I’m off up to London and thence to Detroit City to participate in Epic Confusion, where activities will include an all-star authorial D&D session featuring:
Brent Weeks – Cleric
Scott Lynch – Gnome Illusionist
Elizabeth Bear – Ranger
Jim Hines – Fighter
Peter Brett – Monk
Pat Rothfuss – Wizard
Joe Abercrombie – Thief
And being Dungeon Mastered by Myke Cole and Saladin Ahmed.
How cool is that? Alright, so it’s not exactly cool as most of the world’s population would define the term. But I still reckon it’s pretty cool, if you know what I mean. I’ve even broken my dice out of cold storage. The feel of those cool plastic edges in my palm, like an old warrior unearthing his old broadsword from his war-chest, preparing to enter battle one last time against insurmountable odds … Well, alright, not much like that at all.
See you next week.
39 comments so far
No, that *is* cool.
All those writers as players though… I’m guessing that your adventuring party will barely get out of the inn before the end of the session for the depth of characterisation.
Incidentally, to start a war; what edition?
I believe it’s 1st ed. AD&D.
That’s Oort Cloud Cool, my friend.
Please tell me this is going to be recorded.
If my memory doesn’t fail me (and it usually does), thief is only a character class in 1st Ed. From 2nd ed onwards we were treated to namby pamby “rogues”.
Much like the Star Wars D20 used the horrific weasel-word “Scoundrel” as a character class. Scoundrel is an insult, not a profession. Han Solo is a fucking smuggler.
Erm… Sorry about that.
A clash of the titans, the warriors of modern fantasy battling it out in the war to end all wars. Crush them Joe, go forth and destroy them!
Please let us know who wins. The results of such an event cannot be kept secret.
Damn, in my excitement at such a mouth watering prospect I forgot to put a capital ‘G’ in my name. Forget Haye vs Klitschko, this is the real battle of 2012!
It has been 30 odd years since my folks stopped worrying about me spending all my free time playing AD&D – do you still get to roll the 3d6 for your character traits, and don’t you have to pick your alignment?
And put me with Dan above, it should be recorded or have a live link.
Have lots of fun.
Sounds absolutely splendid. Although, I would watch out for that Rothfuss chap, and if at any moment his wizard threatens to break out a lute, consider your character fully authorised to go all ‘Bloody Nine’ on them.
I’d like to second the request for the event to be recorded in some sort of electronically redistributable format.
Live webcam transmission? Ha ha, I can just picture it now. A seedy looking dimly lit room with grown men (and a woman) sat around a table with it being broadcast across the globe.
Bloke at home watching it on his computer and his wife walks in, “What’s that you’re watching?” she asks
“Erm..nothing dear, just a bit of porn” he replies as he quickly minimises the window realising that he was very nearly caught watching a D&D session online…
I second the Rothfuss Lute comment. And that some sort of recording needs to be made.
Hahaha. Great!
Hope to hear about this session…
*sigh* My own group is still active but its hard to find time for the sessions.
Oh please I want a youtube link!!!
Shouldn’t Scott lynch be the thief, given his books?
Speaking of those, remind him about writing them.
You are so cute.
There has been talk of recording it and posting…
ADAD pah!! Everyone knows that Basic D&D is what the cool kids play.
Wow, I think I just had a nerd-gasm
Recording and posting would be awesome. Highly awesome. I’d even watch a livestream of that game.
Awesome! Please record it. I just spent about $200 bucks on almost all the 1st edition AD&D books (including a 1st run DM’s guide) and a plethora of neato dice. Unfortunatey I have nobody to play with (I am unwilling to suffer the ridicule of my friends). The first thing I did was crack the Player’s Handbook and bury my nose in it. Lynard Skynard expressed the feeling of joy I experienced after 25 years apart, “Ooh, ooh that smell, can’t you smell that smell.” Ahhhhhhhhh.
Give Scott Lynch my warmest regards while you are there Joe, hope he is doing better and that we might see The Republic Of Thieves eventually.
I just finished Best Served Cold and loved it. Just bought The Heroes so can’t wait to read it, I now own your entire (yet to be massive) body of work 😀
Brent Weeks as a Cleric? Didn’t see that one coming… I guess you stole his class, Joe.
Totally see Peter Brett as a Monk. The Warded Man is pure bare-fisted badassery.
I must ask – because someone must: What level characters will you be playing?
Additionaly, I believe Elizabeth will be the first to leave the table. This is not based on her skill of course. Its just that D&D is generally woman repelant. I suppose it is good you’re married.
Hahahahah!
Joe,in the middle of this economic turbulence I’d suggest you change your role to Treasury official (Pick Bank Account +3,Disarm Savings +4)
Well, the boys of The Big Bang Theory would think it was cool, and since TBBT is now one of the most popular sit-coms in the world, I guess that makes it cool. After all, if a show about nerds can reach no.1 in Australia, what can’t be cool about writers playing D&D? Err… right?
Iber goober goodness. You must record. It’s an epic group playing an epic game. If not,lease allow time for me to develop astral projection, so I can hover and enjoy.
CAN I PLAY?!
Seriously though. This should be a week long session that turns into a novel where each chapter is written by one of the players.
Chris-Nah! That’ll read suspiciously like an R.A.Salvatore novel.
I’m surprised Lynch isn’t playing a “Gentlemen Bastard” thief…
It looks like the current line-up would do better with another Fighter in the front. Joe, I humbly suggest a Northman-stylized fighter instead of the thief.
By NOT type casting yourselves, you and Scott show your flexibility as players. I typically prefer classes I am unfamiliar with. More challenging. Can’t wait to watch the excerpt videos! (or at least a group photo around the table)
All my RPG buddies are a state away. Ah well, back to Skyrim.
nerds
Writers playing an RPG – makes perfect sense to me. That is how we got the Wild Cards series, which set the superhero meme on its head before (the brilliant) Watchmen came along. Make it a regular date Mr Abercrombie and then document the results….
Yeah, that gang lacks muscle, definitely… Unless you bring seriously “built up previously” mages, I can see you are needing another tank…
Too many years Mastering, sorry; I’ve developed a sixth sense to find weakneses in adventurers groups.
Sure GRRM would love to join the fun, a mountain tribe barbarian or sell sword or questionable morals would be right up his street.
A room full of my favourite authors, laying waste to the evil denizens of a dungeon …
…EPIC!
Can’t wait for the coverage.
Rob
You guys should listen to the Penny Arcade D&D games. Some audio-only, and 2 from recent PAXes. Iz very funny 🙂
The very first and the very last are so-so, but those in the middle are pure gold!
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/podcasts.aspx
Awww, no Paladins?
AND YOU’RE PLAYING FIRST EDITION AD&D TOO?! Aw c’mon! I would even enjoy just sitting in to watch you guys get killed off by a pack of hungry gnolls.
Anyone else see the ‘Fat Neil’ episode of COMMUNITY that revolved around a D&D game? One of the greatest half-hours of television ever made.
Tim – The first issue of Watchmen was published 1986.
The first Wild Cards book was published in 1987.
Oh man! Abercrombie as a thief and Lynch as a gnome illusionist?! …..Yeh someone’s getting stabbed.