MITSasquatch

It is very gratifying to know my friend, former houseboy, sometimes coworker, and fellow security agent (as part of Arisia’s Men in Green) was loved by many others that he touched. For my next birthday TJack gave me copies of the Bureau 13 novels which were the basis for my last Hero System campaign. After my maternal grandmother died I found that I could focus on the Loss or the Gift. Hermit’s post reminds me of the wonder of my 40+ year friendship. The Mafia story, Thud Can’t Fly, Fasting at Boscon, More Chicken wings, Spotting Seven Samuri and The Long Line of people who know you have become part of my identity. TJack was a storyteller. So are all RPGers. Tell them well in his memory.

The Good News is that Hero System is used for RPGs in heaven. The sad news is that TJack’s Sessions are already filled with Alan, Joe, Ben and Sheldon. TJack will probably start working on me to come over and share the load.

TJack never claimed to be a math wiz. Which is funny since we used to play champions as part of the MIT Strategic Gaming Society. He would occasionally make a power work by dividing by “bleen “ I made his head hurt. Once a friend (We’ll call him Nah) has me write up Superman on 225 points (This involved applying 3 levels of shrinking on the entire planet) Nah liked overpowered characters and to my shame I helped him with several. My friend would look with horror on these creations. Head is not hurting now. Shake you head and remember TJack.

After almost 20 years of extended life TJack was dependent on an Oxygen feed but happily participating in FanFiction sites and online forums. His lung function has dropped to 30% at his last physical and he was not expecting more than another year of life. He was recently in an online champions game but hadn’t found quite the right fit. He kept hoping I would get to running the SuperAgents of SHIELD campaign that he had brainstormed a few years ago but dndbeyond was taking my available time. A bout of the flu landed TJack in the hospital and reduced his lung function to 5%. He was expecting to recover but just found out that the flu was out of his system and recovery was not expected. Take a deep breath for TJack and congratulate him for having beaten the odds for so long. As I told a friend today TJack IS a kind man. I wonder how many points his new write up is based on. I miss him.

My wife just reminded me TJack can enjoy coffee again. Twenty years ago in July he was driving for work when his heart exploded. He used to drink a pot of coffee before getting out of bed in the morning using a timer run coffee pot next to his bed. This got more extreme when he discovered caffeinated water made the coffee more potent. Fortunately he was near a hospital when he collapsed. They were able to patch his heart although he was dead for a little bit… He used to claim that Saint Peter told him to go back and get a note from me since I was one of his more religious friends. Not only was he given only 3 years to live after the life saving surgery but he had to go without caffeine. So lift a cup of coffee for TJack.

My friend decided to join Sir Terry on the morning of May 31 2022 - a master of trivia and avid hero games enthusiast. TJack always liked stories and told some to his goddaughter two days ago. He then threatened to tell racy stories about the 14 year old’s mother “when you get to be 18”. TJack humored me. He had created Jack Flash who was Bill Maxwell rejuvenated by the little green guys and given Ralph Hinkley’s supersuit who promptly got lost in the multiverse while testing his powers. I suggested that since Bill Maxwell had lost his Black partner at the FBi and that Robert Culp played Kelly Robinson in I Spy that it would be a cute twist if Bill the FBI agent was a retired spy and that Alexander Scott was the deceased partner. I’ll be spinning tales of a kind man in his honor. Those who will miss his wit are welcome to do the same. My sympathies to those who will miss him.

Reminds me some of my current Discord D&D campaign. The power gamer is running a 10 year old celestial lost boy who just at level 13 learned common. The explorer is party leader who is playing a monk with a vow of silence. The chaotic is running a Kenku warlock. Our last session had the power gamer guest GM a snowball fight… A bit a comic relief after the black dragon attack…

In the Spirit of Sly Flourish and the Lazy Dungeon Master I would suggest starting with the characters. Hunted/Monitored and Psychological Limits can seed half your sessions - this will also tell what the players expect. An Alien Invasion (JLA) Subterrestrial attack (FF) Demonic Invasion (NTT) Trickster God (Avengers) Superpower Terrorist (X-men) Shadow War (BtVS) missing Hero team (New X-men) expansion of a Global Team (JLE) rescue of escaped alien captive from kidnapping (NTT) rescue of experimental subject (YJ) Base provided to heroes by Benefactor (NTT) heroes approached by Insurance company to protect insured customers (Northwind) Run a session and see which direction the players go. Think of three things that the heroes could do - five places they might go - three days interesting thing about it each location - three groups on individuals they might meet - five pieces of information. keep doing this and the campaign will grow

My Stepson’s stepbrother studied under Alton Brown’s teacher. TJack and I were roommates for a time. Before that there was a theory formed when TJack met my friends from Tokyo Paris and London who were on there way to a conference. But he tells it better

Complementary to a blue and white sky would be red orange and yellow colors with black trim. Is the character ground based or a flier?