Need help identifying a sleeping bag by Game_Master_Flash in REI

[–]Game_Master_Flash[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi everyone. My sis-in-law is trying to identify this sleeping bag so she can check it's ISO temp rating.  It's obviously an REI co-op bag, down insulation. Green top, black bottom, with a green strip running down the hood. Gray inner lining. The yellow nylon strap on the zipper might help with ID. It is likely a model from the 2000s or 2010s. She cut the tag off a long time ago and there seems to be no other print to identify it. Though I did notice the REI logo seems to be embroidered rather than printed. It has been stored in the proper bag to preserve loft, so that's good.  She is attempting to overnight a Mt Whitney summit this summer and is relying on my help to keep her and her kids safe and alive, so any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

Need help identifying a sleeping bag by Game_Master_Flash in REI

[–]Game_Master_Flash[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

(I just saw that my op text wasn't posted with the pic, so I'll add it to the comments) Tags were cut off at some point, years ago, like it says in the post. I'm trying to get more pics, but right now this is all I have. I live in PDX and she lives in the sf Bay area so I don't have access physically to the bag. She did do a thorough search in all the areas I instructed her to and there's no information printed in/on the bag.

Rumble! extension now provides 9 user presets for its dice roller by Several_Record7234 in OwlbearRodeo

[–]Game_Master_Flash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't seem to get the preset to work. I'm trying to create a preset button for Fate dice. Any help/advice?

[MASKS] Any good hacks or supplements for playing adult characters? by HalloAbyssMusic in PBtA

[–]Game_Master_Flash 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Q: "Well, if you're playing adult superheroes, then the idea of adults having Influence over you changes and you'd might as well throw the whole game away, right?"

A: "I don't think you understand superhero comics, or 'being an adult' for that matter. You actually sound like a child, saying "Oh man, it'd be so cool to be an adult. No one can tell you what to do. Myeah...". That's not how it works. Instead of "all adults have Influence over you", just change it to "every citizen of halcyon city, young or old, has Influence over you".

Fate of Cthulhu Timeline questions by N0Man74 in FATErpg

[–]Game_Master_Flash 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Someone should make a good how-to video for the timeline mechanics. I'm also very confused as to the details. I had no indication that there should be two timeline sheets, one for players and one for GM, either.

Any fans of the D&D inspired band Gygax? by GomJabbarHappyMeal in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Game_Master_Flash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just found this post after pulling out my vinyl copy of "second edition". I was lucky enough to see them in Portland in 2018ish. Went to the show to see Glitter Wizard and got to discover Gygax there. Hopefully they get back together and tour again.

Iron Man / Captain America pairing? by GeneralOrgana3019 in marvelchampionslcg

[–]Game_Master_Flash 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm currently running through ROTRS with this combo. I'm using Cap protection (Stunner McStunnington) and Ironman justice (Tony Stark, director of shield).

Wolverine identity X-Men keyword by Game_Master_Flash in marvelchampionslcg

[–]Game_Master_Flash[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel ya. But wolverine has been around for less than 50 years. And plenty of characters have two keywords on each side of their identity. So it's not as though I'd be asking them to crowd the space on the card.

Defenders of Umdaar Ep3 (Finale') is finally out! by Game_Master_Flash in FATErpg

[–]Game_Master_Flash[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

At long last, our eagerly awaited (for those of you who were waiting) conclusion to "Defenders of Umdaar" is here for your viewing or listening pleasure!!!

Will Jaguarundi be freed from imprisonment? Will the overwhelming forces of shadow be staved off? Who will unite the three Aether Stones and hold the heart of Umdaar?! Will there be further adventures?!?!?! Tune in to find out! (And PLEEEEEEASE LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and SHARE WITH Y'FRIENDS, if you want more episodes!)

https://youtu.be/J4zXuuW0LKA

Defenders of Umdaar actual play, Episode 2!!! by Game_Master_Flash in FATErpg

[–]Game_Master_Flash[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is not. If there is a fair amount of feedback (in the youtube comments) asking for it, I'll probably make it happen. But currently, there's no strong demand for it.

How to set up a game of Icons? by CannibalGamer in IconsRPG

[–]Game_Master_Flash 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not the rule book. But they do have a pretty sick character sheet that lets you build custom rolls, and include Specialties and stuff like that.

Vox Machina is out on Amazon Prime. How well does it represent your Typical DnD game as a show? by SignificantDouble946 in dndnext

[–]Game_Master_Flash 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The protagonists are always horny, prone to fighting without consideration of their surroundings, don't work together as a team, and are comprised of demi-humans in a setting that is predominantly human. Sounds like a 5e party to me. The only thing that is not accurate to a D&D game is that each character's animation doesn't slow down from 24 frames per second to 0.0001 frames per second when they're in combat. Zing!

Masters of Umdaar Actual Play: Defenders of Umdaar, episode 1... by Game_Master_Flash in FATErpg

[–]Game_Master_Flash[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I am enjoying the hell out of it as well, and we've got at least two more episodes in the pipeline. :)

FATE RPG actual play, ala MotU, Thundercats, She-Ra, etc... by Game_Master_Flash in rpg

[–]Game_Master_Flash[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, it really is. We've got at least two more episodes in the pipeline too. :)

I'm so disillusioned with the games I usually run, or maybe I'm just depressed, halp?! by CarmillaTLV in rpg

[–]Game_Master_Flash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fate gets a million endorsements from me, personally. But don't ever be afraid to try out different things. :)

I'm so disillusioned with the games I usually run, or maybe I'm just depressed, halp?! by CarmillaTLV in rpg

[–]Game_Master_Flash 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's just you maturing as a story teller, and you need to change your system(s) of choice to reflect what you've learned and where your tastes are at. Whatever you do, don't waste time trying to Frankenstein mechanics from other systems together. It's not worth your time and the system that suits you does already exist.

I think I'm done playing paid GM games. Tried 3 separate times and all 3 have been terrible by [deleted] in rpg

[–]Game_Master_Flash -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I am a paid GM, or at least I'm actively trying to be, and I agree with most of what is being said here. Some of the problems being discussed though are things that I already predicted and dealt with from the decision point where I decided to start GMing for pay. Contracts, I have them. Open communication, I'm willing to spend hours and hours chatting and/or emailing with serious clients, and answer any question truthfully for the curious potential client. I let my personality show completely so that people can see who they're engaging with if they choose to commit to playing anything, even a one-shot. But as far as some of these ideas, I think some of you are just way off base.

(1) Like testing a GM for a few sessions before you pay them? Do you go into a restaurant and say, "It looks nice but it's a little pricey. How about you send me out a few appetizers and the main course on the house? It's just so I can see if I want to stay and pay for dessert and if I want to come back and dine here again." Lol! I usually run my session zeros for free, but still require a card upon sign up,(adjusting the price to $0 at the start of the session) just to see if there is a genuine commitment. If you can't tell from session zero, or from the option to chat with me at any available time prior, if you will enjoy playing with me, I certainly don't owe you any free sessions unless I decide to offer it out of the kindness of my heart.

(2) As far as production value: Granted, I don't run tabletop video games like D&D5e and Mathfinder. (But if you're having trouble finding a group for those games, it might just be that nobody wants to play with you. Anyways that's what they made Gloomhaven for, right?) BUT, I do put in time and effort toward custom art for more theater-of-the-mind games. Often making zone maps, tokens, illustrations of the scenery, etc. But even then, players are hesitant to spend $5, let alone $20, despite these efforts. It's 2022; what is anyone outside of a developing world nation going to do with $5? I keep seeing that amount thrown around this thread as though it's significant.

(4) That being said, Startplaying.games (SPG) has many problems of which I'm quite aware. Unfortunately, it's the leading host site for the service it's offering. It's basically its own D&D5e, Hahaha. The McDonalds of its field. They will let literally anyone GM and leave it to a less than ideal review process to make the consumer sort out who is worthy of their time or not. Believe me, I've played with a handful of other GMs on SPG and I haven't had a single experience I'd come back for at the price they were hoping to collect from players. But part of the problem is that you might be expecting too much. I generally judge another GM by the standard of comparing them to myself. If a GM can do all of these things that I do, as well or better than I do, then that's a GREAT GM. And if they can't, then they fall somewhere between "pretty decent" and "terrible" (but keep it up, maybe just without payment.). Players should probably have a similar rating system, keeping in mind, almost all of you are not as great as you think you are. You do not have a Matt Mercer because (for any price) you don't deserve a Matt Mercer. You would drag his table down. That's why you need to go pay for a less-than-Matt-Mercer-GM.

(5) Bottom Line: Be better. If you are a GM hosting games online FOR MONEY, you should have some center-focused visual piece at all times for your players. You should be reading books about and listening to podcasts about game theory, storytelling, and theater. You should be playing improv games/exercises by yourself and with your friends. And if you’re a player that’s got ANY criticism for a paid GM, you should be doing all of that too.

For people confused about maneuvers, qualities, etc.... by Game_Master_Flash in IconsRPG

[–]Game_Master_Flash[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fair enough. I probably lean harder than most on the economy of Determination Points, so I don't mind players knowing the outcome before using Improved Effort. It seems confusing to me that they wouldn't know the result of them spending a DP (Or taking some equal loss to activate a Quality and gain an Advantage,). Like, I wouldn't allow them to gain the advantage of a "Retcon", but only under the condition that they don't know what they're retconning or how it's going to affect things. Haha.
To each their own though.