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| gameinfo:definitions [2022/07/05 19:04] – [Classic D&D] restless | gameinfo:definitions [2025/06/05 15:29] (current) – [Rules lawyer] restless |
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| | FIXME |
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| | I probably want to go through these entries and clean them up some, and on a couple make them a bit less... judgmental? |
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| ====== Definitions of terms ====== | ====== Definitions of terms ====== |
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| [[dict>image_credits|{{ :meta:catpissman.png?nolink&120|Cat Piss Man, and his attendant bugs}}]] | {{ :meta:catpissman.png?direct&120|Cat Piss Man, and his attendant bugs}} |
| ==== Cat piss man ==== | ==== Cat piss man ==== |
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| ==== Dissociated mechanics ==== | ==== Dissociated mechanics ==== |
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| Dissociated mechanics are the crazy-quilt, layer-upon layer of varying resolution rules for every subsystem of [[dict>old-school_gaming|old-school]] role playing games. One thing uses a pile of d6s, thief skill use percentile dice, saving throws and attacks use a d20, another check uses 2d6 plus modifiers... every one a little different and has different rules for modifiers. Sometimes there's a rule for something that is well-defined, but in a given spell, monster or adventure locale description there's an entirely different mechanic specified //just// for that situation. | Dissociated mechanics are the crazy-quilt, layer-upon-layer of varying resolution rules for every subsystem of [[dict>old-school_gaming|old-school]] role playing games. One thing uses a pile of d6s, thief skill use percentile dice, saving throws and attacks use a d20, another check uses 2d6 plus modifiers... every one a little different and has different rules for modifiers. Sometimes there's a rule for something that is well-defined, but in a given spell, monster or adventure locale description there's an entirely different mechanic specified //just// for that situation. |
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| Dissociated mechanics drive some gamers mad. I //love// 'em. | Dissociated mechanics drive some gamers mad. I //love// 'em. |
| ==== Game Master ==== | ==== Game Master ==== |
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| See [[dict>dungeon_master|Dungeon Master]]. | A more generic, genre-neutral term for a [[dict>dungeon_master|Dungeon Master]]. |
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| {{ :meta:GrognardMotivationalPoster.jpg?direct&200|I probably *do* have dice older than you if you're not in your forties or older}} | {{ :meta:GrognardMotivationalPoster.jpg?direct&200|I probably *do* have dice older than you if you're not in your forties or older}} |
| ==== House rules ==== | ==== House rules ==== |
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| A modification of [[dict>rules-as-written|rules-as-written]] that becomes a permanent feature of a group's playing rules. Essentially, a modification that a group plays by that gives their game some local flavor or reflects the group's playstyle. | A modification of [[dict>rules-as-written|rules-as-written]] that becomes a permanent feature of a group's playing rules. Essentially, a modification that a group plays by that gives their game some local flavor or reflects the group's playstyle. You can find a compilation of the [[:rules:part_6_house_rules|house rules]] [[:rules:|here]]. |
| ===== K ===== | ===== K ===== |
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| {{ :meta:rocksfall.png?nolink&120|Rocks fall, everyone dies... a classic, and a touch more verisimilitude than the old "bolts of lightning from the sky!"}} | {{ :meta:rocksfall.png?direct&120|Rocks fall, everyone dies... a classic, and a touch more verisimilitude than the old "bolts of lightning from the sky!"}} |
| ==== Killer DM ==== | ==== Killer DM ==== |
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| ==== Know-it-all ==== | ==== Know-it-all ==== |
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| {{:meta:knowitall.gif?nolink&225 |Yeah, they're kind of like that.}}A [[dict>stereotypes_gamer|gamer stereotype]] that, well, knows everything... or claims he does. He's a member of the SCA so he knows you can sleep comfortably in plate armor during the height of summer and do handstands in it as well. He's probably also a demolitions expert so that he can speak to the sort of effects that a **Fireball** spell would really have. The same guy is a co-founder of Locksport International so he knows exactly what his chances of picking that chest's lock should be and would always find the poisoned needle trap. He has played (or implies he secretly helped design) every game in existence so he knows how these things should work better than you do. This guy has even baked Dwarven waybread (from a recipe that he got from real Dwarves!). | {{:meta:knowitall.gif?direct&225 |Yeah, they're kind of like that.}}A [[dict>stereotypes_gamer|gamer stereotype]] that, well, knows everything... or claims he does. He's a member of the SCA so he knows you can sleep comfortably in plate armor during the height of summer and do handstands in it as well. He's probably also a demolitions expert so that he can speak to the sort of effects that a **Fireball** spell would really have. The same guy is a co-founder of Locksport International so he knows exactly what his chances of picking that chest's lock should be and would always find the poisoned needle trap. He has played (or implies he secretly helped design) every game in existence so he knows how these things should work better than you do. This guy has even baked Dwarven waybread (from a recipe that he got from real Dwarves!). |
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| While the [[dict>rules_lawyer|rules lawyer]] sees the letter of the rules being some sort of laws of physics for the game, the know-it-all will be discontent if one thing goes against his sense of how it should be from his perfect, all-encompassing experience. He makes others who just want to get on with playing the game want to gouge their eyes out. | While the [[dict>rules_lawyer|rules lawyer]] sees the letter of the rules being some sort of laws of physics for the game, the know-it-all will be discontent if one thing goes against his sense of how it should be from his perfect, all-encompassing experience. He makes others who just want to get on with playing the game want to gouge their eyes out. |
| ==== “Old-school” gaming ==== | ==== “Old-school” gaming ==== |
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| {{:meta:osrocks.png?nolink&230 |Yes. Yes, it does.}}[[dict>image_credits|{{ :meta:grognard.png?nolink&120|A grognard after my own heart... as long as he's not a power-gaming douchenozzle.}}]] | {{:meta:osrocks.png?direct&230 |Yes. Yes, it does.}}{{ :meta:grognard.png?direct&120|A grognard after my own heart... as long as he's not a power-gaming douchenozzle.}} |
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| Old-school gaming means different things to different people. To some it's the crusty old rule set with its descending armor classes, cookie cutter character classes and [[dict>dissociated mechanics|dissociated mechanics]]. To others it's the way the game is run, with rulings-not-rules, describe what you're doing and don't just use the numbers off your character sheet and the like. To some it's about the game content: a [[dict>sandbox]] where you can do whatever you like, you don't ride the [[dict>railroad|rails]] of somebody else's story. | Old-school gaming means different things to different people. To some it's the crusty old rule set with its descending armor classes, cookie cutter character classes and [[dict>dissociated mechanics|dissociated mechanics]]. To others it's the way the game is run, with rulings-not-rules, describe what you're doing and don't just use the numbers off your character sheet and the like. To some it's about the game content: a [[dict>sandbox]] where you can do whatever you like, you don't ride the [[dict>railroad|rails]] of somebody else's story. |
| ==== Open table game ==== | ==== Open table game ==== |
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| Back-In-the-Day™ we typically used to play D&D with fixed groups who got together regularly. However, as we have gotten older this horrible affliction called "Adulting" has gotten in the way of playing like we did as teenagers. | Back-In-the-Day™ we typically used to play D&D with fixed groups who got together regularly. However, as we have gotten older this horrible affliction called "adulting" has gotten in the way of playing like we did as teenagers. |
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| When one runs an open table game the game is structured so that it can be played similarly to a "pick up" game. Whoever shows up for a given session can play their characters, or if you have a few idle hours and want to run an //actual// pick-up game, sure, why not? Easy! Want to run a couple sessions at a con, or for a couple people who have never played before? No problem! | When one runs an open table game the game is structured so that it can be played similarly to a "pick up" game, or could almost be thought of as an ongoing series of connected "one shots." Whoever shows up for a given session can play their characters, or if you have a few idle hours and want to run an //actual// pick-up game, sure, why not? Easy! Want to run a couple sessions at a con, or for a couple people who have never played before? No problem! |
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| So, basically, anyone who can show up can play so the groups may intermix as need be to form a party at any given time. | So, basically, anyone who can show up can play and groups may intermix as need be to form a party at any given time. Play is episodic, so there's no lingering plot threads or games left //in res// to be resolved at a future session, causing continuity problems. |
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| {{ :meta:OrcAndPie.png?direct&300|"No, human! This is my pot pie!"}} | {{ :meta:OrcAndPie.png?direct&300|"No, human! This is my pot pie!"}} |
| Usually, people who point to something like this drag out the tired complaint about [[dict>verisimilitude|verisimilitude]]. Instead, I look at it as an opportunity to do some ad-libbing or riffing on the setting and dungeon factions, making up new NPCs, story ideas, etc., on the fly. Old-school games don't typically use reams of description and define everything possible to make the story so it becomes a co-creation with the DM and players. | Usually, people who point to something like this drag out the tired complaint about [[dict>verisimilitude|verisimilitude]]. Instead, I look at it as an opportunity to do some ad-libbing or riffing on the setting and dungeon factions, making up new NPCs, story ideas, etc., on the fly. Old-school games don't typically use reams of description and define everything possible to make the story so it becomes a co-creation with the DM and players. |
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| (As an homage to this, I named [[gaz:orc_and_pie|the inn]] at [[gaz:encampment|the encampment]] after this.) | FIXME (As an homage to this, I named [[gaz:orc_and_pie|the inn]] at [[gaz:encampment|the encampment]] after this.) FIXME |
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| The OSR has been called many things: the "old-school renaissance" for the return to the older editions, the "old-school revival" and for those who are more militant about it, the "old-school ruckus." Lately, I have taken to calling it "old-school retail" because it used to be a scene where there was a lot of sharing of ideas freely, but now everybody wants money to cross their palm for their participation therein. | The OSR has been called many things: the "old-school renaissance" for the return to the older editions, the "old-school revival" and for those who are more militant about it, the "old-school ruckus." Lately, I have taken to calling it "old-school retail" because it used to be a scene where there was a lot of sharing of ideas freely, but now everybody wants money to cross their palm for their participation therein. |
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| | Also as of late the OSR has been pretty toxic (like everything else) and somewhat socially-intolerant. I prefer to say I just prefer [[dict>classic_d_d|Classic D&D]] rather than claim I am pro-OSR. |
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| ==== Rules lawyer ==== | ==== Rules lawyer ==== |
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| [[dict>image_credits|{{:meta:ruleslawyer.png?nolink&120 |I'm not entirely sure if all rules lawyers have horse teeth or not.}}]]A [[dict>stereotypes_gamer|gamer stereotype]] that sees the rules as an absolute and a tool to mercilessly beat the DM or other players into submission for the rules lawyer's advantage. The rules lawyer can only accept what's written, word-for-word, as the absolute truth of the game, and the spirit means nothing... unless it is in his favor. He loves to argue about the rules instead of just playing the game, and as such they usually don't want to hear anything about [[dict>rule_zero|rule zero]] and should be reminded that Shakespeare wrote, "kill all the lawyers." Apparently, Shakespeare was a gamer! | {{:meta:ruleslawyer.png?direct&120 |I'm not entirely sure if all rules lawyers have horse teeth or not.}}A [[dict>stereotypes_gamer|gamer stereotype]] that sees the rules as an absolute and a tool to mercilessly beat the DM or other players into submission for the rules lawyer's advantage. The rules lawyer can only accept what's written, word-for-word, as the absolute truth of the game, and the spirit means nothing... unless it is in his favor. He loves to argue about the rules instead of just playing the game, and as such they usually don't want to hear anything about [[dict>rule_zero|rule zero]] and should be reminded that Shakespeare wrote, "kill all the lawyers." Apparently, Shakespeare was a gamer!{{ :meta:fb_img_1447337413658.jpg?direct&200|Once the blood starts, it's the nicest crimson glow...}} |
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| A couple points of irony about the rules lawyer:{{ :meta:fb_img_1447337413658.jpg?direct&200|Once the blood starts, it's the nicest crimson glow...}} | A couple points of irony about the rules lawyer: |
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| * While one would not expect this, often times the best friend of a rules lawyer is a [[dict>know-it-all|know-it-all]], because they can take two different viewpoints to argue towards a common reading of the rules against a DM. | * While one would not expect this, often times the best friend of a rules lawyer is a [[dict>know-it-all|know-it-all]], because they can take two different viewpoints to argue towards a common reading of the rules against a DM. |
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| | {{anchor:total_party_kill}} |
| ==== TPK ==== | ==== TPK ==== |
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| A __T__otal __P__arty __K__ill. It's named for what happens when the whole party gets wiped out from an encounter or event (combat, a trap, starvation, whatever). TPKs (and character death in general) aren't unheard of in [[dict>old-school_gaming|old-school games]]. | A __T__otal __P__arty __K__ill. It's named for what happens when the whole party gets wiped out from an encounter or event (combat, a trap, starvation, whatever). TPKs (and character death in general) aren't unheard of in [[dict>old-school_gaming|old-school games]]. |
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| The thing is, players shouldn't take them personally. They happen. Unfortunately, a lot of new-school players who are used to lengthy character builds and will get butthurt instead of just rolling a new character (which may take all of ten minutes in [[dict>classic_d_d|classic D&D]]) and getting back in the action. | The thing is, players shouldn't take them personally. They happen. Unfortunately, a lot of new-school players who are used to lengthy character builds and will get butthurt instead of just rolling a new character (which may take all of ten minutes in [[dict>classic_d_d|Classic D&D]]) and getting back in the action. |
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| Excessive TPKs may tend to point towards either very poor gameplay by players or a [[dict>killer_dm|killer DM]]. | Excessive TPKs may tend to point towards either very poor gameplay by players or a [[dict>killer_dm|killer DM]]. |
