So I begin this blog with a tale of simple man. A man who closing in on his 40th year on this earthly realm is rediscovering his childhood passions.
From music to gaming, many things have never left my life. I periodically join bands, write songs, attempt to learn to code and get fixated on certain subjects.
My addictive personality leads me into strange new territories and the discovery of new and interesting things.
Back to gaming, table top role playing games to be precise.
I remember the smell of the sealed Red Box, the cardboard stand-ups from the Marvel Super heroes rpg, The crisp deluxe pages of the Warhammer fantasy role play books.
However my first love was Tunnels & Trolls, a simple game confined to a small paperback book. I don't remember where I bought it, but what I do remember is the ability to play solo.
It was like the old fighting fantasy books but a little deeper, and I LOVED the fighting fantasy books.
To this day Steve Jackson & Ian Livingstone are to of my biggest heroes, up there with the rock and metal bands I worship even now.
Ken St. Andre, Steve Jackson, Ian Livingston, Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson created worlds that still capture the imaginations of millions. They took what the fantasy novelists created and expanded them to great depths. They made rules for us to live out alternate lives in wondrous places, where great tales of adventure were woven.
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Now as I reach middle aged life I can look around and be proud of what I have achieved and the shiny toys I own. However none of those things can replace memories.
I like many others of a certain age have little time for hobbies and interest. There are great resources such as roll20 which allows us solitary gamers to play remotely with like minded people.
Which leads to another set of problems. Time zones and my own issues talking to strangers.
Bizarrely I work closely with the public yet I am a very antisocial and private person. I find it hard to initiate conversations, and yet I am happy to create things and post them online for critisism and comment.
When I have searched for games in certain systems such as Risus or D&D I have been faced with time differences. Also the dedication it requires to up keep these sessions is a push for myself and many others.
Giving over 2-4 hours a week is fine for me on a Sunday or Monday morning, however I only have around an hour and a half each week night to myself.
So in a vain attempt to play a tabletop rpg I had to adjust a few rules from other systems. This lead to SARPS a game that transforms easily from a group rpg to a solo rogue like dungeon crawler.
have a look for yourselves or try out my little expansions for Risus.
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If you enjoy them then great if not let me know what you didn't like. I like to tinker with rules so I expect things will evolve over time.
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