Are there any other D&D 3rd edition refugees out there?

Rappan Athuk book 1: session 2

So anyways. 2nd session of Rappan Athuk book 1 today (well, we played on 4/13/08).

It went smoothly, I wanted to sorta speed past these early level because I had ran this module before for two of the five (sometimes six) players, and while I changed some things on those levels, I didn't really alter a lot because last time I ran it it was already altered, and because Rappan is a huge dungeon and I want to get to the very bottom, or at least significantly far, into the this book (third book offers several endings and good end points and creative jumping off points, the second book also has several ways to convert the campaign to a different setting (this is very useful)if need be. So i wanna give em a running start because I can see several points where they will hit some painful (but not necessarily slowing walls). I'm working on everyone making full fleshed (or primordially so) so I can have insertion points for them.

They started at the entrance, and was surprised/failed to guess that they genuinenly had forgotten (except one guy) where the key to the entrance was, I was almost sort of hoping they would decide to go down the well (entrance to level 4, which has an entrance to level 6 and 9) but they were too conservative for that.

I killed off the guy who wanted it (he a had a last minute change of heart) and handled the death quite mysteriously, thereby prodding them forward with sense danger. I really got a kick out of the furtive glances I was receiving from the other players while they were fight some of the green gargoyles as each round I quietly asked the PC who was away from the party (out of field of vision for rest of the party) what his fortitude save was. After the round he said 13 I stopped asking and after the battle the others went to look for him, but could find no trace.

3ED Tomb of Horrors in GG's honor

**If you haven't been through Tomb of Horrors, beware as this has some spoilers in it (but not many)**
The one off went rather well. I was impressed that they managed to cover 35-40% of the map. I was also impressed that there was no grumbling about rolling a straight 3d6 without even assigning the stats for themselves, they tend to be whiny at times (massive understatement) so I was expecting an outrage. My group felt emboldened to certain extent due to the fact that they all had rather low statted characters (relative to our norm 4d6 drop lowest), they had (9th level): a dwarvish rogue (w/a 4 str), dwarvish fighter, human paladin (10 str, w/6 dex), and a halfing rogue.

The ball got rolling fast, they narrowly avoided death in the first false entrance (dead fall, false door) but really took a huge amount of damage, the dwarven rogue nearly dying from massive damage. They then (eventually!) found the true entrance and cleared it out, oblivious and uncaring of the obvious painted on secret door! They did however manage to find and spike closed all of the pit traps save one. At the end of the tunnel the dwarven rogue, and the paladin tossed a few items in carved demon face's mouth, certain that it was a passage enchanted with a darkness spell and perhaps a silence spell.

The only thing that stopped our dear dwarven rogue from losing his hand which he was about to put in was the impatience of his fellow party member who decided to ignore the demon face and run right through the archway filled with swirling mist. (the mouth of the demon face is not an entrance but a secured in place Sphere of Annhilation)

(grrr gtg for now but will finish post later!)

They usually die in 3's I've heard

And Arthur C. Clarke has [passed away] as well now, at the age of 90.
Maybe later I'll write a few words on that as well, but I think his reputation is more well known and speaks for itself.

HEROES LIVE ON IN LEGEND

Today Gary Gygax has passed away. He died of due to an inoperable abdominal aneurysm . But people like Earnest Gary Gygax don't just pass away. A man of his stature does not fade unnoticed into the obituaries. And though he was never truly famous (in a Hollywood sense) during his life, the whole world took notice of his passing.

Gary Gygax was like a St. Nicholas of our era, but he came around all year giving us toys for our imagination. In his unique way he helped so many of us guide ourselves through the solemn labyrinth of our real lives by teaching us to take a step, to take the time to take it all in, and be ok with ourselves, and to get together with others like us, often with people who we did not think were like us to begin with.

Mr. Gygax was someone I looked up to. Someone with such conviction for his passion he made it a reality. I wished I could've met him and asked him how he did it. From outside it seemed he must've been a jovial and clever fellow who took it easy. I have no doubt he worked damn hard at it, but he made it look easy. What I really wish though is that I could've met him like I always imagined I would and simply thank him for all the portals and paths that sprawl in front of me, for all the gifts that came of the creative flame he helped sparked in me. I never imagined actually being able to play a session of an RPG with him, but from what I've heard from other people it wouldn't of been out of the question, even as the stranger I am.

I hope perhaps his family will read this, but it's not important that they do because by now they must have some idea just how great an impact this Titan among men had. The outpouring I witnessed all over the internet, forum to forum to forum, MMO to MMO. People everywhere were saying "We miss this man. We will cherish his work. We will cherish his legacy."

Thank you Mr. Gygax, for all you've given me. I didn't have the chance to meet you, but I see you everywhere.

Rest Hero, You Shall Be Needed Once More
Ernest Gary Gygax (1938-2008)

I no can have milkshake??

Mrow! This is the cat, Menchi Mordenkainen, at play with a plastic grocery bag. I assure he is very much alive.... For the moment.

Doom, you SMEGhead!!