Author Archives: the venomous pao

TFT Kickstarter, Blah Blah Blah

Listen up, you hooligans. I’ve been playing The Fantasy Trip since 19-and-82. I’ve played full RPG TFT and its component games Melee & Wizard more than any other system (even more than I’ve played all forms of D&D combined). So hop on the damned bandwagon already and back the Kickstarter for the grand re-release of TFT. That way I’ll have even more people to shake my cane at while yelling at them to get offa my lawn. Or, on my better days, more people to play TFT with I suppose.

Microgames & Microquests
Extreme Closeup (Wizard Version)
Extreme Closeup (Melee Version)
The Games Of My Youth
Skirmish Time
Interiors of the Advanced Books & ITL
Interiors of the Advanced Books & ITL
The Advanced Books & ITL
The Advanced Books & ITL

SWN Revised: Fighting For Workers Rights

Wherein your humble scribe presents a quartet of randomly generated characters for Stars Without Number Revised as he awaits his copy of the Kickstarted hardback, which has shipped and should be here any day now.

These folks were built using SWN(R)’s Quick Character Creation option (p.26) and are thus representative of starting characters in this edition.

On the more industrialized worlds of the Alceris Sector, the Iron Federation struggles to defend workers’ rights and protections. It’s not an easy task — the corporations have money, power, and, all too often, muscle on their side. So the approaches vary, as do the people who fight for the principles of Worker Dignity.

Nazir
A lucky escapee from the primitive world of Qabis, Nazir has managed to scrape together a small fortune in credits by serving as hired muscle for the Clenched Fists wing of the Iron Federation. Sometimes to protect the rights of the workers you have to lean on management just a little. And leaning is definitely Nazir’s biggest strength.

Nazir (Qabis) / Barbarian / Warrior 1 / Cr 500
HP 8 / AC 14 / AB +1 / P 14 E 15 M 15
STR 14 DEX 9 CON 12 INT 11 WIS 9 CHA 7
Skills: Survive-0, Notice-0, Stab-1, Punch-0, Heal-0
Languages: Arabic, Trade Common
Focus: Savage Fray-1, Shocking Assault-1
Equipment: Spear (1d6+1),Primitive hide armor, Primitive shield, Knife (1d4) Backpack (TL0), 7 days rations, 20m rope

Mira Mahajan
Mira saw the struggles of industrial servitude firsthand on Iorna, where her parents both perished in the mines while trying to pay off their company debts. So when the Iron Federation took her in and saved her from the worst the camps had to offer, she dedicated herself to their mission, by any means necessary. That vow made her a perfect candidate for the Silent Blades wing.

Mira Mahajan (Iorna) / Vagabond / Warrior 1 / Cr 100
HP 6 / AC 13 / AB +1 / P 15 E 15 M 14
STR 7 DEX 10 CON 9 INT 11 WIS 12 CHA 14
Skills: Notice-0, Sneak-1, Survive-0, Lead-0, Shoot-0
Languages: Hindi, Trade Common
Focus: Gunslinger-1, Authority-1
Equipment: Laser Pistol (1d6), Armored Undersuit, Monoblade Knife (1d6), 8 type A Cells, Backpack (TL0), Compad

Ricardo Gavilan
A smooth-talking con man from one of the orbital habitats above Gherenberg, Ricardo has recently taken a shine to working with the Iron Federation’s Smiling Eyes wing. There’s nothing like advancing the workers’ cause with a little friendly persuasion, after all.

Ricardo Gavilan (Gherenberg) / Spacer / Expert 1 / Cr 25
HP 2 / AC 13 / AB +0 / P 15 E 15 M 14
STR 7 DEX 9 CON 10 INT 12 WIS 11 CHA 14
Skills: Fix-0, Pilot-0, Program-0, Talk-1, Shoot-0
Languages: Spanish, Trade Common, Arabic, Hindi, English
Focus: Diplomat-1, Specialist/Talk-1
Equipment: Laser Pistol (1d6), Armored Undersuit, Monoblade knife (1d6), Climbing harness, Low-light goggles, 2 type A cells, Backpack (TL0), Compad, Metatool

Julia Lloyd-Davies
Julia slaved for several years as a company member at Bhatanagar Enterprises, where she watched in horror as castmate after castmate suffered terrible accidents that were clearly the result of lax safety practices. When her contract was terminated due to the scarring she suffered from the accident that even she couldn’t foresee, she sought out the Iron Federation to set things right once and for all.

Julia Lloyd-Davies (New Victoria) / Entertainer / Psychic 1 / Cr 700
HP 6 / AC 13 / AB +0 / P 15 E 15 M 14 / Effort 4
STR 9 DEX 11 CON 12 INT 10 WIS 14 CHA 7
Skills: Perform-0, Talk-0, Connect-0, Telepathy-0, Precognition-1, Know-0
Languages: English, Trade Common, Hindi
Focus: Psychic Training-1
Psychic Techniques: Terminal Reflection (Precognition)
Equipment: Secure Clothing, Compad

Six Space Frontiersmen

Wherein your humble scribe presents a sextet of starting characters for FrontierSpace, now that the Referee’s Handbook is out and he’s bought in on the action. These folks are all Human and were randomly generated using the tables in the Player’s Hanbook.

Ngala / Human M / Body Points 28 / Rank 1
MD +0 RD +1 INIT 1 MOV 9 DEST 2
STR 55 AGL 65 CDR 60 PER 55 INT 50 WIL 55
Explorer (0), Pilot (-10), Thief (-10)
Languages: Terran, Galactic Common
Descriptors: Charitable to a fault, A bit stoic and boring
Origin: Colonist (Social Advantage w/ Colonists, Action Advantage w/ Desert Survival, Social Disadvantage w/ Core Worlders)
Gear: Audio/Visual Scanner, Enviro-suit, Standard Equipment Pack, Auto Pistol (20 bullets), Explorer Kit

Vaughn / Human F / Body Points 28 / Rank 1
MD +0 RD +2 INIT 2 MOV 8 DEST 1
STR 55 AGL 60 CDR 65 PER 70 INT 65 WIL 55
Technician/Starships (0), Artist/Performance (-10), Warrior (-10)
Languages: Terran, Galactic Common
Descriptors: Unnecessarily aggressive demeanor, Easily distracted by gizmos
Origin: Mechanic (+5 INT, +2 Equip, -1 INIT)
Gear: Techkit, Standard Equipment Pack, Blastpistol (20 EU pack), Brass Knuckles, Disguise Kit, Infrared Scanner, Porta-comp, Magnigoggles

Lo / Human M / Body Points 23 / Rank 1
MD +0 RD +4 INIT 3 MOV 8 DEST 2
STR 45 AGL 55 CDR 75 PER 45 INT 60 WIL 60
Marksman (0), Diplomat (-10), Academic/Politics (-10)
Languages: Terran, Galactic Common
Descriptors: Strongly politically biased, Always hungry
Origin: Gun for Hire (+5 CDR, +1 INIT, Social Disadvantage w/ loyal/dedicated/etc. types)
Gear: Gyrojet Pistol (10 gyrojets), Gyrojet Rifle (15 gyrojets), Security Ballistic Suit, Infrared Goggles, Standard Equipment Pack

Dell / Human F / Body Points 28 / Rank 1
MD +0 RD +0 INIT X MOV 8 DEST 4
STR 55 AGL 55 CDR 50 PER 55 INT 45 WIL 60
Pilot (0), Diplomat (-10), Explorer (-10)
Languages: Terran, Galactic Common
Descriptors: Acts amateurish and foolish, Too easily trusts authority figures
Origin: Transporter (+5 STR, Social Advantage w/ merchants, Social Disadvantage w/ military)
Gear: Standard Equipment Pack, Auto Pistol (20 bullets), Civilian Ballistic Suit, Vocal Scanner, Explorer Kit

Heitmuller / Human M / Body Points 25 / Rank 1
MD +0 RD +0 INIT 2 MOV 10 DEST 1
STR 50 AGL 55 CDR 55 PER 60 INT 70 WIL 65
Scientist/Life Science (0), Marksman (-10), Commander (-10)
Languages: Terran, Galactic Common
Descriptors: Easily amused and jovial, Very competitive with fellow teammates
Origin: Competitive Spirit (+2 MOV, Action Advantage w/ racing, Social Disadvantage w/ superiors)
Gear: Blastpistol (2 20 EU packs), Civilian Ballistic Suit, Porta-comp, Standard Equipment Pack, Audio/Visual Scanner, Tactile Scanner

Kwan / Human F / Body Points 33 / Rank 1
MD +2 RD +0 INIT 2 MOV 9 DEST 2
STR 65 AGL 45 CDR 50 PER 60 INT 55 WIL 65
Medic (0), Warrior (-10), Marksman (-10)
Languages: Terran, Galactic Common
Descriptors: Just isn’t good at exercising authority, Acts with an eye-rolling level of machismo
Origin: Deserter (+5 WIL, +1 INIT, 1600 CR price on head)
Gear: Medkit, Vibro Axe (20 EU pack), Auto Rifle (30 bullets), Security Ballistic Suit, Standard Equipment Pack

NTRPGCon 2017: Pregens for Six Bullets In Bustamante

Below are the pregens I put together for the Mini Six powered western I ran at NTRPGCon 2017. In addition to the game information, each includes the text of the mysterious telegram that they received to draw them into the action. Note also that I drew quite a bit from WilD6 West, a nifty western implementation of Mini Six put together by the same hombre who puts out The Mighty Six superhero thang.

J.B. Armstrong / Dodge 11 Block 7 Parry 7 Soak 7
A fast-talkin’ grifter from back east, full of book learnin’ and people smarts
Might 2D+1 Agility 3D+1 Wit 3D+2 Charm 3D+2
Skills: Pistols 3D+2, Thievin’ 4D+1, Dodge 3D+2, Throwin’ 3D+2, Learnin’ 4D+2, Savvy 4D+2, Wiles 5D+2
Perks: Charming, I’ve Got Just The Thing
Complications: Competitive, Superstitious
Languages: English, French, Spanish
Gear: 6 Throwing Knives (3D+1), $20

FROM: JAMES PATRICK LAKE, EL PASO, TX, USA
TO: J.B. ARMSTRONG, HOTEL TRAVIS, AUSTIN, TX, USA
GOT SOME POSSUMS TO SMILE OUT OF A TREE STOP MOUNTAIN GOLD IN RETURN STOP CANTINA ROJA LAREDO NOV 17 STOP 4 RED STARS IN THE SKY STOP

M.Q. Black / Dodge 15 Block 7 Parry 7 Soak 7
A singin’ gunslinger from who holds many grudges
Might 2D+1 Agility 4D Wit 2D+1 Charm 3D+1
Skills: Brawlin’ 2D+2, Pistol 6D, Dodge 5D, Riding 5D, Doctorin’ 2D+2, Guts 4D+1, Performin’ 3D+2
Perks: Ambidextrous, Hip Shootin’
Complications: Code of Honor (Code of the West), Vengeful
Languages: English, Spanish
Gear: 2 Colt Peacemakers (5D+1 each), 20’ rope, $19

FROM: JAMES PATRICK LAKE, EL PASO, TX, USA
TO: M.Q. BLACK, UPMANN HOTEL, TOMBSTONE, AZ, USA
NEED YR GUN STOP GOLD APLENTY IN MEX STOP CANTINA ROJA LAREDO NOV 17 STOP 6 BLACK RED RIVALS STOP

R.L. Ludy / Dodge 9 Block 9 Parry 9 Soak 9
A foul-mouthed sawbones who sided with the South, who’s smarter than he lets on
Might 3D Agility 2D+1 Wit 4D Charm 2D+2
Skills: Brawlin’ 3D+1, Rifle 3D+1, Dodge 3D, Doctorin’ 5D, Doctorin’/Battlefield Surgery 6D, Doctorin’/Dentistry 6D, Doctorin’/Horses 6D, Learnin’ 5D, Savvy 3D+2
Perks: Cussin’, Natural Born Healer
Complications: Obstinate, Surly
Languages: English, Latin, French, Italian
Gear: Remington Single-Barrel 12 Gauge (6D), Surgeon‘s kit, $23

FROM: JAMES PATRICK LAKE, EL PASO, TX, USA
TO: R.L. LUDY, TRINITY HOTEL, DALLAS, TX, USA
MOTHERLODE IN MEXICO STOP CANTINA ROJA LAREDO NOV 17 STOP DONT TELL SAM STOP 1-2 WHITE GOSPEL MAKERS STOP

M. Rivas / Dodge 10 Block 8 Parry 8 Soak 8
An overconfident Mexican bankrobber with a taste for TNT
Might 2D+2 Agility 3D Wit 3D+2 Charm 2D+2
Skills: Pistol 4D, Thievin’ 4D, Sneakin’ 3D+1, Dodge 3D+1, Riding 3D+1, Engineering/Demolitions 6D+2, Savvy 4D+2, Wiles 3D+2, Throwing 4D
Perks: Dirty Fighter, Logical Thinker
Complications: Brash, Jealous
Languages: Spanish, English, Apache
Gear: Colt New Model Army (5D), 6 sticks of dynamite, matches, 50 yd of fuse, $20

FROM: JAMES PATRICK LAKE, EL PASO, TX, USA
TO: M. RIVAS, HOTEL GARNET, TUCSON, AZ, USA
COME TO LAREDO STOP BRING DYNAMITE STOP CANTINA ROJA NOV 17 STOP JUST LIKE OLD TIMES STOP 9 WHITE THE LILLYWHITE BOYS STOP

E. Valdaron / Dodge 10 Block 9 Parry 9 Soak 9
A mud fence ugly backwoodsman who can tack a butterfly on a moonless night
Might 3D Agility 3D Wit 3D Charm 3D
Skills: Rifle 4D, Dodge 3D+1, Sneaking 4D, Ridin’ 3D+1, Know-How 4D, Survival 4D, Perception/Tracking 6D, Guts 3D+1
Perks: Acute Hearing, Trail Wise
Complications: Rustic, Ugly
Languages: Spanish, English, Navajo
Gear: Winchester ’73 Rifle (6D+1), Machete (4D+2), $23

FROM: JAMES PATRICK LAKE, EL PASO, TX, USA
TO: E. VALDARON, POPLAR HOTEL, SAN ANTONIO, TX, USA
ES VERDAD AMIGO STOP ORO EN LAS MONTANAS STOP TRAIGA SU FUSIL STOP CANTINA ROJA LAREDO 17 DE NOV STOP 3 AZUL ROJO CAMINANTES ORGULLOSOS STOP

A.S. Garrett / Dodge 12 Block 6 Parry 6 Soak 6
A sickly gambler from New Orleans who takes risks no sane man would
Might 2D Agility 3D Wit 3D+2 Charm 3D+1
Skills: Dodge 4D, Pistols 3D+1, Thievin’ 3D+1, Gambling 4D+2, Gambling/Poker 6D+2, Gambling/Dice 5D+2, Savvy 4D+2, Wiles 4D+1, Guts 3D+2
Perks: Alertness, Funny
Complications: Anemic, Thrill-Seeker
Languages: English, French, Spanish
Gear: Pocket Derringer (5D), Marked Cards, $20

FROM: JAMES PATRICK LAKE, EL PASO, TX, USA
TO: A.S. GARRETT, ST JAMES INFIMARY, NEW ORLEANS, LA, USA
FOUND SITE IN MEXICO STOP YR PAS INJUN WAS RIGHT STOP CANTINA ROJA LAREDO NOV 17 STOP 3 BLACK SYMBOLS AT YOUR DOOR STOP

P.A. Walker / Dodge 11 Block 12 Parry 9 Soak 9
An embittered Southern Gentleman who just can’t let go of the war
Might 3D Agility 3D+2 Wit 3D Charm 2D+1
Skills: Brawling 4D, Rifle 4D+2, Big Guns 4D, Riding 4D, Engineering 4D, Know-How 4D, Command 3D+1, Guts 2d+2
Perks: Killer Instinct, Nerves of Steel
Complications: Gentlemanly, Intolerant (Non-Whites)
Languages: English, German, French
Gear: Sharps Carbine (6D), Bowie Knife (4D+1), $18

FROM: JAMES PATRICK LAKE, EL PASO, TX, USA
TO: P.A. WALKER, ROSE HOTEL, FT WORTH, TX, USA
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY STOP JUST LIKE THE COL SAID STOP MEET ME IN LAREDO NOV 17 STOP CANTINA ROJA STOP 5 BLUE WHITE AND ALL ALONE STOP

NTRPGCon 2017: Pregens for The Parnassus Key

Below are the pregens for my BoL-based game at the upcoming 2017 North Texas RPG Con, The Parnassus Key. Just figured I’d share these.

Ferrand d’Arangon / Lifeblood 10 / Composure 3 / Hero Points 5
Attributes: Strength 0 Agility 2 Mind 1 Appeal 1
Combat Abilities: Initiative 0 Melee 1 Ranged 1 Defense 2
Careers: Noble 2, Artist 0, Gambler 0, Thief 2
Boons: Attractive, High-Born, Friends in Low Places
Flaws: Arrogant, Untrustworthy
Languages: Galiesse, Alcázaran
Equipment: Foil (d6L+1), Lockpicks

Ferrand is the scoundrel son of Artur d’Arangon, the legendary “Mad Vintner of Plonesse.” Ferrand was edged out of the family business by his younger and more reliable brother, Aymon, not that Ferrand minded much. He was never suited to a life of hard work or any kind of work, really. He is, however, quite gifted in opening doors that others would prefer he didn’t. His pride in this talent is all too easily manipulated.

Sybille Borusier / Lifeblood 10 / Composure 3 / Hero Points 5 / Fate Points 2
Attributes: Strength 0 Agility 1 Mind 1 Appeal 2
Combat Abilities: Initiative 1 Melee 1 Ranged 1 Defense 1
Careers: Urchin 1, Thief 1, Priest 2, Architect 0
Boons: Keen Eyesight, Escape Artist, Resistant to Sorcery
Flaws: Unprepared, Spendthrift
Languages: Galiesse, Ora Luccia
Equipment: Quarterstaff (d6)

A priestess of Ste. Clarissa (patroness of cities, sewers, aqueducts and roadways), Sybille grew up on the streets of Yllons and knows the city well. Her lack of discipline with money has led her to several situations that have called for her to draw upon the skills she developed as a younger woman. She relies upon her charm and beauty to soften the ire of officials both within and outside her order.

Magnus Halvarson / Lifeblood 13 / Composure 3 / Hero Points 5
Attributes: Strength 3 Agility 1 Mind 0 Appeal 0
Combat Abilities: Initiative 0 Melee 2 Ranged 1 Defense 1
Careers: Brute 2, Serf 1, Sailor 0, Thief 1
Boons: Thick Skin, Strength Feat, War Cry
Flaws: Ugly & Brutish, Vice (Tobacco)
Languages: Sigrun, Galiesse
Equipment: Axe (d6+3)

Magnus came to Galiana from the far northern land of Arunbjørn to seek his fortune using the only tool he truly possesses – his great strength. After one too many “excessive” incidents as doorman of the Reine d’Émeraude tavern he found himself working for less and less respectable employers. Magnus takes more pleasure in violence than even most of the criminals in Yllons.

Verrine Levicq / Lifeblood 12 / Composure 3 / Hero Points 5
Attributes: Strength 2 Agility 0 Mind 2 Appeal 0
Combat Abilities: Initiative 0 Melee 2 Ranged 0 Defense 2
Careers: Thief 0, Mercenary 1, Pugilist 1, Physician 2
Boons: Carouser, Mighty Fists, Healing Touch
Flaws: Drunkard, Hot-Headed
Languages: Galiesse, Przec
Equipment: Broadsword (d6+2), Fists (d3+2)

Verrine was born to heal the sick and tend to the wounded. Unfortunately, the trauma she has seen in her time in the Duke’s army has left her scarred. She takes refuge in wine and, when that doesn’t work, she lashes out violently. Still, she is a skillful healer and can be counted on to keep quiet about any suspicious injuries she may treat in the course of keeping her small practice open. Sadly, there is little money in treating the underside of Yllons society.

Hernaut Charron / Lifeblood 10 / Composure 3 / Hero Points 5/ Fate Points 1
Attributes: Strength 0 Agility 0 Mind 2 Appeal 1
Combat Abilities: Initiative 0 Melee 2 Ranged 0 Defense 2
Careers: Thief 0, Scholar 2, Alchemist 1, Priest 1
Boons: Learned (Academia), Detect Deception, Attractive
Flaws: Soft-Hearted, Hopeless Romantic
Languages: Galiesse, Ora Luccia, Svata Jazyk
Equipment: Foil (d6L)

A priest of Ste. Alizenne of the Book (patroness of scholars, sages, and alchemists, and magicians), Hernaut is a bookish young man who becomes smitten with every barmaid, merchant’s daughter, and traveling performer he encounters. Needless to say, he runs through money like mad despite earnings that are meager at best. His natural ability to know when he is being lied to does nothing to protect his pockets from sad stories that tug at his heart.

Azalais Yverneau / Lifeblood 11 / Composure 3 / Hero Points 5
Attributes: Strength 1 Agility 2 Mind 0 Appeal 1
Combat Abilities: Initiative 1 Melee 2 Ranged 0 Defense 1
Careers: Farmer 0, Sailor 2, Merchant 2, Thief 0
Boons: Born Sailor, Alert, Fearless
Flaws: Superstitious, Greedy
Languages: Galiesse, Rheinig
Equipment: Broadsword (d6+1)

Azalais ran away to sea when she was young – anything to escape the dreadful and dull farm her parents slaved away upon. In no time she was serving as first mate aboard the Dolphin du Soleil under Captain Mirabelle. Unfortunately, Azalais’ greed got the best of her and she got caught one too many times pocketing more than her fair share of a sale. Captain Mirabelle left Azalais high and dry (and penniless) to find a new way in the world.

Rostans d’Aubec / Lifeblood 11 / Composure 3 / Hero Points 5 / Arcane Power 10
Attributes: Strength 1 Agility 0 Mind 2 Appeal 1
Combat Abilities: Initiative 1 Melee 1 Ranged 1 Defense 1
Careers: Noble 2, Composer 2, Magician 0, Thief 0
Boons: Visions, Deft Hands, Beast Friend
Flaws: Obsession (Magical Knowledge), Infamous
Languages: Galiesse, Ora Luccia
Equipment: Dagger (d6L+1)

Poor Mad Rostans. From such a good family. And such beautiful music he composes. But once the visions and voices started, after his mother passed away, he was never the same. Still, animals like him. It’s just a shame he’s nearly spent his entire inheritance pursuing such dark and forbidden things. Poor Mad Rostans. From such a good family.

Of Authoritarians And Contests

My entry for the 200 Word RPG Challenge:

Strongman: Authoritarian Fun For 3+ Players

Each player is the Authoritarian ruler of their own country. On your turn you will announce a new Policy for your country. Will you require a certain minority to register with your government? Remove some group of undesirables from your voting rolls? Whatever you choose, be aggressive. Be strong.

During your turn, the other players represent your Parliament and must indicate whether they protest or support your decree. They do this by simultaneously dropping or not dropping a token, chosen in secret, with the following results:

0 protests – Score a point; Announce another Policy
1 protest – The protesting swine is sent to the Gulag; Announce another Policy
2+ protests – Parliament’s loyalty is weak; Your turn ends
100% protest – You are Overthrown; Your turn ends

Gulag

Parliamentarians sent to the Gulag lose their next Announcing turn and voting eligibility for the remainder of the current turn.

Overthrown

If you are Overthrown you lose all your accumulated points.

One Parliamentarian Left

When only one Parliamentarian remains eligible to vote, you receive a 3 point bonus for stifling the opposition. Your turn ends.

Endgame

The first to reach 13 points is embraced as Big Brother, beloved by his people. Everyone else loses.

Troika Sample Characters

Below are six randomly generated characters (as is the norm) for Troika, the game I’ll be using for The Spire of the Moth-Riders, my Saturday night game at the 2017 North Texas RPG Con. Assuming more than the 1 person who’s currently registered for it sign up, that is.

While my goal for this highly improvisational game is to have the players randomly generate their own characters when we sit down to play, any of the strange folk below would be perfectly acceptable for the game. I’m posting them here not as pregens exactly, but as an example of what kind of madness lurks within Troika. And thus to provide a glimpse of what flavors of insanity might develop at the table at NTRPG Con.

Jub / Rhino-Man
Skill 9 Stamina 16 Luck 9
Glaive Fighting 3, Run 2, Strength 2, Gambling 1
9 silver pennies, Knife, Lantern & flask of oil, Rucksack, 6 provisions, Horn (as dagger), Thick Skin (Modest Armor), Glaive, Knuckle dice, Half full firkin of Rhin-beer (20 rations worth)

Savaria Nightwind / Champion of Coraxa the Rift Queen (Chaos)
Skill 9 Stamina 15 Luck 11
Language (Kurgan) 6, Maul Fighting 3, Secret Signs – Chaos Patron 3, Second Sight 1, Spell: Find 1
7 silver pennies, Knife, Lantern & flask of oil, Rucksack, 6 provisions, Ritual scars, Huge maul, Ragged armor (Modest), Nearly full dream journal

Nidomon the Honest / Epopt
Skill 4 Stamina 21 Luck 12
Awareness 2, Evaluate 2, Second Sight 1, Etiquette 1, Fist Fighting 1, Run 1
10 silver pennies, Knife, Lantern & flask of oil, Rucksack, 6 provisions, Yellow epopt outfit (Modest Armor), Epopt staff, Collapsable tent

She Who Brings Flame / Exotic Warrior
Skill 5 Stamina 19 Luck 9
Language – Weird Exotic Language 6, Trident Fighting 3, Language – Local Language 2, Spell: Ember 2, Astrology 1, Etiquette 1
7 silver pennies, Knife, Lantern & flask of oil, Rucksack, 6 provisions, Flamesteel Trident, Strange clothes, Exciting accent, 3 pocket gods

Bresandro / Ardent Giant of Corda
Skill 8 Stamina 19 Luck 10
Strength 4, Astrology 3, Run 2, Climb 2
5 silver pennies, Knife, Lantern & flask of oil, Rucksack, 6 provisions, Cordan Cloud Contraption (Weather Telling)

Valentin Lacroix / Wizard Hunter
Skill 6 Stamina 18 Luck 8
Tracking 2, Disguise 2, Crossbow Fighting 2, Sword Fighting 2, Sneak 1, Locks 1, Etiquette 1
8 silver pennies, Knife, Lantern & flask of oil, Rucksack, 6 provisions, Large sack, Witch-hair rope, Crossbow & 12 bolts, Sword, 6 pocket gods, Ruby lorgnette

As an aside, rolling up any one of these characters took about five minutes, and most of that was writing things down.

Mini Six at NTRPGCon 2017

And to round things out, I will be running a game of Mini Six (with some enhancements drawn from other Open D6 games) at this year’s North Texas RPG Con, on Saturday (June 3rd) at 10am.

Six Bullets In Bustamante is, as I hope is evident from the title, a western. It should sit somewhere between classic 50s/60s Hollywood style and Spaghetti-esque, depending on how the players engage with the scenario.

As an added bonus, I’ll have “keeper” copies of the rules for all registered players. So sign up and take home one of the newly available POD copies of Mini Six as a souvenir.

Troika! at NTRPGCon 2017

I will be running a game of Troika! at this year’s North Texas RPG Con, on Saturday night (June 3rd) at 6pm.

I’m calling it The Spire of the Moth-Riders and I’m gunning for a Frank Mentzer-esque Ad-Lib adventure with this one. But what does that mean?

It means that, while I have ideas in mind for the adventure, my goal is to take a number of suggestions from the players as they roll up their characters (which is super fast in Troika!) and I’ll weave them into the game as we play. Really, as much as RPGs are already collaborative endeavors, I’m looking to turn this into a groovy prog rock jam session where I (bassist that I am) showed up with a song title and some chord progression ideas and turn the rest of the band loose on it. Well, that’s how it works in my bands, anyway.

So if you’re going to be at NTRPG Con and are itching to give Troika! a try I’ve got you covered. Just remember that game signups open this weekend (Friday night/Saturday morning at midnight), so don’t delay!

BoL at NTRPGCon 2017

Update: I’ve dropped the Saturday night BoL game in favor of running an improvised/emergent adventure with Troika! – more on that in another post.

I’ve got ~~two~~ one game of Barbarians of Lemuria (Mythic Edition, with a chunk of love from Honor + Intrigue) on the list for this year’s North Texas RPG Con, both set in my Clark Ashton Smith inspired, not-quite-Averoigne, medieval-ish, France-esque setting known as Plonesse:

The Parnassus Key (Friday 6/2, 6pm-11pm)
The heist went bad. Very bad. And with a full moon shining brightly on the streets of Yllons, the best way to escape notice was to duck into the sewers. Unfortunately, the strange luminescent mist down here has disoriented you enough that you’re now lost beneath the city you call home. There’s bound to be a way out, though. But wait. What’s that sound coming from behind you? And in front of you? It’s a bad night for thieves in Yllons. Let’s hope it doesn’t get worse.
The Viridian Sybil (Saturday 6/3, 6pm-11pm)
From her lichen-covered shrine deep within the Forest Malmogne, the Viridian Sybil revealed a prophecy: “Dark days approach! Plonesse is cursed anew! Vusseaux falls! Yllons overrun! Bathe in the waters! Speak the incantation! Ask of the skull!” Back in the village of L’Oenneu, a strange mound appears beside the well…

The links above will take you to page here at Strange Stones where I will (eventually) post the pregens that will be used as well as any other relevant info. More of that stuff soon!

In the meantime, here’s the one paragraph summary of Plonesse:

Plonesse is a hilly and densely-wooded region within Galiana, an analogue of medieval France. Vusseaux and Yllons are its two major cities. A road runs between them, traditionally watched over by the monks of the Abbey of St. Giles the Green. Numerous small villages dot the landscape. The River Voemonde – joined by the River L’Ud; just south of the Abbey – roughly parallels the road of St. Giles. And all around lies the Forest Malmogne, dark with sinister mystery.