Saturday, February 27, 2016

DM Burnout


I have supposedly been running two simultaneous Labyrinth Lord campaigns for several years now. I say "supposedly" because my "home" game (played over Skype) has really been on hiatus for a year or more at this point -- the last two sessions (numbers 87 and 88) took place in June 2015 (on 6/8 and 6/15) and those came after a break lasting since September 2014. I love that group but I cite two factors that led to me losing steam and enforcing, mainly through inaction, a hiatus:

(1) I must admit that gaming over the internet, for me, is a pale shadow of gaming live, in person, at a table. No matter how good the technology gets there is, for me, a disconnect or a missing piece that rears its head in various ways online: less spontaneous fun chatter and humor takes place, some details get missed or talked over or need to be repeated, to somewhat lessened effect. The whole thing feels like a giant, three-dimensional, full-sensory experience being strained through a small, thin, partial, two-dimensional medium. It will do in a pinch but sadly I must report that online RPG'ing has ultimately been a disappointment to me. There are, of course, high points and much fun to be had, but also a lot of tiring pragmatics that drag the experience down for me.

(2) I am experiencing general DM burnout. As evidence of this, just this past weekend I also made official a hiatus for my public Labyrinth Lord game at Lift Bridge Book Shop. The group hadn't met for about a month anyway and "the group" in this case is really down to one guy. Or maybe almost two guys: one player who could show up on time, and another who came for the last hour of each session, unable to come earlier due to his work schedule. Then recently, even guy #1 started missing sessions due to the demands of a new job, so between my feelings of DM burnout and critically low attendance, it was time to give that campaign a rest, at least until summer but maybe indefinitely.


Meanwhile, somebody else I met through the bookstore -- who also happens to be a bookstore employee -- has started running an after-hours 5e game, which I have joined as a player. I am playing Ur, a dwarven barbarian, and having a grand old time fighting undead and the like. I think it is really crucial (at least for me) to take time to see both sides of the referee's screen. Playing in someone else's campaign is really freeing, fun, and rejuvenating. So thanks Christine for running such a great game!

That 5e game has been running a couple of months so far and last weekend we had our first session in which only two players showed up. Prior to that, we were averaging at least three players (in addition to the DM) each time. But never fear, the DM was ready -- she had prepared a short one-off scenario using the old TSR Marvel Super Heroes RPG -- the one that uses the brilliant FASERIP system. (If you love that game as much as I do, check out this site.) I had a great time playing -- who else?  -- Ben Grimm, while my comrade chose Spidey. So fun! It's clobberin' time!

20 comments:

  1. What do you think about the 5e system? I really like it from reading the books but haven't actually played to see it in action yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry for the delayed reply. I like it! I plan to acquire the 5e PH soon so I can really dig into specifics, but it plays well (and fast) at the table. The basic mechanics "feel" more like a streamlined 3.5 than they do like 4e.

      I probably wouldn't DM it -- for that I have LL -- but I really enjoy playing it.

      Delete
    2. If you desperately need an honest and real death spell caster who can help you cast a perfect death spell on anyone then contact this great death spell caster called Dr Ogbifun He saved my marriage when he helped me cast a death spell on the lady that almost took my husband completely away from me and the kids. just within 24hours after the casting the bitch died in her sleeping bed. You too can try this man also,
      Call/WhatsApp: +2348102574680
      Email: ogbefunhearlingtemple@gmail.com DOCTOR OGBEIFUN CAN AS WELL HELP THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS
      1. HIV/AIDS CURE
      2. HERPES CURE
      3. PENIS ENLARGEMENT
      4. PREGNANCY SPELL
      5. SPELL TO PREVENT CORONA VIRUS
      get all your problem solve..No problem is too big for
      him to solve..Contact him now

      Delete
  2. If you desperately need an honest and real death spell caster who can help you cast a perfect death spell on anyone then contact this great death spell caster called Dr Ogbifun He saved my marriage when he helped me cast a death spell on the lady that almost took my husband completely away from me and the kids. just within 24hours after the casting the bitch died in her sleeping bed. You too can try this man also,
    Call/WhatsApp: +2348102574680
    Email: ogbefunhearlingtemple@gmail.com DOCTOR OGBEIFUN CAN AS WELL HELP THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS
    1. HIV/AIDS CURE
    2. HERPES CURE
    3. PENIS ENLARGEMENT
    4. PREGNANCY SPELL
    5. SPELL TO PREVENT CORONA VIRUS
    get all your problem solve..No problem is too big for
    him to solve..Contact him now

    ReplyDelete
  3. When it comes to getting your home inspected, we as homeowners have multiple insecurities about letting someone unknown inside our house plus the uncertainty remains constant if the amount being spent on the inspection is going to bring out some benefit or not. This is understandable hence Linkhorn provides such services to ensure the soundness of your investments. They guarantee to be the best Home team inspection service in Columbus Ohio as they have the most experienced personnel who have state approved certifications hence it is perfectly ensured that the person sent to your house is trustworthy. Licensed home inspector in Columbus Ohio is a very important thing to keep in mind as there are numerous companies or simply individuals who have started inspection companies so it is better safe than sorry. Always look for a company who has certified inspectors who are dealing with these matters and provide you a healthy environment at your home.




    ReplyDelete
  4. As much as home inspections are important,commercial property inspection also holds a vast importance as offices are considered to be the second place where people spend most of the time in a day. It is very important to get the place inspected thoroughly as EPA reported around 21000 deaths annually due to radon exposure which causes lung cancer in non-smokers. Radon inspection cost is nothing as compared to the price you will have to pay when prolonged radon exposure will result in causing major health issues. Radon is a colorless odorless gas present in the air all around us in trace amounts but it becomes a hazard when it gets entrapped inside the house and the residents of the house are exposed to it. The safe levels of radon as suggested by EPA is 4pCi/l and the amount more than it is alarming and you need to install a radon mitigation system at your commercial property as soon as possible.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Atlanta home inspection is a booming industry because of the many cases found inside the homes which were proven to affect the health of the residents and the structure of the house. House inspection companies help out the residents in finding out what is wrong with the place they are residing or even if they are buying that property. Champia Real Estate inspections have the best home inspectors Atlanta has to offer because of their vast experience and their expertise in this field. Champia Real Estate Inspections has been working in Atlanta since 1987 and have a great number of positive reviews in their pocket to back their services. Their home inspectors are friendly and adaptable hence they make it easy for the customer to address their issues to them in order to understand the situation completely and take the necessary steps needed. To make it more comforting, they back their services with a number of warranties so that customers can rely on them completely.

    ReplyDelete
  6. when we talk about home inspection houston, the top name that surfaces in front of our eyes in 1st rate inspections because of the extraordinary services they are providing. They are serving Houston, Cypress, Spring, The Woodlands, Katy, Sugar Land and surrounding areas. This company is not only looking for customers but also understands how overwhelming the home buying process can be hence they want to make it easier for you. They have been serving for more than 10 years hence they take pride in being the houston home inspection because of a great amount of positive reviews plus a number of certifications including InterNACHI, CPI and CMI which makes them credible and reliable. Another very prominent feature about their services is that they provide same day reports so that when we walk away from your home, we want you to be satisfied and sure about what next steps you need to take to make your home a safer place for you to live.

    ReplyDelete
  7. In has a long list of candidates claiming to be the best here. The threats to the health and beauty of a house have resulted in the increased trends towards home inspection. There is a large number of houston home inspectors has but only a few can be trusted as there are many factors that should be considered while hiring a home inspection company or calling a specific home inspector inside your house. The very first thing that should be made sure is that either the company from which you are hiring your services is certified or not. Certifications are very important as they are a proof that the company is reliable and you can trust the home inspector they are sending to your house for the home inspection as many uncertainties have been reported from home owners when it comes to the fact that a complete stranger is coming to their house and going to analyze everything in detail. Good reviews and a keen look at their rating helps a lot as well.

    ReplyDelete
  8. A really nice blog where we can found useful information.Thanks you.
    A home warranty will cover home appliances and home systems from expensive repair and replacement costs. Home Protection Plan florida
    Home Warranty Services florida

    ReplyDelete
  9. When it comes to our homes and their safety, we always want the best. This condition can be applied anywhere and you will not be surprised to see that this is actually the truth. So if we put the inspection of our house in this list, it is obvious that we want Quality Home inspection Maryland which will ensure that we are free from all the problems by the end of the whole procedure, no matter how many sessions it takes. Usually it's just one inspection but when there is an issue detected which needs more than one day or requires follow up tests, it can take some time hence we should be confident about the person or company we have chosen to proceed further with the whole process. If a person is looking for a home inspection company that will help him get rid of all the problems related to his house, he definitely wants the best. If he searches words like Residential Home inspector Gaithersburg MD and is unable to decide from a number of options, we are here to make it easy for you. At Top to Bottom Services, there are a number of warranties and guarantees that will assure you that we are in safe hands and your investment on your dear house and the trust you have put in us will not go wasted.

    ReplyDelete
  10. There are many problems encountered by residents while living in a house which depicts that the house needs immediate care. Suppose the residents of your house are developing allergic reactions which makes our safe space at home a little hard to live. Home is a place where a person comes after a tiring day but what if he is not getting peace at his own place, what should he do then? A Professional Home inspection Gaithersburg MD is always needed in order to make sure that the house where we are living is safe from all the toxins that may affect our health and all other factors that could cause damage to our property which was built with love and a huge amount of our savings. If you suspect something is present in your house causing your family to develop allergic reactions like stuffiness of nose or sneezing, coughing etc, call top to bottom services today and we will make sure to provide you a thorough Home Mold Inspection Gaithersburg MD in order to be sure if this is the problem that has been affecting you or there is something more grave present inside your house that needs immediate attention.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nice to read your article! I am looking forward to sharing your adventures and experience.
    online real estate marketplace
    DHA lahore 1 kanal plot

    ReplyDelete