Convention games inquery [Archive] - Wizards Community

Convention games inquery [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Soltares
05-20-07, 02:58 PM I'm looking over the Xendrik Expeditions games offered for Origins and wondering if non-RPGA members are allowed to play in these? Anyone know?

I vaguely recall in the 'old days' non-RPGA members were turned away from Living Raven's Bluff-type games, so I've not bothered for the last decade or so, and I was wondering if things had loosened up a bit.
Herrbard
05-20-07, 04:06 PM I'm looking over the Xendrik Expeditions games offered for Origins and wondering if non-RPGA members are allowed to play in these? Anyone know?
You must be an RPGA member. However, membership is free, you can fill out a card at the table, and that's it, you're in.

(Be sure to sign up for the rewards program on the website afterwards. You get free stuff for playing events.)

If you have any questions at the con, look me up. I'm running the Expedition mod in seven slots, so I'm easy to find.
Soltares
05-20-07, 07:24 PM Awesome, thanks for the reply!

Additional questions, if I might get a follow-up;

1) Are there pre-gen characters available?

I've got a half-dozen or some Eberron books, but I haven't actually played in the setting yet, and am not sure what sort of 'house rules' tend to be in force regarding use of PrCs, items, feats, spells, etc. from the various books, so it would probably be easiest if there are pre-generated characters available...

2) Do the games include fairly standard action / fight-scenes and go by the standard rules-set?

I've heard Living 'X' games described as 'LARPish,' and not involving dice as much as special abilities gained on cards or something, with more role-playing of long-established characters than the usual roll dice and kill monsters sort of D&D.

I love the Eberron setting, and simply haven't been able to find a game to play in. Even at Origins, it's either Xendrik Expeditions, or a game that recommends the players to go to a barren website for character generation / game details, which is never terribly inspiring...

Kudos to you guys for having so many games!

But running seven games? Yikes! I barely find time to *play* in seven games at one of these things, and I usually end up having to ditch at least one to sleep! You are a brave man, possibly with a Mt. Dew IV drip!
smerwin29
05-20-07, 08:36 PM 1) Yes, pre-gen characters are available for Xen'drik Expeditions. Or you can make your own and bring it with you. Rules for creating your character are available in the Xen'drik Expeditions portion of the RPGA site.

2) I would not call the RPGA games "LARPish" by any stretch of the imaginaton. In a Living campaign like Living Greyhawk, you have to start your character at 1st level, so there is usually more of a sense of character development. The D&D Campaigns like Xen'drik Expeditions, on the other hand, have a mix of people who have played most of the previously released adventures from 1st level on up in addition to those who haven't played any and are bringing in a character at the level bump (4th level in this case).

Shawn
Crimson Codex Factionmaster
Herrbard
05-20-07, 08:55 PM A couple of other thoughts:

1. You can download and look at the Xen'drik Fastplay characters here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebxe/fastplay

2. Listen to everything Shawn says. :bow:

3. Seven slots is nothing to the Iron DMs of the RPGA. It's the HQ people that I feel for. They never sleep! :D

Seriously, show up and have fun. We love new members. It keeps the game growing! :w00t:
Soltares
05-20-07, 09:59 PM Awesome, thanks for the info guys! The fast-play characters look excellent reference guides if I want to write one up as well. :)
Timlagor
05-21-07, 07:14 AM I would recommend not using the Fastplay characters unless you have to. They are really quite weak by and large. (the Fighters aren't too bad but the cleric makes me cringe)
Soltares
05-21-07, 02:23 PM I would recommend not using the Fastplay characters unless you have to. They are really quite weak by and large. (the Fighters aren't too bad but the cleric makes me cringe)

I didn't mind them, but the stats were a little wonky. Some seemed to spend random amounts of money (5200 gp to 5440 gp, among the four that actually showed their math), and one or two went a bit over the guidelines for 4th level on an item purchase (limited to 2700 gp on any one item, but the Changeling Wizard and Drow Sorceress each bought a 4000 gp item).

I'm also not a big fan of +LA races, particularly in the lower levels when it really kills to be a level behind, so the Gnoll, Tiefling, Drow, Aasimar stuff didn't do it for me. (Although the idea of a Gnoll Druid or Ranger with a Hyena Animal Companion is just thematic as all heck!)

About the only thing I'd miss would be those cute little free powers they all got from cards, which I think I'll live without quite fine. :)

Anywho, a Cabal of Shadows Daelkyr Half-Blood Warlock 4 just sounds far too fun to pass up!
Soltares
05-23-07, 12:36 AM You must be an RPGA member. However, membership is free, you can fill out a card at the table, and that's it, you're in.

A new question has popped up. I was looking around the RPGA section of this site to see if I could sign up before showing up at the table, and either the site or I appear to be somewhat obtuse (my money's on it being me).

The 'Become a member' section appears to be locked behind a page that is only available to those who login with their membership number, which, qu'elle surprise, non-members won't have yet... A funny joke, to be sure, but perhaps not the most useful layout. :)

And, of course, if I wanted to ask a question about it, I could go to the Ask a Question section, which, amusingly, is also behind a secure page.

It's like the old, "My email isn't working!" "You have to send IT an email, or they won't be able to handle your request..." gag.

Am I missing a big red button that says, 'Sign up here!' or something?
Herrbard
05-23-07, 06:39 AM A new question has popped up. I was looking around the RPGA section of this site to see if I could sign up before showing up at the table, and either the site or I appear to be somewhat obtuse (my money's on it being me).SNIP
It's not you. Rather than start up the whole debate again, I'll just point you to this thread about how to get a number: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=629833
It will give you the facts and discussion. Bottom line is you pretty much have to attend an event to get your number, the online method has been discontinued.
Soltares
05-23-07, 05:49 PM Cool, thanks a lot!
Madfox11
05-24-07, 04:41 AM I'm also not a big fan of +LA races, particularly in the lower levels when it really kills to be a level behind, so the Gnoll, Tiefling, Drow, Aasimar stuff didn't do it for me. (Although the idea of a Gnoll Druid or Ranger with a Hyena Animal Companion is just thematic as all heck!)

Anything that grants a boost to Strength is worth the ECL when playing a fighting class. The gnoll fighters I have met always made half-orc barbarians pale in comparison and I am not even talking about that bloody half-giant who singlehandedly fought a +3 APL encounter. Personally I think the designers underestimate the huge powerboost a positive Strength modifier gives to fighter-based classes...

I agree with you on the aasimar, drow and tiefling ones though...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Soltares 05-20-07, 02:58 PM	I'm looking over the Xendrik Expeditions games offered for Origins and wondering if non-RPGA members are allowed to play in these? Anyone know? I vaguely recall in the 'old days' non-RPGA members were turned away from Living Raven's Bluff-type games, so I've not bothered for the last decade or so, and I was wondering if things had loosened up a bit.
Herrbard 05-20-07, 04:06 PM	I'm looking over the Xendrik Expeditions games offered for Origins and wondering if non-RPGA members are allowed to play in these? Anyone know? You must be an RPGA member. However, membership is free, you can fill out a card at the table, and that's it, you're in. (Be sure to sign up for the rewards program on the website afterwards. You get free stuff for playing events.) If you have any questions at the con, look me up. I'm running the Expedition mod in seven slots, so I'm easy to find.
Soltares 05-20-07, 07:24 PM	Awesome, thanks for the reply! Additional questions, if I might get a follow-up; 1) Are there pre-gen characters available? I've got a half-dozen or some Eberron books, but I haven't actually played in the setting yet, and am not sure what sort of 'house rules' tend to be in force regarding use of PrCs, items, feats, spells, etc. from the various books, so it would probably be easiest if there are pre-generated characters available... 2) Do the games include fairly standard action / fight-scenes and go by the standard rules-set? I've heard Living 'X' games described as 'LARPish,' and not involving dice as much as special abilities gained on cards or something, with more role-playing of long-established characters than the usual roll dice and kill monsters sort of D&D. I love the Eberron setting, and simply haven't been able to find a game to play in. Even at Origins, it's either Xendrik Expeditions, or a game that recommends the players to go to a barren website for character generation / game details, which is never terribly inspiring... Kudos to you guys for having so many games! But running seven games? Yikes! I barely find time to play in seven games at one of these things, and I usually end up having to ditch at least one to sleep! You are a brave man, possibly with a Mt. Dew IV drip!
smerwin29 05-20-07, 08:36 PM	1) Yes, pre-gen characters are available for Xen'drik Expeditions. Or you can make your own and bring it with you. Rules for creating your character are available in the Xen'drik Expeditions portion of the RPGA site. 2) I would not call the RPGA games "LARPish" by any stretch of the imaginaton. In a Living campaign like Living Greyhawk, you have to start your character at 1st level, so there is usually more of a sense of character development. The D&D Campaigns like Xen'drik Expeditions, on the other hand, have a mix of people who have played most of the previously released adventures from 1st level on up in addition to those who haven't played any and are bringing in a character at the level bump (4th level in this case). Shawn Crimson Codex Factionmaster
Herrbard 05-20-07, 08:55 PM	A couple of other thoughts: 1. You can download and look at the Xen'drik Fastplay characters here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebxe/fastplay 2. Listen to everything Shawn says. :bow: 3. Seven slots is nothing to the Iron DMs of the RPGA. It's the HQ people that I feel for. They never sleep! :D Seriously, show up and have fun. We love new members. It keeps the game growing! :w00t:
Soltares 05-20-07, 09:59 PM	Awesome, thanks for the info guys! The fast-play characters look excellent reference guides if I want to write one up as well. :)
Timlagor 05-21-07, 07:14 AM	I would recommend not using the Fastplay characters unless you have to. They are really quite weak by and large. (the Fighters aren't too bad but the cleric makes me cringe)
Soltares 05-21-07, 02:23 PM	I would recommend not using the Fastplay characters unless you have to. They are really quite weak by and large. (the Fighters aren't too bad but the cleric makes me cringe) I didn't mind them, but the stats were a little wonky. Some seemed to spend random amounts of money (5200 gp to 5440 gp, among the four that actually showed their math), and one or two went a bit over the guidelines for 4th level on an item purchase (limited to 2700 gp on any one item, but the Changeling Wizard and Drow Sorceress each bought a 4000 gp item). I'm also not a big fan of +LA races, particularly in the lower levels when it really kills to be a level behind, so the Gnoll, Tiefling, Drow, Aasimar stuff didn't do it for me. (Although the idea of a Gnoll Druid or Ranger with a Hyena Animal Companion is just thematic as all heck!) About the only thing I'd miss would be those cute little free powers they all got from cards, which I think I'll live without quite fine. :) Anywho, a Cabal of Shadows Daelkyr Half-Blood Warlock 4 just sounds far too fun to pass up!
Soltares 05-23-07, 12:36 AM	You must be an RPGA member. However, membership is free, you can fill out a card at the table, and that's it, you're in. A new question has popped up. I was looking around the RPGA section of this site to see if I could sign up before showing up at the table, and either the site or I appear to be somewhat obtuse (my money's on it being me). The 'Become a member' section appears to be locked behind a page that is only available to those who login with their membership number, which, qu'elle surprise, non-members won't have yet... A funny joke, to be sure, but perhaps not the most useful layout. :) And, of course, if I wanted to ask a question about it, I could go to the Ask a Question section, which, amusingly, is also behind a secure page. It's like the old, "My email isn't working!" "You have to send IT an email, or they won't be able to handle your request..." gag. Am I missing a big red button that says, 'Sign up here!' or something?
Herrbard 05-23-07, 06:39 AM	A new question has popped up. I was looking around the RPGA section of this site to see if I could sign up before showing up at the table, and either the site or I appear to be somewhat obtuse (my money's on it being me).SNIP It's not you. Rather than start up the whole debate again, I'll just point you to this thread about how to get a number: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=629833 It will give you the facts and discussion. Bottom line is you pretty much have to attend an event to get your number, the online method has been discontinued.
Soltares 05-23-07, 05:49 PM	Cool, thanks a lot!
Madfox11 05-24-07, 04:41 AM	I'm also not a big fan of +LA races, particularly in the lower levels when it really kills to be a level behind, so the Gnoll, Tiefling, Drow, Aasimar stuff didn't do it for me. (Although the idea of a Gnoll Druid or Ranger with a Hyena Animal Companion is just thematic as all heck!) Anything that grants a boost to Strength is worth the ECL when playing a fighting class. The gnoll fighters I have met always made half-orc barbarians pale in comparison and I am not even talking about that bloody half-giant who singlehandedly fought a +3 APL encounter. Personally I think the designers underestimate the huge powerboost a positive Strength modifier gives to fighter-based classes... I agree with you on the aasimar, drow and tiefling ones though...