Category Archives: Games

5 Room Dungeon: The Temple Of Vashti Nimarita

Wherein your humble scribe presents a Five Room Dungeon for use with Mini Six, with some creation help from the random tables in D6 Fantasy Locations. This is, of course, largely compatible with D6 Fantasy as well.

In the jungle city of Kharasoo there is a temple dedicated to Vashti Nimarita, the goddess of glorious & lustful battle. The priestesses who tend this temple have captured and enslaved a Naga Demon to guard their holiest treasures, which are said to include more than 10,000 rupees and weapons once wielded by Vashti Nimarita herself in the great battle against the Utosh. Desperate thieves, or perhaps non-believers from the outside world, might be tempted to sack the temple and take what treasures can be hauled away…

Room One: Entrance and Guardian(s)

Much of the temple is open and accessible, though well-armed or armored individuals, especially males, will likely draw attention. Beyond the three great courtyards and the seven silver fountains one will find a well-guarded entrance to the heart of the temple. Four guards and an attending priestess are always present here, to discourage any would-be trespassers. The guards and priestess are more than willing to engage in battle, though they have been ordered to use other methods to keep intruders away if at all possible. Their appealing, naked, and henna-covered bodies tend to make this easy more often than not.

Sanshara, Neshali, Tapanji, and Sanjeeta, Temple Guards (Scale 0)
Might 2D+1 Agility 3D Wit 2D Charm 2D+2
Skills: Sword 3D+1, Dagger 3D+1, Dodge 4D, Throwing 4D, Lore 3D, Command 3D+2, Seduce 3D+2
Gear: Nair Temple Sword (+2D+1), Kukri (+1D), Chakram (+1D+1)
Static: Dodge 12, Block 8, Parry 10, Soak 8

Swali Jagra, Attending Temple Priestess (Scale 0)
Might 2D Agility 2D Wit 4D Charm 3D
Skills: Dagger 3D, Dodge 4D, Throwing 3D, Lore 6D, Magic 6D, Seduce 4D
Perks: Sorcerer
Gear: Phurba (+1D+1), Chakram (+1D+1)
Spells: Bless, Charm, Fly, Petrify, Shape Change, Slumber
Static: Dodge 12, Block 6, Parry 9, Soak 6

Room Two: Puzzle or Roleplaying Challenge

The first inner sanctum of the temple is watched over by the spirits of Gheeta, capricious wind elementals who are the only creatures capable of manipulating the wind-locks that seal this room from the deeper portions of the temple. Only by persuading the Gheeta that they should allow passage through the wind-locked door can a party of thieves hope to proceed. A successful Lore check against TN 20 will reveal the legend that Gheeta desperately long to be human and can become so – for brief periods at least – if given a bowl of honey. Surely these creatures would bargain for passage?

Room Three: Trick or Setback

The second inner sanctum of the temple is trapped! The door to this large room will slam shut once a single person has crossed the midline and will then quickly fill with sand, trapping and killing any who occupy it. The only way to stop this flow of sand is to hurl a chakram into a specific slot hidden in the far wall. A Traps roll against TN 18 will identify the mechanism and target for shutting off the trap itself. A Throwing check vs TN 24 is necessary to throw the chakram accurately enough to stop the trap. Two minutes (12 rounds) is all the time thieves will have before they are buried alive.

Room Four: Climax, Big Battle, or Conflict

The fourth great courtyard is now all that stands between temple robbers and their goal. It is here that the priestesses of Vashti Nimarita have bound the Naga Demon Vikram Kirat. This terrible creature possesses the head of a giant, stunningly beautiful human male attached to the body of a tremendous snake. Vikram Kirat speaks with a deep, soothing voice and attempts to persuade all who enter the room into giving up their souls to it in exchange for a great reward. Those who strike this bargain with the demon are instantly destroyed on this plane of existence and suffer a fate that will never be known here. Those who refuse must ultimately engage the Naga Demon in direct combat.

Vikram Kirat, Naga Demon (Scale +2D)
Might 5D Agility 3D Wit 2D Charm 5D
Skills: Brawling 6D, Dodge 4D, Throwing 4D, Command 6D, Diplomacy 6D, Persuasion 6D
Perks: Energy Blast (4D damage/Throwing skill)
Static: Dodge 12, Block 18, Parry 15, Soak 15

Instead of suffering wound level penalties in combat, the Naga Demon gains equivalent bonuses and cannot be incapacitated (though it does gain the +3D bonus at that stage), only killed. If killed, the Naga Demon is released from its bindings to the temple and will turn to dust and blow away, only to reform some other place in 99 days.

Room Five: Reward, Revelation, Or Plot Twist

Temple thieves who reach this room are rewarded for their efforts by the sight of more than 10,000 rupees and a small arsenal of magically enhanced weapons (+1D to hit, +1D damage in most cases, though possibly some stronger or weaker variations are present).

Any females who take from this treasure are, in a brief and painful flash of light, marked with permanent henna-like tattoos that identify them as priestesses of Vashti Nimarita. Any males who take from this treasure are instantly – and just as painfully – transformed into such henna-inked females.

Thieves can be returned to normal by the successful casting of a Dispel Magic spell against TN 25.

BRP Bestiary: Flail Snail!

Wherein your humble scribe presents a classic weird-ass AD&D monster written up for Basic RolePlaying. He’d change the name to avoid litigation, but really, you just can’t come up with a better name than Flail Snail. Club Slug might have worked but for the shell.

Flail Snails are large, slimy mollusks with multiple flail-like tentacles rising from their heads. Their shells are brightly-colored and unnaturally magic resistant. In addition to this magic resistance, flail snails are completely immune to poison and only suffer 1/4 damage from any fire-based attack. Flail Snails are very sensitive to bright lights and will not be found outside during daylight hours. Further, they will retreat from any light source brighter than a torch or lantern.

A dying flail snail may emit a piteous wail that has a 50% chance of drawing the attention of another monster in the area. Then again, it might not.

Flail Snail, Absurdity Mollusk-onified

STR 4d6+12 (26)
CON 4d6+6 (20)
SIZ 4d6+11 (25)
INT 2
POW 3d6+6 (16-17)
DEX 1d6 (3-4)
MOV crawl-4

Average HP: 23
Average Damage Bonus: +2d6
Morale: 50%

Armor: 2d12-2

Attacks: Flail 25%, damage 1d4 + db
A Flail Snail has 1 flail per 5 HP and can attack with each one once per round. These attacks can be directed independently. Each 5 HP of damage sustained by a Flail Snail reduces the number of flail attacks it has available by 1.

Skills: Dodge 5%, Climb 35%, Sense 75%, Spot 20%, Track 30%

Powers:

Magic Resistance – Any person casting a spell at a flail snail must succeed at a Power Point:Power Point resistance roll or the spell will fail. On a fumbled Resistance roll the spell is redirected back at the caster.

Local Trouble Yields Adventure Opportunities

Wherein your humble scribe, drawing on the “All The Dice” random generator concept (tip of the hat to Grim), presents a random table for your nerdly needs. This table is built for Labyrinth Lord + Advanced Edition Companion. You should be able to tweak it to your needs for just about any other old school fantasy RPG, though.

It’s a brand new year, which might just mean you’re looking to kick off a new campaign. If not, you might still need a starting point for a new adventure or two. In any case, this handy table can help you put together the bones of a mission for your rag-tag band of murderous hoboes no matter what kind of community they’ve stumbled into. So grab those dice, give ’em all a good roll, and see what the locals need done (and what they’re willing to hand over to the first group of fools who actually do it).

Who is having the trouble? 1d4
1 Townsfolk or Farmers
2 Clergy or Scholars
3 Merchants or Miners
4 Royalty or Leaders

Strength of threat (may represent number as well), 1d6
1 Significantly weaker than characters
2 Slightly weaker than characters
3 Approximately same as characters
4 Approximately same as characters
5 Slightly stronger than characters
6 Significantly stronger than characters

Location of threat, 1d8
1 Immediate vicinity (in town, just outside the monastery, etc.)
2 Nearby (1/2 day journey or less)
3 Close (2 day journey or less)
4 Not Far (4 day journey or less)
5 Far (1-2 week journey)
6 Distant (multiple month journey)
7 Hard-to-reach (under water, in the sky)
8 Very hard-to-reach (on another plane/world/etc.)

Nature of Trouble, 1d10
1 Have stolen a thing of great value
2 Have stolen a magical thing
3 Are disrupting trade/travel
4 Are disrupting normal activity
5 Have kidnapped a person of some importance
6 Have kidnapped a person of little influence
7 Are demanding tribute or they will… (roll again using 1d6)
8 Are constantly raiding
9 Are the source of a plague/disease
10 Are drawing the attention of a second source of trouble with their presence (roll a second d20)

Reward for Ending the Trouble, 1d12
1 A small sum of coins
2 A cherished non-magical heirloom
3 A small favor owed
4 Useful knowledge (a map, a legend, etc.)
5 A reasonable sum of coins
6 A low-powered magic item
7 A reasonable favor owed
8 A work of great art or craftsmanship
9 An extravagant sum of coins
10 A powerful magic item
11 A large favor owed
12 Roll twice using 1d8 each time, add results

Type of Threat, 1d20
1 Lycanthropes (wererats, weretigers, etc.)
2 Humanoid monsters (goblins, gnolls, etc.)
3 Humans or Demihumans (thieves, highwaymen, etc.)
4 Undead (skeletons, wights, etc.)
5 Humanoid monsters (orcs, ogres, etc.)
6 Non-humanoid monsters (owlbears, giant ants, etc.)
7 Humans or Demihumans (spellcasters, shamen, etc.)
8 Demons or Devils
9 Lycanthropes (wererats, weretigers, etc.)
10 Undead (zombies, vampires, etc.)
11 Non-humanoid monsters (bulette, naga, etc.)
12 Dragons
13 Undead (specters, wraiths, etc.)
14 Humans or Demihumans (spellcasters, shamen, etc.)
15 Humanoid monsters (orcs, ogres, etc.)
16 Roll again twice using 1d6 each time, add results
17 Roll again three times using 1d6 each time, add results
18 Roll again twice using 1d8 each time, add results
19 Roll again three times using 1d8 each time, add results
20 Roll again twice using 1d12 each time, add results

Some Sample Adventure Opportunities

While waiting around Luem for everyone to heal up from their last foray into the Caverns of Ice, a member of the local Scholars’ Guild approaches the party. It seems that a bloodthirsty gang of devils made off with the Guild’s Candles of Wisdom and taken those magical treasures to an abandoned monastery they use as a base on this plane. It is a perilous, multiple month journey to reach the devil’s demesne, but if the heroes will undertake this quest they will be rewarded with a beautifully-crafted Carpet of Flying and a reasonable sum of coins.
Reaching the town of Tion’s Pass, the heroes discover that town has been overrun with miners who have been forced to flee their mines due to the constant raids of a small band of Troglodytes. If the party can defeat these foes and clear the mines the miners will owe them a large favor, perhaps providing them with the rare ore the need to forge a weapon of great power.
The townsfolk of Mittbridge have a problem. Actually, they have lots of problems. It seems that Black Edna and her gang of thieves have managed to annoy the normally peaceful wereboar clan that lives in the nearby woods. Worse still, they’ve also taken to robbing the graves at the old cemetery, and all those freshly unearthed bodies have drawn the attention of a band of ghouls. The citizens of this troubled little hamlet have pooled together a reasonable sum of coins to pay some fine group of adventurers to deal with Black Edna and her minions, smooth things over with the wereboars, and eliminate the danger of the ghouls.

The only thing I didn’t force into this table was a specific way of deciding whether or not things were as they seemed and/or on the up-and-up. I figure that’s best left to the individual GM. But, if you really want to randomly determine that kind of thing, I’d say roll a d4 and on a 4 then there’s some kind of trickery involved in the set up. Adjust for the honesty level of your world as needed 🙂

BRP Bestiary: Giant Poison Salamander

Wherein your humble scribe presents a monster writeup he’s using in a D&D-style Basic RolePlaying game, enabled in no small part by the delightful majesty that is BRP Classic Fantasy.

Giant poison salamanders grown to nearly 7 feet long. They are typically night-black with bright red or yellow markings on their rubbery, damp skins. These incredibly agile beasts are dangerous hunters whose bite delivers a deadly poison. Wugs often train and keep these creatures as guard animals in much the same way that goblins employ wolves.

Giant Poison Salamander, Crawling Hunters Of The Swamp

STR 2d6+6 (13)
CON 3d6 (11-12)
SIZ 2d6+6 (13)
INT 3d6+3 (14-15)
POW 2d6+6 (13)
DEX 2d6+6 (13)
APP 2d6+3 (10)
MOV run-8

Average HP: 11
Average Damage Bonus: +1d4
Morale: 85%

Armor: 1d4-1

Attacks: Bite 40%, damage 1d6 + poison (POT = SIZ)
Claw 30%, damage 1d3 (+db)

Skills: Dodge 75%, Hide 65%, Jump 35%, Listen 65%, Sense 80%, Spot 45%, Stealth 75%, Swim 25%

New Mutant Future Photos

My hardback copy of the revised edition of Mutant Future arrived today, and I gotta tell ya, it looks sharp! But why use words when pictures work better?

I love the new art and the cover, which I was lukewarm on on-screen, really pops in person. If you’re at all inclined to pick up the new hardcover I think you’ll be pleased if you do.

5 Room Dungeon: Cave Of The Kobold Seer

Goblins have always been a problem for caravans between Woodville and Stonekeep, but lately they have been plaguing the trade routes with greater accuracy than ever before. The party has been hired to determine how the Goblins are managing these highly successful robberies.

Some careful tracking from the site of the last attack has lead the heroes (following the trail of what appears to be two Goblins who split off from the rest of the raiding party) to a hidden cave deep within the Jorngast Forest.

Room One: Entrance and Guardian(s)

Well-hidden beneath carefully placed brush is a cave entrance that the Goblins’ tracks appear to enter. A simple crossbow trap has been placed here, aimed to shoot anyone taller than a Goblin who disturbs the brushy cave covering. A Search roll (TN 15) will spot it. A Dodge roll (TN 18) is necessary to avoid the bolt. If not dodged, the bolt does 4D+1 damage.

A short passageway leads to a cramped cavern where a half-dozen hungry, ill-trained Kobold Warriors loiter. They will happily attack any intruders who look like they might have (or be) food. The Kobolds will attempt to flee – heading for the outside – once they have lost 1/2 their number.

Kobold Warrior (Scale 0)
Might 1D+1 Agility 2D+2 Wit 1D+2 Charm 1D+1
Skills: Javelin 2D+1, Dodge 3D+2, Stealth 3D+2, Traps 2D+2
Gear: Javelins (+1D), Leather Armor (+2)
Static: Dodge 11, Block 3, Parry 7, Soak 3 (5)

Room Two: Puzzle or Roleplaying Challenge

Three Kobold Lieutenants sit about this mid-sized cavern, gambling with knucklebones by candlelight. If the players can beat the Kobolds at their game (skill resolution required: Gambling, Wit-based) and convince them that they are here “on business” (roleplaying resolution required, fairly easy since the Kobolds are lazy and would rather let the trap in the next room do the hard work), the guards will let them pass without a fight. These Kobolds will also lay in ambush for anyone coming back into this room from the rope bridge cavern ahead.

Bik, Haarlit, and Fythang, Kobold Lieutenants (Scale 0)
Might 1D+2 Agility 3D Wit 1D+2 Charm 1D+1
Skills: Javelin 2D+2, Dodge 4D, Stealth 4D, Gambling 2D+2
Gear: Javelins (+1D), Leather Armor (+2), Shield (+4)
Static: Dodge 12, Block 5, Parry 8, Soak 3 (9)

Room Three: Trick or Setback

A deep chasm cuts across this cavern, a fast moving and rocky stream lies some 40 feet below. A ratty-looking rope bridge spans the gap. The chasm is almost too wide to jump, but a very skilled (or lucky) person might make it across (TN 20, using Athletics).

The bridge itself is trapped. Its ropes have been carefully frayed to cause them to snap if traversed by anyone heavier than a Goblin. A Search check (TN 15) will notice the trap. A person falling with the bridge can make an Athletics roll (TN 18) to avoid suffering damage (4D) from the fall and may then climb up the other side.

Room Four: Climax, Big Battle, or Conflict

The Kobold Seer and two emissaries from the Goblin King sit at a battered and wax-covered old table. The seer speaks to the Goblins in a gravelly and grandiose voice, telling them of visions and prophesies. These conspirators are not pleased to be interrupted by pinkies and will immediately move to attack. The Goblins will fight to the death in an effort to preserve their king’s lucrative raiding scheme. The Kobold has no such desire to die and will, if the fight begins to go against him, attempt to cast Invisibility and flee.

Vumra, Kobold Seer (Scale 0)
Might 1D+1 Agility 2D+2 Wit 3D Charm 3D
Skills: Dagger 2D+1, Dodge 3D+1, Magic 6D, Command 4D
Perks: Sorcerer
Gear: Dagger (+1D+1) -> magic, +1D to hit, +2 pip damage
Spells: Control Weather, Curse, Divination, Hasten, Heal, Invisibility, Paralysis
Static: Dodge 10, Block 4, Parry 7, Soak 4

Niish & Padlum, Goblin Emissaries (Scale 0)
Might 2D Agility 3D Wit 2D Charm 1D+1
Skills: Sword 4D, Dodge 4D, Stealth 3D+2
Gear: Short Sword (+2D), Leather Armor (+2), Shield (+4)
Static: Dodge 12, Block 6, Parry 12, Soak 6 (12)

Room Five: Reward, Revelation, Or Plot Twist

The Seer’s chamber, contains a small trove of gold coins (454), a rough seeing crystal (+1D+2 to Clairvoyance & Divination attempts), and his star charts and diary of prophesies, including information on where and when the Goblins have been told will be good times to attack the trade routes for the next six months. Surely the Merchants’ Guild in Stonekeep will pay a handsome reward for this information!

Strange Storms In The Mages’ Desert

The Mages’ Desert is an area far to the west of most civilized lands, burned barren by a great magical duel that happened in aeons past. The sheer power of the arcane residue that haunts this place brings very strange storms to the region. The tables below will help construct just such a storm to bedevil your players if they should happen to be passing through. Sometimes these storms are strong enough that they even make their way to settled areas.

Time Of Day Storm Begins, 1d4

Morning (6am-12pm)
Afternoon (1pm-5pm)
Evening (6pm-12am)
Night (1am-5am)

Atmospheric Effects Of Storm, 1d6

Heavy Lighting, No Thunder
Heavy Thunder, No Lightning
Disturbing Calm
Heavy Winds
The Roar of Wind without actual Wind
Sudden temperature change (1-3 hotter, 4-6 colder)

Direction From Which The Storm Approaches, 1d8

North
Northeast
East
Southeast
South
Southwest
West
Northwest

Mood Engendered By The Storm, 1d10

Gloom
Melancholy
Lust
Contentment
Mirth
Unease
Paranoia
Rage
Jealousy
Roll again twice, add results

Color Of The Sky/Clouds During Storm, 1d12

Crimson
Ochre
Pale Yellow
Umber
Pea Green
Forest Green
Cerulean
Midnight Blue
Royal Purple
Bruised Purple
Alabaster White
Night Black

Odd Rains, 1d20

Daggers (1d4 damage per turn exposed)
Gold Coins (melt after 1d20 minutes)
Silver Coins (melt after 1d20 hours)
Copper Coins (melt after 1d20 days)
Frogs
Fish
Skulls (1d6 damage per turn exposed)
Eyeballs
Blood
Feathers
Scraps of paper (books)
Scraps of paper (magic scrolls)
Scraps of paper (treasure maps)
Gravel (1d4 damage per turn exposed)
Ale
Wine
Miniature fully-formed snowmen
Fruit
Fire (1d4 per turn exposed, may cause more fires)
Jewelry (rings, necklaces, etc. 1-2 real, 3-6 costume)

LL/AEC Rogues Gallery: The Winter Elves

Wherein your humble scribe presents what might be an Adventuring Party for Labyrinth Lord/Advanced Edition Companion. These characters are all 1st level, were granted maximum HP (Advanced Style), and have a bare minimum of equipment. They were all created with 3d6 for stats, more often than not in order. And, as is now commonplace, they all have some snappy headgear.

Riding out of the frozen north, each upon his own sleigh drawn by a distinct pair of reindeer, this fearsome quartet of Winter Elves makes annual raids on the villages of men, always on the day when the sun shines least. Some of the victimized villagers leave items of tribute beneath lighted trees to keep the elves from ransacking their homes. Others use snow to construct “guardsmen” on their lawns in an effort to frighten the elves away. Still others leave freshly baked – and freshly poisoned – pies and cakes at their doors in the hope of ridding themselves of the elves once and for all. Legend foretells the coming of a hero – a saint dressed in red, with alabaster hair and eyes that twinkle – who will bring these fiends to heel. Could this be the year the people are saved?

Askasleikir / Elf Fighter 1 CE
Head Gear: A bloody scarlet hood with a single long tassel that ends in a fuzzy white ball
STR 15 INT 9 WIS 9 DEX 17 CON 13 CHR 13
HP 11 AC 2 Gold 5
Chain Mail, Shield, Longsword, Long Bow & 20 Arrows

Giljagaur / Elf Cleric 1 CE
Head Gear: A forest green hood decorated with Celtic deer designs
STR 13 INT 13 WIS 13 DEX 12 CON 6 CHR 11
HP 7 AC 4 Gold 54
Chain Mail, Shield, Mace, Silver Holy Symbol
Cleric Spells: Cause Fear, Darkness, Resist Cold

Skyrjarmur / Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/1 CE
Head Gear: A long, heavy scarlet & white striped scarf
STR 8 INT 14 WIS 9 DEX 17 CON 9 CHR 10
HP 5 AC 6 Gold 67
Leather Armor, Short Sword, Short Bow & 20 Arrows, Thieves’ Tools, Spell Book
Magic-User Spells: Floating Disc, Sleep, Spider Climb

Thvorusleikir / Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/1 CE
Head Gear: A platinum silver hood with single long tassel ending in a jingle bell
STR 10 INT 13 WIS 10 DEX 13 CON 7 CHR 12
HP 4 AC 5 Gold 34
Leather Armor, Long Sword, Short Bow & 20 Arrows, Thieves’ Tools, Spell Book
Magic-User Spells: Charm Person, Dancing Lights, Ventriloquism

Barbarians of Heavy Metal Design Diary 9

RANDOM MUSINGS – BoHM FORMATS

Nathaniel here, again, this time with Random thoughts that are rattling around my head and new developments for Barbarians of Heavy Metal.

Things are afoot with BoHM, with a spot on my very busy schedule and a tentative release date set for the end of March or beginning of April. This game isn’t going to be your standard RPG release in a number of ways, however, and I’ve been probing the RPG community, thinking aobut new design and distribution models and otherwise looking for ways to make it more widespread than your average indie RPG. Outside of a uniquely entertaining setting and the evocative but easy to learn and use rules, the best way to do that is to present the game in a larger variety of cheap and easy to access formats outside of the standard Printed or PDF Book.

Considering this, BoHM will be released in three formats (hopefully simultaneously), and I’m considering a fourth:

Playbook

This is part of my thesis project as well as an attempt to come up with a post-digital format that can move the RPG Industry into the 21st century, hopefully attracting new blood that will revitalize our hobby.

Some of you may already know what this is about, but for those who don’t, the Playbook line is a series of RPG Boxed Sets in a digital format. Think the old (or new) D&D Red Box, with everything you need to play right in the package (rules, dice, character sheets, etc.), but completely automated and portable so that you can take it anywhere including the park or the car. No stacks of paper, broken pencils, dice rolling all over the place or miniatures getting knocked down and no internet needed to play. For more info you can go to this design thread.

BoHM will be the first game designed from day 1 to be used in the Playbook format and the rules writing and programming will go hand in hand. It will be the first playbook with a map and miniature function for playing out Titan, vehicle and personal combat. Both Player and Full versions will be available. What’s more, the new build of the Playbook software will be available in a number of formats, from iPad to Android to CD for those who are stubbornly clinging to your lap and desktops.

PDF

This is by far the easiest format to get a game out quickly, to the largest number of people and for a low price point. Pretty much the current standard in the industry, AFAIC. The thing is, I think the Boxed Set is king over your standard RPG book and BoHM will be sold as a PDF Boxed Set, with a copy of the Player’s Guide, the GM’s Guide and maps, fold out minis, a GM Screen, character sheets and any other chotchkie I can put into a Portable Document Format. You will also be able to buy the Player’s Guide and the GM’s Guide separately for the cash conscious folks.

The interior will be clean and B&W with only a single piece of art per page, if that, so that it will be very easy to print out for the average printer and to keep art and, by extension, product costs down.

POD

I have come to realize is that in a niche industry with a highly fragmented market, it is no longer really feasible for an independent designer, such as myself, to go the traditional route of creating a product, getting it printed and then distributed to brick & mortar stores. There really isn’t a huge market for this sort of thing anymore and you can count the number of RPG publishers who are still capable of doing so on the hand of an incompetent shop-teacher.

That being said, however, recent threads in which I have posed the ‘Print is Dead-ish, Long Live Digital Media’ theory have revealed that there are still a number of people that prefer dead-tree to digital for a number of reasons. This means a suitable print format must be made available as well.

The most obvious choice is Print on Demand, and I’ll be using Lulu or something similar, as it doesn’t cost me anything up front, although it can get a bit pricey for those who are purchasing overseas. The print versions will be B&W to keep the cost low, because If I’ve learned anything about this industry, pretty pictures are all fine and dandy but what you’re really selling is a game, not a picture book. Experience with the BotA print edition has shown me that even those folks who demand a lavishly illustrated full color hardback will often bypass it for something less pretty but easier on the wallet (usually complaining all the while about the expense of RPG products).

RPComix

While trying to think up a cheap alternative to traditional printing, it occurred to me that a game done in a cheap pulp format, like a reader’s Digest or Sci-Fi Anthology magazine, would be cheap to produce and offer a number of advantages to the consumer. First it is cheap to purchase, with the average rulebook costing a fraction of the cost of your standard hardcover high gloss 4/4 affair, allowing everyone at the table to get one. Second, it is cheap to replace if you spill a drink on it, tear it or the cat takes a whizz on it. Third, it can be sold in places that sell comics or magazines, but not normally RPG books.

I might do a limited run batch of player’s Guides and Gm Guides for sale at conventions to see how folks like the format, but that is up in the air at the moment as I investigate the costs and quality of an RPComix line.

Up Next: Random Musings – A Brief Treatise on the Thousand Psychic Wars…

Mini Six Character: Detective Sergeant Arthur Dietrich

Wherein your humble scribe attempts to honor the recently departed Steve Landesberg by writing up his most famous character, Detective Sergeant Arthur Dietrich as a Mini Six/Precinct ’77 character.

If it’s true that childhood imagination games like “Cowboys & Indians” and “Cops & Robbers” are the original RPGs, then it’s likely that my first character was, shall we say, an homage to (read as: blatant knock off of) Detective Sergeant Arthur Dietrich, of Barney Miller fame. When it came to cops, other kids wanted to be Dirty Harry, Starsky & Hutch, or even Ponch & John. But not me. I wanted to be the calm, intellectual detective who confounded everyone with his dry wit and subtle sarcasm. I was an odd kid, go fig.

So when I heard this morning that Steve Landesberg, the actor who portrayed this childhood icon of mine passed away yesterday, I felt the need to complete the circle a bit and write up ol’ Dietrich as a “proper” RPG character. So consider this my odd adult effort at a tribute to one of the great offbeat cops of all time and the actor who played him so very well.

First, let’s watch the opening of Barney Miller to get in the mood (and man, that bass line does it for me every time):

And now, let’s meet the real star of the show…

Detective Sergeant Arthur Dietrich
Might 2D+2 Agility 2D+1
Wit 4D Charm 3D
Skills: Brawling 3D, Muscle 3D, Dodge 3D+1, Investigation 5D, German 4D+2, Legalese 4D+1, Sciences 5D, Humanities 5D, Good Cop 4D, Bad Cop 3D+1
Perks: Destiny
Complications: none
Gear: Badge, Handcuffs, Service Revolver (4D)
Static: Dodge 10, Block 9, Parry 8
Body Points: 30
Armor: none

Strange Stones

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