Initial position

At the very basis we had three players and the dungeon master for the first session and we started off with two of us familiar with the setting and two of us who had not heard a lot more than the sheer existence. As a dungeon master I would recommend strongly that you go through the Dark Heresy rulebook which gives you a very good idea of the world and setting and introduce your players with your version of it. That’s how Tom, our dungeon master, started off into the game yesterday and he did an astounding job that captivated us from the very beginning.

Once you know a bit about inquisition, the various orders, what Space Marines and Inquisitors are for and tend to be like you get very quickly into the game, for the first session this still means you have the hurdle of character generation before you, but fear not – this is quite easy and fast.

Character Generation

For character generation you start off selecting a region where you come from your options ranging from overpopulated hive-worlds to wild and bestial feral worlds, standard imperial worlds to void born. This list is adapted in the DH players handbook with a few more options but for 95% of your games these four should do it as they already give you quite a few options, differentiations and distinctive pros and cons.

Second step is rolling the dice for basic attributes, split into eight attributes (melee and ballistic weapon skills, strength, toughness, agility, intelligence, perception and fellowship) you get a fair chance to roll quite some characters ranging from ~15 – 45% for starting characters in every category. We had two characters with an average of 270 points and had an exceptional one with attributes of ~330pts. While the later might have a slight edge, it was not visible in the first session (to me).

Third step is picking your class, you can select from adepts, assassins, arbiters, psykers, guards, scum, tech-priests and with the players handbook you’ve the additional option of a sister of battle. Our choices for the first game was an Arbitrator, one Tech-priest and an Adepta Sororitas.

The main advantage of the character generation is, you can pick virtually every option you like, but if you don’t feel like deciding on your own, you’ve a “roll a dice” table for everything as well. My personal favorite are the birth divinations, that grant you little boons while adding a very stylish element of fluff to the game. (The usual divination is really – dark.)

Off you go

So, finally we were ready to start, the initial character generation is in my opinion quicker than in most other systems, while it seems more work to actually create a more experienced build than in other systems. (at least it’s seemingly more complex). We started straight into cold water, recruited by an inquisitor (named Inquisitor Stahl / Steel) our first assignment was investigation on a heretical murder of a farmer that was found with a heretical device. We got our travel arranged and had to figure our way out with colonists on a planet.

On our way to our destination we had to travel through the warp which left the first confrontation almost within our graps. The journey itself gave our dungeon master a very good start on creating the lethal atmosphere. For the landings on the planet we had the options of sedadives or enjoying a stomach turning landing.

I won’t go more into the details of our adventure here but investigation can be fun, it’s a very social based, encounter heavy gaming experience and according to my gut, should be very much like this. The players are working for the inquisition and pick either to openly display or try to cover their operations (with the later being usual the wiser choice) their inquiries on town folk. The misinformation of 41st century people is a very flavourful experience, giving a lot of room for thoughful philosophical out-game thoughts while enjoying the difference in-game.

Combat and Lethality

We ended our first session with combat. Attacked by some lunatical misguided heretics we had a three on four situation for our first armed conflict. Cover takes an important role in the game, especially for novices (inexperienced acolytes that we are) it is very important to make good use of aim and obviously should be important to stick together in combat. The lethality is lower than what we expected. (This is mainly due to a combination of toughness and armor ratings when resisting damage). When taking into account that neither we nor our adversaries were armed very well the battle took quite a while, but left us agreeing on combat being a very stylish thing in Dark Heresy. Especially the mixup of melee and ranged combat with partially archaic weapons leaves a dense atmosphere when you’re trying to retreat from a melee situation which tends to be quite an act. Especially critical hits which rely on “overdamage” (excessive damage in relation to your wounds / constitution) tend to add some flair to the game and can appear more often as a result of players characters actions than they actually did (there were a lot² of combat moves, but not a single “10″  for the damage dice).

Conclusion and system

Well, it was only the first session of the playtest so far, but I have to admit – I really like the game. All you need to go is 2d10 preferably either one with 10-90 or in a different color than the first one. Skill-tests go smoothly but results are very hard to predict (for a dungeon master). I got the impression the party setup is a key element to the game and especially during our final discussion it turned out to be a key decision to pick a more stealthy approach and investigative (soft) skills than solve everything through presence.

As for me, I’m looking forward to the second half of our playtest and already have fallen in love with the setting.

Put your music player on shuffle.
Press forward for each question.
Use the song title as the answer to the question.
No cheating! (This is really funny and often quite true).
Repost this as what your music says about you.

and there we go…

What does next year have in store for me?
Moby – We’re all made of stars
(Made of stars, I’ll consider than in my review for 2010)

What’s my love life like?
Dead can Dance – The Garden of Zephirus
(I wonder what that garden looks like )

What do I say when life gets hard?
The Dubliners – Monto
(Suitable – funny, me likes…)

What do I think when I get up in the morning?
Queen – Bijou
(I don’t think I could form that word in my mind at a morning)

What song will I dance to at my wedding?
Kurt Ostbahn – Ois wann nix gwesn waa
(Just don’t tell anyone *laughing*)

What do you want as a career?
Project Pitchfork – Silverthread
(Silver, is it? Threads – ye, probably a lot threads)

Your favourite saying?
Apoptygma Berzerk – The Approach of Death
(Would I die for him? Yes! – something to think about…)

Your pets name?
Rammstein – Feuer Frei
(Definitely when Jakob is on the litter box)

Favourite place?
Kamelot – Abandoned
(Loner for life in some ways at least)

Describe your sexlife:
Billy Joel – This is the time
(I like this one, too)

What do you think of your parents?
Guns’n'Roses – 14 years
(It was more than fourteen years, but less pain and sorrow than in the song)

What’s your Pornstar name?
Bruce Dickenson – Welcome to the Pit
(Maybe I’ll just be the director – my pit, my rules)

Where would you go on a first date?
Megaherz – Herz aus Stein
(Considering it, there have been a few times that went too fast in my youth… With all the pain that comes afterwards)

Drug of choice?
Apoptygma Berzerk – Non-stop violence
(only virtual – as an important side-note)

Describe yourself:
Faith no more – The Jungle
(Really? Hmmm, I doubt I’m much of a jungle)

What is the thing I like doing most?
Billy Idol – Flesh for Fantasy
(That’s an interesting answer *laughing*)

What song best describes my school principle?
Prince – Gold

What is my state of mind like at the moment?
Queen – We will rock you
(not just at the moment)

How will i die?
Rammstein – Alter Mann
(damn, I never wanted to die as an old man)

Yesterday it was Martin’s PathfinderRPG debut as a dungeon master and when I try to describe it, I end up with one word: Impressive. Because his story was quite sophisticated, because his descriptions were quite in-depth, and mainly because I did not expect him to find such a very successful combination of story, fun, descriptions, player-integration and (again, because it was a lot of) fun; but he did find it. Furthermore it was an excellent gathering of players in one evening to remember.

Talarian, black robe of the waterdeep circle

Day 41 of the cross-breed study.

While my colleagues are still hesitating on the new calling, I am a step ahead. I’ve found a rare cross-breed of giant cockroachs and giant grasshoppers whose excrements are showing positive effects on the calling itself. I’ve convinced my near-sighted colleagues that I’ve retreated from this most valuable of studies and am currently working on a bat-dung replacement for their all-beloved fireballs. Fools, they can not see their mistake. The noble Duernatar has helped me greatly in locating these cross-breeds at the very watersides of the moon-sea. Shortly after I’ve taken two of those precious teleport-scrolls and started my journey, but there it started – everything was to go a little wrong…

Somewhere I might be meant to be but did not mean to be

“Talarian, Master Talarian?”, a young, almost childish voice woke me from the teleportal statis, after effects - my first assumption was it was an aftereffect of the guano smell that was still prominent in my nostril, I hope it was guano – or at least I hope it wasn’t anything else that could leave that gut wrenching stench one one of my (formerly) superior perceptive organs.

I remember that when I shook my head and took a look around, I saw shades, one of them with huge wings, it took me a second moment to clear my vision and recognize on the very right of those it was the incredible Kangia, a gnomish friend and bard of mine. I have not been very good with time of late, moments ago I could have sworn it was winter, but this one has passed rather quickly, so I made one comment that left her stunned, honestly I don’t even remember what I said but I gave my very best smile, (something I can rely for more than 30 years with women) and gave my best to return that welcome and appreciation she was offering. It hit my like a rock when I finally managed to turn my head and started realizing with whom she was travelling, it looked like that beautiful girl-mage was controlling a creature of the heavens that outmatched everything around in beauty. It felt like my old heart was going to stop, I even considered fainting for a breath, but then again how would that look like… So it was the explorer side of mine that got hold of me first and kindly asked the purple-robed wizard if she could spare a few feathers of the Aasimar, first I thought I just made a good catch for nigh 3 silvers and tried to get into some small-talk. Next thing I can remember is I had to dodge an offended aasimar’s slap to my face, at least that was what I visualised, to be honest I don’t remember it exactly if it was my superior reflex or my smile that saved me from the pain. I realized too late that I blundered into something I shouldn’t have mentioned when I called Cenwen, the wizard the owner of that beautiful aasimar specimen, but once again I think my unmatchable smile saved my day and maybe even life. With the pride of the anim- creature hurt it took her mere seconds to lift her great sabre into the air and that very movement revealed the lady of mystery signature amulet on her breast. I knew it was my life that might be taken by a sword so sharp and presented my very honorable and favorable side which finally turned not only the tide but also us a little bit more into friends. I still wonder how I managed to bind the empathy of both Cenwen and that particular specimen which listens to the unusual name Dakora, but I managed. It must be some latent spell I triggered or maybe it was just that Eagle’s Splendor spell I invoked before the journey that literally saved my very soul when only a few hours later Cenwen manipulated me into talking about the cross-breeding of Aasimar and Tieflings. I have to admit, it was a tiring journey on horseback, especially when Kangia talked me into leaving the first of the windhorses for her to ride. I should remember not to call a pony when she is around.

Where was I? Ah, yes the tavern where I started talking about crossbreeding of Tieflings and Aasimar, according to my information this is a most promising experiment, if performed with the right precautions it can speed up the development phase and skip right into a formidable creation of war or service. The main complication are, as always, the mentioned precautions and the severe problem of obtaining suitable, stretchable bodies while controlling the skip of several stages during creature development. It was a most enlightening discussion when my dear Kangia started a most heartwarming tale, a tale of vivid imagination so colorful and well-told that I started to get the impression that pictures of her tale were appearing right where she stand, captivating the audience and keeping all of us on the very edge until she stopped and proclaimed the second part of those adventures were to be told at another day. I have to admit, the gnome has learned a lot since I last saw her, not that I am much used to the presence of bards, some of them tend to be pretty annoying when you’re trying to get a good rest after a long day, but Kangia has always been different, her stories and songs are a mixture of genuine perfection and vivid imagination. I now know where this comes from, her stories are not always told truths but she makes up a good deal of them – a level of storytelling only few are ever to master, so I am sure, is to tell these stories fluently and without hesitation, captivating the mere man and the scholars alike with her descriptions, surroundings, colors and sounds – smells and emotions. The most positive benefit were free board and lodging, a benefit I’m not that accustomed to. After sharing a tub with the gnome and hearing even more stories what has really happened in the weeks since we last met, I’ve had the instant pleasure of sharing a room with the astute Cenwen only after having a marvellous back massage and scratching by Dakora. The plumy specimen has an incredible endurance and my shoulders were really, really feeling better afterwards. Not that I had severe problems before but it really felt great afterwards, I don’t even remember her closing the door so very relaxed … Before I really felt asleep I had a short talk about Dakora with Cenwen, it must have gotten me weird butterflies in my stomach travelling with three so beautiful and extraordinary women, all so very different but sharing either a beautiful intellect or a beautiful heart that captivated me – got me quickly into a deep, long night of sleep. Everything felt so much better than these painful stares from the wizard when she brought the topic of a Kelemvorite, one she obviously was in love with. Knightly manners demanded I blunder into that topic as well, but not even my smile could get me out of this easily, I was so glad the topic was no longer imminent, I was so glad that her stare had not killed me as I first expected… I was really sleeping very well considering that circumstance.

Day One, an interesting start – kinda fascinating

I remember it was the silent syllables and astute gestures performed by Cenwen that woke me that next day. I felt peckish to say at least and the plates served seek their match in half of Faerun I tell you. The milk smelled and tasted so fresh, the bread still warm, cheese and ham were just tasty – it was a great start, again I don’t want to forget mentioning my incredible luck accompanying or being accompanied by so beautiful, young women, into the day. I remember we started quite philosophical that morning when all of a sudden it struck all three with an important errant for a druid named Kek, which obviously was of uttermost importance and since I was far astray the moon sea I volunteered to stay in this favorable party. That day took us to three different magistrates and the high temple of the lady of mysteries. The first part of it to a impressive looking elven archmage living in this settlement, the second one taking us to an half-orc called (abbreviated) Zuwo, a high-ranking captain of the guard and finally we ended at Gromsh, an elaborate economist of the town. It took me almost the whole day to realize the wealth that was everypresent, it felt like the whole city consisted of noble man and women, not by their looks but by the coin they spent.

The hours passed quickly, even quicker than one might anticipate, when the sunset grew close and we had to hurry back to make Kangias appointment in time. This time it was interesting to analyze the psychological potential of the proud plumy specimen, leading through a mass of people that were already waiting in front of the tavern. Most interesting of it, the pride of Dakora seems to leave her a little bit off balance and not to hard to manipulate, she is still on the right track, but I dearly pray for the guiding light of Lady Tymora that keeps creatures of the lower planes far from her. I’m not so sure that her companion wizard would even consider risking her life for the aasimar, not after all we’ve talked and exchanged over the last hours.  Anyways, the illusions weaved by Cenwen, with a devastating black dragon appearing right from the inn’s sign and afterwards disappearing right into it will leave the yokels talking for ages. I don’t remember seeing anyone weaving illusions to such effect for many years, actually I can’t remember seeing so much detail to an illusion ever before. Did I mention the local magistrate Zuwo offered his sword in our noble quest? Oh, I think I’ve blundered again into forgetting mentioning the quest at all. You have to understand, the town of Thunderpeak is located at a highly frequented trading routes, and several weeks ago, inmidst of their southern neighbourhood, a swathe of land suddently disappeared, instead of chilled plains a partly frozen, misty swamp had appeared, an all consuming swamp.  Eversince tradesman and marketeers from the south had stopped reaching the city. Tradesman from the north could not continue their journey through the swamp and very quickly a mysterious weave of half-truths had been woven to this place. Now Thunderpeak is offering a fair share of money of the cartographing and de-mystification of this particular area. It is said that no one has yet returned who ever set foot into it, and more importantly there is this particular myth to a fallen aasimar cleric called Andrious that rang even my old ears. I remember when I first studied the Mystera Theologica and the Mystera Conjuratio libraries in Thay, I’ve overheard a saying that a fallen lathander cleric had disappeared. There was some ancient and epic tale to it with a phenomenal black dragon, but I guess that could have been Kangias tale after all as well, but with some truth hidden as in most stories, I have that particular gut feeling that this name was true and whatever may come with it, I’ve already made up my mind since curiousity and free will go hand in hand together, I will try to help and lift the veil of this swamp. And since the magistrate Zuwo insisted it would be a good idea, we would focus on dealing with another local animosity that eats away farmers as well.

An unusual mount for some of us

I admit it, I’ve not journeyed for the best of my years and the outlook of two or three weeks of walking through the woods and vale made me kinda uncomfortable. For all love I share with fellow riders, I’ve never been too used to the appearance of horses, my admiration of efficiency had me, years ago, modifying the general thesis of the conjuratio phantom mount to call something more comfortable, something more efficient and something more intimidating – giant, black arboreal tarantulas. The looks on the faces told a lot, but I’ve tried my best to convince all of the invaluable advantages of the oligopedes. I remember with a smile in my face and close to a tear in my eye that setup of trees, bandits might have use in our path and the intimidating intonation of Cenwen which just announced the problems any bandit might encounter when attacking us. I even considered helping her out with a small illusion but decided against it – her impressive performance would have to be sufficient and it apparently was. When we rested that night, tired as all of us were, it was on the last watch when, I think it was either Dakora or Zuwo, they heard a really strange monstrous noise. I guess whoever had that watch was frozen by fear, I remember that watch on the battlefield at the borders to Amn when the undead appeared… I couldn’t move or breath by just seeing them – but I’m losing focus – Cenwen proved to be indeed valueable and versatile by not only the ability reading and following tracks of the beast but furthermore transforming into a wolf and using the trunk to her advantage. I’ll spare you the details on how Kangia and Cenwen brought down the enormous tiger we spotted. It was a gruesome fight and I tell you never judge a gnome by her size, for I would surely have fled instead of looking into that giant cat eye.

I’ll continue my little story, but first would you help me up? I’ve got that really bad back and I tell you I could really use a little help with that nasty shoulder of mine.

maybe to be subtitled with “in memorial Heath Ledger” was yesterday’s pre-premiere at our local cinema and I was curious.

I started headfirst into the movie, only having a (very) rough idea of what this all was about, feeling quite comfortable with the german translation of the title which hinted a relation of sorts with Doctor Caligari… Terry Gilliams newest project is weird and reminds of a strange combination of Alice in Wonderland (which is not yet out) and Goethe’s masterpiece Faust. The film very much profits from the ingenious performance of Tom Waits as Mr Nick (aka the Devil himself). What at first appears as an approach full of humor is one of tragedy.

The Imaginations of Doctor Parnassus are wonderful and inspiring, they are an approach to storytelling and to dreaming. They speak of change and danger and are translated with a lot of love and passion behind every single picture. I very much like the Heath Ledger part in it with the perspective of change and the three replacements of Heath in those imaginations. (Farell, Law and Depp)

For my part, I couldn’t get warm with Lily Cole, mainly due to her ever-child appearance, though her role fits very good in… Andrew Garfield on his part was a troublesome tragic, at times a bit annoying but playing perfectly the role of the one in love who just can’t get out of this all…

All in all, the movie was good, very thoughful and dramatic. The pictures were wonderful and inspiring. The end is a little disappointing and some parts just could have been improved in my view. Still, I would give Mr Plummer for his very heart-warming Parnassus a 6 of 10 points. With a recommendation for all friends of tragic fantasy (in this case you would probably give 8/10).

Bist du gerade glücklich?
gute Frage – k.a.

Was hörst du gerade für ein Lied?
im Kopf einiges, laut leider nix

Du wünscht dir:
grad – abwechslung

Dein Lieblingsduft:
für Männer JP Gaultier Le Male;
bei Frauen lebhafte Düfte

Was machst du heute noch?
sinnvolles? frag ich mich auch…

Bist du ein Perfektionist?
nur in wenigen Belangen

Nagellack, wenn ja welche Farbe?
nein

Hast du schon mal etwas gesagt und es danach bereut?
ja

Magst du chinesisches Essen?
ja

Telefonierst du gerne?
nein

Lieblings-Kino:
Millenium City, der Einfachheit halber

Bist du allein im Moment?
nein

Wie ist deine aktuelle Stimmung:
k.o.

Sprichst du andere Sprachen:
englisch

Irgendwelche Allergien:
kalte, feuchte luft (physisch), heiße luft (psychisch)

Chinesisches Sternzeichen:
Ziege

Etwas das du ganz arg vermisst:
Flexibilität

Die nächste Reise geht nach:
voraussichtlich Wels

Sternzeichen:
Schütze

Der Mensch der dich am längsten und am besten kennt:
ob’s den gibt…

Der Mensch der glaubt alles über dich zu wissen aber eigentlich gar nichts weiß:
k.A.

Magst du Computerspiele, wenn ja welche magst du am liebsten
gelgentlich

LETZTE / S / ER:

Essen ?
Pizza Rucola

Trinken?
Wasser

Gespräch?
@work

Krankenhausbesuch?
nach Motorradunfall im Sommer

mal gekotzt?
Mai, 2009

LETZTE PERSON:

die dich angerufen hat?
irgendein Spam-anrufer mit unbekannter Nummer

mit der du geschrieben hast?
Danijela

die du gesehen hast?
Arbeitskollegen

mit der du gelacht hast?
Arbeitskollegen

mit der du einkaufen warst?
ALLEINE

der du was geschenkt hast?
Klaudia nehm ich an / hoffe ich

SONSTIGES:

was hast du heute in zwei Wochen vor?
nix Besonderes

An wen denkst du gerade?
meine bessere Hälfte

Bist du zufrieden mit deinem Leben?
ja

Bist du in einer Beziehung?
ja

Wärst du gern in einer?
hmm?

Bist du eifersüchtig?
gelegentlich

Auf was freust du dich?
Schlaf

Wie wird dieses Wochenende für dich?
hoffentlich noch entspannt

Was willst du jetzt gerade?
ruhe

Wer schafft es dich aufzumuntern?
frag ich mich auch

Wer hat dich als letztes umarmt?
meine katze *lach*

Wie geht es deinen Freunden ?
zuviele sind krank

Hast du mal in einem Restaurant oder einem Imbiss gearbeitet?
ja, beim Bundesheer

Hat die Nummer 2 in deiner freundesliste dich schon einmal zum weinen gebracht?
Nummer 2?

Wo ist die Nummer 1 deiner Freundesliste gerade?
Wer?

Hattest du heuer einen schönen geburtstag?
kommt noch…

Dein Name?
markus

Spitzname?
lemmi

Deine Lieblingsfarbe?
violett, dunkelgrau, bordeaux

Magst du Schule?
prinzipiell, jein

Hörst du gerne Musik?
Ja!

Hast du schon mal geküsst?
ja

Gibt es jmd. den du hasst?
nein

Tanzt du gerne?
ja

Dinge….

..die immer in meiner Handtasche sind:
handtasche?

.. Freunde die mir am wichtigsten sind:
gibt’s ein paar, die sollten’s wissen

..die ich morgens im Bad benutze:
Zahnbürste, Mundspülung, Haarshampoo, Duschgel oder Erkältungsbad

wie hat dein heutiger Tag begonnen?
mit ‘nem Handy das abgestürzt ist (Software) aber sonst nicht so
schlecht

Hast du dich heute schon aufgeregt?
ja

Wer war die letzte Person mit der du gesprochen hast?
arbeitskollegen

Könntest du so, wie du jetzt aussiehst auf die Straße gehen?
ja

Bist du gerade alleine?
nein

It’s probably 15 years ago, when we played a lot of games after school and on weekends. Back then we were pretty inexperienced and it was a different – drive. When I was younger, I think most of us were powermongers in one or more ways. Mostly it was great to beat the evil guys (sometimes it wasn’t necessary to have them being evil at all) and the more damage you made, the better it was.

Things are constantly changing and – hopefully – improving. It’s basically still about having options and achieving something together, but the game-mechanics are getting more and more in the background, as long as the general feeling of a working game-mechanic is present. It’s about telling the story with the utmost possible imagination level. As a dungeon master you’ve to prepare a lot and be prepared for most possiblities. Combat is, in most gaming rounds, an essential part, it’s some kind of highlight in the game. Now this is about improving the overall gaming experience for you with a few ideas that we’re working on or have been working on for a decade now.

Descriptions are the key, but without everyone taking a part in this it will hardly work. Therefore we have two parts of the story – for once the dungeon master part and secondly (and often more important – the player part).

Dungeon Master

Most often the dungeon-master is the creator of the world and therefore it depends very heavily from his descriptions of what the players imagine and how the whole game feels like. A dm’s premise most often is improve in story-telling and you’ll captivate your players and win together in the whole experience. Usually the dungeon master has quite a few details to look at – therefore I suggest you get yourself some notes that remind you on what details you want to focus on. For me those are the following (ranked by things I easily forget):

• The smell of the surroundings (especially during combat with aberrations this can be gruesome detail )
• The temperature (fireball and cone of cold might have a little impact)
• The condition of everyone (though you are mostly aware of the adversaries and allies and not the pc’s there might be questions for you to be asked)
• Light conditions, something “we” (at our gaming table) tend to forget quite often – unfortunately because it makes for a great factor when it comes to thrill.
• Weather if you’re outside, slippery surfaces, lightning, snow, ice, fog and many other things make quite a difference when you’re dealing with a bunch of orcs.

Player

The player, having the comfortable option only to focus on one or usually max 2 characters (in case of animal companions, familiars or cohorts) has his own responsibility in participating actively (as active as possible) in the description of everything around him. Depending on time, day and general comfort and condition of the players this might come very natural or might be a real tough challenge… I try to motivate my players (when I’m in the DM role) as much as I try actively to participate in creation of the atmosphere when I’m on the player-side of the table. Only by participating in the game one is able to change something and move on in the whole process.

Most important things to keep track of, for a player should could be:

• Describe your own actions, especially during social and combat interactions. The more you describe, the more the others will see of your scene.
• Keep track of your character wounds and special conditions. Personally I find it very sad when you’ve been hit by several fireball, devastated and wrecked armor, try to find some rest in the next tavern and look very surprised when you’re asked _what the hell_ has happened to you. And moreover if you’re reacting like: “Nothing, why are you asking?”
• Participate actively instead of passive reception of happenings. Try to sniff in the air, wonder about the latest description, ask for details, be creative – the world isn’t the dungeon master’s solemn responsibility. He’ll let you know if you’ve gone too far but as a player you really can help keeping in tough situations the spirit high and the imagination going.

Hardships

Finally a list of ideas what can happen to your (np-) character (or your players) and some ideas what is affected by this.

• Fatigue and Exhaustion
  bloodshot eyes, weary expression, hardly able to raise a hand
• Poison and Disease
  colored tongue (or other bodyparts), shaky grip, tired, aching body, weird behaviour, light skin
  helpful if the same poison over time tends to produce the same effect…
• Fire, Acid, Electricity, Ice
  frostbite, burns, scars, broken and destroyed equipment, smoking hair, colored skin, holes where they shouldn’t be
• State of Mind (insane, confused, …)
  believe me, one giggle at the right time can increase tension, produce some laughter and still create the right atmosphere
• …

As usual just a few ideas to keep the whole game going…

Well, I think you should see it as a mirror to a gamers soul. To his inner beliefs and this leads sometimes to extended reflection on his beliefs, fears, needs and wishes. To my very self, this is a positive thing, a fortunate activity and especially fortunate since you don’t face everything at once and nothing of it (during the game) directly. It’s a workaround with a lot of interaction, to experience, toying around with fundaments of your – self.

The most pictographic approach usually can be found within the hells, no matter what name they might carry. What comes to your mind when you think about devils? What comes to your mind when you think about demons? I’ll tell you what my imagination tells me about it.

Devils are plain evil and being wicked they are the masters of deception. A first approach should hardly ever detectable unless you’re really waiting for it or you’ve a firm belief and extraordinary skill to feel the presence of corruption.
To me, a devil should be hardly ever in the situation to defend himself, he lets other do this job, and he is probably good at it. Devils are spinning wicked stories and grand schemes, they have more time than a single world can endure and this might be an advantage in the end, but this gives them two weaknesses, first – they should be quite cowardly in open combat, why risk an open confrontation and possible destruction at the hand of some paladin, when you could simply disappear? Found a reason? I did… Why did I search for one? Well, this is psychologically one of the worst things you can do to your players, offer them a geniune opponent in the game and – let him escape time and again… At first you will probably manage to gain positive attention from your players, but if they ever realise what a coward your devil is they will lose that fire and get quite frustrated – or – alternatively – end up facing the united forces of hell to their doom.
Tempting? I agree, but ultimatively nothing you want to do on a regular base, actually a TPK in hell at the end of a larger campaign, nailing down that one bastard that has escaped from your for ages – yes, that -is- something you really want to do once in your life as dungeon master, if you’ve done it right, you’ll have your players right where they should be – happy and content at the end of a story. Perhaps with some genuine idea you could even have one escape this to have the legend of the others live on…
So what possible gain has an immortal soulless bastard to risk his life? For me there is primarily one thing worth it, partial or complete Madness. Details somewhen in the future, but let’s have a look at the opposition…

Demons
You’ve seen worse… Have you? I doubt you have seen worse than a demon. Every demon is special, every demon is chaos. Chaos is mighty, powerful and tempting. If you are ruthless enough, you might be tempted to join the ranks of chaos. If you’re powerful enough you might rise, but you’ll never stand on top for there always will be someone more powerful and more ruthless on top of you and he has been there for quite a while. But see the pros of it, if – if he ever thought you might become more powerful in the end, you would end up like most victims of chaos – tortured, torn, crushed and most likely somewhen in the process raped – not always just your body ending like this – most of the times even your soul.

Chaos lives most likely as a cult where the most powerful leads the rest, that is the nature of chaos – at the first sign of weakness and chance he might fall – if someone else is willing to take this risk. Subtile is not always part of the ways of chaos, but has is existance in this as well. If you’re not the most powerful in physical ways and sly enough to stay as number #2, why risk having yourself made the primary goal if you can influence the number 1 to your personal liking?

To me, chaos is the most powerful force, it can grant incredible powers but does not care for you. No structure and feeling no loss for it outnumbers everything else and keeps itself busy. Warhammer “Chaos” are a great inspiration to me when it comes to demons. We are chaos, chaos is mighty…

In case you don’t know Warhammer, find some quotes attached from the video game.

• Do you hear the voices, too? – Chaos Space Marines
• For the Dark Gods! – Generic battle cry
• I am destruction incarnate! – Daemon prince
• Despair, for I am the end of days – Daemon Prince
• The reign of the false Emperor is over at last – Daemon Prince
• Who are you to order me, fool? – Daemon Prince
• MAIM KILL BURN! MAIM KILL BURN! – Khorne Berzerkers
• Blood for the Blood God! – Khorne Berzerkers
• Don’t think you can order me around – Khorne Berzerkers
• Sanity is for the weak! – Chaos Cultists

(taken from Wikiquote )

A lot more direct and “easier” to deal with, but beware – easier than an eternity spent chasing it, as any sane devil would outlive and probably outwit a human (elf/dwarf/…), does not mean – easy at all. Demons are destruction, pain, torture and death and while they embody chaos and might be just – unpredictable – they are also ultimatively evil and will trample any foe lying to their feet after they’ve already brought their axe through his head. They do not stop for mercy and will always try to gain the upper hand in any combat by eliminating, probably the weakest, link. Chaos does not mean stupid.

As always these are mere thoughts, reflections and preparations, feel free to share any ideas and inspiration you have – I (would) appreciate it.

Hast du ältere Brüder?
nein

Wie war deine letzte Nacht?
nach einigen Tagen quasi ohne Schlaf, sehr angenehm zwischen besserer Hälfte und ein paar miesen Katzen aufzuwachen hat meine Laune sofort gehoben heute morgen trotz aufstehen.

Wie fühlst du dich grade?
k.o. grad zwei interne Audits und viel Arbeit um die Ohren

Fährst du nächste Woche auf Urlaub?
nein

Trägst du grade Socken?
klar, schwarze – an denen mich meine liebe Freundin zuletzt beim Oktoberfest blind erkannt hat.

Läufst du vor etwas weg weil du nicht weißt wie du mit der Situation umgehen sollst?
Gelegentlich

Hast du jemals mit wem eine Bettdecke geteilt?
Ja, und das auch manchmal am Morgen frierend bereut .

Magst du lange Umarmungen?
Kommt drauf an von wem.

Eine Sache die dich grade am meisten ärgert
es ist Montag morgen und nicht Freitag nach Mittag.

Hast du ein Tattoo?
nein

Hat dir jemals wer dein Herz gebrochen?
ja

Wie alt wirst du 2010 sein?
11 Monate lang 30

Magst du RedBull?
nur Redbull Cola

Kannst du erschreckende Filme schauen?
ja, komm nur nicht oft dazu

Vermisst du irgendwen?
regelmässig mehr Schlaf

Ist es dir unangenehm ein Kompliment zu bekommen?
sowas krieg ich nicht oft also kein Problem

Gibt es eine Person bei der du automatisch lächeln musst, wenn du sie siehst?
Ja

Wann war der letzte Moment wo du mit deinem Leben unzufrieden warst?
schon länger her

Möchtest du dass dein Leben so wie es nun grade ist bis an dein Lebensende weiterläuft?
naja, die eine oder andere Baustelle würde ich gerne als Abgeschlossen sehen vorher.

Gibt es eine Nacht die du nochmals erleben willst und diese dann bis an dein Lebensende?
Rationell gesehen – nein, sonst kommt mein Lebensende etwas früh.

Bist du zu jedem freundlich?
anfangs…

Gibt es etwas in deiner Vergangenheit was du gerne wiederholen möchtest?
ja

Wie lange hast du letzte Nacht geschlafen?
6 Stunden

Bist du verwirrt?
gelegentlich

Was hat dir den Tag gerettet?
Sonne von links, Kuchen rechts…

Pläne für morgen?
früh raus, internes Audit bei zwei Abteilungen durchführen, mal sehen was danach kommt

Wo warst du letzte Nacht?
heimgekommen nach der RPG Runde, Maroni gefuttert, Columbo geschaut – geschlafen.

Wie lange noch bis zu deinem Geburtstag?
6 Wochen

Hast du irgendwelche Prellungen am Körper?
seit dem Motorradunfall nicht mehr

Wann stehst du morgen auf?
meistens gegen 6:30

Siehst du fern, während du das hier ausfüllst?
nein

Woran denkst du grade?
Guglhupf, brauche mehr Guglhupf

Dreh dich um, was siehst du?
eine Palme, Schaumstoff und Klebeband

Hattest du gestern Nacht einen schlechten Traum?
keine Ahnung

Hast du jemals darüber nachgedacht, dir die Zunge piercen zu lassen?
ja

Wenn du jetzt etwas haben könntest, was würdest du dir wünschen?
Urlaub

Könntest du, so wie du jetzt aussiehst auf die Straße gehen?
klar

Magst du Bier?
nur dunkles

Sprichst du über deine Gefühle oder verbirgst du sie?
wenn, dann selten

Hast du Angst davor dich zu verlieben?
nein

Hast du schlechte Laune?
nein

Fiel es dir schwer heute aufzustehen?
ja

Hattest du schon mal so einen realistischen Traum, dass du Stein und Bein geschworen hättest, das er wahr ist?
ja

Hast du dich in den letzten fünf Jahren verändert?
ja

Mit wem hast du heute als erstes geredet?
mit einem meiner Kater

With my sundaily gaming group things are going quite well. Quite well? Yes, it’s still improvable especially when it comes to focussing on goals. As a matter of fact this blog entry is for reflection but I hope there are some gamemasters out there who can use this for their personal benefit.

Yesterday’s gaming afternoon started with the usual player’s recap, in my point of view one precious developement to have everyone at the table remember what happened last and since this is done together by all players it really helps to get the feel back where we last stopped. Where did we stop? Well, over time our little gaming group has grown into quite experienced characters in the world. Every character that participated for more than a few evenings has some kind of reputation or title, it isn’t always the best reputation but “there is no bad  publicity”, is there?

Our gaming group currently consists of 6 players:

Beatrix, a phenomenon of selective attention would be a polite way to put it, but Beatrix is playing with all her heart and actively playing one of the most challenging roles as Sanchy Driebusch, assa-äh thie- I mean – no actually Jack of all Trades, expert dabbler in the arts of disappearance. With Sanchy she is currently playing the character most often played over a period of time and since her shadowy business she is having the most severe complications with it.

Daniela, the most recent addition to our table, she is playing a gnomish bard called Kangya and slowly growing into the footsteps of her bard. She is having the hardest time since she only “knows” Beatrix and learns to know the rest of us.

Jenny, brutish (but missing) rashemi barbarian called Enelya, halforcish beauty ah I mean bard called Siyanda or the Kelemvor favored soul Darshan – nothing any story should ever miss.

Martin, with his latest switch from the sword Remtron to the diviner Mediniera some things changed while others never change. He is following his course and staying true to his words and ideas. Not always to the better but always improving.

Roman, after his latest switch from Whurynia Donnerschlag, a cleric of Moradin leading her people up in the north and facing the worst of Duergar, Derro and Drow all at once; to the gnomish druid Kek who still is mourning his long-time companion – the druid has faced some hardships with some of his people (who happened to be Kangya’s people as well) facing masses of orcs and sending the Yurtrus-believers into the next plane.

Thomas the walking rules compendium. Gives his in-depth understanding of the game-world, rules and his thoughtful approach to all things magical (ok, he should know it as “the other one found most-often-in-the-role-of-gamemaster”). He always enjoyed beings close to devils or devils themselves. Pushing concepts from Erinnyes to (alien) eastern Swordsman and currently a beautiful and dangerous black magician, he’s the one regularly ends up a bit left in the rain. [note to self: a lot of improvement potential here].

Latest developments

It might have felt a bit like a hot-seat of late with Beatrix starting as dungeon-master in that area, shortly afterwards Thomas taking the lead into those foreign areas and currently me in charge of the group. Additionally we had more than the usual switch of character and therefore problems focussing on particular (??important??) goals and targets of the group. It’s a reoccuring problem with fluctuation of characters (and / or players) some get left behind. I don’t like that concept but in the role of dungeon master I see less possibilities to have a direct influence on it than as a player/character.

The situation is put easily in a few words. The former member of the adventuring group Remtron, currently only Sanchy and Kek have travelled with him in person, has turned from a saviour into 100% malice and ruthlessness. Stories speak of him responsible for several deaths in the area of Windstein (windstone) and probably even responsible for some of the chaos in the neighboured principality Sturmfels (stormcliff). The destruction of a powerful and mighty vampire in a fort south of Windstein he showed his changed self by leaving the party in magical stasis at the mercy(lessness) of the area. In the passing days or weeks he returned to the ruler of Windstein, took the promised hand of his daughter and drove her into a madness. A lot of really bad stories are told about this and currently hardly anyone knows what is true about it and what it not…

The storylines are manifold:

• a series of murders ranging up to high officials and ending with the counsel of the king and finally the king himself, always leaving a spade-card in the place of the murder
• creatures of chaos investing the regions both Sturmfels and Windstein – leaving both pricipalitiess at the mercy of those brave enough to stand against what seems like sure doom.
• remtron, who mysteriously disappeared and hides from all magical means of scrying
• a temple of tymora and a priest of ilmater disappearing while careing for the soon-to-be queen
• a recovered queen who might or might not be wise enough to rule Windstein
• ancient tracks of a myth long forgotten in the lower dungeons under the city
• a ruin of mystical illusion where the chaos creatures spawned nearby Windstein

are these too many options? Should storylines be easier, clearer?

Currently we’re experiencing additionally a severe party split. I don’t know how I feel about it, I like the ongoing events and don’t see the necessity of everpresent “together”, especially when we’re talking about a high-level campaign. On the other hand it tends to be a lot more stuff you need to put in while achieving less participation in some occassions and less positive feelings in your players and that’s – after all – why we play, isn’t it?

Factors

In the process of writing this entry I’ve seen an influence in terms of what you should focus on and this single influencing factor is – your party. The gaming group…

Driver

Players that focus on giving your game their unique fingerprint.

Since I consider my style derived more from this category, I’ll describe what I like best and where I see the dangers of this type. Driving players will make sure your game, no matter how little you actually prepared, will hardly ever get boring. They will do their best to integrate their characters into the game and will pick a path they like best – anytime – rely on it. The downsides of drivers are, they might be going straight against your preparations and plans, since they tend to have a good idea where they want to take your whole party, it is usually best to make sure their plans are similiar to yours. I guess a table of drivers will give any DM a hard time, unless he’s really taken some time before play and knows exactly who’s up to what.

Driven

Players that are pulled through the game.

Driven like the concept of a more or less linear game. In my view, the more “driven” you are, the more dependant on a general milestone concept you are. The motivations of the characters will be important to you, but you’re more likely to have genuine respect for the common cause than pushing your character wishes and motivations into the game as primary objective for everyone. 100% driven players offer a slight advantage for dm’s who heavily depend on preparation. Driven have no general downsides in my opinion.

The Truth

As usual you will hardly ever see a driver or a driven, you’ll have 5 players that range from 90%driven:10%driver to 10%driven:90%driver… Your dungeon master style will most likely influence the degree of driver a player will offer to your game and of course the general mix of players and their character concepts will influence that as well.

Differences in Preparation for Linear Work

As you might know, I use a mindmapping (Freemind) for preparation and keeping track of everything – everything starts with Brainstorming and incorporates items, sidestories, characters, encounters, traps, even sounds and style-elements I want to be either reminded on or include in my game.

For a linear game, I currently see mainly the possibility of having a sponsor for the adventure-chapter. The possibilities range from a friendly sponsor who will actually pay for what he needs, to someone in need to someone who forces the party to obey him.

Paying sponsor

A paying sponsor usually will have least impact on the motivation of your players (according to my experience) and unless there is another connection to her no one will easily face death for a few silver coins. (This is based upon my experience with my players, who tend to care for their characters and put death and coins  on no scale without second thoughts.)

In need of help

Now we come to deal directly with the character concepts, if you’re having a paladin character in your group, this might be a good way to go for a linear adventure. The possibility for heroic deeds and little reward often is more promising and more motivating than a real fortune.

Forced…

Forced labor is something very nice to use every now and then when it comes to have the party do a job you don’t want to pay for. Just make sure you don’t stress this too much, since it takes the characters options and while a mostly linear adventure will offer less options and chances to turn than a non-linear would – it still is different from the force of a Geas like spell placed on the characters. Furthermore I’ve to add, when you offer the sight of the enemy while placing this obligation on the party, you’ll have most likely a rebelling (possibly subconscious) movement against this force. I’ve experienced this in the past as Dungeon Master and with one of my favorite characters alike. While you can use this to your advantage, you should not be surprised by this reaction. Characters don’t like to get dominated and therefore will always try to act against their dominators in case they know who they are.

The real difference is, you’ll probably need a bit more preparation and should have a few handy reasons for everyone to follow your lead in terms of adventure progress. I think linear adventures can offer a great time, every out-of-the-box adventure is more or less linear and gives you a good idea where to end it. So it’s really easy to find a proper preparation for the adventure.