of Dice and Dragons

The Ronin by definition is a masterless samurai and every role-playing game/setting has some varience on the theme.

- The gun for hire in the old west (think Magnificent Seven)
- The ship’s captain looking to hire out his ship (think Han Solo in Star Wars)
- The vigilante of the modern day (think Dare Devil)

Now the typcial way of using this individual is to have them confront the party and let the dice fly, but what if . . .

- The Ronin has lost his sight and is wandering aimlessly asking others to help him
- He’s a fake. He has no fighting skill at all and has been living off the legend of another.
- He’s not a warrior at all. I play D&D more than any other system and a wizard or sorcerer makes for a nice change of pace here.

Be sure to consider the possibility that this Ronin is embracing the ‘educated’ side of his personality and is seeking knowledge and wisdom and would prefer to talk instead of fight.

What are your thoughts? Feel free to leave your comments.

Be sure to check out these additional encounter ideas

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The latest issue (#300) of the Role-playing Tips E-zine - Q&A With Johnn Four is now online and the issue contains:

CONTENTS:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. What started Roleplaying Tips?

2. What motivates you to keep going? Is it self sustaining?

3. What’s the current readership?

4. How long does it take to publish an issue? What does it involve?

5. Will you be doing any more contests?

6. What topics will the e-zine be covering in the future?

7. How do I contribute to the e-zine?

8. How much mail do you get a week? Do you answer it all?

9. What games are you playing now?

10. How much is advertising in Roleplaying Tips Weekly?

11. Have you ever thought of putting forums up at roleplayingtips.com?

12. I’m starting my own campaign world. Is it best to start small and work your way up, or start big and work your way down?

13. OGL and ePublishing have really opened the field for small RPG publishers. What are the long-term effects (good and bad) on the industry?

14. D&D still seems to be the most popular RPG. Is this due to or in spite of the OGL?

15. By default, the OGL has promoted d20 as a “standard set” of mechanics and rules, not only for fantasy, but other genres as well–can we expect to see the number of generic RPGs and supplements increase as a result, or will fantasy continue to be the lion’s share of d20?

16. What resources would be recommended to improve adventure design for experienced game masters?

17. How can an adventure designer or game master maximize player choice and minimize railroading in event-based adventures (in comparison to site-based adventures)?

18. How can an adventure designer or game master incite players convincingly to undertake quests without mercenary compensation, for good aligned characters, but instead based on morality and genuine heroism?

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. 1″ Tiles Make Great Minis Markers
From: Chris
2. Another Use For Dance/Perform Skill
From: Peter G.
3. Ten Foot Wiki
From: Roman Gheesling
4. Players Tips
From: Morgan Davies
5. Occultist Trap
From: Forrest
6. Climate For Fantasy World-Builders
From: Auke
7. Speeding Up Combat (D&D 3.5)
From: Kurt “Telas” Schneider

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The title of my blog is of Dice and Dragons so somehow a quiz on what type of die you are seemed appropriate to include.

So, which die are you?

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The latest issue (#299) of the Role-playing Tips E-zine - 150 Benign Urban Encounters is now online and the issue contains:

CONTENTS:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
100 Benign Urban Encounter Ideas

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Peanut Butter Wiki
From: Dave Schaefer
2. Fun Trap Ideas
From: Edge
3. 200 Adventuring Company Names
From: Forrest
4. Rhetoric For Your Games
From: Johnn
5. Group Name Tip
From: Elena of Valhalla
6. Mark Your Figures With Discs
From: Scot Newbury

You can read it online here.

If you don’t already subscribe I would recommend it, you can do that here.

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This week’s entry into our role-playing encounter ideas topic is - the upset parent.

A few weeks back I posted an idea concerning a runaway and as anyone who’s watched the news, when a child runs away or goes missing there’s an upset parent as well.

The party could be approached by a parent who is asking to see if they’ve seen their missing little one and see where the discussion goes. Other ideas are:

- The party sees a poster about a reward for finding the child and go to check it out
- The parent points them out to local law enforcement and the party is now wanted for questioning about the disappearance
- While at the local tavern/pub/watering hole the party witnesses the parent being removed from the establishment by the ownership who doesn’t want to get involved

Also keep in mind that while most individuals associate the upset parent with the mother of the child it could just as easily be the father.

Got an idea to contribute? Go ahead and post away!

Be sure to check out these additional encounter ideas

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