DM of the Rings Remaster XIII: Let’s Not go There

By Bay Posted Sunday Apr 2, 2023

Filed under: DM of the Rings Remaster 14 comments

This is, of course, the most pervasive problem in D&D, and one which the rules have never addressed. The tension of many battles has been ruined by some smart-alec suggesting they use the Holy Hand Grenade. No fortress – no matter how impressive or dangerous – will ever seem foreboding after one of the players points out that, “It’s only a model”.

My own suggestion for the 4.0 edition rules: Anyone who quotes Holy Grail during a session should be made to eat their own character sheet.

–  Shamus, Wednesday Oct 4, 2006

A word of warning to nerds everywhere: if you make your children watch all those nerd references too early in life and with the pressure of ‘learning important cultural material’, you will do yourself a disservice.  Not only will you have a six-year-old running around obsessed with saying ‘spam’ over and over, and quoting Jar Jar Binks like he’s the peak of comedy, but they may grow up and have little to no appreciation for those nerd references that you love, directly going against what you were trying to cultivate in the first place.

TLDR; I am horrible at being a nerd, and don’t actually like Monty Python, it was pretty beyond me when I saw it.

 

 


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14 thoughts on “DM of the Rings Remaster XIII: Let’s Not go There

  1. Michael says:

    Typo (also in the original): “inherent” shouldn’t contain an A.

    1. Doug says:

      While we’re at it, “councels” falls between two stools: “council”, as in bunch of guys sitting around a table, and “counsel” as in advice/advise.

  2. Doran says:

    Popcultural osmosis is the way to go! Although pushing TV tropes wiki too much will likely have the same effect…

  3. MrGuy says:

    What you really should do at this point is to have the party encounter a nigh-unkillable ultra violent rabbit….

    Sometimes a “die by the sword” TPK is the lesson the players need.

  4. M says:

    Americans in general don’t get Monty Python, or English humour in general.

    It’s the “I must laugh, so I don’t go mad” attitude.

    1. evileeyore says:

      Eh wot mate?

      As an ‘American’ (USAin) who very much gets* Monty Python, Benny Hill, Black Adder, etc… in fact the only UK humour I’ve never enjoyed was Mr Bean, which seemed to take British absurdism to an extreme I just didn’t find entertaining.

      * Gets and prefers. I’m not much for USA comedies… comedians, sure. But comedy shows? Few and far between, and usually those that trend towards absurdism and long arcs. Like Malcolm in the Middle, Everybody Hates Chris, How I Met Your Mother and Shrinking. Or comedy news like The Daily Show with John Stewart.

  5. evileeyore says:

    Also, I love the header with Shamus as the Railroading, Lore-dumping, ‘Terrible’ GM. Also the pics of the others are good choices. I just wish you could have squeezed John Rhys-Davies in there… he’s my favorite out of that mix of actors.

    Though I suppose if two players have to get cut from the group shot, dropping Orlando and John is the best choice.

  6. evileeyore says:

    Sorry to spam the comments, but the title of this one should be: DM of the Rings XIII: Let’s Not go There

    You’re missing a ‘I’. ;)

    1. kincajou says:

      Frankly,
      Congratulations for the effort in translating not only the words but also the jokes with the appropriate pop culture references.
      You do an amazing job!

  7. Joshua says:

    TLDR; I am horrible at being a nerd, and don’t actually like Monty Python, it was pretty beyond me when I saw it.

    I enjoyed Monty Python and the Holy Grail when I saw it per an uncle’s recommendation (around 1990 or so). However, having gotten involved in various geek activities since then, I’ve grown to resent it. It’s so over-exposed that whenever I hear people recite a line, it seems like they’re doing it less because it’s funny and more of being a “geek solidarity” thing.

    Granted, I have a lot more appreciation if someone wants to drop a Life of Brian or Flying Circus* reference because the jokes aren’t so beaten into the ground.
    .
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    *DINSDALE!

    1. Gresman says:

      Stop it stop it right here. This comment is way too silly now.

      I somewhat agree. In general the well known parts of Monty Python are just beaten into an undead pulp. I personally try to keep it to a minimum and only if it fits. I think that is the main thing about reciting lines. Only do it if it fits the situation instead of just to show that you are a fan.

  8. Marcus says:

    Man this is nostalgic, this was a way bigger problem back in the day.
    That’s not to say players these days don’t get distracted and quote stuff but at least they don’t get stuck on any single thing.

  9. Wide And Nerdy says:

    You’re clearly grown up enough to appreciate Monty Python now. I recommend you try the Dennis Moore sketch if you can find it.

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