A few months back I wrote about how conspiracies fit into my game. Little mysteries sprinkled into the background, obfuscated to the point where they’re really just something I do for myself. Within a week or two of posting that, I found myself in a relevant conversation with John Bell. He argued that it was … Continue reading Central Problems vs. Central Mysteries
Huzzah! It’s the monthly midweek bonus post! You’re seeing this post today because my Patreon backers have shown me such phenomenal support over these past few months. If you’d like to see even more frequent posts from me, you can help make that happen by supporting my Patreon campaign. The basic conceit of John Bell‘s … Continue reading Adding Smartphones to your Game World
I’m still interested in finding new ways for players to spend their money. Today I’d like to talk about the method I think is the most valuable, and perhaps the most controversial: training. The expenditure of money (and time) to make a character better. Before I get into concrete rules, I feel some obligation to mention the … Continue reading Spending Money: Training
John Bell has a neat talent. Multiple times while playing Necrocarserous, the party would encounter a situation where we just…didn’t matter that much. There would be two or more non player characters talking with one another, or having some altercation, and there was really no room for the PCs to play a part. I suppose we always could … Continue reading Making Use of Waiting
Dramatis Personae: Spencer Kelty as Virgil David Carli-Arnold as Galens Brook Ronnie Whelan as Ronnina Loot: 8000 Cred Chips (2500 for Virgil and Ronnina, 2000 for Galens Brook, and 1000 for Umquat) Virgil purchased a working phone charger, a game cartridge for a came called “Call of the Bubbles,” and a write protected floppy disk. Virgil also … Continue reading Session 5 – Vertical Getaway Drivers
I like the Law skill, as used by John Bell in his Necrocarserous game. It’s pretty simple: when the players encounter a system of laws and codes, or wish to represent themselves as part of a such a system, they spout some legalese-sounding mumbo-jumbo, then make a law check. If the check is successful, then … Continue reading LotFP Class: Lawyer
Mind affecting spells cast on players are a tricky business. With NPCs, there are no wrong answers. Can Charm Person be used to turn the bandit into a loyal henchman, or will the spell be broken as soon as you stab his friend? We can argue about one method or another being more fun, but … Continue reading How should mind affecting spells work on PCs?