Life at the Trollbridge

[mahrundl]

As promised, this is the thread where you can make suggestions for ways in which we can make the Trollbridge a better place for everyone. I will sticky the thread, and we'll see what we can get out of it.

I want to suggest a few explicit ground rules for this thread. Feel free to discuss them as part of the thread, and we can amend them if need be, but let's use them as a starting point:

• Be constructive. You can say that you don't like <aspect x>, but if at all possible, have a suggestion as to how you'd like it to change. If you don't have any ideas of your own on how to fix something that you see as a problem, post and ask for suggestions from other members.
  
• Add new content. 'Me too' posts are acceptable, but it is far better if you can add your own suggestions as well.
  
• Consider other viewpoints. If someone posts something as a problem, and you don't agree that it is a problem, please don't tell them that they are wrong. It obviously is, for them at least, and possibly for others. You are quite entitled to post that you don't see it as a problem, of course, and give your reasons why.
  
• Don't just look at negatives. If there's something that you see as a really great feature, or good feature that can be made even better, share your thoughts!
  
• Be civil. I hardly need to say this, I suspect, because incivility is rarely an issue here, but be nice to others. If someone writes something that infuriates you to the point that you cannot reply to them in a civil fashion, please do NOT respond. Report it to me or ProfGremlin via PM, and we will look into the matter.
  

I don't expect that there will be many issues with these, since as far as I can see they are largely a formalisation of how most people here conduct themselves as it is.

If you prefer to discuss this sort of thing via PM, my Inbox is always open.

As far as is possible, I'll check this thread (and my PMs) twice a day at least. I may not be able to respond to questions immediately, but I promise that I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Let's see what we can make happen!

[mahrundl]

I'll toss in a thought to get started.

The 'bridge has been focused on 7th edition and the impending Deluxe edition quite a lot lately. Earlier editions are, if not missing out completely, at least not being discussed very much.

What are your thoughts on the idea of edition-specific sub-boards, for discussion of just those editions? We could have a separate sub-board for each edition, or combine them in some way (a sub-board each for 1st to 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, and Deluxe, or Classic (1st to 5th) and Modern (7th and later) would be an example of such combinations). It would, for instance, allow 4th edition discussion to occur without being diverted by other editions, at least in theory.

[zanshin]

Also the idea for Classic and Modern T&T boards is a good one in my view mahrundl - it may circumvent the specific issue that arose with zendog and myself.

[Vargold]

Not that I have much say as a newbie, but I personally like having the 5.5 and previous editions discussion right alongside the 7.0 and subsequent editions discussion--there's a nice cross-pollination of ideas that works primarily because the two variations on the system aren't all that different. That said, I would be fine with a subforum split between "5.5 and earlier" and "7.0 and later." Breaking down into smaller, edition-specific subfora seems like a recipe for atomization.

[ProfGremlin]

Many players have a preference for one edition over another. That's to be expected and not a big deal. Most folks have adapted a rule or two from another edition into their game play, i.e. the armor burning rule from 4th ed, missile combat from 4th, leveling progression from 5th, AP award structure from the M6E, IQ SR's for spell casting from 7th, level progression from 7.5th, etc.

I'm not convinced that separating the editions into different sub-boards is useful simply because of such cross-pollination. Many folks have more than one edition and have mixed and matched to their hearts content. A few have stayed more or less true to a particular edition because it works for them that way.

I, personally, prefer the 5.5th ed. because it slightly expanded upon the tried and true 5th ed and Monsters! Monsters! and Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes are largely compatible with it, but that's just me. I've had loads of fun playing in Gaptooth's 7th ed. game here on the 'boards just like I enjoyed Zendog's 5th ed. game and DoctorX's 5th ed.

Personally, I think having a stickied thread illuminating the differences between the editions would be quite helpful. It's a question that comes up two or three times a year and has been answered many times. I know Aramis has made some great posts on the topic that have really helped folks out as have several others (I'm sorry, I don't recall other names right now. I need to go back and look at the posts/threads.)

There's more that I wanted to say but I've run out of time for the moment and need to step off 'board for awhile to take care of physical world things.

[mosker]

WARNING: CHANGE OF TOPIC TO SOMETHING (hopefully) LESS CONTROVERSIAL (and not in need of all caps).

Perhaps a trading or selling forum--one with certain limits so it doesn't explode into eBay. Boozer partially inspired this with his T&T sale.

Specific example: I am moving, and have a great deal of previous generation(8,16,32-bit) videogames I want to unload as well as a good chunk of my comic book collection (individual books and GNs/Marvel Essentials/DC Showcase Presents etc...)

I have no illusions about someone turning it around and perhaps getting a better price, but I'd rather that person be a troll--or at least give the community first shot. As such, I'm more than willing to donate the actual purchase price to the kidney fund as long as said buyer also picks up shipping costs. (I'd absorb them myself, but it's not fair to the family finances or peace as we also run a non-profit.)

[trrebmahl]

A couple of thoughts about life at the Trollbridge:

I think it would cool if there was an area for collaborations. It might actual encourage them.

I second (or third or whatever) the objection to separate sub boards for different editions. I think it would ghettoize the discussions we have here.

I wonder about having some way of organizing or having a centralized place for documents that members would like to share with the community.

[gaptooth]

Mar 3, 2013 17:14:34 GMT -5 Vargold said:

Not that I have much say as a newbie, but I personally like having the 5.5 and previous editions discussion right alongside the 7.0 and subsequent editions discussion--there's a nice cross-pollination of ideas that works primarily because the two variations on the system aren't all that different.

+1 to this!

Mar 3, 2013 17:54:46 GMT -5 ProfGremlin said:

I'm not convinced that separating the editions into different sub-boards is useful simply because of such cross-pollination. Many folks have more than one edition and have mixed and matched to their hearts content.

Exactly! There's only one page I look at when I come here, unless I'm looking for something in particular: The "Newest Threads" page. Being self-employed and a father of a toddler gives me very little time to comment here anymore. I still look in at least weekly (and daily when I can swing it) to steal ideas. The "Newest Threads" page usually delivers, and I don't care what edition people are talking about.

Mar 3, 2013 17:54:46 GMT -5 ProfGremlin said:

I've had loads of fun playing in Gaptooth's 7th ed. game here on the 'boards just like I enjoyed Zendog's 5th ed. game and DoctorX's 5th ed.

I think you mean "Gaptooth's fiasco in MonsterMike's 7th ed. game". It *was* a hoot!

[ProfGremlin]

Mar 4, 2013 1:03:31 GMT -5 gaptooth said:

There's only one page I look at when I come here, unless I'm looking for something in particular: The "Newest Threads" page.

Interesting, I hang out on the '25 most recent posts' page. Any day that I have the computer on, which is most, I have a browser tab open to this page and read every post. I'll refresh the page periodically which lets me keep up with most of the conversations. I may not have anything to directly contribute but I'm aware of just about all the posting. It's a great way to catch spammers, too (I have to admit to enjoying the use of the Smite button on these spammers).

Mar 4, 2013 1:03:31 GMT -5 gaptooth said:

I think you mean "Gaptooth's fiasco in MonsterMike's 7th ed. game". It *was* a hoot!

Whoops! You're quite right, my apologies for the mistype there, MonsterMike! I really enjoyed that game, Bitsa and Ozenda developed into fantastic characters and Aonghasan was truly memorable. Some of what you wrote in that game, Gaptooth, was really quite haunting.

Mar 4, 2013 1:03:31 GMT -5 gaptooth said:

I appreciate that the moderators here generally exercise a light touch, and allow such arguments to play out. I hope that will continue.

We do our best, which really isn't that hard considering how well the community here behaves. I think that's why the current climate has us rather surprised and taken aback. I don't see our light touch changing, nor do I foresee topics being banned. The one you linked to was an exception and Vin explained his reasoning in that thread. I really don't believe that we're anywhere near that with the current concerns we have before us.

[devadasi]

full transcript of Sunday's M! M! game is now up.

Lets go back to yakkin' about the world's most funnest FRPG shall we?

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

I have what is probably a bit weird but very sincere suggestion for the Bridge.

I'd like to see a little sub-board ( subsection? I don't know what it should be called ) to make a living T&T tome of spells.

It would be divided up by spell type ( necromancy, summoning, combat, defensive, Information/Sense enhancing, elemental, travel/movement, Silly/Comedic, etc )

Anyone looking for a specific type of spell or just browsing could look up spells by type and we could all throw spells in as we write or come across them instead of waiting until we have a bunch.

I know it seems odd, but I think when you build something together it ends up stronger than when its built without outside input.

I know horribly impractical, but its what the thread made me think of.

Take care y'all ;D

[zanshin]

I think T-K-D's idea is in essence a good one.

I don't know if the appetite for new spells is big enough for a sub board, but perhaps a sticky?
Possibly stickies for new spells & new monsters, so anyone can post them there and then you have a more visible resource for people to check?


Loath to add more work to our amazing moderators , but perhaps also a review of stickies, are they all still valid? Might make room for content stickies.

[order99]

I think a collaborative post for projects would be fantastic. It's been a long time since we managed a collaborative Dungeon-

trollbridge.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=worldbuilding&thread=258&page=1

-though we've had several 'accidental' collaborations of magic item lists adventure hooks and the like on previous General pages...

As far as the recent...unpleasantness...i'm just going to chalk it up to the robustness of the Trollbridge-with a current 679 members it's inevitable that the occasional dust-up occurs. The fact that it shocked so many here (myself included) is just an example of how placid things USUALLY are around here. It's rare that any of our Mods have to use the Outside Voice, and I really appreciate that.

As far as a separate Sub-forum for Vintage vs Recent Editions, i'm torn-I could see the value of it, but I rather like the mockingly-named 'Edition Wars' Forum, mostly because a lot of posts there concern cross-pollenation of ideas from older or newer systems(adding Talents to 4th or 5th Edition, stealing Spells from every Edition for a 'master Spellbook' for a particular game, adding 'Burning Armor' option from 4th back into 7th etc etc ). Since i'm a Gamer Magpie in this regard-i'm building a Pendragon T&T for a budding GM in my new group as we speak using a simplified 4th Edition with AD&D Secondary Skills and a 'Wizard' Type using the lower-keyed Psychic Skills from MS&PE for example- I really like the 'build-a-bear(MR=15)' approach we currently see.

As far as the Exalt and Smite buttons, I don't care either way-giving Exalts is fun, but the Admin could always as a 'thumbs-up' Emoticon or something. It's not like I can spend an Exalt or anything.

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Ah, a much more sensible idea and I'm also a big fan of a sticky sharing monsters.

Maybe a sticky with an index of the spells or monsters at the start?

Is that possible?

[zanshin]

If someone (points at T-K-D ) would be prepared to create an opening post with indexing and revise it as needed, I am sure that it could be accomplished!