RPGaDay 2025 Final Week Roundup

The RPGaDay 2025 challenge is over until next year. Here's one more compilation with extra remarks. Additional commentary is in italics. For background information on RPGaDay, see this introductory post. Here are links to the week one, week two, week three, and week four roundups.

Day 25: Challenge

A challenge can be a duel, a contest of wits, a wager, a tournament, et cetera. Whatever the form, it should give participants chances to shine and moments where they're stumped. Challenges best reflect the character of those taking them on.

The biggest challenge in doing RPGaDay is coming up with something to fit the daily prompt. It's easy enough early on, but inspiration doesn't come so quickly after the halfway point. My workaround was to look up the definition of the word used as the prompt. It was just enough to get the creative juices going.


Day 26: Nemesis

The Nemesis System gives NPCs in "Shadows of Mordor" personality. They recall past encounters, hold grudges, gain new traits, etc. Warner Bros owns the patient, but it appears to only cover video games. Will TTRPG space roll those dice? Dunno.

A good break down of the Nemesis System as it's used in "Shadows of Mordor" can be found here: The Nemesis System (link to IGN).

It could be argued that this could all be accomplished by GM fiat. While true, such an argument ignores the long tradition of random tables and rules that govern what happens in game. A system helps to ensure impartiality and allows players to see patterns in the system. GM fiat can be a little too random and arbitrary for players to feel that they have an effect on things.

I really need to get around to writing a post about the Nemesis System and TTRPGs at some point. Any interest?


Day 27: Tactic

A tactic is a means for achieving a goal. Tactics rarely survive contact with the table on both sides of the screen. It's not a bug, it's an intended feature. Keeps everybody on their toes.

GM plans fall apart due to the players. Player plans fall apart due to the GM. I figure that it's fair all the way around.


Day 28: Suspense

"It's the suspense that gets me" - Bugs Bunny, "Easter Yeggs" (1947). Generating suspense takes disciplined play. The reward is tantalizing uncertainty. The sense that something is about to happen, but not knowing what.

Suspense is the feeling that keeps players on their toes. Like the atmosphere in horror games, it takes focus to establish and maintain.


Day 29: Connect

More of this hobby takes place over an internet connection than ever. My introverted, possibly neurodivergent self welcomes it. On the other hand, TTRPGs are an activity where I'm willing to come into close proximity to other people. I'm conflicted.

Gaming over an internet connection is still personal interaction. In person gaming has more fidelity - expressions, gestures, and tone of voice are easier to perceive. It also lacks the convenience of using a device in the comfort of one's home. Which one gets used by a particular group often comes down to circumstances and personal preference.


Day 30: Experience

My first TTRPG experience involved a GM who carried his gaming stuff around in a hand-me-down white Samsonite hard shell briefcase. His D&D/AD&D campaign featured a Learjet and a red convertible. I think it was a Cadillac.

Yeah, the first campaign I played in was gonzo. In the defense of everybody involved, we were all still in grade school.

I sometimes consider getting a white Samsonite hard shell briefcase out of nostalgia. Those things are awkward and heavy, though.


Day 31: Reward

The true reward is the friends we made along the way. And the tales we get to share. Plus the loot our characters found. And the levels they gained. But mostly the friendship thing. And the stories.

The real, true reward is getting to the end of this challenge. It's fun and gets me back into the habit of writing, but the end of it frees up time and attention.