What the heck should I run for Chicago Gameday 43?
The RuneQuest Classic KS had me all fired up to finally attempt some RQ, but I am continually daunted by digesting enough Glorantha in order to do it justice in a one-shot. Plus, not sure I could get suitable minis ready in time.
Similar thoughts regarding Traveller.
The Warren showed up in my mailbox a few weeks ago, so there’s that.
I was also considering a wolf-focused game of Burning Wheel, or maybe finally running Torchbearer, or getting Mouse Guard 2e ready. I’ve already been re-reading BWG recently, so maybe I should make use of that.
And then there’s the 100 other games on my shelf.
#analysisparalysis
The Warren requires very little prep, which is pretty delicious. It is also really fun to run.
< ![CDATA[The Warren requires very little prep, which is pretty delicious. It is also really fun to run.]]>
Pick up The Dread Crypt of Skogenby and run Torchbearer.
EDIT: Sorry, I’m trying to improve the quality of my game-related responses. Skogenby has a couple of benefits in this scenario. First, it’s designed for first-time Torchbearer GMs. As a BW veteran, you won’t need as much hand-holding as an unBurned n00b, but Skogenby takes pains to show you how different bits of Torchbearer work. It’s very friendly. Second, it’s pretty short. You could conceivably finish it in a four-hour con slot. Third, the boss fight presents a few non-combat resolutions for players who aren’t keen to die in a blaze of glory.
< ![CDATA[Pick up The Dread Crypt of Skogenby and run Torchbearer.
EDIT: Sorry, I’m trying to improve the quality of my game-related responses. Skogenby has a couple of benefits in this scenario. First, it’s designed for first-time Torchbearer GMs. As a BW veteran, you won’t need as much hand-holding as an unBurned n00b, but Skogenby takes pains to show you how different bits of Torchbearer work. It’s very friendly. Second, it’s pretty short. You could conceivably finish it in a four-hour con slot. Third, the boss fight presents a few non-combat resolutions for players who aren’t keen to die in a blaze of glory.]]>
What’s the issue with Traveller, if you don’t mind my asking?
< ![CDATA[What's the issue with Traveller, if you don’t mind my asking?]]>
James Maliszewski Just the feeling that there’s a lot of material is need to get familiar with to do it justice.
< ![CDATA[James Maliszewski Just the feeling that there's a lot of material is need to get familiar with to do it justice.]]>
You mean the Third Imperium setting?
< ![CDATA[You mean the Third Imperium setting?]]>
James Maliszewski Yes, as well as all the rule supplements.
Do you have a recommendation for a good CT one-shot?
< ![CDATA[James Maliszewski Yes, as well as all the rule supplements. Do you have a recommendation for a good CT one-shot?]]>
My recommendation is to use only the three little black books and ignore everything else, especially the setting material. For a one-shot, a simple patron encounter is the best option and one that’s quintessentially Traveller. 76 Patrons is great for providing lots of options in this area. Most other published adventures tend to be longer and more campaign-oriented, at least the best ones.
< ![CDATA[My recommendation is to use only the three little black books and ignore everything else, especially the setting material. For a one-shot, a simple patron encounter is the best option and one that's quintessentially Traveller. 76 Patrons is great for providing lots of options in this area. Most other published adventures tend to be longer and more campaign-oriented, at least the best ones.]]>
James Maliszewski That’s great advice!
Do you think a patron encounter would fill a 4-5 hour slot? Is there anything you would prep additionally in advance to cover your bases?
< ![CDATA[James Maliszewski That's great advice! Do you think a patron encounter would fill a 4-5 hour slot? Is there anything you would prep additionally in advance to cover your bases?]]>
A patron encounter could fill up that much time, but most don’t in my experience. If you could get a hold of some old issues of JTAS, there are a few “Amber Zones,” which are short adventures, that might better fit the bill.
< ![CDATA[A patron encounter could fill up that much time, but most don’t in my experience. If you could get a hold of some old issues of JTAS, there are a few “Amber Zones,” which are short adventures, that might better fit the bill.]]>
James Maliszewski I have the JTAS collection from FFE. I’ll take a look through it.
< ![CDATA[James Maliszewski I have the JTAS collection from FFE. I'll take a look through it.]]>
There should be plenty of fun little adventures in there. I can also suggest the adventure Shadows, which appeared in Starter Traveller (I think), as it’s a “dungeon crawl” exploration of alien ruins while dealing with hostile local wildlife.
< ![CDATA[There should be plenty of fun little adventures in there. I can also suggest the adventure Shadows, which appeared in Starter Traveller (I think), as it’s a “dungeon crawl” exploration of alien ruins while dealing with hostile local wildlife.]]>
James Maliszewski Yes, it’s in The Traveller Book as well.
< ![CDATA[James Maliszewski Yes, it's in The Traveller Book as well.]]>
I’ve had great success using that one as an intro adventure. It can easily fill 4 hours of time, though it’s a bit “slow” in that there aren’t any human opponents – just animals, traps, and the enigma of the alien ruins.
< ![CDATA[I've had great success using that one as an intro adventure. It can easily fill 4 hours of time, though it's a bit "slow" in that there aren't any human opponents – just animals, traps, and the enigma of the alien ruins.]]>
Okay, today’s announcement of the Burning Wheel Codex has me reconsidering the BW wolves one-shot.
< ![CDATA[Okay, today's announcement of the Burning Wheel Codex has me reconsidering the BW wolves one-shot.]]>
Yes, do the Wolves one-shot! That’s a ton of fun in a con situation.
< ![CDATA[Yes, do the Wolves one-shot! That's a ton of fun in a con situation.]]>
Dave Turner I admit that I’m always hesitant to do BW in a con setting, because that’s not where it shines. Hopefully I have enough experience at this point to make it work, though. Previous attempts have been mixed.
< ![CDATA[Dave Turner I admit that I'm always hesitant to do BW in a con setting, because that's not where it shines. Hopefully I have enough experience at this point to make it work, though. Previous attempts have been mixed.]]>
What is it that isn’t shining in the con-text? Get it?!
< ![CDATA[What is it that isn't shining in the con-text? Get it?!]]>
Dave Turner Ha! Well, you don’t really see (or feel) advancement in a con slot, and I’ve found that it’s hard to bust out Fight! or R&C successfully if the table are newbies; it’s just too complex to convey.
Not that it can’t be done, but that it’s an increased Ob, and my Burning-Con-Wise is maybe only B3. Gotta earn those tests, though!
< ![CDATA[Dave Turner Ha! Well, you don't really see (or feel) advancement in a con slot, and I've found that it's hard to bust out Fight! or R&C successfully if the table are newbies; it's just too complex to convey. Not that it can't be done, but that it's an increased Ob, and my Burning-Con-Wise is maybe only B3. Gotta earn those tests, though!]]>
I figured you’d say advancement. Fair enough, then put the boots to them with Torchbearer. Delivering the true goods in a con scenario is much more likely.
< ![CDATA[I figured you'd say advancement. Fair enough, then put the boots to them with Torchbearer. Delivering the true goods in a con scenario is much more likely.]]>