More Sample Art: Samaris City Book

And here's another two page spreads. The Samaris Source book is written for Dark Dungeon, but could be used for any fantasy RPG, as long as you're willing to fill in details (on the fly, preferably :)). It contains sixteen new templates for characters, new disciplines, new skills, new saints, new creatures, many locations and one hundred contacts to use as friends, patrons and rivals for your heroes.
Actually it's sort of an Expert Set and Setting Book in one.

Now soon, I'll need proofreaders for the final phase. Will keep you posted.

Some Sample Art: Samaris City Book

Yes, I'm still alive. And indeed I'm in the lay out phase of the completely renewed, immensely expanded Samaris City Book. (What on earth made me start on this? It's very much work!) It's a supplement for both players and Game Masters, to be used at your gaming table, both while playing and preparing. Here's some art.

What's on with James of Grognardia!

Lately, I was growing a bit worried - For anybody else wondering what's going on behind the silence on normally ever-present blog Grognardia, and whether James  is all right, or if you're wondering what's happening with Dwimmermount, I suggest you read this post by Victor Raymond. It seems that James himself may be well enough, but his father is not - and that this now takes up his energy and time. Let's wish him well - and indeed, tell our own parents how we love (or at least appreciate) them too, as long as we have the chance.

Pick #89: BlueHolme

In case you haven't noticed it yet - someone did a Open Gaming License rewrite of the Blue Holmes Basic D&D set. That someone is Michael Thomas of Dreamscape Design. It's called Blueholme (wonder why?) Maybe it's not needed - but hey, it looks good.

It is sprinkled with old illustrations (by Ford and Lambdin), from fairy tales - a bit a la Rackham.  Strangely enough this aids a bit in recreating the feel of the original Holmes edition. It's free - on DriveThru. Michael Thomas plans to have a full fledged expert set for sale later. Now... the only thing missing is some ole players from 1982 and a print-on-demand version :-) Have a look and see what you think.

Pick #88: Castle For Sale

No, this is not about a plot hook for a comic horror game, although it could be. In fact, why not write one? No, it's about actual castles being for sale, today, right now.

Hunting for some real castle maps, I stumbled on this one. Then I found this site specialising in rather expensive real estate for aspiring nobles. A Dutch site it seems... my fellow countrymen seem to enjoy strange hobbies. This one sells for 25 million gp - eh, euros.

A regular castle may be a bit hard on the average role player's budget, but that's probably precisely why there's quite a few luxurious estates for sale out there. Fancy one? If you do the cleaning, you're welcome to stay in the one I'd buy if I had the money. Which I don't. Ah well.

Gaze and be astounded. And call me if you buy one and want me over. I won't clean ;-)

And enjoy this new year, whatever it may bring!

Greetings from the deep: Merry X-Mas!!!!

We should have known...

Merry X-Mas To You All Anyway!

Pick #87: The Alexandrian Blog

While wondering about railroading, game structure, dungeons vs stories, and bottlenecks (or choke-points), I just discovered some excellent writing by Justin Alexander. Especially when you're just trying to make the transition from dungeoneering to mystery gaming (or more general story gaming), checking out his "three clue rule" essay may save you quite a few headaches. And even if you're not exactly new to more story based gaming, there's some nice theoretical and practical thinking in the Alexandrian. I particularly like the pieces on game structure, of which you can find the first article here.

Have a look, and see if you can help Justin finishing the 3rd edition compatible Legends & Labyrinths rule book, too. To be honest, I'm not too fond of third edition, but the idea of having *better* and easier rules that can handle the same modules and materials sounds nifty to me. And that's what L&L proposes to do, so I'm at least curious.