tcpip: (Default)
Diary of a B+ Grade Polymath ([personal profile] tcpip) wrote2012-12-21 10:25 pm

Anniversaries, Writings

Three days ago was the civil union anniversary for [personal profile] caseopaya and I. That evening was a simple and pleasant affair of a homecooked meal (braised chicken maryland) and enjoyment of each other's company. The following night however we decided to spend at night at the Rendezvous Melbourne, which is certainly has some beautiful art noveau features. Yes, there is silliness in spending an evening in a hotel approximately 7 kilometres from home, but it was enjoyable silliness just the same. We kept a bottle of Moët in reserve for tonight, being the end of the 13th b'ak'tun, in accordance to the old Mayan calendar (and issue I spoke about some three years ago).

Also, because the stars are right, I have finished a review of Call of Cthulhu, which does point out its brilliance and some oft-overlooked flaws; it will find itself on RPG.net soon. On a related matter, have picked up a small mountain of gaming material which should keep me going for a year of two. In other writings, the Isocracy website has reprinted and added a couple of quotes to an excellent article by Matt Barsan on the limitations of the "anarcho"-capitalist position of voluntaryism. I am less convinced by the psychological approach by William Hathaway on the inevitability of war.

[identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com 2012-12-28 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, skill systems which have breadth problems are common. Remember weapon proficiencies from AD&D1e and beyond? Same issue. Rolemaster tried to resolve the problem in the Companions by having a wide range of defaults, which was followed up with some more careful design in GURPS. FUDGE, I think did an excellent job of structuring skills into various categories of depth, although most of the work was left for the GM.

A comparison with AD&Ds Dieties & Demigods is unavoidable, although I think the stats for CoC mythos. I suppose at least the CoC gods are meant to be naturalistic and with within the range of possible action (even if they did return). Of course no stats are provided for said critters in Trail of Cthulhu.