of Dice and Dragons

As some of you have no doubt noticed I haven’t posted much of anything of late and there were two main reasons why.

First off my offline world saw a sudden increase in work load and shortened deadlines and while I enjoy posting and gaming they just don’t pay the bills (as least not yet!).

The second deals with the reason for this post - every gamer whether you’re a player or a GM needs some downtime.

There are many, many articles, postings and email discussions that cover the aspect of GM burnout and how to combat it but they’re not the only ones that burn out - players can too.

Does your group game every week? Are the sessions enjoyable or does everyone seem to be uninterested (even during combat)? Do you look forward to gaming or are you thinking “it’s gaming night, guess I better get ready < sigh >.” All those things are warning signs that a group burnout may be occurring and needs to be addressed. Some groups see this and think it’s time to pack it in but what is needed more often than not is a break from role-playing.

Notice I did not say to take a break from getting together but from role-playing. There’s a good chance that your group is more than just a bunch of folks that get together once a week but you’re also good friends and you enjoy their company. While you might decide to take a week off (which if fine) change up what you’re doing. Have a boardgame night instead, or maybe get together for a movie (rented or at the theater) or as my group has done in the past, have a BBQ and invite the “extended family” which includes significant others and in my group’s case the kids.

Here in the Northeast of the US this is a great time of year to do this as the weather is nice (okay hot and humid but it’s better than subzero temps) the days are longer and the kids are out of school.

Go on, have a good time the gaming table will still be there when you get back and who knows? Maybe you’ll enjoy the game just a bit better when you get back.

May your dice roll well.

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The latest issue of Role-playing Tips in now online - Making Magic Items Interesting, Part 2.

This is the second in a three part series and includes a number of tips contributed by readers. All are interesting and include suggestions such as add descriptions, item backgrounds and connections to groups or cultures.

The reader tip section includes information for those that PBeM and PBP on where you can find games and another resource for military rank information.

CONTENTS:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Add Interesting Descriptions
2. New Physical Forms
3. Strange Items
4. Items For Organizations
5. Add Cultural Connections
6. Factor In Former Users
7. Create Signatures
8. Set Special Conditions
9. Let Magic Permeate Life

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Resource For Military Ranks
From: Jeffrey S.
2. Advertising Online Games
From: Eisel, the Grandma Gamer
3. Use The PCs As A Special Forces Group
From: Kit Reshawn
4. Game Weekly To Create Momentum
From: Steve Kozak
5. Making A Module Mine
From: Telas

You can read it online here.

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

May your dice roll well.

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The latest issue of Role-playing Tips in now online - Making Magic Items Interesting.

This is the first of a three part series on making Magic Items in your campaigns more fun (depending on your point of view) in addition to providing some ideas to work from there are also example items as well.

I also liked the reader tip which listed out some time savers for gaming and the tip about how character generation doesn’t stop once you start playing.

Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Boring Magic
2. Scarcity
3. Quirky magic
4. Intelligent Items
5. Magical Interference
6. Memorable Items

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Game Time Savers
From: Telas
2. Character Creation Doesn’t Stop When The
Game Starts
From: Jonas Dorn
3. The Most Important Session
From: Dave Bray
4. Use Consistent Visual Aids
From: Ian Toltz
5. Making A Module Mine
From: Telas

You can read it online here.

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

May your dice roll well.

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The latest issue of Role-playing Tips in now online - How To Build A Large Character Gallery.

An interesting set of tips form the main article this week. Following the suggestions you, as a GM, will be able to build a good selection of ready made NPCs for your group - all courtesy of your players.

I also liked the reader tips this week, especially the one concerning events, it includes a long list of event ideas.

Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Make A Copy Of All New Characters
2. Building An NPC Gallery: Make Additional Copies
Of PC Sheets
3. Use Modified PCs As Future Pre-Generated
Player Characters
4. Organize Your NPC Gallery
5. Mirrored Death
6. Level-Up With New Character Sheets

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Online RP Rooms - Try One Today
From: Dana Fisher
2. A Little Campaign-Colour - World Events
From: John Eikenberry
3. The Domino Puzzle
From: Nate A.

You can read it online here.

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

May your dice roll well.

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

This issue is a bit different from others in that the main set of tips is a collection of tips from different authors but all military related. From the ranking system of soldiers to ideas on handling large scale combat in your game, all interesting tid bits and I’m sure more than a few you’ll be able to use as well.

The additional reader tips all deal with maintaining your campaigns, as a member of a group that’s been gaming together in one form or another for the last 10 years or so I can relate to a number of those tips.

Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Rank And Hierarchy
From: Max Dodge
2. Large-Scale Battles Overview
From: Jon Thompson
3. Make PC Actions Special
From: Mark L. Chance
4. Large-Scale Battle Tips By Level
From: GAZZA
5. Battle Design
From: John Eikenberry
6. Military Rituals
From: Da Pit Fiend
7. Politics And Warfare
From: Will

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Two DMs On A Regular Schedule
From: Francois B.
2. Priority, Planning, And Players
From: Jim Sales
3. Wise Gaming
From: Phil Vecchione
4. Casual Play
From: Bento
5. Verisimilitude With Inconsistent Players
From: Dan Howard

You can read it online here.

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

May your dice roll well.

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