Table top role playing games have so many enjoyable elements that we could compile a list so long it would get boring to read after a while. The thing that is at the top of my list is hanging out with like minded people. What a gift that is. I have had a range of …
Category: musings
A Theory About Spell Descriptions in AD&D
I've been running Swords & Wizardry with the PC's at name level for most of this year. Because the spells are often very vague, my players ask, "How does this work?" And I have to make a ruling on the spot. I've taken to looking the spell up in AD&D to see how they changed …
Gary and Dave Didn’t Change Gaming by Working at Milton Bradley
If you want better games, you will have to make them.
Evil Is An Option
In my last few campaigns, I've either eliminated alignment or used the Law-Neutral-Chaos spectrum rather than nine fold alignment system. I began creating my current campaign with a quote from Joseph Brodsky firmly planted in my mind, "“Life—the way it really is—is a battle not between good and bad, but between bad and worse.” Thus, …
Colonialism is Not the Core Theme of Dungeons & Dragons
The Dweller in the Forbidden City blog posted about a Twitter poll they did on the question of colonialism in D&D. Here is a snip. The author seems to be surprised by the amount of vitriol they received as a result of this poll question. I don't find it surprising. The way this poll was …
Continue reading Colonialism is Not the Core Theme of Dungeons & Dragons
The Misunderstood Orc
Wizards of Coast announced the company would be making changes to orcs, drow and Vistani in future printings of their works. The decision for the Vistani makes sense as they are an analogue for the Romani people and to continue to utilize a bigoted stereotype of a real world people is an ugly blight on …
I Dislike “In Character” Conversations
While working on another post about non-player characters, it occurred to me that different groups have different priorities during player to player "in character" social interactions. Some groups enjoy in character social interaction that doesn't advance the party's objectives. In my games, I prefer to limit any activity that does not move characters toward some …
Grumpy Wizard 
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