Looking to start a game :-)

It would be great if there is a DnD type game out there (AD&D, Palladium, etc) that I could get in to :-)

If not, I am willing to start a game and host it. Fair warning on hosting, though, I have been at this for a long time and I emphasize the social aspect of the game. It is all about having a good time and laughing and joking with friends, not finding The Sword of U B Dead and killing gods with it. I like combat and all, but I am not into hack and slash. I need story *and* combat.

I like it when folks role play a bit, but some folks are too shy or just don't care for that, so as long as the group is good with those that wish to do it then all is well. Like I said, it is all about having fun and laughing with friends, new or old.

When I host I play my own rule set, something that has evolved over a very long time. I find that there aren't any perfect systems out there, mine absolutely included, and that quite often the rules get in the way of having fun.

Case and point: AD&D combat. The DM works his butt off to provide a tense, combat atmosphere, and suddenly it is The Invasion of the D20 System! Lengthy, over cumbersome combat. It can take 5 minutes to get through a single round of combat, sometimes even longer! It totally ruins the tension because people are getting bogged down by the minutia.

There are, however, a lot of things I *do* like about the AD&D system, and I use those. But their combat system is just too slow.

Anyway, like I said, I would far rather play than DM. It just seems that everyone wants to get in on a game, but no one wants to actually *start* a game, so if no one else will then I can if need be.

Edit: I had forgotten to write something in the Introductions thread, but have added it now for anyone who is curious :-)