First Shadowmoor game

[Achbar]

Greetings People,
   This was my first time playing Shadowmoor and I have  admit that this was a good time for me.  Michelle and I have often spoken about Shadowmoor and this was my very first time participating.   " Was it Fun", this is the most common question i have been asked.   In a word "yes" the game was and is fun.   Will I be able to play as much as i would like  is a question I have  to ask myself.  Will I encourage other people to participate in Shadowmoor, " yes"  I will.  The people are allot of fun and most of the people are more than willing to assist me as best as they can.
   Sad to say, I failed myself by not conducting as much research as i should have.  Case in point, I should have approached this very forum ahead of time and asked question here.  The game mechanics are not difficult what so ever, they require attention and practice. No doubt that I can learn this game in no time.
   SOLAR like so many similar games has a combat system that I will have to get used to.   That is the way the ball bounces ad that is the way the cookie crumbles and i just have to grin and bare it.   Michelle took one look at my face last night and smiled, she knew what  the problem was and gave me some  words of comfort. Yes, she has known me for over a decade believe it or not.  Too many Years in the SCA is my difficulty when you compare the two games.I have  a way of fighting that is just  a bit harsh for Solars, but that is my cross to bear.  Next game, I will more than likely Monster and rum more than all else.  I had an Oud this weekend, but, i did not play it.
   There is not Bard Class as such, but Johnny from Virginia and I had a chat before I left site and have come to an idea which may work for me, not need to hit people, but every reason to have fun all the same.  Yes, I should have brought the Oud out, but I did not.  By the way, an Oud is an Arabic Lute just so you will know.
  So, May, $50.00 and a Grin and I will be out there.   I am looking forward to seeing all of you again.   Thanks for being patient with me.


James Morrow

[Shaitar]

It was good to meet you, man! You really seemed to make every effort to immerse yourself, and understand what was going on by experiencing it. Kudos on that.

Look forward to seeing you again!

Jeremy from Plot

[Johnie]

Hey James - glad to hear from you!

It was awesome having you out this weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed the drumming and the banter that you conducted in-play. You're right, solar is a pretty large departure from combat in SCA (as it was for me coming from a heavy/full contact larp) but as you also mentioned the mechanics of solar do take some practice and attention to master. (I'm definitely still in the "practicing" phase - lol!)

I told the plot committee from last season (when I started) that as a new player the thing that I was most impressed with was the player community's eagerness to help new players. I can definitely say that I bombarded them with questions (and can also say that I still ask a lot of questions!!)

Whatever the case is, there are a lot of topics on the boards here that have been discussed and (provided you've got a lot of reading time!) I'm sure you'll find answers to questions you've got, and even questions you haven't thought to ask yet.

Additionally, don't be shy to post and ask things! Hope to see you out there in May. If and when you do decide to come back out we'll sit and talk about the bard idea again and get you respent into playing that so you can see how you like the ideas we discussed.

Johnie

[Casey]

It was great to see you out having such a good time - I'm glad you enjoyed your first SOLAR experience and look forward to seeing you again in May!

[Achbar]

It was great to see you out having such a good time - I'm glad you enjoyed your first SOLAR experience and look forward to seeing you again in May!

Right now I am making plans to do that.   There are several options available to me for play.  there is a matter of playing monsters and have players just beat the hell out me and enjoy it.   The advantage to this sort of thing is that i can learn the game better and get to know the scene better.
 There is the whole sphere of spells and learning that route and not playing with swords at all.    There is the whole bard thing and drumming for the hell of it.
The Free Form of fantasy costuming rocks!   I enjoy a fantasy atmosphere and as such, SOLAR and similar such games are right up my alley.



James Morrow

[Ava]

There is not Bard Class as such

No, there isn't...but that doesn't stop characters from being bards as a profession(one of mine is)...craft skills and the like are part of what make a well-rounded, interesting character.

[keith]

Glad you had a good time, and I'm sorry I missed your first event. It's about time you made it to a game! You can most definitely play a bardic character. The main game rules focus on conflict resolution mechanics, which, in our game, involve birdseed and a lot of shouting numbers. There aren't really any in-game abilities for characters to play instruments and do things, but you can most certainly earn gold, be an influence broker and have a lot of fun doing it. My first character ever focused a lot of time and effort peddling kool-aid as 'wine,' and did very well with it. Make a character and roleplay, do what your character does, and you'll have a blast.

The best thing about this game is the people. We have an amazing group of staff and players, and they're what keeps me coming back and working to keep this thing rolling. Glad you're one of them!

[Ryan]

"My first character ever focused a lot of time and effort peddling kool-aid as 'wine,' and did very well with it."

Up until Drogo locked us in a ward all night and Radaghast whiskers and I got thirsty heehee. Sorry farthing but he will be remembered fondly thru rose colored goggles.

[Zuzana]

James,

Glad to meet you! No worries about the change in combat styles, some of us have been beaten black and blue by adrenaline rushes, and I've probably beaten them back as bruised as my girly swings let me on occasion too (I lurves your ankles!).

There is absolutely nothing at all wrong with earning your coins through in play entertainment-that's the whole goal for some of us!  For a while we had a professional opera singer, who usually made more gold in a couple of hours in the tavern than I ever did in a game. Play your character how you want to play it, and let the game flow with you

Brooks (the louder gypsy)

[Shaitar]

"My first character ever focused a lot of time and effort peddling kool-aid as 'wine,' and did very well with it."

Up until Drogo locked us in a ward all night and Radaghast whiskers and I got thirsty heehee. Sorry farthing but he will be remembered fondly thru rose colored goggles.

Drogo, Radaghast and Whiskers... those are names that bring up memories...

[Pierre]

Monstering is definitely the best way to learn SOLAR combat.  You'll get plenty of boffer experience, and over time you'll learn about every spell and status effect... the hard way.  If you get hit with a spell you don't know, just go down, and ask for details when the magic-monger searches you.  Also, you can get bonus goodies for every two hours beyond the minimum you spend orcing or skeletonizing or burninating or what-have-you.

And if you're going to be barding it up, I'm definitely looking forward to running into you again in-play.  We will have much to discuss!

[Ashe]

I'm glad you had a great time at your first event. Mine was in November, and I was so under-prepared it wasn't even funny. I made my Sampan on the fly. The combat system is great--though keeping numbers in my head is hard at times. Math and I aren't friends unless it involves green stuff. lol.

I think it's great you came and are planning to come again. Also, if you plan to play the Oud, I would love to hear it. I love music, or anything like that. It's extremely "Renaissance Man" like. No offense. I'm doing the same by learning Tango at the moment.

But anyway... see you at next event. It was good to see you and I look forward to playing with you more in-game.

[Lennon]

this was my 2nd event and I have to say im hooked, and I will be coming back to everyone for as long as I can!

[Achbar]

this was 2nd event and I have to say im hooked, and I will be coming back to everyone for as long as I can!

Only the second event, this is great to hear.  I am looking forward to gaming with you guys again.