Monday, December 30, 2013

Last Call on AA Compendium Three and Classified at LULU

Just wanted to remind everyone that they have only until the new year to pick up Advanced Adventures Compendium Three and Classified from Lulu (at 40% off using the coupon code LULUEMP2013). Once the 1st comes, I'll pull them down and they won't be available for at least several months (for Classified) or about a year (for AA Compendium Three).

While  you're there you can also check out our other Lulu products at our Lulu Store.


Sunday, December 29, 2013

Classified Art

For those interested in Classified, the artist who did all the interior work has put up most of the illustrations from the book (some are alternatives of which I selected the alternative and the illustrations of the royals of OSIRIS are missing).

Take a look. I really dig on the style.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

I'm gonna burn myself with all these irons one day...

Today I counted the number of things I need to write/edit/publish - 12. I have too many irons in the fire and really need to knock some of these things out.

First up, Operation Rogue Lion, a mission for Classified. I'm giving myself a month. This means that Classified and Operation Rogue Lion should be in game stores by May, 2014. And that means that's when the PDF versions should come out for those who've expressed interest.

Friday, December 27, 2013

1960's Bachelor Pad Music...


A hefty amount of Classified was written to the first 5 albums by Enoch Light and the Light Brigade - some awesome early 1960's bachelor pad music. Here's a sample. Love his stuff. Go buy some if you enjoy!


Thursday, December 26, 2013

Call for Submissions - Advanced Aventures - OSRIC modules

Heya all, I'm putting the flag up for submissions for our line of OSRIC modules - Advanced Adventures. I'm looking for 12k words, I purchase all rights, and I pay $0.01 a word + an author's copy.

I honestly think that every long-term GM has at least one good, publishable module inside of him or her, so if you have a manuscript about, or an idea that you think interesting, contact me at josephbrowning@gmail.com.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Beware the Paralyzing Brain!!!

Some more lovely John Bingham art has hit the digital desks here at XRP. This is from an unannounced OSR project that will knock yer socks off. Enjoy!


Saturday, December 21, 2013

Classified is for sale!

I'm done editing Classified. Since I'd promised a release by Christmas of this year, I've put the core rules up at Lulu until Jan 1, 2014. After that, it'll go away until I've finished Operation Rogue Lion (and perhaps even The Bucharest Libretto) and send it through the chain. I really don't want to disappoint those of you who were hoping for a spytastic holiday, but I'm not yet ready for a full release of the game without any supporting missions. I hope you all understand.

So with that in mind, I'd like everyone to welcome the first spy retro-clone into the warm embrace of the OSR...

Don't forget the awesome 40% off coupon at lulu (LULUEMP2013) while you're there, that'll turn the $30 Classified into only $18. And think about picking up our other stuff (including the exclusive Advanced Adventures Compendium Three) while you're shopping.



Friday, December 20, 2013

Advanced Adventures Compendium Three special Holiday Sale at Lulu

Ok folks, I'm releasing Advanced Adventures Compendium Three (containing Advanced Adventures #21-30) at Lulu until Jan 1, 2014. After that, I'm pulling it and it probably won't see the light of day again until the end of 2014.

Also, Lulu is running a 40% off sale through Dec 31, 2013 (coupon code LULUEMP2013), so this means that you'll be able to pick up the $50 compendium for only $30. It's a good deal. You might want to check out our other LULU products as well, or pick up some other OSR stuff while you're there.

Merry Ho Ho!



Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Some more art from Classified...

Here's another illo from Classified. I'm still editing and working on the 1st mission Operation Rogue Lion. Slowly, slowly...


Saturday, December 7, 2013

1001 Post!

(Just realized this is my 1001 post here at S&SS and it's kinda humorous that it's about passing a rpg milestone.... Thanks for reading, all.)

Ok, I guess I have passed another milestone when it comes to being a creative in the rpg business. I just spent about 20 minutes trying to remember where I saw that awesome list of gems before I realized that what I was looking for was in one of the books I've published.

Yeah, I spent 20 minutes trying to find an on-line source of information when what I wanted was about two feet away in A Magical Society: Silk Road.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Dumptrucks of Diamonds!

Researching for the Classified adventure Operation Rogue Lion, I find out that roughly 29,321lbs. of non-industrial quality diamonds are mined each year. About 14 tons of diamonds. That's roughly 1 and half standard dump trucks full.


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Keep Looking Differently

I try to avoid falling into patterns in my thinking (which is, of course, impossible), but every now and then a good jolt does the mind well. This is on the list of things I'll have to pick up once I have a real office again (married student housing leaves a lot to be desired).


Monday, December 2, 2013

Stand or Fall

Working on Classified today and listening to The Fixx's Shuttered Room disc. Great inspirational music for spy work, IMO. The late cold war is a very spy-ish time.... You should pick it up if you've any interest in the style of music.


Sunday, December 1, 2013

It's my Birthday so Here's Your Present!

So I'm turning 42 this week and to celebrate I'm giving away our Tome of Tomes PDF for free as a thank you to everyone who's helped me keep working at this job I so love.

Here's to hoping I've not yet reached the middle point of my life!

(Tome of Tomes is a collection of 100 books suitable for any OSR library. It's cool.)

Monday, November 25, 2013

Purple Worm Reproduction

After watching some Life in Cold blood, I've decided that Purple Worms are going to give birth like the Caecilian does in the below 3 minute clip.

If you've ever wanted to see babies go into a frenzy eating the regenerative skin of their mother, this is the clip for you...


Saturday, November 23, 2013

XRP title included in the most recent Bundle of Holding

I'm glad to say that we've a title included in the most recent Bundle of Holding. This bundle is called the Worldbuilders Toolkit and includes titles from Kobold Press, Sine Nomine, Frog God, and Engine Publishing.

It's a good deal if you're interested in world building, IMO...

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Under Pressure - Vocals Only

I was 9 when this song came out. To be honest, it scared me, even though I was living on a musical diet of Priest, Maiden, and Sabbath. I think it's because the song was my first view into the "real world" of adulthood. It let me know that not all paths end in happiness.

Now when I listen to it I understand it is a cry, a plea, for kindness. Now when I hear it I get goosebumps from the raw emotion. Here's a version that drives the majesty of these two great vocalists home...


Monday, November 11, 2013

Advanced Adventure #31: The Lost Lair of Drecallis

Information and cover from a forthcoming Advanced Adventure.....

The Lost Lair of Drecallis is an OSRIC(tm) module designed for 4-8 adventurers of levels 4-7.

For a second year in a row, Drecallis has not appeared on the appointed day to collect her tribute from the people of Longridge. Is the terrible beast dead? Or has the great reptile departed for greener pastures? The elders are desperate to discover the truth, and if the dragon is indeed dead, a priceless hoard may be sitting in the dragon's lair, unguarded. A call has been put out for brave souls willing to seek out the remote lair of Drecallis and investigate!


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The Big Book of Graph Paper

Heya all, thought I should let you know that I'm selling The Big Book of Graph Paper (181 pages of .25 inch graph paper plus 11 pages of .25 inch isometric graph paper. It is hardcover for permanent records.) at the Expeditious Retreat Press website now.

I had a real hard time finding a hardcover book of graph paper, so I just published my own.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Last day of the $5 Advanced Adventures sale

Today's the last day in the big $5 Advanced Adventures (for 1e or OSRIC) sale I'm having at our website. When I wake up tomorrow, I'm turning the sale off.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Music for this Week

If we are here not to do what you and I wanna do, and go forever crazy with it,
Why the hell we are even here?

There were never any good old days, they are today, they are tomorrow
It's a stupid thing we say - Cursing tomorrow with sorrow.



Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Classified Map Preview

A map I've been working on for the Classified mission Operation Rogue Lion. This is the first floor of an old (yet remodeled) farmhouse.

Right now I'm debating if I should put a grid behind it or just provide measurements for the locations. I think the grid would be the simpler solution, but the "realistic" part of me prefers the measurements.

 

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Final Classified Edit in Progress

I've got a proof copy of Classified in my grubby little hands and am now going over it with a highlighter to try and find any remaining errors before I have a print-ready copy. There's something about having a physical copy to edit that makes you catch mistakes that you missed on the PDF version. It's nice to see it in real space.



Friday, October 11, 2013

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Working on Operation Rogue Lion and going Faster and Faster

I wrote a lot of Classified to Devo and this song in particular really get's the covert-blood a'pumping....
Faster faster faster faster
In this hour of darkness
Just before I say goodbye
Smoke a Teflon cigarette
I chew my cyanide Cloret
Write down a fake confession
And I send it off to you...



Sunday, October 6, 2013

$5 Advanced Adventures Sale for October (including the two new ones released today)!

We're running a big sale for October on the Advanced Adventures line and we've just released two new modules for that line. Enjoy the sale!

Note: I've weighed each module at at 0.5 pounds each. This is good for orders of only a few, but ends up being more expensive than necessary for large orders. What I do for large orders is refund any excess over the needed shipping and handling costs. It's not ideal, but it works, and so far every customer's been fine with it. So if you get what seems an unreasonable amount for shipping (from an order of 30 books, for instance), don't worry. I'll refund it to the reasonable level when I ship the package out.



Sunday, September 29, 2013

This is why it takes so long...

So I've been working on A Magical Society: India today for about 50 minutes.

I've written 115 words.

Difficult, difficult writing...

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

A Magical Society India

The hardest 215 words (unedited) that I've written in a long time. The introduction to A Magical Society India. (yep, I'm finally starting to write the bugger). It'll be done when it's done.
This book aids the creation of a generic medieval Indian world for role-playing using various versions of the world’s most popular role-playing game. This is not a campaign setting, nor is it a history book. This book allows you to add a medieval Indian feel to your world without forcing you to play in a truly medieval Indian world. This volume provides a wealth of resources concerning medieval India: the spatial systems, the social groups and distinctions, the trade and economics, the law and justice, and the typical Indian medieval mindset. Modeled after the state of the Indian sub-continent circa 1200-1400CE, this book simulates, but does not replicate, actual medieval India.

This book also provides introductory information on costumes, customs, mythology, games, tournaments, linguistics, and other aspects of medieval India. This supplement provides GMs information and tools for increasing the depth of their existing world. However, it should be noted that the real historical India is vastly more complicated than presented in this book. It is a huge landmass filled with dozens of different cultures and languages, waxing and waning as history progresses. This book only scratches the surface and some basic core assumptions in gaming integrate poorly with actual medieval Indian society. Ultimately, GMs must make decisions on how their magical medieval society works.

Monday, September 23, 2013

New Classified Art

Got in another batch of classified art and thought I should do a preview. This one demonstrates the effectiveness of a pen filled with knockout gas.


Sunday, September 22, 2013

Sunday Un-seriousness

This has always been one of my favorite cartoons. It's one of the few that gets better as I get older. Too many times has this basically been the equivalent of the quality of the adventuring plans that I've known.... :-)



Saturday, September 21, 2013

New full-page Bingham Illo

Just got a new illo from John Bingham for an (as yet) unannounced project. Love it.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Fantasy Editing Music

One of my favorite albums for editing fantasy material is Therion's Secret of the Runes. If you have any interest in symphonic metal/fantasy metal, this is an utterly wonderful album. Pick it up.


Monday, September 16, 2013

Advanced Adventures #30: To End the Rising PDF now for sale!

I'm pleased to say that AA#30 has hit the digital shores! You can pick up a copy for $6 at rpgnow.

To End The Rising is an OSRIC(tm) module designed for 6-10 adventures of levels 1-3.

The shores of Lake Selmar, and the village of Prallis, are normally tranquil – except during the Rising. Every five years, a host of fearsome monsters emerges from the lake to lay waste to the village. The locals have endured this terror for decades, but now innocent travelers have been attacked. Can the party put an end to the Rising, forever?

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Boom! Headshot.

Assassins are tricky buggers....

BINOCULARS
Assassin’s: When placed over the eyes, these binoculars violently protrude a thin pointed metal rod from the center shaft with enough force to penetrate a human skull. Still worse, a small explosive charge just behind the point of the rod explodes after penetration.

Assassin’s binoculars deal L(2) damage. There are two small pressure plates in an oddly placed position where the would-be assassin can lightly press when viewing, negating the weapon while held down. Cost: $3,500 plus $200 for a replacement exploding center spike.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Finally got On Her Majesty's Secret Service rpg

Finally managed to snag the old victory games On Her Majesty's Secret Service on ebay yesterday. I've been looking for a while, but I'm not terribly consistent and it seemed like every time I checked, I'd just missed it.

Hopefully it'll be in my hand by the end of the week. Then, I'll get to run through 4 solo adventures and have a bit of fun. Perhaps I'll incorporate the solo idea into some Classified project or another.



Saturday, September 7, 2013

Giant Restock on Advanced Adventures Modules!

So I just got in a giant restock of Advanced Adventures modules at the XRP website. We now have copies of every Advanced Adventure produced (previously we were out of 8 titles).

Also, we still have a few copies of Advanced Adventures Compendium Three (featuring AA#29 &#30 which haven't been printed yet) from the promotional print run we did for North Texas Con 2013.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Spy Music

One thing I like to do when writing/working is to listen to appropriate music for the piece I'm working on. This means for most of my fantasy stuff I listen to things like the Conan soundtrack, some Wagner, and a bunch of fantasy/occult-influenced metal.

Working on Classified has been a bit more difficult for me to find music. I picked up the compilation of the Bond theme songs (and am thinking about picking up complete soundtracks as well), and I've been listening to various "hip" 50's-60's music web radio stations, but my choice of music for spy-related stuff is much less diverse than my fantasy stuff.

Because of this I've taken to scouring the net for things to listen to and one of the gems I've found on You Tube (and which I will be purchasing shortly) is the soundtracks from the movies In Like Flint and Our Man Flint. I've seen the first movie and thought it was humorous enough, but the soundtrack, IMO, is vastly superior.

Take a listen and enjoy... (not a direct link since You Tube and blogger don't want to play well with each other right now for some reason...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO4Q09Bkcco&list=PL8B4A20AEACD65FD7

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Frankfurt Map Update

I did a bit more work on the map yesterday and thought I should post an updated version that's a little be more fleshed out (labels-wise) than the previous one. All in all, I think it's shaping up nicely and a probably a hour or so of additional work will bring it up to the publishable version.


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Frankfurt Map

So I've finished the "mapping" section of the map and am just beginning the "labeling" section. The map is going to have fairly sparse labeling compared to what an actual street map of Frankfurt has, because the function of the map is to show the relative location of points-of-interest in Frankfurt, not to provide a guide for a person moving about the city.

One big thing that's changed since the original game came out in 1984 is the easy availability of high-quality maps for GMs. Since these street maps exist and can be printed out for hand-out to players, I expect the city maps in Classified to work with an internet map if the players wish more detail than just description.

In 1983 good luck finding a map of Frankfurt if you lived in the US. Now you have satellite images. The role of the maps have changed and I'm hoping the customers understand this change.

Below is the work in progress.


Sunday, September 1, 2013

A New Month, a New Map

Started working on a map of Frankfurt, Germany for the Classified Mission Operation Rogue Lion. I'm going to follow in the vein of my source material and make the maps very information-oriented over "artistic." I love artistic maps, but I'm also a big fan of the stripped-down, information download maps, and given that this is for a covert game, I think that's the better "artistic" choice.


Monday, August 26, 2013

Blogger Fail

Well, I just realized that I haven't blogged in about a month. Total Fail. Funny how once you get out of a habit you have a hard time realizing you've lost it. I'll work to correct that mistake and keep you all more informed.

Ok, to pick up a bit and just chatter... I've been editing a large project that I haven't announced yet (it's OSR) and I've been working on the Operation Rogue Lion mission for Classified (which is still on track for a Christmas 2013 release).

Thursday, July 25, 2013

XRP PDF sale!

Right now, all of our PDFs are 25% off at rpgnow.com for their site-wide Christmas in July sale they do every year. Honestly, I don't know when it ends so if you're interested in any of our PDFs, now isn't a bad time to pick them up.

Monday, July 15, 2013

A Great Old-School Map

It's a big picture, but I'm pretty sure you'll like it as much as I did.... (more can be found Here)


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

What I Like The Most About My Job

One of my favorite things about my job is that moment right when you start diving into a manuscript. You've got a map ...a map detailed as if describing a real existence... and you've got the key to that map and you just start your journey with a single word.

That moment of beginning, of settling into a manuscript, is like that moment after the first bite of a meal you've been looking forward to... a meal involving people you don't know yet, but expect to one day consider friends.

I hope when I publish that that is the experience I'm bringing to the reader. That wonderful moment when everything is unknown and then becomes known.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

XRP Update (or, I've got a lot going on...)

So what's going on at XRP you ask?

1. Classified - My retro-clone of the old Bond game is complete (sans art, but expecting that by October) and I'm working on two adventures (Operation Rogue Lion, The Bucharest Libretto) right now. I've also got the promise of an other adventure from a freelancer (which I'm tentatively calling Behind Blue Eyes, but which I'm pretty sure will have a different publication name). I want to release the Classified core book with at least one (preferably two) adventures out of the gate sometime in early 2014.

2. Sorcery & Super Science! 2nd Edition - This one I've got quite a bit done on, but I'm still short. I expect I'm about 30% done. I think I'm going to cram all the S&SS information into a single volume for the 2nd edition. I'm hoping to have this one out in late 2014.

3. 1-on-1 Adventures - After a long hiatus, I'm starting to get in manuscripts for new 1-on-1 Adventures. These adventures are for Pathfinder and are designed for only 1 player and 1 GM. I've got a finished on sitting on my hard drive, a 2nd one damn close to completion, and I've got a freelancer working on a connected (but suitable for stand-alone play) series of 4. This will bring the 1-on-1 series up to 21 titles. The new adventures should start coming out towards the end of this year and I'm hoping for a monthly or bi-monthly release schedule.

4. Advanced Adventures - I'm down to the last of the manuscripts I have and #29 and #30 will be coming out before the end of this year. I'm always looking for submissions!

5. A New Project - Not going to say much about his right now, but something came out of the blue and I've decided to run with it. I think it's going to very cool, to say the least. I should have more info on the project in a few days or weeks. I'm quite excited by it. Going to be a nice publishing challenge that I'm looking forward to.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Only 5 left - Advanced Adventures Compendium Three

Thought I should let everyone know that there are only 5 copies of AA Compendium Three left. So if you want to make a purchase, you should probably do it quickly. I have plenty of copies of One and Two, so no worries there.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Castle Map in Progress (III)

I've now got all the levels in the castle finished. I need to go back and touch up a few of the stairs and add in all the windows. It ended up being 5 levels tall. All in all, I think it's a good map and I'm pleased with it. I think it will present a significant challenge to a party just from a design perspective.


Saturday, June 22, 2013

Advanced Adventures Compendium THREE (hardback version) On Sale!

So I just got the book shipment back from NTRPG Con (lotta fun, btw) and I'm putting all our Advanced Adventures Compendiums (One, Two, & Three) up for sale at the Expeditious Retreat Press website.

Note that Compendium Three won't be officially available until about mid-year of 2014 (perhaps even later) and I had just made a short run for NTRPG Con. Compendium Three contains AA#30 which hasn't even been released yet as an individual module.

Oh, and to sweeten the pot, all of them are on sale for only $40 instead of the normal $50. ...and Malevolent & Benign (hardback) is on sale for $30 (normal $40).

Go buy some, ok? You won't regret it. They're pretty damn good, IMO (and I'm not biased at all...).


Friday, June 21, 2013

Castle Map in Progress (II)

Been plugging away at the map and it's starting to take shape. I suspect it's going to have two or three more levels before it's done. I've got in many of the arrow slits and several doors, but the levels are not finished yet.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

A Castle Map in Progress

I'm working on a castle map and so far I'm pleased with it overall. I've got a lot of detailing to do, but I think the general style is very presentable with high utility. The funny thing about making this map so far is that it's probably taken me as much time thinking about it as doing it. Oh well, future maps will go much faster. This place is very defensible... woe unto those that attempt to breach it.



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Just Purchased an Advanced Adventure Manuscript!

Pleased to say that I've just purchased an Advanced Adventures manuscript from none other that Stuart Marshall, one of the prime forces behind the creation of OSRIC! He had an idea that dovetailed nicely into an idea I had, so we're going to be sharing an author credit sometime in the future (probably early next year). I'm anticipating the many player deaths that will inevitably result from exploring the Halls of Lidless Shabbath and what lies beyond those halls.

I'm still looking for more AA manuscripts!

Working from a La-Z-Boy

So Suzi's traveling for her Nurse Practitioner clinicals and she secured a house for us via her preceptor's employer. So now I'm sitting in a strange house, working from a chair much more comfy than my normal chair. I'm streaming Screaming for Vengeance via Youtube (own the album so feel fine about it) and about to read through a manuscript I received via e-mail yesterday.

Somewhere along the line, the future became the present....

It's hard to describe this weird temporal mix I'm in. Modern communications, music from the early 80's, reading a manuscript for a game from the late 70's.

(and if you don't have this album for some unknown reason, go buy it)



Monday, June 10, 2013

The Lost Keys of Solitude Free PDF!

So a Facebook friend of mine posted just a second ago about being kind and creative and it inspired me to put up one of the Advanced Adventures that Suzi Yee and I wrote up for free PDF download. Don't know how long it will be free, but enjoy!


Back from NTRPG Con

Got in on the old flying iron bird last night from NTRPG con and after a 12 hour rest I am ready to face the world. Had a lot of fun meeting everyone, talking business, and playing in a few games.

I think the highlight was when I sat down at a table with Frank Mentzer and Greg Gillespie and a gentleman I didn't know. They were talking about publishing and Frank got up for a prior engagement after a few minutes of conversation. The gentleman I didn't know was talking about how he had submitted some art for a project that hasn't seen the light of day and and I politely asked, "Oh, you're an artist?"

He simply showed me his name badge (which was turned around) - Erol Otus.

Yeah, that's how I met Erol Otus. "Oh, you're an artist?"

Ha! :-)

Now, to fulfill some outstanding orders and get back into the flow of day-to-day work. Everything that was ordered while we were gone will go out tomorrow.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

And awaaaaay we go!

Flying out to NTRPG con today and this popped into my head. Hopefully, my flight we be uneventful. I'm going to be out of contact until late Sunday, June 9. If you need me, call me.


Sunday, June 2, 2013

Out of Touch, Out of Mind

I've been silent for a while now because, believe it or not, I've actually taken almost two weeks off from working (by that I mean no more than an hour or so a day). Suzi's finally starting her Nurse Practitioner clinicals and we're traveling for that, so I'll probably be posting a bit less than normal, but we'll see.

Other than that, not much new here. Looking forwards to NTRPG con on Thursday.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

A Bit About My Creative Process...

I'm working on Operation Rogue Lion (the first Classified mission) and thought some may be interested in my creative process.

I first start with a rough idea and then that idea is thrown away because another idea occurred during the "flesh the idea out" phase that was superior. Rarely do I use my first idea. My first ideas tend to suck, but they get me going creatively and that path inevitably contains a side-path that is much more scenic.

During the writing phase my Word document is littered with green, yellow, and red highlights. Green is for good ideas that need to be incorporated, yellow is for things I should decide whether or not to include after the manuscript has progressed a bit more, and red is for things that either *MUST* be done or *MUST* be excised from the manuscript in its finished form. I have a lot of these latter reds as I cut-n-paste from internet resources- real life provides a great resource for ideas, technical things (where is OPEC headquartered? etc...), and all other sorts of interesting things for making a manuscript "more realistic."

Well, there you go. For what it's worth, my creative process.

Monday, May 13, 2013

My first Wall Street Journal Interview....

Just finished a 10 minute interview with a Wall Street Journal reporter. Now I'll wait to see if I appear anywhere in the newspaper. Regardless, it was a somewhat surreal situation.

Sorcery & Super Science! 2nd Edition - On the Resolution Table

S&SS 2nd Edition uses one Resolution Table to determine success quality or failure for actions requiring adjudication. I imagine most people are familiar with the table, but I'm aiming to present the table information rapidly and easily in 2E S&SS using one new idea.

What I've done is put in the (low number-high number) range allowing players to simply place numbers next to their powers on their character sheet allowing them to immediately know the result of any roll without looking at the Resolution Table if there are no +/- Row Steps applied to the Conflict.

It's a small thing, but something I think that speeds play.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

First Round of Classified Editing Finished!

Just finished with the first round of editing on the Classified core book. Now I'll put it away for at least two weeks and go back and do a second round of editing. It will then be done - meaning that I'll spot a typo immediately upon opening the printed book.

:-)

Such is life.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Advanced Adventures #29: The Doom of Red Rauthim PDF now Available!

Put up the PDF of AA#29 yesterday (I think) and forgot to mention it here at the blog.

The Doom of Red Rauthim is an OSRIC(tm) module designed for 4-8 adventurers of levels 7-9. Red Rauthim, adventurer and ruler of the city Erastavim, decided to right a wrong from his past. Nearly twenty years ago, Red and his adventuring party learned of the location of a great fire giant temple. Ever one to see a golden opportunity, Red thought it a great chance to slay some of the most wicked creatures to walk the world’s face and relieve them of their treasure. In these days Red was brash and hotheaded. He led his party straight into the temple killing anything that got in their path. However, they met their match when the head shaman, Thjazi-Loki, one of the most cunning and evil giant there ever was, roared and charged into battle with the adventurers. Red’s outmatched party soon turned to flee. Heroically the party’s priest, Father Ferrio, drew the giant’s attention as his friends hurled out of the temple. The last thing Red saw was Ferrio being cut in half by the giant’s great broad sword. For the last twenty years, Red Rauthim has felt guilty that his friend gave his life so that Red may live. Feeling his age upon him, Red left his city 6 months ago to personally kill Thjazi-Loki out of respect for his fallen friend. But Red has not returned although divinations ken he is still alive. You and your party have been hired to find and return him to his city, even if that means bearding a fire giant temple!



Tuesday, May 7, 2013

They're just games that I enjoy...

Sometimes I wish I was rabid about something. I suffer from a terminal case of "whatever you like/dislike is ok for you and it's unimportant to me that you like/dislike it"-itis.

This syndrome makes it sometimes difficult to push my business because I don't hype shit about shit. To me, there really is nothing *to* hype. They're just games that I enjoy that I made or published. Nothing more. They're not social statements, they're not lifestyle choices, they're not expressions of individuality. They're just games I publish and like.

As you can see, a marketer or advertiser I ain't.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

The Big Book of Graph Paper's Awesome Review!

So I kinda suspect a bit 'o tongue-in-cheek with The Big Book of Graph Paper's review, but it made me chuckle nonetheless...
This is a great product! You just can't find graph paper like this anywhere. Sure some people will say you can get free pdfs on the internet that you can print out your own graph paper, but make no mistake, that is no substitute to the Big Book of Graph Paper! Once I started using this for my role playing games, my maps literally came alive and swallowed up my players transforming a mundane table top dungeon crawl into a real fight for survival! On the negative side, two of my players were killed when they fell into a pit of acid, but after hearing how exciting my games are using the hardbound 181 pages of .25 inch graph paper plus 11 pages of .25 inch isometric, I have a waiting list of new players to join the game. All of them are raving about the Big Book of Graph Paper. I plan to buy an additional book and use it to build my new castle with moat and drawbridge. For only $25 this is a real steal!

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Advanced Adventures Compendium Three!

Just got my copy of Advanced Adventures Compendium Three (containing Advanced Adventures #21-#30) and it looks nice. I'm going to have a a few copies for sale at North Texas RPG Con - even before #29 and #30 are published. I suspect Compendium Three will be for public sale about this time next year or so.

So, if you're going to NTRPG, yah got a chance to score a little insider swag....



Sunday, April 28, 2013

S&SS 2nd Edition Critter Layout Example 2

Another preview of Sorcery & Super Science 2nd Edition. I think I've got the general layout-for-critters down. There will be more fine-tuning, I'm sure, but I think this is 90% done.
 

Friday, April 26, 2013

Sorcery & Super Science 2nd Edition Powers Done!

Just finished the power descriptions. Got over 110 powers. Now onto spells. Got just as many of them to do.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

On the Music Box and 'a Working...

Working on Advanced Adventures Compendium 3 (as an exclusive for NTRPG Con - but available to everyone eventually) and listening to Adam Ant. Great upbeat music keeps the fingers a click'n....



Sunday, April 21, 2013

Sorcery and Super Science 4C/FASERIP Update & Preview Image

I've decided to call the 4C/FASERIP version of S&SS the 2nd Edition. So, here's a tiny preview of Sorcery & Super Science! 2nd Edition showing how I'm thinking about showing the Creatures Below the Shattered Moon. Below is the humble Horc, a common minion of foul wizards. They're none-too-bright, but they're tough and they do as they're told.

The red and green coloring has a purpose. The red background show the 4 Traits that combined provide the Life Secondary Trait of the creature, and the green background shows the 3 Traits that form the Luck Secondary Trait.

I'm fairly pleased with it so far. Underneath the stat block will be background/description of the critter and how it fits in with the world.

Advanced Adventures #28: Redtooth Ridge at the XRP website!

Redtooth Ridge is now for sale at the XRP website! An adventure I wrote for my campaign...
Redtooth Ridge is an OSRIC(tm) module designed for 6-10 adventurers of levels 1-3.

The plain wooden cup the dryad Aralina needs for her great oak’s rebirth has been stolen by creeping foul things! Small, man-like, creatures with great heads assaulted her and, in the confusion, pick-pocketed the cup before fleeing towards Redtooth Ridge. Without her cup, her tree with die before it can reproduce and she will die with it. In her distress, she has offered a reward of a beautiful coral necklace in exchange for her plain wooden cup. The call has gone out and surely a party exists willing to assault Redtooth Ridge?
 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Conflict Bullseye For 4C/FASERIP Sorcery & Super Science

So I've been thinking about colors and how to present conflict success in S&SS and this is my latest idea: The Conflict Bullseye. I think it's a very simple image that also works nicely with the driving concept of Red then Yellow than Green. I think the colors make more "sense" than the 4C Black, Red, Blue, Yellow. After all, everyone wants to hit Green lights, not Red ones.

I know it's just an aesthetic choice, but I think this one's better than my previous CMYK idea.


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Evil Makes You Feel Good

So woke up this morning with a migraine (happens to me occasionally) and instead of babying it like I normally do I attacked it. I turned on all the lights and put on some Mercyful Fate. I was in a belligerent mood.

And wouldn't you know it, the migraine went away within an hour and a half.

I hereby proclaim the healing powers of Mercyful Fate!


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Another Classified Art Preview!

Just got another batch 'o art in for Classified and thought I should share one. This one's showing the advantages of having the twin machinguns modification to your auto - an overcast day that looks like it's not going to end for the best for the guy in the lead.


Saturday, April 13, 2013

Help Me Blogger Readers, You're My Only Hope!

I seek the wisdom of my Blogger readers regarding the resolution table colors for Sorcery & Super Science!

I want to use Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black as the table colors because those are the colors that are used to print (CMYK). They're the 4C's in the name.

However, I see the utility of using simpler names such as Blue, Red, Yellow, and Black.

Question: Should I go CMYK or BRYB, and if I go with BRYB, should I use *real* blue and red or should I use CM anyway. For reverence, I've included a strip of the colors so everyone can see (top CMYK, bottom BRYB).

Thanks!

 

Barrier Peaks Map

So WotC has done several of these, but this one is my favorite so far... simply awesome.

Friday, April 12, 2013

4C/FASERIP Sorcery & Super Science!

For those who don't know, I've started working on a 4C/FASERIP version of Sorcery & Super Science! I've just rolled up the first character and I'm pleased so far. Between this and my work on Classified, I've been having quite a lot of design fun lately. It's nice to enjoy what you do.

Now, on to the descriptions for the long list of powers, skills, and contacts.

Formula Folio

Hold Portal
For the ink required to scribe an arcane hold portal scroll

1 oz. of giant octopus ink
A small iron bar
A splinter of wood

Pour ink into an iron container and drop the splinter of wood within. Add the iron bar, stopper with beeswax, and bury in the ground for 7 days. Unbury, remove splinter and iron bar and decant into a silver vial. Makes enough ink for 2 scrolls. Any special quill is suitable.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Stonesky PDF only $2! (60% off)

On a whim, I've reduced the PDF of Advanced Adventures #15: Stonesky Delve down to $2 instead of its regular $7.

When will I change it back? Dunno. Whenever the whim hits me the other way, I guess.

Enjoy!

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Preview Blurbs

So grodog asked in the comments section of the prior post concerning the contents of the module previews. Below are the blurbs.
The Doom of Red Rauthim is an OSRIC(tm) module designed for 4-8 adventurers of levels 7-9. Red Rauthim, adventurer and ruler of the city Erastavim, decided to right a wrong from his past. Nearly twenty years ago, Red and his adventuring party learned of the location of a great fire giant temple. Ever one to see a golden opportunity, Red thought it a great chance to slay some of the most wicked creatures to walk the world’s face and relieve them of their treasure. In these days Red was brash and hotheaded. He led his party straight into the temple killing anything that got in their path. However, they met their match when the head shaman, Thjazi-Loki, one of the most cunning and evil giant there ever was, roared and charged into battle with the adventurers. Red’s outmatched party soon turned to flee. Heroically the party’s priest, Father Ferrio, drew the giant’s attention as his friends hurled out of the temple. The last thing Red saw was Ferrio being cut in half by the giant’s great broad sword. For the last twenty years, Red Rauthim has felt guilty that his friend gave his life so that Red may live. Feeling his age upon him, Red left his city 6 months ago to personally kill Thjazi-Loki out of respect for his fallen friend. But Red has not returned although divinations ken he is still alive. You and your party have been hired to find and return him to his city, even if that means bearding a fire giant temple!

To End The Rising is an OSRIC(tm) module designed for 6-10 adventures of levels 1-3. The shores of Lake Selmar, and the village of Prallis, are normally tranquil – except during the Rising. Every five years, a host of fearsome monsters emerges from the lake to lay waste to the village. The locals have endured this terror for decades, but now innocent travellers have been attacked. Can the party put an end to the Rising, forever?

The Lost Lair of Drecallis is an OSRIC(tm) module designed for 4-8 adventurers of levels 4-7. For a second year in a row, Drecallis has not appeared on the appointed day to collect her tribute from the people of Longridge. Is the terrible beast dead? Or has the great reptile departed for greener pastures? The elders are desperate to discover the truth, and if the dragon is indeed dead, a priceless hoard may be sitting in the dragon's lair, unguarded. A call has been put out for brave souls willing to seek out the remote lair of Drecallis and investigate!

Covers for 3 upcoming Advanced Adventures

Below are covers for 3 upcoming Advanced Adventures (art by Daisy and John Bingham). I'm now *out* of OSRIC manuscripts and am looking for more...



Friday, April 5, 2013

Redtooth Ridge PDF for sale!

I'm proud to present the PDF version of  Advanced Adventures #28: Redtooth Ridge to the OSR public. This one comes from a recent campaign of mine and much fun was had by all. Redtooth Ridge is an OSRIC(tm) module designed for 6-10 adventures of levels 1-3.
The plain wooden cup the dryad Aralina needs for her great oak’s rebirth has been stolen by creeping foul things! Small, man-like, creatures with great heads assaulted her and, in the confusion, pick-pocketed the cup before fleeing towards Redtooth Ridge. Without her cup, her tree with die before it can reproduce and she will die with it. In her distress, she has offered a reward of a beautiful coral necklace in exchange for her plain wooden cup. The call has gone out and surely a party exists willing to assault Redtooth Ridge?



Thursday, April 4, 2013

Fetal Unicorn Horns

Fetal Unicorn Horns: These rare horns are slightly flexible and rounded at the tip. Each horn is composed of 2-5 swirls. Touching a fetal unicorn horn to a wand, staff, or rod, fully recharges the item and turns one of the swirls to dust—dust which has its own uses.

(from a dream last night)

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Formula Folio

Friends
For the ink required to scribe an arcane friends scroll

1 oz. of giant octopus ink
A pinch of white flour
A pinch of soot
A pinch of vermillion
A hard roll

Break the hard roll into halves using the hands. Using a silver knife, cut out the interior crumb of the roll, creating two small receptacles. Split ingredients into halves and place inside the roll. Replace crumb and let it absorb the ink. Squeeze out the ink using fine muslin into a silver vial. Makes enough ink for 2 scrolls. Any special quill is suitable.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Dwarven Hearth Globes

Dwarven Hearth Globe: These glass globes stand upon brass or iron forms. A conical section is excised from the top of the globe and a circular hollow is formed in the center. A dollop of properly enchanted lava is placed within, resting in the center of the globe, bringing both heat and light. A hearth globe lasts for several years and gigantic globes are used in all of the great halls under the mountain.

(from a dream last night)

Sunday, March 31, 2013

The Shadowvein PDF Bundle (new and on sale!)

Sometimes I'm slow on the uptake. For instance, I have three Advanced Adventures (Pod-Caverns of the Sinister Shroom, Down the Shadowvein, and The Mouth of the Shadowvein) that detail sequential locations down the titular underground river.

Yet I'd never bundled the PDFs together. *sigh* Like I said, sometimes I'm slow.

Well now I have! The Shadowvein Bundle will normally sell at $15, but I'm going to put in on sale for $10 for today only (meaning I'll turn the sale off when I wake up tomorrow).




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