I will be the first person to admit: as a LARPer... I -hate- halloween.
I know what you're thinking "what? that doesn't make any sense! you LARP! you should love to dress up and get candy!"
and to this I say: Why?
I have spent 2-3 weeks out of the past few months dressing up as anything I needed to. Gypsies, Pirates, Robots, Plants, A Creepy Clown Girl, the list goes on and on. I simply don't need Halloween anymore because I have atleast one Halloween every month. And when Halloween finally -does- roll around...what should I be?
My character for Mystic Realms is a Sea Elf. I dress her vaguely piratical. (not all sea elves dress like a pirate, but where roleplay goes, costume follows) So, do I really just want to be a pirate? Eh, no. I like Sam(my character) she has a rich backstory and a very unique personality. There's something about not wanting to mess with that.
Should I be a gypsy? The concept of Gypsy isn't a fun costume to pull off anymore. It doesn't stand out enough for my attention mongering personality. Besides. I was just a Gypsy at witches ball. It's pretty much whatever. I could slap a witch hat on the gypsy costume and be a witch...but the thing about costuming for a 24 year old is that I have 3 choices for having a great costume: be a recognizable character, be sexy, or be ridiculous...I'm not sure how to go about that.
Being a recognizable character is a slippery slope. Not all recognizable characters are actually recognizable. I had 2 friends wear AWESOME costumes this past weekend. They were so well thought out and well put together...and I had to ask someone else what they were supposed to be...and yet, the more recognizable you get, the blander the costume becomes.
Well, once I figure it out, I guess I will post some pictures.
I have a few ideas, why not vote/leave suggestions in the comments?
My options:
Witch, Black Cat, Queen of Hearts, Medusa(or any matter of Greek/Roman Characters), Gypsy, Pirate, Some sort of fairy like creature...
any other ideas?
Monday, October 15, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
D&D: 3.5 vs 4.0
I know, volatile subject for some.
I know there are people who loathe 4.0, and people who would MUCH rather play it than 3.5.
My opinion? I like 4.0. Perhaps because 4.0 is (in my opinion) more streamlined. I absolutely hate having to "check the rulebook" and waiting to figure out how to work a skill or discovering that a relatively simple sounding task is even more complicated than the last simple sounding task that I had to look up was. Bottom line:
3.5 is great for people who love skills. It's wonderful for the type of gamer who likes to manipulate their character to be totally broken, to destroy the crap out of monsters and NPCs and move to the next task, collecting experience along the way. There are tons of abilities, skills, spells and other things that you can make or break a scene with although sometimes it can get a little convoluted.
4.0 is great for the group who loves storytelling. If you've got a great DM(dungeon master) and a creative collective of PCs, you will have a great time. From my experiences, 4.0 is less about beating the shit out of NPCs and more about roleplaying and storytelling. Again, this is all my own experiences.
I used to hate...absolutely loathe...D&D and many forms of tabletop because it always came down to arguments. Whether it was over alignments, skill usage, or rules queries, my gameplay was always stifled by out of game disputes and discrepancies. No matter how many times the ultimate "DM's call" rule was quoted, someone always thought it was unfair, or biased, or uneducated. More often than not in the last case, a player would feel it their divine job to educate this DM on the "right" judgement call. I have yet to have an issue with this particular problem in 4.0. I feel that the game is soo streamlined, that DM's call -has- to be the word and law, because the 4.0 system seems to be written for the storyteller to do just that, tell a story. Rather than getting bogged down by "in this circumstance" or "because this is in effect" the storyteller can go about his or her business, get their players completely wrapped up in the story. This is the optimal Role Playing game, because then no body cares to argue. The story teller focuses on plot and details and setting instead of combat, stats and scenarios. The player focuses more on development, personality and relationship instead of skills, alignment and defeat. This makes for a much more enjoyable session, and also makes it alot easier to bear the re-telling of what happened at your friends last game.
Because I'm always more entertained by "and then we answered the riddles and tricked the troll into attacking his ally" rather than "I rolled a 26 with my bonuses and he only rolled a 10, so ...."
I know there are people who loathe 4.0, and people who would MUCH rather play it than 3.5.
My opinion? I like 4.0. Perhaps because 4.0 is (in my opinion) more streamlined. I absolutely hate having to "check the rulebook" and waiting to figure out how to work a skill or discovering that a relatively simple sounding task is even more complicated than the last simple sounding task that I had to look up was. Bottom line:
3.5 is great for people who love skills. It's wonderful for the type of gamer who likes to manipulate their character to be totally broken, to destroy the crap out of monsters and NPCs and move to the next task, collecting experience along the way. There are tons of abilities, skills, spells and other things that you can make or break a scene with although sometimes it can get a little convoluted.
4.0 is great for the group who loves storytelling. If you've got a great DM(dungeon master) and a creative collective of PCs, you will have a great time. From my experiences, 4.0 is less about beating the shit out of NPCs and more about roleplaying and storytelling. Again, this is all my own experiences.
I used to hate...absolutely loathe...D&D and many forms of tabletop because it always came down to arguments. Whether it was over alignments, skill usage, or rules queries, my gameplay was always stifled by out of game disputes and discrepancies. No matter how many times the ultimate "DM's call" rule was quoted, someone always thought it was unfair, or biased, or uneducated. More often than not in the last case, a player would feel it their divine job to educate this DM on the "right" judgement call. I have yet to have an issue with this particular problem in 4.0. I feel that the game is soo streamlined, that DM's call -has- to be the word and law, because the 4.0 system seems to be written for the storyteller to do just that, tell a story. Rather than getting bogged down by "in this circumstance" or "because this is in effect" the storyteller can go about his or her business, get their players completely wrapped up in the story. This is the optimal Role Playing game, because then no body cares to argue. The story teller focuses on plot and details and setting instead of combat, stats and scenarios. The player focuses more on development, personality and relationship instead of skills, alignment and defeat. This makes for a much more enjoyable session, and also makes it alot easier to bear the re-telling of what happened at your friends last game.
Because I'm always more entertained by "and then we answered the riddles and tricked the troll into attacking his ally" rather than "I rolled a 26 with my bonuses and he only rolled a 10, so ...."
Thursday, October 11, 2012
TABLETOP THURSDAY
Thought I forgot about this, huh?? Nah, just revamping, focusing on other gaming stuff and getting a job...
Anyway...
The Card Game GLOOM
# of players: 2-4 (way better with 4)
price: $24.95
Rating (muggle to 1337)
N00b.
In my opinion, this is a great and fun game to play. It's easy, not too quick, but not too long, and it's fun. The best part about this game is the storytelling behind it. Get creative! It's way more fun that way!
How to Play:
Pick a family! there are four families you can play in this game, and each family has 5 members. You're goal is to make every member of your family die as miserable as possible, and to do your best to make your opponent's family live a wondrous and happy life with little to know obstacles and tons of sunshine and rainbows.
deal your hands. you either get pleasant cards (to place on your opponents family) or unpleasant occurrences (to subject your own family to). Once one player's entire family is dead and gone, add up points. Player with the most points wins. don't forget to subtract points for the finer points of your character's lives!
This is great game to play when you're tired of games. Seriously, it's lighthearted, creative...and actually quite competitive. My friends and I had a great time screwing with each other's families and teaming up on each other.
Anyway...
The Card Game GLOOM
price: $24.95
Rating (muggle to 1337)
N00b.
In my opinion, this is a great and fun game to play. It's easy, not too quick, but not too long, and it's fun. The best part about this game is the storytelling behind it. Get creative! It's way more fun that way!
How to Play:
Pick a family! there are four families you can play in this game, and each family has 5 members. You're goal is to make every member of your family die as miserable as possible, and to do your best to make your opponent's family live a wondrous and happy life with little to know obstacles and tons of sunshine and rainbows.
deal your hands. you either get pleasant cards (to place on your opponents family) or unpleasant occurrences (to subject your own family to). Once one player's entire family is dead and gone, add up points. Player with the most points wins. don't forget to subtract points for the finer points of your character's lives!
This is great game to play when you're tired of games. Seriously, it's lighthearted, creative...and actually quite competitive. My friends and I had a great time screwing with each other's families and teaming up on each other.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
RATING SYSTEM
Keep in mind, I will probably make up new names or criteria as I see fit...
On a Scale of Muggle to 1337:
Muggle: easy, fast and fun. Anyone can play this. For some, it may even be TOO simple, TOO boring or end TOO quickly.
N00b: Two outta three ain't bad. It may be a bit complicated, or take a while, or start slow, but eventually, the game picks up to a point where you can have a great time playing, and perhaps even want to play again.
Gamer: The mid way. Not everyone will love this game, but most will enjoy it. It's either complex, long, or tedious, but not all three.
Power Gamer: 1 out of three is bad. Complex, Tedious, Takes hours to get somewhere. Pick two, that perfectly describes this game.
1337: Don't even bother. This game is frustrating, you have to devote a day to it, and it never picks up to a point where you would feel comfortable playing it. Bypass.
On a Scale of Muggle to 1337:
Muggle: easy, fast and fun. Anyone can play this. For some, it may even be TOO simple, TOO boring or end TOO quickly.
N00b: Two outta three ain't bad. It may be a bit complicated, or take a while, or start slow, but eventually, the game picks up to a point where you can have a great time playing, and perhaps even want to play again.
Gamer: The mid way. Not everyone will love this game, but most will enjoy it. It's either complex, long, or tedious, but not all three.
Power Gamer: 1 out of three is bad. Complex, Tedious, Takes hours to get somewhere. Pick two, that perfectly describes this game.
1337: Don't even bother. This game is frustrating, you have to devote a day to it, and it never picks up to a point where you would feel comfortable playing it. Bypass.
Weekly Review Wednesday!
Today I will do my first tabletop gaming review (though I may move them to Tuesdays or Thursdays...primarily for the joys of alliteration. I do love alliteration)
This Week's Review:
Boxers or Briefs.
#of Players: the box says 4-10. I feel this is fairly accurate. Like Apples to Apples, this game is best played with the more the merrier.
price: Amazon.com is giving me like $15 but We got it for $8 at Walmart...
Rating: On a scale of Muggle to 1337,
I would give this game a rating of Muggle. It's cheap, easy to understand and fun to play. No complicated rules or exceptions and special circumstances. you deal a hand of cards and play.
This game is actually quite similar to Apples to Apples in that you are trying to impress the judge (which varies every turn) by playing cards that relate to a I Statement based randomly on a die roll (I like, I want etc)
The great part of this game is that there are two winners every round. The true statement winner and the funny statement winner.
You see, the cards have plain statements like "I like to go camping"
and they have ridiculous statements like "I like to wear my underwear on my head"
it is up to the players to decide which card to play, and up to the judge to decide which is funny and which is true.
I have played this game twice, with two completely different groups of friends
both times the results were hilarious, fun...and sometimes WAY too much information,
however, I would definitely recommend this for a group of friends who are playing with the intent of having fun.
the game is easy to understand, fun to play and some of the statements on the cards are just hilarious. It's not monopoly or risk or anything with too many rules or pieces so its a great icebreaker for new friends, or a good game to play if you plan on drinking as well ;)
This Week's Review:
#of Players: the box says 4-10. I feel this is fairly accurate. Like Apples to Apples, this game is best played with the more the merrier.
price: Amazon.com is giving me like $15 but We got it for $8 at Walmart...
Rating: On a scale of Muggle to 1337,
I would give this game a rating of Muggle. It's cheap, easy to understand and fun to play. No complicated rules or exceptions and special circumstances. you deal a hand of cards and play.
This game is actually quite similar to Apples to Apples in that you are trying to impress the judge (which varies every turn) by playing cards that relate to a I Statement based randomly on a die roll (I like, I want etc)
The great part of this game is that there are two winners every round. The true statement winner and the funny statement winner.
You see, the cards have plain statements like "I like to go camping"
and they have ridiculous statements like "I like to wear my underwear on my head"
it is up to the players to decide which card to play, and up to the judge to decide which is funny and which is true.
I have played this game twice, with two completely different groups of friends
both times the results were hilarious, fun...and sometimes WAY too much information,
however, I would definitely recommend this for a group of friends who are playing with the intent of having fun.
the game is easy to understand, fun to play and some of the statements on the cards are just hilarious. It's not monopoly or risk or anything with too many rules or pieces so its a great icebreaker for new friends, or a good game to play if you plan on drinking as well ;)
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
FOOOOD
Went shopping for some of the food for Mystic Realms (I'm the concessions manager there) We've Biscuits and Sausage Gravy for breakfast, Chicken Soup for lunch, and Potroast with Apple Cobbler for the feast. It will be glorious...if only I can find my elf ears...seriously, it's been bad. I've had to buy new ear tips every event for the past 3 months, and they keep getting lost :eyeroll: It's getting really old really quick.
I've been itching to play a tabletop game for a while lately, but we haven't had the time. Adventureland Comics in the Voorhees town center has d&d mondays scheduled, but the last time I checked, they were looking for DMs...so if any of my friends out there were feeling up to it, they should totally go and try it out!
I've been thinking about learning how to run Mystic Realms tabletop games...(yes they exist...how AWESOME is that?)
either way, Tomorrow I will be reviewing a game...it's looking like it will wind up being Suitors or Gloom...but not sure...
any more suggestions or votes???
I've been itching to play a tabletop game for a while lately, but we haven't had the time. Adventureland Comics in the Voorhees town center has d&d mondays scheduled, but the last time I checked, they were looking for DMs...so if any of my friends out there were feeling up to it, they should totally go and try it out!
I've been thinking about learning how to run Mystic Realms tabletop games...(yes they exist...how AWESOME is that?)
either way, Tomorrow I will be reviewing a game...it's looking like it will wind up being Suitors or Gloom...but not sure...
any more suggestions or votes???
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Gamer, as an identifier
I always feel ridiculous when I try to identify myself as a gamer...there are so many different ways to interpret this, and even though the term is applicable, I rarely feel as if it applies to me. Mainstream vernacular tells me that the word "gamer" more recently applies to those who play video games and computer games. Possibly trading card games. I do none of these, yet I am still a gamer.
Anyway,
I had my interview at the Aquarium today. My interviewer was very interested in my participation at Mystic Realms, primarily because it is an improv and dramatic acting troupe in addition to being a totally awesome game and community. Since I was applying for their shows and whatnot, the experience was applicable, and I figured, why not talk about the experience that I enjoy and partake in frequently. All in all, I hope it went well.
Don't forget to tell me which review you'd like to see most from me. I think I will put up my reviews on Wednesdays...
here are my choices for review...feel free to vote on them.
codes as follows [BG]=board game [CG]=Card Game
[BG]Arkham Horror
[BG]Ticket to Ride
[CG]Suitors
[CG] Gloom
[BG]Betrayal at House on the Hill
[BG]Quelf
[BG]Boxers or Briefs
Anyway,
I had my interview at the Aquarium today. My interviewer was very interested in my participation at Mystic Realms, primarily because it is an improv and dramatic acting troupe in addition to being a totally awesome game and community. Since I was applying for their shows and whatnot, the experience was applicable, and I figured, why not talk about the experience that I enjoy and partake in frequently. All in all, I hope it went well.
Don't forget to tell me which review you'd like to see most from me. I think I will put up my reviews on Wednesdays...
here are my choices for review...feel free to vote on them.
codes as follows [BG]=board game [CG]=Card Game
[BG]Arkham Horror
[BG]Ticket to Ride
[CG]Suitors
[CG] Gloom
[BG]Betrayal at House on the Hill
[BG]Quelf
[BG]Boxers or Briefs
Saturday, September 22, 2012
The weak customer chooses the understandable rack
Ok,
so, it's been a while, but I have an excuse!
I left my job after having a surgery that left me unable to lift, and utterly unable to find the motivation to do warehouse work anymore...
I just recently got a new job teaching dance, yoga and sports to daycares and pre schools.
Tomorrow i have an interview at A local Aquarium! I'm excited! Wish me luck!
Back to the purpose of this blog
My pretend lives have been going swimmingly.
I ran an event for Mystic Realms in July. I would like to say that the event ran well, AND we wrapped up a long story arc in a fun and surprising way.
I started 2 thats TWO D&D campaigns with a few groups of friends. I still haven't come out of my comfort zone of "Elf Mage" but I'm sure that it will happen eventually. We started "The World's Largest Dungeon, complete with tons of horrific tentacle monsters (and for those of you who havent known me I am TERRIFIED of things with Tentacles...more on that later) and lots and lots of Rats...seriously like gigantic rats, and swarms of rats, and rat plagues...its gross.
the second campaign, has puzzle telling doors (or rather A puzzle telling door that magically moves all over the realm) cursed boots, and riddle telling bridge trolls. It's exciting and interesting.
I've also purchased two board games, and played a bunch more, so I think that once a week, I will review a board game for you, and you can feel free to suggest or send :crosses fingers: me a game to review! I will also have pictures and testimonials from other players!
This Week, here are my choices for review...feel free to vote on them codes as follows [BG]=board game [CG]=Card Game
[BG]Arkham Horror
[BG]Ticket to Ride
[CG]Suitors
[CG] Gloom
[BG]Betrayal at House on the Hill
[BG]Quelf
[BG]Boxers or Briefs
feel free to comment with the review you'd most like to see!
also: The weak customer chooses the understandable rack
this is a code to get my blog on a pay-per-post site...so ... :crosses fingers:
so, it's been a while, but I have an excuse!
I left my job after having a surgery that left me unable to lift, and utterly unable to find the motivation to do warehouse work anymore...
I just recently got a new job teaching dance, yoga and sports to daycares and pre schools.
Tomorrow i have an interview at A local Aquarium! I'm excited! Wish me luck!
Back to the purpose of this blog
My pretend lives have been going swimmingly.
I ran an event for Mystic Realms in July. I would like to say that the event ran well, AND we wrapped up a long story arc in a fun and surprising way.
I started 2 thats TWO D&D campaigns with a few groups of friends. I still haven't come out of my comfort zone of "Elf Mage" but I'm sure that it will happen eventually. We started "The World's Largest Dungeon, complete with tons of horrific tentacle monsters (and for those of you who havent known me I am TERRIFIED of things with Tentacles...more on that later) and lots and lots of Rats...seriously like gigantic rats, and swarms of rats, and rat plagues...its gross.
the second campaign, has puzzle telling doors (or rather A puzzle telling door that magically moves all over the realm) cursed boots, and riddle telling bridge trolls. It's exciting and interesting.
I've also purchased two board games, and played a bunch more, so I think that once a week, I will review a board game for you, and you can feel free to suggest or send :crosses fingers: me a game to review! I will also have pictures and testimonials from other players!
This Week, here are my choices for review...feel free to vote on them codes as follows [BG]=board game [CG]=Card Game
[BG]Arkham Horror
[BG]Ticket to Ride
[CG]Suitors
[CG] Gloom
[BG]Betrayal at House on the Hill
[BG]Quelf
[BG]Boxers or Briefs
feel free to comment with the review you'd most like to see!
also: The weak customer chooses the understandable rack
this is a code to get my blog on a pay-per-post site...so ... :crosses fingers:
Monday, April 9, 2012
The Coming Apocalypse
We've discovered that my friends daughter would be like, the best apocalypse baby in the world. While walking through the woods the other day, I had her on my back. She would hold on tight, and duck when told to. Just gotta work on her not moving when she's told to stay :p but she's a toddler...and this isn't the real apocalypse, so I figure we have time...
Which brings me to Mystic Realms' Apocalyptic Earth game coming up on Saturday. I'm hoping to be able to go down later in the day and NPC (thats a non-player character for those of you who still hold a shread of "cool factor") fingers crossed, I will be able to leave the area at like 3:30 and be there by dinner time.
I'm redonkulously excited by the fact that Mystic Realms has so many different opportunities and genres for playing. You just don't see that enough. I'm crossing my fingers for a Steampunk game soon...or maybe I will just run one...
Which brings me to Mystic Realms' Apocalyptic Earth game coming up on Saturday. I'm hoping to be able to go down later in the day and NPC (thats a non-player character for those of you who still hold a shread of "cool factor") fingers crossed, I will be able to leave the area at like 3:30 and be there by dinner time.
I'm redonkulously excited by the fact that Mystic Realms has so many different opportunities and genres for playing. You just don't see that enough. I'm crossing my fingers for a Steampunk game soon...or maybe I will just run one...
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
A Broken World
I'm hoping to be able to go down to Millville for Mystic Realms' Apocalypse event on the 14th.
I really like the Apocalypse events because it's a chance to explore a new scenario. I got into LARPing with Glory of Guildhall and Empire of Tyrs, so having the chance to do a post-apocalyptic event is still pretty new to me. It's alot more desperate than GoG, which I like.
One of my favorite things about Mystic Realms is all the different kinds of genres they have to do. Between Sci-Fi, Apoc, Horrors, Steampunk, and everything else we do, It's a great change of scenery without having to learn new rules systems or going through events as someone who doesnt know anyone.
Speaking of horrors, I've got to get writing...
I really like the Apocalypse events because it's a chance to explore a new scenario. I got into LARPing with Glory of Guildhall and Empire of Tyrs, so having the chance to do a post-apocalyptic event is still pretty new to me. It's alot more desperate than GoG, which I like.
One of my favorite things about Mystic Realms is all the different kinds of genres they have to do. Between Sci-Fi, Apoc, Horrors, Steampunk, and everything else we do, It's a great change of scenery without having to learn new rules systems or going through events as someone who doesnt know anyone.
Speaking of horrors, I've got to get writing...
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Mystic Realms Larp
In all of my 23 years on this planet, few things have given me more joy than LARPing. Not just in the blatant "I larp, and it's fun, which makes me happy" sense, but the effect this hobby has had on my life goes much deeper than that. I met my best friends and my boyfriend there. It has given me leadership skills, professional skills and acting skills. I have found patience, support and a desire to expand horizons all withthis new hobby that I discovered by accident during my first semester at community college.
Through the years, Mystic Realms has grown up with me. The players and characters have blossomed from people I saw one weekend a month to the people I see on a regular basis. They are the people I live with, the people I work with, and the people I choose to spend nearly every waking moment with, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Mystic Realms has allowed me to be more creative than any outlet I have ever been a part of. I have grown as a person and a leader because of it, and I am so very grateful to have Mystic Realms to call home.
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