The ambience of a game is created by the players as well as the GM. Some players laugh and have fun, others take things very seriously, and still others try to milk the system and game for every tiny advantage to their own character. I try to create entertaining scenarios, and have been pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm of most of my players... and also by the direction they will take the "plot". OTOH, I've played in games where the GM tried to kill us every week, and my fellows learned that their job was to keep me alive while I figured a way out of the situation. I don't need that much adrenaline. I have also been fortunate to play with most of the folks who designed these games. One thing I learned early was to mix up the gaming system a little bit. This reduces the advantage some players might have from memorizing the books and adds needed variety when all the gamers are experienced. I ran a Hero System game at DunDraCon and the guys were all relaxed... until I asked them to roll percentile dice. They freaked when they realized that I'd developed a "whimsey table" similar to the one in Arduin's Grimoires... but it was fun for all. When I bought Neftis's Classic hair, I thought of doing a render of one of my characters. La Peri is a ninja ballerina. However, I don't yet own Vicki's catsuit, and that would be essential to both her costumes. Carolly