FGC awarded a 5e playtest!
Graham Charlton (11/01/2012 20:33:20)
Sounds about right.
:)
In all seriousness though I think this sort of chaos happens a lot (I've attended a number of roleplaying clubs over the years) and I think it's caused by the combination of player numbers plus time of week.
It's a midweek club. Most people are turning up after work/school. They're tired and just want some fun. More to the point, they want to be center of attention, the star of their own adventure. The more players you add under these circumstances, the sillier it gets as more people try to grab the limelight.
Bjorn Christianson (12/01/2012 16:21:02)
Based on that playtest, you'd have to conclude that the new version was a resounding success. I can see the feedback form:
1) Did the rules encourage the players to invent fantastical explanations for mundane events leading to derailment of the plot? (Y/N)
2) How many times was the phrase "Hey, according to my character sheet I can do [X]! I'm doing that my next turn!" uttered?
2a) Of those occasions, how many times was the action actually a sensible one under the circumstances?
3) Would you rate the amount of time spent staring blankly at dice trying to do sums as too little or just about right?
4) How many arguments over the rules took place?
4a) Were any of them resolved by actually reading the rules?
5) Did the automated NPC name generator reduce the problem of players referring to everyone as "Lord Horsepucky or whatever"?
5a) Ha ha, of course it didn't.
5b) Did it at least bother the DM less?
Richard Fisher
7
Gary Yam 11/01/2012 20:11:26
And this is how it went:
GM: Ok, are we ready? Let's do the character introductions.
Player 1: This is Farazed, a half-elven cavalier. Courageous and honourable, his wits are as sharp as his broadsword.
Player 4: I've just had a text saying Player 2 will be late.
Player 3: This is Mookie the Moo. A shape-changer that likes to remain in elven shape.
Player 1: So why not be an elf?
Player 3: In case there is need for subterfuge.
Player 5: Sorry guys, there's a new eurogame out with loads of plastic pieces, so I'm playing that.
Player 6: This is Volutpra, a dominatrix.
GM: Another one?
Player 6: No. It's a much underused archetype.
Player 2: Sorry for being late. Did I miss much?
Player 3: No, still doing introductions.
Player 2: Oh no! I forgot my sheet does anyone have a piece of paper, I can remember some of it...
GM: Don't bother - just use this pregen.
Player 2: (miffed) Ok.....this is Generix the halfling thief.
Player 4: This is Nordic the barbarian beserker.
GM: You've carried out a few mercenary jobs based in the town of Bacslaj, but now your patron Lord Exley feels you are ready for a bigger challenge...
Player 2: I rob him.
Player 6: Does he pay for everything from now on?
Player 3: I transform into an attractive human.
GM: Hold on, you haven't heard the mission yet. Lord Exley's father once owned a set of weapons that...
Geoff: Bar!
Player 2: Ok, what's everyone having?
Player 1: A Crabbie's please.
GM: A pint of draught diet Coke.
Player 3: Pint of Bitter
Player 4: A glass of tap water, please.
Player 6: I'll help you carry them.
======much later=======
Player 2: Was that the one with the purple cover?
Player 15: No, that was MERP. Rolemaster was the one with all the tables. You had a good chance of dying everytime you left the house.
Player 4: I loved Rolemaster, played it in my University group.
GM: So you're crouching behind the barrels outside the inn. You can hear the guy with the eyepatch laughing, whilst his two cronies help load the cart.
Player 1: So we're all clear on the plan? You two circle round the back and block off their escape, you phase step on to the roof of the inn, and the two of us will pretend to be drunk, and stagger out in front of them and start a conversation with them.
GM: Ok, let's have initiative
Player 1: 12
Player 2: 4....plus.......plus.....this was so much easier in 3.5. Plus 6......equals........11.
Player 3: Was that the bar?
Player 4: I don't think so.
Player 3: 6
Player 5: 16
Player 4: 28! Yeah baby!
GM: Ok, Nordic - you're up first.
Player 4: I rush forward and attack the nearest creature with my sword!
Player 2: As he rushes forward, I pick his pocket.
Player 3: I transform into an attractive human.