February 11, 2008
Little pieces of sad
Two of my Rondaks games have died now. Dangerous Skies Over Valorisa ended up turning into a shopping trip somehow, and now the ref has given up on it. I may have complained about it getting fluffy, but I was still enjoying it. Then today I discovered that a Serenity game I was lurking has also died, just as it was actually getting interesting.
The gaming thing is one of very few things that I am actually good enough at to be arrogant about, and it just makes me sad to see it get so far out of my life. Playing by post on the Portal has been frustratingly slow, but it's been the only way I could keep just a toe in the door anymore. Chat gaming is basically impossible because other people have lives, and we already know that the chances of me getting a face-to-face game are pretty much zero.
It's not that I'm giving up, it's just that there's nearly nothing left to hold on to.
Filed under "Head games" by damyano at 05:27 PM | Comments (0)
October 29, 2007
The other addiction
Someone posted a potential game on Rondaks in the new World of Darkness for Changeling: the Lost. I knew they were going to put it out, but this was the first I'd heard of it actually being out. (Because it's pointless to pay any attention to "Coming in XX" announcements when they always turn out to be dementedly optimistic.) Needless to say, this means I had to find a copy for myself.
It's bitchin' so far. Much darker than the original Changeling - mainly because instead of being exiled fae, you play a mortal that was kidnapped by the fae and now has returned to the mortal world somehow, but changed. I've only gotten a short way into it (not counting the necessary quick skim to find the obvious differences, of course) and I am entirely impressed. I may even join the posted game just to see if it's worth my time.
But get this - after I picked it up from the book desk (cuz I couldn't just find it on the shelf, I had to order it) I went to see if they had anything else interesting, and I managed to find a used copy of Demon: the Fallen from the old WoD. I had skimmed it some before, but didn't want to blow a bunch of cash on a book I would probably never get to use. I just love finding things with a big sticker on them that says Used. So very handy. I managed to get that nearly $30 book for just under $6.50. Is that out of control or what?
So now I have two big hardback rulebooks to pore over for the next couple weeks or so, which means my evil brain may have new ideas bubbling in it soon. Maybe a touch frustrating, considering how fucking difficult the gaming urge is to fulfill anymore, but I still love the feeling of a great plot coming together in my head.
Filed under "Head games" by damyano at 09:58 PM | Comments (0)
August 09, 2007
Grumble
Dangerous Skies Over Valorisa, that cute freeform type game on the portal, is turning into a big pile of stupid. It's been weeks since anything game related has been posted. Apparently, about half of the overlarge cast has bailed on the game already, and we're waiting for the roll call to finish so the game can move along. So in the meantime people are posting bullshit about ice skating and eating strawberries and cream.
WTF?! This isn't a fucking Strawberry Shortcake and Friends episode dammit, it's supposed to be a flying fucking pirate ship! And before you wonder why I don't join in with the cute festivities, my primary reason in not doing so (that I would like to get the game moving and nevermind this cutesy shit) pales in comparison to the logistics of the situation:
1) Demetrius doesn't have feet to wear skates on, nor does he touch the ground
2) Demetrius doesn't eat solid food
So once again I'm just sitting here twiddling my thumbs and being ignored. I wish these fluffy idiots would get their shit together. I am on the verge of quitting already, and the only thing keeping me from doing so is that Demetrius is cool as hell.
Filed under "Head games" by damyano at 03:07 AM | Comments (0)
July 03, 2007
It's happening again
I'm in the mood to gripe. It won't take long, I promise.
WTF is up with this Valorisa game that I joined? You know, the cute freeform fantasy deal where I'm playing an entirely amusing shadow demon accountant. It's been like two weeks now, and the only thing people are posting to is the thread where one of the two refs apologized for not being around. Hey fuckers - post to the fucking game! It's working my nerves - but not as much as the fact that, once again, I post things in character and I get fucking ignored! Nobody responds to me. Assholes. I should have known better than to get involved with a big group game like this.
So I've decided that Demetrius is going to sulk in the library, do his job, and occasionally sneak out to eat children and piss in the grog. I know he's not strictly supposed to be able to urinate, but we'll figure something out.
I hate gaming with online flakes.
Filed under "Head games" by damyano at 01:16 PM | Comments (0)
April 21, 2007
You may call him Mr. Blot
I got called into a chatroom the other day by one of the Ref's in a game I just got accenpted to. You know, like in a flash - and now suddenly I gotta discuss this, um, still kinda half-assed character idea.
I caught the ad for it while browsing Other in the available worlds on the Portal. I keep forgetting the name - Dangerous Skies over... Va-something - but it had a nice open-ended fantasy type of character introduction based around a ship's crew theme. And they did say we could play any race, as long as we're not talking demi-gods here. Wait! I saved the intro deal for when I was working on Demetrius initially. Peep this out:
The year is 28 AE (Age of the Empire) and there seems to be peace over the land...
It has been twenty-eight years since the Valorisan Imperial Navy spread the emperor's message of enlightenment throughout the known world, even to the shores of Evera. The Emperor Tynelus had had a vision to bring to the world a higher order of peace. He wanted to stop the grievous crimes happening all over because there was no justice and no proper law. When the Empire came to Evera there was some unrest and fear but many followed the benevolent Emperor Tynelus and his vision. The Empire grew and with it, the economy. With its message of peace came new technology also. The Valorisans had engineered an airship run by elemental power. This made travel across the Empire much easier and new trade commenced. Things were going well.
Well, mostly. One fateful day, Tynelus fell ill and died mysteriously soon after. Tynelus had a fanatical son named, Tynes, who claimed the throne immediately following his father’s death. He took his fathers vision for Valorisa and perverted it. Now, even a mere slip of the tongue or gossip could send you to jail, or even get you killed if the Magistrate was in a mood. You had to watch every move you made and every word you said. Even the nobility was not safe, and being in the heart of the Empire had to tread even more carefully. Folk living in the outskirts of the Empire or in farther regions had it much easier. They didn’t have to worry about an Imperial guard or spy listening in on their conversations.
On the island kingdom of Evera, rumors began spreading that airship captains tired of being boarded by the Imperial Navy for inspections were beginning to fight back. Some saw these as just stories, and yet the number of Imperial ships in the region seems to be less than usual. When some citizens inquired as to the where abouts of loved ones who serve aboard some of the missing naval ships, the stories they received were conflicting. Some would say that the ships had been redeployed to a different patrol route, and yet others would let it slip that many strange storms had been popping up in the area, making it hard to travel in the region. These mysterious storms only seemed to occur when merchant ships were in the same area...
One day a notice appears in the town square:
Have you always craved and wondered about a life aboard an airship? We run a respectable merchant ship and we are in need of crew members! This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who wants to work with others and make a little money. Come to the Skyport in Voranit, the Capitol City of Evera, at 2 in the after Nin to see if we have a job for you!
We Need: Magi, Techs, Smiths, and a Bookie,
Apply in Person!
You see the insignia of a Crimson Dragon Wing and the address of the Skyport.
Well, now you are gonna go apply aren’t you?!
Character Creation: (Please remember to make your character using the “Other” rule system.)
All we need is a pretty good history and a detailed description of your character.
Your history should give us a general idea of what kind of abilities/powers your character possesses. You should pick one of the ship ‘jobs’ posted in the ad (Magi, Techs, Scribe, Smiths, Bookie, and Cook) because your character needs something to do on the ship!
Magi: Basically Magic Users who help with keeping the ship in the air and/or fighting off other opponents in the air. Although everyone can know some magic in general this is purely for the sake of the ship job!
Techs: Basically the same thing as the Magic users but they use technology and engineering to keep everything running ship-shape instead of Magic.
Scribe: Handles any written work needed aboard. Not necessarily everyone is educated in reading/writing.
Smiths: No guns or artillery but plenty of swords and other metals that need working so we need a smith. (Crossbows too!)
Bookie: Good with numbers. You are basically the Ship’s treasurer. You keep track of any treasure/goods on the ship
Cook: Pretty self explanatory… everyone needs to eat mate!
If your character can play an instrument or sing that is more then welcome also as we need entertainment to keep moral up!
So pick one of these for your characters job!
Also your character needs some kind of weapon or fighting magic. (Not absolutely necessary but if your character doesn’t fight they need to be able to do something else then: heal, defense, etc.)
Some things to keep in mind:
*Your character can be ANY race as long as their powers are below that of a Demi-god. (Within reason y’know?)
* We are in an age without guns or artillery – Crossbows ok! Magic ok!
* PLEASE, No characters who think ‘I am god’s gift to mankind and you are all swine’ who hates everyone ok? That’s what we have NPC’s for. :)
* Also, we are keeping this game PG/PG-13 so there will be minor innuendo and language but no graphics, text, or adult scenarios played out (This includes chat also!).
* If you cuss, make up some words to do it. (frak, dreel… and that sort of thing) We want this game to be good clean fun for everyone! :D
If you have any questions or want to contact a Ref [blah blah email].
Note the underlined position. After I checked it out, seeing as I was accepted already, I looked thru the public appearance blocks on everyone else. There is near a dozen of us. Oy... Nobody else was playing a Bookie.
I did polish Demetrius up before I subbed him to the game. He's still half-assed but there is enough there to work with. He's a shadow demon, only he's not evil. It's such an embarrassment to his parents. He grew up to be, an accountant!
Filed under "Head games" by damyano at 05:31 PM | Comments (1)
January 19, 2007
Quitting
I unsubbed my lurkage to the Aberrant games on Rondaks. It was just getting dull, insufferably so. They each had at least one character that I didn't want to bother trying to like or blathering on about how much I hated them. Total yawn fest. Hell, the one that had actually managed to get to the mission location has been lagified for like a couple weeks now. I've already got my own game laggage, why in hell do I want to read someone else's?
Filed under "Head games" by damyano at 12:12 AM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2007
Lazy
I'm supposed to be working on Strange Aeons. Supposed to have been working on it for a very long time now. Bleh. I hate it when something becomes work and it automatically turns me off to it. It's my own fault, I'm just plain lazy. It isn't that I don't want the project done, because it is going to be great when it is. Hell, even if the game I'm currently working on it for ends up being a bust (and it won't, mind you) I'll still have all this material to use for another game later. No, it's just the laziness for its own sake.
Filed under "Head games" by damyano at 01:58 AM | Comments (0)
January 08, 2007
Sour grapes
Both of the Aberrant games that I apped to and didn't get into are on my lurk list. They aren't particularly exciting. They both contain characters that I don't think I would like. I'm starting to think that my little infatuation with the whole Aberrant thing might be over, despite the fact that I still keep coming up with character ideas.
I'm overthinking this and getting way ahead of myself. PBP is wicked slow, these guys are still at the starting gate. Hell, the first one they only barely got to where the mission is, and the other one they're still hanging around the office. I'm still lurking, waiting to see if something happens.
But yes, I will still make catty commentary.
Filed under "Head games" by damyano at 10:19 PM | Comments (0)
December 11, 2006
Rejection
So I didn't make it into the Aberrant game. Bleh. I'm not sure exactly where on the scale between annoyed and relieved I am on this issue. I did decide to lurk the game, just to see if I'm actually missing out on anything.
This reminds me why I tend to be so insular in my gaming habits.
Filed under "Head games" by damyano at 03:55 PM | Comments (0)
December 04, 2006
Because I haven't bitched about it lately
Play by post gaming is so slow that I think I'm going to lose my mind with anticipation of actually getting my players to some resolution of the plot. I worry that they're entirely out to sea because there is no constant flow.
It gets worse. Some dude posted an Aberrant game on Rondaks and for some horrid reason my brain wouldn't let it go. I spent 2 days trying to make a character for it, but it wouldn't work because the idea was too expensive. So I made another one and apped him to the game. I am still coming up with character ideas, and Aberrant isn't even a game that I'm clamoring to play. WTF? Now I'm going to have 4 games going so slow that I'm losing my mind.
Filed under "Head games" by damyano at 11:06 PM | Comments (0)