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[TheFerrett]

The latest comic, The Armageddon, can be found here. So what's your reaction to it, people?

[soloset]

Hilarious, and I can totally relate. Although, I have to say, I'm usually pretty good about rolling with the punches, and, quite often, what at first glance looks like a serious snarl just makes the game richer in the long run. Not sure how I'd deal with one of my players emasculating an important NPC, though!

Anyway, I'm definitely on the narrativist side of things. My players are all big on killing stuff, so it works out well -- they've trained me to actually roll the dice and I've trained them to pretend to be interested in the internal lives of their characters. I'm even starting to think some of that pretense might be genuine by now.

Hee, the temptation to ramble on about my game is nearly overwhelming, so I'll stop here and just say that I'm a new reader courtesy of Something Positive, and this web comic is in my 'daily reads' folder now.

[williamwashington]

I'm new to the forums, and new to the comic. I'd like some clarification, if that's at all possible.

It seems that Seth, this moustache with attached erection, is trying to sleep with Karla, Tom's wife. Later he attempts to sleep with Karla's new friend, Izzy. I believe I'm up on who's who and what's what, here. If I'm not, please correct me.

I am not a role-player, which may have led to my confusion. I am, however, genetically male. I have a girlfriend who I have been dating for three years, and living with for one. I love her very much. I am a reasonably non-violent person. I am also not a complete idiot. I am, in fact, quite bright. All this may also have led to my confusion.

My quibble is the following.

I can really only put this in terms of my own reaction - I imagine the reaction from Tom, who is a former punk and in fact married to his significant other, would in fact be more severe. I know some punks. Had our positions been reversed, and I had been in Tom's shoes throughout this debacle, Karla would have been faced with the choice to either divorce me or quit the game. There is flirtation and then there is cheating in all but deed. The deed certainly seems like it's coming. Trust goes so far, and then there is cybersex with pretensions.

Furthermore, (and I can only speak from my own reaction as a man to this latest comic) I know one or two assertive women, as Izzy seems to be, and if a screaming row were to be averted, it would only be averted because a physical altercation would have broken out. And my money's on Izzy.

There is a difference between suspension of disbelief and suspension of sanity. The relationship between Tom, Karla, and Seth does not pass the laugh test. I have never in my life been in trouble with the law, and I have no trouble imagining a circumstance in which, were I Tom, I would be attending anger management classes for breaking Seth's shit. It's not even a stretch.

[OnaT]

I disagree. It doesn't require a "suspension of sanity" for me to find this realistic.

Tom seems too laid back and evolved to get that upset over Seth. Karla is a mature, responsible woman capable of making her own decisions. Tom doesn't own her or need to make ultimatums over what is essentially a hobby. The game makes Karla happy. plus Tom plays too, so why get upset over it?

About Izzy, I imagine that there are plenty of ways for assertive women to deal with this latest development without resorting to a "screaming row" or a catfight.

Interesting thoughts.

[bateleur]

[TheFerrett]

[jfargo]

Personally I think this is a good chance for Tom or Tanner (or Karla I guess, but I don't see it for some reason) to rise up and DM their own game. Really I think it's Tom that would do it if any of them would. I know I'd be interested in seeing the argument that Tom and Karla have when the tables are turned, because I really think that's what will happen.

Then again, the last time I made a prediction about this comic strip some guy got his cajones ripped off to show just how wrong I was.

[Bruce_Richard]

While there are several reasons why RPG's are not more widely accepted, The Ferrett hit on the reason that I don't play them: horrible GMs. To be a good GM, I think you need, time, patience, and an understanding of what the players really want. I don't have all of those qualities, and few others do either. I made several attempts years ago to get into various groups, but I was always disappointed with the GM to the point that I dropped.

Seth has put what he wants above the wants of the players. Add this to his melodramatic personality, and you get a GM who is unwilling to roll with the punches (or torn scrotum, as in this case).

I'm looking forward to seeing how everything pans out.

Bruce
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Beware the quiet guy

[williamwashington]

[samldanach]

For william, it is because you don't have a lot of RPG experience, I think. Seth isn't actually making a move on either Karla or Izzy (I'm not saying he doesn't want to, hasn't, or won't, just that this interaction is not, in fact, Seth making a pass). Seth is attempting to connect his characters to their characters. Just as some people like novels with more sex in them, some people like RPG's with more sex in them.

The fact that the line gets blurry is the source of the Seth-Karla-Tom conflict. Seth claims to be staying firmly on the honorable side of the line. Karla is convinced that everything is on the honorable side of the line, everything is harmless, and Tom is being silly. Tom isn't convinced that Seth doesn't want to nudge Karla a bit over that line.

Izzy, OTOH, is stating in no uncertain terms (in fact, I think the most uncertain terms imaginable) that sex-play is not what she's here for. Just because she's a woman, doesn't mean she gets off on glorified bodice-rippers. Seth made an assumption, played to the stereotype, and got burned.

Then got needlessly (but totally characteristically) melodramatic about it.

[williamwashington]

I appreciate the clarification. The way you put it makes a certain amount of sense.

I'm not entirely sure how good I'd be in an RPG, if that's the case. I must admit that I tend to see things in terms of black and white.

All that being said, I'm enjoying the comic. Thanks to the Ferret for giving me a look into a somewhat unfamiliar world.

[Illuminatus]

Hilarious, but as a long time RPGer, I did find myself thinking, "What, the King of the Western Shores can't get himself a Regenerate spell?"

[Ronfar]

Seth must not be as good a GM as he thought if he couldn't handle a mere international incident. If Izzy's character wound up turning former reluctant allies into active enemies, then wouldn't the resultant chaos be a great lead-in for some serious action?
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- Doug

[Gini]

[Gini]

Roni, I have to say that the overhead shot is one of the best things you've done in the strip - Karla grasping at her hair; so perfect! Your work just keep getting stronger, as you get to know these people better.
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Art is *not* imitating my life, dammit!