GNS & d20

-While I'm not one of the devout followers of Ron Edwards, I do think the GNS Theory of roleplaying games has a lot of useful stuff in it. (For those not familiar with it, it divides the RPG experience into three categories: Gamist, in which you're trying to "win," narrativist, in which you're trying to "tell a story," and simulationist, in which you're trying to accurately simulate the source material (which may be "reality").)

-At the moment, I'm looking to buy, steal, or invent optional rules to be grafted on to the D&D 3.0 rules, which will encourage a more narrativist style of play. (D&D is strongly gamist.) Anyone got any suggestions? I suspect something like Weapons of the Gods' "buying into the setting" lore sheet rules might help . . .

Books: A Player's Guide to Ptolus for D&D

-This is a 32-page introduction to the fantasy city of Ptolus, selling for $3. (The book, not the city.) As one might guess, it's a loss leader. The full book, Ptolus: Monte Cook's City by the Spire, is . . . (wait for it) . . . 672 pages, at least partly in color, with a double-sided poster map, three bound-in fabric bookmarks, four cardstock bookmarks, 24 assorted handouts, and a CD-ROM containing another 400 pages of material. Comes out in August. I can't imagine it weighing in at less than $100.

-So, yeah, you might want to give people a taste, first. And, based on the taste, I'm not quite intrigued enough. I think it's mostly a lack of verisimilitude. Now, I'll give up a lot of veris' for some good sense-of-wonder, but the SoW in this setting is a bit by-the-numbers.

-Still, if there's the slightest possibility you'd be in the market for the full product, the $3 "first hit" is highly recommended, if for no other reason than because it's so cheap.