tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446461178381374626.post2028739768121174636..comments2024-03-27T23:28:19.341-07:00Comments on Telecanter's Receding Rules: DMing the FolksTelecanterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238356788092725244noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446461178381374626.post-2213417678692118242010-12-29T11:41:03.977-08:002010-12-29T11:41:03.977-08:00True, though you could do something clever with it...True, though you could do something clever with it. It's probably easier to just base something on it though.C'nor (Outermost_Toe)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01580315916281876117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446461178381374626.post-11512160164452182072010-12-28T22:57:44.075-08:002010-12-28T22:57:44.075-08:00Whoops, yeah, I was conflating the two, nix the mu...Whoops, yeah, I was conflating the two, nix the musical part, the random part still stands.Telecanterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07238356788092725244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446461178381374626.post-27985928047396850682010-12-28T12:41:27.276-08:002010-12-28T12:41:27.276-08:00Are you sure you aren't thinking of Heward'...Are you sure you aren't thinking of Heward's Mystical Organ? The Machine of Lum The Mad says: "Perhaps this strange device was built by gods long forgotten and survived the eons since their passing, for it is incredibly ancient and of workmanship unlike anything known today. The <i>Machine</i> was used by Baron Lum to build an empire, but what has since become of this ponderous mechanism none can say. Legends report that it has 60 levers,40 dials, and 20 switches. (but only about one-half still function). Singly or in combination, these controls will generate all sorts of powers and effects. <br /><br />The <i>Machine</i> is delicate, intricate, bulky and very heavy (5,500 pounds). It cannot be moved normally, and any serious jolt will set off and then destroy 1-4 functions of the artifact which can never be restored. It has a booth of suitable size for 4 man sized creatures (4' X 5' X 7') to stand inside, and if a creature or object is placed therein and the <i>Machine's</i> controls are worked, something might happen. You must matrix the 60 levers, 40 dials, and 20 switches showing which will perform functions. You may opt to include powers and/or effects of your own devising."C'nor (Outermost_Toe)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01580315916281876117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446461178381374626.post-89264715731756680342010-12-28T08:04:08.845-08:002010-12-28T08:04:08.845-08:00I almost made that very comparison in the post. I...I almost made that very comparison in the post. I think I hesitated because a) the Machine of Lum The Mad always seemed to be an organ to me, and being a non-musician, an organ, especially one that isn't physically present to poke at, is mysterious and frustrating, and b) it always seemed random. I'm more interested in an "Alien Machine" which is more like a toy; something not too hard to figure out and fun things can then be done with it.Telecanterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07238356788092725244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446461178381374626.post-85857235651597584062010-12-27T18:29:11.230-08:002010-12-27T18:29:11.230-08:00Would you mean like the Machine of Lum The Mad?Would you mean like the Machine of Lum The Mad?C'nor (Outermost_Toe)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01580315916281876117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446461178381374626.post-78820648869314768862010-12-23T17:04:46.665-08:002010-12-23T17:04:46.665-08:00Thanks all, you've got me thinking of the Wiza...Thanks all, you've got me thinking of the Wizard of Oz as something fantastic but also mainstream in addition to fairy tales.<br /><br />@cyclopeatron: You're cracking me up, hissing, wall climbing babies is right down my alley, and exactly what I'm trying to avoid here, haha. Also, the fact you took your mom LARPing is fabulous.Telecanterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07238356788092725244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446461178381374626.post-16035823922665598232010-12-23T11:33:35.917-08:002010-12-23T11:33:35.917-08:00Last Thanksgiving my niece the Dungeon Mistress ra...Last Thanksgiving my niece the Dungeon Mistress ran a big family D&D game that went over pretty well. I think there were two main ingredients to the success. <br /><br />First, it was heavily fairy-tale oriented. We were on a quest to find two children lost in the forest. There were some Hansel & Gretel overtones in the beginning before it got really weird. The game ended in an infinite house with hissing children crawling on the ceiling attacking us. I thought it was awesome and was totally proud of my niece, but the end may have been a little too bizzaro for my sisters.<br /><br />Second, she kept it very rules-light with a heavy emphasis on RP.<br /><br />Incidentally, last Spring I took my mom, who's in her mid-70s, to a LARP con and she joined in a Vampire LARP run by Mark Rein-Hagen himself. It was a little too heavy for her, but she was a good sport for trying it out!Bob Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12073807225519106277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446461178381374626.post-73583869713768518242010-12-23T11:04:30.264-08:002010-12-23T11:04:30.264-08:00I agree with David; giant ants/rats/bugs/etc. in a...I agree with David; giant ants/rats/bugs/etc. in a mad wizard's lab is accessible and not off-putting. I understand your concerns. When I run games for my grandson, I'm always making sure the bad guys are BAD and the threats severe. Don't want violence to seem like a casual, easy solution.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18158916950442942918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446461178381374626.post-90921895849780295102010-12-23T10:12:27.859-08:002010-12-23T10:12:27.859-08:00try to include something they know and like. maybe...try to include something they know and like. maybe something from an author they read or a movie they saw. something from a story they told you as a child might be perfect.<br /><br />recognizable stuff is helpful, especially if the new players are a bit sceptical about rpgs in general. it helps getting them involved.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446461178381374626.post-46631050602083784122010-12-23T09:44:07.863-08:002010-12-23T09:44:07.863-08:00Fairy tale D&D might be a way to go. Minimal v...Fairy tale D&D might be a way to go. Minimal violence, heavy on dialogue and symbolism... good luck!ze bulettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15603716850479808633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446461178381374626.post-38527469272558604112010-12-23T09:24:48.561-08:002010-12-23T09:24:48.561-08:00Giant ants and a crazy wizards laboratory/mad scie...Giant ants and a crazy wizards laboratory/mad scientists lab sounds like the start to a great welcoming intro adventure!David The Archmagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11649391406526258069noreply@blogger.com