Slashers & Survivors Coming Soon To Kickstarter

 I am currently working on completing my game Slashers & Survivors. It is a stand alone rpg based on Bloat Games excellent Hack the RPG. You might remember that I released a "Slashcan Version" of it a few years ago. I've decided its time to polish and finish it. I'm going to launch a Kickstarter to fund print copies soon.

I've tapped my friend David Coppoletti of Dungeon Remixer for layout duties. He also wants to contribute art. I will also prominently feature the gruesome art of DCC staple  Bradley K. McDevitt. Brad's a great guy and his style is perfect. 

I am still working out logistics, but I have a great idea for potential stretch goals. I want my favorite indie rpg writers to create slashers to be added to the final product. Should stretch goals occur, the first writer has already agreed. 

Follow here and The Lone Bards Facebook page for updates.

October Horror Movie Challenge - Terrifier 2 (2022)

Plot

A mysterious force resurrects the Miles County Killer aka Art the Clown for sinister reasons, which bring him into conflict with high schooler Siena and her little brother Jonathon. What connection do the siblings have to Art? Will they survive Halloween night?

Review

This film has a limited release this weekend and I was fortunate enough to watch it last night with one of my best friends and fellow horror fanatic, Chelsea. Like the first film, Terrifier 2 is gory, gross, gratuitous, and mean. The sequel really takes this to new heights (or lows based on your opinion). Everything is excessive, including the run time. The first film was a tight 90 or so minutes with credits. The sequel adds an hour to that. While I think you could have cut one of the protagonists friend's and scenes related to her from the film and the story would have flowed just as well, I wasn't bored at any point in the movie (and the friend's demise is one of the nastiest and coolest looking in the film).

The cast is spectacular. David Howard Thornton returns as Art and is even more menacing in this one. He is also disturbingly funny. I found myself belly laughing at some of his reactions and scenes. He does so much with zero dialogue. Protagonist Siena is played by Lauren LaVera and she's one of my new favorite final girls. She's artist and cosplays. She's cute, thoughtful, and badass. Her portrayal seems very genuine and she seems like she cares about her little brother, played by Elliot Fullam. Speaking of which, he does a great job as the seemingly troubled Jonathan. Young actress Georgia MacPhail  is another new breakout star in this one. Her character is never named in the film, but trust me, you won't forget her once you see her. Samantha Scaffidi returns as Victoria. I won't go into much of her scenes in the movie, but lets say I didn't expect them. Sleepaway Camp's Felicia Rose has a small role as Jonathan's principle. Finally, wrestler Chris Jericho is in a mid credits scene. 

Writer/director/editor Damien Leone crafted a fantastic piece of film. The pacing is good and I don't know that I've ever watch a movie that had me amused/laughing and unnerved  throughout the entire picture. The prosthetics, animatronics, and practical effects he and his team created are unmatched.  Again, excess is the norm in this, but it's so well crafted. Also the music is *chef's kiss* and while the film is set in in 2017-2018, it makes it feel like an 80's slasher in all the right ways.

The story/plot raises many questions. There's a lot of things that happen and seem to be connected, but aren't really explained. This doesn't bother me, because I know Damien will make another that expands the lore, the questions prompted a great discussion on the ride home with Chelsea, and finally sometimes I can just enjoy something without know all of the inns and outs. 

If you can't tell, I thoroughly loved this flick. If you are a fan of the first, you should definitely check it out. That being said, this definitely isn't for everyone and that's okay. If you don't want something super brutal and blood that will make you whisper "oh fuck no" at the screen, then this one probably isn't for you.

In Your Game

I've shared stats for Art a few times, You can find them below:

• SURVIVE THIS!! 
• Dungeons & Dragons 5e
• Vampire the Masquerade (older versions)
• Hack the RPG

New Movies: 9

Others Horror Movies Watched Since Last Post: 

Challenge Total: 18

Character Creation Challenge - Day 1 (A Day Late)

 I'm a day late and already playing catch up, but I'm going to take part in the character creation challenge. I'm going to try to make characters using different systems, though I can't guarantee I have 31 different systems.

For my first I'm going The Monsters Are Our Heroes, currently seeking funding on Kickstarter. 

Source

El Monstruo Enmascarado 

Evade: 11
HD: 1
HP: 15
Armor Points: 2 (tough skin)
Level: 1 
Class: Monster

STR: +4 INT: -1 WIS: +0 
DEX:  CON:  +2 CHA: -2

Luck: 4

Abilities: 

• Overcoming Lonliness - When encounting another golem like himself, he gains Advantage on all tasks for the next hour.
• Unusually Strong - Advantage on all feats of Strength tests. 
• Call Lightning - Once per gaming session (at GM's approval), he can call down lightning upon himself. He takes no damage from being struck. For the next 4 rounds, all damage he does to enemies is at max damage. Must be outside to call lightning.

Weaknesses: 

• Fire - Takes double damage from fire,
• Crowds - Disadvantage on all action rolls when in large crowds.  

Description: El Monstruo Enmascarado is a flesh golem created by La Hija Del Frankenstein (who may or may not be Frankenstein's actual daughter). Created from the bodies of Mexico's greatest luchadors, he was created to be the ultimate fighter. However, the inherent nobility of the technicos used to create him infused the monster will a desire to protect humanity. While he's not the most personable or intelligent creature, he is kind and has a heart of gold (well actually he has two of them).

The Monsters Are Our Heroes Is Live!

The Monsters Are Our Heroes limited print run is live. You can back it here. I was ecstatic to see that it funded in the first 30 minutes! Read my review and then pledge for a copy of your own.

Coming Soon - The Monsters Are Our Heroes Print Version

I'm happy to share that my friends at Bloat Games are doing a limited print run of The Monsters Are Our Heroes. If you remember, I reviewed the game at the beginning of the month. If you're interested (and you should be), you can go here and click to be notified when the project launches. 

The Monsters Are Our Heroes Review

The Monsters Are Our Heroes is a horror themed release from Bloat Games. Utilizing the  rules created for The Blackest of Deaths, the game lets you and your friends pay homage to classic Universal monster flicks and the underrated classic, The Monster Squad.  One thing I really like about this is that you play a classic monster and take on modern monsters (aka cryptids).

Players choose from one of the following monster classes:

• Creature 
• Invisible Person
• Monster
• Mummy
• Vampire
• Werewolf

Like other games based on The Blackest of Deaths, The Monsters Are Our Heroes uses a fun core mechanic:

Roll 1d20 & 1d6 Simultaneously.

Add any applicable modifiers to the d20 roll for a total vs a target Difficulty Check. If you meet or beat the target Difficulty Check you Succeed.

On the d6, ignore a roll of 2, 3, 4 or 5.

For a roll of 1, add a Hindrance.

For a roll of 6, add a Benefit. 

Hindrances and Benefits are hardships or conveniences that affect what you do. You can fail a task, but still gain some sort of tactical advantage from it. It's a fun collaborative mechanic.

You can and should grab the pdf here. Hopefully a print on demand version will be released at some point. If you do pick it up and want to add some foes to your game, my Slashers & Survivors posts include many foes that would be appropriate.

The Smiling Man (S&S)

Check out this awesome horror short.

Who is the Smiling Man? What does he want? Here are a two possibilities.

Smiling Man (Escaped Psycho)

HP: 20

Evade: 15

Armor Points: 0

Bonus: +2 to Attack, +0 to Damage

Attack: Unarmed (1d4)

Special Traits: Advantage on Stealth related rolls (and can sneak at full speed)
Special Attack: Unnerving Smile (CM+CON vs DC 10) - Target is unable to act their next turn.
M/O: Unknown
Weakness: The Smiling Man can be kept at bay (at least temporarily) by a firm voice and having someone's full attention.

Smiling Man (Crossroads Demon)

HP: 30

Evade: 13

Armor Points: 3

Bonus: +3 to Attack, +2 to Damage

Attack: Unarmed (1d6)

Special Traits: Grant wish, teleportation
M/O: Consume souls
Weakness: Anyone that knows the Smiling Man's true nature can compel him to grant a wish (though he will always find a way to twist it).

Ash Wednesday - Attack of the Helping Hand

This 1979 short film features the talents of Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell and was inspiration for Evil Dead 2's hand scenes. It's fucked up, but funny.

Survive This

Helper aka Handy
Armor Class: 15
Hit Dice/Points: 4 (15 HP)
Move: 18
Actions: 1
Attack: Knife (1d4-1) or Choke d6-1
Special: Death Grip (if it makes a successful choke attack, it can maintain a choke hold automatically dealing d6-1 damage every turn)
Bonuses: +2 to Melee attacks, +5 to Initiative, +5 to Hide rolls
Morale: 7
Terror: 9
HDE: 3

Slashers & Survivors

Helper aka Lefty

HP: 15

Evade: 15

Armor Points: 0

Bonus: +2 to Attack, +0 to Damage

Attack: Knife (1d4-1)

Special Traits: Advantage on Hide rolls
Special Attack: Choke (CM+STR vs DC 10) - Target takes 1d6 damage and continues to do so each turn. Target can make a CM+STR vs DC 10 on their turn to end this attack.
M/O: Get handsy!
Weakness: While he can choke effectively, Handy suffer disadvantage on all other STR related rolls.  

Z is for Zombie

For the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge this year I’m going to be looking at slashers and other horror character and statting them out for my free rpg, Slashers & Survivors.

While I didn't create Slashers & Survivors to be a zombie rpg, it definitely can fill that role if you want it to. 

Zombies

HP: 10

Evade: 9

Armor Points: 10

Bonus: +2 to Attack, +0 to Damage

Attack: Bite (1d4 Damage)

Special Traits: Always act last in combat, bitten foes must makes (CM+CON vs DC 15) or become infected (dying and re-animating in 1d10 minutes, unless offending wound is cut away and cauterized), a natural attack roll of 20 against a zombie automatically reduces it to 0 HP.
M/O: Consume!
Weakness: Characters can make called shots against a zombie's head. The zombies Evade becomes 16, but if successful the attack ignores its Armor Points. 

Y is for Yellow King

For the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge this year I’m going to be looking at slashers and other horror character and statting them out for my free rpg, Slashers & Survivors.

The stats for today's post are not for the Lovecraftian fiend, but rather the serial killer that seemed to be devoted to him (whether he exists or not) in the first season of True Detective. If you haven't seen that season, please do yourself a favor and watch it. I don't like detective shows, but it was phenomenal.

Carcosa Killer

HP: 15

Evade: 14

Armor Points: 0

Bonus: +1 to Attack, +2 to Damage

Attack: By weapon 

Special Trait: Disadvantage on social rolls, if attacking from surprise the Killer deals an additional 1d6 damage on a successful attack.
MO: Serve the the King in Yellow
Weakness: A deranged and mortal man, the killer can be dispatched like anyone else. 

X is for Xenomorph

For the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge this year I’m going to be looking at slashers and other horror character and statting them out for my free rpg, Slashers & Survivors.

This seemed like a fitting X entry considering Alien day was a few days ago. Xenomorphs can fill the role of a slasher in a one shot. You can also throw these into your The Blackest Space games. I could include several stat blocks, but I decided to just go with a classic drone/alien. While you could stat out headhuggers for your game, if you want to include them in a simple way, just assume that its a CM +DEX vs DC 10 to avoid them. I'd give them an evade of 15 and just one HP.

Xenomorph 

HP: 20

Evade: 14

Armor Points: 3

Bonus: +3 to Attack, +3 to Damage

Attack: Claw/Bite/Tail Spear (1d6 Damage) 

Special Trait: Climb walls, Acid Blood - Anyone in close range when a Xenomorph takes damage must make a CM + DEX vs DC 10 or take 1d4 acid damage (1d6 if they are the attacker)
MO: Serve the hive
Weakness: None

W is for Willard

For the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge this year I’m going to be looking at slashers and other horror character and statting them out for my free rpg, Slashers & Survivors.

Going to be honest with this one. I couldn't think of a W slasher and this movie came to mind. I've not seen the original Willard or it's sequel Ben. It's also been a few decades since I've seen the Crispin Glover version. That being said, the gif below is horrifying and the stats could be use for a fun foe for your Slashers & Survivors game.

Willard

HP: 15

Evade: 12

Armor Points: 0

Bonus: +1 to Attack, +0 to Damage

Attack: By weapon 

Special Trait: Control rodents
Special Attack: Rat Swarm (CM + DEX vs DC 15) - target takes 3d4 damage as swarms of rats gnaw at their flesh
MO: Revenge
Weakness: Willard is a normal man and bleeds like anyone else. 

V is for Victor Crowley

For the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge this year I’m going to be looking at slashers and other horror character and statting them out for my free rpg, Slashers & Survivors.

Victor Crowley a Adam Greene's throwback slasher and star of Hatchet I-III and Victor Crowley. The franchise features roles and cameos by several horror icons, including Kane Hodder, Robert Englund, and Tony Todd. The series features amazing practical effects, ridiculous kills, and a love of its source material. If you like slasher flicks, watch them.

Victor Crowley

HP: 50

Evade: 13

Armor Points: 2

Bonus: +3 to Attack, +5 to Damage

Attack: By weapon 

Special Trait: Victor can move through his swamp unimpeded swamp and rolls made to track him are made at Disadvantage, Victor regenerates 1 HP on his turn.
MO: Slaughter all who enter his swamp.
Weakness: Victor's regeneration and Armor Points are ignored if the damage dealt to him comes from someone that shares blood with the children that caused his death. 

U is for Uber Jason

For the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge this year I’m going to be looking at slashers and other horror character and statting them out for my free rpg, Slashers & Survivors.

Uber Jason is the cyborg version of the classic slasher revived in the future with nanobots. Jason X is a silly movie, but a lot of fun and has one of the greatest slasher kills (seen below).

Uber Jason

HP: 80

Evade: 10

Armor Points: 5

Bonus: +3 to Attack, +5 to Damage

Attack: By weapon 

Special Trait: During  his turn Uber Jason regenerates 1 HP, even if reduced to 0 HP
M/O: Kill for Mommy, in the future!
Weakness: Being a undead monstrosity with healing nonobots, Uber Jason doesn't have any known weaknesses. 

T is for Tiffany Valentine

For the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge this year I’m going to be looking at slashers and other horror character and statting them out for my free rpg, Slashers & Survivors.

Tiffany is Chucky’s violent lover and partner in crime. She’s not quite as skilled at the occult as her beau, but is just as murderous and can actually be a bit persuasive. The original Tiffany now inhabits the body of Jennifer Tilly (now that’s meta), but it is show in the end of the The Cult of Chucky that she possesses dolls too.

Tiffany Valentine
HP: 15

Evade: 15

Armor Points: 0

Bonus: +2 to Attack, +1 to Damage

Attack: by weapon

Special Traits: All social and stealth based rolls are made with Advantage, all stealth based rolls, heals 1 HP on his turn
M/O: Keep her relationship with Chucky fresh
Weakness: Tiffany can only be killed by destroying her heart. However, it is possible for her to be revived if any bits survives.

Ash Wednesday - Ed the Bit-Part Demon (S&S)

It’s still technically Wednesday here in Ohio, so enjoy this goofy Slashers & Survivors Ash Wednesday.

Ed the Bit-Part Demon
HP: 15
Evade: 13
Armor Point: 3
Bonus: +2 to Attack, +1 Damage
Attack: Claw/Bite (1d6 damage)
Special Traits: Advantage on all rolls related to Performance.
Special Attack: Possession (CM + CHA vs DC 10)- target is possessed by an evil spirit unless they cut away/sever the offending wounded area (taking 1d10 damage).
Special Traits: Beguiling (appear normal, have host's memories), Hover, Regenerate 1 HP a turn
Weakness: Direct sunlight will (at least temporarily) drive the possessing demon from the possessed's body. Immolation, total dismemberment, and live burial can also remove the possessing spirit. Kandarian Dagger ignores Armor Points. In addition, there are spells found within the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis that can bind, control, or even destroy Deadites.

S is for Slop

For the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge this year I’m going to be looking at slashers and other horror character and statting them out for my free rpg, Slashers & Survivors.

I’ve posted about the short slasher film, Slop, before. It stars my friend Jacob as the titular pig masked slasher. I’ve already shared Slasher & Survivor stats for him, but as I create more content I want to refine things. These are revised stats for the slasher.

Slop

HP: 25

Evade: 13

Armor Points: 3

Bonus: +4 to Attack, +3 to Damage

Attack: By Weapon
Special Traits: Advantage on Stealth and Strength rolls  

M/O: Protect his farm
Weakness: Slop is a large brute and isn’t the fastest.

R is for Roy Burns

For the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge this year I’m going to be looking at slashers and other horror character and statting them out for my free rpg, Slashers & Survivors.

Roy Burns is the copy-cat Jason from Friday the 13th: A New Beginning. He is essentially another Pamela Voorhees, donning the mask and killing because he wants revenge for his son’s death. 

Roy Burns

HP: 20

Evade: 14

Armor Points: 0

Bonus: +3 to Attack, +2 to Damage

Attack: By Weapon
Special Traits: Roy has advantage on Medical and Disguise rolls.  

M/O: Revenge
Weakness: Though he looks like a famous slasher, Roy is new to the game.

Q is for Quetzalcoatl

For the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge this year I’m going to be looking at slashers and other horror character and statting them out for my free rpg, Slashers & Survivors.

This post isn’t about a slasher, but it was rather hard finding one that started with Q. However, it shows that Slashers & Survivors can do creature features. I hadn’t watched Q before today, but it was a fun little throwback to 50’s and 60’s monster flicks. 

Quetzalcoatl

HP: 30

Evade: 15

Armor Points: 5

Bonus: +6 to Attack, +5 to Damage

Attack: Claw (2d6) or Bite (1d8)
Special Attack: Snatch (CM + STR vs DC 20,  target is grappled. It can escape unless the creature drops it or it uses it’s turn to make another CM + STR vs DC 20)

M/O: Feed
Weakness: Quetzalcoatl has no weaknesses

P is for Pamela Voorhees

For the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge this year I’m going to be looking at slashers and other horror character and statting them out for my free rpg, Slashers & Survivors.

Though she only appeared alive in two films (the original Friday the 13th and the 2009 remake), Pamela Voorhees is responsible for one fo the largest slasher body counts in any franchise. Her killing spree and beheading inspired her son Jason’s rampage. 

Pamela Voorhees

HP: 20

Evade: 13

Armor Points: 0

Bonus: +2 to Attack, +1 to Damage

Attack: By weapon
Special Trait: Reckless (Pamela can gain advantage on all attack rolls on her turn, but all attacks made against her have advantage until her next turn)

M/O: Punish those that let her son die!
Weakness: Pamela is mortal and and delusional.