Weekend = Game Time!

[the_gneech]

As for what kind of game, that's up to the individual. Myself, I'm jonesin' for some more D&D. As today's payday, I've already put in an order for Dungeon Tiles from Paizo, miniatures from coolstuffinc.com, and a couple of modules at the FLGS. We all reached 2nd level in sirfox's "4E Tryout" game last weekend after completing the preliminary "first layer of the onion" part of the scenario. This week we should be getting into the Main Event, the titular "Keep on the Shadowfell" itself.

So far I'm enjoying my Eladrin Warlord, but I'm still lukewarm on 4E from a player's POV. I imagine that it's largely a reflection of the scenario, but so far it's pretty much been "fight, fight, fight," with a few momentary forays back to town to chat with NPCs for clues about what to go fight next. I'd like for there to be some way to bring our various characters' different backgrounds and personalities forward more. I'd like to see Arcangalad get some more chances to be heroic and noble, Rhine to be mysterious and wizardey, Nicole to be more shining lady of smiteyness, and Avengelina to be more shifty back-alley type.

Of course, that's not necessarily a problem with 4E the ruleset, so much as where they put the focus in their adventures. In that regard, they're just following a long tradition ... the NPCs in the venerated "B2: Keep on the Borderlands" (which I have an idea this scenario may be something of a tribute to, or at least a nod) didn't even have names, much less distinctive personalities. (Well, the Mad Hermit was mad, of course. But he was more of a monster than an NPC.) And this is something that I'm always wanting more of anyway, being primarily a storyteller/method actor type of player, with minors in tactician, specialist, and butt-kicker.

-The Gneech

Comments

[hantamouse.livejournal.com]

I would like to think I am a storyteller/tactician, but after reading Casual Gamer... damngnabbit.

BTW: I now own PH1, PH2, & ArcaneSplat.

[laurie-robey.livejournal.com]

Butt-kicker/Casual gamer here!

[sirfox.livejournal.com]

Some of the flatness roleplay-wise is probably my fault, although the module's got something of a dearth of people to interact with. Most of my attention is going towards mechanics, and i should be paying more attention to the characters. My lack of practice in doing so kinda shows. n_n;;

I will say that the upcoming dungeon crawl might just apply itself more to heroic feats, in both its situations, and environments. If people want to kick over tables for cover or for two characters to pick up and mash a goblin against a wall with, we can do something about that. The townsfolk are worried and nervous, and may need bucking up. There's a traitor to ferret out in your spare time, or who might just try to ferret the party instead, and that minor issue of a rift that might give Orcus an express highway to an undefended hinterland he could subjugate.

[kesh.livejournal.com]

KotS is the first published 4e adventure, and it suffers a bit for it. They've improved since, but yeah, that adventure is basically a long dungeon crawl.