(Hackmaster) Frizzia Nimblewhim - Gnome Illusionist #CharacterCreationChallenge

Day 4 of the #CharacterCreationChallenge, and I stick with statting out minis I've painted in 2025. 

This female gnome illusionist from the Hackmaster 4th Edition line was painted on a whim back in May.  There may not be much whimsy about her as a character, though. 

"Frizzia" Nimblewhim - 5th Level Gnome Illusionist

Age: 100   Height: 3'4"    Weight:  80 lbs  Handedness:  Right

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Social Class: UMC  Mother Deceased, Father Unknown

2nd Born, 3 Siblings (Male, Female, Female, all illegitimate)

Strength:            8/22

Intelligence       19/61

Wisdom              7/53

Dexterity           15/49

Constitution      10/94

Charisma            10/44

Comeliness:        9/26

Honor:                  20

Quirks and Flaws:  Strange Body Odor, Hemophiliac, Narcolepsy, Truthful 

Proficiency:  Dagger, 

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Spells Base:   6 - 2 - 1 

Talent: 
Freeze

Skills:  
Arcane Lore                      24

Art Appreciation: Painting (d20) 23
Artistic Ability (d6)          28

Botany (d8)                       24  

Culinary Arts                     18

Eye Gouge                         26

First Aid Skill Suite (d6)   41

Language: Dwarf  (d10)    21

Language: Gnome (d10)    23

Language: Common (d10) 27

Read/Write: Dwarf   (d6)   27

Read/Write: Gnome (d6)    25

Read/Write: Common (d6) 21

Shaving/Grooming             Auto

Slip Away in Shadows (d6) 46

Tumbling (d6)                     48  

Hit Points:  34

Armor Class:  8

Magic Item:

Rod of Beguiling (Opalescent white with a crystalline tip)

A variety of potions

Born in the gnome village of Brillibog Hollow, nestled under a canopy of singing mushrooms and sparkling firefly trees, Thistledrop Nimblewhim always had a talent for getting attention… and then disappearing when it got too real. From a young age, she entertained her friends with dancing lights, illusory fireworks, and spontaneous hair color changes (some intentional, some not). Her family were outsiders, running a traveling puppet show, but she often got bored of repeating scripts and would rewrite whole acts with illusory creatures  or talking goats to spice things up.  

She earned the nickname “Frizz” after an early magical mishap that turned her hair frizzy and created a permanent sparkle trail whenever she sneezed. Her hair  stuck. The sparkle mostly faded away by the time she reached 80 years old. Nowadays, if she turns quickly, in the right light, there’s still a shimmer that can be seen.  She considers it part of her brand.

Frizz left Brillibog not out of rebellion, but out of curiosity. She believes that illusions reveal truth as much as they hide it, and she’s out to find the line between what is real and what people only wish was real. She studies the minds of others the way a bard studies rhythm, watching how people respond to falsehoods, dreams, and phantoms with equal parts delight and fear.

Frizz should be a much more powerful illusionist, but her hemophilia has kept her further from the quests, dungeons, and adventures.  She normally supports herself by posing as a fortune-teller, glamor artist, or street performer, depending on the town. She avoids puppets like the plague. 

(Star Wars) Vael Dorrin – Gotal Guide #CharacterCreationChallenge

Day 3 of the #CharacterCreationChallenge, and I'm digging into the minis I painted in the past year for inspiration. 

Vael Dorrin – Gotal Guide (Former Diplomat)

Species: Gotal

Character Type: Guide

DEXTERITY: 2D+2

• Blaster 4D+1 (“For Jedi. Just in case.”)
• Dodge 4D+1
• Grenade 3D

KNOWLEDGE: 4D

• Alien Species 5D
• Bureaucracy 5D (former expertise, rusty but effective)
• Cultures 5D
• Languages 5D
• Planetary Systems 4D+2
• Streetwise 5D
• Survival 5D+1 (focus of his new life)
• Value 4D+2

MECHANICAL: 3D

• Astrogation 3D+2
• Beast Riding 3D+2
• Repulsorlift Operation 4D+1
• Sensors 4D
• Space Transports 3D+2

PERCEPTION: 4D

• Bargain 5D+1 (soft-spoken, effective negotiator)
• Con 4D+2
• Hide 4D+1
• Investigation 5D
• Persuasion 6D 
• Sneak 4D+2

STRENGTH: 2D+2

• Climbing/Jumping 3D+1
• Stamina 3D (slowly rebuilt after years recovering)

TECHNICAL: 2D+2

• First Aid 3D
• Security 3D+1
• Repulsorlift Repair 3D

Special Abilities (Gotal):

Energy Sensitivity: +2D bonus to Perception to detect hidden emotions or Force activity.

Overwhelming Energy Drawback: If multiple Force users are nearby (or a particularly powerful one), Vael must make a Moderate Stamina roll or be overwhelmed (stunned or unconscious for 1D rounds). 

Losing Oneself in the Crowd:  Must make an hourly Moderate stamina check in urban or crowded environments. This also triggers PTSD-like symptoms (GM discretion, usually running or hiding away for 5d6 minutes).

Directional Senses: As before (+1D to Survival checks for navigating terrain).

Equipment:

Blaster Pistol
Rugged Trailcloak with Sensor-Masking Lining
Comlink 
Old Diplomatic Signet Ring 
Coded Datapad of pre-Clone Wars trade routes
Pocket holoprojector 

Vael was once the silver-tongued voice of his people, representing Gotal interests in high-stakes negotiations during the Clone Wars. But when Jedi entered the summit chamber unexpectedly, the sudden burst of Force energy overwhelmed his sensitive physiology. He collapsed, unconscious, and awoke in a Republic holding cell—traumatized, disoriented, and sure of betrayal.

Though later released without harm, that moment shattered him. He left his position and vanished from the galactic diplomatic scene, drifting into the wilderness of outer rim worlds. He took up work as a guide, rebuilding his strength slowly, year by year.

But the scars remain. Cities are too loud. People are too emotional. Force-users are abominations. If he ever crosses paths with a Jedi again, his blaster will speak before words do.

(Gamma World) Guy N Pygmalion - Riverboat Pirate #CharacterCreationChallenge

 Day 2 of the #CharacterCreationChallenge and we return to Gamma World for exactly what everyone was waiting for : Guy N Pygmalion,  Mutant Guinea Pig Riverboat Pirate

Guy N Pygmalion - 5th Level Enforcer (Mutant Guinea Pig Riverboat Pirate)

Attributes:
Physical Strength:   9
Dexterity:   15
Constitution:  12
Intelligence:   13 
Mental Strength:   10

Charisma:     16
Senses:   20

Hit Points:  64

THAC Melee: +5  THAC Ranged:  +7

Mental Defense:  10

Armor Class:  15

Health: 10

Robot Recognition:  14

Stealth:  +2

Speed: 9 (All fours and bipedal)

Skills:
Combat Leadership 8 Makeshift Weapon/Ammmo 6, Size-Up Opponent 10

Mutations:

• Heightened  Smell (Applied)
• Heightened Sight (Applied)
• Chameleon Skin (14)
• Electrical Generation (14)
• Life Leech (12)

Equipment:

• Makeshift Riverboat, Squealing Queen
• Laser Pistol (15 charges, 3d6 damage)
• Cutlass 
• Smoke Bombs (x3)
• Flare Gun 
• Electro-Whip – Conducts electrical charges when his mutation activates.
• Grappling Hook and Rope 
• Spyglass 
• Energy Cell Recharger 

Appearance: 

Guy is a 3'6" Guinea Pig with sleek, glossy fur with some mottled patches of brown and white.  He wears a patched captain's coat, a tricorn hat adorned with random, but colorful feathers, and and an eye patch (for style, not necessity). While he's above deck, a bandolier crosses his chest, bristling with throwing knives, pistols, and assorted gadgets scavenged from wrecked vessels. His buck-toothed grin and twitching whiskers are often the last things his enemies see before their cargo is plundered.

Background:

Raised among river raiders and scavengers along the River of Spirits, Guy N Pygmalion carved out a reputation as a cunning and charming pirate. He commands a jury-rigged riverboat called the "Squealing Queen," equipped with makeshift cannons and reinforced hull plating. His crew consists of misfits, mutants, and mercenaries drawn to his magnetic personality and promises of treasure.

Despite his pirate persona, Guy follows a loose code of honor.  Failure is tough to overcome in river piracy, but forgivable.  Betrayal?  He’ll make sure the river swallows you whole. 

He’s always on the lookout for ancient artifacts and forgotten technologies that might secure his dominance over the waterways below the Devil's Gate.

Another Season at Dollar Tree

 Another Christmas over, another new year.

Another wave of restocks and inventory rollover for Dollar Tree.  

I swung into my local Dollar Tree on Tuesday.  Most of the Christmas stuff was gone, the rest at least half off.   There was an endcap of New Years Stuff and a whole aisle of Valentine's cards (The Valentines with toys are intriguing, I may grab some of over the weekend. 

After a few years of delays, this year the spring and garden section was fully stocked, and it wasn't even 2026 yet! 

Most of the accessories aren't as usable as prior years.  Definitely more static/background pieces.

The fairy houses seem to be the same height, but the features seem to be smaller.  Color me intrigued by the red-cap mushrooms in their own box.  They've got a shiny glaze to them, but my only worry about a table decorated with them is packing them safely enough so they don't break.  

(Call of Cthulhu) Margaret Sallow, Archeologist #CharacterCreationChallenge

Day one of the #CharacterCreationChallenge, and I'm going for low-hanging fruit.  This one was floating around Pinterest for awhile, along with it's other AI elvish tomb raiding sisters....  

I think she has all her fingers and toes, so a basic Call of Cthulhu character (6th Edition) it is! 

Margaret Sallow

Age 28, Nationality: British  Birthplace: Cambridge, England

Strength: 10

Constitution: 13

Dexterity: 12

Appearance: 14

Intelligence: 16

Power:  12

Size:  9

Education: 17

Idea: 80%

Luck: 60%

Knowledge: 85

Sanity: 60

Magic Points: 12

Hit Points 11

 Skills:

Archaeology: 75%
Anthropology: 60%
Dodge: 40%

First Aid: 30%
History: 70%

Library Use: 60% 

Other Language (Egyptian Hieroglyphs) 20%

Other Language (Latin): 40%

Other Language (Greek): 20%

Occult 40%

Photography: 40%

Persuade: 50% 

Spot Hidden: 65%

Background

Margaret Sallow grew up in Cambridge, the daughter of a classics professor. Immersed in academic life from an early age, she developed a fascination with ancient civilizations and the mysteries they left behind. After earning her degree in archaeology at a prestigious university, she embarked on expeditions across Europe and the Middle East, specializing in uncovering artifacts and inscriptions.

Margaret’s travels introduced her to the shadowy fringes of history and most recently to the museums in New York City.  Recent discoveries of anachronistic hieroglyphs in Egypt have led her over the pond to similar collections in the United States.  

Equipment

• Archaeologist's toolkit (trowel, brushes, etc.)
• Lantern and oil
• Notebook and pencils
• Leather satchel for carrying artifacts
• Compass
• Small revolver (for emergencies)
• A copy of The Histories by Herodotus for casual light reading.

Happy New Year 2026!

 

Closing Out the Old Year... and Maybe Game Trade Magazine

I tend to reserve placeholder art for the holidays.  I've rambled on about this before. Between Christmas, New Years, Easter, and Jul, and everything else gnome (tomte) appropriate, I have scheduled posts reaching out nearly decades in the future.  

The only thing I wanted to finish off the year with was my monthly "Another Month of Gaming" post, where I take the monthly solicitations out of Game Trade Magazine (GTM), from Alliance Game Distribution, and label the stuff I want, the stuff that intrigued me (if money were no object), and an "Imaginary Store List"  were I list most of the cool stuff coming out that I would order if I had a store.  

It's fitting and quirky that my first such post on the blog was December 2010 for Issue #130, while the latest one I did last month was Issue #310.  

But it wasn't the first month I performed this mental exercise.  I've been technically doing this ever since Issue #1, hell, I've had the pleasure of doing monthly gaming solicitations for pay well before Alliance was a thing, where the pre-order packet for The Armory and Chessex would show up at the store I worked at.  When I first started working at a FLGS in the early to mid-90s, it was far more exciting to see everything coming out, instead of being subject to magazine advertisements or articles in company house organs.  

The physical copies of GTM were either mailed to the store, or they put in with a shipment, but the digital copy (PDF) has been normally available online two weeks earlier, give or take a few days.    One of my bookmarks is the web address for the latest issue, which I update by one number once the I finish reviewing the latest one.  

Like I mentioned, I wanted to take care of this before the New Year, before the #CharacterCreationChallenge in January overwhelms everything else.  However, my updated link for where Issue #311 should be going didn't update prior to Christmas (not a big surprise).  After Christmas I started getting a "Our website is under construction, look for a new website for December 29, 2025."

This was not a complete surprise.  Alliance Games was a division of Diamond Comics, and with drastic and catastrophic bankruptcy of Diamond, and way back in May, Universal Distribution, a Canadian-based distributor of games, comics, and trading cards, had acquired the assets and debts of Alliance.  

It was only a matter of time (and a reasonable new year for accounting purposes) until Universal took over completely.  

Now I don't have a view of the back end (and too be honest, it was always easier in the 90s to do things over the phone than limited online access), so perhaps it's the greatest thing ever, but the Universal website has a very 2004 vibe to it.  Not that I need a lot of fancy graphics and such, but the model I'm accustomed to in some iteration since 1993, is gone, reverting back to a very antiquated version.   

As I write this, the Game Trade Magazine website is still up, promoting a few articles for an alleged Issue #311, and working links for articles back to Issue #300.   It will probably manifest itself in some form, but I'm not holding my breath for #312.

GTM is an imperfect entity.  I enjoy the high gloss production values, I appreciated them trying to tie-in existing product to a new release.   I've always been disappointed with Alliance (and Diamond) with not providing consumers with non-bulk pricing of items, due to varying discount structures for retailers, and possibly varying prices store to store.    I enjoyed a few of the columns they put in each issue (with online video content for certain things.   

Promotion and marketing, the sole purpose of GTM, was as erratic as the release schedule and cooperating companies.  Early issues had mini-scenarios, exclusive stat blocks and samples, heck there were Munchkin, Lunch Money, and Tsuro exclusives I still have hiding in a drawer.  

But it was inconsistent to all but a retail dork like me, and the price tag on an item they originally gave away five copies to each store for free was always crazy.   We promoted the copy we left on the counter, gave one or two to our better purchasing customers (We did this for Previews customers as well, especially those who ordered .... and picked up big-ticket items.)

In recent years, I tend to find new issues of GTM tossed into some dusty bin underneath a display, along with the last two years worth of copies, so I do realize most were not optimizing.  

I could go over the Meeple Monthly, the pre-order book for ACD Distribution.   It could be argued very well that Meeple Monthly has become superior to GTM,  but they're very proprietary with the solicitation information digitally, and despite inflation, $50 for a year's subscription is still outrageous for something that provides even less promotional material to the consumer.  

But I'm not the target demographic for these, maybe I was when GTM was in single digits, but certainly not anymore.  Just another sign that that only constant is change.