Part three! Let's go!
51: May I please see a devious trap or dangerous hazard that you have created?
A: Here's one created just for the occasion! (It's my first trap).
The hidden portals in this corridor are set to close after the first person/creature goes through them, separating them from the rest of the party. The separated group member will find that behind them is a monster where they thought their party was, and the rest of the party will see a monster suddenly replace their party member. Both, however, will hear each other's noise through the door.
52: Please share three new/distinctive magical spells you or your players have created.
A: I haven't made any... Well, now I have! These are spells Gandalf could have.
1: White flame. Lesser beings of fire and creatures of darkness recognise your authority.
2: Spark. Light something in your hands on fire.
3: Golden Hope. Those who fall in battle alongside you have a 1-in-6 chance of seeing another day.
53: Share a puzzle or a riddle that has created a memorable experience for you.
A: When I ran Kidnap the Archpriest, my players decided to impersonate the archpriest and fake his death. The fact that they got away with it and the archpriest himself is a testament to my players' creativity. Knave was a good choice in my opinion (if you know, you know).
54: Share some common superstitions practised by people of your setting.
A: I've only run one that came up during play (Offworlders). At least one thing in your spaceship will be broken, so captains usually leave the windscreen wipers alone.
55: Show me three brand new monsters you have created for your game!
A: I haven't actually made any... Let's go, then.
1: Nightmare. A horse that brings you in the sky to the realm of dreams.
2: Black hole. A sentient portal sent to bring spells back to the plane of magic.
3: River tongue. The voice of the waterfall brings wisdom and destruction.
56: Summarise your campaign setting in 2d20 words or less.
A: (I rolled 20 words.) A multiverse where every world is a different game I have run, using different systems. I reference past games occasionally.
57: Talk about your favourite blog/creator for a little bit! Give them some compliments!
58: Tell me about a book or a movie that really influenced you in terms of these games!
A: Can I do two books, please? So You Want to Be a Game Master by Justin Alexander and How to Run by Alexis Smolensk have more or less made me the DM I am now, but for different reasons. Justin's focus is on creating structures and procedures that organise play into discrete steps. It taught me that every element of the fictional world is fundamentally gameable and that the degree of abstraction is a choice that informs the mechanics used. Alexis' book, on the other hand, covers the wider space around the ludic activity. I learned a lot about the social component of the game from this book, particularly when it comes to the relation between players and the dungeon master.
59: Tell me about a thing you have included 'just for you' without regard to the players.
A: Sometimes I make a mood board for my games.
60: Tell me about a time your players surprised you or ruined your prep/plans!
A: When I ran Cogent, I didn't plan very much, so my players decided to ignore the blue chicken in the tavern...
61: Tell me about the moon (or moons) in the sky. What are some beliefs associated with them?
A: When I ran Quest, elves lived on the moon and spoke to the star-people. When I ran Offworlders, I based my campaign on Alita: Battle Angel and the Gooz hexes from Dyson Logos, so the moon was no-man's-land between Mars and Earth. Apart from that, I haven't really gamified the White Face that much.
62: What 'something' wouldn't be in your game if it weren't for your players?
A: I think the reason my table runs so well is that we are all relatives and know each other well. There is a great mood that wouldn't be there otherwise or that would be hard to find with strangers. The Pack Tactics YouTube channel has a great video on the importance of playing in good faith.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVVh3Fjzrw8
63: What are ten new things that you put on your equipment list for purchase?
A: (deep exhale) Here are ten types of things.
1: More armour
2: Clothing types
3: Tents
4: More mount options
5: Specific foods
6: Writing materials
7: Hunting gear
8: Monster parts and herbs for alchemy
9: More weapons
10: Dungeoneering licenses
64: What are six things one might encounter on the way to the nearest dungeon?
A: You are asking for a random encounter table, yes? (1d6)
1: Tree-root-dweller.
2: Wanderering nut-merchant.
3: Bone-scavenger leader.
4: Chromatic panda bear.
5: Golden flailsnail.
6: Strawberry mist wyrm.
65: What are a few good tracks/traces for the most commonly encountered foes?
A: Skeletons make sharp indents on the ground when they walk; they also make a lot of noise and, for some reason, always leave teeth lying around.
66: What are five frivolous things adventurers can spend their gold on?
A: Behold the sheer frivolity of these lavish purchases! (medieval fantasy)
1: An absurd quantity of iron rations (my players did this once).
2: A spell scroll of summon spell scroll (summon spell scroll of summon spell scroll)
3: Entry to the crystal caverns.
4: A magic carpet.
5: A letter of excommunication without a name.
67: What are four legendary treasures one might search for in your game?
A: I haven't exhausted the ordinary legendary treasures, but here are some I came up with.
1: Azure Fang armour set (plate armour made from blue-tinted metal that glows in the dark as a candle). When wearing the full set, you know the distance you travel per day, the exact hour and date, your current physical state, and which way is north. Protection: as plate armour.
2: The moon, the orb of a great wizard that grants authority over all magic.
3: The goblet of tears. Whoever drinks from it will know sorrow no longer.
4: Pristine blade/toy knife (real knife)/dull knife (knife). Enemies must save vs. death, and the wielder must save vs. evil.
68: What are some common long-distance communication methods in your world?
A: The longest communication possible is between worlds, and so far my players have found the following:
· Using the telescope from Deep Carbon Observatory.
· Chalk-written fairy circles from The Waking of Willowby Hall.
· A stone archway surrounded by white ravens.
In the future I am hoping to include the following:
· Mystic readings.
· Travel through the world and around the worlds.
· Dreams.
69: What are some deadly diseases/awful afflictions one might unfortunately catch?
A: The only time disease was relevant in my games was when I ran Tomb of the Serpent Kings. One of my players had his character drink from a stagnant pool with a mummy head inside. The party had 1d6 hours to get to the local lighthouse clerics before he turned into a ghoul. Good times.
70: What are some interesting herbs/plants one might find foraging?
A: I will do the herb post some day, but for now I like to use real herbs. Magical versions of them grow in the fairy land.
71: What are some of your favourite resources or tools you use in your games?
A: Dice, tokens, pencils, paper, PDFs on my laptop. That's it. I like Dysonlogos maps, d4caltrops tables, and whatever tickles my fancy from the bblogs.I read (I will update my blogroll soon).
72: What are some unusual drugs/intoxicants in your setting?
A: Don't do drugs. As an aside, I've thought about establishing as canon that holy water/blessed water is in fact distilled alcohol. You are free to steal this idea.
73: What are the best snacks you've found that work during a game?
A: I don't have food at the game, but I would suggest nuts, crackers, and water.
74: What could I bring to the game that would bribe the referee?
A: Nothing.
75: What degree of 'kitchen sink' or 'gonzo' is acceptable in your setting?
A: Vanilla or French vanilla at most. I consider that having a strong genre/flavour identity is beneficial for the game. If you want a different experience, just play a different game, just like with board games.
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One more part...
