...for your convenience.

This message was deleted by the player at 03:03, Wed 04 Jan 2017.

Group 0 is always Everyone. ;)

I'm so excited! Can't wait to see what kind of trouble I can get into this time. :)

Something I should mention, before I forget:

When a combat situation arises, and you tell me what your character is trying to do, do not roll for initiative individually - I'll handle monsters and the party on my end. Just give me your to-hit roll and damage roll. Please apply your own bonuses and/or penalties, as I can save a lot of time not looking up the THAC0 for 30+ characters.  :^D

And at Zaggie's Place, don't wait for DM posts from me - this is your chance to meet and form up groups all without my input.

Having some RL issues. Got a job interview tomorrow morning.

Best of luck to you!

Shalazar, hope the interview goes well

DMJSC,  Great to have you back in the saddle once more.

Thank you, Carl.   *sketches a bow*

The thread regarding each group makes me wish we could set up a thread that everyone could edit.

I think Samitha had the right idea. Copy everything and put your name in. Then the next person copies that post, not the OP, etc.

That was my intention. :^)

Everybody doing okay? If you're not in a group yet, relax, as there are several jobs left. Just ask me if you have any questions.

I forgot how much interaction there is in the tavern. One of the many great things about Nemrac is after an adventure you get to come back to the tavern and chose different adventures and swap party members if you want. People are always in and out.  Only a couple of times (In Flinny's experience) has the tavern been full like this.  New players enjoy it as this is a staple of the game.

Apparently Stone is sending us on this quest without joining us! hehehe...

Taverns are one of my favorite parts of Nemrac

-le sigh-

And back.

New players... There are still plenty of people to form up with. Feel free to jump in.

The six groups that are moving will get an update tonight after dinner - our favorite local bar has Buy-One-Get-One pizzas every Monday night, and they make a mean variety of pizzas. Of course, I wouldn't touch most of them, being a Confirmed Meatitarian, but my wife and I will tell you they're the best in our little town.

Feast well!

Thanks! I don't know if it makes a difference to our new folks, but I live a stone's throw from the birthplace of D&D - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, USA. That puts me at UTC -6. Most of my updating takes place at night, though I have thrown a few in during the day when I can.

I am at UTC +8 so I usually have to check in the evening and early morning.

I'm just chilling in utc -4

UTC -8

-8, western Oregon. I check several times per day.

Utc -8 Central Oregon. But why job has weird hours.

I'm not sure of my -exact- timezone, but it's 1.10pm on Tuesday now

In reply to Shalazar (msg # 27):

UTC +11

I'm an old person, GMT -8.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:24, Tue 10 Jan 2017.

I'm eastern time.

WI!!  I am from Milwaukee originally!  Oh how I miss those snowy days.  ;)

GMT -7  MST

Louisiana -6.

Lived in Madison for many years, but also Milwaukee (Franklin actually) and Park Falls.  Out in the Emerald City now, but still bleed green and gold.

... if you bleed green and gold isn't that Australia?

Spoken like a true Bears fan!  :)

Or Northern Michigan University.... Or even Brazil!

10-a-see.  -6

Busan, +9

Aussie is green and gold/yellow

New Zealand all black and UTC +12

Aussie is Green and Gold. Ironic, given there's very little green about it for much of the year...

Except in cricket, where it's the baggy green.

Been really hot lately; been struggling to think clearly.

Well hello all! I've been away for quite a while, having moved house recently and just dealing with the holidays in general, and here I log back into RPOL and get a nice notification that this game is active again!

I'll have consider whether to retire this current character or not. Also I need to find my books again since I tucked those away somewhere during my move.

Welcome back, Zell!

Good to see you, Zell!

Welcome back Zell!

Welcome back Zell, very timely.

Good to see so much of the old crew back in the saddle. :)

Sorry, I went away for 8 days so just catching up now on whats going on.

Whatwhatwhatwhatwhat?? We're back?!? Thanks Ken for the notifications here and on DF, been out of the RP loop recently.

Looking forward to this very much, my first RPol game back in what? 2009?

Straight GMT-0 here, in Bonny Scotland!



Amalric has been through a few groups, but the Band of the Green Claw/Tooth/Scale/Spleen/Earwax was absolutely the most fun so I'd be looking to hook back up with those guys again, if possible. He can adventure with paladins, though - Chaotic is still Good, after all.

Don't have access to Group 1 though, so will need that to join in the discussion/chat/RP. Terin will need it too...

I'm with ^ stupid.

Here's a thought. Do Terin and Wuhnmoor/Nex (Hauraki) and whoever else...Zell?...still have all their alien tools and weapons from the spaceship in the mountains? They're obviously still on character sheets, just curious.

Amalric! Good to have you back! Errol and I are already out visiting a crumbling tower, but maybe DMJSC can teleport you in? It would be hilarious based on the last in-character post!

Amalric! Welcome back! Yes, you still have your alien stuff. :^)

Oh gods Mortoth will flip, and Aria would never doubt him again. Like I am talking permanent bodyguard status.

In reply to Aria Lightfoot (msg # 54):

I take it something happened to your group?

Nothing to see here in Group 4. Move along. Move along. :p

Group 5 is now interested in hearing about the alien gear..AND the Tales of claw/earwax clan.

*sigh* For the right amount of beer, I'll tell you 1/3 of the tale the next time we're in a tavern. Which third is up to you. ... Honesty is not guaranteed. ;)

Don't divulge too much - with this many players I have been known to reuse adventures.  ;^D

Stone, stick around more, and you'll have your own tales to tell, guaranteed.

In reply to Athera Blacktyde (msg # 47):

Hey Athera, good to see you made it back. I'm off removing a curse with some paladins at the moment. I'll catch up with you next time we're in the tavern.

In reply to Gwire (msg # 60):

First time I have been in a group without the four monster food groups.

Sorry, I haven't stepped in anywhere yet. Do you want me to post in the tavern to start DM?

Yes, please - I was hoping you and the others hadn't all decided to quit.

Still here. Apparently the new year though has meant I've gone back to 1-2 interviews a week.

Wone-wy, I am so wone-wy (in the pub)...

With a sudden flash of bright light, Amalric is teleported to Group 4.

... It's worth a shot. :D

SHAZAM!

And it is done! Never ever ask Errol how he manages certain little miracles, just be thankful for the end result...

Teleportation of a loyal follower is nothing for a Rat God, to be sure. ... or even semi-loyal non-follower, if you want to be picky about it. ;)

 Does Mortoth recognize the origin of the coins? Just curious weather there is any way to determine that sort of thing without proficiencies. Intelligence check? Just curious.

 I've always been a fan of learned proficiencies and skills. Skills ;)

My veterans are used to this, but to avoid upsetting any of the new folks, realize that I will move the game forward from time to time even if I haven't heard from every single member of the party, especially if I saw that you logged in, but didn't post. Don't worry, I won't move a combat round without you, but I might move you from a peaceful night to a combat scene even if one (or two depending on the size of the group) of you hasn't posted.

Sorry for the absence. Ok, where do I fit? Where should I post? SOrry I'm a little lost.

Post in the inn.

Sorry, I got really sick on Saturday and it took a while to recover.

Posting over the weekend. Having a weird week.

You too huh? Well then, it mus t be International Weird Week Day! ... weird week day ... I'm standing by it. :p

As some people may have guessed, I'm currently looking for work. This Thursday morning I had an interview for a data entry/reception role. And they showed me around their entire office, stated they 'had an obligation to check all the applications' and they'd be in touch over the next two weeks.

But what they didn't do, is actually ask any questions pertinent to the job, or even ask if I had any references.

Yeah, I've had those interviews where, as the job applicant, I was asking all the questions. Unless I'm desperate, I avoid those jobs.

They moved the jigsaw piece around to see if it fits somewhere. If you resume didn't have references, send them a thank-you message with the information included.

All right, for all my USA players (and anyone else who may or may not care), it is time for the culmination of all the hype and spectacle which is Super Bowl LI. I'm not really a football fan, but I may watch for the commercials and just to see how the game goes. Or I may sleep through it - you never can tell.

Anyone planning anything special in the way of snacks and libations today, whether you care about the game or not? I think I make Stone jealous every time I mention having a Spotted Cow or two. ;^D

I work nights so.......sleep and avatar the last airbender.

It did disturb me a little when they moved Korra to such an awkward time for me, anyway.

My in laws are in town so we're ordering pizza and crashing their room for a few hours. It's not really a Super Bowl party. It just happens to coincide.

I'll be watching the game off and on. Don't really pull for either team but hope Atlanta wins because they haven't ever been there before. Cheers

Mmmm .... Spotted Cow

In reply to Roland Adyys (msg # 84):

mmmmmm Spotted Cow!! I have had it shipped to me from WI before!
Delicious!

Roak must not have been around in '98, Atlanta vs Denver in SB XXXIII.

I love how Belichek wins with mostly nobodies, but also hate how he plays it loose with the rules. Therefore I'm on Atlanta's side, but will mostly watch for the commercials.

Stand corrected sir! I also agree with the above! Cheers

Us poor Vikings fans will never forget '98. ;)

Or '70, '74, '75 or '77

As a lukewarm Bears fan, tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1985.

I don't miss football so much, and the only sport I follow these days is sumo.

I'm a Giants fan, and I was backing the Falcons all the way - and what a terribe choke job they made of it, game was there for the taking. But hey ho, that's the Pats for you.

I'm Australian, and I don't even notice it's on. But when it's the cricket, or our own football codes...

I think it was more coaches making adjustments, and perhaps superior conditioning. And some superior plays. Edelman's catch was on of the greatest I've ever seen.

Cue the Chappel Hadlee trophy digs whilst the going is good then.

Shalazar, they show AFL here in the States on one of my sports channels, and while I don't have a favorite team, it's definitely one of my favorite sports to watch if I'm up at that hour. Meanwhile, the Super Bowl? Yeah, meds and a migraine meant I did wind up sleeping through it.

In reply to Hauraki (msg # 94):

Fair cop. To be fair, since Taylor retired, I usually support whomever Australia is playing. Their arrogance is insane, their sportsmanship ever since Taylor has gone downhill. And then they think it's easy to replace some of the players that have retired over the last 10 years is ridiculous.

AFL is awesome, though we seldom get to watch it.

It's quite interesting to hear a countryman speak of their arrogance, I would have thought it was only foreigners that saw that.  I've come to think of it as part of their swagger.  To a certain extent, it is deserved, they're always formidable.  It's why beating them is so awesome, and also why a loss to them is such a crushing blow.

Replacing retiring players takes time, but since Australia has such incredible depth that wait unfortunately is never long.

Sportsmanship can wax and wane, and we'll never let you forget the underarm incident which predates Tubs.

Meh. Here in Australia, people are -still- talking about finding the next McGrath, the next Warne or the next Gilchrist. They're not easily replaced.

Yeah, the underarm incident was pretty despicable.

Stoinis 146 maiden ODI - now there's a bright star rising.  Almost single handedly saved the day.  A bit of development and he'll get there.

Stoinis is a great example. I also think Australia could go for a while at being the bottom of the heap; to remember what it's like to be the 'easy-beats'. And truly understand that, and not come up with excuses like 'oh our best players were unavailable' or 'the pitches were substandard'.

I've always had a fondness for New Zealand; because in cricket they do far better than they should; given the emphasis on rugby.

And as for AFL, I'm a Swannies fan living in Sydney. I follow league more; and soccer to an extent, but I usually support the Netherlands there.

Sorry, mental lapse and forgot to check in.

In reply to Athera Blacktyde (msg # 101):

1000!
1000 posts!!
I WIN!
I WIN!!

In base 10.

I'll post as soon as I can. My apartment flooded and I had to throw a lot of stuff in storage. My husband threw a lot of stuff I didn't want in storage in there so I'm just very frustrated. Every time I do my yoga and clear my mind, my husband goes and does something to frustrate me. That and I can't get a peaceful night of sleep because I have industrial fans on in my apt.

It is just really hard for me to sit down and get in the mindset to post here right now.

Take your time, and the game will be here. I don't know what I'd do if my place flooded.

For me it's a serious of thunderstorms. They're not seriously bad; but they don't let up during my posting times.

I've helped family through 2 floods and a sewer backup in the last 8 years, so I feel your pain Athera. It gets better and we'll be here when things settle down.

Err, okay now.

I have a major, major, major interview on Friday, so don't expect any meaningful posts before then.

How major? 12 month contract; with a bank. Anyone who has had -anything- to do with data entry can tell you that financial institutions are pretty much where it's at for data entry and permanent work. I don't however have experience; but they don't care about banking experience for this job. But that means that though it's only for one year, in 12 months; if I can get this job; means I get to add to my CV '12 months working for one of the big 4 banks in Australia'.

In reply to Shalazar (msg # 108):

The job sounds sweet as. Best of luck in the interview.

In reply to Shalazar (msg # 108):

Good luck we are all rooting for you!!

best of luck

In reply to Shalazar (msg # 108):

I've made a career on contract work. If you truly want it, I wish it to be yours!

Best of luck Shalazar!

Good luck, Shalazar!

In reply to Shalazar (msg # 108):

Best of luck to ya! Sending you good thoughts. Sounds like a very good opportunity which might lead to even better ones in the future. I promise not to stea... I mean liberate anything until you get back! Cheers

Good luck Salazar

Sorry for the absence, all. Apparently I missed an update for my Internet device, and Windows 10 pitched a fit. I'll get everyone updated as soon as I can.

Wait-a-minute...Windows10 freaked out about something? How unlike a software product. ;)

In all seriousness, after nearly a decade working with software I'm ready to go back to the early 1990s when Windows were washed, mice were trapped, and UNIX guarded the harem.

*rimshot*

Thank you folks, I'm here all week! Remember to tip your waitress and try the veal. It's delish!

I hate Windows 10. It was an automatic download on my computer and it has been giving me fits ever since.  Good luck with it boss.

I had the need a while back to fire up window 98 in a virtual machine the other day and was amazed at how lighting fast it responded without all the bloat they put in software today.

I'm still running Vista...

I miss NT...

Windows 10 was forced upon me as well - I fought it for as long as possible. I was happy with 7 and even 8.

When buying a laptop for grad school last summer I worked very hard to find one that still came with Win7 Pro pre-loaded. I do not like Win10.

Still on 7; but current laptop dying.

I have Win 10 on a Surface Pro, and I think that it works well on that platform. I also have two older laptops that I prevented from being automatically updated that will remain on Win 7 until the day they die. Win 10 is better on a device that supports touch.

Turns out I'm going to be offline till Wednesday anyway. Sorry about the short notice. See ya Wednesday.

And... now I'm not going anywhere. Which is fine, anyway. Onward!

<<<Mortoth does the "woo-woo" dance>>>

JSC are you playing in Grey Dragon?

Yeah, that's me. You?

Yeah. The thief.

Not-so-annual State of the Game Address:

I usually try to keep the OOC thread light and for general messages, but I feel the need to address something I've noticed lately that is really making it hard for me to run this game. Too many players are looking in without making a post to their respective threads. As of this post, over 40% of our players haven't posted in over a week.

I want everyone to get their say before the action moves, so when that many players don't play, I need to know what I'm doing wrong. Perhaps you're a player who thought there would be some over-arching "save the world" plot - you won't find one in this game - just many, many ways to drive your own personal rags to riches story, as long as you survive to tell the tale.

Even if your character doesn't have anything new to contribute to the discussion, or isn't in the front row of a combat, etc., please put your two cents in. It's disheartening for me to wait for posts, and instead to have to check out "The Cast" to see who's looked in, and then move on anyway. We're playing together, and while I planned from the get-go to do quite a bit of work, lately I've seen less playing from too many players not to mention it. Which means less work from me, which means less fun for me also. You may remember from the Welcome that we're aiming for three posts per week per player when possible - even I don't expect that all the time.

If you ever disagree with a decision I made, or perhaps I skipped your action by accident, or even if you are bowing out for whatever reason, please get in touch with me. If I've made mistakes, and believe me, I have, just let me know, so I can fix them.

Please keep communicating - absence in this format sucks for all of us.


Your Friendly, Slightly Depressed, Neighborhood DM

I'm still in and willing to do my part.

Ditto.

Sometimes I take a back seat to the action particular when I don't know what to do. I think a good way to handle that is something as simple as a post that "character looks to his/her companions to see what they say next" or something like that. I'm working on participating more in this game though especially since it has only recently been raised from the dead. :-)

Despite some bumps in the road I am actually quite pleased with how my group's part of the game is coming along.

That or I'll employ the OOC thread to say "Hey, still here and without a clue as to what I do next" for the benefit of those folks that cannot read my mind. ;^)

Me too. It's pretty fun with this group. Very different from my alter-ego's group, but also fun.

Don't worry DM you are doing great.  Many games I play have people just lurking in character and only post when there is action or treasure distribution.  Don't worry bout them, the core playets always keep the action and RP going.

Also thanks to the new people who are active and push the games along.  You may not be saving the wirld but you truly get to develop great characters.

I have one guy, in a game I'm running, who has literally posted once a month for the past four months.  Just as I'm about to write him off and take over his character *BOOM* he posts.  It's like he's psychic.

My SOP is that after PMs, if a player hasn't logged in in two months, I remove them from the game. Before that, the players have usually written that character off as anything more than an available combat target.

This is something I put together on the GaryCon forums several moons ago - Gary Gygax passed away nine years ago today, and while I didn't know him for a lot of years, I was very happy to have him as a friend before he left us.

A person who made a definite, and lasting, cultural mark.

I would like the world to remember me as the guy who really enjoyed playing games and sharing his knowledge and his fun pastimes with everybody else.
— Gary Gygax

six children, seven or more grandchildren.

Is that a spotting scope on the far left side?

Looks like it could be, or some funky dice thrower.  Wow the number of hours I've spent staring at those screens set in front of me as a player.  Now there's good reason to lift a drink to the man, not that I was looking for a reason to open that bottle.

I think I remember Luke telling me that Gary birdwatched from the front porch, which is where we played when the weather was warm.

A tiny bit of trivia - you'll never see it in the picture, but I'm in one of the pictures in the collage at the right. It's a picture of Gary and his last gaming group, which even included Jim Ward at the time. I've been fortunate that I lived at the right place at the right time to play D&D with the guys who actually wrote the books. Sometimes I go back and look through my gaming-related photo albums and our old campaign journals just because.

Every GaryCon I attend, I wind up hoisting a Spotted Cow to Gary. I never met Dave Arneson (RIP), but I hope the guys that I still call friends can hold on to their health for a good long while.

Hey all! Will be traveling and on vacation starting tomorrow. Once there I should have internet but probably will not be able to post daily. NPC me as necessary if needed. Blessings

In reply to Roak the Quick (msg # 148):

In D&D isn't an amazing time to have lived?  Some of you played with, or knew, and some of us lived near the originator of D&D!

I did another of my here-but-not-here acts recently, always online but unwilling to login to RPOL. My bad. I do have a lot of previous for it.

Nice tribute to Gary, Jeff. I do hold out hope of one day going to Gary Con, but although I do reach a milestone birthday this year (the big five oh), I still have a few years yet before I retire and devote my time to such earnest pursuits (wife permitting)!

In reply to Amalric (msg # 150):

Yes as I understand it.

Will post Sunday. Tabletop game tomorrow; finishing off a unit in my course tonight.

Your luck?

If snake eyes were a good thing, I'd be a millionaire.  No dice have ever liked me...real or digital.  I'm not sure how I pissed off the god of dice but yeah...my bad brah.

If a character must die, level 1 is a good time.

One thing about Chup's situation....one need not roll the dice.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:03, Tue 28 Mar 2017.

I've used the staff of fire before, but never thought to give it a command word/phrase. What better than this?

"I love the smell of napalm in the morning!"

:)

It was either that, or "Come on baby light my fire!"

... fire bad, tree pretty.

Really flat out trying to finish my course right now.

Gaming good - bad videocard bad. At least I hope that's all it is. I'll post in-game again when I get my computer back, hopefully in a day or two.

The DM's away. Who's got the silly string and popcorn? Probably in Errol's bag of holding.

Sorry, had some issues with reno stuff. Should be active again.

Silly string, rolls of TP, paper bags and a lighter (bag contents sold separately), and half barrel of beer. The bag and I are ready to roll.

I will be out of town and unable to post until Sunday 4/9/17. It has been a year since my Father's passing and my family is gathering to celebrate his life. Sorry for any delays. Blessings

I'll be on the road to Rolla (MO) 10-13APR2017. It's my goal to post, but I make no promises. I may be too busy getting my kicks on Route 66...

I would guess several of you are traveling for this upcoming Easter Weekend. I am staying put this year, but I don't expect very much activity over Easter.

Yeap, traveling as well for the coming weekend.   Columbia, MO

Expecting to have internet access most all of the time.

Safe travels for those on the road this weekend and for those staying tight, have an enjoyable weekend as well.  Give thanks and be sure to count your blessings

Also traveling.

Not traveling but likely offline for a couple of days as usual. Herding 6 kids through all the liturgies this weekend isn't among the more relaxing things I do. ;)

No plans, no kids, no car...I may be free XD

I'll be around (as will Gwire and Chie).

I will still use my phone to post even though I will be camping.  Gotta do something while waiting on the fish to bite.  There is a reason it is called fishing and not catching.

Hola longtimers, one of the new oriental adventure crew checking in. I recognize a few PC names from games long dead (Amalric, Roak the Quick) where we might have played together for a while, but this is my first game back on rpol in quite a while.  Good to see the old school is still going.

May our in-game paths cross when the barbarian hordes (led by our newly formed party, of course) invade your portion of the world ;)

An interesting bit of trivia - I just passed my 7000th post in this game. The small number of posts listed for the game is deceiving, as I deleted pages of old material over the years from folks who are no longer here. I still have all the dungeons, though, so if you ever talk to someone in the pub and your stories sound familiar, it's possible that you played in the same adventure somewhere along the way.

Post in a day or so. My ankle turned on me today, sending me tumbling and cutting open my knee and right palm. This and I have a job interview on Thursday morning.

Hang in there and good luck!

In reply to Shalazar (msg # 174):

Feel better soon and good luck with the job! Blessings

In reply to Roak the Quick (msg # 176):

Right!  Get rid of all the bad luck, so the interview will be filled with only goodluck!

Hope you get the job, if you want it!

Use that to your advantage. Showing them that even though you had a set back it is far from detouring you from your new opportunity.

Go Kick Butt

In reply to Shalazar (msg # 174):

Way back in the day, when IT gals still wore skirts and heels (such fun crawling under desks to check network jacks!), I had an interview with a new client and consulting firm. In a break from style tradition, I wore black hose because I had played softball a few days before and trip-slid into a base. My lower leg was hamburger and on fire, but I soldiered through.

The client stepped out of the room for a moment and the reps from the consulting firm started to chat with me. Out of the blue, one of them asks, "Well, were you at least safe?" I said "Yep," and we all had a great laugh (at my expense).

I landed that gig and worked there well past the initial 90-day contract (I think it ended up going 18 months). You've got this!

(I have another interview story about a busted lip and a likely-fractured nose thanks to a bike crash. I'll save it for another day.)  ^.^

The only thing worse than an interview where you don't know why they didn't like you, is an interview where you don't get, because they filled the position before you interview. That's the problem with ASAP job openings.

sheet should be in tonight! I hope

In reply to New Guy (msg # 181):

"New guy"
I like the sound of that, very uneek!
Welcome aboard!

Sure beats a name like "Urded Olreddie", "Rollen Zirous", or "Failda Saev" ;)

I ran out of ideas for punny names after a few years, but I might steal those if I need them!  X^D

@Hajime - welcome back! This was my first RPol game and there have been many more over the last eight years, so could have bumped into you anywhere.

"Itzall Myn" was my introductory name, but I do share the loot when threatened sometimes evenly. :D

i think it was a straight dungeon crawl, Castle of the ??, using Basic rules I think. I couldn't find it when I went searching, it was a long time ago.  Good to see you're still here.

Alwysdafir T'dye

In reply to DMJSC (msg # 184):

I played NWN online pretty regularly. I had to come up with a number of names while we tried and shed new adventures. I also tested player-built modules, so I went through a lot of names. The best I got a rogue named Pique Abu, else it was mostly a mash-up of Yiddish, French and cheese.

;^)

Next person to join this game gets the name Slane Byannork.

Hi everyone, I am Gareth elven mage thief. I am an orphan from a vampire attack.  Glad to join the group

Glad to have you. Chup can use all the help he can get, especially for free.

A vampire orphan? Does that even count if your parents are undead? I mean, they're not technically dead, so you're an un-orphan?

:D

Welcome anyway! Rushes off to buy garlic.

In reply to Gareth Bane (msg # 190):

*Rubs hands together in a menacing way.
"Welcome...Muahahahahaha"

Welcome Gareth!  I must say, you have an interesting occupation.  Although, I suppose there must be a market for stolen elven mages somewhere in the world...

I look forward to meeting you in the game!

Welcome Gareth.  Try not to die too quickly... i mean have fun playing.

In reply to Flinny Flinch (msg # 195):

I am lucky that way.

Sorry, I've been getting night-morning, night-morning, night-morning shifts at work and they're killing me, so been too tired to check in.

I'll have all groups updated by the end of the night Sunday, my time.

I am deeply sorry for the sudden disappearance.  Had some sudden, unexpected life problems pop up and I have been far too distracted to even think straight.  I will get posting again very soon.  Again, sorry for the delays and lack of correspondence.

Life aye - nothing you can do but live with it, given that the alternative isn't so great, as far as we know.

@Hajime again - Castle of the Mad Archmage? It still exists, but I let it slide a year ago when I started running a chatroom game on Dragonsfoot (which is also on hiatus now!). Ran for seven years but its a lot of work - I have endless respect for Jeff and anyone who can run a game for longer than that!

I take it we have a new/returning player, Holly? 13-18-13-10-15-15 is some sweet rolling!

That's the one, just checked it out. I was Lasse Gamling, one of the originals, and I think you were originally a PC, not the DM, right? I was there for the first couple of levels of exploration.

Correct! Eight years ago that game started, seems like longer...

I got to play a session of CotMA run on Google Hangouts by OSR blogger Joe the Lawyer a few years back. It was crazy fun! I nearly died of poison, the barbarian was polymorphed into a bumblebee, and lots of other wild stuff.

In reply to Amalric (msg # 201):

Holly is new to the game, but had their name picked already. Slane Byannork will just have to wait....

How dare Holly have a name predetermined! It's simply not done!

Welcome Holly!

Welcome Holly, sharpness and all.

A prickly welcome.

Welcome New Guys

In reply to Carl Rainclaw (msg # 209):

Welcome to the game.
Not sure if the DM let you know, but it is customary for new players, to give any magic items to Stone  (Me).
If you have a magical item near the city or surrounding area's they could randomly explode, resulting in an untimely death for you character, or possibly the entire party!   The DM has countered this by granting a magical spell on my character.  He can't be damaged by the explosion. I recommend finding Stone ASAP in game and handing over all your magical items & potions, and coins.  Plus buy him a drink & share all your treasure with him.  After all he did steal save your life from the exploding magical items.
See you in game!

Hey All,
I am HollyFen,and no relation to Aria, that I know of... and a newb.  I played ADnD 1e when it came out and I was a freshman in HS.  My cousin had the original rules for Blackmoor and Chainmail... wish I could find them.
This is my second attempt at online gaming.  The first game stalled on us, and the DM invited interested parties here.
PLeae forgive me any lapses of protocol.
Not sure how and when to use the different colored font yet.. but I pick up quick.
Looking forward to this.
Thanks again
This message was last edited by the player at 19:49, Thu 11 May 2017.

Welcome Holly.  Glad to have you join the games.  This game is here to stay, it may slow down every now and then but we are all here still.  Below may help you a bit and don't forget to give your magic weapons to Stone so you do not get blown to bits.

OOC: Orange is for Out of Character, roll results, or actions in game.

Your speech is whatever color you want it to be, just please be nice and pick something that is easy to read on a phone.

Thoughts are done in italics.

Welcome Holly!  While I'm not sure about that whole exploding magical item thing (fake news!) I am certain that any adventuring stories and triumphs are what you should be bringing to me to immortalize in song.  Which will live long after you and I depart this world, so in effect I can grant you immortality.  Pretty nice, huh?

Glad to have you aboard, and look forward to seeing you in the tavern...

Also welcome to the game, Holly! I hope you enjoy it.

Welcome, keep your hands in your own pockets and we'll get along just fine. :)

Hey, I resemble that remark...or I would, if Errol wasn't always getting there first while I'm busy hitting monsters with my halberd!

Whistles innocently.

Welcome Holly

Errol will probably feed you some cock and bull story about you having to feed a bunch of gems to the dragon in his bag of holding in order to retrieve your hard earned treasure that he keeps there.  I, on the other hand, am completely trustworthy.

If you can avoid the band of thieves, miscreants and rogues (hello!) that is group 4, you'll be fine.

Oh, wait...

I am not a thief! Nor am I a rogue! I take offense at such accusations. ... Miscreant on the other hand...

Rat god?

When I first encountered Errol at The Brothers' Inn before we became founding members of The Band, he was definitely more mouse-like than his current state.

The Band of the Green Lumbar #4 Vertebra has so many amazing stories to tell! One or two of them may even be true! Like the time I single-handedly saved the party from an evil wizard!

That was a goblin playing with a stick Wehostan, not a wizard with a wand :)

This is post 2112...

Attention all planets of the Solar Federation...
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation...
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation...

We have assumed control.
We have assumed control.
We have assumed control.

RPoL your base are belong to us?

We are the priests

Of the Temples

Of Nemrac!

Our DM is a Rush fan. I, on the other hand, had to Google the significance of 2112.

Olaf was right on board with me. Side one of the 2112 album is worth a listen to anyone who can appreciate well-written prog rock. Not that side two isn't, but side one is a full-side concept, while side two is five separate songs as usual.

Updating all later tonight, after all the Mother's Day festivities. Till then!

Never got the appeal of Rush when I was in high school. I re-read Ready Player One recently, though, and I'm wondering if my more mature musical tastes have changed enough for me to get it now. I'll give 2112 a listen tomorrow. Time for bed now...

while 2112 is a damn fine album, the mastery of Rush is the two albums following. A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres. IMHO

Ready Player One is what gave me the push to get back into D&D--if any of you haven't read it, I highly recommend checking it out before the movie comes out in less than a year.

Mt father's a big Rush fan, so I already know lol.  Seems a lot of the older AD&D players/GMs are. Coincidental stereotype is what I'll call it lol
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:39, Tue 30 May 2017.

I haven't heard 2112 in forever! I had Exit Stage Left (and something else I can't recall), but stupidly sold it years ago. Immaculate gatefold sleeve.

I'm with ya there. I started going to their shows with Signals, so that album has a special place for me, too.

Traveling this weekend, will wave to DMJSC from Sauk City, WI!

In reply to Graes Fenwander (msg # 235):

WI!!
I love you!

In reply to Graes Fenwander (msg # 235):

Make sure to get some ice cream at Leystra's!

My migraines have been kicking in this weekend - I hope to update all on Sunday night.

Hang in there DMJSC.   Well wishes and hope that your migraines don't least very long.

That is a busy place!! And the bowling 'alley' across the street from it is old-school righteousness. :^)

We also visited the House on the Rock, as well as Cave of the Mounds. And Mount Horeb, where we attempted to spot all the trolls. And Mineral Point, just because.

For a rainy four-day weekend, we saw/did a lot!

Updating all groups later tonight.

Hi,

Thanks for the add to the group. I am new to RPOL and need to some help. Where are the actual game threads? Thanks!

Adran, you won't see them until I allow you into one of those groups - right now I haven't decided where your character should go.

In reply to DMJSC (msg # 243):

Put Adran into one of the "dough boy" costumes by us!

Welcome aboard Adran!

Thanks for the welcome - I look forward to the game!

Yes; welcome!

Hi Adran! Any chance you're a thief or thief/something multiclass? The Band could use a thief... ;)*

*Amalric outnumbers us.

In reply to Wehostan, son of Bardolf (msg # 248):

Ya why is EVERYONE a thief anyways?  I guess the mines just bring out the dirtiest, most dubious of us you!

Wehostan,

Sorry, he's a Magic User

Danged thieves.

Well, at least I'm a singing thief!

Thief? Nah, just a forward-thinking opportunist, me thinks.

Good thing Flinny is a master locksmith and trapmaker.  Those thieves will get you every time.  Oh, here I think you dropped your purse off of your belt into my hands.

Must be something in the water, cause thieves keep popping up.

Guess I forgot to drink the water! How many thieves are in the game?

Not including Ali Baba?  There must be at least forty thieves...

That is a bunch! How many games are currently going under The Mines of Nemrac?

Go to cast above, and count the group numbers.  I count 8.  Everybody is in group 0.  The other group number is a separate party on a separate adventure.

In reply to Carl Rainclaw (msg # 255):

I'm not a thief, I'm an acquisitions specialist.

Group 8 is the OA game, so there are 7 in Nemrac.

The Company of the Green Earwax have more than enough thieves as it stands, but we could always use fresh meat blood recruits. I'm a F/MU and in the minority on both counts, and I guess the only reason I haven't resorted to thievery is that nothing is left out in the open (or hidden, for that matter) too long with this lot!
This message was last edited by the player at 10:41, Wed 31 May 2017.

Looks like you've fallen in with a bunch of tricksters Amalric, they've intercepted your post and done a switcheroo.  You did mean minority, as opposed to majority right?

No, he is the majority of our magic users and our fighters. I am a rat, thief, cheat, and scoundrel. Just not very good at any of them. About the only real accomplishment has been to stay alive for as long as I have. ... And only occasionally a rat. ... Literally.

Ah, Errol, but you have a bag of holding. Where else would we keep all our stuff?

Ahhh I see my mistake Errol.  It looks like Wehostan at least knows your value.  There must be some honor among thieves otherwise they would have liberated the bag from you.  Maybe they're just too lazy to carry it?
This message was last edited by the player at 06:14, Tue 30 May 2017.

I'll be AFK for a few days at NTRPG Con.

No thief worth his fingers would knowingly attempt to steal from the Rat God, blooded member of the Company of the Green Ear Wax. Or was it Toe Fungus? Plus, there is the guard dragon lurking within the bag. Right Roland?

Shh, don't tell Errol! I tell him I'm too busy fighting off monsters, but who wants to schlep around a smelly old bag? (The bag dragon loves to have its meals of gold covered in re-fried beans and kimchi)

I guess my Magic User will have his work cut out for him as he isn't a thief!

Unseen servant makes for a theif,  ;)

Happens all the time with this lot! I did mean minority, but Errol is probably right too - I am the majority of mages, but I believe Wehostan is a multi-class with Fighter (on his good days) so we have two of those. We did have more in the past, and a new wizard on our previous outing, but we appear to rather careless with our additional party members, always leaving them behind somewhere...

Sometimes still with their belongings.

The Company of the Green Armpit Boil not long ago included an elf Fighter/Thief named Diz Diseryes (or something like that) and a hulking human Fighter with 18/00 Strength, both now sadly gone. You'd have thought characters like that who helped take down a Green Dragon would bask in the glory for years to come, but perhaps they retired to tell such tales to their grandchildren. Its a lot safer, if a little dull.

Updating later tonight (where needed).

When I created Flinny there was only a couple sneaks and flush with fighters. I remember the 18 100/100 fighter who had a five int. Haven't seen a paladin in awhile either.

Paladins are really hard to get when you're rolling for stats!

You are a thief Flinny - you're not going to like them really, or at least they're not going to like you much.

I felt like taking this 2500th post.

Uthecar, you know Flinny is a master locksmith with a flare for the dramatic.

In reply to Flinny Flinch (msg # 277):

Just another mage thief

Where would you stash a stolen mage?

Some folk might try a Bag of Holding I believe.

It'd give someone for the dragon to play with, at least.

I should mention that in addito Amalric and Wehostan, I too have some fighter inclination.

True - though I would question being able to fit a dragon inside a 6-foot wide by 10-foot deep portable hole in the first place.  Then you've got all the other stuff and a human mage!!

I haven't even brought up the lack of a ready air supply, but now that the thought is there, it's starting to worry me more and more.

I suppose we're going to have to default it to a baby undead dragon, or one wearing a Necklace of Adaptation so it at least has 7 days of air supply.  (I'm not sure what it would want with 7 days of Australian soft rock, but who knows)

Oh excuse me, how embarrassing, there I go geeking out.  I'm off to cause some carnage somewhere with my axe, or maybe call the whole dragon in the portable hole thing a cleverly crafted fib.

7 days of Australian anything is pretty awesome.

Except Australian wildlife.

There is a paladin in here - Samitha. Amalric adventured with her prior to taking up with the resource acquisition specialists, and forming the Company of the Green Nostril and Bag of Holding Dragons and Mages. We're working on the name, natch.

Hello, all.  New recruit, so to speak.

I will be trying out a Druid here in one of the groups.  Still negotiating the OSRIC/1e differences with our GM (of which there are not too many so far!).

I had some of the 1e books, but as a Linux/FLOSS systems admin I can't stay away from collaborative efforts like OSRIC and BFRPG and their ilk!

Aye, Samitha has saved Errol's skin once. And spared it once. Any further life savings are unfounded rumors. ;)

Hroudland is also a paladin, although his player seems to have taken a leave of absence.

Hi Alexi.  My understanding is that OSRIC  is essentially a re-write of 1e using the OGL (leaving out all the copyrightable content).  The only difference I've been able to see is the rate of gaining weapon proficiencies, but I don't know about druids.

I play a druid (for now...) using the 1E rules. I don't know about OSRIC.

Druids are cool.

If you like tree's!

Druids are even cooler if you don't like trees.

In reply to Uthecar Hornskin (msg # 292):

What about an anti-druid class?
A Magic user who uses the life force from living plants for energy for their spells?

Wouldn't that be a Darksun Defiler?

Are you expecting this dwarven fighty type to be enlightened on the subject?  You might want to talk to some of the people he's traveled with.  Just thought I'd shove that in there so your expectations are managed.

If the tree roots were causing cracks in fine dwarven tunnels, more power to the anti-druid.  On a side note anti-druids sound cold as opposed to cool, which in itself might be cool if evil PC's were allowed.

Brother Byron I think that name is sounding more like a film star on one of those other internet sights I've heard about.

Almost finished with a new Druid for group 1.  Now to write down the description and get some equipment.  I wonder if that group is going to get some fighters...

Druids are awesome.

In reply to Stone Pegason (msg # 293):



Wouldn't that be a necromancer?

Speaking of spellcasters; are we hard core material components or a bit more fluid with that?  Getting ready to equip and wanting to account for that if we are doing it.

I am a druid though, so mostly sticks and leaves for me.

:-)

I only worry about the components that cost money. Otherwise, you've gathered plenty of mistletoe, etc.

Awesome. That's the way I do it at home. Thanks!

No, Byron had it right:-


Necromancers animate and work with the dead and undead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3Hn8ywmjEI

I have listened to that one a lot through the years.

Listening to this (and 2112 a while back), I'm starting to change my opinion of Rush. The stuff they always play on the radio (back in the 90's when I was in the States and listened to a lot of Classic Rock radio) -- Tom Sawyer, Limelight, Fly by Night -- don't really excite me. But this is good.

Thanks, guys!

I'm grateful for the frequent radio play of the Roll the Bones album. That helped me discover Rush. But a frugal buddy of mine loaned me his Chronicles cassettes and that was what made me a Rush fan.

I just introduced my oldest to 2112.

do me a favor and listen to the hemispheres album :)

Updating all later tonight - when we started talking about Rush at post 2112, of course I had to listen to Hemispheres, too. I have to admit, I haven't given several of their most recent albums a complete listen-through. But the classic stuff... oh, yeah.  :^)

Lately I've been listening to classic 70's rock alternating with new age and alpha-wave stuff for my migraines. Whatever works, right?

My veterans know I recycle this next topic from time to time - in one of the groups the question came up as to where everyone is located. I thought I'd open it up here in Group 0. We've had (and still do have) players from all over the world, which I find truly astonishing, that people from all around the world want to play D&D with lil' ol' me.

(You don't have to share if you'd rather not. And veterans, thanks for your patience as I dredge this one up again. :^D  )

As I've mentioned earlier, I live just outside of the birthplace of D&D, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, USA.

Louisiana where D&D is still viewed as a gateway to satanism. I tell 'em that New Orleans in August is already hell so I might as well play and be at home.

In reply to Flinny Flinch (msg # 310):

I'm from South of Milwaukee, WI...and have attended Gencon a few times, before it moved, and so did I.
Now I live in Phoenix, AZ and it is already 110 Fahrenheit outside!

Dallas-Fort Worth, although I'm originally from New Orleans.
Regular attendee at NTRPG Con since the first year.

Originally from north of Canada (northern suburb of Detroit, MI)
Now living north of Canada (Minneapolis, MN)

waving from the barren wasteland of Los Angeles

I am from Indiana where Breaking Away was filmed.  I am sure some parts of the state here also believe it is a gateway to hell as well...  Not my town though.  We are like Austin, but in Indiana.

:-P

I'll let this video serve as a hint to the part of the country (United States) that I currently hail from.

https://www.facebook.com/chowd...s/10154502573363038/
This message was last edited by the player at 19:46, Fri 09 June 2017.

Been in Seattle (north of north of Canada) for the past 6 years.  Originally from the, uhm, Midwest (it's complicated).

You know there's more to Canada than Windsor, right?  :P

I'm just outside Toronto, Ontario.

Live in Australia, born in Ohio; lived four years in the Netherlands.

In reply to Shalazar (msg # 319):
Kevin
Army brat who did not want to go to vietnäm so joined the Navy as a nuke electrician. This is where I found D&D and RuneQuest. This lasted 8 years, became a keno writer in Tahoe. Then I became a telemarketer for 30 years. Now retired and can play again.

I live in the mountains of New York.  Born in Pennsylvania I've lived most of my life in the NE with a few tries in other states.  I always end up back here in the woods though.

Chilling out in Wellington, New Zealand.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. The home of Cap'n Crunch. (Seriously. Walk downtown when the Quaker Oats plant is making Crunch Berries, and that's all you smell. Mmmmm.... crunch berries....)

BTW... I think that Gareth's race is wrong. 30 years in telemarketing? Surely Gareth is a troll. ;)

(Sorry Gareth, it's in the gnomish blood.) ;)

In reply to Errol One-Eye (msg # 323):

I was one of the good ones refused to lie or cheat people cost me some jobs.

Western Oregon, green and scenic

Seems we're having the location convo in at least two threads.

I'm from Scotland, lived here all my days. Still remember my first AD&D session in my friend's parents' kitchen, circa 1980.

Already posted this as Wehostan in his group, but since he's unconscious I'll post it as my alt here.

I'm originally from a tiny little farm town in west-central Illinois. Went to university in southern Indiana, then two years after graduating moved to Japan. After a decade teaching English in two different prefectures, my wife (who's Korean) and I moved to Busan, South Korea (her home town) and we've been here the past nine years.

If I haven't updated your group tonight, I'll do it tomorrow night.

I think every group is waiting on at least one player, if not more. If you know you'll be away, just let us know.

Just noticed from the dice roller that two of the new characters have enjoyed some luck - one has two 16s, and the other two 18s!! Nice rolling!

show offs

Yeesh! I got a single 15.

In reply to Shalazar (msg # 331):

Nice!  Congratulations!  I hope you live long enough to enjoy those stats!  ;)
I have three 9's, if that counts for anything!

Did I mention besides that 15, I also have a 7 and an 8?

In reply to Shalazar (msg # 333):

ouch!

I just saw this.  I am in Louisiana.  I am from Lafayette though, it isn't viewed as such for my generation or the one before me at least.  But it is definitely seen as such by the old Cajun farts lol.

My rolls were lucky, I got two 15's and a 17

18 Wis, 7 Int, 18 Cha.  I was the two 18's.

Trying to play that out (if he lives long enough!)...

In reply to Alexi Brambleson (msg # 336):

You got the blessing and the curse.

In reply to Syoku Tsukino (msg # 337):

Wow!  Those are great rolls.
Can't wait to meet you in the game!

In reply to Stone Pegason (msg # 338):

I'm in the oriental, so not sure if that'll ever happen lol

In reply to Syoku Tsukino (msg # 339):

Stranger things have happened, but probably not.
Good luck, and I can't wait for tales of my adventures & heroics to reach your shores.  (Or vice versa)

I had the two 16s and nothing under 10. If I had Alexi's luck, I would have been a paladin. As it is, I'm experimenting with a cleric concept.

Clerics are vastly under-rated

I also have two 16s and a 15. I was planning to play a Wu Jen, but so was another player and I had the scores to qualify for Kensai so here I am!

I also play Wehostan, whose high score is a 15 Dex, and low an 8 Wis. High ability scores are nice but far from necessary.

I read somewhere that Gry Gygax himself suggested that an AD&D character should be rerolled until a Character has 2 stats at or above 15.

Like the Traveller says, I'd have been tempted to go paladin with two 18s. I wouldn't have, because obviously I'd have stayed with elf F/MU and maxed out at 7/11.

I have a 16 and a 15, the latter being DEX and only 15 because I'm an elf. But all the Wehostan's have it right, we've had a ton of fun in this game regardless of scores.

Two 15s are a minimum standard in many D&D games but not all, and I can't recall if EGG ever said so in print.

Hauraki's a fighter with only 15 strength.  Been playing him for 9 years now.  Low stats encourage team work rather than superheroes I think.  I also think it's more important to know when you're in over your head than to have high ability scores.  ADND is really a game of chance given that actions are dice based, and no matter how good your stats are,  sooner or later the dice are going to fall against you.  That's when you've got to hope your team bonds are strong and other players come to your aid.

In reply to Amalric (msg # 345):




page 9. Players Handbook

Hence all the crazy rolling methods in UA?
This message was last edited by the player at 00:15, Fri 23 June 2017.

I made paladin stats...

:-) Just barely..

In reply to Wehostan, son of Bardolf (msg # 348):

To me, Method V in the UA is Gary saying, "please, please, please be a human"

Level limits for any long-running game are a huge hindrance to being non-human. Most of the games I played in the DM either ignored them; or we never got that high.

I've got ways in this game around level limits - players just have to find them....

Hence my post in the Group 4 OOC thread:-


We had some games back in the day without level limits. My first starting character made 13th/14th level F/MU, still lives on!

Simply by letting people roll and choose, over the years we've had a fair mix of human and demihuman. The only time I remember really getting lopsided was when we wound up with a plethora of thieves, several of whom are still here.

So, because I love fiddling with things, I figured out the total number of character classes and races we have here.

Fighters in whole or in part: 16 (with 1 paladin)
Thieves in whole or in part: 11
Clerics in whole or in part: 8
Magic-users in whole or in part: 9
Druids: 4
Monks: 1

Human: 24
Elves: 4
Half-Elves: 5
Dwarves: 3
Halfling: 4
Half-Orc: 1
Gnome: 1

Single-classed: 34
Multi-classed: 8

Interesting. Thanks.

The actual class breakdown in the game:


Thieves: 7
Clerics: 6
Fighters: 5
Druids: 4
Magic-Users: 4
Fighter/Thieves: 3
Fighter/Magic-User: 2
Fighter/Magic-User/Cleric: 2
Magic-User/Thief: 1
Monk: 1
Paladin: 1
OA Game: 6 unique classes.


So single-classed thieves are still in the majority.

Very interesting reading. So, we're short of an illusionist and an assassin (though every chance one of those thieves is lying about his true profession!), plus a bard - though its doubtful anyone qualifies to play one of those.

I'm surprised by the number of clerics over fighters, but that's maybe down to my personal preference.

Generally speaking, nothing beats a cleric for healing. There are other ways to go about getting a warrior-type - Ranger, Paladin. Even monks can be pretty good; or even druids and clerics.

I wanted to be a bard but my stats weren't even close.  So instead I'm a singing fighter-thief, or troubadour as I like to say!  :)

In reply to Shalazar (msg # 358):

I don't know, considering what my druid rolled recently.

:P

In reply to Amalric (msg # 357):

I don't normally choose a fighter, unless my rolls are particularly bad.  Seems like "anyone" can become a fighter.  Pick up a sword and swing, just not everyone will be a well known fighter!
Stats aren't everything.
Wasn't there an 18*00 strength fighter that didn't make it?

He made a dent in the campaign for a while, then had to drop before I closed the game in 2015.

Stats aren't everything; but I do tend to choose what I play after I see how I rolled. I was aiming for a pally or a ranger; but my stats weren't going to make it.

Thieves can be fun; but tend to be a dime-a-dozen.

In reply to Stone Pegason (msg # 361):

Yeah, Melnick was the name of the 18/00 Fighter. He was nice to have along, but little old Strength 12 Fighter/Thief me still managed to do well in combat by his side. :D

Thieves don't really require high stats either, although many players will want that high Dex for the bonuses to Thief Skills, just like Cleric players will want a high Wisdom for bonus spells, but it's not really necessary.

Well fighters would -like- that high strength as well.

Oh yeah, a 17 Strength (max for my race) and 18 Dex would be awesome! But I've done well enough with S12 and D15.

Better than me. Besides my one 15; I have a series of 11s and 12s, plus that 7 and 8.

In a tabletop game; I once rolled an 18/00 fighter.

My other scores are an 11, two 9s and an 8. But I'm not complaining. Like you, I think stats can be over-rated (and I think WotC editions of the game focus WAY too much on them).