Comedy and Humor in RPG Books

[s/LaSH]

I reckon a few are OK. Mutant sea bass in the DMG, for example. That's the kind of thing that livens up text. RPGs are entertainment first and foremost, after all, and a little humour can help you understand the rules. On the other hand, too much can swamp flavour and setting aside.

Flavour text is another thing, of course. Outside rules text, a lot more can be used.

IMHO.

 

[KB9JMQ]

I still laugh when someone talks about an unidentified wand being a +3 backscratcher or a fighter jumping into the arms of a wizard at the sight of a rust monster.

As long as the humor is kept to sidebars/comics or is a part of flavor text that's relevant, it's a good thing.

My thoughts exactly. I loved the old books with the cartoons here and there. They broke up the layout and kept the idea that the game should be fun.

 

[RangerWickett]

Well, I was just rereading a book I helped write around May last year, Deadly Games, by E.N.Publishing. I'd forgotten some of the stuff I'd put in there. Actually, I was just the editor, and it was a monster of a project to keep all sorts of monster stats and locations clear in my head. I apparently found a means to relax by putting in a few really inane jokes.

The maps of the dungeons are labeled, and each room or location is an 'area.' For example, Area 13 contains 2 large spiders, etc. Well, do a search for the text 'Area 51' if you own the book, and maybe you'll think I was funny.

Later, there's one dungeon with a few rooms labeled by letter rather than number. They go all the way from A to O and beyond, and certain triggers can seal these room so monsters can't get out. Trigger 1 seals B and C, trigger 2 seals F and G, etc. Well, trigger 3 seals L, M, N, and O. You wanna know why? In the Adam Sandler skit 'Respect,' little Nicky Dechezeray sings his ABCs, sort of hesitantly, and all his older relatives are commenting on his performance. When he gets to the part, "H I J K LMNO P," one guy comments, "LMNO, they always go together."

Some of the jokes are things only I'd get, like Pepe Luapa, a halfling sorcerer character, who is named after the only French character I've ever allowed in one of my D&D games. He was a thousand walking stereotypes, and the statblock in the book even includes an entry for cigarettes. You might not find them funny, but 8 months in hindsight, God I'm glad I worked on this book.

 

[mroberon1972]

Personally, I will never forget reading halfway through Teenagers from Outer Space, and getting to the part on sex...

Sex ain't funny...
Not even in a clown suit...

Frustration, now THAT'S FUNNY!!!


I have to agree.

 

[Mark]

It really depends on the suppliment. Some need a serious tone while others can enjoy being a little light hearted.

I concur. There are times when it can detract from the material. Depends a lot on the voice in which the material is written.

 

[tetsujin28]

Zero isn't an option on the poll. That's what I like: zero. My gaming gang are funny enough.

 

[maddman75]

Depends on the game. For instance, Buffy is hilarious, with jokes and references to pop culture right inside the descriptions of combat modifiers. That doesn't mean that would go well in say a Vampire book.

As for D&D, in the core books, its really not appropriate as D&D is a generic high fantasy game. This could be deadly serious or a fun romp, depending on the setting.

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

Heck, I play Hackmaster.

 

[trancejeremy]

I don't mind if it's in a sidebar, or something, but I hate it when there are "joke" npcs or characters.

I mean, one city has a NPC from "Nuvo Jorca". Grrr

 

[Kae'Yoss]

A little joke here and there is OK. Not in the rules-heavy sections, but I'm game for the occasional joke in background info.

Like in the Far Realm description in the MotP: "...an elven wizard led the expedition, but now his brain is full of spiders. Literally." You won't have to put the book aside to laugh your head off, but you smile.