 Fantasy Roleplaying Campaign developed by Steve Bonario for the 3rd Edition D&D game |
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Game Information > Game Schedule | Player Info | Contact the DM | Player's Guide Player's Guide
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| Before You Create a
Character Please read the following section before you go through the effort of creating a character for the Legends of Farhold campaign. I’ll describe what I consider to be my game mastering style, what I expect of players, and what I call house courtesy. I’m stating this all up front in hopes of reducing the chance of future misunderstandings.My game mastering style I like to think I am a firm but fair game master, though I’ll admit I have tendency to root for the players, especially when things are looking really grim (which can happen a lot). Translated, this means I don’t like to make the game too easy for the players—it has to stay challenging—but I also don’t make it too difficult (I mean, if you want to spend six hours banging your head against the wall, that’s why we have insurance companies, the IRS, stupid freeway drivers, Microsoft, and Prozac). I prefer to sit at a table, sit behind a GM screen usually, roll dice occasionally, use miniatures, a vinyl battlemat and water-based markers to map out dungeon crawls and combat situations. This is not a miniatures game, so don’t get too hung up on the miniatures (I love great-looking, well-painted miniatures, but I use pennies, M&Ms, dice, or anything else handy when needed). I believe the games I GM are a blend of role-playing and roll-playing (that is, it’s great to interact with NPCs and with each other, but it’s also fun to roll dice and beat the snot out of some monstrous creature—or roll dice and get the snot beat out of your character). The game is designed to be adventure- and group-oriented. Even though this is a campaign-style game, I do not have the time to entertain side missions for individual characters during game time. If you want your character to wander off and do something entirely separate from the group, you’ll probably be bored most of the time. We can deal with this kind of thing outside of game time. The game-time adventures are designed for the characters to work together as a team. This doesn’t mean that there can’t be character conflict—all good teams have some conflict—it just means that you’ll probably enjoy the game more if you create a character which can get along with others in a team most of the time rather than creating a loner or bully character. Although I’ve been a game master since 1979, the years have taught me I still have plenty to learn, so I’m asking each of you to keep in mind that I reserve the right to make mistakes, reverse a decision, or stick by what might seem to be a bad call. So get over it and play. And if you’re not having fun or you want to drop out of the game for any reason, please do so—just send me e-mail or call me to let me know! If you’re anal enough to want references, you can ask any of the following people who played in Erghon, my previous campaign: Doug "Sorlack" Allen, Lisa "Sandraya" Bonario, Bob "Burton" Calas, John "Kippir" Cuculic, Jeff "Elion" Gray, Lori "Sara/Tabillith" Harshaney, Terry "Syndar" Hawkins, Steve "Tomas/Hemlock" Lewis, Dan "Bombast/Irithiim" Perez, Helen "Audriana/Amir" Peters, Michael "Barada" Peters, Paul "Alger/Tharn" Prasek, Debra "Gaylen" Royal, Scott "Eldrin" Royal, Kevin "Kane" Shaum, Brian "Wald/Sycanthia" Upton, and Sheryl "Anisa" Zimmerman. (In memoriam: Chris "Zindara" Calas.) What I expect of playersBe prepared—bring your character. We have plenty of books and dice, but always bring your character. Also, always have an extra up-to-date copy of your character sheet for me. I expect a lot of basic courtesies, like showing up on time (or at least calling if you’ll be late or can’t make it), not leaving in the middle of the game (or at least letting me know if you have to leave early). I spend time to work on the game, so I expect some simple courtesies from my players. I also expect a commitment—which you can establish up front—as to how frequently you can play: if you intend to play regularly, great; if not, let’s just be clear about it up front so I won’t be expecting to see you every time we play (which will be about once every three weeks or so). I expect players to participate beyond just showing up for the game and I may ask you for help in designing part of the campaign world. Relax, it won’t be a major time investment, just something to help the game world grow, usually involving some aspect of your character. Cheating is not necessary. Why do I say this instead of asking you not to cheat? Because your character will never live or die based on a single die roll. And because you won’t be invited back to the game if I find you cheating. Unless I request otherwise, all of your dice rolls will be out in the open, using dice I can read from wherever I’m sitting. I reserve the right to keep my own rolls behind the GM screen when I choose. Finally, I expect you to respect the other players. We’re here to have fun and be entertained for a few hours. I’m a GM not a therapist, so lighten up. Respect the fact that each player has created a character they think is fun to play—whether or not you like what they’ve created. By the same token, don’t take your own character so seriously that you can’t take a joke or that you get bent out of shape if things don’t go your way. If I feel you’re being a pain in the ass as a player (read: making my job difficult and pissing me off) I will only give you one warning before asking you to drop out of the game. What to expect of
yourself Put into the game what you want to get out of it. You want roleplaying? Roleplay your character! You want combat and magic and money? Go for it! You want history and intrigue? Work with me and we’ll write it into the game. You want to spend game time discussing what you did at work last week? Go find another game! Hospitality stuff (food,
cleanup, etc.) On that last note: I refuse to tolerate poor personal hygiene! This should go without saying, but I’d rather be clear about these things. We all sit close to each other during a game, so don’t make me deal with this issue or I will have to hurt you. Yes, we all have bad hair days, but even bad hair isn’t as bad as unwashed bad hair. Buy and use deodorant. And don’t come to the game sick—I don’t want your cold or flu and neither does anyone else. If I’m sick, I’ll reschedule the game. If you have bothered to read this far, ask me about bonus starting experience points. Allergy sufferers be warned: we have two cats. Ice-bunnies be warned: the house temperature is usually no colder than 75. Children are welcome at our home during games. Please bring something to entertain them (toys, videos, games, etc.). However, if the kids prove to be too disruptive (which they might be—they’re kids after all), I may ask you to leave them with a sitter. The house is generally child-safe, but your kids are your responsibility (this sure sounds like a legal disclaimer, eh? How did a D&D game get so complicated?). Books in Use All other 2nd Ed. AD&D books, handbooks, accessories, etc., are not required, but
we may use them from time to time. You’ll notice the Monster books aren’t
listed. Guess you’ll have to play to find out what the monsters are like. Combat, Magic & Experience |
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Legends of Farhold. Website design by Erghon Associates, 1999-2001. |