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JiB on GM’ing : An Option to Black and White Resolutions

Tweet     Valen’s eyes narrowed, matching his movements with his opponent. Circling left as the dark cloaked highwayman moved to his left. With every step of the dance they moved warily closer together until one or the other would decide they would move. The glittering rapier in his opponent’s hand dipped a bit weaving out to the side, a small mistake but a mistake none the less and with the speed of a striking viper Valen’s own rapier darted forward propelled by the powerful lunge that began with the ground upon which he stood. Too late Valen realized his own error in allowing himself to be baited by his enemy. Now though he stood at a forking in a road, either he would take the inevitable hit or he would roll … Read entire article »

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Topic Preview: What Makes a Good Plot Hook

Topic Preview: What Makes a Good Plot Hook

Tweet Plot hook. It’s a term most GMs are familiar with. We often drop what we think is a plot hook , expecting the players to jump into action, yet we often get frustrated as they look at each other, befuddled, paralyzed with inaction. Two things go into a plot hook, and both are important for compelling action from the PCs. One: A … Read entire article »

Two Great RPG Titles on Sale at RPGNow

Tweet Two great titles are now on sale at drivethrurpg/rpgnow. These sales end on June 2nd, so don’t wait to long if you’ve been looking to pick them up on the cheap. The first is the 4th Edition of Legends of the Five Rings for $8.75. The second is Mongoose Publishing’s Traveller Core Book for $4.80. Legends of the Five Rings (or L5R), is a fantasy RPG based on the feudal samurai era of Japan (though the actual setting is fictitious). L5R from the ground up is a new look at a fantasy adventure game without the medieval-European/.Tolkien-based setting. It is refreshing for those who want to run a fantasy game, but are tired of all the common Western tropes. Mongoose’s … Read entire article »

Episode Preview: Turncoat!

Episode Preview: Turncoat!

Tweet This article is a preview of the show topic for Happy Jacks RPG Podcast Season 09 Episode 20. The show will be recorded on Friday, May 24th at 8:30pm Pacific Daylight Time. You can listen live at happyjacks.org/live. As is often said, the plans you come up with as a GM are often thrown out the window once the players sit … Read entire article »

Episode Preview: Keeping Role-playing in Combat

Episode Preview: Keeping Role-playing in Combat

Tweet It’s a common lament: Once the minis come out, the role-playing stops And it’s very often true. Many games — GURPS, HERO, Savage Worlds, DnD4e — start life as any other role-playing game, but once combat starts, in-game time slows to a crawl and what we do looks more like a tactical board game. Is there a way to keep on role-playing during … Read entire article »