New Zealand holiday, the War Against Swine

[tcpip]

The holiday with caseopaya to The South Island of New Zealand was, as usual, full of landscapes of sublime beauty and fuelled by a bottle of cognac (courvoisier v.s.o.p.) and chocolate (ferro rocher).

OK, this is a long post but with a mere paragraph per day and pretty pictures I promise it's worth spending a few minutes reading.



The journey over was marred by guy in his mid-fourties with the behaviour of five year-old (that is, childish not child-like). Foley Towers proved to be a pleasant, serene and slightly spartan place to stay, although the 6" mosquito was an interesting addition.

Following day was the east coast journey to Timaru. Passed through Ashburton and visited a delightful second-hand bookstore in the old post office. Otherwise a fairly dull town. At Timaru discovered there was a rather substantial fair, and decided to play in the rather impressive maze. There are two purposes to mazes. One is to engage discover how to get out and the other is end up in isolated dead-ends with a very close friend. We did both ;-)

Third day of the journey was further down to the coat to the beautiful town of Oamaru, where many of the old buildings were made from a limestone that was soft enough to saw, yet hardened on exposure to the air. A mason's delight, obviously. The local art gallery had an excellent exhibition with the imaginative use of brassieres as part of a fundraiser for breastcancer.

By early evening we made it to Dunedin, which is still my favourite place on the planet. Went to see Marie Antoinette at the Rialto, a cinema which is horrendously garish on the outside and very nice inside. The sountrack was full of post-punk favourites (Gang of Four, The Cure, Siouxie and The Banshees), but it couldn't prevent the story an episode of pomp and psychodrama as real history was occuring. Not recommended. Avoided the terrible free concert at the Octagon for New Year's Eve and instead sought beautiful views over the harbour.

On the morning of the following day travelled along the bottom of The South Island through the Catlin's National Park. Visited the Matai and Horsehoe waterfalls, the deep south port-town of Bluff (with its famous signpost) and the delightfully kitsch paua shell museaum.

By late afternoon arrived at Invercargill, and stayed at the charming Gerrard's Hotel (especially liked the Art Noveau features). Took opportunities to visit Henry, the 126 year old tuatara, a thoroughly weird "living dinosaur", with a third eye, and the beautiful Queen's Park gardens.

Next leg of the journey was the the southern route to Lake Manupouri and Te Anua, both right on the edge of Fiordlord, the sort of place which Douglas Adams once described as the sort of place that makes one want to engage in sponaneous applause to the beauty of nature. In Te Anua we took to the lake and visited the glow worm caves, which was rather like astronomy on acid.

The following day's journey was to Queenstown which included a visit to their excellent bird sanctuary. Highlights include the black stilt (the world's rarest stilt), the Chatman Island duck (the rarest duck) and a Maori cultural event with audience participation - doing the "hokey-pokey" in Maori! Following morning watched Ata Whenua, which as very pretty but some (scientific) narrative would be nice!

The next day was a flying visit to Aoraki (or Mount Cook in Pakeha), past Twizel (good lunch stop) and Lake Tekapo to stop off at the little townsh of Fairlie. Nothing terribly exciting there, except for the charming visit of a hedgehog to the spacious garden of our motel.

From Farlie it was returning to ChCh via the scenic route past Peel Forst and Mt Hutt rather than back through Ashburton and stopping at the Colombo Street Lodge (where one gets an entire apartment to stay in). Next day it was a journey through the Banks Penisula to the former French colony town of Akaroa, whose history is much more exciting than the town itself.

On the way back to ChCh I had the bright idea of taking the scenic route over the peninsula mountains. Turned out the road was semi-sealed at best and as the fuel-guage starting blinking red concern started to set in. Making it across the peninsula we were struck however by the lack of petrol stations in on the coastal towns. By some miracle we made it all the way to Lyttleton, a petroleum port with a population of over 3,000 - only be told that they don't have a petrol station either! With a car that apparently can run on the smell of an oily rag we managed to make it through their lenghty tunnel (that would have been a fine place to break down) to a station on the outskirts of ChCh.

Final day was a visit to Orana Wildlife Park, where caseopaya fed and pet a giraffe (among others), before dropping off the car. The sting in that tail was that the windscreen was chipped by a rock from an incoming vehicle on the way to Akaroa. Total cost? $155 NZD. Ezy Rentals? Not recommended.



On the way back I jotted in my dairy plans for the coming year on a day-by-day basis. Must make sure this is not interrupted by interesting job offers (for the next few months at least). Return home was to investigate the destruction of our cheap couch by the two grumpy rabbits. Lots of love to severina_242 for checking on our pets during our absence and warning us of impending lagamorph devastation.

Amusing gaming news occured whilst I was on holiday. Apparently because hedgehog39 (really hedgehogs are much nicer than that) didn't like being painted into a corner over the importance of theory to role-playing games, he appealed to a chap who calls himself RPGPundit who has declared war on "The Swine" (i.e., people who think theory is important) with yours truly as the assigned first victim. Already however, it is evident that the attack has faltered. Why? Because good theory produces good systems which helps gamers to become better players.

Comments

[discordia13.livejournal.com]

Ah, I haven't seen a flame like that for many years. Most entertaining.
For the record I'm in the camp that Red/Blue D&D sucked majorly.

Traveler, & Runequest were and probably are still my all time favorite systems. We were in the 11-13 year old category at the time.
The rules were honestly too difficult, so we did a way with a lot of them. I think Blakes Seven and Dr Who were on telly at the time, and that was a far bigger influence in getting me into roleplaying.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Ah, I haven't seen a flame like that for many years. Most entertaining.

It's pretty funny. When I was first alerted to it, I thought "Nah, this has to be a troll". Upon further investigation I discovered that it isn't. Being an old gaming grognard I haven't been frequenting webforums, preferring the old fashioned style of mailing lists.

And as always, the best flames are always the coolest ;-)

The old B/E D&D certainly had issues. The joy we got from it was the act of roleplaying itself. As we continued to play, the more we found that particular system an impediment rather than a benefit. So we moved on; mainly to AD&D but like yourselves we also experimented with Traveller (ahh, the number of Traveller campaigns based on Blakes 7), whilst I was pushing RuneQuest with little success (setting was too weird for them - you can imagine what they thought of Bunnies & Burrows).

Surprisingly one little (almost forgotten) game that did have resonance with our group after a couple of years of (A)D&D was Swordbearer. I still have my original character sheet for that game...

[soporificfrog.livejournal.com]

Jealousy consumes me.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

New Zealand is easy and inexpensive to get to...

Oh, and there's a free trade in labour. You go over there and start working, no problems.

[soporificfrog.livejournal.com]

I have designs on just that!

[lederhosen.livejournal.com]

RPGPundit who has declared war on "The Swine"

...after checking out that post, I think some people REALLY need to switch off the internet once in a while and go outside to get some perspective. I enjoy arguing about gaming philosophy as much as the next geek, but the day I get that self-important about it, I hope my friends will give my ego the lancing it deserves.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Amen to that brother. I mean, I'm a pretty hardcore gamer and have been for a very long time, but there seems to be people who think they've found sendero luminoso. Gaming philosophy is a worthwhile activity because when it helps gamers have better games, not for some individuals to become cultic leaders and pontificate on why The Forge or RPG.net or TheRPGSite is the font of all knowledge.

I just finished reading 15+ pages of debate of whether or not Dogs In the Vineyard "really" is a roleplaying game or not. I mean really; you have a character, you play a role, it's in a game with a system. Just because the system is different suddenly there's an argument over whether it's a RPG at all.. I mean, really...

[telarus.livejournal.com]

Keep intending to read DitV, especially since reading AP at the Forge.

[cheshirenoir.livejournal.com]

Interesting debate you flared up there, old chap!

Do you read Uncle Bear?

I get a lot of my RPG news from there these days.

I must admit to preferring rules lite or ultralite, but thats just me. These days I don't care how the characters are generated, but the "better" the stats the better your character description better be. (Started a GURPS Supers campaign where the players were told "I don't care how many points you use, just make it consistent" which raised some shackles)

I must admit theory bores me, but thats my choice. I just want to game, and the system really shouldn't get in the way.

I think that a good GM with a crappy system is FAR superior to a crappy GM with a good system. I have played in both and the "Human" touch is worth ANY amount of rulebooks.

I have also noticed most of the top GMs I have played with tended to be fast n loose with rules, so the system tended to be more transparent. Rules for rules sake slows down the storytelling too much for my tastes, but that is my "style" and I try and attract players and GMs who are also interested in the storytelling aspects over rules.

Your comments on us losing the younger players to MMORPGs and the like was dead on though. If I was gaming with a younger crowd I'd use a rules light or ultralight system to emphasise the R in RPG.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the heads up to Uncle Bear. All this game playing has left me a little out of the blogsphere/rss/webforums.

Personally, I am neither a fan of rules heavy or rules light. I prefer consistent and adaptable rules systems; one where the same mechanics can be used in different situations. As you mention this aids transparency.

A lot of theory is dull, and some of the language at The Forge shows that the people there don't have much of a background in literary or drama studies and so they keep on engaging in neologisms which confuse (and in some cases angers people).

I agree with you entirely on the "human touch" aspect, and the Pundit's comments on the matter were most dishonest (or perhaps just ignorant). The totality of much argument can be summarised as: The group (GM and players) have primary importance, but that doesn't mean the system has zero importance (which is what some actually said).

[jahbulon.livejournal.com]

Oh Lev, you have the best flamewars. I'm gonna be in Melbourne some time this year, if you're around I'd like to meet up with you for a coffee or something - then I can engage you in a stupid argument, solely for the pleasure of having you rip it to pieces in person.

That pundit guy is a joke. He 'argues' like a teenager with an attitude problem. That whole 'swine' thing too, such a transparent gimmick. I do wish that the world was separated into two groups, those who thought I was cool and awesome; and Swine. It would make things so much easier.

I'm now living with a roleplayer. I've had friends who are into RP but never had a chance to give it a go. I'm trying to organise a game with my flatmate and another friend, possibly based in the Shadowrun world. Do you have any hints and tips for a noob looking to start his first game?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

It would be great to catch up and I look forward to the pro-forma argument (all those years in philosophy class were worth it!). Do you have accomodation sorted? If not there's more than enough room at our place.

I must say I agree with your assesment with the Pundit. On occassion he says things which make sense (as I pointed out on the second thread - and his review of Conspiracy of Shadows has some great moments), but the insight is lost in the tirades and expletives.

For some bizarre reason I've been earmarked as a "Forgeite" ("The Swine"), which is particularly strange given the content and quantity of posts I've made there. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I've played a couple of indie games like Dogs in the Vineyard and actually enjoyed them. Maybe it's because I am prepared to use theory to help guide game design and play.

I suspect that some of it has to do with the fact that Ron Edwards isn't always the most convivial person either. The famous comment about people being "brain damaged" by enjoying games that didn't fit his model certainly didn't help.

Anyway... For a completely new beginner?

- Read up on the setting. Make sure you know where your character is, and what the "big issues" are. A good GM should introduce key themes early in play. Keep an ear out for those.

- Work with the other PCs. Find out what sort of character they want to play and then design a character that complements the rest of the team. Specialise on a group of skills. People who are more experienced with the game system should be the combat wombats or mages; technical and social skills are good for newcomers. It allows them to interact with the game system without having expertise of the rules.

- Read the rulebook, just to get a feel of the mechanics. Jot down a few notes as you go. Generate a sample character.

- During play, don't dominate the group. Every player needs to have the spotlight on them so they get some stage time otherwise the game isn't fun for them. A good GM will be attentive to this, and many design scenarios where one, and only one, player can succeed in getting the party out of trouble.

- Most importantly, have fun. It's a shared imaginary space and collaborative storytelling. Immerse yourself in the experience and tell a ripping yarn.

Throwing coins towards the well

[greylock.livejournal.com]

I'm far too tired to suss out the ins and outs of our little RPG skirmish, but I did skim read it.

Lev, you ignorant slut:

'Es pegged you, laddie!

D&D is as popular as it is because it appeals to all ages, young and older, because it is a GAME, and FUN.

Funny thing is, I was thinking along similar lines with his original post which appeared to forget that: Gaming, IME, is supposed to be fun.


(Then I read your "red box is 20 years old" line and felt old) cause I had the old basic set. And, were I playing today it would probably use AD&D2nd or 3E rules.)

Re: Throwing coins towards the well

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

'Es pegged you, laddie!

Oh noes! My promiscious history and the fact I don't know everything brings me doom!

Gaming, IME, is supposed to be fun.

Of course. Some seem to think however that fun means not developing ideas (i.e., theories) about how to have more fun.

I can imagine their horror if they ever discover there has been people who have actually studied in detail the theory of "having fun" (e.g., Johan Huizinga's "Homo Ludens" and Gregory Bateson's "Steps Towards an Ecology of Mind").

[cptjohnc.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous pictures. Lovely scenery. someday I'll get over to NZ...!

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

It certainly worth it, and even more so in winter.

[ser-pounce.livejournal.com]

Ah, how that brings back memories. We were also in Dunedin for New Years last year and we also avoided the concert :)

Your post makes me want to go back there. We have so many more towns we need to visit!

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Ah, how that brings back memories. We were also in Dunedin for New Years last year and we also avoided the concert :)


Haha! At least they're being consistent.

Your post makes me want to go back there. We have so many more towns we need to visit!

Whilst I've always loved the place for the scenery, one thing that caseopaya has pointed out is that the fashion stores there are better than Australia's as well...

Slightly off-topic, I'm itching to do some gaming with you people...

[ehintz.livejournal.com]

Nice... We were down there just about a year ago now, good to see the photos. Wish the ferry wasn't so darned expensive, would love to pop down to the Catlin's more often.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Wish the ferry wasn't so darned expensive

Yeah, it is pretty pricey. In fact when it comes to looking at price plus time flying might even be a better option.

There were some gorgeous views of the SE corner of Fiordland from the western side of the Southern Scenic Route as well.

System doesn't matter much

[kremmen.livejournal.com]

Personally, I think system isn't very important. It's fantasy. Stuff happens. It's not necessarily realistic. Nobody cares. GM fudges where necessary.

Totally crap systems can make for a fun game, so long as the purpose is fun, just like a B-grade movie can be fun, so long as the purpose isn't the study of cinematic excellence.

However, more importantly, the whole question is irrelevant to me and I can't see why there are flame wars over it. I'm much more into board gaming these days, so let me shift to a similar situation in that realm: You get together with some people and split into two groups. Group A just picks up a game from the pile and plays it, while Group B spends 40 mins discussing which game is best and then finally picks one and plays that. You appear to be the Group B type, arguing that the system is terribly important. You are arguing against some people who appear to be the Group A type, who claim that it's best to just play and enjoy. But so what? There is no right and wrong there.

Re: System doesn't matter much

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

It's fantasy.

So?

Stuff happens.

Really?

It's not necessarily realistic.

Which makes the game less enjoyable to a lot of people.


Nobody cares.

Actually plenty of people do.

Totally crap systems can make for a fun game, so long as the purpose is fun, just like a B-grade movie can be fun, so long as the purpose isn't the study of cinematic excellence.

No, it's not the system that make the game fun when the system is crap, it's the people playing it who do with a smile and play on warts and all. A good game with good players is an even better experience.

Re: System doesn't matter much

[(Anonymous)]

I just had to comment on the board game analogy. While it's true that neither is "right or wrong", Group B is much less likely to get a pure luck game (Chutes & Ladders) when they want a strategy game (Chess) or Monopoly when they want Trivial Pursuit. It's not that any system can't be fun, it's that some systems are more fun for the type of game you want to play.

[fwuffydragon.livejournal.com]

We also went to NZ in December - I'll let you know when I put some pics up!

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Which parts did you go to? Hang on... I'll read your journal!

Ahh the south and the north! Cool, how far south did you get?