A while back I mentioned that I was going to explore playing in an online D&D game as a way to cram more gaming into my life, particularly after my doctor told me my nerdosterone levels were dangerously low due to my home game only running every 3 to 4 weeks. I also thought I might be able to be a player for a change instead of having to DM, plus I could do all this without having to leave my house, after my kid went to bed and with as little clothing as I so desired, which seemed like an epic win to me.
So I answered a post on one of the WoTC forums looking for players to start up a game set in Eberron. This felt a little awkward, not unlike what I imagine answering a personal add in the paper might be like….SSME (single straight male elf) with a fondness for archery seeking MHDM (Monty Haul dungeon master) who likes long delves through trap infested tombs and is open to “group” expereinces. Before you know it I had downloaded skype and was talking with people from all over North America, as characters were generated and posted online at Iplay4e.com and a game time was set.
It was at this point things sort of went off the rails as we had trouble setting up the virtual game table, which was then followed by the DM dropping half of the players from the game because he kind of didn’t like them (the people dropped were a package deal and had been playing together in another campaign). This “restructuring” occurred while we were all online and talking through skype, I got a message from him to end the conversation and switch to a new one, and bikkety bam that was that. what followed was a continuous series of setbacks and red flags that consisted of the DM not showing online for several first sessions (due to what appears to be plausible excuses), his decision to run a DMPC which he then seemed to focus more on getting his “build” perfected than getting the campaign organized, which then resulted in the other players pulling the chute. It became apparent that the DM was not that interested in actually DMng and more interested in playing his “build”, so in an attempt to salvage something from this massive cluster fuck I took the reins and talked to the other players and agreed to the run the game. The real kick in the nads is that I was really excited to play for a change, poor Solton Griss my little Half-Orc Ranger and first-mate of the Shattered Dream had to sheath his twin bastard swords. What’s that saying, “always a bridesmaid never a bride”?
We had our first session the other night and it went reasonably well, with only some minor snafus with maptools. I decided to run a published module just for the sake of my own sanity (all the maps are published and easily loaded into the online tabletop) now that I am apparently running two friggin games, and this one is weekly, but I will talk more about the game in future posts. One thing about this whole skype and on-line thing that is a little surreal and somewhat disquieting is the quasi-relationships and pseudo-intimacy you build with people you have never met and the ease of with which that relationship can be severed or disconnected through the click of a button, like the one-time member of the party who I only remember as the revenant dominatrix/warlock who’s background was that she was gang raped and killed by a group of men (like really wtf?).
I still don’t think I could do it, but I am also in the much more fortunate situation of being able to go to Encounters every week.
I have a Skype phone, in fact, that is all I have, no cell phone or landline so using Skype would not be a problem and I have spent too much time and formed too many relationships online to be deterred by doing it again. One thing about D&D, well, my favorite aspect of D&D is hanging out with people, laughing, role playing and actual interaction.
As for your game, do you think you will have regulars or more of a fluid group? Which module are you running?
You might want to keep looking for a game though, find one where you can unleash two bastard swords and enjoy playing. I love DMing, but it is hard and time consuming. I know I have been doing it too long, yet I am starting a new campaign, the one I mentioned in a previous post. I did however postpone the start time until after school lets out for Christmas break, I need some time to relax before I go all out DM again.
it looks to be regular group so far and we have been chating for a while, so some familiarity. because the original guy was talking about eberron i picked up seekers of the ashen crown, which so far i am not that impressed with, some unnecessarily complicated encounter features. there is a trap with a full page stat block. if i thought more about it I probably would have used the h1 series that way of we continue it would be easy, i still might shift over anyways. I have commited to running this module but nothing beyond that as I would like someone to dm for me. i don’t know if i could handle another game at this point as i am already courting some serious wife aggro. the problem with the skype stuff s that people are always talking to you whenver you pop on the computer, and you know me i am always willing to shoot the shit especially about dnd.
thats cool your starting up again, keep me posted….is there a seat available
hey congradulations on being a contributer to a big time blog, I actually play with Ameron and some of the other contributors at my FLGS. Maybe I should branch out and have you start posting on my blog
or maybe you should start your own blog
Thank you. I was surprised when I was asked to do it, but really excited, I just wish I proof-read a little more before sending Ameron my article. It could use a few commas,
Still, I am quite pleased to have been given a chance.
I don’t mind posting or contributing articles, but I do not think I want to take on the responsibility of my own blog. Most of my D&D time is either preparing for Encounters or working on my campaign book.
“One thing about this whole skype and on-line thing that is a little surreal and somewhat disquieting is the quasi-relationships and pseudo-intimacy you build with people you have never met and the ease of with which that relationship can be severed or disconnected through the click of a button”
I think that pretty much sums up why I gave up after my first attempt at playing online.
whoa… seriously wtf re: last part of your post!
I know, she also stated that because of that her character hated all men……I was not all that unhappy that we decided to drop them from my group, it just seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.
thanks again for the Dorkness Rising is was pretty friggin funny. the monk was killing me with his sayings…
you’re welcome. i have lots of favourite parts of that movie as well. the reference to Nodwick, lightsabers, “hide behind the pile of dead bards”, and the monk’s line about being flourescent then losing XP for it, just to name a few. the Dead Gentlemen Productions have been making webisodes called Journey Quest. Have you seen them?
This just happens to be my signature on the gaming forum I am on every day. As sad as this may be, but the first one is my favorite quote out of all the movies I have seen. I may have mentioned this earlier, but the name of my D&D group is the Turkey and the Bard, which you will now get the reference… I need a life.
Brother Silence: The four elements, like man alone, are weak. But together they form the strong fifth element: boron.
Brother Silence: He who stumbles around in darkness with a stick is blind. But he who… sticks out in darkness… is… fluorescent!
Brother Silence: Only in concealing one’s identity, can one truly be known.
I know he was just killing me with those lines, it made me laugh because it can be hard to role-play like that in character and you can end up saying ridiculous things. what forum are you on daily Wotc, piazo, or enworld or all three? i spend a lot of time prowling the Wotc boards during the day as a good procrastination tool.
Sorry, meant gaming as in video games. Well, not so much anymore anyway. We started the forum with thousands of people 12 years ago, but over the years and moves there is about 15-20 left, we have all aged, and spend as much time just talking as we do about gaming.
I do post on WotC occasionally, in particular when I need a rules clarification. A few weeks ago our wizard dropped grease and wanted to light it on fire dealing a bunch of extra damage. To me it makes sense, but to Wizards that isn’t an option as it makes the ability overpowered. Had a small debate on there. Mostly that type of things when I post online.
Too many trolls.