Geeks Do It Better #2: Comma-gain

When Is An Orc Not An Orc?

In my last post I outlined that rather than focusing too much on writing up my house rules of late, I had been working on fleshing out a setting. Not just a setting though. To be worth its salt or, weight in words a good setting has to be evocative and new, yet grounded in the familiar.

It's a tall order.

It's important though. I'd even go as far as saying that the setting is more important than the rules, as it's the setting that allows you to bring your character to life. It's your stage on which to roleplay. So this was not a task to be taken lightly.

Okay, maybe that's a bit heavy a tone but, hey, it's important.

So, I had been mulling over a couple of ideas but nothing seemed to have that certain sparkle that I felt the task at hand really called for. That was until by chance a couple of unrelated ideas clicked together to create something, which so far is really working for me. Like all works in progress, it's subject to change but, I'd like to take the opportunity to sight my sources that have led me this far, which would be the Peryton RPG and, Supernatural (the TV series).

In particular it's the chapter concerning races in the Peryton RPG that peaked my interest and their approach. They DON'T tell you what an Elf looks like, in fact they clearly state that they aren't going to tell you that an Elf is willowy and thin, if the Elves in your setting are more childlike in appearance (or much to that effect). The net result is however that my Orc, may not be your Orc. It's still an Orc though, just a different take on the mythos.. Which brings me to my second inspiration, Supernatural.

Supernatural is a great show but, the one thing that always kind of bugged me about the whole set-up for the show was their tendency to screw with the mythos surrounding the bad guy of the week and, how the names of the various angels and demons in the later seasons never really tied up with any of the actual lore surrounding them.

Is that such a bad thing though?

Sure, it still bugs the hell out of me but, reading the Peryton RPG has helped me realise that all the writers were doing was making the familiar fresh again. Which is exactly what I'm setting out to do.

I still fully intend to draft in the Orcs. They'll just be different. Very different. Related to Werewolves and Hellhounds, all woven into being by dark elves for their own twisted reasons. Not that even the dark Elves will be run of the mill. Werewolves will still be very much allergic to silver, but for a very different reason.

A blend of the familiar with the new. Just what I was shooting for.

Now I just need to sit down and write it all up!

Alchemy Bytes #21: Warrior Dice

This awesome little game is one that I have been wanting to post for a while but, through a combination of a lack of time to look for it and, not being 100% sure what it was called, it's taken a while but, I'm sure you'll think it's worth it.

So, for your gaming pleasure, I present you with Warrior Dice from the wonderful folks over at Warpspawn Games.

Not just an awesome freebie but, one that is easily customized and, I love customization! Why not take a look over the system and design a champion of your very own.

Surely I am not the only one thinking Jedi with all this talk of force points. ;0).

Dungeon Masters Series #9: Gothmog

Name: Gothmog.
Kindred: Human.
Type: Wizard.
Level:  2.

Strength:  21
Constitution:  28
Dexterity:  24 (32)
Speed:  10
Intelligence:  28
Wizardry:  12
Luck:  13
Charisma:  12

Combat Adds:  +22 (+30)
Missile Adds:  +34 (+50)

Languages:
Common

Weapon:
None.

Armor:
None.

Other Items:
Cloak of Night (Worn as a robe, +8 DEX whilst worn, 40WU).

Spells:
Dem Bones Gonna Rise (10 WIZ), Catseyes (6 WIZ), Spirit Mastery (8 WIZ).

Talents: 
Commune (WIZ+6): Gothmog may make a LXSR on WIZ to commune with the spirit of anyone who's body he can physically touch and has been dead no more than 1 hour. X is equal to level of the deceased or, it's MR divided by 10. Only one attempt may be made per individual.

Dissect (INT+5): Given the right tools and appropriate time, Gothmog may attempt to dissect a body for "useful parts". A successful dissection requires a SR to be made of an appropriate level (1 for common creatures, 4 for very rare, almost unheard of ones).

DMotivational #28: 1 Part Darkness, 9 Parts Awesome

DMotivational #24: Not Your Daddies Holy Avenger +5

Dungeon Masters Series #5: Boris, Wizard Of Baldor

Name: Boris, Wizard Of Baldor.
Kindred: Gnome.
Type: Wizard (Specialist in "Fire Magic").
Level:  5.

Strength:  4
Constitution:  7
Dexterity:  35
Speed:  15
Intelligence:  50
Wizardry:  23
Luck:  23 (33)
Charisma:  8

Combat Adds:  +32 (+42)
Missile Adds:  +55 (+65)

Languages:
Common, Dwarvish

Weapon:
None.

Armor:
Leather Trousers (1 hit, 40WU).

Other Items:
Lucky Rabbit's Foot (LK+10 whilst carried, 1WU). Knee-high Soft Leather Boots (20WU), Cotton Tunic (1WU).

Spells:
Call Flame (7 WIZ), Blasting Power (9 WIZ), Fire at Will (10 WIZ).

Talents:
At One With the Earth (INT+4): This talent allows Boris to navigate when underground with great ease.

Fire Specialist (INT): Whenever Boris' attributes reach a point that would allow him to cast a fire spell he doesn't already possess, he gains access to that spell. Boris may only learn fire spells.

In Flames (WIZ+5): Boris takes 5 less damage from any fire based attack.

Inner Flame (WIZ+5): When casting fire spells Boris may attempt a L2SR on WIZ. If he is successful, the spells WIZ cost is halved.

Radiation (WIZ): Boris' body radiates great amounts of heat, allowing him to warm the party as a campfire at night and, protecting him from all but the most extreme colds.

DMotivational #5: Let's Hope The One Ring Gives A Good Armor Save!

DMotivational #3: Thou Shalt Not Crit Fail

Thrift Store Finds

I have a reputation amongst my fellow gamers.

I'm lucky. REALLY lucky. Lucky to the point that whenever it comes to contesting dice rolls, someone around the table will remind whoever I am up against that they're rolling against me. As you can imagine, that is quite a reputation to have when it comes to gaming and, without any sense of ego I can say that it is well deserved.

I am lucky. REALLY REALLY lucky and, it doesn't end at the gaming table. I have made some pretty amazing finds in thrift stores over the past few months, so I thought I would take a moment to share a few of them with you, what they're actually worth and the pittance I paid for them.

The first great find this year was Gorkamorka. Not only was this game a limited production run but, the copy I found was for the most part untouched. The orks and what not had been assembled but, the books where virtually unread, the bulkheads that came with the set where still on sprue's and, the vast majority of the card-stock components where unpunched.
Approximate Value: £80ish.
I Paid: £10.

Inside that very same box there was also a sealed blister of metal Blood Bowl Chaos Cheerleaders, circa 1998.
Approximate Value: Hard to say as I have no frame of reference. There isn't even a similar item to be found on E-Bay. I would conservativly say in the ball park of £30 though.
I Paid: Nowt.

My next lucky find was Heroquest. I have wanted a copy of this for years, so there was no way in hell that I was going to leave that sitting on the shelf. Upon picking it off the shelf however I noticed that the box seemed to be bulging at the seams. What ever could be in here? Well there was only one way to find out given that it was all taped up. I bought it (like I said, no way in hell I was going to pass this one up. Especially with a mystery element attached).

When I got it home, JACKPOT! Not only was there a complete copy of Heroquest inside in good condition but, also the better part of three expansions! Sure, they may be missing a couple of miniatures all told and two or three card pieces but this was still an amazing find.
Approximate Value: £130.
I Paid: £4.99.

Only a week ago a thrift store dive uncovered 60 Lord of The Rings Miniatures for the tabletop skirmish game by Games Workshop. The most impressive aspect here for me was that the vast majority of those miniatures where metal and, included a close to complete fellowship.
Approximate Value: £35.
I Paid: £2.50.

Today was no exception to the rule either, turning up as I have Carcassone plus two expansions (one of which is unpunched).
Approximate Value: £20ish.
I Paid: £3.50.

Today also turned up a copy of a nice little abstract strategy game called Queen Bee. A little research has turned up the fact that this appears to be a first printing (by Condor), but little more. Either this little gem is remarkably unpopular or as rare as hens teeth. I suspect it may be the latter, making it an ideal candidate for a write up and review. It's also rules light, abstract strategy. Which is just awesome!
Approximate Value: Not a clue.
I Paid: 99p.

 

 

Links

Blood Bowl Board Game Geek Entry

Carcassonne Board Game Geek Entry

Gorkamorka Board Game Geek Entry

Heroquest Board Game Geek Entry

Lord of The Rings: Tabletop Battle Game Board Game Geek Entry