The explanation for this is in the link, but it's been explained that there's too much "me" for a complete newcomer to actually find out who I am or what I've done. So I've created a page on the wiki that describes me... but the Gentle Reader shouldn't worry, because any sense of ego on my part has been completely sabotaged by my being an asshole with my opinions. That's something I didn't want anyone to miss.
If you honestly can't think of any comment you'd like to attach to this, may I humbly ask you to write in when you started reading me, why you still read me and why my nature isn't sufficiently curmudgeonly to actually drive you away. That would really sincerely help me. I could use the support. Writing this content about myself, I feel like I've performed seppuku.
While not actively running Dungeons and Dragons and also not agreeing with all you write (which would be impossible with anyone), I still find your work intellectually engaging and challenging. Your posts played a large role in my journey into adulthood (I discovered the blog in my late high school, early college years) beyond just being a Dungeonmaster. I still check in regularly, albeit as a non-commenter.
ReplyDeleteI found you back in the summer of 08', right as it kicked off. The maps were my initial draw searching for good material about hexes, but the price sheet was the big wow factor for me. The blog has gone through a lot of phases, but what kept me reading was that a new rule was always on the horizon to help enrich the game. The background generator, the tarot cards, the formation of the sage abilities, the city blocks, the development (then called tech) system and the adoption of the hex types. There's been so many phenomenal ideas, each of which is worthy of exploration and inclusion in making a game with more varied and interesting decisions. I'm glad to have been a fan for all this time.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember exactly when I started reading, but somewhere in the vicinity of 2013-2015. What drew me in was your approach to the campaign, the sense that you were doing this at a higher level than the other on-line DMs out there. Certainly at a higher level than I ever did, or probably could, but it's both aspirational and inspirational. And you continue to write material I find enlightening, even (and perhaps especially) when it strays from D&D. As for being a curmudgeon... what can I say, I like writing with a bit of character to it, and while you can be an asshole at times, I never get the sense that you're like, a for real asshole (I hope that makes sense). Anyway, you're still producing high-level written material, and the internet is running thin with that these days.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't remember when I first found your blog or how. Since then, I've always enjoyed your intellectual approach to the game and your candor. I have found your stunning and xp rules add so much to the game that I recommend anyone find a way to incorporate them into their game, whatever edition or system they use. I think the same of the trade tables, mapping, and sage abilities in concept, but they are a much larger effort and so I haven't been able to use them in my own game yet. I hope to eventually do so. I honestly feel there's enough ongoing value there to weather the crumudgeonly attitude when and if it gets directed toward me.
ReplyDeleteHi Alexis
ReplyDeleteIt was a very interesting read how you did become what you are today. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Like others I can't remember when I discovered you first, but from the first read I was fascinated by you and your work.
Why? Because you are even nerdier than me. Finally I did find someone who goes even more into details as I do. And your dedication if not to say obsession is inspiring, keeps me going to not give up.
Thanks to you I also developpe the courage to offer games (not DnD but my homebrew developped in 39 years by now) the way I want to play and demand engagement from the players. No wonder that I am currently without players after having for the first time ever since 1987 brought an 8 year long campaign to a grand finale.
I can only thank you for keep going and for inspiring new generations of GMs to find their way. It can't be yours as yours is uniquely yours and that is what makes you outstanding - but for sure nothing for the great masses.
Stay proud, stay strong! You have a legacy like no one else.
Hi, Alexis. I started reading your blog around 2024, and it was one of the first blogs I found on TTRPGs, after I started playing in 2022-2023. Since then, I have bought How to Run (great book by the way). One thing I particularly appreciate, as a board gamer first and dungeon master second, is the way you conceptualise the structures and procedures of play. I have found many useful lessons in the archives of this blog that have improved my game, which my players have noticed. To answer you third question, I honestly never paid any attention to your style. I am more interested in what you have say, so as long as you bring articulate and insightful comments... actually I will be reading your blog regardless. Your backlog is still perfectly relevant. Thanks a lot for your contributions, both personally in my home game and also in making the blog space more fun!
ReplyDeleteI started reading about ten years ago. I still have a copy of How to Run, and I re-read it occasionally. If there is ever a sequel or a rewrite, I'd be greatly interested.
ReplyDeleteI am still reading because your blog has helped me improve my own DnD campaign more than anything else I've ever read. No one else has built such a resource. And then there's the wiki, which I've barely explored. You're also damn entertaining, and know how to pace a blog post. Love the stories about your life experience, and the breakdowns of sessions of dnd you've run too.
When my friends ask me how I learned to DM? I tell them about your blog. Because reading your writing, combined with putting in hours on my own world, and hours at the gaming table running, that's it. That's my 'secret' to improvement.
Curmudgeonly? Perhaps a bit. Perhaps a lot, depending on how far back one goes into the archives of older posts. I assume if you're being harsh about something, you have good reason. I trust you know what you're talking about, curmudgeonly or not. I've never felt 'personally attacked' by any writing of yours that I've read. I tend to remember how you say 'the gentle reader' when referring to your audience more than any negativity in your writing.
In the end I read you because you're a good writer and an expert in your field. There are precious few actual experts on DnD, who are also willing to write millions of words and deliver them to internet strangers.
Okay. I wrote the above and now I've finished reading the 'new to the blog' section.
Not much in there I wasn't already generally aware of. No reasons in there for me to think less of you or stop reading you. I also had no idea that you had done any podcasts. I will give them a listen.
Anyway. I hope you're doing well.
I played AD&D and Rolemaster at Highschool and Uni in NZ. I'm a pendantic nit-picking bastard, according to my good friends. I started reading about D&D about half a dozen years ago, and yours was the first blog I found. (I totally missed everything that happened regarding D&D between about 1995 and about 2018, when I started playing again with my 6 yr old son.)
ReplyDeleteIn that respect, I had no idea about what you were talking about a lot of the time, because I do not engage about D&D on reddit, youtube and elsewhere. I don't have the time. It took me a while to realise that you were talking about a game culture I have no familiarity with.
My boy and I started with OSRIC, which I largely share your feelings about, but it was 'close enough' to run a game with. I had it printed and bound for my son, he has read it (and How to Run) dozens of times. Since then we've got the old books and have added a good 200 pages more of various things.
I am extremely grateful for this blog as it has helped me remove a lot of mental hitches as well as providing me with a lot of good advice. You have an absolute genius for finding simple solutions.
Thanks and keep going.
I found you around 2015 or so. I'd just gotten into D&D and 5E was incredibly unsatisfying. Either the maps or the market lists were my entry point. I'm glad I did.
ReplyDeleteEvery pioneer on the edge needs to be a curmudgeon, to refuse to be satisfied with the way things are and always ready to dump what's behind to find a better way. That's why I stick around.
Couldn't say how long I've been reading, but I'd guess since about 2023. I still read you because you consistently say things that are interesting. Your manner isn't curmedgeonly enough to drive me away because there has never been any amount of curmedgeonly-ness sufficient to drive me away from anything.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Feedly, you were one of the first 10 blogs I added. So that would have been around the time Google Reader was on it's way out. I couldn't tell you if I was reading you before then. You're smart, self-examining, and open with your humanity. I enjoy many of your takes on the hobby and even when I don't, I walk away with something sincere to think about. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteFound you about a month ago from your interaction on JB's blog. Have read about four years of posts at this point. Both the old and new posts are very helpful for clarifying good design philosophy and a better way to play than originally laid out. You've impacted my thinking.
ReplyDeleteI like your original tag line and hope you bring it back, keeping the New Here? link. A similar page just on what you believe makes good gaming would be powerful.