| Off Kilter |
[Jul. 13th, 2008|11:28 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | 4e, rpg | ] |
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| | Home (Bartlett) | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  tired | ] |
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| | Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus | ] |
So, work has settled back down after all that Fourth of July selling. I'm even settling better into my job (though I've not changed my mind about looking for better). I'm even getting to slip out of work early on Sundays right now (it usually costs me -- at most -- 3 and a half hours off my week, and trust me, the mental health benefit is more than worth that much).
Today, I came home, made some lunch, and was thinking about the 4e D&D game I was gonna go play in at ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) lordreaibn's place this afternoon. Well, around 3pm, I found myself laying down "to read" (yeah, right). Two hours later, I woke up, groggy and fuzzy-headed, to find mfsfreak and strieson in the living room, watching American Dad. mfsfreak told me that lordreaibn canceled the game at 430pm. I was kind of pleased, since I wasn't feeling up to going anyway, but something felt... wrong.
It has occurred to me that perhaps I'm not as into D&D anymore as I once was. I still love the concept, and the new system (4th Edition) plays very well, but I no longer enjoy making characters all day and picking out gear and setting aside time on a weekly basis to play. I'm no more mature or anything. My interests are just evolving, I guess. I mean, I think of D&D campaign ideas, and I *LOVE* them, and can almost plan them out in my head, but when it comes to actual planning and preparation, I lose interest. I need to consider the possibility that I'd rather write a story instead of DMing a campaign.
My latest idea involves the Eberron campaign setting. When I first saw it, I realized that Eberron was uniquely suited to running a "noir" campaign. I even compared it to a fantasy-based Shadowrun once, and said, "it's great for Shadowrun, but it's not really a D&D campaign setting." So, I have been thinking about just that for the last couple of days. Do a 1940s-style, film-noir-esque, D&D campaign that is focused almost entirely in the city of Sharn, with character races and classes that reflect the harsh city life. The only high society folks will be those that come in for help, rather than being the characters.
My one problem is what system to use. I like how 4e doesn't require magic items for players to be a force to be reckoned with at higher levels, but all Eberron material I have is tied to 3e. I could theoretically convert to Pathfinder, since I still want to give that system a proper road test, but 3e's reliance on magic items will, in the long run, stifle the noir-ish flavor I'm aiming for (Mr. Rick in "Casablanca" didn't have a +5 Revolver of Nazi Slaying that fired Adamantite Bullets). However, I worry that 4e's trimmed down rule set (no social interaction mechanics like there used to be) will involuntarily limit role playing by those in my game. (While I am of the mind that not having a rule opens up opportunities, those I've played with have traditionally used their sheet to determine what they can do.) Pathfinder is more or less an extension of 3e and, as such, runs the risk of bringing along all of 3e's baggage.
Still, should I be doing a campaign at all, if I'm worried that I'm losing interest in D&D in general? Or am I, deep down, so eager to run a game, that it's ruining my playing?
I guess I will just have to think on it, and get some sleep for now. That nap didn't help me as much as I thought it did. I welcome thoughts and suggestions regarding both my plight and my campaign idea, no matter what they are. I work 10a-7p, so I better get to sleep. |
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