Paul Hardcastle – 19

As far as props, they can be time consuming, but it all depend on what you’re making. A map can take a few hours of getting the right look, for example. But something like a magical ring can be as easy as some cheap costume jewelry bought at a yard sale.

I really didn’t agree with how DM Nick and DM Vincent decided to continue on with the foray into the cave once they realized they had no provisions. Not a sound decision as far as I’m concerned. Being left hog-tied, shaved, and naked was getting off easy compared to how things could have gone….

Now as far as props go, I love them, but find that they can take far too long to produce and sometimes the effort isn’t worth it. I like to use them for puzzles and things that it is helpful to have the players manipulate for clues. I believe DM Nick got to play with some puzzle pieces I had for the group at last year’s Origins.

I hazily recall from my childhood an episode of The Edison Twins wherein a letter or map is aged by soaking in black tea then exposuring to direct sunlight.

At the end of the episode there’s a scientific explanation of the chemical process involving tannins, ultraviolet light, etc.

Great episode!