In order to do my cocktail project, I need to take invintory of my liquor cabinet and found it waining.
4 bottles of Gin
1 bottle of Rum
1 bottle of golden rum
1 bottle of Apple Jack
1 bottle of dry vermouth
1 bottle of sweet vermouth
and some others that shouldn't be mixed.
Hmmmm...looks like I need to stock up on some supplies.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Plans for the new year.
Lets see....
1. Run a game at my home. I alway wanted a successful game of my own, in addition to the one I'm in now.
2. Find a perminate job. I have a full time, long term job that I like but its still a temp job.
3. Blog about cocktails. I have a book from 1940, and I plan to drink through it.
1. Run a game at my home. I alway wanted a successful game of my own, in addition to the one I'm in now.
2. Find a perminate job. I have a full time, long term job that I like but its still a temp job.
3. Blog about cocktails. I have a book from 1940, and I plan to drink through it.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Superman!
http://movies.yahoo.com/news/usmovies.accesshollywood.com/zack-snyder-set-direct-new-superman-film
So Zack Snyder directing, Christopher Nolan to produce and David Goyer to write it. Sounds good to me. But some advice guys....
Do a total, from the ground up, reboot.
Superman Returns bites, learn from it.
And drop a few throw-away lines about other heroes wouldn't hurt either.
So Zack Snyder directing, Christopher Nolan to produce and David Goyer to write it. Sounds good to me. But some advice guys....
Do a total, from the ground up, reboot.
Superman Returns bites, learn from it.
And drop a few throw-away lines about other heroes wouldn't hurt either.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
The future is NOW!!!
JET PACKS!!!
They are real and they are coming!!!
Now will someone give me $100,000 for one? Or for a modest house?
They are real and they are coming!!!
Now will someone give me $100,000 for one? Or for a modest house?
Gilligan's Island the Movie???
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1361548/
Ummm.....what???
That is the most stupid thing I've ever heard! What are they going to do to it. make it 3-D?
I pray this will never get made.
Ummm.....what???
That is the most stupid thing I've ever heard! What are they going to do to it. make it 3-D?
I pray this will never get made.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Gamma World update
So WotC has started to preview Gamma World.
(Yes, I know that I am a bit late getting around to reporting this, but I was getting married.)
The first section, released on Sep. 13, has an overview of the cards. There are two types, Alpha Mutations and Omega Tech. The Mutations end after the encounter, while the Tech is discarded after it's used. It looks like the player's build a deck, and can rebuild it after each extended rest or between sessions. From a mechanics view it looks interesting, but could be easily abused.
On the 17th, Character creation was previewed. One of the key differences between GW and D&D shows here, there are no races; instead you roll for your PC origin. That's a real change from what I remember from older editions, but still looks OK to me.
Then on the 20th the topic was origins. It started with this sentence "Gamma Terra is made up of the debris of multiple fractured realities, all competing to origins the same time-space." What??!?! That's not classic GW?! *Deep Breath* On the orgins, PCs roll twice on a chart to get hybrid race, if you roll the same result twice you get an "Engineered Human", what ever that is. My test roll came up with a Pyrokinetic Felinoid. With PCs like that adventures should be interesting.
Gear was shown-off on the 24th. Ammo is treated very simplistic and weird, if you only shoot once in an encounter, you will never run out but any more then that you are will run out until you get more. Not realistic at all.
The 27th gave advice about running Gamma World. There are some locations given but they seem uninspired. It's followed by advice on adventure creation. It's ignorable if you GM or watch Thundarr the Barbarian or Samurai Jack.
Lastly a preview of a monster. A Porker, a mutant humanoid pig. The stat block looks like it was taken out of 4e. That's a good thing, it makes the learning curve easier.
At this this time it looks like this isn't you daddy's Gamma world.
I'll be back on the 4th with the next preview.
(Yes, I know that I am a bit late getting around to reporting this, but I was getting married.)
The first section, released on Sep. 13, has an overview of the cards. There are two types, Alpha Mutations and Omega Tech. The Mutations end after the encounter, while the Tech is discarded after it's used. It looks like the player's build a deck, and can rebuild it after each extended rest or between sessions. From a mechanics view it looks interesting, but could be easily abused.
On the 17th, Character creation was previewed. One of the key differences between GW and D&D shows here, there are no races; instead you roll for your PC origin. That's a real change from what I remember from older editions, but still looks OK to me.
Then on the 20th the topic was origins. It started with this sentence "Gamma Terra is made up of the debris of multiple fractured realities, all competing to origins the same time-space." What??!?! That's not classic GW?! *Deep Breath* On the orgins, PCs roll twice on a chart to get hybrid race, if you roll the same result twice you get an "Engineered Human", what ever that is. My test roll came up with a Pyrokinetic Felinoid. With PCs like that adventures should be interesting.
Gear was shown-off on the 24th. Ammo is treated very simplistic and weird, if you only shoot once in an encounter, you will never run out but any more then that you are will run out until you get more. Not realistic at all.
The 27th gave advice about running Gamma World. There are some locations given but they seem uninspired. It's followed by advice on adventure creation. It's ignorable if you GM or watch Thundarr the Barbarian or Samurai Jack.
Lastly a preview of a monster. A Porker, a mutant humanoid pig. The stat block looks like it was taken out of 4e. That's a good thing, it makes the learning curve easier.
At this this time it looks like this isn't you daddy's Gamma world.
I'll be back on the 4th with the next preview.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Gamma World-Guess work
Looking at what Wizards has said so for, here is what we know and can guess about Gamma World.
The boxed set contains a 160 page rule book, two poster sized maps, two sheets of cardbord counters, a deck of mutantion cards, a deck of loot cards and charicter sheets.
Here's what I can guess so far:
If this if 4e setting there is going to be a race, level and likely a class system.
Of the 160 page rule book, 30 pages will be on the combat system.
Since the book is in a boxed set and judging by the size; it will be perfect bound.
Thats all I can guess for now.
The boxed set contains a 160 page rule book, two poster sized maps, two sheets of cardbord counters, a deck of mutantion cards, a deck of loot cards and charicter sheets.
Here's what I can guess so far:
If this if 4e setting there is going to be a race, level and likely a class system.
Of the 160 page rule book, 30 pages will be on the combat system.
Since the book is in a boxed set and judging by the size; it will be perfect bound.
Thats all I can guess for now.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Total Recall....the remake?!??
Coming Soon-Gamma World
Before I get to what I learned, I'd like to thank Kelly, from the Wizards of the Coast Online Response Crew for getting back to me.
Here is the full unedited text of the response:
"Thank you for your interest in the D&D Gamma World Roleplaying Game! At this time we do not have detailed information available to provide you with in regard to your questions. However I can direct you to the following links and I recommend you keep watching these site for product information and updates as it comes closer to when Gamma World comes out in October 2010.
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/254600000
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/
I'm sorry I cannot provide you with any further information, however as information is release about Gamma World it will be posted on these websites."
So for now, all I can offer are basic facts and guess work. Those will come in a later post.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Missing you (in combat)
Typicaly, in most of the better roleplaying games I've been in, combat goes somthing like this:
DM: Ok, Dave your up!
Dave: I try to hit the Orc. I rolled a modified 22! If that hits, the damage is 9 hit points.
DM: Great! You cut down the orc like a sheaf wheat. Lou, your next.
Lou: I attack the other one. I rolled an 8.
DM: You miss. Its the orc's turn.
Many things cause an attack to cause no dammage, too often attacks that cause no dammageare just dismissed as a miss. but in reality many things cause an attack fail. Here are some examples to spice up your combats.
1. The Whiff. Simply put, the target isn't where you expcected it to be. You swing your weapon and hit nothing but air.
2. The Dodge. The target moves out of the way of the attack, good for a dextrious enemy to use.
3. The Parry/Block. The target activly puts something between the attack and himself, most often a shield or a weapon. It tends to be very common for people with shields, or ones that use two weapons but not limited to them.
4. The Glance. The attack hits the target, but skipps off the armor. Some armors are designed to make sure no hit lands cleanly.
5. Absorbed. The atttack hits but does no dammage. This could be that the armor is thick, such as on a dragon. It can also be used for any type of worn armor too.
6. The Graze. The attack hits and causes no damage or superfiacal damage. I'd use this for an attack that just barely missed, maybe descipbe a cut on the cheek or the ear.
Anything else would be a normal hit, so take my advice. Go out and making missing exciting!
DM: Ok, Dave your up!
Dave: I try to hit the Orc. I rolled a modified 22! If that hits, the damage is 9 hit points.
DM: Great! You cut down the orc like a sheaf wheat. Lou, your next.
Lou: I attack the other one. I rolled an 8.
DM: You miss. Its the orc's turn.
Many things cause an attack to cause no dammage, too often attacks that cause no dammageare just dismissed as a miss. but in reality many things cause an attack fail. Here are some examples to spice up your combats.
1. The Whiff. Simply put, the target isn't where you expcected it to be. You swing your weapon and hit nothing but air.
2. The Dodge. The target moves out of the way of the attack, good for a dextrious enemy to use.
3. The Parry/Block. The target activly puts something between the attack and himself, most often a shield or a weapon. It tends to be very common for people with shields, or ones that use two weapons but not limited to them.
4. The Glance. The attack hits the target, but skipps off the armor. Some armors are designed to make sure no hit lands cleanly.
5. Absorbed. The atttack hits but does no dammage. This could be that the armor is thick, such as on a dragon. It can also be used for any type of worn armor too.
6. The Graze. The attack hits and causes no damage or superfiacal damage. I'd use this for an attack that just barely missed, maybe descipbe a cut on the cheek or the ear.
Anything else would be a normal hit, so take my advice. Go out and making missing exciting!
Watch this space!
With Gamma world, and other products, coming out from Wizards of the Coast, I'm trying get some my specific questions answered. When I get an answer, I'll post it here under Coming Soon. It might become even a new feature, so watch this space.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
GMing
After my life settles a bit, I'm planning on starting light campaign with a few friends. In selecting which game, as usual, I am not starved for choices. Here is my list so far with minor notes, in no real order.
1. Savage Worlds, Nescessary Evil. I've always liked Supers and having the PCs play villains appeals to me. As does the buy in price of the basic rule book, a scant $9.99. It has one drawback, one of the potential players is a bit of a power gamer with supers.
2. Savage World, Slipstream. Pure retro sci-fi based on the serials of the 30s and 40s. Lots of options for PCs and swashbuckling fun, but the drawback the one the 'for sure' players suffered "Bad GM Syndrome" in a sci-fi game. The Savage Worlds rules are light and easy to learn too.
3. Dungeons & Dragons 4e. Say what you want about 4e, but I like it. It plays well and it's easy to run. Also the fact that it's very board gamey works to my advantage as a lighter fun game. The main drawback is the cost of the PHB, $35 bucks is a lot of money these day, but I can run it using my own books to start.
4. Gamma World. Yes, that old classic. A new edition is due out in the fall as a stand alone product using the d20 rules. With the game being so new, the drawbacks are unknown.
5. Star Wars:Saga Edition. I've run this before and the players had a great time. Straight forward rules, and a setting known to most of the population of the US. Unfortunately, the publisher has dropped the license due to the economy. The rules are falling out of print.
That's how it stands at the moment. D&D is leading the pack, followed by Slipstream, Star Wars, Nescessary Evil and Star Wars following close behind. Where Gamma World will fall into the mix can't be guessed yet.
1. Savage Worlds, Nescessary Evil. I've always liked Supers and having the PCs play villains appeals to me. As does the buy in price of the basic rule book, a scant $9.99. It has one drawback, one of the potential players is a bit of a power gamer with supers.
2. Savage World, Slipstream. Pure retro sci-fi based on the serials of the 30s and 40s. Lots of options for PCs and swashbuckling fun, but the drawback the one the 'for sure' players suffered "Bad GM Syndrome" in a sci-fi game. The Savage Worlds rules are light and easy to learn too.
3. Dungeons & Dragons 4e. Say what you want about 4e, but I like it. It plays well and it's easy to run. Also the fact that it's very board gamey works to my advantage as a lighter fun game. The main drawback is the cost of the PHB, $35 bucks is a lot of money these day, but I can run it using my own books to start.
4. Gamma World. Yes, that old classic. A new edition is due out in the fall as a stand alone product using the d20 rules. With the game being so new, the drawbacks are unknown.
5. Star Wars:Saga Edition. I've run this before and the players had a great time. Straight forward rules, and a setting known to most of the population of the US. Unfortunately, the publisher has dropped the license due to the economy. The rules are falling out of print.
That's how it stands at the moment. D&D is leading the pack, followed by Slipstream, Star Wars, Nescessary Evil and Star Wars following close behind. Where Gamma World will fall into the mix can't be guessed yet.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Little Known Fact-Ohio
The state of Ohio has a field of strange energy emitting from the soil. These 'Xenia Rays' are known to the powerbrokers in Columbus, and to a lesser extent the ones in Lima. Long term residents have built up an immunity to these rays, but visitors experance weird dreams of an ancient ruined city with red and yellow banners on the walls. To combat these effects the architecture of the Pro-Football Hall of Fame is designed to channel the Xenia Rays to the Van Allen belt, but the energy keeps growing. The Rock & Roll Hall of fame was built to counteract the growth but the levels are growing.
Studies have shown that the energy will spike in December of 2012. Is this mark of next age that the Myan predicted? Can a new Hall of Fame be built in time?
We will see but I tell you this.....
This is FACT!
Studies have shown that the energy will spike in December of 2012. Is this mark of next age that the Myan predicted? Can a new Hall of Fame be built in time?
We will see but I tell you this.....
This is FACT!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Game of the *ahem* week, Heroes & Heroines
I admit, I am not doing these every week but I also have a job. Neener, neener, neener.
Next Game, Heroes & Heroines.
Author: James E. Freel III
Status: Very very out of print.
Genre: Generic Supers
Year: 1992
I have a soft place in my heart for this one, because H&H is the first game I successfully ran a campaign. I learned some important lessons from those sessions but I will go into those on another post.
This game came out when comic books hit surged in popularity in the 90s, with a simple idea. Make a generic game, then publish licenced source books from publishers. Sadly, no source books came out. I came across this game in the discount rack of my FLGS.
The rule book is slim, and the game is very rules light. Creating a hero is a mix of rolling and point buying. Heroes have 5 stats, Bench press weight, IQ, reflexes, Agility and Stamina. There are over 230 powers in the book, nothing special here except for quite a bit of overlap in my opinion. (i.e. Energy Blast, Fire Blast & Force Blast all could be rolled in to one power.)
The combat rules take up just 7 pages and are quite straight forward. Simply put, compare attack rating vs. defense rating on a handy chart and roll over that number on a d20 to hit.
After combat comes weapons and experience, nothing special to note here really, except that exp is based on the build points of the NPC beaten. Then a section on animals. Except for mythical beasts, the section does not give any info on how to grant experience.
Next is the obligatory adventure, where the superheros need to fight an evil wizard at his castle. Yes, an evil wizard, not too super heroic but with two of the regenerated heroes being name 'Alex' and 'Tina' its par for the course.
Lastly is the character sheet. One sheet and quite basic, but I've found thought play its too small for a typical hero fit all his info.
I would of like to have seen a few additions to the book. The game lacks stats for a generic baseline human, so you don't gain exp for beating up goons that are robbing a bank. There are two villains, two goons and the afore mentioned three heroes but there could of been more given. Finally, the weapons list lacks any sort of bow, so if you want a Green Arrow/Hawkeye type you'll have some extra work to do.
There are sourcebooks for the comic 'The Maxx' & 'Deathwatch 2000' but I have only seen them on ebay. There may be others as well.
I have found, through game play, that this is a good supers game. Yes, it has a few drawbacks but it plays well. If you are willing to put put some time it to world creation, it can be a nice long term campaign.
Next Game, Heroes & Heroines.
Author: James E. Freel III
Status: Very very out of print.
Genre: Generic Supers
Year: 1992
I have a soft place in my heart for this one, because H&H is the first game I successfully ran a campaign. I learned some important lessons from those sessions but I will go into those on another post.
This game came out when comic books hit surged in popularity in the 90s, with a simple idea. Make a generic game, then publish licenced source books from publishers. Sadly, no source books came out. I came across this game in the discount rack of my FLGS.
The rule book is slim, and the game is very rules light. Creating a hero is a mix of rolling and point buying. Heroes have 5 stats, Bench press weight, IQ, reflexes, Agility and Stamina. There are over 230 powers in the book, nothing special here except for quite a bit of overlap in my opinion. (i.e. Energy Blast, Fire Blast & Force Blast all could be rolled in to one power.)
The combat rules take up just 7 pages and are quite straight forward. Simply put, compare attack rating vs. defense rating on a handy chart and roll over that number on a d20 to hit.
After combat comes weapons and experience, nothing special to note here really, except that exp is based on the build points of the NPC beaten. Then a section on animals. Except for mythical beasts, the section does not give any info on how to grant experience.
Next is the obligatory adventure, where the superheros need to fight an evil wizard at his castle. Yes, an evil wizard, not too super heroic but with two of the regenerated heroes being name 'Alex' and 'Tina' its par for the course.
Lastly is the character sheet. One sheet and quite basic, but I've found thought play its too small for a typical hero fit all his info.
I would of like to have seen a few additions to the book. The game lacks stats for a generic baseline human, so you don't gain exp for beating up goons that are robbing a bank. There are two villains, two goons and the afore mentioned three heroes but there could of been more given. Finally, the weapons list lacks any sort of bow, so if you want a Green Arrow/Hawkeye type you'll have some extra work to do.
There are sourcebooks for the comic 'The Maxx' & 'Deathwatch 2000' but I have only seen them on ebay. There may be others as well.
I have found, through game play, that this is a good supers game. Yes, it has a few drawbacks but it plays well. If you are willing to put put some time it to world creation, it can be a nice long term campaign.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Star Wars: The sitcom???
*sigh*
George, why can't you leave well enough alone? I mean you have made some great movies but this sounds just wrong. Do I have to remind everyone about what happened with the attempt with variety/holiday special?
At least you hit a home run with the The Clone Wars
.
George, why can't you leave well enough alone? I mean you have made some great movies but this sounds just wrong. Do I have to remind everyone about what happened with the attempt with variety/holiday special?
At least you hit a home run with the The Clone Wars
.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Critical Hits & Fumbles Charts
This comic brings up my topic for the day.
After years of playing RPGs, I have come to hate these *bleeping* charts. As a GM they slow down the game, instead of making the game more exciting. As a player, I find that they rob me of my naritive control. I can come up of somthing more interesting, on the fly, then what a chart says.
After years of playing RPGs, I have come to hate these *bleeping* charts. As a GM they slow down the game, instead of making the game more exciting. As a player, I find that they rob me of my naritive control. I can come up of somthing more interesting, on the fly, then what a chart says.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Alien Prequel Watch
*Sigh* Its going to be in 3-D. Why does it seem that every new movie is jumping on to this fad?
If this movie happens. I do not want to hear any griping like I heard about mediclorians.
I do have to say that the firts Alien movies are great.
Alien Quadrilogy (Alien/ Aliens /Alien 3 /Alien Resurrection)
If this movie happens. I do not want to hear any griping like I heard about mediclorians.
I do have to say that the firts Alien movies are great.
Alien Quadrilogy (Alien/ Aliens /Alien 3 /Alien Resurrection)
New Blog rule
Ok folks, I will no longer allow comments on posts older then two months.
EDIT: And no anonymous posts either.
EDIT: And no anonymous posts either.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Christopher Nolan's Superman
Wait, read that title again.
Savior it.
Yes, the man who brought the Batman franchise back from the depths of perdition is talking about Superman.
Two things to note though. One, the current plan is to do it after the next Batman. And two, Nolan dosen't think a crossover would work.
Orginal story: http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/movie-talk-christopher-nolan-batman-superman.html
Savior it.
Yes, the man who brought the Batman franchise back from the depths of perdition is talking about Superman.
Two things to note though. One, the current plan is to do it after the next Batman. And two, Nolan dosen't think a crossover would work.
Orginal story: http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/movie-talk-christopher-nolan-batman-superman.html
Monday, January 18, 2010
Alien 0 Update.
Because it's gotten the most response, here's an update on Alien 0.
According to IMDB, it's still 'in development', Ridley Scott is listed as director, and the current relases date 2011. But there has been no news since July 2009.
I still think its a silly idea.
According to IMDB, it's still 'in development', Ridley Scott is listed as director, and the current relases date 2011. But there has been no news since July 2009.
I still think its a silly idea.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Dramatic Control
Yet another "NEW FEATURE" coming soon is Dramatic Control, a series of articles on how to roleplay in combat. It's a reaction to Method Actor type players that just say "I attack that guy" while in combat.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
ESPN in 3D
WHAT?!?!
Ok, it sounds neat...pro-football where we could seem to just reach out and catch the ball
But don't directors spend time setting up 3-d shots for max effect. Plus, I don't think I want to wear 3-d glasses at home.
Hmmm, can you gimmick?
Ok, it sounds neat...pro-football where we could seem to just reach out and catch the ball
But don't directors spend time setting up 3-d shots for max effect. Plus, I don't think I want to wear 3-d glasses at home.
Hmmm, can you gimmick?
RPG of the week-Pandemonium!
In an effort to get off my lazy butt to update my blog, I am starting a new feature. I taking one gaming product off out of my collection and doing a mini-review and maybe some adventure ideas.
First up, is PANDEMONIUM! Adventures in Tabloid World.
Author: Stephen Michael Sechi
Status: Very very out of print.
Genre: Modern Comedy
Pandemonium takes place in a world where the supermarkets tabloids are 100% factual and the PCs work for one of tabloids as investigators. They hunt down weird stories all over and report back to their paper to be printed.
The game system is barely there. Maybe if had more crunch the game would of done better. Thankfully though, its the only drawback.
Following one of the great unwritten rules of comedy, the book is written in a serious tone even when dealing with silly things. The art is black and white pasted together photos or old public domain images that really capture the cheesy tabloid feel. The sample adventure introduces the world quite well and, Heck, it has Elvis so it must be good.
But the true value of tha game is the section "The Encyclopedia Paranormal". It contains comprehensive list of tabloid subjects. It would be quiet an addition to any GMs collection if he deals with weird games.
There was one supplement released called "Stranger then Truth!", with some currently big names as authors.
The adventure idea, The PCs are sent to Las Vegas to investigate a case of Evis impersonators spontaneously bursting into flame at a local seedy night club.
First up, is PANDEMONIUM! Adventures in Tabloid World.
Author: Stephen Michael Sechi
Status: Very very out of print.
Genre: Modern Comedy
Pandemonium takes place in a world where the supermarkets tabloids are 100% factual and the PCs work for one of tabloids as investigators. They hunt down weird stories all over and report back to their paper to be printed.
The game system is barely there. Maybe if had more crunch the game would of done better. Thankfully though, its the only drawback.
Following one of the great unwritten rules of comedy, the book is written in a serious tone even when dealing with silly things. The art is black and white pasted together photos or old public domain images that really capture the cheesy tabloid feel. The sample adventure introduces the world quite well and, Heck, it has Elvis so it must be good.
But the true value of tha game is the section "The Encyclopedia Paranormal". It contains comprehensive list of tabloid subjects. It would be quiet an addition to any GMs collection if he deals with weird games.
There was one supplement released called "Stranger then Truth!", with some currently big names as authors.
The adventure idea, The PCs are sent to Las Vegas to investigate a case of Evis impersonators spontaneously bursting into flame at a local seedy night club.
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