Saturday, December 31, 2016

A Post-Apoc Tank That Never Was

Continuing with ideas regarding post-apoc vehicles, here's a tank idea that never went anywhere in reality (from the July 1936 edition of Popular Mechanics), but could certainly show up in a post-apoc world. I must admit the inability of the gunners to actually SEE anything could pose a problem (snicker), but if you used a bit of transparent aluminum, you could solve that problem... :-)


Friday, December 30, 2016

Hi-Res Below the Shattered Moon

Had a request for a hi-res version of the Sorcery & Super Science! North America map, so here it is!



SHERP ATV, another perfect-for-the-post-apoc vehicle

Unlike land trains, the SHERP isn't a military vehicle, but it's nonetheless impressive. It would provide excellent mobility for a small group in cold and boggy terrains. I'd worry about the tires in a firefight, but with a bit of rpg-magic, one can create tires that are safe from small arms.



Thursday, December 29, 2016

Post-Apocalyptic Land Trains!

Overland trains are, IMO, a cool post-apoc idea. Steal 'em and run with it! The biggest was the TC-497 Overland Train Mark II described below...

LCC-1 was so successful that in 1958 the Army contracted for a larger version, the TC-497 Overland Train Mark II. Generally similar to the LCC-1 in concept, the Mark II included a number of features to allow the train to grow to any length.

One change was the removal of the Cummins engines and their replacement with gas turbine engines of higher power and lower weight. Whereas the LCC-1 had a single 600-hp engine, the Overland Train had four 1,170-hp Solar 10MC engines, one in the "control car" and three others spread through the train. New power trailers could be added at any point along the train.To further reduce weight, most of the vehicle was built from welded aluminum.

Steering such a train proved to be a serious problem. If the train rounded a corner, the trailers would normally want to even the angles between themselves, forming into a long arc. If there was an obstacle that the driver had avoided, the trailers might eventually hit it as they rounded a corner. To solve this problem, the new trailers were all equipped with steerable wheels. Steering commands were sent from the control cab to each set of wheels in turn, so they started turning at the same point where the driver had. This allowed the train to make sharp right-angle turns, for instance.

The Mark II had a much larger six-wheeled cab that was over 30 feet (9.1 m) tall and was no longer articulated due to the ability for all the wheels to be steered. The turbine engine was much smaller than the diesel it replaced, allowing the interior to support a crew of six with sleeping quarters, toilets and a galley. It was even equipped with a radar. An additional two power cars and ten cargo cars were built for testing. In total the train now stretched over 570 feet (170 m). On flat ground it could carry 150 tons of cargo at about 20 mph. Range at full load was normally 350 to 400 miles (560 to 640 km), but additional fuel trailers could be added to extend it.

Final specifications were completed in 1960, and construction took most of 1961. After preliminary testing, it was handed to the Army in February 1962, and shipped to the Yuma Proving Ground in Yuma, Arizona. In testing under the "Project OTTER", for "Overland Train Terrain Evaluation Research", the vehicle performed well. But in the end the Army gave up on the idea as newer heavy-lift helicopters like the S-64 Skycrane made the train concept outdated.

The vehicle remained unused for a time, and was then put up for sale for $1.4 million in 1969.[9] All that remains of the Mark II is the control cab which remains at Yuma, the rest was sold off to a local scrap dealer. The Mark II retains the record for the longest offroad vehicle in the world.


Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Books Sans Title

One thing that most of us OSGs are guilty of is having labeled books. That's not how most books were from the time that we're using to base many of our games on. Most books in the medieval period had nothing of real note on their exteriors - covers existed almost solely to protect the books.. So you get shelves that look like the below (an image of Merton College's Medieval Library that's been in use since the late 1300's) wherein the value of a librarian immediately becomes obvious.

They know which books are which. :-)


Monday, December 26, 2016

Two more Tome of Tomes

Underdeep Languages
Author: William the Wise
Race: Human
Dimensions: 14x12x1.5
Weight: 25 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, brassboard, vellum, silver clasps and lock
Rarity: Rare
Fields of Study: Demi-humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: Languages
Value: 225 gp

This work, coupled with his work on Dopplegangers, provides sages with the strongest evidence that William the Wise was really a doppleganger. How else, they argue, could such a comparative study be undertaken? Underdeep Languages is a comparative, lexigraphical study of 6 common Underdeep languages: drow, duergar, svirfneblin, pech, cloaker and the dreaded fishmen. The work includes over 2,000 words from each language, and demonstrates a link between the languages of the duergar, svirfneblin, and pech. As expected, the cloaker language is the strangest of the six, but William the Wise shows that there is some connection between it and the language of the fishmen.


The Silverleafs of Ostveldt
Author:  Velonia Silverleaf
Race: Elf
Dimensions: 16x16x6
Weight: 20 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, parchment
Rarity: Uncommon
Fields of Study: Demi-humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History, politics & genealogy
Value: 40 gp

A massive history of the extensive Silverleaf clan that’s resided in the Ostveldt for over 8 generations, this weight of this tome is only matched by the boredom received in the reading. Instead of focusing on the important Silverleafs (of which there are many) this work treats every Silverleaf equally, dealing out pages and pages of the most trivial information. Still, it is an extremely thorough work that is an invaluable reference on the subject.


Sunday, December 18, 2016

The Genius of Blue Oyster Cult

It may seem strange, but the strongest influence on my creative output is Blue Oyster Cult. Not in subject matter, nor in style, but in the execution of "doing the fuck whatever I want while being indifferent what other people think."

The first 5 albums by these guys are pure, unadulterated, "We play what we like." And they're beautiful.

That, my friends, is the only thing I strive for.



Friday, December 16, 2016

There are Many Sources of Inspiration for Post-Apoc

One of the fun things about the post-apoc genre is that you can draw from so many different sources when creating a post-apoc world. Pretty much anything is possible and even cartoon characters can come to life - their humor replaced by horror, of course. Below is another critter beneath the shattered moon that's not nearly as funny as its inspirational source.


Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Easter Eggs in Sorcery & Super Science!

I like to put little Easter eggs in the writing that I do, particular in S&SS, for instance the geo-political area of "New Fargo" contains a reference to Famine in Far-Go(1) as well as a reference to the movie Fargo (2). I sometimes wonder if they're ever discovered, but I know if they are, whoever discovers them gets a great little bit of "I see what you did there!" feeling.

"Six years ago, John Foodfinder located and claimed an automated chicken processing factory as his own(1). This discovery saved his village and all those from neighboring settlements moved, forming New Fargo around this plant. In the past six years, King John has grown his territory by small steps, as the area around New Fargo seems unusually beset by radiated horrors.

Although one would assume New Fargo is named because the ruins of that ancient city lie within the kingdom’s boundary that is not the case (2). The ruins of ancient Fargo are on an island in the Center Sea. New Fargo is named in honor of that ancient city’s world-renown prosperity. If traveling in the area, New Fargo certainly needs to be visited, for it is one of the few safe places in the sparsely populated kingdom. Additionally King John has tapped into the energy supply of the factory, and New Fargo is awash in lights and power. Trading opportunities abound, as canned chicken is produced in large quantities here (1), and small fortunes have been made via its transportation. Finally, the ruins of ancient Brainerd (2) may provide some scavenging opportunities."

(1) - This refers of course to the central plot of Famine in Far-Go.
(2) - This refers to how the movie (and subsequent series) Fargo was almost entirely not in Fargo. And on the map "New Fargo" contains Brainerd, which is where most of the movie Fargo occurred.


Tome of Tomes

The Efficient Spell Caster
Author: Yyis Taiver
Race: Titan
Dimensions: 16x16x5
Weight: 25 lbs.
Materials: Black dragonskin-bound, woodboard, vellum, brass corners and clasps
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Dweomercraft
Value: 4,500 gp

Another monumental work of the blind titan Yyis Taiver, this sought-after tome is a series of 1,000 memory-enhancing puzzled designed to enhance a magic user’s ability to remember spells. After studying the book for a month, a caster may gain an extra 1st-level spell slot on a 3d6 roll under Intelligence. A failure allows another roll after 6 months of study. A failure on the second roll means the caster is unable to benefit from the work.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Thanks Everyone!

Just want to thank everyone who helped out with the last Bundle of Holding that we participated in. Thanks to your efforts, more than $1,000 was sent to Doctors without Borders. Maybe it makes me a bit of a cheesy person, but I like being part of something that can really make a difference to someone. It's not something I get to do often, seeing as I'm just a rpg publisher. I enjoy working in a profession that helps make people happy, but this kinda thing is a different level. Thanks all!

Monday, December 12, 2016

Only 10 hours left on our Bundle of Holding

Only 10 hours left of our Bundle of Holding for which Doctors Without Borders is the charity recipient! A revival of the November 2014 collection of tabletop roleplaying gamemastering aids - WORLDBUILDER'S TOOLKIT +2.


Saturday, December 3, 2016

14-year Cycle for Words?

Now this article is very interesting. Basically, some scientists used Google's Ngram to study word frequency and found out that words usage increases and decreases in about 14 year cycles. There's more study to be done, of course, before you can say with certainty that this occurs, but I'm fascinated by these types of large-scale studies that have only become possible very recently. Meta-data and the effect it'll have on us going forward is a new frontier, and I suspect that some of the things we'll start to see will give us some good insight on how we unconsciously design our systems.

Cool stuff!

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Bundle of Holding

I'm proud to say we're involved with another Bundle of Holding for which Doctors Without Borders is the charity recipient! This one is a revival of the November 2014 collection of tabletop roleplaying gamemastering aids - WORLDBUILDER'S TOOLKIT +2.

Ton 'o great stuff here in case you missed it the first time around, including our Beast Builder. Which, IMO, is one of the best guides/resources regarding building fantasy monsters.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Sorcery & Super Science 3rd Monster Preview

Hey, look! Another critter from beneath the shattered moon! An abassy's a nasty piece of work - a spirit of the dead that remains only to punish!


Friday, November 25, 2016

Another 2nd Edition Sorcery & Super Science! monster preview

So the prior preview was for one of the weakest horrors out there beneath the shattered moon. This one, a groue horror, is much, much worse.


Sunday, November 20, 2016

Tome of Tomes

Skaraborg
Author: Gunnar Goldmane
Race: Dwarf
Dimensions: 8x10x3.5
Weight: 11 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, stoneboard, parchment
Rarity: Uncommon
Fields of Study: Demi-humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History
Value: 90 gp

Penned by the exiled Goldmane, the ancient dwarven city of Skaraborg is the subject of this hefty tome, which includes an out-of-date map for reference to those who have never been. The tome has a complete version of the public history of the city, and does not dwell upon any of the events that historians consider part of the private history of Skaraborg. Hastily penned, Skaraborg’s work provides a decent introduction to the public face of the city, but is fairly useless in details.


Sunday, November 13, 2016

Two Tome of Tomes

Kirowa Sunslayer
Author: Finnock Jetdigger
Race: Gnome
Dimensions: 6x5x.05
Weight: 1 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, parchment
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: Legends & folklore
Value: 60 gp

This small tome contains the story of the legendary Kirowa Sunslayer, 1st Emperor to sit upon the Lotus Throne. It tells of his magical birth from the union of his tyrannical father the sun and his peaceful mother the sea. It spends most of its pages describing his many adventures in the Baiyang Mountains before he was forced to slay his father to save the world. After his great battle, Sunslayer rose into the air and became the friendly sun that we all know today.


The Pole Sitters
Author: Unknown
Race: Human
Dimensions: 16x16x2
Weight: 10 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, vellum
Rarity: Uncommon
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History, theology & myth
Value: 50 gp

This illuminated book contains 136 terse biographies about the pole sitters of thirsty Gumandia. These holy men and women climbed upon a column, pillar, or pole and refused to return to the ground until death claimed them. They preached to gathered crowds and subsisted with help from the faithful. The stylite movement lasted a brief 67 years, beginning with the ascension of St. Myront and ended with the death of St. Wiflyra. The pillar of St. Wiflyra is still a holy location drawing many pilgrims yearly.


Friday, November 11, 2016

Enough Thinking - More Doing - Call for Manuscripts

We all have gone through a tough few days. After thinking and thinking (and thinking some more) the time's come for doing. What am I going to do? I'm going to keep on voting, donating to charity, and working for a more-equitable America. To do this, I'm going to focus more on work than I have been lately.

Lately, I've been focusing on my health. I've lost 30 lbs. this year, I've gained many lbs. of muscle (I'm nearing the strongest I've ever been), and I'm exercising for 80 minutes 3-times a week. I've been kicking the ass of the health baddie, but it's come at a cost regarding my business productivity. I'm gonna have to kick that up a notch while maintaining my health-centered focus. I've got a lot of weight yet to lose, and I'm going to do it, but I need to start kicking more than just my fat butt.

With that in mind, this is just a public announcement that I'm going to be more busy. I'm *always* looking for manuscripts (for Advanced Adventures or 1 on 1 Adventures). If you've a manuscript, I'll take a look.


Sunday, November 6, 2016

Bundle of Holding - OSR +4

We're part of another Bundle of Holding featuring OSR material. Pod-Caverns of the Sinister Shroom is joining 10 other great OSR products, all for just about the lowest price you'll see. Oh, also, 10% of all profits are going to Doctors Without Borders, so that's a real added bonus.


Friday, October 28, 2016

Tome of Tomes

The Wanton Sea Rovers
Author: Unknown
Race: Unknown
Dimensions: 4x5x0.5
Weight: 1 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, parchment
Rarity: Rare
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History, legends & folklore
Value: 35 gp

This work became famous around 60 years ago as a plea to Queen Gendra to increase patrols in the Sindra Straights and expel the vicious sea rovers within. A mix of history and fiction, its call was heard and enough noble and merchant pressure placed upon the Queen that war was declared upon the Rovers of the straights. Unfortunately, Queen Gendra’s fleet was captained by her incompetent brother and the battles were lost. Eventually Darthron fell to the rovers, the Queen beheaded, and Simon Wavestrider took the throne as the 1st Sea Rover king.


Emperor Ignatius Grimhand
Author: Lina Deerhart
Race: Human
Dimensions: 8x10x1
Weight: 2 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, parchment
Rarity: Uncommon
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History
Value: 50 gp

Emperor Ignatius Grimhand is a dry and boring work about a dry and boring emperor. The Emperor was a taciturn man who ruled during a long period of peace, who faced little challenges to rise to, and who died peacefully in his sleep. Most of the history is purely political, regarding various civil acts and ordinances as well as a lengthy discussion of imperial finances.


Saturday, October 22, 2016

The Okavango Delta

I don't know if you're familiar with the Okavango Delta in Botswana, but it's an amazing place. You should check out the Wiki link and hunt up some Google images. It's tremendously gamable, and, as far as I know, I don't remember any inland deltas in any published fantasy rpg setting.




Saturday, October 15, 2016

Tome of Tomes

Two more Tome of Tomes thanks to my wonderful Patreons! If you'd like to support the creation of these, I'm only requesting $1 per 8 tomes, resulting in $2 a month total, and you get the Tome of Tome PDFs for free when they come out (every 100 tomes). I'm having a blast creating them and would love any additional support if you're interested.

Blackcloak, Terror of Westhame Forest
Author: Dirk Ringdon
Race: Human
Dimensions: 8x8x0.5
Weight: 2 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, parchment
Rarity: Uncommon
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History
Value: 35 gp

A figure of infamy, Blackcloak is accurately portrayed in this work as a most cruel highwayman. Written by Dirk Ringdon who escaped a 3-year captivity under Blackcloak, no details are spared regarding the robber’s depredations in the deep Westhame Forest. Ringdon’s escape and subsequent guiding of Fargoth’s 3rd Regiment eventually located Blackcloak and brought him to justice: a hanging attended by over three thousand souls. For his deeds, Ringdon was named the 1st Baron of Egremith.


Six Saints
Author: Devora
Race: Human
Dimensions: 8x8x.05
Weight: 2lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, vellum
Rarity: Uncommon
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History, theology & myth
Value: 35 gp

This concise hagiography tells of the life and times of six Harmonish saints: Beatrice, Xyphisus, Oma, Gerold, Hamant, and Darserva. More interesting than the stories themselves is the author Devora. After her death (as is Harmonish custom) she was sainted for her many miracles. Two decades later, however, she was unexpectedly resurrected. She’s still alive 65 years after her revival and this makes her the only living Harmonish saint. Her existence has caused a schism within the Harmonish church, with roughly 25% of all followers declaring themselves part of the traditionalist sect that does not recognize her sainthood.



Thursday, October 6, 2016

Two More Tome of Tomes

Dread Kirowath
Author: Briod Griwent
Race: Human
Dimensions: 8x10x0.5
Weight: 1 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, parchment
Rarity: Uncommon
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History
Value: 20 gp

The brief 12-year reign of the demi-god Kirowath is etched into the memory of the Muyan peoples, but few know the complete story of his meteoric rise and fall. Exhaustively (and magically) researched, Dread Kirowath tells of how a simple peasant boy rose to power over one of the greatest nations on the planet. It tells of how he became a demi-god, and how that process resulted in his inevitable defeat at Tuoba. Unlike other histories of Kirowath, this one pinpoints his sword, an intelligent and malevolent turquoise blade of great power, as the primary mover in Kirowath’s story.


Biography of Guthard
Author: Zwyhard
Race: Human
Dimensions: 6x5x1
Weight: 1 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, parchment
Rarity: Common
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History
Value: 15 gp

This biography of the High King Guthard frames him in a very positive light. Penned by his close friend and monastic Zwyhard, Biography of Guthard follows the High King from Birth to his 78th year, the year in which Zwyhard died. Important events such as the Battle of Yellowhurst, the Scouring of Westfallan, and the founding of High King’s College are detailed in flowery ornate language. History has since looked less-favorably upon Guthard, but this work benefits from the direct relationship of author and subject.



Sunday, September 25, 2016

The World of Tome of Tomes...?

So I've written over 400 Tome of Tomes (I've really been going thanks to the Patreon supporters!) and I just started thinking that I'm basically organically creating a fantasy world with all its geography, history, and racial relations.

So now I'm thinking, what would it take for me to actually produce an entirely-open-content OSRIC-compatible fantasy setting based upon all the things I've created. Hrm... I kinda like the idea, but I *does* sound like a lot of work, so I'll have to think about it before committing.


Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Two PDFs for download: The Pre-Gen Characters for AA#15 and AA#21

If I've done my google docs magic properly, below is the link to the Pre-Gen Characters for Advanced Adventures #15: Stonesky Delve and Advanced Adventures #21: The Obsidian Sands of Syncrates.

Both of the files are about 30 pages long. They include the quick rosters as well as the printable player sheets. Enjoy!


Sunday, September 18, 2016

Two more Tome of Tomes

The Science of Circles
Author: Dizariot Herculf
Race: Human
Dimensions: 24x24x6
Weight: 36 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, brassboard, vellum
Rarity: Unique
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Dweomercraft, planes (astral, elemental & ethereal), planes (outer)
Value: 1000 gp

This large book appears to be an extremely deep analysis of the many magical circles used for protection and summoning. It is, unfortunately, an extremely elaborate hoax. And worse than that, it’s a magical trap created by the author. None of the information regarding the creation of the circles is accurate (although much regarding the creatures of the various planes is superficially so) and if a practitioner attempts to use any of the circles, he opens himself up to extreme danger. The caster must save vs. magic or the damned soul of Dizariot Herculf takes possession of his body. The practitioner is allowed a save vs. magic every week to break the possession. Upon the 4th failed save, the caster’s soul takes the place of the Herculf’s permanently.


The Great Khan
Author: Gorie Hephast
Race: Human
Dimensions: 6x5x1
Weight: 1 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, vellum
Rarity: Uncommon
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History
Value: 50 gp

This book tells the story of the 3rd Great Khan, Sorghaktangi. Although only a capable fighter, the 3rd Khan was a masterful strategist, tactician, and politician, ruling the unruliest of tribes for more than 50 years. She was born into a noble family, 4th cousin from the 2nd Great Khan Onchi, and quickly proved her tactical worth during the long Eosian campaign. When Onchi fell during the Xiong Retaliation, Sorghaktangi ably stepped into leadership, and after her successes easily secured her title of Khan.


Friday, September 16, 2016

All the Advanced Adventures (1-36) by Level

I was asked for a list of the AA by level, so I thought I should put one up on the blog here. It looks like we've got pretty good coverage, and I think you could work out a campaign with just these published modules. I'd like a few more lower levels (1-3, 2-4), but they seem to be the hardest to acquire manuscripts for, so I may have to work on another one myself (I wrote Redtooth Ridge, which I think's a damn good module - at least my players loved it!)

Advanced Adventures #22: Stonepick Crossing 1-3
Advanced Adventures #28: Redtooth Ridge 1-3
Advanced Adventures #30: To End the Rising 1-3
Advanced Adventures #1: The Pod-Caverns of the Sinister Shroom 2-4
Advanced Adventures #13: White Dragon Run 2-4
Advanced Adventures #27: Bitteroot Briar 2-4
Advanced Adventures #7: The Sarcophagus Legion 2-4
Advanced Adventures #17: The Frozen Wave Satsuma 3-5
Advanced Adventures #19: The Secret of the Callair Hills 3-5
Advanced Adventures #23: Down the Shadowvein 3-5
Advanced Adventures #24: The Mouth of the Shadowvein 3-5
Advanced Adventures #25: Beneath the Heart of Empire 3-5
Advanced Adventures #6: Chasm of the Damned 3-5
Advanced Adventures #26: The Witch Mounds 3-6
Advanced Adventures #34: The Crocodile's Tear 4-6
Advanced Adventures #15: Stonesky Delve 4-7
Advanced Adventures #21: Obsidian Sands of Syncrates 4-7
Advanced Adventures #31: The Lost Lair of Drecallis 4-7
Advanced Adventures #9: The Lost Pyramid of Imhotep 4-7
Advanced Adventures #12: The Barrow Mound of Gravemoor 5-7
Advanced Adventures #35: The Desert Shrine of the Sightless Sisters 5-8
Advanced Adventures #32: The Palace Beyond 6-9
Advanced Adventures #10: Lost Keys of Solitude 6-10
Advanced Adventures #20: The Riddle of Anadi 6-10
Advanced Adventures #3: The Curse of the Witch Head 6-10
Advanced Adventures #5: The Flaming Footprints of Jilanth 6-10
Advanced Adventures #29: The Doom of Red Rauthim 7-9
Advanced Adventures #14: The Verdant Vault of Malakum 8-10
Advanced Adventures #4: The Prison of Meneptah 8-10
Advanced Adventures #8: The Seven Shrines of Nav'k-qar 8-12
Advanced Adventures #16: Under Shattered Mountain 9-12
Advanced Adventures #36: Aerie of the Cloud Giant Strategos 9-14
Advanced Adventures #11: The Conqueror worm 10-14
Advanced Adventures #18: The Forsaken Sepulcher 10-14
Advanced Adventures #2: The Red Mausoleum 12-15
Advanced Adventures #33: The Halls of Lidless Shabbath 12-15













Tuesday, September 13, 2016

$3 Advanced Adventures PDF sale!

I've decided to have a little sale (through Friday) on all the Advanced Adventures PDFs. I'm up to #34 now and I've one more manuscript in the works. I've also got the outlines of something called Aerie of the Cloud Giant Strategos which is my take on a follow-up on the Against the Giants series wherein the source of evil doesn't go into the ground, but into a giant cloud castle. But I digress...

I hope you enjoy the sale and now's the time to pick something up if you're interested!

Monday, September 12, 2016

I like Spider Pig more than Harry Plopper*

I know a lot of people prefer John Williams' work on Star Wars, but for me, his best work was the first few Harry Potters. I really enjoy these soundtracks. This is my music of the day. If you enjoy, pick up the soundtracks for yourself!

(*the title of this post has little to do with anything, it's just that I can't think of Harry Potter without thinking about Homer Simpson's pig which I'm sure is heartbreaking to some Harry Potter fans)


Saturday, September 10, 2016

Today's Music

Today's editing music. I really like this soundtrack. I first saw the movie in 6th grade English; our teacher was a fan of fantasy/sci-fi. I wish I could find a cd copy of this as I don't have a record player. Honestly, I don't know if they've ever made a cd version. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

So here's to Glenn Yarbourgh, who died only a month ago.


Thursday, September 8, 2016

Another Tome of Tomes Double Shot

The Heart of Fear
Author: Pirn the Skunie
Race: Human
Dimensions: 16x16x3
Weight: 15 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, stoneboard, parchment
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Dweomercraft
Value: 6,500 gp

Most know Pirn the Skunie as a rather unreliable historian, but he was also a city-sponsored wizard focusing on the fears within different races. The Heart of Fear delves deeply into the racial fears of the different races (humans, demi-humans, and the more common humanoids) and how such fears can be exploited when employing magic that causes fear. Contained within are two spells: scare and fear.


Arise
Author: Unknown
Race: Unknown
Dimensions: 14x12x1.5
Weight: 5 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, parchment
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Dweomercraft
Value: 1,250 gp

Arise provides a good examination of the undead, particularly the animation of. Different types of undead are described and illuminated, but the focus of the work is on the two lowest-powered undead: skeletons and zombies. Skeletons or zombies animated by a practitioner using Arise have +2 hp.

Friday, September 2, 2016

A Magical Medieval Society: Third Edition is now available!

Heya all! The 3rd Edition of MMS:WE is now available in PDF and in Print. This new edition includes 18 pages of information on how to realistically name places - the material I'd previously released as On the Naming of Places PDF.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Pig to Bones in Less than 8 Days!

So today I find myself watching forensic experiments. I would not have suspected that you can go from full-grown pig to skeleton in only 7 days. Turns out the fishes one sleeps with are hungry.


Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Night Alarm: The Advance by Charles West Cope, 1871

This is an awesome painting. The Night Alarm: The Advance by Charles West Cope, 1871. Just oozes atmosphere...



Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Tome of Tomes Double Today

Two more tome of tomes!

Dead No More
Author: Dierdre Alleratt
Race: Human
Dimensions: 8x10x0.5
Weight: 1 lbs.
Materials: Black dragonskin-bound, stitched humanbone-board, gorgon vellum
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Planes (outer)
Value: 625 gp

This small book of mentally-focusing prayers helps a cleric prepare for the rigors associated with casting raise dead or resurrection. Reciting all the prayers takes 4 hours, but afterwards a cleric is treated as if 2 levels higher regarding spell effects for raise dead or resurrection and halves the recovery period of a resurrection.


Things That Are Not
Author: Skyme Dualming
Race: Human
Dimensions: 14x14x9
Weight: 35 lbs.
Materials: Shadow dragonskin-bound, stoneboard, vellum, brass clasps and lock
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Dweomercraft
Value: 25,000 gp

Another work regarding illusions by the renowned illusionist Dualming, Things That Are Not is arguably the most sought-after work of illusionary magic. Dualming’s masterwork requires an Intelligence of 17+ to understand and 9 months of intensive study, but if such is possible an illusionist reading this tome gains a remarkably deep understanding of illusions: such an understanding that all his spells are saved against at with a -1 penalty. Sages believe there are only three copies of Things That Are Not. Contained within each tome are the illusionist spells audible glamer, phantasmal force, improved phantasmal force, phantasmal killer, shadow monsters, and permanent illusion.



Sunday, August 14, 2016

My favorite writing music - John Carpenter's Lost Themes

If you like soundtracks, and enjoy Carpenter's minimalism, you simply *must* purchase this collection of "Themes for movies that never existed." It is, hands down, amazing stuff that never ceases to focus my thoughts when writing. I love all of Carpenter's Soundtracks (at least those that I own), but this one is my favorite. Even beating Escape from New York, which is quite the feat. Go out and buy this, it's wonderful!



Saturday, August 13, 2016

Post-Apocalyptic Scrounged-Glass Arrowheads

I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I never thought of people using scrounged glass for arrowheads! Doing a bit of research it seems that bowhunters view these type of arrowheads as inferior to flint but superior to obsidian in terms of durability. Here's a cool video of a guy making a scrounged-glass arrowhead using flint-knapping techniques.


Thursday, August 11, 2016

I admit it. I like Conan the Destroyer.

Yeah, I know people rag on the movie, but I've always liked it as much, perhaps even more, than I liked the first Conan movie. Tracy Walter's portrayal of Malak is  the single greatest influence on my perception of the thief class. So even though most people dislike it, I dig the flick. Especially the music.

Here's a vid where you can watch the musicians play the theme song. 'Tis cool.


Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Tome of Tomes

Geomancy
Author: Unknown
Race: Elf
Dimensions: 14x12x1.5
Weight: 25 lbs.
Materials: Black dragonskin-bound, brassboard, vellum, brass clasps and lock
Rarity: Rare
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Divination
Value: 6,625 gp

This elven treatise on the magical art of fortune telling from earthen materials seems convincing, but is actually entirely worthless. The author seems unaware of even the most basic magical principles.  However, the last half of Geomancy is a highly convoluted, and highly compact, guide to the creation of a crystal ball. Following these instructions reduces the time needed for creation by half. Additionally, a later hand included a single spell found within the margins through the entire book: legend lore.

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Tome of Tomes

Glyphs of Power
Author: Archibald Williamson
Race: Human
Dimensions: 16x16x3
Weight: 15 lbs.
Materials: Giant eelskin-bound, woodboard, vellum
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Dweomercraeft, heraldry, signs & sigils
Value: 14,000 gp

The only other known work of Williamson, Glyphs of Power is a methodical, difficult work on the nature of magical glyphs, sigils, runes, and wards. There are four spells are contained within the volume: wizard mark, sepia snake sigil, explosive runes, guards and wards. More importantly, after reading and digesting Glyphs of Power for at least a month, a caster’s spells involving such affairs are more effective (+1 to damage or -1 to save against).

Friday, August 5, 2016

Two more Tome of Tomes

I'm still plugging away at my Tome of Tomes Patreon project and should be releasing Tome of Tomes Volume 4 in a few months because of their support. Thanks all!

Here's two more tomes from the series.

Glassworks of Punj
Author: Mallient Fligiton
Race: Human
Dimensions: 8x8x1
Weight: 4 lbs.
Materials: Giant snakeskin-bound, stoneboard, vellum
Rarity: Common
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: Arts & music
Value: 50 gp

The peoples of Punj are renowned for their glass-working ability, and with good reason, as this seminal work demonstrates. Glassoworks of Punj not only explores the common wares coming out of workshops throughout the sub-continent, but it also show many of the wondrous works of art and their historical context of many of the ancient wares.  Heavily illuminated, this work provides inspiration and sets a high bar for glassworkers of other regions.


Kemetian Fire Magic
Author: Liart Spilgie
Race: Elf
Dimensions: 16x16x3
Weight: 15 lbs.
Materials: Red dragonskin-bound, woodboard, vellum
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Humankind, supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: History, dweomercraeft
Value: 7,500 gp

The rare companion piece to Spilgie’s Ancient Kemet, Kemetian Fire Magic deeply delves into the fire magics of that ancient people. Spilgie translates hundreds of magical hieroglyphic texts into modern form, eventually providing the reader access to the following three spells: burning hands, flaming sphere, fire trap. These translations prove the ancientness of these three magics. Additionally, it should be noted, the Kemetian flaming sphere is superior to the common spell, dealing 2-8+1 hit points of damage.

Monday, August 1, 2016

Advanced Adventures #34: The Crocodile's Tear now available!

AA #34 is now out in print and PDF forms.

Advanced Adventures #34: The Crocodiles Tear is an OSRIC(tm) module designed for 4-6 adventurers of levels 3-6.

A wealthy patron is outfitting an expedition to sail to the mysterious southern continent.  The goal of the expedition is none other than the legendary Crocodile’s Tear: a massive magical emerald! Many tales are told about the southern continent, most of which paint it as a disease-ridden jungle filled with hostile natives, reachable only by crossing a pirate- and monster-infested sea.

As the port winds fade into the winds of the open sea, the sails of The Mermaid billow firmly. Will the player characters survive the voyage, and will they find more than they bargained for? Oh, and was it mentioned that that two other trips set out before this one only to be swallowed up by the dense jungle…



Wednesday, June 15, 2016

A series of new 1 on 1 Adventure are coming. Here's the first, The 300th!

I'm happy to say that I've a series of new 1 on 1 Adventures (for Pathfinder) coming out over the next year. Here's the cover for 1-on-1 #17, The 300th! I've got numbers 17-21 in the pipeline... :-)



Monday, May 9, 2016

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Advanced Adventures #34: The Crocodile's Tear

Oh lookie, another Advanced Adventure's on the way! This one's by Geoff Gander, has a a rather Meso-American feel, and fits right in the sweet spot of levels 3-6.

Advanced Adventures #34: The Crocodiles Tear is an OSRIC(tm) module designed for 4-6 adventurers of levels 3-6.
A wealthy patron is outfitting an expedition to sail to the mysterious southern continent.  The goal of the expedition is none other than the legendary Crocodile’s Tear: a massive magical emerald! Many tales are told about the southern continent, most of which paint it as a disease-ridden jungle filled with hostile natives, reachable only by crossing a pirate- and monster-infested sea.
As the port winds fade into the winds of the open sea, the sails of The Mermaid billow firmly. Will the player characters survive the voyage, and will they find more than they bargained for? Oh, and was it mentioned that that two other trips set out before this one only to be swallowed up by the dense jungle…
If you enjoy this adventure, look for future releases in the Advanced Adventures line from Expeditious Retreat Press.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Tome of Tomes: Volume Three released!

Heya all, I'm glad to say that the next 100 books in the Tome of Tomes are compiled and released as the PDF Volume Three of the Tomes of Tomes! Thanks again to all my Tome of Tomes Patreons for their support, without which I would not be creating these as the clip that I am. Thanks!


Friday, April 8, 2016

A Month without Posts

I should update all of you since it's been a month without posts. There are two main reasons for this: 1. We moved from Ohio to Vancouver, WA, and 2. My computer fall down go boom.

The move is the big reason. Suzi (my wife) found a new job on the west coast and moving our household (and business) 2,500 miles has taken almost all of our collective attention for the past month. We're here finally and the house is 95% set up so things are back to normal on that front. Unfortunately, we've got about two weeks of travelling into (south) Portland for Suzi's orientation/on boarding and that's a terrible, terrible, drive, so I'm not going to be 100% at the helm until the next two weeks are done.

(we get to see this monster a lot while we cross the river)

But the computer issue isn't to be ignored. It's simply amazing how much time it takes to migrate from one computer to another when you've got as much computer-related stuff to move over. For instance, just finding all the damn fonts you used takes forever. Oh, and I still haven't figured out how to migrate custom brushes from Photoshop (but honestly, I haven't looked that hard after my initial frustration... there's got to be a way right? That seems like something people would want to do.).

Anyway, thought you all deserved a heads up on my silence recently. Thanks to all my business associates for their patience during this period. I appreciate it!


Friday, March 11, 2016

Expeditous Retreat Press joins TableTopLibrary

Expeditious Retreat Press is now selling digital product at a new retailer, TableTopLibrary! We're joined by other fine publishers such as Kobold Press, Frog God Games, Troll Lord Games, Green Ronin, Rite Publishing, Hero Games, Rogue Comet, Metallic Dice Games, Pacesetter Games and Simulations, Eldritch Enterprises, and Far Future Enterprises.

https://tabletoplibrary.com/is a newly-formed online store for RPG books and pdfs designed to offer both electronic versions and hard copy versions of books produced by your favorite publishers. TabletopLibrary will also offer a full slate of products and resources for other role-playing games, including Pathfinder and OSR-games. All of us will continue our own websites and stores, but TableTopLibrary offers a place to draw all these products together in one place for convenience.

At this time, by coming together as a consortium, we can offer the high-quality products we pride ourselves on; provide a one-stop shopping spot with outstanding customer service; and allow  a better experience for publishers, and more importantly, for customers . Centralized electronic book fulfillment, kickstarter fulfillment, and single-location warehousing will improve our delivery speed, accuracy, and customer service in the RPG download market.

Our reasons for setting up a consortium at this time include (1) each partner retains ownership and editorial control over the individual campaign worlds and other “intellectual property” that our fans have known and loved for years; (2) our desire to offer physically higher-quality printing, paper quality, and binding than print on demand outlets offer; and (3) the desire to continue drawing upon and increasing the vast resources of Open Game Content as opposed to other alternatives.

TableTopLibrary is committed to offering a deep and broad-based marketplace of Fifth Edition products, superior to any other online store, as well as many other game system products. We are joined in a partnership of many large publishers in this project, and expect many more to join us as time goes on. TableTopLibrary will be issuing its own press release soon, describing the advantages and the procedures involved in joining.

You can continue buying products directly from each of us, as always. But if you want to browse the whole library of Fifth Edition and other products produced under the Open Game License over the years, we’re letting you know that there’s a new online game store in town.


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