I'm curious about the RPGA...

[Emirikol]

I have never participated in any of the RPGA's "living" campaigns, but the idea is certainly appealing. Just out of curiosity, for those of you who do participate, do you actually get the sense that you are adventuring in a dynamic, living, breathing world, or is it more like a series of one-offs loosely strung together? Not sure if I'm making my question clear here. Do events in one region ever cross over and effect events in neighboring regions? Do you feel like your characters' actions actually affect the world you're playing in? Has anyone attempted a history of any of the "living" worlds that takes into account these world shaping events?

Although it's really not possible to have effects on the overall campaign, things that the PCs do really do matter. While I was on the Triad for the County of Urnst, I became acutely aware of why you cannot have an immediate, dynamic campaign: SCENARIO SUBMISSION & EDITING TIME. It takes a minimum of 4 months to get a scenario published start to finish (minimum). If you do three con's per year in your area, you could probably string together some kind of effect, but it's pretty tight. Authors, editors, triad, circle helpers and the circle are editing TONS of scenarios every year and there's too much room for error.

The best way to have a dynamic campaign has been through scenario event reporting and interactives at conventions. Notable events from scenarios ALWAYS end up as the stuff of legend amongst players...that's where memories are made.

I'd say it's not much different from running "the Adventure Paths" from DUNGEON magazine or any other series of adventures (e.g. A1-4 slavers series).

Again though, you meet so many people and get to play so many games that I can say that I've really enjoyed it over the years.

jh..

 

[kenobi65]

I have never participated in any of the RPGA's "living" campaigns, but the idea is certainly appealing. Just out of curiosity, for those of you who do participate, do you actually get the sense that you are adventuring in a dynamic, living, breathing world, or is it more like a series of one-offs loosely strung together? Not sure if I'm making my question clear here. Do events in one region ever cross over and effect events in neighboring regions? Do you feel like your characters' actions actually affect the world you're playing in? Has anyone attempted a history of any of the "living" worlds that takes into account these world shaping events?

While character actions may not directly impact the ongoing stories, I certainly do feel that the campaign worlds can be "living, breathing."

If all you play is LG Cores, it may not feel that much like that. But, if you play the Regional adventures in your LG region, you can certainly experience the development of plotlines, and interact with NPCs that you've worked with before.

And, also, keep in mind that the RPGA is more than LG. Some of the other campaigns have very detailed ongoing plots, and you can really feel like your PC is a part of it (the late Living Force campaign was my favorite, and it certainly felt that way, at least to me).

However, with any of the campaigns, part of the key to this "feeling" is doing a little research into what the plotlines are (modules may be parts of "story arcs"), and trying to play the modules that comprise a particular plotline, or whatever...and, preferably, in order.

 

[francisca]

Here's a link to the Winter War convention I mentioned earlier. Note that is has not been updated since this past spring, but will be around October or so.

Winter War Convention

Thanks!

 

[KingCrab]

Arscott summed it up pretty well.

I had a lot of problems with the RPGA but most were due to a certain DM that had a huge crush on my girlfriend (at the time) and didn't like the fact that I had begun dating her. Never play with a jealous DM.

The other general problems arscott explained well. The modules are written with a general party in mind so sometimes you get into weird situations and simply get stuck. If the paladin cannot lie, yet the module requires you to pretend you're someone you're not it's good game for you. If your chosen enemy is troll and you have to make an alliance with trolls gg as well.

I started playing much better modules once that jealous DM tortured/killed/robbed my character. Maybe I should thank him for it.

 

[William Ronald]

The RPGA can be a mixed bag, but most gamers are decent. I have run into a few min/maxing jerks, a few overly dramatic roleplayers, and a few bad players, but most of the players I have met are pleasant, fun loving, and enthusiastic. I think that the RPGA attracts a wide variety of players, and it sometimes pays to play with people whom you have played with before. (This has happened in a few local conventions, and it does help to create a sense of a campaign feel when characters run into each other again.)

Perhaps one thing to look for are regional events, as there is more of a sense of players having an impact on what happens around them. Also, I think that it helps to find a few adventures that suit your style of play. So, be sure to check out the events and adventure descriptions.

 

[arscott]

In regards to the living, breathing world thing: A bit of yes and a bit of no.

the Region I'm in (Nyrond) events of the last couple of years have had the characters interacting with the King and nobles in a series of intrigues leading up to A civil war.

Parts of it certainly felt like I was having an effect on the game world, but there was a sense of being second fiddle to the NPCs. For example the main villian of the year five modules (Prince Sewardnt the Userper) is killed by the king in the boxed text. Frankly, that was a big letdown, and the fact that the entire civil war wrapped up in less than a year was a bit of a disappointment.

 

[Endur]

One other thing about the modules. The modules are very time-constrained and linear. So you really have to go the way the author planned.

So the author may plan for the party to start in a tavern, then follow a series of clues until you reach the climax.

If the party never leaves the tavern and just roleplays for the entire evening, you don't get exp and treasure. You only get exp and treasure for doing the things the author rewards you for.

 

[reanjr]

RPGA is terrible. The reasons have been enumerated above.

I've actually thought about starting up a new organization with the same general goals but that supports role-playing and player ratings to weed out the people no one wants to play with.

Unfortunately, I have no idea how to reach critical mass.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

One other thing about the modules. The modules are very time-constrained and linear.

Only the modules that are written linear are linear. Of the four LG modules I have written half have been non-linear. My one currently active module is a non-linear Regional adventure (SHL6-03 Ghosts of Admundfort) that takes place in the Shield Lands. We even premiered it with a non-linear interactive! I'm not the only author that has tried out non-linear LG authoring, but fitting one into a 4-hour restriction is not easy. I've played in both Highfolk and the Shield Lands and I have not been disapponted in the variability of linear vs. non-linear. Maybe I'm spoiled.

Time contraints are non-negotiable at conventions for good reasons. You can take as long as you wish, role-play till your ears bleed, when you play at home.

If the party never leaves the tavern and just roleplays for the entire evening, you don't get exp and treasure.

Duh!

 

[Shadowdancer]

I agree with those who have already posted that the regional adventures give more of a feeling that your character's actions matter and make a difference, more so than in the core mods.

In know in the Bandit Kingdoms, esp. in the major convention interactives, the actions of the players can have significant impact on the storylines which are ongoing within the region. Our triad, as far as I can tell, does a good job of taking the results of the interactives and using those results to shape the regional storylines.

I had some bad experiences when I first joined RPGA, and lost interest for a year or so. Then I started to get back into it because my opportunities to play with my home group became more and more spotty -- if I didn't play RPGA games, I had no other regular opportunity to play D&D. Fortunately, in the past year during which I've played RPGA pretty regularly, my good experiences have exceed my bad experiences.