Wednesday, 7 August 2013
So gaming update
Thursday group down to 4 players (temporarily?)
Going to leave it that way unless one of the people already promised a seat wants to opt in
Current Thursday Campaign looking at in far dim distance the possibility of an end
Then Cthulhu, period Cthulhu
Then back to fantasy (after my fantasy bateries have recharged I hope) with a grand Forgotten Realms campaign in the new Sysytem
Or if the new system is going to be rubbish the Pathfinder
Just traded in 9 3.5 DND boks for 22 Doctor Who DVD's (thank you Amazon)
First Book in 'The Sundering' (first in a sextet of novels covering the new realms setting (or the build up to the new setting))
and on 20/08/13 Storm over Baldurs Gate - a new adventure in 'The Sundering' that no one seems to know what edition it's in and sounds like (from what I've seen on Amazon) a new Box Set
Starting to get a feeling of anticipation I've not felt in ............... (Star Wars paraphrasing)
but now to work
later dudes and dudettes
J
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Storm over Baldur's Gate - The Sundering seems to be a multi system campaign. Rumour has it 3.5, 4th and D&D next. Also mention of downloadable content for the campaign, but vagueness reigns on many websites. (http://www.phdgames.com/murder-in-baldurs-gate/) This link is the most useful I have found.
ReplyDeletethank you whovever you are
ReplyDeletewhats been confusing me is that in some places its called Murder in Balders Gate and in others it's called Storm over Baldurs Gate - the descriptions are frighteningly familiar
But a 'vanilla' adventure/campaign with monsters you download to fit the system you want sounds brilliant :)
I was also confused by the name, but the release date is the same, so maybe it's a U.K./U.S. variation.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, the idea of a multi-system campaign is brilliant. It would theoretically allow a much greater range of character possibilities. And, also allow players to use older system books which would otherwise be gathering dust.
going to be getting it so when I figure out what it is I'll let you know
ReplyDeleteI appreciate it, Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMe again. I was doing some more research, and I came across this, which I think is talking about Storm Over Baldur's Gate (murder in...?). http://dungeonsmaster.com/2013/08/dd-encounters-murder-in-baldurs-gate-preview/#more-12998
ReplyDeleteIt's the clearest indicator I have seen that it will be multi system. Hope this helps. (I'm not sure what all the 'seasons' talk is in the article.)
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ReplyDeleteThe season thing is for D&D encounters which is weekly organised play thing that wizards send out to retailers
ReplyDeleteIt's organised into seasons and it looks like they're about to start a new one
Looking at the pics of the module a bit dissapointed that it's not going to be a box (looks like wizards are getting inventive with their pakcaging again - do we remember those bloody awful Dark Sun pamphlet things they put out)
dropped off a trade in of 3.5 books yesterday (comes to about £133 and part of that is gong to be covering any RPG boks for next month) so still getting this thing.
really looking forward to watching them rebuild the realms (and quietly smug that they have all but admitted that they screwed up with 4th edition and are resetting things)
I totally agree with the 4th ed. comment. Maybe 5th will go back to basics a little.
ReplyDeleteI still think that 3.5 was a really good system. Not perfect, but what is? What would really be cool would be a revamp of 2nd ed. (if it ain't broke...)I used to love that system.
Thanks for the explanation of the seasons thing, it was bugging me. :D
As for the packaging, why does it say 'hardcover', and yet apppears to be 2 softback books? weird. :/
there's no option for boxed set on amazon and if I'm right about the packaging (it being kind of a folder thng) then there woldn't be an option for that either
ReplyDeleteI really don't have an issue with any of the DND systems (although some of the optional rules in 2nd made me want to scream) but 4th just wasn't what the group I tried it on wanted to get into - I do have some hopes for 5th
I'll get it try it on a group and see what people want to do
Although if I like it and everybody else doesn't then theres always my local games shop group
My problem with 4th ed. was the lack of character development, and the use of daily powers and such. Characters seemed to advance through the levels almost like a video game RPG, with little control, and few options. Other than that, I think it would of been something people would have gotten used to given time.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware until I read some comments, whilst researching the sundering, that 4th ed. was so widely critiscised, I thought it was just me. :D
I do hope that 5th ed. works better for you guys though.
it was far worse than that
ReplyDeleteThe players that didn't like 4th ed were very vocal about their dissaproval of 4th and the 4th edition converts yelled back they actually call it the 'edition war'
went on for a cople of years or so and then Wizards released a set that was meant to drag us old timers back into the fold but it didn't and some of the 4th edders didn't like that and so it went on
Then I came across a panel at last years PAX con in the states where they spoke about 5th (or DND next) and a lot of what they were saying made sense
Then they opened the forums up to suggestions about the new systems so that they could design a system that wa also designed by the players (Pathfinder did it already to great effect) and that just started the arguments again (I was on the forums but the new edition war put me off)
Things calmed down so I decided to just leave it and decide if I was going to play it or not closer to the time
and here we are
still a while off but the upcoming novels and modules will give background on the new Forgotten Realms if nothing else
I'm guessing that they will release next August at Gen Con (well I hope) and I will do what I have done for the last few years buy a PHB, a DMG and a monster manual and see where it goes :)
I never understood people getting into arguments about which system is best. Why not simply play the system that each ref wants to use? It's not like 3.5 vanished when 4th appeared.
ReplyDeletePathfinder is after my time so I'm not sure exactly what it is, but I had a feeling that it was a d20 system that could be used with various existing campaign settings.
I also have a feeling that WotC is going to release a lot of modules that are multi system so that when 5th ed. arrives there will already be a stockpile of available material for players and refs. And, of course there are the refs who write there own material, or expand on these modules, so when 5th ed. arrives there will be lots of potential.
In the end it will come down to how the system performs, and whether people like it. And, as you said about the 4th ed. debate, it will probably stir up the old arguments again. :)
I thought you might find this interesting, I just stumbled over it. I'm not sure what it all means, you know way more about this stuff than me.
ReplyDeletehttp://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/146178/murder-in-baldurs-gate-events-supplement
I also read an article (which I hope was a joke) suggesting that 5th ed. is going to be totally downloadable, and not in book form, and that there will be a system that generates random events/encounters, removing the need for a DM. Sounds totally bogus (and daft) to me.
The link you found goes to a not yet written review of a supplemt for the module - WOTC are saying that the events in the games played in the weekly organised play sessions can be logged and the noteworthy events can be used to help create the new realms setting
ReplyDeleteas for the article I watched part of a live stream from Friday night where the R&D teram from wizards including Mike Mearle (the guy in charge of the the DND development) were playing a high level game in the new rules
I was watching hoping to catch some of the new rules but about an hour in and there was no appreciable mention of anything ruleish
Any hoo they were reffed by a person so thats reassuring also I think if they tried to get rid of DM's then they'd lose a lot more players as I don'r think the gaming community want them to have that kind of influence over them, they've done enough
My feeling is that the basic DM/player set up will remain but they will be downloading a lot of content (as some of the other publishers already do)
I think that it's make or break time for WOTC and Dungeons and Dragons and as I am terribly nostalgic and quite loyal to gaming companies if this is going to be a massive screw up and DND goes down the toilet then that would be a sad day
You're right, if D&D fails it would be a tragedy. It is possibly the only system that has survived from the early days. Although I'm not up to date on things like MERP and Call of Cthulu, which may still be going.
ReplyDeleteOn the bright side, WotC is a subsidiary of Hasbro, which is still a massive company, so with that kind of backing, it may allow D&D to survive, even if 5th ed. screws it up (personally I think the awful D&D movies did more damage than the game systems). Marvel comics was saved by the company being bought by 20th Century Fox, and DC by Warner Bros.
Thanks for clarifying the articles I read. I have realised I really know very little about role-playing these days. :D
Suggestions are that 5th ed. will be an amalgam of all previous versions, which to me sounds a little implausible, simply from a compatibility point of view.
Maybe there will be some hints as to 5th ed. in the Storm over Baldur's Gate module when it's released (only about a week to go).
I was checking out Amazon, and noticed all these re-released D&D games, like 1st and 2nd ed. That is something I had no idea existed, though obviously it's something you would. :D
ReplyDeleteIt would be so cool to play a 2nd ed. game after all these years. I think 1996 was the last 2nd ed. game I was in. I was particularly interested in the 2nd ed. Monstrous Manual. I always loved the original version, although new artwork (not likely) would be welcome.
I'm surprised people aren't jumping at the chance to play the earlier versions. I remember when I was in 2nd, and 3rd (and 3.5) ed. games people saying they preferred 1st ed., though I never played that version myself. Obviously, I started playing in 1992, so 1st ed. was before my time.
the groups I'm involed in at the moment wouldn't consider going back to an earlier version although I would if just for fun
ReplyDeleteI remember playing some great 2nd ed games in the 90's especially a long term Ravenloft game that I still remember fondly
The new/old DND stuff thats out are premium editions (reprints with new covers) I have the 1st ed DMG because I needed some inspiration and that was the first DND book I ever read back in 1981
They are also releasing the entire DND catalogue (all editions on PDF) I think because while they're working on DND next they aren't releasing anything for dnd so tehy neec money coming in and as soon as I clear the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary year I'm going to slowly get everything I can electronically
one of the few advantages of being single for so long is thnat I have complete control over my life so I can pretty much get what I want - Fandoms running wild
The Ravenloft campaign was one of my favorite games(and my longest surviving character - Galadorn).
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the 50th anniversary Doctor Who, especially seeing David Tennant again. I am curious about Peter Capaldi being the new Doctor. Like the others it's a case of 'wait and see'.
As for the earlier D&D versions, I guess people who played it back in the day would be the ones who would consider going back to it, so few and far between. It's a pity. Personally I think 3.5 was the best system that I played. Although I always enjoyed MERP and the White Wolf stuff too. Basically I miss role-playing in general. :)
J
ReplyDeleteI meant to say about Doctor Who. I heard mention that it will be taking a new direction. I hope that this is the case, because I don't think the Matt Smith atmosphere would suit Peter Capaldi. I feel that it should go back to the more 'down to earth' feel of Eccleston and Tennant. What do you think?
I still count the Tennant exit, and the end of season 3 (Martha) to be amongst the best of the 'rebooted' Who episodes.
I also hope we get 13 episodes in one year, not spread all over the shop.
I did enjoy a lot of the Matt Smith (although maybe it should have been called the Amy Pond show), especially the 2 part weeping angels story from his 1st season (although I always manage to miss it so have only seen it once).
M
I'm trying to steer clear of rumours about Who - it's 3 months till the anniversary month and I hope the beeb pulls something out of it's bag of tricks it's been 7 months since the year of Doctor Who's 50th and all over the world classic episodes are being broadcast
ReplyDeleteNew Zealand are playing episodes back to back every month corresponding to a particular Doctor - Hartnell in January, Troughton in Feb etc - the UK are doing nothing really and it's our bloody show
Just waiting to see what is going to happen as the year goes on and hope they don't mess it up
I have noticed that for years now all we get are endless repeats of the Whos from 2005 onwards, and not a single episode of the original Doctors. It is ridiculous. I for one would love to see it from the beginning, especially my pre-reboot favorite, Tom Baker.
ReplyDeleteSure we can have 10 seasons of Friends repeated on a loop, but something truly iconic, not a sausage.
TV is just about on my last nerve lately. Too many adverts, and all the shows I loved cancelled in 2010-2012 (Hustle, Spooks, Waking the Dead, Merlin).
I have started downloading whole seasons of tv (Person of Interest, Supernatural, Castle) just to avoid adverts and 'edited for tv episodes'. Not to mention, I had to go searching for season 3 Walking Dead, since ep. 1 was on 5, the the rest are on 5*.
Someone should do a Who channel. If something as insipid as Bond can get a Channel, why not Doctor Who?
just realised that next year is the 40th anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons - with the possibility of DND next (or 5th edition) coming out for the Anniversary it's going to be DND year next year
ReplyDeletebugger, oh well better get some more shelves in :)
I like the shelves behind you in your avatar pic. It looks very organised.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like 5th ed. is finished, since it's being play tested, so maybe they are waiting for the anniversary.
I meant to ask, do you have a PS3 and if so, can you use wired controllers with it? I have been toying with the idea of getting one, and there are a lot of cheap used games (£2.04 and up)on Amazon that look good. The one I have my eye on is a slim 12GB model. My main reason though is that I am currently playing Final Fantasy XII and if I want XIII onwards (and Lego Star Wars 3) , I will need a PS3.
I only ask because I bought a wireless controller for my ps2 and it worked about 10% of the time, and so took a trip down the garbage chute. When I saw that the ps3 had wireless controllers I started to wonder if they were the only ones I could use.
ReplyDeleteCall me eccentric, but I prefer to buy a console I can actually use. :D
Also, I just found out something I thought was amuzing. Apparently, Peter Capaldi was in the Brad Pitt film World War Z, where he played a character listed as W.H.O. doctor. Kinda makes you wonder when he was chosen. :)
Amusing I mean. :P
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ReplyDeleteI don't use the wireless component of the PS3 controller always have it plugged in (need a longerr cable methinks though) not a critisism of the wireless thing but just old fasioned I guess
ReplyDeletestick with wired if you want although as the tech progresses the faults should reduce
as far as I know PS3 isn't any morte back compatible then the 2 but if you go to the PS3 website the playstation network do memberships that give you access to classic games
as for the Who stuff I'm drowning in lists and stuff I think there are about 106 episodes missing from early who and they have the soundtracks that they release and a couple have been animated
watched the Tenth Planet a couple of nights ago (Hartnells last story) and the 4th part was 'lost' and animated with the original soundtrack and it was pretty good
Thanks. I was even looking for images of the PS3 to see if it had sockets for wired controllers, but couldn't find any that were clear enough. Good to know I have options if I get one.
ReplyDeleteThe reverse compatibility thing isn't that much of an issue, since my PS2 is still in good working order and PS2 games are (mostly) dirt cheap nowadays.
As I said before, I am currently playing and loving Final Fantasy XII, although I had to start from the beginning again after making loads of progress, and I want any current and future releases, which means PS3 or possibly XBOX but I haven't checked that.
I was also wondering what the 12GB memory is for, is it game saves, or using the internet? It sounds huge to simply be for game saves.
I had no idea that so many hartnell, and troughton episodes were missing, but I love the idea of animating the missing episode like that. It reminds me of a couple of Star Trek original series episodes I saw that had been remastered (not exactly the same thing I know), they were really good.
This is Frackin great :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMgWaxtLbwE
That was hilarious. I loved the Baltar part about getting on their nerves, he got on mine for 4 seasons (and a mini-series)(plus several episodes of Eureka). Plus the music was so well done. Thanks for posting the link for people. :)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about the rapidly approaching christmas, and I remembered something I meant to ask. Did you make use of the two posters I gave you for christmas last year? I hope so, I selected them because you mentioned doing up your flat, and thought they could help.
DeleteI just received confirmation of my third Open University course, which starts in October. I had so much trouble arranging the financial support for it. It took me months to get it done, and all because my JSA benefits letter didn't say 'Income Based' on it. So, come October, I will be 'discovering science', which may be the most difficult of the three I have studied.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, if I can pass the maths course (I got 56), I can pass anything. :D
Lat me know about the posters. :)
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DeleteThis message was deleted because upon reflection it sounded like I was bloaming you for me being taken off the Homelink register. :)
DeleteNot sure what 'bloaming' is, so I will say blaming. :D
DeleteI don't know what bloaming is either, sounds painful
ReplyDeleteHow did they change the policy?
Maybe I need 'bloaming' cream. :D
ReplyDeleteThey say that I have to have been living in Nottingham City Council boundaries for 3 years out of the last 5. Apparently my mental and physical health problems are no longer a priority for them. Oh well.
I have been asked by Mam to tell you that Stuart has broken his leg. I'm not sure why, but she just wanted me to let you know.
ReplyDeleteI feel that I need to add more, but that's about it. :D
presumably legging it from the police or something like that
ReplyDeleteIt's Stuart so I don't actually care beyond the fact that a 'person' has been hurt and I have a certain amount of sympathy cause I'm a nice guy like that ;)
Funny you should make the police assumption. He WAS in handcuffs at the time, apparently, after defending someone else that was being arrested. It was totally an accident, but he is suing the police for brutality. They asked him to step back there was a curb, he stepped off it and 'crack'.
ReplyDeleteI would say he doesn't have a leg to stand on but...oh I said it. :D
well some people never change
ReplyDeleteand technically I would have thought that it wasn't ther police he should be sueing it should be gravity
ah well
People have to want to change, and he never did. People who think that there are no consequences to their behaviour will just continue behaving the same way. If he manages to sue them successfully, it will justify his behaviour even more for him.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, I have become an expert on consequences.
DeleteIn fact one of my consequences rears it's ugly head this evening. :(
DeleteBut, I blame only myself.
I was wondering if you got 'The Sundering' yet, and if so, what the system is. I completely forgot it was being released. :D
ReplyDeletethe sundering is at present 1 novel and a background and adventure set in Baldurs Gate, the system is either 3.5/4th or DND next but the DND next rules are only available in full in the playtest stuff which can't be accessed if you're not on the playtest list - but still the novels good so far and the campaign stuff has yet to be read as I'm sorting the flat this weekend but the quick glance I gave it looks okay
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ReplyDeleteSorry I made a spelling mistake, so I deleted. I'll try again. :D
ReplyDeleteI am currently doing prep work for decorating my flat, so I can relate. I've been scraping, cleaning and filling for 2 weeks (I could do it in my sleep). I'm hoping to get it done before my Open University course starts in October (my books arrived yesterday).
I guess the adventure must be for an existing system, otherwise it won't be playable for at least another year. I hope it turns out to be something you can use and expand upon. I remember your skill at writing material to expand modules you were running. :)
Just found videos on Youtube of people playing the Storm Over Baldur's gate adventure. You might be able to identify the system from them, although I warn you, some people have a very odd reffing style. Plus, it shows you should never ref a game in a shop. :D
ReplyDelete