of Dice and Dragons

Those of you that have been reading my posts for a while know that I’m big on using index cards for gaming purposes. Not just for taking notes but also for tracking items as well.

Most GMs have a screen they use to keep certain things hidden from their players, it also makes a great place to hang things as well - index cards for example to track combat rounds.

If you take an index card and fold it in half it should be able to hang on the top of your screen. Take and mark each flap with a number to represent a particular round - you do both flaps so both the players and you can see what round it is with ease. At the end of each round you can replace the card, put the next one over it or, if you stack them prior to the combat, take one off.

This also makes it easy to tag certain rounds if something is suppose to happen or end. Remember those sticky-notes? Write a reminder on one and stick it to your side of round card - can’t get much simplier.

Got an idea of your own? Feel free to share it so everyone can benefit.

May your dice roll well.

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The latest issue of Role-playing Tips is now online - GMing Car Chases.

The most recent issue of Roleplaying Tips has been posted and it is in response to a request for tips in running car chases. There are a lot of good ideas with examples in this issue which is a little longer but well worth the read.

Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Use Playing Cards
2. Know Your Player Characters
3. Random Resolution Chart (GURPS)
4. Make A Chase Events Deck
5. Think In Cinematic Terms
6. Real-Time Gaming
7. Run A Step-By-Step Contest
8. Try Spycraft 2.0
9. Use Some DM Timing
10. Small Cars Get Hurt Worse Than Big Ones
11. Remove Unnecessary Details

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Fantasy Money Product
From: Steve Bollenbaugh
2. Use OpenOffice Calc To Make Spell Lists
From: Francois Beausoleil
3. Minis Storage Boxes
From: Jeffrey G. Strause
4. Running PBeM Combats
From: John Grigsby

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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I just wanted to wish everyone that celebrates Thanksgiving here in the US a happy and safe holiday!

Please take some time out of your online surfing and gaming to spend some time with your family - after all they’re the ones that are really important.

May your dice roll well.

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The latest pair of issues of Role-playing Tips are now online - Card-Based Tools For RPGs - Part 1 & 2. They are issues #333 and #334 respectively.

The two issues provide you with a number of useful tips, with examples, on how you can use a variety of card-based items to help GM your campaign.

There’s a wealth of suggestions in these two issues and I would strongly suggest that you take a look at them if you are a GM. I saw more than a few I think I can use in my own gaming.

You can read issue #333 online here.

While issue #334 can be found 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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Have you ever sat back and actually thought about why you game?

Do you game for the social environment? This factors into why I game as I enjoy the company of the group I game with and to be honest my kids even look forward to seeing the group show up on Sunday night. Of course this also creates some issues at bedtime.

Do you game so you can “flex” your “creative muscle?” Are you a GM who enjoys creating whole civilizations? Do you enjoy creating the host of characters that the party interacts with? Are you a player who looks forward to taking on the persona of your character and takes pride in the depth of the characters you create?

Do you game to “escape?” I’m not talking about escaping reality but escaping the day-to-day grind that so many folks find themselves in. You know, wake-up, work, sleep, repeat?

Maybe it’s a combination or something else entirely? I encourage you to post your thoughts on this.

Why you may ask? Simple, as I move forward with this blog I want to be sure I include topics that are relevant to those that are reading and not just want I want to post about.

So why do you game and what do you want to read more about?

May your dice roll well.

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