About Me

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Seattle, Washington, United States
I'm an old time roleplayer who became a soldier who became a veteran who became a developer who became a dba who became a manager who never gave up his dream of a better world. Even if I have to create it myself.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Whittled Jewels

A long time ago (last March) in a galaxy far far away (my pre-Mac computer days), I published an article about Phoenix's gem system.

I really like gems, and I have always loved complicated generation systems for them. This love was inspired by 2nd edition D&D.

That being said, it doesn't work for my new project. My new project requires a whittled down ruleset. So, I had to come up with something simple for gems.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Manor #3: You Big Meanie

The Manor Issue #3 has been released, after a long cold winter, after a long cold autumn before that, and after most of a long cold summer before that.

It's time for another round of Cobalt Kobold Awards.

Starts with mean right at the cover.

This issue is stuffed with mean. And no, you crazy Aussies, I don't mean it that way.

Meanest Item: p. 14, the Gem of Undead Control. It seems like a great way to solve your local undead plague, except that it kills you when you hold it.

Meanest Location: p. 2, the Mine of Rot and Disease. Who mines for rot and disease? Mean people, that's who. Or crazy people. Like adventurers.

Meanest Class Feature: p. 23, and I quote, "Fire leaps from the holy symbol and consumes the monsters leaving only a small pile of ash." Ouch.

Meanest Adventure Hook: p. 19, When the Wheel Breaks. C'mon, we all know that herb is never gonna make it.

Meanest Joke: p. 19. It starts with a Jester getting eaten by trolls. Wait, is a Jester sort of like a Bard? Nevermind, he probably had it coming. Iambic Pentameter is a known catalyst for homicide.

Meanest Haiku: p. 16, Has anyone ever used "disgorged" in a haiku before??

Thanks for the big bucket of mean, Mr. Tim!

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Whittlin'

Been doin' a bit of whittlin' lately.

photo credit: bf5man via photopin cc
Wood isn't my medium - rules are.

I've been busily reducing the Phoenix ruleset to its core engine, so that I can use it for a particular idea. I have a setting, theme, and "feel" in mind for some adventures, and it requires a fast-paced ruleset. So I'm chopping and mixing and blending and... suddenly I feel a bit hungry.

It's fun to do this, because Phoenix has a few things at its core that are really fun for me. Like initiative, exploding dice, and fast, single-action rounds. Much like a good stock, the flavors get super-yummy when reduced with a careful simmer.

Wow, I really am hungry. I'm gonna go take care of that. I'll have more on my new concept once it gets just a little farther along...

Also, I have a new issue of the Manor I need to get around to reading.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Crazy Australian Animals

When we lived in Australia, we picked up on one simple rule: everything there is trying to kill humans. The animals, the plants, even the land itself. Fair dinkum.

So this kickstarter has definitely caught my eye.

Cowabunga! No, wait, wrong show. Where'd my pizza go?

Now, I know these are supposed to be for more of a blood-bowl type purpose, but wow can I think of some good adventure ideas to go along with them.

So go get some drop bears. If you're into that sort of thing. And let me know what kind of adventure sounds fun with these blokes.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Class Design: Borderlands 2

My new job has certainly created some interference with my blogging and game design work, but I have a confession to make - Borderlands 2 has also created interference!

I'm not normally an FPS player; I usually stick to A/RPG, MM/RPG, or RTS games.

But this one is an exception.

For those not familiar, this game is set in a sort of fantasy world that also has guns and laser beams and such. The best part of the game is the sense of humor portrayed by the game designers - and memorable characters that make me laugh. Even Claptrap. And they make BabyBat laugh - she plays it with me, of course.

It is basically an A/RPG that throws away the normal isometric view, in favor of first-person view.


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