bluegargantua: (Default)
Hey,

Because all my other friends are doing it -- here's me as a My Little Pony!


Me as My Little Pony


Apparently there's only so far it can zoom out...

later
Tom
bluegargantua: (Default)
Hey,

Because all my other friends are doing it -- here's me as a My Little Pony!


Me as My Little Pony


Apparently there's only so far it can zoom out...

later
Tom
bluegargantua: (Default)
Hey,

So, Fuck Yeah Nouns is an amusing waste of time. Enter a noun in the text box and get swear-worded booster for the noun in question. I'm sure a lot of you have seen it.

But sometimes there are interesting blind-spots in the system. It can't find a photo for "astronaut", but it finds an iconic astronaut picture for "spaceman".

On a whim, I did compassion which came out pretty well.

Then I did "polyamory".

NOT SAFE FOR WORK!!!!

polyamory

NOT SAFE FOR WORK!!!

Oh, Internet, I can't tell when you're having me on, genuinely mis-informed or just acting randomly.

My fear is that you're actually holding up a mirror
Tom
bluegargantua: (Default)
Hey,

So, Fuck Yeah Nouns is an amusing waste of time. Enter a noun in the text box and get swear-worded booster for the noun in question. I'm sure a lot of you have seen it.

But sometimes there are interesting blind-spots in the system. It can't find a photo for "astronaut", but it finds an iconic astronaut picture for "spaceman".

On a whim, I did compassion which came out pretty well.

Then I did "polyamory".

NOT SAFE FOR WORK!!!!

polyamory

NOT SAFE FOR WORK!!!

Oh, Internet, I can't tell when you're having me on, genuinely mis-informed or just acting randomly.

My fear is that you're actually holding up a mirror
Tom

I'm a twit

May. 10th, 2009 08:09 pm
bluegargantua: (Default)
Mostly to follow people but I'm now Blue_Gargantua on twitter.

later
Tom

I'm a twit

May. 10th, 2009 08:09 pm
bluegargantua: (Default)
Mostly to follow people but I'm now Blue_Gargantua on twitter.

later
Tom
bluegargantua: (Default)
Hi,

It's a meme! Memio!

The F***, Marry, Kill game! )

later
Tom
bluegargantua: (Default)
Hi,

It's a meme! Memio!

The F***, Marry, Kill game! )

later
Tom
bluegargantua: (Default)
Hi,

Ooh, here's a fun meme: 12 RPGs you should play before you die.

I will restrict myself to games I've actually played/run:

1.) D&D -- specifically red box/blue box Original D&D. Yes, the rules are clunky and weird, but not only is it a foundation of the hobby, it just glitters with a wealth of possibilities. Misty-eyed nostalgia? Perhaps, but I think even brand-new players are likely to find a lot of wonder and excitement in the game. You never forget your first dungeon.

2.) Nobilis -- Pretty much my most favoritest RPG ever. Embody one of the fundamental cornerstones of reality and defend it against nullity...and each other. The rules are open to abuse, but they also let a group of players address really philosophical questions if they want. Good times.

3.) Amber -- This game has been the source of many in-jokes and fond memories possessing a "long-tail" of entertainment value that far exceeds any other game I own. Diceless mechanics bother a lot of people and seem ill-suited for a game where PCs actively compete against one another, but I think they actually work pretty well.

4.) Call of Cthulhu (Delta Green) -- A fun game where as the "hero" your job is to fail as slowly as possible. Turns the usual game conventions on their head. Delta Green is a particularly good implementation because the PCs have a reason to be together, a reason to investigate the unknown and they're actually halfway competent at investigating things. It also allows you to cloak ultimate cosmic evil in the amoral grey of espionage. I suspect this game is even better using the Trail of Cthulhu rules, but I haven't tried that yet.

5.) Ars Magica -- I'm most familiar with...3rd/4th editions (White Wolf/Atlas Games). Play a group of Wizards banding together against the chaos of Dark Ages Europe. There were a lot of interesting ideas involving troupe and campaign play with Ars Magica and a lot of ideas first saw light here that would eventually go on to be used in the Storyteller line of games (Vampire, Werewolf, etc.).

6.) FUDGE/FATE -- There are lots of "generic" systems out there. All of them are pretty interesting (GURPS and HERO leading the pack). FUDGE (and especially the basic FATE implementation) are the only ones that have gone past character creation to play and which I've actively been interested in playing again or using as a system for some other game.

7.) Paranoia -- I'm most familiar with the original West End version. Play a hapless troubleshooter in an oppressive underground society run by your Friend, the Computer. The game comes with oodles of great setting information and lots of fun advice for getting into the spirit of things. Not a Serious Game by any means and a hoot to play through.

8.) The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchhausen -- Now back in print at Mongoose Games! This really skirts the edge of RPG because it's really more of a storytelling game. Each of you takes on the role of an late 18th century nobleman and you take turns attempting to tell the most outrageous (but completely true) story. A fun game that can be played in an evening and drinking is fully encouraged.

9.) Polaris -- Another in the category of "doomed hero", but this game doesn't let you slide into mindless insanity, it forces you to pick your poison and play it out. You basically play a knight of the Ice Elf kingdom and you'll go around getting your idealism ground away as you realize the Camelot you're defending is already sour and poisoned with corruption. Lots of tragic potential that can be a lot of fun to work through. The "GM-less" mechanic works well and aside from letting everyone play a guy, they make you think about how various game jobs can be divided up.

10.) Gumshoe (Esoterrorist) -- Running an investigative game? Here's a good way to do it. All of the hassles of a missed clue meaning the story is over? Gone. It seems counter intuitive that a game that just "gives you the answers" would be any fun, but it opens up a much more relaxed, free-flowing roleplay. You don't have to search a room six times to make sure you found everything, just show up, act like an investigator and forward the story will go.

11.) Prime Time Adventures -- Come up with an idea for a TV series, pick a major character to play and then play out a season. Spotlight mechanic gives everyone a "time to shine", but also keeps them involved. The resolution mechanic is only a little more complex than "flip a coin", but still satisfies.

12.) Traveller -- 1st edition. Not quite the first Sci-Fi RPG and your randomly generated character can die during creation, but still a lot of fun. You're not a young, fresh-faced hero out to defeat a great evil and be the hero of the land. You're a grizzled ex-serviceman in his 30's-40's and you mostly hope to keep the mortgage on your starship paid. You train local bands of militia to fend off mercenaries, you are a mercenary attacking local militia bands or your a trader taking shifty jobs from mysterious patrons and it's all likely to go bad. A very seedy, "hard" sci-fi universe where you're just a drop in the ocean.

There are plenty of other wonderful games out there of course, this list is as utterly scientific as any other, but I'd say those 12 would be a pretty interesting mix giving you a good overview of a lot of the fun of RPGs.

But I'm talking out my ass. What are your 12 games?
Tom
bluegargantua: (Default)
Hi,

Ooh, here's a fun meme: 12 RPGs you should play before you die.

I will restrict myself to games I've actually played/run:

1.) D&D -- specifically red box/blue box Original D&D. Yes, the rules are clunky and weird, but not only is it a foundation of the hobby, it just glitters with a wealth of possibilities. Misty-eyed nostalgia? Perhaps, but I think even brand-new players are likely to find a lot of wonder and excitement in the game. You never forget your first dungeon.

2.) Nobilis -- Pretty much my most favoritest RPG ever. Embody one of the fundamental cornerstones of reality and defend it against nullity...and each other. The rules are open to abuse, but they also let a group of players address really philosophical questions if they want. Good times.

3.) Amber -- This game has been the source of many in-jokes and fond memories possessing a "long-tail" of entertainment value that far exceeds any other game I own. Diceless mechanics bother a lot of people and seem ill-suited for a game where PCs actively compete against one another, but I think they actually work pretty well.

4.) Call of Cthulhu (Delta Green) -- A fun game where as the "hero" your job is to fail as slowly as possible. Turns the usual game conventions on their head. Delta Green is a particularly good implementation because the PCs have a reason to be together, a reason to investigate the unknown and they're actually halfway competent at investigating things. It also allows you to cloak ultimate cosmic evil in the amoral grey of espionage. I suspect this game is even better using the Trail of Cthulhu rules, but I haven't tried that yet.

5.) Ars Magica -- I'm most familiar with...3rd/4th editions (White Wolf/Atlas Games). Play a group of Wizards banding together against the chaos of Dark Ages Europe. There were a lot of interesting ideas involving troupe and campaign play with Ars Magica and a lot of ideas first saw light here that would eventually go on to be used in the Storyteller line of games (Vampire, Werewolf, etc.).

6.) FUDGE/FATE -- There are lots of "generic" systems out there. All of them are pretty interesting (GURPS and HERO leading the pack). FUDGE (and especially the basic FATE implementation) are the only ones that have gone past character creation to play and which I've actively been interested in playing again or using as a system for some other game.

7.) Paranoia -- I'm most familiar with the original West End version. Play a hapless troubleshooter in an oppressive underground society run by your Friend, the Computer. The game comes with oodles of great setting information and lots of fun advice for getting into the spirit of things. Not a Serious Game by any means and a hoot to play through.

8.) The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchhausen -- Now back in print at Mongoose Games! This really skirts the edge of RPG because it's really more of a storytelling game. Each of you takes on the role of an late 18th century nobleman and you take turns attempting to tell the most outrageous (but completely true) story. A fun game that can be played in an evening and drinking is fully encouraged.

9.) Polaris -- Another in the category of "doomed hero", but this game doesn't let you slide into mindless insanity, it forces you to pick your poison and play it out. You basically play a knight of the Ice Elf kingdom and you'll go around getting your idealism ground away as you realize the Camelot you're defending is already sour and poisoned with corruption. Lots of tragic potential that can be a lot of fun to work through. The "GM-less" mechanic works well and aside from letting everyone play a guy, they make you think about how various game jobs can be divided up.

10.) Gumshoe (Esoterrorist) -- Running an investigative game? Here's a good way to do it. All of the hassles of a missed clue meaning the story is over? Gone. It seems counter intuitive that a game that just "gives you the answers" would be any fun, but it opens up a much more relaxed, free-flowing roleplay. You don't have to search a room six times to make sure you found everything, just show up, act like an investigator and forward the story will go.

11.) Prime Time Adventures -- Come up with an idea for a TV series, pick a major character to play and then play out a season. Spotlight mechanic gives everyone a "time to shine", but also keeps them involved. The resolution mechanic is only a little more complex than "flip a coin", but still satisfies.

12.) Traveller -- 1st edition. Not quite the first Sci-Fi RPG and your randomly generated character can die during creation, but still a lot of fun. You're not a young, fresh-faced hero out to defeat a great evil and be the hero of the land. You're a grizzled ex-serviceman in his 30's-40's and you mostly hope to keep the mortgage on your starship paid. You train local bands of militia to fend off mercenaries, you are a mercenary attacking local militia bands or your a trader taking shifty jobs from mysterious patrons and it's all likely to go bad. A very seedy, "hard" sci-fi universe where you're just a drop in the ocean.

There are plenty of other wonderful games out there of course, this list is as utterly scientific as any other, but I'd say those 12 would be a pretty interesting mix giving you a good overview of a lot of the fun of RPGs.

But I'm talking out my ass. What are your 12 games?
Tom

Photo Meme

Sep. 18th, 2008 04:08 pm
bluegargantua: (Default)
Hey,

Take a picture of yourself right now.
Don't change your clothes, don't fix your hair...just take a picture.
Post that picture with NO editing.
Post these instructions with your picture.

protectin' ur LJ from large foto! )

later
Tom

Photo Meme

Sep. 18th, 2008 04:08 pm
bluegargantua: (Default)
Hey,

Take a picture of yourself right now.
Don't change your clothes, don't fix your hair...just take a picture.
Post that picture with NO editing.
Post these instructions with your picture.

protectin' ur LJ from large foto! )

later
Tom
bluegargantua: (Default)
I'm a classic meme:

William Shakespeare

To be or not to be, that is the bluegargantua.

Which work of Shakespeare was the original quote from?

Get your own quotes:



later
Tom
bluegargantua: (Default)
I'm a classic meme:

William Shakespeare

To be or not to be, that is the bluegargantua.

Which work of Shakespeare was the original quote from?

Get your own quotes:



later
Tom
bluegargantua: (Default)
My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:
His Exalted Highness Duke Blue Gargantua the Undefeated of Deep Throcking
Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title


...and I think we all know what "Deep Throcking" is don't we?

Undefeated and still Champion...
Tom
bluegargantua: (Default)
My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:
His Exalted Highness Duke Blue Gargantua the Undefeated of Deep Throcking
Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title


...and I think we all know what "Deep Throcking" is don't we?

Undefeated and still Champion...
Tom
bluegargantua: (Default)
baaaaa )
bluegargantua: (Default)
baaaaa )
bluegargantua: (Default)
Tonight on [livejournal.com profile] chial, Tom:

1. Why do you like RPGs?

It's a simple, inexpensive weapon that let's an illiterate 17 year-old fanatic take out a 3 million dollar Bradley AFV.

Oh. Role Playing Games. Right.

I like them too. Different games provide different pleasures. D&D is a tactical combat game. Call of Cthulhu has hideous mysteries from beyond the stars. Nobilis stretches your ontology. kill puppies for satan makes you feel good about yourself.

But in general, all of these games have a strong storytelling element. And I really dig telling stories.

2. What are the best and worst parts about being so darned tall?!

Best thing? Um...I've usually got a good view.

Worst thing? Smacking my head on "low" doorways. Stupid, tiny New Englanders.

3. Indian, Chinese, or Mexican? (food, you pervert)

I have a deep, abiding hatred of authentic Mexican food. Related to a bad incident I had as a child, so there's this body memory thing.

Indian and Chinese are in a close race, but I think Indian just beats it out.

4. Your job has offered to re-locate you to anywhere in the country. Where would you want to go?

I'm planning on moving to Western MA, so that's probably a first choice. I'd also be really interested in headng way out west to the Pacific Northwest (probably in Oregon). As a last resort, the Black Hills of South Dakota are also really nice. Annie would probably only relocate to Western MA, so that pretty much settles it.

5. If you could take someone on the ideal date, what would it be?

"Picture the two of us alone inside my golden submarine
While up above the waves my doomsday squad ignites the atmosphere
And all the fools who lead their foolish lives may find it quite...explosive
Well it won't mean half as much to me, if I don't have you there."

More seriously, I'd love to take them on a grand tour of the galaxy in my starship.

There you go!
Tom

p.s. Drak, I still owe you questions, I know.
bluegargantua: (Default)
Tonight on [livejournal.com profile] chial, Tom:

1. Why do you like RPGs?

It's a simple, inexpensive weapon that let's an illiterate 17 year-old fanatic take out a 3 million dollar Bradley AFV.

Oh. Role Playing Games. Right.

I like them too. Different games provide different pleasures. D&D is a tactical combat game. Call of Cthulhu has hideous mysteries from beyond the stars. Nobilis stretches your ontology. kill puppies for satan makes you feel good about yourself.

But in general, all of these games have a strong storytelling element. And I really dig telling stories.

2. What are the best and worst parts about being so darned tall?!

Best thing? Um...I've usually got a good view.

Worst thing? Smacking my head on "low" doorways. Stupid, tiny New Englanders.

3. Indian, Chinese, or Mexican? (food, you pervert)

I have a deep, abiding hatred of authentic Mexican food. Related to a bad incident I had as a child, so there's this body memory thing.

Indian and Chinese are in a close race, but I think Indian just beats it out.

4. Your job has offered to re-locate you to anywhere in the country. Where would you want to go?

I'm planning on moving to Western MA, so that's probably a first choice. I'd also be really interested in headng way out west to the Pacific Northwest (probably in Oregon). As a last resort, the Black Hills of South Dakota are also really nice. Annie would probably only relocate to Western MA, so that pretty much settles it.

5. If you could take someone on the ideal date, what would it be?

"Picture the two of us alone inside my golden submarine
While up above the waves my doomsday squad ignites the atmosphere
And all the fools who lead their foolish lives may find it quite...explosive
Well it won't mean half as much to me, if I don't have you there."

More seriously, I'd love to take them on a grand tour of the galaxy in my starship.

There you go!
Tom

p.s. Drak, I still owe you questions, I know.

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