Category: Pets

I’ve always had a personal rule when it comes to any world-building or campaign-writing: if the players add something to my world and it fits, I need to respect their creative drive and add it to my campaign.

Now, with the current campaign being a Star Wars campaign set in the Expanded Universe timeline, I’m beginning to understand the pressure the authors of those novels must have felt when they were adding to the universe.

Last year, one of my players gave me some details to their character that I thought would add depth to the character, honor the players’ creative perspective, and enrich the Star Wars universe. Unfortunately, I also forgot to write the bloody details down, so when they gave me new details based on what they had said beforehand, I was understandably (from my biased perspective) confused. I went back through my notes and, to my horror, realized I had been moving from a point with background details that would not be in following with my rules on player contributions.

To Lina: I apologize. I didn’t write the damn thing down.

With that, I’ve spent the evening going through my background notes and adding the details necessary. Old Man Casey is, also understandably, sleepy from my late-night work.

Now that that has been fixed, I can continue with my writing, or rather since it’s nearly midnight and I’m driving the kids to school in the morning, probably should go get what sleep I can.

I swear, I need to include a section for GameMaster Essays so I can explain what notes I have.

Stay safe out there, readers. Hopefully I’ll have Mardek’s Side-Arc ready for posting in a couple days, and the next Adventure posted shortly thereafter.

-JB Swift

A Monday morning broke over our little rural home and something was different about it.

Namely, that I wasn’t scrambling to get my postal gear together. It’s a day off. A week off, actually. I’m off from the day job all week until next Monday, as we prepare for a trip out of town and catch up on all the other chores/projects that have been needing attention. The kids were all kinds of confused to see me in civilian clothes while they were readying for school, but even they were glad I was off work for a little while. “You work too much, Dad,” Han said during the drive to school. “You can get some sleep!” Ben said as I helped him out of the car.

I wish I could, son. But just because Dad isn’t in his postal uniform doesn’t mean he is free of responsibility, be it self-imposed or house-spouse necessary. I’ll be writing some today, namely getting Votosh’s article finished with editing and posting, but also Mardek’s Side-Arc before Arc 1, Adventure 2 gets my full attention. As one of my players said during the sit-down discussion on Saturday: “No pressure on getting everything up, but I wanna read it!”

I’m not feeling pressured, don’t worry. That they are anxious to read the story is very encouraging. But before I can, I need to get the house in order. Sunday was spent on the backyard (wonderfully destroyed by overly excited dogs who love digging) and vehicle repairs (I am all kinds of an amateur with automotive mechanics but I can do some work), so it’s down the priority list I go.

At least I’ll have company while I wander around the house and property, as Old Man Casey refuses to leave my side when I’m home.

He’ll find the moving of topsoil entertaining, at least. So long as he doesn’t try digging through the bags.

I’m off to house-spouse and eventually write. Lots to do today and I can’t procrastinate. Stay safe out there, readers.

-JB Swift

It was 1:30AM last night. I was between segments of my biphasic sleep pattern and preparing breakfast and lunch for the day-job, when who would toddle into the kitchen but my 6yr-old daughter.

“Heya, kid,” I said. “What brings you out here at this hour?” Were it a school night, she would’ve been sent scurrying back to bed, but it’s the weekend, so I don’t need to be strict.
“I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep,” she said, peering at the pan full of food. “Why are you cooking?”
I explained to the 6yr that sometimes, Dad wakes up and has to wait until he’s tired enough to go back to bed. In the meantime, there’s chores to do. “Sorry, kid, but you get it honest. I’ve been like this for as long as I can remember. It’s rare when I sleep through the night.”
The 6yr stayed up for about an hour, asking questions while I went about the meal-prepping, cooking, storing, and cleanup. She asked for ways to get her to go back to sleep and was told to go read a book, since that has helped me in the past. She tried that and was passed out on the couch shortly after.

A Swift tradition, that.

Of course, I always have company during my “can’t go back to sleep” time. There are other gremlins that like to stare at me while I do my late-night cooking, just waiting for me to be clumsy.

After seeing to the sleeping gremlin-princess (she forgot a pillow and blanket but she did grab her portable night-light, bless her) I went about my own routine to get myself ready for bed. Dawn would be soon, and I wanted to be rested for the day shift. I did manage to get a decent picture of the night sky, with the full (or gibbous, I’m never sure) moon making its way across.

It was just when I felt like I could go back to bed when I realized something about the chapter I had been working on. I have been struggling to get it finished for the past week, but it had never come across as what I was looking for. I usually refer to my notes taken during the session when this occurs, but I couldn’t find the outline or session recording to factcheck myself (and this is precisely why I record the sessions, with the players consent, of course) so for a moment there, I was worried that I would have to do a complete rewrite.

When lo and behold, the recording had been accidentally downloaded into a different set of files, those meant for this sites’ wiki-styled articles! The outline was there! As excited as I was to be able to make headway, I told myself I could wait until the next evening or Sunday.

We have a session tonight! The Field Group has a terrific challenge ahead of them, and they’re going about it smartly, RPing their hyperspace journey as their strategy discussions. I’m looking forward to what they come up with.

Lunch break is done, so back to the mail I go. Stay safe, readers!

-JB Swift