FREE GAME: Free Stars

[Spalls Hurgenson]

Okay, this one is actually both more and less exciting than it sounds.

* Free Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2645580/Free_Stars_The_UrQuan_Masters/
Less, because a) this isn't a special offer that you gotta
run to take advantage of, and b) because the game was free
before; it just had another name. Essentially, this is just
"Star Control 2" (remember that classic?) with a new title,
forced upon it due to various legal issues. Still, the game is
still well regarded (despite its age) and it being free is
just icing on the cake.

So, free game and Star Control is back; that's cool. Grab it today, or
tomorrow, or whenever. But grab it. It's an excellent DOS-era game
with some nice modern QOL flourishes, and it wants to be in your
library.

[Spalls Hurgenson]

On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:54:10 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Spalls Hurgenson
Okay, this one is actually both more and less exciting than it sounds.

Did I just post this to the wrong newsgroup?

Why, yes, I did.

Sorry about that. Ignore it. I'm sure it will find its way to the
right place on its own.

[Zaghadka]

On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:58:21 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Spalls Hurgenson
On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:54:10 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Spalls Hurgenson
Okay, this one is actually both more and less exciting than it sounds.

Did I just post this to the wrong newsgroup?
Why, yes, I did.
Sorry about that. Ignore it. I'm sure it will find its way to the
right place on its own.

I cast fireball...

[Spalls Hurgenson]

Post by Zaghadka
I cast fireball...

I rolled a 14 on my save vs spells. Also, I casually remind the DM
that I'm the only one who brought any snacks for the group today. ;-)

[Spalls Hurgenson]

On Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:25:38 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Zaghadka
I cast fireball...

I rolled a 14 on my save vs spells. Also, I casually remind the DM
that I'm the only one who brought any snacks for the group today. ;-)

"Save vs. Spells?" The hell are you talking about? We're not playing 1e.
We're playing 3.5.

Says you. I'm /definitely/ playing 1st Ed.

Look, my character sheet proves it; it has a COMeliness score! I'm a
level 3 half-orc assassin! I know the chaotic-evil alignment language!
I follow Ximbarg, a greater god of the Melnibonean mythos! Fear my
deadly jo-stick; it has a speed factor of 2 and I get a +2 'To-Hit' if
I only wear leather armor! And if my character doesn't do something
evil soon, his alignment will shift to CN and he'll lose a level!

I'm 1st Ed to the core! ;-)

player

[Zaghadka]

On Fri, 23 Feb 2024 09:10:04 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Spalls Hurgenson

On Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:25:38 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Zaghadka
I cast fireball...

I rolled a 14 on my save vs spells. Also, I casually remind the DM
that I'm the only one who brought any snacks for the group today. ;-)

"Save vs. Spells?" The hell are you talking about? We're not playing 1e.
We're playing 3.5.

Says you. I'm /definitely/ playing 1st Ed.
Look, my character sheet proves it; it has a COMeliness score! I'm a
level 3 half-orc assassin! I know the chaotic-evil alignment language!
I follow Ximbarg, a greater god of the Melnibonean mythos! Fear my
deadly jo-stick; it has a speed factor of 2 and I get a +2 'To-Hit' if
I only wear leather armor! And if my character doesn't do something
evil soon, his alignment will shift to CN and he'll lose a level!
I'm 1st Ed to the core! ;-)
player

Oh, you want to be difficult, eh? Fine.

I'm looking at your alignment graph right now, the rules for which are
inexplicably in Appendix III of the Player's Handbook even though the
Dungeon Master is charged with tracking it. You are indeed deeply buried
to the right (positive side) in the x axis, showing your extreme penchant
for individual action (probably why you are soloing), but while you are
headed upward on the y axis, you are not too close to the origin *. I
think you'll be fine with a few more acts of kindness and mercy. You will
receive none from me.

Comeliness is from Dragon magazine, and AFAIC we're playing core AD&D. If
you insist, as a half-orc, I assure you I will not be "stunned" by your
beauty. I suppose you think there's a Jester (#60) or Bandit (#63) around
too **.

I am psionically "endowed" (boy that's a loaded term) and have manifested
Defense Mode J (Tower of Iron Will) in case you are as well.

My morale as a 10th level NPC Drow Magic-User is 95%. I am unlikely to
flee the encounter.

Encounter distance is 10" (d6+4", I rolled a 6 ***), and if you are
indeed in Leather Armor (you never said) your base is 12".

Roll a d6 for surprise. I have rolled another 6.

If you are not surprised, roll initiative on a d6. I have rolled a 1, so
you probably have initiative, but all you'll be able to do on your round
is close to melee, so I hope you have a ranged weapon.

If you cannot shoot me, the Save vs. Spell for a 3rd level assassin is in
the Dungeon Master's Guide, *which you are not allowed to read*. If I get
the spell off, I assure you, you failed.

BTW, I looked this up with /physical/ books ****, with the first release
covers (elemental plane of fire, eidolon statue). They are not first
printing, however.

Or we can play 3.5, which actually makes sense. Your choice, bucko.
--
Zag

No one ever said on their deathbed, 'Gee, I wish I had
spent more time alone with my computer.' ~Dan(i) Bunten


* The center of a Cartesian plane, not the gaming convention. I don't
know where you live, so I have no idea how far you are from Lake Geneva.

** https://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=21735

*** I am making actual rolls with Avrae on Discord.

**** Frighteningly, I knew the casting time for Fireball from rote.

[Spalls Hurgenson]

Post by Zaghadka
On Fri, 23 Feb 2024 09:10:04 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Spalls Hurgenson

On Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:25:38 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Zaghadka
I cast fireball...

I rolled a 14 on my save vs spells. Also, I casually remind the DM
that I'm the only one who brought any snacks for the group today. ;-)

"Save vs. Spells?" The hell are you talking about? We're not playing 1e.
We're playing 3.5.

Says you. I'm /definitely/ playing 1st Ed.
Look, my character sheet proves it; it has a COMeliness score! I'm a
level 3 half-orc assassin! I know the chaotic-evil alignment language!
I follow Ximbarg, a greater god of the Melnibonean mythos! Fear my
deadly jo-stick; it has a speed factor of 2 and I get a +2 'To-Hit' if
I only wear leather armor! And if my character doesn't do something
evil soon, his alignment will shift to CN and he'll lose a level!
I'm 1st Ed to the core! ;-)
player

Oh, you want to be difficult, eh? Fine.
I'm looking at your alignment graph right now, the rules for which are
inexplicably in Appendix III of the Player's Handbook even though the
Dungeon Master is charged with tracking it. You are indeed deeply buried
to the right (positive side) in the x axis, showing your extreme penchant
for individual action (probably why you are soloing), but while you are
headed upward on the y axis, you are not too close to the origin *. I
think you'll be fine with a few more acts of kindness and mercy. You will
receive none from me.
Comeliness is from Dragon magazine, and AFAIC we're playing core AD&D. If
you insist, as a half-orc, I assure you I will not be "stunned" by your
beauty. I suppose you think there's a Jester (#60) or Bandit (#63) around
too **.

Comeliness was officially codified in "Unearthed Arcana"

And it's unfortunate you looked at the books, since then you'd have
noticed a roll of 14 is a failing roll on save-vs-spell for a 3rd
level assassin (not that I'd know that, since as a player I of course
can't see those tables. But you know it.) But maybe you'll be gentle
with me. I am, after all, your ride home. ;-)

[Zaghadka]

On Fri, 23 Feb 2024 13:09:57 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Zaghadka
On Fri, 23 Feb 2024 09:10:04 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Spalls Hurgenson

On Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:25:38 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Spalls Hurgenson

Post by Zaghadka
I cast fireball...

I rolled a 14 on my save vs spells. Also, I casually remind the DM
that I'm the only one who brought any snacks for the group today. ;-)

"Save vs. Spells?" The hell are you talking about? We're not playing 1e.
We're playing 3.5.

Says you. I'm /definitely/ playing 1st Ed.
Look, my character sheet proves it; it has a COMeliness score! I'm a
level 3 half-orc assassin! I know the chaotic-evil alignment language!
I follow Ximbarg, a greater god of the Melnibonean mythos! Fear my
deadly jo-stick; it has a speed factor of 2 and I get a +2 'To-Hit' if
I only wear leather armor! And if my character doesn't do something
evil soon, his alignment will shift to CN and he'll lose a level!
I'm 1st Ed to the core! ;-)
player

Oh, you want to be difficult, eh? Fine.
I'm looking at your alignment graph right now, the rules for which are
inexplicably in Appendix III of the Player's Handbook even though the
Dungeon Master is charged with tracking it. You are indeed deeply buried
to the right (positive side) in the x axis, showing your extreme penchant
for individual action (probably why you are soloing), but while you are
headed upward on the y axis, you are not too close to the origin *. I
think you'll be fine with a few more acts of kindness and mercy. You will
receive none from me.
Comeliness is from Dragon magazine, and AFAIC we're playing core AD&D. If
you insist, as a half-orc, I assure you I will not be "stunned" by your
beauty. I suppose you think there's a Jester (#60) or Bandit (#63) around
too **.

Comeliness was officially codified in "Unearthed Arcana"

Unearthed Arcana was a ridiculous cash grab and you know it. A bunch of
Dragon magazine clippings. I don't know anyone who ever played with that
stat unless they were 16-year-old boys playing female characters. Those
sorts of players also awarded "experience" points for having sex.

Post by Spalls Hurgenson
And it's unfortunate you looked at the books, since then you'd have
noticed a roll of 14 is a failing roll on save-vs-spell for a 3rd
level assassin (not that I'd know that, since as a player I of course
can't see those tables. But you know it.) But maybe you'll be gentle
with me. I am, after all, your ride home. ;-)

Your save was a 15. Pretty close. No mercy.