PC/console 'RPGs'? What are you thoughts on the electronic incarnation of Role Play's.
--I played some single player PC games and they've been alright, nothing revolutionary, nothing as cool or well thought out (IMO) as some of the older Nintendo/Sega/PS golden age of console games. I completely despise the WoW MMORPG style as it seems to be more an adult choose-your-own-adventure style, wash, rinse, repeat with different models and levels, with very little plot or actual roleplaying. More of a rush to get to the next level and not the adventure at hand. But to their defense, it's not like the envelope of electronic RPG's have been pushed passed basic concepts either. I'll always prefer a good group of PnP to anything electronic and tend to avoid the PC/Console versions of RPG's as the leave my wanting something they cannot provide... flexibility and unpredictability.
I'm very optimistic about using a VOIP client and a digital online whiteboard to do some classic RPG's and have play tested a few things... but time and family keep cramping my nerd style.
Though not paper based, I enjoyed the PC versions of Baldur's Gate, Shadow's of Amn and Neverwinter Nights (and various sequels.) But my favourite of all time was Planescape Torment. What a back story!
Paul wrote:"Though not paper based, I enjoyed the PC versions of Baldur's Gate, Shadow's of Amn and Neverwinter Nights (and various sequels.) But my favourite of all time was Planescape Torment. What a back story!"Played all those and I agree with you, Planescape Torment was the best of the lot. Story was incredible.
Just came across this thread buried among the discussions... It's been dormant a while looks like. Anyone still listening?I love/d D&D and have played on and off for more than 30 years. We may be restarting a group soon... depending on my scheduling ability etc. I have to DM.
I also played the Baldur's Gate games. I still think Baldur's Gate II and the expansion are my all time favorite RPG(s). I played Neverwinter Nights and a lot of the other D&D based rpgs to. Never played Planescape Torment. I've seen it, but never played it... May look into it yet.
I'm playing Balder's Gate. I'm still stuck at the beginning, trying to get out of the prison. LOL
I assume from the prison reference you're playing Baldur's Gate 2...great game. You pick up basic equipment and a few beginning allies in the prison. I keep BG2 loaded on my each new computer I get, I think it's still my favorite RPG for my PC.
That would be it. So far, I think it's good. I am stuck in the prison, though. I might have to look it up.
Where are you stuck? If it's the first floor there are a couple of quests you have to complete and then you leave through a glass which will take you to the next floor and on out.Won't intrude but if you tell me where you are I can probably clue you in with saying too much...I'll try. I've played through it several times. I was still finding new "stuff" a few games after the first.
I've been looking for a new RPG to undertake since finishing Dragon Age: Origins. Never played Balder's Gate before but it has the highest of ratings on metacritic so I'm def going to dl it tonight from gog!
Balder's Gate was a good game, but Balder's Gate 2 and it's expansion were fantastic. I assume that's the one you mean.
Oh, the prison level at the beginning of BG2, I'm getting worried for Khalid all over again! That was a seriously great game. :)
Okay, I'm still on the first floor of the prison(learning that there's more sent a shiver up spine LOL). I have been in every room but one that is locked from all sides you can enter it. I also have these energy cells (I think they're called) that I got from the water tanks holding those dying creatures.Oh, there's another room I can't get into because it too is locked. It has an indentation before in the floor that looks like it could hold a statue.
The energy cells only work once (they are for the trapped beings so you can talk to them). You have to get a rock from the room before you go into the library. that will let you talk to the Golem that will unlock most doors. Go through the halls till you find the bedroom (it's got lots of traps). loot it, you'll find a statue that fits the indentation in front of the other locked room. Pass through the bed room to a secret room (where an alarm will sound. Talk to the Dryads, loot the room, kill the golems who will come when the alarm sounds. The stuff you find in the rooms will give you what you need to leave the level. Be sure to get the acorns the dryads mention if you don't already have them. You need them much later in the game...Clear??? let me know if not.
Talking about it reminded me...I just loaded it up and started a new game LOL.
I haven't played any computer RPGs. I started playing D&D back in the mid-70s, and still play one kind of RPG or another to this day. Currently, I'm in a regular weekly game run by my oldest son, who asked me to teach him how to play D&D back when he was only four years old.I spent much of my gaming time as the referee/gamemaster, and the experience taught me a lot about weaving an interesting tale and providing vivid descriptions. Often I had some specific adventure in mind, only to have the gamers wander off in a different direction. That taught me how to adjust on the fly. I have nothing against computer RPGs, but they just don't provide the camaraderie of intelligent, inventive people sitting around a table and making their own contributions to a fantasy world.
S.J., the Baldur's Gate 2 game we've been discussing is a D&D game, the rules in the game are 2nd edition (that's the edition I still play table top when I'm DMing. I've played since '78 and also set up games for my son and his friends...thought it was safer than letting "just join a game" LOL.) It is basically a single player game, but has a multiplayer function (old school, usually computers tied together) but you can also play a multiplayer game where you control all the players. (it's possible to pause the game, tell each character in your party what to do and then unpause). The draw back there is you can only have 6 in your party and some quests are tied in to certain companions.As I was saying, it's a single player but it's one of the most intricate PC games I've ever played...and it's old enough that it's dirt heap. You might try it if you decide to see what you think. There's a lot of challenge to it.
I have nothing against computer RPG games. I've seen quite a number of them, thanks to my sons and their friends, who seem to enjoy them. I just don't have any interest in playing them myself. Anyway, computer games wouldn't offer the following:PLAYER: Tells NPCs blocking the party's path that he'll kill every one of them if they don't get out of the way.
GM: "Okay, roll for an Intimidation check."
PLAYER: "I'm not trying to intimidate them. I'm just telling them what will happen."
Oh, I definitely could do that. It was always very entertaining watching and listening to the gamers as they tried to solve a problem, vanquish a foe, or get the treasure. Most of the gamers were male, but the few female players I met were every bit as cunning and dangerous. I recall as one gaming group held a council of war one evening when they found themselves in a desperate plight. The lone woman player there said, after hearing various halfhearted suggestions from the other gamers:"We're too weak to defend ourselves. We'll have to attack them."
I wish I'd had enough table RPG folks around when I played, drove me nuts trying to get even a strictly playacting game of Vampire: the Masquerade going.
That's true, it's a different world. I enjoy table top to. I've usually been the DM, but as noted getting a group together has become an issue (now we have to play on Sat. mornings, no more than every 2 weeks and not at all from the end of Oct. through spring. We still haven't restarted). The computer games let me at least play when I can't get the group together. All the rolls are figured into the game, though you don't have the same feel as role playing with friends and so on. Still, you get the game, and don't have to spend an equal amount of time, or even more time, setting up each encounter and figuring all the experience points LOL.
To each. Just thought you might like it.
I understand that the convenience of computer games makes RPG play possible for people who might not otherwise be able to play at all. But I started with the old D&D game and the stapled-together rule books, and just don't feel an urge to go on line to play. This is no criticism of those who do, just a personal preference.
I don't play on line... I tried it once but unless I have a group set up the on line thing leaves me cold. Trying to get a "pick-up group" never seems to me to work out well. I play the single player RPGs. Like you I started with the old first edition D&D. Came in a box with the basic little books, you could cut out paper slips instead of dice (the one I got had the old cheap dice in it though). My original group moved on to what was called AD&D (Advanced Dungeons and Dragons) and then on to second edition. Since then I've played 3rd edition (I skipped 3.5...I refused to buy all new books right after buying 3rd edition LOL)and bought the books for fourth, but didn't like the way it was sort of "dumbed down". So, now table top I've gone back to 2nd edition...I own several copies of the Player's Handbook I can use as loners if players don't have one, though everybody has gone on and found their own so far.
BUT we do have trouble getting everyone together regularly. Married couples where one partner doesn't play..or is hostile. I lost one player because of a mate with who was jealous of the game.
So, I play single player computer games to. Don't like them all, but now and then find one I really like.
I can only speak about the players I've known, male or female. We also had the unofficial First Three Rules of gaming:
1) Make sure it's dead.
2) Make SURE it's dead.
3) Make sure it's DEAD.
Adhering to those rules can save a lot of trouble later in a game. I can think of a number of movies I've seen where those same rules could have been quite useful.
I shall refrain from critical comment as I wasn't there...but a DM has to learn that the game is about the players and not be too intrusive. But as I said...I wasn't there. Personally depending on storyline I'd pretty much have expected someone to try the Master line if I announce an NPC was THE Doctor...and Christopher Lambert???? Ooookkkaaayyy. :)
I would love to play D&D sometime. I never really have before. Never had the chance. I had some friends who tried before, but they didn't know what they were doing, and neither did I.
Ideally each group will have it's own flavor while sticking to core rules. Most groups have house rules and of course it depends on the "world" where the adventure takes place. There are several commercial settings, but I've always placed the games I DM in the world I made up...starting back in '78. I've added to it of course since then...it's got quite a detailed history by now. :)
I've always wanted to play real RPG, with dice rolling and creating your own characters and whatnot, but I live in a fairly remote area, and nobody I grew up with were ever into that. Things are changing, though, and there are some places in a nearby town where you can go and play on Saturday afternoons. I was thinking of joining up.