of Dice and Dragons

As is often the case with most role-playing groups getting the evening session started can be a bit trying. Late arrivals, socializing and the “where did I put my dice?” situations are a normal part of every group but take up time and any time not spent gaming is viewed by some groups (okay, almost all) as ‘lost time’ so here’s a tip.

Have two ’start’ times. The first one is when everyone should arrive. This is a great chance to give everyone a chance to catch up, order/eat (my group starts around dinner time) get organized and so on. For the sessions I run I typicall call it, “Administration time,” and use it to make sure I’m ready and give everyone else a chance to do the same. I also use this time to answer any questions regarding the campaign left over from the previous session and to discuss our upcoming gaming schedule. I try not to let this linger more than 30-45 minutes.

The second ’start’ time is when gaming starts ‘for real.’ This is when everyone, including the GM, needs to be in character and focusing on the events of the session.

As always you should adjust this to your group. I’ve played in groups where when you sit down upon arrival you were expected to be in character and others where I was never quite sure if we were actually playing - it always made it interesting.

May your dice roll well.

It was announced today that there is going to be a D&D chess set released in the fall of this year. I know a lot of people that play RPGs also play chess so I thought that I would pass this along.

You can check it out on the Wizards website at
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/news/20060515a&dcmp=ILC-RSSDND

The latest issue of Role-playing Tips in now online - Airborne Minis Tips.

It contains a number of good tips for how to handle these on the tabletop.

There are also a number of good tips submitted by readers. Here’s the full run-down of what’s in the issue:

CONTENTS:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
0. Bottle Caps & D&D Minis?
1. Coffee Stir Sticks
2. Use Dice Boxes
3. Use A Strip Of Sheet Metal
4. Craft A Magnetic Axel Stilt
5. Use Pizza Centre Pieces
6. Use Pill Bottles
7. Use Clear PCV Pipe
8. Create A Q-Tip Stand
9. Use Star Wars Bottle Cap Minis
10. Create Posts With Ballpoint Pens
11. Use Two Bottle Caps And A Nail
12. Use Magnetic, Stackable Miniature Markers
13. Use Two Battlemaps For Normal and Elevated Views
14. Use Snapple Lids
15. Use Film Cannister Caps
16. Conflict Chips
17. Use Trimmed Water Bottles

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. An Example Myth (D&D Related)
From: Todd C.
2. Image Sources
From: Loz Newman
3. Customizing Races (D&D)
From: Johan
4. Use Weird News To Inspire Your Campaigns
From: Loz Newman
5. The Pros And Cons Of House Rules
From: Mike Bourke
6. Two Diceless Examples
From: Sean Murphy
7. Rolemaster Initiative Tip
From: Dominique Michaud

You can read it online here.

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