those who role play however; might not always be the best in a fight, but they do make the experience of playing more fun - even if it is only because of the arguments about why they didn't take action x in the fight..........i think that the difference in the two types of players can be picked up in the why method......those who role play will follow the chain of why's until they build a sufficiently strong history that clearly indicates the characters motivation whereas; those who roll play would maybe bother with one why........both types of players want to create an interesting character, but they go about it in different ways, the question is how do you satisfy both desires?

at this moment the rest of the my train of thought has left the station without me.........so it seems that the completed ponder will wait till another time.

:)

Nós que jogamos bastante RPG, MMORPG e outros jogos que interagimos tomando uma forma de um personagem em um mundo fictício normalmente tomamos como padrão o heroísmo como forma de levar os nossos personagens a frente. Salvar o mundo, a donzela e destruir o mal que vem assolando o reinado.

Uma coisa que me intriga sempre e qual é o papel daquele que tem o poder de mudar as coisas, ser diferente de tudo e todos, poder fazer as coisas apenas do seu jeito. Será o papel do Anti-heroi? Ou papel do jogador?

O Anti-herói

Vamos ver uma definição que podemos encontrar pela internet.

“Anti-herói é o termo que se emprega para alguém que protagoniza atitudes referentes às do herói clássico, mas que não possuem vocação heróica ou que realizam as façanhas por motivos egoístas, de vaidade ou de quaisquer gêneros que não sejam altruístas.”

Bom em termos de jogo, como poderíamos colocar isso, séria os nossos personagens que estão buscando resolver seus problemas pessoais de sua forma, fora de uma lei especifica que de vez enquanto ajuda alguém (só que visando os seus interesses ou vai levar ao seu objetivo).

Aquele estereotipo em que tudo que ele faz esta certo na ótica dele e seus meios vão justificar os resultados. Sempre fazendo as coisas de sua forma para conseguir o que quer, quando quer. Nisso aqui podemos classificar bastantes personagens clássicos existentes na TV,filmes e quadrinhos.

O Anti-herói de verdade.

As vezes confundimos o herói como o anti-heroi e vice-versa, será que quando jogamos conseguimos ser 100% herói? ou temos aquela pequena recaída para um lado obscuro?

Creio que sim meus caros leitores, porque todos nós temos um lado que deseja algo muito que acaba esquecendo alguns dos valores heróicos. Isto não quer dizer que você esta virando um anti-heroi, mas que você esta correndo atrás de um dos seus objetivos com mais afinco e carisma. Quem nunca aqui desejou aquela arma mágica, ou aquela pedra que esta no fundo daquele poço para poder resolver seus problemas?

Existe uma linha fina entre o herói e o anti-herói, pois ser totalmente certinho às vezes não se consegue, nem o paladino que e tendencioso a isso ele consegue ser. Às vezes ele tem que simplesmente deixar o seu grupo de lado para atender um apelo de um grito aflito mesmo todos avisando que e uma armadilha ou aquele mercenário que só trabalha ou ajuda para conseguir aquelas coisas porque tem dinheiro em volto e uma grande recompensa.

O Anti-herói sempre vai fazer qualquer movimento motivado para atingir os seus objetivos de sua forma, lutando para ter aquilo que deseja para si logo de sua própria forma. Um das mais comuns criações dos personagens por jogador e o que teve sua vida na infância destruída, treina o resto de sua vida para conseguir sua vingança sobre aqueles que destruíram a sua vida. Só um segundo, onde estar o fato do heroísmo aí nesta descrição? Este personagem vai fazer de tudo para chegar ao seu objetivo de se vingar, mesmo que tenha que salvar o mundo antes para que ele tenha chance de levar a cabo a sua vingança.

As vezes ou maioria das vezes não criamos heróis e sim anti-heróis para satisfazer uma determinada necessidade de um background criado ou um estereotipo que queremos desenvolver.

Ser ou não ser um anti-herói, es a questão.

Texto por: Christian Alencar

Enquanto a SEGA estava mostrando a maioria de seus RPGs no andar de demonstrações, Alpha Protocol estava sendo mostrado em uma sala fechada. Desenvolvido pela Obsidian, a mesma de NeverWinter Nights 2 e KotOR 2, Alpha Protocol não tem o mesmo ambiente de fantasia ou de ficção científica como na maioria dos RPGs. Focando nos dias modernos, a Obsidian criou um RPG que pode ser mais acessível aos fãs de James Bond.

Você joga como Michael Thorton, um agente relativamente inexperiente, mas competente. Durante uma missão que deu muito errado, Thorton descobre uma conspiração que leva ele ao redor do mundo para descobrir a fonte de tudo isso. Thorton fala com as pessoas em volta dele com um sistema chamado de Dialogue Stance System (DSS). Em vez de dar aos jogadores o texto completo do que eles vão dizer, a Obsidian permite um termpo determinado para escolher que tipo de resposta você quer dar. Todos os diálogos são apresentados de modo cinematográfico, ou seja, todas as escolhas dos jogadores acontecem em tempo real.

Quando a diplomacia falha, Thorton tem várias opções oferecidas pela Obsidian, como stealth, usar armas e equipamentos tecnológicos (gadgets) para lidar com algumas situações. Os controles são similares como muitos shooters, com uma câmera semelhante à de Resident Evil 4 e Mass Effect (por trás do ombro) na hora de mirar. Thorton pode se proteger e fazer ataques em tempo real. Isso sem dizer que o combate não é baseado em vários RPGs por aí, já que envolve habilidades passivas e ativas.

A Obsidian nos mostrou primeiramente as habilidades passíveis que os jogadores ganham quando usam pontos de habilidade, por exemplo, na pistola. Enquanto a mira é normalmente um grande círculo que nos dá uma área visível, a mira da pistola, quando a habilidade for alta o suficiente, pode nos dar uma mira mais precisa, mesmo na cobertura. Os jogadores também terão habilidades ativas, que eles terão que pausar o jogo e ativar. A Obsidian nos mostrou duas dessas habilidades - Chain Shot para a pistola e Bullet Storm para SMGs. Chain Shot permite os jogadores pausar o jogo, selecionar alvos para até três tiros, e aí assistir Thorton matar os alvos com uma precisão impressionante. Bullet Storm, por outro lado, faz Thorton parecer mais como Chow Yun Fat num filme de John Woo, tendo munição infinite com sua SMG por um curto espaço de tempo, enquanto rapidamente mata seus inimigos.

Os jogadores também terão uma certa liberdade para escolher seu caminho, mas o jogo não terá aquela opção de ser do lado bom ou do lado mau, como em Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Em vez disso, Thorton, como um espião, terá que usar diferentes táticas para sobreviver, e às vezes, elas podem podem ser maléficas. O jogo não trata como bem ou mal, como KotOR, mas os jogadores terão que ganhar confiança com diferentes facções e isso vai afetar a história e opções futuramente. No demo da Obsidian, Thorton tem que escolher o que fazer com um negociador de armas que foi condenado à prisão. O jogador poderão prendê-lo como foi ordenado, extorquí-lo ou matá-lo. Em vez de ver uma tela informando que fizeram bem ou mal, os jogadores verão as conseqüências disso futuramente. Você poderá esperar diálogos de alto nível, já que Chris Avalon, o escritor de Planescape: Torment está a cargo disso.

Nós estamos incrivelmente impressionado com o que a Obsidian e a Sega estão mostrando em Alpha Protocol, especialmente considerando o quão cedo o jogo está em desenvolvimento. Os fãs de RPG poderão jogar Alpha Protocol no PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, e no PC em Fevereiro de 2009.

Das Game ist nun Gold gegangen und somit fertig. Ich hoffe wir werden am 1.August ein gutes RPG sehen und nicht wies zur Zeit mit Oblivion, TwoWorlds und Gothic 3 in ist ein verbuggtes Stück Softwarescheisse.

Ich bin überzeugt das RP'ler ihre eigene Welt nicht verhunzen werden! Seien wir gespannt. nur noch 13 mal schlafen.

• Twenty-First Session - Sins of the Saviors Part IV

Dragon Age: Origins, il nuovo gioco di ruolo ad ambientazione fantasy targato BioWare, è stata una delle sorprese in positivo di questo E3 2008. Ecco a voi un filmato che ripropone diverse sequenze giocate.

Al contrario dei precedenti lavori degli sviluppatori, questo nuovo titolo non si basa su licenze già conosciute, e tantomeno su quella di Dungeons & Dragons, utilizzata per capolavori com Baldur’s Gate e Neverwinter Nights.

Dragon Age: Origins uscirà prima su PC e poi su console, nell’arco del 2009.

FONTE: gamesblog.it

Si nada lo impide, el 20 de Noviembre podremos disfrutar de esta nueva obra de Square Enix que verá la luz para PlayStation3, XBOX360 y sorprendentemente para PC. Square Enix aprovechó la conferencia del E3 para dar a conocer un nuevo trailer que viene a expandir el anterior.

Trailer E3 2008 The Last Remnant

Zum Video geht es hier [gametrailers.com] und zu den Screenshots hier [gamestar.de].

Most would think that this is great news for 360 owners and nothing else, but most would be wrong. This announcement has spawned forum comments featuring the words "lies", "betrayal", and "deception" among others.

I've looked into the issue, asking why anyone would complain about what appears to be nothing but a good move for Square-Enix and fans alike. After wading through a bit of ignorance and poor grammar, I've arrived at what appear to be the most logical causes for alarm, but even they are fairly lacking in foundation. Below are some forum quotes that represent the most common responses to my question (most grammar and spelling is their own).

The fact that a simultaneous release for PS3 and 360 would end up pushing the release date back pretty far. (source)

According to FFXIII co-producer, Shinji Hashimoto, "...since we haven't ever announced any sort of release date...it couldn't really be 'delayed,' right?" This is true. Any longer wait for the game in the West would be up to each individual's perception since no date has ever been announced.

If the only reason FFXIII being ported to the XBox 360 has you cursing Square-Enix is because you don't want to wait longer for the game, think about what "longer" means in this context. You don't know how long the localization process is going to take, so to complain that it'll take even longer because the game is being ported is a baseless claim.

I don't feel that SE is trying to reach a broader audience. I think that their sole purpose is to have broader pockets. (source)

Expanding your audience and making more money are one and the same, and unless the quality of the company's games suffer as a result, Square-Enix's attempt to make money off a larger audience is just good business. It's not like with Nintendo who have turned off some of their biggest fans in their successful attempt to win over a new, casual crowd with fun, yet shallow titles like Wii Fit and the recently demonstrated Wii Music.

Square-Enix isn't planning on compromising the gameplay of Final Fantasy XIII to cater towards the shallow frat boy FPS fan demographic that some ignorantly assume are the primary XBox 360 owner. Instead, they're trying to forge a strong RPG niche on a predominantly Western console, and this is very much evident with their plentiful cast of RPGs headed for the system (Infinite Undiscovery, The Last Remnant, and Star Ocean: The Last Hope).

Some people feel they wasted there moneys on PS3's. If it was going onto the 360 then they thought they should've just bought a 360. (source)

If the location of Final Fantasy XIII was your deciding factor in buying a Playstation 3, you have no reason to complain. Aside from the fact that you'll still be able to play the game, you were the one who decided to buy a system for a game that wasn't, and still isn't, dated for release.

There's not much else I can add to that. Start saving your money if you're that interested in a 360. I'm sure you'll have time. ;)

To get high sales a console needs exclusives and FFXIII was a HUGE exclusive for PS3. This will no doubt affect sales and in turn give the PS3 less chance of getting other high profile exclusives. (source)

This complaint might sound logical, but it suffers from the same lack of perception as the delay complaint. You can't know for sure how the loss of FFXIII as an exclusive will affect the PS3, even after the game has been released. Unless the producers of every major exclusive that isn't released on PS3 come out and say that they based their decision entirely upon the loss of the FFXIII exclusive, any idea you have that Sony is suffering from the loss is up to your perception.

Some have likened this situation to the Sega Dreamcast's loss of exclusives to the Playstation 2, which played a part in the Dreamcast's eventual failure. Sony is still raking in loads of cash from the Playstation 2 alone. They even devoted a significant portion of their E3 presentation to the system depsite being a product of the last generation. The point is that Sony is far too wealthy to be affected by the loss of a major exclusive in the same way that Sega was. We will undoubtedly see the Playstation 4 some day despite FFXIII also being released on the XBox 360.

Another comparison people have made is to Final Fantasy's first leap between major companies: Final Fantasy VII being released on the Playstation rather than the Nintendo 64. This situation is so entirely different that I'm suprised people are even bringing it up. The biggest difference is that Nintendo didn't only lose the exclusive but the entire Final Fantasy series until Crystal Chronicles on the GameCube. That's a nine year absense. The comparison of the N64 to the PS3 is totally irrelevant as PS3 owners will still be able to play FFXIII.

The [RPG] genre, as history has shown, is dictated by the location of Final Fantasy. (source)

This is another logical sounding complaint against Final Fantasy XIII getting a release on the XBox 360, but it makes the same assumptions as some of the complaints above. RPGs have been more plentiful on the same platforms that Final Fantasy was designed for, but if we take the above complaint at its word, that would mean that RPGs would still be plentiful on the Playstation 3 as it will still receive FFXIII.

This point is also reminescent of the complaint concerning buying a PS3 entirely for FFXIII. If your decision to buy a PS3 was based on the location of most RPGs, you've succeeded. It's true that the 360 is receiving its own share of RPGs, but few of them are exclusives.

Really, it all boils down to one thing: Playstation 3 owners will still be able to play Final Fantasy XIII despite it getting a release on the XBox 360.

Instead of complaining about nothing, you should be happy that the series you love is expanding its fanbase. I personally have no love for the main series post Final Fantasy IX (I am currently giving XII a try), but I can really appreciate what Square-Enix is doing with this move. Hopefully, I'll have a 360 of my own by the time the game is released here because I was pretty intrigued by a quote I read along the lines of the game's battle system trying to visually replicate the fight scenes of Advent Children.

I'm confident Square-Enix has what it takes to make the game look good, but we'll have to wait and see how it handles. Who knows, it might turn into another Metal Gear Solid 4. :P

However, GemCraft is not only beatable, it...has gems:

For a real review, check out JayIsGames.com

   The Broken Spirit has walked too often with death and awaits its final visit as one awaits a friend who will assume a grievous burden. An undercurrent of more-than-physical exhaustion, despair, and misery taints his every action, he cannot be consoled. He smiles not, his vestments are the withered remnants of joyful celebrations, and his weapons are worn. He sees little difference between one more death at his hands - and the death of another tiny portion of his spirit - and his own physical end.

• Immunity/The need for formal instruction (Uncommon/Major/Major, 6 CP): Intimate with death and the dead, the Broken Spirit may be easily filled by any strength. Given a chance to observe an ability or spell in action, the Broken Spirit may spend CP to purchase it without further instruction.
• Trick/Death Attack (6 CP): The Broken Spirit has seen many defenses fail and all too many friends fall, and each such death has added to his store of tricks.
• Immunity/Penalties to his base defenses: the Broken Spirit can have his bonuses and enhancements stripped away, but - for example - his saves can never be reduced before his basic purchased bonus (Uncommon/Major/Great, 6 CP). An awareness of death and destruction all around has set the Broken Spirit on guard - however uninterestedly - against all their manifestations.
• Inherent Spell (L2 Spell 2/Day: a ranged Curse with Arcanum Minimus II/inflicts 3d6 damage to the caster when used, 6 CP): Intimate with death, the Broken Spirit can let the energies of the dark realms flow through his unresisting spirit, inflicting them upon some target while yielding up a portion of his life force to the dark realms.
• Some broken spirits also develop an immunity to emotional manipulation - but such characters are not so much awaiting death as dead already.

   The Brute values dominance over logic, making senseless demands and enforcing obedience with an iron hand, ruthlessly crushing any defiance. The brute wears a uniform, his fists are scarred, and his features battered. He often shows traces of his victim's blood or terrified resistance. He shows no reluctance to undertake necessary, but unpleasant, tasks or to make callously expedient decisions.

• Occult Sense/Fear (6 CP): The Brute instinctively knows who is frightened, and what they are frightened of, and to what degree. He will use that knowledge without compunction.
• Professional/Intimidation (6 CP): The Brute is a master of getting his way through intimidation, whether by demonstrations of physical might or by subtle insinuations.
• Inherent Spell/Curse with +10 Bonus Uses and Reflex Action/May release this inherent spell with blow (Specialized: may not be used more than three times per encounter, may not be used except with a blatant physical attack, only to inflict long-term injuries which are appropriately curable, 12 CP): The Brutes blows can break bones, create scars, and otherwise inflict a variety of long-term injuries.

   The Elder is worn and gnarled by care and carries a keepsake of something precious and lost. He is filled with proverbs and folk sayings, but is healthy and vigorous for his age. He is suspicious of strangers, but does not hesitate to take advantage of them as long as they are none of his. He has folk wisdom, but does not know what parts of it are false.

• Innate Enchantment (4x constant-effect L1 Spells, 6 CP): Unseen Servant and Supervisor (grants a +4 Assistance bonus on Craft Skills, Heal skills used in an emergency, and physically-oriented Profession skills or Use Rope checks and allows the user to accomplish four times as much work in a given time), +3 Competence Bonus to all Craft and Profession skills, and gains a +1 Luck Bonus to his AC and Saves (Ward of Heaven).
• Occult Sense/Scams and Exploitation (6 CP): The Elder has seen every scam, and heard every tale of woe, under the sun. He will invariably spot any attempt to take advantage of him or his.
• 3d6 Mana with the Reality Editing Option: Specialized: only to produce Charms and Talismans, Corrupted: such charms are never good for more than a single adventure and cannot be sold (6 CP): The Elder can always produce small items of folk magic to help out his friends.
• Lore/Local Rumors, History, and Geography (6 CP).

   The Great Leader is decisive and trenchant. He bears a trademark and speaks with distinctive turns of phrase. He passes among his men, and stops to speak to those who have served him well. He is fearless, leads from the front lines, and does not change his mind. He inspires legends and tales and is strikingly clad. He gives others the respect that they are due, and demands it in his turn, but is ruthless with his enemies. His plans are simple and easily summed up, the better to communicate them to those who must carry them out.

• Dominion (6 CP) and Voice of Command (6 CP): The Great Leader is favored by destiny. He can inspire thousands and is capable of heroic feats. When he speaks, people listen. (Note that, if Dominion is acquired on a temporary basis, a character must adopt a local legend to represent and starts off with (Chr Mod) Dominion Points).
• Mystic Artist/Oratory (6 CP): While not all Great Leaders are gifted in oratory, those who are can manipulate those around them in a wide variety of ways.
• Inherent Spell (Specialized: Takes hours or days to take effect, Corrupted: Requires a use of Mystic Artist to cast, total triple effect)/Address the Multitude (L9, allows the user to make a brief speech which will be heard throughout the land - a nation or even small continent) (6 CP): The words of a Great Leader will be passed across the land, and his deeds rumored. Given time, even the remotest vales and crags will hear the whispers of the word.

   The Official is a powerful and slightly seedy figure who demands deference and bribes in equal measure. He is arrogant, ambitious, and concerned only with his own sphere of responsibility. He has selective hearing, some things he hears well, others pass by when shouted.

   While "honest" officials may expect no more than food and drink, the less ethical are unmerciful in their demands. Where there is trouble and disaster, the Official brings welcome assistance. Where things are running smoothly, the Official is an unwelcome impediment.

• Major Favors/Official Intervention (6 CP): The Official may call for the assistance, a blind eye from, or even the formal intervention, of whatever organization he works for. If a full intervention was truly needed, his competence will be recognized and rewarded. If not, he will be censured for such a waste of time and resources.
• Inherent Spell/Filing a Report (L2, usable 2/Day, 6 CP): The Official may file a report with his superiors or an appropriate destination at any time, whether due to having sent off a letter covering his suspicions and requests "some time ago" or via supernatural means.
• Occult Sense/Rules Violations (Specialized: Only covers those in the officials area of responsibility, 3 CP): The Official has a sixth sense, when someone or some organization he is dealing with is evading the regulations for which he is responsible, somehow he will always know.
• Privilege/Sinecure (3 CP) plus Spell/Power Resistance (Specialized: Only versus attempts to reach or investigate the user while he is engaged in official business, 3 CP): The Official may always involve himself in local matters, becoming entangled in a web of meetings, luncheons, and other pointless official activities. As long as the Official opts to spend the vast majority of his time on such pointless bureaucratic entanglements, any attempt to reach or investigate him - regardless of the importance of the matter - must contend with the entire bureau in question. Even supernatural attempts to do so are often useless.
• Occult Sense/Detect Scrutiny (Specialized: requires several minutes of concentration, 3 CP): When the Official carefully considers an action, his vast experience with the bureaucracy will easily let him determine how likely it is to attract official attention or investigation.

   The Scholar is well-educated. He carries pens, ink, and paper and keeps extensive notes. His conversation is filled with quotations and citations from learned sources. He s quick-witted and versatile, filled with ideas and skilled in many things, but is meddlesome, unaware of the virtues of silence and acceptance. If he must use a weapon, he inscribes sigla of power upon missiles, the better to exploit the weaknesses of his enemies.

• Luck with +4 Bonus Uses: Specialized in Social and Intellectual Checks (6 CP)
• Focused Imbuement: Specialized (Spell Storing only. Corrupted: Never progresses to higher-order effects. 4 CP): The scholar may prepare up to 50 missiles of his or her chosen variety in advance, imbuing each of them with an arcane spell effect of up to L3.
• Inherent Spell with +4 Bonus Uses totaling 5/day (Specialized: Requires at least ten minutes to cast, double effect, Corrupted, requires drawing complex symbols in the item to be affected, 2/3'rds cost, 8 CP)/L6 Greater Invocation produces any L3 or below arcane spell effect: The magic of the scholar is slow, but versatile, as the complex symbols of his art channel the energies of magic.
• Innate Enchantment (6 CP): Moment of Insight (+20 Insight bonus to Social or Intellectual Skill checks only, only to negate penalties for rushing, 3/day, 840 GP), Detect Weakness (detects a single unknown weakness of the target if it fails a willpower save, 2000 GP), +3 Competence Bonus on all Intelligence-Based Skills (1400 GP), +3 Competence Bonus on all Charisma-Based Skills (1400 GP), and Comprehend Languages 1/Day (400 GP).

   The Shaman is a spirit guide and intermediary between men and the otherworlds. He wears fur and feathers and carries the skulls and bones of animals. He is unnerving, looking past or through those to whom he speaks. He is clever and values obscure fragments of lore and tokens of favor from those he has known or dealt with above impersonal wealth.

• Major Privilege/May arrange a peaceful (or terrible) passing and a smooth transition into a (desirable or undesirable) afterlife or superior (inferior) reincarnation for those under his care (6 CP): The Shaman has power over the spirits of the dying and the dead, whether to bind, guide, or release them into the otherworlds. He stands at the gates of death, directing those who pass through.
• Shapeshift(6 CP): The Shaman may call on the animal spirits to grant him their forms and powers
• Major Favors/Spirits with +2 Bonus Uses (Corrupted: requires lengthy rituals and minor offerings, 6 CP): The Shaman can call on the spirits of nature and the dead for magic and information.
• Innate Enchantment (4x L1 Spells, 6 CP): Moment of Insight/+20 Insight bonus to Slight Of Hand, only to avoid being noticed 5/Day, Detect Spirits, Detect Illusion (+6 to relevant saves), Protection from Evil (or Good as appropriate): The spirits grant the Shaman many gifts, but to whom much is given, much shall be expected.

"Nature rejects the monarch, not the man;

The subject, not the citizen; for kings

And subjects, mutual foes, forever play

A losing game into each other's hands,

Whose stakes are vice and misery. The man

Of virtuous soul comands not, nor obeys.

Power, like a desolating pestilence,

Pollutes what'er it touches; and obedience,

Bane of all genius, virtue, freedom, truth,

Makes slaves of men, and of the human frame

A mechanized automaton."

Ou,

“A natureza rejeita o monarca, não o homem;

O súdito, e não o cidadão; reis e súditos,

inimigos mútuos, disputam eternamente

Um jogo de azar, um mão um do outro,

cujas apostas são o vício e a miséria. O homem

de alma virtuosa não comanda, nem obedece.

Poder, como uma peste desoladora,

Poluí o que quer que seja que toque; e a obediência,

ruína de toda  genialidade, virtude, liberdade, verdade,

faz dos homens seus escravos, e do corpo humano

uma máquina automatizada”.

→ Por Percy Bysshee Shelley, 1813.

Roster:

Steve - Dragonborn Warlord “Uwibami”

Phil - Human Wizard “Darkwand McFinnigan”

James - Elf Ranger “Lucian”

Robert - Tiefling Warlock “Louis”

Dennis - Elf Cleric “Beldan”

George - Human Fighter "Elronn"

While standing by the side of the road, arguing over the book and map they found last session, Elronn the fighter walks up (getting accepted by the group automatically in true RPG fashion... lol) They decided to follow the map to the big X mark... about a mile into the nearby hills.

Lucian, who was out front scouting, spots a Gnoll Huntmaster and two hyenas in a small patch of woods. The Gnoll seemed to be searching for something and it had both the hyenas on leashes and sniffing around the ground. Lucian sneaks back to the group to tell them of the situation.

Note: At this point I figure they have 3 options: 1) Sneak up and attack, 2) bypass the encounter entirely, 3) walk up and talk to the gnoll. I didn't tell them that, just let them figure things out on their own.

Encounter 1: Gnoll Huntmaster (200 XP), 2x Hyena (125XP each)

They group picked out its 4 stealthiest members (Lucian, Uwibami, Loius, and Darkwand) and tried sneaking up on the gnoll. Gnoll gets a 19 perception with both hyenas rolling 10. The party rolls really badly and no surprise round.

The fight last longer than expected due to bad rolls all around. After the deaths of one hyena and the gnoll... the remaining hyena surrenders, hiding its head under its paws. Lucian the Ranger manages to calm the hyena down and the party winds up with a new pet. (Rolled a 28 on Nature!)

I awarded 50 XP for the party for the fight figuring that the new pet is a reward in itself.

Continuing on to the X on the map, they come across a low hill with several large broken rocks on top of it. At the base of the hill they find a 6 foot diameter stone tablet sealing off the entrance to a dungeon of sorts. On the tablet they find sigils representing 3 gods: Bahamut, Pelor, and Ioun. Several party members also discover mild warding magics on the stone and major warding magics coming from below it. Louis becomes afraid of the warding magics and refuses to go farther until coerced by the rest of the party.

After numerous pokes and prods around the stone, they decide to simply wrestle it out of the way. I specify that only 4 characters can fit around the stone, one being the 'leader' and the others using 'aid another'. I secretly note that it'll take 4 successful Strength checks of 25+ to move the stone out of the way. First check is successful, second not so... not bad, just they didn't budge the thing. Third check Uwibami rolls a natural '1' so I declared he had pulled a muscle. Beldan uses his heal skill to mend it, but they'll need to take an hour rest break before trying again.

While the others rest, Darkwand decides to experiment with his rituals.... casting Tensor's Floating Disc. He gets the bright idea of using the disc to partially wedge under the stone in an attempt to bolster the strength check.... I decide its worth a +4 situation bonus. After the rest period, the gang tries again... with the Beldan the Cleric rolling a natural '20' on his strength check. I decide that's enough to cover both 3rd and 4th successes. They finally push the stone out of the way!!!

Underneath they find a metal ladder leading below, to a floor about 80 feet down. They light off a sunrod (100 ft light radius) and drop it on the floor. Looking down, Lucian sees an underground dome 160 ft across, forming a perfect hemisphere. Except for an archway leading to the north, there are no other features visible. The group decides to climb down and investigate.... all except Louis who is deathly afraid of the powerful LAWFUL GOOD barriers. The finally force Louis to head down (they don't trust him on his own) and even get the hyena to come along by floating him down on the Disc. (I spot-ruled that as long as the Disc was within 5ft of the ladder it would float up/down without falling)

Entering the archway to the north, Uwibami and Lucian experienced a mild tingling sensation. The unaligned members felt a rather serious static electricity effect (hair standing on end) but no other effects. Louis, after being forced, took damage from entering the archway and retreated to the far side of the dome.

On the other side of the archway the party discovered another, nearly identical dome. In the center of this one there was a double-circle with hexagram inscribed inside. The magic circle stretched about 40 feet across. Inside the hexagram was a small pedestal with a wooden box on it. Written in between the two circles, in alternating Common, Draconic, and Primordial, was the phrase 'BEWARE THE SLAYER'... over and over, around the circle.

The two lawful good characters, Uwibami and Lucian, entered the circle without trouble. Darkwand tried to enter and found an invisible wall blocking his path. Elronn tested the wall with his sword, finding it rather solid. After much discussion, Uwibami reached out and picked up the box. At first he was simply going to take it out of the place before trying to open it, but the other thought it would be a good idea to open inside the protective circle. Try as he might, Uwibami couldn't get it open. Louis (demmit Robert, you're not in the room!) suggested it might be a puzzle box. After several un-successful attempts, they decided to try it later.

Tying up the box with 50ft of rope (just to make sure!!!) they exited the dungeon.

Heading back to the road, they came across the remains of their previous campsite but missing all the kobold and skeleton bodies. They did find a number of goblin and hobgolin tracks, with one massive set that they figured must have belonged to a minotaur. The tracks led off to the east, but the party wanted to hurry up and get to Fort Warton. Traveling for most of the day, they decided to stop at sunset.... only to discover another adventuring group already camping at the spot. They decided to share the camp and trade stories, getting some semi-useful information from the others.

In the morning, they discovered the other group had left in the middle of the night... using a magic circle and the Linked Portal ritual. Must have scared the others off with their stories of a powerful artifact in a trapped magic box.

The party arrived at Fort Warton about two hours later... splitting up to visit the tree-house Temple of Corellon and a local sage named Vandalis. The sage wound up cheating them out of the journal and escaping magically... The priests in the temple recognized the magic box and its still unseen contents. The Head Priest ordered them to return the box to the tomb where it had been kept because it contained an ancient book/artifact on the demon-god known only as The Slayer. The Head Priest gave them one week to return the box properly or he would begin calling down the forces of heaven to ensure its return... and the death of anyone so tainted by the boxes contents. The Head Priest warned not to open the box, least its influence corrupt those around it. Although contained by the box, the book still had the ability to corrupt those of low moral fiber (and the players all look at Robert, who plays the evil Louis)

Conclusion: All PCs got 50XP from the gnoll/hyena fight, 200XP for the tomb, and 100XP for interactions at the Fort.

Totals: Darkwand (850), Beldan (450), Louis (750), Uwibami (850), Lucian (850), Elronn (350), Smog (200).

Unforgotten Realms

Unforgotten Realms Christmas Special

Zaczęliśmy od krótkich gier z warsztatów aktorskich, ot tak by zrobić mały wstęp, następnie powoli zaczęliśmy przygotowywać się do gry Deadlandsowej.

Było parę ciekawych scen, jednak niestety w efekcie postaci się nawzajem za niektóre już ujawnione sekrety pozabijały. Co ukróciło rozgrywkę, nie wszystkie sekrety wyszły na jaw. Tak więc po małym podsumowaniu żeśmy ustalili zasadę nie zabijania/usuwania postaci.

Mimo tego, iż charakter tych LARPów był zbliżony raczej do gier fabularyzowanych, niż tego, co większość nazywa LARPami w towarzystwie fantastycznym/konwentowym - gracze potraktowali temat poważnie i wykombinowali stroje (na szczęście nie z mojej zasłonki...).

Drugi LARP w klimacie płaszcza i szpady wyszedł już dużo lepiej. Mając w myśli uwagi z LARPa poprzedniego, będąc już trochę 'rozruszanymi' - gracze szyli i opowiadali piękne historie wyssane z palca z miejsca. Z drugiej strony, zdaje się, że klimat też dużo bardziej odpowiadał graczom. Wyszło sporo ciekawych scen zbiorowych, sporo scen jasełkowych.

Wnioski:

Potrzebny jest limit czasowy, wychodzi średnio po 10 minut na gracza, można by powiedzieć. Do tego czasu rzeczywiście sekrety powinny zostać wyjawione. Musi być ktoś kto ma być odpowiedzialny za grę. Ta osoba powinna fabularnie zwrócić uwagę na zbliżające się zakończenie spotkania, i to, iż goście powinni wybyć. Jest to świetne miejsce by w ciągu godziny improwizacji stworzyć świetną postać. Dalej - nie wymaga to większego przygotowania, można po prostu rzucić pomysł na setting, wymyślić postać/sekret i zacząć grać.

Gracze dobrze się bawili, MG też. Ten rodzaj dramy, która stawia ewidentnie na postać i konfrontacje między graczami został zaakceptowany. Kolejnym ideom tego typu przyklaśnięto. Tak więc chciałabym zaprosić was na LIMBO, które odbędzie się 28 lipca w poniedziałek o godzinie 17:30 u mnie w domu. Więcej wkrótce;).

La apertura del E3 de este año 2008 será recordada como el día en que Microsoft anunció su primer Final Fantasy al mundo. Lejos de sentirse algunos usuarios traicionados, hay que pensar que esto traerá a la saga mayor reconocimiento y que muchos usuarios probarán por primera vez un capítulo de Final Fantasy.

Trailer Final Fantasy XIII E3 2008

Hay batalla. ¿Conseguirá vender más la versión de PlayStation3 o la de XBOX360? En España parece claro, pero, ¿y en el resto de países? De cualquier forma si Sony pretendía en su conferencia mostrar el siguiente trailer, Microsoft ya se lo ha robado.

O Gamersyde divulgou dois vídeos da jogabilidade de Fable 2, onde você pode ver, por exemplo o combate. Nós estamos curiosos, e o vídeo está carregando enquanto estou escrevendo esse post. Você pode ver aqui também, e depois comentar no HCG o que achou do vídeo.

A Square-Enix, parceira da Tri-Ace no desenvolvimento de Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope, divulgou alguns detalhes sobre o jogo. Ele vai ser uma prequel, ou seja, a história se passará antes dos primeiros jogos da franquia. Além disso, você poderá viajar para diferentes planetas, em vez de ficar preso em um único. A jogabilidade será mais parecida com Star Ocean 3, porém se diferencia um pouco por ser mais rápida e dinâmica. O jogo só sai em 2009, exclusivamente para o Xbox 360.

After a decade, I'm assessing myself... should I play it (Final Fantasy) again? Hmmm...not sure... but, maybe. :P

Oh yeah, if I will play it, either I rent or buy PS3, LOL!