This feature has been a long time coming, as every time I do one of these Musical Inspirations, I think about choosing one of these guys' songs, but always go for something else. I think it's just too obvious.
The Swedish-based New Frontier band produces music heavily influenced by the sounds of classic video games, and Hero is no exception. The lyrics also evoke the mood and thought processes that one sees often in JRPG characters, and can translate well to a "rockstar gaming" style of tabletop play.
I hope you enjoy this track and check them out further, though sometimes their music will make you want to play MegaMan or R-Type.
Machinae Supremacy - "Hero"
They try to beat me
but they will not ever defeat me
This time we're on my battlegrounds
I'm gonna win, trust in me
I have come to save this world
and in the end I'll get the girl!
I've missed it, so twisted
and unsurpassed in my head
This sense of power has awakened in me
I feel I could take on the world
a day like this
my rage is brewing like a storm
[Chorus]
And now the storm has grown
out of control
Right here, the voice of anger
taking tone
Cause now the fire
in our hearts explode
Baby, let's blow this joint
and build our own
Sometimes you just need to
level everything with the ground to
make room for all the things
you wanted somehow
And I have known it all along
the day is coming
when you will reap your evil ways
[2 x Chorus]
And build our own!
[Chorus]
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
5.27.2013
Musical Inspiration, vol. 14 - Nile
This week's musical inspiration comes courtesy of Greenville, South Carolina's Nile, technical death outfit heavily inspired by Ancient Egyptian and Near Easter culture, art, and religon/mysticism.Their use of traditional Egyptian instrumentation and in their songs have helped produce a symphonic, almost cinematic sound that appeals widely in the metal world.
To paraphrase vocalist Karl Sanders, "Sarcophagus" is a continuation of the Nephren-ka saga (an ongoing story in their music, heavily inspired by H.P. Lovecraft), and portrays what happens when the antagonist is awoken from his years of slumber in his ancient tomb. The latter half of the lyrics show the ancient Nephren-ka, having just vanquished his tomb's interlopers, reflecting on the torment and anguish of the atrocities that led to his eternal entombment. Pretty heavy stuff, and great fodder for a game of tomb robbing, or as motivation for a player in a Mummy: The Curse or Mummy: The Resurrection game.
I, however, prefer to let the song speak for itself.
Nile - "Sarcophagus"
Who Dares Disturb
My Blissful Sleep
Again in Anger
Must I Rise
How Long Unknown
I Lay Emtombed
My World
So Long Forgotten
Did Disown Me
Usurper
I was Scorned
Ah
The Suffering They did Inflict
Stained With Cosmic Black Sins
The Sun No Longer Sets Me Free
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
To paraphrase vocalist Karl Sanders, "Sarcophagus" is a continuation of the Nephren-ka saga (an ongoing story in their music, heavily inspired by H.P. Lovecraft), and portrays what happens when the antagonist is awoken from his years of slumber in his ancient tomb. The latter half of the lyrics show the ancient Nephren-ka, having just vanquished his tomb's interlopers, reflecting on the torment and anguish of the atrocities that led to his eternal entombment. Pretty heavy stuff, and great fodder for a game of tomb robbing, or as motivation for a player in a Mummy: The Curse or Mummy: The Resurrection game.
I, however, prefer to let the song speak for itself.
Nile - "Sarcophagus"
Who Dares Disturb
My Blissful Sleep
Again in Anger
Must I Rise
How Long Unknown
I Lay Emtombed
My World
So Long Forgotten
Did Disown Me
Usurper
I was Scorned
Ah
The Suffering They did Inflict
Stained With Cosmic Black Sins
The Sun No Longer Sets Me Free
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
5.18.2013
Musical Inspiration, vol. 13 - Slash
It's Saturday, and that can sometimes mean that Musical Inspiration crops up, and this week's is a powerful delivery from Guns N' Roses guitarist, Slash, and Wolfmother's Andrew Stockdale.
I chose this song because on Wednesday, I lost a character that echoes a lot of the meaning. Cameron, like the warrior in the song, had lost everything, and was to slowly come around to realizing that all that was lost can be reclaimed. The portrayal of both my character and the subject of By the Sword, neither one were or are very hopeful, but shows that there's always a glimmer.
Enjoy the song. I do.
Slash - "By the Sword"
With the horses that you ride,
And the feelings left inside,
Comes a time you need to leave all that behind,
Well they claim they'd like to know,
And they'll fight you there to go,
And they're gatherin' around for all the show,
Well there is a reward,
To live and die by the sword,
Well they tried to complicate you,
But you left it all behind,
All the worldly possessions,
Are left for recollections,
And finally it's all gone!
They're releasing all the hounds,
What is lost can still be found,
When you're walking with your fear down on the ground,
Well there's those who choose to run
Following the setting sun,
And now it seems the journey's has begun,
Well there is a reward,
To live and die by the sword,
Well they tried to complicate you,
But you left it all behind,
All the worldly possessions,
Are left for recollections,
And finally it's all gone!
With the horses that you ride,
And the feelings left inside,
there's a time you need to leave it all behind,
Well there is no reward,
To live and die by the sword,
Well they tried to complicate you,
But you left it all behind,
All the worldly possessions,
Are left for recollections,
And finally it's all gone!
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
On a final note, Blogger tells me this is my 300th post! That's kinda neat.
I chose this song because on Wednesday, I lost a character that echoes a lot of the meaning. Cameron, like the warrior in the song, had lost everything, and was to slowly come around to realizing that all that was lost can be reclaimed. The portrayal of both my character and the subject of By the Sword, neither one were or are very hopeful, but shows that there's always a glimmer.
Enjoy the song. I do.
Slash - "By the Sword"
With the horses that you ride,
And the feelings left inside,
Comes a time you need to leave all that behind,
Well they claim they'd like to know,
And they'll fight you there to go,
And they're gatherin' around for all the show,
Well there is a reward,
To live and die by the sword,
Well they tried to complicate you,
But you left it all behind,
All the worldly possessions,
Are left for recollections,
And finally it's all gone!
They're releasing all the hounds,
What is lost can still be found,
When you're walking with your fear down on the ground,
Well there's those who choose to run
Following the setting sun,
And now it seems the journey's has begun,
Well there is a reward,
To live and die by the sword,
Well they tried to complicate you,
But you left it all behind,
All the worldly possessions,
Are left for recollections,
And finally it's all gone!
With the horses that you ride,
And the feelings left inside,
there's a time you need to leave it all behind,
Well there is no reward,
To live and die by the sword,
Well they tried to complicate you,
But you left it all behind,
All the worldly possessions,
Are left for recollections,
And finally it's all gone!
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
On a final note, Blogger tells me this is my 300th post! That's kinda neat.
5.11.2013
Musical Inspiration, vol. 12 - Joy Division
In 1996, thanks to a booklet included in InQuest Magazine's polybag, I got hooked on Vampire: The Masquerade and immediately recruited my closest friends to play the game. This was a good year before I ever even played a game of D&D. Vampire was my first love.
One thing I found neat about the game back then was the inspiration pages (little did I know Gygax had done it decades before), and I delved into all the suggestions, looking for the moods and themes that I never really could get to gel in my own chronicles.
After all these years, only one of those songs has been a near-constant staple in my playlists. Shadowplay is eerie, haunting, and a little dangerous. There's imagery early in the song that hints at what one is able to do beyond death, and it wraps up with the harsh lessons learned through the practice of Prestation, the favors and boons that fuel the vampiric Jyhads.
Joy Division is classified to most as goth, cut from the same scenes as Siouxie and the Banshees, et al., but also have a familiar intensity that bands like Thin Lizzy and Iggy and the Stooges were cultivating in that era.
I understand that some might prefer the Killers' cover of the song, but nothing beats the original.
Joy Division - "Shadowplay"
To the center of the city where all roads meet, waiting for you,
To the depths of the ocean where all hopes sank, searching for you,
I was moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you,
In a room with a window in the corner I found truth.
In the shadowplay, acting out your own death, knowing no more,
As the assassins all grouped in four lines, dancing on the floor,
And with cold steel, odor on their bodies made a move to connect,
But I could only stare in disbelief as the crowds all left.
I did everything, everything I wanted to,
I let them use you for their own ends,
To the center of the city in the night, waiting for you,
To the center of the city in the night, waiting for you.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
One thing I found neat about the game back then was the inspiration pages (little did I know Gygax had done it decades before), and I delved into all the suggestions, looking for the moods and themes that I never really could get to gel in my own chronicles.
After all these years, only one of those songs has been a near-constant staple in my playlists. Shadowplay is eerie, haunting, and a little dangerous. There's imagery early in the song that hints at what one is able to do beyond death, and it wraps up with the harsh lessons learned through the practice of Prestation, the favors and boons that fuel the vampiric Jyhads.
Joy Division is classified to most as goth, cut from the same scenes as Siouxie and the Banshees, et al., but also have a familiar intensity that bands like Thin Lizzy and Iggy and the Stooges were cultivating in that era.
I understand that some might prefer the Killers' cover of the song, but nothing beats the original.
Joy Division - "Shadowplay"
To the center of the city where all roads meet, waiting for you,
To the depths of the ocean where all hopes sank, searching for you,
I was moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you,
In a room with a window in the corner I found truth.
In the shadowplay, acting out your own death, knowing no more,
As the assassins all grouped in four lines, dancing on the floor,
And with cold steel, odor on their bodies made a move to connect,
But I could only stare in disbelief as the crowds all left.
I did everything, everything I wanted to,
I let them use you for their own ends,
To the center of the city in the night, waiting for you,
To the center of the city in the night, waiting for you.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
4.20.2013
Musical Inspiration, vol. 11 - AFI
Often, in the games we play, our characters pay grave prices for the
arcane or spiritual knowledge they gain, regularly with loss of
something within themselves, high tariffs of physical objects, or (if
others would have it their way) with their lives/health. On the flip
side of that, our characters could be the ones persecuting those they
feel are dangerous for their knowledge and abilities.
This week's song was chosen because of that flip side. I've been an AFI fan for quite some time, but never felt like they had songs that could tie in well with gaming, but lately I've been reading the Hunter: The Vigil core rulebook, and this song popped into mind. Pretty gruesome imagery, if you're familiar with history (or Warhammer 40k).
As a final note, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to get a video. AFI doesn't do many official vids, and the live ones had terrible sound quality. At any rate, I hope you enjoy NoCal's A Fire Inside.
AFI - "Malleus Maleficarum"
Open my eyes as I submerge
and I won't deny what I've been since birth.
I'll die drowned by your standards.
Breathe in the life of the summer's death as the orange
and red breathe their first breath,
so welcome as they're burning through.
We all begin to burn.
Autumn's flame dances in my eyes
Set alight for all we've learned.
My ashes falling.
My skin is singed but it heals my heart
and with glowing pride I'll wear my scars.
I'm honoured by your hatred.
Leaves fall we arise again,
and the end impending,
it will begin.
We all begin to burn.
Autumn's flame dances in my eyes
Set alight for all we've learned.
My ashes falling.
can you feel me?
GO!X5
Ashes fall and I'm rising up again. Ashes fall.
Ashes fall. Ashes fall as we all arise.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
This week's song was chosen because of that flip side. I've been an AFI fan for quite some time, but never felt like they had songs that could tie in well with gaming, but lately I've been reading the Hunter: The Vigil core rulebook, and this song popped into mind. Pretty gruesome imagery, if you're familiar with history (or Warhammer 40k).
As a final note, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to get a video. AFI doesn't do many official vids, and the live ones had terrible sound quality. At any rate, I hope you enjoy NoCal's A Fire Inside.
AFI - "Malleus Maleficarum"
Open my eyes as I submerge
and I won't deny what I've been since birth.
I'll die drowned by your standards.
Breathe in the life of the summer's death as the orange
and red breathe their first breath,
so welcome as they're burning through.
We all begin to burn.
Autumn's flame dances in my eyes
Set alight for all we've learned.
My ashes falling.
My skin is singed but it heals my heart
and with glowing pride I'll wear my scars.
I'm honoured by your hatred.
Leaves fall we arise again,
and the end impending,
it will begin.
We all begin to burn.
Autumn's flame dances in my eyes
Set alight for all we've learned.
My ashes falling.
can you feel me?
GO!X5
Ashes fall and I'm rising up again. Ashes fall.
Ashes fall. Ashes fall as we all arise.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
2.11.2013
Fifteen Games In Fifteen Minutes
Though I know I have posted my "Appendix N" before, the truth is that before I began playing D&D in '96, I hadn't had any experience with tabletop roleplaying games in the least.
This meme, stolen from here, is a more accurate depiction of my strongest game-to-game influences when I delved into tabletop rpgs.
Magic: The Gathering
Zelda games (most notably A Link to the Past) (NES/SNES/Gameboy)
Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest (SNES)
Illusion of Gaia (SNES)
Zork gamebooks (I honestly didn't know anything about the text-based pc game at the time)
Dungeon! boardgame
Chrono Trigger (SNES)
Eye of the Beholder (SNES)
Secret of Mana (SNES)
Shadowrun (SNES)
Breath of Fire (SNES)
Crystalis (NES)
Castlevania games (NES/SNES)
Altered Beast (Arcade/Genesis)
Golden Axe games (Genesis/Arcade)
This meme, stolen from here, is a more accurate depiction of my strongest game-to-game influences when I delved into tabletop rpgs.
Magic: The Gathering
Zelda games (most notably A Link to the Past) (NES/SNES/Gameboy)
Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest (SNES)
Illusion of Gaia (SNES)
Zork gamebooks (I honestly didn't know anything about the text-based pc game at the time)
Dungeon! boardgame
Chrono Trigger (SNES)
Eye of the Beholder (SNES)
Secret of Mana (SNES)
Shadowrun (SNES)
Breath of Fire (SNES)
Crystalis (NES)
Castlevania games (NES/SNES)
Altered Beast (Arcade/Genesis)
Golden Axe games (Genesis/Arcade)
12.08.2012
Musical Inspiration, vol. 10 - A.S.G.
This is the first band I've posted on here that I've not been at least a little familiar with. I first heard this while watching some skateboarding on FuelTV, and thought the driving rhythm and evocative lyrics were perfect mood music for an "approaching doom" type campaign from either the side of the attacking army, or those encamped, awaiting the unstoppable force that's relentlessly coming their way.
Though not the best sound quality, and not a true music video, I hope you appreciate Wilmington, North Carolina's A.S.G.
Marching towards the sun
The command that's under no one
Master of war and lords
The rain falls for 13 days
The horses seem to know their number
Focus on you alone
All I've got is what you see x3
Pick up the stones that decay
On this small ground
Pick up the stones that decay
Its my gift to you
The purest pain a man can live through
Just in an afternoon
Admiral greed the sea
Born again amongst these trees
Rooting on in, into history
All I've got is what you see x3
Pick up the stones that decay
On this small ground
Pick up the stones that decay
Marching towards the sun
The dark command that's under no one
Master of war and lords
The rain falls for 13 days
The horses seem to know their number
Focus on you alone
All I've got is what you see x3
Pick up the stones that decay
On this small ground
Pick up the stones that decay
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
Though not the best sound quality, and not a true music video, I hope you appreciate Wilmington, North Carolina's A.S.G.
Marching towards the sun
The command that's under no one
Master of war and lords
The rain falls for 13 days
The horses seem to know their number
Focus on you alone
All I've got is what you see x3
Pick up the stones that decay
On this small ground
Pick up the stones that decay
Its my gift to you
The purest pain a man can live through
Just in an afternoon
Admiral greed the sea
Born again amongst these trees
Rooting on in, into history
All I've got is what you see x3
Pick up the stones that decay
On this small ground
Pick up the stones that decay
Marching towards the sun
The dark command that's under no one
Master of war and lords
The rain falls for 13 days
The horses seem to know their number
Focus on you alone
All I've got is what you see x3
Pick up the stones that decay
On this small ground
Pick up the stones that decay
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
10.28.2012
Musical Inspiration, vol. 9 - Lordi
For those who are familiar with heavier music, Lordi might seem like a joke, and it/he is. Lordi is like the darker, more medieval, yet more classic sounding, version of GWAR. Despite the flair for theatrics that the costumed, pyrotechnics-loving Mr. Lordi and company have, there's no doubting they put out tunes with some pretty nifty inspiration behind them.
Take today's track, for example...a fun zombie apocalypse song that hooks with the twist that the guy narrating is dead, himself, and is going about the motions of life before discovering that he should be in on the haunting.
Anyway, this is the last Saturday before Halloween, so I thought I would share something fun.
Enjoy Finland's Lordi.
At 3 a.m I looked out the window
Foreboding figures called me outside
Their grumbling sounded distant and hollow
Eerie, empty stares in dead eyes
Ooh, now who woke up the dead?
Ooh.....
Evil's pouring down
On this haunted town
There's no way around
Tonight all hell abounds
Haunted town.
In the morning I was reading the paper
The obituaries
Seemed a bit strange
I searched the old graveyard
For an answer
In the mossy headstones
I found my name
Ooh, I walk among the dead
Ooh yeah...
Evil's pouring down
On this haunted town
There's no way around
Tonight all hell abounds
Haunted town..
I'm haunting
Ooh God I'm loving it
You bet..
Evil's pouring down
On this haunted town
There's no way around
Tonight all hell abounds
Haunted town. [2X]
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
Take today's track, for example...a fun zombie apocalypse song that hooks with the twist that the guy narrating is dead, himself, and is going about the motions of life before discovering that he should be in on the haunting.
Anyway, this is the last Saturday before Halloween, so I thought I would share something fun.
Enjoy Finland's Lordi.
At 3 a.m I looked out the window
Foreboding figures called me outside
Their grumbling sounded distant and hollow
Eerie, empty stares in dead eyes
Ooh, now who woke up the dead?
Ooh.....
Evil's pouring down
On this haunted town
There's no way around
Tonight all hell abounds
Haunted town.
In the morning I was reading the paper
The obituaries
Seemed a bit strange
I searched the old graveyard
For an answer
In the mossy headstones
I found my name
Ooh, I walk among the dead
Ooh yeah...
Evil's pouring down
On this haunted town
There's no way around
Tonight all hell abounds
Haunted town..
I'm haunting
Ooh God I'm loving it
You bet..
Evil's pouring down
On this haunted town
There's no way around
Tonight all hell abounds
Haunted town. [2X]
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
8.18.2012
Musical Inspiration, vol. 8 - Necrophagist
It's certainly been a while since an auditory attack on this here blog, but when thinking of a few more posts, I was also looking for some new music, and remembered this sporadic Saturday treat.
This go around, I decided to toss in some melt-your-face metal, brought to you by the German technical/death outfit known as Necrophagist. (A necrophagist is a person that eats corpses, for those curious.)
Though not lyrically heavy, it could represent a character that's overcome adversity to become a force of overwhelming good, having found the seven (holy virtues), or perhaps has risen to lord over those after being granted power in some way by the seven deadly sins.
On the latter note, "An Antipaladin in Heaven" would be an interesting twist on a classic, I think.
Distracting from your deficiencies
while you point at others.
(Once) enlightened you judge and execute.
To be the only one
to discover the seven,
(To) toss open and pass the gates to heaven.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
This go around, I decided to toss in some melt-your-face metal, brought to you by the German technical/death outfit known as Necrophagist. (A necrophagist is a person that eats corpses, for those curious.)
Though not lyrically heavy, it could represent a character that's overcome adversity to become a force of overwhelming good, having found the seven (holy virtues), or perhaps has risen to lord over those after being granted power in some way by the seven deadly sins.
On the latter note, "An Antipaladin in Heaven" would be an interesting twist on a classic, I think.
Distracting from your deficiencies
while you point at others.
(Once) enlightened you judge and execute.
To be the only one
to discover the seven,
(To) toss open and pass the gates to heaven.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
5.14.2012
Campaign Lore Questions
To further define my campaign, I've also decided to give answers to Jeff's "20 Quick Questions," located here. These questions skew more toward fluff, and complement Brendan's questions that I answered yesterday for the Wilderlands campaign.
What is the deal with my cleric's religion? Religion in my game is a powerful force, but the politics and wars behind the various beliefs keep the power of the churches very nebulous.
I've been running the Wilderlands with an open take on religion, only introducing churches as the players choose the deities for their PCs, or when they come into contact with clergy by choice.
So far, the only religions that exist in my game are these:
the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (based loosely on the bible, the Pathfinder renditions, and the 4 gods of Chaos from Warhammer)
Gorum (Orc god of strength,battles, and weapons; Pathfinder)
Iomedae (goddess of valor, rulership, justice, and honor; Pathfinder)
Asmodeus (Lord of the Nine Hells)
Modron (Goddess of Rivers; Wilderlands)
Nephtlys (Goddess of wealth; unsure if this is a typo on Nephthys, an Egyptian goddess, or a Wilderlands original)
Harmakhis (God of death; Wilderlands)
Spiritual Animism (mimicking the beliefs of some Native American ways)
Where can we go to buy standard equipment? Caravaneers are taking advantage of The Bazaar being shut down, but they come only rarely, and their stock is never reliably static.
Where can we go to get platemail custom fitted for this monster I just befriended? The local public smith is rather friendly and sympathetic to adventurers, you hear.
Who is the mightiest wizard in the land? In your vicinity, there is only Jadazh Gr'tea, a traitorous bandit, that commands any measure of arcane might.
Who is the greatest warrior in the land? In your area, it's probably the Castellan of Bugbear Falls, Dal Lago
Who is the richest person in the land? That title probably falls on Dal Lago, also.
Where can we go to get some magical healing? The shrine to Gorum or the Stable of the Rider are you two most likely destinations in the Falls.
Where can we go to get cures for the following conditions: poison, disease, curse, level drain, lycanthropy, polymorph, alignment change, death, undeath? The Stable of the Rider is the only place for cures to most of these, though they are loathe to cure certain afflictions. In the case of death or undeath, nobody close can help, save by ritual.
Is there a magic guild my MU belongs to or that I can join in order to get more spells? Not without putting some travel on your agenda.
Where can I find an alchemist, sage or other expert NPC? A couple of alchemists dabble in town, though the only known sage is now missing, and many others have backed off flaunting their ability due to this.
Where can I hire mercenaries? Bugbear Falls is full of adventurers, convicts, vagrants, miscreants, and ne'er do wells. You can usually find one or two milling around that will take your coin.
Is there any place on the map where swords are illegal, magic is outlawed or any other notable hassles from Johnny Law? Arcane magic is frowned upon by the local authorities. Weapons are ok unless they are drawn, at which point some trouble might be expected.
Which way to the nearest tavern? The White Cliff is conveniently located for all your dining and drinking needs!
What monsters are terrorizing the countryside sufficiently that if I kill them I will become famous? Humans. Bandits are the most numerous problem at the moment, though there is still a bounty for kobold horns with the Castellan.
Are there any wars brewing I could go fight? Viridistan and the City State of the Invincible Overlord are always tusslin'. I guess if you want to throw your lot into that mess, then go right ahead.
How about gladiatorial arenas complete with hard-won glory and fabulous cash prizes? Not anywhere close, no.
Are there any secret societies with sinister agendas I could join and/or fight?
What is there to eat around here? Mostly game. Deer, rabbit, etc. Some local farms have chickens, pigs, and cattle, but they aren't common table fare.
Any legendary lost treasures I could be looking for? Oh yes...all of them. Only one permanent magic item has ever been recovered by PCs, and that fell into the hands of the enemy.
Where is the nearest dragon or other monster with Type H treasure? A dragon has been spotted in the skies Northwest of Bugbear Falls, though stone giants are known to dwell in that direction, also.
What is the deal with my cleric's religion? Religion in my game is a powerful force, but the politics and wars behind the various beliefs keep the power of the churches very nebulous.
I've been running the Wilderlands with an open take on religion, only introducing churches as the players choose the deities for their PCs, or when they come into contact with clergy by choice.
So far, the only religions that exist in my game are these:
the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (based loosely on the bible, the Pathfinder renditions, and the 4 gods of Chaos from Warhammer)
Gorum (Orc god of strength,battles, and weapons; Pathfinder)
Iomedae (goddess of valor, rulership, justice, and honor; Pathfinder)
Asmodeus (Lord of the Nine Hells)
Modron (Goddess of Rivers; Wilderlands)
Nephtlys (Goddess of wealth; unsure if this is a typo on Nephthys, an Egyptian goddess, or a Wilderlands original)
Harmakhis (God of death; Wilderlands)
Spiritual Animism (mimicking the beliefs of some Native American ways)
Where can we go to buy standard equipment? Caravaneers are taking advantage of The Bazaar being shut down, but they come only rarely, and their stock is never reliably static.
Where can we go to get platemail custom fitted for this monster I just befriended? The local public smith is rather friendly and sympathetic to adventurers, you hear.
Who is the mightiest wizard in the land? In your vicinity, there is only Jadazh Gr'tea, a traitorous bandit, that commands any measure of arcane might.
Who is the greatest warrior in the land? In your area, it's probably the Castellan of Bugbear Falls, Dal Lago
Who is the richest person in the land? That title probably falls on Dal Lago, also.
Where can we go to get some magical healing? The shrine to Gorum or the Stable of the Rider are you two most likely destinations in the Falls.
Where can we go to get cures for the following conditions: poison, disease, curse, level drain, lycanthropy, polymorph, alignment change, death, undeath? The Stable of the Rider is the only place for cures to most of these, though they are loathe to cure certain afflictions. In the case of death or undeath, nobody close can help, save by ritual.
Is there a magic guild my MU belongs to or that I can join in order to get more spells? Not without putting some travel on your agenda.
Where can I find an alchemist, sage or other expert NPC? A couple of alchemists dabble in town, though the only known sage is now missing, and many others have backed off flaunting their ability due to this.
Where can I hire mercenaries? Bugbear Falls is full of adventurers, convicts, vagrants, miscreants, and ne'er do wells. You can usually find one or two milling around that will take your coin.
Is there any place on the map where swords are illegal, magic is outlawed or any other notable hassles from Johnny Law? Arcane magic is frowned upon by the local authorities. Weapons are ok unless they are drawn, at which point some trouble might be expected.
Which way to the nearest tavern? The White Cliff is conveniently located for all your dining and drinking needs!
What monsters are terrorizing the countryside sufficiently that if I kill them I will become famous? Humans. Bandits are the most numerous problem at the moment, though there is still a bounty for kobold horns with the Castellan.
Are there any wars brewing I could go fight? Viridistan and the City State of the Invincible Overlord are always tusslin'. I guess if you want to throw your lot into that mess, then go right ahead.
How about gladiatorial arenas complete with hard-won glory and fabulous cash prizes? Not anywhere close, no.
Are there any secret societies with sinister agendas I could join and/or fight?
What is there to eat around here? Mostly game. Deer, rabbit, etc. Some local farms have chickens, pigs, and cattle, but they aren't common table fare.
Any legendary lost treasures I could be looking for? Oh yes...all of them. Only one permanent magic item has ever been recovered by PCs, and that fell into the hands of the enemy.
Where is the nearest dragon or other monster with Type H treasure? A dragon has been spotted in the skies Northwest of Bugbear Falls, though stone giants are known to dwell in that direction, also.
5.13.2012
Campaign Rules Questions
I'm kind of phoning it in by doing these questionnaires, but this one (and the next) are actually good ways to help define a campaign both for the person running the game and any potential players.
For the series of questions in the next two posts, I'll be using my take on the Wilderlands of High Fantasy, which uses Pathfinder as the rulesset, as the basis for answers. Were I to use my Khardtha setting, would much of the answers be different? That's an interesting question, and one I might delve into at a later date!
I'm starting off with a series of questions posted by Brendan here at Untimately.
Let's begin.
1. Ability scores generation method? 4d6, 7 times. You choose order.
2. How are death and dying handled? Staggered at 0, Unconscious and Dying at -1, Dead at -Con score.
3. What about raising the dead? This is extremely difficult, and more than likely requires a quest of some sort.
4. How are replacement PCs handled? Should a PC die, the player brings in their next one at the old PC's level -5, or 1+1 for every five levels the highest level PC in the party has beyond 1st, whichever is higher.
5. Initiative: individual, group, or something else? Individual, though hirelings go on their boss' turn, and like groups of GM controlled characters go on the same count.
6. Are there critical hits and fumbles? How do they work? Yes and yes. Critical hits follow the charts posted here, here, here, and here. I don't have a good fumble chart, so I either use the iFumble Pathfinder app on my phone or default to flat-footed/bowstring breaks, etc.
7. Do I get any benefits for wearing a helmet? Sure. You look cool! Also, sometimes you get visibility and hearing penalties! Oh, and it saves you from some nasty crits sometimes.
8. Can I hurt my friends if I fire into melee or do something similarly silly? It has been known to happen, yes.
9. Will we need to run from some encounters, or will we be able to kill everything? Run, Forrest, Run!
10. Level-draining monsters: yes or no? Yes. Though many Pathfinder monsters have had their level and stat draining abilities nerfed, I like to retain a more classic and deadly feel in my game.
11. Are there going to be cases where a failed save results in PC death? Yes. Again, Pathfinder has removed many of these instances, but I just tend to ignore the fact that the game promotes pussies.
12. How strictly are encumbrance & resources tracked? I like to be fiddly with it. When the group is camping in the wild, resource consumption becomes much more important, and if they're running for their lives, encumberance does, as well. Usually, a fair assumption can be held to both in the average day.
13. What's required when my PC gains a level? Training? Do I get new spells automatically? Can it happen in the middle of an adventure, or do I have to wait for down time? I like instantaneous level benefits. The only time I press for training is if someone chooses to multiclass or, especially, take a prestige class. Then it's usually handled in down-time, unless something seems interesting enough to play out.
14. What do I get experience for? Everything! Combat, avoiding combat, parley, regular friendly encounters with NPCs, etc., etc.
15. How are traps located? Description, dice rolling, or some combination? Either way, and possibly with a bonus to the roll if both methods are used simultaneously.
16. Are retainers encouraged and how does morale work? They aren't necessarily encouraged, but it doesn't usually take long for the players to pick up on how useful they are. I haven't yet solidified a morale system for my game, though I am working on one. The two most recent are a d6 roll modified by certain factors, and a WIS roll in the old form (roll within stat).
17. How do I identify magic items? Usually by their soft glow, but also with the various spells meant to do so. Permanent magic items are exceedingly rare in my game.
18. Can I buy magic items? Oh, come on: how about just potions? Yes, there are chances for certain types of minor magic items to crop up, if you can identify a dealer of such. 1-4 potions are usually available at any given time, but they might not be exactly what you're looking for, as they're randomly determined.
19. Can I create magic items? When and how? Again, yes...however, I've ruled that permanent magic items are rare because the creation process has been lost to the ages. You can take the various item creation feats (except for Brew Potion, which is fairly easy to learn) only after discovering the secrets of such acts via dungeon delving, tomb robbing, etc. for the formulae.
20.What about splitting the party? Sure. I'm certain that's usually a good idea.
For the series of questions in the next two posts, I'll be using my take on the Wilderlands of High Fantasy, which uses Pathfinder as the rulesset, as the basis for answers. Were I to use my Khardtha setting, would much of the answers be different? That's an interesting question, and one I might delve into at a later date!
I'm starting off with a series of questions posted by Brendan here at Untimately.
Let's begin.
1. Ability scores generation method? 4d6, 7 times. You choose order.
2. How are death and dying handled? Staggered at 0, Unconscious and Dying at -1, Dead at -Con score.
3. What about raising the dead? This is extremely difficult, and more than likely requires a quest of some sort.
4. How are replacement PCs handled? Should a PC die, the player brings in their next one at the old PC's level -5, or 1+1 for every five levels the highest level PC in the party has beyond 1st, whichever is higher.
5. Initiative: individual, group, or something else? Individual, though hirelings go on their boss' turn, and like groups of GM controlled characters go on the same count.
6. Are there critical hits and fumbles? How do they work? Yes and yes. Critical hits follow the charts posted here, here, here, and here. I don't have a good fumble chart, so I either use the iFumble Pathfinder app on my phone or default to flat-footed/bowstring breaks, etc.
7. Do I get any benefits for wearing a helmet? Sure. You look cool! Also, sometimes you get visibility and hearing penalties! Oh, and it saves you from some nasty crits sometimes.
8. Can I hurt my friends if I fire into melee or do something similarly silly? It has been known to happen, yes.
9. Will we need to run from some encounters, or will we be able to kill everything? Run, Forrest, Run!
10. Level-draining monsters: yes or no? Yes. Though many Pathfinder monsters have had their level and stat draining abilities nerfed, I like to retain a more classic and deadly feel in my game.
11. Are there going to be cases where a failed save results in PC death? Yes. Again, Pathfinder has removed many of these instances, but I just tend to ignore the fact that the game promotes pussies.
12. How strictly are encumbrance & resources tracked? I like to be fiddly with it. When the group is camping in the wild, resource consumption becomes much more important, and if they're running for their lives, encumberance does, as well. Usually, a fair assumption can be held to both in the average day.
13. What's required when my PC gains a level? Training? Do I get new spells automatically? Can it happen in the middle of an adventure, or do I have to wait for down time? I like instantaneous level benefits. The only time I press for training is if someone chooses to multiclass or, especially, take a prestige class. Then it's usually handled in down-time, unless something seems interesting enough to play out.
14. What do I get experience for? Everything! Combat, avoiding combat, parley, regular friendly encounters with NPCs, etc., etc.
15. How are traps located? Description, dice rolling, or some combination? Either way, and possibly with a bonus to the roll if both methods are used simultaneously.
16. Are retainers encouraged and how does morale work? They aren't necessarily encouraged, but it doesn't usually take long for the players to pick up on how useful they are. I haven't yet solidified a morale system for my game, though I am working on one. The two most recent are a d6 roll modified by certain factors, and a WIS roll in the old form (roll within stat).
17. How do I identify magic items? Usually by their soft glow, but also with the various spells meant to do so. Permanent magic items are exceedingly rare in my game.
18. Can I buy magic items? Oh, come on: how about just potions? Yes, there are chances for certain types of minor magic items to crop up, if you can identify a dealer of such. 1-4 potions are usually available at any given time, but they might not be exactly what you're looking for, as they're randomly determined.
19. Can I create magic items? When and how? Again, yes...however, I've ruled that permanent magic items are rare because the creation process has been lost to the ages. You can take the various item creation feats (except for Brew Potion, which is fairly easy to learn) only after discovering the secrets of such acts via dungeon delving, tomb robbing, etc. for the formulae.
20.What about splitting the party? Sure. I'm certain that's usually a good idea.
A Few Questions, If I Don't Mind
In January, Zak S. over at Playing D&D With Porn Stars posted this questionnaire, which I thought was a pretty good (and fun) exercise at evaluating your gaming and using as yet another infodump to come back to when thinking of games.
These, of course, are my answers, but if you're curious about the replies of others, you can check out Jeff's (of Jeff's Gameblog) here, or check out various answers on the original post's comments here.
Here we go...
1. If you had to pick a single invention in a game you were most proud of what would it be?
Though it's not entirely mine, I would say my crit charts.
2. When was the last time you GMed?
Thursday, April 26
3. When was the last time you played?
Wednesday, April 25
4. Give us a one-sentence pitch for an adventure you haven't run but would like to.
Salvation comes in blinding holy light and song, but an unexpected source brings warning that all is not what it seems. (Vague, I know, but I might use it and my players read this.)
5. What do you do while you wait for players to do things?
Study the map, make notes, listen to conversation of my players for cues of excitement level.
6. What, if anything, do you eat while you play?
Since I only play games at locations that aren't my house, usually a take-out dinner.
7. Do you find GMing physically exhausting?
Physically, no. Mentally, sometimes.
8. What was the last interesting (to you, anyway) thing you remember a PC you were running doing?
Tracking a serial killer through various leads on the planet Sinophia in David's Dark Heresy game.
9. Do your players take your serious setting and make it unserious? Vice versa? Neither?
I'm sure there are people out there who refuse to have a laugh at silliness within the game, but it seems inevitable, and I rarely fight it anymore, except in naming conventions, when I can.
10. What do you do with goblins?
Of late, they've been stand-ins for my apparent yearning to rewatch the Gremlins movies. They're all over the place with me, usually, though.
11. What was the last non-RPG thing you saw that you converted into game material (background, setting, trap, etc.)?
White Sands Missle Testing Range
12. What's the funniest table moment you can remember right now?
Allura, an insanely intelligent psion played by my pal Carl, running into a door and failing to open it when pushing...because it opened inward.
13. What was the last game book you looked at--aside from things you referenced in a game--why were you looking at it?
Vampire The Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition, because I would like to run a Vampire game at some point.
14. Who's your idea of the perfect RPG illustrator?
Someone who can combine a style similar to comic books (Jeff Dee, Wayne Reynolds, Joey Mad, Luca Zontini) with classic appeal (Volkan Baga, the Hildebrandts) finished with richness and strangeness (Izzy, Pudnhead, Brom.)
15. Does your game ever make your players genuinely afraid?
I think I've only achieved that once before, but who knows. Uncomfortable, though, I seem to achieve often enough, and not in a bad way...I try to respect my players and their morals.
16. What was the best time you ever had running an adventure you didn't write? (If ever)
I'm actually ok with modules, and had a blast a couple of years ago running the full arc that begins with The Sunless Citadel in Eberron.
17. What would be the ideal physical set up to run a game in?
Something similar to a high rollers room would be awesome. Someone to bring you drinks/food, no outside interference, and minimal interruptions from people getting up from the table. Comfy chairs a must.
18. If you had to think of the two most disparate games or game products that you like what would they be?
Fairy Meat and Scion
19. If you had to think of the most disparate influences overall on your game, what would they be?
Ancient philosophy (Aristotle, Plato, Sun Tzu, etc.) and Ancient Aliens on H2.
20. As a GM, what kind of player do you want at your table?
The kind who isn't afraid to take the lead.
21. What's a real life experience you've translated into game terms?
The loss of friends and family to better describe NPC emotional ranges/reactions.
22. Is there an RPG product that you wish existed but doesn't?
I wouldn't mind Wizards publishing a Magic the Gathering supplement, just to get an idea of how they would represent the Planeswalker Spark.
23. Is there anyone you know who you talk about RPGs with who doesn't play? How do those conversations go?
I have more than a few friends and my mom in my life that don't play RPGs, but sometimes ask about the games. Usually, I just ramble and they nod and smile.
4.16.2011
A Supers Campaign Inspired By A Dream
So, I had this dream, right? When I woke up, I spoke all I could remember of it out loud, and I've been mulling it over, just to keep it fresh in my mind. Since, I've been thinking quite a lot about superhero gaming, and so I decided to go ahead and post the contents of the dream, since it obviously inspired me quite a bit.
The first of the dream I remember is that I was at Taylor and Angela's place, my game group was gathered around, as normal except Paul, John, Tony, and Chris were there, which doubled our usual numbers.
We were discussing the government contracts that each state of the U.S.A. were allowed to give, and how restrictive they were to the superheroes in them, not letting them perform "unsanctioned heroic acts," and Angela brought up a hero named Arkansas Twister being penalized by the state, and threatened with having breach of contract drawn against him because he stopped to help people in an automobile accident.
The talk was politically driven, but also asked the questions "Would you work for the state for $500k a year as their lapdog hero if you had powers?" and "What made the Federal government decide that state-ran hero programs could only include ratios of 1 hero to every million citizens?"
Heroes not sanctioned by the government were operating on a gray area, where they were allowed to go about their business without having to register or anything, but if deemed to be performing illegal activities by any government agency, would then receive vigilante/villain status. All collateral damage performed outside state sanction would be paid in full restitution within a 1 month period or be moved to vigilante/villain status.
Not sure what vigilante/villain status is, but I can assume that the punishments would be extreme once the government found out identities...frozen assets, etc., not to mention having heroes on your tail.
Basically, the dream felt narrated. I feel like I'm forgetting things now, but it seemed like everyone was talking 90-to-nothing about this phenomena, and we (being game nerds, I assume) were all very interested in and excited about the goings-on. Tons of information to digest, but a skeleton that a campaign could be hung on.
I do realize that a bit of it is familiar...there are elements of both The Fifty State Initiative and The Superhuman Registration Act present in the framework, but I'm sure they came to the fore in my dream due to Civil War being one of the last major comics storylines I read.
I really want to flesh this out. I could definitely run with this idea, but what rules-set? Aberrant is the supers system I'm most familiar with, and my friends have all played Storyteller system, so that might be workable...there are others out there, though, that might fit. Not too familiar with many, but maybe Mutants & Masterminds or some other system would sit better with my group?
Thoughts, comments, questions, concerns...all are welcome in the comments!
The first of the dream I remember is that I was at Taylor and Angela's place, my game group was gathered around, as normal except Paul, John, Tony, and Chris were there, which doubled our usual numbers.
We were discussing the government contracts that each state of the U.S.A. were allowed to give, and how restrictive they were to the superheroes in them, not letting them perform "unsanctioned heroic acts," and Angela brought up a hero named Arkansas Twister being penalized by the state, and threatened with having breach of contract drawn against him because he stopped to help people in an automobile accident.
The talk was politically driven, but also asked the questions "Would you work for the state for $500k a year as their lapdog hero if you had powers?" and "What made the Federal government decide that state-ran hero programs could only include ratios of 1 hero to every million citizens?"
Heroes not sanctioned by the government were operating on a gray area, where they were allowed to go about their business without having to register or anything, but if deemed to be performing illegal activities by any government agency, would then receive vigilante/villain status. All collateral damage performed outside state sanction would be paid in full restitution within a 1 month period or be moved to vigilante/villain status.
Not sure what vigilante/villain status is, but I can assume that the punishments would be extreme once the government found out identities...frozen assets, etc., not to mention having heroes on your tail.
Basically, the dream felt narrated. I feel like I'm forgetting things now, but it seemed like everyone was talking 90-to-nothing about this phenomena, and we (being game nerds, I assume) were all very interested in and excited about the goings-on. Tons of information to digest, but a skeleton that a campaign could be hung on.
I do realize that a bit of it is familiar...there are elements of both The Fifty State Initiative and The Superhuman Registration Act present in the framework, but I'm sure they came to the fore in my dream due to Civil War being one of the last major comics storylines I read.
I really want to flesh this out. I could definitely run with this idea, but what rules-set? Aberrant is the supers system I'm most familiar with, and my friends have all played Storyteller system, so that might be workable...there are others out there, though, that might fit. Not too familiar with many, but maybe Mutants & Masterminds or some other system would sit better with my group?
Thoughts, comments, questions, concerns...all are welcome in the comments!
4.03.2011
Sucker Punch: A Non-Review
Today, in celebration(?) of my birthday, I went to the movies with David and Dave to see Sucker Punch. This movie has not seen stellar reviews at all, and while I can see why, I don't think many of the reviewers really gave the movie a fair shake, or they went in with preconceived notions. It plays out a little like Pulp Fiction meets various anime meets Kurosawa's Dreams.
The casting was good, acting was a little stilted in the first half, but the cinematography was gorgeous. The film was well directed and, to me, at least...well written, and it had a pretty rockin' soundtrack. For those who don't know, the movie follows a young woman who is put in an asylum and then retreats into a fantasy world to escape the reality of what she's enduring and also to try to focus her intent to escape.
In the lead character's (called Babydoll) fantasy world, she fights spirit-animated samurai armor, steampunk Nazis, and a dragon, to name a few menaces, and ends up getting what basically is a quest item that will aid in her escape in the end.
The whole time, I couldn't help but think "Wow, this would be cool in a game" when it cut to the fantasy segments, but then I started focusing on the concept of the movie itself, and wondered what a game would play like in which you're perfectly normal most of the time, but can slip into another reality...a dreamscape or whatever, in which you never really know what you'll have to do or where you'll be, but there's always a task or something driving you, then you snap back to reality once you accomplish it or perhaps even at random.
I know there are games out there that use the concept, or something similar to it, at least. Anyone out there played in them? If so, what are some of the difficulties of games of that nature?
Do any of them present something more than a normal person in the real world? Like a superhero who falls into a weird vampire dream state or something...
The casting was good, acting was a little stilted in the first half, but the cinematography was gorgeous. The film was well directed and, to me, at least...well written, and it had a pretty rockin' soundtrack. For those who don't know, the movie follows a young woman who is put in an asylum and then retreats into a fantasy world to escape the reality of what she's enduring and also to try to focus her intent to escape.
In the lead character's (called Babydoll) fantasy world, she fights spirit-animated samurai armor, steampunk Nazis, and a dragon, to name a few menaces, and ends up getting what basically is a quest item that will aid in her escape in the end.
The whole time, I couldn't help but think "Wow, this would be cool in a game" when it cut to the fantasy segments, but then I started focusing on the concept of the movie itself, and wondered what a game would play like in which you're perfectly normal most of the time, but can slip into another reality...a dreamscape or whatever, in which you never really know what you'll have to do or where you'll be, but there's always a task or something driving you, then you snap back to reality once you accomplish it or perhaps even at random.
I know there are games out there that use the concept, or something similar to it, at least. Anyone out there played in them? If so, what are some of the difficulties of games of that nature?
Do any of them present something more than a normal person in the real world? Like a superhero who falls into a weird vampire dream state or something...
3.13.2011
It's Been A Super Day
Been thinking alot about superheroes today, most notably this guy...
I'm not really sure why Big Blue is where my mind went when the subject came to mind, but I pretty much kept with the thoughts and eventually it led me to thoughts on gaming.
No surprise there, really...but then it dawned on me that DC is the more ideal model in how to handle supers in gaming than Marvel, even if I like the latter better.
I know somewhere in the 3 LBBs of D&D, "superhero" is mentioned, and while that originally meant someone of higher level, using Arneson's model...it made me think about what it would be like if a superhero (or team, even) made an entrance into a fantasy campaign. Even given somewhat powerful abilities, would they still be overshadowed by some practitioners of magic?
Like most of my posts, this is just a brain dump. I really don't have anywhere I'm going with this, but it's something that intrigues me, as does super powers in the real world and even in a high-tech sci-fi (space opera?)
More to think about, at any rate.
Also, this picture REALLY got my thoughts churning...
Not so sure why it's so evocative to me, but anything that spurs imagination is a good thing!
I'm not really sure why Big Blue is where my mind went when the subject came to mind, but I pretty much kept with the thoughts and eventually it led me to thoughts on gaming.
No surprise there, really...but then it dawned on me that DC is the more ideal model in how to handle supers in gaming than Marvel, even if I like the latter better.
I know somewhere in the 3 LBBs of D&D, "superhero" is mentioned, and while that originally meant someone of higher level, using Arneson's model...it made me think about what it would be like if a superhero (or team, even) made an entrance into a fantasy campaign. Even given somewhat powerful abilities, would they still be overshadowed by some practitioners of magic?
Like most of my posts, this is just a brain dump. I really don't have anywhere I'm going with this, but it's something that intrigues me, as does super powers in the real world and even in a high-tech sci-fi (space opera?)
More to think about, at any rate.
Also, this picture REALLY got my thoughts churning...
Not so sure why it's so evocative to me, but anything that spurs imagination is a good thing!
1.22.2011
My Appendix N (Late to the ball on this...)
So, a long while back, tons of other game bloggers posted their Appendix N. I thought it was cool when they did it, but I didn't jump on board. Why? I dunno, because, as I sit thinking about it right now...it seems like a great inspiro-dump that one can do, or at least to my mind. I'm big on lists. I find they can jog my memory or inspire me just as easily as anything else. Maybe moreso, or more quickly, even.
So, here I am, making my own Appendix N, based more on the "Inspiration" page in Vampire: The Masquerade (For those of you not in the know, it's an Appendix in the first? edition DMG where Gary Gygax cited the inspirations for D&D.)
I'll likely be at this for a couple of days, as not everything will come to me immediately, and also...my list won't be like Gygax's. I'll be citing other forms of media than the written word. We'll see what we come up with.
Also, can anyone tell me...is it taboo to name, say, D&D brand novels as inspiration? I think there's an acute difference between me and most rpg bloggers have...I'm comparatively young compared to most of them, and didn't play D&D in the 70s and 80s. Since I'm trying to display my inspiration for pretty much all my gaming, I'll leave games and game-related products out of the lists.
Literature
J.R.R. Tolkien - The Hobbit, The Ring Trilogy
C.S. Lewis - The Chronicles of Narnia
Lewis Carroll - Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass
Jeanne DuPrau - The City of Ember
Stephen Vincent Benét - By the Waters of Babylon
Orson Scott Card - The Tales of Alvin Maker, Ender Series
L. Frank Baum - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Marvelous Land of Oz
H.G. Wells - War of the Worlds
S.A. Swiniarski - Raven
Jack London - White Fang
Bram Stoker - Dracula
William Shakespeare - Hamlet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar, Richard III
Comics(Speaking in generalities, unless specified...minus Marvel Ultimates)
Batman
Superman
X-Men
Avengers
WildC.A.T.s
Youngblood
Spider-Man
Preacher
Sandman
Rising Stars
Kingdom Come
Justice League America
Justice League Europe
Groo
Television
Thundarr the Barbarian
Thundercats
G.I.Joe
Transformers (Generation 1)
Brave Starr
Silverhawks
M.A.S.K.
Centurions
Rock Lords
Go-Bots
Dragonball Z
Tin Man
Rome
Law & Order: All series
CSI: All series
X-Files
Lie to Me
Mission: Impossible
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
The Twilight Zone
Various History Channel, TLC, Discovery, etc. shows
Movies
Ghostbusters I & II
Ninja Scroll
Vampire Hunter D
Star Wars Saga
Conan the Barbarian & Destroyer
Krull
Excalibur
Lost Boys
Nosferatu
Labyrinth
The Dark Crystal
RoboCop
Music
Danny Elfman scores
John Williams scores
Ennio Morricone scores
Basil Poledouris scores
3 Inches of Blood discography
Juno Reactor discography
So, here I am, making my own Appendix N, based more on the "Inspiration" page in Vampire: The Masquerade (For those of you not in the know, it's an Appendix in the first? edition DMG where Gary Gygax cited the inspirations for D&D.)
I'll likely be at this for a couple of days, as not everything will come to me immediately, and also...my list won't be like Gygax's. I'll be citing other forms of media than the written word. We'll see what we come up with.
Also, can anyone tell me...is it taboo to name, say, D&D brand novels as inspiration? I think there's an acute difference between me and most rpg bloggers have...I'm comparatively young compared to most of them, and didn't play D&D in the 70s and 80s. Since I'm trying to display my inspiration for pretty much all my gaming, I'll leave games and game-related products out of the lists.
Literature
J.R.R. Tolkien - The Hobbit, The Ring Trilogy
C.S. Lewis - The Chronicles of Narnia
Lewis Carroll - Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass
Jeanne DuPrau - The City of Ember
Stephen Vincent Benét - By the Waters of Babylon
Orson Scott Card - The Tales of Alvin Maker, Ender Series
L. Frank Baum - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Marvelous Land of Oz
H.G. Wells - War of the Worlds
S.A. Swiniarski - Raven
Jack London - White Fang
Bram Stoker - Dracula
William Shakespeare - Hamlet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar, Richard III
Comics(Speaking in generalities, unless specified...minus Marvel Ultimates)
Batman
Superman
X-Men
Avengers
WildC.A.T.s
Youngblood
Spider-Man
Preacher
Sandman
Rising Stars
Kingdom Come
Justice League America
Justice League Europe
Groo
Television
Thundarr the Barbarian
Thundercats
G.I.Joe
Transformers (Generation 1)
Brave Starr
Silverhawks
M.A.S.K.
Centurions
Rock Lords
Go-Bots
Dragonball Z
Tin Man
Rome
Law & Order: All series
CSI: All series
X-Files
Lie to Me
Mission: Impossible
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
The Twilight Zone
Various History Channel, TLC, Discovery, etc. shows
Movies
Ghostbusters I & II
Ninja Scroll
Vampire Hunter D
Star Wars Saga
Conan the Barbarian & Destroyer
Krull
Excalibur
Lost Boys
Nosferatu
Labyrinth
The Dark Crystal
RoboCop
Music
Danny Elfman scores
John Williams scores
Ennio Morricone scores
Basil Poledouris scores
3 Inches of Blood discography
Juno Reactor discography
2.21.2010
More Musical Inspiration...
Often, in the games we play, our characters pay grave prices for the arcane or spiritual knowledge they gain, regularly with loss of something within themselves, high tariffs of physical objects, or (if others would have it their way) with their lives/health. On the flip side of that, our characters could be the ones persecuting those they feel are dangerous for their knowledge and abilities.
This week's song was chosen because of that flip side. I've been an AFI fan for quite some time, but never felt like they had songs that could tie in well with gaming, but lately I've been reading the Hunter: The Vigil core rulebook, and this song popped into mind. Pretty gruesome imagery, if you're familiar with history (or Warhammer 40k).
As a final note, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to get a video. AFI doesn't do many official vids, and the live ones had terrible sound quality. At any rate, I hope you enjoy NoCal's A Fire Inside.
AFI - "Malleus Maleficarum"
Open my eyes as I submerge
and I won't deny what I've been since birth.
I'll die drowned by your standards.
Breathe in the life of the summer's death as the orange
and red breathe their first breath,
so welcome as they're burning through.
We all begin to burn.
Autumn's flame dances in my eyes
Set alight for all we've learned.
My ashes falling.
My skin is singed but it heals my heart
and with glowing pride I'll wear my scars.
I'm honoured by your hatred.
Leaves fall we arise again,
and the end impending,
it will begin.
We all begin to burn.
Autumn's flame dances in my eyes
Set alight for all we've learned.
My ashes falling.
can you feel me?
GO!X5
Ashes fall and I'm rising up again. Ashes fall.
Ashes fall. Ashes fall as we all arise.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
This week's song was chosen because of that flip side. I've been an AFI fan for quite some time, but never felt like they had songs that could tie in well with gaming, but lately I've been reading the Hunter: The Vigil core rulebook, and this song popped into mind. Pretty gruesome imagery, if you're familiar with history (or Warhammer 40k).
As a final note, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to get a video. AFI doesn't do many official vids, and the live ones had terrible sound quality. At any rate, I hope you enjoy NoCal's A Fire Inside.
AFI - "Malleus Maleficarum"
Open my eyes as I submerge
and I won't deny what I've been since birth.
I'll die drowned by your standards.
Breathe in the life of the summer's death as the orange
and red breathe their first breath,
so welcome as they're burning through.
We all begin to burn.
Autumn's flame dances in my eyes
Set alight for all we've learned.
My ashes falling.
My skin is singed but it heals my heart
and with glowing pride I'll wear my scars.
I'm honoured by your hatred.
Leaves fall we arise again,
and the end impending,
it will begin.
We all begin to burn.
Autumn's flame dances in my eyes
Set alight for all we've learned.
My ashes falling.
can you feel me?
GO!X5
Ashes fall and I'm rising up again. Ashes fall.
Ashes fall. Ashes fall as we all arise.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
11.15.2009
More Musical Inspiration...
Today's offering comes from the 'official' D&D soundtrack published by Midnight Syndicate.
This is the first track off that album and doesn't really do the album justice, but for what it's worth, it's good stuff. If you have any interest in the sound (for the most part, symphonic goth,) I'd say check them out.
No lyrics to this one, just enjoy the snippet of music/sfx.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
This is the first track off that album and doesn't really do the album justice, but for what it's worth, it's good stuff. If you have any interest in the sound (for the most part, symphonic goth,) I'd say check them out.
No lyrics to this one, just enjoy the snippet of music/sfx.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
11.01.2009
More Musical Inspiration...
This one's gonna be a long post, but will catch us up to this week, so we'll have 3 vids, the last of which will be Halloween themed!
First up is the band Bolt Thrower. Just a glance at the play window will tell you why I chose to feature them, but it seems like GW actually endorses this group and has given them pretty much full-reign in making songs about the Warhammer 40k universe.
Highly unusual, given GW's usually strict policy on things of that nature.
Bolt Thrower - "World Eater"
As silence roars through gathered masses
You stared waiting eagerly
Approaching darkness decreasing your life expectancy
The tension is now rising
The calm before the storm
See your life flash before you
Will you live to see the dawn?
The enemy is now approaching
With bloodlust in their eyes
Intense fear is overcoming
For now death - you will defy
As the battle raged all dead and wounded
Bodies, carnage all you see
The white hot blast - melting flesh
The screaming pain in agony
You stand alone
The final parody
As you realise - your mortality
For you cannot change your destiny
To die at the hands - of the unknown enemy
Your death - you can't deter
As the silence - returns
World-eater
Next, we have a softer, slower song from Marcy Playground that's not much for inspiration, but seems to be an adventurer lamenting his lost youth with some of his spoils around him. Sixteen books of magic spells, no less. That's a huge library of magical might.
Marcy Playground - "A Cloak of Elvenkind"
A cloaking robe of elvenkind
Hangs in my wardrobe behind
All the thing that mother said
Were proper for a boy
And I know I could not say why
On this summer evening
Sixteen books of magic spells
Stacked below the cloak of elves
And sixteen books on magic spells
So elegantly bound
And I know I could not say why
On this summer evening
And I know something...something about you
And I know something...something about you
A cloaking robe of elvenkind
Hangs in my wardrobe behind
All the things that mother said
Were proper for a boy
And finally, I'm wrapping it up with a Halloween treat for all you boys and ghouls. (I hate that joke, but I love puns. Sue me.) This one is from England's Vallenbrosa, and is a song on the topic of a well-known American tale...that of the Headless Horseman, a supposed Hessian mercenary whose bloodlust did not die when he did.
Good metal, this.
Vallenbrosa - "The Hessian"
Wake me up, won't see my eyes
When I leave, it's time to die.
Wake me up, repent your sins,
The tree of the dead a thousand souls they said I'd keep in.
So wake me up, I'm on your list and I will never quit
To claim your head upon my blade and then to bury it.
My simple tools, my axe, my sword
And that should cover it,
No sympathy, all apathy, that's what you'll see.
So when I die please bury me alone,
Unite my head and watch me go.
So when I die, the southern sun shall fall,
Unite my head and watch me, watch me...
You've woken up the hessian mercenary,
Who fought for nothing but the love of anarchy,
Five victims, four graves in four days,
An array of prey from the high council to the slaves.
so on this dark day there's a list I must follow it,
To curse the damned and sew the seed that it's been blessed with.
My simple tools, my axe, my sword
And that should cover it,
No sympathy, all apathy, that's what you'll see.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
And so we're caught up there. More music to come next Saturday!
First up is the band Bolt Thrower. Just a glance at the play window will tell you why I chose to feature them, but it seems like GW actually endorses this group and has given them pretty much full-reign in making songs about the Warhammer 40k universe.
Highly unusual, given GW's usually strict policy on things of that nature.
Bolt Thrower - "World Eater"
As silence roars through gathered masses
You stared waiting eagerly
Approaching darkness decreasing your life expectancy
The tension is now rising
The calm before the storm
See your life flash before you
Will you live to see the dawn?
The enemy is now approaching
With bloodlust in their eyes
Intense fear is overcoming
For now death - you will defy
As the battle raged all dead and wounded
Bodies, carnage all you see
The white hot blast - melting flesh
The screaming pain in agony
You stand alone
The final parody
As you realise - your mortality
For you cannot change your destiny
To die at the hands - of the unknown enemy
Your death - you can't deter
As the silence - returns
World-eater
Next, we have a softer, slower song from Marcy Playground that's not much for inspiration, but seems to be an adventurer lamenting his lost youth with some of his spoils around him. Sixteen books of magic spells, no less. That's a huge library of magical might.
Marcy Playground - "A Cloak of Elvenkind"
A cloaking robe of elvenkind
Hangs in my wardrobe behind
All the thing that mother said
Were proper for a boy
And I know I could not say why
On this summer evening
Sixteen books of magic spells
Stacked below the cloak of elves
And sixteen books on magic spells
So elegantly bound
And I know I could not say why
On this summer evening
And I know something...something about you
And I know something...something about you
A cloaking robe of elvenkind
Hangs in my wardrobe behind
All the things that mother said
Were proper for a boy
And finally, I'm wrapping it up with a Halloween treat for all you boys and ghouls. (I hate that joke, but I love puns. Sue me.) This one is from England's Vallenbrosa, and is a song on the topic of a well-known American tale...that of the Headless Horseman, a supposed Hessian mercenary whose bloodlust did not die when he did.
Good metal, this.
Vallenbrosa - "The Hessian"
Wake me up, won't see my eyes
When I leave, it's time to die.
Wake me up, repent your sins,
The tree of the dead a thousand souls they said I'd keep in.
So wake me up, I'm on your list and I will never quit
To claim your head upon my blade and then to bury it.
My simple tools, my axe, my sword
And that should cover it,
No sympathy, all apathy, that's what you'll see.
So when I die please bury me alone,
Unite my head and watch me go.
So when I die, the southern sun shall fall,
Unite my head and watch me, watch me...
You've woken up the hessian mercenary,
Who fought for nothing but the love of anarchy,
Five victims, four graves in four days,
An array of prey from the high council to the slaves.
so on this dark day there's a list I must follow it,
To curse the damned and sew the seed that it's been blessed with.
My simple tools, my axe, my sword
And that should cover it,
No sympathy, all apathy, that's what you'll see.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
And so we're caught up there. More music to come next Saturday!
9.27.2009
More Musical Inspiration...
Sorry for the low rate of posting, 10 days of rain causes me much consternation in the form of flooding in the house. That solved, I can now return to regularly scheduled rockin'.
This week's tune is a classic, and I admit, should have been the very first in this series. No classic fantasy setting feels complete to me without some good ol' raiding pseudo-vikings, and in homage, I present...
Led Zeppelin - "Immigrant Song"
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods
Will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying:
Valhalla, I am coming!
On we sweep with threshing oar,
Our only goal will be the western shore.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
How soft your fields so green,
Can whisper tales of gore,
Of how we calmed the tides of war.
We are your overlords.
On we sweep with threshing oar,
Our only goal will be the western shore.
So now youd better stop and rebuild all your ruins,
For peace and trust can win the day
Despite of all your losing.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
I would like to apologize for not getting a vid of the song, but I don't believe one was ever officially made, and if possible, I will always present the songs in album version, instead of live versions, which often have shoddy sound.
This week's tune is a classic, and I admit, should have been the very first in this series. No classic fantasy setting feels complete to me without some good ol' raiding pseudo-vikings, and in homage, I present...
Led Zeppelin - "Immigrant Song"
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods
Will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying:
Valhalla, I am coming!
On we sweep with threshing oar,
Our only goal will be the western shore.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
How soft your fields so green,
Can whisper tales of gore,
Of how we calmed the tides of war.
We are your overlords.
On we sweep with threshing oar,
Our only goal will be the western shore.
So now youd better stop and rebuild all your ruins,
For peace and trust can win the day
Despite of all your losing.
*As always, I don't own this, blah blah blah.
I would like to apologize for not getting a vid of the song, but I don't believe one was ever officially made, and if possible, I will always present the songs in album version, instead of live versions, which often have shoddy sound.
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