Sunday, November 1, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
'L'Expédition vers Paris'
Since someones blog keeps mentioning Zombies, I have decided to generate a campaign idea around it.
Paris, France-1890 A.D.
Three months ago the gates of the city were shut to stop the Grey Death spreading to the rest of Europe. Observation towers were built outside to make sure none of the infected escaped. A week ago, a light appeared at the Eiffel Tower. The light signaled in Morse Code, "We have the cure. Extraction needed." Since then no signal has appeared. Your patron wants you to go and find who signaled and retrieve the cure. He will provide an airship that can dock at the Tower and will retrieve you when you signal.
So there you have it. Zombies, zeppelins, steampunk and the City of Lights.
Paris, France-1890 A.D.
Three months ago the gates of the city were shut to stop the Grey Death spreading to the rest of Europe. Observation towers were built outside to make sure none of the infected escaped. A week ago, a light appeared at the Eiffel Tower. The light signaled in Morse Code, "We have the cure. Extraction needed." Since then no signal has appeared. Your patron wants you to go and find who signaled and retrieve the cure. He will provide an airship that can dock at the Tower and will retrieve you when you signal.
So there you have it. Zombies, zeppelins, steampunk and the City of Lights.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
A new word for the age.
In watching modern cinema, I have noticed we need a new term to describe movies that have alot of CGI and little to no character development or plot.
FX-sploitation- Noun, A movie that has more effects then accual plot or charicter development. Often a major summer blockbuster.
See Star Trek and Transformers
FX-sploitation- Noun, A movie that has more effects then accual plot or charicter development. Often a major summer blockbuster.
See Star Trek and Transformers
Thursday, August 6, 2009
A tale of two twentys
Last time I was at my FLGS, the owner showed me a showed me some dice he just began to carry, by a company called Game Science. The goal of the company is to make the most random rolling dice possable. I purchased a set to test out.
My test was series of twenty rolls on my new coal black d20 and my orignial TSR D&D d20 with a diviot in it, here after called 'Old Blue'.
The new die, only repeated the same number 3 times. The rest were spread out quite evenly. On the other hand, Old Blue rolled along the band that has 16, 8, 10, 12, 15, 5, 13, 9, and 6. This leads me to conclued that the Coal Black die is round, therefore random and that Old Blue is oval in shape and rolls like poo.
Yes, I do know that this wasn't the most scientific test but I could see the pattren emerging. I recomend these dice, because you should have the right tools for the job.
My test was series of twenty rolls on my new coal black d20 and my orignial TSR D&D d20 with a diviot in it, here after called 'Old Blue'.
The new die, only repeated the same number 3 times. The rest were spread out quite evenly. On the other hand, Old Blue rolled along the band that has 16, 8, 10, 12, 15, 5, 13, 9, and 6. This leads me to conclued that the Coal Black die is round, therefore random and that Old Blue is oval in shape and rolls like poo.
Yes, I do know that this wasn't the most scientific test but I could see the pattren emerging. I recomend these dice, because you should have the right tools for the job.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Paranoia
I am getting ready for a stint behind the GM's screen running two diffrent games. The first being PARANOIA. A classic roleplaying game with a rich 25 year history. It encourges the GM to plays with the PCs, as a cat toys does with a mouse.
My players have little experance with the setting but are have been playing with each other for a great long time. My first goal is to drive them apart, make them distrust and then elimate each other. I will provide the illusion of some control over their fates by letting them create their PCs.
My only issue is that one of the players is going to be very, very trigger happy and wants to take it out a certian player. Oh, the evil thoughts I have in the foiling of her.
After a session or two of Paranoia, I will switch to the next game.
Anyway, check out the new edition of Paranoia. It's due out in a few weeks and the link is on the side of the page here.
After
My players have little experance with the setting but are have been playing with each other for a great long time. My first goal is to drive them apart, make them distrust and then elimate each other. I will provide the illusion of some control over their fates by letting them create their PCs.
My only issue is that one of the players is going to be very, very trigger happy and wants to take it out a certian player. Oh, the evil thoughts I have in the foiling of her.
After a session or two of Paranoia, I will switch to the next game.
Anyway, check out the new edition of Paranoia. It's due out in a few weeks and the link is on the side of the page here.
After
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Comic Movies
Man, does Ryan Reynolds have it made. Not only is he cast in the Deadpool spin-off of Wolverine but he also lands the title Green Lantern. Both are scheduled for the same release year too.
I wonder which one that the studios will force him to drop. My guess is Deadpool, just because DC needs another hit film series and Marvel has bigger things to get done, like the Avengers respective tie-in movies.
I wonder which one that the studios will force him to drop. My guess is Deadpool, just because DC needs another hit film series and Marvel has bigger things to get done, like the Avengers respective tie-in movies.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Al Leong Appreciation Day!!!
Today, July 9th, is the first ever Al Leong Appreciation Day!!!
Who is Al Leong you ask?
Well if you watched action movies, you'd know what he looks like.
Yes, him. He is truly a legend in modren film. He has brought years of enjoyment to us all. So let us celebrate his work!
Who is Al Leong you ask?
Well if you watched action movies, you'd know what he looks like.
Yes, him. He is truly a legend in modren film. He has brought years of enjoyment to us all. So let us celebrate his work!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Holiday weekend
I have a few terms everyone needs to get straight for this weekend
Barbecue-Cooking slowly using wood smoke.
Grilling-Cooking over a charcoal.
Cooking Outside-Using a gas grill.
Happy Indenpence weekend all.
Barbecue-Cooking slowly using wood smoke.
Grilling-Cooking over a charcoal.
Cooking Outside-Using a gas grill.
Happy Indenpence weekend all.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Disturbing thought for the week
Columbia Pictures, will be releasing 'The Smurfs' to theaters in late 2010. They hope to make it a trilogy.
Can I gouge out my eyes now?
Can I gouge out my eyes now?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Pixar!
From the OCregister
"Pixar grants girl's dying wish to see 'Up'. Company sent DVD so Huntington Beach girl, 10, could watch it."
I have to say to people at Pixar, You have shown very good form.
"Pixar grants girl's dying wish to see 'Up'. Company sent DVD so Huntington Beach girl, 10, could watch it."
I have to say to people at Pixar, You have shown very good form.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Alien 0?
(Via Sci-fi Wire) Alien reboot, a prequel, is confirmed.
My question is why and how? If I remember right, the only thing happened before Alien was the great big alien ship crashing on LV-426. It doesn't sound like a very good idea to me.
My question is why and how? If I remember right, the only thing happened before Alien was the great big alien ship crashing on LV-426. It doesn't sound like a very good idea to me.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Star Trek-With spoilers!!!!
I tried to put the original series out of my head as much as poss able in watching this movie, so I found it to be an enjoyable summer blockbuster, but ultimately forgettable. I'd say its worth seeing on the big screen but not on opening weekend.
I first should say that the cast was incredible. Everyone did a phenomenal job filling in the shoes of the original cast. Karl Urban as Bones, Zachary Quinto as Spock and Simon Pegg as Mr. Scott stood out from the rest. Casting gets: A++
The rest of the film left me unimpressed. I really dislike J.J. Abrams camera work, with the return of the 'very shaky cam' from Cloverfield; it was very distracting. As were the quick cuts in the fight scenes, I know they can make a fight more exciting but they were too much. Filming gets:C-
The story was disappointing but it had a lot of action to make up for it. The writers also didn't seem to have a grasp for basic space science either. I do think they did an OK job with the time travel aspect, even though at certain points I wanted to stand up and yell something like "Black holes don't work like that!!!". All the Treks had more respect for science, even though they sometimes got it wrong. The Story gets:B
Overall I have to give the film a solid 'B'. Nothing ground breaking but an good movie. One thing does trouble me, why do the below deck scenes remind me of Space Mutiny
?
I first should say that the cast was incredible. Everyone did a phenomenal job filling in the shoes of the original cast. Karl Urban as Bones, Zachary Quinto as Spock and Simon Pegg as Mr. Scott stood out from the rest. Casting gets: A++
The rest of the film left me unimpressed. I really dislike J.J. Abrams camera work, with the return of the 'very shaky cam' from Cloverfield; it was very distracting. As were the quick cuts in the fight scenes, I know they can make a fight more exciting but they were too much. Filming gets:C-
The story was disappointing but it had a lot of action to make up for it. The writers also didn't seem to have a grasp for basic space science either. I do think they did an OK job with the time travel aspect, even though at certain points I wanted to stand up and yell something like "Black holes don't work like that!!!". All the Treks had more respect for science, even though they sometimes got it wrong. The Story gets:B
Overall I have to give the film a solid 'B'. Nothing ground breaking but an good movie. One thing does trouble me, why do the below deck scenes remind me of Space Mutiny
?
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
4E feat
Here a feat I made, that I hope brings a little of the 3.x D&D feel to the 4Etable D&D.
Skill Specialization
Heroic Tier
Prerequisite: Training in chosen skill
Benefit: Choose a sub use of a skill in which you have training. You have a +3 feat bonus to checks with that sup use of the skill.
Special: You can take this feat more than once. Each time you select this feat, choose a different sub skill. Will stack with Skill Focus.
In example, with the skill Thievery a Player can specialize in Disable Traps, Opening Locks, Picking Pockets, or doing Slight of Hand.
Because this feat was designed with 4E in mind, it should work with Star Wars:Saga Edition with little or no changes.
table D&D.Skill Specialization
Heroic Tier
Prerequisite: Training in chosen skill
Benefit: Choose a sub use of a skill in which you have training. You have a +3 feat bonus to checks with that sup use of the skill.
Special: You can take this feat more than once. Each time you select this feat, choose a different sub skill. Will stack with Skill Focus.
In example, with the skill Thievery a Player can specialize in Disable Traps, Opening Locks, Picking Pockets, or doing Slight of Hand.
Because this feat was designed with 4E in mind, it should work with Star Wars:Saga Edition with little or no changes.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Critical hits and fumbles
I remember my first encounter with critical hits and fumbles, way back in the days of AD&D 2nd edition. Back then I enjoyed the idea of killing a monster with one hit if I got lucky or breaking my +1 long sword if my luck was bad.
Now I realise that they are NO FUN. For the most part anyway.
Why, you ask, are they not fun? Here are a few reasons
1. They are unfair to the players. Yes, cutting off a goblins leg is fun but having a PC you've played for years gain brain damage isn't. The goblin was meant to be killed, but your PC was meant to last.
2. They take too much time. Most of the tables for these rules are either expansion or home brewed rules hidden in binders that the GM must dig out. Then rolling and interpreting the chart takes a while. All this takes out the rhythm in a combat.
3. It steals narrative control from the players and the GM. I like describing combat, both as a GM and a player. These charts don't let the one who did the critical hit or miss come up with a description why their actions were so successful or miserable. And isn't that one of the keys of roleplaying?
Now I realise that they are NO FUN. For the most part anyway.
Why, you ask, are they not fun? Here are a few reasons
1. They are unfair to the players. Yes, cutting off a goblins leg is fun but having a PC you've played for years gain brain damage isn't. The goblin was meant to be killed, but your PC was meant to last.
2. They take too much time. Most of the tables for these rules are either expansion or home brewed rules hidden in binders that the GM must dig out. Then rolling and interpreting the chart takes a while. All this takes out the rhythm in a combat.
3. It steals narrative control from the players and the GM. I like describing combat, both as a GM and a player. These charts don't let the one who did the critical hit or miss come up with a description why their actions were so successful or miserable. And isn't that one of the keys of roleplaying?
Monday, May 4, 2009
D&D Game day
I was asked to run a D&D game day on May 23rd. I ran the last one for the release of the Players Handbook 2 and I there were some issues. I don't plan to have them again.
The bigest one was reading the quickling entry wrong, I thought its Fey Shift power was usable more then once a day and as a move action as well. That lead to the party expending too many healing surges and attacks. It also made the first of the three combats last way too long.
The other issue was the players wern't familar with their charicters. I lay some of the blame on WotC for using 11th level PCs. The next game day, the prerolled PCs are 5th level; that should help out quite a bit. To make it simplier for new players, I plan to make color coded power cards for each PC.
I will be keeping notes on my preperation for this Game Day. All I know right now is the tilte, Journey Through the Silver Caves, and the book it's promoting, Monster Manual 2
.
The bigest one was reading the quickling entry wrong, I thought its Fey Shift power was usable more then once a day and as a move action as well. That lead to the party expending too many healing surges and attacks. It also made the first of the three combats last way too long.
The other issue was the players wern't familar with their charicters. I lay some of the blame on WotC for using 11th level PCs. The next game day, the prerolled PCs are 5th level; that should help out quite a bit. To make it simplier for new players, I plan to make color coded power cards for each PC.
I will be keeping notes on my preperation for this Game Day. All I know right now is the tilte, Journey Through the Silver Caves, and the book it's promoting, Monster Manual 2
.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Revenge Squad
One of the problems I have with many Superhero RPGs is reactionary nature of the adventures. In a typical game, there's a problem and the heroes go and solve it. That set-up has gotten a bit stale to me. So here's an idea that I've been kicking around for a while now.
The (Fill in the Blank) Revenge Squad!
Its a classic trope in comics, a band of villains who have never worked with other before team up to destroy the hero that they feel wronged them. Off the top of my head, it's happened in Spiderman and Superman comics; if I tried searching I'm sure more would turn up.
For the Players
The players create PCs who have a grudge against a major heroic NPC. Their backgrounds should feature him very prominently, maybe even responsible for a current prison sentence. At the beginning of the campaign the PCs are individually contacted by a mysterious benefactor, with a pledge to help them gain vengeance.
I'd also suggest for the PCs to take some social drawbacks, such a a gimmick that the must do involving their crimes or must gloat before finishing an enemy. It will give a nice silver age feel o the game. Secondly, players should avoid playing psychopaths. You can play a villain with out being evil. The other players will thank you for it.
For the GM
This one is going to be a bit hard, you have to let the players take charge of what they are going to do. Preparation is the key to this, you must create a detailed world, the main hero, and if you like a group of backup heroes. One of the first things you should do is who the benefactor is,, how much help he can provide can provide and at what cost. Other questions, is there a jealous villain who wasn't invited, where does the money come from or what happens when the hero is finally destroyed.
This idea can also be used in other genres, fantasy and sci-fi pop to mind. Hmmm...hunting down Drizzt sounds like it might be allot of fun.
I recomend Mutants & Masterminds: RPG - 2nd Edition
to use with this. It's chock full of super goodness!
The (Fill in the Blank) Revenge Squad!
Its a classic trope in comics, a band of villains who have never worked with other before team up to destroy the hero that they feel wronged them. Off the top of my head, it's happened in Spiderman and Superman comics; if I tried searching I'm sure more would turn up.
For the Players
The players create PCs who have a grudge against a major heroic NPC. Their backgrounds should feature him very prominently, maybe even responsible for a current prison sentence. At the beginning of the campaign the PCs are individually contacted by a mysterious benefactor, with a pledge to help them gain vengeance.
I'd also suggest for the PCs to take some social drawbacks, such a a gimmick that the must do involving their crimes or must gloat before finishing an enemy. It will give a nice silver age feel o the game. Secondly, players should avoid playing psychopaths. You can play a villain with out being evil. The other players will thank you for it.
For the GM
This one is going to be a bit hard, you have to let the players take charge of what they are going to do. Preparation is the key to this, you must create a detailed world, the main hero, and if you like a group of backup heroes. One of the first things you should do is who the benefactor is,, how much help he can provide can provide and at what cost. Other questions, is there a jealous villain who wasn't invited, where does the money come from or what happens when the hero is finally destroyed.
This idea can also be used in other genres, fantasy and sci-fi pop to mind. Hmmm...hunting down Drizzt sounds like it might be allot of fun.
I recomend Mutants & Masterminds: RPG - 2nd Edition
to use with this. It's chock full of super goodness!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
G.I. Joe trailer #2
Via Henchman Publishing
I grew up watching '>GI Joe, so I plan to be picky about this film.
The good: The battle scenes look awesome. The effects will kick butt on the big screen.
Is that Destro? No, mask for him I guess but for his troops. Ok I can see that.
Cobra Commander wasn't seen yet weird
The bad: Delta-6 accelerator suits. Lame. Turning the Joes into Iron Man wanna-bes doesn't work for me at all. Yes, I know the millatary is working things like that but still lame.
I one thing I do hope for from this movie is a cameo from Sgt. Slaughter.
YO JOE!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Henry V
Tonight I watched Henry V with my girlfriend. Suprisingly she had never seen it, and what I showed earlier was no subistute.
The Kenneth Branaugh version is better.
The Kenneth Branaugh version is better.
Xtranormal
A friend of mine turned me on to xtranormal Here is my first real success, I hope to turn it into a series.
Hi all!
Hi all!
Welcome to "Hawk's plateau"!
First a bit about the name. "Hawk" is a referance to my name in the SCA. "Plateau" is spanish for a flat topped mountian or table; I choose this because it refernces a gaming table.
I plan to use this blog as a space for my gaming hobby, artistic endevors and various ideas that come to me.
Welcome to "Hawk's plateau"!
First a bit about the name. "Hawk" is a referance to my name in the SCA. "Plateau" is spanish for a flat topped mountian or table; I choose this because it refernces a gaming table.
I plan to use this blog as a space for my gaming hobby, artistic endevors and various ideas that come to me.
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