I Always Forget the Basics

Back to School season is over at work! I have my life back, for the moment, and it is much less stressful. I have been taking down notes and brainstorming a bunch for the blog here, I just haven't had the energy to implement any of it. Seriously, rich people and their children can be nightmares when shopping for school supplies. I did have some really surprising customers, but for the most part they were monsters. But it's over now. I'm going to shake it off and move on.

While discussing my ideas with friends the other day (Erica Dawkins, over at The Daily Rawr: Veggiesaurus and her husband Dan. He's my boss at my real job), that maybe a review of the systems I play was in order. After mulling over for about ten seconds, I realized that her idea was a good one for two reasons. First, I have a lot of friends that are new to tabletop RPGs, and I would love to introduce them to some other fantastic ones outside of our staple D&D. The second was a fun little byproduct of the first, in that in breaking these down for others, I can analyze the elements of them I would like to use in the implementation of my own RPG.

So, in the coming weeks, I'm going to be doing an Intro to RPGs 101 series. I'll being going over basics of typical game play, etiquette, jargon and actual reviews of the systems themselves.They say that best way to master something is to teach others, and I agree. I love to bring new people into gaming, and I hope this turns into a great tool for that.

On to other topics, Varen D'Cannith, my hybrid wizard/artificer, has been waylaid by Dan springing a premade adventure on us. I scrambled to make a tank as quick as I could, and ended up with a very fun fighter. Because I had less than twenty four hours to make the character, I didn't have time for my usual indecisiveness. I just went with my gut, and out cam Sir Allestyr Cormaygne, hedge knight. He has little backstory, hits like a ton of bricks, and is a blast to play.

Also, I love that this is the first character I've had that the other players have nicknamed. They call him Al.

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======

Sir Allestyr Cormaygne, level 1

Human, Fighter (Weaponmaster)

Fighter Option: Combat Superiority

Fighter Talents Option: Two-handed Weapon Talent

Human Power Selection Option: Bonus At-Will Power

Borderland Nobility (Diplomacy class skill)

Theme: Chevalier

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

STR 18, CON 14, DEX 15, INT 13, WIS 14, CHA 13

STARTING ABILITY SCORES

STR 16, CON 14, DEX 15, INT 13, WIS 14, CHA 13

AC: 17 Fort: 17 Ref: 13 Will: 13

HP: 29 Surges: 11 Surge Value: 7

TRAINED SKILLS

Athletics +11, Diplomacy +6, Endurance +7, Heal +7

UNTRAINED SKILLS

Acrobatics +2, Arcana +1, Bluff +1, Dungeoneering +2, History +1, Insight +2, Intimidate +1, Nature +2, Perception +2, Religion +1, Stealth +2, Streetwise +1, Thievery +2

POWERS

Basic Attack: Melee Basic Attack

Basic Attack: Ranged Basic Attack

Chevalier Attack: Valiant Charge

Fighter Attack: Combat Challenge

Fighter Attack 1: Weapon Master's Strike

Fighter Attack 1: Cleave

Fighter Attack 1: Footwork Lure

Fighter Attack 1: Hack and Hew

Fighter Attack 1: Lasting Threat

FEATS

Level 1: Steel Vanguard Student

Level 1: Agile Superiority

ITEMS

Greatsword x1

Scale Armor x1

Adventurer's Kit

Potion of Healing (heroic tier)

And on that note, I'm going to go work on the outline for the next couple of weeks. feel free to comment and leave suggestions for systems you want to see reviewed, or topics covered in the Basic Training. Peace!