@SubplotKudzu@dice.camp cover
@SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

SubplotKudzu

@SubplotKudzu@dice.camp

Special Needs Dad, Comics Geek, Gamer Geek, Irrepressible TTRPG Mechanics Tinkerer, Liberal, He/Him. Per my daughter's 13th_Age group where I GM I’m “a bad person who does bad things” when they make poor choices.

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. For a complete list of posts, browse on the original instance.

deinol , to random
@deinol@dice.camp avatar

I finally got around to watching the Godfather. I know, it’s a classic, and I should have watched it ages ago. Its reputation is definitely deserved.

What I found most remarkable is that in the beginning Michael Corleone is a young, barely recognizable actor. During the course of the movie he transforms into a young Al Pacino we recognize today.

SubplotKudzu ,
@SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

@deinol I just read the book and i recommend it as a chaser for the movie to see how the adaptation process worked

SubplotKudzu , to random
@SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

There’s a cognitive dissonance that occurs when Gygaxian Naturalism runs into funhouse dungeon moments. There’s a space in the “this was once used in a tournament” section of Dwellers in the Forbidden City where the PCs have been fighting Bugbear guards in a disused city entrance and it all makes sense - the bugbears have bags or raw meat to bribe the crocs that bedevil the canoe passage, etc - and then there’s an unopenable without this one magic key doorway

1/x

#DnD #ADnD

Tim_Eagon , to random
@Tim_Eagon@dice.camp avatar

Hear me out everyone, something my daughter said to my son (sans context)…vampire beavers! 🦫

SubplotKudzu ,
@SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

@Tim_Eagon VAMBeavers!

SubplotKudzu , to random
@SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

Didn't link to this on the holiday, but I did get the lastest addition to my 3E swashbuckling game up. The week it's a lot of delving into the perennial and surprisingly relevant question of "what is a hit point?"

https://subplotkudzu.blogspot.com/2024/05/emirikol-first-blood-and-other-fencing.html

robindlaws , to random
@robindlaws@dice.camp avatar

[Thread, post or comment was deleted by the author]

    •
    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @robindlaws I saw What a Way to Go on TV when I was a wee sprout and never knew the title! Thank you for confirming this was not a hallucination.

    Tim_Eagon , to random
    @Tim_Eagon@dice.camp avatar

    Though I've been drifting away from for a while now, it's still feels really weird to be completely uninterested in the latest releases. I mean, not even a twinge of FOMO.

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @E_T_Smith @Tim_Eagon @dragoncrown
    As I understand it the current professional game book economy requires a lot of page count. Filling those pages means a lot of fiddly player rules and a big old setting. Neither of which really work for me.

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @Tim_Eagon @dragoncrown @E_T_Smith
    Swords of the Serpentine is 380 pages of glorious full color illustration on heavy paper with a complete setting and lots of player-driven powers for $60.

    It’s a hella fun game, but 30 years ago it would have been 1/2 that size with less complexity and a City of Eversink paperback supplement and splat books for each of the 13 factions in the city.

    Publishing price points change🤷‍♂️

    SubplotKudzu , to random
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    Today in my V&V musings for the New Salem setting, we tackle the crown of thorny problem of Revivification as a standard power, and how to scale it down to make it more Silver/Bronze Age appropriate.

    https://subplotkudzu.blogspot.com/2024/05/new-salem-renaissance-life.html

    SubplotKudzu , to random
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    A bonus New Salem/V&V Blog Post today to make up for not having the magic table ready for yesterday's post. More on directly modifying the V&V random generation table to bring the powers you want to see in the world.

    https://subplotkudzu.blogspot.com/2024/04/new-salem-renaissance-new-magic-table.html

    nerdronomicon , to random
    @nerdronomicon@dice.camp avatar

    Please consider contributing to the Kickstarter for "Last Stop, Perdition!"

    An erroneous $3k contribution could sink the campaign while making it seem like it succeeded. They are very close, and the campaign ends on 4/19.

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2059365241/last-stop-perdition?ref=project_tweet

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @Tim_Eagon @nerdronomicon
    I'm trying hard to be charitable here.

    But I did just back it myself (albeit not for 3k)

    Tim_Eagon , to random
    @Tim_Eagon@dice.camp avatar

    I want to see your favorite fantasy and sci-fi cover art! Books, magazines, RPGs, comics, whatever!

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @Tim_Eagon @cass It's art perfectly capturing a cool adventure, too

    jencmars , to random
    @jencmars@mastodon.art avatar

    For Throwback Thursday: A portrait of my warlock, Ava, painted a few years ago.

    My only evil (lawful) character, and probably the most fun I've had playing a TTRPG.

    Painted in CSP.

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @jencmars
    This does raise the question for me if you’ve ever played a Vrusk in Star Frontiers or a Thri-Kreen in D&D or a mutated grasshopper in Gamma World because your character portrait would rock!

    SubplotKudzu , to random
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    Today's V&V post is also a Gamma World post (and a mystery RPG thanks to a friend of the Blog post!) with lookng at how these games generate your PCs mutations. Short form is all of them have their charms and there's some surprising things in GW1E

    https://subplotkudzu.blogspot.com/2024/04/on-generation-of-mutations.html

    SubplotKudzu , to random
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    Just some general maundering on game systems and players experience and expectations

    https://subplotkudzu.blogspot.com/2024/03/levels-structure-and-creativity.html

    SubplotKudzu , to random
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    More combat chart discussion as we look at Gamma World's weapon to armor tables compared to V&V and AD&D.

    1E Gamma World is a great mirror to early D&D, even as the 4th Edition is a mirror to 2E.

    https://subplotkudzu.blogspot.com/2024/03/combat-charts-and-gamma-world.html

    SubplotKudzu OP ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @Printdevil The purity of that is cut back in 4th edition somewhat, with the inclusion of DX in AC, the Enforcer class and more control over your levelling up bonuses, but the loss of the weapons/ armor table is the real blow.

    SubplotKudzu OP ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @Printdevil Yeah any edition of Gamma World is very OSR culture compared to Challenge culture in the total lack of levels or controls when it comes to what you run into. I kind of enjoy that - the PCs are hella tough when it comes to HP but there's lot of 'hit=death" stuff out there.

    SubplotKudzu , to random
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    The first of a short series of thoughts on what Armor Class is and is not across D&D, V&V, and early Gamma World is up today, more through the week...

    https://subplotkudzu.blogspot.com/2024/03/thinking-about-armor-class.html

    GottaLaff , to random
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    Wonder which fascist gave him the 💸…

    💥 Via Lisa Rubin:💥

    NEW: has filed a bond of $91.63 million in the
    case.

    The source of the bond as well as its terms have not been filed and are not expected to become public info. https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.543790/gov.uscourts.nysd.543790.317.0.pdf

    Kyle Cheney:

    JUST IN: Trump formally appeals the judgment against him in the second Carroll trial.

    https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.543790/gov.uscourts.nysd.543790.316.0.pdf

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @GottaLaff

    Is it in rubles?

    SubplotKudzu , to random
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    Obviously from 3 years later I'm behind the times but I found this very useful. Specifically:

    • Breakdown between the Challenge play which I'm trying for in my B/X game and the OSR movement makes some tensions clear for me

    • The distinction between the Trad aim for the genre story vis the OC/Neo-Trad aim for the character's story clarifies a LOT from my conversations with younger 5E only players.

    https://retiredadventurer.blogspot.com/2021/04/six-cultures-of-play.html

    deinol , to random
    @deinol@dice.camp avatar

    I need some Vargr names for a 400 ton Trader and its crew.

    Black and yellow striped Soung class 400 ton Vargr Far Trader By Ian Stead FA (Soung Class Far Trader) TL-15 MCr368.75 Tons: 400 Mission: A - Trader Qualifier: Cargo Type: Unscheduled Activity: Merchant Service: Commerce Crew 12 Troops 5 Cargo 160 + 12 specialized Configuration: S - Streamlined Structure: C - Charged >Armor AV-30 BF-300 Pen-30 EMP-30 Rad-300 Heat-1500 Pres-300 Burn-3000 Trac-0 Coating: S - Reflec Layer 1: Improved Charged Plate, B - Anti-Blast >Interstellar Drive Jump 2 Model D TL15 Ultimate >Interplanetary Drive Maneuver 4 Model G TL15 Ultimate >Power Plant Fusion 4 Model G TL15 Ultimate >Fuel Stores Hydrogen Tank - 65 tons 2 Triple Missile Turrets 2 Triple Beam Laser Turrets >>Ship's Vehicles G Carrier Cost: MCr1 Tons: 10 Shuttle Bay
    ALT
  • Reply
  • Expand (10)
  • Collapse (10)
    • SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @deinol
    “Deceptively Displayed Throat”
    “Stars Glint on my Teeth”
    “Endurance”
    “Howl in the Vacuum”
    “Playful Dance”
    “Unto the Third Generation”
    “Whiskey and Cards”

    jencmars , to random
    @jencmars@mastodon.art avatar

    5 y/o: “Look mom, I drew a bee like a real bee: here’s the head, eyes, ocelli, antennae, proboscis, thorax, abdomen. The wings are BEHIND her.”

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @jencmars I love how young kids just want to do the things their parents do! Hopefully it sticks!

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @jencmars Our daughter turned into a D&D playing theater nerd who cooks and reads voraciously, so sometimes everything connects

    Tim_Eagon , to random
    @Tim_Eagon@dice.camp avatar

    My dog is giving me the stink eye because I won't take her for a walk.

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @Tim_Eagon you deserve it, you MONSTER

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @Tim_Eagon I have conferred with the doe and we have decided that this is also your fault.

    deinol , to random
    @deinol@dice.camp avatar

    What are some of the best space adventures you’ve ever seen, for any game system? What made it great?

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @deinol Tattoine Manhunt and Black Ice for WEG Star Wars both felt a lot like Star Wars movies, and as long as you skip the bits where the PCs are supposed to have made dumb mistakes to further the plot (and have other Rebel groups make those dumb mistakes for the PCs to clean up after) they are great fun.

    http://d6holocron.com/downloads/wegadventures.html

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @deinol Black Ice is a solid adventure where the PCs steal a massive Imperial fuel ship to power a rebel base. Then there's the dumb bit you skip where the PCs don't think to check the fuel ship for a tracking device but instead insert a couple other adventures until the PCs have to help defend that rebel base from a Star Destroyer.

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @deinol Always a requirement. Sometimes the WEG SW modules carried a big "you guys aren't even the B team to Luke, Leia, and Han, you're the F team, and we write these modules to remind you how insignificant you are to the war effort.

    But since there's no leveling up mechanism, there's no way for WEG write the "you are pretty skilled now" adventures... and your PCs start pretty damn competent. It's a weird flex by the designers to code it that way.

    SubplotKudzu , to random
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    New Salem: Renaissance deep dive into Villains & Vigilantes rules takes a new turn with starting to look at how Experience Points are calculated, what it means to the game world, and how it applies to New Salem.

    https://subplotkudzu.blogspot.com/2024/02/new-salem-renaissance-mechanics_6.html

    Tim_Eagon , to random
    @Tim_Eagon@dice.camp avatar

    My 5-year old had a emergency this morning and I had to learn more about the game then I ever wanted to know before...

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @Tim_Eagon To wile away the hours

    https://www.amazon.com/Minecraft-End-audiobook/dp/B07VNNXXBY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=38JUTP1F9GNBZ&keywords=catherynne+m.+valente+minecraft&qid=1707058034&sprefix=catherynne+m.+valente+minecraft%2Caps%2C340&sr=8-3

    Keep in mind I know ZERO about Minecraft but I loved this.

    LeviKornelsen , to random
    @LeviKornelsen@dice.camp avatar

    [Thread, post or comment was deleted by the author]

    •
    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @LeviKornelsen have you seen this blogosphere yet?

    http://osrblogosphere.blogspot.com/?m=1

    salvaterra , to random
    @salvaterra@mastodon.art avatar

    micexplorers nine seems like going to twitter.

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @salvaterra
    Once again, this is a delight

    SubplotKudzu , to random
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    Another of my Emirikol: the Chaotic City posts about building my 3E D&D campaign is up. I know the lack of an endgame made clerics (and spellcasters in general) difficult past 12th level but wow were 3E pantheons and clerics easier to design than 2E

    http://subplotkudzu.blogspot.com/2024/01/emirikol-clerics-and-religion.html?m=1

    SubplotKudzu , to random
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    Happy Birthday, D&D!

    http://grognardia.blogspot.com/2024/01/fifty-years-ago-today.html?m=1

    chgowiz , to random
    @chgowiz@dice.camp avatar

    Thoughts from the previous boost...

    I've always approached my campaigns from that perspective and have resisted (as best I can) the efforts to over-mechanize my table. It's probably why I take AD&D and start stripping out, or replacing, with things that make sense for my settings.

    I think when RPG designers in the 70s discovered that consumers wanted more detail in rules, more "official" settings, they were surprised. Of course, they went with the money.

    1/2

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @chgowiz Reasons I loved V&V as a kid and will continue to love 2E more than any other supers game is just how flexible the rules are, how there is no pre-designed world, and the explicit advice in the rulebook to not just borrow an existing publisher's world,

    "Though it would be simple to do at the start... events in your campaign will diverge from their storyline anyway. So you might as well start from scratch."

    1/2

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @chgowiz And then decades later there were pages and pages of point-based-builds for "precision balance" and the publisher created world embedded into the rules set - the latter at the behest of players requesting it.

    Makes no sense to me....

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @chgowiz No Badwrongfun or hurtingwrongfun at all. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Lots of people groove on it.

    Of my I think 3 different Forgotten Realms boxes/books I have, the only one I've actually read was Greenwood's memoir of how he played the realms...

    Tim_Eagon , to random
    @Tim_Eagon@dice.camp avatar

    I watched Aliens for the first time in forever. It was so long ago I am not a 100% sure that I actually have watched it. In any case, that’s a damn fine movie.

    Game over, game over man…

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @Tim_Eagon i was fortunate enough to be able to go see it in the theaters about 4-5 years ago when the United Palace in Washington Heights, NY did a screening. Seeing it on the full size screen in a packed theater was AMAZING

    I’m not going to say it’s better than Alien but it is just as good at hitting a different target.

    LeviKornelsen , to random
    @LeviKornelsen@dice.camp avatar

    OSR folks:

    Judge's Guild decided the right way to post about the death of Jennell Jaquays was by deadnaming her throughout in their Facebook post.

    This got them a bunch of yelling-at, during which they doubled down that this was somehow neutral practice, and then it vanished, possibly deleted, possibly reported into oblivion.

    So, like, if they weren't already on your asshole list, mark 'em on down.

    SubplotKudzu , (edited )
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @LeviKornelsen time for my favorite meme!

    It just floors me that I have never seen anyone mess Ms Jaquays name up, and now the people with whom she produced her Annus mirabilis decided to be assholes.

    Shameful.

    Tim_Eagon , to random
    @Tim_Eagon@dice.camp avatar

    Hey , looking to cook more at home in the new year. Hit me with your best, easy to make and fast recipes. Needs to appeal to a picky 12-year old and ideally to an even pickier 5-year old. Can’t use seafood, as my wife hates it.

    SubplotKudzu ,
    @SubplotKudzu@dice.camp avatar

    @Tim_Eagon I hope my weekly cooking reports have been helpful! (or are they too long/complex?)

  • All
  • Subscribed
  • Moderated
  • Favorites
  • •
  • random
  • test
  • worldmews
  • mews
  • All magazines
    •