Look, ma! No maps!

So my group had a session Tuesday. It was supposed to last about 2.5 hours, but we lost an hour to me attempting to set up the map program that was supposed to transfer to the TV. I finally got it set up, and the graphics on the TV weren’t horrible, but they weren’t good either. I then had to begin a whole new plotline and such. The guys spent at least 30 minute purchacing gear for a huge 10 level dungeon that will take them a few sessions to run. Once we all got down to it, we spent 30 more minutes attempting to play using the TV screen with some DnD map software. Problem was, the software is more designed for online use accross the internet. So that worked like crap, and some of the features in it weren’t implimented as well as they could be. For the last 30 minutes, due to a mass revalation we all had, we decided to try and play a few sessions without a map of any kind. GASP! I know, sounds risky, eh? Well we played out a few battles that way and the exact perfection of the battle was a small price to pay for the speed it went. Encounters finished in under 3 minutes. We did good, and my players are trustworthy, so it’s cool. They all agreed on not using a map for a few sessions to see how it will play out. If you’re still on the fence with this idea, view these pros, with the one con of not having absolutely perfect battles:

• Nothing’s on the table crouding things up! Space for soda, snacks, and the players’ gear abounds!
• No need for miniatures and battlemats!
• No need to get up and move your miniature allong the expo-drawn battlefield!
• Players’ imaginations are more free in this setting without minitures stuck to one pose or portraits on tokens that all look the same!
• You can use some graph paper for those big battles! Just draw and erase or whatever.
• Easier on the DM! Sure, still draw the maps for yourself, the players might want to sketch important locations and features out as they explore. Plus, the DM can sit down more! I know that’s a plus for me!
• No need to do anything with your laptop for those of you who project your maps or whatever! I don’t enjoy using mine during sessions because I believe that D&D should be played without technology. Sorta like a tradition. I don’t want my game to be reliant on unreliable computers.
• Combat goes like 3x faster! Trust me, it’s really cool.
• So many more pros it amazes me! All for that one con listed above.

I’m sure many will disagree with me, but I just wanna try this for a few sessions to see how it plays out. Any suggestions? Comment!

Builds and S-Cables

Alright so sorry about missing two days, I’ve been busy, and that’s why I’ve got staff. Unfortunately, apparently none of them bothered to post anything the past two days. Hey staff! You’re supposed to post things! Especially if it’s 7pm and there’s no post yet!

However, there is hope! 0Matrix0 is working on a brand new page called Builds! 0Matrix0, AKA Dom, is better than even I at rolling new characters, feat and skill selection, spell selection, and more. There will be links on the Builds page that users can click on to show a class or whatever, and a few good builds for that class.

Furthermore, Dom has found an s-video cable! Next session we can use it! Huzzah! Also, Ryan AKA Pedropwndo is trying to get a session set up for tonight at 6. I’ll talk to you all before 2 about that.

S-Cable Madness!!! WOOO!

Well we need an s-cable to project the map from my ‘top to a TV. The correct head that goes into the computer should be circular and have a row of 3 prongs followed below by a row of four prongs (or so it looks like). I guess a projector would work too but I doubt anyone has one, and we’d need a cable for that, too. Anyways, we either buy one for about $39.99 by pooling some $$$ together, or you guys could do your group a huge favor and find one somewhere in your house and let me know by phone. Please everyone look, it’s really important that we have one, or everyone’s gonna have to pay dues of 5-7 dollars.

On that note, what does everyone think of gathering about $1 a session from each person and put it in a group fund? We could use it to buy group dice, more miniatures, and stuff like that. Maybe, oh I don’t know, a s-cable? Alright you all think about these things. Ryan’s got two drafts saved in the database so maybe he’ll post something before he hits the sack.

Happy New Year’s Eve!

I hope you guys are all out partying tonight like I am.

Did anyone see that we got a comment from Trevor from RPTools? Pretty cool, eh?

The next session has been arranged, you can see it on the Session page. I’m gonna bring my laptop again, but I also am getting a nicer and newer battle mat ready so that we can try that too. I’ve been using RPTools to help make a nice buffer of adventures. I went to go get some BattleTiles from How You Play The Game, previously Altered States. Well, apparently HYPTG’s plans didn’t work out or they haven’t started building yet, because there’s nothing there and a for lease sign in the window.

Actually, forget about the battlemat. I’m just kinda discouraged because the RPTools are perfect, I just need to figure out a way to not have to keep turning around the laptop so you guys can see the mat. Mike thinks he’s got a cable that will allow me to hook my laptop up to a TV so everyone can see it nicely. When I don’t want people to see what I’m doing, I’ll just unplug the cable or better yet figure out how to stop the on-screen projection without doing so. I’m pretty sure Dave has a TV where we played last time, right, Dave? Mike’s got a TV, I’ve got a TV, Ryan will have a TV in his basement when his turn comes around again, and I don’t know about Dom.

Our goal here is to use RPTools without becoming to dependant on technology. We also don’t want technology to take away form the D&D atmosphere.

Alright, I hope everyone has a great New Years! Huzzah and forsooth!

Hey Everyone.

Few things.

• New page “Session” will tell you when, where, and at what time the next session is at, along with a few notes and who to call with questions. You can also schedual a private session with me to get caught up if you’ve fallen behind.
• New page “AF Staff” shows the Alchemist’s Fire Staff and their ranks. Wanna be able to post on this site? Don’t wanna know how to post on this site? I don’t give a shit go to the page it’s got some important information everyone should know.
• Mike and I had a private session at my house tonight to get him caught up since he’s a bit behind due to missing yesterday’s session. I got him up to level four.

Due to the private session I was able to practice more with the RPTools, and learned a few more cool things I’ll talk about Friday. Also, sorry to everyone about the miscomunication about yesterdays times. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, it probably didn’t affect you.

Mike is getting his homebrew to me so I can post it on the site. Hopefully he will just join the staff instead and use his homebrew as filler posts. Comon guys, I need staff! Help me enrich Alchemist’s Fire!