Topic: Diary Entry Two - Where to start...

[JimiSue]

Could that chap's wife have been more of a buzzkill? That kind of thing will only ever add to the house's interest and value.

[John @ ICE]

On the social climbing side, that reminded me of a situation I had in a 2nd edition D&D game years ago. My character was a paladin of a good, but unpopular god (Forgotten Realms, just after Time of Troubles, paladin of Helm, for those who know the background). Anyway, my character was quite high level, 12th or 13th or so, and travelling between two places on her own (except for the mount, natch). The DM rolled a random encounter, which turned out to be slavers. Because my character probably could have walked them quite easily, he decided to make them a horde of goblins, who had just ransacked an entire village and had all the population of that village with them.

Of course, Ms Paladin charged in, and what followed was a bit of a lesson in why lone PCs shouldn't be overconfident when the DM pulled out the rules for overbearing... but after a close run battle, my character was quite badly wounded, but victorious. But... the saviour of that village. She escorted them back home again, fighting off something more serious (I forget what, but lay on hands and healing spells were required) en route.

The village could not do enough for my character after that, but she went further - donated money to help them rebuild and hire soldiers to protect them, that kind of thing. They ended up building a church to Helm and almost all of them converting. My character was feted as a hero whenever she went back there (which she did often, even building a residence there) - and when I retired her from play (at level 17, she was able to route a lair of red dragons - a mated pair and two young, and I felt at that point things were getting silly), she retired to that village to serve her faith and protect the people.

It all came from a random encounter, and a village not even marked on any map, but gosh darn it sure felt good to be actually welcomed somewhere, for all the right reasons

awesome story - too bad you cant submit it to the contest!

[John @ ICE]

I want it to teach all sorts of math and English skills of course

One idea for the latter is that they might need to write letters to people who they need help from. That gives them something to think and talk about between games, and you can also have fun making responses that are in-game props (aged paper, wax seals, scents, etc). I bet they will respond well to real, physical props. (Of course, I'm a LARPer so that's a personal bias as well.)

GREAT idea - they love the arts and crafts and I can give them some xp for fate points for putting in the extra work.

[John @ ICE]

  Another thing I do not think has been thrown out there is you do not have to be at a table to play. When going on a trip include it in the story somehow. Have the players count birds or something that has an impact on the game. Look for special buildings, have them look for information at locations (like counting a specific animal at the zoo), etc. This involves a lot of prep by the GM to keep it interesting and does not necessarily need any dice. It promotes observation skills and some creativity.
MDC

another good suggestion and I do this!  but this is through just being into fantasy and history but i'm always dragging them to castles and telling stories...not just relate this to the game...

[John @ ICE]

"I dug down about one foot but my wife just wanted to me to cover it back up because we had three children running around at the time. I always wanted to dig it out to see if I could find a pot of gold at the bottom."

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/medieval-well-discovered-beneath-couple-living-room-191037139.html

Okay, but what if the kids are the ones who discover it?

"Don't tell Mom and Dad, they'll tell us not to play in it, stop us digging it out. Just keep quiet until we find the treasure, and then we'll show 'em."

"What treasure?"

"It's a hidden tunnel under a house, there's got to be a treasure, it stands to reason."

 

oh man great story - you could do alot with that.

[John @ ICE]

sorry for the multiple posts, but wanted to respond to as many comments as I can get to, though all were useful.

Sorry but I was away on vacation!

Rachndil - you had a long post and I will get to a few items:

1) first comment I agree we are simplifying the crits - alot - but the basic concept is there.
2) fighting not an option - I'm glad you said this because stupidly, I might have not considered it! Brilliant!
3) Clear good or bad - I agree, but I think my youngerst will even feel bad for the badies!  Hence, I think encounters that do include fighting will be against things like rats and spiders and wolves and a few minor demons / undead.  There is an evil person, but I dont think the result will be that she is killed but arrested.

more to come

[JimiSue]

awesome story - too bad you cant submit it to the contest!

Is cool, I already won one category, so I still have bragging rights

[John @ ICE]

awesome story - too bad you cant submit it to the contest!

Is cool, I already won one category, so I still have bragging rights

Ha    Great!

[GrumpyOldFart]

The thing about starting at zero level is that it forces them to learn to roleplay, since they really can't possibly succeed just by bashing at it.

Oh and, given my name, I gotta say it, I just gotta....


Hey you kids! Get outta my dungeon!

 

[markc]

  Here is another one of those stories; http://www.foxnews.com/science/2012/09/18/first-etruscan-pyramids-spotted-in-italy/?intcmp=features .
  A pyramid found under a wine cellar with tunnel that leads to other pyramid(s).
MDC