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Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:18 am I haven't watched The Simpsons in a while. Maybe I should start again, hmm?

Isn't there like 50 million seasons of The Simpsons?

Not yet. Don't know how many - let's see: they started in 1990, so ... yup, it'll be 31 this year.

But yes, I agree: The Simpsons has its moments now - and they're good moments, sometimes brilliant - but they're fewer and further apart. Whereas it used to be a jokefest when it started.

Oh, well, it's often that way. A new TV show starts, and the writers use up lots of their good material because they want to make a good impression, get good audiences, and impress the senior execs who pay the money. Then, a few years later, they run out of things to say. So new writers come in, and the cycle starts again. Eventually, the newest bunch of writers say: Hang on, we want to do ABC - and it'll be brilliant and funny - but we cant 'cos the characters don't work that way. So instead of ABC, they do XYZ, which is not quite so funny, but it keeps the show ticking over and makes the marketing people and the senior execs happy.

And everyone says, hooray! But someone says, wait a minute - what about the people at home? And everyone says, never mind the people at home! They'll watch whatever crap you write for them anyway, 'cos the love the show.

And that precise moment is when the show - ANY show - jumps the shark.

There we go! How's that for a summary of the life of a TV show?

Those character backgrounds I do on the Order of the Stick forum; I've been converting to PDF (each character one is anywhere from 50 to 60 pages) and selling them on DMsGuild.

I just released Book Six.

Backgrounds & Origins: Book Six.

So that must mean I have 5 others, right? I didn't pull an Al Lowe?

Correct!
Book One, Book Two, Book Three, Book Four, and Book Five.

There's also the module I wrote The Secret of Havenfall Manor. The cover features a photo I took during my trip to Ireland.

I am working on a second part of that module. Very slowly working on it.

Nicely done. Why not parlay your expertise with D&D into a side-business venture? Everyone else is doing it!

(And, yes - sorry to derail this thread with "The Simpsons" thing.) *blush*

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Sat Apr 04, 2020 2:37 am Nicely done. Why not parlay your expertise with D&D into a side-business venture? Everyone else is doing it!
(And, yes - sorry to derail this thread with "The Simpsons" thing.) *blush*

Hah! I don't mind the thread being derailed! You started this thread! It's yours, I say!

As for D&D as a side business; I've been approached by Anita's husband (Ian) who writes reviews for breweries who are looking (well, were looking before the world went to Hell) for DMs to host games.
However, I run two games already (and in two others). I don't know if I have the mental capacity to prep another adventure (on top of my own two) even for professional reasons.
I fear that would add undue stress and make me not enjoy it as much.
There's even a third guy who wants me to DM for his kids and his neighbor's kids. I love the idea of introducing kids to D&D and the creativity; but it's becoming a heavy load.

These writing things I do; are quick (less than hour) writes up I do for people requesting character backgrounds for me, which I then repackage into a PDF and sell.

Ah ... that (repackaging the character backgrounds as PDFs to sell) was what I meant as a D&D side-business. I doubt that charging $1.99 for them, or $2.99 for the module, would pay all the bills! But it's a little side-earner.

As for the other people who want you to host games and things ... how much do they pay? But joking aside, I understand it'd be even more stress and a heavy load on your time, so if you won't enjoy it, why do it?

I too have had to give up similar things. I've got about 16 years' experience of live performance (esp. singing), and I've done side-benefit gigs (and solo bits) for local choirs etc. I treat each gig seriously (as does any performer with any sense! ), and as I was doing too many, it took a heavier load on me - physically, mentally - than I could give. So, I had to give up many the non-paid gigs, but kept a few that were interesting.

Heh. With that background, my character sheet shows the following:

STR 12
DEX 13
CON 13
INT 17
WIS 18
CHA 15

Plus, skills:
Performance (Music, Group): 30
Performance (Music, Solo): 17
Music Performance (English): 30
Music Performance (German): 16
Music Performance (French): 16
Music Performance (Russian): 12
Music Performance (Italian): 18
Music Performance (Latin): 25
Music Performance (Swahili): 10
Music Performance (Quenya): 12

(No kidding - I had to perform in Swahili once and in Quenya 3 times). Do I qualify as a D&D Bard yet?

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Sat Apr 04, 2020 10:42 pm Heh. With that background, my character sheet shows the following:

STR 12
DEX 13
CON 13
INT 17
WIS 18
CHA 15

Plus, skills:
Performance (Music, Group): 30
Performance (Music, Solo): 17
Music Performance (English): 30
Music Performance (German): 16
Music Performance (French): 16
Music Performance (Russian): 12
Music Performance (Italian): 18
Music Performance (Latin): 25
Music Performance (Swahili): 10
Music Performance (Quenya): 12

(No kidding - I had to perform in Swahili once and in Quenya 3 times). Do I qualify as a D&D Bard yet?

You'd probably definitely make for a great Lore Bard.

Let's see ... *reads, skims*

...Collects bits of knowledge from sources as diverse as scholarly tomes and peasant tales, pursuit of beauty and truth ... would rather be honest than politic...

Sounds about right.

...members gather in libraries and sometimes in actual colleges ... loves to share lore ... unravels lies, pokes fun at self-important figures of authority.

Again, sounds about right. When I write stories, I particularly like to play with (or subvert) myths and folktales, and poke fun at pompous authority figures.

But hang on - what's this?

At 6th level, you learn two spells of your choice from any class. A spell you choose must be of a level you can cast, as shown on the Bard table, or a cantrip.

Ah, rats. It'd be nice to be able to cast spells or cantrips. Amuse your friends! Distract your foes while you get away! I mean - ah, rats.

Oh dear ... now I sound like Keapon Laffin from QfG1.

Had a fun night last night of DMing my "Work Group" D&D folks! Session ran smoothly for it being the first time being hosted on Discord.
http://tawmis.com/kneurth/adventure-not ... nturers-15

Hmm - some thoughts:

1. All right. Silverstrength? Firebeard? Now I have a funny mental imae of a dwarf running around, yelling "Me beard's on FIRE! Aiieee!" and setting fire to monsters. Meanwhile, the rest of the party stay well back ... Adrian the Paladin says, "Dude, maybe you should switch to a weaker aftershave," and Sephrenia munches on some spare popcorn and enjoys the show.

2. Uh-oh. If the party is hunting manticores, I hope they have ranged weapons - bows, crossbows, spells? Those things can't fly, but they can glide.

3. What are these three large birds?

4. Heh. As for this -

(Sephrenia gains Inspiration!)

... it reminds me of CRPGs that play a triumphant "TA-DA!" or similar when you gain Inspiration, or a level, etc.

5. Rex Flamehammer's name immediately reminds me of Orgrim Doomhammer from the "Warcraft" universe. "For Doomhammer! And hammy acting!"

6. Hmm - I'm curious about this:

The Dark Elves ... embraced some dark goddess that the surface world does not know how to pronounce.

Isn't that Lolth? Her name's not that hard to pronounce.

7. Hmmm - something about the Dark Elf emissary's message doesn't make sense:

a. The Illithid made an alliance with Dwarf clans to overthrow the king;
b. In return, the Dwarves help the Illithid get rid of the Dark Elves;
c. And the Dark Elves are waging a war against the Illithid - and the Dwarves?

If the Dark Elves started a war with the Dwarves, why should the Dwarf King trust this Dark Elf emissary?

If King Thariak Froststorm believes this, then he doesn't know who his allies and enemies are. In that case, he's too stupid to be a King and deserves to be overthrown.

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Thu Apr 09, 2020 8:40 pm 2. Uh-oh. If the party is hunting manticores, I hope they have ranged weapons - bows, crossbows, spells? Those things can't fly, but they can glide.

The Paladin was up shiest's creak because he had no distance weapon. But it was the Ranger who got drilled by the spikes.
In D&D - Manticores can very much fly.

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Thu Apr 09, 2020 8:40 pm 3. What are these three large birds?

Since the party had never seen them and failed their nature checks - I left it vague in the description.
They're actually called perytons - birds that feed on living hearts.

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Thu Apr 09, 2020 8:40 pm 6. Hmm - I'm curious about this:

The Dark Elves ... embraced some dark goddess that the surface world does not know how to pronounce.

Isn't that Lolth? Her name's not that hard to pronounce.

In Forgotten Realms, yes. But in my homebrew, her name is not Lolth.

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Thu Apr 09, 2020 8:40 pm 7. Hmmm - something about the Dark Elf emissary's message doesn't make sense:
a. The Illithid made an alliance with Dwarf clans to overthrow the king;
b. In return, the Dwarves help the Illithid get rid of the Dark Elves;
c. And the Dark Elves are waging a war against the Illithid - and the Dwarves?
If the Dark Elves started a war with the Dwarves, why should the Dwarf King trust this Dark Elf emissary?
If King Thariak Froststorm believes this, then he doesn't know who his allies and enemies are. In that case, he's too stupid to be a King and deserves to be overthrown.

Because the Dark Elf emissary, under parlay came in to say that the Illithid have teamed up with some dwarf clans in his kingdom to overthrow the king.
So the Dwarf King, doesn't believe it; but soon after, the water supply for the dwarves gets poisoned; and dwarves turn up dead with the black arrow.
The Blackoak clan of dwarves control both the water supply and have the unique oak trees whose bark is black.
So this feeds into the king's fear that the Blackoak (one of the prominent clans) has sided with the Illithid to overthrow the king so the Blackoak family can sit on the throne; and that perhaps the Blackoak will continue the alliance to team up with the Illithid to wipe out the Dark Elves.
So it's a "an enemy (Dark Elf) of my enemy (Illithid) is my friend."

The party has figured it out - that the King is being lied to - but the evidence seems to point towards the Illithid (more to come in the next 2 weeks, as more and more evidence points to the Illithid having an apparent hand in this).

This took me back.

So I was searching through my external drive for something and tumbled into this.

These are the maps for one of the many versions of my D&D world that has continued to evolve. Most of these things "still stand" on the main continent that all the adventures took place. The current games now take place on a newly discovered continent (with most people leaving the original continent in search for adventure, treasure, or a fresh start).

Anyway, back then - this was Tyragon. My friend Paul started a DM Group (Dungeon Master) eGroup thing (shows how long ago that was) - and on there, we'd discuss different DM tips, suggestions, questions, etc.
On there, I met a girl named Miaka (not her real name; I know it, but let's just go with her handle), as well as a guy named Articpup (also know his real name, again, going with his handle). I told them I wanted to start a PBEM (Play By Email) using eGroups. So they jumped in. Miaka pulled in her friend Kit, and I pulled in another virtual friend named Firefox (yes, again, know her real name lol). Miaka and Kit eventually pulled in Palador (yes, I... oh you know). Then Neil (that's actually his real name) joined; and the game was ready.

Anyway, I made this shoddy maps back then... this was over 20 years ago. The game lasted 10 years (if not more) through PBEM. Was an incredible feat. Anyway, just thought I'd share these jankey maps of the world.

These maps are very cool, but I can't read some of the names there (especially in the first map - it looks like parts of it were destroyed, especially in the bottom right, bottom left and top left)...

But yes, the names on the map are either too small or the font colours are unclear.

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Sun Apr 19, 2020 3:12 am These maps are very cool, but I can't read some of the names there (especially in the first map - it looks like parts of it were destroyed, especially in the bottom right, bottom left and top left)...

But yes, the names on the map are either too small or the font colours are unclear.

Well, all the other pieces are the big map cut down.
However, if you click that first map - click it again after you click it the first time. The first time you click it it will "try to fit" your monitor. The map was pretty large. So your cursor should be like a magnifier glass. So one more click should expand it all the way and you should be able to see everything.

Got to DM (Virtually) through Discord last night for my work group! Was super fun - the character Nor'orn was literally created yesterday during lunch as I began to change some things around!
Was a very smooth game, and everyone was feeling the pressure I was applying! Keeping it very fast paced!
http://tawmis.com/kneurth/adventure-not ... nturers-16

EDIT:
And Friday's game where I play Barek (Anita is the DM for that one) - on this one, I have just been putting all the notes in one page (since it's not technically happening on my custom world; but rather Forgotten Realms, the actual D&D setting).
http://tawmis.com/kneurth/adventure-not ... ot-brigade