So, half a month away from being 25 and I might already be permanently partially disabled (yes, that makes sense). Last year I developed a foot condition at work (commonly known as "heal spurs") that is, for all intents and purposes, making it impossible for me to have a job where I have to stand constantly. This was diagnosed last October, and for nearly the last year I've either been on limited work or on medical leave.
My doctor has finally exhausted his non-surgical options and is now requesting surgery and permanent work restrictions for me. In the mean time, the level of pain I'm under and the brain addling effects of my pain killers have been sliding me into a mild depression. It's two-fold, because the depression makes me unmotivated to do anything, and my lack of doing anything productive is making the depression worse. On the plus side being home all the time means I've been able to cook instead of eating fast food, so I'm loosing my love-handles.
Either way, this is not a post to say that you won't see me around anymore. This is a request, not for ideas on what to post, but for motivation. I need people to push and prod me to write more. I have a list of projects I could be working on, and I think that if I know that someone will appreciate the work I'll be more motivated to do it.
So what do you say? Anyone willing to give me a kick in the butt and make me work? Here is a list of some projects I have on the drawing board.
*Create "Priest" class for 4E D&D; this will be a modification to the cleric to make it a robe wearing priest and not an armor wearing warrior. The Str powers will be removed and two distinct paths will be created: one who leads by giving the allies bonuses (primarily healing and defensive bonuses) and another who leads by weakening the enemies (primarily by penalizing their defenses and such).
*Create "Archer" class for 4E D&D; this will be a modification to the ranger by primarily removing its melee powers. Two paths will be made, where one focuses on mass target damaging effects while the other focuses on single target status effects. I'd like it to fit the controller role as much as is thematically possible. The TWFing stuff from the Ranger will be used to make a new Rogue path, the Int focused "Swift Blade" which will focus on rapid and multiple attacks (not necessarily made with two-weapons, but the option will be there).
*Create a TWFing path for the Fighter for 4E D&D; this path will consist of a new at-will and new encounter and daily powers (few are really needed though) to make a TWFing defender. Where a shield fighter is focused on control and massive defense, and a great-weapon fighter is focused on dealing massive damage to be a threat, the TWFing fighter will be focused on attacking (and thus defending against) multiple enemies.
*Saga/d20 Modern/4E Blending: I'd like to create a blend of these three game systems for use with a modern setting I've been mulling over.
*And of course, my campaign setting itself. I'm not currently running a game in it, but I'd still like to make more for it. At the moment I'm lost on figuring out what would be most prudent to work on first: I have new spellcasting classes to create, races to balance and finalize, and of course history, cultures, and regions to detail. It feels like so much I'm just overwhelmed.
Well personally I feel you should do what YOU think you should do. Barring that though I would work on your own campaign. Nothing quite as satisfying as looking at something when it's finished and saying "I did this."
You could always look for jobs that you can do at home without a lot of mobility. All of those "home agent" type things. Different jobs are clearly the better idea. As for the depression, get yourself into some mindless video games, such as some shooters or maybe Diablo-esque bideo games, which will at least help you keep your depression at a stable level. There are limited things you can really do, when it gets down to it, that don't superficially eliminate the depression unless the causes are completely rectified, which might not be possible in your case. But that's not a bad thing.
Im glad you are keeping it up. Its all about being active so you will do great. I really dont know about 4E DnD so I will check around to see your work and learn from it. Write, write, write!
Work on whatever you want to have made the most. I'll certainly read it.
[blockquote=Captain, My Captain]*And of course, my campaign setting itself. I'm not currently running a game in it, but I'd still like to make more for it. At the moment I'm lost on figuring out what would be most prudent to work on first: I have new spellcasting classes to create, races to balance and finalize, and of course history, cultures, and regions to detail. It feels like so much I'm just overwhelmed.[/blockquote]
I am much more interested in your campaign setting than 4E permutations. I'd like to know about the historical cultures that most shaped the current part of the setting. Nothing is revisited by me in my setting than the layers of interwoven history, so for me, that is worth reading. One little bit at a time, like building blocks.
Quote from: JokerYou could always look for jobs that you can do at home without a lot of mobility. All of those "home agent" type things. Different jobs are clearly the better idea.
Depending on multiple different factors, such as the job in question, or the intensity of the depression, it's possible this might not be as good of an idea as it seems. Personally, not knowing all of the details, I'd rather not suggest anything that Xev doesn't explicitly say he's willing to try.
However, since he did explicitly say that he was willing to work on crunch, I do have a suggestion. Quite awhile back, somebody (I forget who) offered to design a PrC for Fiendspawn. I forget the idea behind the PrC at the moment, but looking it up yourself may help you feel that much more productive. So what are ya waiting for? Go get at it:p
Come on Xev, chin up!
Anyway, work on your world. That's what all of us should do, when in doubt, and positive feedback will continue to inspire you to carry on.
Personally, I'll be glad to help with any religion material you put up. I just declared my major in Religious Studies, so I ought to have something useful to say, eh?
Make a setting!
Creative output often helps with snapping one out of being down. Granted, you need that initial kick, that first push to get moving (which is what you're looking for here, I'm assuming) but once you're going, it tends to snowball. Keeping your mind active on that sort of thing keeps you from being down, and you have a satisfying sense of "hey, look what I did!" when it's all done, because you accomplished something.
Now I just need to take my own advice... :D
I was interested in your ideas for your Modern update, and would like to see further developments on that.
Out of the things you have listed the one I would like to see is not there :(. I would like to see the next installment of your fiction (http://www.thecbg.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?7631)
Quote from: Xeviat*And of course, my campaign setting itself. I'm not currently running a game in it, but I'd still like to make more for it. At the moment I'm lost on figuring out what would be most prudent to work on first: I have new spellcasting classes to create, races to balance and finalize, and of course history, cultures, and regions to detail. It feels like so much I'm just overwhelmed.
Well if you decide to work on this, give a brief description of a few of the regions, etc... like you did in the first post of this thread and I can tell you what I would like to see in further detail.
Another possibility, of course, is to check out my own gaming system (http://thecbg.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?42599.0). I think you might like the crunchiness, there.
I can't be sure this will help, but I know what it's like to be depressed and unmotivated: I am that right now, and it's making it impossible to do anything creative. So know that you aren't alone.
Thanks everyone. SDragon, your system is on my bookmark bar, and I will begin reading it tomorrow. Ye olde fish god, even if you're my only fan, I'll get back on my fiction. Rose, religion is very important to a culture, kudos on the line of study (I study mythology, so our fields are very close); I'll write up a list of what the religions of my world are going to look like and maybe you can give me some input.
Otherwise, thanks all for being here.
Quote from: Kapn XeviatYe olde fish god, even if you're my only fan, I'll get back on my fiction.
If you don't want to, you don't have to. Though I have read that particular short story a few times now. (found a few more typos, but haven't bumped the thread because it is so old). You just seem to paint a very vivid picture, I can see the scenes in my minds eye as I read it. After the little teaser (and discussing it with you a little outside of that thread), I do want to know what becomes Xeviat and Alicia, but don't feel that it is necessary to work on Outcasts if you aren't compelled to do so.
Like I said I'll help with your setting if you decide to work on that, though religion is far from my strongest area (not that I have a strong area).
Bump this thread and link me. I must read this (I love to read and love new material to check out in doing so).
Quote from: NomadicBump this thread and link me. I must read this (I love to read and love new material to check out in doing so).
I linked it in my original post, but here it is again. Birth of an Outcast (http://www.thecbg.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?7631)
I will be taking a read of that this weekend.
I know he hasn't been on in awhile, but since he told us to...
Quote from: Kapn XeviatThanks everyone. SDragon, your system is on my bookmark bar, and I will begin reading it tomorrow.
I'm officially giving him a "kick in the butt" about this...