The End Of An Era

Almost half a decade ago, I picked up a Dungeon Master's Guide. At first, it was "just this once," for a friend who's busy life wouldn't let him attend my Dungeons and Dragons group's regular sessions. I had a simple quest planned out, gathered a couple extra players, and drove out to my friend's house in Easley for my first ever D&D session as the Dungeon Master.
I had a blast, and story ideas blossomed.  Little did I realize that the tiny story seed I'd just planted that night would blossom into a five year long campaign that not only traversed the entire continent, but would break into epic levels.
At the time, I didn't think being a DM would become a passion. It was just something I was doing for Ryan Wagner because I wanted to help a friend try out D&D. But the story wouldn't end.
Many people would come and go as PC's and one-shot cameo NPC's over the next few years, too many for me to name them all, but it all started on the road to Elversult.
Now, it's time to tie up the loose ends and take a bow; at least for this Dungeon Master. That's some bitter-sweet Kool-Aid, but no worries, I'm not killing everyone. (Or at least, I don't plan on it....)
We've come a long way from a party of rag-tag level one's. We've robbed a Thayan Enclave,and lived to tell about it; vanquished vampires in ways that would make a Paladin cheer; violated dragons while cackling maniacally at our own good fortune with the dice while the DM smiles and nods at the level of chaotic creativity; we've learned about the real business end of a Tarrasque; and we have fought alongside angels, and stormed the gates of hell. We've gained power, wealth, infamy, titles, and changed the course of history for all of Toril forever.
I look forward to these last few sessions, and I hope you will as well.

It's been epic.

What I Look For In A Roleplaying Game

First, I look for an agreeable setting. I want an escape; not a survival game. I struggle every day to survive in real life. Do I want starvation to be a possibility? Yes, but I'm an adventurer. My life is about survival and risk. Making sure I have food & water is second nature to me. If I am captured or somehow overcome, then it makes sense for basic necessities like food to become a concern. If I strike out into a desert when my normal travels are through areas where water is easily found, then I need to concern myself with provisions, but those are all special circumstances. I don't want such menial things to be a spotlight feature. I want adventure. Whether that's saving the fairy princesses, defending my homeland, saving the world, or standing for right in a difficult situation, I don't care, but I want good to prevail and be the focus of the setting, though not necessarily of every game session. That's why I don't enjoy Vampire or Dark Sun. They've been presented to me as back-stabbing, nitty-gritty, climb your way to the top & who cares who you step on enroute worlds. I don't enjoy that.

Granted, those settings can be run in the heroic manner I am trying for, but they don't lean toward such a style of play. I do enjoy the Realms. Yes, Toril has its dark side, but it's largely a world that is made up of good people. Are there evils to face? Aye, aplenty. But they don't dominate or rule everyone. The world isn't run by an evil Dark Lord. I'm more likely to be overcome by a wandering monster than become the focus of the Church of Cyric's ire. Can I make myself their target? Oh yes, but if I do, I'm doing so by butt-kicking for goodness.

So I want a sense of heroic in the setting, but on the flipside of that, I'm not looking for a world run by Paladins that follow the "Lawful Stupid" alignment. My every turn shouldn't be halted by some goody-two-shoes going "there's a law against that, citizen;" or "there's only one right way to do that - go through the proper channels or be imprisoned." I may encounter a town or village where that's the way things are run, but not all the time.

Again, the Realms provides that for me. That's what I look for in a Campaign Setting. What I look for in a rules set is detailed simplicity.I look at combat and  I look at skills.
I want to be able to be very good at a variety of things; not just a one-trick pony. Just because I'm a Mage shouldn't dictate that I can't be very good at Stealth. Just because I'm a Rogue shouldn't dictate that I'm not good at being a Charismatic, Bard-like character, capable of playing the crowd, but disappearing in an instant. Just because I'm a Fighter shouldn't mean that I'm a numbskull, incapable of sounding intelligent on anything but war and tactics. I want to be able to be that fighter that is the charmer, wooing at court, but a juggernaut on the battlefield. I don't want my perception and social skills tied to my race or class. Skills might be enhanced by Class or Race, but not limited.
Combat should provide for variety. It shouldn't be a "one roll is the end-all." If I'm making an overhand, finishing blow, it should be different from grabbing the foe by his throat. Marshall proficiency shouldn't be limited to Class, either. If I'm a mage, there's no reason I'm not practicing fencing to get away from the books for awhile. I'll never be as good as a master swordsman, but that's where my Art balances the equation.

Christianity, Dungeons and Dragons, and shooting your own wounded.

The Knight Shift: Gary Gygax and Christianity: Dungeons & Dragons creator was a believer
This article was informative and the supporting links very clearly back the facts. Gary's own statements from Gen Con 2007 sealed any critical doubts anyone could have.
This did surprise me that Gary claimed faith in Christ, but the supporting articles did point to some small details of the early game that I was unaware of. The spells that reflect Biblical miracles were right there in front of me and it never clicked.
It did not surprise me that Christians managed once again to shred their own. There are plenty that speak against C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien simply for dabbling in a creative fantasy world using tools given them by their Creator for His glory. Perhaps the only reason other Christians so vocally support Lewis and Tolkien is because their other works are so blatantly "Christian" that they somehow are more worthy of vindication.
I hold that Gary is equally worthy. He created a game that could have been a magnificent tool in the hands of Christians to reach others. Imagine a story-telling game where you could demonstrate moral principles in subtle ways to your players.
Sadly, Christians smashed that tool underfoot and left it unused. They left a loaded gun for the enemy to pick up and point right back at them. Nay, they picked up the gun and pointed it at their own head.