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To continue on the elaboration of this theme by others: There is what might be described as "Hollywood style" saving the world, in which all the various threats are reduced to one very powerful individual or organization and the end becomes simple: defeat the villian, save the world. Simple...

I combine the vitality points/wound points system with a limited damage reduction system and a different kind of increased defense. Armor has half of its value (rounded up) as armor class (reflection) and half (rounded down) as absorption; however, this absorption only takes effect when the...

I've often wondered if it would be possible to re-create the advantage that a phalanx has over less organized troops using the core rules, or if special feats would be necessary. For example: the classical phalanx had three ranks of troops. You could have the first rank fighting defensively...

About gender and ultrasounds: it's a surprise whenever you find out, and knowing in advance sure saves you money on the nursery set up. I came home from the hospital in a lovely pink gown because my mother was absolutely convinced that I would be a girl. She had three sons instead. About the...

1.  Aquinas   (100%)  (This only slightly surprised me) 2.  Spinoza   (96%)   3.  Mill   (86%)   4.  Augustine   (80%)  (This surprised me much more) 5.  Epicureans   (79%)   6.  Kant   (78%)   7.  Aristotle   (76%)   8.  Prescriptivism   (73%)   9.  Sartre   (72%)   10.  Rand   (70%)  (No Way...

I've been using a system remarkably like this one for a while now. I have added a few things that further modify the lethality of critical hits, whihc are quite bad in this system: 1) Armor now is half reflection (add to AC) and half damage "soak" (absorb damage, but only when wound points...

Let me begin by saying that this is a fascinating thread. I have some many house rules that I think I might not be playing D&D any more. A summary of some of the major ones, not dwelling on invented classes: 1. Homebrewed magic system similar to the Star Wars RPG force system (feats grant...

One from last session My brother brought in a new player (but, he claimed, "very experienced") to my campaign. They were on top of a rather large, obviously supernatural, obviously powerful creature (that they had originally thought was a large spider-shaped platform because of course spiders...

Congrats! Congratulations to your wife. I assume you didn't do anything you weren't inclined to do already. As an older father (compared to you, however, a mere stripling at 35) I can assure you that you will find this one of the richest and most exhausting experiences of your life. I would...

Neutral good elf ranger druid. The elf part is consistent with my entire D&D history. I would have thought chaotic good rather than neutral, but I noticed that chaotic responses came a close second. The druid part threw me, but I noticed that monk and bard were actually tied with druid in...

If the Eastern Empire still has agricultural magics, then the history of the near east might change drastically: the Byzantine Empire might be better able to fend off the Muslims. Then again, a top-heavy bureaucracy might counteract even then food production advantage. But it makes the Crusades...

I use a simple calculation in my campaign for general experience levels. On average, the basic challenges involved in everyday life work up to about one experience point per day (on average). Take your 16-year old apprentice, and in about three years she or he is second level. If this...

Like Arcady, I'm playtesting an alternate magical system. The theme I like to see emphasized in magic is craft; that is, I want magic to take much study (mechanic: skill based) yet be flexible (from one skill you could create a variety of effects). I also want it to be dangerous. It messes...

Does no one require the maker of a magic item to have the mundne skill necessary to craft the item as well (if you want to make a magic sword, your craft weapons and armor skill needs to be sufficient to make a masterwork item, for example). Requiring an investment in skills as well as feats...

Under one of the red dragon's claws is a large silver egg.

Great update! A touching and exciting battle! Very good tactics in a bad situation. What should the players do now? Run. Grab the dead and wounded and get out of there. Look for more help in their current struggle (providing a justification for bringing someone else in). I don't care to...

In addition... These are all good suggestions. Here's one more: I examine all the group's capabilities for investigation (possible contacts in the area, professional organizations, knowledge skills, libraries, diplomacy, gather info, sneaking and listening, or actually breaking in to various...

I've written a book on the creation of an anarchist "conspiracy" in the late 19th century, and have an abiding interest in conspiracy narratives in general. I tend to see them as more than simply human pattern recognition gone wild, although that plays a large role. You tend to see conspiracy...

Some early Greek lyrics from Richard Latimore's _Greek Lyrics_ (these aren't exactly battler cries but might give you some idea of the tone and attitude some of the ancent Greeks had): from Archilochos (c.650 b.c. poet and mercenary): By spear is kneaded the bread I eat, by spear my Ismaric...

Thanks for the feedback Thanks you all for the feedback. I think I will see if any of the players would like to try the diary/log concept. Number47: I think you may have misunderstood. "Married with" means something very different from "married to" according to my understanding. Of course...