I’ve become acutely aware that I haven’t posted much to this site since I revamped it at Christmas.
What, you may ask, am I playing at? Well… to be honest, I’m not getting to do that much gaming right now. And that is very frustrating. I thought I would share what is going on in my head.
DARK REICH
Dark Reich is the setting in which I would most like to get playing. I have perhaps two friends who are interested in taking up the challenge, which is (just barely) enough to consider putting some dates in the diary.
So where is the problem?
One of the biggest challenges I face as a GM is that my enthusiasm is fueled by the interest and excitement of my players. My friends are all very busy people – professionals, even – and just turning up to our regular Friday night slot is a major challenge for those who do; the other guys don’t enjoy D&D4, which is what we are playing at present. I therefore have to contemplate EXTRA gaming sessions… and that doesn’t gel well with real life. After all, gaming is not at the top of most people’s priorities. Only obsessives like me would put it within the top three.
The second challenge I face is that I am torn between trying the cool and interesting Hero System OR choosing to test and refine my own Alpha RPG system. The former choice is exciting for me but will be harder for my players (who have never tried it) to learn; the latter choice seems more logical, although it will entail loads of work for me as I develop the rules AND the setting AND the scenarios.
What’s a poor GM to do? What would you do?
SOUL SHARDS
This has been an idea in my mind for around 5 years. I can remember talking to a colleague about it way back in the days when I worked for Games Workshop. I started to play it solo (sad? probably) and had a pretty good intro session which mostly consisted of me writing, rather than rolling dice. The problem, I realise, is that this is not a gaming project.
I’ve just finished reading Steven Pressfield’s book, “The War of Art”. Reading this book has helped me to realise that Soul Shards is a WRITING project that my soul is screaming at me to dare to write. The Resistance within me is telling me that I don’t have the time, I am no good as a writer, and that it’s better off as a game I play alone… and that solo gaming isn’t REALLY a bad thing. I think I need to re-think how I handle this precious idea. Please, bear with me.
ALPHA RPG
As I posted before, this was all Mike Mason’s fault. He dared me to develop an RPG the way I wanted to play. Those who know me will also know that I have drafted 5 different RPG systems since that dare was issued, but never completed any of them. Again, my own Resistance tells me that it’s not good enough and no one will care.
Alpha needs to be played. That being said, it can’t be played without players. So… I have sat on it, waiting for someone to ask me when we will be able to play. Of course the truth, the reality, is that no one is going to ask. I need to drum up some interest. Hence, my candour.
PUTTING IT TOGETHER
My gut-feeling (and I tend to trust my gut, as my wife will attest) is that I need to put two of my RPG projects together: Dark Reich and Alpha RPG could be one. I need to go out and find some players with the time and interest to give things a go. Separately to that, I need to go and look hard at Soul Shards and listen to what the Muse is saying to me about fiction writing.
So… if you, dear reader, know anyone who likes the idea of a World War II alternate history RPG campaign, can you tell them about me? If they would also be open to trying out some homebrew RPG rules and helping me to develop something fresh, I’d ask you again – can you tell them about me?
Right now, I realise that the most precious thing a GM can have is active players. What’s a lonely GM to do?
All you have to do is ask. If I’m free I’ll by there for some test gaming to help u develop this.
I’ve yet to read your newly released items so I’ll give some feedback as soon as i can. I’d love to see u complete the Alpha of your dreams and if I can be a part of that realisation then all the better. Thanks for including me and lets keep it alive
@Brassorbs: Okie dokie – will you come and play?
Thanks for the supportive note. To be fair, the regular KIA SpecOps guys are great and very supportive. I was really trying to be hard on myself, not have a pop at you chaps. Forgive me if I came off miffed.
All that aside, the work has recommenced. I’ve set up some Google Docs and invited a few volunteers to help me draft up the rules we need to get playing. Next stop… set up a date for a game. Game on!
I’ll definitely give it a shot whenever you’re ready to try it out. Learn and build as we go along I’m guessin??
Yes, very much a “learn and build” process in my mind. I would like to suggest that you concept a character you’d like to play and then work with me on developing that both from the storytelling angle and the rules-of-the-game angle.
When you get a few minutes, why not email me a concept outline and we’ll take it from there?
Proposed character:
Basic trooper who’s developed the ability to sense and locate magick sources. He’s generally a lackey and used as a tool by his superiors but has proved instrinsic to many search and find missions especially when it is crucial that Brandenburg X find a source before the Nazi core.
He’s been studied by others in the Brandenburg X personnel and told that he may have other latent abilities that he hasn’t discovered yet.
On one occasion he was a subject of aggressive magicks where the very earth and those around him were drained of life and all became blackened husks, yet he saw the source of the attack befre it struck and was somehow untouched along with a small area of ground about him.
This ability has not been exhibited since nor understood yet, but it bares promise if it can be controlled.
That’s all I have for now, sorry for the long delay.
Any thoughts on other team members?
Just an update, a month on… I like this concept and am returning to the writing tablet this weekend for the first time in a while. I’d like to get to the point where we can define and play with your character concept… and work towards some gaming. That said, there is MUCH work to be done.
Watch this space, I guess…