Living Eberron [Archive] - Wizards Community

Living Eberron [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Lordik
06-23-04, 11:20 PM Is there any date when it starts? On this year or next?
qstor
06-25-04, 07:04 PM It starts at the Winter fantasy conmvention in New Jersey in January 2005.

It's a 25 point buy system similiar to Green Regent. No evil PC's.

Mike
Lordik
06-25-04, 08:49 PM Can you tell me any way to use RPGA Eberron modules without playing RPGA event? My players didnt have RPGA numbers -sigh-
Gannd
06-26-04, 09:17 AM Originally posted by Lordik
Can you tell me any way to use RPGA Eberron modules without playing RPGA event? My players didnt have RPGA numbers -sigh-

Most of the time you can download the modules.
Lordik
06-26-04, 07:17 PM But there are point in RPGA rules that if I didnt send them reports about games I will be banned from RPGA DM. Or I didnt understand somethinG?
BenjaminBinder
06-26-04, 09:48 PM I'm rather confused about this whole concept of Living games. They sound exciting, but I don't know if I or my gaming group can participate. Most of us can't afford to go to gaming conventions, and none of the hobby stores in our area hold these events. Does everyone in the group have to be an RPGA member for us to do this? A lot of us have busy schedules and can't always meet every week. Is there any point in us trying to do this? And what's up with the GM test on the RPGA website? It appears to be broken.
Gannd
06-26-04, 10:16 PM I think living worlds are boring. It can be fun at a convention to play in and meet new people but a good gaming group is better, imho.
Buffetassassin
06-26-04, 11:00 PM I just joined the RPGA as a herald level GM because I wanted to get my group into the ground floor of the Living Eberron Game once it starts. However I agree, RPGA is a little too stifling with what it allows in games, and thus it's easier to have fun in a good gaming group. The one reason to join an RPGA game is too experiance Convention play and what not. You also get to download adventures that are only available from RPGA. Which is cool. But I doubt living Eberron is going to be as fun as my table's Eberron.
Lordik
06-27-04, 04:56 PM Originally posted by Buffetassassin
I just joined the RPGA as a herald level GM because I wanted to get my group into the ground floor of the Living Eberron Game once it starts. However I agree, RPGA is a little too stifling with what it allows in games, and thus it's easier to have fun in a good gaming group. The one reason to join an RPGA game is too experiance Convention play and what not. You also get to download adventures that are only available from RPGA. Which is cool. But I doubt living Eberron is going to be as fun as my table's Eberron.

Are your players all join RPGA too?
The White Sorcerer
06-27-04, 04:59 PM I'm going to join the RPGA next month when there'll be a Living Greyhawk event at RoPeCon. I'm pretty thrilled about Living Eberron, although it won't beat a good home game.
Buffetassassin
06-27-04, 08:12 PM Lordik- Once you recieve your Herald GM starting package, YOU can register and sanction RPGA games. You can issue your players numbers and what not. But they don't need RPGA numbers for you to download modules. Once you have a number and a password you can download whatever you want.
Ch@pel
06-27-04, 10:10 PM Where do you go to sign up for this RPGA thing? Does it cost any money? I pretty much only want it for some free modules specifically written for Eberron.
Buffetassassin
06-27-04, 10:13 PM To take the Herald Level GM test and get into RPGA it is free, but you have to take a 20 question long open book test, and score 100%. After that you get a membership package in the mail. Also Living Eberron doesn't start until Winter so there will be no Eberron adventures for a while.
FenixZero
06-28-04, 09:49 AM One question, and I feel dumb fpr asking it: What is Living Eberron and how is it different from a standard game played at someones house or at a hobby store?

FenixZero
MrFilthyIke
06-28-04, 02:46 PM My philosophy currently is to play RPGA when at cons, or as a chance to meet new people. Play in a home game otherwise. Each has it joys, and I like meeting new people, and the free mods, even if they are sometimes stiff, can later be "homebrew" into your home Eberron game. :D
Takasi
06-28-04, 02:58 PM The standard response on the RPGA boards is that this isn't going to be a "Living" campaign but will instead be a replacement for the Legacy of the Green Regent "D&D Campaign". Unlike a "Living" campaign, there are no triads or regional control and the campaign has a definitive start and end period.
MrFilthyIke
06-28-04, 03:01 PM That's odd, considering how popular Living Greyhawk is. :confused:
Takasi
06-28-04, 03:06 PM My guess is that they want to flesh out Eberron with professional sourcebooks. If they followed the Living Greyhawk model then RPGA members would create canon that might contradict what WotC might want to develop. The setting is too young for a true Living Campaign; I think a D&D Campaign is a good choice to introduce the setting to RPGA members.
Majoru Oakheart
06-28-04, 04:35 PM The basic premise of a "Living" game, is that someone (either WOTC or some "official" volunteers) write adventures for the campaign. All the players in the campaign are members of the RPGA. DMs from all over the world "order" the adventures from a web page, download them, read them and run them for their players. They then report the results on the web page for official points. Due to the nature of the game, you can play the same official character anywhere in the world with any group of people as long as they are following the RPGA rules. So, if some DM in Norway orders the events and you happen to be there and haven't played that one before, you give them your RPGA number and play with them, and your character gets the XP and gold, and when you get back to wherever you are from, you can keep playing the character (with more XP and gold).

Joining the RPGA is free, so all the players can join without commitment. There is no requirement to get together and play so often or anything, although in most of the campaigns there is a "story arc" of some sort, and a limit to how long you can order certain adventures for. So, if adventure number 1 in a series goes "out of print", you may be missing some background story to adventure 2, although it is fully possible to start at adventure 2. Ordering adventures is also free, but there is a limit to how many you can order at once, and you have to tell the RPGA who played the game to report the results before you can order more.

What you give up in a campaign like this is some flexability. Most Living games require that you strictly follow their rules, which means only feats, races, etc from approved books, and even then, some might be banned. As well, most require that you stick to the written adventure precisely without adlibing too much. Adventures are also normally designed to be run in 4 or 8 hour blocks to fit into conventions.

I would suggest www.rpga.com if you want more information about Living Campaigns.

Majoru Oakheart
tylerthehobo
06-29-04, 09:29 AM Originally posted by MrFilthyIke
That's odd, considering how popular Living Greyhawk is. :confused:

Legacy of the Green Regent is what's being replaced; it's a Forgotten Realms campaign. From what I understand, Living Greyhawk is staying around.

As to the other questions. You can go to http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=rpga/welcome to sign up for the RPGA. As mentioned above, you only have to take a fairly easy 3.5ed d&d rules test to register as a DM. It's free, whether you're a DM or player. The benefit to playing RPGA games is that you can win free stuff the more you play. Some folks may find it stifling to play under the structure of the RPGA, but for folks who want an easily portable, regimented game for monthly play (I'm thinking specifically of somewhat older gamers who may have more committments than they'd like...like me unfortunately), this is actually a neat way to play single-session games. The opportunity to use free adventures and maybe even win a miniature if you play enough games is just a bonus.
Ishorn
06-29-04, 01:08 PM If I want to play a character the RPGA is the only option I have. I have found that most people who play D&D and this includes the group I play with are lazy and they do not want to DM. I have heard from players time and time again that they just do not have the time or imagination to DM but they have the time to sit down and write long family histories about their favorite characters. You can bash the RPGA but without the organization most of us who are forced to be DMs would never have any player characters of our own.
St23aM
06-29-04, 01:21 PM ahmen to that. I love the fact that people who are normally players have little excuse not to DM. The only one that holds any wieght which isnt much is the responsiblity and the paper work involved but, come on if you are too lazy for this you gotz issues.
scaryfroman
06-29-04, 01:49 PM winter fantasy?

i heard at norwescon that it would start at GenCon Indy this year...
Ishorn
06-29-04, 03:44 PM Originally posted by scaryfroman
winter fantasy?

i heard at norwescon that it would start at GenCon Indy this year...

GenCon Indy will have an introductory adventure for Eberron. It will be three round. The best role players move on to the next round. I do not think the players get to keep the characters. What they may do is give each player experience points that you can add to your Living Eberron Character.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lordik 06-23-04, 11:20 PM	Is there any date when it starts? On this year or next?
qstor 06-25-04, 07:04 PM	It starts at the Winter fantasy conmvention in New Jersey in January 2005. It's a 25 point buy system similiar to Green Regent. No evil PC's. Mike
Lordik 06-25-04, 08:49 PM	Can you tell me any way to use RPGA Eberron modules without playing RPGA event? My players didnt have RPGA numbers -sigh-
Gannd 06-26-04, 09:17 AM	Originally posted by Lordik Can you tell me any way to use RPGA Eberron modules without playing RPGA event? My players didnt have RPGA numbers -sigh- Most of the time you can download the modules.
Lordik 06-26-04, 07:17 PM	But there are point in RPGA rules that if I didnt send them reports about games I will be banned from RPGA DM. Or I didnt understand somethinG?
BenjaminBinder 06-26-04, 09:48 PM	I'm rather confused about this whole concept of Living games. They sound exciting, but I don't know if I or my gaming group can participate. Most of us can't afford to go to gaming conventions, and none of the hobby stores in our area hold these events. Does everyone in the group have to be an RPGA member for us to do this? A lot of us have busy schedules and can't always meet every week. Is there any point in us trying to do this? And what's up with the GM test on the RPGA website? It appears to be broken.
Gannd 06-26-04, 10:16 PM	I think living worlds are boring. It can be fun at a convention to play in and meet new people but a good gaming group is better, imho.
Buffetassassin 06-26-04, 11:00 PM	I just joined the RPGA as a herald level GM because I wanted to get my group into the ground floor of the Living Eberron Game once it starts. However I agree, RPGA is a little too stifling with what it allows in games, and thus it's easier to have fun in a good gaming group. The one reason to join an RPGA game is too experiance Convention play and what not. You also get to download adventures that are only available from RPGA. Which is cool. But I doubt living Eberron is going to be as fun as my table's Eberron.
Lordik 06-27-04, 04:56 PM	Originally posted by Buffetassassin I just joined the RPGA as a herald level GM because I wanted to get my group into the ground floor of the Living Eberron Game once it starts. However I agree, RPGA is a little too stifling with what it allows in games, and thus it's easier to have fun in a good gaming group. The one reason to join an RPGA game is too experiance Convention play and what not. You also get to download adventures that are only available from RPGA. Which is cool. But I doubt living Eberron is going to be as fun as my table's Eberron. Are your players all join RPGA too?
The White Sorcerer 06-27-04, 04:59 PM	I'm going to join the RPGA next month when there'll be a Living Greyhawk event at RoPeCon. I'm pretty thrilled about Living Eberron, although it won't beat a good home game.
Buffetassassin 06-27-04, 08:12 PM	Lordik- Once you recieve your Herald GM starting package, YOU can register and sanction RPGA games. You can issue your players numbers and what not. But they don't need RPGA numbers for you to download modules. Once you have a number and a password you can download whatever you want.
Ch@pel 06-27-04, 10:10 PM	Where do you go to sign up for this RPGA thing? Does it cost any money? I pretty much only want it for some free modules specifically written for Eberron.
Buffetassassin 06-27-04, 10:13 PM	To take the Herald Level GM test and get into RPGA it is free, but you have to take a 20 question long open book test, and score 100%. After that you get a membership package in the mail. Also Living Eberron doesn't start until Winter so there will be no Eberron adventures for a while.
FenixZero 06-28-04, 09:49 AM	One question, and I feel dumb fpr asking it: What is Living Eberron and how is it different from a standard game played at someones house or at a hobby store? FenixZero
MrFilthyIke 06-28-04, 02:46 PM	My philosophy currently is to play RPGA when at cons, or as a chance to meet new people. Play in a home game otherwise. Each has it joys, and I like meeting new people, and the free mods, even if they are sometimes stiff, can later be "homebrew" into your home Eberron game. :D
Takasi 06-28-04, 02:58 PM	The standard response on the RPGA boards is that this isn't going to be a "Living" campaign but will instead be a replacement for the Legacy of the Green Regent "D&D Campaign". Unlike a "Living" campaign, there are no triads or regional control and the campaign has a definitive start and end period.
MrFilthyIke 06-28-04, 03:01 PM	That's odd, considering how popular Living Greyhawk is. :confused:
Takasi 06-28-04, 03:06 PM	My guess is that they want to flesh out Eberron with professional sourcebooks. If they followed the Living Greyhawk model then RPGA members would create canon that might contradict what WotC might want to develop. The setting is too young for a true Living Campaign; I think a D&D Campaign is a good choice to introduce the setting to RPGA members.
Majoru Oakheart 06-28-04, 04:35 PM	The basic premise of a "Living" game, is that someone (either WOTC or some "official" volunteers) write adventures for the campaign. All the players in the campaign are members of the RPGA. DMs from all over the world "order" the adventures from a web page, download them, read them and run them for their players. They then report the results on the web page for official points. Due to the nature of the game, you can play the same official character anywhere in the world with any group of people as long as they are following the RPGA rules. So, if some DM in Norway orders the events and you happen to be there and haven't played that one before, you give them your RPGA number and play with them, and your character gets the XP and gold, and when you get back to wherever you are from, you can keep playing the character (with more XP and gold). Joining the RPGA is free, so all the players can join without commitment. There is no requirement to get together and play so often or anything, although in most of the campaigns there is a "story arc" of some sort, and a limit to how long you can order certain adventures for. So, if adventure number 1 in a series goes "out of print", you may be missing some background story to adventure 2, although it is fully possible to start at adventure 2. Ordering adventures is also free, but there is a limit to how many you can order at once, and you have to tell the RPGA who played the game to report the results before you can order more. What you give up in a campaign like this is some flexability. Most Living games require that you strictly follow their rules, which means only feats, races, etc from approved books, and even then, some might be banned. As well, most require that you stick to the written adventure precisely without adlibing too much. Adventures are also normally designed to be run in 4 or 8 hour blocks to fit into conventions. I would suggest www.rpga.com if you want more information about Living Campaigns. Majoru Oakheart
tylerthehobo 06-29-04, 09:29 AM	Originally posted by MrFilthyIke That's odd, considering how popular Living Greyhawk is. :confused: Legacy of the Green Regent is what's being replaced; it's a Forgotten Realms campaign. From what I understand, Living Greyhawk is staying around. As to the other questions. You can go to http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=rpga/welcome to sign up for the RPGA. As mentioned above, you only have to take a fairly easy 3.5ed d&d rules test to register as a DM. It's free, whether you're a DM or player. The benefit to playing RPGA games is that you can win free stuff the more you play. Some folks may find it stifling to play under the structure of the RPGA, but for folks who want an easily portable, regimented game for monthly play (I'm thinking specifically of somewhat older gamers who may have more committments than they'd like...like me unfortunately), this is actually a neat way to play single-session games. The opportunity to use free adventures and maybe even win a miniature if you play enough games is just a bonus.
Ishorn 06-29-04, 01:08 PM	If I want to play a character the RPGA is the only option I have. I have found that most people who play D&D and this includes the group I play with are lazy and they do not want to DM. I have heard from players time and time again that they just do not have the time or imagination to DM but they have the time to sit down and write long family histories about their favorite characters. You can bash the RPGA but without the organization most of us who are forced to be DMs would never have any player characters of our own.
St23aM 06-29-04, 01:21 PM	ahmen to that. I love the fact that people who are normally players have little excuse not to DM. The only one that holds any wieght which isnt much is the responsiblity and the paper work involved but, come on if you are too lazy for this you gotz issues.
scaryfroman 06-29-04, 01:49 PM	winter fantasy? i heard at norwescon that it would start at GenCon Indy this year...
Ishorn 06-29-04, 03:44 PM	Originally posted by scaryfroman winter fantasy? i heard at norwescon that it would start at GenCon Indy this year... GenCon Indy will have an introductory adventure for Eberron. It will be three round. The best role players move on to the next round. I do not think the players get to keep the characters. What they may do is give each player experience points that you can add to your Living Eberron Character.