This may not be the forum for this, if so feel free to move it. This is inspired by several things, among them the ultimate gaming table website (http://www.ultimategamingtable.org/), and my thread (http://www.animalball.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1024&highlight=wooden+spool) here at Animalball.
What I am looking for is the inspirational, time saving and clever ideas that some of you must have assembled over the years of gaming. For the links that show us how to do it, and the cool stuff that's out there that maybe we've all missed.
I see guys out there who've gamed, according to their own admissions, for decades. Some of you may have the next cool idea I may adopt into use for my gaming group.
There was a sheriff's deputy in Wichita, KS whom I played AD&D 1e/2e with who carried around a series of 3"x5" index cards on a small ring. Each card had a 'catch phrase' on it that his character could mutter (or shout) at appropriate moments in the game. In retrospect, this was a very good way to bring some dimension to a character without getting all 'thespy' -- or it would have been if most of the catch phrases hadn't been cribbed from the movie Tombstone ;)
Quote from: Serious Paulultimate gaming table website (http://www.ultimategamingtable.org/)
Bit of a thread-crap, but that table is creepy to the degree of owning a RealDoll. I would actively reject playing with anyone who admitted to owning it.
Quote from: MelanBit of a thread-crap, but that table is creepy to the degree of owning a RealDoll. I would actively reject playing with anyone who admitted to owning it.
Looks pretty damn cool to me.
You do know that one, do you?
http://www.agyris.net/v3/ugt/
Quote from: MelanBit of a thread-crap, but that table is creepy to the degree of owning a RealDoll. I would actively reject playing with anyone who admitted to owning it.
...and why is that ??
Nothing "creepy" there but some pretty creative gamers as far as I can tell.
Personally I would have done the table hexagons the same scale not squares.
- Ed C
Quote from: MelanBit of a thread-crap, but that table is creepy to the degree of owning a RealDoll.
Why? Does the table have some secret adaptations we don't know about? Slots and protrusions for Extra Fun Times? "You rolled a critical success! You know what that means! Unzip!"
:confused:
Quote from: SettembriniYou do know that one, do you?
http://www.agyris.net/v3/ugt/
I'm in awe of this sort of thing. I remember a thread on RPGnet a while back that had pics of a custom built table that intergrated a digital projector as a combat mapper. Brilliant stuff, I love seeing that level of commitment, even if I could never manage it myself.
Quote from: Kyle AaronWhy? Does the table have some secret adaptations we don't know about? Slots and protrusions for Extra Fun Times? "You rolled a critical success! You know what that means! Unzip!"
I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Quote from: Kyle AaronWhy?
The analogy is indirect. Simply put, the table signifies a level of obsession with the hobby I get uncomfortable around. But I'm pretty big on gaming casually, and in a highly social environment, so anything that moves the experience towards "Serious Business(TM)" is suspect.
I also prefer a simple dining table (http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j23/Gaborspictures/?action=view¤t=206.jpg) for gaming purposes.
Quote from: Kyle AaronWhy? Does the table have some secret adaptations we don't know about? Slots and protrusions for Extra Fun Times? "You rolled a critical success! You know what that means! Unzip!"
:confused:
My group that consists of 3 women and 2 men - that would have a whole different meaning.
I'm just happy I found a 2nd chair that matches one I already bought for one of the players to use. $29.00 at OFFICEMAX - decent chair on wheels with arms and a back to it. I got TWO players who have back pain issues, like to make sure they're not in pain while we're gaming.
- Ed C.
Quote from: MelanThe analogy is indirect. Simply put, the table signifies a level of obsession with the hobby I get uncomfortable around. But I'm pretty big on gaming casually, and in a highly social environment, so anything that moves the experience towards "Serious Business(TM)" is suspect.
Whereas I view it as a bloody big fun facilitator.
Obsession is where a bloke will talk about nothing but his characters latest exploits no matter what the occasion. I'd rank the pictures above as no more "suspect" than a home cinema room.
In avoidance of the threadcrap...
One of the most time-saving things I found was the large scale printer at Kinko's. The max size it can print out is 36"x48" and if you have your map on digital format, you can just bring it in and have them scale it to the size that you want to print out. The cost is about 50 cents per square foot and so the black&white maps made cost about $5 or so at 0.75"=1.5m ( I have a bunch of HO scale miniatures that I use for Traveller).
You go into Kinko's with your map, they enlarge it, and then print it out. Usually while you wait.
They can also laminate up to three or four feet across, and as far as I can tell much further in length. We had a one inch grid square printed, by a friend who has access to a commercial printer, and then had it laminated for a few bucks.
Now we have a 2x4 foot 1 inch grid square we can use.
Melan, I think you and I are on the same page regarding the obsessive nature some folks in our hobby have, but I don't think this table is one of those signs. I see it as more of the well stocked toolbench and workspace that my Dad has in the garage for any "special projects" that he'll be working on at any given moment.
EDIT:My favorite gaming table was an unused ping-pong table that was in excellent condition. I try to keep a small footprint in front of me, but for those players who like to spread out three books, swaths of paper, loads of dice and bags of snacks, it gave us more than enough space.
/EDITAs far as tips and tools, after funny dice I can't think of a better RPG accessory than index cards. So far my favorite application is to use them for inititive and battle tracking:
- One index card per PC
- One index card per "big" monster
- One card per group of monsters (mooks)
- Each card has the core stats -- AC, to hit mod, HPs, etc
- Arrange the cards in initiative order and cycle through them as the battle goes
- Scribble any modifiers and changes -- damage, buffs, debuffs, etc -- onto the cards as the battle rages.
I found that it hasn't sped up combats any, but it does make things more organized for me as a GM.
I've used a battlemat and I've also used a cheap marker board on an easel, but neither were great. Wet erase can be messy and the marker board didn't have a grid. However...
I've since found this marker board (http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=&webid=462094&affixedcode=WW). It is magnetic and there's a grid printed on it. That way I can also use magnets for PCs and NPCs.
I don't have as much space as I'd like, so I've got to be able to setup flexibly. Otherwise I'd be tempted to copy Serious Paul's setup. Very nice.
Quote from: KoltarI got TWO players who have back pain issues, like to make sure they're not in pain while we're gaming.
On behalf of every gamer everywhere with back pain, THANK YOU!
I can't tell you how many times I used to game where the host only provided the usual fold-up metal or plastic chairs (usually while taking the easy chair for himself). I'm too damn old for that shit anymore, and appreciate the extra effort that someone such as youself goes to.
Very well done.
AN
Quote from: MelanThe analogy is indirect. Simply put, the table signifies a level of obsession with the hobby I get uncomfortable around.
Whereas the obsession signified by spending hours of every day on forums just talking about rpgs, you're comfortable with? :p
Quote from: MelanThe analogy is indirect. Simply put, the table signifies a level of obsession with the hobby I get uncomfortable around. But I'm pretty big on gaming casually, and in a highly social environment, so anything that moves the experience towards "Serious Business(TM)" is suspect.
I get where you are coming from. People that get really obsessive about their hobbies, whatever those hobbies, are creepy. It's just a question of whether owning a custom built gaming table constitutes being "really obsessive". And that's going to depend on the individual themselves.
I like to homebrew. A bit like roleplaying, there are casual homebrewers that make the occasional batch. And then there are the serious, obsessive brewers that build their own gear, such as mashing tuns, custom burners, counterflow chillers and full kegging set ups. Strangely enough, converting an old fridge into your own draught beer setup is considered pretty damn cool.
So how is that much different to the guy who builds is own game table? Other than the fact that drinking beer is cool and gaming isn't?
QuoteI also prefer a simple dining table (http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j23/Gaborspictures/?action=view¤t=206.jpg) for gaming purposes.
To me, the ultimate gaming table would have enough space for 6 people to sit comfortable (preferably in chairs with arms). The surface would be hard wearing and easy to clean. And the table itself would be located in a room with good ventilation in summer, good heating in winter, and a nice stereo in the corner. Ideally, it would be close to the kitchen.
Anything else is just greedy :)
Quote from: Kyle AaronWhereas the obsession signified by spending hours of every day on forums just talking about rpgs, you're comfortable with? :p
Most definitely. Now running a blog... I don't know about that. :haw:
Quote from: Tyberious FunkTo me, the ultimate gaming table would have enough space for 6 people to sit comfortable (preferably in chairs with arms). The surface would be hard wearing and easy to clean. And the table itself would be located in a room with good ventilation in summer, good heating in winter, and a nice stereo in the corner. Ideally, it would be close to the kitchen.
Anything else is just greedy :)
If your ever in the US. Drop me a line. I got everything you listed except the chairs with arms. (That costs money I dont have at the moment)
Quote from: RoninIf your ever in the US. Drop me a line. I got everything you listed except the chairs with arms. (That costs money I dont have at the moment)
Nope - just $29.00 at a nearby OFFICEMAX if you're lucky.
Sometimes an affordable set of "Director's Chairs" can be found at places like WAL-mART or TARGET for a decent price. They are fgoldable and have arms.
See if your players will chip a few bucks each to pay for a set .
- Ed C.
Quote from: KoltarNope - just $29.00 at a nearby OFFICEMAX if you're lucky.
Sometimes an affordable set of "Director's Chairs" can be found at places like WAL-mART or TARGET for a decent price. They are fgoldable and have arms.
See if your players will chip a few bucks each to pay for a set .
- Ed C.
Need 7 chairs. At 29.00 each thats 203.00 all together. More than I can spend at the moment. Directors chairs suck. They wear out and are not very comfortable in my opinion. As for the players chipping in. Thats gonna be a no go. As it stands right now I've been making food forbefore the game. As we play at 1:00 on sundays. Well I used Kyles (I believe it was his idea anyway) idea of the food jar. Where people drop some money into the kitty every session. Well out of the five potential donors (their seven of us total, but I dont figure I have to drop money in the cup or my roomate. As we are buying the food) I got a grand total of three dollars. So next session I have to bring this up. I figuring that the food before the session will go the way of the dodo bird. That people will fend for themselves. But we'll see. I do appreciate the ideas though Koltar. Unfortunatly none of them work for me at the moment.
We have crap for chairs right now too, as I can't afford to purchase six or seven for my players, and they haven't got that money right now either. But when I do get the money I am going to start by checking a lot of the second hand furniture stores-living in Grand Rapids, former furniture production capital of the world, has it's benefits.
I'd like a nice gaming room-one of my players, who is on hiatus due to some child care issues (They just had a new one), has an awesome set up-big spacious basement, with a trac drop ceiling, wall to wall carpet, a bar (Like a really cool bar, he makes them as a side job), and a sweet table. Dart board, computer desk.
I'd like something similar. I mean the money I'd invest would be worth it, since we entertain weekly, and frankly dropping a few bucks on this instead of say BW3's each week is okay by me.
Quote from: Serious PaulI'd like a nice gaming room-one of my players, who is on hiatus due to some child care issues (They just had a new one), has an awesome set up-big spacious basement, with a trac drop ceiling, wall to wall carpet, a bar (Like a really cool bar, he makes them as a side job), and a sweet table. Dart board, computer desk.
I am about to finish my basement. I would like to hire your friend to come down and build mine. Then invite everyone on TheRPGSite for a weekend of gaming including D&D 3.5 Living Grewhawk, Burning Empires, and FtA! you can all sleep on the beds and floors of my extra rooms - but y'all are springing for the food and drinks....
And we have to clean up or miy wife will kill each and every one of us....slowly...
And (for Bill ;) ) No Smoking in the house...
dream a little dream.
He does a sweet ass job. His bar has the whole set up-mirrored wall, shelves with bottles (We bought some for him as a house warming gift), taps-hooked to a kegarator, I think he has two beers on tap, stools-everything. All made by him.
It's pretty sweet. I can't wait till he can host again, even though we always get way too fucked up when we play with him. :)
This thread spurred me to mention a new table to my group, which manged to grow into starting up a gaming fun so we can convert the garage and get more room for nicer furniture. We'll be giving food XP for $10, so hopefully it'll come together quickly.
:hyper: <- That's me, all jazzed up
Quote from: RoninWell I used Kyles (I believe it was his idea anyway) idea of the food jar. Where people drop some money into the kitty every session. Well out of the five potential donors [...] I got a grand total of three dollars.
I take it that you made it all explicit? Not just a hint or suggestion, but, "guys, from now on rather than arranging our own munchies, I think it'd be good for us to have a Geek Money Jar, put in five bucks each, and I'll organise all the food and drink from that." And then get their agreement?
If you just mumble something vague about everyone contributing, then it's all luck - you might get some guy who chucks twenty in every time, and then some other guy who always has a pre-game piss just at that time, or who mumbles something about being broke because he bought the entire set of
Super Duper Dude comics today. You have to be specific, "we will pay X dollars each, and get Y for it" and get their agreement.
Of course it's uncomfortable to be openly asking your mates for money. What I do is to feed them dinner first, and then put the jar in the middle of the table as I get the game books out and pass out the character sheets, and tell someone to bring the snacks over from the kitchen bench. They usually get the hint. Then I note down each player's contribution, so that if Jim puts in $5, he's paid for the munchies for this session, but if Bob puts in $20, he's paid for this and is three sessions ahead. I say who's got how much credit, and who's behind (normally no-one).
Otherwise, if it's not working, just stop it. Let them fend for themselves, as you said. The Geek $ Jar has three purposes: to give a sense of investment to players so they'll show up to sessions (it's silly but it works), to save players a few bucks as things bought for the group in bulk will be cheaper, and to save players the trouble of getting stuff (so they can come straight from work with no detours to stores).
The other way a group could arrange it is that the resonsibility for paying for and buying the stuff circulates around each week. I'd get everyone agreement on how much that should be (I assume, $5 x number of players), otherwise some well-off guy will spend oodles while some genuinely poor guy will spend little. You'd also need reliable players for that, it'd be annoying to have the guy whose turn it is not show, or forget.
McMurray, that's an excellent idea to build up the funds for a gaming room. I can't do that myself, as I've not the space for a dedicated gaming room. And also it would commit me to playing with the same guys for years on end, I like to circulate gamers around a bit ;)
Quote from: Serious PaulHe does a sweet ass job. His bar has the whole set up-mirrored wall, shelves with bottles (We bought some for him as a house warming gift), taps-hooked to a kegarator, I think he has two beers on tap, stools-everything. All made by him.
*sigh*
My dream. To one day combine two of my hobbies, homebrewing and roleplaying.
Although I like the looks of that ultimate gaming table, I have to say, rolling dice around the dinner table does have it's charm :D
Regards,
David R
I am a bit thick and slow. I just realised that Paul's OP was also asking about "inspirational, time saving and clever ideas that some of you must have assembled over the years of gaming." Not just the game table stuff. Ronin brought in the Geek $ Jar thing, what else...?
Apart from lame-arsed stuff like doing horror games by candlelight (set my character sheet on fire once!) the only thing coming to mind for me is seating arrangements. I find the quiet players tend to sit right next to the GM, and the noisy players opposite. Actually if you want everyone to participate as much as they're comfortable with, it should be the other way around - as the GM speaks, they naturally look forwards rather than to one side, and by looking at someone you encourage their participation. Put the quiet players opposite the GM, and they speak up more often. That's what I've found.
I dunno, maybe that's obvious to others, but it's soemthing that's made a difference to my game sessions.
That's how we do it actually Kyle, and I like the "Geek Jar" idea. We may use a spin off/off shoot of this.
Quote from: Kyle AaronMcMurray, that's an excellent idea to build up the funds for a gaming room. I can't do that myself, as I've not the space for a dedicated gaming room. And also it would commit me to playing with the same guys for years on end, I like to circulate gamers around a bit ;)
We've been gaming as a group for a loooong time. Me and a couple of the guys go back ten years, and would go back farther but that's when we met. Houses have changed, and we've gotten new people added, but the group itself remains.
I'm really lucky to haev a long term group like that, and it's one of the big factors that make me shy away from moving every time my wife and I talk about running away to Colorado.
Quote from: Kyle AaronI take it that you made it all explicit? Not just a hint or suggestion, but, "guys, from now on rather than arranging our own munchies, I think it'd be good for us to have a Geek Money Jar, put in five bucks each, and I'll organise all the food and drink from that." And then get their agreement?
If you just mumble something vague about everyone contributing, then it's all luck - you might get some guy who chucks twenty in every time, and then some other guy who always has a pre-game piss just at that time, or who mumbles something about being broke because he bought the entire set of Super Duper Dude comics today. You have to be specific, "we will pay X dollars each, and get Y for it" and get their agreement.
Of course it's uncomfortable to be openly asking your mates for money. What I do is to feed them dinner first, and then put the jar in the middle of the table as I get the game books out and pass out the character sheets, and tell someone to bring the snacks over from the kitchen bench. They usually get the hint. Then I note down each player's contribution, so that if Jim puts in $5, he's paid for the munchies for this session, but if Bob puts in $20, he's paid for this and is three sessions ahead. I say who's got how much credit, and who's behind (normally no-one).
Otherwise, if it's not working, just stop it. Let them fend for themselves, as you said. The Geek $ Jar has three purposes: to give a sense of investment to players so they'll show up to sessions (it's silly but it works), to save players a few bucks as things bought for the group in bulk will be cheaper, and to save players the trouble of getting stuff (so they can come straight from work with no detours to stores).
The other way a group could arrange it is that the resonsibility for paying for and buying the stuff circulates around each week. I'd get everyone agreement on how much that should be (I assume, $5 x number of players), otherwise some well-off guy will spend oodles while some genuinely poor guy will spend little. You'd also need reliable players for that, it'd be annoying to have the guy whose turn it is not show, or forget.
McMurray, that's an excellent idea to build up the funds for a gaming room. I can't do that myself, as I've not the space for a dedicated gaming room. And also it would commit me to playing with the same guys for years on end, I like to circulate gamers around a bit ;)
Yeah its hard for me to ask for money from the group. Some of the people I know can afford it. But are being cheap skates. Some of the others I know have a tight budget. So I feel bad about pressing them. I think this sunday we will talk about the food situation. I think we will also order pizza. So if you dont chip in you dont get. So it could end up just me and my roomate ordering food for us.
Quote from: Kyle AaronI am a bit thick and slow. I just realised that Paul's OP was also asking about "inspirational, time saving and clever ideas that some of you must have assembled over the years of gaming." Not just the game table stuff. Ronin brought in the Geek $ Jar thing, what else...?
Apart from lame-arsed stuff like doing horror games by candlelight (set my character sheet on fire once!) the only thing coming to mind for me is seating arrangements. I find the quiet players tend to sit right next to the GM, and the noisy players opposite. Actually if you want everyone to participate as much as they're comfortable with, it should be the other way around - as the GM speaks, they naturally look forwards rather than to one side, and by looking at someone you encourage their participation. Put the quiet players opposite the GM, and they speak up more often. That's what I've found.
I dunno, maybe that's obvious to others, but it's soemthing that's made a difference to my game sessions.
Wow that akeen observation. Now that I think about it my group always sitd in the same order. And it just like you said the quiet ones close. With the loud folks at the far end. I would fear though that if you switched it. The quiet folks would be drowned out by the rowdier fellas.
Quote from: James J SkachI am about to finish my basement. I would like to hire your friend to come down and build mine. Then invite everyone on TheRPGSite for a weekend of gaming including D&D 3.5 Living Grewhawk, Burning Empires, and FtA! you can all sleep on the beds and floors of my extra rooms - but y'all are springing for the food and drinks....
TheRPGsite's own version of Camp Nerdly...?
Quote from: RoninYeah its hard for me to ask for money from the group. [...] I feel bad about pressing them. I think this sunday we will talk about the food situation.
It's always best to talk. As with anything else, it works best when you do "multiple choice" rather than "open answer". If you ask, "what do you guys want to do about food?" you'll get vague noncomittal answers and general confusion. So you need to just lay out the options,
"Okay fellahs, some of us are sending a heap on food, and others none. And sometimes we have a lot of food, and sometimes not much. So I think there are three ways we can do this,
- Everyone just brings what they want to eat, nobody shares. Bring nothing, get nothing.
- Everyone is responsible for one thing, like Jim always brings the Coke, and Bob always brings the chips, and Charlene always gets the pizza. That means everyone has to show up regularly!
- Everyone puts in $5 each session, and the game host goes and gets munchies and dinner with that money. It's a bit cheaper than the first option because we buy big packets of stuff, and no-one has to stop off at the store.
- Or something else? Some combination? Maybe one of these for munchies, another for dinner?"
[/COLOR]
If they argue about all this (as the cheapskates probably will), then,
"If nobody can agree, that's okay, we'll just go with the first one."
If you're really keen on one particular option (remember I just listed the obvious ones, you can think of others) what you might want to do is think about if there's another in the group with a particularly strong personality, maybe a player who when the party's deciding what to do, that one usually gets their way. Discuss the food stuff with that player before this bigger discussion, get that one on side. Then you'll be coming into the negotiation with someone already prepared. And that's the secret of succeeding in negotiations - have a clear idea of what you want, ready to present to people, and someone in the group who'll speak loudly for you.
It sounds a bit manipulative, but ultimately it's for the good of the group, to agree on how to do things. And it's easiest to agree when you come in with clear options and someone on side.
The other thing is to be very non-judgmental and non-specific about it. Don't say, "since some of you are cheapskates", just put it as a totally non-accusing thing. "It just seems easier and cheaper and more convenient to do it this way with a money jar, unless someone else has another idea?" If you go in asking open questions, some of the cheapskates will get defensive and aggressive, and thigns will turn messy. Just go in all open and non-accusing of those lazy, useless, fat-arsed, greedy, stingy, disorganised, cheap motherfuckers :p
Quote from: Kyle AaronIt's always best to talk. As with anything else, it works best when you do "multiple choice" rather than "open answer". If you ask, "what do you guys want to do about food?" you'll get vague noncomittal answers and general confusion. So you need to just lay out the options,
"Okay fellahs, some of us are sending a heap on food, and others none. And sometimes we have a lot of food, and sometimes not much. So I think there are three ways we can do this,
- Everyone just brings what they want to eat, nobody shares. Bring nothing, get nothing.
- Everyone is responsible for one thing, like Jim always brings the Coke, and Bob always brings the chips, and Charlene always gets the pizza. That means everyone has to show up regularly!
- Everyone puts in $5 each session, and the game host goes and gets munchies and dinner with that money. It's a bit cheaper than the first option because we buy big packets of stuff, and no-one has to stop off at the store.
- Or something else? Some combination? Maybe one of these for munchies, another for dinner?"
[/COLOR]
If they argue about all this (as the cheapskates probably will), then,
"If nobody can agree, that's okay, we'll just go with the first one."
If you're really keen on one particular option (remember I just listed the obvious ones, you can think of others) what you might want to do is think about if there's another in the group with a particularly strong personality, maybe a player who when the party's deciding what to do, that one usually gets their way. Discuss the food stuff with that player before this bigger discussion, get that one on side. Then you'll be coming into the negotiation with someone already prepared. And that's the secret of succeeding in negotiations - have a clear idea of what you want, ready to present to people, and someone in the group who'll speak loudly for you.
It sounds a bit manipulative, but ultimately it's for the good of the group, to agree on how to do things. And it's easiest to agree when you come in with clear options and someone on side.
The other thing is to be very non-judgmental and non-specific about it. Don't say, "since some of you are cheapskates", just put it as a totally non-accusing thing. "It just seems easier and cheaper and more convenient to do it this way with a money jar, unless someone else has another idea?" If you go in asking open questions, some of the cheapskates will get defensive and aggressive, and thigns will turn messy. Just go in all open and non-accusing of those lazy, useless, fat-arsed, greedy, stingy, disorganised, cheap motherfuckers :p
Thanks. I definitly need a plan an you've brought up some good ideas. This sunday will be a good session for it. As we will be leveling up characters at the start. So there will be that open time at the beginning. Before we get down to the adventure. So to speak.
Quote from: Tyberious FunkI like to homebrew. A bit like roleplaying, there are casual homebrewers that make the occasional batch. And then there are the serious, obsessive brewers that build their own gear, such as mashing tuns, custom burners, counterflow chillers and full kegging set ups. Strangely enough, converting an old fridge into your own draught beer setup is considered pretty damn cool.
Another homebrewer! Do you have the same thing I do: when reading gamer message board threads with "homebrew" in the title, you immediately think of beer instead of gaming?
Mmmmm... Beer... Wait, where was I?
Anyway one of the things that's made our gaming easier is going to Goodwill and picking up small shelving units for us to put books and drinks on. I got this idea after seeing the small tables they use in poker rooms for drinks. You can usually get something like a printer stand or bedside table for ten bucks or even less. I have one of these for each player. It gets a lot of stuff off the table leaving more room for battle mats and such.
Oh, and I do have a small Sanyo fridge with a five gallon keg of homebrew in the gaming area as well. My game group got together and bought the kegging system for me for Christmas one year.
He's only a homebrewer in principle, old Tyberious Funk. I haven't seen any of his stuff at my table for a year now.
I mean, I gave him extra xp for it and everything. What more can I do?
There's another tip for good gaming: give extra xp for homebrewed booze! Or really, for anything homemade players bring - cakes, pastas, rpgs, whatever... Encourage people to make stuff for the group and bring it!
Especially beer. The Funk got lazy. I think I might refuse to GM him for another campaign unless he brings his homebrews. That way, either he makes beer, or he makes a campaign for us. Either way, it's good.
We give bonus xp for food and have never gone hungry. Most of the time it's the same guy that brings the grub, but he doesn't complain because it's his choice and he's getting something out of it. If he's running late or can't bring it for some reason, people usually pitch in for pizza or chinese to be delivered.
Quote from: chaldfontOh, and I do have a small Sanyo fridge with a five gallon keg of homebrew in the gaming area as well. My game group got together and bought the kegging system for me for Christmas one year.
You have the best game group. Ever.
I wish I had a gaming table. :(