So after pushing the start date and the character sheet deadline back I've still got nothing from my players. I'm thinking I'm going to end up putting this game on hold because obviously no one involved has enough time to reply to an email, let alone fill in a character sheet or actually play the game.

ugh that sucks.

If you can play Sunday nights on Tabletop Simulator my group would love to have you. We usually start around 6pm Pacfic and we have a few campaigns open so we can decide what to play based on who is available. I believe next week (the 27th) my husband will be running Ravenloft. (This offer is good for all Buffistas).

Thanks for the offer. I'll think about it. I'm already playing in one game, this one was about scratching the DMing itch.

How well does Tabletop Simulator work for D&D? So far my online gaming has been through a dedicated RPG VTT like Roll20.

Well, two of my players finally contacted me and I was able to spend a couple hours helping them create their characters, so there's progress there, at least. But now it looks like I'm going to have to post-pone the game until after the holidays anyway. My "Hey, let me know ASAP if you're going to be ready to play next week" resulted in 3 responses of "Probably not." Oy.

At least you had some progress. Holiday breaks are pretty normal.

I've only played D&D virtually on Tabletop Simulator so I'm not sure how it compares to other systems but I think it works really well. The DM can set up a fog and slowly reveal terrain as it is explored. We use Skype so we're chatting in real time. I think the game is $20 and then many many people have created and shared free tools, minis, turn trackers, even ambient soundtracks.

If you can play Sunday nights on Tabletop Simulator my group would love to have you. We usually start around 6pm Pacfic and we have a few campaigns open so we can decide what to play based on who is available. I believe next week (the 27th) my husband will be running Ravenloft. (This offer is good for all Buffistas).

I'd be game to try. As long as your patient. The only RPG I did was the Serenity campaign that MiracleMan DM'd. (I don't count the college try, where I came late to the game, the DM made me create a level 1 character (when all were I dunno, but super higher levels), and all the bad guys were levels to challenge the other players. So I died 3 or 4 times in the first hour. He took far too much glee killing the newbie. Asshole.)

I'd be game to try. As long as your patient. The only RPG I did was the Serenity campaign that MiracleMan DM'd. (I don't count the college try, where I came late to the game, the DM made me create a level 1 character (when all were I dunno, but super higher levels), and all the bad guys were levels to challenge the other players. So I died 3 or 4 times in the first hour. He took far too much glee killing the newbie. Asshole.)

Ugh. When I first started DMing I did the "everyone starts at level 1" thing and I cringe when I think about it now. Though there's still people out the who prefer to run that way (and a small handful who prefer to play that way. They want to "earn" their levels.) I don't really understand how new characters either dying horribly in the first round of combat, or else hiding in the back the entire fight--and then gaining 3 levels at a time because of shared XP--is somehow superior to just starting everyone at the same level, or, at worst, 1 level lower.

FYI Steam has an autumn sale. And Tabletop is 50% off ($10) [link]

(and lots of other games)

Happiness is the DM saying your character backstory is great. My first creation in a long time.

I've only done DnD once, in college. Only other RPG was the awesome Serenity campaign headed by MiracleMan out here in LA. So I was nervous coming up with a backstory, and creating a character.

He said:

I have seen many a great backstory.. and I have seen many people write key equipment into said backstory. Never have I seen someone write their basic equipment into thier backstory! NO ITS NOT BAD! ITS FUCKING GREAT! lol

(he first said "well shit man", and I responded with "That bad?", hence the "no it's not bad.." This is via Facebook messenger.)

'zat my hubby?