All posts by Chris Colbath

Character Diaries and Information, Gaming

Character: Petyr Goodfellow

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“Petyr!”

I was startled from my sleep by my Grandmother’s voice, a shrill overly loud bellow that I had heard way too many times since my Father left.

“Peeeeetyr!”

“What, Nama?  I was sleeeping!”

“You are supposed to be at the south woods hunting with the others!  You must do your part along with the others. There is no better archer in the wood than you! Get off your hinds and help!”

“I forgot, Nama!  I’m going!”

My nature was one of fun and adventure, and the drollery of hunting for food was never that exciting.  The prey never had a chance once I got them in my sights.  With a few seconds of focus with my Father’s bow, there has yet to be an animal that could move fast enough to avoid my arrow.  Add to that my skills as a scout, it was usually me talking them all down and the others dragging back the meat.

That was the way of the Faun. Hunt and play.  Isn’t there something else?  I have to find something better.

——————————————————————

I sometimes miss my Nama and the others as I travel into the Human lands, but I am fascinated by all of the new things I have learned.  I don’t understand their worth, but I love the shiny things they call “gems” and “coins” and I am collecting as many as I can.  I was also able to trade some of them for a new quiver that creates arrows!  It weighs less and I never run out of arrows now.

I get some strange looks from folks as I am the only Faun in the area, but no matter.  My father taught me how to deal with folks like that.  I can still hear his words:

“Drinking and Love, Sword and Arrow, son.  These are the only ways to deal with trouble.  Try the First, and end with the Second if they won’t have any.”

So, that is how I live.  I go from town to town, looking for work to get more shiny toys, and maybe a little Elven or Human “alone” time.  I really love the Elven women.  They know the meaning of time in bed.  They aren’t in a hurry like the Humans; slow and steady, as only an immortal can do it.  I’ve spent a week in bed with an Elven woman and it was over too soon.

Well, I think I am hungry, so I’d best hunt something down.  I seem to have forgotten enough rations after leaving that last town.    It’s only a few hours out, though.  I might be able to boost a few coins and get a meal there.  We’ll see how it goes.

——————————————————————

Meeting Dareos has been life-changing.  Beyond the obvious benefit of having a Healer about, he has started to change my way of thinking.  I haven’t stolen from anyone in nearly a month and I never forget rations or supplies anymore.  Well, I forget them, but he always seems to remember for me.

I have to admit, I took a few shiny stones from the last group of Orcs we killed out in the wild, and I haven’t told him.  Before, I never would have thought twice about it.  Now, he’s got me thinking that I might have been wrong for hiding it.  And what’s worse, if I tell him now, he’ll shake his head in that disapproving manner and then just forgive me!  He won’t even be angry at me.

I am not sure if I can stay around him and not become someone else.  He goes after causes and such, and helps folks that deserve an arrow in the head.  Lately, I have been pausing before finishing off creatures that are down after we fight something.  It hasn’t stopped me yet, unless Dareos tell me to, but I don’t appear to be as wild as I once was.

I don’t yet know if I like it, but I know he has my back and won’t desert me, even if I steal from him.  I think I might stick around for awhile yet, just to see how things pan out.  Those caves we went into were really too much for us without some tougher folks along for the ride.  Now that we are headed back to town, I need to make a decision.

Should I stay or should I go?

——————————————————————

GURPS Stats: Petyr Goodfellow (261 points)

ST 13 [30]; DX 14* [60]; IQ 11† [20]; HT 12* [10].
HP 13 [0]; Will 11 [0]; Per 14‡ [5]; FP 12 [0].
5’8″; 185#

Templates and Meta-Traits

Faun (Dungeon Fantasy; p. DF3:8) [20].

Advantages

Appearance (Attractive) [4]; Enhanced Tracking 1 (Multiple Lock-on) [6]; Heroic Archer [20]; Outdoorsman 2 [20]; Signature Gear $3,500 (Elven Longbow) [7]; Trading Character Points for Money $1,000 [2]; Weapon Master (Bow; one specific weapon) [20].
Perks: Fast-Draw (Arrow); Fast-Draw (Shortsword); Quick-Sheathe (Shortsword); Strongbow; Unique Technique (Double-Draw); Weapon Adaptation (Smallsword to Shortsword); Weapon Bond (Bow). [7]

Disadvantages

Absent-Mindedness [-15]; Curious (12 or less) [-5]; Delusion (Mother was a Nymph; Minor) [-5]; Greed (15 or less) [-7]; Overconfidence (9 or less) [-7]; Sense of Duty (Adventuring companions) [-5].
Quirks: Bowlegged; Code of Honor ((Steal a little less, Help folks a little more)); Incompetence (Dancing); Minor Handicap (Bad Shoulder); Sings when bored. [-5]

Melee Attacks

Brawling * Punch (14): 1d-1 cr.  Reach C.
Brawling * Bite (14): 1d-1 cr.  Reach C.
Brawling * Kick (12): 1d+1 cr.  Reach C,1.
Shortsword * Swing (14): 2d-1 cut.  Reach 1.
Shortsword * Thrust (14): 1d+1 imp.  Reach 1.

Ranged Attacks

Longbow ST 19, Elven (19): 1d-2 imp.  Acc 3.  Range 0 in / 0 in.  RoF 1.  Shots 1(2).

Skills

Acrobatics (H) DX [4]-14; Bow (A) DX+4 [16]-18§; Brawling (E) DX [1]-14; Camouflage (E) IQ+4 [3]-15¶; Carousing (E) HT [1]-12; Cartography/TL3 (A) IQ [2]-11; Climbing (A) DX [2]-14; First Aid/TL3 (Humanoid) (E) IQ+1 [2]-12††; Gesture (E) IQ+1 [2]-12; Hidden Lore (Faerie Lore) (A) IQ-1 [1]-10; Hiking (A) HT [2]-12; Jumping (E) DX [1]-14; Knife (E) DX [1]-14; Knot-Tying (E) DX [1]-14; Lockpicking/TL3 (A) IQ [2]-11; Merchant (A) IQ [2]-11; Mimicry (Bird Calls) (H) IQ+1 [2]-12¶; Naturalist (Earth) (H) IQ+1 [2]-12¶; Navigation/TL3 (Land) (A) IQ+1 [1]-12¶; Observation (A) Per-1 [1]-13; Pickpocket (H) DX [4]-14; Scrounging (E) Per [1]-14; Sex Appeal (Elf) (A) HT [1]-12‡‡; Sex Appeal (Human) (A) HT [1]-12‡‡; Shadowing (A) IQ+1 [4]-12; Shortsword (A) DX [2]-14; Singing (E) HT+2 [1]-14§§; Stealth (A) DX [2]-14; Survival (Mountain) (A) Per+1 [1]-15¶; Survival (Woodlands) (A) Per+1 [1]-15¶; Tracking (A) Per+1 [1]-15¶; Traps/TL3 (A) IQ+2 [8]-13.
Techniques: Double-Draw (Bow) (H) [0]-18; Dual-Weapon Attack (Bow) (H) [3]-18**.

* Includes +1 from ‘Faun (Dungeon Fantasy)’.
† Conditional -5 from ‘Absent-Mindedness’ when concentrating on another task.
‡ Includes +2 from ‘Faun (Dungeon Fantasy)’.
§ Conditional +1 from ‘Weapon Bond (Bow)’.
¶ Includes +2 from ‘Outdoorsman’.
** Includes +2 from ‘Heroic Archer’.
†† Conditional +1 from ‘First Aid Kit’.
‡‡ Includes +1 from ‘Appearance’.
§§ Includes +2 from ‘Musical Ability’.

Life Events, Spiritual Things

More than words

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“What would you say if I took those words away? Then you couldn’t make things new just by saying ‘I Love You.'”

I really love this song. It is still hard to listen to; the pain is strong when I hear it and probably won’t ever heal , but I listen to it when it comes on anyway.  It has a good message and I love to hear it.  I was just watching “Rock of Ages” and this song is featured in it, so I thought I would pause to share my thoughts on this, as they were revealed to me.

I loved a woman once, and it didn’t work out.  She and I went different ways and that is that.  We are both better for it. This was the song we called “our song” and it is inexorably tied to her, whether I want it to or not.  It is likely she thinks of me when she hears it, and I hope it is with a smile.  Maybe someday I will deal with this 100%, but I am not ready and I don’t see that happening for awhile.

Two things are important about this time I heard it, though.

  1. I am over the pain enough that I can listen to the song and not get upset.  I can just love the song again and remember what love feels like.
  2. I don’t actually care of she knows how I feel about it anymore.  I don’t hate her and I don’t bear her malice.  I am just healing and that feels good.
  3. I strongly believe you should never let pain stop you from experiencing what you love.  And I love this song and this band.

Yep.  That was 3 things.  Sue me.

Enjoy it.  I’ll be in my bunk.

Conventions, Gaming

GenCon 2013: A long time coming

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In one short week, I will be at GenCon to play games and see the greatest gaming convention in the world.  Or so I have been assured.  This will be my first time to attend.

Most of you know that I have taken an irrational dislike to Gary Gygax.  Some of you know why.  Even fewer of you know this is the reason I have never gone to GenCon.  The Mecca of gaming and I am a GenCon virgin over a stupid Vow I made as a rash young boy.

Granted, I still don’t like him.  Given what he has done for the hobby, regardless of what I think of him, I will accept him as a Founder of what I love.  I will not accept him as the great and wonderful Oz.  Oh wait, that term actually fits him, at least the character’s charlatan origins, but he was a 3rd level magician, at best.

But, that’s not what I am writing about here, even though it is related.  That story is written here, for those that are interested.    Now on to GenCon.

I am really, really, excited about going to GenCon.  It is a little overwhelming, even for a veteran congoer like me.  I have been to several *really* large conventions and the atmosphere is staggering at first.  Most conventions are a mix of many things and gaming, although usually pretty cool, gets a side seat to all of the other events.  Like screen and voice actor signings and such, HUGE raves, and cosplay.  The merchant rooms might have one or two gaming vendors, if that.  Especially at the “Comiccon” type events.  Those are largely comics (duh), artists, and writers, with general nerd culture items thrown in.  These things take over a convention and gaming is just part of the crowd.

But *this* one is all gaming, all the time.   Most of the vendor room, I am told, is gaming vendors.  All of the food groups are represented.  Here is a link to the announcements for games being premiered at Gencon. I am sure there will be more, but this is all I could find.  Assuming I can afford it, I will bring home as many as I can!

I will be playing in a Houses of the the Blooded LARP, run by Rob Justice and attended by the creator, John Wick.  I generally have a blast with this crew and am excited to see that happens.  Most of this group will also be at GlitchCon, a week later.  I expect to have a great time.

I plan to play a 2 hour Artemis mission called Ship of the Line, and I dread that they will make me Captain, even though they know not my skills. I rarely get to play any role but captain, so it might be nice to run another station.  Anything but Comms, though.  I will do it, so the mission will succeed, but I really don’t like Comms.  The new version will be out there, as well, so I will be one of the first to try it outside of the Beta Testers.  I am excited.

I will also spend time with some of my friends, although most of them have had plans for GenCon for many moons and I doubt we will spend much time together.  So, as I am wont to do, I will meet many new gamers and drink with new friends while they are about their business.  I absolutely love meeting new people.  They all have stories, as Kaylee would say.

I look forward to what is to come and I will report as soon as I can when I get back.  Expect FB updates and such, as I go.

So, wish me luck and I will see you upon my return. Play more games!

Serenity Always,

Chris

Conventions, Gaming

GenCon Gaming Dreams

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Games I want from GenCon.  I am sure I won’t get them all (unless I can), but WANT!
Name (manufacturer) 
Galaxy Defenders (Ares games)
Mage Wars: Druid vs. Necromancer (Arcane Wonders)
Maximum Throwdown (AEG)
Inkognito (Ares games)
Sails of Glory (Ares games)
Consequential (Asmadi)
Ultimate Werewolf: Inquisition (Bezier games)
Leviathans: Ship Quirks & Crew Abilities Card Deck (Catalyst Game Labs)
Gravwell: Escape from the 9th Dimension (Crytozoic Entertainment)
Death Cup (Drunkassgames)
BloodBound (Fantasy Flight)
Dead Panic (Fireside games)
Firefly: the game (Gale force nine)
Galactic Strike Force (Greater than Games)
Zombie, 25′ (Iello)
Dixit 4, and 2 & 3 (Libellud)
Fluxx, the board game (Looney Labs)
Shitenno (Ludonaute)
Pathfinder Adventure Card Game: Rise of the Runelords – Base Set (Paizo)
Pathfinder Adventure Card Game: Rise of the Runelords – Character Add-On Deck.  (Paizo)
 Mice and Mystics: Heart of Glorm ( Plaid Hat Games)
Space Cadets: Dice Duel (Stronghold Games)
Pandemic: In the lab (z-man games)
Pandemic: On the brink (z-man games)
Gaming, Rambling

My hatred for Gary Gygax: Explained.

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Some have asked my why I am the least of fans for Gygax and why I had once vowed to punch him in the nose if I met him.  It may also explain why the only version of D&D I have enjoyed is Pathfinder, and even then, by house ruling the shit out of it.

 

I do regret slightly that I never met him, so I could punch him, but I guess that is for the best.  I am largely over the whole thing, since he is now gone, but it has made me unpopular in some nerd circles and others have been straight up hostile with me for it.  Whatever.  And since I know that most gamers don’t study martial arts as I have,  I say this,

“Come at me, bro.”

Anyway, here is that story, if you still care.

My disdain for all things Gygaxian began when I read an article he wrote back in the mid 80s in Best of Dragon I.  Somewhere, I still have that article, but it is available online somewhere if you want to validate what I say is true.  His damning statements were (paraphrased):  “I was not influenced by Tolkien in writing D&D” and “Gandalf was a 3rd level Magician, at best.”

He claimed he took everything that he wrote from the same sources that Tolkien did (older mythological works) and apparently came to the same conclusions and mostly the same names as Tolkien did.  I am not prepared to refute this, even though it is clearly bullshit.  Orcs. Orcs, coming from the Quenya “Yrch” that elves called them in disgust.  And Halflings?  Really? The society Gygax writes about just SCREAMS Hobbits.  Gorramit, Gary!

Anyway, I digress.

The second statement was the one that made me think perhaps he really hadn’t read the books or was jsut trying to pretend he hadn’t to make his point.  Like, the original Troll, he got me.

Gandalf was a frakkin’ Maia.  A saint, by Catholic terms, and the second most powerful one at that.  Only Sauron held more raw power than Gandalf.  Even Saruman, head of the Wizard order, was seduced by Sauron and led to the Dark Side (if you will pardon my cross-referencing Star Wars).  Saying he was a 3rd level magician, at best, because he didn’t SHOW his power is about as ignorant as the idea that AS WRITTEN, any version of D&D is a role-playing game. But, that last part is a discussion for another time.

Gandalf said, in the passes headed through the Misty Mountains when he used a small spell to start the campfire, that now he has shown himself  “in signs that could be read as far as the mouth of Anduin, ‘Gandalf is here!'”.  Again, paraphrased.  Any use of immortal power, as Gandalf had, was visible to anyone else that could wield that kind of power, namely Saruman and Sauron.

So, to keep everyone safe, he could not use any real power and every time he did, it risked the Fellowship.  Imagine what a beacon the fight with the Balrog must have been! All of the Maia in Middle Earth, and all of the Elven  Ring Bearers, were likely aware of the fight and its outcome.  Only when “naked, I was sent back until my task was done” did he have the ability to openly show himself, as he no longer had to protect the Ringbearer. 

In short, Gygax was an idiot and, through folks that knew him, I am informed he took credit for things that were not his creation.  I cannot confirm or deny this, so it will remain rumour until evidence presents itself.

Still, I won’t start liking him or give him respect now that he is dead.  I will revere Dave Arneson, as the real father of roleplaying, as he truly deserves it much more.  But Gygax?  As a desert person, I waste water to show my disdain for him.

*spit*

That is all.

Spiritual Things

Marriage Equality

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She says it exactly as I would if I could.  Please listen.

via US. Senator Diane Savino Speaks On The Marriage Equality Bill – YouTube.

Personally, I have a right that I have shelved and decided to ignore, while I have friends that would love to take it off that shelf, dust it off and treasure it for their lifetime.  I have managed to squander it, dent it, toss it about and, in general, abuse it.  I am not worthy of such a thing and I wish more than anything I could give it to someone that would use it and make it shine.

If I could I would transfer my right to marry to any gay/lesbian couple that wanted it but can’t have it.  If there are any lawyers out there that can make this happen, I will sign over my right to be married so they can.  I would ask any other straight person that can’t seem to make a relationship work to pledge the same.   I have the right to do it, I should have the right to sign it away.

Again, I doubt it can be done, but I would gladly give my right to marry to someone more worthy.  Let’s just get over ourselves and have real equality in this world.

We are only here for a short while. Why work on things that hurt other people?
Walking the Path,

Chris

Gaming, Mad Ramblings, Spiritual Things

BDH

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This has been around the net several times, but I like it and what it says about my particular set of folks that I associate with.

flash

We believe in acceptance of others, because we ourselves need it. We have been through it and we are willing to add *anyone* into our fold, whatever they are.  Race, gender, sexual orientation, religious preference, Browncoats, Jedi, whatever.  We are a diverse group of people through gaming and nerd culture and we don’t care who you are.   If you want to be one of us, you are in.

Unless you are Sith.  Fuck those guys.

Just kidding, as long as you don’t touch the younglings.  Srlsy.

In small ways, every day, we seek to be better than we are. And if someone is in need, we generally love and *seek* to help others.  and this photo is proof of it.  I know all of my friends that Cosplay would make sure this kid found his parents, regardless of what it cost them.  Because we know that with great power comes great responsibility.

We don’t just read comics or watch movies or play games.  We become them.  We are nerds, and we are proud.

So, what does that make us?

Big Damn Heroes.

Gaming

International Tabletop Day 2013

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I had the privilege of attending International Tabletop Day at Gear Gaming Store in Fayetteville.  Many games were played, and Wil Wheaton and Felicia Day saw fit to attend!

Intro

Continue reading International Tabletop Day 2013 →

Information, Notification

Bitching about my posts

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Please don’t bitch about Walmart (or anything else) on my posts.  If you don’t like Walmart or something else I am writing about, keep it to yourself unless it is relevant to the intent of that post.   If it is, I will let it go.  Simple bitching or ranting will not be tolerated.

Walmart has done great things by me, in many ways.  It is likely they have done the same for you, whether you realize it or not.  If you have ever taken your child to a CMN Hospital (or know someone who does), then Walmart was involved in your child’s care.  They beat FEMA to the Katrina disaster by 3 days and were waiting with truckloads of supplies.

I personally have seen and been involved in more charity work that was endorsed, encouraged and matched by Walmart than any other company I have been involved with.  They paid my wage for an entire week to record a CD with the Walmart Associate Choir for CMN Charities.  The Entire Proceeds will go to that charity.  These are the important things in life and my company supports them.  Nay, they pay for it.

Bitch about my posts on your own posts.  I will refrain from bitching there.  Attack me, and I will prepare a defense, but it won’t be bitching.   That is the beautiful thing about the internet.    I don’t have to tolerate bitching, and neither do you.  You don’t like it?  Take off, as Geddy would say.  Guilty or Innocent, I will feed useless bitching and rants to the Sharkticons here.

So, keep to the intent of the writing, please.  I appreciate it.

Thanks!

Mad Ramblings, Spiritual Things

Through the tears

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This woman speaks to me from across the world. I try to hold it back, I try not to face what I must, and then I am drawn to her songs. The tears fall, the pain starts. I write, and then, for a moment, I am at peace.

This is every day for me. Some days, it is really, really hard to hold on, but I listen to this. I see her smile.  And then, I smile through the tears.

I will likely never meet her, and even if I do, I won’t be able to express what she has done for me. But if the message gets to her, I just want to say, “Thank you. Through the tears, thank you.”