Greg T

[GregT]

Just realised I should probably do one of these.

I'm Greg T. Most recently I ran The Heist at Phenomenon 2010. In the past I've run D&D 2nd Edition, various Old World of Darkness games, 7th Sea, Legend of the Five Rings, All Flesh Must Be Eaten, GURPS, Prime Time Adventures, Call of Cthulhu, Dungeoneer!, Godlike, Maelstrom, and probably other things I've forgotten.

I ran a D&D4E blog called Eleven Foot Pole at http://elevenfootpole.blogspot.com which has gone inactive due to, largely, D&D4E having been unable to hold my attention for more than about 18 months.

I mostly run systemless/system-efficient stuff, after finding that the majority of rules in the majority of systems were getting in the way of the stories I really wanted to tell.

I tend to defend DM fiat on the basis that when it's used eloquently and transparently it's just as predictable and exploitable as a stat-based system while retaining a greater level of flexibility. I tend to argue against randomisation and dice-based action on the basis that there are a limited number of dramatically interesting resolutions to any given situation and randomisation offers the potential to disappoint everyone without counterbalancing benefits. I tend to say that the stories you tell, and the way players act, are very heavily influenced on both conscious and subconscious level by the mechanics of the system and the props present on the table, with the result that certain systems and methods of play are inimicable to certain tones, genres, and levels of emotional engagement. (I particularly argue that D&D 4th Edition is a system that actively fights story and characterisation.)

I like those arguments and I'm endlessly willing to debate them. But mostly I just stopped by to follow the Phenomenon wash-up and keep an eye out for the next one.

[blake]

I'll agree with you on the tendencies of later DnD editions, not that they can't be played other ways, but certain systems seem to do as great job of enshrining certain ways of playing.

Lately I have been checking out Castles and Crusades and liking it alot, for a kind of old school feel with a few improved new school mechanics and unique twists of its own.

Now I hope you haven't gone and started an edition war!