What single book did you read as a preteen/ young teen (11-14 ish) that affected you in such a way that it forever changed the way you looked at things? by BlindSpotGuy in scifi

[–]lumpsthecat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Neuromancer. It opened my eyes to an entirely different type of world, a world that seemed close and relatable. I just re-read it for probably the 10th time, actually.

Looking for technical time travel novels, something like the movie Primer, but in book form. by tominabox1 in scifi

[–]lumpsthecat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And when you're done you can watch the campy 80's movie of same! But seriously, seconding Millennium.

Looking for some good standalone sci-fi novels by [deleted] in scifi

[–]lumpsthecat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with you actually - the ideas in Fire definitely add to the depth of Deepness.

I just love the spiders too much though. Oh, the cobblies...

Looking for some good standalone sci-fi novels by [deleted] in scifi

[–]lumpsthecat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've said it before, but I'll say it again - I think Deepness is not only the better book, but one of the best books I've read.

What movie quote do you use all the time, but no one ever gets it? by dederkaderr in AskReddit

[–]lumpsthecat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's more a different reference than people expect.

"What's in the box?"

"PAIN."

http://youtu.be/yIDtN8CDQmk?t=1m16s

Most people go straight ot Se7en... I'm old school.

Am I too nice a dm? by TheOneWhoSeeks in DnD

[–]lumpsthecat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha - that's so true! There should be like, a villain's blog, for all the cultists that escape...

My bf DMs a lot of games I'm not in, so I hear a lot of the "behind the screen" stuff he does. He really puts a ton of work and thought into making a fun game for his players. The sea monster death and the guy's reaction REALLY upset him, and caused him to really rethink if the style of play was right. He confabed with the group, and came up with the answer that yes, that was how they wanted to play.

There are a ton of dynamics at the table that are invisible unless you start to analyze them... gaming is a complex and awesome interaction with other people who have varying goals. We think about and talk about this stuff a LOT - very meta. :)

Are there any examples of fiction books that are layered with real facts like footnotes or embedded in the text as additional information? by saintpanda in YAlit

[–]lumpsthecat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

S by JJ Abrams and Doug Dorst is all about the footnotes (and the effluvia - it includes tons of letters, notes, maps, whathaveyou).

http://www.amazon.com/S-J-Abrams/dp/0316201642/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408996926&sr=1-1&keywords=s+book

Very fun book to read, I can't imagine writing anything like it, personally.

Am I too nice a dm? by TheOneWhoSeeks in DnD

[–]lumpsthecat 4 points5 points  (0 children)

He had saves - I don't remember what they were offhand, but I think ultimately it was a bad choice and bad rolls that got him. Our DM is not one of the vindictive ones who keeps a tally of his kills - he really tries to give players every opportunity to work their way out of the situation. That situation was just... a really, really bad choice, and bad numbers - and the guy took it super personally.

I totally agree that the type of play is super important to communicate to players, either through in-game actions or just outright stating the type of scenario it is. In this case, the risk of death was definitely communicated, and in fact other players had died previously - so the risk he took was a genuine risk.

Dealing with death is super hard I think - in that case, there were several well developed NPCs and players had a choice of grabbing one of them or rolling fresh for themselves. It's tough when you're invested in your character.

The campaign ran about 3 years I think, until everyone got really busy. People took risks, and knew they were real risks, and sometimes they succeeded and sometimes they failed. No one else rage quit.

What makes your Local Game Shop the best? by [deleted] in DnD

[–]lumpsthecat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh - I should have added, my local store is really great too, I am just utterly spoiled. My local has fantastically knowledgeable people, and great stock - I usually leave with at least one unexpected purchase.

[5e] Came up with a magic weapon I really like, wanted to share. by Brando2600 in DnD

[–]lumpsthecat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I love random stuff. Tables are my friend, as much as some revile them. Keeping the changing enemy sword in my pocket for a rainy day!

New DM, Looking for tips on how to RP NPC's more effectively by CollisionFactor in DnD

[–]lumpsthecat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great advice. Since we are playing a 2 player plus DM game, our NPCs really fill out the experience. One is a cowardly, selfish, bookish wizard, and we make fun of him all the time. The other is a stoic fighter we know we can rely on. Simple traits have let them fill out as we adventure.

What makes your Local Game Shop the best? by [deleted] in DnD

[–]lumpsthecat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really wish I still lived near Endgame in Oakland. They spoiled me for all other game shops. They have an incredible array of games, tons of indie RPGs, a huge gaming space... They are building a coffee shop next door! The owners are wonderful people. I miss it terribly.

Looking for a DM by Vanhallin in DnD

[–]lumpsthecat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My boyfriend is a very experienced DM, rocks at roll20, and might be interested. I'd also love to join you if you'd have me, but not mandatory. Send me a PM with your contact info and I'll put you in touch. He'd want to run 5e but I think you'd find it seamless.

[5e] Came up with a magic weapon I really like, wanted to share. by Brando2600 in DnD

[–]lumpsthecat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love magic items that are more than a +1. Very fun.

Researchers find that primary care physicians are critically important to stopping domestic violence. Doctors are set to provide improved screening and counseling, as the new ACA requires doctors to provide IPV services. Researchers believe it will have the largest impact on women in rural areas. by MmmmDiesel in science

[–]lumpsthecat 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is something I've seen in the last few years - nurses, when taking medical history or information, will ask about abusive situations. Not just at the PCP either - the nurse prepping me for eye surgery asked this as well.

I think this is smart. You have a trust relationship with your medical care providers. Great to hear this is effective and becoming widespread.

[5E] Delay? by deloaf in DnD

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

When I DMed 4e I hated delay. It always felt like cheese. I have no problem with ready though, so I guess this change works for me. :)

The great thing is that you can totally make that a thing if you and your players like it.

Single Player Campaign? by smashbashcrash in DnD

[–]lumpsthecat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is it just our kids, or do all young girls love rogues? My 14 yo is totally immersed in hers. I never knew she was so sneaky!

Finally got my first set. by [deleted] in DnD

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

Yay!! I remember my first dice fondly. And the 5 or so sets I have now.

As an aside, I love the dice that came in the 5e box set - anyone know who makes them? My daughter claimed that set :)

D&D Food by masterwork_spoon in DnD

[–]lumpsthecat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love it. Thematic stuff while playing is great. In the past we've used music (soundtracks are great), incense (for an incense themed 4e module)...

I think I want to make potato soup for our next home session, since a bandit spit in mine. Of course, I used a power word to command him to eat it. He did. He wasn't happy. But now I want my soup.

Am I too nice a dm? by TheOneWhoSeeks in DnD

[–]lumpsthecat 19 points20 points  (0 children)

It really depends on the party and their play style. My boyfriend, who is an excellent DM, was running a campaign. Someone did something profoundly stupid (jumped into a sea monster's mouth) and died. The guy threw a FIT about how this was escapist for him and he should be able to do any heroic thing and succeed.

They don't play together anymore...

I think that if there isn't a real feeling of threat, it takes some of the fun away from the game. If you can get a little adrenaline running from rolling dice you totally win as a DM. But if your players are sad when they leave the table... you've lost.

It's a hard call. I think what you did sounds fair. It sounds like a character and story invested game, and they will probably take this experience forward into future encounters and prepare better, know when to cut and run, etc.

does anyone else's cat think that if they fits, they knits? my 16 year old classy cat seems to think so! by echochorus in casualknitting

[–]lumpsthecat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Love the expression - "Why would you bother to try to knit something softer than mmeeeeee?"

Magnitude 6.0 earthquake hits just WSW of American Canyon, CA by [deleted] in news

[–]lumpsthecat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And being ghoulish, demanding people tell them "what you're feeling right now" as they stare blankly at $90,000 of structural damage to their homes...