Monday, August 3, 2015

Back From Gen Con!

Well another Gen Con has come and gone.
I had a great time.  I got to meet up with some old friends, met some new friends and "met" people in person that I have only talked to on social media.

Wednesday night we played Baker Street with author and designer +Bryce Whitacre.  It was so much fun.  My kids had a blast with it. Expect a full review soon.

Every night we played Ravenloft, the classic I6 module.  I used the fifth edition conversion I found, but I am suspecting now after playing 5e for a bit that 5e characters and bit stronger than their 1e counterparts.

The entry hall of Castle Ravenloft

Strahd's crypt, Saturday night.
We managed to get through the entire adventure over the course of Gen Con which was perfect really.

I even got my original module from 1983 signed by Tracy Hickman.



We got in an RPGA/DDI game as well and a few others.  Most were good, but we also had two clunkers.   ProTip: When you are demoing a game and the one image looks like another, but different meaning image, don't throw your graphic designer under the bus. It makes YOU look bad.

I also got to meet in person John and Matt of ODAM Publishing. I didn't hit their booth in time to grab a book, but the copy they had left looked fantastic.

More on what I did pick up later.

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Zatannurday: Bombshells #3 for October

The DC Bombshells are coming!
The third issue will feature the one and only Zatanna!

From one of my favorite blogs, Supergirl Comic Box Commentary.   BTW this is a good blog to follow to keep up on the latest on the new Supergirl series.

From the site:

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #3
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by MARGUERITE SAUVAGE and LAURA BRAGA
Cover by ANT LUCIA

A dark ritual is performed in a German cabaret, and a supernatural servant is brought forth to serve the Reich— has Zatanna been manipulated by The Joker’s Daughter? Plus, Batwoman leaves Gotham City, and Amanda Waller introduces her to an unearthly ally. And Wonder Woman gets into combat as she joins Mera on the European war front.



Is it me or does John look like Pikachu?

Looking forward to it!!

Friday, July 31, 2015

Friday Night Videos: Live! From Gen Con

Ok. Sort of live.

Right about now I should be knee deep in killing zombies.
Or at least running a group through Castle Ravenloft.

The thing I like best about Gen Con isn't just the games, or the hall to buy new games, it's meeting up with old friends and meeting new ones.   Basically these are my people.

Professor Elemental has been featured here before.  "All In Together" is an ode to being with your tribe.




One of my kids' favorite songs is Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song".  They pretty much demand this song every time we play D&D and drive to Gen Con.




Another song that reminds me of drive to Gen Con is Fastball's "The Way".  Seemed like I listened to this song a dozen times on my first drive to Gen Con.



Kickstart Your Weekend: Vermin

GenCon Special!

I had the pleasure of running into Trace Beaulieu aka Dr. Forester from MST3k.
He told me all about this new webs how he is working on, Vermin.
Sounds funny as hell really.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/792672696/relaunch-vermin-web-show.

Check it out and send some cash their way.
Do it for Crow!

Thursday, July 30, 2015

League of Extraordinary Ladies: Red Sonja

Another great character that made the conversion to a great Steampunk title is Red Sonja.   Dynamite's latest Red Sonja comic, Legenderry Red Sonja takes the She-Devil With a Sword and transports her to Victorian times.
I am not caught up, but so far it is a fun read.

Red Sonja
Archetype: Warrior
Motivation:

Health: 6
Style: 2

Primary Attributes
Body 3
Dexterity 5
Strength 3
Charisma 2
Intelligence 3
Willpower 3

Secondary Attributes
Size: 0
Move: 8
Perception: 6
Initiative: 8
Defense: 8
Stun: 3

Skills (levels only)
Athletics 6
Brawl 6
Firearms 2
Intimidation 2
Investigation 5
Medicine 3
Melee 7
- Sword 8
Ride 5
Stealth 4
Survival 5

Talents
Alertness
Attractive
Danger Sense
Keen Senses

Resources
Contacts (the Justice League) 3

Flaws
Obsession (to defeat any man in battle)

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

League of Extraordinary Ladies: Wonder Woman Wednesday

It's Wednesday so that means Wonder Woman!
I have to admit when I first read Mysteries of the Hollow Earth I wanted to try out an Amazonian character.  Specifically a Themysciran style Amazon.

Wonder Woman here is going to be ridiculously powerful.  Maybe even to the point of breaking the system, but she is worth it. I am largely basing this on the Amazonia version of Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman

Archetype: Warrior
Motivation: Justice

Health: 20
Style: 2

Primary Attributes
Body 12
Dexterity 10
Strength 12
Charisma 8
Intelligence 6
Willpower 8

Secondary Attributes
Size: 0
Move: 22
Perception: 14
Initiative:  16
Defense: 22
Stun: 12

Skills (levels only)
Archery 15
Athletics 10
Brawl 12
Investigation 5
Medicine 4
Melee 12
 - Sword
 - Lasso
Stealth 7
Streetwise 4
Survival 4
Warfare 6

Talents
Agile
Attractive
Danger Sense
Keen Senses
Strong

Resources
Contacts (the Justice League) 5

Flaws
Obsession (justice)

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

League of Extraordinary Ladies: Hawkgirl

One of the great thing about Mysteries of the Hollow Earth are the Hawkmen of the Hollow Earth. Hawkmen have a nice long history in Sci-Fi. From the Hawkmen in Flash Gordon to the Thanigarians of DC Comics.

Shiera Saunders was a student of archeology when she discovered her true calling.  While investigating a tomb in Egypt she discovered the tomb of Egyptian Princess Chay-Ara.  Shiera learned that she was the reincarnation of Chay-Ara and she needed to find the reincarnation of her soul-mate Khufu, now taking the form of Carter Hall.  Shiera now looks for her lost love and helps others as the flying Hawkgirl.

Hawkgirl

Health: 5
Style: 2

Primary Attributes
Body 3
Dexterity 5
Strength 3
Charisma 3
Intelligence 3
Willpower 2

Secondary Attributes
Size: 0
Move: 8
Perception: 5*
Initiative: 8
Defense: 8
Stun: 3

Skills (levels only)
Academics, Archeology 5
Archery 5
Athletics 6
Brawl 6
Investigation 5
Medicine 3
Melee 7
- Mace
Stealth 7
Streetwise 6

Talents
Attractive
Danger Sense
Keen Senses

Resources
Contacts (the Justice League) 3

Flaws
Obsession (find her soul mate)