Video (Symphony day 6)

[rolltoavoidpossession]

[The camera opens on Ryou looking eager to talk about something. Hm.]

I was wondering if anyone would be willing to play a TTRPG with me in the future? I don't have most of the stuff I would need to run a game yet, but I know a couple game systems that I could run.

[Then remembering that some people here might not know what he's talking about:]

Ah, a TTRPG is a type of tabletop game where you play a character at a table and work with other players to accomplish in character goals.

[He's trying.]

Comments

voice

[redprayer]

…That sounds like a form of improvisational theater.

[The old man is also trying! To understand the weird things you otherworldly kids do!]

[rolltoavoidpossession]

Sort of? It's a game, so it's not quite theatre, you're not performing for an audience.

[Wait until this 90's era teen finds out about TTRPG podcasts.

But in the meantime, how to explain it for someone who doesn't know?]

It is improvised, you're right about that, and there's chance too with the dice rolls. Your actions don't always go how you want them to go if you have bad luck.

[In other words, it's pretty much an analog version of RPG video games, for anyone listening in who is familiar with that.]

[redprayer]

[Rezo hums.]

So if, for example, you were playing as a knight seeking to slay a dragon, you would bet on a number and throw dice to see if you succeed, or if the dragon eats you.

[So it's like... Gambling but the stakes are plot points in an improvised story???]

[blue_ice]

...I'm familiar. Those games are slower-paced than what I usually play, but my life in general runs at a slower pace these days. I'm willing to learn.

[rolltoavoidpossession]

Great! I don't have everything I need yet, but I'll probably say something when I'm ready to get something going.

[As long as Kaiba behaves, he'll let him in.]

[catti]

Do we get to make our own characters or do we use those created by you?

voice

[pleple]

I could use a new diversion.

voice

[badassfreakingoverlord]

You'd run it? Heh! That's a poor replacement for the unfathomable power of a true demon DM.

[rolltoavoidpossession]

[Ryou's eyes flicker, widening slightly as he remembers something, but he keeps a grip on himself.]

I'm pretty good at DMing actually. I've had plenty of practice at it.

[not here]

[fivemilesdeep]

[You know who felt that? This guy. You know who's paying a lot more attention to this very public conversation now? This guy..]

[He won't step in unless he's needed, but he's definitely listening now.]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Pff. I started when I was 1300 years old. They said you couldn't be badass and play roleplaying games both, but who's laughing now!?

[rolltoavoidpossession]

That's great. Maybe you should run your own game if you want to.

[He's giving Zetta the benefit of the doubt here. Maybe he is a perfectly good DM.

And Ryou wouldn't mind getting to play his own character too, if given the chance.]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Oh, so you're the forever-DM type and loving it, huh? [After all, he did just try to take over the thing... as he sees it, anyway.] I can't blame you. The power can be pretty heady.

[rolltoavoidpossession]

Hey, I just like DMing. [He smiles, trying to ignore the comment about power. He isn't in it for power.]

I also like getting to run my own character when I don't DM, but making and running my own adventures is fun.]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

So what's your style, then? Sympathetic or more adversarial?

[rolltoavoidpossession]

I'm more sympathetic. I like to make sure there's a challenge so it's not a cakewalk, but I'm not out to get everyone's characters killed on purpose.

[That said, it's not like he doesn't enjoy getting to drop a surprise on players every so often. It's just that he wants his games to be fair for everyone involved.]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Ah, the soft touch. But it's the mark of a poor gamemaster just to kill off the characters! The perfect goal is to present the challenge that's just at their limits to handle!

[rolltoavoidpossession]

Exactly! [He agrees with that sentiment; it's a horrible DM who goes around killing the characters.

Speaking of...]

...I actually knew a guy who was like that. He was a nasty DM who kept going out of his way to torment his players during games. [By 'a guy', he of course means the Ring Spirit, and by 'tormenting his players', he means 'trapping the souls of Ryou's friends in their character pieces'. Very roundabout way of saying it, but he's not quite sure how to feel about being open about it on the ICP system.]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

It's pointless if there's no hope for them to succeed. Or if you cheat. Otherwise it's not a game, so why bother?

[Torturing people has its place, sure! He's a demon, after all. But false hope is just a cheap gimmick you use if you can't properly deal with someone.]

[bruiserprincess]

Some of my friends used to play those, it sounds fun!

[rolltoavoidpossession]

They are fun! I've been playing for years and have been wanting to see if I could find enough people to play here.

[bruiserprincess]

I usually play videogames but it sounds like a fun new thing. Nico's stories are cool.