Roll Call

[TheUdjat]

Happy Trash Day, everyone.

I did some clean-up today. Retired 4 old campaigns, 1 Short, 1 Short-thingy of Japic's. I was very tempted to wipe the entire slate clean and try to give us a fresh start, as I don't think but one or two games around here have been updated in the past month. That seemed a bit preemptory, though, so I left several intact.

But I wanted to make this post. How many of you are still out there? I don't mean out there, browsing time to time, lurking, reading threads--I mean how many of you are out there, wanting to post, not knowing what to do, waiting on GMs, etc? Is there really a community here worth saving, or have we all moved on?

I don't ask without a reason. I love this community, and have enjoyed the many fine years I've spent on here--even those where I've been helplessly inactive. Certainly, if anybody has contributed to the current entropy of our boards, I am one of the worst offenders. Still, I would hate to see this place die--but if it is truly, utterly dead, I say we put it to rest and move on.

If there are those of you that have moved on, please tell us all where. Are there thriving boards elsewhere that we can be assimilated into? Are there wonderful email-groups that play? Does anyone have an interest in Skype as an avenue for games? Are there other innovative play-across-the-world programs? I am open to all of these things. These boards have always been a wonderful outlet for creative expression for me, and an excellent way to meet friends. I'd hate ot lose either of those aspects.

So please, step up and speak out. Are any of you still out there? Am I calling out to a vast and endless void? Is there something to rebuild here, or is it time to move on--and where would we go?

Hoping to hear from anyone,

- Udjat

[Rojito]

I am here, and would be interested in playing again, but i havn't been around much precisely because it has gone quiet

[TheUdjat]

Well, hey, at least it's very clear that you're here and checking things regularly. Hopefully some others will chime in as well.

[Rojito]

its still set to my homepage so i get to see it no matter what computer i am using, laptop or either desktop lol

[at]

Still here.

[candi]

I'm around as well, checking in daily.

[Wicksy]

i still pop in hoping Udjat will resurect Bring out your dead I'm up for gaming if there's anything kicking about

[TheZebraShakes™]

I'm around. . . actually getting a bit more free time, so may even have the chance to get involved in a game. . .

Also, if anyone would like, I'm sure there are some thriving play by post boards out there that I can look into and may be able to recommend if there are some hardcore players who might want to get really involved.

[Badasterysk]

I'm still here on occasion.

Landing a full time job hasn't left me with much free time, but tabletop roleplaying is very scarce for me (and my brother is moving across the country, so I expect it to become even less frequent), so I'd love to pick up a game here (either running or playing). Admittedly, I won't be able to post as frequently I used to, but I know I could keep up with the current pace of things around here (at least a once a week update, though probably not much more than that).

Also, skype seems very intriguing, though I've never tried it (or anything like it). It may be worth a shot, even if it's only once every 4-6 weeks.

Lastly, I would hate to see this site die. It's a wonderful community of friendly gamers; it would be a shame....

[VemuKhaham]

I'm here, like Roj with this place still set as my homepage, so I'm still checking daily. Still, I'm up for a busy year, as I'll be living and studying an MA Medieval History in York, UK for six months and then I'll have to finish my thesis. After that, if all goes well, I'm planning on touring the US with a couple of friends next summer, so who knows... But until then, I think I can handle playing the games I'm in, as long as they get updated. Have to say it saddened me to realize Rina had to be dropped, but I simply couldn't update it regularly anymore.

And I'll second Bad*: this community must never die!

[menatkhufu]

Well, here I am too, bringing the headcount in this post up to eight. Hello people. =)

I check the boards at least once a week, now that the boards are silent. If need be, I can check & update more frequently.

There definitely is something to rebuild here. Maybe I'm biased because I love the community, but I really think that having a bunch of eager people is more than enough. Yet I speak as one who only plays games. Dunno if for DMs or admins it is more time consuming.

If we keep the number of the games strictly limited, and do not pop out games often only to abandon them sooner, we should be able to keep it viable.

Skype, I do not know. My schedule gets too hectic sometimes.

@ Bad - I didnt know you were invisibly wandering the boards. Happy to hear from you. =)

edit : Happy birthday Roj!

[Rojito]

Thansk for noticeing Menat! ok with 8 people all whom say they log on regularly we could atleast get one game up and going and 8 man game would be huge so we could also go a couple of smaller games if people felt up to it. i jsut dont want to see these boards fade, eve nthe 4.0 stuff is non-existant anymore

[TheZebraShakes™]

I've been playing 4th ed. at home lately though I'm still in the learning process on that one. My last 3.5 session was actually on these boards. What kind of RPGs have everyone else been playing lately, if any? I'm a little rusty, but I'd be willing to join in a game, either pre existing or new.

[candi]

I've been playing 4e only on forums and Savage Worlds at home and over google wave.
(as well as in at's Dark Heresey game on here, but it's a bit of a slog like everything else).

I'd be game for joining up in most anything (though with life kicking into gear again I'd be hesitant to have to learn a new system), and I might (might - I will know this weekend when I see how life arranges itself for the next four months) be able to GM a Savage Worlds game if you don't mind being beta-test monkeys for my Homebrew Campaign Setting.

[Rojito]

I play d10 WoD with Nobu, if any of you remember him from these boards ages ago. He is a roomate now so we often have time to game lol

[TheUdjat]

I'm pleasantly surprised with the turnout here. I'd like to say I can commit to running something, but that's still up in the air at this point. And really, I ought to finish Dark Sun before I even consider starting something else.

But I could at least play something.

I'm familiar with a vast swathe of games, though mostly with good ol' D&D 3.5 (which I guess is not as old as AD&D, but let's not open that can). It's handy because I have all the books and most people are familiar with it; less handy because it is tactical, like 4th, so... maps.

Oh, maps.

At any rate. I've also been playing around with the new Dresden Files RPG (modeled after Spirit of the Century), and over Skype with the Denver Clan I've been playing Shadowrun. Dresden rules = easy, Shadowrun rules = enormously complicated.

I'm not familiar with Savage Worlds, but I've heard good things. Other systems I dig: WoD (old and new), 7th Sea, True20, Mutants and Masterminds. The latter two are fairly easy for anyone well-versed in D&D 3.5 to get into, as they are d20-based.

No guarantees on GFYD. I think I've given up on it at this point. Had so many ideas, too...

Bad*: Skype is pretty brilliant, game-wise. Perhaps not the solution for here anymore, if we've got players, but if you ever want to try it out, let me know. I game with KMan, Japic, BluSpecs, chunker, and another couple of Denverites on Wednesdays. They're all at K's shop in Denver; I remain in DC. Not quite the same as tabletop, but it's a decent substitute. Anyhow, give me a shout if you'd like in, I'm sure you'd be welcome.

So, as usual, too much talking from me. But the gist is I'd love to see something happening around here and will throw whatever support I can behind such an endeavor.

[TheZebraShakes™]

Out of curiosity, How do you use skype to RP?
Does everyone have to use it or do they hear you through the speakers? How can you hear all of them? I guess I could figure it out through my own knowledge, but I don't use skype, although I would be able to, so I guess best to just ask someone who has used it in that regard.

All of us from the boards can just skype, but I am picturing it and it seems quite silly hahaha
We would truly be nerds. . .

In any event, I'm down for whatever. I'll try to play anything, though my character creation skills are very rusty. . .
I can't really pick up my IGTBE game, as TheUdjat is prob the only player that I have left (though I wouldn't be completely opposed to running it for a solo PC)

[Rojito]

Greetings Nox! We are always willing to welcome a new player to almost any game. Unfortunately these boards have lost alot of their games of late. Its been hard to keep things going with real life interfereing. But should we get a game up and running i am sure there'll be a spot for you as well.

[Badasterysk]

I wouldn't mind giving skype a try (I'm assuming it's a webcam-type dealie), especially since it might be the last bastion for doing any gaming with my brother (admittedly, I'd use TheUdjat's offer as a kind of play-test for using it in my tabletop games).

Also, is anyone familiar with Mouse Guard (either the comic or the RPG)? It's very RP heavy and may work well in PbP (as there is no tactical movement and the outcome of conflicts -combats- are determined in turns of three pre-chosen actions). The comics are the shiz, and the game is fantastic in its simplicity, imo.

[TheUdjat]

Skype is a free program that lets you call other computers utilizing skype (provided said user is logged in). You can also call phones, I think, but that costs money. Skype features an optional webcam as well, so one can see and talk. It's often dependent on internet connection and computer speed, but it's been pretty reliable. All you really need is a microphone and the program and an internet connection--yes, the other parties will be heard right out of your speakers (or headphones, like I use).

In the case of the Denver crew, they sit around a table at K's store and set up a camera to look at the board. They call me in on a laptop, so they can hear me through their speakers, and I can look out through the webcam. I could hook up my own cam, but I don't. Lately we've also used TeamViewer so I can actually control the webcam they use, turning it this way and that, and use a dice-roller on their computer so my rolls are visible to all. It's been a decent system.

Some of that breaks down with an additional call in. Obviously the TeamViewer thing, but also, for some reason, the video on skype. It only seems to work with two parties. Whenever those cases crop up (sometimes one of the Denver guys travels), we use Yahoo to set up the camera and share it to both remote users, and it's basically the same thing--just with two programs.

It sounds complicated when I write it all out, but it's pretty straightforward after the first time or two. And, hey, I get to game! Let me know if you want to give it a shot, Bad*. Just hit me with an email or PM and we'll set it up tomorrow. Though I warn you, those Denver lads have a terrible sense of humor. Tsk.

Other tidbits:

Bad* - Mouse guard sounds neat. I've been longing for a system ideally suited to play-by-post, and haven't found one that satisfies that style. I'd like to look at it, at least, and perhaps adapt things from it. Don't know if we could get enough people to learn the new system, but if you're game for running an occasional game of it, I'm sure some folks would be on board.

TZS - Yeah, IGTBE seemed dead. Sorry I didn't ask you about retiring it. It's had a rough history, and though I thoroughly enjoyed it, I wouldn't want a solo game. Our time is better spent elsewhere.

Nox - Welcome to the boards! Fresh blood is exactly what we need right now. We don't have a whole lot going on right now (unless people hop back into at's game), but I'm sure we'll get something rolling that you can join soon. You have the rare opportunity to contribute to this effort. What sort of games do you like? 3.5, you said, but can you give us more to work with? Any familiarity with other systems? If not, that's all well and good, I just want to be sure we have something for you


I am still ruminating over a game, but things keep falling flat when I realize I haven't even been able to crush out a few solid DS posts in a row. Still working on that. Work has been hellish, unfortunately. Though I have finally finished writing and editing my latest novel, and with it in the hands of an editor, I have a little more time. For now. But then, there's this idea crawling around in my brain to work on my novel adaptation of BOYD... Too many ideas. Too many cool things to do. Never enough time.

Keep the ideas flowing, folks. We'll hit on something we can start!