Bidi’s World

• Bidi’s World Microblog Digest for 4/11/2008 (0)
• Synaptic System Failure (0)
• Bidi’s World Microblog Digest for 5/02/2008 (0)

I played in my first RPGA event during GameStorm 10. I played a first level druid in the Living GreyHawk campaign. They had a few introductory modules running at the convention so I figured it was the perfect time to try it out.

The introductory modules are designed for first level characters only and I was a bit nervous that there wouldn’t be enough players for get a table started. The RPGA coordinator, Robert, did a great job though mustering the tables and when it was all said and done we had a full table for our first adventure.

The game had a little different feel to it than the Living Arcanis games I’d played. It’s difficult to put into words but I think I’d have to say it had a trace amount more adventure than role play compared to Arcanis modules. This could have been mostly due to the nature of a starting module but I’m not entirely convinced of that.

I did have a gripe though and I hope they address with the upcoming Living Forgotten Realms setting. For a character to advance to level two they need 1000 experience points. The introductory module gave 450 experience points. After discussing it with the other players it turns out that though some of the other modules will allow a level one character the chances of survival are slim. The common practice is to play in more than one introductory module.

To that end I played my Druid three times during the convention and all three times were introductory modules. I do now have a level two Druid which will help but it didn’t leave me enough time for some of the other things I wanted to do at the convention. In stark comparison a typical starting Living Arcanis module will give you enough experience to move right into level two and the meat of the story line.

GreyHawk was a great setting and I really did enjoy myself. I just wish I could have progressed a little faster so that I could have explored it more.

• GameStorm 10 (0)
• GameStorm 10 - 4th Edition Demos (0)
• Witch Hunter 101 (0)

Here are the latest happenings from some of the various microblogs I use across the net.

• [link] Inkscape Tutorial by heathenx: Slice Web Page Layout | Dabble Video Search - 10:18 am
• [link] Computer Generated Girls - 10:18 am
• [link] Most used CSS tricks | StylizedWeb.com - 10:18 am
• [link] Random Dungeon Design: The Secret Workings of Jamis Bucks Dungeon Generator - 10:18 am
• [link] “I choose YOU, Pikachu!” | Crafty Games - 10:18 am
• [link] Image Metrics : Performance-Driven Facial Animation Solutions for the Digital World - 10:18 am
• [link] heromachine - 10:18 am
• [link] Rockbox - Open Source Jukebox Firmware - 10:18 am
• [link] Cool Package Design - 10:18 am
• [link] Bamboo - 10:18 am
• [news] Flight Simulation comes to the Wii (from FlightSimX) - 11:14 am
• [news] Gadgets : The ThinkGeek Annoy-a-tron (from ThinkGeek :: What’s New) - 11:14 am
• [news] Digital Looking Watch Is All Analog, Awesome (from Geekologie - Gadgets, Gizmos, and Awesome) - 2:20 pm
• [image] Favorite: Green Dress 5 Redux (by Ride My Pony) - 4:25 pm
• [image] Favorite: meli.jpg (by ! esteban escobar photography !) - 4:25 pm
• [image] Favorite: Washington, DC on $85 a Day (by Musely) - 4:25 pm
• [image] Favorite: Mantis (by Lawraa) - 4:25 pm

4/10/2008

• [news] Home & Office : Throwzini Knife Holder (from ThinkGeek :: What’s New) - 11:14 am
• [news] D&D Miniatures: Downloadable Stat Cards (from Wizards.com - Dungeons & Dragons) - 11:14 am
• [news] Sleek, Sexy, Daddy Likes: Cellphone Watch (from Geekologie - Gadgets, Gizmos, and Awesome) - 12:29 pm

• Bidi’s World Microblog Digest for 4/17/2008 (0)
• Bidi’s World Microblog Digest for 4/14/2008 (0)
• Bidi’s World Microblog Digest for 4/02/2008 (0)

The first day at GameStorm was a booming success for me. Today was essentially a chance for those who had preregistered to get an early start. Though I don’t have enough experience to say with any authority, it is my understanding that more gaming conventions these days are having early start days.

On the agenda for this evening there was really only one thing that really caught my eye though. There was a D&D 4th edition demo as well as a demo of the new D&D Mini’s system.

They were both a lot of fun. I think I’ll be using the new mini’s rules going forward for sure. The dynamics just make more sense than they used to. The new rules also fall closer in line with how the RPG mechanics work so your not constantly reminding yourself “5′ step here, no 5′ step there” among other annoyances.

I like the way the 4th edition RPG played out as well. I felt like my special abilities were more accessible due to how often they cycled. This added immensely to the fun factor of playing the game. There will be a bit of a learning curve to it but only because of how unfamiliar some of the new mechanics are and not because they are any more difficult. I think someone coming into the game fresh will have a much easier time of it.

One thing in particular about 4th edition I thin will work very well is how difficulty levels of encounters are now calculated. The new system is much simpler and as such building encounters or scaling existing encounters for odd sized groups looks much easier. I don’t know if I’ll go out and buy a bunch of fresh 4th edition books as soon as they hit the shelf but I will make the move eventually for sure.

• GameStorm 10 (0)
• RPGA Events at GameStorm 10 (0)
• Living Arcanis and Nerdcon 2007 (3)

GameStorm 10 starts tomorow. I’ve been looking forward to it ever since I first heard about it at Nerdcon 2007. I had no idea that there was a decent gaming convention so close to home.

So far I’ve signed up for a D&D 4th edition demo, Shadowrun for beginners, Living GreyHawk for beginners, a beginners Star Wars RPGA game, and of course a Living Arcanis game. I’m also hoping to get in some card games too including a Magic the Gathering and a World of Warcraft TCG tournament.

I know that some of the guys I’ve been playing Living Arcanis with lately are going to be there. My ranger has hit level 4 and is becoming quite deadly with a bow. With some luck we’ll be able to sit down and game a bit. I also hope to make a bunch of new friends as well. This should be a really fun week.

• RPGA Events at GameStorm 10 (0)
• GameStorm 10 - 4th Edition Demos (0)
• Living Arcanis and Nerdcon 2007 (3)