How cool is that. I love the pic of The Question/Renee at the bottom.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Happy Birthday Adam Hughes
Today is Adam Hughes birthday. I have posted his Zatanna pics before, but here is an awesome Batwoman.
How cool is that. I love the pic of The Question/Renee at the bottom.
How cool is that. I love the pic of The Question/Renee at the bottom.
Noble Knight Games is really Awesome
I love my FLGS. I do. I would rather buy from them for just about everything.
But every once in a while I find something somewhere else I want and I go with that store.
9 times out of 10, I get what I want. But sometimes I take a risk and it doesn't pay off.
But then sometime the company I buy from makes it right and everything is great again.
Recently I have been going on about Quest of the Ancients. I have a 1st Edition but not the 2nd Ed. I saw Noble Knight Games had one for sale at a great price so I grabbed it. Normally I wouldn't have, QotA is fun, but it's not great and I have the 1st ed. Getting the 2nd ed would only be worth the satisfaction of my curiosity. If I had seen at the store, I would have just spent a couple minutes flipping.
So I bought it anyway, knowing the risk. And I ended up with a 1st Edition.
I contacted them and they bent over backwards to make it right. They didn't have a 2nd ed in stock, but they were completely awesome with want I did get.
I had ordered from them in the past and ALWAYS got great service and exactly what I wanted. This aberration did nothing to make me think less of them. Just the opposite, it made think more highly of them and I am more likely to order from them in the future.
I have a great local game store that can get me anything. But those are planned purchases or stop in at the store and impulse buys. Noble Knight is great when I am browsing on the net, come across a game I have never heard of or had forgotten about and then go over and see what it would cost. If I like the price then I can get it.
So if you are unlike me and don't live within easy distance of a fantastic game store, then please give Noble Knight Games a look.
But every once in a while I find something somewhere else I want and I go with that store.
9 times out of 10, I get what I want. But sometimes I take a risk and it doesn't pay off.
But then sometime the company I buy from makes it right and everything is great again.
So I bought it anyway, knowing the risk. And I ended up with a 1st Edition.
I contacted them and they bent over backwards to make it right. They didn't have a 2nd ed in stock, but they were completely awesome with want I did get.
I had ordered from them in the past and ALWAYS got great service and exactly what I wanted. This aberration did nothing to make me think less of them. Just the opposite, it made think more highly of them and I am more likely to order from them in the future.
I have a great local game store that can get me anything. But those are planned purchases or stop in at the store and impulse buys. Noble Knight is great when I am browsing on the net, come across a game I have never heard of or had forgotten about and then go over and see what it would cost. If I like the price then I can get it.
So if you are unlike me and don't live within easy distance of a fantastic game store, then please give Noble Knight Games a look.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Hunting trolls should be like this...
Trolls are ubiquitous in FRPGs. Just go to Chapter 2 of The Hobbit and you will see why.
The trouble is they are so ubiquitous that they often get forgotten as a real threat. Not surprising really. When you live in a world of dragons, demons and other horrors, the simple troll can seem, well, quaint.
Well they shouldn't be. Trolls were once the "demons" of the world. They were the monsters.
To help us remember that there is a new film out of Norway (where Trolls still sleep) called "Troll Hunter"
http://www.trollhunterfilm.com/
http://monsterbrains.blogspot.com/2011/05/troll-hunter-directed-by-andre-vredal.html
And here is one of the trolls,
That's a troll worthy of your characters.
I have always preferred the the more Scandinavian Troll over the green rubbery one from the Monster Manual. I like trolls that look like they are made out of rock and earth. So for that, here is the Troll I have used in Basic Era format.
Earth Troll
Armor Class: -1 [20]
Hit Dice: 10d8* (50 hp)
No. of Attacks: 2 claws / 1 bite
Damage: 1d6 / 1d6 / 1d8+3
Special: Darkvision 90 ft., regeneration, vulnerability to sunlight
Movement: 30 ft., burrow 40 ft.
No. Appearing: 1 (1-3 in lair)
Saves: Fighter 10
Morale: 8
Treasure: None
Alignment: Chaotic
XP:
Earth Trolls are relatives of the normal troll and make their lairs deep within the subterranean realms of the earth or in dense forests where the sunlight is easily avoided. Most creatures avoid Earth Trolls, as they are completely malign and evil, attacking any living creature, especially when hungry. They are quite fond of humanoid flesh and usually stage raids upon surface dwellers every month. Because of this, they are often encountered in large surface caves in the sections well outside the reach of sunlight.
Earth Trolls are 10 feet tall and weigh about 1,200 pounds with females being slightly larger. They resemble their smaller relatives in most respects, but some accounts have them appearing as rather large and misshapen gnomes. The Earth Troll’s hide is stone gray or brown, its hair is black or brown, and its eyes are dull brown. Like its counterpart, the Earth Troll’s arms and legs are long and thin. Its arms end in sharpened talons, and its legs sport great three-toed feet. Earth trolls will attempt to dress or adorn themselves in whatever rags, hides and bits of clothing they can find.
Earth trolls are a little smarter that their more common cousins. While they still do not have concept of strategy, they are smart enough to speak and to use some simple weapons.
Earth trolls speak the language of all trolls, some have been known to speak orc or goblin as well.
Earth Trolls attack any living thing that enters their territory, usually doing so for food. They will band together for very simple ambush tactics but that is about the extent of their strategy and planning. Most of the time an earth troll will flail relentlessly at its foes with its powerful claws until either it or its opponent is dead, but some have been known to use a large club and others even a spear or sword.
Regeneration: An earth troll heals only if it is underground and touching dirt or earth. If in contact with the earth it heals 3 hit-points per round. If contact is lost, say the troll is levitated or flying, then the healing stops. Trolls turned to stone heal hit points (but not lost limbs).
Vulnerability to Sunlight: An earth troll exposed to natural sunlight (not merely a spell or magical item that replicates sunlight) is instantly turned to stone (as if by the flesh to stone spell) if it fails a Petrify save. This effect is permanent, but can be dispelled if the earth troll is removed from the sunlight and stone to flesh is cast on it.
--
Section 15 Copyright Notice
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
System Reference Document Copyright 2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Bruce R. Cordell, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks is Copyright ©2003, Timothy S. Brannan and the Netbook of Witches Team.
Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game Copyright © 2006-2008. Chris Gonnerman.
Labyrinth LordTM. Copyright © 2007, Daniel Proctor. Author Daniel Proctor.
"Earth Troll" Copyright ©2011, Timothy S. Brannan
The trouble is they are so ubiquitous that they often get forgotten as a real threat. Not surprising really. When you live in a world of dragons, demons and other horrors, the simple troll can seem, well, quaint.
Well they shouldn't be. Trolls were once the "demons" of the world. They were the monsters.
To help us remember that there is a new film out of Norway (where Trolls still sleep) called "Troll Hunter"
http://www.trollhunterfilm.com/
http://monsterbrains.blogspot.com/2011/05/troll-hunter-directed-by-andre-vredal.html
And here is one of the trolls,
That's a troll worthy of your characters.
I have always preferred the the more Scandinavian Troll over the green rubbery one from the Monster Manual. I like trolls that look like they are made out of rock and earth. So for that, here is the Troll I have used in Basic Era format.
Earth Troll
Armor Class: -1 [20]
Hit Dice: 10d8* (50 hp)
No. of Attacks: 2 claws / 1 bite
Damage: 1d6 / 1d6 / 1d8+3
Special: Darkvision 90 ft., regeneration, vulnerability to sunlight
Movement: 30 ft., burrow 40 ft.
No. Appearing: 1 (1-3 in lair)
Saves: Fighter 10
Morale: 8
Treasure: None
Alignment: Chaotic
XP:
Earth Trolls are relatives of the normal troll and make their lairs deep within the subterranean realms of the earth or in dense forests where the sunlight is easily avoided. Most creatures avoid Earth Trolls, as they are completely malign and evil, attacking any living creature, especially when hungry. They are quite fond of humanoid flesh and usually stage raids upon surface dwellers every month. Because of this, they are often encountered in large surface caves in the sections well outside the reach of sunlight.
Earth Trolls are 10 feet tall and weigh about 1,200 pounds with females being slightly larger. They resemble their smaller relatives in most respects, but some accounts have them appearing as rather large and misshapen gnomes. The Earth Troll’s hide is stone gray or brown, its hair is black or brown, and its eyes are dull brown. Like its counterpart, the Earth Troll’s arms and legs are long and thin. Its arms end in sharpened talons, and its legs sport great three-toed feet. Earth trolls will attempt to dress or adorn themselves in whatever rags, hides and bits of clothing they can find.
Earth trolls are a little smarter that their more common cousins. While they still do not have concept of strategy, they are smart enough to speak and to use some simple weapons.
Earth trolls speak the language of all trolls, some have been known to speak orc or goblin as well.
Earth Trolls attack any living thing that enters their territory, usually doing so for food. They will band together for very simple ambush tactics but that is about the extent of their strategy and planning. Most of the time an earth troll will flail relentlessly at its foes with its powerful claws until either it or its opponent is dead, but some have been known to use a large club and others even a spear or sword.
Regeneration: An earth troll heals only if it is underground and touching dirt or earth. If in contact with the earth it heals 3 hit-points per round. If contact is lost, say the troll is levitated or flying, then the healing stops. Trolls turned to stone heal hit points (but not lost limbs).
Vulnerability to Sunlight: An earth troll exposed to natural sunlight (not merely a spell or magical item that replicates sunlight) is instantly turned to stone (as if by the flesh to stone spell) if it fails a Petrify save. This effect is permanent, but can be dispelled if the earth troll is removed from the sunlight and stone to flesh is cast on it.
--
Section 15 Copyright Notice
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
System Reference Document Copyright 2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Bruce R. Cordell, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks is Copyright ©2003, Timothy S. Brannan and the Netbook of Witches Team.
Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game Copyright © 2006-2008. Chris Gonnerman.
Labyrinth LordTM. Copyright © 2007, Daniel Proctor. Author Daniel Proctor.
"Earth Troll" Copyright ©2011, Timothy S. Brannan
DriveThru May deals
Here are the products you can get from DriveThru RPG for 20% off.
Weird War II Player's Guide [Pinnacle Entertainment]
Adventurer's Guide to Cthonia [Alea Publishing]
ArcheTech Special Report: An Assortment of Armor [Cracked Mirror Publishing]
Wu Xing: The Ninja Crusade [Third Eye Games]
Martial Cultures: the Daikort Pack [Chaotic Shiney Productions]
Legend of the Five Rings (4th Edition) [AEG]
Fuzzy Heroes (2nd Edition) [Inner City Games]
Ave Molech (2nd Edition) [Morbidgames]
Book of Alignment (OGL/Pathfinder) [Emerald Press]
The 20% Code is: MayDaysAtTheDriveThru2011
ALSO I have a special code so you can get every game on the list above for FREE.
To get that code here is what I need:
In the comments section please post an adventure idea that uses elements from all these games.
Please include your contact in the post (such as email if it is not on your profile) so I can email you the code.
AND to make it more interesting, I am going to give the code out to TWO people that post their ideas to my blog.
Have fun!!
Weird War II Player's Guide [Pinnacle Entertainment]
Adventurer's Guide to Cthonia [Alea Publishing]
ArcheTech Special Report: An Assortment of Armor [Cracked Mirror Publishing]
Wu Xing: The Ninja Crusade [Third Eye Games]
Martial Cultures: the Daikort Pack [Chaotic Shiney Productions]
Legend of the Five Rings (4th Edition) [AEG]
Fuzzy Heroes (2nd Edition) [Inner City Games]
Ave Molech (2nd Edition) [Morbidgames]
Book of Alignment (OGL/Pathfinder) [Emerald Press]
The 20% Code is: MayDaysAtTheDriveThru2011
ALSO I have a special code so you can get every game on the list above for FREE.
To get that code here is what I need:
In the comments section please post an adventure idea that uses elements from all these games.
Please include your contact in the post (such as email if it is not on your profile) so I can email you the code.
AND to make it more interesting, I am going to give the code out to TWO people that post their ideas to my blog.
Have fun!!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Updates and something to read.
Been away from my blog for a bit, with a bunch of the posts I had on auto-post.
First thanks for the replies on the A to Z post yesterday.
I enjoyed posting these. It was a challenge to come up with some of the letters, but most were fairly easy and worked into my regular posting habits to be honest.
I have some reviews coming up, some thoughts I have on the Cleric class and some more ideas.
I also want to take this time to point out something my friend Jason Vey is doing over at his Blog, the Wasted Lands. He going over the 1st Ed AD&D rules in detail, starting with the DMG. If you want some insight to what many consider the greatest RPG ever, then please read go over to his blog, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/ and have a look and post.
Here are the first 6 parts.
Part 1, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/04/advanced-dungeons-dragons-first-edition.html
Part 2, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/04/reading-advanced-dungeons-dragons-part.html
Part 3, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/04/reading-advanced-dungeons-dragons-first.html
Part 4, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/04/reading-advanced-dungeond-dragons-part.html
Part 5, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/04/reading-advanced-dungeond-dragons-part_29.html
Part 6, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/05/reading-advanced-dungeons-dragons-part.html
I had wanted to do something similar, where I read all the DMGs over the last few years. But I want to see what Jason does first. His point of view is a bit different than my own; he is very much into the history of the game and comes from a very pro-Gygax point of view (not that I don't). I think he has a good insight to the game and his posts are interesting to read.
So have a look while you are waiting for me to post something of substance.
First thanks for the replies on the A to Z post yesterday.
I enjoyed posting these. It was a challenge to come up with some of the letters, but most were fairly easy and worked into my regular posting habits to be honest.
I have some reviews coming up, some thoughts I have on the Cleric class and some more ideas.
I also want to take this time to point out something my friend Jason Vey is doing over at his Blog, the Wasted Lands. He going over the 1st Ed AD&D rules in detail, starting with the DMG. If you want some insight to what many consider the greatest RPG ever, then please read go over to his blog, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/ and have a look and post.
Here are the first 6 parts.
Part 1, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/04/advanced-dungeons-dragons-first-edition.html
Part 2, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/04/reading-advanced-dungeons-dragons-part.html
Part 3, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/04/reading-advanced-dungeons-dragons-first.html
Part 4, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/04/reading-advanced-dungeond-dragons-part.html
Part 5, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/04/reading-advanced-dungeond-dragons-part_29.html
Part 6, http://wastedlandsfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/05/reading-advanced-dungeons-dragons-part.html
I had wanted to do something similar, where I read all the DMGs over the last few years. But I want to see what Jason does first. His point of view is a bit different than my own; he is very much into the history of the game and comes from a very pro-Gygax point of view (not that I don't). I think he has a good insight to the game and his posts are interesting to read.
So have a look while you are waiting for me to post something of substance.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Question for the Regular Readers
So.
Did you like the A to Z blogging Challenge?
Why did you like it/not like it?
If you were avoiding it, then why?
Thanks!
Did you like the A to Z blogging Challenge?
Why did you like it/not like it?
If you were avoiding it, then why?
Thanks!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Gen Con Registration is live
And has been for a about 100 minutes now.
I was here, of course and still did not get into three of the games I really wanted.
My Gen Con tradition is to play Victoriana, but that game was sold out, and I tried to get into the Dresden Files game, but they were all booked too.
I did not see anything that looked "OSR Sponsored" (whatever that means) so if you are running an old-school game then let everyone know.
Here are my games, they are selling pretty fast.
RPG1120388 Obsession (Revised) Thu @ 7:00 PM 4 hrs
Location: Crowne Plaza :: Grand Central Blrm D :: 8 Cost: $4
RPG1120389 Dinosauria! Fri @ 1:00 PM 4 hrs
Location: Crowne Plaza :: Grand Central Blrm D :: 6 Cost: $4
RPG1120390 Dinosauria! Fri @ 7:00 PM 4 hrs
Location: Crowne Plaza :: Grand Central Blrm C :: 3 Cost: $4
Dinosauria! is completely new with new characters designed to get people up and going fast. The 1:00 pm will be "kid friendly" and the 7:00pm one will be more older kids and adults.
Obsession is revised version of the adventure I ran last year. If you played last year then this one is not very different except for some details and the starting of the adventure.
Hope to see you all there!!
I was here, of course and still did not get into three of the games I really wanted.
My Gen Con tradition is to play Victoriana, but that game was sold out, and I tried to get into the Dresden Files game, but they were all booked too.
I did not see anything that looked "OSR Sponsored" (whatever that means) so if you are running an old-school game then let everyone know.
Here are my games, they are selling pretty fast.
RPG1120388 Obsession (Revised) Thu @ 7:00 PM 4 hrs
Location: Crowne Plaza :: Grand Central Blrm D :: 8 Cost: $4
RPG1120389 Dinosauria! Fri @ 1:00 PM 4 hrs
Location: Crowne Plaza :: Grand Central Blrm D :: 6 Cost: $4
RPG1120390 Dinosauria! Fri @ 7:00 PM 4 hrs
Location: Crowne Plaza :: Grand Central Blrm C :: 3 Cost: $4
Dinosauria! is completely new with new characters designed to get people up and going fast. The 1:00 pm will be "kid friendly" and the 7:00pm one will be more older kids and adults.
Obsession is revised version of the adventure I ran last year. If you played last year then this one is not very different except for some details and the starting of the adventure.
Hope to see you all there!!
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