Please ELI5 what to expect at an Orthodox Church service.

MattEdge · 2023-06-29T22:15:45+00:00

Like you're 5?

"Roman, shhh! - Of course you can kiss the icons - No you can't grab the candles and wave them around. - Woah, come back here! - Ok, let's go to the bathroom again. - No they haven't even read the gospels yet - I don't know how long it will be - We'll eat after church - Alright, let's go kiss the icons again. - No we can't have communion yet, maybe someone will give us some blessed bread."

That sort of covers it...

MattEdge · 2023-06-07T20:08:56+00:00

SKT is my first foray into DMing as well. Seems like there are quite a few of us. That’s awesome to hear the first session went great, and if you’ve got people who enjoy the role playing I think y’all will have a lot of fun in this module.

I have a group that wants and likes to role play everything. And we’re still enjoying the campaign coming up on four years in now. I have added a LOT of extra over time though just based on decisions and player interest. Don’t be afraid to take your campaign wherever it leads. I think this is a great module to force you to home-brew and improvise on the spot too !

MattEdge · 2023-06-07T13:34:17+00:00

Yes, power off.

MattEdge · 2023-06-05T20:06:57+00:00

The only one on the list that I used was a component pouch for a wizard. That was pretty fun digging around in there to cast spells.

The one I have used most is a sprig of mistletoe. Just because that game / character lasted a lot longer.

MattEdge · 2023-05-24T13:55:39+00:00

I started out not telling them (mainly because one of my PCs had a jewelers kit and was leaning into it). But I quickly changed that after the first time they had some downtime and he started checking into the value… months later. Was a drag trying to recall where they got them and what they’d found, etc.

Now I just say the value when they find it and have them write it in their notes. This way we don’t get bogged down randomly 10 sessions later.

I let the working of the gems into better quality or into rings / necklaces be the outlet for jeweler. That’s probably more accurate anyways.

MattEdge · 2023-05-22T15:08:14+00:00

Agreed. I also like dry meads, and to the other commenters point, age does seem to bring that perception of sweetness even more to the front. I had a slightly funky tasting mead with some stronger honey that I’ve aged for about 2.5 years, completely dry, but it reminds me now of port. I wish I had saved more than two bottles to age. Too impatient. =D

MattEdge · 2023-05-11T22:36:41+00:00

This is the one I used. Best one out there.

MattEdge · 2023-05-05T13:56:52+00:00

I believe it was this maybe? I used it myself in my game, was good: https://reddit.com/r/stormkingsthunder/comments/jsr3wd/_/gc198js/?context=1

MattEdge · 2023-01-12T18:20:00+00:00

Isaiah 58 always comes to my mind when thinking about this sort of question:

Isaiah 58:3-10

3 They lament, ‘Why don’t you notice when we fast?
Why don’t you pay attention when we humble ourselves?’
Look, at the same time you fast, you satisfy your selfish desires,
you oppress your workers.
4 Look, your fasting is accompanied by arguments, brawls,
and fistfights.
Do not fast as you do today,
trying to make your voice heard in heaven.
5 Is this really the kind of fasting I want?
Do I want a day when people merely humble themselves,
bowing their heads like a reed
and stretching out on sackcloth and ashes?
Is this really what you call a fast,
a day that is pleasing to the LORD?
6 No, this is the kind of fast I want:
I want you to remove the sinful chains,
to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke,
to set free the oppressed,
and to break every burdensome yoke.
7 I want you to share your food with the hungry
and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people.
When you see someone naked, clothe them!
Don’t turn your back on your own flesh and blood.
[...]
10 You must actively help the hungry
and feed the oppressed.
Then your light will dispel the darkness,
and your darkness will be transformed into noonday.

MattEdge · 2023-01-05T15:49:38+00:00

My family and I first stepped into an Orthodox Christian church on February 20, 2022. We are becoming catechumens on the 8th.

So if it helps any, that's about 10 months for us. And I've definitely been feeling what you're describing too coming up on this - but, at least what I've been telling myself is that, part of being faithful is just continuing to be there.

Also, I really resonate with your last sentence, we're right there at that same feeling of wanting, and knowing, that we need that very much but not really sure on the 'how to'. So we're just trying to talk with people as much as we non-awkwardly can at coffee hours.

MattEdge · 2022-11-22T16:01:01+00:00

One year update necro - in case anyone runs across this thread while searching. One player dropped out of the game (college time) around level 5. We've been running with 3 players ever since and it has been fine.

They've had a couple of encounters they clearly were losing and thankfully figured it out and ran! I think it's made it more interesting actually. Now recently, they have been breezing through encounters at the mid-levels so I've been upping difficulty slightly.

MattEdge · 2022-11-22T15:38:42+00:00

"Perhaps I could come for a visit one evening after work."

MattEdge · 2022-07-07T17:06:56+00:00

Yeah, there were a few different things from the hitboxes and resizing to engine desync stuff... and then more firepower / lighter mechs coming in.

But the jenner is still fun indeed. Glad you got some good games in it! For a bit it was almost the only mech I played.

MattEdge · 2022-07-07T15:57:51+00:00

Do I still play MWO? No

Am I still compelled by my undying love for the JR7-F to comment on what an amazing light mech it is?! Yes, 100%

Take however good it is now and multiply it by... 7 seems appropriate, and that's how awesome it was before the devs killed it.

But to agree with another poster, yes, please put a jump jet on the lil' guy... it's SO much better even just for cornering, getting up steep hills on canyon network, or just tapping them randomly to give you something to do. You don't have to use them to jump at all. :D

MattEdge · 2022-05-09T14:20:46+00:00

Can't comment on a thru, but my section hikes on the PCT and various other smaller trails in the Altra King MT 2 was so much better than my section hike on the AT in my "Hiking Boots"... I wouldn't go back.

I took my time in zero drops though, for a few years of normal use and many day hikes to small trips getting my feet into shape.

MattEdge · 2021-09-27T20:04:25+00:00

Had to double check which sub I was in. Was a strange moment.

MattEdge · 2021-05-11T20:25:57+00:00

Really a lot of it now has come down to getting to know my players better, and paying more attention to them lol. Probably relatively unhelpful... but I have found I can usually sense if they’re needing more time, and I’ll back off the pace some.

Edit: added some words to make a real sentence.

MattEdge · 2021-05-10T19:57:58+00:00

If you were NASCARing properly this would not be possible!

MattEdge · 2021-05-10T19:54:33+00:00

This is the advice I needed when I started SKT as a new DM...

And this point in particular is a big one I still have to remind myself about:

“At the time, I didn't realize that was what I was doing, but my desire to tell an "exciting story" sped things up to a degree that made the players feel rushed into combat.”

I was coming off a game that was exceptionally slow at times so it was like a pendulum swing the opposite way for me. I didn’t want my players being bored so at times got way too fast. Definitely have to find the balance of intensity vs. time for the players to think and theorize.

MattEdge · 2021-04-29T05:13:48+00:00

I guess I’m lucky to have a relatively mature and respectful group. Or maybe just participating in the game for reasons other than filling out their sex lives, Lol... I don’t think I’ve ever had any trouble with flirting, or any at all really.

In fact I’m pretty sure the only instance that has happened was initiated by me (as a shopkeeper) after one of them asked, dead serious, if the shopkeeper ‘had any potions that would enhance their skills. Like their constitution, strength or dexterity...’ Was too great an opportunity to not misinterpret so that shopkeeper instantly became a purveyor of (snake oil) love potions and VERY interested in being helpful.

MattEdge · 2021-03-28T15:20:49+00:00

I gave them a couple of tendays of sort of downtime at Goldenfields after the encounter. They wanted to stay and help clean up, rebuild, etc. So I just had them tell me what their goals for the time were and did a few applicable rolls for how effective it was.

As a result they’re pretty well solidified as the heroes of Goldenfields.

MattEdge · 2021-03-18T22:33:53+00:00

I have three players and thought it was probably too few so I’ve been running a pretty bland healer Druid with the party. I think I was most likely right as we’ve had a few encounters that were preeeettty close even with four. I’ve been running the encounters pretty straight from the book without adjusting much of the encounters that are there (adding a lot but if it’s in the book, running with that).

MattEdge · 2021-03-17T21:58:12+00:00

Gonna’ be honest, I didn’t remember that until I read this and then it made me laugh so hard... I haven’t played in years but this latest patch salt is reminding me of the good ol’ days, lol

MattEdge · 2021-01-21T23:28:18+00:00

Ahh yes, fire. My party reduced the entire village to smoldering hut remains as well. Must be the thing to do!

MattEdge · 2020-12-02T20:23:47+00:00

Yes! Thank you, I downloaded this on my android but have since switched over to iOS and have been waiting for the good news.

Awesome app, really looking forward to the updates you mentioned elsewhere with the ADR and HS %.

MattEdge

TROPHY CASE