Silvervine Campaign: Session 3, Episode 1

 RPG Theatre (Game Night), RPG's, Silvervine Game System, Silvervine Games  1 Response »
Apr 182012
 

Find your minis!  Grab all your d10’s!  Bring some food for the GM (if you want your character to live)!  And join us in the dungeon again.  It’s time for Silvervine!

That’s right, we finally got together for the next segment of our series of epic adventures.  This time, we’re all-in for a classic dungeon crawl, Silvervine style.  So sit back, strap in, and grab your dice; ’cause it’s time to roll!

SV Session 3.1

My favorite line from this episode?  Once again provided by Mr. Squirmy: “I turn into a baby caterpillar and beg for mercy.”

 

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Pathfinder News Giochi Uniti to Publish Pathfinder in Italian

 Gaming News, Paizo Publishing, Pathfinder, RPG's  Comments Off on Pathfinder News Giochi Uniti to Publish Pathfinder in Italian
Apr 112012
 
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game

 

Press Release from Paizo

 

“Giochi Uniti to Publish Pathfinder in Italian

Comprehensive license to cover all Paizo Publishing Pathfinder Brands

April 11, 2012 (REDMOND, Wash.) – Paizo Publishing proudly announces that it has entered a licensing arrangement with Italian publisher and game distributor Giochi Uniti to publish and distribute Pathfinder Roleplaying Game products in Italian. Giochi Uniti takes over the Italian-language Pathfinder license from Paizo’s previous publishing partner, Wyrd Edizioni.

Giochi Uniti plans to release updated editions of the entire Pathfiner print catalogue, including the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook, Bestiary 2, and the Council of Thieves Adventure Path in 2012, followed by additional Pathfinder releases.

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Releasing soon fro Savage Worlds Hellfrost Rassilon Expansion 2

 Gaming News, RPG's, Savage Worlds  Comments Off on Releasing soon fro Savage Worlds Hellfrost Rassilon Expansion 2
Apr 112012
 

SW: Hellfrost: Rassilon Expansion 2

$ 24.99 SRP

 

In the frozen lands of the northern continent powerful boasts boast of future deeds; clerics scan the natural world for signs from their gods; family and friends, tied by oaths of allegiance, rally together to combat deadly threats; wise sages and scholars plunder the few remaining libraries; and those who fall are buried with valuable grave goods. And now your heroes can join them! The Rassilon Expansion builds on the Hellfrost setting, bringing new life and new depth to the inhabitants of the northern continent.

 

Within these pages you will find: • New options for player characters. • Setting rules for boasting, burials, dedication to the gods, divination, favors, justice, kinship, and libraries. • An expanded bestiary containing dozens of new monsters. • Detailed rules for running a resource. With these rules heroes can take direct responsibility for governing land, temples, or mercenary companies, allowing them to make decisions that will lead to prosperity or ruin. This book is designed for use in conjunction with the Hellfrost Player’s Guide and Hellfrost Bestiary. The Rassilon Expansion is a core book in the epic Hellfrost setting for the award-winning Savage Worlds RPG.

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The Heavy Gear Paint Set is Revealed

 Arena, Blitz, Dream Pod 9, Gaming News, Heavy Gear, Miniatures, Reaper  2 Responses »
Apr 102012
 

Reaper and Dream Pod 9 have teamed together to bring Heavy Gear fans their very own paint set.

 

From Dream Pod 9

“Our friends at Reaper Miniatures have released the Heavy Gear Blitz Master Series Paint Set as a great one-stop set of paints for all Heavy Gear miniatures. This set includes 36 Master Series paints, 32 of which are never-before-seen colors created especially for Dream Pod 9. This set includes paint colors for all of the Heavy Gear Blitz factions and we will provide painting suggestions using these color names in the future.”

 

 

Here are the colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is the case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now DP and Beasts of War are doing a facebook contest.  From now until May 4th on lucky person who signs up on Dram Pod 9’s facebook page will win one of these kits.

 

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Silvervine Campaign: Session 2, Episode 3

 Pen and Paper, RPG Theatre (Game Night), RPG's, Silvervine Game System, Silvervine Games  Comments Off on Silvervine Campaign: Session 2, Episode 3
Mar 272012
 

Well, here it is, the last episode from our second session in the Silvervine campaign.  I appologize for the lack of humor and action.  I did have a fight ready to go, but it was just too much fun following what the players were doing.  So consider this a “behind the scenes look” at shared world-building.  In this episode, the “heroes” hire some employees for their newly acquired tavern, and we discuss possible future plot hooks.  I do hope you are entertained and enlightened and disturbed.

SV Session 2.3

It seems a little chaotic, but that is how I like to run a game; and I find such a technique highly successful too.  It avoids the dreaded “GM Railroad” and gives the players more control.  Essentially, I create several plot hooks, and see which ones the players nibble on.  With each plot hook I brainstorm several possible outcomes that the PC’s are likely to take, and then I create even more options from there.  That might sound like a lot of extra work, but it isn’t.  Whatever plot hook or adventures the PC’s don’t take now can still be used later – sometimes as-is, sometimes just slightly “re-skinned” or modified.

For example, in this episode, the players have several choices:

  1. Explore the Sewer – a classic dungeon-crawl, Silvervine style (this might tie into Squirmy’s and/or Professor Mora’s character-arc)
  2. Bounty Hunt – from the bulletin board at the other tavern (this one ties into Bonsai’s character-arc)
  3. Monster Hunt – also from the bulletin board, this is more about exploring the world and creatures of Cyrus
  4. Mechanist Machinations – also from the bulletin board; a favor-within-a-favor adventure
  5. Sob Stories – they hear tales of woe from customers and try and help (think Knight Rider or Person of Interest)
  6. Will’s Mentor – dragon elves are supposed to have mentors, Will lost contact with his long ago . . .
  7. Political Shake-Up – Why was Professor Mora “fired”?

As you can probably tell, some of the above are more fleshed-out than others.  And for each one there is at least two outcomes based on success or failure.  Some even have multiple middle-ground possibilities.  The key is to think “What thingS are likely to happen?” rather than “What do I think would be cool?”  The “S” on “things” is intentionally highlighted.  Consider multiple possibilities; consider the interests of each player and the potential development of each character.  Some adventures are likely to favor or spotlight one character over the others.  This is fine, so long as each player has his/her turn as the campaign progresses.

Also, we haven’t yet gotten together for our third session.  So next week I might just do a podcast on the Silvervine system itself so that those not familiar with the system can follow along with the mechanical jargon.  So stay tuned and keep rolling!

Oh, and my favorite line of this episode:

Ryan/GM: “Do you even have an alignment?”

Mike/Squirmy: “Me and my can.”

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Halls of Undermountain Coming soon for Dungeons and Dragons 4th Ed

 D&D, Gaming News, Wizards of the Coast  Comments Off on Halls of Undermountain Coming soon for Dungeons and Dragons 4th Ed
Mar 262012
 


4E: Halls of Undermountain

$ 29.95 SRP

Beneath the streets of Waterdeep, a sinister dungeon awaits adventurers brave enough to face its perils. Created ages ago by the wizard Halaster, the sprawling dungeon is a lair for terrible monsters and ruthless villains. In the dark chambers, they hunger for victims and plot the downfall of those who dwell on the streets above. Who will unravel the twisting labyrinth to reveal its secrets, claim its treasures, and stop the foul machinations of the dungeon’s denizens?

 

Halls of Undermountain presents a ready-to use dungeon detailing over eighty locations. The adventure offers a way for Dungeon Masters participating in the recent D&D Encounters season, The Elder Elemental Eye, to extend the adventure. In addition, this book provides all the ingredients to run a classic dungeon delve, including enticing treasures, deadly traps, a wide assortment of monsters, and two double-sided full-color poster maps. An adventure for characters of 1st – 5th level.

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Heavy Gear Battle Report: Down Not Out

 Battle Reports, Blitz, Dream Pod 9, Gaming News, Heavy Gear  1 Response »
Mar 262012
 

On our last game night we played Heavy Gear among others.

We are still learning about Heavy Gear and as a result we are still playing very basic games, 3 gears on 3 gears.  They are often short and vicious battles.   In every game there is always a surprise.   This game was no different it is a testament of how balanced I believe the game is.

Box cover of the first Heavy Gear computer game

Box cover of the first Heavy Gear computer game (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The two forces that faced off were 150 points or less.

Warrior w/bazooka

Hunter

Jager

against

Dessert Viper

Mad Dog

Hunter

 

We played on a 28″ by 24 Inch board with a lot of terrain.  The models were all deployed.   The dessert viper was the first to activate.  He stepped out from the Fuel silo and took a shot at the Warrior.   The  Warrior was in the open at sub optimal range – definitly worth the shot with a heavy grenade launcher.  The dice were cast 2 natural sixes compared to a one and a two.  We didn’t even finish the math, we just removed the model.  the rest of the first turn was spent jockeying for position.

On turn two my opponent had the opportunity to go first.  His Hunter came running around the corner towards the Mad Dog and the Dessert Viper and threw a hand grenade at the Mad Dog.  Each of the Gears took at least a box of Damage.  If memory serves the Hunter took 2 boxes.  Then the Dessert Viper moved forwward and Fired another grenade only to miss, with no end result.  His Jager, ostracized from the battlefield, kicked into ground mode and top speed in an attempt to get into combat.  The Mad Dog moved forward his minimum distance crashing into the Hunter.  The Hunter was no more.

On turn 3 The Jager dropped to combat speed and took a shot at the stunned Mad Dog.  It was a devastating blow, pieces of the mad Dog went everywhere,with a plume of flames.  The Desert Viper advanced and returned  ripping of about half the Jagers armor, while the Hunter kicked it into top speed.

On Turn four the Jager advanced and fired.  He lit up the Jager with a margin of six on the dice thus ending the pilots life.  The hunter dropped to combat speed and opened fire missing the Jager.

At the top of round five we had one Jager with half of its armor and an untouched Hunter.  The Jager won initiative and managed to hit the Hunter.  It was too little too late, sadly, the Hunter returned fire and ended the game.

 

That game is one of the most appealing things about heavy gear.  The game isn’t about a list.  It isn’t  just about how many dice you roll. In so many games it is about what you have to put on the table. In Heavy Gear it looks like it is more about how you use it

 

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Silvervine Campaign: Session 2, Episode 2

 RPG Theatre (Game Night), RPG's, Silvervine Game System, Silvervine Games  Comments Off on Silvervine Campaign: Session 2, Episode 2
Mar 202012
 

This week’s episode does a lot of jumping from “in-character” playing and “out of character” conversation.  Granted, much of that conversation is about the game itself as we try to figure out just what in the heck we want to do (and there is a bit of character development); so I apologize for the lack of awesome action.  But, the group does have a meeting with the Lord-Mayor of Rumi, which will open up all sorts of adventure possibilities.

Oh, and never mind the shuffling sound towards the end; that’s just Danny playing with his deck.  (Snicker)

SV Session 2.2

So what is the next step for the group?  Do they put the “Writ of Theft” to use?  Stay tuned and find out in next week’s episode!

Comment Poll:  What’s your favorite line from this week’s episode?
1.  “Well gentlemen, as your GM, I have no firckin’ idea what to do next!” – Ryan

2.  “My staff fits in my pocket” – Matt.

3.  “Do you even have an alignment?” – Ryan.  “Me and my can” – Mike

4.  Other

 

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Silvervine Campaign: Session 2, Episode 1

 Pen and Paper, RPG Theatre (Game Night), RPG's, Silvervine Game System, Silvervine Games  3 Responses »
Mar 132012
 

In this, the first episode of our second session, I discover the what happens when I, as the Game Master, don’t have a strict railroad for the players to follow. I had no adventure plan going into this session. I did have about half-a-dozen ideas for bringing Danny’s character (later named Professor Mora) into contact with the others, but none of them were very fleshed-out. I floated even briefer descriptions of those options before the group, and got a feel for which direction the group would have the most fun with. The rest I completely ad-libbed. Seriously, I came up with each scene, each NPC, on-the-fly. Some call this “reactive” GM’ing. Some call it “winging it.” Some call it lazy. I call it a lot of fun! Beyond the meet-and-greet, and bringing Danny up to speed on the rules and the game-so-far, I had no goals, no real “tasks” for the group to accomplish. Any and all of that was provided by the players.  I’m not bragging.  If anything, I’m trying to place the blame on them.

SV Session 2.1

I really love Silvervine’s emphasis on “shared story telling.” And I greatly enjoy working with the players to build the world together. Silvervine’s Cyrus setting leaves a lot of room for GM’s and players to create – It gives enough background, history and structure, with a lot of openness for each group to make the game their own. So come back next week for our next episode and experience just how little control I maintain. And I’ve got to say, I am really impressed with everyone’s role-playing skills. Mike, Danny, and Matt are all veterans, but it had been quite a while since any of us had really been around a table like this – especially for Danny who couldn’t make it to the first session. It’s just amazing how well each of them really expressed their characters (especially if you knew how little they put into their backgrounds).

Oh! And don’t forget.  Please place your vote for your favorite phrase of the campaign so far.  In the comments just tell us which you prefer – “Cabbage-Banana-Hammock” or “Retarded Etch-a-Sketch.”

 

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New for Hero System in April

 Gaming News, RPG's  Comments Off on New for Hero System in April
Mar 102012
 

Book of the Empress

$39.99 SRP

 

THE POWER OF THE EMPRESS The Champions Universe features many deadly super villains, but perhaps the most dangerous of them all is Istvatha V’han, Empress of a Billion Dimensions. Ruler of an empire that encompasses much of the Multiverse, she now has her sights set on the greatest prize of all: Champions Universe Earth! —a history of the Empress, from her earliest days conquering single planets up to her recent attempts to invade Earth’s dimension —an in-depth look at the Empress herself — her powers, motivations, and resources —a review of the Imperial Legions — the mighty V’hanian military — including its regular soldiers, superhuman soldiers, weapons, and vehicles —a description of the Multiverse of the Champions Universe, including its nature, its structure, and numerous example dimensions —a description of the V’hanian Empire itself, including V’han’s regents and viceroys, the imperial bureaucracy, the Imperial Security Force, how she plans and executes the conquest of a dimension, and her current plans for Earth

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