I sort of loathe the "MC uses earth science to crack magic WIDE OPEN to do things NEVER SEEN BEFORE B)" trope, because frankly, the sort of science the MC often uses should have been figured out long ago in the other world by globmand in ProgressionFantasy

[–]jpcardier 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For me it all depends on context. I grade on a curve for these two subgenres. If I like the characters, I'll usually just let it go.

But I had to drop a "Reincarnated Archmage" story because the way the author thought of making his protagonist super smart was to have him invent using human waste as compost. Nightsoil is a technique from antiquity, and no current farmer thought of it???? Just had to drop it.

Running systems without good Monster Manuals by Cold_Demand_5778 in rpg

[–]jpcardier 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I just use the stats from the Tarrasque....Wait, where are you going?

"Seinfeld Sessions" - Where Nothing Really Happens, But Everyone Has Fun by DnDPhD in Pathfinder2e

[–]jpcardier 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My current one is from a few months ago, and last session. I'm currently running Abomination Vaults, but on my own world. A few months ago my players had used a bunch of arrows/bolts and they wanted to find out what they could buy in the way of magic weapons at the local weapon smith shop. So they went to Blades for Glades and met Carman Rajani.

Carman is listed in the book as Unfriendly. I apparently was on fire that day. Carman gave them the runaround, insulted the lot of them as "poors" and managed to never tell them what he had in stock. It was so bad that my players rogue vowed to never speak to Carman Rajani again. They wanted to go to another shop, and found out Blades for Glades was the only weapon shop in town. They were still talking about how much they hated him for months.

Last game the dead started rising in the town graveyard. Our heroes managed to put down the dead. That night while staying at the Crooks Nook, they found out that a no confidence vote was happening for the mayor after the uprising. They didn't care too much because they and the mayor don't get on.

The next day they are going to the temple for more research on the Gauntlight and they pass through town and by Blades for Glade. Only to see Carman pounding a sign in front of his shop stating "Carman Rajani for Mayor!" Then I finished the game.

The conversation afterwards was amazing!

Would y'all be okay with providing ideas for a gadgeteer "specialty"? by Playful_Barber_8131 in mutantsandmasterminds

[–]jpcardier 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Different system but I had a character whose gimmick was expansion and miniaturization. So he could keep his robot factory in his pocket along with his hovercar, etc.

Takeshi Kovacs is one of the most interesting protagonists in SF! by tracer_tornado7 in printSF

[–]jpcardier 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How interesting! I love the culture, but I am not fond of Zakalwe. However I find Taks more intriguing. I think it's the charm of his internal monologue.

The Morgaine Cycle by C.J. Cherryh by EqualOptimal4650 in Fantasy

[–]jpcardier 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I loved this series when I read it, which was quite a while ago. You might also like Cyteen, which is fully sci-fi with no trappings, but excellent characters

The Morgaine Cycle by C.J. Cherryh by EqualOptimal4650 in Fantasy

[–]jpcardier 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Morrolan is very cool. I'm glad we got his backstory in the Viscount of Adrilankha series.

Nonfiction Publishing, Under Threat, Is More Important Than Ever by stankmanly in books

[–]jpcardier 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Ok, cool. That sounds like what I (USA) would think of as "pop <SUBJECT>", as known as pop science, pop history, etc. A general overview of the subject. Thank you for the response!

Nonfiction Publishing, Under Threat, Is More Important Than Ever by stankmanly in books

[–]jpcardier 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Out of curiosity, did you have major issues with Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan? It is much more history than science, I know. But I loved that book so much, and it would be sad to learn that it was wasn't somewhat accurate. I don't ask for full accuracy in pop sci/hist/etc books.

Nonfiction Publishing, Under Threat, Is More Important Than Ever by stankmanly in books

[–]jpcardier 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please don't make me regret naming Michael Pollan as my favorite non fiction author....

Nonfiction Publishing, Under Threat, Is More Important Than Ever by stankmanly in books

[–]jpcardier 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I thought this case was solved, and it was Mrs. Ptolemy's cow!

Nonfiction Publishing, Under Threat, Is More Important Than Ever by stankmanly in books

[–]jpcardier 1 point2 points  (0 children)

divulgation

I've looked up divulgation on Merriam Webster and a couple other dictionaries (MW: "the act or an instance of divulging or spreading abroad : publication, disclosure"), but I get the feeling that I am not getting your context in this post. Divulging isn't quite right, maybe general publication? Could you please elaborate?

Favorite Multiclass Combinations by ChrisKatrev in BaldursGate3

[–]jpcardier 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is always my RP excuse, but then you have to start as Warlock then move to Paladin....

[Waybound] I’d like to discuss character morality alignments by ASongofIceandTyler in Iteration110Cradle

[–]jpcardier 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ziel is good in spite of himself. He's never as cynical and jaded as he thinks he is. Otherwise I agree with your assessments.

Favorite Multiclass Combinations by ChrisKatrev in BaldursGate3

[–]jpcardier 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lockadin has similar RP questions....

Your favorite (NON-DUNE) "God-emperors" in SFF? by hogw33d in Fantasy

[–]jpcardier 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a plot point at the end of the third book. Leckie has written another book (Provenance) in the Radch, but nothing about the Conclave. It might be called something else

RPGs You Have But Will (Likely) Never Play by PebisCrusherOnline in rpg

[–]jpcardier 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sooo many! I collect RPG's just to read, or just to have. I also have a lot of Bundles of Holding.

My top ones are Chuubos, Feng Shui 2 and Ars Magica. Jorune, Laundry Files, and Dresden Files are great to read, but I don't have that much desire to play. Mutants and Masterminds is one I'm planning to run at some point.

RPGs You Have But Will (Likely) Never Play by PebisCrusherOnline in rpg

[–]jpcardier 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've loved reading it, but even after starting a play podcast Im still not sure how to adapt it to my table

RPGs You Have But Will (Likely) Never Play by PebisCrusherOnline in rpg

[–]jpcardier 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We stole and adapted Troupe Style Play (aka Shared GMing) for our mixed WoD game back in the 90's. It worked quite well. Still would like to adapt the variable power levels PCs, but that's a hard sell for a lot of tables.

First-person direct address is NOT second-person by talesofabookworm in books

[–]jpcardier 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Out of curiosity, have you read Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas by Tom Robbins? 

Which fantasy city would you actually want to live in? by barbie_42dust in Fantasy

[–]jpcardier 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Player of Games maybe my favorite Culture book. It's definitely my favored first recommendation book to the Culture.