This is Random TTRPG Thoughts #84
It’s muggy, my vacation is over, and I had to mow the lawn which is one of my least favorite things to do. On the other hand, I’ve had some good coffee and the house is relatively quiet. Between the weed induced allergy-fog and the stimulation of the most wonderful bean my brain is on the fritz. These are some random TTRPG thoughts.
- I spent the better part of a day inputting all the player-focused data for Monty Python’s Cocurricular Medieval Reenactment Programme into an early module for FoundryVTT. This meant creating every accoutrement, retainer, and “Spiffing Serious Ability” as objects in Foundry. It wasn’t hard, but it was time-consuming! All this so people would have an easy way to roll the funny dice.
- Dreams and Machines is a master-class in world building, and I do like the 2d20 system. I am wondering if the pronounced non-lethality undermines the dangerous world Modiphius created, though. I think I need to play it to find out! I do want some novels set in the world, though.
- Here are two truths. First, there are so many cool games out there. Second, I have do not have enough money to get them all. I also don’t have the shelf space for them all but, really, that’s a problem I can overcome.
- I cannot say how pleased I am for Shadowdark creator, Kelsey Dionne. She’s one of the most kind and genuine people I’ve in a hobby which has a lot of kind and genuine people. When Roll For Combat added Shadowdark as the third system they support for their books, I was excited. When Professor Dungeonmaster announced the Deathbringer was going to be made to work with Shadowdark I was psyched. Kelsey got to make something that captured people’s interest, and I can’t think of a person I’d be more glad for that to happen to.
- I’m shocked, truly shocked, that the “keep your politics out of gaming” folks who pop up in the comments have a strong tendency to be MAGA. I am totally surprised by this, I would not have expected this at all. Really.
- Cypher is evolving! I’m actually kind of excited for the updates coming to the system which will now be just be called “Cypher.” This is the first edition change I’ve been through for a game for which I’ve got some emotional attachment. I need some advice, though, at what point should I start complaining about Cypher being “ruined” and declaring my allegiance to “true Cypher System?” I mean, if I’m gonna live through the process I want to get the full experience.
- Join me, and some friends, at Brewery Thirty-Three on August 24 from 5-8 PM for an “Open Adventure.” We’ll have two tables going, Vaesen and Monty Python’s Cocurricular Reenactment Programme. It’s first come, first play, so make sure you get there early! I even picked up and extra set of the Monty Python dice for the occasion!
- If you go here, at least as of when I wrote this, you can get the full PDF of Monty Python’s Cocurricular Reenactment Programme!
- I have to hand it to Monte Cook Games. They have handled the roll-out to their Cypher Evolved announcement really well. They made sure third-party creators and media outlets had a heads up on the upcoming changes, they’ve written design diaries about the changes and why, and have be responsive to their community’s questions. They’ve also assured people that their already-purchased books are “largely compatible.” The biggest change is how NPCs and monsters inflict damage, so I’m rather interested to see what the rest of that “largely” is.
- I am reading Tabletop Role-Playing Therapy at present and it’s fantastic. It’s opening section is so helpful for understanding the dynamics of what goes on around the table during a session and gives an overview of some of the psychological factors at play. Now, I’m reading this book for the marginal connection chaplaincy has with therapy—and it’s been most helpful. At the same time I’m also feeling I need to be very careful with whatever lessons I draw from the book, because I am not a licensed therapist.
