Monsters Macabre

My hardcover copy of Monsters Macarbre for Cryptworld came in this morning. I'm really glad I backed the Kickstarter because this is a fun book just chocked full of nasties. Most of the book is comprised of new monsters and things to send at your investigators. There are a few appendices too, which include rules for playing things and an adventure. If you play Cryptworld, classic Chill, or any of the Pacesetter games, this is a book to check out.

I'm thinking about running the adventure, Tangled Threads, for my Halloween adventure this year.

Bard Stuff - Songs About D&D

I love gaming (big surprise, I know) and I love music. The videos in this post are my favorite songs about playing D&D. What are your favorites?

Allie Goertz - Tonight (D&D Song)

This song is really sweet and captures some of my favorite aspects of D&D.

Mikey Mason - Best Game Ever (A Different D&D Song)

This song is not really sweet (nor is it supposed to be) and I love it. I feel like I've played many a session with the player he sings about.

Roll a D6

I love this parody. The original song was catchy, but this version is catchier and I love the video.

Emerald Rose - Never Split the Party

Sage advice... and LEGOS!

SJ Tucker - Playing D&D

I'm a fan of SJ Tucker and D&D. This video is cool because it includes Dead Gentleman material.

I've Got A Bone To Pick

Okay, I really don't. This post isn't going to include any complaining or anything of that matter. I just wanted to make a skeletal joke.

While looking for skull shot glasses at Party City I found these guys:

They were hanging on an end cap. 1.99 for 16 skeletons. Put them to scale with D&D minis and I would say they are large skeletons. They come in four poses.

I think the sickle skeleton is my favorite, though they sword and shield wielder is a close second. What's really cool is the plastic is soft enough that you can bend and pose them, but sturdy enough to not break when you do so.

Have you found any great Halloween finds?

Decorative Gourd Season Approaches!

40 days until my favorite day of the year! As I get older I find that holidays really don't mean much to me. I look forward to Christmas a bit because of the excitement it brings my son. I'm Scots-Irish and do enjoy Irish Whiskey, so St. Patrick's Day is alright. However, Halloween is the one holiday I truly love.

I plan on participating in the October Horror Movie Challenge. I've almost got my list finalized. Like last year I will be talking about the good and the bad of the movies, as well as how to incorporate them into an rpg.

I really wanted to put a King in Yellow costume together this year, but I think it's going to be too pricey, given my current money situation. Fortunately I've had another idea that I think will be a lot of fun and rather inexpensive.

I leave you with some of my favorite Halloween mood music.

Misfits - Halloween

Lordi - Devil is a Loser

Creature Feature - Devil Is A Loser

Rob Zombie - Demonoid Phenomenon (NSFW)

Ash Wednesday - Freddy Krueger

Time to wrap up my Cinematic Unisystem tribute to the late great Wes Craven. You can find rules for running adventures in Dreams here. Last week I presented the Dream Warrior quality for players. Today, I give you the Ohio's favorite serial killer, the Springwood Slasher himself, Freddy Krueger.

Name: Freddy Krueger
Motivation: Kill
Critter Type: Nightmare Demon
Attributes: Str 3, Dex 3, Con 5, Int 5, Per 5, Will 6
Ability Scores: Muscle 12, Combat  13, Brains 15

Life Points: 65 Drama Points: 5
Special Abilities: Attractiveness -6, Dream Warrior, Fast Reaction Time, Horrify, Increased Life Points, Regeneration, Shapeshift

                                   Maneuvers
Name              Score    Damage               Notes
Claw                 15          15             Slash/stab
Dodge               15           -   

Ash Wednesday - Dream Warrior

This is a week later, but better late than never. You can read about my initial Dream Lands rules here.

Dream Warrior (4 point quality)

Dream Warriors are people who are able to control their dreams. Not simply lucid dreamers, these rare individuals are actually able to change the reality of the Dream Lands. This doesn't make them immortal and standard Dream Lands rules still apply. Characters with the Dream Warrior quality can use the Plot Twist drama point ability without spending any drama points. These uses are still subject to the Director's approval.

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Being able to use a drama point ability for free is pretty powerful, but I justified the cost of this quality because it is very limited  in use. If you have a game that is focused on Freddy and the Dream Lands, I'd double the cost.

Postmodern Jukebox

I realize this post doesn't seem game related, but as far as inspiration and mood goes, it is. If you aren't familiar with Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox I recommend you check it out. It's a fantastic Youtube channel that features anachronistic re-imaginings of popular music tracks.

These are some of my favorite tracks (and ones I'm using to get myself in the mood for Hollow Earth Expedition).

The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army (New Orleans Dirge)

Radiohead - Creep (Vintage)

Lady Gaga - Just (Tap) Dance

Fiona Apple - Criminal (Vintage Torch)

Ubiquity

My interest in Ubiquity has been piqued. As I said in my last post, I picked up Desolation. I wanted something more. Initially I was torn between Hollow Earth Expedition and Leagues of Adventure. Teaming up with amazons to fight Nazis and dinosaurs seems like a great time, but then again so does hopping around the world with Allan Quartermain and exploring ancient ruins. While eventually I hope to get both games, in the end my decision on which to get first was made by the price tag. The paperback version of Hollow Earth Expedition (HEX) is half the price of Leagues of Adventure (LoA).

+Timothy Brannan has some great Ubiquity posts on his page, my favorite being his League of Extraordinary Ladies posts. I've thought about doing some HEX/Pulp Marvel heroes. There's some great artwork here that I'm using as inspiration.

Whether your play HEX or LoA, Triple Ace has some great free LoA downloads that work for either. My favorite is the LXG themed one. I plan on using their Hyde idea to stat my pulp Hulk. Exile Games has four years worth of Free RPG Day HEX adventures as well as sample characters, here.

Desolation RPG

A few months ago I picked up Desolation. Desolation is a post-apocalyptic fantasy game that uses the Ubiquity system (just like Leagues of Adventure and Hollow Earth Expedition).

Other than reading some blog posts, this is my only real taste of the Ubiquity system (and I've not actually played it just read it). As far as the system is concerned, I really like what I've read. The rules seem really simple (though not in a detrimental or insulting way) and I love the style points. The main difference between Desolation and other Ubiquity games is the inclusion a free form magic system and alternate races (most Ubiquity games assume characters are human).

Now I'll talk about the setting a bit. The before the apocalypse part of the setting is rather bland. It just seems very classic high fantasy, like Forgotten Realms or something. Honestly not a lot of setting information is given about the world post apocalypse either, but I think that's intentional. The book allows GM's to create their own post-apocalyptic fantasy wastelands, which is a nice strategy on the part of the writers. The fiction nails the bleakness of the setting and I really enjoy it.

If you are a fan of Ubiquity or want a different take on fantasy, I don't think  you'll go wrong picking up Desolation.

Ash Wednesday - Dreamlands

Like many horror fans, I'm saddened by the passing of Wes Craven. The man left a legacy of nightmares, that none of us will soon forget.

Craven's (arguably) most iconic creation, Freddy Krueger has already fought Ash on a few occasions.

Dreamlands 

The Dreamlands are a different sort of reality. Actions in the Dreamlands are taken using mental attributes. Tasks related to Strength now use Intelligence, Perception replaces Dexterity, and Willpower replaces Constitution. This means characters will most likely have different Life Point totals than they do in the waking world (though Hard to Kill still adds bonus Life Points). When using Quicksheets, Directors should use Brains in place of the other attributes.  

Most humans (and many supernatural creatures dream) dream. However, most beings are oblivious to the nature of their (mostly harmless) dreams. However certain entities, known as Dream Killers, have the ability to cause the events of dreams to affect a material body.

In the next few weeks I plan on statting out Freddy and maybe coming up with a Dream Warrior quality.

#RPGaDay2015 - Zak's Additions

+Zak Smith added 15 more questions to the #RPGaDay2015 and I thought I'd answer them too, because these things are fun.

1. Worst game you ever played
Not sure I've played any bad games.

My first session of D&D was awful though. I made a minotaur fighter (we had the Complete Book of Humanoids) and I was put in an arena fighting lions, at first level. I died, was miraculously resurrected a few times and the session ended. No roleplay. Nothing. Had I based rpg's off that one experience I wouldn't have come back to them.

2. Interesting rule embedded within otherwise baleful game
I don't own that many baleful games, but I do seem to remember the Fuzion Dragon Ball Z rpg discussed how to you action figures as miniatures.

3. Game you never played but you knew it sucked just looking at it
I've been fortunate enough not to play any sucky games.

4. Game you most wish didn't suck
FATE, it seems like a great idea, but I just can't get into it.

5. Game about which you have the most mixed feelings
Deadlands/Deadlands Reloaded, I love the setting, but never been a big fan of either system.

6. Old game most in need of an upgrade
Keep in mind, old to me may not be the same as old to you, but I'd love to see a Changeling: The Dreaming update (which is supposedly in the works).

7. Game you can run with the least prep
Ask me this 15 years ago and I would say 2nd Edition D&D. Never really felt that way about 3rd or 4E, but I feel like I could wing a 5E game with little problem.

8. Game with awful art (and who you wish you could hire to fix that)
I don't know about any games with awful art, but as much as I love classic Deadlands, I didn't care for a decent portion of the artwork. Too much Ron Spencer for my taste. Now in my wildest dreams I'd have Mike Mignola doing the art.

9. Best houserule you've seen in action and now use in your own games.
See this post

10. Game you've most changed your thoughts/feelings about
Lamentations of the Flame Princess, while I've never had issues with the rules LotFP always bugged me. I blame it on the Something Awful article. I find many of the books interesting now, especially the ones that +Zak Smith is involved with.

11. Game you'd use to run just about any setting if you had to
Cinematic Unisystem (Buffy, Angel, Ghosts of Albion in particular).

12. Game that haunts you and you're not sure why
Changeling: The Dreaming, I see it everywhere I go.

13. Game that would probably be most fun to play a bee in
Mutants and Masterminds, you'd probably be a mutant minion of the Bee-Keeper.

14. Best Star Wars game?
I'm going to say Saga Edition, but I think if I had a little more experience I would say the newer Fantasy Flight Games are the best.

15. Game that's good in theory but you're kind of on the fence about it to be honest
Savage Worlds. I love the settings. It does everything. Everybody seems to love them, but I just can't get into it.