Crisis In Infinite Zines

I know I'm guilty of talking about projects and not following through with them, but I think this one's going to be different. Crisis on Infinite Zines is a going to be a series that focuses on super heroics for Dungeon Crawl Classics and its comic inspired offshoots: Evolved: Time Traveling Super Heroic Roleplaying Game, Comic Crawl Classics, and Gunzo!: True Vigilante #1 

I've already written most of the first issue. This is what I'm thinking will be in it:

• Third Party Recommendations - Eric did a great job with this post, but I wanted to highlight some more comic and comic adjacent releases.
• Super Pal Class - You can find the playtest here. If you have feedback I'd love to here it.
• Butler Class - I'm still writing this one, but it will let you play someone like Alfred or Jarvis. It might not be the most powerful class, but it will be fun.
• Tools of Justice and Villainy - I've taken several gadgets and items from Marvel and filed the serial numbers off.
• Minions/Henchman/Bystander - A collection of supporting npcs and foes for you DCC supers games.

I've talked with folks and I have an editor. I've also talked to an artist and layout person. If things work out I will be taking the project to Kickstarter to pay for work and get it printed.

And yeah the title is a reference to Crisis on Infinite Earths. 

Outstanding Oddibeasts, Toxic Protectors, and 5e Mousers (Oh My!)

I have picked my new laptop up. I've started work on the TMNT tribute game I mentioned previously. I'm going to be using the X-1 system created by Andy Hand of Limitless Adventures and Cheatin' Fair Games for his Rat Catchers and Pixie Punks games. It's a simple to learn and fun rules-lite system and i think it will be perfect for the game. So what am I calling it? The name is not set in stone, but I'm really considering Outstanding Oddibeasts. The Mighty Mutanimals are a team that's been allied to the turtles in various versions of the group. Mutanimals is a portmanteau of Mutant Animals. Outstanding Oddibeasts (Oddibeast being a portmanteau of Oddity and Beasts) is the best sounding homage I've come up with so far. It's not perfect, but I'm going to be real, I dig it.

It will take a bit to finish, so in the mean time I've am also going to do something I haven't done in years. I've started working on a PWYW class for Vigilante City. While there are already rules to play ninjas, street tough vigilantes, and mutant animals, I thought it would be fun to make a class based on Toxie. The Toxic Protector will allow you to create a character based on the Toxic Crusaders version of Toxie (though it will have some elements of the original film version too). If I can figure out how to do the layout, the class will hopefully be released next week. 

I wanted this post to having something folks could use too, so I'm finishing with 5e stats to the iconic TMNT army fodder, Mousers.

Mousers are iconic robo-fodder in TMNT. They've existed in almost all version so of the franchise (except the movies, which is odd). They are small robots, about 2.5 feet tall, created by Baxter Stockman to eliminate NYC's rat problem (at least in the 1987 cartoon). However, the automatons were used by Shredder to hunt the Hamato Clan (specifically Splinter). The original comic versions were created to get rid of the rat problem, but also used by their creator to steal valuables. They also associated with one of my fondest memories. When I was a kid I talked my uncle Carlos into taking me to the Ashland Mall to see the Ninja Turtles. He agreed to and afterword we went to Hills Department Store. He let me get a toy and I was able to pick up my first TMNT action figure. It was slim pickings. All they had were Wacky Action Mousers and Rocksteady. I went with the latter (which I still have), but fondly think of the mouser figure from time to time (even though I never picked one up).

Mouser

Small Construct, Unaligned

Armor Class: 12 (metal chassis)

Hit Points: 7 (2d6)

Speed: 25 ft.

Challenge: 1/8 (25 XP)

Str 10 (+0) Dex 10 (+0) Con 10 (+0) Int 4 (-3) Wis 10 (+0) Cha 3 (-4)

Damage Immunities: poison, psychic

Damage Resistance: acid, lightning, fire, cold, necrotic, radiant

Condition Immunities: blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10

Languages: --

Unique Features

Rat Sense: The mouser is always aware of all rodents (mutant or otherwise) within 30 feet of it. This sense can penetrate most walls and objects, although certain materials such as lead can block it.

Actions

Bite: Melee Weapon Attack. +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) piercing damage, and the mouser attaches to the target. While attached, the mouser doesn't attack. Instead at the start of each of the mouser's turns, the target loses 1 point of piecing damage. While attached, the target has disadvantage on all skill and attack rolls.

The mouser can detach itself by spending 5 feet of it's movement. A creature, including the target, can use its action to make a Strength (Athletics) roll (DC 12) to detach the mouser.

Update From The Halls

Thought I'd give a little update on what's up at the Halls. I still don't have a computer yet, but that will change in the next day or two. My friend Lindsey got a new computer and is passing on her old laptop to me. That means I will be blog more regularly (instead of just when I head to the library). This means I'll start on my review of the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game.

I'm still looking for a new job and have plenty of free time. I've decided I want to start working on some new projects to release as The Lone Bards (though since Josh had given up writing for now it's the Lone Bard).  I've been on a TMNT kick recently. Started reading the comics again which has been fun. Thinking about sitting down and watching all of the major series (1987, 2003, 2012, and Rise of the the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). What does this have to do with The Lone Bards? Well, one of the projects I want to do is an original game that's an homage to TMNT (and the series it spawned like Street Sharks and Toxic Crusaders). I haven't fully decided if I'm going to go full Saturday Morning Cartoon camp, classic gritty, or somewhere in between... though I'm leaning towards somewhere in between. It will probably never get finished like most of the ideas I have, but sometimes I think just having a goal helps my mental state out, even if I never get to the point of achieving it. 

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.

Rogues' Redemption: The Idea

It may just get lost in Limbo and added to the pile of unfinished games I want to make, but I had idea that I am going to work on. The working title is Rouges' Redemption. I's a superhero setting where the player's a blue collar and C-List villains, like the Flash's Rogues or the protagonists of Minor Threats, who are fighting back against heroes that are taking things too far. I haven't decided if it will be like the plot of Minor Threats (villains have to stop the heroes before they cross a line they can't come back from) or Injustice (heroes are forming a fascist regime). There's also a third option, that like in the Boys, the heroes of the City are secretly corrupt.

Honestly, I'm leaning towards the Minor Threats-esque so that it doesn't get super dark. I know superhero deconstruction is overdone, but I like the idea of a story of villains redeeming themselves through their actions. While the plot will be different, I'll most likely take inspiration from some of the themes from Pinnacle's Necessary Evil.

There are some tropes I don't want to use. For example, evil Superman has been done to death. I was thinking about not including one, though my dude, Wirty, gave me the idea of having a still good Superman character that is aiding the players in their mission to bring down or redeem the falling/fallen heroes. This lets there be a Superman, but also doesn't tarnish what that means.

I already have so much 5e supers content made (and love it as a system) that I might just use that. It wouldn't be hard to use the villains and heroes I've created for the New Punverse to flesh out the setting. I think I'll present premade archetypes (in the vein of Carbide City #1 and #2) and also discuss how to use the standard rules to create a character of the appropriate power level. I do plan on including rules for how characters can advance, but not in the standard way (because in general, other than for specific story purposes, characters in comics tend to stay at the same power level for years).

Of course combat will be an important part of the game, but I also want to focus on other parts of comic books like saving bystanders and such. Also I love the interactions characters have outside of epic fights so there will definitely be roleplay encounters. The idea of what it means to be a hero will also be explored.  

Honestly I already have quite a bit of art for this project and a couple of hundred dollars worth of credit to get more superhero stock art.

This idea was inspired by desire to publish supers content. It was also inspired by my discovery of a game with a cool premise, published by a morally shitty company (The Red Room).  If you are wondering why I call them that, they have created gross misogynistic content and their Twitter feed is full of anti-trans rhetoric.

If you have any ideas or suggestions, leave them in the comments.

New Lone Bards Content Coming Soon

A week from tomorrow (May 7) is Free Comic Book Day! I haven't participated in several years. However, this year I'm going to hit several shops in central Ohio (including my fav Super-Fly Comics & Games) with my buddy, John Hancock, and my Teen Titan, Grayson.

In celebration of the day, to keep my 5e supers momentum going, and to start releasing new content for The Lone Bards I will be releasing a free pdf featuring 5e stats to the first super heroine in comics, Fantomah. She will be a part of the New Punverse, but the character could work in any 5e game. To see another take on her, check out the fantastic Leopard Women of Venus by Josh Burnett and Leighton Conner. While Fantomah is classicly a blonde bombshell in a negligee that transforms into a skull headed woman, I will be using some fantastic artwork I requested while a Patreon supporter of JE Shields.

Hot Off the Presses... Crime Editor Strikes Again!!!

Here's another Public Domain villain that will make an appearance in my upcoming 5E Supers zine series.

Crime Editor

Real Name: Unknown

First Appearance: Black Hood Comics #10 (1944)

Armor Class: 11 (Dexterity)

HP:  50  (9d8+9)

Speed: 30

Attributes: Str 10 (+0), Dexterity 12 (+1), Con 12 (+1), Int 17 (+3), Wis 14 (+2), Cha 12 (+1)

Saving Throws: Int +5

Skills: Deception +4, History +6, Investigation +6, Insight +5 Stealth +4

Sense: passive Perception 12

Languages: English, Latin

Challenge: 2 (450 XP)

Traits 

Cunning Action: On each of his turns, the Crime Editor can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Engage, or Hide action.

Actions

Multiattack: The Crime Editor can make two attacks with his pistol or knife.

Command Minion: One subservient ally within 60 ft. immediately takes an action. 

Knife: Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack. +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft, one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+1) piercing damage.

Pistol: Ranged Weapon Attack. +4 to hit, range 50/150 ft., one target, Hit: 9 (2d6+1) piercing damage. (15 round clip)

Background

Not much is known about the genius known as the Crime Editor. It is believed that before turning to crime, he was a journalist at a major newspaper. He quit the paper after constantly being out scooped by a country boy scout turned reporter. He established his own newspaper, The Daily Crime Record. 

The Daily Crime Record (Wondrous item, uncommon)

This villainous publication is used to gloat over the local police, spread gossip and rumors about supers, and even includes instructions on how to commit crimes. A character can take a short rest to thoroughly read the paper and it's "How To Commit Crimes" section. At the completion of the rest, the reader gains a one time bonus of +1d4 to the skill associated with article. If they do not use this bonus before they take a long rest it is lost. Once a character gains this bonus, they can never gain the bonus from that issue again.  

The Jingler

It's been more than a year (maybe two) since The Lone Bards have released anything. I've worked on a few projects for other folks since then, but haven't put out any of my own content. I want that to change. I've decided to work on a new zine. It might take a while to complete, but I'm excited. This will be one I print and put together myself, in old school zine fashion. The focus is going to be 5e supers content. I'm not going to come up with a supers system for 5e, the idea is that you can use the content in your regular game or with one of the pre-existing 5e takes on supers (such as Carbide City, which I highly recommend). The zine will feature equipment, npc's (villains, heroes, and others), plot hooks (and maybe short adventures), and optional rules ideas. Much like I did with Light City, I want to use some of the great (and not so great) content from the public domain for this one. Here's an example of a villain you could add to your games.

The Jingler

Real Name: Edward Fearing 

First Appearance: Top-Notch Comics #26 (April 1942) 

Armor Class: 13 (lightly armored costume, dexterity)

HP:  55 (10d8+10)

Speed: 30

Attributes: Str 10 (+0), Dexterity 14 (+2), Con 12 (+1), Int 15 (+2), Wis 13 (+1), Cha 9 (-1)

Saving Throws: Int +5

Skills: Deception +2, Perform +2, Stealth +5

Sense: passive Perception 11

Languages: English

Challenge: 2 (450 XP)

Traits 

Cunning Action: On each of his turns, the Jingler can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Engage, or Hide action.

Actions

Multiattack: The Jingler can make two attacks with his pistol or knife.

Atrocious Poetry: The Jingler recites a bit of poetry. Each creature within 60 ft must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw, or take 5 (2d4) psychic damage and have disadvantage on all actions their next turn. Only creatures that can hear and understand Jingler can be affected by this ability.

Knife: Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack. +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft, one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing damage.

Pistol: Ranged Weapon Attack. +5 to hit, range 50/150 ft., one target, Hit: 9 (2d6+2) piercing damage. (15 round clip)

Background

Edward Fearing dreamt of being a world renowned poet. Unfortunately for Edward, his poetry was simply the worst. Eventually he found himself starving, having been rejected by every publisher in the city. When an incident involving the accidental murder of a man over food led to one of his poems being published, Edward realized that if he wanted the world to know his work he must kill! He began to call himself the Jingler and started murdering literary critics and publishers in the city. In each circumstance he would compose a poem about the murder, using his victim's blood as ink. 

____________________________________________

If you have any thoughts about the zine or anything, please leave a comment.

Grognautical - The Kittyman

Before my second hospitalization last year I was working on a nautical zine for 5e. Called Grognautical, it would feature the piracy cleric domain, new oceanic creatures, npcs, and other content of that nature. I've started working on it gain. One of the npc's featured will be inspired by this sea shanty I recently shared. My friend Devan is going to try to come up with a piece of artwork for him. This is the format I'm thinking, though I'm not sold on it. If  you have suggestions on the format, let me know.

The Kittyman

While he may seem simple to some, the gnomish sailor known as the Kittyman is far more intelligent that he initially appears. An accomplished carpenter and engineer, he is a valuable member of any crew lucky enough to gain his service. While his moniker is unusual, anyone who has seen him faun over a cat or cat-like creature, know that it suits him perfectly. Whether through divine magic or purity of heart, they tend to show him the same reverence.  It is said even mighty Rakshasa treat him cordially and exclude them from their schemes.

Stats : As Bandit Captain with the following additional abilities:

Now That’s  A Pretty Kitty: The Kittyman has advantage on all social rolls when dealing with felines (including monstrous and humanoid ones).

The Kittyman Comes: Conscious feline allies (including monstrous and humanoid ones) receive advantage on saving throws when they are within 60 ft of the Kittyman.

GrimBlade Kickstarter and Review

 Right now, the other half of The Lone Bards, Josh, has a Kickstarter project going on for ZineQuest 3. 

I've had a chance to talk to Josh about the game and take a look at the pdf and thought I'd give a short review. 

The pdf is _ pages and features writing and artwork all done by Josh. If you aren't familiar with his art, you can check it out here. While there may be some extra goodness added, the rules and such are only 8 pages. That's because GrimeBlade is a highly customizable, but concise game.

Players roll a single d6. The GM rolls an opposing Grim Roll. The die used in these rolls depends on how difficult and dark the task is. These rolls can be modified by Advantage or Disadvantage. Unlike the roll twice and use the better or lesser roll, these modifiers either add or subtract 1d4. Players life force is measured in Hope and their opponents in Glum. Opposed rolls change these totals in combat. PC's and NPC's use skills to do things. These traits define what a character or monster does, and show specializations and such.

Characters roll on character types. backgrounds, and skills charts during character creation. I absolutely love the skills because while traditional skills are self explanatory, specialty skills are decided up by players and GM's. For example let's say you "Negative Version." What does it do? Do is cause someone to act in an opposite manner. Does it create a Nega version of a target? This is up to you and your GM. 

The pdf ends with three threats/monsters. They're pretty bizarre and gruesome looking. They are also good examples of how to create opposition for players.

I'm really proud of Josh and this project. It's a great and easy to play game that encourages creativity. You can back the project here. It has eleven days to go and is close to 75% funded.

5E Supers: Archetype or Classic Character Building?

I want to make a 5e supers book. I know that there are other systems that do supers. I also know that there are some 5e supers books out there, including the amazing Carbide City by Limitless-Adventures.

I've been playing around with two different ways to approach the game. The first is to create customizable archetypes. This is the route Carbide City went with. This is definitely a streamlined way to do the game. However it also seems a bit limiting.

The second option is to allow players to create a character of a specific level (probably 10 or 12) and include new archetypes in the books that are superhero themed. This definitely opens up character options, but feels like it might be way too much work to make sure there are enough classic options. 

Both options are good, but I'm leaning towards the first option. I do want to point out that after characters are created, in general there stats will stay static. This is not to say that they won't grow and progress, but it won't be classic D&D leveling. Characters will have new options/feats to pick up as they complete story arcs. This is another reason, I think the second option might be more work than it's worth. 

All of this aside, I'd like to know what you think?

I'm Still Pro Punching Nazis

 This piece was created from my friend Josh over at Bernie the Flumph. It was commissioned for a still unreleased Vigilante City product by The Lone Bards that will be titled Punch a Nazi. That book will come eventually and be full of racist fascists to punch. 

Fuck Nazis. In addition fuck folks that support racists and fascists. 

The Gruubhuuber

Here is your first taste (pun intended) of the classes of Warlords of Flavortown. the Gruubhuuber. The zine will have light vehicle rules that will be built around saving throws (which is why the class gets bonuses).

Gruubhuuber

You are a delivery specialist. No one can drive like you and you know if you want to keep your head to  make sure the Warchef’s food gets to them in 30 minutes or less.

Chart 

Column 1 - Level Column 2 - HD Column 3 - BHB  Column 4 - Save

Level: 1-7

HD: 1, 1+1, 2, 2+1, 3, 3+1, 4

BHB: +1, +2, +2, +3, +3, +4, +4

Save: 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9

Drive Like A Demon: Gruubhuubers add their level to all vehicle related saves.

Feed the Machine: Gruubhuuberss know how to push a vehicle beyond its normal limits. They can make a machine vehicle move at 1.5 times it’s max speed for 1d6 rounds minutes. After this time they must make a save for the machine. If the saving throw fails the machine breaks down and 10 minutes must be taken to repair it. If the save is a natural 1 the vehicle explodes, dealing 6d6 damage to everyone in 30 ft (successful save reduces damage by half).

Starting Gear: Delivery Cycle or Car, Insulated Bag, Club

Are You Ready To Travel Fieri Road?!

Here's a teaser for a Lone Bards project I'm working on:

The world that you know is gone. The Franchise Kings and Queens battled the Master Warchefs and the results blew everything to bits in nuclear fieri and eldritch cuisine. Now the surviving Warchefs rule their own restaurant fortresses. You are no mere diner though... 

You are a Gruubhuubber, making your way through the twisted landscape to deliver food and resources to your Warchef and his allies. 

You are a Po’ Boy, and with your Ass Kickin’ Sauce you rage at your Warchef’s enemies in hopes of earning a spot on the Wall of Fame. 

You are a clever Spiceraider, using subterfuge to get what the Warchef needs. 

You are a Kitchen Witch, and one day you will use your gourmet magic to rival the Warchefs.

Source

Warlords of Flavortown will be a standalone zine/game built using Swords & Wizardry Continual Light. I'm working on the draft now. I have a lot of ideas jotted down and a few of the classes are done.

New Slasher - Slop

Here's a bonus slasher for Slashers & Survivors based on my friend's movie Slop.

Remember you can download Slashers & Survivors: Slashcan Edition here for free.

Slashers & Survivors - Slashcan Edition

In honor of Friday the 13th, I released my pay-what-you-want stand-alone game, Slashers & Survivors. 

Slashers & Survivors: Slashcan Edition is an ashcan version of the our new slasher rpg. Based on The Blackest of Deaths by Bloat Games, the game allows you to create a nerd, jock, or other slasher staple and see if you can outwit and survive a homicidal maniac or deadly cult. This is not the final version of the game and the pdf will be updated periodically with feedback received. There will be a deluxe version of the game coming to Kickstarter later this year with more content.

I have big plans for the full version. It will include more slashers, a random slasher generator, and much more. Take a look at the pdf, share, and let me know what you think!

Vigilante Files Volume 1

How would you lovely folks like to see the current run of Vigilante Files compiled into a print zines. The zine would include the following:

• Four classes
• 10 Villains/Mercs
• 3 NPC/Allies
• 2 Adventures 
• 1 Evil Entity with magic and minions

RPG Monsters: A to Z Kickstarter

Phenomenal fantasy and sci-fi artist, JE Shields, has a Kickstarter that's prepping for it's last day and has quite been funded. RPG Monsters: A-Z is a invaluable resource for any creator. It features 26 unique monster illustrations. There are three tiers for pledging (that building up on each other. For 25 you get line art, for 50 you get that and color, and for 75 you receive both and the Photoshop files. Even if you aren't a creator, you can pledge without a benefit and help support a wonderful person and creator.

What Y’all Know About A Jive Hand Turkey?!

Thanksgiving has past here in the States, but this is the first time I've been on a computer since Wednesday, so I still want to share. The Lone Bards did a special pay-what-you-want Thanksgiving release this year. With artwork by Josh Beckelhimer and writing by your's truly, the Jive Hand Turkey is a hilariously disturbing new monster for your 5e and Vigilante City games. Grab it here.

The Haunted Doll

The first release from The Lone Bards since Cade's Big Book O' Booze is live. The Haunted Doll is a short pdf featuring a new horror-themed follower for 5e. It's heavily inspired by the sidekick rules in The Essentials Kit and was originally supposed to be released last week (though obviously that didn't happen).