Topics

31

Show Comments / Comments on Episode 13 - Actual Play of Session 6

« on: March 29, 2009, 02:08:39 PM »

In this episode, Tim and Kim guide you through highlight snippets of an example of actual play of the sixth session of Return to Northmoor - "The Temple of Art, Part I", so you can see what when right and what went...different.

We discuss how playing in an old school Red Box D&D game makes it hard to remember how initiative works in 4e, that when players mock your plot in the recap it's time for a revision, and that letting players do the cool stuff, even if it's not what you planned, makes the game more fun.

We've tweaked our AP episode format a bit in this one, and it's now a full hour, with fewer, longer clips.

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General Northmoor Discussion / Poll About Actual Play Episodes

« on: March 18, 2009, 11:58:40 AM »

http://northmoor.spookyouthouse.com/pollsarchive/

If you have a moment, go respond to our poll about our Actual Play episodes!

Thanks,

Tim

33

Show Comments / Comments on Episode 12 - Entering the Temple of Art, Part I

« on: March 16, 2009, 07:25:52 AM »

In this episode, Tim and Kim go over the scenes for the sixth session of play. We go over all the scenes from this session, and lay out the feel of each, so you can hit the materials well-prepared to run it.

Scenes in this Session, entitled “Temple of Art, Part I”:

1) The Hall of Entry - The entry hall has a calming and perception-enhancing effect - but will the PCs let themselves be affected?

2) The Grand Foyer - A grand chamber filled with specacular art give the PCs a glimpse into the former glory of the Bel-Alaquan civilization.

3) The Hall of Nature - A Hall showcasing art dedicated to nature has been descecrated by a Chaos Cult, and concealed doors let the PCs discover how the Temple met it’s end.

4) The Guardroom - The guards made their final stand here a millienia ago, and used a Blood Key to seal the Temple off from time.  Now, the remnants of the invading force linger to threaten the group.

4) The Maproom - A final surprise from the Chaos Cult lurks in the corners of an amazing room-sized map of Bel-Alaqua.

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Show Comments / Comments on Episode 11 - Actual Play of Session 5

« on: March 16, 2009, 07:25:10 AM »

Comments on Episode 11 - Actual Play of Session 5.

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General Northmoor Discussion / Moving to Bi-Weekly Release Schedule

« on: March 08, 2009, 03:17:17 PM »

Hi All!

 First, thanks to all of you who listen to our show regularly, and especially those that give us feedback here on the forums.

 Second, I wanted to let you know that we're going to be moving to a bi-weekly release schedule.  It takes 12-14 hours per regular episode, and 5-6 hours per AP episode for us to produce the show, and with everything else we have going on, it's just not working out for us to be able to fit that much time into every week.

 So rather than change what we're producing, we're just going to try and release it regularly, but every other week.

 There will still be a season break after the end of the next story arc, during which, I hope to roll out some major enhancements to the website, and bring you some more of our ever-popular meta episodes.

 So, thanks again for your support, and we'll see you in a week!!!

Tim

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General Northmoor Discussion / Please rate us on iTunes!

« on: February 23, 2009, 06:46:55 AM »

We're not looking to win any popularity contests, but we'd love to grow our listenership, and right now, our measly 3 ratings on iTunes (with one of them being from me) is cramping our style a bit.

So, if you listen to the show, please go rate us on iTunes!

Thanks!

Tim

37

Show Comments / Comments on Episode 10 - Session 5 - Entering the Temple of Art

« on: February 21, 2009, 09:24:29 PM »

In this episode, Tim and Kim go over the scenes for the fifth session of play. In the first half of the show, we go over each scene, and NPC in detail, so that you can be prepared to run this session. In the second half of the show, we give tips on running it as interestingly as possible, and ideas on variations to suit your group. (The next episode covers the highlights of how it ran for our group).

Scenes in this Session, entitled "Entering the Temple of Art":

1) Deeper into the Bog - The group spends the night at the Bogman's hut in preparation for venturing deeper into the bog to rescue their Mentor from the Sahuagin.  They also stock up on items he's collected from the bog over the years.

2) Ancient Guards - The PCs encounter more ghosts from ancient Bel-Alaqua - these not so friendly.  They are paid a surprise visit by a sinuous bog dweller.

3) The Khumat - An evil humanoid crocodile from the Feywild has made his nest directly on top of the entrance to the Temple of Art, and the group must formulate a plan to defeat him.  While scoping out the island, they discover the grisly remains of their former Outmost-mates.

4) Dancing Columns - Dropping down intot he entranceway of the Temple, the group encounters a set of enormous stone columns in the form of beautiful ladies - who being a whirling dance of death.  Will the PCs find the keyhole to insert their blood key in time?

38

Video Games / Lord of the Rings Online

« on: February 10, 2009, 09:18:19 AM »

Hi there - I know that everyone seems to be caught up in the 'MMO of the moment', but I thought I mention that I am still playing Lord of the Rings online.

Yes, it may not be the new cool thing, but I enjoy it. 

And Doyce Testerman from our popular Return to Northmoor Meta Episode series is on there too.  We're on the Landroval server.  My main is 'Tarhelion'.

So if any of you happen to be playing LotRO, look me up!

Thanks,

Tim

39

Show Comments / Comments on Episode 9 - Actual Play of Session 4

« on: February 09, 2009, 08:33:01 PM »

In this episode, Tim and Kim guide you through highlight snippets of an example of actual play of the fourth session of Return to Northmoor, so you can see what when right and what went…different.

We discuss how to use skill checks to bring character knowledge into the players’ minds, and how really narrow corridors aren’t fun for the people in the back.

There are several longer (4 minute) clips in this session that let you see into the problem-solving process the players use to navigate the puzzles in this episode.

40

Show Comments / Comments on Episode 8 - The Temple of Blood

« on: February 01, 2009, 10:26:55 PM »

In this episode, Tim and Kim go over the scenes for the fourth session of play. In the first half of the show, we go over each scene, and NPC in detail, so that you can be prepared to run this session. In the second half of the show, we give tips on running it as interestingly as possible, and ideas on variations to suit your group. (The next episode covers the highlights of how it ran for our group).

Scenes in this Session, entitled "The Temple of Blood":

1) Next Steps - Having learned that they are all descended from the noble families of the ancient Bel-Alaquan civilization, the PCs learn that their mentor is being held in an Ancient Bel-Alaquan ruin, the Temple of Art.  But to enter, they need a Blood Key from the Temple of Blood.

2) Entrance - The Bogman rows the PCs to the front of the spotless opalescent Temple of Blood.  They discover that they aren't the only ones to come here recently, and must prove their knowledge of the gods to continue.

3) The Balance of Knowledge - Another challenging room awaits in the bowels of the temple.  They PCs must use their wits and skills to bypass the pit and continue through the hidden door.

4) Shark Alley - IThe Shauagin have beaten the PCs to the temple, and left a rearguard to finish them off.   An ambush and a battle in a small dark space follow.

5) Chamber of Keys - The PCs reach the chamber where the Blood Keys are stored, and must discover their secret in order to remove them.

41

General Discussion / All Geeks Like Salt and Vinegar Chips?

« on: February 01, 2009, 03:16:07 PM »

Kim_Stone has a theory that all geeks like Salt & Vinegar potato chips.

Since you are browsing this forum, you are a geek.  Please indicate if you do or don't like Salt and Vinegar potato chips.

We will see if she is correct!!!!

Tim

42

Games and Hobbies / RPG Story Design - How to Learn?

« on: January 22, 2009, 10:27:38 AM »

When sitting down to plot Return to Northmoor, I was looking for a way to branch out from the traditional "a map of rooms, and each has a threat!" approach to scenario design.

While the dungeon needs to be a component of a good D&D scenario, I believe that it should never make up the entire scenario.

So in the process of trying to learn more, I've been studying various 'masters' of storytelling.  Most recently, Robert McKee.  His book, "Story" has been very inspirational to me in terms of coming to a better understanding of what makes stories tick, and how a story is different from a screenplay's treatment and dialog.  I highly recommend it (and the audiobook version from Audible is reasonably priced and well-done).

That said, it's a book that's focused on screenwriting, so there are clearly some things that just don't apply to RPG scenario design.  

1) You have minimal control over the characters.
2) You are dealing with n hours of play, rather then a fixed 2-3 hours of a film.
3) You are trying to write something entertaining for both the characters and the listeners.
4) Some players may not want to make their characters multi-dimensional.

...and so on.  You get the idea.

So I found this article, which discusses many of my inspirations directly in terms of RPG scenario design.  Albeit for video games, but still a fascinating read.

http://onlyagame.typepad.com/only_a_gam ... visio.html

I hope that it helps y'all!

Tim

43

Campaign Updates / The Golden Dice Strike Back!

« on: January 22, 2009, 08:20:44 AM »

So we resumed play of the Return to Northmoor campaign last night after our extended holiday hiatus, and much fun was had.

But the big news was the return of Wick, playing the "I can't hit anything" fighter, Rogan.  He brought back his weighty golden dice, and low and behold, they actually rolled well!

That's right!  He was actually effective in combat.  Pretty shocking, I know.  It'll be a while before we get to this session's recording in the show, but I just wanted to let people know that the golden dice have struck back!

Karma, baby!

Tim

44

Media Review / Keanu to star in Cowboy Bebop

« on: January 16, 2009, 12:22:38 PM »

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b79405_ ... bebop.html

Yes, they are making a Cowboy Bebop movie.  And yes, Keanu is starring in it.  Hello Johnny Mnemonic II.

45

Show Comments / Return to Northmoor Meta Episode 3 - Fred Hicks Interview

« on: December 18, 2008, 12:17:24 PM »

In this final Return to Northmoor episode of the year, Doyce Testerman and Tim White sit down with Fred Hicks of Evil Hat (Spirit of the Century and Don’t Rest Your Head), and OneBadEgg, a new venture producing materials for Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition.

Fred talks about how his games have evolved from the days of Amber Diceless, to FUDGE, to FATE 1.0-2.0, and the the FATE 3.0 that was used to build Spirit of the Century.

He talks about the burgeoning D&D 4e publishing industry, and the various meanings of OneBadEgg - including one related to WotC.

Fred talks about how 4e has given him a new love of miniatures, and how much work creating a new class for 4e can be.

Finally, Fred talks about adding Story Games elements to your D&D game using the “Circle of Blame”.

Unfortunately, this audio quality for this telephone interview was far below what we normally produce here at Return to Northmoor.  Rest assured we’ll be back up to our normal standards for future episodes.

If you are looking for new D&D 4.0 products, please check out OneBadEgg.com to see the work that Fred, Rob Donaghue, and a lot of others are putting out.  If you are interested in the subscription model that Fred talks about in the show, check out http://onebadegg.com/bookshelf