Okay my goal here is two fold: One to share my gaming experiences, and my groups escapades with you so that you may enjoy it, and share feedback. (Which I hope will improve my game, and my style as a Game Master.) And secondly it will document our games, so that I can look back on them and if needed reference them.

It'd be cool if you also gave some details about the players: styles, preferences, etc.

Actually I intended on doing that this time around. It won't be today, because today is game day-but I will start us off with this!

Okay a brief introduction to each of my players:

3278

Infamous to some of you, anonymous to others, this is the man who would be a machine. We've known each other for 20 years now, and gamed most of them. He would seriously give up breathing, eating and sleeping if he could, to make better use of his time. He is the alpha player in my group. Dedicated to the game, he does an excellent job of both driving the game forward in character, and out of character.

It's difficult to surprise him, as he's known  me for 20 years-and that's a lot of gaming. However he does a good job of keeping me, and the others on their toes. Pushing us to push the envelope. He's got a good sense of humor, but can be edgy and his sarcasm can cut people to the bone, if they don't know how to  deal with it. he is also hands down one of the smartest people I know. His knowledge is vast, and he can speak endlessly on nearly any subject. (Sometimes whether you want to hear it or not.)

Besides myself he is the driving force in the group, reading a wide array of online forums, and role playing related materials.

Estes aka K aka Pig Iron Black

Next to myself Estes is the busiest guy in the group. Like my own, his schedule is hectic to say the least. Estes, when on his game, can drive the game like a professional. Perfectly complimenting 3278 his style is amazing to watch-rules light, but characterization heavy. It's hard to get him to immerse himself in the materials, but once he does it's an amazing thing to watch. A natural watching him plan is amazing. He can give anyone a run for their money in the planning department, and creativity department. Each of his characters, like 3278's, are completely unique.

Outside of gaming Estes is also an amazing person-a musician, a trained fire fighter, a trained paramedic, A Republican Elector for the County, a skilled shot, a chef of epic skill, and much much more. For him the lines naturally blur, and he can assume a character as naturally as he can breathe.

Bishop

Bishop is our stereotypical gamer dude. As much as any of us meet the stereotype-he loves Robert Jordan books, and Conan, played tons of D&D, and until his car wreck was the strongest person I knew. (Man could bend re bar thicker than my wrist like it was warm butter, and he's called the breaker for a reason.)

At first glance he may not seem like much, but he's rock solid. Soft spoken, and easy to miss sometimes his ideas are often amazing in their simplicity, and effectiveness.  He's our rules guy-but not a rules lawyer. He never says it has to run in a certain way, but simply produces any rule we need upon request-from memory.

In our group he's the fighter. He's the Street Sam. He's the steady.

Gyro

At first glance you'd have to question why Gyro plays. He has the job, has a beautiful wife, good kids, the big fancy sports car and truck, years of martial arts training, physical fitness, all of it. But on top of all of that he has an incredible imagination, and a drive to game.

Any character you hand him he does his best to play. Period. It may not be what you imagined, but he'll do his best. He is also familiar with the rules, taking the time to read all of the books. Next to myself and 3278, he is most familiar with the  game world.

Aytch

A recent addition to our group, Aytch has proven pleasantly unpredictable. You never know what he'll play or how he'll play it. He has virtually no experience, but characterizes expertly, and is often heard saying "Well why would my character do that?" Even if it puts him at a disadvantage.

Blumberjack

An old player who just recently returned to the fold, Blumberjack introduced my to Shadowrun. He is an excellent, and unpredictable player. He often drives the other players to fits of exasperation by pushing issues that they just assumed would be no problem-in a cool, and IC way. Whether it's straight wetwork, or something else Blumberjack can be counted on to ask the why's, even if it makes everyone else uncomfortable.

Wickerbasket

An occasional player, Wicker can be counted on for one thing-mayhem. None of his characters are ever effective at...well anything. He is only there to characterize. Never to drive anything in any direction. Since he shows up at random, this works out pretty funnily.

AtemhutIt

Atem is an amzing new addition to our group. He joined the group a year ago and has since shown an amazing number of ideas-from watching a civilized dwarf devolve into a barbarian, shedding his connection to the society he once protected, to the cat shaman who wants to help his friend Buddha take control of the hood, while secretly working towards his own agenda-Atem is the man.

He's still learning the rules, but he has the "role" part down perfect. Amazingly intelligent, he has driven our game into uncharted territory at times.

The man also has fine taste in whiskey.

Bit Players

Uncle Joseph

A solid gamer, but his schedule, like my own, is a cast iron bitch to work around. Since he got his badge and gun he has also felt less of a need to play. But when he does game he is the consummate Mercenary.

Broken Turn Signal

Until he joined the Army, BTS could be counted on to do the worst possible thing in any given situation. A dedicated gamer, he just had no judgment. He also was a bloodthirsty git, which often got them into as much trouble as they could handle. All in good fun though. BTS just liked Mayhem.

The Twims

Great gamers, but their real lives have kept them from the table for a long time. I'd love to get them back, as each of the twins play entirely different from the other. Fascinating to watch really.

So last night we played a pick up game, outside of continuity of our current campaign. D20 Modern Shadow Hunters game is a basic summation. Several regular players weren't present, which sucked-but we made do just fine.

3278, Estes, Gyro and Atem showed. I generated about 9 characters ranging in level, and powers from 4th to 6th level. They ended up picking the following:

Sven Vanderkoop as portrayed by AtemhutIt. Sven is a multi classed Shadow Slayer (Strong 3, Slayer 2), who started his life as football star at East Grand Rapids Christian. After a drunken night of partying Sven was the sole survivor of a Shadow attack, that left his best friends dead. Now a serious man, with a serious plan he is an Axe wielding Shadow Slayer, hunting down the creatures of the night, while working as a construction worker during the day.

Aaron Code as portrayed by Gyro. Aaron is the product of rape, born of the unholy union of his human mother, and her demon rapist. Growing up in Eastern Europe has made him tough, and exposed him to many dangers-not all of them human in origin. He is multi classed (Outsider 1 Fast 2 Dedicated 2) like a few other PC's. He has grown up to hunt the creatures that come from the Shadows, along the way getting training for the East German Stasi, and Interpol. Older than he looks, he is the wild card in this group of strangers.

Vesniak Krementskoi as portrayed by Estes.Vesniak is a Russian Gangster who spent much of his adult life in the Russian Gulag Prison system. It was there he first encountered the Shadow Realm, which had made extensive inroads with Vory. Vesniak is in it for the money, and has no altruistic motives. (Tough 2 Fast 3)

N'Kembe M'tumbp as portayed by 3278. 3278 made this character, who started life as a child soldier in Africa. Living an unrepentant life of violence N'Kembe grew into his role as a war lord, becoming viscous and strong, never hesitating to kill. It wasn't until his life was turned upside down by an encounter with the denizens of the Shadow World that he changed. Now he is a single minded killer, pursuing the only thing scarier than himself-the shadows.


The Game:

The group is assembled by a rich business man who's oldest daughter has been missing for a week now. Due to her political beliefs, and some family conflicts he had assumed she was simply being herself, and instead of notifying the Police (Who would likely, in his mind, leak the news to the press), and hoping to avoid a "situation" he simply retains a cheap private detective to locate his wayward charge. When the PI is found dead in a park, his body literally torn to shreds the old man knows that something is amiss. Again distrustful of the Police he assembles a team of Shadow Hunters-men he knows can deal with anything. Due to his business dealings in certain areas he suspects that there could be Shadow Involvement in this. If he's wrong, then he's only out some money. If he's not-well then the PC's have their work cut out for them right?

How it all played out.

So the team is assembled in Grand Rapids, MI-at Signus, the Restaurant in the Amway Grand Plaza. There they are briefed by the old man as to what he wants, and why. He is careful not to reveal everything he knows, but does respond to questions honestly. He is hoping, correctly, that they will understand his need for discretion.

The PC's also discover that his company sells, among other things, military equipment. This proves to be important later on in the game. As the meeting breaks, and the money is about to exchange hands the PC's make a Spot and Listen check, and three of the four score good enough to notice the five men clad in Arabic style garb entering the restaurant. Utilizing his Shadow Sense, Sven warns the others that he thinks they are about to be attacked.

Sure enough the lead Shadow, a Hobgoblin, opens fire at their table with an AK-47-which he is clearly not proficient with. Although he succeeds in spraying bullets everywhere, he misses the group. The ensuing combat was funny from a mechanics perspective-I have never seen more natural 1's, 2's and 3's rolled-both by the PC's and the NPC's. In our game a natural 20 is always a critical, and a hit, and a natural 1 is always a botch. It took a long time to resolve this combat, because people kept shooting innocent bystanders, their companions and team mates on accident. (Funnily enough I try to be reasonable about botches, using the map, our pegs and some logic to determine what happens. It just made sense for people to get shot based on the Players descriptions of their actions, or my description of the NPC"s actions.)

Eventually however the PC's are successful, and manage to knock two of their five attackers unconscious, kill two and force one to retreat. Taking one of the Unconscious Hobgoblins they bind him, and make a beeline for the Service Elevator in the kitchen. Once in the elevator they take 20, and search the Hobgoblin thoroughly. (Which is good since he had a hand grenade on him, and a suicidal streak a mile long.) They then decide to bind his hands in front of him, hoping his robes will disguise the cuffs, and prop him up like he is drunk. As the elevator opens, they are laughing and acting drunk. Which is smart since a GRPD officer, and hotel security is waiting right there.

They are able to bluff their way past the cop, and hotel security and make their way to the parking ramp. There they steal an SUV, and manage to get on the highway before the whole area is secured by the police. They decide to bind the hobgoblin hand and foot, and make their way to the park that the detective was killed in.

Once there they decide to interrogate the hobgoblin, and search the crime scene. Finding nothing at the crime scene, they concentrate on the Hobgoblin-but before an in depth interrogation can begin the Hobgoblin manages to activate the Onstar button in the SUV, and the vehicle is reported stolen. The PC's shoot he Hobgoblin, and burn him and the SUV. (Hoping the flames will engulf any DNA evidence left behind.)

They then steal a beater Nova, and make their way back to GR, picking up their equipment. After spending a lot of time investigating the PI's office, and the girls apartment they discover an ancient text, that apparently she was attempting to sell on Ebay. They discover that she became curious and started dabbling with the dark arts, and pulled her Ebay auction. It was then that she started getting emails requesting that she sell them the book, or else. They also discover that the girl managed to ward her apartment magically, preventing Shadows from entering. Which is how they didn't get the book yet.

They decide to send an email, stating that they were willing to trade the book for the girl. They are surprised to receive an immediate reply, agreeing to their conditions. They decide to use a public park on the edge of town, but wait to give the location until an hour before the meet. In the meantime they recon the area, and turn to the old man for some help. A few pounds of semtex later, and a six man team of shooters they are ready.

The meet is pretty one sided, with the players holding the upper hand through superior planning. Although they manage to kill most of the bad guys, one escaped-with video footage of the meet, in all it's glory. The PC's manage to save the girl, and keep the book-for now.

Okay some ideas have been kicking around in my little twisted head, now to see if I can make sense of them all. In our current D&D game the players are the Second Generation-a group of villagers who survived the final battle between the fractured first party, that destroyed their city. These sole survivors originally set out to avenge their families, but ended up battling slavers, and slavery-freeing thousands of slaves, and resettling them in their old village.

Now we lost one active player-the cleric Einar, who will for IC purposes stay behind to bring religion to the heathens, as well as monitor the PC's investment into these people. The rest of the group, and potentially one brand spanking new PC, will head out north to finish their original quest.

One of the PC's is a CN Dragon Shaman that worships Black Dragons, and has slowly been gravitating towards NE-and is very liable to betray the PC's, if it suited him-has been amassing a small army of followers, mostly goblins, and hobgoblins. (He obtained a magical item which allows him to summon, permanently, a small number of low hit die goblins each week, and it bestows a bonus to CHA based skills when dealing with them.)

I'm planning on having him contacted by the loose network of Dragon Shamans in the Middle Kingdoms, who will try to involve him in their plot to kill the Hereditary Dwarven King of the Republic, which would catapult the Elected King (The Republic is  Dual Monarchy) into power. King Naden, the elected King isn't blatantly evil, but he is corrupt, and greedy, and driven to assume power. Even if it means a little foul politics, and soem backstabbing. But he has no idea that his advisor's, the creatures and men he trusts the most are riddled with evil and chaos.

What I want to happen-and this doesn't mean it will happen-is for the players to be involved in the Kings death, even peripherally. This way I can set the stage for the next campaign. I think this group will climax soon, but I still need to set the curtain call.

I'm thinking Dragon, but I am not sure. They are currently 9th level. I am not sure how far they'll want to go with this-level wise. SO that will determine part of this. I have also considered moving them off their current plane to somewhere else.

Currently the group consists of:

Kaas-CN Poison Dusk (ECL: 1) Barbarian 1/ Dragon Shaman 7 (ECL: 9)
Reginald Val El Alamein-LG Human Paladin 9
Rip Beak- CN Kenku Rogue 9
Aught-N Human Ranger 10
Lucien-N Fighter 9/ Barbarian 1

and they used to have:

Einar-CG Human Cleric 8


But I think he'll be replaced, but I am unsure of what he'll be replaced with.

More on the D&D game later, tomorrow we play a pick up game of D20 Modern-as a few people can't make the game. So I need to figure out something to throw at them.

My typical advice for D20 modern is to have some zombies and some maps of familiar locations on hand... but I've already used that advice once this week so...

...consider modern day piracy? It still happens out in Southeast Asia from what I've heard. There's an anime I'd lift heavily from myself, but you don't have to. You could play this as pirates, as pirate-hunters (whose jurisdiction does that fall under anyway?), or as part of a more land-based pirate haven game.

Or... hmm... if you've got stuff for going back in the day, the Yukon is a cool as hell place to set any adventure. "There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold." If the Yukon gold rush isn't crazy enough already, Cthulhu makes it all better... just port in some of those Mi-Go from Yuggoth (or whatever those things were called out of Whisperer in Darkness) and you've got yourself a spooky night in the mountains looking for gold and running from god only knows what at the same time.

Okay first last weeks Session, or the Session that wasn't.

So we gathered on a Tuesday evening, most of the group present, to play a one shot D20 Modern game. Unfortunately between people arriving late, and a player  arriving in need of help fixing his car the game never materialized. Much of our time was spent fixing his car-which while somewhat frustrating had to happen. Unfortunately it took us nearly three hours to unfuck his ride, and by then we were tired, cold and dirty. So we said the hell with it, andit became the session that never was.

Yesterday we played again, and this time we did good. Everyone but Gyro was present and Ada made a huge pot of beef stew for us to consume while gaming. We played the D20 Modern Zombie Game.

When left off they were downtown trying to escape, so we picked up a few hours later with the players a few blocks west of downtown, near the zoo fixing their vehicles. (Running people over tends to break things, plus it helped introduce two new PC"s-to replace the one dead one, and allowed me intro Bishop's PC.)

(Bishop played a body guard, who was at the VanAndel when Z day hit. Blumberjack replaced his aging hippy, who died and was eaten, with a young Hispanic medical student, who deals drugs to help him through school.)

After getting their vehicles in order there is a long argument over where to go and what to do next-where they can find safety, and what the hell is going on. Using Ty's PDA (TY is Bishop's character) they look up sporting goods stores, and National Guard Armories. They see that they are literally a mile or two from a Marine Reserve station, and decide to head for there to see if they can get help.

The journey is dangerous, and they spend much of it avoiding contact with the recently deceased. When they arrive they are happy to see the Marines holding down their reserve station. But once they get inside they unhappily discover it's twenty Marines, with about a hundred civilians and no real clue as to what's happening or why, and worse no idea where safety can be found.

The Marines offer the players weapons and ammunition-of which they have plenty. In exchange they discuss using the players as forward mobile scouts-they know they can't stay where they are forever, and they will have to move. So they lay it on the PC's, stating that they have to protect the civilians, but they only have 20 shooters. They can see that the PC's know how to handle themselves and if they could help them scout southward they'd be grateful.

The PC's agree, but immediately (Amongst themselves) agree that if the Marines can't do it, they sure as hell aren't going to. They take the weapons and ammo, and set out to "scout". After shooting their way onto the highway they set out North and west, deciding that even if the Marines can track them they won't be able to come after them.

They then head to Skeeter's trailer in the woods, the only plan they have so far. The game ends with them lying to the Marines and civilians over the radios, saying that the roads south were too dangerous, and that they had headed west, and were now under fire.

I was a little disappointed at their lack of humanity, and concern for the civilians-but I won't force them to do stuff. Instead I will show them that dangerous things happen to people who go off on their own. (A time tested and true parable of Zombie movies right?)

Next week we play a Shadowrun 3 one shot.

Today's Shadowrun game will basically be this:

Setting Notes: The game will take place in early July 2060, in Aztlan and Texas, CAS. During the game weather conditions will be dry, with no possibility of rain, and winds from the west.

System Notes: We use 3rd Edition Mechanics, as no one in my group has an interest in 4th Edition.


Synopsis: The players have been contacted by their mysterious, but generally trustworthy, contact Espectro-a decker they've met with in real life, but have worked with and for several times in the past. Espectro has assembled the PC's to work with a Rebel sympathizer, who wants the PC's to infiltrate the dig site at Chapalla, and retrieve what the rebels believe to be an ancient and potentially powerful artifact.

Background:The Rebels have discovered that the Aztlan government, under the direction of Aztechnology has begun cordon off the area south of Guadalajara near Chapalla. The roads have been closed at Poncitlán, Juanacallán, Highway 110 south of La Barca, Highway 15 west Chapalla-effectively sealing the area. This was done with a combination of military and corporate forces,which immediately piqued the Rebel's interests.

After three attempts at drone reconnaissance-all of which failed, patrols were sent into the area. After these patrols failed to return they attempted a Data Steal on the Aztechnology system, and were lucky enough to pull some relevant information out, which combined with some smartly placed bribes of locals in the area, and gossip from Aztlan soldiers (Plied with alcohol, and loose women.) added up to something potentially problematic.

The rebels believe that Aztechnology has discovered a power site from the Fourth World, which may contain artifacts of considerable power. As the area is tightly cordoned off the rebels have had to result to some nontraditional assets-the players.

The rebels will offer a few pieces of help to the team-distractions to help their insertion, equipment and supplies if needed, maps, real time communication and satellite footage. But they will leave the exact details to the PCs.

The Players: Today I am looking at four players being present. I have pregenerated four PC's, but I have also allowed them to create their own. Assuming they don't create their own then they'll have my four back ups to play with-otherwise they can generate 525 karma point characters on BeCks'.

More to follow.

So last night we played a one shot D&D game. 3.5e, with three players present: Atem, Bishop, and Engine.

The took pre-generated characters that I made, and away we went:

Engine portrayed "Seven Tuesday", a Theilossian (Orc) Monk who was Lawful Neutral in Alignment, who has just begun his sojourn into the world, at fifth level like all Theilossian Monks.

Bishop portrayed Tanner, a character he made actually, who was a multi classed (Rogue/Fighter) Neutral Evil in Alignment who works as a sell sword.

Atem played a Halfling Bard who Neutral Good in Alignment who is part minstrel, and part con man, named Tosswik Roundsong.

The three meet on the road to Jút, a small Hamlet in Norn-a northern part of the Middle Kingdoms. A beautiful early summer day finds them near a small Tavern just outside the Hamlet, called the Silver Saw.

The Saw is popular with loggers, hunters and trappers as well as the few traders and merchants who make their way along the coast. After a meal they gather information from the crowd through careful observation, and a few hours listening. As a woman enters the tavern they discover she is local Baron's daughter, a willful and headstrong girl who fancies herself a bard.

After a while she starts asking questions about the strangers, and the PC's are approached by her. After a breathtaking performance by the Halfling,a nd the Baron's daughter the PC's are invited to lunch with the Baron, and the local Sheriff.

After a nights rest the PC's breakfast, relax and then meet with the local Baron, the Sheriff and his family. The Baron, an aging old man, tells the PC's that the local farms and loggers have been attacked several times in the last few weeks, leaving a trail of destruction behind. He suspects that the attacks were orchestrated by Goblins, but the Sheriff suspects there is more to it. Either way they are concerned about the security of their Hamlet, and must make the militia ready, and ready the towns defenses. As such they can't spare the Sheriff for at least a week.

In the meantime the attacks need to be investigated, and if possible stopped. The PC's agree, and despite Tanner trying to negotiate a hefty fee, agree to do so for little if not nothing.

Dinner now, more later.

After accepting the Baron's challenge the players set out from the Hamlet, with the assistance of a local scout the players set out. It takes them a half a day to get to the last and latest raid site-a burned out hunting shack, with it's occupant riddled with arrows. It takes another full day and a half to catch up with them, but they do. (Luckily the raiders aren't making much of an effort to cover their tracks.)

They discover the raiders in a rocky aclove beneath a mountain waterfall. The  PC's maneuver to the high ground and see that they are facing two humans-one male and female, four hobgoblins-all male, two armed with wicked looking cudgels, and two with spears; and a single Lamia-a creature no one in the Kingdoms has ever seen before.

Seven uses the waterfall to drop into the pool, while Tanner and Tosswick climb down a path close to the camp. As they attack the PC's make good use of their talents, and some lucky die rolls they quickly take down a hobgoblin, and a human.

Bardic talents suddenly even the odds quite easily, and the rest of the combat is pretty one sided. The Lamia escapes, leaving behind a map and the PC's escort back the livestock, and supplies that they salvage and turn over the map to the Baron.

That ended the game, as we ran out of time. So it wasn't a bad night at all , despite the bad luck that befell one of my players, and one basically just saying "I don't want to play anymore."