From the Gaming Side of the House...

I have talked quite a few times about the wrapping up my last year as an RHD. Depending on schedules, the AD&D gaming group that has met for the past three years will also most likely be phased out as well.

My biggest concern is that two of the founding members of the group will be graduating this semester. I am very happy that they have completed school, but that leaves quite a void for the group. A few other members that started out have begun not showing up recently. I don't know where I'm going to be placed for the ministry, but if it's nearby, perhaps it can keep going. We'll just need to recruit some new members.

Of all the campaigns for all the RPG games that I have played, this one has been the most consistent. It has really fun to watch the participants (both players and the DM) grow through the three years. I feel as though the adventures haven gotten more detailed and the plot lines have become more intriguing. I feel as though the characters are realizing more the consequences and benefits of actions. They have also kept me on my toes to make sure I think about all possible solutions to a situation.

The Party of Pholtus is currently adventuring in the Lordship of the Isles, trying to find the Sceptre of Pholtus. They were doing OK until they got captured by pirates. For more information, check HERE.

Dungeons & Dragons Cartoon

I remember this cartoon. It aired in 1983. That 25 years ago. Recently, a few friends have purchased boxed set containing the entire 24-episode series. I have borrowed the series and I am slowly watching the whole series. So, a few thoughts thus far. Please keep in mind, these are my perspectives on the series now:

*** Caution...dorky material to follow ***

1. It pains me to see such powerful monsters reduced to being easily defeated. Would Lolth really die by having a baby unicorn cut her web? Did I just write this? Needless to say, Tiamat gets scared off by one magical spell. It's not right. Those characters would totally be dead.
2. The cavalier's main weapon is a shield? Really??
3. I do appreciate seeing monsters and places from the game being put into the cartoon. Same goes with the character classes.
4. Peter Cullen does the voice of the main villian. No, Jim, it's not Optimus Prime.
5. The cartoon is so very 80s. I love it! It's dated, but in a funny retro way. It'd be interesting to see what it would look like with today's cartoon standards.
6. I wonder why the series only lasted 24 episodes. For a kid's cartoon, it was quite good.

Note: If you buy the complete series, you are provided with the AD&D 3rd Edition equivalent of their character sheets. Can't we just have the mystery?

Geekiness Lives!

It is official. I am running a gaming event for the Oshcon 2007 Convention:

Event name: The Chosen of Pholtus
Event time: 6:00 PM
Length of event: 4 hours
Game rules: AD&D, 1st Edition
Manufacturer: TSR
Difficulty: Beginner (will teach rules)
Number of players: Up to 8 players
Description: The Order of the Holy Light has done enough! It is time for a new group of heroes to shine in the World of Greyhawk. Be part of the chosen party of Pholtus as they spread the blinding light across the Flanaess.
Gamemaster: Jim Droste

It gives me something to look forward to in the gaming department depending on how the fall semesters AD&D campaign goes.

Live Remote from GCC

I write this morning's post from the confines of Room 123 of the Gruenhagen Conference Center. We are deep into the Oshkosh Placement Exchange; we are also deep under snow :)! It appears the worst of the winter weather is over. After a lovely winter mix on Thursday, we transitioned to full out snow on Friday. The shuttle services faithfully kept its routes going despite the adverse weather.

I closed the Transportation Center yesterday at midnight and opened it at 7:00 AM this morning. Woot! I think I'll be fine for today, but when I have to open again on Sunday...that's going to sting a little bit.

My pet project during my eight hours of supervision yesterday involved drawing a dungeon for an upcoming Dungeons & Dragons adventure. Sure, I go some funny looks but it was worth it. I found the drawing to very therapeutic in what was at times a very stressful day. Hopefully the players appreciate it as well.

Unlike years before, I am actually able to get some "work" done. In addition to some gaming work, I was also able to work on some wedding planning as well.

Confession/Gaming

I must start off by confessing that I did not run today. I was supposed to. There is a -35 degree wind chill out there today and I had no desire to go anywhere outside today! I promise that I will find some alternative for running tomorrow because I do not want to anything like this up.

Yesterday, I had six folks join me for a session of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. I had current residents, past residents, students from other halls, colleagues and old friends. It was an eclectic mix of folks. We played for about 4 hours, although the first hour was spent more in preparation. So, I am excited for this Sunday when we'll have four solid hours of gaming.

It had been so long since I gamed. I am excited to have a group together that will be playing consistently week to week. You can read more about the campaign at our Campaign Page.

Saturday Potpourri

• Christa's planetarium presentation went very well; now I wish I would have gone to the presentation. It sounds like any nervousness she had did not get in the way of her doing a wonderful job.
• Christa goes home today to hopefully find a wedding dress. Among my many other things in life, men have it pretty easy in the wedding clothing department. In 30 minutes at After Hours, I was able to reserve tuxedos for the wedding party, ushers, fathers and myself. Mine's already ordered and will be waiting for me on June 14. Christa has had a much bigger ordeal finding her dress and bride's maid dresses.
• A weekend of NFL playoff football. Sweet! There are some good match-ups this weekend; sadly, the Packers will not be in one of those match-ups.
• Character creation for my AD&D campaign continues. Three characters have been created with four more on the way. My goal is eight characters to start with and I think I have the eighth person picked out.
• A FUMC Oshkosh church member and choir member Milo Cushman died on December 31, 2006. His church service was this morning. I didn't know Milo all that well, but he would sings on and off with us in the three years I have been a member of the church. I got frustrated with how often he did not come to choir. I didn't think it was fair that he could sing at church, but not rehearse. I did not know until most recently that he had been battling cancer for the last ten years. Talk about not having the while story and judging someone...I learned a valuable lesson.