tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930065815010914887.post4643538601326102987..comments2023-07-01T05:04:43.376-07:00Comments on Really Bad Eggs: Level AppropriateBlack Vulmeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04270071699114783644noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930065815010914887.post-55213371061885442992012-07-14T17:28:32.469-07:002012-07-14T17:28:32.469-07:00Bravo!Bravo!Doc Savagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08783244633195233970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930065815010914887.post-6773496866361039462012-03-21T09:53:44.499-07:002012-03-21T09:53:44.499-07:00I love this element of sandboxing and I have only ...I love this element of sandboxing and I have only increased it since reading A Song of Ice and Fire long ago; the way Martin handles rumor (particularly things that are false) is just great, and I think it can help a player immerse themselves in the world. Of course, I've heard arguments that spreading false rumors is BAD GMING because it erodes player confidence, but I'd counter that by saying the NPCs are (and should be) considered apart from the GM.JDG Perldeinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07632961831809544262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930065815010914887.post-13686951178876410962012-03-21T09:51:37.613-07:002012-03-21T09:51:37.613-07:00Being raised and bred on AD&D 2e, I've alw...Being raised and bred on AD&D 2e, I've always seen a sort of compromise between the two systems (level-appropriate regions vs. totally inappropriate encounters). My encounter charts definitely include dangerous and potentially lethal encounters even in highly settled areas.<br /><br />In fact, as you mentioned, Mike, in regards to urban centers: the same could easily be said of real (simulation) towns and villages. Particularly in AD&D, any sign of civilization is going to attract people like wizards and adventurers; the most dangerous thing to an adventuring party is, in my experience, another adventuring party.<br /><br />I am strongly opposed to level-oriented encounters for the simple reason that I find it risks breaking immersion. To the same extent, I rarely plan out dungeons or adventures that have "solutions;" they are simply a sequence of events, frames, etc. that unfold in certain ways (with alterations based on player action).<br /><br />I also agree with keeping a light touch on the reigns. After all, it is an arrogant GM indeed who can claim to know the exact position of every named NPC in his setting! Let the dice do the talking in those cases, says I.JDG Perldeinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07632961831809544262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930065815010914887.post-42921786054719353572012-03-21T08:13:59.861-07:002012-03-21T08:13:59.861-07:00It has the interesting effect of making courtesy a...It has the interesting effect of making courtesy an important attribute for characters. You want to size up an opponent first, and a bit of repartee helps<br /><br />One of the more remarkable transformations has been Riordan, who starter off willing to draw his sword at the drop of a hat, but who is now much more circumspect about getting into duels. Even though he is now one of the best swordsmen in France, he's experienced the social cost of dueling, so he's now a bit more restrained.Black Vulmeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04270071699114783644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930065815010914887.post-45098307709009399472012-03-21T08:10:30.354-07:002012-03-21T08:10:30.354-07:00Yup, my campaign is awash in rumors and gossip, as...Yup, my campaign is awash in rumors and gossip, as befits the campaign both in- and out-of-game.Black Vulmeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04270071699114783644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930065815010914887.post-21738826349063820342012-03-21T02:14:56.536-07:002012-03-21T02:14:56.536-07:00Good Article Black. Given that the burden of adap...Good Article Black. Given that the burden of adaptation rests with the players, I think a sand-box style game does have a distinctively different feel than a typical linear game. Caution and Intel become the order of the day, and fewer doors get "kicked open". <br /><br />Cheers,<br />-ArsheeshTadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10200456613429890959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930065815010914887.post-85559100131064791312012-03-21T01:18:10.173-07:002012-03-21T01:18:10.173-07:00Interesting stuff and a good read.
I think what...Interesting stuff and a good read. <br /><br />I think what comes out of this very clearly is that a sandbox world puts the onus on the players to identify level. Your job as GM in this case is to make sure they can get that information.Amanda Heitlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05970963185827361806noreply@blogger.com