I don't have much to say today. Feeling a bit under the weather.
Hopefully I'll have something new to post when I am feeling better.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
More New Classes from Barrel Rider Games
A while back I posted about Barrel Rider Games.
Well they have some more classes out and just like a potato chips they are cheap, fun and I can't stop at just one.
These classes are all for Labyrinth Lord or your favorite Basic Era clone.
Dhampir
The Dhampir is another Labyrinth Lord compatible class from Barrel Rider Games. For less than the cost of a 20oz Mt. Dew you can get a complete class.
LL (and Basic before it) had an interesting artifact of the the original D&D game in that races were also classes. So you could be a 3rd level Elf for example. This book takes advantage of that and gives us a race class that works rather well.
The Dhampir is the mortal offspring of a human (usually female) and vampire (usually male). So think Marvel's Blade of Rayne from the Bloofrayne video games. There are a number of features to this class that give a unique spot in the party. Combine this with a few of BRGs other classes and you could have a kick-ass party of undead hunting experts.
6 pages -1 for cover and 1 for the OGL it has everything you need.
A couple of minor quibbles though.
The HD for this guy are d6. Vampires and Dhampirs have always been portrayed as robust. Honestly a d8 would be better.
The text also says that the Dhampir is not bound for evil, but the powers it gets at 7th and 9th level pretty much mean it is destined for evil. I suppose you could argue that to stay good a Dhampir needs to stop advancing and retire and grow sugar beets or something; such is the tragedy of the character. Doing he was born to do turns him in to the thing he hates the most.
In any case this is a fun class.
Fairy
Another fun class from Barrel Rider Games. The fairy is the counterpoint to the Lost Boy class.
It's a nice combination of thief, elf and magic-user.
Honestly this, plus Lost Boy, would make for a great introduction to LL/Basic for any young children.
$1.00, full class. Art + OGL statement. A steal really.
Lost Boy
What a really interesting concept.
You can play a "Lost Boy". The Peter Pan ones, not the Kiefer Sutherland ones.
The class is, like all of BRGs, classes, simple and easy to read and use.
My only gripe with this is a minor one. The Lost Boy can "Grow up" which is fine, but he gets to convert over to a new class. I say when a Lost Boy grows up he should retain some abilities from his past (but not all) but restart at 1st level.
Otherwise this is a fun class.
Tanuki
The Tanuki is new to me. I have heard of similar creatures from other myths, but this is the first time I have seen this one. So credit to BRG for giving me something new.
I have been following Barrel Rider Games' books for a while now and they have all improved with over the course of their publication, this one being no exception.
Presented here is a class/race that is similar in many respects to the halfling; that is if halflings could shape shift into raccoon-dog like creatures. Everything you need to play is here, XP per level, to hits, saves, and special abilities. Drop this little guy into your games and watch the fun.
Ninja
You can't buy a lot for just a buck these days. But Barrel Rider Games is in the business of giving you a class for a buck.
Not a bad deal really. I used to spend $3 for a Dragon magazine back in the day, often to get a new class.
This time BRG is giving us a Ninja class. Part thief, part assassin and part ranger this class has everything you would expect to see in a ninja class (almost, and I'll get to that). I have been following BRG classes for some time now and each of these pdfs gets a little bit better. So I am pleased to say that the class book here is complete. Saving throws, attacks, xp per level, and all the special abilities of ninja are here and ready for you to drop it into Labyrinth Lord...well like a ninja.
I only noticed one small, tiny thing. Typically with a ninja class we get a number of new weapons. This doesn't have those. I did not down-grade the pdf because of this because it is outside of the scope of the call books and that material is easily found elsewhere.
Shootist
I am one of those guys that despite all real world logic I DON'T have guns in my FRPGS. That being said I do know there is a history (both in game and out of the game) to include them.
If you are playing a "Basic Era" game and want to include guns then this is the class for you. Like all BRG classes you get about 5-6 pages of a class (with cover and OGL) for a buck. Not a bad deal at all really. You also get expanded rules for firearms in this one.
The class itself is solid and has everything you need to play.
Well they have some more classes out and just like a potato chips they are cheap, fun and I can't stop at just one.
These classes are all for Labyrinth Lord or your favorite Basic Era clone.
Dhampir
The Dhampir is another Labyrinth Lord compatible class from Barrel Rider Games. For less than the cost of a 20oz Mt. Dew you can get a complete class.
LL (and Basic before it) had an interesting artifact of the the original D&D game in that races were also classes. So you could be a 3rd level Elf for example. This book takes advantage of that and gives us a race class that works rather well.
The Dhampir is the mortal offspring of a human (usually female) and vampire (usually male). So think Marvel's Blade of Rayne from the Bloofrayne video games. There are a number of features to this class that give a unique spot in the party. Combine this with a few of BRGs other classes and you could have a kick-ass party of undead hunting experts.
6 pages -1 for cover and 1 for the OGL it has everything you need.
A couple of minor quibbles though.
The HD for this guy are d6. Vampires and Dhampirs have always been portrayed as robust. Honestly a d8 would be better.
The text also says that the Dhampir is not bound for evil, but the powers it gets at 7th and 9th level pretty much mean it is destined for evil. I suppose you could argue that to stay good a Dhampir needs to stop advancing and retire and grow sugar beets or something; such is the tragedy of the character. Doing he was born to do turns him in to the thing he hates the most.
In any case this is a fun class.
Fairy
Another fun class from Barrel Rider Games. The fairy is the counterpoint to the Lost Boy class.
It's a nice combination of thief, elf and magic-user.
Honestly this, plus Lost Boy, would make for a great introduction to LL/Basic for any young children.
$1.00, full class. Art + OGL statement. A steal really.
Lost Boy
What a really interesting concept.
You can play a "Lost Boy". The Peter Pan ones, not the Kiefer Sutherland ones.
The class is, like all of BRGs, classes, simple and easy to read and use.
My only gripe with this is a minor one. The Lost Boy can "Grow up" which is fine, but he gets to convert over to a new class. I say when a Lost Boy grows up he should retain some abilities from his past (but not all) but restart at 1st level.
Otherwise this is a fun class.
The Tanuki is new to me. I have heard of similar creatures from other myths, but this is the first time I have seen this one. So credit to BRG for giving me something new.
I have been following Barrel Rider Games' books for a while now and they have all improved with over the course of their publication, this one being no exception.
Presented here is a class/race that is similar in many respects to the halfling; that is if halflings could shape shift into raccoon-dog like creatures. Everything you need to play is here, XP per level, to hits, saves, and special abilities. Drop this little guy into your games and watch the fun.
You can't buy a lot for just a buck these days. But Barrel Rider Games is in the business of giving you a class for a buck.
Not a bad deal really. I used to spend $3 for a Dragon magazine back in the day, often to get a new class.
This time BRG is giving us a Ninja class. Part thief, part assassin and part ranger this class has everything you would expect to see in a ninja class (almost, and I'll get to that). I have been following BRG classes for some time now and each of these pdfs gets a little bit better. So I am pleased to say that the class book here is complete. Saving throws, attacks, xp per level, and all the special abilities of ninja are here and ready for you to drop it into Labyrinth Lord...well like a ninja.
I only noticed one small, tiny thing. Typically with a ninja class we get a number of new weapons. This doesn't have those. I did not down-grade the pdf because of this because it is outside of the scope of the call books and that material is easily found elsewhere.
Shootist
I am one of those guys that despite all real world logic I DON'T have guns in my FRPGS. That being said I do know there is a history (both in game and out of the game) to include them.
If you are playing a "Basic Era" game and want to include guns then this is the class for you. Like all BRG classes you get about 5-6 pages of a class (with cover and OGL) for a buck. Not a bad deal at all really. You also get expanded rules for firearms in this one.
The class itself is solid and has everything you need to play.
Basic vs. Basic
With the release of Basic D&D at DriveThruRPG and DnDClassics I thought it might be nice for people to discuss their favorite version of D&D Red book Basic.
VS. 
Who did it better? What did you like or love about them? Or hate?
(I will do Holmes next time)
Let the "Edition" Wars begin!
VS. Who did it better? What did you like or love about them? Or hate?
(I will do Holmes next time)
Let the "Edition" Wars begin!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Victorian Age Goodness
There are some great Victorian age products for your enjoyment. I would say "new" but they are really new editions of old favorites.
Also, as much as I would love to provide full reviews for these games, I feel it is a conflict of interest since I am working on a book for Gaslight and I consider all the guys on the Victoriana line to be friends. So instead of real reviews, I'll mention what I like about them both.
Victoriana 3rd Edition
From Cubicle 7, this updates the 2nd edition version of the game. Using the same system from what I can tell, this version has been edited and cleaned up for greater clarity. Some of the alt-history has been fixed as well. Normally I don't care for alt-history games, but in Vic's case I can't fault them.
Victoriana is the one game I always try to play at Gen Con and I am going to miss playing it this year with the new edition. I will have to get the hard cover next year.
When asked how to describe Vic the best analogy has always been Steampunk Shadowrun. This new edition really emphasizes the steampunk and gearpunk.
The art has been greatly updated and looks a lot better, but I have to admit I miss the authentic photos.
Gaslight Victorian Fantasy 2nd Edition
Gaslight comes in both OGL and Savage World flavors. This is the new 2nd edition of the OGL edition. It is a great resource for your existing d20/OGL game or as game you already know how to play.
At nearly 400 pages it is also a great resource for all sorts of Victorian Age games. This one take place in the later Victorian age and nicely covers the time right after Victoriana.
There is also the new Space: 1899 Kickstarter from former C7 designer Angus Abranson.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/440453703/space-1889-sf-role-playing-in-a-more-civilized-tim
It is going to use the Ubiquity system, which is the same as Hollow Earth and Leagues of Adventure, so your pulpy, steampunky, alt-Victorian fun will be complete.
All three are great fun and I can't have to have them in hardcover to add to my collection.
Also, as much as I would love to provide full reviews for these games, I feel it is a conflict of interest since I am working on a book for Gaslight and I consider all the guys on the Victoriana line to be friends. So instead of real reviews, I'll mention what I like about them both.
Victoriana 3rd Edition
From Cubicle 7, this updates the 2nd edition version of the game. Using the same system from what I can tell, this version has been edited and cleaned up for greater clarity. Some of the alt-history has been fixed as well. Normally I don't care for alt-history games, but in Vic's case I can't fault them.
Victoriana is the one game I always try to play at Gen Con and I am going to miss playing it this year with the new edition. I will have to get the hard cover next year.
When asked how to describe Vic the best analogy has always been Steampunk Shadowrun. This new edition really emphasizes the steampunk and gearpunk.
The art has been greatly updated and looks a lot better, but I have to admit I miss the authentic photos.
Gaslight Victorian Fantasy 2nd Edition
Gaslight comes in both OGL and Savage World flavors. This is the new 2nd edition of the OGL edition. It is a great resource for your existing d20/OGL game or as game you already know how to play.
At nearly 400 pages it is also a great resource for all sorts of Victorian Age games. This one take place in the later Victorian age and nicely covers the time right after Victoriana.
There is also the new Space: 1899 Kickstarter from former C7 designer Angus Abranson.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/440453703/space-1889-sf-role-playing-in-a-more-civilized-tim
It is going to use the Ubiquity system, which is the same as Hollow Earth and Leagues of Adventure, so your pulpy, steampunky, alt-Victorian fun will be complete.
All three are great fun and I can't have to have them in hardcover to add to my collection.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
BECMI D&D at DnDClassics.com
Well now these books are hitting DriveThruRPG and DnDClassics and I for one am thrilled.
I know that when I say "Red Box D&D": it is the Mentzer set that most people think of. This one the one that introduced so many to the game. The dragon cover is iconic, so iconic in fact it has been used to sell the 4th ed of the game and the style was also used for the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon boxed set. It gave us Aleena and Bargle, though I was always more partial to Morgan Ironwolf and Black Dougal.
I did pick up a near mint copy of the Red Box rules. It still had dice in the plastic bag. I got it signed by Frank Mentzer a couple of Gen Cons back, great guy. Really happy to sign the book. It is a piece of D&D history that I had missed out on.
But that is now changing.
Today the Red Box was released to DriveThruRPG/RPGNow and DnDClassics.
Player's Manual: http://www.dndclassics.com/product/116578/D%26D-Basic-Set---Players-Manual-%28BECMI-ed%29-%28Basic%29?affiliate_id=10748
DM's Rulebook: http://www.dndclassics.com/product/116619/D%26D-Basic-Set---DMs-Rulebook-%28BECMI-ed%29-%28Basic%29?affiliate_id=10748
To celebrate the 30th Anniversay of the Red Box DnDClassics is offering a code to get the B series of adventures at 50% off.
Additionally we have seen the release of the fantastic D&D Rules Cyclopedia. Which might be the best version of D&D ever. And the release of the Creature Catalog for BECMI.
For me getting these books is like rediscovering the game that I loved. There are little bits here and there that I have never read before. The game is the same, but the feelings are new.
White Dwarf Wednesday #72
Open Box has two staples of "why I thought the British were just better" when it came to games. The FASA Doctor Who RPG was one of my favorite Sci-Fi games ever. Despite the fact there was some wonkiness with with the timelines (wibbly wobbly) and the system was just the Star Trek one. I loved it. It got an 8/10 but looking back on the game now I can see we were all just starved for anything Doctor Who.
Up next is Chaosium's fantastic Pendragon. It got a 9/10 from Graham Staplehurst. It should have gotten a 10/10. And just to really drive the point home, the only American company to have a game is one of my favorite companies, Pacesetter, delivering a game I had thankfully had forgot about, Wabbit Wampage. It gets a generous 6/10.
An article on Talisman and the new expansion set is up next after some ads. It is advertised on the cover as "Expansive Coverage" and it is, but it also feels a little like an advertisement.
Fear of Flying is a short Call of Cthulhu adventure taking place on a plane.
Heroes & Villains this issue covers mad and super science. It is written generically enough to use in any supers game, or even any steampunk one.
The Necklace of Brisingamen is next. An AD&D adventure for 7-10th level characters. Pretty high for a magazine adventure. It is also pretty long too. It is generic enough to use anywhere, but I like the Nordic feel to it. My first thought was it could be used as a nice side adventure while doing the whole GDQ series.
Pete Tamlyn covers character generation in Origin of the PCs. While there are some interesting ideas here, in particular to designing a new game, it is my experience that people come to the game with an idea of what they want to do early on.
Sliegh Wars is a Christmas themed board game for 2-4 players. Frankly it just doesn't look that interesting to me.
Crawling Chaos has a bunch of books for characters to read, not players. Too bad really. But these are still cool and can be used anywhere to provide some color to a Victorian or Modern horror game.
Big ad for the new game Dragon Warriors.
Treasure chest offers up some tables and events for characters. Things like "Arrested" and "rumors". Neat idea, but takes control away from the DM and players in my mind.
Tabletop Heroes covers dioramas. I knew this guy in high school that was fantastic at doing these dioramas of the Grenadier lead minis. I think he rather enjoyed doing those more than the actual gaming to be honest.
The last 14 or so pages are ads, including one for the D&D Masters rules, Marvel Super Heroes and more MERP.
I am happy to still be getting regular CoC and AD&D material. The adventures are still rather good. There are still some new games being featured. I am looking forward to seeing some Doctor Who material, if there is any, I don't remember. don't spoil me. Dragon only ever had 2 articles on it if I recall. More Pendragon is always nice. I always put Pendragon into that category of "Way Serious RPGs". I hope it gets covered more in the next 20 some odd issues.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
John William Waterhouse
I have mentioned here before that I am a huge fan of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood style of painting. I am also a fan of their poetry and philiosophy, but that might be another post. It is one of the few artistic styles where I see it overlapping most of my gaming interests (fantasy, horror, Victorian). In particular I am a fan of John Collier (whose Lilith is still one of my favorites), Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and his sister Christina Rossetti (author of the poem "The Goblin Market"), though she was not part of their "Brotherhood".
Though my favorite is John William Waterhouse. He rose to prominence a few decades after the Pre-Raphaelites but his style was considered to be part of their tradition and he is often called the Modern Pre-Raphaelite.
I seen his work many, many times before. I think it had to be the cover of Rosemary Ellen Guiley's 1999 "The Encyclopedia of Witches & Witchcraft" that made me want to seek out who this artist was. From that point on I knew I wanted to have his art on the cover of one of my books.
The original painting done in in 1886, oil on canvas, was purchased for £650. It is on display at Tate Britain galleries. Called "The Magic Circle" it features an unnamed witch (thought to be Morgan Le Fey) creating what is commonly believed to be a summoning circle or a protection circle. There are a multitude of diverse pagan elements in this painting reflecting the magical beliefs of many different cultures that it is not hard to see why it is embraced by those who like witches. There are number of little things in the picture that I enjoy. She is using her right hand to draw a counter-clockwise circle for example. This means this witch is up to nothing good. Her brazier is more Mediterranean or even Middle Eastern than it is Anglo-Saxon, though her hair style and sickle are Anglo-Saxon style. There is just a lot going on here.
Given my love of all things witch and witchy it was Waterhouse and the Pre-Raphaelites that I associate with my early gaming memories as much as Otus, Dee, Caldwell and Elmore.
Obviously I am not the only one.
and
I feel like I am in pretty good company here.
Though my favorite is John William Waterhouse. He rose to prominence a few decades after the Pre-Raphaelites but his style was considered to be part of their tradition and he is often called the Modern Pre-Raphaelite.
I seen his work many, many times before. I think it had to be the cover of Rosemary Ellen Guiley's 1999 "The Encyclopedia of Witches & Witchcraft" that made me want to seek out who this artist was. From that point on I knew I wanted to have his art on the cover of one of my books.
 |
| The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, Second Edition |
Given my love of all things witch and witchy it was Waterhouse and the Pre-Raphaelites that I associate with my early gaming memories as much as Otus, Dee, Caldwell and Elmore.
 |
| The Witch: A sourcebook for Basic Edition fantasy games |
Obviously I am not the only one.
 |
| Magic & Miracles |
 |
| 10 Witch Magic Items (PFRPG) |
I feel like I am in pretty good company here.
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