please share your interest in the crisis of faith

[Kravell]

I noticed a lot more readers of my two crisis of "faith" columns then my other columns. Anyone willing to share what they found so interesting in those columns? I'm certainly willing to cover new ideas and material if it appeals to more people.

Thanks,
Charlie

[mongo]

I think you have more readers for your "crisis of faith" columns than your other ones because people enjoy other people’s existential angst. :) Sort of like how some people enjoy watching clips of crashes during an auto race, but the same people won‘t sit down and watch an actual race..

Also, you had “D&D 3.5 goes off the tracks” as a subtitle for your first article. I think any review or critiqe of D&D will attract readers, especially on RPG.net, which draws more theoretically inclined gamers than other sites. In addition, a lot of people are wondering about 4th edition D&D. A critique of 3.5 naturally implies what ought or ought not to be included in the next edition.

You also had “Total Party Kill” as your other subtitle. Stories of TPKs are the stuff of legend; they draws gamers like the One Ring draws the Nazgul. I know I was drooling when I read that subtitle, only to be disappointed upon having a one sentence statement about a TPK.

On a deeper level, I know that I, as a DM, have had periodic “crises of faith,” whether system based or for more personal reasons, such as burn out. Knowing that other DMs have been in the same situation makes a person feel a little better.

Tim

[Kravell]

Thanks Tim. Some of my fondest memories are the TPK of your 1st edition campaigns. My 4th level halfling thief still reigns supreme, both for his high level and his one hairfoot take down of that harpy under the ruins of the keep near the Temple of Elemental Evil. After getting swallowed and regurgitated by a giant frog.

I can certainly revisit the TPK. And maybe I can delve a little more into the practical applications of D&D theory as applied to a real campaign. In other words, what is it like to experiment with new rules on a set of willing player characters?

As a non-gaming aside, did you get the new CD, Black Sabbath: The Dio Years yet?

Charlie