tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14969702237067058892024-03-18T15:28:54.498-04:00Gaming All Over The PlaceHiggipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-8282162582076535402017-05-01T14:36:00.000-04:002017-05-01T14:36:18.363-04:00Future History, Part 1 of 3: The 21st Century<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">THE 21<sup>ST</sup> CENTURY:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The 21<sup>st</sup> Century found the Earth in a conflict between capitalistic globalism, reactionary traditionalism, and an increasingly ineffectual liberal minority. The elections of populist conservatives throughout the Western world brought about an economic boom that translated into higher profits for corporations, but little relief for workers and average citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In 2024, a joint effort between NASA, the ESA, and Russia established <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gagarin-Shepard Station</b> in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), a replacement for the aging International Space Station. In addition to an expanded research capacity, Gagarin-Shepard was designed as a staging base for planned expeditions to Luna and Mars in the near future. This was followed in 2027 by the establishment of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tiangong<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, </i></b>China’s first permanent station in LEO.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In India, huge advances are made in computer engineering and biotechnology. Rudimentary Artificial Intelligence is created, albeit with considerable oversight and almost paranoid monitoring. In addition, the first custom organs are genetically engineered using DNA from the recipient. The Indian Space Research Organization parlays these new technologies to push forward an aggressive orbital presence. The rapid development culminates in 2029 with the establishment of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Aditi Station</b> in LEO. It is both larger and more advanced than Gagarin-Shepard or Tiangong and becomes an important hub for many independent, non-Western space missions and research.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Tensions in the Middle East come to a head in 2030 when Iran and Saudi Arabia declare war on each other. Iraq and Syria again become the battleground between the two nations as Shi’a and Sunni Arabs fight each other openly alongside the Iranian and Saudi militaries, respectively. The United States, weary of its two-plus decades of adventurism in the region at the start of the century, steps back from their Saudi allies. The war is bloody and brutal, as the two sides show no mercy to each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Middle Eastern War causes considerable disruption to the world economy due to the interruption of oil production. The resulting crash in the mid-2030s is ended only as the global infrastructure shifts over to Indian designed fusion plants. Powered by fusion power, over a dozen new orbital stations are placed in Earth orbit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Luna becomes an active space location in 2036 when permanent outposts in lunar orbit are established by United States (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Armstrong</b>), the ESA (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Aurora</b>), China (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Changxi</b>), and a joint effort between Russia and India (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chandrayaan</b>). History is made in 2037 with the establishment of the first permanent Lunar colony, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Korolev</b>, by the Russians and Indians. It is followed in 2038 with the establishment of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kennedy</b>, the first permanent American colony. China and the ESA establish <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chang’e</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Selene</b> in 2042 and 2043, respectively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">While large parts of humanity and the mass media is fascinated by the nascent colonization of the moon, a growing number of populist causes in both the major powers of the world and the other nations whose resources are being exploited by transnational corporate interests begin to become more organized and militant. Central Asian and African revolutions start initially as proxy wars between the great powers but slowly escalate as the great powers follow the slippery slope from advising to full spectrum combat operations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the midst of all of this conflict, Brazil serves as a voice of neutrality and sponsors many of the (ultimately failed) peace talks throughout the decade. They found the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ataegina</b> colony in LEO, the first large-scale permanent orbital habitation in 2044. As many of the other orbital powers become belligerents in the upcoming world conflict, Ataegina becomes the haven for apolitical and independent space interests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Up until 2049, forces of the great powers meticulously avoided direct conflict between each other, hoping to avoid sparking a fight that presented a more existential threat. In 2049, U.S. and Russian special operations forces engaged each other in a protracted firefight in a Central Asian proxy war. This led to a gradual escalation of airstrikes and reinforcement culminating in large force on force engagements in multiple continents and oceans. Alliances were tapped and by the end of the year, all of the world’s great powers were locked into World War III. The wars quickly settled into a conventional stalemate and became a war of attrition. In orbit, Orbital Kill Vehicles wreaked havoc on outposts in LEO and Lunar orbit. Only Brazil’s rigid neutrality kept Ataegina from being damaged.Global total war led to large-scale economic disruptions all over the world, and by 2053, all belligerents signed the Ataegina Treaty, brokered by Brazil, which solidified miniscule gains by each party. Overall, no one is declared a winner of World War III, but all of the great powers are greatly reduced in stature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As the parties involved to World War III collapse into exhaustion, internal tensions rise within all parties involved. In Europe, the EU collapses as the remaining members of the Union and NATO go their separate ways. While most nations revert to nationalistic independence, the Scandinavian nations form the Scandinavian Union, which begins as a common market and limited political union similar to the EU. As time progresses, the Scandinavian Union found utility in closer ties. Selene, the Lunar holding of the now-defunct ESA, suffers as the individual nations fund only the areas that benefit their citizens. In the United States, the tension between the different regions is far more dramatic and results in a slowly expanding civil war. By the end of 2055, five nations, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cascadia</b> (the west coast), the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">American Union</b> (The Northeastern and northern Midwest regions), the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">United Republic of America</b> (The Appalachian and southeastern region), the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Republic of</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Texas</b> and the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">High Plains Republic</b> (The northern Rocky Mountains and plains west of the Mississippi). Mexico annexes huge portions of southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Texas and Mexico have an immediate and violent rivalry. The Kennedy colony on Luna, with it’s relatively small population, declares its neutrality during the American Civil Wars and eventually signs treaties with all of the remnant factions. Kennedy becomes a fiercely independent and inclusive colony and serves as the Lunar equivalent of a Free City with the attendant diplomatic and espionage activity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Isolated from the events of the war, Brazil emerges as the most significant world power. Its enhanced military and technological advances lead it to lead the efforts in both space exploration and rebuilding after WWIII. In particular, the Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR) makes Lunar travel much faster and allows more minor expeditions to the other planets within the system. Led by Brazil, nations who managed to avoid involvement in the conflict (particularly Indonesia and Mexico) surge forward into gaps filled by the fading powers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The 2060s, known as “The Brazilian Decade” are generally a boom for multinational industries. Many of the early Earth LEO outposts that survived World War III are quietly retired and their operations moved to Ataegina. Similarly, the invention of the NTR renders the need for the Lunar orbital outposts obsolete, with Chang’e becoming a primary hub for activity. Brazil establishes <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Abaangui</b> on Luna in 2067 and Mexico establishes <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Estrella </b>in 2068 at the Earth-Sun L<sub>4</sub> point on Asteroid 2010TK<sub>7</sub>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Mexican scientists based out of a Los Angeles-based research consortium develop advanced materials technology that allows for stronger spaceship construction as well as the exploration and colonization of the ocean floor. Underwater colonies begin to quickly pop up off the coast of Latin America.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Courier New"; panose-1:2 7 3 9 2 2 5 2 4 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The American Union asserts itself in the latter part of the 21<sup>st</sup> century, with the establishment of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tycho</b>, the first permanent Martian colony, in 2081. Many other nations start to follow suit, but the economic downturn during the last 15 years of the century cause many of those projects to either be abandoned or reduced in size to temporary outposts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-64923059198453186042014-08-27T12:00:00.000-04:002014-08-27T12:00:01.467-04:00Assumptions of a 5e World: Races, Part III: Halflings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Oh, Halflings...<br />
<br />
A lot of people have some pretty strong ideas and criticisms about Halflings--and most of it valid. The evolution of the D&D Halfling has strayed far from its Tolkien roots.<br />
<br />
<b>1. Field Mice and Citizen Soldiers</b><br />
There are two quotes in the PHB that strike me as interesting regarding the Halfling racial character. First:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The diminutive halflings survive in a world full of larger creatures by avoiding notice or, barring that, avoiding offense. (p. 26)</blockquote>
And:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For them, adventuring is less a career than an opportunity or sometimes a necessity. (p. 27)</blockquote>
This, along with the very pastoral and no-nonsense description found in the flavor text remind me of the romanticized small-town America in the early part of the 20th Century--plain talking, lawful, and pleasant farm folk who are willing to take up a noble cause when it is just to do so. However, there is also a side to them which attempts to remain anonymous. They integrate into other communities as easily as forming their own, often becoming an invisible, but vital, aspect of society. Even urban halflings, cooks and butlers extraordinaire, routinely move around unseen by the taller folk.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Subraces</b><br />
Personally, it has been difficult for me to really get a strong feel for the subraces of halflings. The Lightfoot Halflings are sneakier, chattier, and more prone to wanderlust, while the Stout Halflings are hardier. And that's really all the differentiation in the PHB. The subraces appear to be almost more mechanical bonus options compared to living, breathing cultures.<br />
<br />
<b>3. My Halflings</b><br />
What might differentiate the two is the environment they come from. Shire-based halflings, more rustic and laconic, might fit the traits that the Stout Halflings possess. City halflings mesh up well with the Lightfoot Halflings--the charisma bonus is suitable for members of the service industry and the Naturally Stealthy trait relies on being around tall people, something urban halflings have in far more abundance than their rural counterparts.<br />
<br />
For the most part, I don't see much of a reason for Stouts to be out and about in the world unless there is a pressing need. And when they do leave their homes, they do what they need to do and then come home. A Stout who chooses the life of adventure would certainly be a bit scandalous. Lightfeet, on the other hand, could easily be brought on initially as servants of adventurers, evolving into adventurers in their own right and slipping into more mainstream culture. The majority of Lightfeet would probably cock an eyebrow and "tsk" the adventurous halfling, but urban halflings are far more tolerant of this behavior than the Stouts.<br />
<br />
On Friday... HUMANS!<br />
<b><br /></b></div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-38833309570484409442014-08-25T12:00:00.000-04:002014-08-25T12:00:04.117-04:00Assumptions of a 5e World: Races, Part II: Elves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Continuing my look at the assumptions of the world that would exist in D&D's fifth edition, I'm going to look at Elves today.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>1. Basic Premise</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, the first sentence of the profile (after the Dragonlance quote) states that "Elves are a magical people of otherworldly grace, living in the world but not entirely part of it." This basic premise of elves has two things to talk about--inherent magicalness (what an awful word, can someone give me a better one?) and detachment from the world.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first is easily explained thanks to the Fey Ancestry trait. But what does this ancestry entail? Are elves what happen to Fey when they stay away from the Feywild for too long? Are they creations of the Fey? Are they crossbreeds of Fey and something more mundane? Do the elves even know?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The detachment is likely a combination of their unusually long lifespan and their alien nature. I've got some ideas I'll share below.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>2. Subraces</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, according to the PHB, there are two subraces of elf--High and Wood Elf (I know Dark Elves are in the book, but fuck those guys. Seriously.). The long story made short is that High Elves are a little more intelligent and inherently magical and Wood Elves are a little more wise and adept at hiding in natural surroundings. I do find it interesting that Grey/Sun Elves and High/Moon Elves were combined into one category of High Elf.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To me, this means that High Elves remain closer to their Fey ancestors and Wood Elves have embraced life outside the Feywild. Which means, in my game, I'll likely make that extra language that High Elves get Sylvan to further strengthen that connection. I've got a few more thoughts on how I will implement elves in my game, but first...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>3. Drizzt/Drow Rant</b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ7GzfKX6AGshYpNpmlXvfUja9qf1yVuZ67R1lIk9DH9WjNPLwutMZxSqgoioPMgufS_ScBjyz60FG0n3UKhpTCux1F6DIon5FlKVwovfuZTQYpmTUemmURVbK8EA8HiICB2gERwozRE/s1600/kE189Ag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ7GzfKX6AGshYpNpmlXvfUja9qf1yVuZ67R1lIk9DH9WjNPLwutMZxSqgoioPMgufS_ScBjyz60FG0n3UKhpTCux1F6DIon5FlKVwovfuZTQYpmTUemmURVbK8EA8HiICB2gERwozRE/s1600/kE189Ag.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know how a lot of people hate Dragonlance?<br />That's how I feel about Drizzt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First, <i>The Crystal Shard</i> was the first D&D novel I really <b>loved</b><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>as a kid. I thought it was fantastic. Drizzt was a rad idea, I liked the relationship between Bruenor and Wulfgar, and my exposure to fantasy literature wasn't all that developed, so it didn't seem as tired to me then as it does now. Then Drizzt became the spokesman for the Forgotten Realms and we got oversaturated with him. But what really pissed me off about the Drizztification of D&D is now every single swinging dick gamer wanted to play the "good" evil race. UGH. So yeah, I blame Drizzt for a lot of my annoyance in games. And I liked my Drow mysterious and unknown. Now there is just too much canon out there. And another thing--why do they need to be black-skinned? I'm not going all social justice here, but why should they have such a big target on their back (and face and hands and...)? If I incorporate some kind of Dark Elf into my game, they will be radically different than the ones in D&D canon.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>4. Elves in my Game</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
High Elves. Holding on to their connection to the Feywild, they most certainly have a superiority complex over the rest of the world. Native practitioners of magic, they certainly look down upon the brutish methods the other races use to access the Weave. Bards, sorcerers, and warlocks would be exceedingly rare in High Elf society, Wizards dominating all aspects of magical culture in elven society. The Eldritch Knight and Arcane Trickster paths are very common coming from the High Elf enclaves.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wood Elves, on the other hand, use very little learned arcane magic. I'm not sure what separated them from the Feywild, but whatever it was it sent them on a path to secrecy and evasion that granted them the Fleet of Foot and Mask of the Wild traits. They will still have spellcasters, but they will be the more native ones--sorcerers, druids, rangers, etc.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Elven culture is isolated into various enclaves--High Elves out of arrogance (and the location's connection to the Feywild), Wood Elves out of paranoia--but the elven wanderlust mentioned in the PHB does bring elves into the world of man. I reckon that High Elves will send people out for a brief stay in short-lived society to keep an eye on them, make sure there is no threat to the enclaves and possibly some appropriation of culture and technology. The High Elves are too busy navelgazing and reminiscing about Fey times to really be doing any of that work themselves. So, a young High Elf might head out for about 20-50 years then return to the enclave for a century or so to process and philosophize about what they learned on walkabout. The elves on this Grand Tour would certainly be living opulently and refusing to do a lot of the heavy lifting for any endeavors they are involved in. While large swaths of the people hold them in similar disdain as they would some of the more foppish nobility, there is a sycophantic group of romantics and opportunists who form their entourages.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wood Elves, on the other hand, would keep a lower profile when they move around in foreign circles. They would often interact with human society through interlocutors (maybe a human/half-elf order of rangers and druids). The rare Wood Elf adventurer would likely be ranging about looking for some kind of advantage for the Wood Elves, be they allies or maybe an artifact. I just have to suss out what the big threat to the Wood Elves is.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So yeah, elves.</div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-16387880341484810332014-08-22T12:00:00.000-04:002014-08-22T12:00:00.883-04:00Assumptions of a 5e World: Races, Part I: Subraces and Dwarfs.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, I've had the 5e <i>Player's Handbook</i> for about two weeks now and I have slowly been getting a feel for it and the world that it implies. I'm going to start with the races, since that's the first thing that the PHB discusses. As always, your feedback is encouraged.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>1. Subraces are back!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am no expert on some editions of D&D, but it seems like every other major iteration of the game either adds in or subtracts out subraces. I don't recall hearing about them before <i>Unearthed Arcana</i>, and they seemed to be gone when 2e came around. 3e brought them back, 4e did away with them. I may be wrong here, but this might be the first PHB that actually has mechanically separated subraces. Personally, I like the idea of subraces. Your low-density races might be more homogenous, but in a D&D-trope-centric world, there are going to be plenty of dwarfs and elves, so it makes sense that there will be substantial differences in culture.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>2. Dwarfs</b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMWrhXOMRagWTYrEQqncwLcjNsTtttUHupid1CKCRYeSg6-QLGAkyeDTQceKyjRQEGDb4q4wEVw8nm8A25GurbPXWxouadS_06S5lICQsAZhOY__ALTXwvdvYov8n5arxb14BGxM_c7A/s1600/krisztian-pars-hammer-throw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMWrhXOMRagWTYrEQqncwLcjNsTtttUHupid1CKCRYeSg6-QLGAkyeDTQceKyjRQEGDb4q4wEVw8nm8A25GurbPXWxouadS_06S5lICQsAZhOY__ALTXwvdvYov8n5arxb14BGxM_c7A/s1600/krisztian-pars-hammer-throw.jpg" height="224" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karkaz Axeshield, representing Mithril Hall Vocational Technical School,<br />scored his education on a throwing hammer scholarship.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dwarfs in 5e are certainly your typical grudge-bearing, greedy, god-fearing grumps they always seem to be. They all get to use dwarfy weapons (hammers and axes--and the terrifying thought of THROWING HAMMERS (see the picture to the right)) and have some sort of vocational training. Of note, they don't get an attack bonus against greenskins--which means that a 5e world doesn't necessarily HAVE to have the Dwarf-Greenie conflict.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hill Dwarfs are wiser and more resilient than Mountain Dwarfs and Mountain Dwarfs are stronger and more armored than Hill Dwarfs. Mountain Dwarfs are also 4" taller, on the average, than Hill Dwarfs.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The assumption I am getting from this is that Mountain Dwarfs have a much more militant society than Hill Dwarfs. I reckon they are on the frontlines of SOME conflict and have a mentality where EVERYONE is a member of the militia when push comes to shove. It could be a siege mentality similar to Israel or maybe an isolationist streak like Switzerland.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hill Dwarfs have been a little less straightforward than their cousins. I'm seeing them as a more introspective and philosophical than the Mountain Dwarfs, but I'm at a loss to explain the extra hit points. Maybe the outdoor hill living has helped Hill Dwarfs provide a healthier and more balanced diet than the iron rations-chowing Mountain Dwarfs.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, what I am taking from all of this is that the dwarfs who left the mountains became a little softer and more intellectual than the Spartan dwarfs in the mountains, fighting ancestral foes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>3. My Dwarfs</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With all of these assumptions, I am wondering how the different dwarf subraces (to include the Duergar) came to be in my D&D 5e world. Greed and Grudges seem to be the main negative drives of dwarf culture, while family and faith are the positive drives.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ten thousand years ago, the dwarfs ruled huge swaths of the Underdark, being at the top of the subterranean cultural pyramid. Unfortunately, they grew lax in their homage to the Stone Spirits that gave them their power to rule over the Underdark. One clan's hubris was so powerful that they forswore the Stone Spirits and declared themselves superior over all--even the Gods. The remaining clans, while not as degenerate, hedged their bets, providing lip service to both sides in the conflict, waiting for a clear victor before going all in. This angered the Stone Spirits, who cursed the Dwarfs. The rebel clan became the Duergar and the remaining clans became the Dwarfs we know today, exiled from their great cities to the fringes of the Underdark, closer to the surface. Some of the dwarfs repented their inaction and dedicated themselves to service of the Stone Spirits, hoping one day they will return their calls and prayers. They renounced the greed and hubris that led them to exile and toil in the mountains, hoping to regain a portion of their lost glory. Some of the dwarfs turned their back on the Stone Spirits and the mountains. They settled in the hills and took the gods of man as their own. Fully committed to their greed and lust, they are ruthless merchants, decadent profiteers, traffickers of flesh, and all manners of base commerce.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next week, I'll try to finish out the Big Four races.</div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-89203916386914486902014-05-15T15:18:00.003-04:002014-05-15T15:18:17.935-04:00Neo-York Chronicles: Cassandra Tate, Genetically Engineered "Perfect Daughter"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="p1">
I've been messing about with GURPS lately, building a cyberpunk setting called <a href="https://plus.google.com/communities/104629469532392354766">Neo-York</a>.</div>
<div class="p1">
The setting has been slowly coalescing and I have started looking at some system stuff. It has literally been DECADES since I really gave GURPS a good look from an "I'm going to run this" perspective (but I've mined the hell out of the sourcebooks for inspiration).</div>
<div class="p1">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="p1">
Using some of the guidelines from <i style="font-weight: bold;">GURPS Bio-Tech</i>, I've made a template for a "Perfect Child," to be sold to the mid-level execs of the technologically advanced Manhattan City Core. Their children will be technically savvy, but somewhat pliable and unable to deal with stressful situations, making them perfect for non-executive roles.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Here is a 50-point "Perfect Child" I built, suitable as a 20-point Dependent for Manhattan-based characters.</div>
<div class="p1">
<i><br /></i></div>
<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/AVvXsEiRmqMFxGlKeACfXrRVGSsTolt7YiOjpLtE1xvdCqktlcOAhfGdJfBQV_KMwHkQGCm1uj9eXcJ-z_DclO0DmmNSE53eLP7RsJK8C4Dy00kHJ7Gp6-nOytgxDpkEycOVm3exPCzOVdpLzT4/s1600/gene_cutting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmqMFxGlKeACfXrRVGSsTolt7YiOjpLtE1xvdCqktlcOAhfGdJfBQV_KMwHkQGCm1uj9eXcJ-z_DclO0DmmNSE53eLP7RsJK8C4Dy00kHJ7Gp6-nOytgxDpkEycOVm3exPCzOVdpLzT4/s1600/gene_cutting.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building the Better Child</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1">
<i>Cassandra Tate, “Perfect Daughter”, age 10</i></div>
<div class="p2">
<b>50 points</b></div>
<div class="p3">
<b>Attributes [-35]</b></div>
<div class="p3">
<b>ST</b> 8 [-20]; <b>DX</b> 9 [-10]; <b>IQ</b> 10 [0]; <b>HT</b> 11 [10].</div>
<div class="p3">
Damage 1d3/1d2 [0]; BL 13lbs. [0]; HP 9 [0]; Will 7 [-15]; Per 10 [0]; 11 FP [0].</div>
<div class="p3">
SM -1; Basic Speed 4.25 [0]; Basic Move 4 [0]; Dodge 7; Parry -.</div>
<div class="p3">
4’2”; 69 lbs.</div>
<div class="p4">
<br /></div>
<div class="p3">
<b>Social Background</b></div>
<div class="p3">
<i>TL:</i> TL9</div>
<div class="p3">
<i>CF:</i> Manhattan</div>
<div class="p3">
<i>Languages:</i> English (Native) [0]</div>
<div class="p4">
<br /></div>
<div class="p3">
<b>Advantages [97]</b></div>
<div class="p3">
Beautiful [12]; Eidetic Memory [5]; Fit [5]; High-Tech 1 [5], Mathematical Ability 4 [40]; Patron (Character) [30]; Resistant to Disease (+8) [5]</div>
<div class="p4">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div class="p3">
<b>Disadvantages [-52]</b></div>
<div class="p3">
Attentive [-1]; Careful [-1]; Dead Broke [-25]; Skinny [-5]; Social Stigma (Minor) [-5] Stress Atavism (Moderate) [-15]</div>
<div class="p4">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div class="p3">
<b>Skills [40]</b></div>
<br />
<div class="p3">
Artist (Painting) (H) IQ-2 [1]-8; Biology/TL-9 (H) IQ-1 [2]-9; Chemistry/TL9 (H) IQ-1 [2]-9; Computer Operation/TL9 (E) IQ+1 [2]-11; Computer Programming/TL9 (H) IQ-1 [2]-9; Current Affairs (Science & Technology) (E) IQ+1 [2]-11; History (United States) (H) IQ-1 [2]-9; History (World) (H) IQ-1 [2]-9; Literature (H) IQ-1 [2]-9; Mathematics/TL9 (Applied) (H) IQ-1 [2]-13*; Mathematics/TL9 (Computer Science) (H) IQ-1 [2]-13*; Musical Composition (H) IQ [2]-9; Musical Instrument (Piano) (H) IQ [4]-10; Physics/TL9 (H) IQ-1 [2]-13*; Poetry (A) IQ-1 [1]-9; Research/TL9 (A) IQ [2]-10; Sport (Tennis) (A) DX-1 [1]-8; Writing (A) IQ [2]-10.</div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-10596278352222588872014-04-03T12:00:00.000-04:002014-04-03T12:00:07.228-04:00Ratnyvarosh: Rules for NPCs (Part 4): The Warrior Class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="p1">
THE WARRIOR CLASS</div>
<div class="p2">
Warriors represent the common fighting man, inferior to the fighter and cavalier classes by a significant margin. Warriors are your standard hirelings, mercenaries, and soldiers. While warriors eventually become adequate combatants, they are still quite limited compared to the PC classes.</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Warriors have the following special ability:</div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>* Limited Ability Score Bonuses</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Warriors require a minimum strength score of 8 and a minimum constitution score of 5. They can be of any alignment and use any armor. Warriors can gain proficiency in any weapon and can utilize any armor. They begin the game with two weapon proficiencies and earn a new one every four levels. They suffer a -3 penalty on “to hit” rolls with weapons they are not trained in. </div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Table A-X: Warrior Level Advancement</div>
<div class="p2">
X.P.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Level<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>HP.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Attack</div>
<div class="p2">
0<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>1<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>1d6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>A</div>
<div class="p2">
1000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>2<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>2d6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>A</div>
<div class="p2">
2000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>3<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>3d6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>B</div>
<div class="p2">
4000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>4<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>4d6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>B</div>
<div class="p2">
8000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>5<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>5d6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>C</div>
<div class="p2">
16000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>6d6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>C</div>
<div class="p2">
32000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>7<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>7d6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>D</div>
<div class="p2">
64000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>8<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>8d6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>D</div>
<div class="p2">
128000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>9<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>9d6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>E</div>
<div class="p2">
192000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>10<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>9d6+1<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>E</div>
<div class="p2">
256000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>11<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>9d6+2<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>F</div>
<div class="p2">
+64000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>+1<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>+1<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>+1/2 levels</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Limited Ability Score Bonuses</div>
<br />
<div class="p2">
Warriors are in tune with themselves to the extent that they are able to use their full abilities in combat-related rolls. The Warrior can utilize the melee “to-hit” and damage bonuses from their strength score, the initiative and missile “to-hit” bonuses from their dexterity score, and the hit point bonuses from their constitution bonus (albeit at the non-fighter rate). They do not roll percentile dice when they have a strength score of 18. If their ability score is low enough to provide a penalty, the warrior must take that penalty.</div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-12540588349980104122014-04-02T12:00:00.000-04:002014-04-02T12:00:05.107-04:00Ratnyvarosh: Rules for NPCs (Part 3): The Noble Class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="p1">
NOBLE CLASS</div>
<div class="p2">
Noble NPCs represent the bulk of the upper crust of Ratnyvarosh. </div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
The only requirement for entry into the noble class is being born at the appropriate social station. </div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Nobles have the following abilities and restriction:</div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>*<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Starting skills</div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>*<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Limited dual experience use</div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>*<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Inability to receive ability score bonuses</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Nobles can gain proficiency in dagger, lance, rapier, spear, and swords (bastard, broad, long, and short). They begin the game with one weapon proficiency and earn a new one every five levels. They suffer a -6 penalty on “to hit” rolls with weapons they are not trained in. Nobles are proficient in mail armor and everything lighter than it and shields. Nobles fight using attack column A and never advance in martial ability.</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Table A-X: Noble Level Advancement</div>
<div class="p2">
X.P.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Level<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>HP.</div>
<div class="p2">
0<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>1<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>1d4</div>
<div class="p2">
1001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>2<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>1d4+1</div>
<div class="p2">
2001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>3<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>2d4+1</div>
<div class="p2">
4001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>4<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>2d4+2</div>
<div class="p2">
8001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>5<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>3d4+2</div>
<div class="p2">
16001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>3d4+3</div>
<div class="p2">
32001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>7<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>4d4+3</div>
<div class="p2">
64001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>8<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>4d4+4</div>
<div class="p2">
128001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>9<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>5d4+4</div>
<div class="p2">
192001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>10<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>5d4+5</div>
<div class="p2">
252001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>11<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>5d4+6</div>
<div class="p2">
+64000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>+1<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>+1</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Starting Skills</div>
<div class="p2">
Noble characters start with a free level in the courtly graces skill. This skill need not be paid for with x.p. and does not count as an initial escrowed skill.</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Limited dual experience use</div>
<div class="p2">
As a noble gains experience (typically through the daily x.p. means, occasionally through the ill-advised adventure), for every two x.p. they gain, they are able to sink one experience point into a skill without sacrificing the point for leveling. For example, a noble who has just reached 2<span class="s1"><sup>nd</sup></span> level has 500 free x.p. to spend on skills (usually buying back their initial skill in escrow).</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Inability to Receive Ability Score Bonuses</div>
<br />
<div class="p2">
Nobles have simply not developed the self-awareness to translate their natural abilities into benefits in combat. Nobles do not receive melee “to hit” or damage bonuses from strength, positive magical attack adjustments from wisdom, initiative, missile “to hit”, or armor class bonuses from dexterity, or hit point bonuses from constitution. Nobles with low scores, however, receive the penalties inherent.</div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-21612808856147856622014-04-01T09:38:00.004-04:002014-04-01T09:38:55.073-04:00Delays and such<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last week saw the production of ZERO Ratnyvarosh materiel. I was actually working on (and giving) a presentation on military culture to university administrators, educators, and health care providers. The overall conference was on support for student veterans on campus. My job was to explain why we veterans are so... unique in personality.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I haven't given up thinking about the project, though. I think what I am going to do structurally is set up my Ratnyvarosh project in a similar vein to City-State of the Invincible Overlord and Ready Reference Sheets. Anyway, I'm going to stop babbling here and work on product. Ta. </div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-13168477534752150082014-03-26T00:00:00.000-04:002014-03-26T00:00:03.931-04:00Ratnyvarosh: Rules for NPCs (Part 2): The Expert Class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="p1">
EXPERT CLASS</div>
<div class="p2">
Experts are similar to commoners, with the exception of having a natural aptitude toward their chosen profession. Only individuals who are atypically strong, intelligent, wise, etc. qualify for this class. This aptitude is NOT in martial pursuits, simply the secondary skill areas. The warrior class is the appropriate class for combat-minded base-born NPCs.</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Experts require a single score of 15 in the primary ability score of their initial skill. For example, for a blacksmith to utilize the expert class, they need a strength of 15.</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Experts have the following abilities and restriction:</div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>*<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Dual experience use</div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>*<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Inability to receive ability score bonuses</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Experts can gain proficiency in club, dagger, quarterstaff, scythe, sling, and spear. They begin the game with one weapon proficiency and earn a new one every five levels. They suffer a -6 penalty on “to hit” rolls with weapons they are not trained in. Experts are proficient in only leather or padded armor. Experts fight using attack column A and never advance in martial ability.</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Table A-X: Expert Level Advancement</div>
<div class="p2">
X.P.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Level<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>HP.</div>
<div class="p2">
0<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>1<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>1d4</div>
<div class="p2">
1001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>2<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>2d4</div>
<div class="p2">
2001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>3<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>3d4</div>
<div class="p2">
4001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>4<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>4d4</div>
<div class="p2">
8001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>5<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>5d4</div>
<div class="p2">
16001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>6d4</div>
<div class="p2">
32001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>7<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>7d4</div>
<div class="p2">
64001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>8<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>8d4</div>
<div class="p2">
128001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>9<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>9d4</div>
<div class="p2">
192001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>10<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>9d4+1</div>
<div class="p2">
252001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>11<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>9d4+2</div>
<div class="p2">
+64000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>+1<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>+1</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Dual Experience Use</div>
<div class="p2">
As an expert gains experience (typically through the daily x.p. means, occasionally through the ill-advised adventure), they are able to use their x.p. earned to count towards both leveling and skill purchase. So, an expert who has just reached level 3 will also have 2,001 x.p. to spend on skills.</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Inability to Receive Ability Score Bonuses</div>
<br />
<div class="p2">
Experts have simply not developed the self-awareness to translate their natural abilities into benefits in combat. Experts do not receive melee “to hit” or damage bonuses from strength, positive magical attack adjustments from wisdom, initiative, missile “to hit”, or armor class bonuses from dexterity, or hit point bonuses from constitution. Experts with low scores, however, receive the penalties inherent.</div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-64491592611054854292014-03-25T00:00:00.000-04:002014-03-25T00:00:01.699-04:00Ratnyvarosh: Rules for NPCs (Part 1): The Commoner Class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="p1">
THE COMMONER CLASS</div>
<div class="p2">
Commoners represent the bulk of the world of <i>Ratnyvarosh</i>’s population. Typically commoners are tradesmen who do not qualify for the expert class and have not dedicated their lives to martial pursuits, as the warrior class. They are of base-born stock, with upper class-born using the noble class.</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
There are no specific requirements to be a commoner. </div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Commoners have the following abilities and restriction:</div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>*<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Limited dual experience use</div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>*<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Inability to receive ability score bonuses</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Commoners can gain proficiency in club, dagger, quarterstaff, scythe, sling, and spear. They begin the game with one weapon proficiency and earn a new one every five levels. They suffer a -6 penalty on “to hit” rolls with weapons they are not trained in. Commoners are proficient in only leather or padded armor. Commoners fight using attack column A and never advance in martial ability.</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Table A-1: Commoner Level Advancement</div>
<div class="p2">
X.P.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Level<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>HP.</div>
<div class="p2">
0<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>1<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>1d4</div>
<div class="p2">
1001 2<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>1d4+1</div>
<div class="p2">
2001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>3<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>2d4+1</div>
<div class="p2">
4001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>4<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>2d4+2</div>
<div class="p2">
8001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>5<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>3d4+2</div>
<div class="p2">
16001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>3d4+3</div>
<div class="p2">
32001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>7<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>4d4+3</div>
<div class="p2">
64001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>8<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>4d4+4</div>
<div class="p2">
128001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>9<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>5d4+4</div>
<div class="p2">
192001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>10<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>5d4+5</div>
<div class="p2">
252001<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>11<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>5d4+6</div>
<div class="p2">
+64000<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>+1<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>+1</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Limited dual experience use</div>
<div class="p2">
As a commoner gains experience (typically through the daily x.p. means, occasionally through the ill-advised adventure), for every two x.p. they gain, they are able to sink one experience point into a skill without sacrificing the point for leveling. For example, a commoner who has just reached 2<span class="s1"><sup>nd</sup></span> level has 500 free x.p. to spend on skills (usually buying back their initial skill in escrow).</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Inability to Receive Ability Score Bonuses</div>
<br />
<div class="p2">
Commoners have simply not developed the self-awareness to translate their natural abilities into benefits in combat. Commoners do not receive melee “to hit” or damage bonuses from strength, positive magical attack adjustments from wisdom, initiative, missile “to hit”, or armor class bonuses from dexterity, or hit point bonuses from constitution. Commoners with low scores, however, receive the penalties inherent.</div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-68902661675679004842014-03-24T12:00:00.000-04:002014-03-24T12:00:04.550-04:00Ratnyvarosh: Character Creation (Part 2): Classes - Bards and Jesters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="p1">
Bards (and Jesters)</div>
<div class="p1">
Human bard player characters are considered Bachelors of Arts from the Bardic Academy of Ratnyvarosh. They are assumed to have completed their apprenticeship and early studies and are traveling the world as journeymen. The Bards of Ratnyvarosh are the primary historians of the town, reciting great epics of heroes past and joining parties of adventurers to chronicle the next generation of greatness. Elven bards are assumed to have progressed from the intense one-on-one tutoring under a Great Minstrel and are currently wandering the lands to learn new music and compose songs based upon their travels. Bards are unchanged from the <i>Adventures Dark and Deep Players’ Manual</i>.</div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Jesters (only playable by humans) learn their craft from the highly secretive (and paranoid) Jester’s Guild. They look to keep a monopoly on mirth in Ratnyvarosh, and while they don’t get involved in every joke made within the walls, anyone who looks to start making a living at comedy will often be given one invitation to join the guild. One. No one knows what they do with the people who defy them, but they are rarely seen again. Jesters are unchanged from the <i>Adventures Dark and Deep Players’ Manual</i>.</div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-66789007650557770552014-03-21T12:00:00.000-04:002014-03-21T12:00:07.897-04:00Ratnyvorosh: Character Creation (Part 1): Abilities and Race<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="p1">
Character generation for the <i>Ratnyvarosh</i> campaign follows the standard <i>Adventures Dark and Deep</i> guidelines, with modifications and descriptions provided below.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
ABILITY SCORES</div>
<div class="p1">
<i>Ratnyvarosh</i> characters’ ability scores are generated by rolling 4d6, dropping the lowest score and applying the results in order to the six ability scores: Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom, Dexterity, Constitution, and Charisma. After those scores are generated, players can choose one of two options to modify their scores:</div>
<div class="p1">
1.) A player may swap two scores (and only two scores), provided the higher score goes into an ability which is a requirement for the class the player chooses.</div>
<div class="p1">
OR, </div>
<div class="p1">
2.) A player may re-roll ONE ability score, but that player MUST take the result of the second die roll, even if it is lower than the original.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The tables in the <i>Players’ Manual</i> pp. 4-7 are unchanged for <i>Ratnyvarosh.</i></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
CHARACTER RACE</div>
<div class="p1">
The town of Ratnyvarosh is 95% human, meaning there are only about 100 demi-humans in the town at any given time. While this does not preclude players from creating demi-human characters, it does serve to show that demi-humans stand out.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Dwarves are regarded as greedy hoarders of precious metals and gems. The general consensus is that they want to control all of the mining operations in the world and will resort to shady practices in order to gain control of non-dwarf mines. All dwarfs in <i>Ratnyvarosh</i> are of the mountain dwarf (<i>Players’ Manual, </i>p. 10) variety, and are simply known as dwarfs. In addition to the rules for mountain dwarfs in the <i>Players’ Manual</i>, mountain dwarves suffer a -1 on all “to hit” , damage, skill, and ability rolls in bright sunlight. At night or during overcast days, they suffer no ill effects. However, they gain an additional 25% to their racial abilities in regard to stonecraft. In Ratnyvarosh, they tend to live in the Undercity, given their predilection for darker places. Hill dwarfs and grey dwarfs are not currently known to exist in the <i>Ratnyvarosh</i> campaign, but may make an appearance in later supplements.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Elves are trusted even less than Dwarfs. Aloof and mysterious, elves rarely show any interest in the plans of humans, looking down upon their much shorter-lived cousins. When they do interact with humanity, there are often layers between what they are trying to accomplish and what they are portraying. Inscrutable does not even begin to describe the elves. The elves encountered in Ratnyvarosh are typically of grey elf stock. The elves of Ratnyvarosh refer to themselves as the silver ones. Half-elves are EXCEEDINGLY rare and would certainly require an unusual background worked out with the game master. There are rumors of other sub-races of elves, be they the sylvan folk (wood elves in the <i>Players’ Manual</i>), the golden ones (high elves), or the savage folk (wild elves). Dark elves are not known to exist in the <i>Ratnyvarosh </i>campaign and none of the other sub races are available for use as player characters at this point. Future supplements may detail these sub-races.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Gnomes and halflings are not known to exist in the <i>Ratnyvarosh </i>campaign.</div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Half-orcs exist in the <i>Ratnyvarosh</i> campaign and suffer many of the traditional prejudices found in other fantasy settings. In the town of Ratnyvarosh, they are almost exclusively found in the Undercity, as the watch takes very aggressive interest in any half-orcs that choose to brave the surface. Other humanoid races are also allowed in the town, but are rare and beyond the scope of this particular supplement. Like the other races, more information regarding humanoid races as player characters may appear in later supplements.</div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-32567985625313461082014-03-19T15:12:00.003-04:002014-03-19T15:12:24.734-04:00Ratnyvarosh: Designing the Rathole<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So, I am continuing to work on my Ratnyvarosh project and have started the first "neighborhood" in the town: The Rathole. Clearly, this is not the upper crust.<br />
<br />
GAME INFORMATION<br />
<div class="p1">
While no part of the Undercity is anyone’s idea of pleasant, the Rathole, also known as the Asshole of Ratnyvarosh, is without a doubt the least desirable place to visit, let alone live. Still, this shadowy slum provides a very necessary service to the town: Illicit goods and flesh. The Drudge Market is the only market within the town where slaves can be openly purchased and along the Whorewalk you can satisfy all manner of carnal desires—with the exception of a classy courtesan (If you have to ask where to find those, you can't afford them).</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
Three groups vie for control of the Rathole. The Association of Procurement, a collection of pimps and madams, controls the majority of the town's prostitution activities through both the Upper and Lower Whorewalk. The Slaver’s Guild controls the Drudge Market and Dark Market section of the Rathole. A brutal gang of thugs known as the Rat Bastards terrorize the Rat Road and Bastard Lane.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
FUTURE DIRECTIONS</div>
<div class="p1">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQg_G_X4LgQtrucxuMCKr4wk4LRHA_6iVqj1c8_xmJ2JDzlnolJEfU0dJuQlLG4RynuR6kGmNspkl_LcG8VvmUWkS38hZBj04XfdlC_tMFtKy0oNXs58CsariLGfKzoTbgeu128z8mf4/s3200/Undercity.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/AVvXsEjlQg_G_X4LgQtrucxuMCKr4wk4LRHA_6iVqj1c8_xmJ2JDzlnolJEfU0dJuQlLG4RynuR6kGmNspkl_LcG8VvmUWkS38hZBj04XfdlC_tMFtKy0oNXs58CsariLGfKzoTbgeu128z8mf4/s3200/Undercity.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a>When I get back to my apartment in NY tonight, I'll scan the detail map I made of the neighborhood and include it in a future post where I detail some of the establishments.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
My plan right now is it detail 10% of the city's locations. My my estimate, it will be a little under 80. Some will be larger than others. That will give me the flexibility to add stuff as needed when I actually sit down to run the game. If this makes it to the production/distribution level, it allows whoever is using Ratnyvarosh to make it their own.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
So, I'm thinking for each section it'll be: Loose background, some locations, some NPCs, and a few adventure seeds. Is there anything else people think should be on there?</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
At this point, I'm considering adapting it for <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101779486513297511748" target="_blank">+Joseph Bloch</a>'s <i>Adventures Dark and Deep </i>system. I've been enjoying 1e a little more lately, and I think it's the smoothest version out there.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
As always, feedback is encouraged.</div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-34925422397097015732014-03-18T12:00:00.000-04:002014-03-18T12:00:11.859-04:00Ratnyvarosh, the Arena City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I made a whopping one post throughout all of 2013. I am hoping that the numbers will increase considerably in 2014.<br />
<br />
I suffer greatly from Gamer ADD (I'm curious if that has anything to do with my actual ADHD), and even going through blog posts past, you can see I start and discards with disappointing frequency. My goal during this semester away from graduate school is to actually finish a project, to the point where I could consider collecting it and distributing in a PDF format.<br />
<br />
The bi-weekly AD&D group I play in recently started a new shared-world campaign, allowing us to rotate through the DM position. I was considering creating a Tekumel-style undercity for our tentpole crater city, but during research, the idea morphed into my current project--Ratnyvarosh, the Arena City. I was researching Roman architecture and stumbled upon the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arles_Amphitheatre">Wikipedia entry for the Arles Ampitheatre</a>. The idea of an arena being turned into a town fascinated me, and that's what I've been working on.<br />
<br />
I am probably cramming more people into this city than existed in Arles, although the footprint is largely the same. There are close to a thousand "buildings" in the town, the majority small 10'x10' cubicles or shacks. So the image that is slowly being constructed is a densely packed, grimy, smoky town with plenty of dark alleys for illicit activity juxtaposed with some elaborate mansions and palaces.<br />
<br />
The world surrounding Ratnyvarosh is a largely ruined post-apocalyptic wilderness. It has to be to keep the Varoshi penned up in a cesspool. I've started throwing around some ideas of what is around the city, using a pointcrawl motif where wilderness site like the Blasted Ruins and Barren Shores are linked to specific locations such as the Citadel of the Bound and the Wrecked Spaceship. Serious development on that will come if I actually finish a treatment for the city itself.<br />
<br />
I've finished the preliminary maps, so now I am going to pore over them over the next few days and figure out what makes sense. There are three locations which are large enough to warrant being considered their own "sections"--simply called The Citadel, The Palace, and The Mansion. Other than that, I've got an undercity I need to break up into neighborhoods and the town that is exposed to sunlight to suss out.<br />
<br />
I'll keep you posted. Here are some snaps of the maps.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PrzRpvO5klA/UyTvFFSVkmI/AAAAAAAAD1M/ODtcxxd_Ya0/s3200/14+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PrzRpvO5klA/UyTvFFSVkmI/AAAAAAAAD1M/ODtcxxd_Ya0/s3200/14+-+1" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RrPs1o7XwJ4/UyJFtpJ_34I/AAAAAAAADzw/c-RqJCHNT40/s3200/14+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RrPs1o7XwJ4/UyJFtpJ_34I/AAAAAAAADzw/c-RqJCHNT40/s3200/14+-+1" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZRBzG08nOA/UyeZxFPtUTI/AAAAAAAAD2M/vWmXmTfHdIw/s3200/14+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZRBzG08nOA/UyeZxFPtUTI/AAAAAAAAD2M/vWmXmTfHdIw/s3200/14+-+1" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-71365857161818526552013-10-17T11:37:00.001-04:002013-10-17T11:37:43.402-04:00It's Been A While...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
...but I'm at a point where I have stuff to blog.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A week or so ago, I was checking out the <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/lfg/">/r/lfg subreddit</a> and several people were remarking that they'd love to learn D&D but didn't have anyone to teach them. I can't remember the last time I played with completely new players and thought that it might be a neat little thing that might get me back to my roots as a DM and break up the drudge of graduate school.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once everyone immediately jumped on board and we quickly set a date to start playing (Tuesday afternoons as they are all in Europe--which is another neat wrinkle--and that's one of my days off from class), I realized I had to have something to run. So here is the deal.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<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/AVvXsEi3zNJatbWp4GsyPozQnBsuLfFbCsnmesBuWSSJ2xJtZHMbdzGGQL9uRV4enwYsn3i5qvmkDDTQjFdc7i53chaOiP3a3lFTXbkIAPIYETLFk8RmET4AQaXfHRk1wDGuaz8BIWPb1qVZdNU/s1600/kenku.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zNJatbWp4GsyPozQnBsuLfFbCsnmesBuWSSJ2xJtZHMbdzGGQL9uRV4enwYsn3i5qvmkDDTQjFdc7i53chaOiP3a3lFTXbkIAPIYETLFk8RmET4AQaXfHRk1wDGuaz8BIWPb1qVZdNU/s320/kenku.gif" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninja Birds abound in the as-yet-unnamed<br />land of adventure and mayhem.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm going to be running <a href="http://www.swordsandwizardry.com/whitebox.htm">Swords & Wizardry Whitebox</a> with the following bits bolted on:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li>I'm going to be using the encumbrance and movement rules from <a href="http://www.lotfp.com/RPG/">Lamentation of the Flame Princess</a></li>
<li>Tenkar's <a href="http://www.tenkarstavern.com/2013/10/sometimes-all-you-need-is-little-luck.html">Luck rules</a></li>
<li>The Reputation mechanic from Mongoose's Conan d20</li>
<li>The Holmes five-point alignment system</li>
<li>Jeff Rients' <a href="http://jrients.blogspot.com/2008/12/party-like-its-999.html">Carousing rules</a></li>
<li>Some tweaks to ability score bonuses to satisfy my inner statistics nerd</li>
<li>An ebb and flow mechanic in combat where if one side ends up rolling a streak of high (or low) numbers, good (or bad) things start happening to the battlefield.</li>
</ul>
<div>
But the biggest change to the game will be the classes. I talked about this on Google+ back in June, but I am going to do it for real for real now. The basic premise is "what if the basic character classes only apply to levels 1-3?" Once a character reaches 4th Level, they will move into a new class, more specialized in what they want to do. And I am doing it in tiers: Basic (1-3), Heroic (4-7), Super Heroic (8-12), Legendary (13-18). So you could go from Fighting-Man to Knight to Paladin to Divine Champion. I'll likely post the new classes here when I gin them up. Fortunately OD&D advances somewhat slowly so I have some time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
From a DMing standpoint, I'm in the first year of a doctoral program. I don't have THAT much time to work on the game. Zak S.'s <a href="http://www.lotfp.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=75">Vornheim</a> and <a href="http://dndwithpornstars.blogspot.com/2011/05/method-for-making-d-sandbox.html?zx=ce862cbef04e0809">somewhat freeform world generation concepts</a> will be invaluable to me. A lot of my early work will be working on (and stealing) random tables. And even though some might think that first time players should get a "traditional" experience, I'm not at all interested in running a "traditional" sandbox game. To start, I'm going to focus primarily on <i>Fiend Folio</i> monsters. And any other "normal" animals will get a weird treatment. I'm also a fan of the Empire of the Petal Throne concept of PCs<br />
being "barbarians" in a new and foreign place. I want this to be a bizarre, hostile world. Bizarre to the point where it will take them learning about who is what before they can truly realize what's good and what's evil.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, I'll be posting more, I think. I committed to having the house rule document to the players before the weekend is over, so I'll likely post a link to that here as well. </div>
</div>
</div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-13433797514964539682012-08-16T13:08:00.000-04:002012-08-16T13:08:49.074-04:00Mongoose Traveller: Hard Times on the Solomani Rim: Session 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<b>Cast of Characters:</b><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Baron Khoiayahelu (Aslan noble (Imperial rank is much greater than his Aslan standing) whose family's mismanagement of the family holdings has sent him travelling; keeps the rest of the party from becoming total murderhobos)</li>
<li>"Chrome" (Droyne Sport pilot who has been separated from his kin and finds new families among various merchant ships he works on; moonlights as the baliset-playing "Red Devil")</li>
<li>Alex Cross, M.D. (Rough around the edges former technician who became a medical doctor; his lechery is only kept in check by the fact that he has no game)</li>
<li>Mihai Greenman (Perennial underdog. Former Marine, Arms Dealer, Broker, and Vagabond; always delighted when other people's bad luck matches his own)</li>
<li>German Carrick (Incredibly popular baliset player who has been laying low the last couple of years after an alleged sex scandal)</li>
<li>Stanislas Kubik (Very old administrative assistant and steward)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>The Story So Far:</b><br />
While at Bailey, the crew of the <i>Princess Diana</i> were able to help out a soiled dove in distress, fighting off an overzealous fan of her fan dance act. They moved on to the Mercy system, where they encountered the tail end of a Solomani raid on the system. Afterward, they ended up helping out one of their passengers deal with a creepy neighbor. In addition to passenger work, they have become quite the experts at space salvage. In the Uterobi system, Chrome managed to help a local musician drum up some business by donning a bright red wrestling singlet (with his Safety Orange Hawaiian shirt tucked into it) and a luchador mask (meant for a human, so it didn't quite fit the Droyne right) and playing some dueling balisets.<br />
<br />
<b>Session 4: Jackson</b><br />
The trip from Uterobi to Jackson was uneventful. Upon arrival at Jackson, Mihai immediately attempted to find passengers, using German and his baliset skills to help drum up business. Unfortunately, it reminded the conservative citizens of this hot world too much of the ancient Freecreditreport.com jingles and no passengers seemed to want to go to Grant. However, the following morning, a businessman named Denton Angelo contracted a stateroom in the ship while it is berthed at Jackson Station while he furnished pink slips to General Products employees on Jackson.<br />
<br />
That night, the gang hit the local hotspots in force, attempting to find information about the potentially lucrative Shulusish - Hayt - Diomedes corridor (noted by Chrome as 3 B-class starports in a 2-parsec separated line). While lots of money was spent on drinks and lots of fun was had, not really any information was found. The conspicuous spending of credits didn't go unnoticed, however. Famous talent scout Edward Noting recognized German Carrick and tapped him to find the next big music thing.<br />
<br />
The crew decided that a liberty to Entertainment City in the hinterlands of Jackson was in order. At an all-access and, more importantly, open bar party, the party got to see all of the hot up and coming bands that Jackson had to offer. Flaccid Bagel, a powertry band, managed to get signed that night by Noting, netting German some extra cash. (I describe powertry as Motorhead meets Aesop Rock).<br />
<br />
After a hungover trainride back to Jackson Station, the party returned to the ship. German was happy to receive a royalty check from his publisher and Doc and Chrome went off to check the station's scrap pile. And found scrap. The next day, the party was approached my a besuited man known only as Mister Johnson, who contracted the crew to deliver an attache case to an associate in Grant.<br />
<br />
Mihai, after a week and a half of wrangling buyers, was able to sell the fuel system they found in Mercy. They were finally able to find some passengers for Grant. The day before they were to disembark, they were approached by a panicked PFC from the Imperial Army. PFC Babcock missed his flight to the transport which was leaving system shortly. The <i>Princess Di </i> managed to make orbit in enough time to save Babcock's skin. However, there was a brief moment of panic when the good doctor almost got arrested for assaulting military personnel. Thankfully, the Baron was there to smooth things over.<br />
<br />
The following day, the low berth passengers boarded the <i>Princess Di</i> and the ship left for Grant.<br />
<br />
<b>What We Learned:</b><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>You can fit a lot into a little over three hours. Four patron encounters and a little bit of trade.</li>
<li>As Mihai's player mentioned as we closed, we are "getting our sea legs" and can probably now start kicking the game up a notch. I've been adding in layers as I learn about them. For example, this was the first session where the party had to start paying docking and berthing fees. Granted, the whole time they were on Grant it was like Cr150, but still.</li>
<li>The players keep either lucking our or missing out on some nasty random encounters. One day, I'll get you. :)</li>
<li>Some nice seeds for future adventures were planted.</li>
</ul>
<br /></div>
Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-42650289651980856332012-08-09T01:03:00.002-04:002012-08-09T01:03:26.034-04:00Mongoose Traveller: Hard Times on the Solomani Rim: Session 03<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Cast of Characters:<br />
Baron Khoiayahelu (Aslan noble (Imperial rank is much greater than his Aslan standing) whose family's mismanagement of the family holdings has sent him travelling)<br />
"Chrome" (Droyne Sport pilot who has been separated from his kin and finds new families among various merchant ships he works on)<br />
Alex Cross, M.D. (Rough around the edges former technician who became a medical doctor)<br />
Mihai Greenman (Perennial underdog. Former Marine, Arms Dealer, Broker, and Vagabond)<br />
German Carrick (Incredibly popular baliset player who has been laying low the last couple of years)<br />
Stanislas Kubik (Very old administrative assistant and steward)<br />
<br />
The Story So Far:<br />
While at Bailey, the crew of the <i>Princess Diana</i> were able to help out a soiled dove in distress, fighting off an overzealous fan of her fan dance act. They moved on to the Mercy system, where they encountered the tail end of a Solomani raid on the system. Afterward, they ended up helping out one of their passengers deal with a creepy neighbor.<br />
<br />
The Session:<br />
The session kicked off with an expedition into a debris field, where Dr. Cross and Chrome were able to secure some salvage--an old fuel system for a capital ship. The crew of the ship then made the jump to Uterobi. Upon arrival, they were immediately hailed by Port Authority and ordered to stand down at Heskott Station for a full inspection--ripping up floorboards, looking in panels, and leaving everything but the airframe touched. Meanwhile, Mihai attempted to find a buyer for the fuel system, to no avail. He was able to fill the Far Trader with lucrative high-passage tickets, however.<br />
<br />
After turning down a job offer from a corporate psion, the crew took on a much more entertaining, albeit nowhere near as profitable, gig--drumming up business for a street musician. In order to announce the arrival of Terront Pace to the startown, they had him duel with the devil for the right to be the best musician around.<br />
<br />
Just, in this case, "the devil" was Chrome in a wrestling singlet and luchador mask, attempting to play the baliset from the example shown by German on the last few jumps. Not much money was made, but plenty of talk was heard about the crazy new busker in the startown.<br />
<br />
Another quick jaunt into the salvage arena allowed the crew to come into possession of some components, to include some couplings for capital ship batteries. The passengers were loaded on the <i>Princess Di</i> and off for Jackson they went.<br />
<br />
What We Learned:<br />
In some ways a less productive session, but all of us are starting to get the hang of the Mongoose Traveller economics subrules. We didn't have the Baron for this game, and German's player had to take off for a hockey game, so the players left weren't always the most conducive for some of the operations presented.<br />
<br />
There were some events planned that didn't get triggered that could have been a big deal. The crew doesn't realize how lucky they are sometimes. ;)<br />
</div>Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-52902053118751859672012-08-03T01:10:00.000-04:002012-08-03T01:10:25.240-04:00Mongoose Traveller: Hard Times On The Solomani Rim, Session 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Cast of Characters:<br />
Baron Khoiayahelu (Aslan noble (Imperial rank is much greater than his Aslan standing) whose family's mismanagement of the family holdings has sent him travelling)<br />
"Chrome" (Droyne Sport pilot who has been separated from his kin and finds new families among various merchant ships he works on)<br />
Alex Cross, M.D. (Rough around the edges former technician who became a medical doctor)<br />
Mihai Greenman (Perennial underdog. Former Marine, Arms Dealer, Broker, and Vagabond)<br />
<div>
German Carrick (Incredibly popular baliset player who has been laying low the last couple of years)</div>
<div>
Stanislas Kubik (Very old administrative assistant and steward)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Story So Far:</div>
<div>
While at Bailey, the crew of the <i>Princess Diana</i> were able to help out a soiled dove in distress, fighting off an overzealous fan of her fan dance act.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Session:</div>
<div>
After the brawl at the Sinner's Feast, the crew did a little bit of shopping with their newfound reward. The good Baron wrote some Aslan poetry (which you can read <a href="http://ongoingcampaign.blogspot.com/2012/07/aslan-poetry.html">here</a>) for Tania, a treat she absolutely adored from her burly old noble cat-protector. The rest of the crew did some shopping and got the ship ready for some passengers. The five poor souls who flew low passage were tucked into the stasis tubes and the first three passengers showed up no problem. The last passenger showed up in a decked out luxury grav car and negotiated with the crew to arrange passage for the grav car in return for his steward duties. Thus, Stanislas Kubik became the first employee of the <i>Princess Di</i>. He wowed passengers and crew members alike with his cooking skills as German regaled everyone with his Baliset skills.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After a week in jumpspace, the crew arrived in Mercy. Just as it was being raided by the Solomani. Chrome's deft piloting allowed the <i>Princess Diana</i> to quickly avoid the crossfire as Imperial Missile Fighters pursued the fleeing Solomani Raid Cruisers. Zipping away from the conflict, the Solomani were eventually driven out of the system, with one Raid Cruiser being boarded by marines from the Imperial Fleet Carrier <i>Donovan Trent</i>. The fighters from that carrier took notice of the <i>Princess Di</i> and sent over a squad of marines to make sure that the Far Trader was legitimate. After a routine inspection, the <i>Princess Diana </i>was cleared to land on Mercy.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As the passengers disembarked, three things of note happened. First, one of the low passengers was unable to be revived by the good Dr. Cross. One out of five, while higher than average, is still okay. Second, Stanislas was offered a full time job as ship steward and grav car driver. Third, a passenger named Rhonda Willet approached German with a proposition (just not the kind he got when he was on tour back in the day).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It seemed that a neighbor had been creeping Rhonda out. When the <i>Princess Di</i> jumped into system, she received a message from her landlord noting that this neighbor had been very interested in her return. The fact that he is a convicted sex offender only heightened her anxiety. All she wanted was the crew to check out her apartment ahead of time and make sure he wasn't sitting in the closed with a knife or anything.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Never one to shirk away from chivalry, the Baron accepted the task and the whole party went to investigate. German noticed someone spying on them from nearby--likely the sex offender. Upon inspection, it turned out that someone had been in the house while she was gone. Some ideas of vigilante justice were floated, but cooler head prevailed. The police were called and an investigation was underway.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With a little more money in their pockets, Chrome took the <i>Princess Di </i>to a nearby gas giant to refuel as Mihai negotiated some cargo (a few tons of Magnetite Ore and Prepackaged Ramen Bowls) and passengers (a few low-berth souls desperate to get away from the warzone). At that point we called it a night.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What I learned:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Players can have fun without a single combat.</li>
<li>The subsystems in the game are both numerous very complex and I need to get smarter about them, particularly the trade rules governing everything from freight, passengers, speculative cargo, and now salvage and mining operations.</li>
<li>Prestaging a lot of the trade information, just waiting for the dice rolls was useful. I didn't include all of the information I needed, though, so it was a good learning experience.</li>
<li>We're getting more comfortable with the Mongoose rules. I like them.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-5292918500611370402012-07-31T14:23:00.001-04:002012-07-31T14:23:44.624-04:00More Thoughts On My Cyberpunk Game<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Max Headroom is continuing to blow my mind.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I watched "The Blanks" today and if you're not familiar, the new "Elected Representative" starts rounding up "Blanks," people who literally live off the grid--they don't exist in the government/network computers and they own televisions WITH OFF SWITCHES! In response, the Blanks hack the city's computers, causing a shutdown of television broadcasts, telephones, and even household utilities. Basically, Anonymous--the 1987 sci-fi style.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I watched this show religiously when I was a kid (I was in 6th grade when "The Blanks" aired) and watched the hell out of the original TV-movie. The show predicted many things that I find rather distasteful about modern society. Prescient is the best way I can describe this show.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since watching Max Headroom is what got me on this Cyberpunk game kick, it's only right that what I watch works its way into my game. Both <a href="http://shortymonster.wordpress.com/">shortymonster</a> and <a href="http://adventurousendeavors.blogspot.com/">Phil</a> mentioned Transmetropolitan in the last blog's comments. I, too, am a fan of Warren Ellis's gonzo sci-fi masterpiece. I think it's arguably the best written comic of that turn of the century period. The 90s were a transition time, from the heady optimism of the end of the Cold War to the reality check that was 9/11. Not too many people knew where we were heading, but if you read Transmetropolitan, you see Warren Ellis was one of them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Max Headroom and Transmetropolitan. Two amazing glances into the future that show where we're heading if we don't start taking some control over our lives from elected officials and corporations.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So what does all of this mean for my game?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It means I have a LOT of work to do.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
rainswept mentioned in his comment that Traveller and Max Headroom are chocolate and peanut butter. Yes, they are. While I've been looking at how I can add in cyberpunk elements to my Hard Times on the Solomani Rim game, the Third Imperium isn't a terribly cyberpunk future. That said, I really dig the Mongoose Traveller system. They have a pretty restrictive OGL, but I might be able to work the system. As it stands, I'd need special permission to use the equipment and cybernetics I am gathering from Supplement 4: Central Supply Catalogue and Supplement 8: Cybernetics, unless I'd want to rewrite the whole thing from scratch. I'm not that creative. However, necessity is forcing me into basically creating all of the careers from whole cloth. Here are some other things I've been kicking around:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Reducing the term length from 4 years to 2. Cyberpunk is largely about youth. My current Traveller game has characters with 20-24 years experience. 10-12 is probably where I'd cap it for cyberpunk characters. Let adversaries, contacts, and mentors be appropriate.</li>
<li>I've thought about adding in a Twilight: 2000-esque roll at the end of the term that determines if it's time to stop character generation. I'm thinking of using a mechanism similar to the aging mechanic--after three terms, roll a d6 and subtract the terms you have completed. If you hit zero exactly, you get ONE more term. If you are in negative numbers, you're done. Muster out, bucko.</li>
<li>I've debated adding an event table to roll when you are done with everything, kind of the "what just happened that might have steered you to the freelance world" of the game. Make one for each career, and it'll be more social, giving Allies and Enemies more than skills.</li>
<li>Neuromancer-style netrunning is out. I have never found a way to properly integrate Gibsonian hacking into a game. The attempts made in Cyberpunk and Shadowrun get an A for effort, but are just too clunky to be bolted onto a game that will mostly have non-hackers. Bryce never needed to jack in, so neither will you.</li>
<li>There will be considerable matrices to govern social interaction. Suits and hobo gloves aren't meant to mix. What you wear, how you look, and what you look like you can spend will all have effects.</li>
<li>Transmetropolitan had some gonzo shit in it. My game will too.</li>
<li>My social and political beliefs will have a huge effect on the game world. More than any other game I've run, this will be a reflection of ME. I won't rant or beat you over the head with stuff, since player fun is ultimately the goal of any referee worth a damn, but it will be there.</li>
</ul>
<div>
I have a lot of work to do.</div>
</div>
</div>Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-2070294098740099622012-07-28T01:18:00.000-04:002012-07-28T01:18:18.825-04:00Thoughts on a Cyberpunk Game<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been watching a lot of <i>Max Headroom</i> lately. FUCKING love that show. I would love to see it updated a bit more.<br />
<br />
But more to the point, I want to run a game in it.<br />
<br />
I've been on a Mongoose Traveller kick lately. I'm thinking it's time to get my blowtorch and solder out and see where I can go with this.</div>Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-18952759974032850482012-07-26T00:58:00.003-04:002012-07-26T00:58:53.477-04:00Mongoose Traveller: Hard Times On The Solomani Rim, Session 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Cast of Characters:<br />
Baron Khoiayahelu (Aslan noble (Imperial rank is much greater than his Aslan standing) whose family's mismanagement of the family holdings has sent him travelling)<br />
"Chrome" (Droyne Sport pilot who has been separated from his kin and finds new families among various merchant ships he works on)<br />
Alex Cross, M.D. (Rough around the edges former technician who became a medical doctor)<br />
Mihai Greenman (Perennial underdog. Former Marine, Arms Dealer, Broker, and Vagabond.)<br />
<br />
The Story So Far:<br />
...This is the first session. This *IS* the story so far.<br />
<br />
SESSION ONE: PORT OF CALL: BAILEY<br />
<br />
So the crew of the Far Trader "Princess Di" settled down into the backwater port of Bailey, not far from the fighting between the Solomani Confederation and what is left of the Third Imperium. Upon entering the main concourse of Fenian Station, the Imperial Starport on Bailey, they witnessed the huscarles of Duke Gaius Pol, the Hammers of Sarun, execute the staff and patrons of a brothel who were allegedly disloyal to Emperor Lucan. Shocked, they went to the Sinner's Feast, a local watering hole where they were approached by a smuggler named Xero (who Chrome and Mihai knew of) who offered them a job to sit on some contraband for a few days. The Baron nixed such dishonorable work.<br />
<br />
While Chrome was attempting to secure passengers for a trip to nearby Mercy, the group was approached by Tania Llotman, an exotic dancer who was looking to the players (most notably, the burly one-eyed Aslan) to help her give an over exuberant fan an idea of what's up. Unaware of the concept of the Soiled Dove, Baron Khoiayahelu jumped at the chance to defend this woman's... honor.<br />
<br />
The next day, the gang attempted to track down some cargo to go with their passengers. Unfortunately, most of what was available was too rich for their blood.<br />
<br />
That night, they returned to the Sinner's Feast to fulfill the job they promised to Tania. She set them up at a VIP table while she danced. They realized that Christoph Ghuran was a drunk who didn't appreciate the party spending quality time with his woman. He eventually mustered up enough liquid courage to approach the table. Chrome, using his Droyne ability to not be seen attempted to administer a hypo filled with a sedative to Christoph, but missed. It wasn't quite a good old fashioned Texas-style bar fight, but a fight did ensue, with the Baron grappling and brawling with Christoph, Chrome getting inadvertently involved in a brawl after throwing a drink at Christoph to distract him. Eventually, the Baron took down the drunk. Tania was ecstatic and the party went on all night.<br />
<br />
WHAT I LEARNED:<br />
You can minimize the level of murderhobo in a group by having one noble who has an Aslan sense of honor.<br />
When you're drunk and in a bar fight, it's really insulting to have drink thrown at you by a Droyne.<br />
I need to stage some of the commerce stuff ahead of the dice rolls.<br />
I need a better, more detailed map of the sector for the players.</div>Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-89859827028212667922012-01-16T23:53:00.000-05:002012-01-16T23:53:22.753-05:00Welcome to Northumberland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So, I'm almost done with my Adventurer's Guide to Northumberland, an approximately 64 page guide to the Frankensteined Swords & Wizardry White Box game I'm hoping to run in the near future. Unfortunately, the family I was going to spring it on has dropped off the face of the Earth, leaving me with a neat set of rules to test out and no one to play it with. I've been playing in Joseph Bloch's Adventures Dark & Deep playtest for about a year now, and I'd like to get back into running a game, even if my Lamentations of the Flame Princess game never really seemed to click with myself or the players.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here is the map. The players will begin in hex 1948, in the border village of Camney.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgKVMNfqpw8CDIssmbtKLMqeGjKFJvzlHnwyly8fUhpFH4Y0Iv_pS-rIETcnIIp4dpY87EUWHgUmBe04iSMlLtk5fGHffiTlMp3j52Nq90lhIty0NzXslAkGbIzT2baWGwS2WFVg2Cu0/s1600/Northumberland+Master.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgKVMNfqpw8CDIssmbtKLMqeGjKFJvzlHnwyly8fUhpFH4Y0Iv_pS-rIETcnIIp4dpY87EUWHgUmBe04iSMlLtk5fGHffiTlMp3j52Nq90lhIty0NzXslAkGbIzT2baWGwS2WFVg2Cu0/s400/Northumberland+Master.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div>Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-72152937687328992792011-12-15T16:54:00.000-05:002011-12-15T16:54:22.654-05:00Carcosa: Initial Thoughts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TxtKH9U-juHFMRyqmDpLWJyz6bqQSRjKTiYXML8fyKghT1rB2e9VACZjYXTOWH7dNfedkzNLKzs0mvHnwuoWv8VnyzQoHbykTk_I9egqSb1P1NI2KMRLsZ5nff5JBA-1rpaT7UScJh4/s1600/Carcosa+Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TxtKH9U-juHFMRyqmDpLWJyz6bqQSRjKTiYXML8fyKghT1rB2e9VACZjYXTOWH7dNfedkzNLKzs0mvHnwuoWv8VnyzQoHbykTk_I9egqSb1P1NI2KMRLsZ5nff5JBA-1rpaT7UScJh4/s200/Carcosa+Cover.png" width="151" /></a>I picked up <i><a href="http://www.lotfp.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=145">Carcosa</a></i> from Jim LotFP's <a href="http://www.lotfp.com/store/index.php?route=product/manufacturer&manufacturer_id=11">webstore</a> last night and as I wait for my hard copies of it and Isle of the Unknown to appear, I'm looking through the PDF and I'm thinking:<br />
<br />
<i>Carcosa</i> is Thundarr the Barbarian reimagined by Lovecraft, Moorcock, and R.E. Howard, drawn by the 1970s staff of <i>Heavy Metal</i>, and put to motion by Ralph Bakshi.<br />
<br />
I have absolutely NO idea who I might play this with, but it's certainly intriguing.<br />
<br />
And beautiful. Jim can put together a good looking book, that's for sure.</div>Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-52380570078310000022011-10-08T16:35:00.000-04:002011-10-08T16:35:52.574-04:00Blackmarsh and S&W White Box<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcI-ahM3XpqcJpWpeR8kuuxYPPmUf8hTRLEnIAqyJmE4Lc49rEvCgDs9oKloje2bvx-9cVUo-UPin1FFGHTtiVuLLhyRzhAWxtyajm0Lgq5CsS7gSqRCFJ1g_V0Me2912HQ-QZgsi2-c/s1600/whitebox_cover_small.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcI-ahM3XpqcJpWpeR8kuuxYPPmUf8hTRLEnIAqyJmE4Lc49rEvCgDs9oKloje2bvx-9cVUo-UPin1FFGHTtiVuLLhyRzhAWxtyajm0Lgq5CsS7gSqRCFJ1g_V0Me2912HQ-QZgsi2-c/s1600/whitebox_cover_small.png" /></a>So, I was talking to a local friend of mine who, along with his wife, is an artist about his daughter. I guess she was interested in Dungeons and Dragons and was interested in trying it out. She went to a game sponsored by a local meetup group and didn't get a very warm reception. I'm thinking it was the stereotypical D&D-geek-arrogance that I am all too familiar with, but still shake my head at in sadness. Anyway, it kind of put her off the game. I heard this and gave a quick little spiel to defend the game and explain how some of the less socially adept members of our hobby can be, especially to young, female newcomers. He got it, and I eventually offered to run a game for the three of them and Mrs. Higgipedia (who is also friends with them) will round out the group of four.<br />
<br />
I've been tapering off my game with that same meetup group (mostly because Wednesday nights aren't all that great this semester) and this group looks like it might be a good fit. My wife has played (mostly 2e and a little bit of 4e with some of our other friends), but the rest are going to be blank slates. I am kind of excited to be bringing some people INTO the hobby for the first time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLweYoHID2Cmnfqe-NM1XABO4HXnxg5bN5lsE-FeII6_wa3IJYll1JOaah_8xbF_g0lS_MGKHeEl9CZsTcSxF0KZ2KZimekDIay0RzTyCqbgMiFgGBcgbqanDzZoCroTWS1GtfEbdKJ8/s1600/Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLweYoHID2Cmnfqe-NM1XABO4HXnxg5bN5lsE-FeII6_wa3IJYll1JOaah_8xbF_g0lS_MGKHeEl9CZsTcSxF0KZ2KZimekDIay0RzTyCqbgMiFgGBcgbqanDzZoCroTWS1GtfEbdKJ8/s320/Cover.jpg" width="207" /></a>I gave it some though about what I'd be running. I thought that since both parents are artists and their daughter is a smart 14-year-old girl, something very rules-light would be in order. It also has to be thematically appropriate for a 14-year old. That meant that my two go-to systems, <i>Adventures Dark & Deep </i>and <i>Lamentations of the Flame Princess</i> were out. I looked through my books and decided on <i>Swords & Wizardry White Box</i>. It's as rules-light as it gets and it will give my very creative group of players and I a lot of leeway to tweak stuff without re-writing rules or gaming the system.<br />
<br />
I know from my previous LotFP game that I don't have THAT much time to write for a game right now, so I am using a pre-made setting... Rob Conley's Blackmarsh. I've known Rob since 1993, although I reckon he wouldn't remember me from PRO (although he knew my old roommate at Penn State), and I've been a big fan of his stuff at Bat in the Attic. Blackmarsh was small, simple, and perfect for my needs.<br />
<br />
So, I've been poring over it (as much as you can pore over 24 pages) coming up with notes from the book as written and then looking into what I'm going to do with it in this particular game. I'm excited. I'll try to post game reports this time.</div>Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496970223706705889.post-84825840068766759142011-09-05T15:49:00.000-04:002011-09-05T15:49:08.324-04:00Fall Semester Blues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I'm not really blue that the fall semester is here, it's a good group of classes--Experimental Psychology, Psychological Testing, Abnormal Psychology, and Advanced Linear Statistical Modeling. Can you tell what I want to do after college?<br />
<br />
What is disappointing is that gaming will take a back seat for the next few months. In addition to the classes I'm taking as a student, I'm also an Undergrad Assistant for a Childhood Development Psych class, president of the local chapter of the Student Veterans of America, and I'm going to be fairly active in the Psych Association and two honor societies. The things we do to get into good grad schools...<br />
<br />
I would LOVE to get a regular game going, but I'm just not sure I'll have consistent time to do so. Maybe I'll just read up on all of the City State of the Invincible Overlord and Empire of the Petal Throne stuff I've picked up this summer, bringing me back to the times when D&D was incredibly wondrous, but I never had the money to buy all of the things I saw in the Mail Order Hobby Shop catalog and were out of print by the time I had some bread to throw around.<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Higgipediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15898074416237354260noreply@blogger.com4