Long story short (as per my usual), I recently relocated to a small town, and I was wondering if any of you had advice on trying to find a local gaming scene? Not many, if any, of the friends I've made here are into the whole RP thing, but I'm sure there are people around here who are! Any advice on finding a game?

If you're still attending school you should show up in Larping gear. It'll either make your social life or destroy it. I know if I saw anyone dressed up in a Larping costume I'd talk to them.

But maybe a better Idea is to carry your dice with you all the time and randomly (when you get bored) pull them out and fidget with them. Or check local listings for a comic/gaming shop and hang out there.

In any case, whether attending school or not, you can simply invite your friends into the game. Tell them you enjoy a game and that you would like for them to try it out. If they are your friends, they should be open to trying at least once. Then they can tell you that it wasn't their thing. Right now, it seems like they don't want to try it because of the aura of nerdiness that it has.

I haven't met many people yet, who do NOT like to play the game. Most simply don't know it, or have the wrong impression.

Invite them, I say, and keep it simple but with lots of rewards that first adventure (and no, not all rewards are cash or extra bonus weapons )

Good luck, dude.

Love the LARPing idea, but in uberconservative here...that could get me lynched or something...

aaaaand, I like the idea of rewards. As I always say, cookies make good rewards

Ok, so some friends and I are thinking of starting a 3.5e game, and I was wondering, what's everyone's opinion of the best 3.5e books/builds/apps/whatever?

I would say that, for the DM, the Book of Vile Darkness is a great resource when it comes to making villains that you want to be memorable, and it gives some good rules on the.

Also, depending on what direction you want to take these players, and what you want them to engage in, I would say Draconomicon could be a fantastic resource. Very detailed in Dragon uses, and other kinds of dragons.

Also, the Magic Item Compendium is brilliant for giving out treasure, as there are magic items in there for every class, every level, every need... It's wonderful.

There's just some advice from me. I hope your game works out!