Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Diffan Nov 01, 2009 21:25:15	So i've been toying with the idea of getting involved with the Living Forgotten Realms games but I'm not totally sure how and why? I started the thread here so that I could get some reasons as to why this LFR thing is good. Apparently there is a yearly event for the Forgotten Realms campaign on the weekend of Nov. 6-8 and I'm excited to see what goes on. I know you have to make a character using the rules posted in the PHB (we usually roll for stats in our games). So a couple of questions: 1.) What are the benefits of going to an LFR event besides having a blast playing D&D with your friends? 2.) I'm under the impression you have to be an RPGA member, but is this free? And does it cost money to go and participate in an LFR event? 3.) Are miniatures and books provided usually or is a player expected to bring both? 4.) Has anyone here on the boards participated in an LFR event? If so was it fun and worthwhile? Thanks for any info.
#2 Lord_Toast Nov 02, 2009 13:05:08	Well.... 1) You get the benefit of meeting new people, making new connections, having a blast, then killing their characters. 2) Yes, it is free event. Unless the owner of the store wants to charge a fee for using their space. This practice is rare and almost unheard of in the gaming community. Also the coordinator for the events will have a stack of rpga membership cards on hand for you to fill out. (If not ping me, I have a few extras) 3) This year kits are suppose to have player tokens and pre-generated characters for you. All a new person needs are pencils and dice. (Good chance you could borrow a pencil, dice, minis, etc...) 4) I participated in last year's Weekend in the Realms event. And I enjoyed every minute of it. As always Your Mileage May Vary.
#3 Reg06 Nov 02, 2009 15:39:24	1.) That's what LFR is. Most of the LFR players I know are my friends, and I see some of them outside of gaming regularly. It simply facilitates getting a table together. Sometimes we set up LFR gamedays at our homes. 2.) Free. Some shops have fees, but for the most part the RPGA and LFR is 100% free. 3.) Do you bring your own minis and books to homegames? If not, if you have a friend who will let you use their stuff then you don't have to bring anything. But generally you bring your own things. 4.) I go to LFR games 2-3 times a week, because I like playing D&D. But those aren't really events like a world wide game day.
#4 Iluvrien Nov 02, 2009 16:51:39	It sounds like something I would like to do having only managed to participate in a single LFR session to date... ...just shame that I can't find information on anyone running it in my area.
#5 Keith53 Nov 02, 2009 17:14:55	So i've been toying with the idea of getting involved with the Living Forgotten Realms games but I'm not totally sure how and why? I started the thread here so that I could get some reasons as to why this LFR thing is good. Apparently there is a yearly event for the Forgotten Realms campaign on the weekend of Nov. 6-8 and I'm excited to see what goes on. I know you have to make a character using the rules posted in the PHB (we usually roll for stats in our games). So a couple of questions: 1.) What are the benefits of going to an LFR event besides having a blast playing D&D with your friends? 2.) I'm under the impression you have to be an RPGA member, but is this free? And does it cost money to go and participate in an LFR event? 3.) Are miniatures and books provided usually or is a player expected to bring both? 4.) Has anyone here on the boards participated in an LFR event? If so was it fun and worthwhile? Thanks for any info.  The LFR Forums are located at: community.wizards.com/go/forum/view/7585... You might want to read the LFR forums rather than the FR forums to ask these questions, but... 1. LFR is a shared world campaign where many DMs and many players use the same library of adventures, for the most part, and use the same rules, so that you can join a group at a local game day or con, not just with your local gaming group, and advance your personal character.  Many people strike up friendships with other gamers from different parts of the country/world.   You can go play as a team if that is what you want to do as well. 2. Yes, you need to be an RPGA member, really it is called WPN now, but the gaming event should have membership cards.  Joining is free.   Whether play costs a charge depends upon location and type of game event it is. Conventions usually charge a fee because they pay for space.  Gencon is like or for 4 days, plus per game as I recall.  Local game days in a game store are often free. 3.  You are encouraged to bring your own miniature, but that is optional.  Sometimes other gamers will loan you one, but usually you are not just given one.   You are more expected to have the Players Handbook, and any game books you need frequently to play the character.  Again, you may be able to borrow a book, but the general rule is to bring what you need to play. 4.  Yes.  As the LFR Writing Director for Waterdeep, I play, I DM, I author, I edit.  Again, go to the LFR forums to access the general crowd who play, DM and author for LFR.   Each region has a POC and an Event Manager (LFR admins) who can help you find groups in your area.    Keith
#6 gomeztoo Nov 03, 2009 2:22:17	It sounds like something I would like to do having only managed to participate in a single LFR session to date... ...just shame that I can't find information on anyone running it in my area. Email the Event Manager or PoC of the region you live in. He migth know. Contact info: community.wizards.com/lfr/wiki/Administr... and Chris WoitR blog points to an event locator (not sure how accurate that is when it deals with WitR): community.wizards.com/lfr/blog/2009/10/0... Gomez
#7 pamela Nov 03, 2009 3:31:52	England's pretty poor on the LFR front, Gomez, unless you live in certain cities. Heck, they couldn't even have that September convention (D&D Gaming Day? Can't remember) in London because of the lack of game shops of appropriate size and/or willingness. Charles Ryan is working to improve things but it's definitely going to take time.
#8 Iluvrien Nov 03, 2009 8:06:09	Pamela has it right, Gomez, the UK is not the place to be when looking for LFR support, I think. I've been searching, on and off, for about a week and have found nothing to suggest it is being run near me. Even within my own local gaming community. and Chris WoitR blog points to an event locator (not sure how accurate that is when it deals with WitR): community.wizards.com/lfr/blog/2009/10/0... Well, considering that the application was the first thing I tried to use, I was a little surprised to not see one little pointer in the British Isles or even most of mainland Europe. Not. One.  A few in Russia, but not Europe. Yup, I really feel like WotC is facilitating the uptake and enjoyment of their games in places other than the continental US.
#9 Keith53 Nov 03, 2009 17:41:32	Do you know the LFR POC in  UK/Ireland/South Africa?  He goes by Kithran but his name is Paul James.  I was under the impression he was fairly active.  The Event Manager is Robert Wills, but I am not supposed to post his email address (just those of POCs).  They should be able to help point in the direction of LFR gaming. POC: Paul James (kithran@kithran.org) Keith
#10 pamela Nov 04, 2009 11:35:07	Thanks for the link, Keith. I'll keep it in mind when our group does get around to trying out an LFR adventure. However the issue is still that there are quite a few towns and cities without LFR groups in them. When I look up Swindon on the Store & Event Locator, it brings up a new store in town which caters to card games like Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic. There are players advertising for groups in D&D UK and most are not getting many responses. If there were that many LFR groups out here, I'd like to think they would consider this as prime pickings for potential members. But hey, I could be wrong.
#11 cwfilson Nov 04, 2009 13:57:39	For those of you in England, if there are no games around, you should totally take the Herald test and run your own LFR game for your D&D friends. Filson
#12 gomeztoo Nov 04, 2009 14:21:18	Pamela has it right, Gomez, the UK is not the place to be when looking for LFR support, I think. I've been searching, on and off, for about a week and have found nothing to suggest it is being run near me. Even within my own local gaming community. Ah, UK. I did hear that the LFR community is not as sizeable right now. I used to know a fair number of LG people from the UK though (mostly from conventions). Paul is quite active and a good source, one of the organizers for the RPGA part for GenCon UK. I do not expect he really knows where all the events are held, but he may know a bit more. I don't think the Store and Event locator is used in Europe. Dutch stores are not on it either (and we have at least one store that hosts monthly LFR games), and WitR is held in the Netherlands in several places (at least KCon in Delft and the ABC in Amsterdam). As to Swindon, Oxford may still be a bit far but you could try: www.lfr-oxford.oxif.org/ for some info or games.groups.yahoo.com/group/lfr-oxford/ for a yahoo group. As an aside, seems my wife is not eager to let me go to gencon Indy next year, so I will likely try Gencon UK again (if it runs... doubtful, it seems). Gomez