Asshat Paladins

Year Two and Changes!

2012-01-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

I've been writing this blog for two years now and I've been posting every day, covering a wide variety of topics, games and campaign settings. I am very proud of all that I've written.

And I think that I've done a good job. I have some followers (thanks guys and gals). I have a list of blogs that I really like. I've done two D20cembers and a September of Short Adventures where over 20 blogs participated to generate more than 300 adventures.

I've had a bunch of campaigns, like my Distinguished Flying Cross Savage Worlds pulp game, my 1938: A Very British Civil War Isle of Man game, and my Ashford Valley Labyrinth Lord game, in addition to other campaigns I've run.

I wrote up a bunch of characters, monsters and gaming resources. Once a week, I had my Atomic Thursday. And I also told y'all about my game collection.

And while I'm happy with the results, after two years of blogging daily, I've decided to change things up a bit.

First the schedule: I'm no longer going to post every day. When I started the blog, I wanted to keep a schedule and post daily. The plan was to do so for at least two years. But now, I find that I want to try some different things while still including blogging into the mix. And those things may be game related, so you'll hear all about them.

Second, I'm ending a bunch of previous categories: Like Atomic Thursday. I really enjoyed finding stuff for that but I think it's time has past. I probably won't come back to it unless I start a post-apocalypse game. And 1938. I've presented 38 posts on it. A bunch of other things I'm going to stop as well. No worries, you'll figure which ones they are.

Third, and finally, this isn't goodbye. I'm not deleting the blog and taking my posts with me. Nothing along those lines. This isn't going to be a dead blog. It may be a slow breathing blog but it'll should still have plenty of life (or unlife) to interest you.

So I hope you stick around.

[Resources] The Lottery

2012-01-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

The Lottery was a short story written by Shirley Jackson. Published in The New Yorker on June 26, 1948, it concerns a ritual that a fictional small American town performs each June 27th. Basically, through use of a lottery system, one inhabitant is chosen to be stoned to death (the text is here).

The story was shocking to the sensibilities of the time. Between the cancelled subscriptions and the hate mail, the story struck a nerve.

What do you think would happen if some player characters came into a town with the same tradition? And if the town, seemingly rational enough, where the PCs had developed relationships (including romantic ones), suddenly went nuts. Would the PCs stop it? Would they participate?

[Characters] The Balrog Brothers' Companions

2012-01-22T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Balrog Brothers' Companions consisted of their elven cousin, Zareth, a dwarf named Mikto and a halfling named Boinger.

Zareth Balroginesti
Elf; Ranger, Level 1, Wizard, Level 1; Alignment: Neutral Good; Abilities: Strength 16, Dexterity 16, Constitution 12, Intelligence 18, Wisdom 12, Charisma 12. Armor Class: 16 (+3 Dex, leather & buckler); Hit Dice: 1d10+1d4+2, Hit Points: 13. Attacks: longsword (+4, 1d8+3, 19-20/x2), dagger (+4, 1d4+3, 19-20/x2), longbow (+4, 1d8, x3, range inc. 100 ft); Initiative: +3; Fortitude: +3, Reflex: +5, Will: +3; Languages: Common, Elvish, Gnome, Orc, Sylvan, Draconic; Feats: Point Blank Shot; Skills: Concentration +3, Hide +4, Jump +4, Knowledge (arcana) +9, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +6, Knowledge (nature) +6, Listen +5, Move Silently +5, Ride +8, Search +8, Spellcraft +11, Spot +5, Survival +3, Use Rope +4; Special Abilities: Elf (Immune to magical sleep, Low-light vision), Ranger (Favored enemy: Orc, Track, Combat Style, Wild Empathy), Spells (3 0-level, 2 1-level per day prepared), Wizard (Scribe Scroll).

Mikto Stonewanderer
Dwarf; Cleric, Level 1, Druid, Level 1; Alignment: Neutral Good; Abilities: Strength 15, Dexterity 12, Constitution 16, Intelligence 14, Wisdom 16, Charisma 12. Armor Class: 13 (+1 Dex, leather); Hit Dice: 2d8+6, Hit Points: 22. Attacks: heavy mace (+2, 1d8+2, x2), dagger (+2, 1d4+2, 19-20/x2), heavy crossbow (+1, 1d10, 19-20/x2, range inc. 120 ft); Initiative: +1; Fortitude: +7, Reflex: +1, Will: +7; Languages: Common, Druidic, Dwarven, Giant, Goblin; Feats: Extra Turning; Skills: Handle Animal +3, Heal +8, Knowledge (architecture) +3, Knowledge (nature) +7, Knowledge (religion) +7, Profession (blacksmith) +5, Ride +4, Survival +5; Special Abilities: Dwarf (Darkvision, Stonecunning), Cleric (Alignment Aura, Spontaneous Casting, Turn Undead), Druid (Spontaneous Casting, Animal Companion, Wild Empathy), Spells (Cleric: 3 0-level, 2 1-level, 1 1-level domain per day prepared; Druid: 3 0-level, 2 1-level per day prepared).

Boinger of the West Midlands
Halfling; Bard, Level 1, Rogue, Level 1; Alignment: Neutral Good; Abilities: Strength 10, Dexterity 20, Constitution 14, Intelligence 12, Wisdom 16, Charisma 14. Armor Class: 19 (+5 Dex, leather & buckler); Hit Dice: 2d6+4, Hit Points: 11. Attacks: short sword (+1, 1d6, 19-20/x2), quarterstaff (+1, 1d6/1d6, x2), dagger (+1, 1d4, 19-20/x2), sap (+1, 1d4 nonlethal, x2), javelin (+6, 1d4, x2, range inc. 30 ft), sling (+6, 1d3, x2, range inc. 50 ft); Initiative: +9; Fortitude: +3, Reflex: +10, Will: +6; Languages: Common, Halfling, Orc; Feats: Improved Initiative; Skills: Balance +6, Bluff +4, Climb +3, Decipher Script +2, Diplomacy +4, Gather Information +3, Hide +11, Jump +4, Knowledge (history) +2, Knowledge (nature) +2, Listen +7, Move Silently +10, Open Lock +6, Perform (sing) +7, Perform (flute) +5, Perform (bagpipe) +3, Perform (lute) +2, Perform (chant) +2, Ride +7, Search +2, Sense Motive +8, Spellcraft +3, Spot +5, Use Magic Device +5, Use Rope +6; Special Abilities: Halfling (Small), Rogue (Sneak Attack +1d6, Trapfinding), Bard (Bardic Knowledge, Bardic Music), Spells (Bard: 2 0-level per day).

[Characters] The Balrog Brothers

2012-01-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

When I started this blog in 2010, I mentioned why I chose Asshat Paladins as a blog name. One of the characters from that D&D 3.5e game was a paladin, one of three brothers, the Balrog Brothers.

The party, including the Balrog Brothers and a few of their friends, were given the opportunity to homestead a wild countryside just outside of a kingdom. The rules were simple: the frontier was open for colonization and if anyone carved out a section of it and kept it under control for six months, then the king would grant that land to the holder(s). A large number of prospective homesteaders spread out across the frontier and the PCs joined them.

The PCs wandered through the wilderness for about a week. One night, they spotted a fire in the distance. The next day in that direction, they found a ruined tower. The first floor was empty. On the second floor, they found a wounded bandit, filled with terror, not of the PCs, but of the thing in the tower above him.

The bandit quietly explained that his crew left him there to die after they fled the tower and the horrible monster on the top floor. He'd been stuck there for nearly a week, trying to remain quiet and begged the PCs for help. They healed him, left a sword for him to use, and proceeded up the stairs to fight the monster.

On the top floor, they found a flaming giant spider. Combat was long and intense. To the players surprise, the bandit charged up to help the PCs out, striking a definitive blow and the party killed the beast.

After the defeat of the spider, the party moved into the tower and started repairing it. The bandit remained as their first follower and the group passed their first hurdle to securing their own section of land.

The game was a lot of fun and it was only a one-shot. There was a plan of continuing it but unfortunately, we never got back to it.

Here are the three Balrog Brothers, one human wizard named Richard, a half-orc paladin named Vrilg and a half-elf ranger named Willow.

Richard Balrog
Human; Wizard, Level 2; Alignment: Neutral Good; Abilities: Strength 12, Dexterity 14, Constitution 16, Intelligence 18, Wisdom 14, Charisma 12. Armor Class: 12 (+2 Dex); Hit Dice: 2d4+6, Hit Points: 13. Attacks: dagger (+2, 1d4+1, 19-20/x2), longbow (+3, 1d8, x3, range inc. 100 ft); Initiative: +2; Fortitude: +3, Reflex: +2, Will: +5; Languages: Common, Elvish, Gnome, Orc, Sylvan; Feats: Martial Weapon Proficiency (longbow), Skill Focus (Spellcraft); Skills: Concentration +5, Decipher Script +9, Knowledge (arcana) +9, Knowledge (architecture) +6, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +9, Knowledge (history) +7, Knowledge (nature) +5, Knowledge (religion) +5, Knowledge (planes) +5, Profession (cheesemaker) +3, Ride +4, Spellcraft +14, ; Special Abilities: Spells (4 0-level, 3 1-level per day prepared), Wizard (Scribe Scroll).

Vrilg Balrog
Half Orc; Paladin, Level 2; Alignment: Lawful Good; Abilities: Strength 18, Dexterity 16, Constitution 14, Intelligence 14, Wisdom 12, Charisma 16. Armor Class: 18 (half plate & shield); Hit Dice: 2d10+4, Hit Points: 22. Attacks: longsword (+6, 1d8+4, 19-20/x2), dagger (+6, 1d4+4, 19-20/x2), longbow (+5, 1d8, x3, range inc. 100 ft); Initiative: +3; Fortitude: +8, Reflex: +6, Will: +4; Languages: Common, Orc, Bugbear, Draconic; Feats: Point Blank Shot; Skills: Diplomacy +5, Handle Animal +4, Heal +6, Knowledge (religion) +6, Ride +8, Sense Motive +4; Special Abilities: Orc (Darkvision), Paladin (Aura of Good, Detect Evil, Smite Evil, Divine Grace, Lay on Hands).

Willow Balrog
Half-Elf; Ranger, Level 2; Alignment: Neutral Good; Abilities: Strength 14, Dexterity 16, Constitution 18, Intelligence 14, Wisdom 12, Charisma 12. Armor Class: 16 (+3 Dex, leather, buckler); Hit Dice: 2d10+8, Hit Points: 23. Attacks: longsword (+4, 1d8+2, 19-20/x2), dagger (+4, 1d4+2, 19-20/x2), longbow (+5, 1d8, x3, range inc. 100 ft); Initiative: +3; Fortitude: +7, Reflex: +6, Will: +1; Languages: Common, Elvish, Orc, Sylvan; Feats: Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot; Skills: Climb +3, Concentrate +5, Diplomacy +3, Gather Information +3, Handle Animal +3, Heal +3, Hide +8, Jump +4, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +5, Knowledge (nature) +5, Listen +4, Move Silently +5, Profession (woodsman) +2, Ride +8, Search +6, Spot +5, Survival +4, Swim +3, Use Rope +4; Special Abilities: Half-Elf (Immune to magical sleep, Low-light vision), Ranger (Favored enemy: Orc, Track, Combat Style, Wild Empathy).

[Monsters] Animated Bearskin Rug

2012-01-20T14:00:00.000-08:00

Nicely done vid.

Watching the walking bearskin rug got me thinking of a new monster!

Animated Bearskin Rug

Agility d8 Spirit d10 Smarts d6 (A) Strength d12+2 Vigor d10
Parry 6 Pace 6 Toughness 9

Edges: Berserker, Improved Frenzy, Improved Sweep.

Special Abilities: Bite/Claw Attack (STR+2), Size +2, Alertness, Quick.

Skills: Fighting d10, Intimidation d10, Notice d6+2, Climb d6.

[Atomic Thursday] Into the Valley

2012-01-19T14:00:00.000-08:00

Into the Valley

Black Out for a Free and Open Internet

2012-01-17T22:30:00.000-08:00

I support the English Wikipedia anti-SOPA blackout.

[Distinguished Flying Cross] Captain Columbus Darwin Smith

2012-01-17T14:00:00.000-08:00

The 91 year Yangtze River Patrol was performed by the U.S. Navy from 1854 to 1945 to protect American interests in China. Although disrupted during WWII, the river patrol resumed for a short time after the war, until the Chinese Civil War brought it to a formal close.

When the Japanese invaded China in 1937 at the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the patrols petered out. By December 1941, the two remaining U.S. Navy gunboats, the U.S.S. Wake and the U.S.S. Tutuila, were stationed at Shanghai and Chungking, respectively.

The U.S.S. Wake, captained by Commander Columbus Darwin Smith since March 1941, was captured hours after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The night before, one of the Japanese officers that Smith knew called him with a bogus story about delivering some turkeys for him and his crew. The Japanese wanted to know where they were in Shanghai.

After Pearl Harbor was attacked, the Japanese seized Shanghai and the Wake. When Smith was informed of the attack, he raced to the gunboat, only to find it under guard by the Japanese Army. There is at least one website that described the capture (and destruction of the British Royal Navy vessel HMS Peterel).

Commander Smith and his crew became prisoners of war. After an early failed escape attempt, he was interred at the Ward Road Jail, the high security prison in Shanghai. He managed to escape in September of 1944 and traveled on foot across nearly a thousand miles of Japanese-occupied territory to safety. The amazing story is presented here and Amazon has the book written on the incident here (a crew list is here).

Columbus Darwin Smith was familiar with China and served there for many years. He was a daring and courageous individual, perfect for a contact with PCs in my Distinguished Flying Cross campaign. Since he served along the Yangtze River, the PCs can meet him anywhere in China.

I decided not to stat him up because I don't think it's necessary. As a contact, friend or even a (friendly) rival of one of the PCs, he'd provide ways for the player characters to interact with both sides of the conflict in China.

[Resources] Interconnection

2012-01-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

Relationship map from Love Actually

The movie Love Actually (2003) has a rather complex relationship map but not really when it comes to gaming. I ran one of my Aftermath! games with a pretty complex map, linking together a large number of organizations that included the player characters and NPCs within those organizations. As the campaign wound along, the map changed quite a bit - some groups were wiped out by other groups, others formed alliances with each other, and others still pursued their own agendas even amidst the chaos of the post-apocalyptic landscape.

The Smallville RPG has relationship maps built right into the character creation. Perhaps that's the way to start - with character creation, instead of kludging it on later.

[Books] The Zenta and Matsuzo series

2012-01-15T14:00:00.000-08:00

Lensey Namioka has written a series of seven Samurai tales about two ronin named Zenta and Matsuzo.

The Samurai and the Long-nosed Devils (1976)
White Serpent Castle (1976)
Valley of the Broken Cherry Trees (1980)
Village of the Vampire Cat (1981)
Island of Ogres (1989)
Coming of the Bear (1992)
Den of the White Fox (1997)

The stories are excellent and are a must for a ronin-inspired game. A brief query on RPG.net about stating up the characters unfortunately lead nowhere (1), but maybe I'll take some time when I finish reading the series again to see if I can come up with something.

[Resources] The Stasi Shredded Archives

2012-01-14T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Stasi, the East German Ministry for State Security (aka the secret police), operated from February 9, 1950 to October 4, 1990. The East German secret police employed nearly a quarter million people over the course of those 40 years, all to root out enemies of the state. The majority were informants, with most in East Germany (they fielded nearly 2,000 informants in West Germany).

They did bad things, sure, as the Shield and Sword of the Party. Infiltration and executions, suppressing dissent and watching everyone. Everything you'd expect.

In 1990, the Stasi fell with the East German government and those in charge of the Ministry ordered the Stasi files destroyed. Amidst a riot caused because the East German people demanded the files be kept intact (in order to know the truth), the file room was seized. When Germany reunited in October, the files fell into the new unified government's hands. According to an audit, only about 5% of the records were destroyed.

The Stasi files became available in 1992 after they were declassified by the German government. By 2011, nearly 3 million people have requested access to the files.

But what about those destroyed files? What was in those 5%? Was it really 5% or possibly more? And were they really destroyed? When the riot happened, could that have been started as a cover to smuggle out a section of the archives? Questions to ponder.

[vids] Never Cry Wolf

2012-01-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

Farley Mowat wrote a number of great books, the least of which was Never Cry Wolf.

Made into a movie in 1983, it starred Brian Dennehy and Charles Martin Smith.

This bit above was one of the fine points of the movie. Adventure!

[Atomic Thursday] The End

2012-01-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

The End, a short film from 2011!

[Characters] The Phraint

2012-01-11T14:00:00.000-08:00

When I picked up the Arduin Trilogy in the way-begone days of early gaming (aka the 80s), it was crazy, crazy stuff. The publishing of the Open Game License in 2000 and all the resulting games that came out of it reminded me of those early heady days.

Arduin's humanoid grasshopper, the Phraint, described a full five years before the D&D mantis-like Thri-kreen (1982), were one of my favorites. I played one at every opportunity. The last time was in college, when I played a fighter Phraint. At one point in the adventure, my character collapsed from exhaustion, which prompted the GM to exclaim he "fell over in a dead-Phraint," much to the players' amusement.

Greybeard Gamer has a retrospective (1) on the Phraint, EN World has a 4th edition D&D write-up (2), there are a few other pics on line (3) and miniatures (4). I'm sure you can find more.

For Savage Worlds Wild Card player characters, the Phraint is pretty easy to stat-up. Known for their agility, ability to leap and attack, and their chitin armor, they are also coldly logical and difficult to understand because of their alien psychology.

The Phraint: net +2

Hindrances:
Limited Intelligence: Smarts Restriction: -3
Electrical Susceptibility: -2
Clueless (Major): -2
Heartless: -1
-2 Charisma: -1

Hindrances Total: -9

Edges:Agility d6: +2
+2 Armor: +2
Acrobat: +2
Quick: +2
Base Pace 10: +2
Leaping: +1

Edges Total: +11

[Blogs] Land of Nod

2012-01-10T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Land of Nod is Matt Stater's gaming blog. In addition to the blog writing, he's also got a bunch of games and games supplements available at Lulu.

I've been collecting his products and have not been disappointed. His periodical Nod is excellent, presenting a sand-box setting with different races, classes and monsters. I've got the first 10 so far and plan on getting the rest as they come out.

[Resources] Canon-Puncture

2012-01-09T14:00:00.000-08:00

A Canon-Puncture occurs when one character is told they are fictional by another character, for example: you meet Sherlock Holmes in 2012 and let him know that he's actually a fictional character (and even show him the body of work by Arthur Conan Doyle). It's considered bad form to do this.

The link lists seven steps if you recognize a fictional character (and conversely, are recognized as a fictional character), ranging from Don't Panic (applicable to both situations) to Don't Treat Him or Yourself Act Differently (applicable for most situations anyways).

With the number of characters available to most GMs, throwing in known fictional characters is always a fun bit, especially when the players don't expect it.

[Blog] Jeff's Game Blog

2012-01-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

Jeff Rient's blog is one of my favorite blogs and one that I added to my blog list from the beginning.

Back in 2008, he posted a Desk of Stuff that's really cool and useful for any game, from a pair of orcs-at-arms to a vial of angel tears.

[vids] Wizards of the Lost Kingdom

2012-01-07T16:00:00.000-08:00

Wizards of the Lost Kingdom came out in 1985 and I remember seeing it in the theatre with my high school buddies.

I don't remember much about it except that it had some cool magic items: a Sword and a Ring of Power. It totally fed the gamers in us, in all it's cheesy glory.

[Resources] Gorget

2012-01-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

A metal or leather collar is called a gorget. Originally part of a knight's armour, the gorget devolved over the years to be a symbol of a military commission or even military police.

But the full-size gorget made a comeback whenever I played in an Aftermath! game. I often had PCs with gorgets. It seemed very post-apocalyptic (probably because there were a number of pics in the game books with gorgets). And once, it protected my PC from being throttled!

[Atomic Thursday] Escape from New York

2012-01-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

"Snake Plissken... I've heard of you. I heard you were dead!"

[vids] Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade

2012-01-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade is a 1999 anime set in an alternate history. It weaves in the story of Little Red Riding Hood, terrorism, group dynamics, politics and a love story.

I really enjoyed this vid and suggest it for any anime fan.

[Blogs] Lamentations of the Flame Princess

2012-01-03T14:00:00.000-08:00

I've been reading Lamentations of the Flame Princess (the official blog of the game) for a while now and found nice bits.

For example, Raggi's advice on how to find players is spot on. And, if you are looking for players, then the first thing you need to do is to actually work at getting players. That's right: Work at it.

[Resources] Scorn and Slight Regard

2012-01-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

As a Shakespeare fan, I love Kenneth Branagh's Henry V.

This scene has Brian Blessed, as Exeter, bringing a missive to the King of France. After giving it, he inquires whether the Dauphin is present and expresses his king's opinion of the man, which is delivered excellently by Blessed.

What an opportunity, to insult a PC under a flag of truce!

[Resources] Grim's Dyke

2012-01-01T14:00:00.000-08:00

Grim's Dyke, a country home that once belonged to dramatist W.S. Gilbert, was also home to a statue of Charles II. The statue, originally carved in 1681, was removed from it's original location in London and managed to end up on an island in a lake on the estate. It remained on the island from roughly 1880 to 1938, when it was restored to Soho Square, London.

Gilbert drown in the lake in 1911, dying of a heart attack after trying to help a drowning girl. His widow drained the lake thereafter and arranged for the statue to return to London after her death.

The house and grounds have been used as a film location for a variety of TV shows and movies, including Boris Karloff's last film in 1968.

Perhaps there is a reason that the statue remained on the estate so long. Perhaps it guarded the water or something in it guarded the statue.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the New Year!

[D20cember] UK2 The Sentinel and UK3 The Gauntlet

2011-12-31T14:00:00.000-08:00

Published in 1983 and 1984, UK2 The Sentinel and UK3 The Gauntlet (also known as The Alderweg Series) were a product of the UK branch of TSR. And they were different but excellent modules. Both dealt with the continuing animosity between two magical gloves, one sided with good (The Sentinel) and the other with evil (The Gauntlet).

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a review of either of these modules on RPG.net, so I was reduced to the multiple reviews on Amazon (1, 2)

[D20cember] EX1 Dungeonland and EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror

2011-12-30T14:00:00.000-08:00

EX1 Dungeonland and EX2 The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror were a series of modules that mixed Alice in Wonderland with D&D. Written by Gygax and published by TSR in 1983, they were definitely a different experience. I remember being run through this series and having a great time.

While RPG.net has no reviews, Grognardia has a retrospective (1) on Dungeonland.

[Atomic Thursday] Battletruck

2011-12-29T14:00:00.000-08:00

Battletruck! A science fiction adventure of the near future!

With a hero named Hunter, how could you go wrong?

Oh, and the guy with his hands on his head, next to the mook Straker kills, looks a lot like Snape!

[D20cember] B4 The Lost City

2011-12-28T14:00:00.000-08:00

B4 The Lost City was a Basic D&D module published by TSR in 1982. It starts with the PCs lost in the desert and finding the entrance to a mysterious lost city, filled with weird peoples and horrible creatures. For some reason, this module is really cool to me but I don't remember ever playing it.

RPG.net has one review (1) and Grognardia has a retrospective (2).

[D20cember] T1 The Village of Hommlet

2011-12-27T14:00:00.000-08:00

T1 The Village of Hommlet was written by Gary Gygax and published by TSR in 1979. And it's considered to be one of the finest modules ever produced (at least by me) and a marked contrast to module B2 The Keep on the Borderlands. The detail of T1 compared to B2, including named NPCs, is the least of it. Whereas B2's main focus was on the Caves of Chaos, T1 focused equally on the town and the dungeon.

RPG.net has two reviews on this fine module (1, 2).

[D20cember] B1 In Search of the Unknown

2011-12-26T14:00:00.000-08:00

I got this module with the "Blue Box" for Christmas in 1979. And we played it all to hell. In fact, we wrote all over it in pencil, then erased that, then carefully cut paper and taped it in for use all over again, removed the old paper and did it all again. I think I still have it but have retired it - I picked up another "use" copy a few years ago.

RPG.net has one review (1). Grognardia has a retrospective (2), another post on the characters from the module (3), and lost Trampier artwork (4) that apply to the module.

[D20cember] Blue Box D&D

2011-12-25T12:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas 1979: my brother and I received the Holmes' Dungeons and Dragons Basic Set (aka the "Blue Box" edition) and the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual. I even have pictures of my brother and I looking through it that morning.

We'd been playing D&D since 1978 but never owned any of the books or even any dice, until that Christmas.

The box set came with actual dice and B1 In Search of the Unknown (so it must have been the 4th printing) and it was frigging beautiful to my 11 year old self. Now 32 years and countless RPGs later, it's one of my favorite holiday gifts.

Happy Holidays, folks. Keep safe and make some game memories!

[D20cember] OD&D Supplements

2011-12-24T14:00:00.000-08:00

I only have the first two of the OD&D Supplements - Greyhawk and Blackmoor. I plan on picking up the other three: Eldritch Wizardry; Gods, Demigods & Heroes; and Swords & Spells, but I'm in no rush. The prices are too high for me yet.

RPG.net has one review each on the first three supplements (1, 2, 3).

[D20cember] Imagine Magazine (UK)

2011-12-23T14:00:00.000-08:00

Imagine Magazine was the UK TSR house magazine from April of 1983 to October of 1985. Thirty issues (and one special) were published and I had never heard of it until I found five or so issues in a junk game store in Portland, Oregon in the early 90s.

It was different, definitely different. Plus it had a new campaign world called Pelinore, based around a city called the City League (the city stretched a league in every direction).

Of course I picked it up. And I have many more of them, including the special issue, but not a complete set. Not yet.

Unfortunately, RPG.net has no reviews on this fine magazine but the Acaeum has a short blurb on it (as well as pics of the issues).

Happy Festivus!

2011-12-22T23:16:00.001-08:00

Happy Festivus!

Enjoy the day! The Airing of the Grievances! The Feats of Strength!

[PB&J] Peanut Butter Burger

2011-12-22T20:00:00.000-08:00

Opening the ancient grimoire again, I found one spell specially prepared by a mighty wizard now passed on. This wizard, one Elvis of Graceland, supposedly created this recipe after a revel.

The peanut butter burger.

Ingredients:
One burger
One hamburger bun
relish
ketchup

Prepare burger as usual (I recommend toasting the bun for a nice touch). Spread peanut butter on one bun and ketchup and relish on the other. Add the burger and enjoy.

[Atomic Thursday] Dune Warriors

2011-12-22T14:00:00.000-08:00

Dune Warriors, with David Carradine. He's a mysterious stranger with a sword, amidst the ruins of the world, fighting other guys with swords and cars!

[D20cember] Caverns of Thracia

2011-12-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Caverns of Thracia was a Judges Guild module published in 1979. This module was one of my first forays into gaming at a game store - my brother and I had just gotten Blue Book Basic D&D and the AD&D Monster Manual for Christmas 1979 and my mother took us to a game shop (and paid $5 each) for us to play the game. The GM ran Caverns.

Even though my brother and I had started playing in 1978 in a home-brewed dungeon (I was a Halfling and he was a Magic-User), so D&D wasn't new, I still have a soft spot for Caverns.

The revamped Judges Guild published an updated module through the Sword & Sorcery (Necromancer Games) imprint in 2004.

There are few reviews for this module. Grognardia has a retrospective. The Alexandrian has an actual play using OD&D rules. And Retro Roleplay has the cover blurb.

[D20cember] The Lair of Medusa

2011-12-20T14:00:00.000-08:00

Lair of Medusa is a 16 page generic D&D adventure module written in 1982. Published in Canada (Burnaby, B.C. in fact), it was the first produce from DELF (and if I recall correctly, the last). The art inside included pieces by Eric Hotz! If you don't recognize the name, try looking at Harn products from the 80s.

What's it about? Well, evil medusa takes over a king's castle/cave complex. Enter the PCs years later to slay the beast and free the kingdom.

I am not surprised that there are few reviews on this one.

[D20cember] Dragon Magazine Archive

2011-12-19T14:00:00.000-08:00

Much to my enjoyment, I picked up the Dragon Magazine Archive (1999) new and haven't regretted it at all. Containing the first 250 issues of Dragon Magazine as well as the complete Strategic Review issues, all in PDF format, it's a wonderful collection that allows for good reading and info diving.

RPG.net has two reviews (1, 2) and is reportedly a rare find.

[D20cember] White Box OD&D

2011-12-18T14:00:00.001-08:00

A pic of my actual copy!

The one that started it all. Yes, I have a copy and it's in pretty good shape. I think it's the 6th edition (1977-1979) because of the starburst on the box cover.

How did I get it, you might ask. Well, one day, I helped a friend clean out his storage locker. A bunch of game books were there that he wasn't interested in, so I got the lot, including this gem.

RPG.net has three reviews (1, 2, 3)! Yay!

[D20cember] Dungeon Magazine

2011-12-17T14:00:00.000-08:00

I've been a collector of Dungeon Magazine since about issue 30. I have most of the issues, except for some of the first few (I have No. 1 on PDF from one of the Dragon magazine promos) and am missing a bunch from the end of the print run (it went to issue 150 in 2007 before WOTC turned it into an online product). Acaeum has a small blurb on it and a partial issue listing.

Starting in 1986, the magazine was mostly black and white and contained adventures from such greats as Willie Walsh, Grant and David Boucher, John Nephew and Ted James Thomas Zuvich.

After Paizo Publishing started publishing in 2002, they went full color (I don't remember which issue), which, while nice, made copying the maps problematic and had more "Rock Star" authors.

RPG.net has one review on the Savage Tide adventure series (1) from issues 139 to 150. And if you are interested, there's an index of all the adventures available here.

[D20cember] Beyond Countless Doorways

2011-12-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

Beyond Countless Doorways is a D20 supplement published by Monte Cook's Malhavoc Press in 2004. Believed by many to be the 3.x D&D book for Planescape-like games, after all, Monte Cook gathered Planescape alums Wolfgang Baur, Colin McComb and Ray Vallese together to write it.

There's one review on RPG.net (1).

[Atomic Thursday] Steel Dawn

2011-12-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

In 1987, Patrick Swayze and Anthony Zerbe starred in Steel Dawn! Another Mad Max lookalike movie, it also had Arnold Vosloo (aka The Mummy!).

[D20cember] Creature Crucible

2011-12-14T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Creature Crucibles were four supplements(PC1 Tall Tales of the Wee Folk, PC2 Top Ballista, PC3 Sea People and PC4 Night Howlers) published by TSR between 1989 and 1992 that added PC races, magic items and spells, and situations to Mystara.

I have not been able to find any reviews on these books but Wayne's Books has a more complete description for them.

[D20cember] Return to Keep on the Borderlands

2011-12-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

I picked up a copy of Return to Keep on the Borderlands (1999) at Half Price Books and found it a fitting tribute to the original. The Keep and Caves of Chaos environs are more detailed and NPCs are named. Plus there's a whole new bunch of monsters and alliances.

Two reviews of this fine module are on RPG.net (1, 2).

[D20cember] TSR Silver Anniversary Collector's Edition

2011-12-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes connections are everything. A very good friend who was working at WOTC at the time provided me with a copy of the TSR Silver Anniversary Collector's Edition (1999), as well as a copy of the Last Unicorn Games Dune: Chronicles of the Imperium (2000), but I'll talk about that later.

The Silver Anniversary Collector's Edition contains a veritable cornucopia of early TSR games and modules: the J. Eric Holmes "Blue Book" D&D Basic Rulebook and modules which include B2; the Giant Series G1, G2, G3; I6 Ravenloft; and S1; plus a never-before-published bonus module L3 Deep Dwarven Delve.

Each of these reprints comes exactly as the original, with the exception of a Silver Anniversary logo on the cover. This is by far one of my favorite D20 products.

[D20cember] B2: The Keep on the Borderland

2011-12-11T14:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, I have a copy of this module. In fact, I have several different editions (check out Acaeum on the differences), including the one that came in the Silver Anniversary Collector's Edition (1999).

Amazingly, for such an old module, there are three RPG.net reviews (1, 2, 3). And, I'm not too proud to say, I wrote a bit about using this module in alternate setting in Issue No. 3 of my old 'zine One Thousand and One Nights and One Night Campaign Design 'zine.

[D20cember] Tegel Manor

2011-12-10T14:00:00.000-08:00

Tegel Manor is a module published by Judges Guild in 1977. Several revisions were published in 1980 and 1989. I managed to pick up a copy of the 1977 edition in the late 90s for rather cheap, but, unfortunately, it was extensively marked with pencil. Despite erasing all the pencil, the indentations remain. However, even with the damage, it is still a valued part of my collection.

Grognardia has a retrospective on the module, but, alas, RPG.net has no review.

[D20cember] Planescape Campaign Setting

2011-12-09T14:00:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite D20 games is the Planescape Campaign Setting. The box set was published by TSR in 1994 with exclusive art by Tony DiTerlizzi. The setting dealt with planeswalkers, focusing on the city of Sigil, the city of doors.

With this game came a new view of the Planes in D&D and a fun vocabulary. There are 4 reviews on RPG.net (1, 2, 3, 4) as well as one supplement (5).

[Atomic Thursday] 20 Years After

2011-12-08T16:00:00.000-08:00

This movie from 2008 is on my queue to see. If you've seen it, what was it like (Rotten Tomatoes has nothing on it)

[D20cember] The Years Best D20

2011-12-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

Malhavoc Press published the Years Best D20 in 2004. I found a copy in a used bookstore in Victoria, B.C. a few years ago. I used the Nightmare Collector monster in a Savage Worlds game a few years ago to great effect. The PCs managed to defeat it, with some serious damage to their psyches.

RPG.net has one review (1).

[D20cember] Mutants & Masterminds

2011-12-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

As an unabashed fan of Green Ronin products, I picked up Mutants and Masterminds at the advent of 2nd edition (2005). I found a cheap copy of the 1st edition (2002) book first then got the 2nd. In the years since, I've collected many of the supplements for it as well but haven't gotten the 3rd edition (2010).

RPG.net has a bunch of reviews (1, 2, 3, 4), including a paired review with Silver Age Sentinels (5) and the 2nd edition (6).

[D20cember] Iron Heroes

2011-12-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

I recently picked up Iron Heroes, a supplement to D&D 3.x, written by Mike Mearls and published by Malhavoc Press in 2005. As an alternative to standard D&D, it presents a game focused more on action than gaining magic items. Interesting, no?

RPG.net has several reviews (1, 2) plus Mastering Iron Heroes (3).

Malhavoc no longer produces it and supposedly it's now at Fiery Dragon Productions but there doesn't seem to be much going on. There is a faq for the game, however.

[D20cember] The Masque of the Red Death

2011-12-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Masque of the Red Death was a Ravenloft supplement box set published by TSR in 1994 and based on the 1842 short story by Edgar Allan Poe. Set in the 1890s on this Earth, the setting was gothic in nature and had an evil force known as the Red Death. A decade later, a 3.5 edition D20 supplement was published by White Wolf.

I have the box set and a few of the TSR supplements for it but not the 2004 White Wolf book. I have found several reviews (1, 2) plus another on the 2004 book (3).

[D20cember] Jeremiah the Role Playing Game

2011-12-03T14:00:00.001-08:00

Back in 2005, Mongoose published Jeremiah the Role Playing Game, based on the TV show. The system is D20 based, with specific character classes based on archetypes that appear in the show. A single supplement called Thunder Mountain was published the same year (and seems, by forum posts, to be a good supplement).

As a fan of post-apocalyptic games, I picked it up a few years ago - but for cheap. I had watched a few of the first season episodes and read the comic it was based on (still have a few around somewhere). It's on my Netflix queue but I haven't gotten the time to watch it yet (that and Jericho).

I searched around for reviews but only found forum posts on it (1, 2, 3, 4).

[1938] Horses

2011-12-03T14:00:00.000-08:00

Many tacticians believed that the horse's role as a military vehicle was done by the end of World War I. At the start of the conflict in 1936, mounted cavalry was quickly re-implemented by all sides because, despite wanting armor and trucks, the horse was actually more readily available in parts of Britain.

While the Household Cavalry, consisting of the Blues and Royals and the Life Guards, already have horses, and excellent horseflesh at that, many of the other units range from old plugs to the cream of upper-class stables, with the majority being draft horses or country-bred nags.

Horse thievery, as expected, is now an acceptable (and common) method of warfare.

[D20cember] My Collection

2011-12-02T14:00:00.001-08:00

I'm going to dedicate D20cember 2011 to the various D20 games in my collection. There are a lot of game books in that category that are on my shelves.

I'll try to find reviews on the games, as usual, or at the very least, some information.

[Quotes] Sophocles

2011-12-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

"I am the child of Fortune, the giver of good, and I shall not be shamed. She is my mother; my sisters are the Seasons; my rising and my falling match with theirs. Born thus, I ask to be no other man than that I am." -- Sophocles

[Atomic Thursday] Tank Girl

2011-12-01T16:00:00.000-08:00

"Hi, feeling a little inadequate?"

[Resources] Black Aggie

2011-11-30T14:00:00.000-08:00

Not Black Aggie, but another statue called Clotho in Druid Ridge Cemetery

Black Aggie was a statue that was established at Druid Ridge Cemetery in Baltimore, MD from 1926 to 1967. I first heard about this statue reading the Dresden Files RPG (Chapter 16: Neverwhere Baltimore setting - available as a free download from DriveThruRPG).

The statue has quite the history (1) before it was removed by the owners. The graves around it had been vandalized and the urban legends around it were pretty weird, so they donated it to the Smithsonian. Now it is in Washington, D.C.,where it was placed in a minor courtyard off of Lafayette Square. Next time I go visit my sister in D.C., I'll be sure to stop by and pay my respects.

Statues with a secret history is a great way to add mystery and suspense to a game. File the serial numbers off of Black Aggie and put it in your game.

[Resources] HMS Thunder Child

2011-11-29T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Martian War Machine becomes HMS Thunder Child's bitch

The HMS Thunder Child was a fictional torpedo ram in the novel The War of the Worlds (1898) by H. G. Wells. When the masses of Engishmen and women fled London following the Martian Invasion, many attempted to escape by boat. Three Martian war machines threatened their flight and the HMS Thunder Child fought them.

Charging one of the machines without firing shot, the Royal Navy ship took it out, then turned on the other two. Despite taking direct hits from the heat ray, it managed to ram the second, destroying them both.

The HMS Thunder Child's story is useful in an alien invasion game, as a backdrop to a scene that shows the aliens are less powerful and more vulnerable than they appear.

[Resources] Quenya

2011-11-28T14:00:00.000-08:00

Quenya is an elvish language invented by J. R. R. Tolkien. Begun in 1910, he worked on it for the rest of his life. There are several online resources for this language (1, 2, to name a few).

The usefulness of the language for special place-names, character names (good guys and bad guys) or even evil magic items (a cool Elvish name is awesome but make sure it doesn't rhyme with a feminine hygiene product).

[Resources] HM Armed Schooner Diana

2011-11-27T14:00:00.000-08:00

Long before Princess Diana, another fine lady named Diana served the British Empire. In 1775, HM Armed Schooner Diana was under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Graves. Built in Massachusetts in 1774 and beginning life as a fishing boat, she was purchased for £750 by Vice-Admiral Samuel Graves (Lieutenant Thomas Graves was his nephew), refitted and loaded with twelve swivel guns and four 6-pounders. The Vice-Admiral used her to enforce the Boston Port Act.

During the Battle of Chelsea Creek, she ran aground on May 27th under heavy fire by American forces commanded by John Stark. Attempts to tow her failed as the American kept shooting the rowers. Reinforcements arrived but not for the British - and they brought two cannon!

Refusing to surrender, the sailors continued the fight, firing their own ordinance even as the schooner shifted in the low tide. Finally abandoning the ship in the early hours of May 28th, the sailors escaped to the sloop Britannia (commanded by Thomas's brother John). The Britannia was the tender of HMS Somerset.

The American boarded the Diana, stripped her of her weapons and equipment, then fired the ship. Many people have searched for her remains in the creek but no one has found them yet, despite state sponsored efforts.

I had plans to use the wreck of the Diana in my Savage Colonial Gothic campaign but never reached that part in the sessions.

[Resources] The Yarn of the Nancy Bell

2011-11-26T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Yarn of the Nancy Bell was published in 1866 by W. S. Gilbert (of Gilbert and Sullivan fame) for the Bab Ballads.

If this isn't a call to adventure, I don't know what is.

The Yarn of the Nancy Bell

'Twas on the shores that round our coast
From Deal to Ramsgate span,
That I found alone on a piece of stone
An elderly naval man.

His hair was weedy, his beard was long,
And weedy and long was he,
And I heard this wight on the shore recite,
In a singular minor key:

"Oh, I am a cook and a captain bold,
And the mate of the Nancy brig,
And a bo'sun tight, and a midshipmite,
And the crew of the captain's gig."

And he shook his fists and he tore his hair,
Till I really felt afraid,
For I couldn't help thinking the man had been drinking,
And so I simply said:

"Oh, elderly man, it's little I know
Of the duties of men of the sea,
And I'll eat my hand if I understand
However you can be

'At once a cook, and a captain bold,
And the mate of the Nancy brig,
And a bo'sun tight, and a midshipmite,
And the crew of the captain's gig.'"

Then he gave a hitch to his trousers, which
Is a trick all seamen larn,
And having got rid of a thumping quid,
He spun this painful yarn:

"'Twas in the good ship Nancy Bell
That we sailed to the Indian Sea,
And there on a reef we come to grief,
Which has often occurred to me.

'And pretty nigh all the crew was drowned
(There was seventy-seven o' soul),
And only ten of the Nancy's men
Said 'Here!' to the muster-roll.

'There was me and the cook and the captain bold,
And the mate of the Nancy brig,
And the bo'sun tight, and a midshipmite,
And the crew of the captain's gig.

'For a month we'd neither wittles nor drink,
Till a-hungry we did feel,
So we drawed a lot, and, accordin' shot
The captain for our meal.

'The next lot fell to the Nancy's mate,
And a delicate dish he made;
Then our appetite with the midshipmite
We seven survivors stayed.

'And then we murdered the bo'sun tight,
And he much resembled pig;
Then we wittled free, did the cook and me,
On the crew of the captain's gig.

'Then only the cook and me was left,
And the delicate question,"Which
Of us two goes to the kettle" arose,
And we argued it out as sich.

'For I loved that cook as a brother, I did,
And the cook he worshipped me;
But we'd both be blowed if we'd either be stowed
In the other chap's hold, you see.

"I'll be eat if you dines off me,"says TOM;
'Yes, that,' says I, 'you'll be, '
'I'm boiled if I die, my friend, ' quoth I;
And "Exactly so," quoth he.

'Says he,"Dear JAMES, to murder me
Were a foolish thing to do,
For don't you see that you can't cook me,
While I can and will cook you!"

'So he boils the water, and takes the salt
And the pepper in portions true
(Which he never forgot), and some chopped shalot.
And some sage and parsley too.

"Come here,"says he, with a proper pride,
Which his smiling features tell,
"'T will soothing be if I let you see
How extremely nice you'll smell."

'And he stirred it round and round and round,
And he sniffed at the foaming froth;
When I ups with his heels, and smothers his squeals
In the scum of the boiling broth.

'And I eat that cook in a week or less,
And as I eating be
The last of his chops, why, I almost drops,
For a wessel in sight I see!

"And I never larf, and I never smile,
And I never lark nor play,
But I sit and croak, and a single joke
I have--which is to say:

"Oh, I am a cook and a captain bold,
And the mate of the Nancy brig,
And a bo'sun tight, and a midshipmite,
And the crew of the captain's gig!"

[Resources] Nikolai Yazhov, Now You See Him, Now You Don't

2011-11-25T14:00:00.000-08:00

Now you see him

Nikolai Yazhov (1895-1940) was a Soviet politican and former head of the NKVD. He was a factory worker, in the Tsar's army (1915-1917). He became a Bolshevik in 1917 and fought for the Red Army in the Russian Civil War (1919–1921). He worked his way up the Communist Party, making head of the NKVD in 1936.

Yazhov ordered many executions during the Great Purge. At it's height, over 600,000 were shot as enemies of the state and the same amount were exiled to gulags. Stalin, suspicious of anyone and everyone, eventually pulled back his support for him and by 1939 he had lost his power in the NKVD.

Denounced and arrested on April 10th, he was tortured and confessed to espionage, embezzlement and the usual "state crimes." His trial in February 1940 ended with him vowing to "die with Stalin's name on his lips." Two days later, he was ordered beaten by his NKVD successor (much like he ordered his predecessor humiliated) and then executed, but, in the interests of secrecy, not in the basement of the Lubyanka (which was the main NKVD execution chamber).

But his story doesn't end with his death. In fact, he was declared damnatio memoriae by Stalin and all traces of him were removed from books and photos.

Now you don't

Disappeared and removed from all knowledge. That looks like a situation the PCs would investigate, whatever the genre.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T16:00:00.000-08:00

Enjoy your holiday!

[Atomic Thursday] America 3000

2011-11-24T14:00:00.000-08:00

900 years after the Great Nuke!

[Resources] The Name of the Rose

2011-11-23T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Name of the Rose, written by Umberto Eco, was first published in Italian in 1980 and translated to English three years later. A film was made in 1986 starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater.

I've only seen the film but I plan on reading the book, after I finish all the Cadfael books by Ellis Peters (another monk-solving-mysteries series). The monastic view of the world that is presented in these sorts of books will be an interesting dimension that can be added to any game.

[Resources] Incitatus

2011-11-22T14:00:00.000-08:00

Incitatus ("at full gallup") was Emperor Caligula's favorite horse. He lived in a marble stable with rich, purple blankets and jeweled collars. Caligula appointed the horse as a consul, and some historians think that the horse was used as a prank and insult against the Senate, as Incitatus would invite important people to "dine" with him.

More on Incitatus can be found in the Lives of the Twelve Caesars by Suetonius.

What would the PCs do if invited to dine with the King's favorite horse? The looks on the players' faces would be priceless!

[Resources] Escapology

2011-11-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

Escapology is the skill of slipping bonds, springing handcuffs, and breaking free of straightjackets in front of an audience.

Famous escapologists included Harry Houdini, Major Zamora, and Alan Alan.

In most games, it's normal for PCs to escape prison cells, handcuffs and death traps. Few opportunities arise for the PCs to escape in full view of an audience except when they're in an arena and that's all good fun. Instead of just fighting the arena beasts, throw in a locked cage, a straightjacket or a pair of handcuffs, as the beast attacks!

[Resources] Broadswords

2011-11-20T14:00:00.000-08:00

The basket-hilted military sword, also known as the broadsword, was different from the rapiers of the time due to it's wider blade.

The earliest recovered sword of this style was found on the Mary Rose, which sank in 1545. Varieties of the sword were developed over the years, including the Scottish Claymore, the Italian Schiavona, and the English Mortuary sword.

The cavalry saber from the 18th century up to WWI is the descendent of this style of blade.

[Resources] Scrooge McDuck

2011-11-19T14:00:00.000-08:00

Scrooge McDuck is Donald Duck's rich and eccentric uncle on his mother's side. Created by Carl Barks in 1947 and based on (and with the same miserly qualities as) Ebenezer Scrooge, Scrooge McDuck gained his own comic book six years later and has been going strong ever since.

From 1987 to 1990, he starred in the animated series DuckTales with his great-nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, where he globe-trotted on treasure hunting expeditions. His wealth was the subject of Forbes Fictional 15, appearing in all of them from 2002 to 2011.

Need a wealthy NPC? Look no further than Scrooge McDuck.

[Resources] Hemming's Cartulary

2011-11-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

Another document from the Middle Ages, Hemming's Cartulary is a Norman Conquest-era collection of legal records, including land records, lawsuits and charters that were organized by geographical location.

The text is nearly 200 pages long and divided into two parts. The first part is called the Book of Worcester and the second part was written by a monk named Hemming.

The contents of the manuscript is listed in the wikipedia article and you should look through it. It contains some unusual things besides the legal records, including lists of the kings of Mercia, jurors, and royal gifts.

[Atomic Thursday] Raiders of the Sun

2011-11-17T16:00:00.000-08:00

"In the tradition of Mad Max ...." Really nice black uniforms!

[Resources] Witold Pilecki

2011-11-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

Witold Pilecki (1901-1948) was a Polish soldier and resistant fighter. He fought in WWI in a Polish self-defence unit until the unit was destroyed by the Russians. For a time, the survivors acted as partisans. He joined the Polish Army and fought in the Polish-Soviet War (1919–1920).

Before the outbreak of WWII, he rejoined the Polish military and after the fall of Poland to the Nazis and the Soviets, he was one of the founding members of the Secret Polish Army.

In 1940, he came up with a daring plan to be captured and sent to Auschwitz to gain vital intelligence. While in Auschwitz, he formed a united resistance movement to provide the underground with information about the camp. He escaped the camp with German documents in 1943 after overpowering a guard.

In 1944, he participated in the Warsaw Uprising. He was captured and spent the rest of the war in a German prison camp.

Liberated in 1945, he worked with the Polish government in exile against the Soviets. Captured in 1947, he underwent torture and was tried in a mock trial in 1948. Sentenced to death, he was executed in May and buried (presumably) in an unmarked grave.

Posthumously honored with the Order of Polonia Restituta (1995) and Order of the White Eagle (2006), he is considered a hero of Poland.

Since he was active from 1918 to 1947, he'd make an excellent contact in any WWI or WWII Eastern Front game, or in the interwar period.

[Resources] The New Carissa

2011-11-15T14:00:00.000-08:00

The M/V New Carissa ran aground in February, 1999, in Coos Bay, Oregon, blown onto the beach by a storm.

The ship, empty at the time, still had fuel onboard, which the authorities tried to burn out. The stresses on the structure caused the ship to break apart a week later and the bow section was later sunk by two US Navy vessels.

The stern remained on the beach until 2008, when it was dismantled. The oil spilled in the breakup led to an environmental catastrophe in Oregon, one of the worst in the history of the state.

The wreck of the New Carissa is a neat bit of action in a modern game. Perhaps there was a reason that the stern section was allowed to remain on the beach for nearly a decade.

[Resources] Questing Beast

2011-11-14T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Arthurian legend of the Questing Beast was sought by various Knights of the Round Table, like King Pellinore.

The Questing Beast was a mix of serpent, leopard, lion and deer. The call of the beast is the sound of "thirty couple hounds questing."

The beast in the legend is a symbol of the violence that spells the doom of Camelot.

This wild-looking beast is an optional creature for a regular dragon or monster. It's abilities and strengths, in addition to it's weaknesses, are totally up to the GM.

[Resources] Shark Attack!

2011-11-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

Sharks are dangerous creatures. And the majority of fatal attacks are done by great white sharks, bull sharks, tiger sharks, and oceanic whitetip sharks.

Wikipedia has a list of fatal, unprovoked shark attacks in the US. The list is divided by decade, extending back to 1642.

Water is dangerous and sharks make that so. If you're running a game set in and around US waters, between the 17th century and the present, check out the list. It may give you some ideas.

[Resources] The Voynich Manuscript

2011-11-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Voynich Manuscript is a 240 page 15th century manuscript filled with illustrations and written in an unknown script and an equally unknown language. Believed to be a cypher-script, the book is "the world's most mysterious manuscript."
Since it's discovery in 1912, it has successfully resisted all attempts to translate. Cryptographers from both world wars and beyond have all failed to learn it's secrets. The text has nearly 200,000 distinct glyphs and illustrations that cover everything from herbs and botany to cartography and astronomy.

What secrets does this book have? And what language was it written in? The secret history possibilities alone are extensive.

[PB&J] Peanut Butter and Tomato Sandwich

2011-11-11T17:00:00.000-08:00

A fourth alchemical sandwich from my ancient grimoire produced an interesting concoction. As an open-faced sandwich, it was quite good.

Ingredients:
2 slices of bread
4 tablespoons peanut butter
2-4 tomato slices
4 strips of bacon
1 teaspoon brown sugar
dash paprika

Prepare bacon (I used microwave bacon) as usual. Toast bread and spread peanut butter on both slices. Layer bacon and sliced tomato (I used sliced grape tomatoes) on bread. Sprinkle each slice with brown sugar and a dash of paprika. Broil and serve open-faced.

[Resources] The Lambton Worm

2011-11-11T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Lambton Worm ravaged on the local villages around County Durham, Northeast England, during the time of the Crusades. John Lambton, a scion of the Lambton Estate, skips church one morning to go fishing. An old man warns predicts dire warnings to him.

John catches an eel, either 3 feet or 3 inches long (stories vary), and tosses it down a well. The old man predicts even more dire warnings to him. So John heads off to the Crusades. He's gone for seven years and in the meantime, the worm grows and the well gets poisoned. When he returns, his estate is ravaged by the depredations of the worm.

John visits a local witch, who tells him that he's responsible for the worm. She also says that to defeat the worm, he's got to cover his armor with spikes and fight it in the middle of the River Wear. If John succeeds in killing the worm, he and nine generations of his line will be cursed unless he kills the first thing he spots after the battle.

So John arms up, tells his father that he's going to fight the worm and that he'll blow his horn three time if he wins and that his father needs to release his hound so that John can kill it to avert the curse. The battle at the river is fierce, as the worm encircles John and is cut by the spikes on his armor. John slays the beast and sounds his horn but his father, in excitement, forgets the curse and runs to his son.

Unable to slay his father, he and nine generations fall to the curse: never to die peacefully in bed.

The story was incorporated in the 1988 movie The Lair of the White Worm, starring Hugh Grant.

[Atomic Thursday] The Aftermath

2011-11-10T16:00:00.000-08:00

"Roving bands of cannibal mutants select and murder innocent victims of the deadly holocaust."

[Resources] Pontius Pilate Bowie

2011-11-09T14:00:00.000-08:00

In Martin Scorsese's Last Temptation of Christ (1988), David Bowie plays Pontius Pilate.

Watch how he argues so eloquently.

"Say something. You had better say something."

"It doesn't matter how you change things, we don't want them changed."

"We have a space for you up on Golgotha. Three thousand skulls there by now, probably more. I do wish you people would go out and count them sometime. Maybe you'd learn a lesson. Oh, well. Probably not."

That is an awesome portrayal of a First Citizen of Rome. The gestures, the attitude. Use that for a game that has an empire on the decline, seeking to maintain the status quo.

[Resources] The Ormulum

2011-11-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

Þiss boc iss nemmnedd Orrmulum
forrþi þatt Orrm itt wrohhte

This book is named Ormulum
because Orm created it

The Ormulum is a twelfth-century Middle English manuscript known as an exegesis, an interpretation of the bible. The manuscript contains nearly 20,000 lines of script, which, in addition to the historical homilies, provides a pronounciation guide to Middle English. The only copy that exists is at the Bodleian Library but it is incomplete, missing 210 homilies out of 242. Some of the losses are more recent - a seventeenth-century owner copied parts that no longer exist in the Bodleian manuscript.

The author, Orm, was an Augustinian monk who identified and named the manuscript after himself and is supposed to have started the text in 1150. The name Orm is Old Norse for dragon or worm and he signs the text as both Orm and Ormin (dragon-man).

Every game needs a mysterious, partially complete book and the Ormulum fits that to a "T." Where are the missing parts? What secrets do they hold? And what connection, if any, does Orm have with dragons (like, perhaps, the Lambton Worm or the Dragon of Mordiford)?

[Resources] Diet of Worms

2011-11-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Imperial Diet of Worms of 1521 was an assembly called by Emperor Charles V for Martin Luther to defend the 95 theses he wrote in 1517 that lead to the Protestant Reformation.

Luther appeared at the diet in April. He was confronted with his writings and asked if he "stood by their contents." He answered that content question with:

"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen."

He also is known to have said "Here I stand. I can do no other."

Five days of private meetings led to release of the Edict of Worms in May, which sealed Luther's position. It stated:

"For this reason we forbid anyone from this time forward to dare, either by words or by deeds, to receive, defend, sustain, or favor the said Martin Luther. On the contrary, we want him to be apprehended and punished as a notorious heretic, as he deserves, to be brought personally before us, or to be securely guarded until those who have captured him inform us, where upon we will order the appropriate manner of proceeding against the said Luther. Those who will help in his capture will be rewarded generously for their good work."

This was the Catholic Church's way to put the screws on Luther and maintain their dominance over the religious life of the Holy Roman Empire and Charles was the hammer for the church.

How can this be used in a game? Well, what happened in those private meetings? What deals were made and what occult knowledges were passed? The basic history allows the GM to run with it, mixing in conspiracies and secret histories, in any campaign for settings between the Renaissance to the modern era.

[Resources] Ludwig Wittgenstein

2011-11-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889 - 1951) was a world famous philosopher who inspired two philosophical movements, wrote a children's dictionary, a 75 page text on philosophy and another book published posthumously.

Born of a wealthy Austrian family, he went to grade school with Adolf Hitler (they were born a week apart), fought in WWI, studied at Cambridge, was in Ireland during the Anschluss, and held a chair of philosophy at Cambridge.

His Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, published in 1921, sought to "identify the relationship between language and reality and to define the limits of science" as a result of his experiences in WWI. Over 75 pages, he presents 7 propositions, which range from "The world is everything that is the case." to "Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent."

Two years after his death, his second book, Philosophical Investigations was published, considered by many an important philosophical work. It includes the beetle-in-a-box thought experiment: each person has something they call a "beetle" in a box and no one can look in anyone else's box. Without a common point of reference, it's impossible to talk about what a "beetle" is, but with one, it's possible to discuss.

How can Ludwig be used in a game? Just a few to consider: Perhaps as the author of a hidden mystery book (after all, there was roughly 30 years between his philosophical works) in a modern Cthulhu-esque game, or a contact in a WWII Cambridge espionage campaign.

[Resources] Majlis al Jinn

2011-11-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

Majlis al Jinn, the meeting place of Jinns, is a large cave complex in Oman. Known locally as Khoshilat Maqandeli, the refuge of goats, this cave was explored, photographed and mapped between 1983 and 1985 by married American couple W. Don Davison, Jr. and Cheryl S. Jones.

Davison, known as D², and Cheryl discovered it and mapped it as part of Oman's Public Authority for Water Resources Karst Research Program.

Don descended nearly 400 feet (120 meters) into the cave at First Drop in June of 1983. A second entrance, called Cheryl's Drop, was nearly 520 feet (158 meters) and first traversed by Cheryl in March of 1984. Cheryl's Drop is the "deepest free rappel into a cave known in Oman and the Arabian peninsula." Another opening, the Asterisk, was explored in April of 1985.

Oman has a website dedicated to Majlis al Jinn and there are many pictures of the caves available online. Here is one for example.

Sadly, Don disappeared in 1995 climbing Volcan Llullaillaco. This volcano, the second highest in the world, is located in the mountains between Chile and Argentina. Three searches found no sign of Don except evidence that he had made it to the top, as his signature in the summit log book attests.

I find it suspicious that he was climbing a volcano, since the Qur'an 15:27 says that Allah made Jinns "aforetime of essential fire." Which some have described as "smokeless flame or scorching fire." Where better for them to live, but a volcano? Perhaps they took him away.

[PB&J] Peanut Butter, Cream Cheese and Relish Sandwich

2011-11-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

A third foray into the ancient grimoire brought this culinary delight. The nuttiness of the peanut butter with the sour of the dill relish and the creaminess of the cream cheese was quite refreshing.

Ingredients:
2 slices of bread
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons softened cream cheese
1 leaf of lettuce
2 teaspoons dill relish

Toast bread. Spread peanut butter on one slice and cream cheese on the other. Spread dill relish on cream cheese and top with lettuce. Bring sandwich together and serve.

[Resources] O Fish, are you constant to the old covenant?

2011-11-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

Maljis al Jinn "Meeting Place of the Jinn"

I'm a big fan of Tim Powers, ever since I read The Anubis Gates in the early 80s.In his supernatural spy thriller novel Declare (2000), he introduces a code-phrase that is recognizable by one side of the conflict.

"O Fish, are you constant to the old covenant?"

The proper response is:

"Return, and we return. Keep faith, and so shall we."

It's from the One Thousand and One Nights, specifically the story of the Fisherman and the Genie.

And it's got the feel of an old and ancient ritual in the call and answer.

In The Mummy Returns (2001), a conversation between Medjai Ardeth Bay and Rick O'Connell have a similar call and answer:

Ardeth says:

If I were to say to you that, "I am a stranger traveling from the East, seeking that which is lost"

And Rick responds:

Then I would reply that, "I am a stranger traveling from the West, it is I whom you seek."

This ritualized call-and-answer is common in many religious and secret society ceremonies. We're all familiar with it.

And putting something like that in a game adds a neat bit for the players, especially if the code phrase is integral to the adventure.

Looking for your own code phrase? Make up your own or you can't get any better than one from The Mysteries of Free Masonry by William Morgan. You can go here for the full, online text. Read it through and find a bit of the ritual that works for you.

[Atomic Thursday] Hell comes to Frog Town

2011-11-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

Rowdy Roddy Piper!

[Resources] Ben Gascoigne, Astronomer!

2011-11-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

That telescope is bad-ass!

Need an astronomer for your WWII to modern-day game? Look no farther than Ben Gascoigne.

An Australian, Ben was born in 1915, attended Auckland University College and the University of Bristol, worked on military optics during WWII and overhauled the observatory at Mount Stromlo. His work in astronomy and the design of optics grew from there. Read the wiki article for his amazing story. Sadly, Ben passed away in 2010, at the ripe age of 94!

Nazi spies attempt to steal Ben's designs for an anti-aircraft sight? PCs to the rescue! Aliens invading Australia in 1952? Ben spots them and calls the PCs! Communists attempt to signal Martians in 1967 using the 90 inch Siding Spring telescope? Only PCs can help Ben! Supervillain Firestorm attacks Mount Stromlo in 2003 to destroy the observatory? What band of super heroes does Ben call?

[Resources] International Brotherhood of Magicians

2011-11-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

The International Brotherhood of Magicians was formed in 1922 and currently has over 15,000 members in 300 clubs, called Rings, around the world.

Members must be 18, either an amateur or professional magician or a magic collector, and have had at least two years of interest in magic plus sponsorship of two active members. There is a youth branch of the brotherhood also.

A Ring makes a great reason for PCs to know each other and an excellent cover for a modern fantasy or supernatural game.

[Halloween]

2011-10-31T14:00:00.000-07:00

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

[Auld Lang 'Zine] Switching to Guns, Issue 30

2011-10-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

Issue 30, Switching to Guns
Issue 30 of Switching to Guns is all about someone poisoning one of the PCs in this fourth adventure in Ashford Town proper. Poison - it's got such a nasty reputation. And properly deserved. How often has the PC been poisoned IN a dungeon? Regular occurrence! But in town? After a night of drinking? Fun!

[Auld Lang 'Zine] Switching to Guns, Issue 29

2011-10-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Issue 29, Switching to Guns
Issue 29 of Switching to Guns returns to Ashford Town, with the third installment of adventures. I used a similar a dice chart from earlier adventures like the Ranger and Meteor adventures from the Deep Forest Road on this one. Everyone likes a dog story, and a dog that has special powers, so much the better!

[PB&J] Peanut Butter and Pickle

2011-10-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

Peanut butter, pickle and mayo, just before the mix!

I took the ancient grimoire down from the bookshelf again to see what secrets I could find. Last time, the alchemical creation was excellent. Now I retreat to my lab to try out another recipe.

It's a mix of nutty and tangy. Unusual taste? Yes, it is. But compelling nonetheless. End result: delicious!

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup finely chopped pickle
bread or crackers

Combine mayonnaise, peanut butter, and chopped pickle (I used Creamy Jif peanut butter, Best Foods mayonnaise and home-made North Dakota pickles). Mix well.

Spread on bread or crackers and serve (I put it on toasted bread).

[Auld Lang 'Zine] Switching to Guns, Issue 28

2011-10-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Issue 28, Switching to Guns
Issue 28 of Switching to Guns sends the PCs into the Sewers, in the second adventure set in Ashford Town. And every good sewer has a were-rat or two. Gordon came to me after re-reading an old module from the early 2000s by the name of "Thieves in the Forest" by Atlas Games- a good one that I urge you to seek out.

[Atomic Thursday] Fail Safe

2011-10-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

Remake of the 1964 version that I have yet to see.

[Auld Lang 'Zine] Switching to Guns, Issue 27

2011-10-27T12:00:00.001-07:00

Issue 27, Switching to Guns
Issue 27 of Switching to Guns continues the sets of five adventures from earlier issues (High Bridge Road and Deep Forest Road), this time focusing on Ashford Town proper. The Sea Sprite Tavern has a mystery! They've be burglarized from the INSIDE out! Who'd bust the door OUT to get IN?

I was pretty proud of this one - throwing in an animated wooden statue after watching too much of that Sinbad movie during the late night film festivals.