Matt James gets his dice blessed!

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Magneto (Marvel Universe)

Darth Vader (Star Wars)

Benjamin Linus (Lost)

Scorpious (Farscape)

The Joker (DC Universe)

Now comes the question of why they made the list. Each of these villains is a complicated, three dimensional person. Each feels as though they do what they do for some greater good. Whether it is to save their loved ones, their ideals, their people, their planet or the galaxy, each bad guy does what others may consider evil simply to protect something they consider very important. And to that end, each villain will do whatever it takes to secure that protection. Even the Joker believes that he is an agent of Chaos and therefore he must destroy Order and Law in order to bring everyone into the Truth of the Chaos that rules reality. (madness will to that to you)

If fact, the cold, cruel ideology that ‘the ends justifies the means’ is precisely what makes each of these people the villain in their respective stories. They don’t do evil things just for the sake of doing evil things. But their ideals and methods are not what most would consider good or honorable, or even just. They are all often cold, merciless, efficient, practical, and above all, very intelligent. These aspects are what makes these characters the antagonists that I love to hate.

Now, I realize some of my choices may be considered by some as a tad cliché, but that doesn’t mean that their place on my list isn’t justified. I’m sure that if I put more time and thought into it, I could come up with quite a few even better examples of great villains. And I’m willing to hear your list of favorite villains and why you chose them.  Bring ‘em on!

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While this story is centered around Raistlin, some familiar characters manage to make it into the plot, some for little more than a cameo appearance. But by the end of this tale, nearly all of the Heroes of the Lance get to put in some face time as their paths unknowingly (?) cross with Raistlin’s, even if only for just a brief moment.

The ending, while exciting, seemed rather abrupt and left some of us feeling like it wasn’t quite finished. As mentioned before, throughout the book the authors did a wonderful job filling in the gaps for those of us that hadn’t read the other books in a while. However, the ending just sort of stopped, leaving us with unanswered questions. As things were left standing, was that how this story melds into the Chronicles storyline? We just wish the authors had taken the time at the end to cement that particular bridge to the saga in our minds.

All in all, we give Dragons of the Hourglass Mage;

4 dragonheads out of 5

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... for the younglings are our future.

Back in March, Gaming Brouhaha posted a link to a great article about the benefits of RPG gaming for preteen kids. I couldn’t agree more with this article. It mirrors many of my own sentiments. I wrote an article years back about the social, psychological and academic benefits of tabletop gaming on young adults. (Perhaps I’ll republish it someday.) Of course, mine come from the perspective of someone who started gaming at around that age and continues to do so today. In stark contrast, author Nancy Darling, is a developmental psychologist, a Professor at Oberlin College, a mother and has never played a role-playing game.

Her observations are completely from the outside looking in, yet she still comes to many of the same conclusions that I did. This is sort of a relief for me, because I’ve always had a nagging doubt in the back of my mind that perhaps my p.o.v. was subconsciously bias or at least perceived by others as bias. I suspect that due to her chosen field of study, her article concentrates more on the behavioral development benefits, rather than the various academic and creative development benefits of gaming.

Never the less, Prof. Darling does a wonderful job of explaining what RPG gaming is to the uninitiated and ignorant masses. She also addresses her own hesitations and fears with letting her young boy and his friends try D&D. And she lauds the many benefits to teens who participate in these games. All in all, a very comprehensive evaluation, just as you would expect from a collage professor.

Do you know anyone that just doesn’t understand why you play RPGs or even what they are? Or refuses to consider letting their kids try role-playing games?  Perhaps you know someone who reacts negatively to any mention of our chosen pastime? If so, then I strongly suggest you pass along this link to that person. Knowledge is power, the power to change the ignorant into the informed.

Good Luck!

Rook

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This enchanted garment not only contains some standard magical protections for the wearer, but it’s defenses go one step further. It also cleverly camouflages the assumed spell caster by illusion, making the wearer appear as just another fully armored warrior type. Of course, once you start hurling spells, it won’t take your enemies long to figure you out. But at least the arrows aren’t drawn to you right away, giving you precious time to either take them out first or put up the proper defenses.

The camouflaging effect extends to whatever the wearer is holding as well (within reason). For example, staffs appear as spears, rods as swords, wands as daggers, etc. Just as with the look of the illusionary armor, the wearer also controls the style and look of the illusionary weapons. This particular affect only lasts as long as contact with the item is maintained.

Is this something you would use in your campaign or for your character? Let me know what you think. Enjoy.

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Get it down, ASAP!

I have a habit of making lists and one such compilation is of distinctive encounter ideas. If I think of a cool or interesting monster, trap and/or terrain combo or just a unique situation, I’ll quickly jot it down while it’s still fresh in my mind. I use a MS Word document for convenience, spell check and constant re-editing. This list is saved on a flash drive so I canupdate it at work, as well as home. But even when a computer is nowhere in sight, I usually have a pen and notepad nearby to scribble on. (I gotta remember to ask for a Blackberry for Father’s Day! )

When your muse strikes, you have to be ready. If you’re like me, you will re-play the new scenario over and over in your head a few times (usually quite a few), trying out different details. Once you’ve settled on an idea, it’s important to ‘get it down on paper’ quickly, before specific ideas and concepts evaporate back into the ether.  I can’t tell you how many good ideas I’ve had that slipped away because I couldn’t stop and write them down at the time. So very frustrating!

What makes the list?

Each encounter idea is specific only in the flavor of the situation and/or scene. All it contains is the basic elements that create that sense of ‘cool’ that sparked the inspiration to write it down in the first place. Everything else remains variable, the number and level of the monsters, the amount and type of difficult terrain, environmental conditions and so forth. The specifics all depend on the level of play, make-up of the group or whatever other considerations you need to take into account.

The trick is keeping each encounter concept somewhat vague. This allows you to be flexible, so you have the freedom to slip the idea into nearly anywhere along the plotline. You leave the details open until you are ready to use it. Then, when you’re in the thick of the game and ready to drop in your encounter idea, that is when you throw together the appropriate numbers and let the fun commence.

At least, this is an option in D&D 4E and like systems that are easily adjustable. If throwing together the appropriate stats is a little too complicated to do last minute, you can still use your notes in the pre-game planning stage. Either way, keeping this list of ideas handy can be an invaluable resource when you’re in the mood to throw a little something special at your players.

Good gaming to ya,

Rook

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Mmmmm... fudge!

Role playing games are more than just a game. Each game is also a story, be it a one shot dungeon delve, a standard campaign arc or a truly epic saga on par with the Iliad. The misconception is that everyone at the table plays the game. I say, not so! The players get to play the game, while the DM gets to tell the story (and act as referee). Certainly, he rolls dice just like the players and he rolls them for the ‘other side’, but the DM isn’t actually the players’ opponent.  

(BTW, it’s that common misunderstanding of the relationship between DM and player that causes a false sense of ‘Us against Him’ mentality.)

Since the players are the ones actually playing, their ‘moves’ need to follow a set of rules to allow everyone a fair shot, set common guidelines and keep everyone on the same page. Part of this aspect of the game is random chance. That is why the dice are necessary. Otherwise, if it were up to the players, no character would ever miss hitting the monster, botch disarming the trap or trip while trying to avoid the dragon’s breath. The random aspect of the game adds to the excitement and intensity of the experience, in essence, the threat of possible failure makes it seem all the more “real”. Unfortunately, we have all been in a game that had an anti-climatic end or took a bad turn, all because of a less than spectacular roll of the dice, but that’s part of the thrill.

Conversely, the DM’s job is to move the story along, guiding it as he may, in order to create an interesting story and provide a fun experience for the players. The DM really only needs to use die rolls when he either 1.) doesn’t want the responsibility of making a decision on a particular outcome or 2.) doesn’t care which way the outcome goes and therefore, leaves it up to chance. From this standpoint, it seems that the DM is justified in fudging any roll he wishes, or not to leave the outcome up to a random die roll at all, IF it best serves the interests of the game.

Just to be clear, I’m not advocating that the DM leaves his dice in the bag and call all the shots off the top of his head. The wise Uncle Ben once said “with great power comes great responsibility.” That much power/responsibility will go straight to your head and you will quickly loose your precious impartiality. So, leaving most of the random decisions (i.e. attacks, damage, saves, etc.) up to the roll of the dice is still the most prudent way to go and is in the best interest of the game.

It comes down to this simple truth, from the DM’s side of the screen, it really isn’t about the random roll of Fate, but the illusion of random Fate that puts real life and excitement into the game. It’s the DM’s job to create that illusion for the players. If that demands the DM ‘fudge’ a roll or two now and again, then I say ‘Yes!’ to fudge.

Good gaming to ya.

Rook

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These brutes are only slightly larger and bulkier than the Talyn Hunter. They have adopted the practice of using bright war-paint on their faces, arms and legs. Although they have not yet developed the skill to craft quality weapons themselves, they have taken to stealing the weapons of their victims. Most Talyn Warriors favor using a battleaxe or warclub, in addition to javelins and spears.

Talyn Warrior Tactics

While Talyn Hunters use diversion and coordination to flank and bring down their prey, Talyn Warriors are far more direct in their tactics. Once the fighting starts, each Warrior acts alone, choosing and focusing on single target using Predator’s Challenge, even when flanked. Only after that opponent is down does the Talyn Warrior look around, searching for it’s next target.

Talyn Lore

A character knows the following information with a successful Nature check.

DC:15 Talyn Warriors can be either gender, although the female Warriors tend to stay near and guard the tribe.

DC:18 Talyn Warriors attack until their opponent is down and still. They presume the target is dead or unconscious. If you successfully play dead (Bluff vs. Insight) while in combat with a Talyn Warrior, chances are it will leave you alone and look for other prey. This tactic only works if there are other active opponents nearby.

Good gaming to you and enjoy,

Rook

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But then, something miraculous happened and I was given a chance to up-grade. When my wife first suggested that we put up the ping-pong table in our family room, my first thought was not “great, now we can play ping-pong anytime we want!” No, my first thought was “Awesome, now we can use it for gaming nights!” I’m sure many of you would’ve had the same reaction. At first, she thought I was kidding when I suggested using the table for gaming. Funny how spouses can be sometimes, I thought she knew me better than that.

So this is our typical gaming night set-up.

I gotta tell ya, I am loving it. There is plenty of room for each player, we currently have four. We can spread out the battle-map so that everyone has a front row seat to the action. And I (or our other DM) can have the whole other end of the table to spread out my notes, my laptop (when needed), DM screen, dice, etc.

So, is your game night set-up similar? Do you do the couch and TV tray thing or perhaps the classic diner table set-up? Is your current set-up working for you and your gaming group? Or do you need a change of environment?

The Ultimate Up-grade

As satisfied as I am with my current situation, I sometimes contemplate the ultimate gaming room. If I won the Lottery, Publisher’s Clearing House or perhaps an inheritance from an as of yet unknown wealthy relative, I think I would build a gaming room similar to this*, but with more open space, a SMART Board, and soda dispensers. A guy can dream, can’t he?

* I know this has gone around numerous times, but it’s just so damn cool!

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The story revolves around young Maimun who is being held captive aboard a pirate ship. He slowly tells the tale of his life to the pirate captain (and to us) about how he came to be in the pickle that he is in. In slow increments we learn of his becoming an orphan and being raised by a druid and then later mentored by a man named Perrault, who becomes a father figure in young Maimun’s life. Tragically, it seems that everyone whom the boy grows close to dies at the hands of a demon named Asbeel, who wants the boy and the treasure he is entrusted to keep for reasons unknown. This leads our 12-year old child to be constantly on the run for his life.

Readers of R.A. Salvatore’s previous books will recognize the Sea Sprite and its crew along with the adventuring company of Drizzt, Wulfgar, Catti-brie, and Bruenor. It’s not until near the end of the book that you learn that these events take place during the journey to save Regis in The Halfling’s Gem. Drizzt bonds with young Maimun and as usual, imparts great wisdom upon the boy, as only the dark elf can.

The story is fast paced and makes you wonder where it is heading as the boy keeps telling his pirate captor, “There’s more.” But the book ends at a cliffhanger and simply tells you to wait for the second book to find out what happens next. Overall, it is not a terrible book, but it is not the quality that one would expect of an R.A. Salvatore book. It should prove to be quite enjoyable for the 12 to 13-year old reader, but it comes up a bit lacking for an adult.

All in all, we give The Stowaway;

3 gleaming scimitars out of 5

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