Thea's recent activity
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
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Comment on On DM’ing for the first time in ~games.tabletop
Thea Link ParentThis is such a good point - 5e is very popular and there is a lot of support for it through online resources, but it is SO involved. I remember watching a Matt Colville video where he talks about...This is such a good point - 5e is very popular and there is a lot of support for it through online resources, but it is SO involved. I remember watching a Matt Colville video where he talks about different systems and he mentions that 5e is actually one of the more complicated systems out there. If you can manage 5e, you can manage just about anything. But a lot of folks (myself included!) have spent a lot of time learning 5e, and it can be hard to want to learn a whole other system, so I understand the barrier to entry as well.
Thanks for the nod to Old School Essentials - I'm going to look into that!
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Comment on On DM’ing for the first time in ~games.tabletop
Thea LinkThis is a great reflection! I think new DMs will probably be able to take a lot away from your experience and feel a lot more confident going into their first games. I agree that one significant...This is a great reflection! I think new DMs will probably be able to take a lot away from your experience and feel a lot more confident going into their first games.
I agree that one significant thing that's hard to plan is how long it will take for players to complete the story. So for me, when I say "one-shot", I mean there is a single thread that we'll be following, that it has a beginning and an end, and that we'll see it through to that end. For my most recent "one-shot", we had 3 full 4-hour sessions plus one mini session to wrap everything up. Everything took place over two in-game days (10am-ish Day 1 through to afternoon of Day 2, one long rest in between); there were 3 main locations (one of which had 3 possible levels to explore). I was prepared for players to rip through it and be done in one session, I was prepared for them to take 6 full sessions to get through it. We have a regular biweekly meeting time, so it wasn't too painful to get that set up. Because it's a short burst, I had characters set up at level 10 and let each of them have either a +1 weapon, +1 spellcasting focus, or +1 armour. They each also found a magical item relevant to their character during the game that was either a lot of fun for them to use or that could help in the final encounter.
One other thing I learned was about the balance between player choice and game direction. If I thought players would go left, they went right; if I created a nondescript hallway insignificant to the plot, they'd spend 30 minutes investigating it thoroughly; if I thought players would talk to a person, they killed them immediately. There's no accounting for that, so I had to be a little bit flexible in the story telling (and move a special item I left for a player that was in a room they completely ignored!!) So in future, if I want players to be in a place or find something or do something, don't make it a choice, don't make it a roll - make it happen.
Also, there are some really great resources out there to figure out things like combat balance. Although challenge rating isn't a perfect system, it does give you an idea of how tough a foe will be, and there are calculators out there you can use to figure out whether your combat is too easy, balanced, or really challenging. I will also keep a few "minion" tokens handy for different interactions - if a fight is going too easily, boom, a few armoured skeletons appear. Or 3 angry ghosts. Or in one case, 5 knife-wielding otterfolk. Use existing resources to make it easier on yourself - keep a document with a list of links so you can grab a stat block or a tavern name or a list of magical items super quick if you need to.
Anyways, that's enough out of me :D Congrats on your first DMing experience, and all the best in your next adventure!
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Comment on Why Bluesky remains the most interesting experiment in social media, by far in ~tech
Thea Link ParentI tried Mastadon and couldn't figure out how to follow people properly. I still have it, but don't use it - the feed is just like, 2 guys. I follow a bunch of people on BlueSky, and it's still...I tried Mastadon and couldn't figure out how to follow people properly. I still have it, but don't use it - the feed is just like, 2 guys.
I follow a bunch of people on BlueSky, and it's still just 2 guys in my feed, but that's because one of those guys is Neil Gaiman and he posts constantly. CONSTANTLY. It's hard to see anything else for all the Neil Gaiman posts. I have an account because I think this is where social media is headed, I want to understand it and be familiar with it, and I want to be ready for when major personalities/companies start making the move.Plus, it's kind of nice to have a new social media space without ALL the companies; lots of conversation, but less corporate noise at the moment.
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Comment on Larian Studios won't make Baldur's Gate 3 DLC, expansions, or Baldur's Gate 4 in ~games
Thea Link ParentI remember hearing after the Hasbro/WotC layoffs that no one who was originally at the table during BG3 development was there anymore. Any future work would require starting from square one to...I remember hearing after the Hasbro/WotC layoffs that no one who was originally at the table during BG3 development was there anymore. Any future work would require starting from square one to develop relationships, set expectations and communications, get used to working rhythms... and I would wonder whether anyone from the WotC side has anyone with passion for the game (DnD or BG3) or whether they're only really there on business. I remember when the backlash against WotC was in full force last year due to the discussion around licensing and fan-created materials; it seemed that they were not really clued in to the gaming community or the product outside of its monetization possibilities.
Larian proved that you can make profits, keep your team happy, and create an exceptional product. Good leadership and good allocation of adequate time and resources. I'm very sad that there won't be any Larian-created DLC or sequels, but I'm excited to see what they do next, and interested to see if WotC approves any further work on the franchise in the near future.
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Comment on Finland has remained the happiest country in the world for the seventh year in a row, according to the annual World Happiness Report published on Wednesday in ~life
Thea Link ParentI hear you, but I think understanding the "whys" is probably a big point of the study. It's not supposed to scale to make up for differences in the metrics of the population, it's supposed to be a...I hear you, but I think understanding the "whys" is probably a big point of the study. It's not supposed to scale to make up for differences in the metrics of the population, it's supposed to be a snapshot to show what current rates of happiness are, which can possibly then be studied. In this case, one of the points we could arrive at/study is that it's more likely for a small to moderate size nation to score high on happiness ratings - now we can try to figure out why that might be.
The US is a behemoth of a nation, both in population and landmass; I could imagine that it's hard for them to be agile and make decisions to improve the quality of life for their citizens from a policy perspective. But I don't think it's sensible to say "Aww man, if Finland had the same demographic distribution and geography that we do, they wouldn't rank so high!" I mean - maybe? But it doesn't really matter because that's not the point of the study. If that's the study you want to see, make it happen! I'd be interested to view the results, but curious as to how the data points could be adjusted for scale.
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
Thea Link ParentI think world-building and map-making are one of my favourite parts of running a campaign! The maps are super cool - what program do you use to make them? The lil cobblestones and the effect on...I think world-building and map-making are one of my favourite parts of running a campaign!
The maps are super cool - what program do you use to make them? The lil cobblestones and the effect on the water - "Jimmy Jim Jim Jim Jimmy John's Sandwich shop" - I'm dying, please tell me that's a muppet treasure island reference. -
Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
Thea Link ParentThis is amazing. I am very interested to know how it goes! I love the place names - I can only imagine the maps!This is amazing. I am very interested to know how it goes! I love the place names - I can only imagine the maps!
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Comment on Seaweed could save a billion people from famine after a nuclear war in ~science
Thea Link ParentYeah, I agree... You know what else would save a lot of people? Not having a nuclear war. The only winning move is not to play.Yeah, I agree... You know what else would save a lot of people? Not having a nuclear war. The only winning move is not to play.
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Comment on If your morning routine were the subject of a montage in a movie, what would be the song that played over the top of it? in ~music
Thea LinkThis with excessively blue lighting. Sure life is beautiful, but pardon me while I go through the motions for a bit.This with excessively blue lighting. Sure life is beautiful, but pardon me while I go through the motions for a bit.
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Comment on Game suggestions for a weekly online group in ~games
Thea Link ParentOooh, thanks for the tap-in! I'll take a peek - not sure how my vtt group would feel about a heavy game, most of the shenanigans in our current 5e campaign are the narrative equivalent of a rubber...Oooh, thanks for the tap-in! I'll take a peek - not sure how my vtt group would feel about a heavy game, most of the shenanigans in our current 5e campaign are the narrative equivalent of a rubber chicken factory. Still worth a look, though!
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Comment on Game suggestions for a weekly online group in ~games
Thea Link ParentAmazing! Thank you for the links, I'm going to forward this to my tabletop group today.Amazing! Thank you for the links, I'm going to forward this to my tabletop group today.
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Comment on Game suggestions for a weekly online group in ~games
Thea Link ParentI'm looking up Emberwind - I like the idea of a GMless campaign, I'd be interested to see how that translates into game play. Do they have any VTT modules? If there is a ready-to-play ruleset and...I'm looking up Emberwind - I like the idea of a GMless campaign, I'd be interested to see how that translates into game play. Do they have any VTT modules? If there is a ready-to-play ruleset and assets that can just be plugged into something like Foundry, I'd buy it and give it a try for sure.
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Comment on Steam Winter Sale 2023: Hidden gems in ~games
Thea Link ParentI love love love the kind of review that is "you can only experience it for the first time once." To me, it's very high praise. I'll add this to my wishlist and see about it before the sale is over!I love love love the kind of review that is "you can only experience it for the first time once." To me, it's very high praise. I'll add this to my wishlist and see about it before the sale is over!
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Comment on What are your favorite Christmastime movies that don't deal with Christmas as a topic? in ~movies
Thea LinkLord of the Rings. The timeless, shapeless, black hole of a week between Christmas and New Years is the only time of year I can watch the trilogy back-to-back, so I watch all three movies and get...Lord of the Rings. The timeless, shapeless, black hole of a week between Christmas and New Years is the only time of year I can watch the trilogy back-to-back, so I watch all three movies and get things done around the house. It's a Christmas movie now.
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Comment on Steam year in review 2023 in ~games
Thea Link ParentWelp, there goes that blissful ignorance!! ^.^ Glad I'm in good company in the 1200+ hour club.Welp, there goes that blissful ignorance!! ^.^ Glad I'm in good company in the 1200+ hour club.
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Comment on Steam year in review 2023 in ~games
Thea Link ParentMath isn't my strong suit, so I'll just take my 445 hours in BG3 for 30% total play time and... keep not doing the math.Math isn't my strong suit, so I'll just take my 445 hours in BG3 for 30% total play time and... keep not doing the math.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Thea Link ParentI'm going to have to look into that! I play an Artificer in my TTRPG game and would love to give it a go in BG3.I'm going to have to look into that! I play an Artificer in my TTRPG game and would love to give it a go in BG3.
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Comment on The Game Awards 2023 winners: The full list in ~games
Thea Link ParentI think BG3 had the bigger overall impact - it could very well be a generational game that people are still playing and modding years from now. Larian hasn't even released any DLC yet, just...I think BG3 had the bigger overall impact - it could very well be a generational game that people are still playing and modding years from now. Larian hasn't even released any DLC yet, just patches (patches that contain entirely new game modes and interaction scenes, mind you), but I think it's got a lot of breath left in it yet.
Also, BG3 was the game that put AAA studios on the defence, with several devs and studio reps saying "this isn't the new normal for video games, it's an anomaly, it's not possible for studios to make games like this" - it was THAT good, and it's not possible for AAA studios to replicate something of that quality because of the artificial constraints put on them by shareholders and profit models. BG3 showed what is possible when you put story, talent, and creativity first, AND it showed what you can accomplish when you listen to and are responsive to the community.
I'm a lifelong gamer and I have become super wary of AAA titles and big-hype games. I dove into this one without any context other than it was a DnD game, and I love it. I love the game, I love the stories, the music, the mechanics (not the inventory system which I think they're working on fixing), the VOs, and I love the passion that you can SEE from the people who created it. 30+ years as a gamer and I think it's my favourite gaming experience so far. Personal preference aside, it's had a significant impact and I think we're going to feel the ripples through this next generation of titles. If that's not GOTY-worthy, I don't know what is!
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Comment on What is a classical music piece you like? And why? in ~music
Thea Link ParentI don't think that it's basic to appreciate something that is well known. Usually these things are popular for a reason! Check out the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra recording of the 1812 Overture...I don't think that it's basic to appreciate something that is well known. Usually these things are popular for a reason! Check out the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra recording of the 1812 Overture - it also includes the cannons and bells, but also includes a chorus singing the hymn Spasi Gospodi that provides one of the leitmotifs throughout the work. Highly recommend!
I've looked into Helldivers a little bit - as someone who can't no-life a game anymore, I'm always aware of the bar to entry. Would you say that it's still possible to jump in as a newbie and have fun, or is it like Rust and hard gate-kept by a few shovel-wielding maniacs?
My brother plays Slapshot a lot. I've heard good things!