Category Archives: Gaming

Reaper Bones – Satheras, Elf Warlock

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I have been working on this figure for weeks, on and off. But I decided I needed to finish it so I could actually use it in my friend’s Dungeon World game. This is really the first figure I’ve painted to completion, and the first of our Bones Vampire reward level miniatures that I’ve painted.

Satheras, Elf Warlock, front

Satheras, Elf Warlock, front

Satheras, Elf Warlock, back

Satheras, Elf Warlock, back

I was attempting to get an inner glow on the crystal, but I think I need to work on my blending. I also trimmed the pointy elf hood to make it less, well, pointy. I think that worked well. And I’m really happy with the shading on the robes.

Although it has some issues, I’m quite happy with it. I have reigned-in my perfectionism and actually called something finished. This is actually a big deal for me.

Roll20.net for in-person games

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I’ve been running a Dungeons & Dragons 5e game at work during lunch on Fridays, which has been quite fun, but also has a few challenges, one of which has been the participation of a player who frequently works offsite. Since we usually play in a conference room with a beautiful, big screen TV, I thought that using a virtual tabletop might help with that and some other issues. I decided to give Roll20.net a try, and after using it for two sessions, I’d say it’s working reasonably well.

Player view of Roll20 virtual tabletop.

Player view of Roll20 virtual tabletop. (see below for GM’s view.)

If you haven’t heard of Roll20.net, they have some good introductory videos on youtube, including a Crash Course, and overviews for player and GM, and lots of good information in their wiki.

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Star Trek Attack Wing – Star ship combat

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Over winter break, I spent time reading through the space ship miniature combat games on Board Game Geek. I had no idea there were so many games. For example, check out the Tactical Startship Combat Geeklist. I have played a few of the more well known games, mostly at Carnage, including Star Fleet Battles, Federation Commander, and Firestorm Armada.

But I recently I’ve seen a number of discussions of the Star Wars and Star Trek themed star ship battle games that use the FlightPath maneuver system. It reminds me of Wings of War, to which my friend Ted introduced me some years ago. And because I have a number of Trek fans in my family, I treated myself to the Star Trek Attack Wing Starter Set.

The Star Trek Attack Wing Starter Set box

The Star Trek Attack Wing Starter Set

Jamie and I played the quick start game, and then a game with the full rules. As you might expect with strategy games, Jamie won both battles. But there’s lots to like about this game. Not only is the FlightPath system quick and easy, but you add upgrades and crew to your ship(s) to provide additional capabilities and replay variety. It’s a lot of fun, very much in keeping with the Star Trek theme.

Of course, now I’m eyeing the next ships that I’ll be adding to the fleets. And I’ve even seen videos of people repainting their minis. Very cool.

The Secrets of Cats (FATE CORE)

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Now this looks like fun, reminiscent of John Wick’s Cat.

Secrets-of-Cats

The Secrets of Cats: A World of Adventure for FATE CORE is an urban fantasy/horror setting for use with Evil Hat’s FATE CORE and FATE CORE ACCELERATED in which the players take on the roles of sentient mystical felines who save mankind from the powers of darkness!

 

Lunchtime Adventures

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I’ve finally done it; I’ve managed to pull together a lunchtime gaming group at work. We’re going to be meeting on Fridays, with the goal of getting some roleplaying in with the new edition of Dungeons & Dragons. We’ll fall back to board or card games if we don’t have quorum, just to keep the group rhythm going.

I started with the Lost Mine of Phandelver from the D&D Starter Set, which was easy to pick up and run. Mike Shea has some useful suggestions about running Phandelver.

The adventure from the D&D 5e Starter Set.

The adventure from the D&D 5e Starter Set.

I’m going to have to think about ways to make the one-hour game session hum. The narrative combat model in D&D5e will be a big part of that. If anyone has other suggestions for making a lunch-hour RPG campaign work, please let me know.

#RPGaDAY 28 – Scariest game you’ve played

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I’m not a fan of being scared. I had to hide behind the couch when the Six Million Dollar Man met up with Bigfoot. That said, I’ve learned to enjoy a bit of creepy tone in my dramatic tension. My most memorable creepy game was the Wake of the Watcher module from Paizo’s Carrion Crown adventure path that I had the pleasure of playing from the second module to the end.

Wake of the Watcher cover

The Watcher module features creepy townspeople, a creepy cult, creepy monsters of the squishy, insanity provoking outsider types… fun stuff. That said, I was happy to move on from that adventure to something smelling less of dead fish. Or was that Oberon’s armor that smelled?

#RPGaDAY 25 – Favourite RPG no one else wants to play

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I’m taking Autocratik’s RPGaDAY topics out of order. My favourite RPG that no one else wants to play was also one of my convention purchases, Blue Rose, designed by John Snead, Jeremy Crawford, Dawn Elliot, Steve Kenson and John Snead.

Welcome to the world of Blue Rose, a fantastic reality where brave women and men, gifted with arcane powers, live and work side-by-side with intelligent animal companions. The heroes of the peaceful Kingdom of Aldis strive to uphold the ideals of fairness, justice, and equality, while protecting their homeland against its aggressive neighbors.

From the free Blue Rose Fast Play Rules download.

The Blue Rose RPG and two companion books.

The Blue Rose RPG and two companion books.

It was the first game to use what become the True20 system, based on the Open Game License from Wizards of the Coast; a sort of d20 light. But what really draws me to the game is the setting. If you aren’t familiar with the genre of Romantic Fantasy, John Snead offers some good background. I was drawn in by the artwork and opening fiction, and then started reading the novels cited in the inspired by sidebar; series like Mercedes Lackey’s Heralds of Valdemar and Vows and Honor. These stories feature societies of high ideals, and heroes who work as part of a larger effort, against aggressors without and corruption within. They feature magic, psychic abilities, intelligent animals, and romantic connections among characters.

Some criticize the heavy hand with which liberal social ideals are venerated. I heard them called “wish fulfillment rather than fantasy.” But to me, there’s something powerful about the emotional weight of the stories, with their emphasis on connectedness and hope, honor and sacrifice.

I’m not sure d20 is particularly suited to this kind of storytelling. The game does implement a light and dark nature attribute for characters, as well as a corruption mechanic for those who dabble in foul sorcery. But I have yet to actually play it. I still cling to the hope that someday, I’ll find a group of fellow romantics who will indulge me.

 

#RPGaDAY DIY edition: Build your own gaming table

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Thanks to Autocratik for this series of RPG discussion prompts. And to my friend Tyler for his inspiring responses on his blog, Held Action. And for prodding me into reviving my own blog.

I’m going off-script today with my own topic: build your own game table. It isn’t often that I get to talk about gaming and woodworking in the same breath. I made this table because I needed a big surface that was lower than a normal table, but a higher than a coffee table. I also needed something inexpensive. Here’s my solution.

This table can easily be knocked down and stored when not in use. It’s built from one 4×8 foot sheet of plywood and a couple 2x4s. I built this to be comfortable for folks sitting on a couch or easy chair. You can adjust the dimensions to suit your needs.

Legs and table top cut from single sheet of plywood.

Legs and table top cut from single sheet of plywood.

I picked a sheet of plywood with a good side and a patched side. I had the home center make the cut to separate the legs from the table top, and then had them cut the top to width. The rest of the cuts I made with a jigsaw.

Two-by-fours fit into vertical notch in legs.

Two-by-fours fit into vertical notch in legs.

I used a simple edge-lap joint; grooves on each side of the 2×4 that lock into a vertical notch in the plywood leg piece.

The legs and braces assembled.

The legs and braces assembled.

Here are the legs and braces assembled. It’s surprisingly sturdy.

Table height was select to work well from low chairs or couch.

Table height was select to work well from low chairs or couch.

This photo shows the height of my table, which is 24″ (half the width of the plywood). It’s low enough that people in easy chairs or on a sofa can see the table easily.

Some useful accessories: elastic tie downs, acrylic sheet or gaming mat.

Some useful accessories: elastic tie downs, acrylic sheet or gaming mat.

I used some elastic tie downs to keep the table top from sliding around too much. More recently, I picked up a sheet of acrylic, under which I can place maps or grid paper. I have a preference for wet-erase markers, and they work nicely on the acrylic.

I also picked up a couple large pieces of craft felt to cover the table, which was a nice surface until the cats got to it. I didn’t put any finish on the table, but I’m considering adding some paint (to cover the food stains).

#RPGaDAY 26: Coolest Character Sheet

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Thanks to Autocratik for this series of prompts. And to my friend Tyler for his inspiring responses on his blog, Held Action. And for prodding me into reviving my own blog.

My pick for coolest character sheet is Mouse Guard. The sheet has all the information a player needs for playing the game. On one side is the important character and roleplaying information, and on the other is reference information about the conflict resolution system. The sheets are well organized and attractive, as well as very functional.

MouseGuard-CharSheet-1MouseGuard-CharSheet-2

The sheet is available as a download, along with pregen sheets filled out for the main characters from the Mouse Guard books.