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?

A fine story; yet I can't help but notice a lack of backstory detail therein.

'zat my hubby?

A fine story; yet I can't help but notice a lack of backstory detail therein.

Formatting might be screwy. But it's been a bad sick day, and can't concentrate to fix.

Vonda Ironfist
Pale with rusted iron hair color.
Nick name "Rusty"

Fighter
Mountain Dwarf
Fighter skills:
- Insight & Perception

Rusty is the youngest son (of 10) of Thorin Ironfist. Thorin is well known throughout Iron Mountain and the rest of the mountain range, as the best blacksmith in the land. His oldest sons are quickly learning from their father, and are as skilled as any other blacksmith in the land. But Rusty, being the youngest sees the writing on the wall.

There are 9 above him. He will never get the forge. And while he is an adequate blacksmith, he will never come close to his brothers skills. Now that Rusty is getting to be 40, he needed to find his place in the world. He's tried many jobs under the mountain. The town watch taught him to fight, but didn't let him battle anyone. All they did was lock up the drunks, and guard the entrance to the mine. Mining was not his thing. He loved how they built up his muscles, and made him strong. He just didn't find it interesting. Dig here. Dig there. Dig everywhere.

And working in the shoppe selling his father's creations was fine. He wasn't a great salesman. Quite frankly, folks buying armor and weapons usually knew what they wanted, and everyone knew his father's reputation for making the best, so the stuff really did sell itself. So working in the shoppe was boring.

Rusty thought it through, and wanted to explore the world. One day, he sat down with his father.
"Father, I'm having trouble finding my place in the world"
"What are you talking about? You have a ton of options to pick from under the mountain."
"Yes father, but none appeal to my heart. You said it yourself, my smithing skills are adequate, but will never reach the quality of Thorin Jr. The shoppe is boring, because the equipment sells itself. And the mines are not for me."
"There are plenty of other fine and honorable jobs under the mountain. Why not put your fighting skills to use, and join the constabulary again?"
"C'mon Father. Under the mountain, there isn't any crime. All the constables do is lock up the drunks until they sober up. You know that means I'd be locking up my brothers! Which we all know is a waste of time. We helped build the shackles and jails. We know how to get out of them, even drunk. All it would do, would make everyone mad at me. I love my brothers. I don't want them mad at me. Plus, I like to drink too!"
His father chuckled at that, "Yes, this is true. So, not the constabulary. How about the…"
"Wait father. I know what I want to do. But I don't want you to be disappointed."
"What is it my son?"
Rusty looked down, and gathered some strength, took a deep breath, and looked his father in the eyes and said, "I want to be an adventurer. I want to explore the world beyond Iron Mountain. I want to meet others. I want to see more exotic metals than just iron and gold coins. I want to put my fighting skills to use, to help people. Maybe even slay a dragon! Look, the one thing I'm good at is fighting. We test everything you make. I've used every weapon. I've worn a ton of different types of armor. I've always bested every one of my brothers since I was around 20. And nobody at the constabulary had a chance of besting me. I'm strong. I'm agile. And I can fight."
His father listened intensely, and sighed. "Is there no talking you out of this?"
"No, sir."
"Have you told anyone else?"
"No, sir"
"When do you leave?"
"I hadn't planned that. I wanted your blessing first."
"Will you behave with honor? Killing only when needed? I do not want you to bring shame on our family or clan."
"Father, you know me too (continued...)

( continues...) well, you already know the answers to those questions. I will always do the honorable thing."
"Well. We should tell the family tonight at dinner. But you can not leave too soon. If you are venturing out in the world, I have to forge the best armor to help keep you safe, and the best weapons to slay those who are trying to hurt you. Plate armor will take some time. With Adrik and Thorin Jr, we can get it done in about 100 days. Can you wait that long?"
"For the finest armor in the land? I would be a fool not to"
"In the meantime, I'd suggest heading into the mines, and earning some coins to fill your pockets. Plus, it will get you into shape. I also expect to see you sparring with your other brothers every night. I want to make sure your weapons & shield skills are top notch before you leave"
"Yes father"
And that night, after a big feast, and lots of mugs of brew, Rusty told his family his plan. His father outlined the priorities in the forge. His mother would fashion the leather backings, his father and oldest brothers forged the plate, and the rest of his siblings did their best to beat him every night. But they never did. And after 100 days, it was time. His family lined up to say good bye. His father was first. He brought over the plate mail, and helped him into it. "Your mother worked the leather, and I worked the metal, so know, your parents will protect you".
Next was the second youngest brother, Ulfgar. He handed Rusty a backpack and said "If you are going to explore the world, you need to carry your plunder"
Then his brother Travok handed him a bedroll and said, "all that fighting will make you tired. You will need this to keep you warm. Not as warm as the forge, but it will do."
Next, his brother Tordek handed him a mess kit. "Little brother, we don't want the world thinking we are savages. Use the cutlery like Mother taught us!" and the others laughed.
Flint handed Rusty a tinderbox. "To help you start fires. Cook the meat. And stay warm in the frozen lands."
Oskar said "you may pall around with folks who can't see in the dark as well as us, so here are 10 torches. Don't expect you will need them, but, can't hurt to have".
His brother Morgran was next in the line. "Look little brother. You may be OUR little brother, but you are still a Dwarf! You gotta eat! For those days you can't find game to kill, here are 10 days of rations".
Rurik, adding to Morgran's words, passing Rusty a water skin, saying "and don't forget to stay hydrated. We wouldn't want those supple muscles cramping, or worse, that brain of yours to stop thinking!" which brought another laugh from the group.
His brother Adrik strapped a rope onto the backpack. "In case you dig yourself into a hole too deep to climb out.
And Thorin Jr was last in the line, and handed him the finest warhammer he had ever seen. It was perfectly balanced. And a shield that matched his armor, with their family crest in the center, it looked and felt magnificent. "With these two items, you can do a lot of damage. Make us proud!"

At the end of the line, Rusty looked back at his family, and said "Thank you, to each and every one of you. I will come back when I can, and share my tales and spoils."

And with that, he headed out the door, found his way to the tunnel mouth, and stepped out into the greater world, and headed for Deep Harbor, where he heard there were places to find fellow adventurers.