tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post2324181122345327516..comments2024-03-29T06:14:10.087-07:00Comments on B/X BLACKRAZOR: Certifying Dungeon MastersJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-16429024604995530852019-05-14T12:03:18.905-07:002019-05-14T12:03:18.905-07:00Thanks! Sometimes I need things in smaller words.
...Thanks! Sometimes I need things in smaller words.<br />; )JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-17050649911326938022019-05-11T10:50:41.882-07:002019-05-11T10:50:41.882-07:00Just want to let you know, JB, that I upgraded the...Just want to let you know, JB, that I upgraded the language on my experience rules, with an eye to make them easier to understand:<br /><br /><a href="https://tao-dndwiki.blogspot.com/2018/02/experience-xp.html" rel="nofollow">https://tao-dndwiki.blogspot.com/2018/02/experience-xp.html</a>Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-43499801325378403192019-05-07T11:47:48.901-07:002019-05-07T11:47:48.901-07:00I'd like to apply for Holy Dungeon Master.I'd like to apply for Holy Dungeon Master. Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-79241061016508056772019-05-07T09:56:11.802-07:002019-05-07T09:56:11.802-07:00I was halfway through a reply to this, but I think...I was halfway through a reply to this, but I think J-Higgs said pretty much what I was going to say. <br /><br />If done for laughs, sure. I mean, I'm not going to do it, but whatever ballasts your submarine. <br /><br />If done seriously, I reject it out of hand. This stinks of the kind of organized play cesspool bullshit that makes up RPGA. I'll wear my 0 DM exp as a badge of pride. <br /><br /><3 you though, JB. DMWieghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682249561077936507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-66873823523274983162019-05-07T09:48:00.381-07:002019-05-07T09:48:00.381-07:00@ John:
MMmm...I think my reply will need its own...@ John:<br /><br />MMmm...I think my reply will need its own follow-up post.JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-81662719327568847742019-05-07T09:28:07.497-07:002019-05-07T09:28:07.497-07:00There's something vaguely repellent about the ...There's something vaguely repellent about the notion of certifying Dungeon Masters' "experience" (via points or otherwise).<br /><br />Who's to judge? There's no OSR Pope, no Holy Dungeon Master See sitting on the Cathedra of Gygax to dole out the XP awards. And I can't think of a single Gaming Community Personality that I'd trust to hold such a position. Never mind that it isn't practical to look over every DM's shoulder. <br /><br />In the absence of such an authority, how could this ever be of any use? "Credentials" are meaningless if not bestowed by an authority that can also police and revoke them. And if such a system were to be set up, it would catch like fire on waterlogged bark. Nobody would pay it any attention, except for the few who reject it as elitist pretension. It would have all the cachet of a degree in TV/VCR Repair from a fly-by-night for-profit college.<br /><br />I'm sorry to be so down on this idea; but I honestly think that if your goal is a world with more good Dungeon Masters in it, this one is either ineffectual or counterproductive.John Higginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06522143715905888511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-43092376189187832882019-05-06T10:32:25.242-07:002019-05-06T10:32:25.242-07:00In the Kenzer & Company comic, The Publisher c...In the Kenzer & Company comic, The Publisher certifies all the GM's as well as the players. The "grades" or whatnot (been a while since I read them) facilitated things like whether a GM would be invited to run Convention games, but also, the GM had to keep up their ranking as their players increased their own ranks: a Rank 10 player moving to a new town would never deign to join a Rank 5 GM's game.<br /><br />As I said, it's for laughs.<br /><br />Some things are best judged socially. At least until we rid ourselves of these material shackles and can do everything without such restrictions, it's probably an idea that can stay in the 1970s.Mujadaddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07698839746240695386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-26607144637197091322019-05-06T10:25:58.762-07:002019-05-06T10:25:58.762-07:00Lol, Hater.
Sorry, puerile Hater.Lol, Hater.<br /><br />Sorry, <i>puerile</i> Hater.Mujadaddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07698839746240695386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-19381925098922661052019-05-06T06:32:21.937-07:002019-05-06T06:32:21.937-07:00Using Alexis and sensible in the same sentence cal...Using Alexis and sensible in the same sentence calls for some kind of life reevaluation.<br />Venger Satanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04447932700800930510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-69944443218183963082019-05-05T17:15:21.043-07:002019-05-05T17:15:21.043-07:00So, if I earn 2,000 x.p. from my players, and go u...So, if I earn 2,000 x.p. from my players, and go up a level, what would that mean exactly? Would my TCTPK numbers go up (to cause total party kills)? Could I force a player acceptance of DM ruling check with better chance of success? Do I get increased "dodge points" that give me protection against hurled empty bottles and cans? Because that last would be really helpful, being that I'm such a brat DM.<br /><br />It would be nice if the players could adopt a "playing not plays" attitude regarding the game, so long as they're going to give out the experience. Somehow, I don't think my DM agency is going to increase at all, however.<br />Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-13441675150403766592019-05-05T15:08:23.680-07:002019-05-05T15:08:23.680-07:00Kenzer & Company does this kind of thing in Ko...Kenzer & Company does this kind of thing in KoDT... for laughs.<br /><br />I'd recommend Players be the ones to award GM XP, rather than another option.Mujadaddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07698839746240695386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-66326763726745985972019-05-05T08:43:53.212-07:002019-05-05T08:43:53.212-07:00Well, then. Interesting concept, and one which wou...Well, then. Interesting concept, and one which would take me right out of contention as I have never really played that 'D&D' thing and been 'role-playing' for all this time. No points for that, so I'll score myself as a utter novice.<br /><br />Any suggestions as to where I can learn how to be a good GM?<br /><br />:) - chirinechirine ba kalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15089801259918671141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-37367583497910410262019-05-04T06:43:51.046-07:002019-05-04T06:43:51.046-07:00It seems to me a system like this would result in ...It seems to me a system like this would result in fewer good GMs. Some of the best GMs I know were people that originally needed to be coaxed into it. If there was a wall of certification around the concept, they never would have tried it. <br /><br />On top of that, where are uncertified GMs supposed to get all the experience they need if people are gravitating towards certified GMs. <br /><br />I think mentoring is the best way to nurture new GMs. If you have players in your group that want to give it a shot, be willing to play in their games and give honest but constructive feedback. Adam Baulderstonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247875453290704056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-34665576527385722872019-05-04T00:06:06.474-07:002019-05-04T00:06:06.474-07:00I can quibble with the fine details, but the overa...I can quibble with the fine details, but the overall concept is fantastic. Imagine if the RPGA or Adventurer's League actually kept track of their "official" referees' games, and you could look up the hard numbers on a particular referee before you decided whether you wanted to spend several hours of your life at their table.Fuzzy Skinnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10606454596061907461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-70889008160450229122019-05-04T00:03:36.568-07:002019-05-04T00:03:36.568-07:00“you need to run games for 120 hour or 40 sessions...“you need to run games for 120 hour or 40 sessions, whichever comes first; run a game for 6 hours or two sessions, observed and given feedback by an experienced referee, observe experienced referee for 6 hours or two sessions, submit 4 written blog posts about how you run games and a portfolio of your gaming products (adventures, house rules, spells, classes, magic items, etc).”<br />All we need is an organization to formalize it!Alex Schroederhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17104864340940538702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-17128765608250081312019-05-03T22:28:20.947-07:002019-05-03T22:28:20.947-07:00Just for fun, I looked up the CELTA course content...Just for fun, I looked up the CELTA course contents https://www.ihbangkok.com/teacher-training/celta/course-content/<br /><br />To get a CELTA certificate (certifying that you're competent to teach English as a foreign language, and required for many teaching jobs through the British Council), you need to complete a 120 hour course (classroom time), perform 6 hours of teaching practice (observed and given feedback by an experienced teacher(s), observe experienced teachers for 6 hours, submit 4 written assignments and a portfolio of your teaching work products (lesson plans, assignments & worksheets, grading rubrics, etc). <br /><br />For a Game Mastering certificate, you could follow similar guidelines. Personally, I'd put a bit more emphasis on the observation and practice game mastering and less on the classroom stuff, but Alexis provides us with a good guideline for the sorts of things the "classroom" content could/should cover. <br /><br />There would need to be some fair way to evaluate the performance in the classes, the written assignments and portfolio, and how well the candidate performed both in observing and in practice. That's not easy. But it's do-able. <br /><br />And then there would be something a bit more concrete than "campaigns run" as a metric. Dennis Laffeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03053699552003336733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-36843631946452731702019-05-03T19:34:08.650-07:002019-05-03T19:34:08.650-07:00I don't disagree with the general premise here...I don't disagree with the general premise here, yet I think if someone is practicing bad techniques in the first place, they will only reinforce those bad techniques, and if players showing up to the table is the only indicator, they may feel like they are doing great.<br /><br />also defining a 'campaign' is difficult. I'm pretty sure the only campaigns that have been completed while I was running were one-shots. how do you separate different campaigns/adventures in an ongoing game? is it when a major goal is completed? what if the players abandon a goal or fail?<br /><br />hours spent dming might be a better measure than campaigns, but still there has to be something more than just time, because practice doesn't always make someone better at something.Lance Duncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13817319325489613672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-86207575623661170932019-05-03T19:00:07.669-07:002019-05-03T19:00:07.669-07:00My knee-jerk reaction to this was "I dunno ma...My knee-jerk reaction to this was "I dunno man, dming is an art, man... not everyone likes the same art, man..." But drilling down on it I agree there can be an objective experienced based metric. Not everyone may like Anthony Hopkins acting, but if you cast him he'd sure as hell knew what he was doing. It's an interesting idea that seems to have great value in a tournament or convention venue.Mouser in Winterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04075423327240909771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-70052209757734446972019-05-03T17:19:34.921-07:002019-05-03T17:19:34.921-07:00Clearly, as in most hobbies/professions/areas of e...Clearly, as in most hobbies/professions/areas of expertise there are some people blessed with more "natural talent" than others.<br /><br />That's why a system of measurement (like this one) is both useful and desirable. Practice DOES tend to make for a better/greater ability, and the experience of designing adventures, prepping adventures, and running adventures are really the basis of the DM's job/practice. Generally speaking, people who continue to fail at their job will eventually be held accountable...in the case of a DM, they will lose players, acquire a negative reputation, etc. and end up running fewer and fewer games, eventually tiring of the activity or simply being mothballed. <br /><br />Yes, a "pretty bad" DM may run games over 20 years, but how many? We're not measuring longevity in the hobby...I started playing circa 1981, but I took a substantial break in play for decade or more (during the late 80s to mid-90s)...and have been on a pretty big break since 2014 or so. All told, I've probably spent less than 30 years "actively DMing" even though I've been in the hobby closer to 40. <br /><br />We don't want to give out gold watches for "time in"...we want to track actual work done. Writing adventures, prepping adventures, and running adventures (and, to a limited extent, playing adventures) all counts as "work" in my book. JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-83291122882342424382019-05-03T17:05:18.462-07:002019-05-03T17:05:18.462-07:00The megadungeon is one aspect that the system does...The megadungeon is one aspect that the system doesn't take into account. Another might be the "wandering sandbox" campaign where clearly a DM is running SOMEthing, even if it's not a specific adventure. <br /><br />Still, at its core the system is at least measuring something objective...and something that I find to be an adequate measure.<br /><br />I will say, with regard to the "megadungeon" (the origin of which can be traced directly to Book 3 of OD&D) that such a thing might be possible to break into separate "campaigns." Gygax's original text states one should start by creating "at least three levels at once" [one "campaign"] with "new levels under construction so that players never grow tired of it" [additional "campaigns"], each such section being unified by a single theme (as per G's examples)...using the term "campaign" here in place of the term "adventure."JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-17437619135337690422019-05-03T16:55:24.726-07:002019-05-03T16:55:24.726-07:00No triggers, man. You're welcome!
: )No triggers, man. You're welcome!<br />: )JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-43556650389409597892019-05-03T15:07:42.183-07:002019-05-03T15:07:42.183-07:00I think it's a place to start, but dm experien...I think it's a place to start, but dm experience can't be just based on campaigns completed or time spent dming. I've known people who've dmed for 20 years and they were still pretty bad, they weren't dick dms or anything, just not able to handle the job. However, it can't be based entirely on player input either, everyone is biased in some way.<br /><br />Lance Duncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13817319325489613672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-57616703221573790772019-05-03T15:07:27.229-07:002019-05-03T15:07:27.229-07:00A system of GM certification would be an interesti...A system of GM certification would be an interesting challenge to tackle. Coming from a language education perspective, I'd think it should involve a mix of "classroom" time to get background/theory, and "monitored practice" to examine how the candidate puts theory into practice. Similar to how one gets CELTA or TESOL certification. <br /><br />Of course, the language education certificates are helpful for finding a job, and maybe for negotiating your salary up a bit. But they're far from necessary. I don't have any - haven't needed them. <br /><br />On a different note - that system of awarding the DM experience points needs some careful evaluation. By a strict reading of it, I could run a 12 level megadungeon campaign with characters going from 1st to 9th level and it would only give me as much XP as running a 5-room dungeon. Dennis Laffeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03053699552003336733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-40711936512420675492019-05-03T15:03:18.071-07:002019-05-03T15:03:18.071-07:00I spent hours yesterday looking for the source of ...I spent hours yesterday looking for the source of xp for damage to add to the "thanks" credit for my upcoming (trigger warning) b/x hack of 5e where I use it. Had no luck. And here you go and share it just like that. Cheers. Anders Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11654797360283177027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-87580995595361931602019-05-03T14:03:20.134-07:002019-05-03T14:03:20.134-07:00Yes, focus is on damage caused; slight difference ...Yes, focus is on damage caused; slight difference in XP awarded for magic-use in combat. As I wrote, I prefer your (well-tested) rules.<br />; )JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.com