Marsh and Aquattic Creatures for D&D

"Monster Geographica - Marsh and Aquatic" by Various Published and Distributed by Expeditious Retreat Press ISBN-13: 978-972-937-633-7 Digest Sized - 208 Pages This slim volume is simply a collection of creatures and monsters from several other sources. There are 200 critters to baffle your players with. There are no drawings in the book, which might prove to be a problem, but I found that this made the book smaller and less expensive. You should normally give players a description of a creature anyway. The format of the book is digest-sized, making it easier to carry around for outside the home gaming. This particular book lists creatures the prefer Marsh and/or Aquatic living areas. This unique idea allows a GM to quickly seize a book that complements the environment that players are passing through. The entries are not sorted alphabetically (there is a Table of Contents that does this), but by Creature Rating, so that GM's can turn to an appropriate CR for the group playing their game. There's also an index of monsters by type in case you need a specific type. So, instead of seeing an Arboleth (for instance), the first creature in the book is a "Lurking Lizard" CR rating 1/4! The final entry in the book is for a Northern Sea Dragon, CR 20! In the upper corner of every page is the creature's CR. This feature makes it easy for a GM to choose creatures that will perplex characters, and give them a workout without Total Party Kill. This unique idea is almost invaluable to a harried GM! There are five of these books altogether, making a library of various monsters that might be in your setting. At first, I thought that not putting them in alphabetical order was a bit strange, but I quickly warmed up to the idea of sorting by Challenge Rating. This is the first of these that I have bought, but it will =not= be the last! Even though the statistics for creatures is for D&D 3.5, most GM's can convert these easily. Based on my reading of this volume (#2 of 5), I shall be looking for the other four very soon! My recommendation for GM's needing a few unusual monsters is very high!

Could this be the best Membrane Keyboard?

The Very Best of the Membrane Keyboards As an amateur Gamer, I find the Apex 64121/64124 Keyboard to be one of the finest I have ever used! This keyboard has an absolutely amazing 26 (twenty-six!) separate individually programmable keys! Roll right? Roll Left? Roll and shoot right? Roll and shoot left? Jump, Duck, Run, you name it. Instead of a more complicated manner, just program a key and go! I can say that a mechanical keyboard has many advantages over a membrane keyboard, but I've never seen a Mechanical Keyboard with more than a half-dozen programmable keys, if any! What's better, is that if you download the accompanying software, you can have three different alternate patterns! I've got one for Real-Time Shooters, one for RPG's, and one specifically for the web, in addition to the default setting. If you can still find a new one, try it! I believe you'll like it!

Follow up on "Shelter in Place" laws.

OK - I've been informed that these "Shelter in Place" laws were originally enacted to help the citizens of the US in case it was attacked by a foreign power. Most of those laws date back to World War Two. Who knows how well they would have worked if the bombs started falling? Bruce

"Shelter in Place" laws

Hi! I'm not exactly sure how "shelter in place" regulations are legal - or Constitutional. Apparently, individual Governors of each Sovereign State can =order= citizens to stay in their homes except for things like groceries, drugs, and other medical necessities. OK - someone tell me why =any= government official can do this. These "shelter in place" regulations restrict my God-given freedom - a freedom guaranteed by the United States Constitution. What happened to "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness"? 'Liberty' should mean I do not have to listen to these orders. They are also restricting my 'pursuit of happiness' by restricting me to my home. I have heard that it is possible for police to issue a citation, in the form of a misdemeanor, which could, in some cases, remove my driver's license! Please! If someone knows why this is legal - contact me! Bruce

The Best of Both Worlds

"Amethyst Foundations" by Chris Dias Published by "Dias Ex Machina" and distributed by "Goodman Games" ISBN = 978-0-9841127-4-6 - 286 pages Table of Contents 01 - The Choices 02 - Races 03 - Lifepath 04 - Classes 05 - Paragon Paths 06 - Skills and Feats 07 - Equipment 08 - Expanding Characters 09 - The World that Changed 10 - The Look of the World 11 - Monsters 12 - Adventures Appendix A - Aliens and Cowboys Appendix B = Index Appendix C - Maps Appendix D - Character Sheets This system/setting is a wild and weird combination. It combines a true-to-life modern setting with realistic fantasy settings. The author postulates what would =really= happen if a magical world were to suddenly appear in a technology-based world like our own. Strangely enough, it does an extremely good job at conveying this change. Most larger cities (about 25,000 or so) survive normally (more or less). But smaller cities and towns are 'absorbed' into the new fantasy realms. In the cities that do survive, technology continues to work normally. Appliances, Computers, and anything based on modern conditions continues to work the way they always have. But, life outside the cities quickly transforms into fantasy realms. Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, and creatures and monsters exist just like they do in all of our fantasy literature. In fact, those Fantasy Realms =are= real fantasy literature brought to life. Oz, Narnia, Middle-Earth, Earthsea, Greyhawk, Blackmoor, and =all= the rest can be found if you survive long enough to find them. Some things change rapidly. No communication with any other city on the planet with each other works. Going too far outside the cities can be very dangerous. Every creature and monster that ever existed in our fantasy literature is =real=. There are two major ways to use this game. One is to assume that player characters are all from a modern realm. Soldiers, mercenaries, adventurers, and many others venture outside their walls into fantasy controlled realms. This part of this book reminds me of a game called "Morrow Project" where people from our time get suspended in time and then re-emerge later (=much= later than expected)! The other way assumes that the PCs are from one of the fantasy realms. If you can get everyone to be from just one of these realms, that makes life a little easier for a GM. This part of this book reminds me quite a bit of "Shadowrun". Of course, things can (and do!) go wrong. A team of researchers may decide to 'go rogue' and begin a new life with the 'outsiders'. But, if they do this, they risk a chance that a rescue party could come after them. On the other hand, a group of Chaparrans (sort of like Elves) could decide to leave their beloved forests and travel to the nearest techno city to make contact and perhaps more. This whole setting reminds me of "Numenera". But in Numenera, both magic and technology exist side by side. However, in "Amethyst", the distinctions between techno realms and magic realms are quite vivid. Magic generally does not work in techno areas. Magic is considered by this book as 'chaotic' and generally will not work in a technological city. The reverse is also true. Technology-based equipment begins to malfunction. Sometimes, they just don't work at all. But there are very rare times that a Techno gadget can explode! Techno equipment - from pistols and rifles, to complicated vehicles, will also begin to malfunction. They are considered "order" based. In other words, science works! They very rarely explode, but they can 'freeze up' enough so that it will not work at all, even if it is returned to a Technology-based area. In case you didn't know it by the other parts of this review, I =love= this game! So far "Numenera" is as close as I have ever gotten to the kind of campaign I would love to run! But I believe that this game is even closer to my ideal world. I remember running the old "Judges Guild" D&D settings for my friends. In the Wilderlands, you =may= be able to find the occasional old high tech gadget or ruins. For the record, then, this book and setting and system (although originally released for D&D fourth edition) has one of my very highest recommendations!

The Articles of Confederation

This is the complete text of the original Articles of Confederation. It was, essentially, the first "Constitution" for the united States of America. Many of the current Constitution's clauses and amendments are based on it. I highly recommend that you read it completely. It gives much-needed insight upon many of the clauses and meanings of the Constitution. Articles of Confederation July 09, 1778 TO ALL TO WHOM these Presents shall come, we the undersigned Delegates of the States affixed to our Names send greeting. Whereas the Delegates of the United States of America in Congress assembled did on the fifteenth day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Seven, and in the Second Year of the Independence of America agree to certain articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia in the Words following, viz. "Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia". Article I The Style of this confederacy shall be "The United States of America." Article II Each State retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled. Article III The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their Liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever. Article IV The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different States in this union, the free inhabitants of each of these States, paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from Justice excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several States; and the people of each State shall have free ingress and regress to and from any other State, and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions, and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively, provided that such restriction shall not extend so far as to prevent the removal of property imported into any State, to any other State of which the Owner is an inhabitant; provided also that no imposition, duties or restriction shall be laid by any State, on the property of the united States, or either of them. If any Person guilty of, or charged with treason, felony, or other high misdemeanor in any State, shall flee from Justice, and be found in any of the united States, he shall upon demand of the Governor or executive power, of the State from which he fled, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of his offense. Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these States to the records, acts and judicial proceedings of the courts and magistrates of every other State. Article V For the more convenient management of the general interests of the united States, delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the legislature of each State shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November, in every year, with a power reserved to each State, to recall its delegates, or any of them, at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead, for the remainder of the Year. No State shall be represented in Congress by less than two, nor by more than seven Members, and no person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years; nor shall any person, being a delegate, be capable of holding any office under the united States, for which he, or another for his benefit receives any salary, fees or emolument of any kind. Each State shall maintain its own delegates in a meeting of the States, and while they act as members of the committee of the States. In determining questions in the united States, in Congress assembled, each State shall have one vote. Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any Court, or place out of Congress, and the members of congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests and imprisonments, during the time of their going to and from, and attendance on congress, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace. Article VI No State without the Consent of the united States in congress assembled, shall send any embassy to, or receive any embassy from, or enter into any conference, agreement, or alliance or treaty with any King, Prince or State; nor shall any person holding any office of profit or trust under the united States, or any of them, accept of any present, emolument, office or title of any kind whatever from any king, prince or foreign State; nor shall the united States in congress assembled, or any of them, grant any title of nobility. No two or more States shall enter into any treaty, confederation or alliance whatever between them, without the consent of the united States in congress assembled, specifying accurately the purposes for which the same is to be entered into, and how long it shall continue. No State shall lay any imposts or duties, which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties, entered into by the united States in congress assembled, with any king, prince or State, in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by Congress, to the courts of France and Spain. No vessels of war shall be kept up in time of peace by any State, except such number only, as shall be deemed necessary by the united States in congress assembled, for the defense of such State, or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept up by any State, in time of peace, except such number only, as in the judgment of the united States, in Congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defence of such State; but every State shall always keep up a well regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutered, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage. No State shall engage in any war without the consent of the united States in congress assembled, unless such State be actually invaded by enemies, or shall have received certain advice of a resolution being formed by some nation of Indians to invade such State, and the danger is so imminent as not to admit of a delay, till the united States in congress assembled can be consulted: nor shall any State grant commissions to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marque or reprisal, except it be after a declaration of war by the united States in congress assembled, and then only against the kingdom or State and the subjects thereof, against which war has been so declared, and under such regulations as shall be established by the united States in congress assembled, unless such State be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion, and kept so long as the danger shall continue, or until the united States in congress assembled shall determine otherwise. Article VII When land-forces are raised by any State for the common defense, all officers of or under the rank of colonel, shall be appointed by the legislature of each State respectively by whom such forces shall be raised, or in such manner as such State shall direct, and all vacancies shall be filled up by the State which first made the appointment. Article VIII All charges of war, and all other expenses that shall be incurred for the common defense or general welfare, and allowed by the united States in congress assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several States, in proportion to the value of all land within each State, granted to or surveyed for any Person, as such land and the buildings and improvements thereon shall be estimated according to such mode as the united States in congress assembled, shall from time to time direct and appoint. The taxes for paying that proportion shall be laid and levied by the authority and direction of the legislatures of the several States within the time agreed upon by the united States in congress assembled. Article IX The united States in congress assembled, shall have the sole and exclusive right and power of determining on peace and war, except in the cases mentioned in the sixth article-of sending and receiving ambassadors-entering into treaties and alliances, provided that no treaty of commerce shall be made whereby the legislative power of the respective States shall be restrained from imposing such imposts and duties on foreigners, as their own people are subjected to, or from prohibiting the exportation or importation of any species of goods or commodities whatsoever - of establishing rules for deciding in all cases, what captures on land or water shall be legal, and in what manner prizes taken by land or naval forces in the service of the united States shall be divided or appropriated - of granting letters of marque and reprisal in times of peace - appointing courts for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high seas and establishing courts for receiving and determining finally appeals in all cases of captures, provided that no member of Congress shall be appointed a judge of any of the said courts. The united States in congress assembled shall also be the last resort on appeal in all disputes and differences now subsisting or that hereafter may arise between two or more States concerning boundary, jurisdiction or any other cause whatever; which authority shall always be exercised in the manner following. Whenever the legislative or executive authority or lawful agent State in controversy with another shall present a petition to congress, stating the matter in question and praying for a hearing, notice thereof shall be given by order of congress to the legislative or executive authority of the other State in controversy, and a day assigned for the appearance of the parties by their lawful agents, who shall then be directed to appoint by joint consent, commissioners or judges to constitute a court for hearing and determining the matter in question; but if they cannot agree, congress shall name three persons out of each of the united States, and from the list of such persons each party shall alternately strike out one, the petitioners beginning, until the number shall be reduced to thirteen; and from that number not less than seven, nor more than nine names as congress shall direct, shall in the presence of congress be drawn out by lot, and the persons whose names shall be so drawn or any five of them, shall be commissioners or judges, to hear and finally determine the controversy, so always as a major part of the judges who shall hear the cause shall agree in the determination: and if either party shall neglect to attend at the day appointed, without showing reasons, which congress shall judge sufficient, or being present shall refuse to strike, the congress shall proceed to nominate three persons out of each State, and the secretary of congress shall strike in behalf of such party absent or refusing; and the judgment and sentence of the court to be appointed, in the manner before prescribed, shall be final and conclusive; and if any of the parties shall refuse to submit to the authority of such court, or to appear to defend their claim or cause, the court shall nevertheless proceed to pronounce sentence, or judgment, which shall in like manner be final and decisive, the judgment or sentence and other proceedings being in either case transmitted to congress, and lodged among the acts of congress for the security of the parties concerned: provided that every commissioner, before he sits in judgment, shall take an oath to be administered by one of the judges of the supreme or superior court of the State, where the cause shall be tried, "well and truly to hear and determine the matter in question, according to the best of his judgment, without favor, affection or hope of reward;" provided also that no State shall be deprived of territory for the benefit of the united States. All controversies concerning the private right of soil claimed under different grants of two or more States, whose jurisdictions as they may respect such lands, and the States which passed such grants are adjusted, the said grants or either of them being at the same time claimed to have originated antecedent to such settlement of jurisdiction, shall on the petition of either party to the congress of the united States, be finally determined as near as may be in the same manner as is before prescribed for deciding disputes respecting territorial jurisdiction between different States. The united States in congress assembled shall also have the sole and exclusive right and power of regulating the alloy and value of coin struck by their own authority, or by that of the respective States - fixing the standard of weights and measures throughout the united States - regulating the trade and managing all affairs with the Indians, not members of any of the States, provided that the legislative right of any State within its own limits be not infringed or violated - establishing and regulating post offices from one State to another, throughout all the united States, and exacting such postage on the papers passing through the same as may be requisite to defray the expenses of the said office - appointing all officers of the land forces, in the service of the united States, excepting regimental officers - appointing all the officers of the naval forces, and commissioning all officers whatever in the service of the united States - making rules for the government and regulation of the said land and naval forces, and directing their operations. The united States in congress assembled shall have authority to appoint a committee, to sit in the recess of congress, to be denominated "A Committee of the States," and to consist of one delegate from each State; and to appoint such other committees and civil officers as may be necessary for managing the general affairs of the united States under their direction - to appoint one of their number to preside, provided that no person be allowed to serve in the office of president more than one year in any term of three years; to ascertain the necessary sums of Money to be raised for the service of the united States, and to appropriate and apply the same for defraying the public expenses - to borrow money, or emit bills on the credit of the united States, transmitting every half year to the respective States an account of the sums of money so borrowed or emitted - to build and equip a navy - to agree upon the number of land forces, and to make requisitions from each State for its quota, in proportion to the number of white inhabitants in such State; which requisition shall be binding, and thereupon the legislature of each State shall appoint the regimental officers, raise the men and clothe, arm and equip them in a soldier like manner, at the expense of the united States, and the officers and men so clothed, armed and equipped shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the united States in congress assembled. But if the united States in congress assembled shall, on consideration of circumstances judge proper that any State should not raise men, or should raise a smaller number than its quota, and that any other State should raise a greater number of men than the quota thereof, such extra number shall be raised, officered, clothed, armed and equipped in the same manner as the quota of such State, unless the legislature of such State shall judge that such extra number cannot be safely spared out of the same, in which case they shall raise officer, clothe, arm and equip as many of such extra number as they judge can be safely spared. And the officers and men so clothed, armed and equipped, shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the united States in congress assembled. The united States in congress assembled shall never engage in a war, nor grant letters of marque and reprisal in time of peace, nor enter into any treaties or alliances, nor coin money, nor regulate the value thereof, nor ascertain the sums and expenses necessary for the defense and welfare of the united States, or any of them, nor emit bills, nor borrow money on the credit of the united States, nor appropriate money, nor agree upon the number of vessels of war, to be built or purchased, or the number of land or sea forces to be raised, nor appoint a commander in chief of the army or navy, unless nine States assent to the same: nor shall a question on any other point, except for adjourning from day to day be determined, unless by the votes of a majority of the united States in congress assembled. The congress of the united States shall have power to adjourn to any time within the year, and to any place within the united States, so that no period of adjournment be for a longer duration than the space of six Months, and shall publish the Journal of their proceedings monthly, except such parts thereof relating to treaties, alliances or military operations as in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the delegates of each State on any question shall be entered on the Journal, when it is desired by any delegate; and the delegates of a State, or any of them, at his or their request shall be furnished with a transcript of the said Journal, except such parts as are above excepted, to lay before the legislatures of the several States. Article X The committee of the States, or any nine of them, shall be authorized to execute, in the recess of congress, such of the powers of congress as the united States in congress assembled, by the consent of nine States, shall from time to time think expedient to vest them with; provided that no power be delegated to the said committee, for the exercise of which, by the articles of confederation, the voice of nine States in the congress of the united States assembled is requisite. Article XI Canada acceding to this confederation, and joining in the measures of the united States, shall be admitted into, and entitled to all the advantages of this union: but no other colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine States. Article XII All bills of credit emitted, monies borrowed and debts contracted by, or under the authority of congress, before the assembling of the united States, in pursuance of the present confederation, shall be deemed and considered as a charge against the united States, for payment and satisfaction whereof the said united States, and the public faith are hereby solemnly pledged. Article XIII Every State shall abide by the determinations of the united States in congress assembled, on all questions which by this confederation are submitted to them. And the Articles of this confederation shall be inviolably observed by every State, and the union shall be perpetual; nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter be made in any of them; unless such alteration be agreed to in a congress of the united States, and be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of every State. AND WHEREAS it hath pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in Congress, to approve of, and to authorize us to ratify the said articles of confederation and perpetual union. KNOW YE that we the undersigned delegates, by virtue of the power and authority to us given for that purpose, do by these Presents, in the name and in behalf of our respective constituents, fully and entirely ratify and confirm each and every of the said articles of confederation and perpetual union, and all and singular the matters and things therein contained: And we do further solemnly plight and engage the faith of our respective constituents, that they shall abide by the determinations of the united States in congress assembled, on all questions, which by the said confederation are submitted to them. And that the articles thereof shall be inviolably observed by the States we respectively represent, and that the union shall be perpetual. In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in Congress. Done at Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania the ninth Day of July in the Year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and Seventy-eight, and in the third year of the independence of America. On the part and behalf of the State of New Hampshire: JOSIAH BARTLETT JOHN WENTWORTH JUNIOR. August 8th 1778 On the part and behalf of The State of Massachusetts Bay: JOHN HANCOCK SAMUEL ADAMS ELBRIDGE GERRY FRANCIS DANA JAMES LOVELL SAMUEL HOLTEN On the Part and Behalf of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: WILLIAM ELLERY HENRY MARCHANT JOHN COLLINS On the Part and Behalf of the State of Connecticut: ROGER SHERMAN SAMUEL HUNTINGTON OLIVER WOLCOTT TITUS HOSMER ANDREW ADAMS On the Part and Behalf of the State of New York: JAMES DUANE FRANCIS LEWIS WILLIAM DUER GOUV MORRIS On the Part and in Behalf of the State of New Jersey, November 116, 1778: JNO WITHERSPOON NATHANIEL SCUDDER On the Part and Behalf of the State of Pennsylvania: ROBERT MORRIS DANIEL ROBERDEAU JOHN BAYARD SMITH WILLIAM CLINGAN JOSEPH REED 22nd July 1778 On the Part and Behalf of the State of Delaware: THOMAS McKEAN February 16, 1779 JOHN DICKINSON May 5th 1779 NICHOLAS VAN DYKE On the Part and Behalf of the State of Maryland: JOHN HANSON March 1 1781 DANIEL CARROLL On the Part and Behalf of the State of Virginia: RICHARD HENRY LEE JOHN BANISTER THOMAS ADAMS JNo HARVIE FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE On the Part and Behalf of the State of North Carolina: JOHN PENN July 21st 1778 CORNs HARNETT JNo WILLIAMS On the Part and Behalf of the State of South Carolina: HENRY LAURENS WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON JNo MATHEWS RICHD HUTSON THOMAS HEYWARD JUNIOR On the Part and Behalf of the State of Georgia: JNo WALTON 24th July 1778 EDWARD TELFAIR EDWARD LANGWORTHY

New Feature for Ashes: Rise of the Phoenixborn

Song of Soaksend is the beginning of a new feature for Ashes: Rise of the Phoenixborn. Song of Soaksend adds custom dice to the already good matrix of characters, and this feature begins here! The dice, although including a random element for this deck, adds a bit of flavor to the older additions. This new feature makes Ashes even more exciting! I, for one, cannot wait for more of these 'second edition' characters! If you like Ashes: Rise of the Phoenixborn, my guess is that you will love this new feature to the game!

A Blend of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, and Space Opera, and Mythology

OK! Is it Science Fiction? Is it Fantasy? Is it Mythology? Maybe a combination of all of the above! On the good ship "unity" we have all three! And a good bit of humor and a good bit of raunchiness as well. This story hops along with the motley crew from one adventure to the next, reminding me a bit of the old 'serials'.With the cast of one human, and several minor (and even an appearance by major) gods and goddesses, they go from an extended look at the inhabitants of the main world on which the action takes place. There are many scenes where Rekar'ree attempts to stop them - even appearing to kill them once. But eventually, our heroes triumph and continue on to rid this sector of the galaxy of one more group of bad guys. However, it was not any of this which kept me reading, it was the humor. Humor is used to good effect in several places in this novel that left me wanting to see another. Highly Recommended!

The Beginning of the Loki series by C. Gockel

Atomic: An I Bring the Fire Short Story (A Loki Series) by C. Gockel I was not ready for the complete theme change after the prologue, but when it happened, so early in the story, I kept reading this short story which has only four chapters. My love of all things Nordic captured me at once. The relationship between Loki and Sigyn was told very well. Loki, like a lot of other Asgardian Gods, takes many lovers. As Sigyn is standing in the middle of the atomic holocaust of Hiroshima, she is almost at her limit of handling the psychic cries for help. Although this is only a short story, I found myself drawn into the story of Sigyn and her relationship with Loki and her memories of a time long ago. However, she cannot ignore the whirlwind of the destruction of the first atomic bomb blast. If this is any indication of the series of books she has published about Sigyn, you can be sure I will look for them! I'll put "I Bring the Fire Part I: Wolves" very high on my 'must buy' list!

Xro Dinn Chronicles 2: New Horizons

"Xro Dinn Chronicles Book 2: New Horizons" by Matthew Webster Published and Distributed by Ionian Studios ISBN = 0-96599-17-2-5 - 236 pages Table of Contents Part 01 - Foundation Part 02 - Characterization Part 03 - Props Part 04 - Stage Setting Part 05 - Theme Setting Appendix A = Tables and Charts Index and Character Sheet This book is an addition to the previous Xro Dinn Chronicles setting. The first book in the series was called: "Xro Dinn Chronicles Book One: Awakenings". See my review of that book elsewhere on this site. It has great color covers, but the remainder of the book has black and white illustrations. Not only do these illustrations help you to imagine what you are looking at, but they add a 'flair' to the book. This is one of the rare books that have a good Table of Contents -and- a good Index. There are many new features added to the game by this 'sequel'. In addition to allowing young Xro Dinn as player characters, this book has four other new Player Character Races. There is very detailed information on all of these new Player Characters. The new races are: Borloan, Kordron, Krik, Vajjra, young Xro Dinn, and the Ingenii. One of my favorite parts is the extremely detailed work on each of the possible Player Characters. This section also includes a great look at the "Ingenii", another good bit on Nanotechnology, quite a bit on Starship Construction, info on Cloning, a nice section on Martial Arts, and a good look on including Psionics in your campaign. Many new Professions are also included. Nine new character classes: Investigator, Martial Agent, Military Officer, Pilot, Scholar, Security Specialists, Simulacrum Agent, Soldier (which looks to me like a Mercenary), and Spacer, make the cut to player character status. The book itself is laid out well, and info from each section is a logical step to the next section. The new alien races as PCs are broken down into sub-sections about each new race. I believe that this is a nice touch, and gives potential GM's a way to decide whether they want to include any of or all of the new races. New professions are added, and a detailed look at using the Ingenii in your campaign - either as PC's or NPC's, or both! Finally, the section about Psionics and its advantages and disadvantages and five new Psionic character classes. In Props, the author adds a bit on Tech Levels, Cloning, and Computer Interfaces. Then the props section is broken down into sub-sections with equipment for each new race. Even if you do not want any of these characters, the equipment section deserves a look because the items could still be found and/or used by current PC's. This equipment section is also broken down by race. The next deals with "Staging" your setting. This includes organizations and three new sub-sections broken down by race. This is a 'prequel' to the theme of this setting, which looks at Creating Campaigns, and also has two NPC info sections, one for the Sharr'dann and one for adult Xodar Xro Dinn which cannot be player characters. Finally, there is a part of all the tables and charts a GM might need. If you can't tell, I love this setting. I cannot find anyone in my two Friendly Local Game Stores that know about it, either as an item they sold, or a game they have played. This one advantage to the Xro Dinn Chronicles makes them even more interesting to a potential GM. None of their players is likely to have these books - in fact, I'd be willing to say that they have never even heard of this. Unlike many games such as Star Wars RPG, Star Trek RPG, and others - have a universe the players are probably going to be aware of. The unfamiliarity factor is important, as a good GM can make the players see what they want to see. One of my higher recommendations.

Xro Dinn Chronicles 1 - Awakenings

"Xro Dinn Chronicles - Book One: Awakenings" by Matthew Webster Published and Distributed by Ionian Studios ISBN = 0-96599-17-1-7 - 268 pages Table of Contents Part 01 - Foundation Part 02 - Characterization Part 03 - Props Part 04 - Stage Setting Part 05 - Theme Setting Appendix A = Tables and Charts Index and Character Sheet "The Dawn of a New Age is Upon Us." (Quoted from back cover.) It is always best to start at the beginning. Before the main sections of this book are two text pages. The first is called "The Sleeper Chronicles" and the second is "Conversations at Nightspawn". I'd suggest reading these two more than once. They give valuable insight into the points of this game. This is followed by short sections on Basics and Game Mechanics. Then charts for Racial Reactions, Intensity Levels, Technology Levels, a paragraph or two on your Primary Attributes, Secondary Attributes, and Other Attributes. The final part is about Combat. At the end of this is a chart for combat modifiers. Section Two is the meat of the book - How to create a player character of the allowable classes and races. A chart about Racial Age Attributes and Perception Modifiers for each of the seven races is included. Honor and "Face" are very important. Then this tome goes on to explain each of the available races. Middarians are first, followed by: Pjanji, Quiizbenqq, Sehlmna, and Terran - both Male and Female. Then calculate your skills. Each skill you take will have a cost, There are Basic Skills, for which have no prerequisites, and Advanced Skills which do have prerequisites. If taking an Advanced Skill, make sure you have the necessary prerequisites. Then there are Professions, which also have prerequisites. A wonderful section on all skills (in alphabetical order!) and their meanings follows. Sometimes, it might be better (and cheaper!) to buy a life skill package. The next part includes Professions, and, most importantly, the equipment necessary. Look at the Corporate skill package, or the Engineer skill package, or the Freelancer skill package, or the Ingenii skill package, or the Intelligence Agent, or the Medic, or the Merchant, or the Rogue, or the Scientist, or the Technician, or the Psionics Specialist (if you are allowing Psionics in your campaign), or the Psionic Sensitive skill package. Next is the Props section, which is broken down into fourteen parts. 01 - Weapons, 02 - Defenses, 03 - Computers, 04 - Robots, 05 - Bionics, 06 - Cybernetics, 07 - Interface Tech, 08 - Transportation, 09 - Medicine, 10 - Equipment, 11 - Middarian Tech, 12 - Pjanji Tech, 13 - Quiizbenqq Tech, 14 - Sehlmna Tech, and 15 - Terran Tech. Following that is the Stage Setting and the many pieces of the universe, including Cybertronix, Mind Tech (if you are allowing Psionics), the Arcane, and a good look at the components of the Frontier worlds, broken down into each part of the frontier as claimed by alien races. The main theme of the game is storytelling the various parts of the explored spaces. If you are a player, do =not= look at this section, as it includes information about the "bad guys" of the universe. Here lie the major NPC's: the Sharr'Dann, the Metamorphs, and the Xodar Xro-Dinn. A good index and a character sheet finish off this work of genius. If you can't tell, I love this setting. I cannot find anyone in my two Friendly Local Game Stores that know about it, either as an item they sold, or a game they have played. This one advantage of the Xro Dinn Chronicles makes them even more interesting to a potential GM. None of their players is likely to have these books - in fact, I'd be willing to say that they have ever even heard of this. Unlike many games such as Star Wars, Star Trek, and others have universes players are probably going to be aware of. This unfamiliarity factor is important, as a good GM can make the players see what they want to see. One of my higher recommendations.

More than just a six month campaign!

Although a bit dated now, the world setting of "Ruins of the Dragon Lord" is one of the better boxed sets to come along in a long time! Although it said "6 Month Campaign", I suspect it could be turned into a world you could run quite a bit longer than that! This little known giant boxed set from "Complete Campaigns" (and distributed by Mongoose) includes one 64 page and two 128 page rulebooks, nine double-sided "A4" sized maps, and a giant double-sided poster map that details all twenty levels of the dungeon of "Mount Moru", another double-sided poster-size map of the area, and a full-sized version of the cover! This boxed set is quite capable of taking characters from first level all the way through to 20th level and still giving them a challenge! I suspect prospective GM's will not regret getting this! One of my highest recommendations!

The Starship "Warden"

Here's my latest (and probably my last) Kickstarter favorite! Written by my Facebook friend, James Ward, it will be a huge setting for Troll Lord's "Star Siege" system and includes conversions to Metamorphosis Alpha rules! This Generational Ship is probably one of the very largest settings for a Science Fiction game in a long time, if not ever! The "Warden" is forty-nine =miles= long, twenty four =miles= wide, and six =miles= high! It is capable of allowing a prospective GM to run a campaign that may last a lifetime! It is currently at over $63,000 in pledges, and contains expansions that will allow it to go even higher! The latest expansion to these rules is more Deck expansions, which can carry it to $70.000 in pledges! There is still plenty of time to get a pledge in if you are interested! Still seven days left to pledge! Tell them Bruce sent you! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/676918054/the-starship-warden?ref=cgqssh

Resolutions for 2020

Friends: My check allowance (twice a month) is going from about $250 per check to about $100 per check. My expenses are about the same regardless of how much "allowance" I receive. My first check, which comes on or very near the first of each month, still contains a $60 smart phone contract, leaving me about $40 for myself. My second check, which comes (for some strange and unknown reason) on the second Wednesday of each month, has a credit card payment of $50, leaving me $50 for myself. This means that I'll be going from about $390 of spendable cash each month to about $90 per month. Basically, this means I'll have to cut out most (if not all) of Kickstarter. It will have to be something so absolutely fabulous that I feel like I =must= pledge. One example of the "must pledge" category recently was the "Divinity Original Sin Board Game" by Larian Studios and Lynnvander Studios. I have spent (wasted?) countless hours with Larian's computer games, starting with the original "Divine Divinity". I got into this at the highest level I could afford. They may put up a late pledge, but right now they are recovering from the shock of the amount of their success. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/larianstudios/divinity-original-sin-the-board-game?ref=user_menu Another good example is Troll Lord's "Starship Warden" project. I know James M. Ward and really like his work. I can't wait to put PCs in the generation ship and see what happens. Their pledge drive is still going on: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/676918054/the-starship-warden My final example is Imperial Publishing's "Red Outpost" board game. The setting was so original I could not resist. Heck, to be honest, I hope to use material from this in an RPG. I may write it myself! Their pledge drive is also still going on: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sleevekings/red-outpost-the-2-4-player-communist-utopia-board-game I highly suspect these may be some of my final pledgings for Kickstarter. My Mileage May Vary. The same is true for eBay. I have a =lot= of items on my "want list", but I'm going to have to pick and choose the very best in my new budget range. My wife is helping me with this by setting up 'camp' on eBay and selling off some of my old stuff (mostly gaming books) and I get to keep ten percent of what she makes, because the household budget is also very tight. If you want to see what we have on eBay right now, check below. My wife is also selling some art and art prints there. https://www.ebay.com/sch/nitelvr/ However, if you follow this blog at all, expect to see a =lot= more from me in 2020. I'll be increasing my reviews of games and gaming items quite a lot, and I'll also be posting other insights here. Hope to see a lot more people reading this in 2020. Keep on Trekkin! Bruce

Eight Elements!

The Eight Elements by Aleksandar Petrovic November 2019 - True Mask Games Available on Drive Thru RPG I had already developed a five-tier system - Air, Earth, Fire, Water, and Void. This small booklet gave me my "Void" magic. Their "Duul" seems fairly close to my Void Magic, and then adds two more - 'Nature', and 'Metal'. I've read the "Malazan Books of the Fallen" and know a bit about how their magic system might work. The addition of Nature (green growing living things) and it's opposite, Metal (no growth here - just solid metals), seemed to me to be even closer to what I want for my setting! Elementalists are one of the most respected and powerful magic users in my world! This was great! I'll be using this quite a bit in my newest campaign worlds and settings!

A "Captivating Guide"

"The Anglo-Saxons" by Matt Clayton ("A Captivating Guide to the People Who Inhabited Great Britain from the Early Middle Ages to the Norman Conquest of England") Published by "Independent" ISBN-13: 978-1096156635 This small, almost pamphlet-sized document tries to put the entire history of the people and lands finally known as Anglo-Saxon into one place. In its mere 136 pages, Matt Clayton manages to put more of the history of these people, how they lived their daily lives, and how they defended their territories against invaders, into one place. The people who became known as the Anglo-Saxons were from primarily Germanic stock, the Angles and the Saxons. This covers from the time period when both the Angles and the Saxons came to Brittania in about 450 AD, to 1066 AD, the Norman Conquest. Since this covers a great deal of history, one cannot expect this 136-page booklet to go into very much extended detail. But this booklet should stimulate the reader to find out more about these people and this time. Its chapters include: 0) An Introduction 1) The Anglo-Saxons Arrive 2) Early Anglo-Saxons 3) Culture of Anglo-Saxons 4) Everyday Life 5) Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms 6) Anglo-Saxon Legacy 0) A Bibliography, Reference Works, and Notes Oddly enough, the author begins by referencing what seems to be a totally unrelated book - or is it? The inclusion of George R. R. Martin's masterwork, "A Song of Ice and Fire" makes obvious comparisons between that work and the real history of the Anglo-Saxons. Martin based his whole story (more or less) on the history of the Anglo-Saxons. For instance, "Westeros" is clearly the Island of Britain. Then Clayton's book heads back to the main points. First, we seen Britain under the rule of the Romans. But with the declining power of the Roman Empire, they paid less and less attention to ruling Britain. It is said that the end of Roman Rule in Britain was the year 410 AD. After that, the story of the Sub-Roman rule follows. Many examples of culture and social structure are given. Finally, a glimpse into the legacy left behind by the Anglo-Saxons is presented. Reading this study, one can get a sense of what life might have been like in that era. By addressing their culture, what they did in life, their religions, the fracturing into small kingdoms and from there to the growth of larger kingdoms, and leaving off with the legacy left us by the Anglo-Saxons (including much of what was to become the English Language) makes the remainder of the work provide the casual student a good idea of what went on, and also provides for a great jumping-off point for a more thorough study of those times. This is one of many "Captivating Guides" by Matt Clayton available. I rather liked this one, especially when presented with the similarities between the real Anglo-Saxon beginnings and their connection to one of my favorite novels. Recommended.

Worth More Than it Looks

Men and Monsters of Ethiopia by Michael O Varhola Skrmisher Publishing - 50 pages ISBN-13: 978-1935050698 Although small, this booklet packs a very large information database for both the men (tribesmen, etc) and the Monsters of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is an extremely old area of the world and has a very rich history of the country of Ethiopia at its beginnings, and also the legends and myths of the Tribesmen that populated that area. The author, Michael O Varhola, has included first-hand research of this nation, its peoples, and its mythology. Cracking in at only 50 pages, you will be amazed at this small, but comprehensive guide. My high recommendation!

Always Remember

On this solemn day, everyone should take the time to remember those who perished in the 9/11 attack, and those who perished =because= of the 9/11 attack, and their families. A moment of thought from the GURPSGM.

Porphyra - Planet of Many WOrlds!

"Lands of Porphyra" by Perry Fehr Published and distributed by Purple Duck Games ISBN-13: 978-0-9937702-8-9 As a long-time GM, I can tell you that I'm familiar with all kinds of types of RPG's. From Fantasy to Science Fiction, to Horror, and many more. My current favorite series is Monte Cook's "Numenera" setting. It's sort of like a combination of Science Fiction with Fantasy. The variety of this never fades. But, if I had to pick a new game to run, I think I would have to choose Pathfinder (1.0) with Purple Duck's "Lands of Porphyra" setting. In its 216 pages, it presents a setting even more bizarre than Numenera! The first thing you get to is the info on the book, info on the world, info on how the world is set up, a one-page history, and then - an incredible fifty-two different areas of the world and its inhabitants! Believe it or not, there are an even more incredible 72 different races, most of which are playable! Following this are Religions, what life on this world is like, Trade, Flora and Fauna, Giants, Languages, Weather, Magic, and a host of new spells to go with it, Organizations, Regional Traits, an NPC section, and finally a quick start dungeon crawl! The full color really helps the reader visualize some of the things you might see, and all this is packed into the setting book! So, if you are looking for a book to use to help Pathfinder 1.0 go out with a big bang, I'd highly recommend this!

Gaming Industry Giant passes beyound the silver veil.....

The following comes directly from Rick Loomis' own "GoFundMe" account..... Fate is a strange mistress. For today is August 24th and that is Rick's Birthday. Unfortunately, today is also the sad, sad day that I have to tell you all that Rick Loomis passed away, just seven hours before his birthday of complications of his cancer. Rick was an amazing person. He had the ability to inspire and nurture talented people to be more talented than they thought they could be. He had the ability to give his people the freedom to develop their own solutions to problems and then he would calmly guide them. He did this in every facet of his life, whether it was in gaming or management or even his church softball league. Maybe that's one of the reasons why so many people loved Rick and loved working with and for him and why he attracted so many talented people like Mike Stackpole, Larry Ditillio, Liz Danforth, Jennifer Roberson, Ken St Andre and so many others who went on to create entire worlds and realms -- Rick encouraged that in a way few do. Rick sacrificed his life for a dream. A dream of wonderful, fun games and worlds of adventure. Games that inspired creativity and fun. Rick' s games were always in the end, about fun - not winning. Rick's dream will live on and we who he has left behind will do our part to carry that dream forward. And we will never forget what he taught us - patience, persistence, fun, and kindness. That is what Rick stood for. His loss will leave a hole in our community, our industry, and our hearts - but I urge you to remember to be kind to each other, be patient with each other and don't let go of your dreams. Rick never did. The world is lessened by your absence Rick, and you are missed... https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-gaming-legend-rick-loomis?member=2733348. A howl greets the Warriors of Sto-Vo-Kor today. A true giant of the RPG industry has now arrived. Bruce Gray