A roleplaying game (RPG) is a type of game in which players assume the roles of characters and collaboratively create stories. Gameplay progresses according to a predetermined system of rules and guidelines, within which players may improvise freely. Players' choices shape the direction and outcome of roleplaying games.

A roleplaying game rarely has winners or losers. This makes roleplaying games fundamentally different from board games, card games, sports and most other types of games. Like novels or films, roleplaying games appeal because they engage the imagination.

Roleplaying games are typically more collaborative and social than competitive. A typical roleplaying game unites its participants into a single team, known as a "party", that plays as a group. Most roleplaying games are conducted like radio drama: only the spoken component is acted, and players step out of character to describe action and discuss game mechanics. The genre of roleplaying games in which players do perform their characters' physical actions is known as live-action roleplaying games (LARP).

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FOUND Magazine

Bloodshoot Red
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0000
A teacher's report of inebriated student who disruptively demands a match.
Kicked His Eye, Lost a Tooth
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0000
I found this weeks ago on the floor of the building where live.
The Eye of God
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0000
Found in a house that once belonged to Thomas Hornsby Ferril, the late poet laureate of Denver. Writing classes and workshops are now held in the building, but in the basement boxes of forgotten items line the walls. This picture was found in a dusty old trunk and was accompanied a letter that was postmarked in July 1938.
The Mind of Sarah Part 3
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0000
A friend of mine (janitor) found a diary while taking out the trash. Sarah is just your average boy crazy 5th grader. This is Part 3.
The Mind of Sarah Part 2
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0000
A friend of mine (janitor) found a diary while taking out the trash. Sarah is just your average boy crazy 5th grader. This is Part 2.
The Well-Groomed Vagabond
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0000
The room of the clean-shaven squatter. This documentation of desolation is overwhelming and yet strangely warm. I have had this and a few other very interesting photos of similar for many years. I found them in a box or a book from an antique store.

MAKE Magazine

13 Colonies Ham Radio Special Event
Diana Eng Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:00:00 -0800
After a fourth of July BBQ, I was tuning around on the radio and made contact with Vince, K4AOC (operating as K2L) the 13 Colonies Special Event station in South Carolina. July 1- July 5th was the 13 Colonies 4th of July Special Event during which all thirteen original colonies were on the air with special event call signs: K2A-NY K2B-VA K2C-RI K2D-CT K2E-DE K2F-MD K2G-GA K2H-MA K2I-NJ K2J-NC K2K-NH K2L-SC K2M-PA. Make contact with all thirteen colonies to earn the Thirteen Colonies certificate. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Holiday projects | Digg this!
How fireworks...work
Chris Connors Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:00:09 -0800
Dark night, bright flashes, ooooh, ahhhh....hmmmm, how does that work? Here is a collection of how those flashy bangs and pops do their thing. How Stuff Works does a typically thorough job explaining the hows and whys of fireworks. When the fuse burns into the shell, it ignites the bursting charge, causing the shell to explode. The explosion ignites the outside of the stars, which begin to burn with bright showers of sparks. Since the explosion throws the stars in all directions, you get the huge sphere of sparkling light that is so familiar at fireworks displays. Pyrouniverse is up for giving the abstract on how they are loaded, but keep their lips sealed on the ancient family secrets. Fireworks tubes are made by rolling thick paper tightly around a former, such as a dowel. Though they can be made by hand, most firework/tube factories use machinery to manufacture tubes. The shells that hold the individual charges are loaded with various metals and other ingredients. Inside a shell are pellets that, when burning, produce the colors in a fireworks explosion. Various compounds create various colors -- strontium gets you red; barium, green; copper, blue; sodium, yellow. Aluminum, titanium and magnesium brighten the flames. The Boston fireworks show has a tradition of drawing huge, potentially panic attack producing crowds. Each of the charges have been built and are planned and manufactured for months in advance. When the time comes, they will be fired off in coordination with the music emanating from the stage. They downloaded the soundtrack onto a specially designed computer system and began the time-consuming work of matching their arsenal of Roman Candles, Comets, Meteors, Spinning Wheels, and other fireworks with the rhythm of the music. "You judge what to use by the feel of the music,'' Art Rozzi said. "You have to know what you've got. You have to know if you're going to shoot a lot or a little. And you have to keep in mind the finale, so you're not giving anything away.'' Though many cities have fireworks shows, lots are also dampening the fuse this year because of the expense and budget priorities. For the lucky remainders, people have been prepping the sites for the past few days and weeks. Each firework is encased in a shell that looks like an oversized light bulb wrapped in brown paper. Inside, one fuse launches the firework like a rocket, while another has a time delay that makes it burst in the air. The fireworks are made of gunpowder and beads that form various shapes and colors depending on the chemical pigments and how they are arranged inside. They come from all over the world, though most are from China. [Image from Wikipedia] The color of a compound in a firework will be the same as its color in a flame test. Not all compounds that produce a colored flame are appropriate for coloring fireworks, however. Ideal colorants will produce a pure, intense color when present in moderate concentration. Check out the wikipedia entry for more details, and a trip around the world detailing ways that fireworks are used in other cultures. Share with us in the comments your experiences of making and deploying fireworks. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in How it's made | Digg this!
How-To: shoot fireworks
Chris Connors Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:00:09 -0800
[Photo via Digital Photography School] So, you're heading out with the family and need something to do at the local fireworks display. How about taking some memorable photographs? Don't keep your shutter open too long. The temptation is to think that because it's dark that you can leave it open as long as you like. The problem with this is that fireworks are bright and it doesn't take too much to over expose them, especially if your shutter is open for multiple bursts in the one area of the sky. By all means experiment with multiple burst shots - but most people end up finding that the simpler one burst shots can be best. Shoot some great stuff, and don't forget to share with us in the Make Flickr pool. Know of any other great low light photography technique resources? Share 'em in the comments! Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Photography | Digg this!

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