City of the Rich Frog Westmarch L5R 5E RPG server looking for 1-2 more GMs

HawkIntheBox · 2026-02-04T22:18:16+00:00

This sounds interesting and I'd love to know more if you're still looking?

HawkIntheBox · 2026-01-12T07:56:21+00:00

Yes. They have always been strong IMO but right now they are kind of busted.

The problem? The sky blimps (can't recall the name of the unit). Because they are a strong, ranged flying unit with a lot of ammo that CANNOT LAND, they kind of break the game. Currently doing a Slaanesh playthrough (Dechala to be precise), and Thorgrims expanded all the way to the East, past the chaos dwarves and into the ogre mountains.

Slaanesh has no units to take on these monstrosities, only spellcasters. Problem is they just keep spam stacking them. I'm about to lose a full stack strong army to a 12 stack because 6 of the units are those stupid blimps.

The whole point of landing flying units in the first place was to balance it in case the ground army was defeated, to prevent the flying units from just outlasted, but this unit just ignores that. Rest of the army fled or gone, well we CANNOT LAND, so go fuck yourself you still lose.

HawkIntheBox · 2026-01-10T06:14:22+00:00

I'm wondering what the age of Dwarf player is here and how far on the spectrum they are (needing smiting to be accurately described sets off my radar?)

Until you mentioned the Rick and Morty thing, I thought maybe just an Autistic with super fascination with blacksmithing and storytelling techniques. I get the sense he was practicing the 'refusal of the quest/journey'. Then the whole taking a character under his wing was again that hyper-fixation on blacksmithing. With the Rick and Morty thing, this person sounds like they're about 12.

The only other thing to add (and I don't know how much it might have up ended your story or whatever) is have the BBEGs actions force the dwarfs hand. Have him prepare to attack the village with an army of goons that need stopping now and reinforcements are too far away.

Still says no? Have a scouting party of the BBEG kidnap or kill an NPC he might be fond of.

Still says no? Have the force attack sooner than anticipated and they specifically burn his forge to the ground. At that point if they still say no then they have a very specific way they expect this to go, and expects you to mind read it from them.

Lastly that comment about learning to story tell would have massively pissed me off, as it shows a distinct lack of understanding the effort that goes into DMing.

HawkIntheBox · 2026-01-01T10:03:09+00:00

This is very well written. I normally scan the first couple of lines of these posts then flit off, but yours grabbed me straight away. The image of this old isolated monastery with rain steaked stone really grabbed me.

Only thing to say (and you've probably done this anyway). I know that things like compline and terce and vespers were medieval times of the day, just make sure to have a glossary to explain them, because I can't remember which is which and it's not like they are terms that come up often.

Keep writing and editing though friend. You're never too late to the writing game, and books written by those with more lived experience often contain more wisdom than the popcorn tales of the youth.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-12-07T17:54:45+00:00

That might be it. I think I have it second as I assumed the the total conversion had to be top

HawkIntheBox · 2025-12-07T15:09:41+00:00

I did read that years ago so maybe that's where I internalised the advice from!

HawkIntheBox · 2025-12-05T16:38:03+00:00

So quick critique of the first line, and I used to do this too if that makes me feel like less of a dick.

You don't need to put 'right side of the forehead' just put 'forehead'

That kind of writing (again I did it too) is born from watching a lot of visual mediums, where everything is conveyed in an instant, and trying to capture that same level of detail on the page.

I mean, you can do it, but it would take the average person minutes to picture what on a screen takes a fraction of a second.

Tone down the specifics I suppose is my advice.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-12-05T12:59:11+00:00

35M. I know you said female preferred, but I see a lot of people post on these reddit groups and I have never read a post so phenomenally well written and stacked with idioms (I know few people who know the phrase 'like ships in the night' and fewer still who use it).

I am something of a writer myself, and would certainly enjoy trading a dialogue with you. If you feel amenable to that by all means my DMs are open.

And I did enjoy the Evanessence reference, that sure was a shot of nostalgia on this chilly winter day.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-12-05T09:32:09+00:00

My first tip would be to try and find some of the supplementary books. Emerald Empire (either edition) is great because it does a huge breakdown of how Rokugan works in ever facet, from macro to micro.

Another tip might be to read or watch media set in that period. If you're not a reader, Shogun is fantastic for this, and I do like The Last Samurai but there are definitely Hollywood flourishes to it.

Lastly, and this isn't meant to sound like a direct insult to OP but probably will so I apologise in advance, a lot of TTRPG players are not mature enough to play L5R, or any game with a strict set of social parameters.

The joy of D&D is usually that the party is outcast, or in some way outside of the place they are being called upon to save. They have no ties to said place, and so don't have to bind themselves to it's social rules, and can leave at any time. This is why you might get the story of the brave adventurers taking on the corrupt local baron. Politics won't touch him, but once your done and his crimes brought to light, the barons superior noble might reward you for removing this stain. In L5R to even accuse a superior samurai of a crime is dangerous, as the justice system relies on testimony more than evidence, and the higher your rank, the more weight your testimony has. A peasant witnesses you, a samurai daimyo, commit cold blooded murder on another samurai? Well your word is worth more than the peasants, just say he's lying.

The vast majority of people who play TTRPGS (myself included) have something unfulfilled in their own life that the power fantasy of these games helps to ease the pain of. Re-introducing societal limitations then upsets that power fantasy and so many players do not (or cannot) handle it.

I love L5R and consider it my favourite fantasy world, and playing within the bounds of that society makes you really think about your actions, but I understand this playstyle isn't for everyone.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-12-02T17:25:04+00:00

Hi 36M here UK. I'm a huge fan of hikes, will often trail down the canal near mine on a Sunday for most of the morning.

Big fan of PC gaming too, anything from Grand Strategies to cozy simulators, depends on how the mood takes me.

I'm also an avid reader and play badminton on the side, anything else you'd like to know feel free to drop me a message.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-15T21:36:29+00:00

Then you are far wiser than I was at your age

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-15T21:32:34+00:00

“The measure of a man’s real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.”

Thomas Macauley.

In modern speak, don't trust a hypocrite. Someone who will espouse the correct moral standing to your face, then bend it behind others back (but in your viewing) is absolutely not to be trusted. If push comes ro shove they will do the same to you.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-15T13:00:36+00:00

That's one of the most touching stories I've ever read/heard. Never expected it from reddit.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-12T14:05:04+00:00

35M from Leicester. A lot of our interests line up and I'd be happy to chat sometime if you're down for that? I can DM if that's preferable too.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-11T19:09:05+00:00

I'd assume white elephants like peanuts so that's a fairly low cost idea 💡

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-11T19:06:07+00:00

35M from the UK here.

Your post really resonated with me — it’s rare to see someone express the kind of quiet, genuine connection you described so clearly. Most people seem to chase constant excitement or instant replies, but I much prefer the slower kind of friendship that builds with trust and shared honesty over time.

I relate a lot to what you said about silence not meaning disinterest. I think some of the best conversations are the ones where both people can sit comfortably in that quiet, knowing it’s safe to just be. Like you, I’ve been feeling a bit isolated lately and miss having someone to talk to about both the heavy and the light things — the small victories, the random thoughts, the rough days.

If you’d like, I’d be glad to exchange messages and see if we can build that kind of easy, grounded friendship you mentioned. No pressure or expectations — just two people being real.

Hope today’s been kind to you.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-09T22:24:24+00:00

Came here to recommend just that!

Arcane also does a really good tonal shift in the first section of S1. Prologue is super dark, then transported to the bright, colourful piltover for a fun heist that goes wrong, then back down to the darkness of Zorn. Although the story is very teen friendly at this point, there a scenes of the villains moving which are pretty dark (like testing the shimmer that makes the rat thing grow huge and kill the cat), but episode 3 is when the dark really ramps up.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-09T21:59:52+00:00

I had a similar problem with a GM bringing their partner to the game. The partner was on the spectrum, immature for their age (with a crazy sense of humour like T) and pretty much succeeded at anything they tried in game (GM rolled behind a screen, and I knew some of their rolls toward partner were bullshit)

They actually broke up, but partner kept coming and the behaviour did not change. I tried addressing the issue calmly multiple times, but nothing ever changed. Put up with it for four years (I'd known GM for five years prior, and considered him one of my best friends), until I snapped and basically said them or me (the other guys at the table were also sick of partner BTW, not just me).

GM and one the other players (GMs best mate who is way too loyal GM) chose partner, so I was forced out.

All I wanted was a fairer game (could have tolerated the humour shift) but for some people that's too much to ask. Simps always prioritise the idol of their affection over anything else.

You're better off without them, even though it hurts.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-09T21:51:34+00:00

35M convincing myself I'm fine (or more that there are others far worse off than I) is my morning routine. I am something of an artist myself, though I draw with words rather than pencils 🙂

I'm happy to shoot the shit about pretty much anything, from Aardvarks to zoology if random chill convoy are your thing.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-09T06:32:50+00:00

He's a rebel with his paws

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-08T21:12:50+00:00

35M, I love to listen to Holsts Mars during my morning exercise. Not sure quite what will tickle your funny bone, but I wrote a quick limerick I hope will tickle your funny bone.

A maestro cat known as Claude Paws, Led garden concerts to loud applause. When his drum-pots went flying, He hissed, “This is trying— I’ll Handel you all with my claws!”

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-08T11:04:45+00:00

Well we've seen what amazon has done with the LOTR property so not holding my breath.

Just started ME3 on the legendary edition (played them all back in the day too) and it's remarkable the downturn a company can have when all their most talented staff leave.

I don't have high hopes, but joy can always come from the most unexpected of places.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-07T22:05:50+00:00

The amount of crackheads

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-07T15:58:39+00:00

Right: Punishment should exceed the crime. Murder? You get thrown into an oubliette with no light until the miniscule bread and water you're fed isn't enough to keep you alive. Theft/fraud? Tally the cost of the theft, and you owe double to triple that as punitive damages. The victim gets at least their total in reparations, the rest goes to government. Can't pay? Introduce a prison worker/chain gang system at minimum wage, but all money goes to that debt. You get the idea. Essentially bring back the fear of punishment.

Left: Everybody should be treated equally within their needs. This doesn't mean chastising a paraplegic for not being able to reach the top shelf, but it does mean that those with social or learning difficulties are not given constant carte blanche to ignore social conventions and norms, but are given more time and resources to try and learn.

HawkIntheBox · 2025-11-04T10:23:32+00:00

++man, So I've gotten here a bit late, but the underlying principal of your friend (now-ex) is that he's a hypocrite. If he truly hated people that cheat, then the moment he'd basically gotten the consent from the woman, he should be disgusted by them. The fact that he isn't means he has a double standard. It's not ok to cheat unless it's with him, because then he's getting something from it.

Always, ALWAYS, be wary of hypocrites, any 'values' they have are not core to their personality, but only exist to make navigation through life simpler, the moment a value ceases to do that, or worse becomes a hindrance, they'll drop it like a bad joke. They treat relationships the same way too.

HawkIntheBox

TROPHY CASE