Pen, Paper, & Pixel

PPnP Character Record Updated

There are several excellent new additions to our character record sheet:

• Tweaks: All fields have been minutely re-sized and aligned. Many superfluous or inappropriate settings have been removed.
• Insertion of character portrait: You may now imbed a picture file into the sheet.
• Automated size modifier: Set your character's size, and the size modifier is automatically calculated.
• Trained only skills: Skills that require training to use now show a dash (instead of a modifier) if they are untrianed.
• Blank skill lines: You now have five empty slots to fill in skills that aren't already listed.
• Skill specificity: You may now indicate the specific Craft, Knowledge, Perform, or Profession skills you have trained.
• Iterative attack bonuses: Base iterative attack bonuses for melee and ranged combat are now automatically calculated.
• Coin weight: The weight of coins is automatically included in treasure weight carried. You might want to convert some of those gold pieces to gems...
• Next level XP Goal: Just set your character's Equivalent Character Level (ECL) and the number of experience points necessary for your next level is automatically calculated.

A special thanks goes out to Orci who provided all of the excellent scripting and special techniques needed in this update.

Pen, Paper, & Pixel Launched

The popularity of computer and video games is at an all time high. Millions of gamers are attracted to the ease of involvement and play, along with the visceral thrill of rich, intense graphics and sounds.

But to me, compared to face-to-face tabletop gaming, video games can't compete. Too often, they're all shiny fluff with little substance. For many years I've enjoyed the social interaction, depth of game experience, and sheer entertainment value that only a pen and paper game can deliver.

That doesn't mean, however, that we can't improve on the pen and paper gaming experience. It doesn't mean that we can't make it more compelling and fun to play. Most of all, it doesn't mean that we can't benefit from intelligently incorporating technology into our game sessions.

With those principles in mind, the purpose of this website is to explore, promote, and support the smart integration of technology into the face-to-face gaming experience.