of Dice and Dragons

I know the title seems a bit odd but with all of the holidays currently being celebrated it felt appropriate.

My household is trying to finish last minute shopping (the ice and snow storms really messed things up) and prepare for the annual visit of the big guy in the red suit. There’s food to prep, a house to clean and presents to wrap.

Amidst all that my wife and I are trying to instill in our kids that the holidays are not just about the presents it’s about family, friends and enjoying the time we have together. The kids are accepting the words but only time will tell if the message sinks in. As the Whos in Whoville stated in the show we saw last night (and I paraphrase) . . .

“As long as there’s a hand to clasp Christmas can be celebrated.”

The story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, really does help drive the message home - an entire town has all their presents, decorations and even their feast stolen but still can celebrate the holiday as they have what’s most important to them - family and friends.

So as you take time out from your gaming activities (you are taking a break right?), be sure to take time out of rushing from place to place to truly appreciate the most important part of the holidays - those around you.

So, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Festivus, Happy Solstice, Happy Everything!

May your dice roll well!

I just wanted to take a moment out of this morning’s activities (we’re hosting the feast this year) to wish those of you that are celebrating today a Happy Thanksgiving.

I would encourage all, whether you’re celebrating today or not to take a moment and reflect on what you are thankful for and there is always something; the health of your family, the friends you have or even just the fact that the sun came up again today you were able to see it - although you may not be thankful for the reason you saw it come up, for some reason food prep comes to mind.

So once again to those that are celebrating have a Happy Thanksgiving and for those that aren’t I hope you are able to enjoy the day.

Thanks for being a reader.

May your dice roll well.

As we enter into the holiday season I thought the question should be asked; do you include holidays in your campaign planning? For my part I typically plan the holidays when putting together my gaming world but rarely have the characters observe them.

Why would you add a holiday or two to your campaign? For starters they can add a bit of flavor and color to a gaming session or two - a festival celebrating the equinox or solstice with its feasts, events and competitions gives a nice break from the dreary day to day adventuring life. Adding a holiday can also give you and your players a chance to flex their role-playing skills as any number of encounter ideas can be incorporated as you are just as likely to encounter a wedding party as you are a funeral. They can also be used as a way to get information to the party or allow them to make an important contact with a diplomat or a noble.

In my last campaign set in the Realms of Rylon (home grown world), I used a festival as a kick off point for both the major plot line and to add some color with background elements. The Festival of Rometh occurs on the first of the year, which on the Rylon calendar is the spring equinox, and is a time when individuals mark new beginnings. I used the festival as the backdrop for the characters entering into an employment contract with their benefactor which launched the main plot line of the campaign. While that provided the needed stimulus to get things going beyond the introduction stage of the campaign the festival also allowed me to add a background element in the possible combining of two kingdoms as a marriage was announced between two royal houses at the banquet the party was attending. The two events made for a memorable role-playing session where all of the characters were involved and numerous NPC contacts were made, some of which would appear again in the campaign.

Do you have a holiday idea you’d like to share? Please feel free as I’m sure everyone would be interested and for those that need a quick “drop-in” event check out issues #344 and #403 of Johnn Four’s Role-playing Tips newsletter.

May your dice roll well.