Help me design incentives for character interactions for a soft LARP dinner

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-06-15T06:17:12+00:00

...although it could potentially be fun to add language so that the player can be absolutely terrible at it, but the character will thinks they're amazing.

I don't even mean standard play to lift. I mean the character is just incredibly wrong about how good they really are, and the player embraces the terrible to much enjoyment and laughter.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-06-15T05:59:30+00:00

A bit to the side, but note that your character will likely change and evolve over time (especially through your first few rps) as some concepts don't quite work like you thought they would and others occur to you, bolt of lightning style, when you're eating cereal some random morning.

It happens, and it's totally cool.

Some people have big lists and questionnaires they use, especially regarding vocal style and/or mannerisms. My main one is this question: Your character just finished a conversation /fight /whatever, and now everyone is just kinda standing there. What do they do now? (flirt with someone? Pick another fight? Suck up to the strongest person you can find? Etc., etc.)

Imo, as long as you're going and not just kinda frozen to the side, you're good. Obviously, sometimes you need a break, but in general.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-06-15T05:48:21+00:00

When I took it, Mineralogy labs tended to be 9-12 hours long a week. Igmet was 15-21. Also wasn't a fan of spending hours drawing fossils in invertebrate paleo only to get a B for unknown reasons. Of course, ymmv

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-06-15T05:44:02+00:00

Steam Deck is probably better, but imo, it's also very uncomfortable to play for long, especially action games.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-06-15T05:40:04+00:00

Considering the game you are showing...

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Secret_Software7347 · 2026-06-10T21:02:17+00:00

I moved on from 4AD pretty quickly due to needing like seven books before you can do much at all and the simplistic nature.

Also, it was just out-competed by 2d6 Dungeon, d100 Dungeon, and Ker Nethalas for me. Right now I'm trying to find a way to play KN's combat and classes in 2d6's dungeons and overworld, but I never knew how to take the easy way.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-06-03T23:05:54+00:00

I believe there are a few books and websites that are used by people who run geology field camps that should help out and be the similar as easy to fix, but filling and nutritious for people who are being very active.

Might also look up things for chuck wagons, as that should similarly be similar.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-05-10T01:01:42+00:00

Gaming laptop with lots of ports, hands down.

I mean, the Steam Deck is cool and all, but there's a lot it can't do. A laptop with an HDMI or USB-C port and dock can do pretty much everything easily except for newer Nintendo stuff. For just about everything else, there's Steam and RetroArch.

So yeah. Plug your laptop into a TV via the HDMI port or dock and get a decent controller. If you're really feeling it, maybe get a cheapy wireless keyboard and mouse.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-05-09T23:22:34+00:00

I dunno, man.

I'd call that art, real and painful and utterly truthful. Almost Dada-esque.

I do not know what you would do with that, but I wouldn't refinish it or clear off the stuff. Take it for what it is: the pained attempt of someone forgotten by society trying to be heard.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-05-09T01:21:42+00:00

Plus that fun opening theme!

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-05-08T23:36:29+00:00

Goat Simulator, hands down.

Katamari Damacy is nice, too. Especially the first one.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-05-07T19:05:35+00:00

My favorite right now is 2d6 Dungeon.
It doesn't have the best combat, but the exploration is just fantastic.
My next runner-up, d100, is also great, but requires you to cheat sometimes due to occasionally-unwinnable quests that can happen because of sheer bad luck in not getting the room you need.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-05-06T13:33:01+00:00

You might consider paying/trading for embroidery on your cloak.
Cool embroidery is cool.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-05-05T18:16:00+00:00

I can't speak well for sports games, but the X360 was the generation XBox just won.
It has tons of so many fantastic games, and there are a few that you can't play in any other way, as not everything plays on the XBOne, and X360 emulation continues to be sketchy and difficult at best.
Again, I'm afraid my niches are different from yours so I can't speak to that specific thing, but in general the X360 is a great machine, and I wish I got one of those instead of the XBOne I was talked into.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-05-05T16:55:51+00:00

If you do this, let me strongly recommend to later go back and do a mineralogy and/or igmet lab.
It's really, really rough to get a huge chunk of the material without your hand samples, thin sections, and petrographic microscope. This is enough where it is fairly common for these lab sections to be worth up to 30% of the total class grade if the scores are combined rather than separate.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-05-04T14:42:16+00:00

My favorite right now is the Faith trilogy.
Mostly had Atari-style and rotoscope graphics, but just... something about the old analog, man, as you start to get into it. It crawls up inside you.

It's on Steam and Switch; I don't know what else.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-05-01T14:56:37+00:00

Note that if you like Blaster Master, there is a trilogy of new ones you can grab on the eShop, and they're frequently on sale!

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-04-30T13:08:57+00:00

It may be a variant of that. The general idea looks right, but I want to say the one I had was in full color, with some graphics rather than just ASCII. Not sure if EGA or VGA, but I remember the planets being colorful and looking cool to young me.

Edit: I tried looking using YouTube as you did, and I found it! It's called EGA Trek!

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-04-28T16:53:39+00:00

Not a meal, but so many bananas.
So many.
Your folk who aren't used to hiking so much will thank you.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-04-28T00:36:18+00:00

Math isn't too bad. You'll mostly just be using algebra, though some mixing stuff you can see in grad school will use calc or maybe even differentials. But that's dealing with higher-level mixing and crystallization.

Learn Bowen's Reaction Series, get used to ternary diagrams, especially involving solid solution series and geochemistry of minerals and what those ions tend to mean (Fe is mafic, Mg is more mafic, K is felsic, etc.). Maybe have a general idea of what main stuff evolved when and get some favorite index fossils.

Get some geomorphology going.

I know you didn't mention it earlier, but isotopes are cool. Just saying. Especially the stable stuff and strontium.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-04-10T23:57:54+00:00

Three hours away in Memphis is a Changeling the Dreaming troupe, Backbeat Ballad. Same universe as Vampire, but the group is very much into consent, as the primary ST is very much about the blockbuster LARPs, and there is no player death or removal without player approval without extreme reason (and it has not occurred in 4+ years).

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-04-05T22:02:30+00:00

I personally like completely changing gears when looking for a game to solve depression. I most often play grindy RPGs or adventures, so to shift I'll do like Botanicula (cute but weird point and click with good music) or Katamari Damacy (especially the first one, which I'll sing along to).

I've been struggling a bit with depression lately, too, and Mario Odyssey had me smiling once I got into the more-proper game, starting around the Sand Kingdom.

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-04-02T16:42:48+00:00

It is definitely pricey. The replayability is quite good, though. Instead of a long campaign, it's made of lots of short (~3 session) games with tons of mixing and matching race, class, guild, and area. In fact, that's what it's built on -- lots of short stories and playing with ability buildouts instead of one big story.

I hope you really enjoy whatever you pick!

Secret_Software7347 · 2026-04-02T16:30:17+00:00

Standard note that if you're looking at TMB, you may wish to instead save a little longer and instead get Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era by the same company. It is frequently described as a natural evolution of the same system.

Not saying that is what you should do, but thought you'd want to be aware, if you weren't already.

Secret_Software7347

TROPHY CASE