Summerslam is this Sunday...

Well, Summerslam occurs Sunday. Alas, I am working that day so I won't be able to watch it live. So if I watch the PPV it'll be after the fact. Until I looked at the card on WWE.com, I wasn't too terribly impressed with the line-up. John Cena vs Randy Orton? Been done. DX vs Legacy? Predictable. Hardy vs Punk in a TLC match? If Hardy is leaving, the TLC component is the saving grace. Admittedly, WWE main events (on paper) have not impressed me in awhile. So the mid-card generally saves the show for me. We either have decent feuds or matches that should contain excellent wrestling. Therefore, Summerslam '09 while not must-see is a PPV I'd be willing to see.

Next Serenity Session is Tomorrow

Well, tomorrow is the next Serenity game session. In this session, our batch of greenhorns will conclude their attempt to escape from prison alive or not. Right now things are mighty hairy for them with two of their number knocked out. Granted, two of the remaining PC's are Fighting Types but one of them is more of a medic than a fighter. Another one is a non-combatant while the other two will be taking their cue from the movie the GAMERS cause the actual players won't be there.

So with some more combat and possible tense negotiating ahead for our wannabe crew, you can say things are looking very shiny for them indeed. Even if they manage to .... become acquainted... with the ship Freedom's Flight, they have to worry about a little security measure they were told about. Why nothing other than patrol boat that blasts uncleared ships out of the sky. Some fancy flying may be needed. Only then will they escape.

Decided I'd shakes up a little bit and include a teaser for the next session. Once again, the session is going to be ran very rules light. Provided the game gets that far, I won't be using the full space ship rules. Just some simple skill rolls. Afterwards, we'll either have finished the module Freedom's Flight or it'll be time for either new characters or game.

Serenity: Stun, Shock, and Second Wind

At the moment the biggest problem that Serenity game has is Stun and Shock. While the rules in and of themselves aren't bad, the current situation game leads to those rules hindering the flow of the game. Currently, two PC's are out cause of shock. Normally, that wouldn't bother me. However, the PC's are in the middle of a prison break and every character counts especially the pilot.

So what to do? First, I am making a house rule that because game sessions are so short tracking second wind usages is tedious. My house rule is that they'll be once a session. That way stun isn't quite the game killer. Second, I am going to allow the removal of shock points through story manipulation via plot points. Basically, the PC administering the "first aid" spends a significant amount of plots points and makes a token first aid check. If said PC doesn't have any Medical Expertise that player has to spend the upper bracket amount. Then the receiving player gets to make a d12 roll plus second wind if they choose. Any negative happenings will depend on the dictates of the story...

For this module, I'll allow the shocked/stunned PC to gain a 1 to 2 recovery of stun via d12 plus second wind. Shock recovery will be one for one on a d12 plus second wind roll. Granted this only if a player chooses to use plot points to manipulate the story. I hope this ruling not only helps the flow of the current adventure but future mods as well.

I have joined Facebook.

Several months ago (maybe during Spring...), members of my gaming group urged me to join Facebook. That way game related stuff could be disseminated. I agreed but very reluctantly. My reluctance was so great that even with a reminder on one of their blogs, I didn't create an account. Tonight, that changed. I have finally created a facebook account.

To Play Or Not To Play Magic...on Monday

The other day a buddy of mine from high school told me how excited he was about his first draft experience with Magic the Gathering. Anyone who has ever drafted knows how daunting it can be. The first time is generally less than stellar. Well, my old high school buddy was happy that he placed somewhere in the middle. Looking back, that doesn't surprise me. Winning with a bunch of commons and uncommons was one of his strengths.

He suggested that since he may be drafting more that I also attend the Monday drafts. Since M10, the latest magic set, brought back some old favorites (Black Knight, Lightning Bolt), the offer was tempting. However, this Monday that was not to be. I was really itching to see Public Enemies. Alas, that was not to be either. I ate so much for supper that I didn't feel like driving. (Coincidentally, I couldn't read much of anything either which didn't help the Serenity prep.) The next Monday or two may pose a problem as well. I plan on watching the Gi Joe movie as well as Public Enemies. Although the latter is unlikely as its doubtful it will still be in theaters in two weeks.

Once more there is a chance I'll play Magic again. I guess we'll see.

Serenity RPG: Assignments...

After Tuesday night's Serenity session, something dawned on me. Learning the rules as we play is working... but its not. While everyone seems fine with the pace that we are learning the game, afterwards, I discover/realize tidbits that might have helped. Then we get to the next session and I forget all about what I planned on mentioning. To compensate, I plan on borrowing a concept that I thought of during my Shadowrun 3rd edition campaign. I'm thinking of 'assigning' specific section of the rules that individual players should familiarize themselves on. That way I can concentrate on running the game more.

So next session I will bring this idea up. Those that peruse this blog feel free to voice your opinion.

Another Serenity RPG Cram Session Tuesday

On Tuesday, August 4th, I am running another session of my Serenity campaign. Once again, its another cram day. Why? The same reason I haven't updated this blog in awhile. Lack of motivation and concentration. Not from lack of desire. I look forward to future modules and stories both published and homebrew (ie my own creation). My mind contemplates future possiblities, that are also personal for each of, the crew of the (name withheld). Likewise, I have plenty blog about. So why? Cause I haven't. That's the existential reason. Kind of the same reason why this particular blog exists. I chose to.

Enough with rambling anyway. The point is that I have less than 24 hours to prepare for the Serenity session. I reckon I have day's worth of work and only a couple hours to do it. Oh well, it worked last session. Yep, that's right. The second session was overall an enjoyable time. The fine GM tradition of little preparation continues.