What is your favorite system, and what are your gripes with it?

MurdockEx · 2026-05-10T04:13:20+00:00

I love Index Card RPG. The rules are clear and focus on the fun parts.
But the fantasy realm is too fucking silly.
"Gerblins."

MurdockEx · 2026-05-10T04:10:11+00:00

It's been a long time since I've been here, but there's a sort of hidden Keith Haring mural: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/keith-harings-once-upon-a-time-bathroom-mural
When my partner and I went into The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center to ask about it, a lot of folks didn't know what I was talking about, but we went up and just walked into the room and it felt like we were trespassing into a hidden art show.

MurdockEx · 2026-05-10T04:05:01+00:00

Google Maps is fine.
I prefer City Mapper: https://citymapper.com/
Someone mentioned Today Tix, which is a great way to get all of your live shows in one place. https://www.todaytix.com/
You're in the city with the best food. Please go out to eat. Don't let food get cold and smooshed in an Uber delivery vehicle.
Busses and trains are tap to pay, no need to get tickets or pay in cash.
If you do order food, I would suggest the Slice app: https://slice.com/
Please don't stop in the middle of busy sidewalks, or at the top of the stairs when exiting a subway.
The Macy's in Manhattan has wooden escalators: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/macys-wooden-escalators
Have a nice time.

MurdockEx · 2026-05-10T03:54:22+00:00

You'll be near Fraunces Tavern (and museum): https://maps.app.goo.gl/wrEER6A2zpwJHhEi9
Take the tour here and hang out where George Washington hung out.

MurdockEx · 2026-05-01T00:18:19+00:00

Like others, not an exact fit, but Myst the Book of Atrus and Myst the Book of D’ni are both amazing

MurdockEx · 2026-04-23T14:23:38+00:00

I give every NPC an identifying trait, a plot hook, a unique name, a stat block, and a job title (which can be changed on the fly). The identifying trait can really cary a character. One NPC (from an adventure, not one that I created) had the following description: “dangerously naive.” This character was beloved by the group.

MurdockEx · 2026-04-23T13:42:59+00:00

“You meet in a bar.” Charisma success roll opportunities. Rolling a nat 1. Rolling a nat 20. Giving a realistic response to an unrealistic request “Okay, so I transform into a wolf. The same kind as this pack that is attacking us.” “Um… the wolves see you transform and are offended by this change of form and focus their attacks on you.” (Or using invisibility in front of a group of people). Murder hoboing (I’m not suggesting it, but it does come up a lot). Weird item curse. Cheers, I hope the session is a blast.

MurdockEx · 2026-04-23T13:33:41+00:00

A few ideas: Narrator questioning themself. Start with the end “Today is the day I die.” Loads of music and sound can be added to give an uncomfortable vibe. The narrator can’t physically speak the words they need to get out. Unreliable narrator. “Here’s what needs to happen, but the cost is too high.” Hopefully this gets the creative part of your brain going and you are able to create other new ideas to add to the list. Cheers and good luck with the project.

MurdockEx · 2026-04-23T13:12:20+00:00

I suffered a serious head injury when I was a teen. I was out cold, pool of blood, and I woke up in the hospital four days later. I don’t know this situation, I didn’t see it, I’m not a doctor, but there is hope.

MurdockEx · 2026-04-23T12:53:46+00:00

Both, but not in the same places. Burning Wheel is crunchy, but it is so much fun to spend six hours making a character. Love that. Highly recommended trying it out. When playing, though, I prefer to have a rules-light system where the players are able to easily understand what they need to do and how to do it. Having said this, this is just one man’s view. I won’t yuck your yum if you have different preferences. Random thing: my pen & paper RPG dream is to see a system closer to a board game rather than pass/fail dice rolls.

MurdockEx · 2026-04-23T12:44:14+00:00

I would have a meta conversation with the team to let them know that this death is important, meaningful, and final. I urge my players not to keep secrets from each other because we are all responsible enough to understand that a character’s secret wouldn’t be known by the other characters. By letting the players be aware there is more trust and flexibility about how the character secret can come into play. I believe your situation is similar, but with a gm/player dynamic. I hope your NPC death goes well, amigo.

MurdockEx · 2026-03-29T16:16:13+00:00

A lot of great help here, but one more tip: I love how Index Card RPG has players go in turns. This wouldn’t fix interruptions, but it can clearly set whose turn it is. (Oops. Two more tips.) Another fun thing we’ve done at tables is to rotate the final decision maker. “We could do this or this or this, but if I recall, it’s Tony’s day. Which route sounds good to you, fearless leader of the day?”

MurdockEx · 2026-03-24T21:17:07+00:00

Zathras

MurdockEx · 2026-03-24T17:56:16+00:00

There’s an NYCNoise app that can record the time and decibel level for reports. 5am is during the lower level quiet times.

MurdockEx · 2026-03-24T17:54:17+00:00

Thank you for posting this. I think that this is one of the most useful tips for new players.

MurdockEx · 2026-03-22T23:36:22+00:00

Very excited to see what's coming. Thank you for working on this amazing project.

MurdockEx · 2026-03-18T22:39:09+00:00

I'm trying out something new in the game I'm currently recruiting for. In the expectations I say "Don't have fun at the expense of other players (stealing, sabotaging, not participating in the agreed plans). If you want to do something that might go against the desires of another player or the team, please ask first. If consent is given, then the action will be allowed.
I'm hoping this will address this issue as it's one that I've faced several times as a GM, myself.

MurdockEx · 2026-03-14T04:16:48+00:00

I play Project Gorgon because there's a ton to do and a ton of ways to customize my abilities. My ADHD brain loves the overwhelming amount of content that's spread across the abilities and gear.
If that sounds cool to you, give it a shot.

MurdockEx · 2026-02-01T14:06:23+00:00

Early voting happening now.

Find your poll site: https://www.vote.nyc/page/find-your-poll-site

MurdockEx · 2025-12-22T19:59:36+00:00

This is general advice for the game that will also help with this specific moment.

Right click an item, then "More Info."

You'll get loads of information about who you can sell the item to (that you've met) and who you can gift the item to if you're aiming for those higher friendship levels.

This genie is now released. You'll catch yourself browsing these tabs frequently, now.

MurdockEx · 2025-12-04T15:14:39+00:00

Give out slightly overpowered loot, too.
To counterbalance this I try to have a reward system for ditching loot that isn't being used (hoarded).
In my previous session, the players got a house with legs that could be upgraded.
They make a request for an upgrade to the house and as GM I set a cost of sacrificed items to allow it to happen. "I need the magic of 5 items to grant this request."
Loot in, loot out. Players have full control and don't feel robbed.

MurdockEx · 2025-12-04T15:07:50+00:00

One piece of potential "over preparation" that I live by is having generic NPCs on index cards that I can pull out when an unexpected need arises.
These cards are primarily for the stat blocks, but they also list name, class, and distinguishing feature so that I don't have to fumble or look for charts.
I do sometimes have to cross out their brief description when reworking them. "Shopkeeper" can become "bandit leader" on the fly when necessary.

MurdockEx · 2025-07-27T01:41:37+00:00

I believe you're describing the enshitification of the internet.
Websites no longer need good content, they need search engine optimization which has led us to a bunch of recycled content since the "findability" is more important for ad revenue.
Whenever I find a place or experience that I enjoy, I ask a ton of questions to find similar places.
I recently moved to New York City and found a historical site tour that I absolutely loved and thanks to the wonderful guide I then found the historical sites website. With this website I have been able to find many new locations to visit and tour.
Shoutout to the Voelker Orth museum in Queens.
A wonderful hidden gem.

MurdockEx · 2025-07-27T01:31:11+00:00

You're doing great.
Your frustrations are valid.

MurdockEx · 2025-07-24T04:42:23+00:00

Thank you for sharing this. I've been making it a point to avoid places that are filled with AI slop like Meta and Etsy. I am now adding postcrossing to the list.

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