Sarcasm forgiven, and I can understand your frustration.

From the advertising I read (and you just alluded to), that event was billed
more on tools from the DMG2 to be used to create adventures than on providing a
support structure for new judges to build up their confidence as judge.

"In the spirit of Dungeon Mastering, we're giving you the opportunity
to create and show off your very own adventure!"

As billed, people that exclusively run and play LFR have little use for this.

Rey


--- In AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com, Matthew Mosher <mmosher@...> wrote:
> please forgive the sarcasm, but their was this thing called World
> Wide D&D Gameday - DMG 2 just a little while back. It was a gameday
> that had a packet designed to help give people a taste of creating
> a short adventure (then you'd swap that adventure with another
> table and play their adventture)...

> ...a half dozen people showed up for it.

> Great Hall Games is a local miniatures/boardgame store with a wide
> assortment of gaming pieces.  I bought some 1" poker chips in red
> and white for my Savage Worlds game.  The chips are textured to
> stack with each other, come in many colors, and are very cheap.
> http://www.greathallgames.com/  Plenty of other gaming aids there...

Excellent. I've been meaning to head out there to check them out, since I'm
planning on getting into some historical miniatures gaming. If there are game
aids there that would work for you at a local store without breaking the bank,
definitely go the local route.

> Maps can be done on presentation paper.
> http://www.officedepot.com/catalog/search.do&Ntt=easel+pad+grid for
> big sheets of gridded paper, usually 25"x30".  (Not sure how that
> compares with gaming paper.)  The truly frugal can buy the much
> cheaper blank paper and make their own grids.

At $15, it's about the cost as a vinyl "factory 2nd" battlemat. The easel pad
will likely be larger than the small mat.

But for someone that is looking to just run an adventure to get a feel for
judging before a larger expenditure is the gaming paper. It's a roll of
basically butcher paper with a coating on one side. $4 gets you a 30 inches wide
by 12 foot long roll of the stuff.

> Finally, the best way to learn to GM is to just get behind the
> screen and start herding cats.  Breathe, and don't be afraid to take
> a break to sort things out when you need to.

Too true. Also: play, observe, take notes of things your judge does to run his
or her game, ask questions, then shamelessly steal their ideas. Or, tell them
and give their ego a boost. I plan on stealing Matt Mosher's
initiative-cards-on-the-screen idea next table I run. I've been playing D&D
since 1983 and I still find ideas on how to improve my game all the time.

Rey

please forgive the sarcasm, but their was this thing called World Wide
D&D Gameday - DMG 2 just a little while back. It was a gameday that had
a packet designed to help give people a taste of creating a short
adventure (then you'd swap that adventure with another table and play
their adventture)...

...a half dozen people showed up for it.


Timur Tabi wrote:
>
> rockhopper1013 wrote:
> > Do you think that a gameday dedicated to training new judges would be
> > helpful?
>
> Yes, definitely.
>
> --
> Timur Tabi
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

rockhopper1013 wrote:
> Do you think that a gameday dedicated to training new judges would be
> helpful?

Yes, definitely.

--
Timur Tabi



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Responses below :-p

>
>
> > I love DMing games myself and wish I could get the ear of the RPGA
> > LFR makers...Dungeons really need to have some complicated puzzles
> > and traps like they had in 1st Ed (Tomb of Horrors, Temple of
> > Elemental Evil, etc)
>
> I prefer to have more of that stuff, and more actual roleplay, but I am in
> the minority based on polling data I saw somewhere. The majority of
> organized play people like the combat aspect of it. Four hours is a very
> tight window to work with, and the XP structure the D&D/LFR makes it
> difficult to include a bunch of that "fluff" as well as the requisite combat
> needed to get the XP.
>

Sounds like you and I are in the minority then..Which is sad...I am all down
for a great hack'n'slash adventure but in all honesty I like some character
development...Even moreso in something that should be about Living
Characters...Building some history and attachment to your character. Hehe
Rey maybe you and I should start a game and rotate DMing lol...


>
>
> > Starting probably next month I will be running atleast 1 game a
> > month at Rogue's Callery and possibly a 2nd there or down at BF or
> > DL...
>
> That's great. Be sure to advertise it on this list.
>
>
Yep that's my Goal..I am thinking if I can get a venue to run one at This
friday I could run a sessionfor LFR..I can schedule one on the website
today..Just a matter if there is some interest from 4-6 players.


> > As for why so many people probably do not want to be a DM over a
> > player is it takes work...Not every person wants to do that stuff
> > thus why I think they do not want to DM..
>
> This is certainly the issue, but I've found that there are plenty of people
> that wouldn't mind judging but don't because of reason X. People that never
> judge don't consider the fact that people get burned out if they judge all
> the time, and if no one steps up no one plays.
>
>
> > 1: Getting people into the hobby is tough but doable... It takes
> > some work and thus why I plan to run RPGA events atleast once a
> > month. Try and introduce people to the game as well as give current
> > players a place to play their LFR characters. Keep a presence in
> > game stores is a good way to go (as well as making sure players that
> > should up have good hygeine can go a long way).
>
> All good points, though the hygeine thing is a tough point to get across.
> But word-of-mouth advertising, getting your friends involved, is certainly
> the best system.
>
> Very true.


>
> > 2: I wish the reward system was better for Judges...I know to get
> > more games in the area I need to be a judge to help out and do my
> > part to spread the game...But you know I would like to get to play
> > in some of the paragon/epic LFR games as a player...
>
> This was the point I was making above. We just need to get more judges
> involved. LFR at least lets you play something after you've run it. Other
> systems give you equivalent rewards for eating a mod (full XP half gold, for
> example) which LFR should considering providing.
>
>
Yeah they need to make it more productive to be a judge...Being a DM is a
blast imho (but then again like I said I have been player/DM since 1st ed
AD&D. It makes it easier imho to DM more if I knew I could apply atleast the
XP to a character of mine so I can level them up, so when I get the chance
to be a player I can sit in on different level games..Make it where they can
only apply the XP from a game they run to a character that could have run in
the adventure (Character Must fit into level block). I know I have run many
a house game in the past where I have rotated with another player as DM and
we each had a toon in the adventure..This would be similar.


> > 3: They need to make Judge Center a little bit easier to navigate
> > around and be better at making updates to peoples profiles there.
>
> Man, that change to the website was rough. I finally understand how to
> order and request adventures now, but they made it very counter-intuitive.
>
> Yeah I am hoping they do some work on it...Took me forever to find how to
add venues to my profile...And I am still waiting for a confirmation they
have been added. I added BFG and DL-Austin to my profile yesterday (via
email sigh)

~Ryan


>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'll just apologize for this post up front.

Seriously people really don't want to judge because they don't have all the
fancy "nice to haves" like tiles and minis?  In Iraq in order to run games I
used excel to create one inch grid paper that I then cut and paste and drew the
maps on and for minis we created paper stand ups of characters and monsters with
stick figure drawings on either side out of index cards.  I also consider myself
a pretty good DM but I'll tell you a secret that I have only skimmed the DMG to
look and the pictures and while I own a copy of DMG2 I have yet to open it.  All
the rules you need to know are in the PHB.  Oh, and before I had my wife send
some dice sets over we were using excel's random number function to simulate
dice.

That said I haven't run any games since I've been back and I am looking to
change that while generating a player base in the Killeen area but I was stood
up completely in my first attempt last week.  But for any one interested I'll be
running 1 to 4 mods on thursdays at battlefield games in Killeen.

If I offended anyone with the post please don't take it personally just trying
to grant a little perspective and describe gamer perseverance in the face of
advercity.

Rob

--- In AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com, "Elisabeth B. Zakes" <Kitharis@...> wrote:
>
> On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 12:05, rockhopper1013 <reytheist@...> wrote:
>
> >   2. Try to get more players into judges. We were hurting a bit in the
> > judge department during MillenniumCon. I'm not sure exactly how to convince
> > more local people to judge a slot or two. For those that don't judge: why
> > not? Is there anything that we as a community can do to recruit more?
> >
>
> I don't judge because I don't have some of the really necessary supporting
> materials, like dungeon tiles or maps, figures for monsters, etc. And I
> can't afford to buy a bunch of stuff -- we're on a very tight budget. If
> there's a reasonable way to solve that problem that doesn't involve a lot of
> money, that might help others in the same boat.
>
> Elisabeth
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Great Hall Games is a local miniatures/boardgame store with a wide
assortment of gaming pieces.  I bought some 1" poker chips in red and white
for my Savage Worlds game.  The chips are textured to stack with each other,
come in many colors, and are very cheap.
http://www.greathallgames.com/  Plenty of other gaming aids there...

Maps can be done on presentation paper.
http://www.officedepot.com/catalog/search.do&Ntt=easel+pad+grid for big
sheets of gridded paper, usually 25"x30".  (Not sure how that compares with
gaming paper.)  The truly frugal can buy the much cheaper blank paper and
make their own grids.

Finally, the best way to learn to GM is to just get behind the screen and
start herding cats.  Breathe, and don't be afraid to take a break to sort
things out when you need to.

Telas




On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 9:17 PM, rockhopper1013 <reytheist@...> wrote:

> Some responses to various things. I didn't want to write a bunch of
> separate emails. :)
>
>
> > I don't judge because I don't have some of the really necessary
> > supporting materials, like dungeon tiles or maps, figures for
> > monsters, etc.
>
> Nor do I. Here's a few inexpensive ways to overcome this:
>
> 1. Instead of miniatures, try colored board game pieces. They are
> relatively inexpensive ($2 for a set of ten different colors at
> http://www.boardgamedesign.com/ or $1 for 10 of the same color at
> http://www.skybluepink.com/) and are three-dimensional. Glass beads (the
> type you can get at crafts stores) can also be used, and you can write
> numbers on them to keep them straight with a Sharpee.
>
> 2. Instead of Dungeon Tiles, you can use a battle mat (Chessex sells
> "factory 2NDs" mats, which have slight imperfections, for about $15 at
> http://www.chessex.com/mats/Battlemats_&_Megamats2nds.htm). Alternately, a
> roll of Gaming Paper sells for $4 at some local stores (I know Rogue's
> Gallery stocks it) and you can use Sharpee or colored pencil or crayon or
> anything to draw maps on them. http://www.gamingpaper.com/
>
> 3. Several people in town use colored pipe cleaner rings for different
> status conditions (red=bloodied, green=poisoned, black=slowed, etc). That's
> a great solution. I bought some AleaTools magnets, but I'm hit or miss with
> using them.
>
> Hope that helps.
>
>
> > We have a ton of people at the monthly Battleforge games. Do we even
> > have room for more?
>
> Battleforge isn't the only game in town, as it were. But in addition to the
> monthly Battleforge game, it would be cool to set up the occasional "new
> player" game, where to play you have to bring one person completely new to
> the game. Or a game specifically for younger players, say ages 12 or 13 to
> 19. That way they can get exposed to the game and maybe start their own home
> games.
>
> > I'd be willing to judge, but I don't have a copy of the DM guide
> > (simple fix, I know),
>
> The DMG is mostly unnecessary for judging an LFR event. It has lots of
> information for setting up your campaign, plus generic sort of advice that
> you already know if you've played D&D for any length of time. I can't
> remember a single instance that any DM I have ever played with has ever
> referred to it in a session.
>
> > but more importantly, I just can't keep the 4E combat rules straight
> > in my head. If I had a co-DM that could help me keep things in
> > check, I could probably DM a game.
>
> If you've played a few levels worth of 4e, you likely know most of the
> rules and just need some confidence with running a table on your own.
>
> Do you think that a gameday dedicated to training new judges would be
> helpful? Something where prospective judges run games for established
> judges, and the established ones can provide advice and feedback during the
> course of the game. A DM "Boot Camp", as it were.
>
> > One thing I wish the RPGA would do is provide more printable
> > materials.
>
> I agree completely, especially with the limited number of adventures they
> are releasing for 4e. I'm surprised there hasn't been a community project
> around getting these maps created and PDF'ed.
>
> The only thing you may be able to do is take the color maps in the PDF and
> zoom them until they are 1 square = 1 inch size. Likely won't look all that
> great, but it's worth a try.
>
> Rey
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Answering this one separately...
Snipped from here and there.

> I love DMing games myself and wish I could get the ear of the RPGA
> LFR makers...Dungeons really need to have some complicated puzzles
> and traps like they had in 1st Ed (Tomb of Horrors, Temple of
> Elemental Evil, etc)

I prefer to have more of that stuff, and more actual roleplay, but I am in the
minority based on polling data I saw somewhere. The majority of organized play
people like the combat aspect of it. Four hours is a very tight window to work
with, and the XP structure the D&D/LFR makes it difficult to include a bunch of
that "fluff" as well as the requisite combat needed to get the XP.

> Starting probably next month I will be running atleast 1 game a
> month at Rogue's Callery and possibly a 2nd there or down at BF or
> DL...

That's great. Be sure to advertise it on this list.

> As for why so many people probably do not want to be a DM over a
> player is it takes work...Not every person wants to do that stuff
> thus why I think they do not want to DM..

This is certainly the issue, but I've found that there are plenty of people that
wouldn't mind judging but don't because of reason X. People that never judge
don't consider the fact that people get burned out if they judge all the time,
and if no one steps up no one plays.

> 1: Getting people into the hobby is tough but doable... It takes
> some work and thus why I plan to run RPGA events atleast once a
> month. Try and introduce people to the game as well as give current
> players a place to play their LFR characters. Keep a presence in
> game stores is a good way to go (as well as making sure players that
> should up have good hygeine can go a long way).

All good points, though the hygeine thing is a tough point to get across. But
word-of-mouth advertising, getting your friends involved, is certainly the best
system.

> 2: I wish the reward system was better for Judges...I know to get
> more games in the area I need to be a judge to help out and do my
> part to spread the game...But you know I would like to get to play
> in some of the paragon/epic LFR games as a player...

This was the point I was making above. We just need to get more judges involved.
LFR at least lets you play something after you've run it. Other systems give you
equivalent rewards for eating a mod (full XP half gold, for example) which LFR
should considering providing.

> 3: They need to make Judge Center a little bit easier to navigate
> around and be better at making updates to peoples profiles there.

Man, that change to the website was rough. I finally understand how to order and
request adventures now, but they made it very counter-intuitive.

Rey

Some responses to various things. I didn't want to write a bunch of separate
emails. :)


> I don't judge because I don't have some of the really necessary
> supporting materials, like dungeon tiles or maps, figures for
> monsters, etc.

Nor do I. Here's a few inexpensive ways to overcome this:

1. Instead of miniatures, try colored board game pieces. They are relatively
inexpensive ($2 for a set of ten different colors at
http://www.boardgamedesign.com/ or $1 for 10 of the same color at
http://www.skybluepink.com/) and are three-dimensional. Glass beads (the type
you can get at crafts stores) can also be used, and you can write numbers on
them to keep them straight with a Sharpee.

2. Instead of Dungeon Tiles, you can use a battle mat (Chessex sells "factory
2NDs" mats, which have slight imperfections, for about $15 at
http://www.chessex.com/mats/Battlemats_&_Megamats2nds.htm). Alternately, a roll
of Gaming Paper sells for $4 at some local stores (I know Rogue's Gallery stocks
it) and you can use Sharpee or colored pencil or crayon or anything to draw maps
on them. http://www.gamingpaper.com/

3. Several people in town use colored pipe cleaner rings for different status
conditions (red=bloodied, green=poisoned, black=slowed, etc). That's a great
solution. I bought some AleaTools magnets, but I'm hit or miss with using them.

Hope that helps.


> We have a ton of people at the monthly Battleforge games. Do we even
> have room for more?

Battleforge isn't the only game in town, as it were. But in addition to the
monthly Battleforge game, it would be cool to set up the occasional "new player"
game, where to play you have to bring one person completely new to the game. Or
a game specifically for younger players, say ages 12 or 13 to 19. That way they
can get exposed to the game and maybe start their own home games.

> I'd be willing to judge, but I don't have a copy of the DM guide
> (simple fix, I know),

The DMG is mostly unnecessary for judging an LFR event. It has lots of
information for setting up your campaign, plus generic sort of advice that you
already know if you've played D&D for any length of time. I can't remember a
single instance that any DM I have ever played with has ever referred to it in a
session.

> but more importantly, I just can't keep the 4E combat rules straight
> in my head. If I had a co-DM that could help me keep things in
> check, I could probably DM a game.

If you've played a few levels worth of 4e, you likely know most of the rules and
just need some confidence with running a table on your own.

Do you think that a gameday dedicated to training new judges would be helpful?
Something where prospective judges run games for established judges, and the
established ones can provide advice and feedback during the course of the game.
A DM "Boot Camp", as it were.

> One thing I wish the RPGA would do is provide more printable
> materials.

I agree completely, especially with the limited number of adventures they are
releasing for 4e. I'm surprised there hasn't been a community project around
getting these maps created and PDF'ed.

The only thing you may be able to do is take the color maps in the PDF and zoom
them until they are 1 square = 1 inch size. Likely won't look all that great,
but it's worth a try.

Rey

I've scheduled the first North Austin Pathfinder Society gameday for Saturday,
January 16th. The event will be held at Battleforge with the first session
starting at 10AM.

It's pretty early, I know, but I wanted to make sure that the date was set aside
as people plan for LFR and other stuff in the new year.

The Warhorn site is at http://warhorn.net/northaustinpathfinder/

I'll post announcements here somewhat rarely. To stay up-to-date on the game
days and other news, join the other group as well:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/NorthAustinPathfinderSociety/

Thanks, and see you then,
Rey Herrera

Well I just recently signed up to be a Coordinator and a Judge...Even have a
Personal Venue game schedule this month and am working with Rogue's Gallery
so that I can run one LFR game a month up there for the northern crowd (and
those in the south that want to come up for it). I love DMing games myself
and wish I could get the ear of the RPGA LFR makers...Dungeons really need
to have some complicated puzzles and traps like they had in 1st Ed (Tomb of
Horrors, Temple of Elemental Evil, etc)....I just ran this past friday an
Epic level session where I added puzzles and traps like that in there...They
all loved it over having to get 6 successes before 3 failure skill challenge
in a lot of modules. It was an encounter they got to think out and try and
overcome. Win win for the DM and the players. 4E did dumb that down some
(and yes perception checks and thievery checks etc could gain you valuable
info on the trap but not just overcome it outright.

So with that said..>Starting probably next month I will be running atleast 1
game a month at Rogue's Callery and possibly a 2nd there or down at BF or
DL...

As for why so many people probably do not want to be a DM over a player is
it takes work..It takes organization. It takes someone that can be
creative....To be a DM you cannot be a stick in the mud imho....Every game
and everytime you run a module it will run differently. It comes down to the
players that sit across from you. Are they more into RPing? Do they just
want Hack N Slash? Do they want all of it and a cherry on top? As a DM you
are a storyteller and you learn how to make sure the players are gonna have
fun. Rule one though is you can never please everyone..You have to DM to the
majority of the table (and try your best to play to the minority to keep
them involved)....Not every person wants to do that stuff thus why I think
they do not want to DM..

As has also been said is Cost..for Maps, Figures Etc.....Maps are easy with
a Dry Erase map...Yes not as cool and a fixed paper map but it works...You
can use just about anything for monsters...I played in a game at MilCon and
Lisa used dice for monsters...guess what it worked and got the job done (and
almost every gamers has tons of dice). Yes monster figures are nice to have
for sure...Makes the table once again more appealing but they are not
needed...Heck I am sure some of you are like be having played in 1st ed and
even before in the chainmail book etc where you didnt have mintures and
everything was done on graph paper and with imagination (you enter from the
south into a 30'x30" room with an alter at the north side of the room 10'
from the wall with a door on the wall behind it. Hanging from the walls
every 10 feet are torches around the whole room. Standing at the Alter is a
humanoid dressed in a black robe standing over a woman strapped to the
alter. He has a Knife in his had held above her. To his left and right there
are Minotaur bodyguards...The Humanoid and two Minotaurs look up as you open
the door and look into the room.....The Humanoid Yells in an evil tongue
directed at each of you "DIEEEEE!!!!!!").....That is how I remember D&D
playing out before we had minitures (heck when we did get our nice lead
figures they were more for looks or rough maps drawn)...

Ok sorry off my soapbox on that.

1: Getting people into the hobby is tough but doable...It takes some work
and thus why I plan to run RPGA events atleast once a month. Try and
introduce people to the game as well as give current players a place to play
their LFR characters. Keep a presence in game stores is a good way to go (as
well as making sure players that should up have good hygeine can go a long
way).

2: I wish the reward system was better for Judges...I know to get more games
in the area I need to be a judge to help out and do my part to spread the
game...But you know I would like to get to play in some of the paragon/epic
LFR games as a player but if a person is judging all of the time they do not
get to play, thus do not get to level a character up and miss out on the
chance to get into some of those games..I think that hold's a lot of players
from being a DM...Now if they made a way for you as a DM (when you run a
game you can give credit to one character of your own...maybe not for items
etc but atleast for level) that might go a long way to getting more people
to DM.

3: They need to make Judge Center a little bit easier to navigate around and
be better at making updates to peoples profiles there.

~Ryan

On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 12:05 PM, rockhopper1013 <reytheist@...>wrote:

>
>
> So, here's my goals for the new year. Feel free to start a conversation or
> just ignore me, as you will.
>
> 1. Try to bring more people into the hobby. I believe the best way to do
> this is by creating and posting flyers at places around town advertising
> this site, and making sure we have periodic events that people can take part
> in advertised here.
>
> 2. Try to get more players into judges. We were hurting a bit in the judge
> department during MillenniumCon. I'm not sure exactly how to convince more
> local people to judge a slot or two. For those that don't judge: why not? Is
> there anything that we as a community can do to recruit more?
>
> 3. Provide a viable alternative to LFR. Aside from home games, LFR is the
> only game in town. This is why I created the North Austin Pathfinder Society
> group. I'm not sure that PFS is the answer, but I feel it may bring in
> people that for whatever reason don't want to play LFR.
>
> I'm sure there's more, but that's enough for now.
>
> Rey
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> I don't judge because I don't have some of the really necessary supporting
> materials, like dungeon tiles or maps, figures for monsters, etc. And I
> can't afford to buy a bunch of stuff -- we're on a very tight budget. If
> there's a reasonable way to solve that problem that doesn't involve a lot
> of
> money, that might help others in the same boat.

One thing I wish the RPGA would do is provide more printable materials.  I
have a color printer that's capable of printing 19" x 44" maps, and I'd
love to use it to create really cool maps.  But I don't have the time to
generate the actual maps using the mapping tools available (like Dungeon
Designer 3, which I don't even have).  I'd be more than happy to print
these up for other people for free.

--
Timur Tabi

> 1. Try to bring more people into the hobby. I believe the best way to do
> this is by creating and posting flyers at places around town advertising
> this site, and making sure we have periodic events that people can take
> part in advertised here.

We have a ton of people at the monthly Battleforge games.  Do we even have
room for more?

> 2. Try to get more players into judges. We were hurting a bit in the judge
> department during MillenniumCon. I'm not sure exactly how to convince more
> local people to judge a slot or two. For those that don't judge: why not?
> Is there anything that we as a community can do to recruit more?

I'd be willing to judge, but I don't have a copy of the DM guide (simple
fix, I know), but more importantly, I just can't keep the 4E combat rules
straight in my head.  If I had a co-DM that could help me keep things in
check, I could probably DM a game.

> 3. Provide a viable alternative to LFR. Aside from home games, LFR is the
> only game in town. This is why I created the North Austin Pathfinder
> Society group. I'm not sure that PFS is the answer, but I feel it may
> bring in people that for whatever reason don't want to play LFR.

My only problem with LFR is that it magnifies the worst part of the 4E
rules: it's too much like a computer game.  I think the "skill challenges"
are stupid, so I'd like to see modules that don't rely on them.

--
Timur Tabi

I agree with Elizabeth.  I am personally waiting for this before I start
judging again:
 
http://www.destructoid.com/dungeons-dragons-played-on-microsoft-surface-152503.p\
html
 


--- On Mon, 11/16/09, Elisabeth B. Zakes <Kitharis@...> wrote:


From: Elisabeth B. Zakes <Kitharis@...>
Subject: Re: [AustinRPGA] Goals for the New Year
To: AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, November 16, 2009, 12:20 PM


 



On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 12:05, rockhopper1013 <reytheist@gmail. com> wrote:

> 2. Try to get more players into judges. We were hurting a bit in the
> judge department during MillenniumCon. I'm not sure exactly how to convince
> more local people to judge a slot or two. For those that don't judge: why
> not? Is there anything that we as a community can do to recruit more?
>

I don't judge because I don't have some of the really necessary supporting
materials, like dungeon tiles or maps, figures for monsters, etc. And I
can't afford to buy a bunch of stuff -- we're on a very tight budget. If
there's a reasonable way to solve that problem that doesn't involve a lot of
money, that might help others in the same boat.

Elisabeth

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 12:05, rockhopper1013 <reytheist@...> wrote:

>   2. Try to get more players into judges. We were hurting a bit in the
> judge department during MillenniumCon. I'm not sure exactly how to convince
> more local people to judge a slot or two. For those that don't judge: why
> not? Is there anything that we as a community can do to recruit more?
>

I don't judge because I don't have some of the really necessary supporting
materials, like dungeon tiles or maps, figures for monsters, etc. And I
can't afford to buy a bunch of stuff -- we're on a very tight budget. If
there's a reasonable way to solve that problem that doesn't involve a lot of
money, that might help others in the same boat.

Elisabeth


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

So, here's my goals for the new year. Feel free to start a conversation or just
ignore me, as you will.

1. Try to bring more people into the hobby. I believe the best way to do this is
by creating and posting flyers at places around town advertising this site, and
making sure we have periodic events that people can take part in advertised
here.

2. Try to get more players into judges. We were hurting a bit in the judge
department during MillenniumCon. I'm not sure exactly how to convince more local
people to judge a slot or two. For those that don't judge: why not? Is there
anything that we as a community can do to recruit more?

3. Provide a viable alternative to LFR. Aside from home games, LFR is the only
game in town. This is why I created the North Austin Pathfinder Society group.
I'm not sure that PFS is the answer, but I feel it may bring in people that for
whatever reason don't want to play LFR.

I'm sure there's more, but that's enough for now.

Rey

An unbalanced party has a much tougher time in 4E than in earlier editions,
mainly because the classes definitely fit the roles, and have less
flexibility.

But then again, I'm having a torrid affair with Savage Worlds these days.

Telas



On Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 1:51 PM, Jose A Lopez Jr <jalopezjr@...>wrote:

> Personally I love to see a table of all one, or similarly classed, or
> truelly like minded characters at one table....
>
> Just remembering during days of 2nd ed I was sitting at a table (RPGA
> event) with only Clerics, fighters, and paladins (me being one of the
> paladins) I think we actually had two of each. It was a blast, it helped
> become a better at communicating because everyone turned to my character for
> leadership. Not only because she was in the Living City meta-org Knights
> (Golden Rooster) but because she was the most experienced character in the
> group (i.e. highest level character) and ALL the characters in the party
> worshipped Torm. We all had a blast. I love to see that happen again.
>
> My favorite games are ones where we didn't have every role filled but
> succeeded anyway...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> (Isis' Quote of the moment) "Yeah, its addicting (After playing her first
> RPGA round at Milleniumcon 12)  She was on her cell talking to her mom.
>
> --- On Thu, 11/12/09, Marcia <barbarjojo@...> wrote:
>
>
> From: Marcia <barbarjojo@...>
> Subject: Re: [AustinRPGA] Re: Announcing a new Adventuring Company
> To: AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009, 7:27 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> If I was playing a kenku assassin, I would not want to belong to an AdCo
> that was all kenku assassins. I can't think of a single mod where a group of
> assassins would succeed without leaders, defenders, and controllers, as well
> as a mix of races and skills. While it's certainly possible to multiclass,
> that doesn't really lend itself to an optimal character. Since you only get
> the benefit for an AdCo if at least 4 PCs belong to it, I think you'd be
> really limiting the effectiveness of any table you play at.
>
> Marcia
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Personally I love to see a table of all one, or similarly classed, or truelly
like minded characters at one table....
 
Just remembering during days of 2nd ed I was sitting at a table (RPGA
event) with only Clerics, fighters, and paladins (me being one of the paladins)
I think we actually had two of each. It was a blast, it helped become a better
at communicating because everyone turned to my character for leadership. Not
only because she was in the Living City meta-org Knights (Golden Rooster) but
because she was the most experienced character in the group (i.e. highest level
character) and ALL the characters in the party worshipped Torm. We all had a
blast. I love to see that happen again.
 
My favorite games are ones where we didn't have every role filled but succeeded
anyway...

































(Isis' Quote of the moment) "Yeah, its addicting (After playing her first RPGA
round at Milleniumcon 12)  She was on her cell talking to her mom.

--- On Thu, 11/12/09, Marcia <barbarjojo@...> wrote:


From: Marcia <barbarjojo@...>
Subject: Re: [AustinRPGA] Re: Announcing a new Adventuring Company
To: AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009, 7:27 AM


 



If I was playing a kenku assassin, I would not want to belong to an AdCo that
was all kenku assassins. I can't think of a single mod where a group of
assassins would succeed without leaders, defenders, and controllers, as well as
a mix of races and skills. While it's certainly possible to multiclass, that
doesn't really lend itself to an optimal character. Since you only get the
benefit for an AdCo if at least 4 PCs belong to it, I think you'd be really
limiting the effectiveness of any table you play at.

Marcia




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have added a field for base class.

Good idea, and thanks.

--- In AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com, Agdiv <agdiv@...> wrote:
>
> Keep in mind that according to the original post, a character can be "ANY"
class and join this Adventure Company.  A non-assassin class just has to take
the assassin multiclass feat to qualify to join.  I agree though that you might
want to add a "base class" field to your database.
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Marcia <barbarjojo@...>
> To: AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thu, November 12, 2009 7:27:41 AM
> Subject: Re: [AustinRPGA] Re: Announcing a new Adventuring Company
>
>
> If I was playing a kenku assassin, I would not want to belong to an AdCo that
was all kenku assassins. I can't think of a single mod where a group of
assassins would succeed without leaders, defenders, and controllers, as well as
a mix of races and skills. While it's certainly possible to multiclass, that
doesn't really lend itself to an optimal character. Since you only get the
benefit for an AdCo if at least 4 PCs belong to it, I think you'd be really
limiting the effectiveness of any table you play at.
>
> Marcia
>
> --- On Wed, 11/11/09, savetheempire1 <rob_1981@comcast. net> wrote:
>
> From: savetheempire1 <rob_1981@comcast. net>
> Subject: [AustinRPGA] Re: Announcing a new Adventuring Company
> To: AustinRPGA@yahoogro ups.com
> Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 10:56 PM
>
> You may want to add a field or two for character/class combo descriptions. 
While a table of all assassin Kenku would be interesting it might not survive a
mod.
>
> I haven't settled on a name but the concept is: "bird in a can."  That's
right, you guessed it, Kenku Pally in Plate tossing the shrouds.
> Rob
>
> --- In AustinRPGA@yahoogro ups.com, "chimera521" <william_oppenlande r@...>
wrote:
> >
> > Attention to all players of LFR, I am announcing a new adventuring company -
The Kenku Assassination Company (or K.A.C.). Toi apply for membership, you must
meet the following requirements, and apply for membership by completing the form
listed in the Database section of this Group page.
> >
> > Requirements:
> >  - You must be a member of the Kenku race.
> >  - You must be an assassin (either as a class or through a multiclass feat).
> >
> > Those interested, please fill out the Database table.
> >
> > Thanks.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Keep in mind that according to the original post, a character can be "ANY" class
and join this Adventure Company.  A non-assassin class just has to take the
assassin multiclass feat to qualify to join.  I agree though that you might want
to add a "base class" field to your database.



________________________________
From: Marcia <barbarjojo@...>
To: AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, November 12, 2009 7:27:41 AM
Subject: Re: [AustinRPGA] Re: Announcing a new Adventuring Company


If I was playing a kenku assassin, I would not want to belong to an AdCo that
was all kenku assassins. I can't think of a single mod where a group of
assassins would succeed without leaders, defenders, and controllers, as well as
a mix of races and skills. While it's certainly possible to multiclass, that
doesn't really lend itself to an optimal character. Since you only get the
benefit for an AdCo if at least 4 PCs belong to it, I think you'd be really
limiting the effectiveness of any table you play at.

Marcia

--- On Wed, 11/11/09, savetheempire1 <rob_1981@comcast. net> wrote:

From: savetheempire1 <rob_1981@comcast. net>
Subject: [AustinRPGA] Re: Announcing a new Adventuring Company
To: AustinRPGA@yahoogro ups.com
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 10:56 PM

You may want to add a field or two for character/class combo descriptions. 
While a table of all assassin Kenku would be interesting it might not survive a
mod.

I haven't settled on a name but the concept is: "bird in a can."  That's right,
you guessed it, Kenku Pally in Plate tossing the shrouds.
Rob

--- In AustinRPGA@yahoogro ups.com, "chimera521" <william_oppenlande r@...>
wrote:
>
> Attention to all players of LFR, I am announcing a new adventuring company -
The Kenku Assassination Company (or K.A.C.). Toi apply for membership, you must
meet the following requirements, and apply for membership by completing the form
listed in the Database section of this Group page.
>
> Requirements:
>  - You must be a member of the Kenku race.
>  - You must be an assassin (either as a class or through a multiclass feat).
>
> Those interested, please fill out the Database table.
>
> Thanks.






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

If I was playing a kenku assassin, I would not want to belong to an AdCo that
was all kenku assassins. I can't think of a single mod where a group of
assassins would succeed without leaders, defenders, and controllers, as well as
a mix of races and skills. While it's certainly possible to multiclass, that
doesn't really lend itself to an optimal character. Since you only get the
benefit for an AdCo if at least 4 PCs belong to it, I think you'd be really
limiting the effectiveness of any table you play at.

Marcia

--- On Wed, 11/11/09, savetheempire1 <rob_1981@...> wrote:

From: savetheempire1 <rob_1981@...>
Subject: [AustinRPGA] Re: Announcing a new Adventuring Company
To: AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 10:56 PM

       You may want to add a field or two for character/class combo descriptions.
While a table of all assassin Kenku would be interesting it might not survive a
mod.

I haven't settled on a name but the concept is: "bird in a can."  That's right,
you guessed it, Kenku Pally in Plate tossing the shrouds.
Rob

--- In AustinRPGA@yahoogro ups.com, "chimera521" <william_oppenlande r@...>
wrote:
>
> Attention to all players of LFR, I am announcing a new adventuring company -
The Kenku Assassination Company (or K.A.C.). Toi apply for membership, you must
meet the following requirements, and apply for membership by completing the form
listed in the Database section of this Group page.
>
> Requirements:
>  - You must be a member of the Kenku race.
>  - You must be an assassin (either as a class or through a multiclass feat).
>
> Those interested, please fill out the Database table.
>
> Thanks.

You may want to add a field or two for character/class combo descriptions. 
While a table of all assassin Kenku would be interesting it might not survive a
mod.

I haven't settled on a name but the concept is: "bird in a can."  That's right,
you guessed it, Kenku Pally in Plate tossing the shrouds.

Rob

--- In AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com, "chimera521" <william_oppenlander@...> wrote:
>
> Attention to all players of LFR, I am announcing a new adventuring company -
The Kenku Assassination Company (or K.A.C.). Toi apply for membership, you must
meet the following requirements, and apply for membership by completing the form
listed in the Database section of this Group page.
>
> Requirements:
>  - You must be a member of the Kenku race.
>  - You must be an assassin (either as a class or through a multiclass feat).
>
> Those interested, please fill out the Database table.
>
> Thanks.
>

After running my female razorclaw shifter monk with a Kenku it was fun.  We
were talking about stuffing the bird, and someone claimed that if he went down
they wanted a drumstick and thigh.  Just make sure you have fun with it all and
remember their are cat races out there to tease!




________________________________
From: shadowdancer2112 <shadowdancer2112@...>
To: AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, November 11, 2009 4:14:26 PM
Subject: [AustinRPGA] Re: Announcing a new Adventuring Company

 
K.A.C. -- also known as A Murder of Crows.

Randy

--- In AustinRPGA@yahoogro ups.com, "chimera521" <william_oppenlande r@...>
wrote:
>
> Attention to all players of LFR, I am announcing a new adventuring company -
The Kenku Assassination Company (or K.A.C.). Toi apply for membership, you must
meet the following requirements, and apply for membership by completing the form
listed in the Database section of this Group page.
>
> Requirements:
> - You must be a member of the Kenku race.
> - You must be an assassin (either as a class or through a multiclass feat).
>
> Those interested, please fill out the Database table.
>
> Thanks.
>







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

After you're done with the crows, could y'all do something about the
grackles?

Telas (who knows what 'a murder of crows' is, but is just being silly)


On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 4:14 PM, shadowdancer2112 <
shadowdancer2112@...> wrote:

> K.A.C. -- also known as A Murder of Crows.
>
> Randy
>
> --- In AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com, "chimera521" <william_oppenlander@...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Attention to all players of LFR, I am announcing a new adventuring
> company - The Kenku Assassination Company (or K.A.C.). Toi apply for
> membership, you must meet the following requirements, and apply for
> membership by completing the form listed in the Database section of this
> Group page.
> >
> > Requirements:
> >  - You must be a member of the Kenku race.
> >  - You must be an assassin (either as a class or through a multiclass
> feat).
> >
> > Those interested, please fill out the Database table.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

K.A.C. -- also known as A Murder of Crows.

Randy

--- In AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com, "chimera521" <william_oppenlander@...> wrote:
>
> Attention to all players of LFR, I am announcing a new adventuring company -
The Kenku Assassination Company (or K.A.C.). Toi apply for membership, you must
meet the following requirements, and apply for membership by completing the form
listed in the Database section of this Group page.
>
> Requirements:
>  - You must be a member of the Kenku race.
>  - You must be an assassin (either as a class or through a multiclass feat).
>
> Those interested, please fill out the Database table.
>
> Thanks.
>

Now that the events have been reported, you should be able to log in to the
website to enter her information. There is a website address at the very bottom
of the card with the scratch-off area. I believe the scratch-off area has your
initial password to log in.

Since she is under 13, though, you still have to send in the postcard with your
approval. Postcard postage is just 28 cents, so if you've got some older
first-class stamps laying around somewhere, they should work.

Rey

--- In AustinRPGA@yahoogroups.com, Jose A Lopez Jr <jalopezjr@...> wrote:
>
> My daughter is a new (DCI/RPGA) member. Do I have to mail in the card? Is
there a way to update online without having to waste a stamp?

As far as I can tell, you have to actually mail in the card these days,
especially for a minor child.

Marcia

--- On Tue, 11/10/09, Jose A Lopez Jr <jalopezjr@...> wrote:

From: Jose A Lopez Jr <jalopezjr@...>
Subject: [AustinRPGA] Need a little help.
To: "AustinRPGA" <austinrpga@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 5:35 PM







 









       My daughter is a new (DCI/RPGA) member. Do I have to mail in the card? Is
there a way to update online without having to waste a stamp?



(Isis' Quote of the moment) "Yeah, its addicting" (After playing her first
RPGA round at Milleniumcon 12)  She was on her cell talking to her mom.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

My daughter is a new (DCI/RPGA) member. Do I have to mail in the card? Is there
a way to update online without having to waste a stamp?

































(Isis' Quote of the moment) "Yeah, its addicting" (After playing her first RPGA
round at Milleniumcon 12)  She was on her cell talking to her mom.




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Attention to all players of LFR, I am announcing a new adventuring company - The
Kenku Assassination Company (or K.A.C.). Toi apply for membership, you must meet
the following requirements, and apply for membership by completing the form
listed in the Database section of this Group page.

Requirements:
  - You must be a member of the Kenku race.
  - You must be an assassin (either as a class or through a multiclass feat).

Those interested, please fill out the Database table.

Thanks.

Hello all,

I'd like to announce the unveiling of a new Pathfinder Society group for the
Austin area. I saw there was an attempt to start something last year, but it
faded before it really got off the ground.

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/NorthAustinPathfinderSociety/

This group will focus on three things:
1. Organize a monthly Pathfinder Society Organized Play Game Day, starting in
2010

2. Build momentum in order to run Pathfinder Society games at nearby Texas
conventions, particularly MillenniumCon

3. Getting players together to play Pathfinder home games (either Organized Play
or Private Home Games)

Our first game day will be in January, after the holidays. There will be some
polls posted this week to iron out a few things.

So, if you want to recapture some of the magic of Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 with
some tweaks to correct balance issues and so on, join us. Or if you're one of
those people who just can't get enough gaming in your life, we're here for you.

See you there,
Rey Herrera