Comments on: My tools of the trade, Part 2 http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/ Like Hanging at the Cash Register of your Favorite Game Store Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:10:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: ChattyDM http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-5476 ChattyDM Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:52:34 +0000 http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/#comment-5476 GDG: Thanks! Yeah... that thing is anything but Mini... there was a time when it was bigger than my chilrdren! GDG: Thanks! Yeah… that thing is anything but Mini… there was a time when it was bigger than my chilrdren!

]]> By: Geek's Dream Girl http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-5474 Geek's Dream Girl Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:48:17 +0000 http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/#comment-5474 Love the gratuitous text padding. My bf also notices that you have the colossal red dragon "mini". :-) I want one! Love the gratuitous text padding. My bf also notices that you have the colossal red dragon “mini”. :-) I want one!

]]> By: Where does he get those wonderful toys? : Critical Hits http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-1289 Where does he get those wonderful toys? : Critical Hits Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:29:36 +0000 http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/#comment-1289 [...] by the Chatty DM’s recent post about his setup, here’s a list of everything I use for D&D, and where I get it from. D&D [...] [...] by the Chatty DM’s recent post about his setup, here’s a list of everything I use for D&D, and where I get it from. D&D [...]

]]> By: ChattyDM http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-1277 ChattyDM Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:07:16 +0000 http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/#comment-1277 We used to have this huge 4'x8' gaming table before we renovated my basement. At that time I could play on a side and not worry about encroaching on player space. I agree with the concept of being in the center of the table, it is the best way to be closer with the players and does strengthen the 'team' aspect of the activity. But I'll keep my little cozy corner all the same :) We used to have this huge 4′x8′ gaming table before we renovated my basement. At that time I could play on a side and not worry about encroaching on player space.

I agree with the concept of being in the center of the table, it is the best way to be closer with the players and does strengthen the ‘team’ aspect of the activity.

But I’ll keep my little cozy corner all the same :)

]]> By: John Arcadian http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-1276 John Arcadian Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:01:26 +0000 http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/#comment-1276 I think table positioning is one of the most important non game things that contributes to a game. The best layouts I've been privy to have always with the GM having one side to him or herself. I always loved gaming in college because you could grab one of those conference rooms built into the dorms to game in. Neutral location, big table, closed off but usually with windows to see outside areas. I think table positioning is one of the most important non game things that contributes to a game. The best layouts I’ve been privy to have always with the GM having one side to him or herself. I always loved gaming in college because you could grab one of those conference rooms built into the dorms to game in. Neutral location, big table, closed off but usually with windows to see outside areas.

]]> By: ScottM http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-1274 ScottM Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:37:26 +0000 http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/#comment-1274 I like your setup. I have a two book case shelves devoted to game stuff, but out in an adjacent room rather than immediately to hand. I like Asmor and Alex's "sit in the middle of the table" idea-- I'd previously rejected it for space considerations (5 players: 2 couches and 2 big chairs), but if we switched things around I could do it. I've long thought it'd be better for the GM to have more people close, rather than at the other end of the table... I like your setup. I have a two book case shelves devoted to game stuff, but out in an adjacent room rather than immediately to hand.

I like Asmor and Alex’s “sit in the middle of the table” idea– I’d previously rejected it for space considerations (5 players: 2 couches and 2 big chairs), but if we switched things around I could do it. I’ve long thought it’d be better for the GM to have more people close, rather than at the other end of the table…

]]> By: Alex Schroeder http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-1257 Alex Schroeder Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:54:20 +0000 http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/#comment-1257 <a style="float:left; margin: 1em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kensanata/1233553941/"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1123/1233553941_236dae02f0_t.jpg"></a> I'm with Asmor. No DM screen, and sit to one side of the table. We have five to six chairs were people sit and not enough space on the table so people put extra dice, bags and books under their chairs or on additional chairs and stools. You should submit those pictures to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/gamingspaces/pool/">Gaming Spaces Pool</a> on Flickr.
I’m with Asmor. No DM screen, and sit to one side of the table. We have five to six chairs were people sit and not enough space on the table so people put extra dice, bags and books under their chairs or on additional chairs and stools.

You should submit those pictures to the Gaming Spaces Pool on Flickr.

]]> By: Asmor http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-1256 Asmor Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:26:02 +0000 http://chattydm.net/2008/01/11/my-tools-of-the-trade-part-2/#comment-1256 It's natural to want to sit at the head of the table. I and most other DMs I've had the luck to play with choose to... However, recently I've discovered that the center of the table is much better. When you're at the end, it tends to isolate you and also makes it difficult to reach things in the center. When you're sitting in the middle of the long end, you're more involved, more accessible, and you have much better access to the map. On a normal-sized kitchen table, you should probably have your entire side to yourself (4 players can sit one on each end and two to the opposite side)... I'll usually stick a chair on either side of me to hold things like books so that they're not taking up always-precious table space. It’s natural to want to sit at the head of the table. I and most other DMs I’ve had the luck to play with choose to…

However, recently I’ve discovered that the center of the table is much better. When you’re at the end, it tends to isolate you and also makes it difficult to reach things in the center. When you’re sitting in the middle of the long end, you’re more involved, more accessible, and you have much better access to the map.

On a normal-sized kitchen table, you should probably have your entire side to yourself (4 players can sit one on each end and two to the opposite side)… I’ll usually stick a chair on either side of me to hold things like books so that they’re not taking up always-precious table space.

]]>