Wednesday, May 31, 2023

(Kickstarter) Tribes by Steve Jackson Games

 Steve Jackson Games has launched a limited production/short campaign Kickstarter for Tribes, a prehistoric board game/rpg.

From the Kickstarter:
In Tribes, you and your fellow players will become cave men and women, facing the challenges of survival in a prehistoric world. Hunt and gather food, craft the basic tools you need, establish tribal laws, and deal with natural disasters, all while protecting and caring for your most precious resource: your children. The goal is simple but vital – have the most children who live to grow up! You have to put your offspring first, but a strong tribe benefits everyone too . . . balancing cooperation and self-preservation is the key.

And hey, any excuse to promote GURPS Ice Age as a pdf only add-on is cool in my book.

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

(Star Wars d6) #92 - The Biclopean Hegemony

The Crew of the Pretio in This Week's Episode 

Ne'vets Aharo - an exotic animal broker, both legal and otherwise, majority owner in the Pretio.

Duk'k - Sipsk'ud Bounty Hunter, recently rescued by the crew. Offering his services in order to get off this barely existing hunk of mud. His warning shots are dead center mass kill shots.

Sqarl - Quarren ex-whaladon hunter, recently hired onto the crew.

"Sid" - A peculiar woman who has shown to be a better pilot than the previous one. Possible Imperial ties, but a far better shot.

Evus - Twi'lek male, former slave, then former associate of Ne'vets, who has found his way back to the Pretio but caught back up in the nonsense of the Pretio.  Former lover and boy-toy to the feared Rebel terrorist (and former Pretio crewmember), Latorna Savvn.
 
R2-H8(r) - Astromech with a confusing history, and harsh attitude towards most of the crew.

A Howling Good Time?
The crew of the Pretio have had the good fortune
To hunt and capture numerous
Legendary animals, but never the 
Opportunity to capture a werewolf? 

Hired by a galactic social media maven, 
And equipped with the latest
In personal camera technology,
The crew has arrived at the remote planet 
Belkain to begin their hunt...

Ne'vets gave the okay to leave Bestine and the Pretio was programmed towards the Kwenn Space Station, for a rendezvous with Amber Kincaid's associate and tech guru, Kurt Morningstar.  Kurt piloted a small, two-man customized freighter with mutliple cameras for every outside angle of the ship, and probably and equal number, if not more, on the inside.

Morningstar had already unloaded his cargo before they discovered the ship. 

"Sup Space Dawgs..."

"Hello, we aren't putting all those cameras on our ship."

"Nope, not Amber's protocols, all these are personal body cams."

Each case held one camera, that fixed over the ear, a charging cable, and a set of accessories for mounting on equipment, magnetizing to some armor, and general adjustments.  Kurt warned that the cameras could record and playback, close circuit video with other team members, and a live-stream option to a more powerful transmitter.  Kurt was staying there on Kwenn, and doing a quick review for editing notes. 

"Just, like, a word of caution, if you're recording and getting chased by a gnarley werewolf, I won't hear your cries for help until hours later."

Ne'vets nodded. "No worry, Kurt, that's not our style."

"Crying for help or running away?"

"Both."

Once a werewolf was acquired, the crew was instructed to contact Ameber directly via the coms for delivery and payment arrangement.

Duk'k seemed disappointed, "I thought you would be coming with us, like holding a camera?"

"Dude, that style of holodvids was so post-Clone Wars.  A couple of seasons of Troopers and everyone was copying it"

The equipment was transferred to the Pretio, the ship refueled, and they bid Morningstar adieu. 

The crew traveled another day and a half on the hyperlane, most of the time fitting and fidgeting wit the head cams.  Evus and Duk'ks head weren't conducive to their heads (Duk'k had no ears and his helmet designed for seven eyes was a perfect fit. 

"This is going to block at least three of my eyes.  Stupid Biclopean Hegemonys"

Ne'vets, "Just don't break it an lose footage. It's the only way we'll cover expenses on this trip."

They left hyperspace and began a desolate journey through largely uncharted space to get to Belkain.

The delay and adjustments were mind-numbing to Ne'vets: 

"I'm waiting for a beacon that shows up that says 'Hyperlane not maintained during Imperial Rule' "

Once they arrived in Belkain's orbit, the crew decided to pull resources together and perform multiple sensor checks to scan the planet more efficiently. 

Belkain was a mustard-yellow, very arid planet, with a thin atmosphere, both with breathable air, and atmospheric compounds blocking star radiation.  

"Refine the search for the Biclopean Overlords," Ne'vets joked, staring at Duk'k. 

"Kark you, Ne'vets."

Life form sensors found no major lifeforms, and particularly no settlements, but they could make our square and rectangular buildings representing a major camp or medium-sized facility.  

Each of the dozen ruins also were adjacent to Explorer Corps markers designating safe landing zones in the wilderness.
The planet Belkain - Arid, low oxygen, heavy irradiated world.
Duk'k continued to refine the sensors, and with the exception of Sqarl bumping into the equipment the sensors  found energy signatures coming from underground near three of the ruins/landing site.

Outside radiation levels provided long-term damage to any biological product. Most appeared to be lingering unfiltered solar radiation. 

"Which one we hitting first, boss?"  Duk'k asked.

"Let's hit the closest one first," Nev'ets directed the crew, "The fourth of five moons is just rising now. Let's hope more moons doesn't equal more power."

The walls of the ruins appeared to be the exposed foundation of what could possibly be a large industrial complex.  While the Pretio was landing, Sid noticed something dart across the dust and under the vessel and towards a large crack in the foundation wall of the former complex.  

"Hey I saw something."

Sqarl was confused "What did you see, nothing popped on the sensors."

"I saw a flash and went in the wall, that's why I spoke up."

Ne'vets was sitting in the co-pilot seat, confused, "I didn't see anything."

Duk'k countered, "Ne'vets the medical droid would be better suited in that seat than you."

As the ship landed, Sid leaned back and realized his camera was actually on the entire time. 

For a half-hour, the crew tried to use the wiring on the ship,  the droids,the microwave from the lounge, and their limited know-how to pull the video onto the amber monitors in the cockpit. 

The shaky video of Sid looking all around while landing, blurred the shadowy image even more.  They couldn't tell if it was running on two legs or four, and the blur itself filled up most of the eight foot entrance to massive wall. 

Ne'vets was ready to start the search, "It looks like something we can investigate, let's get ready."

The landing pad on site was a bit above the bottom of the foundation wall, forcing a circuitous path.  The thrusters on the ship had blown up the powdery dust, making the outside world look like a min-dust storm. 

Duk'k lowered the ramp, Evus distributed re-breathers, Ne'vets distributed a variety pack of grenades to each crew member. and the crew descended to ground level.  Ears popped, skin felt like it was stretching, and it felt like it took a bit of squinting to fight back the weird feeling of outward eye pressure.  As Duk'k worked his way down the hill, looking for the blur's tracks, they heard Sid on the coms.  

"Hey guys wait up."

Sid ran down the ramp and chased after his crewmates... wearing a helmet of an Imperial pilot.

Must have been hiding that in his rucksack.
No one, including the new guy, blinked an eye. 

Sid looked over to Sqarl, "Prep you grenades, my first day on this job I was assaulted by a Tree Kraken."

Ne'vets interrupted, "Assault, not violated with its tentacles.  We've had prior crew members that were so lucky... Thankfully we didn't have cameras for that job."

Duk'k had to lean down to the soft tracks leading to the crack in the  wall. The blur was running on its toes with a sprinting stride.

Sqarl and Ne'vets leaned down with Duk'k and debated the tracks. 

"It's not running on its toes, it's running on its paws with large retractable claws that are just grazing the dirt."

"Should we set up a trail cam and wait this out?" Duk'k asked.

"I don't want to wait this out... or stick my head in that cave," Ne'vets admitted.

"How about we break out a bunch of the Space Salisbury Steak Dinners?"

Ne'vets stood up and smiled, thinking to himself, "I know EXACTLY what we're dealing with...."

GM Notes:  It's hard to think of quality titles for some of these episodes.  I don't want to use a published adventures title too soon if it's going to take multiple weeks, But calling Imperial culture a "biclopean hegemony" in regards to camera lenses not working effectively on Duk'k's seven eyes was too good not to use.  I believe it's also erroneous, but who let's fact ruin a good time had by all?

My biggest trouble during the session was trying to describe the fluffy, almost blow-away dust.  I kept comparing it to dry leaves in fall, but really failed mightily. 

It should be noted that Evus and Sid's cameras were misaligned and recording from nauseatingly odd angles. It may or may not impact the final holovid product going to Amber Kincaid.

Next: #93 -  Meat to Droid Ratio

Monday, May 29, 2023

Another Month of Gaming Releases (June '23)

Issue #280 of Game Trade Magazine can be found at your FLGS, or in PDF form here

ViscountEric's Wish List
Steve Jackson Games
We Love Cats ................................ $ 9.95 

ViscountEric's Money-Is-No-Object Wish List
23rd Century Games
Battlelords of the 23rd Century for Savage Worlds .......................... $50.00
Battlelords of the 23rd Century for Savage Worlds: Carnage Companion ............. $40.00
Battlelords of the 23rd Century for Savage Worlds: The Alliance Setting Guide. ..$40.00
Battlelords has the little piece of my heart which will never go away, even if the crossover into Savage Worlds is even more mind-boggling than Rifts.

Wizkids
Starfinder Deep Cuts W21 - Hugbot Incapacitators (2) ............ $8.99

The Imaginary Store List (The Pegleg Gnome)
Alderac Entertainment Group 
Number Drop ............................... $24.99
Waffle Time .................................. $39.99

Alley Cat Games
Rome in a Day ............................... $29.99

Ares Games
Ensemble ....................................... $29.90

Catalyst Game Labs
Battletech: Blood of Kerensky - Book One -  Lethal Heritage - HC ......... $14.99
Battletech: Blood of Kerensky - Book Two - Lost Destiny  - HC ..............$14.99
Battletech: Blood of Kerensky - Book Three - Blood Legacy - HC .......... $14.99

Chaosium
Pendragon Starter Set ..................... $29.99
Cults of Runequest: Earth Goddesses ............ $37.99
Cults of Runequest: The Lightbringers .......... $39.99

Devir Americanus
3-Ring Circus ................................. $39.99

Draco Stuios
Regroup!  Chicken Army .............. $12.00

DV Giochi
Decktective: Secrets in the Sand ......... $14.99
Decktective: Tokyo Blackout .............. $14.99

Evil Genius Gaming
Everyday Heroes RPG: Highlander Cinematic Adventure ......... $24.99
Everyday Heroes RPG: Total Recall Cinematic Adventure  ....... $24.99

Fanroll
16mm Sharp Edge Silicone Rubber Poly Dice Set Rainbow (7) ...... $14.99
With the glut of overpriced dice in the distribution chain, at least the novelty of rubber dice deserves a set or two to arrive at the imaginary store.

GMT Games
The British Way: Counterinsurgency at the End of the Empire ............ $79.00
Seas of Thunder ..................................... $65.00

Green Ronin Publishing
Fantasy Age RPG 2nd Edition ................ $54.95

Kobold Press
Prepared! The Expanded Collection of One-Shot Adventures HC (5e) .... $39.99

Konami Digitial Entertainment
Yu-Gi-Oh!  25th Anniversary Tin - Dueling Heroes ................. $21.99
Yu-Gi-Oh!  Duelist Nexus Boosters 

Legendary Games
Corrupted Classes (5e) .................................. $13.99
Faerie Herbalism (PF) ................................... $11.99
Into the Feyweald (PF) .................................. $12.99

Loke Battle Mats
RPG Toolbox: The Long Road ..................... $39.00

Lucky Duck Games
Cosmoctopus ................................................ $40.00

Mongoose Publishing
Traveller RPG 2300AD: Vehicles of the Frontier ........... $49.99
Traveller RPG: JTAS Volume 11 .................................... $24.99

Osprey Games
Frostgrave: The Wildwoods ......................... $30.00

Paizo Publishing 
Pathfinder RPG: AP Sky King's Tomb 2 - Cult of the Cave Worm ..... $26.99
Pathfinder RPG: Flip-Mat- Underground City Multi-Pack ................. $26.99
Pathfinder RPG: Lost Omens Knights of Lastwall Special Ed  (HC) . $59.99

Plaid Hat Games
Freelancers: A Crossroads Game .......................... $59.95

Pokemon USA
Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Paldea Evolved Boosters
Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Paldea Evolved Build and Battle Box
Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Paldea Evolved Build and Battle Stadium
Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Paldea Evolved Elite Trainer Box.
Pokemon TCG: Trainer's Toolkit (2023)

Random House
Marvel Multiverse RPG: The Cataclysm of Kang .................... $49.99

Ravensburger
Disney Lorcana TCG: Boosters .......................... $ 5.99
Disney Lorcana TCG: Starters  ........................... $16.99
Sweet Baby Jesus on a rocket ship.  Disney jumps into the CCG craze and regular boosters go up to $5.99, if we're able to find them at all.  There's a pile of other items, but if you were looking for Captain Hook sleeves for your pirate deck, there a'coming!

Reaper Miniatures
More Bones minis, although I feel the prices for multi-figure blisters are exceeding the price of similar items pre-COVID.  God I'm old. 

Rio Grande Games
1930 ................................... PI
Balkan Railways ............... $39.95
Chateau Roquefort ............ $49.95
Druids ............................... PI
Monster Factory ............... $29.95
Seas of Strife ...................  $14.95

Steve Jackson Games
Tribes ............................... $24.95

Why Not Games
Rocket Age RPG: Arthur's Guide to Martian Life ............... $25.00

Wizkids
Americana .......................... $39.99
DC Heroclix: Nototrious Dice and Token Kit ........... $14.99
DC Heroclix: Nototrious Play at Home Kit .............. $19.99
DC Heroclix: Nototrious Booster Bricks
D&D: Replicas of the Realms - Baby Owlbear Life-Sized Figure 
D&D Noluzr's Marvelous Miniatures Wave 21
D&D Onslaught Fundamentals Kit: Harpers vs Zhentarium .... $79.99
D&D Icons of the Realms - BattleMats .................................... $79.99
Available in Desert, Sky, Plains, and Stone.  Nothing about size of the mats.
D&D Icons of the Realms - Adventure in a Box: Mind Flayer Voyage .... $79.99
D&D Icons of the Realms - Seas & Shores Booster Bricks
Pathfinder Deep Cuts Wave 21

Sunday, May 28, 2023

(Kickstarter) The New Dark Age: The Death of Magic

 It's been relatively quiet on Kickstarter this month.  No desire for anything with an .stl file or an extravagant printed edition has kept things simple.   My wanting for anything potential cool and affordable is a perfect connection for The New Dark Age: The Death of Magic, a campaign setting for D&D 5e. 

In a world where magic nearly tore it asunder, the world has regressed back to non-magical technology and tools, and factions are actively hunting those who practice the now wildly unpredictable art.  Players take the role of the magic hunters, or as the magic resistance (ha!) fighting back, all the while trying to "fix" magic to where it was before it all went wrong.

Multiple tiers, starting at $5, up to $25 for the pdf and hard copy, and even higher levels allow plenty of entry points.


Saturday, May 27, 2023

(Review) Nerdvana Tabletop Games, Egg Harbor, New Jersey

With both kids at the Atlantic City Girls Basketball Showcase last weekend in Atlantic City, I got to watch a lot of basketball, as well as drive down with my older daughter, but outside of a team lunch, I was persona non grata for the rest the of the day with my wife.   So, after the final game on Saturday afternoon, I drove back to my separate hotel room, chilled for a bit, and concocted a plan for to find a game store and hopefully a (separate) good place for dinner. 

I can safely say I found Nerdvana with only a 25-minute drive. 

If you're going to be strip-mall gaming store, nothing seems like aiming for success (or Jersey) than setting up shop down the sidewalk from a Shop Rite.  

Cleanliness:  What does staff do while a roaring Magic tournament is going on in the back?  How about... DUST!  Cleanliness is always the first category I review, and seeing a staff member using some type of Swiffer duster over top of the board games on the shelves immediately gave me a good feeling.  Everything else was well organized and professional.  

CCGs:  Magic, Pokemon, One Piece, Flesh and Blood and Yu-Gi-Oh!  Magic singles in binder and in the case, although the nice selection of cards in the case were numbered into groups.  I assume they might be a reference system, or they could be consignment sales.  It's been a long time single I've seen three Unlimited Icy Manipulators in a case, regardless of price.

Role-Playing Games:  A healthy, but not overwhelming stock of D&D, with a fierce selection of Free League and other games.  

Miniatures:  GW and D&D minis, Star Wars, Marvel Crisis Protocol, plus an actual selection of Song of Ice and Fire boxed sets?  Throw in a host of other boxed sets and terrain, and I was quite happy.  

Board Games: The standards plus a healthy assortment of games that made me take a second glance.

Accessories:   Also saw some Gundam and anime models lurking throughout the store.  A couple ingenious displays I had not seen before, namely a wooden folding wine rack for use displaying the spray paint cans, and trouser hangers and a rack to better display CCG play mats.  Multiple racks of different paints, and enough dice roll a gigantic fireball in dozens upon dozens of colors and themes. 

Events:   Looking at their signs and the Facebook page, they have hosted/continue to host the variety of GW and CCG tournaments.

My stomach was controlling me for part of my visit, and after doing a little in-store dance after finding they had Wiz-Kids Dungeon Dressing: Merchant's Row in stock.  I quickly took it to the counter to pay for it.  The staff was pleasant, the store clean, and the back gaming area rocking.  It's a no brainer that I give Nerdvana Tabletop Games Four out of Five Gnomes.

In some quick searching, I realized some other bloggers who opinions I hold dearly had nothing but great things to say about the place.  

An equal four out of five gnomes (maybe 4 1/2) can be given to Rama Thai in the same shopping center.  I got immediately seated, the food was great, and I could still taste the medium spiciness on my foggy drive home to the hotel.  

Nerdvana Tabletop Games is located in the English Creek Shopping Center (Shop Rite), 3003 English Creek Ave, Egg Harbor NJ 08324, right off  the Black Horse Pike (US 40).  More information can be found on their Facebook Page and Discord. 

Friday, May 26, 2023

(Painting) Gnomish Space Marine Dreadnought II

 After a crazy basketball weekend in AC, this weekend is a ton of dance competitions for Maja.  All less than a half-hour away and all in the afternoon/early evening.  I've been able to catch up to a number of things, write up Gamma World actual plays, play some Dice Baseball for my Federal League, and actually apply paint to figures.

I grabbed two of them from the Dollar Tree, so a second Gnomish Space Marine Dreadnought  was easily finished.  

Probably won't find anymore of these guys, as it was an earlier release, and the stuff cycles at ridiculous rates.  I have assembled some of the Kharn alien dudes, and I remembered that I forgot to plug the "action figure screws" before priming. Doh!  I'm not sure if I'll get any of them done, but I looking at a classic 40k 2nd Edition Tyranid look.

The GSM have such wonderful toys...

I also knocked out two more of the Chaos Space Gnomes.

Next in the queue:  More Chaos Space Gnomes, Blue Martians, some post-apocalyptic dudes, Star Schlock, and poor man's Tyranids, $1.25 a pack.  My events at Historicon will be sci-fi in nature, and pretty open-ended, so I have six or seven weeks to paint up even more stuff for some Fistful of Lead glory.

Project 350:  After months of slowing dropping the numbers of drafts/ideas and scheduled posts on the blog, I've spiked up to  467 (313 drafts /154 scheduled) versus 459 (304/155) at the end of last month.  With minimal game play in May, I've added some fun writing/campaign exercises for the next two months, plus I have salvaged some ideas from blogs which may disappear at the end of the year.  If everything runs perfectly (ha!), that should keep me busy, until the 2023 list for #RPGaDay comes out, and my August is swamped. 

Thursday, May 25, 2023

(Georic Gazetteer) The Themata of Trebeizond (Circa 1150)

 The Themata of Trebeizond

Pantheon:Fereasean, with Parthian influences.
Ruler:  Doux (Governor-Duke) Probus Vastates
Capital:  Trebeizond
Other Cities: Chaldia, Port of Akorros, Bacali,  Cowbun, Demurli,  Neufonzstein,, Aiden-Teppe, Balzmaca.
Language: Trade-Prythax, Parthian, Gnome
Flag/Emblem:  A quartered flag of black and white, the black with golden lions in the black.
<insert emblem here>
Coinage: Barthey Standard
Important Personas: Ambassador-General Fonzie Schlepprock, "The Burning Trogs", guild masters of the mining guilds in central Chald.  
Alliances:  Barthey
Hostilities: Many unlicensed privateer group attempting to rid the Mer Kasp of pirates and various scoundrels. 
Open Warfare/Skirmishing: Undocumented and unproven Parthia cavalary units are known to attempt border raids, but most don't return.  
Intrigues:  With slavery curtailed in the region, Trebeizond is looking at trade agreements separate to Barthey's ministries.  This obviously does not sit well with Barthey City.  The Duke of Sarbonia actively trying to separate his land to form a separate Themata under his governance. 
Demi-Humans: Dwarven miners, Gnomes along the coast.
Magickal Devices: Paingiver (Shortsword +4)
Mountains: Trapezuntines
Thumbnail Sketch:  
Like much of the Mer Kasp, the tribes of Chald remained independent, if loyal to numerous empires over the generations.  the Second Ferasean Empire had installed some basic civilization to them, and upon its collapse the Imperial Barthey successor state absorbed those towns into the greater Themata of Trebeizond.

Port of Akorros
The appointed Doux for the Themata tended to be the best of both worlds.   The left the people rather unmolested, unless the orders came from the palace in Barthey City.  They also had the tendency to secure large amounts of gold from the capital for a series of capital and military improvements.  This unequal balance has produced local leaders and citizens who are hyper-supportive of the Themata, who in turn asks for extensive militia training and preparedness.  This became apparent when Trebeizond almost single-handedly delayed a large contingent of Yarbay, Parthian, and monster units during the War with the Master from 1135-1136.   While armies in the south nearly moved to the outskirts of the capital, Trebeizond's Imperial-financed fortifications, arms, and training enveloped the Master's forces into a quagmire of failed sieges.  This massive delay, led to redistribution of armies and ground the advance of his forces to ally Barthey to gain allies and strike a devastating counteroffensive.  
Walled City of Trebeizond 
This success catapulted the Doux even higher prominence and influence.  Current Doux (Governor-Duke) Probus Vastates is extremely popular when he visits Imperial Court, and even some marriage arrangements have been proposed.  
The Estate of Demurli

It is right and proper to mention the Burning Trogs, an adventuring party that instrumental with diplomatic wrangling of the allied armies during the recent war.  As a reward for their efforts, they have received substantial land grants.  These profitable holdings caused some unease amongst the other petty nobles, but a great influx of interest, and wealth added to the coffers of the Themata and many a rich merchant or collector of curios.  Many of the adventurers gave up their claims, but a few prefer their estates as desinations for vacations, leaving management up to the local staff, while their has been a influx of gnome and gnome titans as their kin have stayed and actively profited from the riches of the land. 

Religion:  Being an administrative district of Barthey, Akana is the official religion of the realm.  Most churches, however, are quite empty.  
An empty Akana Church

The locals worship a smattering of Parthian and older Hittur deities for day-to-day functions.  Public temples are still forbidden, so personal meetings are held in peoples homes.  

The one religion that runs counter to all that is Pangrus, the gnomish god of war.  Larger enclaves have erected smaller temples, while the gnome-titan lords have built shrines separate to their estate buildings, and have drawn considerable crowds and pilgrims and other faithful.  
A typical Trebeizond estate.
Geography of Note:  

Neufonzstein:
Of all the estates the Burning Trogs acquired after the War with the Master, none has shown brighter than the former Estate of Yomra.  Once acquired by famed Ambassador-General Fonzie Schelpprock, the gnome titan quickly renamed it Neufonzstein, and many of the best tradesmen and artisans were brought in to make immediate improvements.  The public infrastructure is the some of the best in the Empire, with all roads leading to his huge, ornate palatial estate.  Filled with trophies, treasures, relics, and artifacts of his lives as a military genius and adventurer, Schlepprock has been known to give guided tours for 50gp, usually involving a lavish dinner party afterwards.  This offer has been taken up by a number of travelers, although he does charge invited guests, famed in war, politics, and entertainment that often frolic through the estate.
Neufonzstein

Mentions of Trebeizond in the Blog:
The Burning Trogs Rule! #39 - Red Arrow - Trogs arrive in Akorros, first attack by the Master.


GM Notes: I've been inconsistent with this over the years, but Trebeizond is intentionally misspelled from his real-world counterpart.  Almost all of the details have been fleshed out in game, between the running of X10: Red Arrow, Black Shield, and the post- and inter-campaign work we've done.  With the possible Blue Book style re-launch of the Hackmaster campaign, further details of at least the estates and ports will come out.  


Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Blue Book Campaigns

 In Episode #545 of Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff, Ken AND Robin discussed Blue Book-heavy games, where there's a lot activity outside of the proper game session.  It's has a certain time-commitment that's far much more the average player assumes.  

This is beyond on-going, in-character journals, rather solo side-treks, character backstory development, and RPG bookkeeping beyond the basic session maintenance.

Now that we're years into online gaming, whether COVID forced or before, using all the available online apps to flesh out the game, or even continue narrative role-playing, and have the GM tie them all back together for all the players to see (when appropriate) at the regular session.  

With Gamma World just going strong, and a host of other projects, I'm still inclined to use this for all my campaigns that are technically on hiatus.

Star Wars d6:  I simply needed a palette cleanser for this campaign, and I would work on deeper back stories, regular touchpoints with the players, and restart with a "Six months later" collaborative plot. 

Gullavia (D&D): The death of Barry Manaslow and new players moving towards Star Wars benched this game, which was normally a fall-back game to begin with).  I don't know if I want to restart in the same town, but there's a story that I'd like to attempt to finish, and it's enough of a blank canvas to give beneficial xp for character development. 

Call of Cthulhu:  It's been 7 1/2 years since the lost post for game, but the group (largely) survived Masks of Nylarathotep and are back home.  Significant Blue Booking can reolve a "six months later" storyline, and we could ease the investigators back in, with a few parallel sessions with wet-behind-the-ears PCs until uniting them with the original characters is more practical. 

Hackmaster: The Burning Trog Ride Again: The last Burning Trogs Hackmaster session was May 2004 and the last campaign-related Hackmaster session was 2008, but there is still unfinished business with the Trogs and some revenge upon the Slavers of Roark (of A1-4 fame).   Over the last five years or so, there has been significant Blue-Booking, moving the campaign seventeen years in the future, working with the players to see where the characters would be when they finally get the message that the pirate trading post has finally been discovered.  With the logistics (and strained relationships), I foresee this as a massive quarterly online game, at best, with most investigation and role-playing being done in smaller or solo sessions, or just with write-ups.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

(Star Wars d6) #91 - Professional Courtesies

 The Crew of the Pretio in This Week's Episode 

Ne'vets Aharo - an exotic animal broker, both legal and otherwise, majority owner in the Pretio.

Duk'k - Sipsk'ud Bounty Hunter, recently rescued by the crew. Offering his services in order to get off this barely existing hunk of mud. His warning shots are dead center mass kill shots.

Evus - Twi'lek male, former slave, then former associate of Ne'vets, who has found his way back to the Pretio but caught back up in the nonsense of the Pretio.  Former lover and boy-toy to the feared Rebel terrorist (and former Pretio crewmember), Latorna Savvn.

Squrl - Quarren ex-whaladon hunter, recently hired onto the crew.

"Sid" - A peculiar woman who has shown to be a better pilot than the previous one. Possible Imperial ties, but a far better shot.
 
R2-H8(r) - Astromech with a confusing history, and harsh attitude towards most of the crew.

We're Hunting a What?
After a bout of administrative Nirvanna,
Exotic Animal Broker Ne'vets Aharo has 
Cleared his messages, renewed contracts,
And hired a Quarren  whaladon hunter 
To fill out the crew of the Pretio.

With the growing rebellion interfering
With the livelihoods of many, 
Ne'vets is seriously considering an offer 
From a near-juvenile social elitist 
To hunt creatures of myth, legend, 
And bedtime stories... if the price is right....

After a day of general maintainence and re-supply, Ne'vets sat the crew down to seriously discuss Amber Kitzen's offer to secure a werewolf from the planet Belkain.

"I'm into the werewolf thing, cause if he bites me, I can become a seawolf," Squarrl blurted out while sitting down. 

"Is a seawolf a real creature, Mister Ne'vets?"  Sid asked.

"Yes and no, but that's immaterial right now." Ne'vets interrupted  Let's try to contact Abel Norrum and see why he gave such a lowball offer to Kitzen."  

Ne'vets punched in the data to the communicator in the break room.  After a few minutes a very up close shot of Abel's face appeared on the holovid.  The connection was buffering due to equipment quality, so there was no volume, but he was thrashing to and fro, side to side, his facial expressions vaciltating towards complete concentration and sheer terror.  

It finally appeared that the man noticed his communicator not only had a call, but was connected, and the volume finally arrived in force.

"Ne'vets!  Are you there?  I see you.  You have this horrified look on your face.  Are you in danger?  WHOAH! now girl, easy.  Ne'vets are you on mute?  We've "

"What are you hunting Abel?"

Abel picked up his transmitter around to get a full view of the situation.  He, and a dozen or so others were riding furry bipedal mammals at great speed.  They looked like Kian, the temperate offshot of the Hoth Tauntauns.

One of Abel Norrum's men, riding a Kian

"This SA-fari, you're missing. There's chicks. Like baby chicks. The purple ones eat man-flesh, it's UH-mazing! Whoah!  Let's rest here a bit. Set up a perimeter and we can start mating them once everything is secure....  So Ne'vet, how the kriff are ya!"

"Good, good, hey Abel, real quick..."

"Thatswhatshesaid"


"Good one, anyway, Amber Kitzen."

"Awww, she got a hold of you."

"She did."

"She's what the young bucks call a hottie..."

"She is indeed, is that why you lowballed her?"

"You're out of your karking mind if you think I didn't lowball her because she's a hottie.  I don't have time to help her if I tried, but I'm interested in a long-term relationship with short-term results"
Ne'vets Aharo, Exotic Animal Broker

Duk'k snorted a bit, "I think he wants to low-ball her in more ways than we're thinking!"

"Oi, who is that, strange voice I don't recognize on Ne'vets' ship.  Turn the com around so I can see you."

Ne'vets rotated the com so it was facing Duk'k.  Duk'k nodded into the viewer.

"Your reputation precedes you."

"Sup, my alien friend of Ne'vets, it's a pleasure.  But yeah, Ne'vets, she was hot and she really, really wanted a werewolf."

Ne'vets swung the camera back around, "Yeah, about that.  Any credibility about her request."

"Oh, don't you think I didn't do a little due diligence.  She's got a more loose bolts up there than a Jawa Sandcrawler getting shaken by a Rancor, but it's a credible risk on the crazy/hotness scale.  She's got a location and the credits.  It's worth a shot.  You just need some furry dude, after all."
Abel Norrum, Safari Master
"Okay, we can do that, but are stories and holovids about werewolves on Belkain even possibly legit?"

"SURE!  Why wouldn't there be?"

"You and I have been on enough safaris to know that the customer is always right, but sometimes, they just go home with a big dog.

"Big dog, that was my third wife."

"Seriously Abel, were you going to scam her and just pick up whatever native creature you could find for 15k."

"Hey, so, I went through another crew.  It's a bad year, I'm going to blame the new tariffs and fees for the Empire, but if it doesn't involve anymore death and dismemberment I'm all game for it.  Seriously, you remember my Yazirian pilot, Yast? I'd glue a Shistavanen mask over his head for 15,000 credits, and I like the guy!"

"With our dumb luck, there will be more than one werewolf on the planet, plus how many moons orbit it.  She's got some general influence amongst her generation, and it's not political, so if you give her something even remotely close, it might be a boon for business.   I mean, that Sipsk'ud looks more than competent that your usual crew, and you still have that Wookie, right?  He's bigger than a werewolf.  Crap, the Wookie isn't dead, is he?"

"No, no, the Wookie isn't dead.  Missing, but not dead."

"Ne'vets you lose more crew members than I do.  I mean, mine tend to die, but yours are scattered to the four corners of the galaxy!"

"Look, look," Ne'vets protested, turning the com towards Squarrl, "I replaced him with somebody tougher in a different way."

Squarrl waved.

"Looks good to me... Hey, everyone get back on the animals.  We need to ride a distance to observe the breeding process.... Hey Ne'vets, good to hear from you, sir. One of these days you'll take me up on another offer, and maybe pay for your own drinks.... wait, what? The Rodian fell off the Kian and is being dragged behind. Kriffing Rodians, Ne'vets I gotta go. *click*

Ne'vets leaned back on the sofa and looked at the crew, "So I guess 40k is a good price?"

Squrl brought up an interesting viewpoint, "We're coming at this hunt with some cultural bias.  These might not be the moon-creatures we all grew up listening to tales of.  I know Mon Cala had a variety of creatures that transformed.  These might be completely different."

Ne'vets nodded, "And she kept talking about holo-vids taken on-planet.  They're somewhere on the Imperial HoloNet." 

Ne'vets and crew doubled down their research on Belkain and came up with the same scant information.   An arid, almost sterile world, there were public articles of various corporations, and even the Empire setting up facilities on the planet over the years, even with want ads listed, but there was no follow up on these.  Outside of the encyclopedic entry on the HoloNet, and mention of an Explorer Core marker from over 100 years ago, there was scarce data.

Sid showed some concern, "This isn't far from us, it's just so far off the trade routes, that fuel might be an issue.. at least an expense."

It was tough to determine a smug smile across the bill of the Sipsk'ud, but Duk'k was showing a level of excitement that was almost disturbing. 
Duk'k: The Bounty Huner
"You know, when I was a little Sk'udling, I was enamored by a lot of various legends, but mostly monsters.  A lot was scientific debunking, but some couldn't be refuted, and that stuff was crazy.  The various feral canine races are scary enough, but mutations, even mutation and infections, could jump species."  

"For the werewolves, a silver metal acts as a painful astringent, at worst, killing them, at best, and killing them kills the infection.  Herbs can be used to thwart or guide their motions."

Squrl concurred, "So we need to silver-plate our weapons, maybe some silver chains to secure them in the cage."

"We have some cages disassembled and stored in the cargo hold, do they have to be silver?" Ne'vets inquired.

Duk'k shook his head, "No, not a silver cage, more like silver melee weapons, or silver-dipped ammo for a slugthrower."

"Then one of the drop-bear cages should do." 

Squarrl looked pensively, "What are we using as bait?"

R2-H8(r) beeped and booped, "You offering yourself?"

With that, the crew meeting broke up and everyone broke off to price out, and acquire, the necessary items.  

Silver plating wasn't expensive, if they could wait a month.  Assuming an immediate departure, picking up some silver plated harpoons and daggers.  Squarrl asked for an advance for a few of them.

Anti-werewolf herbs were in quack holistic shops (no offense to Duk'k inferred) but resembled cooking spices.  The closest 'real' plant was Shistavanen Bane, which made the race recoil.  It was determined a jar of the dried bane would be close enough to deter, or redirect the monster. 

The next day, the ship com rang, with Amber Kitzen on the other end. 
Amber Kitzen
"Like, hello Mister Aharo.  I hope it's okay I'm early.   I have a counter-offer, if you're inclined."

"Go on..."

"You get me one living werewolf, and I will pay 60,000 credits, but you've never hunted a werewolf, correct."

"Correct."

"So if you're professionals on your first werewolf hunt, success or failure, I can find one of my associates, and we can equip you with with non-evasive video gear so we can show off your prowess."

"I agree, but I don't want it to broadcast live, out of respect for our trade secrets, and for the crew."

"Agreed, live broadcasts are so 10 years ago.  And if something goes wrong and you fulfill the hunt but come up empty, I should be able to accommodate fuel, time, and maybe repairs."

"Lets not venture down that road.  We have an deal."

GM Notes: The Kian appears in The Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society (JTAS) #9.  This issue appears to be exactly a year (1981) after the release of a certain sequel of a popular sci-fi movie, so yes, this is the more temperate version of the Tauntaun.  Despite being a "hard" science sci-fi game, articles in JTAS cover various topics in pop culture at the time.   With the focus on hard sci-fi space ships, and the full introduction of the Zhodani War, I'm forced to be a bit more choosey with the material I use for the Challenge Challenge.  

There was also a reference to sweaty Amish women, but I don't believe it was canon.  

Next: #92 -The Biclopean Hegemony

Monday, May 22, 2023

Mandatory AAU Basketball Spring 2023 Rant - Weekend #6

 After a week off, both girls played in the Atlantic City Showcase, a three day event with hundreds of girls teams and the chance for the older girls to be seen by actual college coaches.  

We already did a showcase at Spooky Nook, and I'll spoil the story: the competition was tougher, but the other showcase seemed far more productive and cost-effective. 

Atlantic City, the Las Vegas of the East, was the gambling mecca that was crumbling well before other states legalized mainstream gambling and games of chance.  I've done a few trips, by bus and overnight, even won $1,000 on the slots in the Trump casino (and promptly high tailed it out of there.... and this was pre-Apprentice.    Nowadays, declining busloads of senior citizens and the AC Convention Center appear to be the only things keeping the city from imploding.  

After the final schedule was published a week before the event, there were two more significant "adjustments" but the long of it was, Millie was playing Friday mid-afternoon.  As we're in the two-car/two hotel room living arrangement, so Millie and most of the crew went down Thursday night to enjoy a relaxing beach morning, and I shuttled Maja to her practices and we left around noon to get down to AC before three.  

We have three more trips to KOP and Lancaster this year, and between traffic and poor drivers, I will appreciate them far more in June and July.  Philly traffic was horrendous at its usual level, although we didn't actually stop the car until we got on the ramp for the Walt Whitman Bridge.  

For any HMGS fans reading this post, REASONS Historicon doesn't use the AC Convention Center.  

Too much square footage and too expensive. 

On-site food options are stadium pricing.

Twenty bucks to park in the garage, per day, and you have to pay each time you leave and return (Outside lots were cheaper and more forgiving, but the rain was coming this weekend, and those who dared got absolutely drenched.

So, for $60 in parking and $70 for the entrance fee, I expected some lights out basketball.  

While it was vast, and the courts laid out in the convention halls with plenty of space, volume was manageable, but the only games I saw that were truly great involved teams that had already played each other in a regional tournament that cost less than a third of this one.  

Millie's team was short players and going up against a team that had one numerous tournaments in New York State, and also played the "sponsored" teams from Manhattan.  

Millie's team won 47-6, and it wasn't even that close.  

Maja's 8th graders didn't play till 8 that night, so I survived on some overpriced but pretty large portion of Chickie and Pete's chicken and reaffirmed my previous claim.  

Maja's team was placed in the "A" pool and that was confirmed with one of the premiere teams of the Mid-Atlantic, not sponsored by Nike or Under Armor, but financed by a veteran NBA player.  Every girl was fundamentally sound and aggressive, and our girls couldn't hit the broadside of a barn if it was dropped sideways on top of them.  With 18% shooting in the 1st half and a twenty point deficit, things looked bleak, but that's usually when they realize they should be playing a basketball game.  The other team's shooting revert to human levels, the rebounds evened out, and they got within four, before faltering and losing by nine.   A +11 versus the -20 was a good turn around. 

With Milie's team playing out of the city, and in the equally squalid town of Northfield, I took Maja to my hotel since she had an 8am game.  

The morning opponent were the local "Jersey Shoreshots" a team that's only gotten some recognition playing in some of the D-level  tournaments, or in the lower pools at Spooky Nook.  Again, the girls could not convert a simple lay-up for most of the game, shooting 25%, but still winning by seven, a entirely too small margin for the caliber of team.  

I tend to be a quiet guy, plugging stats into a scoring app, but the parents of this were simply horrible, citing NBA rules that did not and have never applied in and level of basketball from college or below.  Knowing the number of tournaments they attended, and the number of years that program has been in existence, it's a sad fact that the parents care more about pro-sports than to understand what's required for their daughters' sport.  

Meanwhile, Millie's team manhandled another team 47-16, with a big challenge in the afternoon.  

For Maja's lunchtime I got the explanation of the laundry list of abbreviations that follow some programs, as the team they got to play was one of the 36 Under Amor elite programs they sponsor across the country.  And I don't mean free uniforms and some updated gym equipment.  Cost for the girls to play?  Zero.  Cost for tournaments? Zero.  Cost for transporation/lodging, and possibly admission to the tournament for the players and their families? Absolutely nothing.  

Obviously the attract the best of the best, and it showed.  Maja's crew recovered, shooting just under their normal average for the season, but the last three minutes turned a 6-8 point deficit to 20 at halftime.  There was no quit from either team, although our coach subbed in girls for more playing time an survived, only losing 53-38.  

We had some proper team-building time at a lunch and the proper, only Boardwalk overpriced Chickie-and Petes and wandered AC in a group back the Convention Center, right before the heavens opened up again.  Maja and I escaped the parking garage to try to reach Millie's game before it ended.  

Intermittent communications were coming from the other site.

"18-17 us at the half"

"25-25"

"30-28 them"

"Tied, Overtime"

"Double Overtime"

And as we finally made to an overcrowded parking lot a quarter mile from the school:

(39-36 them, double overtime).  

They had a history with the Ducks from Massachusetts, their true "big" girl dominating ours in the last two minutes of the 2nd half to tie, and ultimately win in double overtime last year. This year, our new "big" was a no-show to the entire tournament, but against the same Ducks players, they the big girl to zero points and her teammates rose to the occasion.  Can't argue with that storyline, even if we don't like the result.  

Maja got transferred to the other parent for Saturday night festivities, and ran back to the hotel for a quick nap and a rainy adventure involving the Black Horse Pike, a game store, and a perfect little Thai restaurant for dinner.    Years ago, when I still worked downtown, the local Thai place was a celebratory lunch... or a some much needed comfort food after a bad day.  No one  else in the family likes it, so a relaxing hour by myself and some Drunken Noodle put me at ease in a way I have not felt in quite some time.  The twenty minute drive back to the hotel (with a stop at Wawa for gas) through pea-soup fog was still oddly calming.  

Sunday was an bad schedule in an opportune location.  Both girls played at the same time in the morning and thankfully, played diagonal from each other, allowing me to watch both, and keep stats for Maja's game.  We weren't the only folks lucky, as other parents from other teams were doing the same thing between other courts.

Millie's game was another team from Massachusetts, and every game they had played had been a close grind.  In a facility where parents were already hostile to the refs, it was amusing to see parents on both teams gang up on the duo to actually make calls.  The refs acquiesced and surprisingly the injurious acts vaporized and the game became much more lively.  The small lead Millie's team had during the early game mob rule slowly grow to a 21-point lead, although even the last seconds were as intense as the tip-off.  

Maja's team was hoping for a split of the four games with a Sunday win, but no one anticipated the other team hitting 7 of 8 3-pointers in the first four minutes. Mix in a some abysmal 12% Field Goal shooting and (0-for-10 from the 3-point line), and I'm surprised they only lost by 10.    \

The good news was that I was in the parking garage by 12:30, circumvented Philly traffic, and made it home by 4:00.  The girls have a week off, Maja has a dance competition next weekend, then another free weekend, before our final joint tournament, June 10-11, while Millie makes her school debut hopefully the very next day. 

I'm always happy for the experience.   I've been part of the "watch the tide roll in from a deck" guy at the Shore for the last twenty years.  I see no reason to return, specifically to Atlantic City, ever again, especially when the Spooky Nook showcases have more college coaches, more competition, and far cheaper and convenient. 


Friday, May 19, 2023

The Logan's Run of Blogger Shall Soon Commence

I'm nearing the blog's 14th anniversary this fall, and during that time I've read a lot of other blogs' posts and squirreled some of the better content away in the vault as "Drafts" in Blogger.  As regular readers know, I'm constantly reviewing those ideas in drafts and prioritizing what I'd like to do/paint/play. At some point in the past, a number of the blogs I follow/mine for ideas were still up, but all pictures were gone.  Some of these were simply third-party photo hosting sites changing their sharing policies, yet others appeared to be uploaded photos to blogger that simply went blank.  Many of those blogs had very abrupt final blog posts to end a blog, with no announcement of further activity on another social media, so I fear the writers have passed on.  For those missing pictures, the posts obviously remained, so anything I found interesting that I didn't need to rely on pictures, I've absconded with the writing so I don't have to reference the declining page.  

What I see on too many blogs...

This issue will seem to be exacerbated this December, as Google has updated their inactive account policies and any Google account that has not been signed in for the last 2 years across all products will eventually be deleted.

As the link explains, detactivating a Google account removes everything associated with it:  GMail, Google Drive, Google Photos, even Youtube video uploads  (Edit: just saw that they have pulled back on Youtube threats, although the logistics of videos unattached to an account must mean archived placedholders.  Restart rant) 

And yes, that means Blogger/Blogspot accounts as well. 

Now, I'm not scheduled to pass away anytime soon, and if I did tomorrow, it would be at least two years before Google removes my "Google footprint" from the internet, if the policy remains the same, but two things need to be considered.  

A) Multiple Blog Admins:  Not always feasible, but keeping a "live" person who actually logs into their Google account will keeping the blog going into perpetuity.  No word on how the blog posts authored by a removed user would look, but it would keep the blog around, if that's your worry when you reach the great beyond. 

B) The Great Blogger Archeological Dig:  Plenty of blogs are ancient by today's standards (if blogs are n't considered ancient to begin with). While I don't see this process as being instantaneous in December, it does give us appreciative bloggers some time to delve into 'retired' blogs, and at least mine their creativity for our own devices.   I personally don't know with those snapshot/web archive sites capture blogs, and if they capture more than their front page, but putting the ideas to the side on your own blog, and giving the appropriate credit if you do use/post it is only proper.


Thursday, May 18, 2023

(Georic Gazetteer) The Republic of Danaan circa 1150

The Republic of Danaan
Pantheon: Xellenism
Ruler:  Philosopher-King Dameon Treiorcheis
Capital:  Afiny (Population 120,000)
Other Cities: Korinthakos (75,000) Tyropolis (50,00)  Kroei (5,000), Asimenio (1,000) seaside village,  Alygyrous (500) near Hill Giant, Mareb 
Language:  Xellnic, Trade Prythax
Flag/Emblem:  Two leaping, silver dolphins, on a blue field.
Coinage: Gold Drachmas, Electrum Minas, Silver Dolphinos, Copper Drachem, Lead Lentos (quarter penny)
Important Personas:  Governors of Afiny, Korinthakos, and Tryopolis.  High Priestess Lorigaard Mooska, 
Alliances:   Marakeikos, Preferred trade status with Almond Coast/Illyria
Hostilities:  Trade disputes with Barthey, sometimes Marakeikos regarding Stronghome and the Gnomish City-States
Open Warfare/Skirmishing: Sea skirmishes with Ispatlia.
Intrigues: Plot to send troops into Milosic.  Funneling gold from the looting of Myridius City-States. 
Demi-Humans:   Gnome Titans enclaves in Eastern Danaan, Dwarves (Trollchopper Clan) based out of Marebe,  small elves, half-elves, half-orcs
Magickal Devices:  Lofo Fonios (shortsword +1, +4 versus giant-kind), Sistrum of Mount Limpo, Trident of the Three Tritons.
Mountains:   Mount Limpo outside of Afiny
Thumbnail Sketch:  
If the Royal Republic of Argivia digs up their past, Danaan has never buried theirs, living amongst the ruins and traditions which have been proven obsolete, only to come into fashion again, then disappear.  The writer is not the only believer of this concept. It has been documented repeatedly:

"Entering into Danaan, I could immediately see the difference just in the architecture. While Argivia has built their nation atop the ruins of an ancient civilization, Danaan still lives within those buildings. They are bold, tall designs with gigantic columns for support, and to let in air and sun from the ideal climate."

"As a former scribe, I may barely speak conversational version of this dialect of Argivian, I barely comprehend their strange, almost dwarven runic alphabet, but I appreciate their love for libraries and correspondence and accumulating knowledge. Where Argivia is accumulating someone else's knowledge when they unearth treasures, Danaan has successful stored and maintained not only their own knowledge, but the knowledge of civilizations across the world." 
 - Baron Elsderth Greyhawk - Dispatches to the Viscount of Verbobonc, 5 DecDec 1023
 
Amongst the stacks of tablets and scrolls, hiding between the ruins, is a wealth of knowledge,   In a world where the Feraseans, Senzar, or Khemmet take credit for nearly every facet of human (and sometimes demi-human) civilization, Danaan is regarding for considerable contributions to art, architecture, drama, literature, philosophy, mathematics, and their favorite practice which they certainly have not perfected, democracy.

The save the declining gnome titan population and enclaves of dwarves near Argivia, the Danaanian culture is intact and its citizens want to keep it that way.  

Most of the population are farmers, herders, with many other in trades to support agriculture.  Coastal town boats a significant fishing commerce.

Afiny, Capital of Danaan


The seaside resort of Asimenio

Government:   At one time, Danaan was a true democracy... and citizen landowners.  Through the centuries it has evolved more to a representative form of government, with a large swath of the population eligible to vote.  The number of Senators has varied wildly over the years.  100 years ago, it was over 800... now it just shy of 60.   Granted with the honorific of Philosopher Kings, they orate far more than they govern.   The Boule is a part (committee) within the Senate.  The Presidium is a bureau/cabinet/department under the direction of a Boule.

Multiple committees (Boule) dominant the actual work of the Senate.  The Presidium of State appoints Governors to the regions.  Due to the slow, developing nature of the Senators, most appointments are considered lifetime unless something beyond egregious occurs.  

Dominant Regions of Danaan

  • 1  Akro- home of the hill giants Dispatches #48
  • 2  Affiny - home of the capital
  • 3  Korinthakos - home of trade
  • 4 Tyrol - home of military might
  • 5 Kroei - poorer northwest territory bordering Argivia.  

Religion:  Xellnic pantheon only.  All other faiths must not be in public.  Enforcement can radically change from town to town, and by the day of the month.  

Unlike the Ferasean gods, which Akana sits supreme, the Xelleistic gods are plentiful, quite elaborate, and while Zeus, the God of Thunder is atop all of the gods, rumored to live on nearby Mount Limpo all of the gods play a role in day to day living in Danaan.

The Temple of Zeus in Afiny
The exception to this draconian rule is a small cult of Echelon, lead by a powerful High Priestess Lorigaard.  Echelon is a god of the sea and seagulls, which appears to run against/and alongside Poseidon.  Thus far, no significant uprising or crackdowns have taken place, but Lorigaard's trident-armed minions are a sight to behold. 
Lorigaard Mooska, High Priestess of Echelon


Places of Note:
  •  Ancient Houses of the Gnome Titan:  Many are no more than museums to the prior glory, with all the trappings of a tourist destination  
  •  The Ruins of Evarhold - Former Steading of the Hill Giant Chieftain, killed by the Buring Trogs
  • Afiny - Every square inch of the capital is a sight to behold, and every building a font of knowledge for those who come seeking it. 
  • The Well of the Death in Tryopolis
  • Mount Limpo - Shared with Argivia, Danaan is the center of the Xellnic mythos, hence Danaan claimes a larger portion of the mountain for religious work, tourism, and strategic means.

WARNING!:  Slavery is still considered legal, and is used as a punishment for a varied and inconsistent set of crimes.  

WARNING!: The islands off the coast of Danaan are plentiful and beautiful, but use a paid, trusted guide if you intend to visit.  Some villages are very accommodating to outsiders, while others may have violent or brutish reactions to visitors.  

Mentions of Danaan in the Blogs:
The Burning Trogs Rule! #23  -  A portion of the route from Marakeikos to the Dwarven City of Jerred and Barthey runs 
The Burning Trogs Rule! #42 -  The Burning Trogs, as diplomats, encounter the mind-numbingly slow wheel of government, and that, unlike Argivia, bribes are appreciated.
The Burning Trogs Rule! #47 -  The Burning Trogs sneak into Evarhold
The Burning Trogs Rule! #48 -  General Fonzie Schlepprock investigating Evarhold
The Burning Trogs Rule! #49 -  The death of Chief Evar
The Burning Trogs Rule! #52 -  Mention of strengthened political and economic ties with Marakeikos and Stronghome.
Lost Dispatches of Feraso #47 - Sir Elsderth Greyhawk describes Danaan in his correspondence
Lost Dispatches of Feraso #48 - Sir Elsderth has a run-in with Evar, and a subsequent vacation.
The Burning Trogs Redux #2 - Early reference to High Priestess Lorigaard Mooska
The Burning Trogs Redux #6 - Lorigaard Mooska returns to Danaan, for good

GM Notes: 
From Lost Dispatches #45: 
Argivia is taken directly from Magic: The Gathering. I never knew exactly where this adventure took place in Georic, but with the Lost Dispatches storyline progressing as it is, and Danaan being our last destination, Argivia is a logical spot. Danaan is more the classic Greece you come to expect from Greek Mythology and Philosophy. Argivia, like the land in Magic, is a nation built atop a much earlier and more advanced civilization and they are trying to take advantage of everything they can find.