[Blog] Thursday Features Thread

Kallak
Kallak
edited February 2016 in General Discussion
I'm making this topic to both announce new Thursday Feature posts, and to create a place where people can post feedback, discussions of the topic at hand, etc..
All the best,
- Kallak
«134

Comments

  • Kallak
    Kallak
    Posts: 1,090 edited February 2016
    This week's Thursday Feature, "A Chat with TableSmith's Bruce Gulke":http://blog.obsidianportal.com/a-chat-with-tablesmiths-bruce-gulke/ is now posted, so please feel free to stop by and give it a read. It's a bit longer than our typical word count target, but hopefully people find it enjoyable nonetheless.

    As for myself, I've been using TableSmith for years, so it's something that I love and have created numerous tables for (with more still under construction). I think it's a fantastic GM resource, and one that you can really make your own. If you're newer to the program (or brand new), I can provide help to get you rolling and let you see some of my own tables if you'd like (I haven't uploaded anything to the Yahoo Group as of yet, so you won't find them there).
    Post edited by Kallak on
    All the best,
    - Kallak
  • Tau_Cetacean
    Tau_Cetacean
    Posts: 285
    503 Service Temporarily Unavailable

    :-(
  • Kallak
    Kallak
    Posts: 1,090
    Aw man, I wonder what that's all about? I looked on both my laptop and my phone, and I'm seeing it normally. Is it just the feature article, or is it the entire blog?
    All the best,
    - Kallak
  • Tau_Cetacean
    Tau_Cetacean
    Posts: 285
    I tried the parent URL as well, so article and blog

    both of them work fine now
  • Tau_Cetacean
    Tau_Cetacean
    Posts: 285
    but hey!!! it was a 503!!! not a 500 or 502!!! novelty!!!
  • NikMak
    NikMak
    Posts: 379
    I can read it fine (UK based, read via android phone on chrome)
  • AaSampson
    Posts: 20
    Shoot me a discussion if you have any further issues reaching Kallaks awesome new blog post @Tau_Cetacean.
  • Kallak
    Kallak
    Posts: 1,090
    The newest Thursday Feature "Plotting a Mystery":http://blog.obsidianportal.com/plotting-a-mystery/ from "ketherian":https://www.obsidianportal.com/profile/ketherian is now up on the Blog, so come on over and check it out.

    As for me, incorporating mysteries is definitely something I don't do as much as I'd like to. Perhaps having a template will convince me to get my ass in gear and fit more of them in there. How about you?
    All the best,
    - Kallak
  • Basileus
    Basileus
    Posts: 585 edited February 2016
    There's something super weird going on with the formatting on iPhone (Safari). I look forward to checking it out though, sounds fun! I'm always looking for good advice on running mystery/investigation plots.
    Post edited by Basileus on
  • AaSampson
    Posts: 20
    Basileus please message me in public discussions with more detail. I'm currently looking into a safari related issue. http://help.obsidianportal.com/discussions
  • Basileus
    Basileus
    Posts: 585 edited February 2016
    Done.

    http://help.obsidianportal.com/discussions/problems/20224-blog-display-on-iphonesafari
    Post edited by Basileus on
  • cgregory
    cgregory
    Posts: 780
    One of the main guidelines I learned from Night's Dark Agents (which uses the Gumshoe System) is when running a Mystery type adventure never let a die roll determine success or failure in finding a clue. If they have a relevant skill they succeed. If they roll successfully (or in the Gumshoe System use a spend), then they find additional information that might give them an advantage in an upcoming encounter.

    They are among us!

    image

                       XCom: Defiance - Campaign of the Month November 2016

     

     

  • twiggyleaf
    twiggyleaf
    Posts: 2,006
    That sounds like good advice to me, cgregory!

    twigs

    "I met a traveller from an antique land....."

    CotM May 2016: Mysteria: set in Wolfgang Baur’s MIDGARD.

    Previous CotM Aug 2012: Shimring: High Level Multiplanar Campaign

    Inner Council Member

  • ketherian
    ketherian
    Posts: 203
    I logged in this morning and saw that my article is up. Is it inappropriate to have a fan-girl moment over the publication of something I've written? I've been writing (and occasionally publishing) for years, but there's something ... special about seeing things get published.

    That is good advice cgregory.

    In systems with a strong dice mechanic, you can always use the dice roll to show level of success. So, a failure leads to less information than a success (or perhaps increasing the amount of time it takes to find the evidence). Alternatively, a failure could lead to a red-herring. Red-herrings (wrong paths towards the solution) can be fun to play through, but when they dead-end and the mystery remains, it's frustrating for players. So it's an aspect I use sparingly. More often than not my red-herrings are parts of a bigger (or secondary plot). This greatly helps offset player frustration.

    BTW, I have a list of mystery references "here":https://swtwc.obsidianportal.com/wikis/murder-mystery-resources

    --
    Ketherian
  • twiggyleaf
    twiggyleaf
    Posts: 2,006
    I guess my feeling is that, whatever game is played, the main thing is the enjoyment of the participants (particularly the players, for the GM primarily should get a big kick out of that as well as seeing his own creations come to life). Sometimes, life has a run of bad luck (even though random averages might suggest otherwise) but this need not be enforced in gaming terms on command of poor dice results. FAIL + FAIL + FAIL does not equal FUN!!!! The GM has every right (and indeed obligation) to change some of those "FAILS" to "FUN".

    twigs

    "I met a traveller from an antique land....."

    CotM May 2016: Mysteria: set in Wolfgang Baur’s MIDGARD.

    Previous CotM Aug 2012: Shimring: High Level Multiplanar Campaign

    Inner Council Member

  • cgregory
    cgregory
    Posts: 780
    In those cases of where you want a red herring due to strong dice mechanics, I'd likely put the fail as providing conflicting results. Provide the real clue and the red herring due to "contamination of the scene". This way the players can chase down either lead, going down the wrong path doesn't cause that moment of frustration if the players know that one of these paths is possibly a red herring.

    They are among us!

    image

                       XCom: Defiance - Campaign of the Month November 2016

     

     

  • Kallak
    Kallak
    Posts: 1,090 edited February 2016
    @Basileus - I implemented a minor "fix", and that format issue that was affecting ketherian's article for safari browser on mobile should be resolved. If you are still seeing any issue with it, can you message me directly with details? Thanks.
    Post edited by Kallak on
    All the best,
    - Kallak
  • Basileus
    Basileus
    Posts: 585
    Looks much better. Still not the same styling, but the formatting on the article looks good.
  • Kallak
    Kallak
    Posts: 1,090
    Hey guys, this week's Thursday Feature "Merging Worlds and Maintaining Game Balance":http://blog.obsidianportal.com/merging-worlds-and-maintaining-game-balance/ from "Keryth987":https://www.obsidianportal.com/profile/Keryth987 is now live on the blog. Head over and check it out when you can.

    Myself, I haven't done too much world merging, but I'm certain there are those here who have. What worlds have you merged? How did it work out?
    All the best,
    - Kallak
  • Keryth987
    Keryth987
    Posts: 1,047
    I like it, but then again, I'm probably biased on this one :)

    Keelah Se'lai,
    Keryth
    "Shadows Over New York":http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/shadows-over-new-york
    "2013 Campaign of The Year":http://blog.obsidianportal.com/2013-coty-shadows-over-new-york/
    "Campaign of the Month July 2013":http://blog.obsidianportal.com/shadows-over-new-york-julys-campaign-of-the-month/

  • twiggyleaf
    twiggyleaf
    Posts: 2,006
    Great work, Keryth

    and a really interesting read. I have so often blended elements of one world into another, so your insights and tips were great!

    twigs

    "I met a traveller from an antique land....."

    CotM May 2016: Mysteria: set in Wolfgang Baur’s MIDGARD.

    Previous CotM Aug 2012: Shimring: High Level Multiplanar Campaign

    Inner Council Member

  • GrayGriffin
    GrayGriffin
    Posts: 19
    Crossovers are a guilty pleasure of mine, so this was a nice read. Although most of the crossover games I'm in have used a less crunch-based system, and also I haven't been the one running them. This might be useful for if I ever write up that Plural Apocalypse Crossover AU, though...
  • NikMak
    NikMak
    Posts: 379
    Nice article :)
  • Kallak
    Kallak
    Posts: 1,090
    Despite being posted far later in the day than normal (sorry about that, long story), the newest Thursday Feature, "The Sword on the Mantle":http://blog.obsidianportal.com/sword-on-the-mantle/ from "Lxcharon":https://www.obsidianportal.com/profile/Lxcharon is now live on the blog.

    This article covers ground that I love to tread as the GM. It's an awesome feeling when you get your party to waste a fireball spell on a level 2 messenger merely because he's creepy as hell and had an awesome description of his arrival.
    All the best,
    - Kallak
  • Basileus
    Basileus
    Posts: 585
    - rolls Will save against Star Trek joke -

    - Natural 1 -
  • twiggyleaf
    twiggyleaf
    Posts: 2,006
    Classic Theatre: NIL - Classic TV Show: ONE!

    twigs

    "I met a traveller from an antique land....."

    CotM May 2016: Mysteria: set in Wolfgang Baur’s MIDGARD.

    Previous CotM Aug 2012: Shimring: High Level Multiplanar Campaign

    Inner Council Member

  • Lxcharon
    Lxcharon
    Posts: 189 edited March 2016
    Yay! I'm glad it got posted, and hard core shout out to Kallak for putting up with me and how annoying I am. As my boss says "The most annoying thing about dealing with you people is how much artistic types need to be coddled." Hope everyone enjoys!

    Also on a side note While Anton Chekhov and Pavel Chekov are not related, Anton Yelchin plays Chekov in the new Star Trek, so there is Anton Chekhov and Anton's Chekov.

    ~
    The wars of man are nothing to the wars of Gods.
    "Realm of the Six Gods":https://terrasia.obsidianportal.com/
    Post edited by Lxcharon on
  • Basileus
    Basileus
    Posts: 585 edited March 2016
    Lxcharon, for that, I must award you an internet.

    Use it wisely and in good health!
    Post edited by Basileus on
  • Lxcharon
    Lxcharon
    Posts: 189
    Oh Yay!

    I'll try not to get it wet, or feed it after midnight.

    ~
    The wars of man are nothing to the wars of Gods.
    "Realm of the Six Gods":https://terrasia.obsidianportal.com/
  • Maesenko
    Maesenko
    Posts: 325 edited March 2016
    And keep it out of direct sunlight! Sunlight is not good for internets.
    Post edited by Maesenko on

    ~Mae

    CotM Selection Committee

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