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| gameinfo:faq_prospective_players [2018/07/27 21:03] – restless | gameinfo:faq_prospective_players [2019/07/22 20:15] (current) – [Being edgy, __or__, where's the tiefling/dragonborn/drow elf? __or__, can I play an evil character?] restless |
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| ====== Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Players ====== | ====== Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Players ====== |
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| {{ :wiki:faqs.png?nolink|Frequently asked questions are answers frequently questioned}} | {{ :wiki:faqs.png?nolink|Frequently asked questions are answers frequently questioned}} |
| In short, this is an **old-school** game, with all that connotates. The game is a **sandbox** game run **beer-and-pretzels** style. **I treat the game as a game** and not some sort of grand storytelling event or realistic simulation. Also, since I have a life I am looking for a **minimum of prep time** to get to the table and have fun. | In short, this is an **old-school** game, with all that connotates. The game is a **sandbox** game run **beer-and-pretzels** style. **I treat the game as a game** and not some sort of grand storytelling event or realistic simulation. Also, since I have a life I am looking for a **minimum of prep time** to get to the table and have fun. |
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| You might also be interested in checking out my [[:player:restless#dming_style|DMing style]]. | You might also be interested in checking out my [[user:restless#dming_style|DMing style]]. |
| ==== More detail ==== | ==== More detail ==== |
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| | {{ :meta:kickdoorslootrooms.jpg?direct&240|...the way Gary intended.}} |
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| Foremost, this is a **[[wp>Beer and pretzels game|"beer-and-pretzels"]]** game. We're here to have fun and don't take things too seriously. Let's have a few laughs, kill monsters and take their stuff! | Foremost, this is a **[[wp>Beer and pretzels game|"beer-and-pretzels"]]** game. We're here to have fun and don't take things too seriously. Let's have a few laughs, kill monsters and take their stuff! |
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| In that vein, this is an **[[dict>old-school_gaming|old-school]]** style game; we're going to part... er, game like it's 1979!... or '82... or //something// like that. It's a rules-light, rulings-not-rules, DM-fiat, damn-the-splatbooks sort of experience. If your meat and potatoes consists entirely of complex character builds, [[dict>min-maxer|min-maxing]], [[dict>rules_lawyer|rules lawyering]] and perfect character balance then this probably isn't your ideal game; that doesn't mean you can't have fun, though! | In that vein, this is an **[[dict>old-school_gaming|old-school]]** style game; we're going to part... er, game like it's 1979!... or '82... or //something// like that. It's a rules-light, rulings-not-rules, DM-fiat, damn-the-splatbooks sort of experience. If your meat and potatoes consists entirely of complex character builds, [[dict>min-maxer|min-maxing]], [[dict>rules_lawyer|rules lawyering]] and perfect character balance while simultaneously taking advantage of power creep then this probably isn't your ideal game; that doesn't mean you can't have fun, though! |
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| The game is a **[[dict>sandbox|sandbox]]** (albeit a shallow one at first). Players are in charge of setting their goals and balance of risk versus reward. Also, there are events happening in the world, but there's no overarching plot they are expected or required to take part in. Instead, there's just an overarching environment. This isn't //story// time, it's //game// time. | The game is a **[[dict>sandbox|sandbox]]** (albeit a shallow one at first). Players are in charge of setting their goals and balance of risk versus reward. Also, there are events happening in the world, but there's no overarching plot they are expected or required to take part in. Instead, there's just an overarching environment. This isn't //story// time, it's //game// time. |
| Speaking of, a game should be just that: **gamey**. Players move their characters around, things are measured in turns, there's rules, etc. There's a touch of simulationism in that rules describe the world, we're tracking resources and the like... but //narrative be damned//. There's no epic story; you __are__ __not__ //Big Damn Heroes™//. You're a band of ragtag [[dict>adventurer|murder hobos]] that kill monsters and take their stuff then fritter the proceeds away on weird schemes, orgies and mind-altering substances of your choice. (A good way to put it comes from an old-school blog I read: //[[http://jeffro.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/the-five-prerequisites-for-player-skill/|“First, it’s not a story, it’s a game. Second, you don’t win because you’re heroes. You’re heroes if you win.”]]//) Players make their own stories for their characters because it makes it worth so much more than something just handed to you; if you're not into that and just want to explore, roll dice and fight, that's great, too! | Speaking of, a game should be just that: **gamey**. Players move their characters around, things are measured in turns, there's rules, etc. There's a touch of simulationism in that rules describe the world, we're tracking resources and the like... but //narrative be damned//. There's no epic story; you __are__ __not__ //Big Damn Heroes™//. You're a band of ragtag [[dict>adventurer|murder hobos]] that kill monsters and take their stuff then fritter the proceeds away on weird schemes, orgies and mind-altering substances of your choice. (A good way to put it comes from an old-school blog I read: //[[http://jeffro.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/the-five-prerequisites-for-player-skill/|“First, it’s not a story, it’s a game. Second, you don’t win because you’re heroes. You’re heroes if you win.”]]//) Players make their own stories for their characters because it makes it worth so much more than something just handed to you; if you're not into that and just want to explore, roll dice and fight, that's great, too! |
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| Finally, I'm looking for **minimal preparation time for sessions**. I want a game where I don't spend four hours prepping for every hour at the table. I've done that before and it wasn't fun for me. I'll be exercising my creativity by doing a lot of riffing off sparse notes and random tables at the table and playing on what happens during actual play. | Finally, I'm looking for **minimal preparation time for sessions**. I want a game where I don't spend four or more hours prepping for every hour at the table. I've done that before and it wasn't fun for me. I'll be exercising my creativity by doing a lot of riffing off sparse notes and random tables at the table and playing on what happens during actual play. |
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| ===== Scheduling ===== | ===== Scheduling ===== |
| - The players have to secure a place to play. | - The players have to secure a place to play. |
| - The players have to tell the DM where they plan on going well in advance (at least five calendar days, but more is always better) so he has a chance to prepare anything that needs to be completed. | - The players have to tell the DM where they plan on going well in advance (at least five calendar days, but more is always better) so he has a chance to prepare anything that needs to be completed. |
| - There must be at least three players in attendance, but no more than six. | - There must be at least two players in attendance, but no more than six. |
| - The DM can veto an idea that sounds completely boring and not worth a game session. | - The DM can veto an idea that sounds completely boring and not worth a game session. |
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| To facilitate the use of a pool of players and supporting unbroken continuity, characters will start and end every session in the taproom of [[gaz:places:the_orc_and_the_pie|The Orc and the Pie]]. Characters that do not return by the end of the session will be subject to rolling on a version of [[http://jrients.blogspot.ca/2008/11/dungeons-dawn-patrol.html|Jeff's Triple Secret Random Dungeon Fate Chart of Very Probable Doom]]. (This also goes for players who must leave the game before the session is ended. They just sort of... wander off or get lost.) | To facilitate the use of a pool of players and supporting unbroken continuity, characters will start and end every session in the taproom of [[gaz:orc_and_pie|The Orc and the Pie]]. Characters that do not return by the end of the session will be subject to rolling on [[:rules:house:fate_chart_of_doom|a version of Jeff Rients' Triple Secret Random Dungeon Fate Chart of Very Probable Doom]]. (This also goes for players who must leave the game before the session is ended. They just sort of... wander off or get lost.) |
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| ===== Where can I find out about the setting? ===== | ===== Where can I find out about the setting? ===== |
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| The best way is probably to ask an existing player, but you can read a quick [[reference:quickstart:20_questions|overview]] about some pertinent and gameable information, or read in more depth about the setting in the [[gaz:home|gazetteer]]. | The best way is probably to ask an existing player, but you can read a quick [[:gameinfo:twenty_questions_setting|overview]] about some pertinent and gameable information, or read in more depth about the setting in the [[gaz:|gazetteer]]. |
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| ===== You said this is an old-school game? ===== | ===== You said this is an old-school game? ===== |
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| Yes, I said this is an [[gameinfo:definitions#old-school_gaming|old-school]] game. Old-school rules, old-school mentality. | Yes, I said this is an [[dict>old-school_gaming|old-school]] game. Old-school rules, old-school mentality. |
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| === What if I don't agree with your rulings? === | ==== What if I don't agree with your rulings? ==== |
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| Here, fill this form out in triplicate, using black pen... | Here, fill this form out in triplicate, using black pen... |
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| In all seriousness, [[gameinfo:definitions#rule_zero|I addressed that already.]] If you have been playing a while and are having trouble with this aspect of old-school gaming, perhaps you should step back and consider the context of the game. Am I being a [[gameinfo:definitions#rules_lawyer|rules lawyer]]? Maybe rules-light isn't for me? Am I trying to twist things to get unfair advantages? Could this simply be a very difficult task, opponent or area I am against? | In all seriousness, [[dict>rule_zero|I addressed that already.]] If you have been playing a while and are having trouble with this aspect of old-school gaming, perhaps you should step back and consider the context of the game. Are you being a [[dict>rules_lawyer|rules lawyer]]? Maybe rules-light isn't for you? Are you trying to twist things to get unfair advantages? Could this simply be a very difficult task, opponent or area you are up against? |
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| ==== I'd rather play <insert your favorite new-school game> instead. / Can't we just make it like <insert some houserule here>? ==== | ==== I'd rather play <insert your favorite new-school game> instead. / Can't we just make it like <insert some houserule here>? ==== |
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| No. We're playing [[gameinfo:definitions#classic_d_d|classic D&D]]. | No. We're playing [[dict>classic_d_d|classic D&D]] with Basic Fantasy RPG rules. |
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| You can also put them facing, to show who's watching what flank, who's watching behind, etc. It doesn't actually mean you're walking backwards or sideways (unless... you are, I guess?), it just means you're responsible for watching that direction. | You can also put them facing, to show who's watching what flank, who's watching behind, etc. It doesn't actually mean you're walking backwards or sideways (unless... you are, I guess?), it just means you're responsible for watching that direction. |
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| === ...have a caller? === | === ...have a caller? === |
| For example, a quiver of arrows may be represented by a d6; roll a 1 on a d6 after firing arrows during a combat and your quiver may be exhausted. This way, there's a bit of randomness to the amount of arrows, which can be accounted for in recovery of arrows, etc. It's an abstraction, but it works. | For example, a quiver of arrows may be represented by a d6; roll a 1 on a d6 after firing arrows during a combat and your quiver may be exhausted. This way, there's a bit of randomness to the amount of arrows, which can be accounted for in recovery of arrows, etc. It's an abstraction, but it works. |
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| | TODO //Adjust for new rules for exhausting ammo// |
| === ...track our encumbrance? === | === ...track our encumbrance? === |
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| Seriously, though, splitting the party is dangerous at best, foolish at worst. Depending on the action, I may ask people not present to leave the game table, or take those who are currently acting aside. | Seriously, though, splitting the party is dangerous at best, foolish at worst. Depending on the action, I may ask people not present to leave the game table, or take those who are currently acting aside. |
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| Sometimes it just doesn't matter. We can all agree not to [[:gameinfo:definitions#metagaming|metagame]] the situation, right? (//Right?//) | Sometimes it just doesn't matter. We can all agree not to [[dict>metagaming|metagame]] the situation, right? (//Right?//) |
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| === "But, but... that's not our standard operating procedure!" === | === “But, but... that's not our standard operating procedure!” === |
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| I don't //**do**// "standard operating procedures" outside of marching orders marked with minis or on paper. You're a rowdy band of [[definitions#adventurer|tomb robbers]], not an elite SEAL team. You tell me what you're doing as you're doing it, or you're not doing it. | I won't consider "standard operating procedures" outside of marching orders marked with minis or on paper. You're a rowdy band of [[dict>adventurer|tomb robbers]] (that probably varies from delve to delve), not an elite SEAL team with incredible knowledge of your target and its composition given to you by an immense intelligence apparatus. |
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| | You tell me what you're doing as you're doing it, or you're not doing it. |
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| ==== Old-school / D&D / DM fiat sucks! I won't play your crappy game! ==== | ==== Old-school / D&D / DM fiat sucks! I won't play your crappy game! ==== |
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| Suit yourself. | [[wiki:further_thoughts|See here for further thoughts on this.]] |
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| ===== Backstories, dramastics, natural LARPers and barfing on the table ===== | ===== Backstories, dramastics, natural LARPers and barfing on the table ===== |
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| ==== "Let me tell you about my character," or... elaborate backstories ==== | ==== “Let me tell you about my character,” or... elaborate backstories ==== |
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| | {{ :meta:notthefuckingbackstory.jpg?direct&200|}} |
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| To me, a character's story begins when he's rolled up. A backstory should be a one-line description and a one-line background ("Conan is a long-haired, swarthy barbarian with oiled muscles. He seeks revenge on the sorcerer that destroyed his village and killed his parents"). Everything that happens after that is your character's life. | To me, a character's story begins when he's rolled up. A backstory should be a one-line description and a one-line background ("Conan is a long-haired, swarthy barbarian with oiled muscles. He seeks revenge on the sorcerer that destroyed his village and killed his parents"). Everything that happens after that is your character's life. |
| No. | No. |
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| I'm not really down with [[definitions#flailsnails_conventions|FLAILSNAILS]]. Sure, I could translate the character on the fly and limit things as I want, but it's more trouble than I want to deal with having to translate magic items, spell descriptions, special powers or skills, etc. I'd rather just have characters for the campaign from the campaign and not have to worry about all the extra work. | I'm not really down with [[dict>flailsnails_conventions|FLAILSNAILS]]. Sure, I could translate the character on the fly and limit things as I want, but it's more trouble than I want to deal with having to translate magic items, spell descriptions, special powers or skills, etc. I'd rather just have characters for the campaign from the campaign and not have to worry about all the extra work. |
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| ===== Rules questions ===== | ===== Rules questions ===== |
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| The base rule set is //[[http://necrotic-gnome-productions.blogspot.com/2017/11/about-bx-essentials.html|B/X Essentials]]//, which is a 100% faithful restatement of the rules in the [[gameinfo:definitions#red_box_d_d|old Basic/Expert Dungeons & Dragons boxed sets from '81]]. To mix that up, there is a slate of house rules, which was pretty much always the case when I played as a kid, plus some stuff I just dig or think would be fun. (I'm an inveterate rules tinkerer.) | The base rule set is //[[http://basicfantasy.org|Basic Fantasy RPG]]//, which heavily based on the [[dict>red_box_d_d|old Basic/Expert Dungeons & Dragons boxed sets from '81]] along with some changes. To mix that up, there is a slate of [[dict>house_rules|house rules]], which was pretty much always the case when I played as a kid, plus some stuff I just dig or think would be fun. (I'm an inveterate rules tinkerer.) |
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| When the rules differ, we will defer to house rules first, and //B/X Essentials// second. | When the rules differ, we will defer to [[dict>house_rules|house rules]] first, and //BFRPG// second. |
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| Yep. I like race as class. It makes the character races a bit more "foreign" or "alien." However, a racially-classed character can (sometimes) take a second class in the special multiclassing rules, so it helps differentiate some characters a bit. | Yep. I like race as class. It makes the character races a bit more "foreign" or "alien." However, a racially-classed character can (sometimes) take a second class in the special multiclassing rules, so it helps differentiate some characters a bit. |
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| | TODO |
| ==== Where's the paladin? The bard? My favoritest character class EVAR???//?11! ==== | ==== Where's the paladin? The bard? My favoritest character class EVAR???//?11! ==== |
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| Even classes for nonhuman races could be defined; if we had ratmen, they'd be their own class, but a rat man cultist would likely be a rat man with a secondary class of cleric or magic-user, say. However, not all nonhuman races can be mixed with all classes. | Even classes for nonhuman races could be defined; if we had ratmen, they'd be their own class, but a rat man cultist would likely be a rat man with a secondary class of cleric or magic-user, say. However, not all nonhuman races can be mixed with all classes. |
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| | ==== Being edgy, or, where's the tiefling/dragonborn/drow elf? or, can I play an evil character? ==== |
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| | {{:gameinfo:angtft.jpg?direct&80 |Ain't *nobody* got time for that.}}We're all here to have fun and play a game, but for some reason we all know //D&D// can attract people who take it to be their way to explore their more... antisocial tendencies (whether or not they explore them in their own life). For some, it's not fun to have someone else in the party who is edgy and brooding //just// to be edgy and brooding, or going around stealing from party members, attacking them or causing trouble because "they're acting in character." |
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| | I know you're supposed to roleplay, but having to watch your back against the world and also your compatriots or suffer the consequences of someone who is random for no purpose but their own edification is just... exhausting. [[gameinfo:table_etiquette#the_keyword_is_respect|It's also not fun.]] At the table, let's agree that the party are all allies and we hunt the monsters, not //be// the monsters. |
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| | === Well, if I can't be one of those... then I don't want to play! === |
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| | [[wiki:further_thoughts|I have that covered already here.]] |
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| | {{tag>gameinfo table rules}} |
