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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Brett Ryan Brown <calvinoi@*******.SCRI.FSU.EDU>
Subject: Quick Earthdawn GM'ing Q.
Date: Sat, 24 Jun 1995 22:49:03 18000
Sorry for the marginally SR-irrelevant question, but I didn't see it in
the FAQ...

Basically, it's becoming more and more difficult (and boring) for me to
GM Shadowrun, and I was wondering how it is to GM Earthdawn (or, really,
any other RPG's). My players are enjoying themselves, but it's really
almost becoming a chore for me to GM, especially since I'm the only one
who is at all well-versed in the rules. I'm sure this question has
probably been asked in the past, but I don't remember it becoming an
out-of-control thread, so even a few responses would be greatly
appreciated. Thank you!

--
_/_/_/_/ _ calvinoi@*******.scri.fsu.edu
_/ | | _ _
_/ __ _ | | __ __ (_) _ _ ___ (_) Fight the War.
_/ / _` | | | \ V / | | | ' \ / _ \ | | Fuck the Norm.
_/_/_/_/ \__,_| |_| \_/ |_| |_||_\ \___/ |_| Don't Conform.
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Message no. 2
From: Menard Steve <menars@***.UMONTREAL.CA>
Subject: Re: Quick Earthdawn GM'ing Q.
Date: Sat, 24 Jun 1995 23:47:52 -0400
On Sat, 24 Jun 1995, Brett Ryan Brown wrote:

> Basically, it's becoming more and more difficult (and boring) for me to
> GM Shadowrun, and I was wondering how it is to GM Earthdawn (or, really,
> any other RPG's). My players are enjoying themselves, but it's really
> almost becoming a chore for me to GM, especially since I'm the only one
> who is at all well-versed in the rules. I'm sure this question has
> probably been asked in the past, but I don't remember it becoming an
> out-of-control thread, so even a few responses would be greatly
> appreciated. Thank you!
>
Well, depends on what kind of setting you like. No other setting offers
what SR does, but then, they offer things SR could never give you. I'm
currently working(with herr Lindblom) on a conversion of ED to use with
TSR's settings(Dark Sun, Forgotten Realms, and others beside), and I can
tell you the rules are great. VERY different from SR though. I also used
the White Wolf games Vampires 1s ed and Werewolf 1st ed, and they are also
GREAT. In fact, the setting does not matter much, its the style of the game
you have to like. Horror, fantasy, cyrberpunk or techno? Your answer to that
question will tell you where to look! If you want more info, e-mail me
privately, I'll be more than happy to discuss these with you.

BTW, don't even bother with $$&$, you'll tire of the mechanics too soon,
especially after tasting SR!

On second thought, even thought about pushing a friend in the GM chair?
That's what I did, and even though it was not an easy job, it feels good
to be on the other side of the screen. Enough to give a taste to GM
again(yes, I went through a similar situation).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- |\_/| Still The One and Only Wolfbane! ---
--- |o o| " Hey! Why ya lookin' at me so weird? Ain't ya 'ver seen a ---
--- \ / decker witha horn ?" --- Scy, Troll decker with a CC ---
--- 0 Steve Menard menars@***.UMontreal.Ca ---
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Message no. 3
From: P Ward <P.Ward@**.CF.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Quick Earthdawn GM'ing Q.
Date: Sun, 25 Jun 1995 10:13:12 BST
> Sorry for the marginally SR-irrelevant question, but I didn't see it in
> the FAQ...
>
> Basically, it's becoming more and more difficult (and boring) for me to
> GM Shadowrun, and I was wondering how it is to GM Earthdawn (or, really,
> any other RPG's). My players are enjoying themselves, but it's really
> almost becoming a chore for me to GM, especially since I'm the only one
> who is at all well-versed in the rules. I'm sure this question has
> probably been asked in the past, but I don't remember it becoming an
> out-of-control thread, so even a few responses would be greatly
> appreciated. Thank you!

Oh man, you;ve got executive GM burn-out syndrome.... bummer!

It happens I do 75% of the GMing round here, and I get really wound up
after a bit, becuase we play 2-4 times a week.. during a good week it
can get very busy...


Tell one of the players to run the game for a change, if you think
they're gonna make a mess of game balnce, put together new characters and
only use them once, play a comedy game like paranoia, anything to get
the batteries charged again. If you're real lucky, someone else will take
over for a short campaign, and believe me, after a month or so, you'll
be tching to start writing again, becuase the oddest little things will
niggle you about the guys style, and you'll want to run the game yuorself.


If it comes to it, do an old module and let them see how difficult it is
to run, and you can show off about your running tactical skills. Hell, best
game of SR I ever had was playing Eye witness, and getting my arse kicked,
I figured having run all the rest I knew how SR game designers minds worked,
and should be able to wlak through it... boy, was I wrong. :-)


Tell them you're not going to run a game until someone else does, it's
the only way to be sure... after a bit, their desire for a game will
overcome them, the only problem is, the longer you leave it, the more _you_
want to write again. Just don't give in chummer...

Phil (Renegade; bitter, twisted and burnt out? No, not me! Never...)

Further Reading

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Thwap!