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Enjoy the high that a good hobby brings man! Just don't let it overshadow your family because they'll actually be there for you, when the fun isn't. When it comes to your personal free time, it pays to trust your heart. Definitely dial back the spending a bit though IMO. I'm a compulsive...

Assuming something doesn't pop up suddenly in the old noggin, I like to have 3-5 encounters prepared that fit the region the players will most likely be in. I'd place the level of prep firmly between a simple random encounter table, and just having extra fully prepped encounters.

I've had a few stingy DMs who love using magically damage resistant creatures and yet have only given the party a single +1 weapon. Running from monsters we couldn't hurt got real old, real fast. One such instance involved a +1 dagger, so yes, it does happen. Once in a while makes for...

Plus the other issue is the villain will still have a +1 Mace because "magical enhancement dust" doesn't bash in PC skulls too well on it's own. Thus the insanity perpetuates itself. It's like a fantasy arms race!

Suddenly the Dragon just built a bigger hoard! Coincidentally, why aren't there more opportunities to improve the items you have, rather than replace them? That's a topic I'm surprised that I've never seen discussed before. I'm also reminded of a 17th level telekinesis wizard I played in...

Just to be clear, I'm not defending the notion that magic items should be common place or peddled by street vendors wearing rags. :) Sorry, it's really early for me, and I haven't had my coffee. Here's a simplified version of what I'm getting at. My confusion is that the typical high fantasy...

Wouldn't the rarity of magic items also hinge on how rare "adventurers" are in your campaign world? Core DnD gives me the impression that there are adventurers everywhere. With that much money in circulation you'd think everyone, even the most impoverished peasant would have more money than is...

I'm of the mindset that if my house rules take up more than a page then this probably isn't the game for me. This does not include bits of the system that are optional or have different ways they can be implemented. I'm only talking about wholesale changes to the core game itself. I'm one of...

I prefer Warhammer. Big shocker there eh? I like the humor, grit, and I've spent a pretty penny getting the books. I also love the system and setting an awful lot.

I'm torn on the issue and I'll probably never settle for one particular mindset. On the one hand, I want magic items to retain their "magic", and be something more than a collection of static modifiers. On the other hand, I want loot to serve a greater purpose than who pull a Scrooge McDuck on...

I think originally that was their intent with 3e. However they created too much. Simply put, they tried to quantify WAY too much! Charts for every skill, elaborate feat trees, and rules systems for every possible action. It's just too fiddly to be readily flexible. If I change rule X, I...

In my own homebrew fantasy world, I have an order of minotaurs that live in discreet mountain monestaries. They practice a strict way of life and martial style which helps to control their more bestial urges. At one point a human made the trek to one of their temples and earned the right to be...

I usually run games that have incremental character improvements, so a player can improve a little bit every session; maybe two sessions if the improvement is particularly important, or maybe even twice per session if the players were particularly productive. When I run level based systems I...

I feel your pain in a way and can understand your stance on WotC. I'd still happily play one of their games but as a GM I've sworn them off. As for new games, definitely take the time to try out some free introductory materials. Many games offer a decent look into what makes each one tick...

I tried something similar once with 3.5. I got the idea from Unknown Armies which keeps Life Points and Magic Charges secret. Instead of tracking numbers, the players get a description of how they are feeling, or how much magic they feel within them. It's up to them to then decide whether to...

For me, what has always worked was explaining that gaming is my "poker night." We drink, we roll some dice, have some laughs; and I come home happy to spend the majority of my time with the significant other. I also had to learn how to keep my prep to a 1-2 hour window. I used to prepare for...

Right now I'd murder for an every other week group. I'd say run two games each session if you have to. A short game for the irregulars and your core game either before or after the shorter game. This would work well if you have 2-3 players (yourself included) who are generally consistent. At...

Bughunters for Amazing Engine was my first. Although it was ADnD 2nd which hooked me.

At a brisk pace, lightly encumbered (backpack with art supplies, mp3 player and couple bottles of water) I could do a mile in about 10 minutes on sidewalks. I used to do so pretty much every day at least twice a day for a couple of years. Even as fit as I was back then, I would have taken a...

Beastmen can look pretty varied despite goat features and cloven hooves being dominant. Any beastly humanoid could conceivably fit in.