tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556452250535360992024-03-12T21:39:49.275-07:00The Inn Of Palmer stUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-7993620144141947362012-06-02T13:02:00.000-07:002012-07-07T14:25:43.729-07:00(Re) introducing Wizards WorldBack in 1983 A small California company put out a very good fantasy game called Wizards World. It had so many different and groovy ideas that were ahead of its time like each race having its own dice rolls stats, a magic system that gives Wizards a lot better utility at lower levels especially when combined with the racial advantages of Elves (spell points baby). instead of Armor that doesn't make you harder to hit but reduces damage, percentage base rolls for combat and other things, Intervals for betterment between levels. Our first session involved a Elf Wizard, A dwarf attacker,a half Elf defender and a Human warrior. They headed off into fangheart Forest looking for the creatures responsible for the deaths/thefts of local livestock. they encountered a Troll at waiting to collect tolls for safe passage thru the Forest. The party tried to negotiate a price when they found themselves trapped by two other Trolls.
The combat was joined with the Trolls taking initiative and getting in first strike but the party returned blow for blow. The combat system took a little practice but soon it was mastered after the trolls the weather took a turn for the worse and the party sheltered in a cave inhabited by a friendly old human Scout (heh, heh) who gave them information about the forest. By this time it was time to call it a night, we will play again. I highly recommend this game it is available from Gobliniod Games both in PDF and Print. This game was years ahead of anything I remember from that era
and still walks with games of today and outpaces many of them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-61185973624376839362012-05-30T13:16:00.001-07:002012-05-30T13:17:57.341-07:00Swords & Wizardry White Box as therapyI have not been blogging much because of gaming projects like this one.
A few months ago A friend of mine asked Me to use games to help with his Physical therapy class for those with motor skill issues, of course I said yes. To accomplish the goals of fine motor control therapy I used S&W white Box rules, large dice, miniatures and a battle mat.
The dice helped with grip and motor control the mini's and battle map with reaching and stretching. The party consisted of A pair of fighter, two magic users, a Elf and a Dwarf.
The first encounter was with a party of goblins that were dispatched with little trouble the next encounter was a group of soldiers in full retreat from some Bug Bears they were a bit more troublesome but a Elf with a bow in the party is always a good thing. The fighters were bummed because they had not purchased ranged weapons.
The progress made by the players in real world results was great by the end of the program. Motor control and dexterity issues improved and the participants came away with a new hobby, some dice (grateful for the one pound bag of dice) The links to several OSR game companies and everyone got to make and decorate their own dice bags (thanks to the arts & crafts people from a local Church for their generosity and time)
When asked if I would do this again I said yes. these people have been hurt in accidents, suffered debilitating illness, abused and who knows what else the time I spent was well worth it if you get the chance to use gaming to help others take the opportunity the smiles alone are worth it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-83458109149207517622012-04-16T10:23:00.002-07:002012-04-16T10:58:31.363-07:00ROTWORLDThis game has been out for a while now but I just got the pdf last week. It uses the Pacesetter system same as Time Master. Now I have not used the pacesetter system much in the past as most of the people I gamed with back in the old days were into D&D,Marvel super heroes, Star Trek and the like. <br /> Here is what I like about the system: the Action table this is cool no more remembering what weapon does what damage. Combat took a little getting used to but after a few minutes I was used to it. Lack of a setting I feel this is a plus because everyone has their own Zombie/Undead setting/back story from movies,television,Comics, novels or any combination thereof. The book is short only sixty five pages, the art is plain but not terrible. The one thing I didn't like was the charts were scattered through out the book but with a little effort the corpse master (G.M) can make a screen with everything He/She needs. Overall this solid game and should give lots of play value. <br /> The PDF is 4.95 from RPGnow<br /> the soft cover is 17.95 and the hardcover is 27.95 at Lulu.com.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-46129602114557539932011-11-10T05:50:00.000-08:002011-11-10T06:00:12.853-08:00Who would play D&D essentials?For the last few weeks I have set in on the Wednesday night D&D encounter sessions at My FLGS and found it to be enjoyable especially since at the moment it is the only game in town so to speak. The essential rules are by no means My favorite ( that goes to Swords& Wizardry and Stars without Number) but essentials is more user friendly than the original 4e layout and the DM's they have are very good at what they do and the adventures have been light based around combat. so for a hour or so of My Wednesday nights it beats watching television and no gaming at all.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-27157799453663275182011-09-10T06:49:00.000-07:002011-09-10T14:32:15.742-07:00It is time for Geek RageI found this at Examiner.com (see fumble link on right) And like most geeks was really put off by the attitude of this Lady, than she tried to cover herself (see cover it up link at right) Now I believe in personal freedom but why drag someone through the mud over a mismatch at a online dating site? Come on We all have had bad dates but this was over kill. Well something good has come of this it is time to SPEAK OUT WITH YOUR GEEK OUT see the link I have posted to this event. Please join us this week and let your Geek out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-22052931172393716642011-08-05T07:05:00.000-07:002011-08-05T08:19:39.513-07:00Here is My fantasy game post Swords& Wizardry the retro clone of OD&D.<br />There are three versions all of them good and differing in complexity. <br />White Box this is a basic 1974 Role playing simple rules small rule book needs lots of Imagination. Not a bad thing because I started with OD&D back in 1974 OK so I am old.<br />the next part of the S&W line is the Core rules this is D&D with the supplements and some more mechanics<br /> than we come to Complete this set is a retro clone of the best of the first seven printings of the original rules.<br />I use all three sets for different game groups and each works well. There is a reason for these posts that I will make clear a little later.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-32278640749164005302011-06-12T17:49:00.000-07:002011-06-12T17:55:36.550-07:00A Sci-Fi kind of mood.And the OSR ROLLS ON ! I want to look at some of the Sci-Fi games that have been revived/never went away and the new “old school” so let's see what the features are for some of them.<br /> Classic Traveller, this is the grand daddy of them all first released about 1977 it was My intro into Science Fiction gaming over the years a complete background universe has around it as well as a series<br />of miniature war games, a large group of fanzines. Even though the science is outdated such as computers it is still in print and play.<br /> Starships and Spacemen was first published by Fantasy Games Unlimited in the Eighties it has been called unbranded Star trek it is nice game and is back in print as well as the board game Star explorers thanks to Goblinoid games buying the rights to these two classic systems. As long as We are talking about G.G they also have revived Time Master, I have never played this one so I can't say a lot about it save that it looks interesting. <br /> Today We have at least two excellent new games done school style one is X-plorers<br />from Grey Area games and published by brave Halfling publishing asking what if the fathers of the role playing hobby were more into science fiction than fantasy when they wrote that first set of official rules back in 1974? it is well worth looking at. <br /> Next up is Stars without Number it has elements from several old school games is easy to pick up world generation and ship generation are quick and easy with several supplements. the good news is Mongoose games will be publishing this game this will put it in game stores look for a September release date or get it from RPGnow. <br /> This is just a overview I will be do a fantasy overview in the next week or so then a post apocalypse game review.<br /> If anyone knows a great game I missed please let me know.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-41952419745031302212011-06-09T13:47:00.000-07:002011-06-09T16:43:02.895-07:00It's the Eighties againI have been noticing a upswing in the anti-gaming vitriol as of late most of it is rehash of stuff We have dealt with before. What gets Me is the number of EDUCATED PEOPLE, the ones with College diplomas who believe this stuff. It has been My purpose of late to speak out when falsehoods and outright lies are spoken about gamers and gaming. Here is a example last week I was talking to a friend and the subject of Dungeons & Dragons came up this is a guy with good education but he subscribes to every conspiracy theory he hears he spewed out the usual stuff "Gary Gygax was a Satanist and offered up small Animals/Children in his Basement" the quote is accurate even if on the wild side of things and easy to defeat. The ones that are hard are the twists, half quotes and exaggerations about who we are as gamers and people. In My case these attacks come from people involved with Churches (being a Minister this should be expected). Here is how I have dealt with some of this:<br /> 1: role playing games talk about demons/the devil<br /> Answer: So does the Bible and both have nothing good to say about them.<br /> 2: It's so violent<br /> Answer: Read much of the old Testament? it has a lot of violence.<br /> 3: What about that kid in East Lansing MI that killed himself?<br /> Answer: His name was James Dallas Egbert and his suicide had nothing to do with D&D or steam tunnels I will let you Google his name and read for yourself about this troubled young Man.<br /> 4: It is anti social. <br /> Answer: No, it played with other people acting together to accomplish a goal.<br /> The best way to beat the lies is to be armed with the truthUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-30461395756792600782011-04-06T04:29:00.000-07:002011-04-06T04:55:47.100-07:00Home from the HospitalI have been wondering about why I was having certain health problems and now I know why, Last week I had Pancreatitis. For those not familiar with this it is basically a inflamed Pancreas accompanied by abdominal pain and extending to the lower back and the grand prize is DIABETES. Good news is that the pill seems to be effective in controlling my blood sugar, Bad news I have to miss Marmalade Dog due to surrounding circumstances I did not want to but t this time it is the wisest choice.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-81694660201790955672011-03-18T11:39:00.000-07:002011-03-18T11:51:17.846-07:00A Good Man PassesThis last week saw the passing of one of my mentors and a dear friend Raymond Orr. I first met him almost thirty years ago. His youngest son was a School mate of mine and when I met him he showed a genuine interest in me, at the time this was a new thing for me. As the years went by a honest friendship grew and still grows to this day. The things he taught me have helped me become the person I am today and He shall not be forgotten.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-61300341343829086622011-03-17T05:37:00.000-07:002011-03-17T05:59:08.758-07:00A bright idea for Marmalade DogI was wondering what to run for a Swords & Wizardry white box event at Marmalade Dog and getting nowhere fast than it hit me like a street car why not pull random monsters/treasure from a deck and see what happens! I have never done this for a convention before but it is worth trying. My other games are nearing completion and I have a couple chores to do before I can go. If this goes well I will try it again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-24450884989480853382011-03-12T07:47:00.000-08:002011-03-12T09:00:01.734-08:00Marmalade DogI really don't know how they came up with the name but this con is one of my favorites and I look forward to going this year I will be running Labyrinth lord on Saturday and Stars without Number on Sunday. I choose these two games for two different reasons I like Labyrinth Lord because it is D&D B/X and there is a good amount of support for it. Stars without Number is the best Science Fiction game in years and the supplements for it have been first class. I really enjoy convention life meeting old friends and making new ones, seeing new products getting a chance to be a player as well as a G.M but this year will see a major change due to some health concerns I will be carrying more food from home (I hate it when medication screws up my stomach) so I have reserved a room with a microwave and am preparing home made frozen dinners (these are actually easy to make and good for you). My Labyrinth Lord adventure is a return to keep on the border lands using the new Realms of Crawling Chaos, My Stars without Numbers is based on a old Science Fiction Movie called Green Slime. this should be fun.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-52611748414523945922011-01-04T07:51:00.000-08:002011-01-04T07:59:35.425-08:00Old Gamer geek Special Box Set Double FeatureMost people in my circle of friends know of my love for the old box sets of D&D. So for Christmas this year I wanted to give something along that line for selected friends at Church (those who gave me clothes dryers when mine died a five hundred dollar death) . What I came up with is "The Old Gamer Geek special Edition Double Feature Box Set" featuring Swords & Wizardry White Box and Mutant Future and dice, well Christmas came and went and the sets were a big hit. My friends kids are now well on there way to the geek side with one Dad reading Mutant Future.<br /> I made a real find in online comics a few months ago called WereGeek it's about , well gamers and Geek stuff reading it is a riot. see the link.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-25783837414058877652010-12-17T18:09:00.000-08:002010-12-27T17:16:18.674-08:00I never thought it would happenMy group has been playing Traveller for years and years 33 to be exact but when we tried Stars without Number they all told me "This game was made for us", Now I am a guy who tries to accommodate my players and this time it is easy to do. For tonight's game I stranded them on a abandon planet so far they have survived my plans pretty well. They have established a base of operations and will be exploring a city next session. I ordered the Hard Light module and after looking through it I find it is of high quality just like the core rules. Now this made my list of "core games".<br /> Our next session is New years eve/day a mega game weekend is in order to ring out this game some more. After a vote Traveller is our #2 SCI - FI game and Stars without Number goes to first place.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-23150756545280267902010-12-03T16:39:00.000-08:002010-12-10T08:56:12.545-08:00Stars without NumberI am just geeked over this new sci-fi game. It is a sand box game in the old school style using forms from classic science fiction and fantasy role playing games. Character Generation is a standard 3d6 and modifiers are old school indeed. Skills are explained well but give room for referee interpretation and expansion. Personal combat is little different basic combat is Roll 1d20...<br />+ target’s Armor Class<br />+ attacker’s Combat skill<br />+ attacker’s attribute modifier <br />+ attacker’s Attack Bonus<br />If the total is 20 or greater then the attack hits. A<br />natural roll of 1 always misses, and a natural roll of 20 always hits. <br /> World generation is done with five rolls of 2d6 and one roll 1d100. I will Address more later if you want this game see the link to [s]ine [N]omine publishing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-3447206207399781072010-11-23T09:41:00.000-08:002010-11-23T10:42:08.998-08:00Holidays and GamingWith the approach of the Holidays it is time to think about my "Holiday gaming specials" for those not familiar with my "holiday specials" they are gaming extravaganzas centering on Gaming,food,fun,more gaming,more food. so in with these facts established here is the "Holiday Feast Smorgasbord menus"<br />Thanksgiving is Cornish game hens with home made dressing, homemade cranberry sauce home made rolls,Home made mashed potatoes and gravy, home made pies and anything else I can think of. Christmas Steaks on the grill so thick you can't tell if they are sitting or standing, Ribs,shrimp, several different home made baked goods, baked potatoes baked beans, puddings and probably more stuff. New Years eve home made Pizza, BBQ meatballs, Swedish meatballs, Monster sub sandwich, chips and that sort of thing.<br /> Now on to the games we will be playing Labyrinth Lord, Mutant Future, Swords&Wizardry white box and core rules , Classic Traveller and probably a new school game or two. So to all a Happy Thanksgiving.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-59088619668482799122010-09-26T17:00:00.000-07:002010-09-26T17:51:24.378-07:00OLD SCHOOL IS LIKE A HEAVY METAL CONCERTOkay Saturday I was scheduled to run a game of Swords & Wizardry at a game store well that turned into three real quick as people saw what fun we were having laying the smack down in a dungeon crawl of my own design. Ablosore our fighting woman was hacking with a two handed sword, Olor the holy, our cleric was bashing and healing,Roger redhammer the Dwarf proved why gobliniods should run from him on sight Ellie the Elf showed her skill with the bow and Amir the magic user was casting with mad skills .<br /> As the party entered the dungeon they were met by four goblins "Oh, look" said Ablosore "walking footballs" battle ensued and was short but the goblns got some licks in and heal light wounds was popular all of a sudden (gotta love crits for the G.M.)<br />as the party pressed on they piled the dungeon treasure High on their exit they found the retainer and their mules had been eaten by some Orcs and the hunt for vengeance was on after tracking them to their home they laid the smack down on them like the a hurricane with the magic user opening up with a wand of magic missiles "bet they didn't think that was groovy" yes he really said that. Next the Dwarf laid into a Orc with a Battle axe soon the Orcs were defeated: end game one <br /> Game two we had five players same adventure new characters only these people didn't have the Imagination of the first but by the end they started to get the idea.<br /> the last group swore fealty D&D fourth edition, but the D.M. was missing so they took the Inn Of Palmer st old school challenge, these people played like it was a therapy session "we don't do that in 4th edition, what rule covers that" the one that says the G.M is right "you can't have that treasure at this level the D.M guide says so" good thing were not playing 4 e huh boys and girls "what do I need to roll to see if the door is locked?" no roll just say you are trying the door "Oh, didn't think of that" and now my favorite one is " that was way more fun than 4th edition how much does it cost and where do I buy it?" Again the old school challenge claims a victory (this is not a 4e knock please don't take it that way)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-1209760596963349722010-07-26T14:04:00.000-07:002010-07-26T14:28:19.486-07:00Getting ready for Michicon!I am going to run sessions for Mutant Future and Swords & Wizardry at Michicon I am really looking forward to this early start to my "convention season". since their are people who have zero con experience points here is how I prep first get your adventures ready and I mean really ready proof read play test if possible then work out the bugs. remember we are their to have fun so don't take yourself or the game like it is the end of the world (took me years to get over that). check with the con about about food and drink rules, staying hydrated is critical some cons you cannot bring food or drink so have to buy from the convention hall others tell you to bring your own, I like these because I can take a five dollar case of water and have some to share with others. Now lets talk about hygiene you know stuff like take a bath, use deodorant,brush your teeth and yes I have had people at my tables who did not do these simple things. if you are GM arrive early and ready to go, smile and thank your players for signing up for your game.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-13310769285258086732010-03-29T07:57:00.000-07:002010-03-29T08:11:22.786-07:00A good day gamingITGW is over for another year here is my report.<br />On Saturday March 27th I was at Evolution Games running home brew events for Swords&Wizardry,Mutant Future and Classic Traveller gaming started at 10:00 the S&W demo went longer than I expected with five players most of have never played a RPG before all had a good time this went on till 1400 then a lunch break after that was Mutant Future the players had locate a medical android to save their village from a plague the party succeeded and the village saved thanks to the Mutant plant PC named little daffodil(don't ask)this lasted till 1700. then on to Traveller another home brew called the chronicles of the star motive company the players salvaged a old free trader and fitted it for salvage work this lasted never would have guessed getting parts was so hard huh? (insert evil GM laugh here) the fifteen players seemed to enjoy themselves and with a little luck I will game with them again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-7690014739937016592010-03-03T20:20:00.000-08:002010-03-03T20:26:33.997-08:00ITGW Date at Evolution GamesA date has been set for Saturday the 27th of march 10 am to 4 pm I will be running Swords&Wizardry events as well as Mutant future so if you get a chance come on out and say hi. should be lots of fun. all my events are family friendly IE no swearing X rated stuff, lots of monster slaying though. remember when in doubt FIRE BALL.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-14665972158452187722010-02-05T05:46:00.000-08:002010-02-05T05:51:56.286-08:00ITGW EVENTSI have talked to owner of evolution games and made arrangements to run events for Swords&wizardry core rules and Mutant Future during International Traditional Game Week. I am not sure what days are open yet but will post them asap. now I got to get writing a couple adventures in between something called real life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-62977247189411396162010-01-26T07:40:00.000-08:002010-01-26T07:44:31.187-08:00It's that timeITGW that is the International Traditional Game Week is fat approaching and I am preparing many adventures to challenge players. I hope to hold these at the local game shop. I will post the location as soon as possible for more information go to http://www.traditionalgaming.org/Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-28532958998140567052010-01-08T18:21:00.000-08:002010-01-08T18:53:41.590-08:00Holiday Game Smack DownThis holiday season I ran some invitation only games for very close friends some gamers and some new to gaming ran some Swords&Wizardry core rules "a return to the palace of the Silver Princess"<br />Traveller " The thing at Liberty station" and some Mutant Future "Land of rust and secrets".<br /> first one "a return to the palace of the Silver Princess" is my sequel to the original D&D module It has been 20 years since the events in the events in the original module, It's 20 years later and a new princess is being held captive in the palace by the wizard Rovex the party must rescue her but all is not as it seems.this was played on the 27th of December.<br /> the second one a Traveller adventure finds our players on layover at liberty station when a strange green slime begins to consume the station itself can the players find a way to stop it and save the station? played on the 29th of December.<br /> the finale was Mutant Future The land of rust and secrets the players venture to Detroit to find preruin artifacts to sell (and hopefully get rich) only to be captured by a strange cult bent on building a giant doomsday robot to purify the earth. this was played on New Years Eve and lasted until 6:00 am on January first. I did manage to get a reputation as preferring slow torture to killing P.C's out right. I hope everyone had a great holiday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-62275943136733954242009-12-10T14:51:00.000-08:002009-12-10T15:01:02.919-08:00New ToyThis is My first post using a laptop I actually own!My mom has claimed the desk top as her possession. So I called my cousin the computer guy for advice on what laptop to buy his response "why would you buy any of the junk at the big box stores? don't waste your money I am refitting a machine that will be perfect for you and only cost you about seventy bucks I will bring it by tomorrow". Tomorrow gets here at last and as usual he is right to think I almost wasted money better spent on other things. not bad for a 45th birthday present.I will post more later it's game time now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155645225053536099.post-33004861120509551432009-11-19T15:43:00.000-08:002009-11-19T15:53:18.307-08:00My UCON ReportLast weekend I attended U CON in Ann Arbor MI. Let me say these people run a good show <br />the dealer room had ample room for demo and pick up games. I ran a Mutant Future and a Swords&Wizardry core rules demo both went longer than expected. My fellow Gamer Victor Raymond provided back up and ran some games, We handed out flyer's and Game Cd's and talked to a lot of people about old school gaming. Now that I have a better idea of how to do this sort of thing at conventions my next one will be better yet!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0