I don't, as I'm not really a fan anymore. However, I was somewhat interested in what had finally become of the Lunars, which had always gotten a pretty piss-poor treatment in the game.
Lo and behold, there's a new thread on rpg.net about the Lunars book (http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=319835), so I decide to go have a looksee.
There are, staggeringly, 22 posts before anyone comments on anything of substance. It's 22 posts of "Ooo, this NPC is tragically beautiful!" or "did you see what happened in that comic book?" or "that giant killer whale guy is having a bisexual love triangle! awesome!"
What... the... FUCK?
EDIT: Nevermind, post 23 was a bit of a fluke. Someone mentioning the rules in passing and that he hadn't read them. It takes until Post #41 for anyone to bring up anything of any actual gaming substance.
It's like reading people talking about their favorite soap opera.
Not surprising, considering that the series has a very flavorful cast of characters to go along with its fun and interesting setting.
I think the problem is that all the fans in those threads already know the basics that others might be interested in, which makes it difficult to figure out what the deal is. You might be best served by waiting on a review :D
You could look at this thread.
http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=316289
It's been pretty much nothing but mechanical questions.
Perhaps you are right...
...hey, look at that sig!
Quote from: jadarxYou could look at this thread.
http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=316289
It's been pretty much nothing but mechanical questions.
That thread is staggeringly long, and about a different book entirely.
Moreover, I clicked on the "last page" button and jumped into the middle of a discussion of man nipples.
Ah, rpg.net...
Quote from: RedFoxThat thread is staggeringly long, and about a different book entirely.
Moreover, I clicked on the "last page" button and jumped into the middle of a discussion of man nipples.
Ah, rpg.net...
True, it starts out as CD: The Wyld, but it shifts into Lunar discussion somewhere in the middle. The nipples have just been on the last page or so...
I assume some do. Brantai and I have an Actual Play here on the Actual Play section. It hasn't been updated, because our last game was postponed.
Or are you just talking about RPG.net? Because you could just ask them over there, you know.
Quote from: jadarxTrue, it starts out as CD: The Wyld, but it shifts into Lunar discussion somewhere in the middle. The nipples have just been on the last page or so...
Joel Shumacher run out of movies to direct and now he is an internet poster?
On topic: At the gamestore,
EXALTED is not selling like it used to. We used to have it right next to the
World of Darkness stuff...now
EXALTED is on one of our lower shelves. Most of our regular customers who were enthusiastic about it or in a regular game have moved on to other game systems. I haven't asked them "why" - its just a thing that I've noticed.
- E.W.C.
Quote from: Thanatos02I assume some do. Brantai and I have an Actual Play here on the Actual Play section. It hasn't been updated, because our last game was postponed.
Or are you just talking about RPG.net? Because you could just ask them over there, you know.
And get my furry ass banned? I don't think so!
Quote from: RedFoxAnd get my furry ass banned? I don't think so!
Why would you get banned, fuzzy?
Quote from: Thanatos02Why would you get banned, fuzzy?
Trolling, I'd imagine. Unlike here, Exalted fans are
legion at rpg.net, and they'd take it personally.
Or rather, the Modstaff would take it as a group attack against Exalted players.
Or something. Basically I'd get banned for not being very nice.
I think that's probably just paranoia, but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. I guess you can always discuss Exalted with me, but I don't think there are a lot of other posters here... and my games never got really highly powered, so I don't know anything about Essences higher than 4. ^_^;
Quote from: Thanatos02I think that's probably just paranoia, but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. I guess you can always discuss Exalted with me, but I don't think there are a lot of other posters here... and my games never got really highly powered, so I don't know anything about Essences higher than 4. ^_^;
S'cool. Like I said, I don't play anymore. I was just idly curious about whether they'd done anything to fix up the Lunars now that whatsisface isn't making sociopolitical statements with them anymore.
I ran a six month long Exalted Campaign not to long ago. We had 7-10 players and 2 ST's. I was mentally exhausting. It was very good and very fun, but when we finished, the other ST stopped and I ran some other games (me running a Vampire game and him running a bevy of different D20 variants) for smaller groups.
Everyone else in the group still plays Exalted though. I'm not playing it now because I have a list of other games to play.
Looking forward to Psion though :)
Quote from: RedFoxTrolling, I'd imagine. Unlike here, Exalted fans are legion at rpg.net, and they'd take it personally.
Or rather, the Modstaff would take it as a group attack against Exalted players.
Or something. Basically I'd get banned for not being very nice.
I highly doubt it. "[Exalted] - Is this a game folk talk about more than actually play?" is a perfectly legitimate topic. Some RPGs do lend themselves towards reading and discussing and less towards playing.
I don't think it would accomplish much though, as I see it regularly played (and have both run and played games myself). It has always seemed to be a popular game to me.
Quote from: RedFox...now that whatsisface isn't making sociopolitical statements with them anymore.
Dude, you can't leave it at that. That shit sounds
hilarious.
EDIT: The nipple discussion wouldn't be funny in the least if it half the posters weren't treating it with earth-shaking solemnity. "RPG splats strike a blow for sexual freedom! TO THE REVOLUTION NOW!"
Quote from: fonkaygarryDude, you can't leave it at that. That shit sounds hilarious.
It was.
"If you don't like Lunars, you're a racist."
You just can't make that sort of shit up.
Quote from: CessnaIt was.
"If you don't like Lunars, you're a racist."
You just can't make that sort of shit up.
Beautiful.
Quote from: fonkaygarryEDIT: The nipple discussion wouldn't be funny in the least if it half the posters weren't treating it with earth-shaking solemnity. "RPG splats strike a blow for sexual freedom! TO THE REVOLUTION NOW!"
Well, yeah. Exalted is of
Great Social and Political Import. And don't you forget it!
Quote from: RedFoxTrolling, I'd imagine. Unlike here, Exalted fans are legion at rpg.net, and they'd take it personally.
Or rather, the Modstaff would take it as a group attack against Exalted players.
Or something. Basically I'd get banned for not being very nice.
Um, no. I know I probably shouldn't do this (edit: that is, talk othersite policy) but if you don't start that thread, I will.
Quote from: CessnaUm, no. I know I probably shouldn't do this (edit: that is, talk othersite policy) but if you don't start that thread, I will.
You know you must.
Quote from: CessnaUm, no. I know I probably shouldn't do this (edit: that is, talk othersite policy) but if you don't start that thread, I will.
Wait... what thread, exactly?
And I didn't want to start some board-wars thing. :(
Quote from: RedFoxWait... what thread, exactly?
"Do Exalted fans even play the game anymore?"
or
"[Exalted] - Is this a game folk talk about more than actually play?"
I'm pretty sure lots of people who talk about Exalted on rpg.net play it too. If you want to take the measure of what happens to a discussion when there's all talk and no play--not for decades in some cases--check out most Traveller boards these days. Sigh.
Quote from: Cessna"Do Exalted fans even play the game anymore?"
or
"[Exalted] - Is this a game folk talk about more than actually play?"
Oh.
Alright, fine (http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?p=7133754#post7133754).
But I can't help but feel like it's a trap.
I was gonna post a "Dude, its a First Impressions thread -- let them admire the paint job first before cracking open the hood," response. But that was before I read the rpgnet thread. So now this is a "Well I guess that's rpgnet for you," response.
Quote from: Pierce InverarityI'm pretty sure lots of people who talk about Exalted on rpg.net play it too. If you want to take the measure of what happens to a discussion when there's all talk and no play--not for decades in some cases--check out most Traveller boards these days. Sigh.
Thats may be a reason I never joine the CotI forum. It was very difficult to tell if anyone was actually playing in a game or campaign. They seemed to mostly be talk, no action or play.
- Ed C.
Quote from: RedFoxBut I can't help but feel like it's a trap.
It isn't.
My two-year-long game ends tomorrow. I'll be quite happy to let Exalted lie fallow for a while, in terms of running the game, in favor of running D&D 3.5.
Quote from: Thanatos02Why would you get banned, fuzzy?
JimBob basically got banned for asking a very similar question loudly and repeatedly . . .
Quote from: J ArcaneJimBob basically got banned for asking a very similar question loudly and repeatedly . . .
It would have been really something if he had added...."do you still play
Wushu ?" :D
Regards,
David R
Quote from: J ArcaneJimBob basically got banned for asking a very similar question loudly and repeatedly . . .
Yeah. This ain't gonna end well...
Seanchai
12 posts, a few hundred views, not a single report.
Sorry, folks. Look elsewhere for the trainwreck.
My theory is that second edition Exalted is even harder to run than first edition was, and full of even cooler ideas. Thus most Exalted campaigns die out while creating new fans of the setting.
I know I like the setting but hate the system. I have several friends who have played it but fear running it, and think it cool. My two cents.
I'd happily run the game if my players showed even the slightest interest in learning the rules. As it stands there's no way I'm going to keep track of all their charms and abilities on top all the other stuff the system demands.
Exalted is one of those games that requires collaborative effort. Until I find a group who are up to speed with the system then I'll be content to just read the books, which I find thoroughly entertaining.
Quote from: mrlostMy theory is that second edition Exalted is even harder to run than first edition was, and full of even cooler ideas. Thus most Exalted campaigns die out while creating new fans of the setting.
I know I like the setting but hate the system. I have several friends who have played it but fear running it, and think it cool. My two cents.
I agree wholeheartedly, though I'll add the caveat that it's also so mechanically tied to the setting that it's difficult to translate to another system without either ripping away a good chunk of its flavor or creating
way too much work for yourself.
I'd still love to see a proper D20 conversion, mind.
I just don't see the point of staying abreast of the setting and all when I'm not going to play or run the game.
Quote from: DrewI'd happily run the game if my players showed even the slightest interest in learning the rules. As it stands there's no way I'm going to keep track of all their charms and abilities on top all the other stuff the system demands.
Exalted is one of those games that requires collaborative effort. Until I find a group who are up to speed with the system then I'll be content to just read the books, which I find thoroughly entertaining.
Yeah, don't do this. The game is work intensive for the GM who just has to manage the NPC Charms and special powers, let alone the PC capabilities.
I consider it a buy in game, in the actual spending money sense. If I don't have at least one or two other players who at least have the core book I wont run it.
The difficulty of conversion is a real one, as I can tell you. Essentially, you have to come up with many new charms, depending on setting assumptions. I tried a little to do an Engel conversion, because the original system doesn't really do anything (though I ought to have Joe look at it sometime and tell me for sure).
Engel is one of those games that could be run in D20, and it's be great, but for a more human-centric game. (Granted, a human-centric game is the one I was most compelled to run when I saw the setting.) Exalted, at somewhere around the Terrestrial level, is where I'd want to play an Engel-centered game.
(Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I really just meant to say I've seen the conversion problems straight up, and you have to be a mechanical whiz to deal with it. D&D I can do in spades, since I unabashedly like the d20 system, and I've had easy access to it for so long. Exalted is much more difficult. Maybe I'll do something with just NWoD.)
I just ended my game. Four of the six PCs died holding the Mask of Winters at bay long enough for 95% of the population to escape, and denying the Mask his intended victory: to use Rain of Doom on Thorns with everyone caught inside.
Quote from: CessnaWell, yeah. Exalted is of Great Social and Political Import. And don't you forget it!
The writer's bible for Exalted 1e was reported to explicitly make the connection between the Realm and America. I find it silly, but that's what I've been told.
Quote from: PseudoephedrineThe writer's bible for Exalted 1e was reported to explicitly make the connection between the Realm and America. I find it silly, but that's what I've been told.
I agree, that's pretty silly. "The Realm as Rome" works better and is more compelling. On the other hand, it became clear to me quite some time ago that the game's writers and I had different visions of what the game should be about.
Quote from: hgjsI agree, that's pretty silly. "The Realm as Rome" works better and is more compelling. On the other hand, it became clear to me quite some time ago that the game's writers and I had different visions of what the game should be about.
"America as Rome" is not an uncommon analogy to me made these days, so in a way you may be closer to the mindset of the authors than you think.
Quote from: J Arcane"America as Rome" is not an uncommon analogy to me made these days, so in a way you may be closer to the mindset of the authors than you think.
I'm more of a fan of "America as the new Rome" than "Rome as the old America," if that makes any sense (which it might not).
Quote from: RedFoxBut I can't help but feel like it's a trap.
(http://www.apnm.org/campaigns/trapping/gx/fox-in-leg-trapLG.jpg)
Sorry... couldn't resist.
Quote from: PseudoephedrineThe writer's bible for Exalted 1e was reported to explicitly make the connection between the Realm and America. I find it silly, but that's what I've been told.
Those boys at White Wolf have never had too good a grasp on reality, but...
What the mighty fuck?Can someone back this up with a link or a source or something? Insanity on that level must be
subsidized.
Quote from: fonkaygarryThose boys at White Wolf have never had too good a grasp on reality
Completely not on topic but... Oh come on. They're not any more detached from reality than any other game writers.
tsk.
Update: I ended my Exalted game on Friday, so for the time being I'm not playing Exalted either. :)
I'm not currently playing but I would definitely like to run a game provided that the players knew nothing about Exalted at all (in regards to both the setting and the mechanics).
Quote from: el diablo roboticoCompletely not on topic but... Oh come on. They're not any more detached from reality than any other game writers.
But acknowledging this would break my internet vows of foulmouthed ignorance. Don't harsh my vibe, dogg.
I'm not currently playing myself, as my one-shot-turned-campaign ended some time ago. I was intending to leave Exalted alone untill at least the publishing of Sidereals. The coolness of Lunars might make me reconsider that, though.
I do feel that the initial swooning on the setting elements is only to be expected, though. I usually start reading a book at the setting material, and only then get to the mechanics. The mechanics do take some time to "click", so usually I have a book for about a month untill I have fully digested it. And until that time, I'm not going to refrain from discussing the parts I am excited about.
Really, expecting in-depth playtest and/or mechanic breakdowns within two days of release is IMO unrealistic. Also, the setting info is just as valid a part of the book as the mechanics, so discussion on that doesn't generally bother me.
Of course, RPG.nets huge poster base ensures that the thread quickly grows to 5 pages (and that's using my 40-post/page setting) in its first day, before anyone even thinks of the mechanics. If I want to find mechanics questions, I just click around somewhere after page 6 or 8 and I'm usually set.
It's not even about the mechanics, really. It's that the responses were about what WotC Marketing would call "iconic characters." Like I said, it's people discussing stuff like it's the latest from some celeb rag about their favorite novella.
They're not discussing actual setting stuff that, could y'know, be used in a game.
I just found it bizarre. Even moreso as there's not even a metaplot story for folks to be following with Exalted, supposedly.
Quote from: RedFoxIt's not even about the mechanics, really. It's that the responses were about what WotC Marketing would call "iconic characters." Like I said, it's people discussing stuff like it's the latest from some celeb rag about their favorite novella.
They're not discussing actual setting stuff that, could y'know, be used in a game.
I just found it bizarre. Even moreso as there's not even a metaplot story for folks to be following with Exalted, supposedly.
It's an unfortunate byproduct of WW's soap-operatic approach to their settings, stretching all the way back to Vampire 1e.
People want to see stories about the things they like, and in the absence of a strong metaplot Exalted fandom tends to invent one, if only to keep themselves entertained until the next two-page comic reveals a bit more of Swan's tangled sex life.
Seriously, "Which signature character would you like to spank?" was an actual thread on rpgnet. I'm sure that somewhere, in a darkened room, Geoffrey C. Grabowski is weeping.
Quote from: RedFoxThey're not discussing actual setting stuff that, could y'know, be used in a game.
You do have a point there. As I read the first chapter, there really were a dozen things that jumped out at me, mainly about Lunars in 1st age (e.g. the theory on what Luna's ideas on the fixing of castemarks might be). None of those were talked about on that threads first pages.
While they add flavour, I don't really consider the iconic characters a key part of the universe (except a select few, such as the Bull of the North).
They do help to tie some things together, but I never really understood the focus some people had on them. Bizarre, perhaps, but whatever floats your boat...
Quote from: fonkaygarryBut acknowledging this would break my internet vows of foulmouthed ignorance. Don't harsh my vibe, dogg.
*removes harsh from said vibe*
There, fixed. Sorry. Carry on.