I've been blogging in the old school arena for less than a year now, and it seems as if not a fortnight goes by without someone making a statement or query that stirs up a hornet's nest. Next thing you know, the philosophers start philosophizing and the trolls start flaming. Before long, many of the posts on the blogs in that long list to your right become less about playing and appreciating the games we love, and more about debating their merits and faults, and arguing over their possible ultimate fates.
Well, it's time to put an end to this madness, I say.
In desperation, I turned to the only reliable source I could think of to give us final answers to the questions that so frequently drive the old school blogoshpere into utter chaos: The Great and Wondrous Twenty-Sided Oracle of Matt-El.
Yikes! I wonder what that means for the RPG industry:
Whew! That's a load off my mind... Okay, let's try a really hot question:
Hmmm... I was hoping for something definitive. Let's try a different question:
Okay, now I think this thing is just broken. Maybe I can get some clarification:
Okay, I guess that makes sense. Let's ask it the all-important question:
A-ha! There, you see? It is working after all.
Well, there you have it, straight from the horse's mouth: the irrefutable answers to the questions that have been dogging the old school blogosphere. You can thank me later.
Well, it's time to put an end to this madness, I say.
In desperation, I turned to the only reliable source I could think of to give us final answers to the questions that so frequently drive the old school blogoshpere into utter chaos: The Great and Wondrous Twenty-Sided Oracle of Matt-El.
Is D&D truly doomed?
Yikes! I wonder what that means for the RPG industry:Is the RPG industry doomed as well??
Whew! That's a load off my mind... Okay, let's try a really hot question:Is 4E the greatest version of the game yet made?
Hmmm... I was hoping for something definitive. Let's try a different question:Am I playing the game wrong?
Okay, now I think this thing is just broken. Maybe I can get some clarification:Does it really matter if I'm playing it wrong?
Okay, I guess that makes sense. Let's ask it the all-important question:Should we just get over it and enjoy the game(s) already?
A-ha! There, you see? It is working after all.Well, there you have it, straight from the horse's mouth: the irrefutable answers to the questions that have been dogging the old school blogosphere. You can thank me later.
[Thanks to Magic 8 Ball Fortune Generator for the images.]
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ROFL. Well, the Oracle has spoken on all important things.
ReplyDeletePreparing to move on now.
Of course, done with an old school icon - a random generator. :D :D
ReplyDelete"Of course, done with an old school icon - a random generator."
ReplyDeleteClarification: a d20-based random generator. Respect the icosahedron!
Holy ... you're right. The Oracle, according to various sites, is indeed a icosahedron.
ReplyDeleteI'm still not giving up my d6s... :P
(Word verification: exescra - what comes out of the M8B when you drill it open..)
For the record, I really like 4e. That being said...
ReplyDeleteThe game system, in general only covers combat. So, any version of D&D, GURPS, Call of Cthulhu, Palladium, will let you have the game you want.
Am I philosophizing? Sorry.
I like the guys/gals I play 4e with, and would probably like playing Parcheesi with them.
That was great, Christopher.
ReplyDelete--We need more crazies with senses of humour like you.
Awesomesauce man.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you could pry one of those things open and replace the oracle with a numbered twenty sider? The players could never argue with the results of the magic eight-ball!
ReplyDeleteHah, that would be great palmer.
ReplyDeleteWell, the Oracle has spoken, glad to see it's finally over and we can all move on now.
@Timeshadows: I'm not crazy, I just don't give a fu- oh, wait, that's a line from a movie... :P
ReplyDelete@E.G.Palmer: I was thinking the same thing! And maybe have several Oracles, each with a different polyhedron in it - for damage and such.
Of course, you'd have to find a way to perform the replacement without the exescra leaking all over the place. (Thanks for that Mike!)
Wait.. wait... players with M8B's to do dice rolls? Man, I've seen dice fly across the table when tossed in disgust at a bad roll. The M8B being tossed would make that a dangerous event!
ReplyDeleteBWAHAHA!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that last answer. Seems there has been rat too much discussion of philosophy in the OSR and not enough about having fun.
And by the gods if I hear another argument about what "is" fun..and what "is" is..and what "what" is..I'm going to moon somebody. Yeah you heard me... right here on teh interwebs for the world and my own Mamma to see.
No, no, no - the Oracles would be DM-only tools. Such divinatory power should not be entrusted to mere players. (Although part of me really gets a kick out of the mental imagery of players vehemently chucking dice-filled M8B's at one another. :D)
ReplyDeleteCareful, Spike. The interwebs being such as they are, you're likely to find a willing and eager audience who'll take you up on that promise! :P
ReplyDeleteHmmm... What is "what"? Here's what I think "what" is... :| Nah, no way I'm getting involved in that debate. :D
I wouldn't want to use a M8b anyway. No way to "neem" the dice and bend my stat numbers to my will..
ReplyDelete