More Dungeons please, but don't skimp on the Dragons either...

I love cool stuff that I can do with my kid.

Recently I was listening to the Penny Arcade crew play some Dungeons & Dragons with the PVP dude via this podcast. I had left the iPod running when I turned off the truck. When I re-started the truck with Emmalee in it, she was treated to what sounded to her like 4 grown men playing "Make Believe". I turned off the iPod before any of the players became excited/upset enough to swear, but Em was very intrigued. I did my best to explain my own limited understanding of D&D, but this only served to convince her that we needed to try it out.

Here we run into a couple of issues.

First, during my formative years some friends of mine attempted to play this mysterious thing known as D&D, but we never got past the first step (Character Creation). Unfortunately for us we didn't know anyone willing/able to be our "Game Master". For those unfamiliar with D&D we were "all dressed up with nowhere to go". We had our merry band of adventurers all set up and ready to explore and/or fight, but with nary a Dungeon nor a Dragon in site. So despite my childhood desire, I never actually learned to play the game.

Second, the resources for D&D are pretty extensive. While my good friend G had stacks of books/maps/adventures when we were young (and despite the fact that he is one of the most organized guys I know), those supplies have apparently disappeared somewhere along his journey from boy to man.

Lastly, D&D is not a game for 2 people. The "optimal" group size is 5 adventurers and one "Game Master".

Despite all this, Em and I ARE going to play Dungeons and Dragons! I've committed to figuring out a way to make it work. I've bought all the books necessary. I've picked up some dice, and miniatures. I'm reading through the "Dungeon Master's Guide" so that I can referee the rules for whomever ends up in Emmalee's group of adventurers. The top of the list for people I would want in that group would be "Da' Guys".

This is my call to action. G has stepped forward to join the group, but I think/hope more of Da' Guys might be willing to answer the call. 2 hours, once a month, hang out with me and my awesome daughter, suspend disbelief, and play what is basically a board game. Think about it.

If you are interested let me know. If you are really interested check out the quickstart guide. If you are not interested, that's cool, we'll let you know how it turns out.

You can't tell me that this doesn't look like fun:

Risk

Emmalee, Zack, and I have been playing a little RISK lately. Em is the (as yet) undisputed champion with 4 wins in the "Basic Training" version of the game. Luckily she hasn't won a "World Domination" round yet (probably only because we haven't played on yet) since I'm not sure how I feel about the "official" rule of having to call a "World Domination" winner "sir" until they are dethroned.

Here are some of the lessons we have learned playing Risk:
-Zack learned the hard way that Risk is not chess. Apparently in risk, games are NOT (necessarily) won and lost in the middle of the board (aka, Europe is HARD to hold).
-As a child of the cold war I had a hard time getting past some old preconceived notion that the eastern block is worth holding. 7 bonus armies each round sounds great, but I never was able to hold all those borders long enough to collect! There must be a reason the USSR works better in smaller blocks.?
-I also learned that maintaining supply lines from the north eastern tip of Asia to the southern tip of South America is a little too optimistic in a game where the kids LOVE the idea of pummeling the "grown up". I think this is why the airplane was invented!
-Em has made a habit of her (quite strong) strategy of quickly taking Australia (ONE outside boarder) and using those bonus armies to a) slowly take North America b) do her best to keep anyone else from keeping any continent long enough to claim bonus armies.

If any of "da' guys" or their families feel like ending Em's winning streak just say the word and we'll organize a little exhibition match.

(Don't tell Em but I'm seriously considering this as a gateway into D&D... if anyone has suggestions on how to get PAST the "rolling your character" stage.)

Reminded me of Bill the Galactic Hero

When I was in 9th grade 2 of my best friends (NotRoss and Marz) and I made a short film as a book report on Bill The Galactic Hero. This Star Wars short reminded me of it since we used a variety of action figures instead of putting ourselves in front of the camera. One of these days I'll have to see about posting it onto YouTube...