tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30852013656361638132024-03-28T12:34:03.207-04:00The BorderlandsSteve's Dorky Old-School Gaming BlogSteve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-13879083184257794842021-02-11T23:52:00.000-05:002021-02-11T23:52:12.793-05:00Horrors of the Sepulchre - Zine Quest 3 Launch Friday!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5vv9FE5LDN2-w-BlZIlqygjlcB0FQcKxn7I_xujp1lZ4mwU0wriKNOa-9-K-y57ib-blsfzzPywzj04RYYUkq8VGS31sBzURT4MgqDG0GrDVa_JNAOpu6QXNaIs8QskwRXMfMsRcxaUn/s2560/KS_banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5vv9FE5LDN2-w-BlZIlqygjlcB0FQcKxn7I_xujp1lZ4mwU0wriKNOa-9-K-y57ib-blsfzzPywzj04RYYUkq8VGS31sBzURT4MgqDG0GrDVa_JNAOpu6QXNaIs8QskwRXMfMsRcxaUn/s320/KS_banner.png" width="320" /></a></div>Hey folks! <p></p><p>My Zine Quest 3 zine is going to launch tonight! I'm creating this zine with Matt Jackson and artist Del Teigeler. Here's the link to the prelaunch page.</p><p><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steve-c/horrors-of-the-sepulchre-zine-quest" target="_blank">Horrors of the Sepulchre</a></p><p>Hope to see you join the Kicktarter campaign. This old-school zine is gonna rock!</p><br /><p><br /></p>Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-1130968167795945692020-09-26T00:28:00.005-04:002020-09-26T00:28:36.617-04:00Dice Roll Zine #3 in PRINT!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwXh3WavVcp4aviCBlLIpnv-XSiM-Y4YCtcmRtlEmi-__U4dYEkGhoKqG54S1NClRR7tupmHwELmsZJ_eJaDcpiHLmwJp4aAUEo0vxgZqVogpVK7Nz5rJhrGh8mUL5R0l1p45boiUkH2y/s1280/prd_03_cov.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwXh3WavVcp4aviCBlLIpnv-XSiM-Y4YCtcmRtlEmi-__U4dYEkGhoKqG54S1NClRR7tupmHwELmsZJ_eJaDcpiHLmwJp4aAUEo0vxgZqVogpVK7Nz5rJhrGh8mUL5R0l1p45boiUkH2y/s320/prd_03_cov.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Hi folks! Long time no blog updates. All I can say is: crazy freakin' 2020. It's the Apocalypse, don't you know! </div></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">So, what better time is there to check out <b><i>DICE ROLL ZINE #3</i></b> <a href="https://hogtowngames.bigcartel.com/product/dice-roll-zine-3" target="_blank">in print</a> before everything goes to shit?!? </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><b>DRZ #3</b></i> was launched as part of Zine Quest 2 on Kickstarter early in 2020, and I now have print copies available for those who didn't know about or weren't able to back the zine during the campaign. Details below.</p><p><b>DICE ROLL ZINE #3</b></p><div style="text-align: left;">Get yer old school game on!<br />DRZ #3. 44-pages, B&W, saddle-stitched, digest-sized print zine. Old-School RPGs. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Words by Steven A. Cook. <br />Illustrations by Del Teigeler, Brian “Glad” Thomas and Glynn Seal.</div><p><b>In Dice Roll Zine #3</b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Fighting Tricks</b>: Optional class ability for fighters<br /><b>Lucky Dice</b>: Optional ‘lucky’ dice re-rolls<br /><b>Technomancer</b>: Technomancy magic-using class<br /><b>Technomancy</b>: New ‘tech-themed’ spells & magic items <br /><b>Dragonauts</b>: Mechanoid dragons of the Wastelands of Kreth <br /><b>Accursed Caverns of Xazyzl</b>: Grueling dungeon for PCs levels 2 to 4<br /><b>Ronculus Horngard</b>: A science-fantasy inspired rhino-man NPC<br /><b>Ugluks</b>: A monster race in the tradition of ‘cannibal halflings’<br /><b>Lifepath Backgrounds</b>: Roll to generate PC background details</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Available now from Hog Town Games <a href="https://hogtowngames.bigcartel.com/product/dice-roll-zine-3" target="_blank">Big Cartel store</a>.<br />$7.50 USD print zine + shipping (worldwide). Includes free PDF.</div>Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-84145398716503812272020-03-08T23:04:00.000-04:002020-03-08T23:04:35.143-04:00DRZ Ramblecast #23 OSE Referee Files Part 3<span style="background-color: white; color: #292f36; font-family: "karla" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Hi folks! I've just released <b>Part 3 Character Classes & Advancement</b> of my ongoing Anchor podcast series in which I delve into the <b><i>Old School Essentials Classic Fantasy Rules Tome</i></b>.</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="102px" scrolling="no" src="https://anchor.fm/steve-c3/embed/episodes/DRZ-23-OSE-Referee-Files-Part-3---Classes--Advancement-ebaqb9" width="400px"></iframe><br />
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Or you can use <a href="https://anchor.fm/steve-c3/episodes/DRZ-23-OSE-Referee-Files-Part-3---Classes--Advancement-ebaqb9" target="_blank">this link</a> to the Anchor podcast.<br />
<br />Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-81310710220947894842020-03-01T22:17:00.000-05:002020-03-01T22:20:19.160-05:00DRZ Ramblecast #22: OSE Referee Files Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z12ihmY801EwhJvPsyTim-K66T68I6Zdd_rwGE-QAGftXF0-tkXzzKnvZyX3c64ciyRbDr-g7Qx-NkLJ5MyP0K0XWj5E4_QOvsw7BsrwLLaawwA2Y9Vs6Z2TrJ_y99FcHMW4joCks5-i/s1600/Thumbnail_17a98576-a90f-4c1a-9c14-4f618537088b_360x.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="360" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z12ihmY801EwhJvPsyTim-K66T68I6Zdd_rwGE-QAGftXF0-tkXzzKnvZyX3c64ciyRbDr-g7Qx-NkLJ5MyP0K0XWj5E4_QOvsw7BsrwLLaawwA2Y9Vs6Z2TrJ_y99FcHMW4joCks5-i/s200/Thumbnail_17a98576-a90f-4c1a-9c14-4f618537088b_360x.webp" width="140" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #292f36; font-family: "karla" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In this podcast episode I delve deeper into the <b><i>Old School Essentials Classic Fantasy Rules Tome</i></b> (the Player Characters chapter) and come out the other side with some intriguing thoughts (in particular) about ability scores and alignment. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #292f36; font-family: "karla" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Or maybe I just kinda talk out of my ass for like 35 minutes. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #292f36; font-family: "karla" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://anchor.fm/steve-c3/episodes/DRZ-Ramblecast-22-OSE-Referee-Files-Part-2-eb5qhm" target="_blank">DRZ Ramblecast #22: OSE Referee Files Part 2</a> [Anchor]</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #292f36; font-family: "karla" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Cheers! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #292f36; font-family: "karla" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Steve C</span>Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-38226263234738085962020-02-05T16:49:00.000-05:002020-02-05T16:48:59.947-05:00Dice Roll Zine #3 Launched on Kickstarter for Zine Quest 2!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxfPvtBwotkzGiqFlrSZ748z9m0W9ZpRltWfNni9vR7LigdUWtUQHQkyTCKDozP_w5YIPpZCcsU9tdnoq3sOxytP3mvaHf9H2M7HE9rGqtLmDn3S-AbWtbmsunaeAHhiGHiXFSQHouE-n/s1600/IMG_20170527_091931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxfPvtBwotkzGiqFlrSZ748z9m0W9ZpRltWfNni9vR7LigdUWtUQHQkyTCKDozP_w5YIPpZCcsU9tdnoq3sOxytP3mvaHf9H2M7HE9rGqtLmDn3S-AbWtbmsunaeAHhiGHiXFSQHouE-n/s320/IMG_20170527_091931.jpg" width="320" /></a>Hi folks! I just wanted to let everyone know that I have launched my <b><i>Dice Roll Zine #3</i></b> as part of the <b>Zine Quest 2</b> campaign on <b><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steve-c/dice-roll-zine-3-zine-quest" target="_blank">Kickstarter</a></b>. You can find out all about it there, but I'll break down the contents below for you as well.<br />
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In <b><i>Dice Roll Zine #3</i></b> you'll find:<br />
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<li><b>The Artificer of Xixis</b> class -- a technomancy magic specialist.</li>
<li><b>Technomancy </b>-- new tech-themed spells and magic items.</li>
<li><b>The Accursed Caverns</b> (of Xazyzl) -- a 'mythic underworld' style adventure site for a group of lower level PCs.</li>
<li><b>Roculus Horngard</b> -- a detailed 'rhino man' sci-fantasy NPC to thwart/help your PCs.</li>
<li><b>Dirty Tricks</b> -- an optional fighter class ability.</li>
<li><b>Dragonauts </b>-- kick-ass techno-dragons.</li>
<li><b>Ugluks </b>-- humorous 'feral humanoid' monsters.</li>
<li><b>'Lifepath' PC Backgrounds</b> -- create a PC backstory with a series of rolls.</li>
<li>And even more old-school RPG goodies, all originating from my own sci-fantasy home campaign called The Wastelands of Kreth. </li>
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<i><b>Dice Roll Zine</b></i> is entirely written by me and illustrated by some of the best old school-inspired artists around. Issue #3 currently stands at 40 pages, digest-sized, black & white interior and cover, and the zine will be professionally printed and staple-bound with a card-stock cover.<br />
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The zine is primarily based around the 1981 B/X style rules, so it's perfect for Old School Essentials games, but also very easily usable with any old-school systems like Labyrinth Lord, Swords & Wizardry, Lamentations of the Flame Princess, Basic Fantasy, Dungeon Crawl Classics, Black Hack, and so on.<br />
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I expect to have the <b><i>Dice Roll Zine #3</i></b> PDF finished and released to backers in late May 2020, with the printed zine following up about a month later after proofing and final printing. I'd say that about 70% of the writing is complete and about 60% of the commissioned art has been received at this point, so I've given myself an ample fulfillment window to get everything tidied up and completed.<br />
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If you're interested in supporting me and <b><i>Dice Roll Zine #3</i></b> on <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steve-c/dice-roll-zine-3-zine-quest" target="_blank">Kickstarter's Zine Quest 2</a> campaign, please check it out and join in the fun and exciting journey of bringing the latest issue of my old school zine to the people!Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-40349531136877613162019-10-25T10:11:00.000-04:002019-11-08T22:33:23.095-05:00B/X (OSR) Essentials Class - Witch Hunter<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #292f33;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm about to resume my B/X Essentials (well, actually now it's <a href="https://necroticgnome.com/collections/old-school-essentials" target="_blank">Old School Essentials</a>!) RPG game, tentatively known as the "Gloomburg" campaign, which is set in a very <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Kane" target="_blank">Solomon Kane</a>-<a href="https://www.cubicle7games.com/our-games/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay/" target="_blank">Warhammer</a>-<a href="https://monkeyblooddesign.co.uk/the-midderlands/" target="_blank">The Midderlands</a>-<a href="https://www.modiphius.net/products/symbaroum-core-book-print-and-pdf" target="_blank">Symbaroum</a></i>-ish blender campaign setting called the <em>Border Ghostlands</em>, with places named appropriately spooky things like Gloomwood, Daghold, Blackspire Peaks, Gloomburg, Blackhaunt Forest, Mistwood, Moontower, and so on and so forth. All very Doom Heavy Metal-ish and Nordic, I suppose. <span class="emoji" data-name="wink" style="background-image: url("https://cdn.mewe.com/emoji/default/sprites-4.1def0.png"); background-position: 0px -88px; background-size: 418px 418px; display: inline-block; height: 22px; margin-top: -3px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 22px;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At any rate, I've needed a very loosely "Solomon Kane-ish" type class to help fill in some of the setting vibe, so this is what I've come up with. F</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">eel free to let me know what you think! I've done very limited playtesting so far, so it's likely to continue to evolve (see notes below for changes). Hat tip to </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">JB</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> of the </span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><i>B/X Blackrazor</i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> blog for some of the original inspiration for this class, his Witch Hunter from a-way-way back in 2010.</span></div>
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<a class="nofollow noopener noreferrer" href="http://bxblackrazor.blogspot.com/2010/04/bx-witch-hunter.html" style="color: #007da1; cursor: pointer; position: relative; word-break: break-all;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://bxblackrazor.blogspot.com/2010/04/bx-witch-hunter.html</span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image copyright 2009 Epic Tales Limited,<br />Davis Film Productions S.A.S.,<br />Czech Anglo Productions SRO. <br />All Rights Reserved.</span></td></tr>
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<h3>
<span style="font-weight: 700;"><u>B/X CLASS: WITCH HUNTER</u></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The witch hunter stands a beacon of light in the darkness against witchcraft, demonology and sorcery. His martial prowess and divinely-granted powers aid in his quest to protect the innocent and destroy evil. (More fluff text to be added later.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Requirements</span>: STR 9, WIS 9, CHA 9</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Prime Requisite</span>: WIS</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">HD</span>: 1d6 (+1 per level after 9th level)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Max Level</span>: 14</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>XP</b>: as fighter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">THAC0</span>: as fighter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Saves</span>: as cleric</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Weapons</span>: all 1-handed melee, crossbows, firearms</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Armour</span>: leather, chainmail, shields</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Hunter of Evil</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">: Can hide in shadows and move silently as thief of equal class level (if wearing leather only).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Limited Possessions</span>: May only keep wealth and possessions that they can carry (or pack on mount). Excess must be donated </span>to charitable groups that protect the innocent, or groups devoted to eradicating witchcraft and sorcery. Donating to other PCs forbidden.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Protect the Innocent</span>: Sacrifice a number hit points to provide an equal bonus to allies/innocents on saving throws vs evil magic. Lasts 1 hour if protected in advance or allows a new save on existing spell effect at double bonus. Subjects must be touched.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Repel Witchcraft & Sorcery</span>: </span>Can turn demons, devils, magically summoned creatures, and evil spellcasters like a cleric turns undead.</div>
<b style="color: #292f33; font-family: inherit;">Thwart Magic</b><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: inherit;">: Can </span><i style="color: #292f33; font-family: inherit;">detect magic</i><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: inherit;"> like the spell 1/day per 5 levels (1-5/x1, 6-10/x2, etc.), and can </span><i style="color: #292f33; font-family: inherit;">dispel magic</i><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: inherit;"> or </span><i style="color: #292f33; font-family: inherit;">remove curse</i><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: inherit;"> like the spells 1/day starting at 5th level (2/day at 10th level and higher).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tracking</b>: Can track like a ranger of equal class level.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Edit 1 (Oct 25, 2019)</b>: Changed the <b>Harness Magic</b> ability to be useable from 1st level, but with scaling chances of failure based on spell level vs class level.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Edit 2 (Nov 8, 2019)</b>: <b><i>MAJOR REVISION</i></b>. Added WIS 9 requirement. Reduced hp to +1/level after 9th. Updated <b>Hunter of Evil</b> to note equal class level. Updated <b>Limited Possessions</b> to note specifics of donations. Updated <b>Repel Witchcraft & Sorcery</b> to remove 2 levels lower than cleric stipulation. Removed <b>Harness Magic</b> ability completely to better reflect "opposed to magic" vibe. Removed <b>Detect Magic</b> & <b>Dispel Magic</b> abilities and replaced with <b>Thwart Magic</b>. Added <b>Tracking</b> ability.</span></div>
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Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-83968526529896090322019-08-15T22:52:00.001-04:002019-10-05T22:24:40.464-04:00Hog Town Games Birthday Sale!<br />
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It's my Birthday so I'm having a sale on Hog Town Games' titles!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O4WiO-DS3A7ikP-jyFWtkkeLwMU7gg3BefBQcHd9fG1cIAw1Q14alpPTAEB05jwrpR2fnFgr6-e8BE-LGXjnefY2G17JuumttKlnLbdSZ7cDJgIaMXDbYIPxMvLka54DQVwbNog0e_Td/s1600/dicerollzine_ad_01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="1500" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O4WiO-DS3A7ikP-jyFWtkkeLwMU7gg3BefBQcHd9fG1cIAw1Q14alpPTAEB05jwrpR2fnFgr6-e8BE-LGXjnefY2G17JuumttKlnLbdSZ7cDJgIaMXDbYIPxMvLka54DQVwbNog0e_Td/s320/dicerollzine_ad_01.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Until Labour Day, <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/222363/Dice-Roll-Zine-1?manufacturers_id=10284"><b>Dice Roll Zine #1</b></a> and <b><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/274776/Dice-Roll-Zine-2?manufacturers_id=10284">Dice Roll Zine #2</a></b> PDFs are 60% off at DriveThruRPG -- <b>only $2</b>! The print on demand version (A5 perfectbound) of <b>Dice Roll Zine #1</b> is also now available for <b>only $4</b> (and you can get a free PDF too if you choose the combo!) on DriveThruRPG!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
The saddle-stitch, digest-size <a href="http://hogtowngames.bigcartel.com/">print version of </a><b><a href="http://hogtowngames.bigcartel.com/">Dice Roll Zine #2</a></b> is now on sale exclusively at Hog Town Games' Big Cartel store for <b>only $4</b> (+ shipping)!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Get yer old school game on!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Enjoy the rest of the summer folks!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Steve C</div>
<br />Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-16779521993765574242019-07-29T13:54:00.002-04:002019-07-30T09:39:15.210-04:00Barbarians & Black Magic - A Sword & Sorcery Pamphlet RPG<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB_vqrxtVBniczTiZr9zlsW0FcgsMMLE3P5RaZ0t2mMf3TTGYs2tjRDLGP7LFqu-AqdFtRY9Is2HeEZlLbf78SoLUn8eql93FXBLvM1dKg9nGmlhTixI8OwjEZfBhYmEQOjrKFNQcnVFb/s1600/IMG_20190727_231531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB_vqrxtVBniczTiZr9zlsW0FcgsMMLE3P5RaZ0t2mMf3TTGYs2tjRDLGP7LFqu-AqdFtRY9Is2HeEZlLbf78SoLUn8eql93FXBLvM1dKg9nGmlhTixI8OwjEZfBhYmEQOjrKFNQcnVFb/s320/IMG_20190727_231531.jpg" width="179" /></a>Hey folks! Today I'm posting the first draft of a swords & sorcery inspired 'Pamphlet RPG' I've created, called <b><i>Barbarians & Black Magic</i></b>. This is the nuts and bolts of an RPG all crammed into a double-sided standard letter-sized page and folded into three panels. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wdGLMNbUjcM_I69GGJNgKgf0h4uOsmH_" target="_blank">Download here</a> from the google drives.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Barbarians & Black Magic</i></b> owes it's mechanical chassis to such fine old RPGs as <b><i>The Fantasy Trip</i></b> and <b><i>GURPS</i></b>, so it should be easy to grok for anyone familiar with those games. The stats are pretty straightforward and simple and the gameplay (admittedly minimal playtesting so far) is pretty quick.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNRpRUhPJqHLJt1avazib09H9qp0zFtZ_7Wz7nnpk5NaTLqAAwHwpJqq5rftgPu93SMYtEPW4-rbJ0X7fXywJfLGW2BNtz4GeONIPLM-_MdoFy8l8_ItrmfgnkR4HGMuHSvXTokBhy1FC/s1600/IMG_20190727_231616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNRpRUhPJqHLJt1avazib09H9qp0zFtZ_7Wz7nnpk5NaTLqAAwHwpJqq5rftgPu93SMYtEPW4-rbJ0X7fXywJfLGW2BNtz4GeONIPLM-_MdoFy8l8_ItrmfgnkR4HGMuHSvXTokBhy1FC/s320/IMG_20190727_231616.jpg" width="320" /></a>I'm hoping to get out a companion 'scenario pamphlet' later this summer which will provide examples of spells, magic items, traps, monsters, and other such things to help make the game feel more 'complete.' So look for that in late August!<br />
<br />
Ultimately, the goal here is to write a digest-sized version of <b><i>Barbarians & Black Magic RPG</i></b> in the 32 page range that is an xd6-based, roll-under game engine, with some different and hopefully colorful combat and magic mechanics, but is not just yet another <b><i>Dungeons & Dragons</i></b> retro-clone type RPG.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4fiwdB84GnGRnLj2oSDfIqr4nFphlm8T7rq_xwjDPANYZCvSe5cqRkXfHmOEL2VxuGYjZc_EFHvwNrU0sLu4QhVbBDKIs0Rvd1IAIixGUNnVpD2iQMxtv5Cqsio-xTNM_g7lwy4Dyi8d/s1600/IMG_20190727_013318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4fiwdB84GnGRnLj2oSDfIqr4nFphlm8T7rq_xwjDPANYZCvSe5cqRkXfHmOEL2VxuGYjZc_EFHvwNrU0sLu4QhVbBDKIs0Rvd1IAIixGUNnVpD2iQMxtv5Cqsio-xTNM_g7lwy4Dyi8d/s320/IMG_20190727_013318.jpg" width="320" /></a>This is what I got so far. Cheers!<br />
<br />
Steve<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>P.S.</b> Thanks to William McCausland for his great collections of fantasy spot art available at <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/218781/Fantasy-Clip-Inks-Spot-Art-Set-8">DriveThruRPG.com</a>. Check out <a href="http://www.outlandarts.com/" target="_blank">Outland Arts</a> for more art & RPG goodies!<br />
<br />
<b>P.P.S.</b> If any person knows (or can figure out!) where I cribbed the name <b><i>Barbarians & Black Magic</i></b> from, I will send you a free print & PDF copy of <b><i><a href="http://hogtowngames.bigcartel.com/">Dice Roll Zine #2</a></i></b>, my zine devoted to OSR roleplaying games. This mini-contest is open to anyone, worldwide. Leave a comment below with your answer. Good luck!<br />
<br />
<br />Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-74221174655940342232019-06-25T09:57:00.001-04:002019-06-25T09:57:47.799-04:00Dice Roll Zine #1 on Amazon and Barnes & Noble!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWz5B_VKw2KFl5bxPsOS5dPJCUmaKCcDj07eXeG5wkEgEzZFunQVCl5XLGUra8kYV3lap0mZZdGL97sxXDPzTGFhaDZLeVOWHQ1w9JNvvd8C96kDX-G2mc6jk49zeuOQvpLTKtiRSAwLy/s1600/cover_a5b_obs-coverimg.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="866" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWz5B_VKw2KFl5bxPsOS5dPJCUmaKCcDj07eXeG5wkEgEzZFunQVCl5XLGUra8kYV3lap0mZZdGL97sxXDPzTGFhaDZLeVOWHQ1w9JNvvd8C96kDX-G2mc6jk49zeuOQvpLTKtiRSAwLy/s320/cover_a5b_obs-coverimg.PNG" width="230" /></a></div>
Hi folks! Exciting news here at <b>Hog Town Games</b> and The Borderlands Blog. <b><i>Dice Roll Zine #1</i></b> is NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dice-Roll-Zine-Steven-Cook/dp/1387499602/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=dice+roll+zine&qid=1561469153&s=gateway&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.com and <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dice-roll-zine-1-steven-cook/1131937044?ean=9781387499601" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>'s websites, in addition to <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/steven-cook/dice-roll-zine-1/paperback/product-23588337.html" target="_blank">Lulu</a>.<br />
<br />
If you're in Canada, you can find DRZ #1 at <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Dice-Roll-Zine-Steven-Cook/dp/1387499602/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=dice+roll+zine&qid=1561470625&s=gateway&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.ca or <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/steven-cook/dice-roll-zine-1/paperback/product-23588337.html" target="_blank">Lulu's Canadian</a> store.<br />
<br />
I only have a few print copies remaining in my possession, so it's coming off the <a href="https://hogtowngames.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank">Hog Town Games' Big Cartel storefront</a>. I'll keep these copies for promos and giveaways and whatnot. Of course, you can still get the current <b><i>Dice Roll Zine #2</i></b> in print from the Big Cartel storefront.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
Steve CSteve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-22625665496775117732019-05-29T08:55:00.000-04:002019-06-13T14:30:48.809-04:00Dice Roll Zine #2 in Print & PDF!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cahB35QO_nEzsK3IgE_9_9Gb6RTiVYkRp_KYswW-ATBwyPYQsa3ZbBlCAoQEEfxgFed6UiJ2mRl4ESP7tO0vvt_rs6SqkCyXahxz_-h8-v-1MTvY95fusWtYzOJCbBjONy88r979-2xU/s1600/img_cover_crop.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="883" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cahB35QO_nEzsK3IgE_9_9Gb6RTiVYkRp_KYswW-ATBwyPYQsa3ZbBlCAoQEEfxgFed6UiJ2mRl4ESP7tO0vvt_rs6SqkCyXahxz_-h8-v-1MTvY95fusWtYzOJCbBjONy88r979-2xU/s320/img_cover_crop.png" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dice Roll Zine #2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>DICE ROLL ZINE #2</b><br />
<br />
Dice Roll Zine. Get yer old-school game on!<br />
<br />
Dice Roll Zine is a 40-page, saddle-stitched, digest-sized print zine for old-school RPGs written by Steven A. Cook and illustrated by some of the best retro-inspired artists.<br />
<br />
Visit the Hog Town Games Big Cartel store <a href="https://hogtowngames.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank">here</a> to order a print copy. $7 USD + shipping. Ships worldwide. And to Mars. OK maybe not Mars, but I would if I could!<br />
<br />
<b>UPDATE</b>! Now available for $4 USD on DriveThruRPG in PDF format <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/274776/" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
<br />
The second issue includes a Sorcerer class for Swords & Wizardry Complete games; 'Roll all the Dice' tables for generating fungi, plants & freaky stuff; The City-State of Kreth, a weird-fantasy city overview with history, factions, unique gear, rumors, adventure seeds, thumbnail descriptions and encounter tables for nine city districts, and more; new spells and magic items for an 'oldhammer' fantasy role-playing game; and various other cool rules options and odd things for your old-school games.<br />
<br />
<b>Please Note</b>: Print buyers also get a PDF copy for free. Details are included with your print zine.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading! Steve CSteve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-66753763379168793472018-11-19T21:58:00.000-05:002018-11-28T23:03:47.373-05:00How to Resolve Anything That Comes Up!This blog post was prompted by +Michael Bacon's G+ post over <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MichaelBacon/posts/G8NTiASXQdx?cfem=1" target="_blank">here</a>. This is a one-page article from my first issue of Dice Roll Zine (<a href="https://www.rpgnow.com/product/222363/Dice-Roll-Zine-1" target="_blank">PDF</a> at RPG Now or <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/steven-cook/dice-roll-zine-1/paperback/product-23588337.html" target="_blank">POD</a> from Lulu) published in the fall of 2017. I hope you folks find it useful ... and at least a little bit funny. :-)<br />
<br />
<h1 align="center" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cooper black" , "serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; font-weight: normal;">HOW
TO RESOLVE ANYTHING</span><span style="font-family: "cooper black" , "serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cooper black" , "serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">THAT
COMES UP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 4.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b>What Else are Those Damn Ability Scores for
Anyway?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%;">
In a tense game session, players
sometimes forget that NPCs and monsters can be bargained with, not just slain.
NPCs have bills, taxes, bad habits, and exes, too. Hired guards might flee
suddenly when one of their own is used as Old One bait. Go figure. Your enemies
may pay your torchbearer to stick his torch up your ass. When did Oddwick
accidentally sell the mahogany chest (or was it the one with gold-pressed black
iron locks?) with Blackrazor and the Eyes of the Overworld in it? Why is that
weird jade monkey statue looking only at you? Is that giant slug with the
bloody spiked tail going to offer you tea and directions or thump you? Did that
tavern owner's potboy leave you fidgeting with an itch? Scratch scratch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
When stuff like
this happens, either you or the Referee rolls 2d6 and adjusts the sum of the
dice by one of your PC's ability score modifiers, whichever one seems right for
the situation. Then check the result on the <b>Resolve It!</b> table below.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "molengo";">RESOLVE IT!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" width="55"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "molengo";">Roll<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 307.8pt;" width="410"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-family: "molengo";">Result<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" valign="top" width="55"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "molengo";">2 or less<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 307.8pt;" valign="top" width="410"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-family: "molengo";">Catastrophically bad</span></b><span style="font-family: "molengo";">. It attacks, hurts, steals, hates, maims,
attempts to eat, uses its worst, or otherwise fucks you up. Seriously. No
chance of fixing. Hope you got a sharp sword or some hot spells of fiery
doom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" valign="top" width="55"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "molengo";">3 to 5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 307.8pt;" valign="top" width="410"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-family: "molengo";">Hostile or very bad</span></b><span style="font-family: "molengo";">. You're attacked or otherwise thwarted,
hindered, harmed, or cleverly made to look like a chump. Too bad for you. If
you want to recover, get creative or make some damn good rolls. Maybe get the
Referee a beer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" valign="top" width="55"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "molengo";">6 to 8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 307.8pt;" valign="top" width="410"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-family: "molengo";">Cautious or uncertain</span></b><span style="font-family: "molengo";">. Make another offer cheapskate, think outside
the box, keep the negotiations going, play to your strengths, etc. Roll again
if the Referee feels generous. Referee, you had a beer lately?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" valign="top" width="55"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "molengo";">9 to 11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 307.8pt;" valign="top" width="410"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-family: "molengo";">Friendly or good</span></b><span style="font-family: "molengo";">. Things go your way, your offer is accepted, or
the NPC is willing to comply/discuss/help you out. Otherwise, the NPC thinks
you rock on toast and quite possibly even likes your sexy smell and smarts.
Or thinks you might taste good later, if hungry. Good going!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" valign="top" width="55"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "molengo";">12 or more<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 307.8pt;" valign="top" width="410"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-family: "molengo";">Enthusiastic or extremely good</span></b><span style="font-family: "molengo";">. The monster or NPC goes far beyond your
expectations to provide assistance or information. Perhaps you glean arcane
or divine insight about something, real or imagined. Can you translate
ancient hieroglyphs into six modern languages without a reference? Easy
peasy, step aside lads, watch the professional work!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This table means to quickly resolve any minor issues and avoid messing
about with obscure situational rules you never recall and probably have to look
up during play. In fact, this table may spell the end of rules subsystems as we
know them. Forever. Okay, perhaps not. Obviously, this table shouldn’t be taken
too seriously—it’s also meant to inspire a ‘Rulings not Rules’ play style. This
is only a game, after all. If you decide that a ruling is valuable to your game
play, stick with it consistently in the future. No doubt, you do this already.
Carry on with the fun!</span>Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-74170799988806632742018-11-09T07:41:00.000-05:002018-11-09T07:47:23.853-05:00Medieval Demographics Made Easy (PDF)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/woodcut-print-of-medieval-town-from-liber-chronicarum-compiled-by-picture-id534250184" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="730" height="320" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/woodcut-print-of-medieval-town-from-liber-chronicarum-compiled-by-picture-id534250184" width="292" /></a></div>
Hey folks! When preparing your RPG adventures, have you ever wondered:<br />
<br />
How many people live in this kingdom?<br />
How many cities, towns and villagers are there?<br />
How many taverns, blacksmiths and magic shops are in this town?<br />
<br />
If you don't give a hoot about 'realism,' then you probably just make up some numbers. Which is cool!<br />
<br />
However, if you prefer some semblance of historical accuracy, then you've probably heard of S. John Ross' well-regarded <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaooZWUxWDd0OWJEZVFsVmFFdmJuSnJKaVBhcEtF" target="_blank">Medieval Demographics Made Easy</a> (PDF) document.<br />
<br />
<i>MDME</i> has been around forever. Well, almost forever, at least in internet terms. S. John has graciously made it available for everyone to download by tossing it out there into the Wild Wild Web in a swanky new updated PDF. Many of us fans are hosting it on our blogs and websites. You can find it <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaooZWUxWDd0OWJEZVFsVmFFdmJuSnJKaVBhcEtF" target="_blank">here</a>. I've also placed a permalink over there in the right-hand column. Just scroll down a bit.<br />
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Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
Steve C<br />
<br />Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-63067238680605267672018-07-27T07:45:00.000-04:002018-07-27T07:58:40.132-04:00Dice Roll Zine Ramblecast on Anchor & Everywhere ElseDid you know I started a podcast? Yeah I can't believe it either!<br />
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The <b>Dice Roll Zine Ramblecast</b> is hosted on Anchor, the sweet interactive podcast platform, but is also available most other places that hip, cool, and super trendy podcasts are available (ahem). Places like Spotify, iTunes, Castbox, and so on.<br />
<br />
If you are interested in the OSR ramblings of an idiot gamer metalhead goofball, please check it out! :D<br />
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I have embedded DRZ Ramblecast episode #10 below for your listening pleasure. This <a href="https://anchor.fm/steve-c3" target="_blank">here</a> is the main link to my profile page on Anchor where all the <a href="https://anchor.fm/steve-c3" target="_blank">DRZ podcasts</a> are listed. It's also over there (*points right) on the side of the page. Or you can search for Dice Roll Zine on your favorite podcast app.<br />
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Cheers!<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="102px" scrolling="no" src="https://anchor.fm/steve-c3/embed/episodes/Searching-in-the-Dungeon--Dumbass-Metalhead-DM-Tips-e1sjn1" width="400px"></iframe><br />
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<br />Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-66189475231437148932017-09-22T05:46:00.000-04:002018-04-27T08:03:53.653-04:00Dice Roll Zine #1 in Print and PDF!Dice Roll Zine #1 is now available in print and PDF!<br />
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Dice Roll Zine is a 36-page old-fashioned zine for OSR RPG games written by me and illustrated by some of the best OSR-influenced artists around.<br />
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Contents of the premiere issue include a barbarian class for B/X games, a different way to turn undead in B/X games, a trippy sci-fantasy adventure location called The Purple Mushroom Inn, a chaos mutation die drop table, random dungeon stuff tables, and more!<br />
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<b>PRINT</b>: Please look over on the right-hand column to buy the print-on-demand version at Lulu. A5 size, 36 pages, perfect bound. $5.50 USD ($7 CAD).<br />
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<b>PDF</b>: The PDF version of the zine is now available at <a href="https://tabletoplibrary.com/products/dice-roll-zine-1/" target="_blank">Tabletop Library</a>, <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/222363/Dice-Roll-Zine-1" target="_blank">DriveThru RPG</a>, and <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product/222363/Dice-Roll-Zine-1" target="_blank">RPGNow</a>. $4 USD. For four measly bucks you get the zine PDF as well as all of the map files (.png format) for the issue: 7 maps!<br />
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Zine sample photos below.</div>
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<br />Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-44614598629353007652017-08-23T14:19:00.004-04:002017-08-23T14:19:30.675-04:00RPG-a-Day 2017 - Catching up and Finishing Ahead of the Month!<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DFU1lt7XcAAIjQr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="800" height="166" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DFU1lt7XcAAIjQr.jpg" width="400" /></a>Here is my next post, long overdue, for RPG-a-Day 2017!<br />
<br />
All the remaining questions in one go, plus the first 5 copied in (from my first post) at the beginning for completeness. :-)<br />
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<b>1. What published RPG do you wish you were playing right now?</b><br />
<i>Toon</i>. Because I've had some really fun and crazy games of <i>Toon</i> in the past and I'm feeling like I need an outlet of fun and crazy cartoon hi-jinx right now. :-)<br />
<br />
<b>2. What is an RPG you would like to see published?</b><br />
Mine. My own, My precious... (I'd want to do it a bit differently than any of the past--or current--versions, with "dynamic" words of power spellcasting and invoked auras and legacy-building items and who-knows-what else...)<br />
<br />
And as cheesy as it may sound, I'd like to see a really fun, quirky, and intellectually-challenging Harry Potter RPG designed for kids. I think that that kind of feel would fit well with the source material. I would probably do the design as a melange of very basic trad RPG and action/event card-board game.<br />
<br />
<b>3. How do you find out about new RPGs?</b><br />
Word of mouth or select "social media" reviews and commentary. Typically online via G+ gaming circles and occasionally blogs I follow. I don't do Twitter-piddle, Instagroaner, or Facialbook tho.<br />
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<b>4. Which RPG have you played the most since August 2016?</b><br />
<i>Pathfinder</i>. Rise of the Runelords campaign. It's kind of funny because as a DM, I'm almost exclusively a grognard old-school game system fellow, but one of my buddies (who alternates as DM with me) wanted to give it a go, so we played... for a while. The crunchy nature of the ruleset combined with playing over the Roll20 platform became a bit too much fiddly and not enough fun, so we have since switched to <i>Swords & Wizardry</i>. :-)<br />
<br />
<b>5. Which RPG cover best captures the spirit of the game?</b><br />
The Moldvay-Cook <i>Basic/Expert Dungeons & Dragons</i> boxed sets. Erol Otus. Can't beat them. Hands down.<br />
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Second best is probably the 1st edition <i>Call of Cthulhu</i> boxed set. So creepy. I love it.<br />
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<b>6. You can game every day for a week. Describe what you'd do!</b><br />
I would run a mini-campaign with a game system I've never GMed before. <i>Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea</i> would top the "want to run" list, although that might be a bit influenced by its AD&D roots. Although I favor OD&D- and B/X-based games these days, I still have a strong love for AD&D.<br />
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Following AS&SH on the want-to-run-but- never-have list is probably <i>T<span style="font-weight: bold;">raveller</span></i> (original), <i>White Star</i>, <i>Gamma World</i>, and <i>Crypts & Things</i>.<br />
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<b>7. What was your most impactful game session?</b><br />
My first session, no doubt. It was in the basement of Miltos' house (or mine, I forget that part) and Mark was the DM, and Gary, Mike, Miltos, another Mike, me, and one other person (I forget who...) were playing. It certainly wasn't the most memorable game (although I do remember Mark cackling A LOT!), but without that first <i>Basic Dungeons & Dragons</i> session in 1981 -- me as Merlin the magic-user (how clever!) with his hold portal spell and dagger, and dying in his first fight -- there never would have been all the others over the decades.<br />
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<b>8. What is a good RPG to play for sessions of 2 hours or less?</b><br />
Any RPG can be played in 2 hours or less. However, if I were forced to choose which RPG works <i>best</i> when kept to an under two hour timeframe, I'd say <i>Toon</i>. (That's two for <i>Toon</i> on my RPG-a-Day list!)<br />
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<b>9. What is a good rpg to play for about 10 sessions?</b><br />
See above. Anything. Except <i>Toon, </i>actually. 10 consecutive sessions of <i>Toon</i> are probably too much for any <b>reasonably</b> sane person.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Where do you go for RPG reviews?</b><br />
Reviews posted on G+<br />
<a href="http://rlyehreviews.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Reviews from R'lyeh</a><br />
<a href="http://tenfootpole.org/ironspike/" target="_blank">Ten Foot Pole</a><br />
And, of course, recommendations made to me personally.<br />
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<b>11. Which dead game would you like to see reborn?</b><br />
I don't grok the question. Once a game is published, it is forever. There is no "dead" game as long as people are playing it somewhere.<br />
<br />
But that's just me being a semantic asshat. I suppose the <b><i>real question</i></b> is which currently unsupported game would I like to see supported again with regular supplements by a publisher?<br />
<br />
My answer is <i>Dune: Chronicles of the Imperium</i>. I have yet to be able to get my hands on this limited release game from back in the day (2000?) of the final throes of Last Unicorn Games after they were acquired by Wizards of the Coast.<br />
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<b>12. Which RPG has the most inspiring interior artwork?</b><br />
Same as answer #5. The Moldvay-Cook <i>Basic/Expert Dungeons & Dragons</i> boxed sets. Erol Otus, Jeff Dee, et. al. I am still inspired to this day by the amazing artwork.<br />
<br />
<b>13. Describe a game experience that changed how you play.</b><br />
My Dark Sun campaign circa 1992. I ran a game with the regular group, but we all consumed various substances, both legal and illicit ... and we had an awesome session! Totally free-form, combat encounters were brutal and fun, rules were adhered to but almost meaningless, and the roleplaying was sublime. Atmosphere was great with music and player banter, but admittedly everything was a bit confusing and very tangential at times. We sorted it all out though. :-)<br />
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It taught me that my improv skills were way better than I ever realized, or imagined they could be.<br />
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<b>14. Which rpg do you prefer for open-ended campaign play?</b><br />
I don't have a preference, but I will say that my longest campaigns have been run using the two editions of <i>Advanced Dungeons & Dragons</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>15. Which RPG do you enjoy adapting the most?</b><br />
Like many folks, no doubt, I enjoy adapting <b>every</b> game I play. But the most? Probably <i>Swords & Wizardry White Box</i>. It's just so flexible and easy to modify without upsetting the apple cart, so to speak. Unless, you <b>wanted</b> to upset the apple cart. But you could also easily do that with <i>White Box</i>, if you were so inclined.<br />
<br />
<b>16. Which RPG do you enjoy using as is?</b><br />
<i>Warhammer Fantasy Role-play</i>. First edition. I have virtually no "mechanical" house rules for this game, other than extra bits and stuff added on.<br />
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<b>17. Which RPG have you owned the longest but not played?</b><br />
<i>Rune</i>. A rotate the GM-type hack-n-slash RPG of viking mayhem written by Robin Laws and based off a video game of the same name. I got it as soon as it came out in 2001 but have yet to play it ... 16 years!<br />
<br />
<b>18. Which RPG have you played the most in your life?</b><br />
<i>Advanced Dungeons & Dragons</i>. Hands down.<br />
<br />
<b>19. Which RPG features the best writing?</b><br />
Two-part answer.<br />
For rules clarity and flexibility? Moldvay-Cook<i> Basic/Expert Dungeons & Dragons</i>.<br />
For rules clarity and flexibility plus fluffy stuff plus general reading enjoyment? <i>Star Trek RPG</i> (really anything from the three series lines -- TOS, TNG, & DS9) by Last Unicorn Games.<br />
<br />
<b>20. What is the best source for out-of-print RPGs?</b><br />
I mostly use eBay. There are no decent sources like Noble Knight to order from up here in Canada, not that I know of anyway. I sometimes just roll-the-dice at the local game stores and see what they have when I visit.<br />
<br />
<b>21. Which RPG does the most with the least words?</b><br />
The original <i>Dungeons & Dragons</i>. I mean, seriously, what can beat original D&D for the mostest with the leastest? It started all this RPG shit and spawned two entire entertainment genres -- tabletop RPGs and computer RPGs. That's a lot of most!<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www222.pair.com/sjohn/risus.htm" target="_blank">Risus the Anything RPG</a> </i>would be my second pick. :-)<br />
<br />
<b>22. Which RPGs are the easiest for you to run?</b><br />
Any TSR-era <i>Dungeons & Dragons</i> game. The rulebooks and modules are really interchangeable.<br />
<br />
<b>23. Which RPG has the most jaw-dropping layout?</b><br />
One of the most gorgeous books I've seen (but not yet held in my hands) is the Swedish RPG <i>Symbaroum</i> by Järnringen. The English print version is available from Modiphius <a href="https://www.modiphius.net/collections/symbaroum/products/symbaroum-core-book-print-and-pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>24. Share a PWYW publisher who should be charging more?</b><br />
There are quite a few, but I will single out James V. West's <i>Black Pudding</i> <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/browse.php?x=0&y=0&author=J.V.%20West" target="_blank">zine</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>25. What is the best way to thank your GM?</b><br />
Showing up at their games on time and letting them know you have a lot of fun and appreciate all their hard work. Show you care by being attentive and involved while playing. It really is as simple as that.<br />
<br />
Maybe bring them their favorite beer or beverage. Perhaps offer to cook a dish to bring to the game, if you have cooking skills. If you are the gift-giving type, giving a gift card or something you know for certain they like (i.e. game books) is a classy move.<br />
<br />
<b>26. What RPG provides the most useful resources?</b><br />
<i>Basic Fantasy RPG</i> has an awesome support and downloads page. See <a href="http://www.basicfantasy.org/downloads.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>27. What are your essential tools for good gaming?</b><br />
Good people. A table (or chat room or whatever online). Dice (or dice roller). Imagination.<br />
<br />
Seriously. Everything else is details and gravy.<br />
<br />
<b>28. What film/series is the biggest source of quotes in your group?</b><br />
And now for something completely different...<br />
<br />
Monty Python, by far. Second biggest is probably Lord of the Rings.<br />
<br />
<b>29. What has been the best-run RPG kickstarter you have backed?</b><br />
<i>The Mystery at Port Greely</i> and the 3-pack of AS&SH adventure modules (<i>Ghost Ship of the Desert Dunes, Forgotten Fane of the Coiled Goddess</i>, and <i>Beneath the Comet</i>) by Jeff Talanian of <a href="http://www.hyperborea.tv/" target="_blank">North Wind Adventures</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>30. What is an RPG genre-mashup you would most like to see?</b><br />
I don't like mashups.<br />
<br />
Unless it's the ultra-chauvinistic-fantasy-titties-n-beer/weed <i>Sabrina the Teenage Witch-Charmed-Call of Cthulhu-Hackmaster RPG</i> mashup I've had simmering on the back burner for years now...<br />
<br />
<b>31. What do you anticipate most for gaming in 2018?</b><br />
Me writing more stuff for games. :-)<br />
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And tons of better stuff being written by tons of cooler folks than me in the OSR gameverse!Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-69258270383584685642017-08-02T14:29:00.000-04:002017-08-02T14:29:50.245-04:00RPG-a-Day 2017 [Yes, I'm Doing This Damn Thing Too!]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">RPG-a-Day 2017</span></b><br />
<b>Questions 1-5</b><br />
<br />
I'm getting a leg up, giving it a go in 5-question chunks, since I know there's no way I have the patience to do this every day for the whole month! lol<br />
<br />
<b>1. What published RPG do you wish you were playing right now?</b><br />
Toon. Because I've had some really fun and crazy games of Toon in the past and I'm feeling like I need an outlet of fun and crazy cartoon hi-jinx right now. :-)<br />
<br />
<b>2. What is an RPG you would like to see published?</b><br />
Mine. My own, My precious... (I'd want to do it a bit differently than any of the past--or current--versions, with "dynamic" words of power spellcasting and invoked auras and legacy-building items and who-knows-what else...)<br />
<br />
And as cheesy as it may sound, I'd like to see a really fun, quirky, and intellectually-challenging Harry Potter RPG designed for kids. I think that that kind of feel would fit well with the source material. I would probably do the design as a melange of very basic trad RPG and action/event card-board game.<br />
<br />
<b>3. How do you find out about new RPGs?</b><br />
Word of mouth or select "social media" reviews and commentary. Typically online via G+ gaming circles and occasionally blogs I follow. I don't do Twitter-piddle, Instagroaner, or Facialbook tho.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Which RPG have you played the most since August 2016?</b><br />
Pathfinder. Rise of the Runelords campaign. It's kind of funny because as a DM, I'm almost exclusively a grognard old-school game system fellow, but one of my buddies (who alternates as DM with me) wanted to give it a go, so we played... for a while. The crunchy nature of the ruleset combined with playing over the Roll20 platform became a bit too much fiddly and not enough fun, so we have since switched to Swords & Wizardry. :-)<br />
<br />
<b>5. Which RPG cover best captures the spirit of the game?</b><br />
The Moldvay/Cook Basic/Expert Dungeons & Dragons boxed sets. Erol Otus. Can't beat them. Hands down.<br />
Second best is probably the 1st edition Call of Cthulhu boxed set. So creepy. I love it.Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-43669489953211927812017-03-03T22:38:00.000-05:002017-03-03T22:38:26.654-05:00Friday Map [15]: The Mazeverse of Nubraxas Unhinged [CC-BY-4.0]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSc-2M02ayPD-FtN3Yd3qyFAwOmLXWeX80m22CNw3IK-3tRNAXDbL8FI_pLj2IyrjWk5KJKqh4UO5Wwtazsy-4iY9_y8iLT6X_qZBr50grMDi-ImKP83M_fuNoCuMiGoPbggmYrt3cVWLm/s1600/sac_2017-05_mazeverse_hi-res.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSc-2M02ayPD-FtN3Yd3qyFAwOmLXWeX80m22CNw3IK-3tRNAXDbL8FI_pLj2IyrjWk5KJKqh4UO5Wwtazsy-4iY9_y8iLT6X_qZBr50grMDi-ImKP83M_fuNoCuMiGoPbggmYrt3cVWLm/s320/sac_2017-05_mazeverse_hi-res.png" width="318" /></a></div>
Today's free map is <i>The Mazeverse of Nubraxas Unhinged</i>.<br />
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Inside timeless halls I wander<br />
Within the deepest thoughts I dwell,<br />
Under ancient earth I slumber<br />
Until the Worms of Madness swell.<br />
<br />
Into the darkest hearts I shine<br />
The searing madness now begins,<br />
Penumbral shades of sanity<br />
Mazeverse of Nubraxas Unhinged.<br />
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---<br />
<br />
This year, the maps appearing in my Friday Maps blog feature are being released for free under a royalty-free personal and commercial license. So you can take these maps, use them as is, modify them, change and abuse them as you will for your personal games, even stick them in your commercial products if you want. The only thing you have to do is credit me, +Steve C, with the original cartography (or maps, blah blah) in your product.<br />
<br />
If you should require it, the map on this page is also released by +Steve C under the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a> [CC-BY-4.0].<br />
<br />
Downloads:<br />
The "<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaooVGVWV3pmNUcwbDg" target="_blank">Mazeverse</a>" hi-res .png<br />
<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" rel="license"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png" style="border-width: 0px;" /></a><br />
This work is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" rel="license">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a>.Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-63264660267711152682017-02-24T04:06:00.001-05:002017-02-24T04:06:30.534-05:00Friday Map [14]: Von Unaussprechlichen Kulten [CC-BY-4.0]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxywpKrsMvxsuQmWHm-8RBJhBQ3gCGd_ylPr4FFpjmA471cKInxLuRo_dh-iaPXkzEFl9U0lWdE3MCNuRTaT9nUYZ0MwKhhdUg0D0Ai6Fnb8pR7MWIhLHdHDZJVDZRvSNvMTHQcYpuoFv2/s1600/sac_2017-04_unaussprechlichen_kulten_hi-res.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxywpKrsMvxsuQmWHm-8RBJhBQ3gCGd_ylPr4FFpjmA471cKInxLuRo_dh-iaPXkzEFl9U0lWdE3MCNuRTaT9nUYZ0MwKhhdUg0D0Ai6Fnb8pR7MWIhLHdHDZJVDZRvSNvMTHQcYpuoFv2/s320/sac_2017-04_unaussprechlichen_kulten_hi-res.png" width="237" /></a></div>
Today's free map is titled <i>Von Unaussprechlichen Kulten</i>.<br />
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From darkened caverns and blackened halls creep the Children of the Night, worshipers of ancient Ghatanothoa. Wretched beings, they writhe forth from their hideous lairs shapeless, untouchable, unbreakable, unknowable ...<br />
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This year, the maps appearing in my Friday Maps blog feature are being released for free under a royalty-free personal and commercial license. So you can take these maps, use them as is, modify them, change and abuse them as you will for your personal games, even stick them in your commercial products if you want. The only thing you have to do is credit me, +Steve C, with the original cartography (or maps, blah blah) in your product.<br />
<br />
If you should require it, the map on this page is also released by +Steve C under the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a> [CC-BY-4.0].<br />
<br />
Downloads:<br />
The "<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaoodXRkdWJPVkdVTnc" target="_blank">Unaussprechlichen Kulten</a>" hi-res .png<br />
<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" rel="license"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png" style="border-width: 0px;" /></a><br />
This work is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" rel="license">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a>.Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-49677358235617115092017-02-18T05:58:00.000-05:002017-02-18T05:59:56.779-05:00Friday Map [13]: Catawombs of the Charnel Priestess Salacia [CC-BY-4.0]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqIubwx4YHlqWKsDnRTyoVpX_pKYB_7FOIT55d8OPsMpsCDg597zvsAB970eJM9923JSi2FjHvlzequlR-V1cnaNkIkA81Q358SxmOScvagbNx_SF8GIdjgN_aZw1ZYJpoWjCI4KcSgeA/s1600/sac_2017-03_catawombs_hi-res.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqIubwx4YHlqWKsDnRTyoVpX_pKYB_7FOIT55d8OPsMpsCDg597zvsAB970eJM9923JSi2FjHvlzequlR-V1cnaNkIkA81Q358SxmOScvagbNx_SF8GIdjgN_aZw1ZYJpoWjCI4KcSgeA/s320/sac_2017-03_catawombs_hi-res.png" width="220" /></a></div>
Today's free map is titled <i>Catawombs of the Charnel Priestess Salacia</i>.<br />
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The undead horrors Salacia births into the world of the living are eternally secured in the broken minds of those corrupted souls who lustfully enter the forbidden womb-crypts in search of her glorious treasures...<br />
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This year, the maps appearing in my Friday Maps blog feature are being released for free under a royalty-free personal and commercial license. So you can take these maps, use them as is, modify them, change and abuse them as you will for your personal games, even stick them in your commercial products if you want. The only thing you have to do is credit me, +Steve C, with the original cartography (or maps, blah blah) in your product.<br />
<br />
If you should require it, the map on this page is also released by +Steve C under the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a> [CC-BY-4.0].<br />
<br />
Downloads:<br />
The "<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaoobFc4MGJlQkZkdVk" target="_blank">Catawombs</a>" hi-res .png<br />
<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" rel="license"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png" style="border-width: 0px;" /></a><br />
This work is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" rel="license">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a>.Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-3650655037235691552017-02-12T08:38:00.001-05:002017-02-12T08:38:32.888-05:00Friday Map [12] Darkened Shrine: Halls of Saurian Entombment [CC-BY-4.0]<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8m_Xr_vZO56JpBpEXujoszNOlqBUxH26xAdmtSfRBCxVIBnpuhktDUq6snNWHgT6XaGcGRJWSelqlNHVuaBHcM479GTIWy520BRTrRJqFPYIQ3jwzhJqNDy2Y2DRQCBlocTnJN_3r8vI/s1600/sac_2017-02_sauriantombs_hi-res.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8m_Xr_vZO56JpBpEXujoszNOlqBUxH26xAdmtSfRBCxVIBnpuhktDUq6snNWHgT6XaGcGRJWSelqlNHVuaBHcM479GTIWy520BRTrRJqFPYIQ3jwzhJqNDy2Y2DRQCBlocTnJN_3r8vI/s400/sac_2017-02_sauriantombs_hi-res.png" width="331" /></a>Today's free map is titled <i>Darkened Shrine: Halls of Saurian Entombment</i>.<br />
<br />
This year, the maps appearing in my Friday Maps blog feature are being released for free under a royalty-free personal and commercial license. So you can take these maps, use them as is, modify them, change and abuse them as you will for your personal games, even stick them in your commercial products if you want. The only thing you have to do is credit me, +Steve C, with the original cartography (or maps, blah blah) in your product.<br />
<br />
If you should require it, the map on this page is also released by +Steve C under the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a> [CC-BY-4.0].<br />
<br />
Downloads:<br />
The "<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaooRHFwZUUwbnFxNTA" target="_blank">Saurian Tomb</a>" hi-res .png<br />
<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" rel="license"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png" style="border-width: 0px;" /></a><br />
This work is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" rel="license">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>CONTEST FOR A FREE WHITEBOX MODULE!</b></div>
<br />
I'm tying in a Hogtown Games giveaway with this map. If you email me at 'hogtowngamesosr' at-that-gmail-thingy-dot-com and tell me where I stole the name for this map from, I will put you in a draw to receive a <b>free print copy</b> of <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://dndborderlands.blogspot.ca/2017/02/golden-eye-of-kobold-king-updated-v11.html" target="_blank">Golden Eye of the Kobold King</a></i>, my 34-page Swords & Wizardry WhiteBox module for 1st and 2nd level characters. Please put 'Map Name' in the email subject line.<br />
<br />
On Wednesday Feb 15 at 18:00 (Eastern Standard Time), I'll randomly determine a name from those who give me a correct answer. Within a few days, I'll go to the post office and mail that person a copy, anywhere in the world. I'll send it as cheaply as I can, for obvious reasons, so don't expect it too quickly if you live overseas from Canada. :-)<br />
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Cheers!Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-62111719128891265752017-02-05T08:55:00.001-05:002017-10-22T08:37:14.881-04:00Golden Eye of the Kobold King Updated [v1.1]I have updated <b><a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product/188233/WB1-Golden-Eye-of-the-Kobold-King" target="_blank">Golden Eye of the Kobold King</a></b>, my first Swords & Wizardry WhiteBox release from last summer. I made some very minor text and stat updates and corrections, I added a "referee's notes" page at the back, and I added some very cheesy black & white images in a few places.<br />
<br />
Check out the links over there on the right for all the kobold slaughtering goodness!<br />
<br />
If you are interested in a softcover print-on-demand version, it's available at <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/steven-cook/wb1-golden-eye-of-the-kobold-king-v11/paperback/product-23055088.html" target="_blank">Lulu here</a> for under $4 ($5.99 in Canada).<br />
<br />
On RPGNow/DriveThruRPG you can get the softcover POD <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product/188233/WB1-Golden-Eye-of-the-Kobold-King" target="_blank">here</a> or <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/188233/WB1-Golden-Eye-of-the-Kobold-King" target="_blank">here</a> for $4 USD (which includes a free PDF). If you just want the PDF, it's free.<br />
<br />
You can also download the PDF from Tabletop Library for free <a href="https://tabletoplibrary.com/products/wb1-golden-eye-of-the-kobold-king/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Cheers!Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-23917684212749305992017-02-03T05:16:00.000-05:002017-02-12T06:15:25.673-05:00Friday Maps (11): Warrens & Tomb [CC-BY-4.0]Well it's about damn time I posted some maps. Here ya go, two little maps for today, <i>The Festering Warrens Full of Stinking Rat Bastards</i> and <i>The Tomb of Khad-Mazar II of the Nicely Marbled Stone Balls Clan</i>.<br />
<br />
This year, the maps appearing in my Friday Maps blog feature are being released for free under a royalty-free personal and commercial license. So you can take these maps, use them as is, modify them, change and abuse them as you will for your personal games, even stick them in your commercial products if you want. The only thing you have to do is credit me, +Steve C, with the original cartography (or maps, blah blah) in your product.<br />
<br />
If you should require it, the maps on this page are also released by +Steve C under the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a> [CC-BY-4.0].<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTSLRXXCqaiyZ2EAV7VdwJDrb9r4WfVDDjrNQrpA0ckZboddc3G-ofwANUaosyevBdX7K22n4ByqRmH-lwE9527rP1JPc3y4na26P6cKWNRsNsoF_OvF5lmymt41bAuoK271eUTfmChgm/s1600/sac_2017-00_warrens01_hi-res.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTSLRXXCqaiyZ2EAV7VdwJDrb9r4WfVDDjrNQrpA0ckZboddc3G-ofwANUaosyevBdX7K22n4ByqRmH-lwE9527rP1JPc3y4na26P6cKWNRsNsoF_OvF5lmymt41bAuoK271eUTfmChgm/s320/sac_2017-00_warrens01_hi-res.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_UX28aY2GxnEZMiJf1VdiUyH7D4t3A2OHFqpfN2N0mKx79862lupak_iT8_3XSvNlMRsb-kgT9xJBnW1jdtftALX4Q2njAEPJo5aic1zhx8qvhiVagAJdQvjqwBfF7PP8cYtR6kOUonC/s1600/sac_2017-01_tomb01_hi-res.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_UX28aY2GxnEZMiJf1VdiUyH7D4t3A2OHFqpfN2N0mKx79862lupak_iT8_3XSvNlMRsb-kgT9xJBnW1jdtftALX4Q2njAEPJo5aic1zhx8qvhiVagAJdQvjqwBfF7PP8cYtR6kOUonC/s320/sac_2017-01_tomb01_hi-res.png" width="210" /></a></div>
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<b>Downloads</b>:<br />
The "<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaooN3dUWFJ1cERFenc" target="_blank">Warrens #1</a>" hi-res .png<br />
The "<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaooUTVGWXJkX1oxVEk" target="_blank">Tomb #1</a>" hi-res .png<br />
<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" rel="license"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png" style="border-width: 0;" /></a><br />
This work is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" rel="license">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a>.Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-28269806989865186162017-01-28T10:21:00.000-05:002017-02-12T06:17:05.192-05:00Troupe-Style D&D Play? What Am I Even On About!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLMgFO2JYrIllh6OeGf1UkT8zDFvhEvoIFX5f6hAZTLuhmqufYLXi9CYD9atF8rTxhhBAGvp3c9mxvCt1kywcahdw6FRSXWA2rH3OwKWSYJrcrLVrKZ4q8hxvIjHqGAY6JETL-9mfiRuR/s1600/arsmagica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLMgFO2JYrIllh6OeGf1UkT8zDFvhEvoIFX5f6hAZTLuhmqufYLXi9CYD9atF8rTxhhBAGvp3c9mxvCt1kywcahdw6FRSXWA2rH3OwKWSYJrcrLVrKZ4q8hxvIjHqGAY6JETL-9mfiRuR/s1600/arsmagica.jpg" /></a>Do you use troupe-style play, or varieties of it, for your OD&D/OSR campaigns?<br />
<br />
For definition purposes, I'm thinking of troupe-style play in one-half of the Ars Magica sense -- wizard (or magus) as prime character with supporting cast to handle certain types of adventures -- not as the rotating referee style play that some Ars Magica groups employ.<br />
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I find this is kind of how OD&D works already. You have your character and you have your retinue of henchmen and hirelings and so forth. The latter, of course, are beholden to the former. Pretty much the same as in Ars Magica -- unless my memory fails me -- excepting the obvious differences in the contexts of the two gameplay experiences.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8KZt88EW0tGnLEHPAuPuq3p-3VhDSQDa0GxdjOJr2CMY8IJGF7lPjQM2Au0ff0chZfkz2T9Dk9XOOxXRHFqt7_UhfS2yprwsn1pMD0MIL4Sp3ij3E5RFC1UKG13QhXpv_3MRJy4PHVz4/s1600/dndbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8KZt88EW0tGnLEHPAuPuq3p-3VhDSQDa0GxdjOJr2CMY8IJGF7lPjQM2Au0ff0chZfkz2T9Dk9XOOxXRHFqt7_UhfS2yprwsn1pMD0MIL4Sp3ij3E5RFC1UKG13QhXpv_3MRJy4PHVz4/s1600/dndbox.jpg" /></a></div>
Personally, I'm growing increasingly fond of a hybrid troupe-style mode of play in my group's OD&D games where players have a small retinue of characters to choose from for adventures, typically 3 to 4. We only ever have 1 referee for our campaigns.<br />
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In this "hybrid" version of troupe-style, all of the characters are on the same "playing field" to start at 1st level (not beholden to or employed by another character), but the frequency of participation in adventures ultimately determines their rise to prominence within the party. Typically all of the characters are linked in some way -- from the same family, friends from a village, children of former adventuring companions, whatever works for the player and campaign setting. Each character in a player's roster also develops his or her own retinue of henchmen and hirelings and so forth, just as a regular character, at least in as much as the player desires to do so.<br />
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My home group is very small (3 people) so we're finding this mode of play helps to cover not only all kinds of tactical situations that come up in adventures, but can lead to some interesting dynamics (competitiveness, alliances, favors owed, butt of humor) within the party, and it keeps everyone's play experience varied and interesting as you never know if you're playing a fighter or wizard or cleric (or maybe all three!) in the next adventure. It also helps us deal with the relatively high mortality rates among characters in older edition D&D games. Not that it's hard to make a new character on the spot, but it's kind of nice to have one or more characters ready to go that already possess ties (even if minimal or sparsely detailed) and are at least known to the adventuring party.<br />
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So, do you use this or a different mode of troupe-style play? Do you just play multiple characters and leave it at that? How do you handle small game groups and multiple characters?Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-18399866102270255012016-09-25T09:35:00.002-04:002017-02-12T06:18:48.251-05:00Friday Map (10): ...And My Ending is Despair [Megadungeon - 1 of ??]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXcVVpFAzS_fwnItvOfUjr7KAlAtqDOc-20YaVIhqkgkh3pDNf-ShIpm6b-hTd_BWeG_AQ0O7zdmKgbywD05-sD5_fEsuYIrHufpJT0WCHVV9dP_t6_6HxwoGgE0Vc7fYip1uMfCOGwTi/s1600/sac_endingdespair_1600x1243_72dpi.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXcVVpFAzS_fwnItvOfUjr7KAlAtqDOc-20YaVIhqkgkh3pDNf-ShIpm6b-hTd_BWeG_AQ0O7zdmKgbywD05-sD5_fEsuYIrHufpJT0WCHVV9dP_t6_6HxwoGgE0Vc7fYip1uMfCOGwTi/s320/sac_endingdespair_1600x1243_72dpi.png" width="320" /></a>Hey folks, sorry I'm a couple days late with this map!<br />
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Today we have a special one. This is the first level of my new megadungeon with the working title ...<i>And My Ending is Despair</i>. That's vague and threatening and mysterious enough, isn't it? I'm using a sketchy name at this point since I expect my players will come up with a more evocative name for the dungeon as we play through it. You can thank The Bard for the working title. :-)<br />
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I am doing something a little different (for me) with this megadungeon: There is no overarching theme or history or mythology behind it, Or even any "purpose" to the dungeon at all. I am quite simply making it all up as I go, one level at a time. That may seem like a boring old hat for some folks, but for me it's a great departure from my standard operating procedure, which is to detail the heck out of everything about the dungeon all in advance so it's easy for me to run at the table.<br />
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Now, no doubt I will wind up developing some of that history-er themey-ery (thanks Captain Obvious!) stuff as I create each dungeon level, but how much? I don't know yet. I'm fairly certain that much of the megadungeon's contents and many of its occupants won't make sense when scrutinized under any "realistic" ecological microscope. The only plan I do have is that this megadungeon will have a kitchen-sink-strange-days-in-the-mythic-underworld kind of vibe.<br />
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For instance, on this first level, there is an astronaut-temple-section populated by centipedes, giant rats, giant crab spiders and a colony of savage baboons. Then there is the green slime. And a black pudding. Additionally, we find a small fire-themed section with flaming snakes and fire beetles, a larger chaos/death-themed section with fountains of insta-death, a gelatinous cube, fountains of chaos tentacles, skeletons, a gargoyle and a ghoul. I've also included a large section overrun by a goblin gang that worships a crocodile-demon-god. Yes, this level is for 1st level characters. The PCs kinda died and my players kinda crapped their pants playing it. :-) I have no idea if I will continue any of these themes on successive levels. We'll see.<br />
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Unfortunately, the subsequent levels of the megadungeon will not appear in quick succession on the blog. I have to work on them first. I'm aiming for one new level every couple of months, with the levels being sprinkled among the regular weekly maps I post here. As an <i>extra special bonus</i> (and the real reason the levels will take time) -- each level will be <i>fully-keyed</i> for use with OD&D-type games. I'm not going to spend a huge amount of time editing the heck out of each level key, so expect some minor typos, stat errors and other goofball silliness and references that don't get weeded out. Consider them starting points for use at your table. :-)<br />
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If you made it this far, thanks for paying attention to my long-winded post!<br />
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<b>Download Links</b>:<br />
Megadungeon Map, level 1 - .<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaooRUdPZUczMV9rdFU" target="_blank">png, hi-res</a><br />
Megadungeon Map, level 1 - .<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaooaS1HX2tva0U3Tnc" target="_blank">png, low-res</a><br />
<i>...And My Ending is Despair</i>, level 1, referee map - .<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaooOGNQVzlULUpSa2s" target="_blank">png, low-res</a><br />
<i>...And My Ending is Despair</i>, level 1, referee key - .<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaooN3VfTDlLYVlLZlU" target="_blank">pdf (3-column landscape)</a><br />
<br />Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085201365636163813.post-42401234494985511892016-09-16T08:33:00.001-04:002017-02-12T06:20:07.581-05:00Friday Map (9): Iltharn Keep & the Village of Longplank<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Within the idyllic rustic countryside of the West Riding of Aldershire, resting along the banks of the lazy Lower Gulstoke River, and nestled in the verdant shadow of Old Iltharn Hill is the quaint village of Longplank. A dark secret festers in the heart of this sleepy village...<br />
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Named for the first bridge that was placed down over the Lower Gulstoke three centuries past, Longplank is famous for its robust cherry orchards and the spicy-sour black cherry liqueur known throughout the realms as Longplank Blacktooth. Local legend states that Blacktooth liqueur is aged in wooden barrels fashioned from the original oak planks set down across the Lower Gulstoke.<br />
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Longplank is ruled by Baron Aethelfrost Klinghorn, second-cousin once-removed to Count Viskel Rundelwine of the East Riding of Aldershire. From his keep atop Old Iltharn Hill, Aethelfrost plots and schemes to marry his rotund daughter Igwen to the lazy-eyed son of his liege Count Wideaxe Hinkelbeck of West Aldershire, thereby entwining his broodline with the two politically-favored families of East and West Aldershire, the Rundelwines and Hinkelbecks.<br />
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Adventurers may find the dozing village interesting for not only does Longplank boast the Perfectly Sighted Cyclops, one of the best taverns this side of the Gulstoke, but also Aethelfrost secretly worships the demon-prince Orcus. Not that anyone knows this other than the village drunk, Blacktoothed Worty, of course. Aethelfrost was converted to demon-worship by Ridinal Trasmus, the spiritual leader of Longplank and pretend-pastor of of the Church of Saint Cuthbert of the Cudgel. These two evil cohorts carry on secret sacrifices, rituals and corpse army-raising ceremonies at a hidden cave-temple within Blackhaunt Wood several miles north of the village.<br />
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Blacktoothed Worty just happened to drunkenly stumble upon a scene in the dark forest the day before the adventurers turn up...<br />
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<b>Image Download Links</b>:<br />
Iltharn Map - .<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaooQW1vNGpIRk9JVkk" target="_blank">png, hi-res</a><br />
Iltharn Map - .<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8bzz49SDaooX1JLZ1EwWXVPSTA" target="_blank">png, low-res</a><br />
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Oh ... and here's a link to the last tune from the classic 1985 Celtic Frost album <i>To Mega Therion</i> to set the mood. <a href="https://youtu.be/jsEFZrzc458?list=RDvM7oFCfEqzs" target="_blank">Necromantical Screams</a>. Because metal. Enjoy! :-)Steve Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311427689137574150noreply@blogger.com0