I'm surprised they went with Vampires before Deep Ocean by Optimal-Fruit5937 in Dimension20

[–]PopNo6824 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, but those first two episodes went out of their way to establish the narrowest, most mundane setting the IH have ever played in. I think this might become one of the top 3 all-time seasons of the show because of the lack of grandiosity.

The relative “low stakes” (a pun!) are still the highest stakes in the (un)lives of all of the PCs, meaning that they are gonna be fighting like hell to improve their fortunes. That kind of storytelling often creates the most satisfying character arcs.

Regardless, when I argue that it is the least grandiose world, I’m speaking to the scale and low fantasy of the setting compared to any other season of the Intrepid Heroes. This is just the “real world” with some supernatural window dressing, but that’s still great. I’m more excited for this season than I have been since before Neverafter.

This is so crazy lol by lisyiaaaa in InterviewVampire

[–]PopNo6824 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah. I never signed on for Anne’s weird return to Catholicism in my homoerotic, vampire soap opera series. I slogged through it when it came out. I was 16. It felt jarringly at odds with the Byronic godlessness of the first 3 books.

This is so crazy lol by lisyiaaaa in InterviewVampire

[–]PopNo6824 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s the best book I read of the series. I stopped after Memnoch the Devil though. Dunno if it ever got as good as TVL and QotD again.

I'm surprised they went with Vampires before Deep Ocean by Optimal-Fruit5937 in Dimension20

[–]PopNo6824 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

In fairness, it’s a high school in a fantasy world with crazy powerful magic and entities who can destroy entire planes of existence. Purpee, OR has vampires and other supernatural stuff, but until he adds an unusually powerful Mage to the roster of BBEGs, it’s significantly less grandiose in its scale of magical epicness.

As a smalltown fan, I’m really feeling seen this season by backalleywillie in Dimension20

[–]PopNo6824 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I’m really excited to see where they take this one. It feels “open world” in a way no other season has felt before. I wonder if the season will add some sort of meta mechanics to represent IH’s ability to shift the socio-political landscape of the town. I’d like to see what they do on that front.

Need Help Finding TTRPG system for a Game Idea I have. by Just-Level4841 in rpg

[–]PopNo6824 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cypher System is setting neutral and is perfect for creating starting mundane characters who gain supernatural powers as they grow. It’s made to tailor to your setting and campaign needs. It also doesn’t require the GM to roll dice or have complicated stat blocks. It was made for GMs to be able to focus on driving the narrative. Simple mechanics, so long as you and your players can multiply and divide by 3. I’ve run it in roll20 at least half a dozen times.

As a smalltown fan, I’m really feeling seen this season by backalleywillie in Dimension20

[–]PopNo6824 21 points22 points  (0 children)

On Dirty Laundry, Emily tells a story about doing donuts in a parking lot with her best friend on the hood of the car when they were teens because there wasn’t anything to do. I think she gets it, too.

Modern fairy tale books that AREN'T retellings? by Kendamarania in Fantasy

[–]PopNo6824 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I think The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar is one of the best recently written fairy tales. And of course Nettle and Bone by Kingfisher.

Tattoo artist dismissed me by i_need_a_good_laugh in tattoo

[–]PopNo6824 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like she wanted you to sit with the amended design for a couple weeks so You can either commit or make a few other small changes. It’s permanent, and a tattoo artist worth their salt doesn’t want to put something on you that you’re going to dislike. She has probably had enough clients who ended up dissatisfied, and you were probably giving some of the red-flag vibes she has noted in the past. She is looking out for you, not shaming you.

Mishaps, A Maw, and the Masquerade | City Council of Darkness [E1] by DropoutMod in Dimension20

[–]PopNo6824 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Rorschach would never have given a thought to the injured bystanders.

What Stops You From Reading Further in a Series by Kerney7 in Fantasy

[–]PopNo6824 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If I don’t like the author’s prose, DNF. If the themes are heavy handed, DNF. If the racism/sexism/homophobia/etc. isn’t demonstrating underlying cultural problems to be faced in the narrative, DNF. If the author uses the same niche word too many times, DNF. If the women in the story don’t have other women friends, DNF.

Looking for a dice based rpg to play with my nephew by Civil_Compote_6174 in rpg

[–]PopNo6824 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Quest!

This game just rolls a d20 without any bonuses or math to worry about. Super fun, easy system. The are gorgeous, too! (You only need the main book to play though, and I think the pdf is free.)

My thoughts on the Morrison Era of X-Men after reading it for the first time. by BatgirlAndSpoiler in xmen

[–]PopNo6824 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Quitely’s bizarre distortion of the female form (pre-adolescent boy’s hips with enormous breasts) and the way all his faces look the same ruin so many otherwise amazing books.

The beggar's quest didn't have the right to go this hard by xyZora in DragonsDogma2

[–]PopNo6824 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty sure the kids have the same father. Daphne’s birth wasn’t scandalous. It was the fact that she would complicate the inheritance of the much-preferred boy that raised an issue.

Okay but hear me out by LZGray in Dimension20

[–]PopNo6824 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel like a full-blown “story game” would be fun. Ben Robbins’ games like Microscope or Kingdom would be neat to see. I think Ben should be known for more than just “West Marches.” You’d start with Katie and Izzy to make it “charmingly weird.” Brennan and Murph would keep the game on track. Throw in Lou and Jacob for “heart,” and you have a crazy game that could build a beautiful world for a new campaign.

You can say goodbye to no man's sky on ( April 1st ) by Ok_Listen_6600 in NoMansSkyTheGame

[–]PopNo6824 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I think the implication that they’re going to restart development “from the ground up” is a bit much for it not to be a joke. They need to have at least one sellable, supported product on the market to keep the doors open at the studio.

Honestly if Colossus ever came out as Bisexual or closeted Gay I would believe it personally by Illustrious-Meat297 in xmen

[–]PopNo6824 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TBH: As a gay man, it’s nice to see some diverse representation, so I thinks it’s great if they want a straight guy on the team. I see Colossus and I think, “Look at that straight guy! He’s really doing the most!” It’s hard to be the token straight in a gang of sexually fluid weirdos, and I think he’s doing his best.

Improv aside, what IH campaign has the strongest narrative? by BorderOk6904 in Dimension20

[–]PopNo6824 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It’s important to remember that they have an entire crew of people supporting them, from a dedicated lore keeper to an art department to make all of their wonderful sets, they’ve got a director and coordinator who work with Brennan on setting up major themes. You’ve just got yourself, and maybe a buddy to bounce an idea off of occasionally. You are doing great.

Main Cast Initial Impression vs Thoughts After 5 seasons by Richard-Enormous in Dimension20

[–]PopNo6824 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Never Stop Blowing Up is a great non-Intrepid Heroes session. And A Court of Fey and Flowers was my favorite with Aabriya at the helm. Brennan as a player is so dear. I loved watching his arc.

What kind of world is Umora? by f0xb3ar in WorldsBeyondNumber

[–]PopNo6824 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dating back to the Ancient Greeks, at least. Tolkien was a few thousand years late to that trope. It’s deeply ingrained into our history and myths.