tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50177978381148820822024-03-13T21:30:14.573-07:00Direbane: An RPG Home Brewed Repository"Here lies many 'said they ate at Denny's"Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-10300370863468779822024-02-16T23:11:00.000-08:002024-03-13T15:07:56.370-07:00Perrin Conventions and Cinematic Death at DunDraCon #47<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-OgPGlgqh9oidU19VsghgNXAjMDXGjbQRhtJikbFY6tRAqGnuwh8jlVw6X04mJd4Mu55OsRj8qwmSna6_2b76pN9oDVHY8VkdSc1aX8oG03c1sI6kCnqe8A-g5D4UpkpjTSYLeadNvwoGRjo96XEgUQsF2ltOnHvWYrB05crXqnwvq0GSynQksyOXE4/s902/GnomeBarbarian2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="796" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-OgPGlgqh9oidU19VsghgNXAjMDXGjbQRhtJikbFY6tRAqGnuwh8jlVw6X04mJd4Mu55OsRj8qwmSna6_2b76pN9oDVHY8VkdSc1aX8oG03c1sI6kCnqe8A-g5D4UpkpjTSYLeadNvwoGRjo96XEgUQsF2ltOnHvWYrB05crXqnwvq0GSynQksyOXE4/w353-h400/GnomeBarbarian2.png" width="353" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(George the Gnome Barbarian.)</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">Mere weeks after D&D turned 50 years old, <a href="https://www.dundracon.com/" target="_blank">DunDraCon 47</a> was held (should have been #49, exception years were DunDraClone in 1981 and the Covid shutdown year 2021), showing the gaming convention's roots with the world's most popular role playing game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Friday night has been <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduin" target="_blank">Arduin</a> night for me at the con. Four of the past five conventions I've run a variety of places in Dave Hargrave's world (Caliban, Green Hell, Talismonde, Dead Watch Mountain). Hargrave eventually had his own rules system published, however, the first three volumes of the <i>Arduin Grimoires</i> from 1977 track very closely to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editions_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons" target="_blank">original D&D's first 3 booklets + supplements I-IV</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My own gaming group from the beginning used Arduin's races, classes, tables, etc. as supplements to our 1st edition AD&D game which in the earliest couple years did not have the benefit of the <i>Dungeon Masters Guide</i> (and this tweaked our version of D&D for decades!). As a particular conceit of my convention games I have been attempting to run the Arduin DunDraCom scenarios from the original Arduin Trilogy rules-as-written (using the <a href="https://empcho.com/product/arduin-grimoire-trilogy-arduin-grimoire-volumes-1-2-3-in-one-volume/" target="_blank">Arduin Trilogy compendium book by Emperor's Choice Games</a>).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, Dave Hargrave in the original trilogy does have a simple no-roll initiative system where combatants basically count down in Dexterity order, with the twist that if a person's dex is twice (or even 3x) their opponent they receive 2 (or 3) extra attacks against them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Historically our gaming group used AD&D's 1-minute rounds and their internal 6-second segments, reducing actions to discrete numbers of segments to get a more cinematic feel for the action i.e. the dragon will breath in 2 segments, what do you do? Now that we are gaming <a href="https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/259986/Advanced-Labyrinth-Lord-Orcus-Cover" target="_blank">Advanced Labyrinth Lord</a>'s B/X-style 10-second melee rounds, it seemed a natural fit segments = seconds, but I hadn't stumbled upon a satisfactory method for assigning what tasks could be done in what time... until now.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had heard about <a href="http://expeditiousadvance.ebongryphon.com/2016/05/toward-history-of-rpg-mechanics-part-11.html" target="_blank"><i>The Perrin Conventions</i> by Steve Perrin</a> of Chaosium and distributed at DunDraCon #1 back in 1976. All I really knew was that they were an early attempt to make D&D combat more in the moment rather than the wargaming-style abstractions where hits and damage were not individual swings, rather they were the abstract results from a period of time (often a minute) of melee.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Steve Perrin and just about all of the early west coast D&Ders were members of the faux-medieval <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_for_Creative_Anachronism">Society for Creative Anachronism</a> formed out of UC Berkeley in 1966. Their experience with combat within society events didn't sit right with the OD&D rules, so Perrin endeavored to create more realistic rules in his conventions. Perrin finally published <i>The Perrin Conventions</i> in <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_the_Worlds%27_Monsters" target="_blank">All the World's Monsters</a>, Volume 2</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Low and behold, I happened to be looking through a copy of <i>All the World's Monsters, Volume 2</i> for the <i><a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/51784/pirates-hagrost" target="_blank">Pirates of Hagrost</a></i> game I am running, and right in the first sentence" "SEQUENCE OF PLAY - Melee Round, In a melee round, (<b><u>which takes up 10 seconds</u></b>)" (emphasis added) These conventions are for 10 seconds rounds, same as we are using in Labyrinth Lord.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I worked up a version for our campaign that uses still the d6 initiative roll and also my interpretation of speed factor and incorporated the conventions into our supplement for Advanced Labyrinth Lord, <i><a href="https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/318772/New-Knights-of-the-All-Mind" target="_blank">New Knights of the All Mind</a></i>, and play tested the rules at my Friday night Arduin game at DunDraCon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had for the first time had a light turnout for the Arduin game, we had only 4 players when previously I had to turn a couple folks away each time. I had each player run 2 characters a piece and we had a blast.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Down at the final battle against the Hell Dragon when he was due to breath napalm breath all across the party, George the Gnome leapt on the dragon's back plunging in a 2-handed sword to divert the dragon's attention. As the dragon flew back down to dive into the magma lake and prepare another attack, our Star Powered metamorphized puma mage managed to read a scroll of part water (5 seconds) to expose only barren rock for the dragon to face-plant upon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Alas, with 4 seconds to try and save George, there was nothing available to be done and, along with the dragon, George was smashed. (The dragon however had 6 hit points left and did return for a final blow...)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The cinematics of the scene were terrific, and with everyone running 2 characters each that they weren't too attached with, losing a character didn't mean you were out of the game. Great fun.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p></p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-81373260289429642192024-01-26T00:01:00.000-08:002024-01-26T00:30:59.796-08:00Happy 50th Birthday Dungeons and Dragons!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZEz1wiEDmec_i48O4hZmLZ2xnI41jRbz57yQZqGt8O6gOblBAO3ENWxWy0xQR8Su9lPoE9iQIuQcvQkYq5T0nA1nEyYwfT0CJjpS9Q2RabrR32x_vbQMfozY3KrolR2VfKZV5JcMmYxWBRf1KFp3W5mQCAERpLX0PJyugNSD6d5J7L_L9CajpJt2p4E/s1190/OriginalD&D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="1190" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZEz1wiEDmec_i48O4hZmLZ2xnI41jRbz57yQZqGt8O6gOblBAO3ENWxWy0xQR8Su9lPoE9iQIuQcvQkYq5T0nA1nEyYwfT0CJjpS9Q2RabrR32x_vbQMfozY3KrolR2VfKZV5JcMmYxWBRf1KFp3W5mQCAERpLX0PJyugNSD6d5J7L_L9CajpJt2p4E/w400-h213/OriginalD&D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://playingattheworld.blogspot.com/2013/12/when-dungeons-dragons-turns-40.html" target="_blank">Per D&D Historian Jon Peterson</a>, D&D was first released in late January 1974, so Jon picked Sunday, January 26, 1974. The day of the week Gary Gygax invited folks out to his home in Lake Geneva demonstrating the new game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(I began playing about 4 years later, the last week of December 1977, after Dr. John PhD received the Holmes Basic Set as a Birthmas gift.)</div><p></p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-60240166758634544092024-01-10T23:11:00.000-08:002024-01-11T19:54:04.067-08:00Iconic RPG Author and Artist Jennell Jaquays Passed On Today<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetlQc4Z7yvO0shItmRwMrYvs2RuzYrXvBEWPItfEXV-UHa2u35NOU4y-_9WS7jfktdZvKj84ujeOdcr8L9Gc2FXcsNAL2TMkt79yESCGCNEoaMJaPG6V1LklQpIpogtarPDv1TRqY-2DR6C79knG4N0gq1YjS4sE4WYcSBxD2ytvcV6iPQ96feER-ZeA/s820/jennell-jaquays-8ce2b895-7264-4a03-b546-408acf51b14-resize-750.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetlQc4Z7yvO0shItmRwMrYvs2RuzYrXvBEWPItfEXV-UHa2u35NOU4y-_9WS7jfktdZvKj84ujeOdcr8L9Gc2FXcsNAL2TMkt79yESCGCNEoaMJaPG6V1LklQpIpogtarPDv1TRqY-2DR6C79knG4N0gq1YjS4sE4WYcSBxD2ytvcV6iPQ96feER-ZeA/w313-h400/jennell-jaquays-8ce2b895-7264-4a03-b546-408acf51b14-resize-750.webp" width="313" /></a></div> <br /> Jennell Jaquays left us today. She wrote many Judges Guild scenarios for D&D that were used several times over during my early gaming, most notably <i>Dark Tower</i>. Ha, I played a lot of paladins and always braved the tower for its Mitraic artifacts.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Later on I ran <i>The Lost Tower</i> for my ver. 3.5 Wilderlands campaign back in the ought's, converted <i>Borshak's Lair</i> for Empire of the Petal Throne, and used <i>The Crypts of Arcadia</i> as the underlying framework for a dungeon set in Arduin beneath the capital city of Talismonde.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In 2017 I was adapting <i>Night of the Walking Wet</i> to 5th edition rules when I read a post by Zak Smith that D&D was too male dominated, and a good exercise was to take that idea for a dungeon module you created and reverse all the genders, so kings become queens, dukes duchesses, lords ladies, and so on. Which is really interesting when for example an evil butchering baron who runs a keep is the evil baroness butcher.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was working on that and having a great deal of fun, when I realized "woh" this could be seen as something mocking Jennell. I hold Jennell in such high esteem that, although probably she would never hear of my <i>Walking Wet</i> conversion, I wouldn't want to even throw that out in the world that this was some sort of personal satire about Jennell. So I searched for her contact information, discovering a contact form at one of her production companies, and wrote Jennell about my predicament. Offering just to scrap the whole project if she thought it was bad form.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jennell wrote back:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Hi Matt.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Thank you for the letter. No worries about cheap stunts, etc. I jumped across the stream six years ago already. I'm surprised these days if someone HASN'T heard about it. And to answer the question that many ask, "Yes, I'm a LOT happier now."</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>I'll try to give your version of The Walking Wet a look over sometime soon. I ran a Swords & Wizardry version of it (with many modifications) two years ago in Texas and am currently doing a complete overhaul and expansion of it for one of my own projects. I set the events of my original adventure in the past of the one I'm working on. Lots of map expansions and revisions, new world content, some new monsters, and more. My current working draft is about 80 pages, typeset. I'm doing the same with another adventure Morkendaine Manor, that I wrote for issue 9 of the Dungeoneer as well. Unsurprisingly, a lot of my characters are female and unashamedly LGBT as well. </div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> I currently have four different RPG adventure projects in the work and really need to finish one of them (I did, earlier this year, something called The Dragon's Secret for a fund raiser).</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div> Anyway, I hope the convention run goes well.</div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Folks that work in this niche hobby of ours are gracious as all get-out. I can think of only 1 single author of adventures I've enjoyed over the years who did not respond to a question or comment about their work. (Ha, and that query was really about obtaining something super rare that had been taken out of production.)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This particular response, however simple to Jennell, was poignant to me and stretched me back 3 1/2 decades to my 16-year-old self.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you Jennell, you are missed. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If folks want to help out Jennell's wife, there is a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jennell-jaquays-has-a-long-road-back" target="_blank">Go-Fund-Me page</a> that was to help with refitting Jennell's home to help with her disability. This will now go to pay down medical bills and cover funeral expenses. đą</div><p style="text-align: left;"></p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-65945211704946549752023-12-14T23:11:00.000-08:002023-12-15T02:34:16.284-08:00The Dragon's Throat Submitted for DunDraCon <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ahKa_YJdnNTGjtRw7PMXSMfbCCAs5sOSsDkb3Dl9UuXe_iKMoM2Pe2ZOZSNZ2C54hd4X7D8X3MAXglsnzPEqUsI1T5YVnj-0_-iPpw92yRpCzGmzXqU66deoCLSqOjFqDQfx1YVZTN4eTmX2Z7xSJtDxfPX91mcCbHbsEUpIJpFDT_Bu3F2DiaVwLTo/s1024/Dead%20Watch%20Mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ahKa_YJdnNTGjtRw7PMXSMfbCCAs5sOSsDkb3Dl9UuXe_iKMoM2Pe2ZOZSNZ2C54hd4X7D8X3MAXglsnzPEqUsI1T5YVnj-0_-iPpw92yRpCzGmzXqU66deoCLSqOjFqDQfx1YVZTN4eTmX2Z7xSJtDxfPX91mcCbHbsEUpIJpFDT_Bu3F2DiaVwLTo/w400-h400/Dead%20Watch%20Mountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I submitted my entry for this year's <a href="https://www.dundracon.com/" target="_blank">DunDraCon</a>, those of you out here on the left-coast should check this con out. Located at the Santa Clara, CA Marriott Hotel the Friday through Monday of Presidents Day weekend February 16-19, 2024.</p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-35233573208944734122023-10-23T23:11:00.002-07:002023-10-24T03:24:30.757-07:00Fundraiser for Jennell Jaquays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy37ZTY2bdWieIV3try0xw_5p2yiTE2FULd1WDqAsyRyU081ffWKUmmR6IignMpgZo8X4A5CK6WcrQTmO5QaUhBx9qabaq2faasUKm1jFXHh9C0xwe_1JzFJi8Uh80Y4JsK7ZmvXcKzMQrhMW4481DXLlkgsabi-v49ju72jJP7ewe-2WGKl2dZ3-3cGM/s759/Jennell.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="759" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy37ZTY2bdWieIV3try0xw_5p2yiTE2FULd1WDqAsyRyU081ffWKUmmR6IignMpgZo8X4A5CK6WcrQTmO5QaUhBx9qabaq2faasUKm1jFXHh9C0xwe_1JzFJi8Uh80Y4JsK7ZmvXcKzMQrhMW4481DXLlkgsabi-v49ju72jJP7ewe-2WGKl2dZ3-3cGM/s320/Jennell.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Sad news about the health of Jennell Jaquays. Jennell's is a well known name to most old school gamers, a highly influential game designer and artist of the industry since the early days. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jennell-jaquays-has-a-long-road-back" target="_blank">The fund raiser organized by Jennell's wife is here.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Rebecca Heineman on GoFundMe wrote:</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jennell Jaquays has a long road back</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Iâm fundraising to help offset what is going to be heavy medical costs for Jennellâs treatment and recuperation from Guillain-BarrĂ© syndrome. On Sunday evening on October 15th, she fell ill and with 36 hours she was barely alive and hooked up to a respirator. After numerous X-rays, cat scans and blood work finding nothing, they determined she is suffering from a neurological disease.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">She is responding to the blood treatments and has started regaining motion in her hands and feet, she is looking at a minimum of 2 weeks (more like 4) in the hospital and six to twelve months of rehabilitation.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">We are still reeling from the suddenness of this and the mountain of bills that will be forthcoming.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">If youâre a fan of her work, a friend, or just someone who wishes to help us out in our hour of need, please help us</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">At the minimum, keep Jennell in your thoughts and send good vibes for a speedy recovery.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Rebecca Heineman and Jennell Jaquays</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jennell, creator of The Dark Tower and Caverns of Thracia</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDMk1PcS4CoXnUxjqdAiJ72gyjUYjt8fBCL0LtK5-Vfoqzm0lIAyL_tX1XGjAWVyqsj2T2gY0e9CNk8N5TyyGgBb642o8wm4Uv6vjdjBOqhe4L5XMpM23KJ6RB3nV8-nWFiB3lrOOmhV9kkRp8w9CRz2_mnsgB1K8KRyxnlnfpQroKiHWIjLdxuY8zUk/s1648/DarkTower.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1648" data-original-width="1242" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDMk1PcS4CoXnUxjqdAiJ72gyjUYjt8fBCL0LtK5-Vfoqzm0lIAyL_tX1XGjAWVyqsj2T2gY0e9CNk8N5TyyGgBb642o8wm4Uv6vjdjBOqhe4L5XMpM23KJ6RB3nV8-nWFiB3lrOOmhV9kkRp8w9CRz2_mnsgB1K8KRyxnlnfpQroKiHWIjLdxuY8zUk/s320/DarkTower.jpg" width="241" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhSXf7AYmDmUwGAAHzTt2TVfn-R7H7PYaqGktVjnJ1o0lZP-zbdeB3ydBmwXpiKIe7-9QPt21lQ8L51MvGGTyOLRAYeyT25ID_RzGAOjZ2DXcVTv5fHwrTj0pmjAp64sWa0OlaIvZxAS8wCXIbLHQLcZiThB5yPXnlrSLunqcxVZT9lum6hpjYD-xKko/s1000/CavernsofThracia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhSXf7AYmDmUwGAAHzTt2TVfn-R7H7PYaqGktVjnJ1o0lZP-zbdeB3ydBmwXpiKIe7-9QPt21lQ8L51MvGGTyOLRAYeyT25ID_RzGAOjZ2DXcVTv5fHwrTj0pmjAp64sWa0OlaIvZxAS8wCXIbLHQLcZiThB5yPXnlrSLunqcxVZT9lum6hpjYD-xKko/s320/CavernsofThracia.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div></div>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-60894406194139986292023-10-22T23:11:00.003-07:002023-10-23T10:31:35.601-07:00Engine Consummate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLjD7biRfIY5ENQiuK_IcKvfpk8KTltBgzX-KegeJZrkfUzc84j2P2J72feouT9KDzwEjgNoi9YPEvyNVE2qQP2NraxXsOrad8xFyaUv2DdIBwpLGv1kPCL6WzmSZvae5tCpDFHLMIwcI6WOfjwZRQt9KLqhzD8PXn3W0jyDyeoKclUqNsNb6rMzYtf8/s1024/OIG%20(6).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLjD7biRfIY5ENQiuK_IcKvfpk8KTltBgzX-KegeJZrkfUzc84j2P2J72feouT9KDzwEjgNoi9YPEvyNVE2qQP2NraxXsOrad8xFyaUv2DdIBwpLGv1kPCL6WzmSZvae5tCpDFHLMIwcI6WOfjwZRQt9KLqhzD8PXn3W0jyDyeoKclUqNsNb6rMzYtf8/w400-h400/OIG%20(6).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">So I am hacking the dĂ©nouement in <i><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17354/Dawn-of-the-Overmind-2e" target="_blank">Dawn of the Overmind</a></i>, from the illithid Monstrous Arcana adventure trilogy. When the PCs in my game reach the Overmind the Multiverse will have collapsed and the stars winked out of existence.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://www.greyhawkonline.com/grodog/erkme04.pdf" target="_blank">Tharzadu'un</a>ian Markabs - elder abyssal creatures who now gnaw their way through Empire starclusters - are only messengers of the great doom. What goads them onward at this time, 20,000 years from when our earliest adventuring parties explored the Wilderlands, is the fear of impending annihilation. Looming behind the Markabs is an expanding, starless rift in the Space/Time fabric grown so large that it consumes Past, Present, and Future. Time has run out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ha, I have options for the PCs (once hopefully at least some of them survive the Gyth invasion of Penumbra where Mind Flayers gather to board the Overmind). An old character last heard walking <a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/rafael-chandler/narcosa-softcover/paperback/product-15gmd47w.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">Narcosa</a> remains attuned with the <i><a href="http://melkot.com/arcane/codex.html" target="_blank">Codex of the Infinite Planes</a></i> although presently he's stuck inside the Monolith Beyond Space and Time.</div><div><br /></div><div>My D&D campaign (har because really they are all just one campaign in the Multiverse, thanks <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduin" target="_blank">Arduin</a>!) in earth-time probably got going in late 1978 or early 1979, when D&D was still marketed as an "<a href="https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/dungeons-dragons-original-adult-2021115025" target="_blank">Adult Fantasy Role-Playing Game</a>," and there was something for me like a here I am on the left coast conceit that everything should fit together, <i><a href="https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/42-h2g2-meaning-of-life-The-Hitchhikers-Guide-to-the-Galaxy" target="_blank">Everything</a>...</i>!</div><div><br /></div><div>And that's what I've endeavored to do over 40-some-odd years of running games, with characters spanning 50,000 years of existence from the earliest time a PC appeared in the time-line up to the current adventurers. (NO, ha I did not ref 50,000 years. We bounce around a lot.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Presently in our real-life meatspace the <i>Beforetimes</i> are bumping up against the new weird and it has seriously fucked with our gaming group. </div><div><br /></div><div>When we began these current iterations we played semi-regular in-person games pretty much centered around San Francisco Bay as everyone had pretty much dispersed anywhere from 40 to a couple hundred miles around there. With the pandemic all of a sudden we are 100% online and what was once a gathering of the tribe became sort of like a D&D Zoom meeting. It hadn't helped because we were rotating refs on a regular schedule, so getting vested in an ongoing thematic arc was nigh impossible. </div><div><br /></div><div>With Covid restrictions having lifted, we have basically three camps: Only D&D in-person, Only D&D online (due to convenience, travel costs), and the hybrid D&Ders like myself (we enjoy the convenience of an online game but still prefer that roll of dice in the presence of friends).</div><div><br /></div><div>Thus I'm postponing my session until <a href="https://www.dundracon.com/" target="_blank">DunDraCon 47</a> (Saturday February 17, 2024 7pm probably in the Open Gaming Room) to blow up the whole campaign setting to smithereens. Ha, THESE tentacle-faces are NOT going to make it back to re-enslave the Giths (really, the Giths are actually going to screw that up, or fix things from their perspective).</div><div><br /></div><div>I've weighed running a PC versus refereeing a game and for now I just want a new campaign to run, a separate online (or primarily online) campaign to run as a straight DM i.e. not rotating and start with new characters. I think I can get most of our group to attend regular monthly online sessions. Basically I use 99% Discord voice and images with maybe a smidgen here and there of Roll20 where folks really desire a map (I am totally fine doing Theatre of the Mind crap so really the Roll20 is because players don't map much any more).</div><div><div><br /></div><div>On the other in-person campaign we might remain to some sort of referee rotation, perhaps even continuing the same characters if somehow they survive, but we'll have nail down who wants to ref and who doesn't. Probably 5 out of our 8 regulars ref our games now. But this campaign would be less frequent, perhaps 4 times a year. Though even with the reduced number a couple of our really fun players won't (Sick Rick) or can't (Ikbard) travel. That kind of takes the vintage punch out of gathering in-person, but we'll lose 2 players who <u>only</u> will in-person (Sumerled and Random Addison).</div><div><br /></div><div>My best idea, and it really depends if others still want to ref or run PCs, would be to run the online game monthly for 11 months of the year and meet in person at DunDraCon every February.</div><div><br /></div><div>The gnarly reality is that I probably only have 1-3 decade long campaigns left (our average party runs about 12 years and in 36 years I'll be 95!). And there's several settings I'm vested in (although of course they'll be hacked into the ever-existing campaign). I just have to face the bloody reality of an aging group, dispersed to the winds, and utilize the modern tools to make a game fun and intense online.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ha, at least we aren't still using speaker phones or Online Gametable chat games. (And maybe, just maybe I'll run a discrete original Wilderlands campaign for Sumerled and Addison, just because they're both local...)</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-79743956694846079192023-08-02T23:11:00.096-07:002023-08-03T06:34:41.003-07:00Pig Faced Ork Con 2023!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYL0-8yE5puIu0bY42wsqcw6gvjO1U5uqwq5toiFU7_6LQrNeZeYZBiNQa07GU_1va6eW1NvtnmY7PlItZSew7OerTCwgJvHvmctPJ5znFwWVbaItidTlAmZHuAVJsodr9zO6Qi7xTwzu0r5LvXbRLkdvwWVDWtgbKzrCxbrC43A2Vwn98cmlHL-wPJ90/s1477/2023%20Pig%20Face%20Color%2011x17%20Poster%20-%20WWLibrary%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYL0-8yE5puIu0bY42wsqcw6gvjO1U5uqwq5toiFU7_6LQrNeZeYZBiNQa07GU_1va6eW1NvtnmY7PlItZSew7OerTCwgJvHvmctPJ5znFwWVbaItidTlAmZHuAVJsodr9zO6Qi7xTwzu0r5LvXbRLkdvwWVDWtgbKzrCxbrC43A2Vwn98cmlHL-wPJ90/w416-h640/2023%20Pig%20Face%20Color%2011x17%20Poster%20-%20WWLibrary%20copy.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you are down in So-Cal I highly recommend the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Pig Faced Ork Old School Role Playing Game Convention </i>set for <b>Saturday October 21, 2023</b>.<i> </i>This Fresno, CA area convention is a one-day gig in its 4th year and put on almost single-handedly by organizer and artist Tom Wendt. Tom dedicates this convention to introducing new players and sharing with the old ones original versions of classic table-top role playing games from the 70s and 80s.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The convention moves back to the Clovis Veterans Memorial District halls from the Fresno Woodward Park Public Library where it had been held in 2021 and 2022 (following a Covid hiatus in 2020).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had a blast last year running an original-trilogy Arduin Grimoire ruled scenario based around "Sunken Ardwyr" with a kidnapped prince, stolen technology, thrall imposters, and outer-space aliens!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The convention is free (donations accepted) and Tom has in the past supplied doughnuts, pizza lunch, cupcakes, water, and a plethora of old-school raffle prizes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tom also personally creates evocative art for each game system to be ran. If you are interested in running a game or more info, you can contact Tom here: pigfacedorkosrpgcon@hotmail.com</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__hk72Myq6ym4fWG-A_or6q7JgvCSK2GMitf1OWYNX1PgvuGfQ60J4vdbs_rEvxbrvuJA_bCbTMQ7Nx7V0PpOMLhlHHk5UKld2cQmCzfrza_mVesDWzN-1MLiOZxTEdjU7wd00nWcG-qFIDHVc0ob3rN0fL9qqihcay7U0iypFD5uycr4cgRgg73TwxE/s4080/PXL_20221001_161235413.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__hk72Myq6ym4fWG-A_or6q7JgvCSK2GMitf1OWYNX1PgvuGfQ60J4vdbs_rEvxbrvuJA_bCbTMQ7Nx7V0PpOMLhlHHk5UKld2cQmCzfrza_mVesDWzN-1MLiOZxTEdjU7wd00nWcG-qFIDHVc0ob3rN0fL9qqihcay7U0iypFD5uycr4cgRgg73TwxE/w400-h301/PXL_20221001_161235413.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Kill Kitten Art Tom drew for my Arduin game)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-8729487445643108962023-06-24T23:11:00.000-07:002023-06-25T22:08:52.434-07:00New Arduin Companion Ref Screen - Size Matters<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnfYu75xuULIZcKbSO9B9FiqFYDLcj7pZEo_WZdHRZhdc9leaHsu55_XclTxWtZyffgbgjk0mSZ3QPTtkHmOdOr5ZIpj7-26uFnw-b4AvzzZgAOIejM0TbecCwv2uJ9skv-toPAmmHzQ7wi1izQyKdVYSbHhMyZKdJdrMpfdZwR0Mjs_s1tm_oE32Jdc/s4080/PXL_20230626_034714755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnfYu75xuULIZcKbSO9B9FiqFYDLcj7pZEo_WZdHRZhdc9leaHsu55_XclTxWtZyffgbgjk0mSZ3QPTtkHmOdOr5ZIpj7-26uFnw-b4AvzzZgAOIejM0TbecCwv2uJ9skv-toPAmmHzQ7wi1izQyKdVYSbHhMyZKdJdrMpfdZwR0Mjs_s1tm_oE32Jdc/w400-h301/PXL_20230626_034714755.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaSGI0YbFjAbUyPQSRlpENc8ZFso-Bm0qC9pAq5K77N0JT3V8BgBDAHPRAlLVHascUqmkY0JuzB78xMm9dsuDoREv7T-GNXfcEfi61CFWegVqm6Vinht3xTTl_UGAlQPA-7hqxCqfih623uF7Nm1lVUy7cpg1Km5Bgi9hApo84D6nNg9LFGqk_1C5pLA/s4080/PXL_20230626_034551587.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaSGI0YbFjAbUyPQSRlpENc8ZFso-Bm0qC9pAq5K77N0JT3V8BgBDAHPRAlLVHascUqmkY0JuzB78xMm9dsuDoREv7T-GNXfcEfi61CFWegVqm6Vinht3xTTl_UGAlQPA-7hqxCqfih623uF7Nm1lVUy7cpg1Km5Bgi9hApo84D6nNg9LFGqk_1C5pLA/w400-h301/PXL_20230626_034551587.MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">So some of you may remember the OD&D <i>Supplement I</i>, <i>Greyhawk</i> (ported into 1st edition) size small/medium and large damage charts for weapons. Often a weapon would do less damage or sometimes more damage depending on the size of the target creature.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, Dave Hargrave decided there should be more of that and developed his weapon damage tables versus creature size in hit dice ranging from 1/2 a hit die or less up to 30+1 hit dice or more with <b>TWELVE COLUMNS</b> of variable damage by weapon type.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I coupled this information into a reference screen along with the weapon attack adjustment charts by armor class (another OD&D Supplement I/1st edition adjustment where certain weapons had better or worse capabilities to hit various armor types).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A Dave Hargrave original table I included has weapon breakage charts when weapons (even magical ones) strike very dense material such as stone golems or dragons. Which, heh, since the table is there anyway has piqued my thoughts about what sort of Arduin scenario I should run next con game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In 1988 I wrote up a completely non-canonical "Dragonâs Throat" in Dead Watch Mountain, listed in Arduin's Recorded Areas of Treasure and Doom as "a known dragon abode." I used mostly Arduin critters on encounters, except all the dragons are just regular D&D <i>Monster Manual</i> dragons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think if I remedied that with Hargrave's Arduin dragon types I just might have something suitable for gaming. Ha, except the "Dragon's Throat" is sort of Tolkien <i>Hobbit</i>-derived from the secret passage entrance to Smaug's lair. Another thing I'll need to tidy...</div><p></p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-24118519178382894362023-02-12T23:11:00.008-08:002023-02-13T10:40:18.096-08:00Arduin at DunDraCon!<div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2Qp4UsrpBYC-6inZEAarzhPQBRHgfUVDO-9H7yXXJx39mWXPXF83EyJf-BXonNvCCfvaTg_RH5mf6PThfU4DvIJ--6Dm51TXWjz0oBocAUYVDAJyCWAN-8dAjAWZnrcx7biIpateWsJf2G_erw6S5oMKem0P8kyi9-ZHCM27x6U3-9hTs0K4PLRm/s921/TalismondeStreet.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="652" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2Qp4UsrpBYC-6inZEAarzhPQBRHgfUVDO-9H7yXXJx39mWXPXF83EyJf-BXonNvCCfvaTg_RH5mf6PThfU4DvIJ--6Dm51TXWjz0oBocAUYVDAJyCWAN-8dAjAWZnrcx7biIpateWsJf2G_erw6S5oMKem0P8kyi9-ZHCM27x6U3-9hTs0K4PLRm/w454-h640/TalismondeStreet.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Talismonde's Old Quarter looking east to Elric's Keep)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am getting things ready for <a href="http://www.dundracon.com/" target="_blank">DunDraCon #46</a> running an Arduin version of "The Crypts of Arcadia" from Judges Guild <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_Treasure_Maps" target="_blank">The Book of Treasure Maps</a></i> (1979) by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennell_Jaquays" target="_blank">Jennell Jaquays</a>. The scenario runs with both random and some set encounters. I'm substituting in similish Arduin critters and little sci-fi twists.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The scenario will take place in Talismonde, Arduin's capital city. And I am super stoked with how my city map came out, just to get a grip of how the different sections of the city might be laid out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBzriskLarpzrOFlpSb37eP3FWFYpnlZAIdfBi-B0O0fie47hojMeGnfUhVg2NlK9YFr9jicVrygLMDj-INXkGzTo-4L6_WpaC7UXwBT9mB092Pd-5YrcSHAAQBvffSJmATQ7ryZ7YYuXybb9ddINMRy8hiyDVIRj0Ppchx2ErDr7-SQyPtyUelcf/s894/Talismonde.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="894" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBzriskLarpzrOFlpSb37eP3FWFYpnlZAIdfBi-B0O0fie47hojMeGnfUhVg2NlK9YFr9jicVrygLMDj-INXkGzTo-4L6_WpaC7UXwBT9mB092Pd-5YrcSHAAQBvffSJmATQ7ryZ7YYuXybb9ddINMRy8hiyDVIRj0Ppchx2ErDr7-SQyPtyUelcf/w400-h300/Talismonde.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There is more about the creation of a Talismonde map I'll have to post on later, right now it's plenty enough to broaden the sandbox as much as might be necessary. I learned running an <a href="https://index.rpg.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=67&editionid=80" target="_blank">Empire of the Petal Throne</a> scenario years back, given a convention game's limited time letting the players roam is fine if they're having fun. (So <a href="https://youtu.be/QFpNvYMw7Ts" target="_blank">dooo it</a>.)<div><br /></div><div><div>107 Talismonde Heist</div><div>Friday 6 PM in 146 for 8 hours</div><div>GM: Matt Morrison</div><div>Type: RPG</div><div>System: Arduin Grimoire</div><div>Edition: Original Trilogy</div><div>Players: 6</div><div>Provided: All characters provided by GM</div><div>Power Level: 5th-6th</div><div>Variations: Similar to and supplemented with OD&D and AD&D 1st Ed</div><div>Rules Knowledge: Useful</div><div>Game Content: Mainstream</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-68589437622380660192023-01-14T23:11:00.001-08:002023-01-15T02:55:08.545-08:00Hasbro, Please Take No Action Regarding the Open Gaming License v1â.â0a<div style="text-align: left;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNEHcEjd4Tdz3T5-6yUxbEYfsLSYJ4BFUj0Aqs_4NaXZIXCtJ8tPgVsJkGJEAqJ2S8RX9-tC6ooZMXnu3W1iTqyqmxR6hEDsoT6Trq7VsDf3meBb2i_H8dFBqQvj1T3R-bQAYdqdT2hsVYcEX9qEfPtLdOvpdMgHOLYe1SMGDrrynL3GvRa3uDpQ1/w320-h213/SupportOGL.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The community has organized to fight changes to the Open Gaming License. One of those points of organization is a change.org petition drafted by Ryan Dancey (you can read <a href="https://rsdancey.medium.com/22-years-ago-i-saved-d-d-today-i-want-to-save-the-open-gaming-license-77e79eaddfb2" target="_blank">Ryan's article on the OGL here</a>). <a href="https://www.change.org/p/hasbro-please-take-no-action-regarding-the-open-gaming-license-v1-0a" target="_blank">Please sign the petition here</a>.</div>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-84024508838839009592022-12-27T23:11:00.087-08:002022-12-28T15:29:19.224-08:00Talismonde Heist<p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQVHve4LiVGQ1Wf1_J_pFflcew_iajBYROYUJd5i2WVVH7XjQFTrfyjVyXvZJTXk-CdWDPL_WDt3Z5SeGQxazT0h1hMpDd0KnPV8U30aWToheotRZm5vQ2V8unPzLHzz88hhkhDq9dtgFj5rthQ7fPgw4Rwd3CAC8BJRg4tNMy8BEtDDKg_rpfXSW/s1121/DDCListing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="1121" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQVHve4LiVGQ1Wf1_J_pFflcew_iajBYROYUJd5i2WVVH7XjQFTrfyjVyXvZJTXk-CdWDPL_WDt3Z5SeGQxazT0h1hMpDd0KnPV8U30aWToheotRZm5vQ2V8unPzLHzz88hhkhDq9dtgFj5rthQ7fPgw4Rwd3CAC8BJRg4tNMy8BEtDDKg_rpfXSW/w400-h156/DDCListing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Hopefully on the evening of Friday February 17, 2023)</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div><br /></div><div>"Notes from a clergymanâs journal, hidden vaults of Elven treasure, and an ill-fated excavation to burned-out depths of Talismondeâs undercity was a story told for years (after a few drinks) by the old man now dying of a bloody, hacking cough at an alley in the waterfront district of Arduinâs capital. But wasnât there word of a hidden map?"</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>A loose collection of ne'er-do-wells stumble upon the treasure map of an old, dying thief and dare the rotting underside beneath the first true city in Arduin.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is my entry for <a href="https://www.dundracon.com/" target="_blank">DunDraCon</a> #26, about a half-century-old gaming convention out here on the left coast. I typically run a convention game Friday evening and then our regular gaming group runs Saturday night in Open Gaming.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am coming off a pretty successful swampy-adventure Arduin game down in Fresno at Pig Faced Ork Con last October which followed a fun Green Hell jungle event at DunDraCon #45 last February 2022.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyone who has played D&D, in particular OD&D and 1st edition AD&D, will recognize the original trilogy Arduin rules as being very similar. Each game I have been a little better at throwing in more of the Arduin subtleties (for example Arduin's mana point magic system) which has been a lot of fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>I should learn by mid-January or so if my game is able to be fit into DunDraCon's schedule and am keeping my finder's crossed.</div><div><br /></div><div>***Arduin is a fictional universe and role-playing system created by David A. Hargrave. âThe Arduin Grimoireâ was self-published by Hargrave in 1977 and also two follow-up books in 1978, âWelcome to Skull Towerâ and âThe Runes Of Doom.â The three books became known as âThe Arduin Trilogy.â</div><div><br /></div><div>The original Arduin books added many interesting and notable features to fantasy role playing and were often treated by players as supplements to Dungeons & Dragons.</div><p></p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-31877020545597799942022-12-19T23:11:00.001-08:002022-12-20T10:39:27.644-08:00Bejesus, Satanis...<div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxNvgsDtT1T6i2cPs7fJRB3W_QLexjqwgd5P5jUDft5vifHppTVwWEjF4jze_lhvm6ejdJccsztlSV-ReGIdjSdR_CDyIWYFcRIeAbXBmDMCqE6kSIbxJDRDOzGSqlO0Gfsw3Q0G8bS1FDXaWXGcHCZtoo611OcDYeMKfhiNmFfOvmS92A-Fc1cXK/s4080/PXL_20221220_180812922.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxNvgsDtT1T6i2cPs7fJRB3W_QLexjqwgd5P5jUDft5vifHppTVwWEjF4jze_lhvm6ejdJccsztlSV-ReGIdjSdR_CDyIWYFcRIeAbXBmDMCqE6kSIbxJDRDOzGSqlO0Gfsw3Q0G8bS1FDXaWXGcHCZtoo611OcDYeMKfhiNmFfOvmS92A-Fc1cXK/s320/PXL_20221220_180812922.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Cha'alt, Cha'alt: Fuchsia Malaise, Cha'alt: Chartreuse Shadows)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://vengersatanis.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Venger Satanis</a> has wrought 10+ pounds in three volumes of gonzo, sci-fi, fantasy inspirations for your game (or a complete setting if you wish to start one). PDFs thrown in free and easy.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="Cha'alt, Cha'alt: Fuchsia Malaise, Cha'alt: Chartreuse Shadows" target="_blank">$120 within the United States including shipping</a> if you order by Christmas. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And lordy am I a sucker for this sort of gestalt, especially when I am running the gang through an end-times-return-of-the-old-ones-with-a-lochnar scenario. Jiminy Cricket, can you even <i>find</i> all pieces for the Rod of Seven Parts in a night's worth of gaming...? Well, it will be the <a href="https://www.dundracon.com/" target="_blank">DunDraCon</a>!</div>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-74381562195567893142022-11-03T23:11:00.001-07:002022-11-04T01:51:33.881-07:00Weird Fantasy for Weird People<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V7GK6ZGX9kk" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://us.lotfp.com/store/" target="_blank">Buy some</a> and play weird fantasy in your game right away.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-89399754745388625992022-10-26T23:11:00.004-07:002022-10-27T10:59:07.098-07:00New Arduin Ref Screen<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhskyEdPCb1EzqEBm0oTGYWGvNDIcLqmx2FZ7rGPxaz3xDEiY5aGqKTm5bAYNPN-OI5VjT9WB_vNJYbQNTEJP1itpSa6WJhIOM9XYB572mqx7XgHUl8Z9vSf02lilfUJ91s2WdGTDtb8zs4OY6CmFiOX9LlJzQwVdJbJGs9lJEbelvMrojDR3Arjt/s4080/PXL_20221015_233546430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhskyEdPCb1EzqEBm0oTGYWGvNDIcLqmx2FZ7rGPxaz3xDEiY5aGqKTm5bAYNPN-OI5VjT9WB_vNJYbQNTEJP1itpSa6WJhIOM9XYB572mqx7XgHUl8Z9vSf02lilfUJ91s2WdGTDtb8zs4OY6CmFiOX9LlJzQwVdJbJGs9lJEbelvMrojDR3Arjt/w400-h301/PXL_20221015_233546430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcOYvS2KxEkXovp_a5pFi_mUiqAYIGMAAcKA-oZSIBk2tpeyFhE2p_A8PSsDE10CA_Ck46O8FCJeXcQSU7tp44WZk6y7am6h6rtUw2-XZe92fUhVJx4fq0ZPKY6AZDBUXbVY1gUgv3ZVCC683dPAiIoK0ay9WxbWXnVT_pA8f6KC4aJJ4AdmNEtAR/s4080/PXL_20221015_233621277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcOYvS2KxEkXovp_a5pFi_mUiqAYIGMAAcKA-oZSIBk2tpeyFhE2p_A8PSsDE10CA_Ck46O8FCJeXcQSU7tp44WZk6y7am6h6rtUw2-XZe92fUhVJx4fq0ZPKY6AZDBUXbVY1gUgv3ZVCC683dPAiIoK0ay9WxbWXnVT_pA8f6KC4aJJ4AdmNEtAR/w400-h301/PXL_20221015_233621277.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Now that Arduin is my "go-to" convention game, I put together a referee screen with more general Arduin player-facing art. Different than my previous screen which was more tied to the "Green Hell" jungle scenario I ran at the time.</p><p>The re-facing tables are all the same, although I have been assembling a rules cheat-book to capture many of Dave's particular rules that made Arduin a different flavor than regular OD&D (ha, some of Dave's variances were later somewhat adopted in other versions of D&D).</p><p>I had several pieces of art with different styles, the centerpiece being the art by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Freas" target="_blank">Frank Kelly Freas</a> from the cover of Complete Arduin. I created a unified motif by running each piece through the A.I. art generator "<a href="https://deepdreamgenerator.com/" target="_blank">Deep Dream Generator</a>" which created from the originals similar art in a new style that was the same for each piece.</p><p></p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-44034859914797355902022-10-01T23:11:00.084-07:002022-10-24T01:32:00.211-07:00Aftermath of Pig-Faced Ork Con Arduin Game<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4Q4o2K6Obv_aIhD6UnvBLgh56--V0f41LYerBLLZy9hoMs0HnBTc8pevMjb7lgKmSl3TdvaLrc7bNBGCr2ZANA70lCqS8QEPMumou0wXR19BmvRkHPwh5Kj9AZlMUdCgiIivcf9RN03FYxuKoxJDjPWLXaL4EvEnUictjwCbtAS7uRRFBEii1m37/s4080/PXL_20221001_223947205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4Q4o2K6Obv_aIhD6UnvBLgh56--V0f41LYerBLLZy9hoMs0HnBTc8pevMjb7lgKmSl3TdvaLrc7bNBGCr2ZANA70lCqS8QEPMumou0wXR19BmvRkHPwh5Kj9AZlMUdCgiIivcf9RN03FYxuKoxJDjPWLXaL4EvEnUictjwCbtAS7uRRFBEii1m37/w400-h301/PXL_20221001_223947205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">The "Pig Faced Ork Old School Role Playing Game Convention" rolled into Fresno, CA and was a smashing success! </p><p style="text-align: left;">Tom Wendt who runs the damn thing pours his heart and soul in - No reg fee, free giveaway contests and raffles, candy, waters, game judge badges, PIZZA, plus Tom does all the decorative art himself (not to mention advertising fliers) and secures the venue room at the Fresno County Woodward Park Regional Library.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I figure about 9 games were running including AD&D, Arduin (which I GMed), Holmes Basic D&D, Star Frontiers, Traveller, Weird Frontiers and more. Probably 50 gamers in attendance which is pretty good for a one-room con.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.empcho.com/" target="_blank">Emperors Choice Games and Miniatures</a> asked if I would run an Arduin game there which worked out perfectly 'cause my partner Heidramor happened to be attending to a friend's baby shower in the area that day. I had run an Arduin game at <a href="https://www.dundracon.com/" target="_blank">DunDraCon</a> last February. Each session is getting me better and better versed in the technical adjustments Dave Hargrave included for his game.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The end result is that now I have an Arduin-specific game bag set aside to run Arduin adventures.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I'll be back...</p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-27874947950291864472022-09-29T23:11:00.001-07:002022-09-30T05:02:02.593-07:00This...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAd3qjGNp57kO1JuTtH4Ipl3Ouzd7xthQE8zJUs-2loAlwKoSwoqXHBnSshBbdD1y1CWnSrBrPvT9hgyr-y3MyI92LNXPIQ4gJXbmISa5HfDFKzGwMQCwLLj3SV7Awyd2_hlx99iXe21gdJaR-GZIuqPNkX1SwGlbzYKOleg4GuaYC3eCmXw_jNqD/s4110/2022-Pig-Face-Color-11x17-Poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4110" data-original-width="2670" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAd3qjGNp57kO1JuTtH4Ipl3Ouzd7xthQE8zJUs-2loAlwKoSwoqXHBnSshBbdD1y1CWnSrBrPvT9hgyr-y3MyI92LNXPIQ4gJXbmISa5HfDFKzGwMQCwLLj3SV7Awyd2_hlx99iXe21gdJaR-GZIuqPNkX1SwGlbzYKOleg4GuaYC3eCmXw_jNqD/w416-h640/2022-Pig-Face-Color-11x17-Poster.png" width="416" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-40179398243929852532022-08-20T23:11:00.073-07:002022-09-02T16:57:17.206-07:00Progressively Fated Back to Live<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkEZV5ovosPSoBoTt1Z3K4iWThJrwk4yWE1f5v0wPYGip-Prg-MyoghMwqXtXgZ98SL49fKZKJAmhFv2d1BuWj3tgTP6jyPcSIslR2B1Oucu0l5E8WC1-gCBdSndMPhGWC7Vp01VL0osyE16vtuFVhBqTNxVO9KhB-Cwr1v6KfK4gsQwfyBJCvL16/s4080/PXL_20220821_035225827.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkEZV5ovosPSoBoTt1Z3K4iWThJrwk4yWE1f5v0wPYGip-Prg-MyoghMwqXtXgZ98SL49fKZKJAmhFv2d1BuWj3tgTP6jyPcSIslR2B1Oucu0l5E8WC1-gCBdSndMPhGWC7Vp01VL0osyE16vtuFVhBqTNxVO9KhB-Cwr1v6KfK4gsQwfyBJCvL16/w400-h301/PXL_20220821_035225827.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Sasch, Dr. John PhD, J.A.S.)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Huzzah! Our gaming group (ha, well some of us anyway) met for an in-person game only the fourth time since Covid restrictions first manifested in March of 2020. We had BBQ, jam, game - the works, almost like <i>The Beforetimes</i>(!).</p><p>We generally run our "New-Old" OSR game every-other month (plus we has a special going-away game with Anton last November), so that's 4 out of 16 - not to bad.</p><p>The turnout was a bit low. Two players were online and another home sick with Covid. We have a couple gamers who weren't attracted to our online deal and we have yet to entice them back to the ways of the flesh.</p><p>It was good to actually roll them bones though. During the lockdown I got all new <a href="https://www.gamescience.com/" target="_blank">Gamescience</a> non-borked dice. Don't look today though, all the good shit is out of stock. Except the "<a href="https://www.gamescience.com/product-page/gamescience-high-impact-precision-pound-o-dice" target="_blank">Pound of Dice</a>" for sixty bucks. Hmmm what is up with that then? Of course I have all these <i>precision</i> dice, and I roll on the table with all these decorative divots in the glass.</p><p>Humans - not perfect - and I like it that way. đ </p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-56273422664708266522022-07-22T23:11:00.007-07:002022-07-23T01:49:28.131-07:00Honor Among Thieves<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IiMinixSXII" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trailer released for the New D&D movie "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons:_Honor_Among_Thieves" target="_blank">Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves</a>"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I spy...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Neverwinter(?)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Black Dragon</div><div style="text-align: center;">Led Zeppelin "Whole Lotta Love"</div><div style="text-align: center;">Vecna(?)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Giant Spider</div><div style="text-align: center;">Owl Bear</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gold Dragon</div><div style="text-align: center;">Underdark</div><div style="text-align: center;">Drow</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fireball</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mimic</div><div style="text-align: center;">Displacer Beast</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gelatinous Cube</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tarrasque</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Party: Barbarian, Bard, Mage, Fighter, and Druid.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-61944264184646740722022-02-18T23:11:00.001-08:002022-03-01T04:10:37.305-08:00DunDraCon/Green Hell Post Mortem<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtSYQRFaR9zCt4OA_A4fvJQkJ1TKpduHjECwFwN3yILZKdsqN4ahHQyfsy-N8QjRBSMgA76XYO5VHE2k2rtaRty6dTGMKaC6ZWmHD_8_U1SZ_AfxIjTfzBI2DGJKq6CZr3F2rEmNZKdwWWvm9RnjVlBZb3S7Z8xr2_UfE8PCSZC92ABuSRofWDnuKx=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtSYQRFaR9zCt4OA_A4fvJQkJ1TKpduHjECwFwN3yILZKdsqN4ahHQyfsy-N8QjRBSMgA76XYO5VHE2k2rtaRty6dTGMKaC6ZWmHD_8_U1SZ_AfxIjTfzBI2DGJKq6CZr3F2rEmNZKdwWWvm9RnjVlBZb3S7Z8xr2_UfE8PCSZC92ABuSRofWDnuKx=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Clara Marriott with Eerie Green Parking Lights<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuTzGUUREQmYhghxpIlYNImxi5SroXxjhxKjKiKIp2Dng3xSHHe2zyJFQNo6Slp3EoeuuJ8JF4iR5M2f1LeqWxxeN7i4yhmW6RnrDXed1hynGjxjzX4AqSyO981G6vh1rt_iGHjBis8OP_Gd4U-fEO3qBssuII--VLI_7xTAQlUewVTD7tO2AnvL6Y=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuTzGUUREQmYhghxpIlYNImxi5SroXxjhxKjKiKIp2Dng3xSHHe2zyJFQNo6Slp3EoeuuJ8JF4iR5M2f1LeqWxxeN7i4yhmW6RnrDXed1hynGjxjzX4AqSyO981G6vh1rt_iGHjBis8OP_Gd4U-fEO3qBssuII--VLI_7xTAQlUewVTD7tO2AnvL6Y=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room 147</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0QIv45oaoaPUNMiIscath__-LJciByg_TuoWHXLptE4Lf-sHoufI3kxr1OaCBnbZurJZIJLXivVVQ4Dh-Mh1kkPfoxN2vUW50YY8MJvCUz9Ts59ukrs5qrsppdfBDMruW7FBj2mxOBkzP4mKNvN1ZUqaZi9NdTEvYUKX-rj8j7BlPYSlPR1yLQagX=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0QIv45oaoaPUNMiIscath__-LJciByg_TuoWHXLptE4Lf-sHoufI3kxr1OaCBnbZurJZIJLXivVVQ4Dh-Mh1kkPfoxN2vUW50YY8MJvCUz9Ts59ukrs5qrsppdfBDMruW7FBj2mxOBkzP4mKNvN1ZUqaZi9NdTEvYUKX-rj8j7BlPYSlPR1yLQagX=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Player's Facing Screen Sides</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoJWJlFVBvybwCamObllmVSqVFKrlpWkvWp7TLfYJpiR1oD2PXPq95KfYj7WpQkZd0-oyDkgbOHJulRQYlV1pnAi27Cm0hTNgzTco-Cwb651YaacofVCiKisJ_5vk9mVGd83QP0hT9IthJXAQBoOHIVqutu-3Y9ShJQ8ezfh1-1tVzyweM-3pgjHXy=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoJWJlFVBvybwCamObllmVSqVFKrlpWkvWp7TLfYJpiR1oD2PXPq95KfYj7WpQkZd0-oyDkgbOHJulRQYlV1pnAi27Cm0hTNgzTco-Cwb651YaacofVCiKisJ_5vk9mVGd83QP0hT9IthJXAQBoOHIVqutu-3Y9ShJQ8ezfh1-1tVzyweM-3pgjHXy=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ref's Facing Screen Sides</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>Ha, I was busting my ass to make this multi-faceted <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduin" target="_blank">Arduin </a>time warping mystery scenario, then only had three players show up. Drat! But I am still super glad I made it out to the inaugural <a href="https://www.dundracon.com/" target="_blank">DunDraCon </a>at the <a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sjcga-santa-clara-marriott/overview/?scid=45f93f1b-bd77-45c9-8dab-83b6a417f6fe&y_source=1_NzQ4MDk1LTQ4My1sb2NhdGlvbi53ZWJzaXRl" target="_blank">Santa Clara Marriott hotel</a>.<div><br /></div><div>It was all good though, I was able to use the random encounter tables and dungeon map then relocated the weird encounter and Mcguffin - right as rain! </div><div><br /></div><div>And while I was able to use my fancy <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/asy8pfpuas71wvi/ScreenArduin.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">"Green Hell" Arduin Ref's Screen</a> with to-hit, saves, and turning tables, I do need to get more familiar with the <a href="https://empcho.com/product/arduin-grimoire-trilogy-arduin-grimoire-volumes-1-2-3-in-one-volume/" target="_blank">Arduin Trilogy physical book</a>. I have been so used to using the old PDF that I just search by term for what I am looking for rather than understand where information is in the context of the whole tome. </div><div><br /></div><div>We did it though - ran Arduin Trilogy right out of Dave Hargrave's rules. Har, except there are some bits, such as spells for instance, where the Trilogy presumes at that point you have access to some D&D.</div><div><br /></div><div>All-in-all I had a great time, made new friends, and scoped out the new hotel for when my regular gaming group makes an excursion. Take aways: Be flexible, don't trip, and get the adventure started!</div>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-78833298238764161042022-01-28T23:11:00.019-08:002022-01-29T00:06:40.956-08:00Green Hell at DunDraCon<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQOeV9a6kXDMpp8m29_yEJ4mQ6qYtN4eYGs4y8C3vzJJtS5rMD_qBJpjIFT7QQlWj7AxNWY0NsAJD4KD0hTzQKr6QHp7c37cAk8l-oQ4KLlbfN9f0roCN2V4TcnfqfbS9hmYFokzA92rSna6FDiXff7Mj4Gpm9cfxdoIkWn_3gip7axDLZbEJ7bJpN=s2000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2000" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQOeV9a6kXDMpp8m29_yEJ4mQ6qYtN4eYGs4y8C3vzJJtS5rMD_qBJpjIFT7QQlWj7AxNWY0NsAJD4KD0hTzQKr6QHp7c37cAk8l-oQ4KLlbfN9f0roCN2V4TcnfqfbS9hmYFokzA92rSna6FDiXff7Mj4Gpm9cfxdoIkWn_3gip7axDLZbEJ7bJpN=w564-h169" width="564" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">109 Green Hell<br />Friday February 18, 2022 at 6 PM in 147 for 8 hours<br />GM: Matt Morrison<br />Type: RPG<br />System: Arduin Grimoire<br />Edition: Original Trilogy<br />Players: 5<br />Provided: All characters provided by GM<br />Power Level: 15th<br />Variations: enhanced w/OD&D, AD&D, B/X D&D, BECMI D&D<br />Rules Knowledge: Useful<br />Game Content: Mainstream<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lost in the tracks of the Green Hell is a bitter wound on the land that suppurates a poison that once almost slew the world. Here, in this salted land, something stirs once more to trouble the world...</div>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-14954599767972279642021-10-27T23:11:00.003-07:002021-10-28T08:06:44.093-07:00Emperors Choice Games and Arduin are Back In Business!<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsj5H9B_EbWySt_uTi09KVseajXHi0V0lxnEHfmlOrOXRcG2AFj-J1VWLGnzawC6pL4TYAUOOLfEZ5whMWtGvUQNplW6IeXDbrUOx_BWScQDrrSa7WyB_RucXmE3GCFH7liy4Rdd-8oU/s500/ArduinEternal3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="500" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsj5H9B_EbWySt_uTi09KVseajXHi0V0lxnEHfmlOrOXRcG2AFj-J1VWLGnzawC6pL4TYAUOOLfEZ5whMWtGvUQNplW6IeXDbrUOx_BWScQDrrSa7WyB_RucXmE3GCFH7liy4Rdd-8oU/w400-h229/ArduinEternal3.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Great and Fantastic News for Arduin Fans!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Dave Bukata and George De Rosa from Emperors Choice Games and Miniatures Corporation announced yesterday (Wednesday, October 27th) that the company is re-opening after a years-long hiatus and Arduin gaming materials will again be distributed back into the TTRPG wild!!! (Very exciting for folks like myself.)</p><p style="text-align: left;">I reproduced their complete announcement below, but key is that through the end of the year December 31, 2021 you will be able to order from the Arduin catalogue items at their prices from 2015!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Shipments understandably will be somewhat delayed, essentially these will be pre-orders to be shipped between now and end of January 2022 as existing stock is inventoried and new production ramped up. But for an opportunity to get print editions of long-out of print Arduin products at regular retail prices this is GOLDEN!</p><p style="text-align: left;">My personal recommendations:</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>The Arduin Trilogy hardbound - </b>$ for $ this is the most iconic Arduin product, completely in the original words and writings of David Hargrave, and virtually ready to drop into your old-school OSR D&D, AD&D, OSRIC, Swords & Wizadry, Labyrinth Lord, Lamentations and other OSR rules based around the classic versions D&D.</li><li><b>World Book of Khaas - </b>This tome has been "unobtanium" for almost a decade, not out there for any price. The World Book was written long after Dave Hargrave passed in 1988, but it is based on Dave's extensive archives and others who gamed with Dave and carried on the setting long afterwards. It is bar-none the most complete description of the Arduin setting in a system-neutral, stat-free, encyclopedia. </li><li><b>Map of Arduin - </b>Emperors Choice map for the Country of Arduin is a spot-on reproduction of the map from Dave's home game. The map is printed on durable parchment-style paper and includes the locations of 3 of the 4 Arduin dungeons Dave published during his life, plus Talismonde and other major cities, significant sites such as the Plateau of Forever, and more.</li></ol><p style="text-align: left;">This is a HUGE development for RPG fans who want to broaden their gaming vistas with additional gameable races and classes, monsters galore, new spells and magic items, fabulous adventure locations, and more. Fans of Arduin should get their orders in once they can to support the universe one of the giants from RPG history, David Hargrave! You will not regret it. đ</p>The "Complete" Arduin Announcement:<p></p><p>Hello Fans,</p><p>Emperors Choice Games & Miniatures Corp. (EmpCho) has updates to share:</p><p>The new online store will be located at www.empcho.com </p><p>The new website/store is scheduled to be fully operational on November 7, 2021, for taking pre-orders.</p><p>Emperors Choice Games & Miniatures Corp. is an independent company, which produces its own products; we do not have large quantities of stock on hand in between manufacturing runs. Miniatures are often manufactured on demand in house, and printed products need time to be ordered, produced, and delivered to EmpCho. Books and miniatures are then, packed and shipped by EmpCho. Pre-Orders will allow us to determine how much product we need to manufacture and order. We apologize for pre-orders, but we are anticipating a lot of orders. All of Emperors Choice Games & Miniatures Corp. products are proudly made in the USA.</p><p>An email will be sent by November 1, 2021, to everyone with past unfilled orders to place their order into the new store. We cannot import the past orders into the new store. Therefore, if you wish to keep your past unfilled order, please place a new order into the store.</p><p>All orders received will be shipped by the end of January 2022. This is due to the large quantity of past orders, time to produce the books, manufacturing of the miniatures, and shipping during the holiday season. If overall production escalates more rapidly, then the timetable will be moved up. Emperors Choice Games and Miniatures Corp. (EmpCho) will work extremely hard to complete all orders as quickly as possible!</p><p>As a Thank You to all our fans, our prices that are 7+ years old will remain in effect for all orders, with only very minor change for very few items. These prices will remain in place until 1/1/2022, at which time an increase will take effect due to increased raw material and/or printing costs. In addition, our 10% discount for all Veterans will remain in effect indefinitely and all customers with a past order will receive an additional 10% off their entire order! This can be combined with the Veteran discount, for a total of 20% off for a Veteran, with a past unfilled order.</p><p>We also wanted to take the opportunity to clarify a bullet from the last post on which was: âThere are things in the works besides the new website and storefront. I will be posting news on Arduin as it becomes a reality.â This statement simply means Emperors Choice Games & miniatures Corp. is working on NEW Arduin products for the future, and as things are developed for release, then we will inform everyone.</p><p>Emperors Choice Games & Miniatures Corp. looks forward to continuing to bring Arduin to the world. This cannot be done without all your help and support through the years, now and in the future!</p><p>In the words of David A. Hargrave:</p><p>âTo you and yours, I lift a tankard of Rumble Tummyâs ale in respectful salute!â </p><div style="text-align: left;">Dave Bukata<br />President<br />Emperors Choice Games & Miniatures Corp.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />George De Rosa<br />Vice-President<br />Emperors Choice Games & Miniatures Corp.</div>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-33789163608367247432021-10-15T23:11:00.006-07:002021-10-22T21:12:42.859-07:00Game Coming Up<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwjoNHnuwAF-E6Vdw7TDL29q-oVdFyMI2gXW_Jmt6c1AJx5tYK_tDTgVIdXmaPFJxGMNW0KuOwYL0H2Z8KL0LJ3f4MsqSHncdNzsDZae5qosySC7UFiQ3KiRQdOp_tj_EpKrf1LkzQ4c/s1200/DarrensD%2526D211023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1200" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwjoNHnuwAF-E6Vdw7TDL29q-oVdFyMI2gXW_Jmt6c1AJx5tYK_tDTgVIdXmaPFJxGMNW0KuOwYL0H2Z8KL0LJ3f4MsqSHncdNzsDZae5qosySC7UFiQ3KiRQdOp_tj_EpKrf1LkzQ4c/w400-h283/DarrensD%2526D211023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Original art by <a href="https://sapiento.artstation.com/" target="_blank">Robert Altbauer</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Our next in-person & remote hybrid game is upcoming. Sasch runs a Pulp Cthulhu game with some of the same players from our D&D game so we are expecting aberrant encounters.</p><p>Ruh-roh, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/22/weather/weather-bomb-cyclone-pacific-northwest-california-rain-snow/index.html" target="_blank">atmospheric river approacheth</a>...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnHOxPl4bYCCixjWlzxUnB-gpwzS5aBUmldid-U5OZvps0nkzHPMg9TRDnG1OsTzpETtkQr_HIr2ORy9IllfCCLBGqU6aQls2IUwLqDpXC-d4_kl8mNvJI4tpwlH3tc3kFgFqDncKzrM/s1200/robert-altbauer-dark-entity-blank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1200" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnHOxPl4bYCCixjWlzxUnB-gpwzS5aBUmldid-U5OZvps0nkzHPMg9TRDnG1OsTzpETtkQr_HIr2ORy9IllfCCLBGqU6aQls2IUwLqDpXC-d4_kl8mNvJI4tpwlH3tc3kFgFqDncKzrM/w400-h283/robert-altbauer-dark-entity-blank.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-22514923881202037142021-09-05T23:11:00.103-07:002021-09-06T03:36:00.155-07:00Bonus In-Person Game!<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB31UhK-YWqngfoFZV9kJx0RwvK6_aue0gUxAaoTuN13okVm1pOKxNnG_80SkLJUZUBttUzMSZ_Qof2go-Dia6xtyd2zpYgnusgBpj0hdqyy5dsmRxRUreG0hKx6cPdHroZ8NU2km2qhM/s1280/image000001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB31UhK-YWqngfoFZV9kJx0RwvK6_aue0gUxAaoTuN13okVm1pOKxNnG_80SkLJUZUBttUzMSZ_Qof2go-Dia6xtyd2zpYgnusgBpj0hdqyy5dsmRxRUreG0hKx6cPdHroZ8NU2km2qhM/w400-h300/image000001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(From left: Dr. John PhD, Matrox, J.A.S., Blue Gorilla, Sasch)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> We are on a roll! (Well <i>some of us</i>, anyways...)</p><p>We were able to hurriedly (one week!) assemble a jam/D&D event for Saturday at Blue Gorilla's posh, 19th floor condo on San Francisco's Nob Hill. Ha, although BBQing on the balcony was somewhat acrophobic-ish, and we had to keep jam instrument noises somewhat atypically softer, it was a fine night out for a game. Ha, too bad Blue Gorilla is moving to Portland to study for his PhD. (Another fricken DR.!)</p><p>Once Shade Structure's mage blipped out with the decanter, leaving the party free from the evil interplanar taint that intruded into the decanter room, our adventurers were able to escape weird Sigil to a gently wooded area near a funky, three-tiered tower.</p><p>J.A.S. ran us through "<a href="https://www.acaeum.com/jg/Item0570.html" target="_blank">Lara's Tower</a>" (1981) by Kevin Nunn, which was actually a tournament dungeon Kevin ran at PacificCon in 1980 (which convention coincidentally was also <a href="http://pacificongameexpo.com/" target="_blank">running at the same time this weekend at the Dunfey Hotel</a>). The scenario was some straightforward hack 'n slash with some interesting map features for strategically taking on the baddies who inhabit this tower.</p><p>Now what the fuck are we going to do with a 12th level conference table?</p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-18047545476510299032021-08-20T23:11:00.006-07:002021-08-21T14:49:42.524-07:00"Death Dealer"<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZZPBLwr2wU-Kq88_CW4Wv8BxRytP5BarYfbF42Agh3FgU4Q_IH41iXFyP0Br7dLaAjxWKheEhVzoEFUSmSJlOXWOtqU0X6fiT68Mr-_enNuupAqs9iYJUZvFS4383BMj5jV2-zTP2g0/s1600/Frazetta+Death+Dealer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZZPBLwr2wU-Kq88_CW4Wv8BxRytP5BarYfbF42Agh3FgU4Q_IH41iXFyP0Br7dLaAjxWKheEhVzoEFUSmSJlOXWOtqU0X6fiT68Mr-_enNuupAqs9iYJUZvFS4383BMj5jV2-zTP2g0/w424-h640/Frazetta+Death+Dealer.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">("Death Dealer" by Frank Frazetta, 1973)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, fuuuuuuuuuck... I have so much shit I need to get done. Let's make a list!</span></p><p>Seriously, I was getting a bit overwhelmed a year ago when my work began opening up again that sorting things, listing, setting priorities really helped. Ha, I would prefer not to exit life with a bunch of half-finished contributions to the hobby I love.</p><p>First, say it, I waste way too much time reading posts in Twitter and arguing with right-wingers on Facebook. STOP IT! Pick one day per week, like Thursday night, take 4 hours to riff through the thoughts of others. (This worked for me in law school.)</p><p>Second, gotta allocate time for work, non-profit orgs, and family. 4 hours each day during the week is the minimum I need to plan for my practice, I spends something like 6 hours each week hoping to contribute to the greater good, 14 hours per week spending time with my son and special needs grandson and maybe another 6 hours every other week visiting with other fam.</p><p>Thirdsies, Sleeeeeep... Dude, you need at least 6 hours every day (my psydoc back in the day had me set an alarm for midnight each day so I would get to bed by 1am).</p><p>Fourth, meals and grooooomong. What, an hour a day unless I'm going out to eat.</p><p>Fifth, music. I orta practice an hour each day if'n I wants to get better on the drums. (Just kidding, still bassey.)</p><p>Ok so how many hours per week is that??? 4+20+6+14+3+42+7+7=103 out of 168 hours per week. 103-168=65 hours left over, say 9 hours each day. Obviously me and me spouse need our time, and there's gonna be time shopping for groceries, doing bills, cleaning, laundry, minor car repairs, etc. Given all that I should be able to set aside 2 hours five days a week to work on gaming stuff contributin' to our craft.</p><p>So what is in the pipeline for the past many months (years)...</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Video on City State of the Invincible Overlord (Several folks have done overviews, but I don't think by anyone who gamed the City State. And we gamed it hard.)</li><li>Advanced Labyrinth Lord version of Underport (Just that new level nine needs some imaginatory time.)</li><li>Video on the underworld of Arduin (Continuations of my series of "brief" Arduin setting videos.)</li><li>Hard to be an Aorit-Q (My Qanon and last scenario for Troika!)</li><li>Metropolis of Chaos (The abyss under Underport, a lot of ideas on this.)</li><li>A weekly 2-hour online game (Hmmm, I am leaning toward LotFP. Our regular group runs every other month and I only Ref as part of a rotation. I get some satisfaction refing an ongoing campaign solo.)</li></ol><div>So the bottom line breakdown is really this --- Exchange fucking social media hours for productive hours. Seems an easy task though will take patience and fortitude.</div><p></p><p><br /></p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017797838114882082.post-67708398929885633942021-06-22T23:11:00.011-07:002021-06-23T03:39:19.219-07:00 Live D&D again!<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WNA8YOVa-t1LbTV1MZyy-TP-s423qxxbJ3GJpaTn6yPG2u2AiG5aWgnH5xjn2f9pVx-BMFA6H_HbbcoJnADa726TpTm9wtB_BV3mx4OOy__bd2QjB7H5bbJ-8idVBFdcAaWJw0vbZe0/s2016/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WNA8YOVa-t1LbTV1MZyy-TP-s423qxxbJ3GJpaTn6yPG2u2AiG5aWgnH5xjn2f9pVx-BMFA6H_HbbcoJnADa726TpTm9wtB_BV3mx4OOy__bd2QjB7H5bbJ-8idVBFdcAaWJw0vbZe0/w400-h300/image1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from left: <i>Linksman, Shade Structure, Dr. John PhD, Matrox, J.A.S., Sick Rick, and Blue Gorilla.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally most of the crew, young & old, got together for the first time in more than a year on the new Juneteenth holiday for a day of music, BBQ, and gaming. J.A.S. had set up for a hybrid system for in-person/remote, but everyone who wanted in on the game showed up. Cheers!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The party missed an number of pre-pandemic hands which hopefully we'll start to see joining back in over the next few sessions.</div><p></p>Matrox Luschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087871508197025467noreply@blogger.com0