This LL Cool J parody is great. Sharing it is also a great excuse to plug my SURVIVE THIS!! Friday the 13th pdf. Though designed with Dark Places & Demogorgons in mind. It would also work for grim Vigilante City games.
Monday, May 31, 2021
Sunday, May 30, 2021
Saturday, May 29, 2021
Friday, May 28, 2021
Public Domain Supers for FATE
I'm not ready to review Venture City yet, but I did find some cool characters that can be used with it that I wanted to share. Created by DM Studios, these character sheets are based on public domain supers. Here is a sample:
All four are pay what you want, so check them out.
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
PG: Psycho Goreman (2020)
Synopsis
A disturbed young girl and her brother friend find an ancient alien gem that gives her control of a super powerful overlord. Dubbing him Psycho Goreman (or PG for short). Soon creatures from across the galaxy come to Earth searching for PG.
Review
Psycho Goreman is one of those unique and insane flicks. It's really dark, but instead of being depressing, the it's really humorous. There's tons of random murder and body horror, but it's all really cheesy looking. The film is bloody and gross, but in an over the top, unrealistic way. There's tons of fake blood and viscera. PG and the other aliens look like cheesy Power Ranger/Super Sentai foes. Honestly the whole film kind of feels like Power Rangers on crack.
The cast are memorable. Mimi is an absolute monster in the body of a small child and her long suffering brother Luke seems to be the only sane person in the flick. The interactions between the family, PG, and the community are fantastic.
Finally, the score is top notch. There's a great 80's dark synth vibe that tends to go with these wild horror flicks with purple themes (like Mandy). In addition to the great score you also have I'm The Heckin' Best and PG for Short, which are definitely memorable tracks.
In Your Game
As I mentioned this movie had a Power Rangers vibe to me, so I statted PG out in the vein of my White Star Power Rangers.
Pscyho Goreman (or PG for short)
Armor Class 1 [18]
Hit Dice 10
Total Hit Bonus +6
Attacks Goreblade (1d6+6) or Diabolic Magic (3d6)
Saving Throw 9
Special Horrific Transformation, Juggernaut
Movement 12
HDE/XP 12/2,600
Armor Class 1 [18]
Hit Dice 10
Total Hit Bonus +6
Attacks Goreblade (1d6+6) or Diabolic Magic (3d6)
Saving Throw 9
Special Horrific Transformation, Juggernaut
Movement 12
HDE/XP 12/2,600
PG is an ancient powerful evil. His goreblade is crafted from pieces his hated foe, Pandora. Though not truly a blade, it can slice through nearly anything. PG also has the ability to fire dark magic at a range of 120'. He can grow to immense size (which allows him to destroy buildings and go toe-to-toe with mecha should that sort of scenario rise). PG also has the ability to transform weaklings into hideous monstrosities. This is more of a plot power and a tool for the GM. Feel free to give PG other powers if the plot requires or it just makes a scene cooler.
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Jungle Tomb of the Mummy Bride DCC Kickstarter
Appendix N meets grindhouse in the DCC update of Planet X Games Jungle Tomb of the Mummy Bride now on Kickstarter. This isn't a straight across the board conversion. Levi has taken the time to change things up and make the adventure feel like a DCC joint. There are some cool options and add-ons with this one. I know personally I'm all about that hardcover DCC goodness. You can also snag the 5e version. If you play DCC, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.
The project launched yesterday, is already funded, and has knocked several stretch goals out.
Monday, May 24, 2021
Music Monday - PG for Short
Old school jam by Psycho Goreman, intergalactic warlord and apparent beat master. This track is a recap of the wild movie (which I watched this past weekend). I'll type up a review and some game content when I get the chance.
Sunday, May 23, 2021
Saturday, May 22, 2021
Friday, May 21, 2021
Dr. Bees Returns!
The greatest hero of our time, Dr. Bees, has returned with a new short! If you aren't familiar with the true hero then check out my original post here.
Thursday, May 20, 2021
FATE of Superheroes
Next weekend I'm moving back to my home county, which means I'll be two minutes or so away from most of my gaming fam. I'm also going to be renting a nice home that's bigger than anything I've lived in for the past 15 years or so. There's plenty of room for games.
Recently supers bug has definitely bit me. I realized outside of a Vigilante City con game two years ago, I've not played or ran a supers game in years. My plan is to run alternating Friday and Saturday games. One will be a D&D 5e campaign for sure. I'm thinking I might scratch the supers itch with the other game.
I've been playing around with different systems in my head. Mutants and Masterminds is too crunchy for my taste at the moment. Vigilante City has my heart, but I'm wanting something with more free form supers rules that doesn't rely on traditional class/levels. After searching the web and looking at recommendations I think I'm going to use Fate. I have the Core pdf and their Venture City supers setting pdf. After skimming the rules and watching this video, I think Fate Core might be the perfect system for my current wants. I like the broad, free form, and collaborative storytelling elements of the game.
Venture City is a "superpunk" setting. It give rules for playing supers using Fate. The setting itself reminds me of Marvel 2099: mega corporations, sponsored heroes, and super tech. While that's not the kind of supers game I want to run, the rules can be lifted from the book and I can use them in a setting more my style.
My plan is to dive more into the core book and Venture setting and get a game together soon. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
Sleep Sound
Here’s a really cool animated Drizzt short narrated by everyone’s favorite Sherlock, Hobbit dragon, and Sorcerer Supreme ... Bandersnatch Crumblypants.
Monday, May 17, 2021
Music Monday - NVNCBL
I love the Amazon take on Invincible. It's beautiful, brutal, and wonderfully voice acted. If you did too, check out this poignant track from Mega Ran.
Sunday, May 16, 2021
Saturday, May 15, 2021
Artifact From the Dead Earth
Here's a gross weapon straight out of Wonder Woman: Dead Earth
The Spine
Weapon, legendary (requires attunement by good alignment)
You gain a +3 to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. When you hit with an attack using the Spine, the target takes and additional 2d6 force damage. Damage dealt by the Spine ignores resistance to weapons and bludgeon damage.
Squirrel Girl Saturday
Today's post is genderbent, so I guess it's Squirrel Boy Saturday. The cosplayer, Khasino, actually can't stand Squirrel Girl, and is cosplaying her because of fan donations. Personally, I think he's an absolutely adorable SG.
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Glimmering Crypt of the Ioun King and WotC
I've already reviewed Glimmering Crypt of the Ioun King, but now I want to discuss what I would to make it feel at home in established Wizards of the Coast settings (as I've done with all other Planet X Games adventures).
Eberron
The Ioun King's tomb can be placed anywhere in Eberron. Levi's description of the deepearth fits perfectly into the aberrant madness involved in Eberron's take on the Underdark, the Khyber. The creatures on the cover look like dolgaunts. These creatures and dolgrim added to the random encounter mix make the adventure feel more Eberron-esque. Also making the glimmering crypt a source of khyber dragonshards makes a lot of sense.
Perhaps the Hatecant is some sort of corruption of the Mark of Scribing. If you decide to go this route, then making Dvar a gnome of House Sivis, rather than a dwarf makes a lot of sense. The other option with the origin of the Hatecant is to make it some sort of ancient and living offshoot of the Draconic Prophesy. The Hatecant also probably has something in common with the living spells the plague Eberron.
I'd place the adventure in the Underdark along the Sword Coast. Dvar's native kingdom could be Mithral Hall. The adventure would be a great tie in to Candlekeep Mysteries. While the Ioun King wasn't famous, his mission and origins could definitely be tied to Candlekeep. Special attention should be paid to the Tome of Devouring Spells. Should this book be brought into Candlekeep, it could be devastating to some of the scribes and visitors.
Being an ancient magical evil, the Hatecant is probably a holdover from the ancient Empire of Netheril. It could also be some sort of former herald/servant of Mystara. Finally, the Hatecant could be tied to Halaster the Black. the Made Mage of Undermountain. Honestly, any of these make sense and make the antagonist feel like a natural part of the realms.
Honestly, like Eberron, there isn't really a bad spot to place the crypt. I can't think of too much you need to do to make this feel more Exandria-like. The Order of the Cobalt Soul would have some interest. The Candlekeep ideas mentioned in the Forgotten Realms ideas above could be carried over here. I think the Hatecant could have ties to Vecna, the Whispering Tyrant. Perhaps the Hatecant is a part of Vecna's essence when he was mortal or could even be a part of him that separated with the lich ascended to godhood.
Uk’otoa Sea Shanty
There is a new board game set in the Critical Role setting, Exandria. You can find out more about it here. To promote and celebrate, the channel has released Critter sea shanty.
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
If D&D Was An Anime
I'm becoming a fan of One Shot Questers. They have some funny stuff that I've shared before.
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
The Belt of the Ho-Gaan
Here's a new wrestling inspired magic item for your 5e games.
I didn't make this and I believe Hulk Hogan is an asshole. Still he was a vital in creating modern wrestling culture and making it the phenomena it is today.
Monday, May 10, 2021
Music Monday - Mortal Kombat (feat GIlbert Gottfried)
This amazing Music Monday is brought to use by Lame Genie, Cameo, and Gilbert Gottfried!
Sunday, May 9, 2021
Glimmering Crypt of the Ioun King
In Glimmering Crypt we are presented with the deepearth, Planet X Games version of the Underdarkn. While there is mention of dark elves, mushroom men, and duergar, this is a realm of blind albino cultists and cyclopean horrors. This dark world is less Gygax and Salvatore and more City of Lost Children, Dark City, and Pan's Labyrinth. Levi gives us an overview of the realms (with rules and suggestions). We're also presented with a cool d20 random encounter table.
This takes us to the Crypt itself. The "Ioun King" is a legendary dwarven wizard and the adventure takes place in his unwitting tomb. The party is presented with rumors to seek this place out and given 21 unique encounters/keyed locations for the heroes to traverse. The adventure also presents 18 stats blocks for new monsters and big bads and 5 magic items (technically 8 because of the Ioun Stone variations).
I think Glimmering Crypt is the most accessible Planet X adventure to the general gaming public. While it is full of references and has some genuinely creepy content, it's not mutant hillbilly, jungle cannibal, or kaiju cultist weird. This isn't a bad thing and I enjoy the adventure. What really sets it apart is the villain. Its quite unique and definitely isn't going to be what the player's expect.
The fun adventure is book ended with faux comic book ads. My absolute favorite of these is the Howling Crater Mutant Hillbilly Teeth.
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Batman/Fortnite Zero Point Bundle
A short trailer feature a voice over from Alfred to promote the new Batman Fortnite cosmetic bundle.
The look reminds me of Snyder's Batman: Year Zero.
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Monday, May 3, 2021
April A-Z 2021 Posts
Here's a compiled post of of all of my Gunzo! - True Vigilante #1 inspired A-Z posts.
- A is for Arsonist
- B is for Boxer
- C is for Cocaine Bear
- D is for Doomsayers
- E is for Enforcer
- F is for Freerunner
- G is for Gambler
- H is for Hacker
- I is for Informant
- J is for Juggalo Hatchetman
- K is for Klansman
- L is for Lawyer
- M is for Maniac
- N is for Neo-Nazi
- O is for Organ Harvester
- P is for Police
- Q is for Quixotic Vigilante
- R is for Robot
- S is for Scientist
- T is for Tanks, Brutes, and Bullet Sponges
- U is for Underworld Boss
- V is for Viral Vigilante
- W is for Wrestler
- X is for Xenophobe
- Y is for Young Blood
- Z is for Zombie
Music Monday - Ich Will (Destroy All Humans)
I missed this quirky retro sci-fi game the first time around, but luckily for me it's been remade. It's currently available of Xbox GamePass if you subscribe to that service. While the Ramstien music doesn't fit with the game's aesthetic, this trailer is awesome.
Sunday, May 2, 2021
Mortal (2020)
Synopsis
In Norway, a psychologist becomes intertwined with the Norwegian-American teen with mysterious abilities. Burning objects and individuals he touches, the origins of Eric's abilities are a mystery.
Review
Mortal is a fantasy thriller with ties to modern superhero movie trends. It's atmospheric and has some strong performances by the leads. The setting is gorgeous. Norway is a beautiful country. The source of Eric's abilities are pretty obvious to most viewers and it takes a bit too long for the characters to figure it out, but it's still an interesting ride. While the overall film is slow at times, the third act is phenomenal. One thing I really like about this film is that it addresses a comic thing that always made me think. How do you still worship an invisible unknowable god, when there is a tangible one walking the world?
My only major complaint is the film has an extremely abrupt ending that leaves things hanging. The director was definitely banking on a sequel.
In Your Game
Warning thar be spoilers in these here stats.
Medium Humanoid (Human), Neutral
Armor Class: 13
Hit Points: 75
Speed: 30 ft.
Challenge: 5
STR: 12 (+1), DEX: 17 (+3), CON: 18 (+4),
INT: 11 (+0), WIS: 10 (+0), CHA: 10 (+0)
Saving Throws: Dex +7
Skills: Stealth +7
Damage Resistance: lightning
Senses: Passive Perception: 10
Languages: English
Unique Traits:
Emotional Static: Eric's electricity powers are deadly, even to himself. If angered Eric must make a DC 15 Wis save or all creatures and objects within 20' take 1d10 lightning damage. This effect also makes it impossible to breathe and creatures must hold their breathes (or "drown"). Additionally, Eric takes 1d8 lightning damage each turn or when he uses lightning abilities. Eric loses this trait if he has Mjolnir in his possession.
Divine Blood: Eric has no need to eat, drink, or breathe air. He is immune to regular diseases and illnesses.
Spellcasting: Eric's divine blood allows him to cast lightning based spells. His spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attack)
Cantrip (at will) - Shocking Grasp (2d8 damage)
3rd level (4 slots) - Call Lightning, Lightning Bolt
Actions:
Mjolnir: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit 6 (2d6+3) bludgeoning damage.
Mjolnir: Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, range 10/150 ft., one target. Hit 6 (2d6+5) bludgeoning damage.
Punch: Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d2+1) bludgeoning damage.
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point Trailer
Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point is a six issue miniseries that sees the Dark Knight trapped in Fortnite's infinite battle loop. Check out the trailer.
Unlike the previous upbeat Marvel crossover (trailer here, comic here), the trailer presents this story as a dark Momento-esque story, which does fit the Batman vibe better, but seems kind of ridiculous. That being said I've asked my comic shop Super-Fly Comics & Games to pull the series for me. I play the game, would like the cosmetics, and am genuinely curious to see how the series plays out.
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