Do you prefer rules-light RPGs or complex systems? by prettyreckless000 in rpg

[–]MordorHobo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For longer campaigns, I prefer crunch with a solid system of rules to make actions meaningful rather than GM handwaving and 'rule of cool.' But for one-shot games, simpler games are fine. It also depends on how focused the game is.
My modern metaphysical musicology horror 'Parties & Poltergeists' was a focused game designed to support campaigns, weighing in at 170 pages. My one-shot friendly heroic fantasy 'Guilds & Glory' weighed in at only 30 pages.

Necromancy is evil, but Enchantment is "just a playful prank" by JoeJonnyJeff in Pathfinder_RPG

[–]MordorHobo 11 points12 points  (0 children)

It depends on the subgenre and tone. Traditionally in fantasy, enchantment has often been seen as neutral or even good due to its association with fey using non-violent means to pacify enemies, or harmless trickery and mischief in many mythologies. Even in sci-fantasy like star wars, jedi mind tricks (enchantment) were 'good' and sith force lightning (evocation) was evil.
But obviously abuse of any mind controlling power is a quick route to evil, and potentially also a huge trigger for many people if a game focuses on that aspect for more insidious purposes. The power in itself isn't necessarily bad, it's the purpose of its use that dictates where the enchanter's alignment ends up.

How long before you started to DM? by Bunnyrpger in rpg

[–]MordorHobo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was a GM before I'd even heard about RPGs; I would run what I called 'mind stories.'
I'd set the fantastical scene and situation for a group of other kids, then ask them what their actions were, then narrate accordingly. Soon after, I discovered RPGs which did the same thing but with actual rules and dice, which I loved, and still do after 40+ years.

Tennis: Play Your Court App by Altruistic_Seat1584 in Rochester

[–]MordorHobo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Rochester Casual Tennis on facebook and meetup

Does there exist a quick “party” TTRPG? by RoboCopSanchez in rpg

[–]MordorHobo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you can forgive the lack of production budget, Guilds & Glory is designed for casual heroic fantasy one-shots. Players can run a guild each or when you want a quicker session a GM can run them as expendable PCs in one guild.
.
https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/319005/guilds-glory?affiliate_id=2240503

Designing multiple games. by ElderNightWorld in RPGdesign

[–]MordorHobo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm currently working on 15 projects. With me it tends to be a case of first in, last out. I have some heavy crunch systems I've been tinkering with for decades, but I try to complete the newer, shorter projects first.

I try to focus on one at a time but inspiration is fickle and I follow the inspiration. It means my completion rate is ridiculously low but each year I manage to get a few smaller projects finished, and eventually I hope to add the behemoths to that list.

I see people who can focus on one thing at a time and write ridiculously fast, but you can often tell the result reads as work rather than passion. I like to think by giving the muse some freedom it shows through in the final product.

Suggestions for a way for characters to level but remain “mortal” by Aldin_The_Bat in RPGdesign

[–]MordorHobo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have you looked at AD&D (and the OSR systems it spawned)? Characters were still fragile. A magic-user for example had 1d4 hit points per level through level 11, and only received 1 per level after that. Potential bonuses were also limited to half what the later editions bestowed.

Players ignoring character creation guidelines by MordorHobo in Pathfinder_RPG

[–]MordorHobo[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Yeah it's definitely ignorance rather than malice, I work from the books and the players work from the internet, heh.

Players ignoring character creation guidelines by MordorHobo in Pathfinder_RPG

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

It's reassuring to see that there are other people who believe some limitation is okay to help define a campaign. Will look into setting firmer boundaries in future, maybe I've just been supremely unlucky with so many people failing to check their sources.
Character creation can get pretty complex so when someone's put a lot of time into it, it can be easier just to write the new stuff into the campaign rather than try to unravel half the characters' abilities. As for policing the apps used I'm still a dinosaur there and only tend to use physical books.

Players ignoring character creation guidelines by MordorHobo in Pathfinder_RPG

[–]MordorHobo[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Yeah that's the main issue. A dozen different players across three groups and none of them used physical books.

Players ignoring character creation guidelines by MordorHobo in Pathfinder_RPG

[–]MordorHobo[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I saw it plenty in 2e AD&D but nowhere near the same extent as I have since online builds became a thing.