A very, very cool piece from Paul Hanley.
The Baker Street Justice Society by *PaulHanley on deviantART
Featuring some of my favorite characters from Doctor Who in Victorian times.
This upcoming Christmas we will get another Victorian tale and a new companion, and much to my delight, Vastra and Jenny are back.
Of course I have stated Madame Vastra and Jenny for both Ghosts of Albion and Doctor Who. I really should do some more. Sherlock Holmes is certain on my to do list. Jago and Litefoot might also be a lot of fun to do as well.
Maybe a Doctor Who Victorian Age Source book is in order!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
October Challenge: Sweeney Todd (2007)
Sweeney Todd (2007)
Oh Tim Burton. Sometimes I think you are a mad genius. Other times, well maybe only half that.
Sweeney Todd is horror. Is Victorian and does star Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. So really it has "win" written all over it? Right? Right??? Well yes and no.
I enjoyed this movie. It was a lot bloodier than I expected it to be. For some reason I had forgotten there was singing in it, but that is fine. Part of me of course kept thinking of this a Edward Scissor Hands gone really, really wrong.
Depp is great in this. As he is in everything. I loved him in Sleepy Hollow when I watched that last year.
And one can't but help see Bellatrix in HBC during this as well.
My one complaint about this movie was it seemed to be over so fast.
Ah well.
Surprisingly, this is a new one for me.
Tally: Watched 2, New 2
What are you watching?
Sweeney Todd is horror. Is Victorian and does star Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. So really it has "win" written all over it? Right? Right??? Well yes and no.
I enjoyed this movie. It was a lot bloodier than I expected it to be. For some reason I had forgotten there was singing in it, but that is fine. Part of me of course kept thinking of this a Edward Scissor Hands gone really, really wrong.
Depp is great in this. As he is in everything. I loved him in Sleepy Hollow when I watched that last year.
And one can't but help see Bellatrix in HBC during this as well.
My one complaint about this movie was it seemed to be over so fast.
Ah well.
Surprisingly, this is a new one for me.
Tally: Watched 2, New 2
What are you watching?
Faith: The Last Witch
Faith Scott, the Last Witch
Faith is the “Last Witch” of the newest book from Elizabeth Kolodziej’s “The Last Witch” Series. The most recent book Witch Devotions (the 3rd) is out now.
I have read the first book and I enjoyed it. I also have the second, but have not read it all yet, the third one is just now out.
Faith is an interesting character and I enjoyed watching her growth throughout the first book and the bits I have picked up in the next two. She is still young and kind of naïve, but learning more.
So what do we know about Faith? Well she is new to her magic, but comes from a long line of powerful witches, so her power has the potential to be quite powerful. She does have a family spell book, a Book of Shadows in one of my games. But while most of the witches in Faith’s line learned while they are growing up, Faith didn’t have that advantage. She did learn later on from an instructor.
According to the author, Faith resembles an Earth Witch. So she is quite adept at making potions, charms, herb use and healing. She also has a number of elemental based powers; power that help her innate abilities. It was this description of her that got me thinking that Faith would work great as a witch in one of my games (though my games have plenty of witches in them; no ‘last witch’ in sight!) She can use her magic to increase her speed or strength. Not quite at the level of a vampire, but more than a mundane human.
We know Faith can manipulate energies, but I saw that more of an ability rather than a spell. Since she also has other innate powers I was thinking she might be a good fit for “WitchCraft” or even the “Buffy” RPGs.
Faith, like a lot of other types of witches, can live a very long time, maybe even hundreds of years. This is also in line with most of my games.
So here is Faith, The Last Witch in Ghosts of Albion/WitchCraft RPG stats.
Faith Scott (played by Isla Fisher in the game)
Motivation: To learn as much about her power/herself as she can
Attributes: Strength 2 (7 with magic), Dexterity 3 (8 with magic), Constitution 2 (7 with magic), Intelligence 5, Perception 6, Willpower 5
Life Points: 35 (75 with magic)
Drama Points: 15
Qualities & Drawbacks: Adversaries (various) 2, Attractiveness +2, Contacts (Supernatural) 1, Hard to Kill 3, Honorable, Love (Trent), Magic 5, Magic Family, Magical Philosophy Earth/Elementalism (closest game wise), Nerves of Steel, Obligation, Occult Library (Fine), Secret (She's a witch who belongs to a powerful magical family), Supernatural Senses (Basic and the Sight), Telekinesis,
Useful Information
Actions: 1/2 or 2/2
Perception: 1d10 + 11
Lesser Sensing: +16
Endurance Points: 32 (62 with magic)
Essence Points: 25 (using Magic squared)
Speed: 10 (30 with magic)
Skills
Acrobatics 2
Art 1
Computers 1
Crime 1
Doctor 1
Driving 0
Getting Medieval 2
Gun Fu 0
Influence 3
Knowledge 5
Kung Fu/Fisticuffs 2
Languages 1 (English)
Notice 5
Occultism 5 (still learning, but has picked up a lot in the first two books)
Science 1
Sports 1
Maneuvers
The extra pluses are from her Magic boost.
Given her role in the books I debate on whether or not to give her “Chosen One” from Army of Darkness. In the end, I figured that she wasn’t quite up to that level just yet; maybe in the new book.
I have read the first book and I enjoyed it. I also have the second, but have not read it all yet, the third one is just now out.
Faith is an interesting character and I enjoyed watching her growth throughout the first book and the bits I have picked up in the next two. She is still young and kind of naïve, but learning more.
So what do we know about Faith? Well she is new to her magic, but comes from a long line of powerful witches, so her power has the potential to be quite powerful. She does have a family spell book, a Book of Shadows in one of my games. But while most of the witches in Faith’s line learned while they are growing up, Faith didn’t have that advantage. She did learn later on from an instructor.
According to the author, Faith resembles an Earth Witch. So she is quite adept at making potions, charms, herb use and healing. She also has a number of elemental based powers; power that help her innate abilities. It was this description of her that got me thinking that Faith would work great as a witch in one of my games (though my games have plenty of witches in them; no ‘last witch’ in sight!) She can use her magic to increase her speed or strength. Not quite at the level of a vampire, but more than a mundane human.
We know Faith can manipulate energies, but I saw that more of an ability rather than a spell. Since she also has other innate powers I was thinking she might be a good fit for “WitchCraft” or even the “Buffy” RPGs.
Faith, like a lot of other types of witches, can live a very long time, maybe even hundreds of years. This is also in line with most of my games.
So here is Faith, The Last Witch in Ghosts of Albion/WitchCraft RPG stats.
Motivation: To learn as much about her power/herself as she can
Attributes: Strength 2 (7 with magic), Dexterity 3 (8 with magic), Constitution 2 (7 with magic), Intelligence 5, Perception 6, Willpower 5
Life Points: 35 (75 with magic)
Drama Points: 15
Qualities & Drawbacks: Adversaries (various) 2, Attractiveness +2, Contacts (Supernatural) 1, Hard to Kill 3, Honorable, Love (Trent), Magic 5, Magic Family, Magical Philosophy Earth/Elementalism (closest game wise), Nerves of Steel, Obligation, Occult Library (Fine), Secret (She's a witch who belongs to a powerful magical family), Supernatural Senses (Basic and the Sight), Telekinesis,
Useful Information
Actions: 1/2 or 2/2
Perception: 1d10 + 11
Lesser Sensing: +16
Endurance Points: 32 (62 with magic)
Essence Points: 25 (using Magic squared)
Speed: 10 (30 with magic)
Skills
Acrobatics 2
Art 1
Computers 1
Crime 1
Doctor 1
Driving 0
Getting Medieval 2
Gun Fu 0
Influence 3
Knowledge 5
Kung Fu/Fisticuffs 2
Languages 1 (English)
Notice 5
Occultism 5 (still learning, but has picked up a lot in the first two books)
Science 1
Sports 1
Maneuvers
| Name | Score | Damage | Notes |
| Punch | +5 or +10 | 4 or 14 | Bash |
| Kick | +3 or +13 | 8 or 18 | Bash |
| Dodge | +2 or +7 | - | Block |
| Grapple | +4 or +9 | - | Blocked by Dodge |
| Magic | +15 | Special | Varies by Spell |
| - Deflect | +15 | - | Deflects magic |
The extra pluses are from her Magic boost.
Given her role in the books I debate on whether or not to give her “Chosen One” from Army of Darkness. In the end, I figured that she wasn’t quite up to that level just yet; maybe in the new book.
Monster Monday round up, part 2
I think I will wait till Tuesday next week to do the monster round up. Plenty more were posted since my post yesterday.
- Vicious Stickmen, http://gothridgemanor.blogspot.com/2012/10/monster-monday-vicious-stickmen.html
- Hit Adjacent Ally gives us two, Banshee Raiders of the Red Moon and Clockwork Devils of Taltun, http://hitadjacentally.blogspot.com/2012/10/monstrous-monday-late-post-2-new.html
- Noose Golem and Gun Droid, http://mutantsmagic.blogspot.com/2012/10/new-monsters-noose-golem-gundroid.html
- Shadopeople for Everway, http://everwayan.blogspot.com/2012/10/monstrous-monday-shadow-people.html
- Alien Aspects (for FATE), http://fatesf.blogspot.com/2012/10/monstrous-mondays-alien-aspects.html
- Dreams in the Lich House, The Faceless, http://dreamsinthelichhouse.blogspot.com/2012/10/monstrous-monday-faceless.html
- Dwarven Stronghold, Eye Imp, http://thedwarvenstronghold.blogspot.com/2012/10/monstrous-monday-eye-imp.html
- The Erare - The Gutter Deaths, http://swordsandstitchery.blogspot.com/2012/10/monster-monday-erare-gutter-deaths.html
- Yoggidam, http://hereticwerks.blogspot.com/2012/10/yoggidam.html
- Web Witch, http://mutantsmagic.blogspot.com/2012/10/new-labyrinth-lord-monster-web-witch.html
So 17 18 19 22! total entries for the first unofficial Monster Monday! Not too bad really!
Can't wait to see what everyone is doing next week.
Can't wait to see what everyone is doing next week.
Monday, October 1, 2012
October Challenge: The Woman in Black (2012)
The Woman in Black (2012)
I wanted to start off my October Horror movie Challenge right. I wanted something with a good actor and a pedigree. I choose the 2012 version of The Woman in Black. Starring Daniel Radcliffe and Ciarán Hinds (good actors) from Hammer Films (pedigree).
I am never sure how much to put into these reviews. They are not reviews in the fullest sense but I think recapping the entire movie would be a bad thing for others participating in this Challenge. I don't want to spoil the ending for anyone.
So I will say this. Daniel Radcliffe never once reminded me in word or deed that he was Harry Potter in this. He is a great actor and has a great carrier a head of him. I went into this film expecting only a nice period piece haunted house movie and that is what I got. The story is one we have all seen dozens, if not hundreds, of times before, but that did not make it less enjoyable. On the contrary I rather enjoyed this movie a lot. It also goes to show you that there is no such thing as a simple ghost story.
Not that the movie is perfect either, it had it's own issues. But all in all this is a great start to the Halloween season.
Tally: Watched 1, New 1
What are watching?
I am never sure how much to put into these reviews. They are not reviews in the fullest sense but I think recapping the entire movie would be a bad thing for others participating in this Challenge. I don't want to spoil the ending for anyone.
So I will say this. Daniel Radcliffe never once reminded me in word or deed that he was Harry Potter in this. He is a great actor and has a great carrier a head of him. I went into this film expecting only a nice period piece haunted house movie and that is what I got. The story is one we have all seen dozens, if not hundreds, of times before, but that did not make it less enjoyable. On the contrary I rather enjoyed this movie a lot. It also goes to show you that there is no such thing as a simple ghost story.
Not that the movie is perfect either, it had it's own issues. But all in all this is a great start to the Halloween season.
Tally: Watched 1, New 1
What are watching?
Monster Monday round up
The first unofficial Monstrous Monday just happened (don't worry, you are only required to post on Monday October 29th for the bloghop) and we have some great monsters here at the Other Side and elsewhere!
I am so pleased with this turn out. While these are mostly RPG-focused I do want to remind everyone that your post doesn't have to be RPG related to be in the bloghop.
Looking forward to more!
- Wine Nymphs, http://timbrannan.blogspot.com/2012/10/wine-nymphs.html
- Pincushion, http://www.savageafterworld.com/2012/10/mutated-monday-savage-menagerie.html
- Silver Tongued Devil, http://towerofthearchmage.blogspot.com/2012/10/new-monster-silver-tongued-devil.html
- Impundulu, http://elflairgames.blogspot.com/2012/10/witch-monster-impundulu.html
- Corpse Chariot, http://dungeonofsigns.blogspot.com/
- Night Nurse, http://sorcerersskull.blogspot.com/ (not sure if this is a participating monster, but I like it!)
- Wermilok, http://hereticwerks.blogspot.com/2012/10/wermilok.html
- Crocoduck, http://freedomofnonbelief.blogspot.com/2012/10/monstrous-mondays-crocoduck.html
- Tabonga!, http://afieldguidetodoomsday.blogspot.com/2012/10/spawn-of-devastation-drive-in-from-hell.html (stuff of my nightmares as a child)
- Mastermind Monday - Whisper, http://punverse.blogspot.com/2012/10/mastermind-monday-whisper.html (Mutants and Masterminds!!)
I am so pleased with this turn out. While these are mostly RPG-focused I do want to remind everyone that your post doesn't have to be RPG related to be in the bloghop.
Looking forward to more!
Wine Nymphs
This monster comes from the "Play with This" series from Shon Richards, aka Erotiterroist.
http://erotiterrorist.blogspot.com/2012/09/play-with-this-wine-nymphs.html
Given that this is the time of harvest and the wine should pour, this little fey would be fun for my first October Monday Monster.
Wine Nymph
Armor Class: 9 [10]
Hit Dice: 1d8+1* (5 hp)
No. of Attacks: Special
Damage: nil
Special: intoxication, charm
Movement: 30’
No. Appearing: 2-4
Saves As: Elf 1
Morale: 8
Treasure: None
Alignment: Neutral
XP: NA
Wine Nymphs are a special sort of fae that only live in the bottles of very fine wine. Not all wines have these nymphs, but the one that do are especially coveted.
The nymph spends her time swimming and frolicking in the bottle of wine. They appear to be tiny pixie like creatures; exceptionally beautiful but no wings.
As the bottle is drained the nymphs inside shrink. One the bottle is empty the nymphs are gone as well.
They have no attacks and cause no damage. Their dancing and semi-disrobed flocking though act as a weaker Charm Person spell (victims gain a +2 bonus to their rolls). Once charmed the victims have only one desire, to drink the bottle of wine.
While the antics and stories of the wine nymphs feature in many tales from bards and skalds, some occult scholars believe that wine nymphs are actually a form of imp or demon, compelling us to drink and partake in wanton revelries.
One thing the scholar and the poet agree on is more, much more, research needs to be done.
http://erotiterrorist.blogspot.com/2012/09/play-with-this-wine-nymphs.html
Given that this is the time of harvest and the wine should pour, this little fey would be fun for my first October Monday Monster.
Armor Class: 9 [10]
Hit Dice: 1d8+1* (5 hp)
No. of Attacks: Special
Damage: nil
Special: intoxication, charm
Movement: 30’
No. Appearing: 2-4
Saves As: Elf 1
Morale: 8
Treasure: None
Alignment: Neutral
XP: NA
Wine Nymphs are a special sort of fae that only live in the bottles of very fine wine. Not all wines have these nymphs, but the one that do are especially coveted.
The nymph spends her time swimming and frolicking in the bottle of wine. They appear to be tiny pixie like creatures; exceptionally beautiful but no wings.
As the bottle is drained the nymphs inside shrink. One the bottle is empty the nymphs are gone as well.
They have no attacks and cause no damage. Their dancing and semi-disrobed flocking though act as a weaker Charm Person spell (victims gain a +2 bonus to their rolls). Once charmed the victims have only one desire, to drink the bottle of wine.
While the antics and stories of the wine nymphs feature in many tales from bards and skalds, some occult scholars believe that wine nymphs are actually a form of imp or demon, compelling us to drink and partake in wanton revelries.
One thing the scholar and the poet agree on is more, much more, research needs to be done.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)