Kingbeast's Lair

In 2012 Atlas Games came out with a list of 31 RPG related questions that they wanted people to answer. I will tackle them in small bite sized morsels to make them a bit easier to swallow. Here is the last set of questions.

REVERB GAMERS 2012, #26: Who or what was the most memorable NPC you’ve ever encountered? Why?

I’m going to flip this one around and talk about a memorable NPC that I created. I have had many memorable NPC but one of the best was a thug named Fishman that I used in a Danger International campaign. This thug would always appear when the PC had mooks to take down. The PC loved the way I role-played him so much that I decided to turn him into a larger bad guy. I decided that Fishman was secretly watching the PC as a thug to get more information on them. It worked out really well.

REVERB GAMERS 2012, #27: If you were an Ent, what kind of Ent would you be? Or, what other NPC creature would you be? Why?

Fun question. 🙂 I would be a willow tree Ent near a lake. That way I could watch the people and animals enjoy the water and I would never be thirsty.

REVERB GAMERS 2012, #28: Do you have any house rules when you game? What are they, and why do you use them? If not, why not?

I play many systems so I will assume that this question refers to what I would call “table house rules”. There are two that come to mind.

• Hand On Head Rule – If a player or GM puts his hand on his head then they are talking out of character. This cuts down on the question, “Did you say that in character?”
• Dice Roll Off The Table – If dice fall of the table they are rerolled. This keeps the dice rolling in front of the players and GM and prevents cheating.

REVERB GAMERS 2012, #29: What does the word “gamer” mean to you? Is that different than what other people seem to think it means?

To me the word “gamer” is defined as anyone who regularly plays table-top games of any type. The only difference in what others believe is that I think some would called people who play video games “gamers”. 😉

REVERB GAMERS 2012, #30: What lessons have you taken from gaming that you can apply to your real life?

I have learned a LOT of lessons from gaming that I have applied to my real life. Here are some that jump to mind.

• Play Fair – Playing fair is really important to me. If I play fair I feel much better after the event even if I end up losing.
• Have Fun – If you are not having fun don’t play! This works for a lot of social hobbies in my life.
• Teamwork Is Fun And Powerful If Done Right – This one really translates well to work. I have learned a lot about listening and responding as part of the team. Respecting what others are contributing is also important.
• Stuff Happens – Dice are harsh mistresses. Gaming taught me that sometimes you can’t compete with fate. Instead you have to take the results and roll with them.

REVERB GAMERS 2012, #31: How would your life be different if you’d never gotten into gaming?

This is a broad question. I’ll try and focus in on less esoteric area that is important to me.

I have met a LOT of wonderful people while gaming. Many of these people have given me personal advice and taken part in important events in my life. Friends are so critical to my happiness. Gaming friends have also tied me to their families. In some cases it has resulted in new members in my family. For example, I am now actually related to one of the people in the gaming club from college. 😉

GAME ON! 😀