My Game: Back to the Table at Last

Hail, shields!

Well, February is finally coming to a close. One of the wildest rides in recent memory, as I moved across a continent, published two big RPG's (HARDCORE MODE and Altered State), returned to YouTube with a vengeance, and, most importantly, found my back to the table with a new group.

I wanted to write a bit of 'state of my game' post for you all, because you make my hobby life possible! For the past two years, I've been away from table, only playing online and focusing on publishing. There are no words for how good it feels to be back in the roots of the hobby.

Last night was our 4th time gathering, and our official SESSION 0. Our playing spot is a huge corner table at the local pub. Plenty of space and privacy for our brand of crazy.  My players brought their dice, I provided the rolling box, and we drew straws to see who would have to roll stats first: HARDCORE style, 3D6 down the line.

One by one we watched as the rolls came through. Then, the fun began. My players began debating what classes and races could accentuate, exploit, and mitigate the stats at hand. 'Who are we?' Some choices emerged, Hit Dice were rolled with held breath, and THE MEN OF MUGBERG took shape. 

Next week, for SESSION 1, we hurl our heroes into the calamity of 'Fallen Eberron' and the perils of our homebrew version of that world.

For now, I'm glowing with the fundamental rush and fun of this hobby and lifestyle: the feeling that likeminded folks are as psyched as you are. They show up ready to go, happy to imagine, fearless and brimming with ideas. "Where's the spot to draw my portrait? wtf?" Knowing you're among lumpyheads, at the table, with a cold mug and a fistful of dice, is the true essence of why we do all this.

It's damn good to be back.

Thanks for sticking with RUNEHAMMER through all its abominable forms, my shield wall. It's an unpredictable, fickle Patreon that I hope delivers on the investment more than it should. Every week is a new adventure for me to push, imagine, publish and encourage every aspect of what we love to do.

This week was a potent reminder of why.

Thanks, everyone. I look to my left, there stands my shield.

-HF