A Pathfinder game with no combat: A fun idea or asinine foolishness?

Full disclosure folks! I'm feeling a bit dreary, so I am going to do the only thing that brings me solace, aside from Pathfinder(ing?) and playing Video Games, WRITING! :D

Skills, abilities and conversational intrigue...combat optional

        Let's jump right into it! So I had recently held a game with my beloved group of epic story driven players. We've toiled, we've fought, we've trudged through the marshlands of Miranok. Bested the horrid creatures of ice and death in the Frozen Bronze Realm. We've navigated the labyrinth that was the Glimmerand Metropolis, and its almost infinite alley ways and streets and markets. All throughout this journey I've attempted to remain true to my own GM axiom, to have 1-3 combat situations, sometimes more if necessary. I've felt that combat lets PC's flex that ever atrophying muscle of feats, special attacks and the like. So much of the characters and the builds predicate around combat and the way one deals with hostile situations and so forth. It really is the quintessential marker for any Table Top RPG out in the market nowadays...except for that weird Jenga RPG an acquaintance was talking to me about .___. 

        Then we played through a recent game. There was much ado with talking, spell casting (not against hostiles), and all things which involved skills and outside things not involving combat. Then...the game ended. *Shrug*I was left wondering and worrying whether the game was fun or if the group was frustrated or even curious at the lack of action and blood letting. I spoke to them a day or so later and they clued me in, "Not at all, we had a blast trying to get things done with that airship" that's right, they got an airship and called it Ember'sEdge "And we had more dialogue action and skill action and that was fine with us!" Seeing as I trust them not to gussy a shitty situation up for my benefit I believe them. Got me to thinking, and still am, is there a necessary stage in all scenario's of a campaign for action. For one-shot's I could understand, but as last encounter was any indication...perhaps not.

        One of the players made it clear it did depend on the group you were GM'ing for, and I certainly agree with that sentiment. I know a certain other group that would not only balk at such a notion, but would most likely fling heavy objects at me for such an egregious break in the actiony action we've enjoyed together. I over exaggerate of course but still, I suppose it falls to the GM to be cunning and observant enough to recognize if a group could handle all RP and no action. I still want some semblance of combat in a scenario of a larger campaign, I am just as curious about player builds and the artifacts I give them and how they interact with the rest of the world. I don't just throw random artifacts at you and think *welp, that about does it, hum dee dum* I am VERY interested to see how the artifacts and so forth play out. I have about 2 to 3 books, more I'm sure,

        I'm always trying to get out of my comfort zone, lately I've had little to no time to do this as real life issues hinder me, but when I have the freedom to focus solely on this, you can be sure I spend a GREAT deal of time on our games and prep and such. To all other GM's out there, I suppose try and get a feel for other players and the groups you have in your fold. Make your judgments and keep an open mind. More than that though have a quick encounter handy for the chance that your group is super not into the RP heavy encounter you're running. I know both spectrum's, groups that wouldn't mind an RP session and a group that would be loathe to play such a game. I suppose be mindful and my takeaway from it all is that I enjoyed the experience and perhaps there will be more in the future.

        This was a remarkably short entry, but hey, I feel better already! Hope you all have a great New Years, and from this less disgruntled GM I'll freely say, GTFO 2015, you sucked. :3 

        Always remember to roll that D20!

        Ryan

A fantastic update!

        So I would be remiss if I didn't post on here, though I am fully aware the viewership and curious watchers are few, I still wouldn't feel right without making some sort of noise about it. SO, with that said a group of friends and I have started a YouTube channel. While at first glance it may seem another "Let's Play" channel, and one may say "But Ryan this is some humdrum blabbity blab!" I assure you strange commentator is anything but that! While there will be game plays a many, there will, I repeat, WILL be other types of videos involved with this megabit pixelated knighthood! The skies the limit on that, so long as we don't delve into the lawful evil, all will be well and free to influence with our knightliness! And what that shiz be?! Well there's game plays, possible book reviewing, funny quips and little asides and quests, quests and more quests!
        Honestly I've talk about doing something like this for years now, YEARS! After a crazy fucking 2015, being one of my least favorite years, I figured that perhaps I can leave this year on one final note, one final good note. I know I know, a year is only a value of numbers, that don't always equate well. From one day to another that we deem the switch to a new number indicating rotation around the sun doesn't mean some magical change takes place. Gods know the sun doesn't revolve around us, rather we around it. Without getting to metaphysical or up my own ass, lets just say I understand there's more complexity to it than a bloody number! That being said, for mental fortitude and willpower I see this new year approaching with new trials, but with a fantastic new variety of stuff under my belt. Challenged met full on and without fear...ok a little bit of fear. Mountains to be climbed, swords to be met, shields to be broken...a red day, a honorable day, AND THE GOLD SUN RISES! lol Well what more can I say? This channel will be game plays, it will be book reviewing with a great amount of screaming, from yours truly :3, it will be comedic quips and epic quests through the woodlands.
        I wouldn't limit this channel to just video games, but that will be a wonderful aspect of it. I have, and my fellow knights have, to fucking much imagination to limit ourselves. So join me on this carrack heading to a castle of unknown fortune and peril, for together we can meet this challenge, and even if bloodied, smile for having community and friends beside us.
:3
always always always, roll that D20 friends,
Ryan
OF COURSE! Derp, the link for said channel, let the epic begin!
http://tinyurl.com/KnightsoftheMegabit

Gamer's: A trinity of, The Then's, The Millennials and the Now's.

Well I guess we know where this Article is going, now don't we?

I couldn't help myself, I read the first three-quarters of an extremely interesting article and began to think...and when someone notates their thoughts in pen and paper...or the like, well here is the end product. Fallout 4 recently came out, and with it came an absolute slew of opinions and ideals, thoughts and beliefs, points and counterpoints. I believe it would be an insanely massive understatement to say I'm "Throwing my hat into the ring" but again I just can't help myself.

The person of said article made note of the previous Fallout games, actually only recognizing 3 and New Vegas, not 1, 2 or the subsequent spin offs within their respective numbers. The person also went on to state how 3 and New Vegas fostered innovation and immersive game play whilst 4 merely is an exercise in kill, loot and gain xp. To sum up there were some posts of Steam reviews and the stating of fandom backlash...and the gears began to turn.

Why has the franchise taken such a turn? It's almost a perplexing equation, in fact some could see it that way. Where 3 inspired curious thoughts on Karma, the different choices and the overall enjoyment of the universe, 4 does seem to be a hackneyed game where so much of it was trimmed down to sub-easy standards. A critic that happens to be my favorite within the gaming arts is Yahtzee Croshaw, and he jeered against the loss of so much of what made 3 and New Vegas so immersive. The dialogue, the story, the little bits of lore and choices one makes, all has truly changed, more so than I thought would first occur.

So why? I believe that perhaps its has something to do with what this title noted. There were gamers growing up in the 60's 70's and early 80's figuring out the entire genre, ushering in a glorious era of sweaty palmed button mashing wonder. The 90's and the aughts saw the gaming industry take such a massive hold that it became less "Video Games" and more interactive movie experiences, the stories and gameplay were innovative and from the paleolithic times of retro games we entered into the neolithic. Then from there we have arrived...at a new dawn it seems. Where our Millennial generation has found a new co-op player to this strange and new land of gaming. Just as the older gamers of the 20th century watched as we turned a humdrum community into a powerhouse industry now the newer generation is taking it somewhere else...to a place we're not entirely sure where it will lead...and it's scared the hell out of us.

In no way am I attempting to preach some strange grandiose Millennial belief we are owed...anything. I am not muddling this with politics, or am doing my damnedest not to. But perhaps there's a new generation that the companies are looking to now. Perhaps where all my companions and colleagues are forgetting is there is a generation coming right on our heels, closer than we thought, and they have very different views on what makes a great game. Are there views and wants lesser than ours? I don't think so, but of course every previous generation is horrified or at least anxiety ridden by what's coming after. We feel there is a loss of something we held precious, what we held dear. This newest generation is what I see in my cousin, as he plays minecraft incessantly, no longer a young child he still fervently plays as a young teen. A younger generation at a camp I was a staffer for looked to Call of Duty Ghosts as the "best game she's ever played" and there wasn't much I could say. There were some of us who had differing opinions, but most of those her age or even younger believed it to be true. So, perhaps we're dealing with a new generation making their wants and needs known, but this certainly doesn't mean we should shut up and watch from aside.

With this not talked about newer genre of triple A gaming stabilizing a sedentary hold within the community we have the indie games. Thousands of creators have taken to Steam...and erm...GOG and pretty much any private domain to voice their hopes that the "olde school" gaming never dies. Where there's a resurgence of pixelated 8-bit goodness and intense story telling. Where many see the newer mega release games of present day lacking in content and story, the indie developers respond. Where the newer generation marches forward with no stratified stories and more emphasis at carving out an electronic niche, another generation continues to decry major games with less focus on story and plot.

The Then's, from this person's personal experience, have always agreed at not expecting games to take such a massive and solidified roll in the community.The Millennials marched onwards with thoughts of great and graphically majestic games paving their road for them. Then the Now's have taken every conceivable path in every direction to construct and create their own small abodes in a virtual world that started as barely a graphic on a cathode and vacuum tubed screen.

SO! That all being said, perhaps there is a generation that is remaining relatively silent and buying these newer generational games in mass quantity. (Though some certainly aren't quiet by any means) Perhaps the newer games are doing exactly what the, quickly becoming majority, newer generation wants. Where the newer generation doesn't necessarily denigrate or shy away from story but are more apt to more towards crafting, settlement building and all variants of that game which really did seem to change so much...but if minecraft never came about perhaps another would have, perhaps.

While so many individuals will berate or scream against such notions, it will be the majority that speaks loudest. In the end while many separate Newer Generational's may denounce such notions, it is the millions that will move the markets. Sadly, in the end, it is the margins, the money and profits, that will speak more than anything else.

The Now's are asking for a certain type of gaming that the previous generations may not agree with. It has them scared as hell, and when people get scared they lash out. Who know's which is right and which is wrong, or if there is such a notion in such an age? Perhaps the gaming publishers and massive Triple A game industries are doing exactly what the majority are crying for, and we just aren't seeing the bigger picture. Perhaps another generation will come along and make story the prime driving force, or perhaps it will be something else completely unforeseeable. Either way I will be immensely curious to see which avenue, of the trillions, it goes down, and wonder just as I am now, about where its heading. I just had to throw my hat into the ring, for all the negativity being barked, perhaps there are more silent, or less silent, masses that are completely fine with what's being created.

We shall see...







Opinions are not what make us, us. Opinions are simplistic objects to be placed in boxes, and if proven wrong it does not hurt us intrinsically and can easily be changed. My opinions are just that, to be completely wrong will not bring tears rather a nod of acceptance and a shift of opinion. Thank you CGP Grey.

Gm'ing is thirsty work!

I would suggest Mount(ain) Doom drink :)

        SO! Little known fact about me, I have been GMing now for...about 10 years, and have played table top RPG's for about 14. I have certainly run into my fair share of pitfalls. Is my game too challenging? Are the characters original, or another set of cookie cutter cliche's? Did I remember to wear my deodorant, gods know I've been to enough cons to know what happens if I shouldn't... 

        Yup, so with that I've always looked to improve my gaming experience and my GMing experience. I've tried a whole mess of different ideas. There was a time I threw the Deck (the one all DnD players know of) at the group on a regular basis...and oh did my plots go in every damned directions. Good days of learnin, and the learnin never stopped. SO I've read a great many books and so forth on how to GM, not to mention the plethora of blogs and how-to's online. Even after a decade of trial and error I still look to advice and suggestions, even from people whom call themselves noobs. Everyone has good points or at least interesting points to make and, though lately I've been a bit lost emotionally and ambition wise, I try and absorb every damn bit I can. NOW, this leads me to this post. There's this book, that frankly every GM should have in their bag of holding. (If you don't have a bag of holding you are sorely missing out my friend!) 

        This book, "The Lazy Dungeon Master", never was there a more comprehensive or fantastic novel which breaks down what every GM should endeavor to do. With a motley assortment of bullet pointed lists, examples, quotes and methods from renowned GM's, this little booklet certainly holds its own. I chatted with a certain GM friend of mine who has a tendency to illustrate his encounters a little too much and we both agreed this is a highly necessary read for all Game Masters, and players honestly. 

        I had the fortune and privilege to read this as a gift from my father, in part because I'm a broke GM that still tries to run games regardless of monetary concerns, and partly because my father is an avid player. The author is not only a GM aficionado but gamer for many many years. Also the man has quite the pull with different renowned GM'ers out there and so not only does he offer easy to read advice (but in no way elementary) but backs most of it up with experience or outside voices.

        This book may have come 10 years into my GMing passion but it plays a pivotal roll in every game I host. Don't over-prep but have outlines, don't stratify your story or bog it down with rail set points but keep it open enough to work with the punches the players throw your way. (figuratively speaking of course) Obviously I'm not going to reiterate every point on this book, as it would be blatant plagiarism and that's just not my way, but only want to emphasize the enormity of its impact. This book shows itself to be a very advantageous spell tome of plot enforcing fun while at the same time keeping with the brevity that all games should have. Every GM'er should at least give this a try, while every player would benefit in delving into what game masters go through to produce entertaining games. 

        Gamers, players, Game Masters and interested readers as well, I highly recommend this reading. Well that's about all I have to say on the matter, as for myself, I'll be seeing you all at Pacificon this labor day weekend. Stop by my game: Druids of the Exiled PT 2 and 3 and say hello and hang around if you'd like. I won't have this book on print, unfortunately, but I will have it in pdf form on my laptop! 

        Well, as usual roll your D20,

        Ryan

Increasing the attendance to CON's, one die at a time

Gaming is a sanctuary, most of the time

        So I love to game, and it appears to be the trendy thing of this past few years. It will inevitably come to an end and then those who love to game and immerse themselves in gaming will be looked at as strange and confusing. It could be worse, we could be labeled (though places in the Midwest certainly continue to do this) as Satanists and worshipers of dark arts...luckily there's a larger community to block out the asshats hell bent (heh) on proving we're the destruction of all goodness. It would appear, hopefully, that my gaming schedule and running of games is about to increase by quite a lot, I certainly hope this proves factual.Gaming to me has always proved a non-destructive escape from the shit and anger of today, from news rhetoric to opinionated angst, gaming is what we all do to run the fuck away from the fury of it all. But it is more than that as well, it is a friendship building (as corny as that may be) endeavor and something where we (group and I) can make one hell of a memorable experience. Because life is nothing but a sum of our memories, as my father is always prone to point out, and to a degree it certainly is...in fact it mostly is. So Gaming is a sanctuary, and I've gone off enough to prove, or at least show this to be a strongly believed opinion of mine. Well I really wanted to post a map or something on here so its not just me blabbing and posting a giant block of text but sadly I have little funds, at the moment, to go to a printing shop I frequent and get it scanned in (my maps are usually quite large so Kinko's usually doesn't cut it). 

        So, instead I suppose I'll attempt to update about my CON status. I am currently attempting to get a game approved by the great council of Pacificon Gaming Expo, or what I used to know as CONquest. I've been waiting for some time but with any luck my "Druids of the Exiled Part's 2 and 3" will get approved and then any and all who read this can come over and check out my game! I've been told, though I'm not 100% on the validity of this, that my games are enjoyable, so with luck it'll remain so! I've already had 3 people express interest (hey, they're friends but I still count them as totally unbiased players :D ) so if they indeed join my game I would have 3 more available spots. Playing my game or not please stop by and throw me a "hello" or even sit down to chat about GMing and role playing in general, I would love that as well. I'll attempt to post, when funds become a more regular and expanded detail, my maps and current projects and as always would enjoy feedback!

        To the few people, someday more perhaps :3, keep on rolling that D20,

        Ryan

A return to old ties

It has been far too long...

        Hello all! Wow...its been...ages and ages. Firstly to those of you kind enough to respond to my last post, thank you all I very much appreciate it. Secondly, well a lot has happened, honor has been gained, blood has been spilt, shields have been broken...it was a cold year, a cold day, and a red dawn. Epic no? Any who about a full month ago, give or take a few days at the end of June, a good friend of mine passed away from over dose on a destructive substance. That is all the detail I need go into, at least for my own sake of being. After losing my friend, one I have known since I was in 2nd or 3rd grade (he would always correct me) I got to thinking and feeling, of course. My thoughts went thusly: It's cliche to say life is too short to harbor resentment but it certainly rings true here. I just lost a friend I've known a majority of my life. I shed more tears than I thought I would, I thought I would be "strong" as many have said to be, and you know what? To hell with that. I broke down and damn it all it was one of the hardest fucking things to come to terms with, but damn it all I am coming to terms with it. I had some trying games and I thought GMing for me was a safe haven free from the storm that has been my life for the past couple of years. A few games have shown me otherwise and the friends I've had and still have certainly tested and conflicted with me in so many ways, fuck what a year...what  a couple of years. But when all is said and done, especially for the past month, I just don't care and I don't believe I will care (too much) about what is to come. Having my close friend die on me has slowly changed me, to stop trying to accommodate everyone, and to live. I love to GM, I will morph my GMing to different groups with different demands. I will write, I will cry, I will laugh, I will love and I will live...

        So that's only a paraphrasing bit on my minds process. Yup, good stuff to meditate and think and think some more on what's been going on. So I made my apologies, I bordered on whether to keep GMing (there was a time where I was about to hang up my GM mantle...) and well here I am. All I have to say is, as I get ready to post regularly on here again is, time is fleeting and having lost a friend I should know that harboring anger or regrets may never get resolved, be careful if you do. 

        Well as always, those few of you reading this, keep on rolling your D20 and hope for a day of gaming and fun,

        Ryan

I apologize

        No funny quips, no jokes, no text, most likely my last post. I have come to realize the truth to my nature and how I run games, how I am as a GM, I have come to see the reality of the situation which then calls into question everything I have done and decided upon in my life. After a fantastically destructive end to a game, possibly, I have come to the realizations about the truth and complexity of my games, and how they truly are not that good. Therefore in light of this circumstance, in one of the only places where I make any public appearance through discussion of my games and GMing in general, I will hang up my GM cloak and hat, in a manner of speaking. I realize the honesty and viciousness behind my games, how truly bad they were, and am both horrified to the point of complete seclusion from any public eye and any form of socializing, and am also deeply saddened to the point of tears, the damage my games have wrought. I realize how terrible my games and how I was as a GM, and I apologize to everyone I've ever been involved with as a GM, I apologize to my friend Mae, to Jeffery, to Nikki, to Spencer, to Walker and all my players, I failed as a GM and I accept that. I'll wrap up the games for those I still GM for, I can only promise, for what its worth it will be a happy and not depressing ending, it will be an ending which you deserve and will get, and will give you both the satisfaction and elation you deserve, though if you doubt that due to my past GMing I completely understand. If I could reimburse you for your wasted time, if I could give you your games and characters back I would and will, if we game again. I am sorry for the misery I have created, I know now how I was, and am, as a GM, friend, and human being, and it was the most despicable of examples and I could never be more sorry and abhorred by seeing what I have done and how I was as a GM.
        It is no consolation, it is barely close to something which would invoke relief within you, but know I truly tried to create a fun and interesting environment, I love you all, remember this, and always have, I am sorry, and let us wrap up these games as friends and move on to other roads and paths, for clearly this path of Pathfinder, is not my calling, and I understand this now.

       I love you all as much as a brother, friend, and GM (for the time being)
       Ryan

New beginnings

I have walked for years, I have seen

I believe in my eyes, for my eyes tell me illusions

I stride for years, I observe

A new beginning, with new explorers

I have learned, I have love

Those that hold their fate, their probability

A new challenge has come, you have no idea what is to come

And through this, I am the object of triumph; you may obtain this

I am a kind of fabric, though incomplete

My being lush, green, beautiful and majestic, though terrible and fatal to all

OK ALL! So here's an updated riddle cause after much deliberation and getting some pretty solid feedback elsewhere, perhaps this will help!

    -If you have triumphed over your foes, the crowds will name you this; one deserving of such words as winner and glorious

    -I am a cut above the rest, a fabric worn by kings; my quality is better if I’m crushed, unlike most other things.

    -Am I a tree of evergreen? A plant of poison leaves? Or am I the place you put a key, at the seam the tailor weaves?

And one more extra big hint, this is a name, a first, middle, a last, AND that the second line is only the first half of the word, a word which rhymes with a musical instrument found in a church! Good Luck!