15. Favorite Con Module
To play: I don’t get to play at cons all that often, I end up running mostly. My favorite “type” of game to play is in superhero or in types of games/systems that I don’t normally play. That way, I get to experience new things and try out games that I don’t have!
To run: I’ve really enjoyed learning about Greyhawk and using OD&D+Chainmail while I run my take on the classic D&D module T1 Village of Hommlet.
16. What is a game that I wish I owned?
I wish I had a Holmes Basic box set with the box, the rules, chits and (if I’m remembering correctly) B1 In Search of the Unknown module. That is what I picked up from a local discount store (Rinks) in southeastern Ohio and bought with my allowance money. The brightly colored box lid with the dragon, knight and wizard on it captured my imagination like nothing else.
The prices these days from folks selling theirs is ridiculous, but I get it, collectors have pushed up the price as nostalgia and interest in D&D has surged.
- Funniest game I’ve played
It is really rare that there isn’t a moment in each game that I don’t have an honest-to-gods belly laugh. I encourage a table to be open with their honest emotions – whether it’s joy, humor, sadness. I don’t take myself way too serious. I’ve even awarded small bits of XP when the players have “entertained the referee”, but it’s always been in good fun.
I try to do that as a player as well! We’re playing elf-and-alien-games. It’s really hard for me to assume a totally serious business 100% of the time.
So, I’d have to say “all of them, in some way”. Gotta try find the joy in all things.
18. What is one of your favorite systems?
I’ve spoken way too much about OD&D/AD&D, and about Traveller. Those aren’t the systems that got me initially back into game in 2008. That would be Microlite20.
When I decided to rejoin RPGing in 2007, naturally I wanted to play D&D, so I found that the system was now called “3.5e”. I bought a set of books and set out to make a campaign based in the CRPG Ultima Worlds. Several spreadsheets and a leveling railroad later (following the examples and what the 3.x DMG seemed to imply), I was thoroughly disgusted.
I searched on Google for “simple D&D” and discovered Microlite20. It was a great game! It felt like old Basic with a step back a streamlined, simple approach using the D20 system. With that ruleset, I started my duet campaign with my wife, wrote a 4 page (4.25x.5.5) booklet adapting Mechwarrior 1e and ran several convention games. It’ll always have a fond place in my memories.
With that ruleset, I started my duet campaign with my wife, wrote a 4 page (4.25x.5.5) booklet adapting Mechwarrior 1e and ran several convention games. It’ll always have a fond place in my memories.
Microlite20: https://microlite20.org/
Micromechwarrior: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EGKnr2vFYdA86GrCFGKi6soe57Lmwazy/view
19. What is one of my favorite published adventures?
I’m not one for playing many modules or published adventures, far preferring to make my own and explore my own worlds.
Instead, I use modules for conventions or for running “drop-in/drop-out” marathon events.
My top 3 would be D&D related:
1. T1 – Village of Hommlet
2. B2 – Keep on the Borderlands
3. X1 – Isle of Dread
20. Will still play in 20 years?
The games I’m playing today: OD&D, AD&D, Traveller.
Jason of Nerd’s RPG Varietycast podcast said it best: “Both are timeless and I look forward to continuing to bring them to future gamers.”
I also hope that in 20 years, I’ll still be able to enjoy the games that are being released. I know it can get harder to be open to new things as people age, and I hope to keep an open mind.
21. One of my favorite licensed RPGS?
Ugh! I don’t play that many other RPGs, and the ones I play are not licensed! If we’re playing in someone else’s IP, it’s usually because we either adopted (stole) it for homebrew use, or I’m playing in something at a convention.
Back in the day, I had the FASA Star Trek RPG, but we used it more to enhance our FASA ST space combat battles more than anything else. I’ve mentioned before that I haven’t had much of a chance to play Marvel Super Heroes (FASERIP system), and I hope to get involved in some games with that.