Rich Stokes
@tacticalbacon.bsky.social
GenX nerd.
Thinks he's funny, but isn't.
If you care about what I think, you probably shouldn't. I'm an idiot.
Look, I'm just here to talk about RPGs. And sometimes Industrial music and videogames or movies.
Also sometimes comics. More of a DC guy, sorry.
Thinks he's funny, but isn't.
If you care about what I think, you probably shouldn't. I'm an idiot.
Look, I'm just here to talk about RPGs. And sometimes Industrial music and videogames or movies.
Also sometimes comics. More of a DC guy, sorry.
Used to be "nuke-y" sometimes...
December 5, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Used to be "nuke-y" sometimes...
Usually FitD or PbtA. Primetime Adventures was a favourite some time ago.
I made my peace a long time ago that I'm a far better improviser or "pantser" than I am planner and prepper.
I ran a bunch of 13Age before COVID though and that required a lot more prep. I may try that again when 2nd ed drops.
I made my peace a long time ago that I'm a far better improviser or "pantser" than I am planner and prepper.
I ran a bunch of 13Age before COVID though and that required a lot more prep. I may try that again when 2nd ed drops.
December 5, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Usually FitD or PbtA. Primetime Adventures was a favourite some time ago.
I made my peace a long time ago that I'm a far better improviser or "pantser" than I am planner and prepper.
I ran a bunch of 13Age before COVID though and that required a lot more prep. I may try that again when 2nd ed drops.
I made my peace a long time ago that I'm a far better improviser or "pantser" than I am planner and prepper.
I ran a bunch of 13Age before COVID though and that required a lot more prep. I may try that again when 2nd ed drops.
It helps that I generally don't run games where npcs have stats these days.
December 5, 2025 at 12:33 PM
It helps that I generally don't run games where npcs have stats these days.
Right? I mean both are fantastic actors which obviously helps, and they got great arcs to work with for the characters.
December 5, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Right? I mean both are fantastic actors which obviously helps, and they got great arcs to work with for the characters.
I mean, my "notes" are generally 3 or 4 bullet points. I don't really even bother writing them down usually.
December 5, 2025 at 12:29 PM
I mean, my "notes" are generally 3 or 4 bullet points. I don't really even bother writing them down usually.
Yeah, it was proper good. Quite a few "oh shit" moments in there.
December 5, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Yeah, it was proper good. Quite a few "oh shit" moments in there.
Why don't I?
It's time consuming, requires significant effort and pays really badly? And I don't particularly enjoy it.
Plus, and I think this is a really big point, not all games actually need or even really benefit from pre-written adventures.
It's time consuming, requires significant effort and pays really badly? And I don't particularly enjoy it.
Plus, and I think this is a really big point, not all games actually need or even really benefit from pre-written adventures.
December 5, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Why don't I?
It's time consuming, requires significant effort and pays really badly? And I don't particularly enjoy it.
Plus, and I think this is a really big point, not all games actually need or even really benefit from pre-written adventures.
It's time consuming, requires significant effort and pays really badly? And I don't particularly enjoy it.
Plus, and I think this is a really big point, not all games actually need or even really benefit from pre-written adventures.
But, like, the game is a package deal. So, if the whole thing is good then I'm attracted to it? And if that's a bespoke system or not doesn't matter?
I mean, there's an element of "I know that system and it sounds like a good fit with that game concept" but only sometimes.
I mean, there's an element of "I know that system and it sounds like a good fit with that game concept" but only sometimes.
December 3, 2025 at 10:03 PM
But, like, the game is a package deal. So, if the whole thing is good then I'm attracted to it? And if that's a bespoke system or not doesn't matter?
I mean, there's an element of "I know that system and it sounds like a good fit with that game concept" but only sometimes.
I mean, there's an element of "I know that system and it sounds like a good fit with that game concept" but only sometimes.
I'm 100% certain I don't understand the question?
December 3, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I'm 100% certain I don't understand the question?
Whenever you need to 𝙥𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠, roll 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. On a hit, pick 1. On a 10+, pick 3:
* Shake
* Vac
* Your carpet smells fresh, your room does too
* Shake
* Vac
* Your carpet smells fresh, your room does too
December 3, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Whenever you need to 𝙥𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠, roll 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. On a hit, pick 1. On a 10+, pick 3:
* Shake
* Vac
* Your carpet smells fresh, your room does too
* Shake
* Vac
* Your carpet smells fresh, your room does too
The Shake n Vac advert.
December 3, 2025 at 4:32 PM
The Shake n Vac advert.
My knees tell me that every day mate.
December 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
My knees tell me that every day mate.
Lol, if you do find yourself at a loose end in Southampton, let me know!
December 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Lol, if you do find yourself at a loose end in Southampton, let me know!
Yeah, the ability to go for a quiet pint/chat break in the bar was sorely missed.
December 2, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Yeah, the ability to go for a quiet pint/chat break in the bar was sorely missed.
I think the first time at a new venue is always difficult, and it's not like they can practice for weeks beforehand.
December 1, 2025 at 12:07 PM
I think the first time at a new venue is always difficult, and it's not like they can practice for weeks beforehand.
Yeah, different problems this time rather than more problems?
December 1, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Yeah, different problems this time rather than more problems?
I want to stress that these are all pretty small things and I did have a great time there. Just that the overall atmosphere felt really different to previous years.
December 1, 2025 at 10:51 AM
I want to stress that these are all pretty small things and I did have a great time there. Just that the overall atmosphere felt really different to previous years.
Excel has a number of problems (annoying get to, crap overpriced catering, nothing nearby) but Dragonmeet can't be expected to fix that. The main impact is a lack of a good social space and somewhere to chill out. You can just pop to a nearby cafe for a quiet coffee and a sandwich.
December 1, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Excel has a number of problems (annoying get to, crap overpriced catering, nothing nearby) but Dragonmeet can't be expected to fix that. The main impact is a lack of a good social space and somewhere to chill out. You can just pop to a nearby cafe for a quiet coffee and a sandwich.
There weren't any bags check or cloakroom facilities as far as I could see, and on a cold rainy day that meant a lot of people carrying big raincoats. Maybe they just weren't signposted?
December 1, 2025 at 10:51 AM
There weren't any bags check or cloakroom facilities as far as I could see, and on a cold rainy day that meant a lot of people carrying big raincoats. Maybe they just weren't signposted?
The larger scale and high ceiling of the main hall made it feel really different. Not inherently bad, but it ended up feeling a bit like a big indoor market. There was plenty of space between stalls so it didn't feel crowded, which was nice.
December 1, 2025 at 10:51 AM
The larger scale and high ceiling of the main hall made it feel really different. Not inherently bad, but it ended up feeling a bit like a big indoor market. There was plenty of space between stalls so it didn't feel crowded, which was nice.
It would be really easy to miss the fact that this wasn't just big trade hall like Salute. I didn't see any kind of notice board or info area inside where you could easily check what was going on. The Novotel kind of made you aware of stuff because you walked past things heading between halls.
December 1, 2025 at 10:51 AM
It would be really easy to miss the fact that this wasn't just big trade hall like Salute. I didn't see any kind of notice board or info area inside where you could easily check what was going on. The Novotel kind of made you aware of stuff because you walked past things heading between halls.
A friend and I spent some time discussing the con afterwards because it had a completely different feeling from previous years at the Novotel.
I knew there were timetabled games being run and a couple of seminars because I'd looked on the website, but didn't see anything about either while there.
I knew there were timetabled games being run and a couple of seminars because I'd looked on the website, but didn't see anything about either while there.
December 1, 2025 at 10:51 AM
A friend and I spent some time discussing the con afterwards because it had a completely different feeling from previous years at the Novotel.
I knew there were timetabled games being run and a couple of seminars because I'd looked on the website, but didn't see anything about either while there.
I knew there were timetabled games being run and a couple of seminars because I'd looked on the website, but didn't see anything about either while there.
I think this might be someone confusing this game with an album of the same name by a recently deceased pedo?
November 28, 2025 at 11:41 AM
I think this might be someone confusing this game with an album of the same name by a recently deceased pedo?