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OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016.

Posted by The SeerFor group 0
The Seer
GM, 611 posts
Fri 8 Jun 2018
at 19:07
  • msg #573

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

I've read Abercrombie's Last Argument of Kings. I like his stand alone novels better, but that's a reflection of my own disdain for needlessly long series. Robert Jordan ruined it for me. No offense to Brandon Sanderson, but from the first word he wrote to finish Jordan's series (after Jordan died), I knew it was a different voice.

I think that's part of the reason I like short stories and even novellas better than full length, multi volume epics. That and the fact that the endings of 'epics' are almost always anticlimactic.

I suggest "Best Served Cold" from Abercrombie. It is brutal, but excellent.

Uthecar - I'm with you. Rpol feeds my writing instinct...almost. I do still like to read, though.

Bruno - Sometimes the devils in the details, sometimes the details miss the point. Too much information can kill a narrative as easily as too little.

A final thought: part of the reason I write fantasy is because I don't have to do all that research that other genres require.

Good conversation, lads.

:)
Uthecar Hornskin II
player, 320 posts
Fighter
HP: 16/20
Fri 8 Jun 2018
at 19:30
  • msg #574

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

The Seer:
A final thought: part of the reason I write fantasy is because I don't have to do all that research that other genres require.


Is that why many reading groups have a disdain for fantasy I wonder?  I'll partly argue your point though Seer.  You already know fantasy like the back of your hand, so you don't have to do the research.  Like any genre, there are generally still parameters that need to be adhered to.  I guess fantasy can stretch those parameters a little more than others.  I think we have all been involved in fantasy for so long now a lot of what we read is a given.  We've become subconsciously competent and don't have to worry about the subject matter as much as we need to think about what we are writing.
Bruno Rhunthane
player, 252 posts
Fighter and Cleric
AllAtTheSameTime
Fri 8 Jun 2018
at 20:13
  • msg #575

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

I actually know of a Sci Fi book group (they include Fantasy as well) here in NYC, Uthecar, so I'm uncertain that all groups disdain Fantasy. Rather, I suspect, that what you've experienced is disdain genre fiction generally or maybe certain genres? ("It's not 'real' literature or 'childish'" or some other b.s.)

I'm okay with series. I'm okay with a long novel. In fact, I'd say I prefer them. (Note: it probably sounds as if I read more than I do.) I like a long soak in the story's world and the character's lives -- as long as the writer has the wherewithal to sustain it. (If not, the series/book gets dropped.) The problem with most series longer than 3 books and many books longer than 400 pages is most authors don't have it in them.

A novella or short story often leaves me wanting more, but then what?
Uthecar Hornskin II
player, 321 posts
Fighter
HP: 16/20
Fri 8 Jun 2018
at 20:50
  • msg #576

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

You would be right Bruno, my only appraisal of a general disdain was in taking a very small non-scientific sample.  I was in an independent boutique bookshop looking at a notice board advertising for readers to join their book clubs.  I was surprised that the 7-8 requests all specifically poo-pooed by preferred genres so I left the bookshop feeling that I was a less serious reader, but still happy with my preference.  I was obviously in the wrong bookshop.
The Seer
GM, 612 posts
Fri 8 Jun 2018
at 21:11
  • msg #577

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

Uthecar Hornskin II:
The Seer:
A final thought: part of the reason I write fantasy is because I don't have to do all that research that other genres require.


Is that why many reading groups have a disdain for fantasy I wonder?  I'll partly argue your point though Seer.  You already know fantasy like the back of your hand, so you don't have to do the research.  Like any genre, there are generally still parameters that need to be adhered to.  I guess fantasy can stretch those parameters a little more than others.  I think we have all been involved in fantasy for so long now a lot of what we read is a given.  We've become subconsciously competent and don't have to worry about the subject matter as much as we need to think about what we are writing.


For me, I think all good reads are character driven. The Emyn Muil means nothing without Frodo, Samwise and Gollem finding the way through. So it doesn't really matter what genre I read if the characters are compelling. I like James Lee Burke for instance...but despite minor procedural or legal research needed to hold a scene together, it's still his lead character, Robicheaux, who drives the plot.

That's why it's a fine line, per my prior post - too easy to info dump on the reader. Frankly, when I read a book, I don't give a crap how much the author knows, but I do care how much the character knows.

Make sense?
The Seer
GM, 613 posts
Fri 8 Jun 2018
at 21:16
  • msg #578

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

One other note - I really like Robert Howard - not just Conan either.

He writes predominantly short stories and novellas because he wrote stories for fantasy driven magazines. So he had limited space to work with, and had crush action and adventure into that space with as much economy of words as he could.

Fritz Leiber is another in that vein, although his Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser series was more a serial than one off stories. As I begin my writing journey, I see a similar path for my characters.

Good stuff!
The Seer
GM, 620 posts
Tue 19 Jun 2018
at 00:08
  • msg #579

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

LOL - the summer's just about here in the northern hemisphere. I'll be keeping southern hours, fwiw. Post rates still 1-2/week on my end.
The Seer
GM, 622 posts
Wed 20 Jun 2018
at 12:58
  • msg #580

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

i'll try to get a post up today. a lot left of this level to explore.
The Seer
GM, 644 posts
Mon 23 Jul 2018
at 19:00
  • msg #581

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

Post coming tonight.

I'll be pretty busy this week - prepping for my busy season. Bear with me.
Zan
player, 252 posts
Slight of Hand Mage
Gray Elf AC:4 HP:11(19)
Mon 23 Jul 2018
at 19:25
  • msg #582

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

np
The Seer
GM, 648 posts
Wed 25 Jul 2018
at 01:41
  • msg #583

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

Ya know, I put together the encounters in this module many years ago. When I put these three adventurers in here, I figured it was a good opportunity for some roleplay.

Thanks for making a sidebar so much fun. Worked just the way I planned it, which, as all of you know, is rare for a DM.

Good stuff. And the cowardly lion was the icing on the cake.
Kullonar
player, 200 posts
Half-Orc Cleric/Fighter
Brother of the Cudgel
Wed 25 Jul 2018
at 13:29
  • msg #584

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

Hey, what spell did Zan cast to stop Kullonar?
I wanna know so I can post accordingly. Thanks!
Zan
player, 255 posts
Slight of Hand Mage
Gray Elf AC:4 HP:11(19)
Wed 25 Jul 2018
at 23:27
  • msg #585

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

Sleep
The Seer
GM, 650 posts
Thu 26 Jul 2018
at 16:08
  • msg #586

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

test
The Seer
GM, 651 posts
Fri 27 Jul 2018
at 17:07
  • msg #587

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

LOL! Kullonar's reaction.
The Seer
GM, 659 posts
Fri 10 Aug 2018
at 20:45
  • msg #588

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

House cleaning:

So, added small bios for your new friends. Might want to read up to get their descriptions.

Also, changed a rule that bothered me since the first time I picked up the dice: NO LEVEL LIMITS! I hate them, always have, always will.


Cheers!
Uthecar Hornskin II
player, 348 posts
Fighter
HP: 16/20
Fri 10 Aug 2018
at 20:56
  • msg #589

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

From what I've seen level limits were the only argument for playing a human unless you wanted to play a monk or a Paladin why would you bother with them otherwise?
The Seer
GM, 660 posts
Fri 10 Aug 2018
at 21:00
  • msg #590

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

I think roughly half the characters I've played have been human these past 30+ years or so. Most of the clerics I've run, several rangers. My favorite thief was a human.

That said, your point is valid and is why I qualified my statement. Still, those small boons hardly make up for the fact that once you hit 6th, 7th or 8th level, you can't advance anymore. Sucks, for instance, to be an elven cleric, right?
The Seer
GM, 662 posts
Fri 10 Aug 2018
at 21:46
  • msg #591

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

So, I hurt my lower back this week. My point is not so much sympathy, but rather, I'll be around this weekend while I rest up, so will probably be posting at a greater rate than normal.

Hope y'all can join me.
Uthecar Hornskin II
player, 349 posts
Fighter
HP: 16/20
Fri 10 Aug 2018
at 22:33
  • msg #592

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

TT I've never played level limits and the only game I know of that does is The Mines of Nemrac game here on Rpol.  With the top characters in that game starting to hit 6th and 7th level I am sure some will soon start to regret their racial choice.
The Seer
GM, 663 posts
Fri 10 Aug 2018
at 23:41
  • msg #593

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

To each their own. I'm not so arrogant as to think my rules are the best. I just feel like the powers that the demi-human races have to start don't offset the loss of top end skills and spells.
The Seer
GM, 665 posts
Sat 11 Aug 2018
at 16:02
  • msg #594

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

Wagglers.

I think I made up a new word. Somebody call Webster.
Bruno Rhunthane
player, 271 posts
Fighter and Cleric
AllAtTheSameTime
Sat 11 Aug 2018
at 17:29
  • msg #595

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

Hey ho! Sorry to have dropped off for the past week or so, but it's been ONE OF THOSE periods at work. Hopefully returning to something less tense as we struggle through this craptastic August.

Otherwise, not to be a waggler, but I've understood the level limitations for non-Humans, but never appreciated them. If they've nothing nothing else good in later editions of the game is add initial attribute bonuses, feats, etc. to balance things out between the races and remove the reasons for them in the first place. Like that you're ignoring them!
Zan
player, 260 posts
Slight of Hand Mage
Gray Elf AC:4 HP:11(19)
Sat 11 Aug 2018
at 18:09
  • msg #596

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

Sorry to hear about you back, comes with age so I'm told   ;P

as for the whole demi-human thing, I agree that there shouldn't be a cap on level advancement, but they should likely not be able to advance at the same rate.  Say a lost of -15% xp when they surpass the level limit in the books.  At least that is my 2 cents worth.
The Seer
GM, 666 posts
Sat 11 Aug 2018
at 18:32
  • msg #597

Re: OOC: The First Chapter - August 2016

I see I stirred the pot a bit. Good conversation. Of course, I am probably contradicting myself - before my grand proclamation, I did not review my game notes.

If someone wants to call me on it, feel free. HA!

With less than 6 months til my 50th birthday, yes, Zan, I think I'm reaching the point where I'm starting to get old. I'm actually okay with it, though come January I may have a different opinion.

LOL!
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