The Good Gaming Blog

2009-05-27T06:08:00.000-07:00

While I've been crossposting to ENWorld and my [URL="goodgamingblog.blogspot.com"]Blogger Account[/URL], I have just been accepted into the [URL="http://goodgamingblog.comluv.com/"]Comment Luv[/URL] testing of the new WP software. So, if you've enjoyed my posts in the past, or just want to assist in the updating of this killer app, please check out the link provided above and [URL="http://goodgamingblog.comluv.com/"]here[/URL] so that they can see additional numbers on traffic.

Slainte,

-Loonook.

An Amazing Blog Reached 1 Year A Few Days Ago...

2009-05-26T21:45:00.000-07:00

Monsters and Manuals, a great site for good gaming, just celebrated its 1st anniversary last week. Since I've been reading the blog for awhile now, I figured I'd hip my readers to some recent topics on the site which are thoughtful and thought provoking:

-Theory of Demihumans: A lot of solid thought put into this post, with some great citations.

...

-A Rant on the Use(ful/less)ness of Class: Don't let the names of classes define your character (this prevents me from writing up the exact same rant again ;).

And of course The Writer's Choice for best entries of the year. None of these will disappoint :).

Give them a read; they're worth it. While I'm at it, NiTessine in the deep freezing wastes writes an amusing and amazing blog. Check his stuff out; his rants on various issues in the industry are always top-notch.

As Always, Good Gaming,

Slainte,

-Loonook.

Memorial Day Interesting Post Roundup

2009-05-26T00:29:00.001-07:00

Just got done with a large amount of mind-numbing work on various projects at the homestead, so I figured I would post a list of what has been keeping me relatively sane over the last few days of 3-day weekend madness.

=The Chatty DM just posted a great discussion on Dungeon Reality Shows. Definitely give some props, and your suggestions, to the pot so that these ideas could percolate and make up for an interesting setting.

=Johny Drain posts an excellent set of blog roundups on a (somewhat erratic) basis... this is going to be my 'browse while doing other things' list, but

=Groknard is throwing up his own update blogroll for those who like the SF side of the SF&F equation (especially ST) when it comes to homebrewing. It's hit or miss for the fantasy reader, but the information on Atomic Sock Monkey's PDQ is definitely worth it as it points to a great little freebie list (reposted here) that is worth checking out.

=Gnome Stew's John Arcadian andWalt Ciechanowski wrote up a great two-fer on collaborative DMing which actually gave me some insight into some entertaining possibilities when it comes to a different style of play and mastering.

Short roundup as I need to get some rest, but check these out and get back to me on anything which proves interesting.

Slainte,

-Loonook.

Top 5 Unlikely Books You Need to Read For Good Gaming

2009-05-22T18:00:00.000-07:00

Though we all read setting materials, sourcebooks, etc. and we all know our fantasy reading, I find that a lot of geeks need to work on their outside reading. NiTessine posted his Appendix N after being inspired by a post by Zachary the First over at RPGBlog2 . The following books and series are not my whole 'Appendix N'. I have chosen these 5 books because they are outside of the realm of Fantasy, and are great sources for ideas which will influence your gaming.

5.) Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. While I don't necessarily enjoy all of the presentation, Quinn's portrayal of a non-human (in this case a telepathic gorilla) and how the titular character's viewpoint is different from the norms of humanity proves to be an exercise in thinking outside the box.

4.) The Baroque Cycle from Neal Stephenson. Amazing historical fiction with a swashbuckling, intrigue-filled air of entertainment. So much to read (almost 3000 pages worth of goodness) but all of the series is a real page turner. The book discusses the life of 'real world' adventuring, from merchants to pirates to the pitfalls of running afoul of your employer. Great read, worth every page.

....

3.) LA Confidential by James Ellroy. Amazingly in-depth work in the noir crime drama style. This shows an amazing 'campaign' between several police officers, their subordinates, and information network to uncover the evils of the modern world.

2.) The Book of Imaginary Beings by Jorge Luis Borges. Tales and information on various creatures from folklore and fantasy. Worth every penny if you can find a copy, as it gives a unique look into the lives and minds of many creatures which are in the Fantasy canon.

1.) The Arthashastra (Author Disputed). A Book of Statecraft from the Indian subcontinent .. . more than a thousand years before Machiavelli. Later texts actually include ways to use mysticism to your advantage in statecraft. The thought process behind this statecraft manual is a little alien to the average reader, and will give you an outlook in a long-term pattern of thinking which your older races may have.

Children Are Our (Gaming) Future: Blog Carnival Returns to Good Gaming

2009-05-22T00:14:00.001-07:00

Well, after tracking down the Blog Carnival at its current stop atRoleplaying Pro I found some really Interesting New writers, and of course the excellent work of Zachary over at RPGBlog2:Electric Boogaloo.

My Thoughts?

The Future of RPGs is in new blood, fresh ideas, and players who have a deep understanding of the past and present of the industry and the power of various forces. Technology (Especially the Web), and places like ENWorld and the Giant in the Playground forums both help and hinder our hobby. While they help bring together fascinating new ideas from both the crunch and fluff, they also bring about things which most roleplayers aren't fond of (character optimization, cliched settings, and places where various shady dealings occur.

The future will mean the death of some types of things; just like Mortality.net was once a very entertaining source of podcasting and is now just a 403 message, we may lose some resources and others may come into being which are not exactly what we want.

As good gamers we need to foster community in the next generation of roleplayers. We have to toss away some of our old ideas and embrace some new ones. The five things to improve the future of roleplaying that YOU can do include the following:

1.) Try out new systems. Yes grognards, this is pointed at some of you ;). On the other side...

2.) Bring what you love about the game out for the new breed to read. Remember that old Crazy, Odd, or even COMPLETELY INSANE setting or game that you loved? Bet some newbie may love it too.

3.) Read! I'm posting an article soon on part of my Appendix N, and I think that adding new concepts to your gaming will improve it severely.

4.) Use the New to Support Your Habit. As listed above there are many forums, blogs, and even IRC networks that have a focus around gaming. Check them out... a lot of them are worth it. I'm usually found on #enworld @ Otherworlders if you want to chat some time ;).

5.) Support your Community. Buy products, get out and run games, go to conventions.

In short... these steps will give us a future to look forward to.

Good Gaming,

Slainte,

Loonook.

Top 10 Roleplaying Tropes I Never Want To See Again...

2009-05-21T22:35:00.000-07:00

10.) Scottish Dwarves/Hippie Elves/Lazy Halflings.
09.) Harry Potter Wizards
08.) Woe is Me, I'm a Demon/Vampire/Outcast.
07.) I'm a Half-breed, so I am the Product of a Sad Background.
06.) Bards Sucking.
05.) Anthropomorphic Animals With No Real Reason Behind Them.
04.) Anything Inspired by Anime.
03.) Grimdark Everything.
02.) "I am the Greatest!" NPCs (Especially DMPCs.)

And, the Number 1 Trope I am Tired Of . . .

The Dungeon. Why exactly are there immense dangerous locales shaped into the earth where creatures roam about... for no G-dly reason?

Slainte,

-Loonook.

You Are Not The Director

2009-05-21T14:11:00.001-07:00

Fascinating Article on the requirements of a DM over at Gnome Stew. Kurt Schneider makes some brilliant points... check it out :).

Terminator Review (Yeah or Nay).

2009-05-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

Okay... to prevent spoilers from occurring I'm just going to post this short blurb for now. Will also be cross-posting to ENWorld but you get the first look ;).

I got to go see Terminator Salvation as part of a pre-screening sort of event... and I have to say I'd give it a 7/10.

The movie is a good popcorn film... but there's a reason why it is being released in May rather than during the swing of the Summer Blockbuster season ;). In comparison to the last film? Much better.

However, it misses a lot of the oomph of Terminator 1 & 2.

I will say that the saving grace of the film is the ridiculous dialogue and some of the forced use of references to the earlier films... You are going to LOVE Christian Bale as Bruce Connor ;).

Great FX, cheesy acting... good times.

Probably going to get to see plenty of other pre-screenings due to a friend always looking for a +1... so when able I will post here :).

Slainte,

-Loonook.

It's Link Time! (May Redux)

2009-05-21T00:44:00.000-07:00

EDIT: Got to post for my followers... Rob over at Groknard writes a great blog... check it out.

Oh, so many things which have started to be interesting when it comes to various pieces of gaming, or my interests... I'm going to put some links to interesting webcomics, blogs, books, and other information I'm reading which could bring you some entertaining reading...

Webcomics, General:

Penny Arcade... Always Good Times. Penny Arcade is one of those things which I would be amazed you haven't heard of... but stranger things have happened.

Sordid City Blues. Interesting webcomic from a different perspective... has nothing to do with gaming, but it is enjoyable.

Templar, Arizona Another weird comic... but gods does it have great idea. Jakes, gas masks, urban protesters, and places that sell guns, liquor and... adult products. Worth a read.

Webcomics, RPG

Nodwick and Full Frontal Nerdity Great stuff, from far in the past into the future. Must reads.

Points of Light. A great comic which rips into 4e and survives based on raw determination. Definitely worth checking out.

ErfWorld doesn't get the respect it deserves... and I'm going to change that with this. Check it out :). Of course GITP hosts Order of the Stick, which is well, well known... but again worth the mention.

This is all I have off the top of my head.

Slainte,

-Loonook.

A Cautionary Tale

2009-05-20T18:46:00.001-07:00

Just writing this up as the beginnings of an adventure arc:

The players serve an elderly adventurer who has taken interest in a specific item from her youth. This item, a fidelia (or loyalty ring), was purloined when she was young. The players delve deeply into her past, finding a tale of love, loss, distrust, bigotry, (in/)justice, and debts long waiting to be repaid. The series of Adventures and sidequests are meant to take players from 1st through 6th level, and will include the following:

Just writing this up as the beginnings of an adventure arc:

The players serve an elderly adventurer who has taken interest in a specific item from her youth. This item, a fidelia (or loyalty ring), was purloined when she was young. The players delve deeply into her past, finding a tale of love, loss, distrust, bigotry, (in/)justice, and debts long waiting to be repaid. The series of Adventures and sidequests are meant to take players from 1st through 6th level, and will include the following:

-1st-2nd level: The Hazards of Love: Eleanor Walstaff, a talented arcanist and wise woman in the town of Harback, has requested the aid of the players to retrieve a lost trinket of her youth. Using a sympathetic charm placed on the ring, the players are led to a Janilia Foxfend, a young lady of the evening in a city miles from Harback. The lady in question has found nothing but ill luck with the bauble, and the players must track down the lady's affairs and save her from a dangerous situation with a local ne'r'do'well and his lackeys.

-2nd to 3rd: A Heart Hangs: The charm seemingly disappears, and Janilia tells the tale of her father (the man who had given her the ring in hopes that its charm would find her love). The item is traced to its next victim, a man who has taken on too many interested parties. One of these parties, a cruel witchwoman, realizes the player's motives and sets her servants upon them in hopes of retrieving the token for herself.

-3rd to 4th: The Tale of the Rake: Having learned the trickery of the trinket and its fatal consequences, the players find themselves faced with one of its twists; a talented rogue and former acquaintance of Walstaff who is hunted by the spirits of his family. In uncovering the story of his trials, the players are pointed towards the true source of its enchantment.

4th to 5th: To Claim His Due: The story fully unfolds as the players race against the forces following the charm and its creator. The legend of the Walstaff line is uncovered, and the players face off against the true cause of this mess.

Life is a (Blog) Carnival: Resolutions and Understandings of a Hopeless DM

2009-01-08T07:11:00.000-08:00

I have attempted to write this blog post several times without coming off as snooty. Perhaps it is the sickness which has curtailed most of my writing efforts for the past weeks, or perhaps it is just the cloudiness of the medications which are getting me through said sickness, but I find it difficult to deliver this piece of flotsam advice in a manner becoming of the true gist of the whole piece. Mostly this came from sitting in bed discussing gaming with a friend across the world online at the moment when 2008 drew to a close.

I was bedridden (and remained so until yesterday) and miserable, and they were fighting off a considerable amount of alcoholic bliss to continue the discussion. We discussed the GG Blog, a couple of other pieces, the newest things in various editions and rulesets... then we began to discuss a horrific DM experience which my friend had had in his travels. We'll not discuss the horrors of said experience too deep . . . suffice to say, it was bad enough that I became woozy and ill-at-ease from laughing too hard at 1 in the morning. We both wondered why DMs suck so badly these days, and why there are so few 'good gamers' out in the hinterlands with the spread of the Internet and its bounty of information.

The next day I had my resolution; I will convert a group of players to competent DMs in the next year. I will take a group of players who seem to be the worst, most despicable 'Bad News Bears' group of ne'r-do-wells in the history of gaming and I will turn at least half of the group into solid DMs.

And here's why it will never work . . .

Learning to be a good DM doesn't start in a vacuum. It doesn't start with your first game, and it doesn't start with someone telling you all of the secrets of the process. I could write a hundred articles on this blog and have it be more popular than Google . . . yet I cannot make any individual reader a better DM than they themselves want to be. I feel I lucked out in my gaming experience, as I would guess most allegedly good DMs would attest, and had a perfect storm of good, reliable players, great DMs, and a location which was fit for play at the worst of times and amazingly suited for gaming at the best.

Environment can produce great DMs, but it also takes a lot of work. For every good session I run I had probably ten horrific, pre-teen nightmare wish fulfillment games that I either played in or (to my horror in admittance) DM'ed in my younger days. For every good artifact or backstory I've probably burned through a hundred poor, ill-fitting, or just silly ideas. I utilize tropes, backwards concepts, archaic gaming jargon and styles . . .

but I learned at the heels of giants. Guys who were unrepentant destroyers of PCs, whose various story arcs could inspire madness just in their labyrinthine twistings and turnings. I had the luck of spending a couple of years with a safety net, a couple of campaigns of being a co-DM to some of the worst PC beatdowns I have seen to this day.

And that doesn't really exist anymore. In this gaming culture there are too many players, DMs, and writers who believe that everything just comes together. Decades of experience behind me, I can tell you that if that were the case most of the bloggers on RPG topics would be sitting on gold-plated thrones dispensing wisdom via ruby-keyed laptops while sipping the finest colas from chalices shaped like d12s.

I own none of these things, and it saddens me.

My Resolution is to form a new group, bringing in some of the best players and DMs I can find, and then indoctrinating some of these new players into the ways of the old. And then, maybe, showing these snowflakes a little of how it's done.

Slainte,

-Loonook.

(An Odd Project) Designing Notes

2009-01-01T00:56:00.001-08:00

Working on some materials for a contest known as the Great Conjunction... figured I may get some input.

Birth, Blood, Bone, Bile, Breath, and Bearing

Birth –
Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child must work for a living,
But the child that's born on the Sabbath day
Is fair and wise and good and gay

The effect of the place or time in which the character was born. Birth is a vital Statistic, but it is not numeric. In fact, Birth is the day of the week in which the character was born. Each day of the week possesses its own power, and certain special days or times may possess different effects as determined by the Talespinner.

Blood – The character's ability to take physical injury. Blood is affected by attacks which wound the body alone, including any mundane effects.

Bone – The character's last physical resort. Bone is damaged by great effects, when the body can no longer take abuse, or when the character has worn down his reserves in any ability.

Bile – The character's stamina, the will for the body to go on. Bile is affected by that which wears at the character's body, through hunger, disease, or curses.

Breath – The character's mystic power, the breath of life. Breath is also Spirit, and anything which would affect the spirit of a character draws out his Breath.

Bearing – The character's will upon the world around him. A character's bearing need not be positive; the wily old coot and the aide-to-camp may have equal amounts of Bearing. Bearing is a vital statistic to the power of effect which a character may take on.

Determining Attributes:

First, one should determine one's birthdate. The day need not be precise unless the player is determined to be bound to a specific day and gain the benefits of that day. A birthdate grants access to three basic Paths to life.

Monday – Monday's child is fair of face. Leaders and beauties, children born on Monday are looked upon favorably by their peers, but sometimes seem aloof from the ways of the more complex paths around them. The Debutante, the Groomsman, and the Bachelor all serve as archetypes of Monday.

Tuesday - Tuesday's child is full of grace. Faithful and fated, Tuesday imbues its children with forces of favor. Though each person who takes on the nature of the day goes in a different direction, children of Tuesday manifest their powers in several unique ways. The Vicar, The Hustler, and The Handyman are common archetypes of Tuesday.

Wednesday - Wednesday's child is full of woe. Feared for their constant obsessions, the children of Wednesday are usually misunderstood. Most children of Wednesday are melancholic, only truly happy when there is something going wrong for themselves or for others. The Hexer, The Hack, and the Hag are each archetypes of Wednesday.

Thursday - Thursday's child has far to go. The journey is what is important for the children of Thursday. Thursday's children prefer to fight the good fight and wander the world on paths that will lead them to the next town. The Hobo, The Warden, and The Gypsy are common archetypes of Thursday.

Friday - Friday's child is loving and giving. Whether giving of body, spirit, or lucre, Friday's children are happiest when doing something for their fellows. The Healer, the Ne'r-Do-Well, and The Lover are common archetypes of Friday.

Saturday - Saturday's child must work for a living. Builders, dreamers, and makers, Saturday's children propel the world through their hands and minds. The Artist, the Crafter, and the Poet are common archetypes of Saturday.

Sunday - But the child that's born on the Sabbath day Is fair and wise and good and gay. Supposedly favored, Sunday's children use their wits and their judgment to get them where they need to go. The Judge, The Straight-Arrow, and The Hero are all archetypes of Sunday's Children.

Holiday Children – A Child born on a Holiday usually have a destinies aligned with their holiday. The Patriot, children born on July 4th, or the Renewer, born on January 1st, are examples of Holiday children.

_-

The Five Bodily Attributes - Blood, Bone, Bile, Breath, and Bearing.
Choose – 4/3/2/1/0 and assign to each attribute. Use the Attribute rating as a bonus to any dice pool which would be associated with the following affinities:

Blood – Vitae, the force of life. Blood and Bone combined determine the amount of Health a character possesses. Blood also assists in Knacks which are associated with Protection, War, and Water.

Bone – Petra, the force of toughness. Bone and Blood combined determine the Health of a character. Bone also assists in Knacks which are associated with Durability, Earth, and Transformation.

Bile – Cholera, the force of will. Bile and Breath determine the top Talent of any Knack. Bile also assists in Knacks which are associated with Destruction, Cursing, or Command.

Breath – Spira, the force of creation. Bile and Breath determine the top Talent of any Knack, and Breath and Bearing determine the top Force of any Knack. Breath assists in Knacks which are associated with Creation, Healing and Joining.

Bearing – Portia, the force of self. Bearing and Breath combine to determine the top Force of any Knack. Bearing has effects on Knacks associated with Self.

Lazy DMing: Pt. 1 1/2: Minion Subtypes

2008-12-26T04:18:00.000-08:00

EDIT: For terms referenced in this article please pursue The Other Articles in the Series .

As discussed in the Previous Article there are many ways to make silly mistakes in your minion creation. However, if you follow that there are many 'types' of minions, you can easily develop a system of discussing these subtypes and provide possible examples.

Now, onto Minion subtypes. These subtypes are helpful for certain materials . . . here's how we can adjust these subtypes into an easy cost-benefit system.

To be honest, I've been using 'one-hit' minions for quite some time in 3.X, and their existence is great for the 4e DM who needs something to go off of. I usually use the following as a 3.X construct for minions: Minions are effects, not creatures.

Yes, I know, this may sound odd... but hear me out. One of the major fallacies of DM thought is that every creature is a full stat block. 4e remedies a bit of this with minion stats and the various elite/solo/minion types.

But when it comes to monsters, we can do better. Let us make an example:

---

A sharp-faced demon stands tall above the Lord of Pembroke. Weaving two of its tendrils through the air as if creating a tapestry, the demon smirks when the party wizard casts his first spell.

As the spell fizzles in purple sparks, the demon bares its teeth and the battle is truly begun.

---

This demon must be some great threat! It is a powerful lord of the manor, the power behind the throne!

Perhaps . . . but it is a condition more than a creature. Kill the condition, remove the protection.

Such a "Demon" is applied Spell Resistance. The Lord of Pembroke has a demonic watchdog, and it raises itself off of its haunches. The "Demon" has several solutions; banish it, turn it, kill it.

It is nothing more than HP and an effect. As an Aiding minion (it is not using its body, but its magic to defend the Lord) it should have enough HP to be somewhat threatening, but if all it does is protect its master . . . it's not engaged in combat. It's a walking Amulet of Spell Resistance, and the best way to break it is to break the demon involved.

---

The scream of ecstasy, the swing of the blade, the cultist storms forward. Even as you strike him down the haze falls over you . . . the choking sensation of spirit takes over, and you drop to the ground.

---

This cultist is a Suicidal Minion with a Hold Person/Monster effect. It dies, you get Held (or have the chance to be Held).

Get the picture? I have faith in your . . . imagination. Let us see how many such effects we can generate! Anyone who posts a minion type below will be recognized in the next post, and given the chance to guide the next Lazy DMing guide.

Enjoy, and Good Gaming,

Slainte,

-Loonook.

Lazy DMing Pt. 4: Happy, Sad, and Crazy: Aiding, Suicidal, and Arcane Threat Minions

2008-12-26T04:16:00.000-08:00

EDIT: For terms referenced in this article please pursue The Other Articles in the Series .

In the last installment we discussed Bruiser, Abused, and Defender minions. Today we will discuss some of the more interesting minion types. However, 'minion' is a loaded term these days. Let us rather define Minion as 'leverage units'. Really, an enemy is an enemy, but a minion provides leverage for the Big Bad. Each minion should provide this leverage, and nothing else... no need for 1 HP, just serve as your own little unit of HP, AC, and effect.

Now, onto the three minions to discuss here:

-Aiding: These minions are the healers and squealers. Defenders protect the Bad, Aides give some assistance to help the Bad protect itself. The negative-essenced undead which provide an aura of negative-energy healing for their lich? A mage who gives some buffs to the royal villain? Aides. Aides are usually 'quiet targets'; they can be some distance away, and their skills usually lend to being less-than-stellar warriors.

-Arcane Threat: Magic Bruisers, Arcane Threats lay down a nice fat line of elemental (or other) damage. Not usually mages themselves, an Arcane Threat will break skull totems, UMD a wand, or just break open a sweet can of magic energy to cover. Arcane Threats are even weaker than Bruisers, big ol' Glass Cannons.

-Suicidal: Kamikaze threats. Think of Bombs from Final Fantasy; while an Abused provides by being damaged by others, Suicidals are walking effects waiting to trigger themselves. Exploding poisonous constructs? Check. Suicidal creatures work well with manipulative masters, serving as fanatics which can be thrown about to do damage (or other negative effects) without PC targeting.

Completion of base types... next, we'll give some hard examples.

Slainte,

-Loonook.

Lazy Dming: Minions Pt. 3: In Pursuit of Playfulness (Bruiser, Defender, and Abused)

2008-12-20T17:12:00.000-08:00

EDIT: For terms referenced in this article please pursue The Other Articles in the Series .

Lazy Dming: Minions Pt. 3: In Pursuit of Playfulness (Bruiser, Defender, and Abused)

So, we've defined what minions should and should not be; let us define some of the important essences of minions by archetype. We'll start with three of the more common useful types of minions: Abused, Bruiser, and Defender Minions. To define (in my own words):

Bruiser – A Minion which serves an aggressive battle purpose. Most of these types are going to be found in situations where you need some protection. A hoard of martial bodyguards for a local shah? A couple of minotaurs who are breaking down doors and skulls in the path of their sorcerer liegelord? Yep, we just found bruisers. Good common example: Ogres, Minotaurs, etc.

Defender – A minion which provides a nice thick shield for the local softies. That group of bodyguards who lay down their life and throw themselves in harm's way for the local shah? A skilled mage-slayer who deflects spells for his Royal Highness? Defender minion. Good Common Example: Shield Guardians, creatures with Shield and similar abilities, members of the Bodyguard Advanced Class in d20 Modern.

Abused – It's really a hate-hate relationship here. Abused minions provide leverage and advantage based not on their skills, but what they provide in dying for the cause. Need cultists who boost spellcasting through sacrifice? How about a corpulent imp who, when brought to his death, explodes in a cloud of confusion and damage? Those are Abused minions. Common Examples: A group of creatures tied to the tyrant's armor listed in The Book of Vile Darkness, creatures with death throes and similar abilities, Thoon Infiltrators.

Now, minions come and go, but the usefulness of their stay is the measure the normal DM goes by. As minions serve to supplement and enhance the Big Bad's abilities, it is important to pick just the right minion for the right situation. Here are some basic 'template' abilities which prove useful rules-wise to give to each of these typical minion types:

Bruiser – High damage output, low threshold for pain. A Bruiser shouldn't become the focus of the party; they're there to wear down a target. Not all bruisers will wear down HP, however; if a villain is using attacks which function on Will Save, then a Bruiser who is equipped with Wisdom-affecting damage is going to be your best bet. In this situation a venomous creature may serve better than any ogre. Do not ignore the benefits of a few good hits, however; those poisons and effects will only be beneficial if the Big Bad can capitalize on it.

Defender – Damage is not as important as a good thick meat shield. Damage Reduction, Shield Other, and similar abilities will keep a Defender there. As stated before, a Defender serves a purpose; slow down PC reactions, and keep the soft Big Bad alive for his plans/spells/effects to 'get off' in the period. Defenders need to be able to attract and stand against the PC for a period, or be in proximity to protect their master directly for their purpose to be fully served.

Abused – A keen balance of cost-benefit defines the Abused Minion. Do the PCs kill the dangerous cultist knowing that doing so will unleash hellfire and a master whose abilities will increase in power? Balancing the Abused is a key element; they need to be just enough threat to make them ignore-proof, but not enough to feel like a screwjob when the PCs do eventually lay them to rest. A good rule of thumb is to make the Abused squishy enough to go down in one to two hits, but still dangerous enough to make the PCs want to bring them down quickly (even if their effect will boost their master and make for a harder fight. Abused are glass pistols to the Bruiser and Arcane Threat glass cannon; they do enough damage (in ways which are NOT necessarily aids to their master) to make them a danger, but they cannot be the main thrust of the spear (otherwise they will be an easy target). Abused are great for status-affecting and low-to-mid damage area effects, though it is up to your game whether these effects will stack or (in a case of chain reaction) cause other surrounding Abused minions to 'trigger' and get off their effects early.

In the next installment we will discuss three other types of minions: Aiding, Suicidal, and Arcane Threat minions.

As Always,

Good Gaming,

Slainte,

-Loonook.

Lazy DMing: To Create a Minion Part 2: Successful Minions Qualities

2008-12-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

EDIT: For terms referenced in this article please pursue The Other Articles in the Series .

As discussed in the previous article, our goal in this Lazy DMing discussion is to create a strongly flavorful, well-remembered group of mooks which will put your players and their characters in stitches. The following steps, when applied in moderation, should do just that . . .

Step 1: Make the mook's initial appearance memorable. There's a lot of jokes around the Net and in the gaming community at-large that if a character has a name and talks to the PCs that this character must be important. I find this type of metagame thinking to be untrue in most of the games I've played in because DMs and players followed this bit of advice. Minions are pe... well, they're creatures too, and they deserve to be treated as such. Minions who have good descriptive phrasing in their first reveal will stick in player's minds much more readily than just another orc with axe in chain shirt combination.

Step 2: Make Minions Disposable Wingmen. Minions are the wingmen of the PC/NPC relationship. Minions get the boss introduced to the players, check out their strengths and weaknesses, and see how best to fit their master into the plans of the PCs. Low-grade thugs work to soften up the party, expend resources, and make the villain's life easier.

Step 3: Minions Are Two-Trick Ponies. A mook should never be limited to one option in battle, but as stated previously . . . these guys are disposable. They'll be in mind for awhile, but their whole purpose is to advance a storyline and provide delicious window dressing for the player's immersion.

In essence, think of minions as interview subjects for a job. Does the minion bring something that is lacking to the company? Does the minion serve a purpose which is in-line with the goals of the company? Does the minion fit in with the general 'culture' of the company?

If these three questions can be answered yes, then you have a perfect minion. That enraged minotaur kept as a 'pet' by the dwarven merchant lord who has sent assassins against the PCs serves a purpose; it is a powerfully strong bully minion, and works great as a counterpart to the cerebral merchant lord. The minotaur serves a purpose in-line with the goals of the villain (keeping the villain alive), and fits in with the culture (minotaurs are seen as less than humanoid and are kept as slaves by those who break their will.)

A crazed, half-starved minotaur which springs from the shadows onto the PCs will be remembered for the sheer shock value, and the high percentage of such a creature, if calmed, being able to tell more about his master's plans and possibly fighting the good fight alongside the PCs cannot be ignored as motivation.

Minions are small highlights to the story. They should never be the main attraction, though they should also never be so far in the background as to just be a statblock. Without a well-planned, well-executed series of minions, the villain becomes an obelisk for PC targeting. Every story needs a good support cast, and a well thought out series of minions can serve you for sessions (or even arcs) to come with fodder for stories.

Good Gaming,

Slainte,

-Loonook.

Good Gaming Blog Goes on the Road

2008-11-30T13:49:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be out of town for an unknown period of time on a job . . . sadly, you won't be coming with me. Until I get back, read up on some of the local flavors in the blogosphere and I'll try to update when I get there:

A Divine Wind: Great blog from Kamikaze Midget over at ENWorld. Kamikaze is working on a port of Final Fantasy using 3 & 4e styles . . . the project is coming out great. Check out his Starter characters, or the Freelancer class preview.

Tome and Tomb: Has a lame name and is working on organization, but good times overall. New blog that is working on itself.

Worlds in a Handful of Dice: Good work by NiTessine as cited in the last article. Had a little controversy a bit back as a 4e tester who didn't like 4e. Oh nos!

Jonathan Drain's Blog: Provides a hell of a lot of great sources, and since I'll be out I linked you to his "Friday Link Adventure" for this week so you double your pleasure and fun.

Gotta get going, so enjoy yourselves and don't wreck the furnishings...

Slainte,

-Loonook.

2008-11-29T21:28:00.000-08:00

Life is a (Blog) Carnival; Religion’s Effect on Dungeons and Dragons.

Well, since I caught a fancy and looked at a couple of blogs which struck mine, I came across this concept of Blog Carnival. Essentially, the Carnival is a monthly topic for rumination, and since I first saw it on Handful of Dice I will give NiTessine from #Enworld on Otherworlders props here. The current Carnival covers Religion, and so I get to discuss a gripe I’ve always had with religion in D&D: the cheapness of miracles.

Now, I’m not much of a religious man, but miraculous events occur every day in D&D. The blind are given sight, arms and legs magically reattached, and the dead rise on the whim of their spirit and a nice chunk of rare gems. The costs involved in religious magic are akin to those involved with arcana but come with a price; a required allegiance. However, this allegiance of self has absolutely nothing to do with the allegiance of the target of these ministrations.

Say you’re a follower of Billoby, God of Mischief. You decide to run around with scissors as part of the hallowed Festival of Bad Ideas, and poke out one of your eyes. Perhaps Billoby holds the tenet of ‘you break it, you fix it’, and considers his worship so awesome as to be without reproach. The local Temple of Slapstick refuses to give you aid, but the worshippers of Frigidia, the Goddess of Uptight Morality, will heal your eyes with nothing more than a how-you-do and a cache of gold pieces. You get your eye back, everything is fine, but you have just engaged a spellcaster antithetical to your own creed for your own good.

Where exactly does this stop? Would two deities in divine war allow their clerics to heal enemy troops without forethought? Would a priest of Jumbuck, God of Cuteness, be able to curse a Dire Cutie to a demesne of horrible ugliness? In this world where magic is real, and angels and demons come to the world to literally save (or damn) souls to eternal hellfire, anyone gets to be given the assistance of anyone who happens to carry a Cure Light Wounds handy . . . as long as they’re not undead, of course.

It is strange that in our world where we are in constant turmoil, a game which has been defamed as the tool of the Devil has such a lesson of mercy and willingness. The gods do not blame their followers for giving succor, nor do they remove their boons from those who they were freely granted to save for in the most overreaching states. Indeed, it seems that clerics are granted the right of oversight of their own books, and they get to choose to whom their gifts are given. This movement, the right for an enemy to be granted aid or an ally to be granted ill seems far beyond our own clergy. The right to free will, so often discussed in theology, is rarely the true hand of those involved in religion in this day and age. Those who refuse a specific ideal may be denied the right to calling themselves leaders of their religion.

I can only hope that someday, in a time where we will long be forgotten, that gods and their churches will grant freewill to those willing to walk the path of their specific brand of righteousness. Laity and clergy alike allowed to associate freely, without ill will or issue, with any and all who practice their own ways freely.
Since this is not a gaming blog per se, I leave you with good words,

Slainte,

-Loonook.

Lazy DMing: To Create a Minion Part 1: Faux Pas.

2008-11-29T20:50:00.000-08:00

EDIT: For terms referenced in this article please pursue The Other Articles in the Series .

Too often DMs become trapped in storyline and pacing. While these elements are essential to DMing, they serve a purpose if and only if players can become immersed through the use of interesting characters. Trust, interesting characters are what drive the story, but the next flaw which many DMs fall into regarding these ‘interesting characters’ is the idea that the ‘interest’ should apply mostly to the Big Bad Evil of your specific story arc. Yes, while in many cases a Big Bad will be the story’s driver, it is important to make flavorful minions that the PCs will remember for the rest of the campaign.

Now, this has absolutely nothing to do (necessarily) with 4e; minion, in this case, applies as a general term for any creature which serves a higher-ranking creature (the Big Bad in this case). These entries will cover a good ‘how to’ guide to what a good, memorable series of minions should be. These observations have been taken from games I have run or played in, along with discussions from others who have run or played memorable minion types.

First, we’ll cover the main flaws which players seem to have about the necessity of minions:

1.) Mooks need not be flavored. This one I have never understood until a few days ago when I was watching a long series of movies… one may know these movies, because, like D&D, there are a lot of glowing swords, monsters, and evil-doers dressed in black armor. Got where I’m coming from? Excellent. Now, the mooks which are presented as sort of the ‘endless shooting gallery’ of this epic are usually pretty flavorless; they dress in white armor, have pretty blasé weaponry, and generally don’t go into much interaction.

Don’t fall for this trap. Uniforms are great if you’re dealing with a military outfit, but even the most common minions in D&D will have a wide variety of things they do, and with that variety probably comes many different tactics. Let the minions have something different about them, something not necessarily unique but memorable . . . otherwise, you just have a bunch of guys marked with the scarlet M wandering about your setting.

2.) Mooks with a lot going on. We all want our minions to have a large variety of things to do; maybe each type of minion focuses on something different, or has a suite of abilities ready to fend off the heroes at every turn. While this is fine in theory, it becomes downright irksome in practice. Think of minions as hardware; would I rather have a device which does a hundred things poorly at an expensive price tag, or a sleek device which does a handful of things I need it to do well for half the price? Villains are spendthrifts after all; all of those hero slaying parties take up a lot of time and money on the schedule.

3.) Mooks go the distance. Yes, some minions may make it out with their hides . . . and if they see a chance they should retreat if they have a couple of brain cells to rub together. However, it is better to let players get the upper hand on the minions than let all of the minions run away and leave the players feeling screwed over. After all, the Big Bad hired these guys/girls/creatures ‘at will’, and usually that means they are expendable.

4.) Every mook is a Leader. No no no. Sometimes minions go down . . . loyal retainers aren’t really minions so much as they are cohorts (which will be discussed at a later period).

5.) The Exotic Russian Nesting Mook. Minions should be different than the Big Bad; cohorts and sidekicks can have similar powers, but a minion helps to fulfill a role which the Big Bad may not be able to do himself. For example, vampires and their spawn have certain weaknesses (light of day, stakes, getting their heads cut off) and they may need someone to protect or supplement their ranks with ways to overcome them. Renfields will probably still go down to a stake in the heart and their heads being chopped off, but at least they maneuver well in sunny Acapulco.

These are the five biggest thinking errors I see with minion builds; the next entry will cover ways to get around these issues, and hopefully present you some ideas to give those minions something to power themselves up with.

Good Gaming,

Slainte,

-Loonook.

Good Gaming Goes Groucho

2008-11-28T19:32:00.000-08:00

I am really starting to understand the classic Marx quote (stolen from another source, so this will be fourth-rate thievery) of “I don’t care to belong to any club that will have me as a member”. After looking at months upon months of arguments in the D&D community about Fourth Edition, I’ll go with what I’ve been thinking in this blog as concisely as possible. I know, wackiness and ‘up-to-date’ are not up to my repertoire; however, I wanted to really form a cohesive idea on what 4e does and doesn’t do ‘right’ in my eyes.

4e hit some great notes . . . the whole issue is that a lot of these things weren’t exactly new. Creature-based XP, minions, ‘bigger, better’ solo and ‘elite’ monsters, a collapsing of the rococo skill system . . . well, this has been done. House rules on these things have existed for a good period of time, and I think that they’re great house rules. Hell, they’re great concepts! They belong in D&D no matter what the stripe because they help to take some solid ideas from house rules and early iterations of D&D and place them into the limelight again.

4e also did some really bad turns. Destruction of the cosmology by major shifts, the so-called ‘spell plague’, and the direct establishment of the four roles (defender, striker, etc.) . . . it feels wrong. The problem I have with these flaws is their introduction into the main; yes, a lot of people say ‘well, you can take it or leave it’, and I agree wholeheartedly that in most situations you could do this. In the core system, however, creating all sorts of strange armors, changing the armor choices, and introducing a setting which is antithetical to the settings presented before which were well-received . . . well, it just doesn’t ring well with me.

I really hope that 4e gets nice third-party support, and that WotC gets up off of its behind to develop some good materials from older settings and maybe even a ‘non-fantasy’ version of 4e. 4e feels to me like a great interpretation in combat of wargaming, and in all honesty I think that that style has some great purposes. Hell, the setting itself could do some really good things for people . . .

But it ain’t my bag. And there should be nothing wrong with that. Whenever I bring up these points in conversation with 4e diehards I get the same thing; well, it’s only a bug to you, that really you should do this instead . . . and I get irritated. 3e and 4e have their places in the community; and as long as the OGL keeps producing good solid 3rd party materials which I can adapt to my settings 3e will be my choice. However, in specific ways (as an introduction game, as a game to emulate a world similar to Final Fantasy Tactics, etc.) I could see myself using 4e.

But I don’t want to be part of the 3e or the 4e community. I don’t want to be a grognard, or a fatbeard wannabe, or a deep fanboy for any edition. I want to be a Gamer, and bring you Good Gaming. This is why I will try to keep things very setting unspecific, so as to allow you conversion. When material was done in 3e it will be presented as such with the least amount of frills.

But don’t call me a grogger… I’m a gamer. And gaming shouldn't require a membership.

Good Gaming,

-Loonook.

Ostari Ways: Councilor Birds and the Grey Ways

2008-11-26T17:39:00.000-08:00

As discussed in the previous entry I really wanted to give the Ostari some ‘special’ style. Their magic would still follow many of the paradigm set by classic D&D, but be presented in a unique way. Thus, I wanted to come up with specific and different paths to solutions which I saw were not present in your average D&D game. Spellcasters, overall, get a lot of nifty little tweaks and talents because of their ability to cast spells . . . however, it is the rare setting where magic isn’t seen as something which is not above the average, a power which shouldn’t be trifled with. Even in this setup it is a rarity when magic ‘rises up’ above what is presented by your average crunch and fluff configuration. A lot of people want Merlins walking around their setting . . . I usually prefer more of a scientific approach. To me, magicians of all types (divine, arcane, what have you) are utilizing energy in a way which gives power through clever efficiency. In his series The Dresden Files, Jim Butcher asks which is more impressive (and I paraphrase): a large truck which steams and throws exhaust to move a load, or a small car which does the same with only a couple of AA batteries?

I think that creative and effective use of magic relies on getting the most ‘bang for your buck’, and understanding that because magic is an energy there will always be some sort of buffer, a resistance which can be fought against (and waste energy) or given into and went with to produce smaller but effective results.

It is through this reasoning that the Grey Ways, Councilor Birds, and magebanes became integral parts of the campaign setting in which the Ostari Imperial State is derived.

I’ve enjoyed the concept of each type of magic being different. I think that psi and arcane/divine spells should be treated as two separate entities, and that resistance should not necessarily apply retroactively to each other except for at a base level. Basic Spell Resistance applies to Psychic Resistance at half-rate; a psychic can penetrate a mage’s defenses and vice versa unless each takes measures to prevent the other from gaining the upper hand. On the other side, mages would split their resources and thus require outside assistance to boost their abilities to defend against their own kind. A clever ornithologist (a talented awakener) began working on a creature which could do just this. That creature is known as a councilor bird.

Councilors look like large Kingfishers (around the size of an owl or similar) with bright blue or purple plumage. Mages take on councilors as familiars and cohorts; though unable to speak in human tongues councilors have the ability to communicate in a piercing shrill and, as mages and others who obtain them as familiars will denote, they have a very intelligent and observant way of thinking and can understand common tongues. A councilor bird’s greatest talent, however, is its sweet song. In effect, councilor birds can perform countersong as a bard of half of their master’s level. Some councilors, who are usually known as Imperial councilors, gain rudimentary spellcasting abilities. These birds usually are trained as adepts, and serve as fine henchmen to mages or others who may need a boost up against those who would attempt to charm or cajole them through the use of sonic magic.

Councilors live as long as Grey parrots, but only Imperial councilors may gain class levels, and there are a handful of these birds who actually become talented mages or bards (though do to their size they rarely use material components unless they have an aid who can present them with the materials to use).

The Grey Ways is more difficult, and derives from good ol’ fashioned spell resistance. Remember the types of spell resistance when even good effects were stopped? Yeah . . . good times. The Grey Ways and their practitioners have culled these abilities in new and frightening ways. The first skill that Grey Walkers master is the ability to protect their charges; like shield guardians (or d20 Modern Bodyguards) Grey Walkers can absorb some of the damage that their superiors would normally take (we kept with the Shield Other level of half damage). The greater talent lies in the Grey Walkers ability to manipulate its spell resistance.

Grey Walkers are required to have some form of spell resistance. Most take it through a basic route (they are treated as Hagborn) but they can impart their resistance towards a target. At first they learn to shield their master; then they learn to channel that resistance through their weapons, actually reducing a rival’s spell resistance. Next, they learn to ‘disrupt’ spells (similar to the mage slayer feat against magical concealment and AC) with focused dispelling abilities. Their greatest ability, however, is suppression of the magic items which are carried by their enemies. In all, Grey Walkers are an excellent NPC Class for the guardian of a mage, which by level 13-15 should be able to cause major problems for someone who enjoys using their Staff of Power and Robes of Awesomeness.

At some point I will present the effects presented by different Grey Walkers, and give a Level appropriate ‘replacement’ slot for the ability. Grey Walkers are never mages; rather, they serve as warriors (or, in the very rare case of a failed Sucuran initiate, psychic warriors or Book of Nine Swords styled warriors).
These are just here as concepts . . . mix and match as you will. I’m going to step away from the Ostari in the next few posts, and focus on more advice blogs and shorter posts. If you have any comments please leave those . . . I always enjoy hearing good feedback.

Good Gaming,

Slainte,

-Loonook.

The Ostari: Discussions of Magic and Psionics in the Imperial States

2008-11-25T18:12:00.000-08:00

The Ostari: Discussions of Magic and Psionics in the Imperial States

When initially coming to terms with Ostar and its inhabitants I had a couple of key foci. The first and largest was a meritocracy built around service to the Empire and the development of the Imperial state as something greater than any other nation-state. I wanted a nation based around transhumanist ideals; to create a humanity which was greater by the establishment of cells of superhuman individuals who would serve the Imperial State and develop their own unique traits.

This vision, of course, was biting off more than I could chew . . .

However, I think that I really was able to get a lot of the ‘taste’ into the material. The Ostari court has survived uprisings, great crises, and economic collapse. The Imperial line, almost deific in its clean succession, would serve as the ideal form of this constant growth of the human condition. Science fiction (from the works of Herbert and Card) left a very heavy imprint on the surface of things . . . in a fantasy situation the Ostari would not need a finite physical resource to build their empire. Rather than the spice they would use magic, that endless source of fancy and cool which any high fantasy uses to make the best out of the world presented. The magic involved would be something rarely seen, and the image of the robed wizard would be something out of the norm.

Most Ostari spellcasters are ‘unorthodox’ casters; warmages, beguilers, hexblades, and even the occasional Book of Nine Swords styled warrior would serve as the magocratic elite. Bards serve as attaché and ambassadors, minor nobles and the ‘court’ magicians of various fringe elements of the society. Psychics serve as an interesting element, used by those who understand psionics as a complexity (while other societies have developed a large pool of psionically inclined mystics, only the Children of Sucur serve as a group of psychics in the Imperial State). The complex mixture of mental and arcane magic helped give rise to many of the interesting objects in the Imperial; the Sucuran Guard, the breeding of the Councilor Birds, and one of the most feared talents of the Justices of Ostar; disrobing.

Disrobing is… well, it’s a scary thing for a magic-using character. The setting has checks against mages; magebane artifice, the use of Qishi and other narcotics and neural agents . . . but disrobing is a fierce thing. In essence, Justices may create an object which is inserted behind the eye of a mage and, through channeling of low levels of energy, robs a mage of his ability to cast spells. This is manifested by a low psychic ‘pulse’ and a curse effect which cannot be removed save by high level spellcasters. Mechanically, the process reduces mental scores to 9. The threat of disrobing is a nasty little bug and an excellent deterrent to PC and NPC breaking of the laws of spellcraft.

Some may say it is inappropriate to do such a horrible thing to a PC; however, the ability to retrain and earn back the breaking of the process is always presented. Many talented fighters were once disrobed, and it is possible for one to ‘beat the system’ by using Intelligence-boosting items or another’s spellcraft in the setting. It is also appropriate for PCs to have an option of capture and assured dismissal of a dangerous NPC caster rather than murder (a big no-no in such a strongly mage-friendly society).

Our next writeup will cover some of the more unique applications of this magic including Councilor Birds, and the use of the Grey.

Good Gaming,
Slainte,
-Loonook.

Malkai: Greatport of Ostaria

2008-11-24T22:41:00.000-08:00

Malkai: Greatport of Ostaria: Detailed Notes. (All numbers are estimates from the Imperial Library’s observations).

Population: 17 000 permanent Citizens, 3500 non-citizens/migrant citizens.
Size: 50 sq. miles (including unpopulated districts and Windkeep ‘district‘); 20 sq. miles with more than sparse population.

Guide: The Diamond of the Shore, Malkai is ruled over by the leader of the Imperial Host (Navy) Admiral Ulris. Malkai has four main districts, constructed around the cliff face from which it rises. The largest area is Tideswell, the area which gives Malkai its rough-and-tumble image amongst the average Imperial. Tideswell is populated by the rogues and hustlers, the longshores and the sailors of the port, but the location is well regulated by the Host’s attachment of loyalist militia. Though they are crude, the men and women of Tideswell keep their hands close, and attempt to keep high crime from their port, though smuggling and assault are common. Tideswell hosts 5000 of the citizens and 3000 non-citizens (including 1200 Servitor), most of whom serve as sailors, and the occasional dock-keep. Tideswell fades into the high, zig-zagging steps which lead up to the mercantile court known as Seaside.

Seaside is where most of the day-to-day business of the Host. A large open-air market exists in the south of Seaside, bordered on its western side by the large Theatre Imperial. The Theatre, a multipurpose center built of high-cost materials on the behest of the Imperial Matriarch, serves the role of playhouse, court, and shelter for those abroad during the stormy season. Seaside hosts 2 300 citizens and 500 Servitors along a steady population of 300 non-citizens serving amongst the Host.

Seacourt is the term for the large road which comes from the Tideswell through Seaside, and encircles the district which shares its name. The District is filled with the nobility of the city, and hosts the Seaward Palace, the place where the Imperial Matriarch is found in the warmer months. Built by Iutin I for his bride, the Palace is covered in the memorabilia of the current Matriarch’s mother. Grand Matriarch Malinar’s legacy has a large influence on the region. Her Matron's Hanri (or household guard) is filled with elderly witches and trained mages, who are led by Malinar's former companion and lifelong friend Sister Queen (Kiul Huin), a tall and elegant Mescari princess who came to the Imperial household over two hundred years ago and helps the current Matriarch with the affairs of the palace.

The current Matriarch's health has improved in the last 10 years to allow her to leave the Capital; an unknown magician who granted her the health and strength to return to her favored palace disappearing as quickly as he came. Matriarch Mulnier uses her position and her Hanri to protect foreign spiritualists from her son's soldiers; in fact, some have come close to calling her a traitor, but never to the Emperor himself.

Another feature of Malkai is the Ilmat, a large Imperial jail kept on on an island out in the middle of the Western Sea protected by the Children of Sucur. The imprisoned are forced to wear magebane shackles and other magic-impairing devices. Ilmat is used for the most part for rogue spellcasters, and is kept by a unit of the Ostari Blade, and receives supplies and food from the Imperial State itself. Whereas other prisons are less clean or kept, Ilmat is still feared; the powers of the wards of the Island stem from a brutal period in the Early Imperium, and much of the magic has been corrupted. These corrupted wards make prisoners slowly lose control of their own thoughts, and the natural protections of the Children’s state assist in their control of the island.

Political Forces in Malkai:

Imperial Host: The closest power of the Imperium in the region, the Imperial Host curries favor with the Emperor, and has been rewarded handsomely. Ulris unseated a Sorcerer Imperium to take up his position as the Admiral in a brilliant sociopolitical coup. Ulris is brutal to foreign brownnosing but forgiving to his own men. He keeps a tight organization, and will not have the Matriarch interfering with his mission from the Imperial State. He has recently received calls for a new ‘mission’ from the Emperor; his strange acquisitions and placements of troops and ships out into the West has been called broad by those who question his authority, but their quiet dissent has been ignored by Ulris. The Host keeps itself at power, and follows their Orders from the lowest ensign to the Admiral himself.

Imperial Matriarch/Matron's Hanri: The members of the Matron's Hanri are all in their fifties or older, and are rumored to include a drake who roams the coast. The Drake's human-granted name is Mageshield, and its brilliant colors may be seen in a large domain around the city. Mulnier is at her wits even though her mysterious disease once prevented her from being coherent for long. Mulnier and Kiul Huin keep the Hanri to around nine members, and their meetings are secret. The Imperial Matriarch keeps the Host from arresting spiritualists and those who wear charms of the spirits as often as they can, using bribery or, in severe cases, secreted magics to assist the men in 'breaking out' from Ilmat.

Organizations or Groups of Import:

The Hanri of the Tides: A group of sailors and weatherworks, The Hanri of the Tides has established itself to protect the seas from piracy. The Hanri's leader is said to be aboard the Sea Mistress, the flagship of the Imperial Navy. Galni, a graduate of the School of Thrones, serves on the pirate-breaker as first mate, and is said to go off-vessel for times to deal with Hanri business.
Notable Symbols: Green cloth with a silver wave motif.

The Wolves of Malkai: The largest group of non-Imperial privateers on the water, the Wolves of Malkai serve on several large merchant vessels, hiding and springing themselves on pirates who do attack. The Wolves are brutal but they keep the seas clean. The Hanri of the Tide works with the Wolves quite often, though it is not necessarily a loving relationship.

Notable Symbol: A Wolf emblazoned on the shoulder of a tunic of belt's buckle.

Laws of Malkai:

= All Capital Laws apply in Malkai (though they are not always enforced).

= Piracy is punishable as Treason.

= Theft of a Merchant's living wares (i.e. slaves) can be imprisoned for a number of days not exceeding a year and a day.

Services Available:

Weatherwork: 20 gp/level + day plus share.
Passage (Zajara): 750 GP
Passage (Sea of the Western Childe): 500 GP
Play at the Imperial Playhouse: 5 cp Low Seats, 1 gp Mid Seats, 20 GP Noble Seats, 300 GP Imperial Seats

Weatherwork: A spellcaster of some skill, the Weatherwork serves to set the magewind and to protect the boat from simple waves and other simple conditions. Weatherworks are usually Adepts and claim a share as if they were a captain’s man (as a normal member of the crew).

Passage: For the average person, mid-deck, double-occupancy on a freight. Higher prices may be asked for the boarding of animals or cargo, while lower prices are given to mages who wish to work on some vessels as weatherworks.

Play at the Imperial Playhouse: Used as a place of social interaction, the Playhouse is one of the few times when the Imperial Matriarch is seen by the ‘common people’. Each level of seats is better than the one before, from the standing of he Low Seat to the luxurious Imperial Seats in balconies overlooking the theatre.

Good Gaming,

Slainte,

-Loonook.

Good Gaming Gazetteer: Parlinian NPCs.

2008-11-24T20:23:00.000-08:00

Good Gaming Gazetteer: Parlinian NPCs.

After some discussions with individuals on the #enworld chatroom on the Otherworlders network, I decided to do a basic rundown of NPCs in the area, which could be used for your games (if you decide to use any of this information). I will put up 'suggested' stats and classes for the NPCs; these are up to your discretion of course. I believe that truly good NPCs have nothing to do with the stats, and thus I use some choices which would be considered odd to represent certain characters.

...

The setting itself has very small amounts of creatures prowling around; so, like many of my games I use the creatures in various MMs and other sources more as 'kits' than as anything else. These are suggestions for your own game, and I hope they work out smashingly for you :). Servants in the setting take on the dai-(house) name in cases of noble patronage, a sign of their belonging to the House without truly being a member.

Servants of the Lords of Kinda -

Wusta dai-Calful, Talented Black Hander.

Wusta uses his powers to infiltrate and eliminate threats to the family. Talented in the arts of deception and the specific traits of the Black Handers, Wusta dai-Calful was raised from a tender age in the hands of Artin dai-Calful, leader of the house's Black Hands Guard. A child born to the Orphan's Guard and plucked from its carriage, he still exhibits some of the traits of his upbringing in the depths.

Wusta is a dark-skinned man of Zajahran descent. He was born with a talent known as Shadowshaping, and can use it to his advantage at will. Those around Wusta gain benefits from his Shadowshaping if they are attuned to his specific talents. Many suspect that this servant will replace Artin as leader within the next few years.

--

Wusta dai-Calful - Wusta is a special type of (monstrous) humanoid possessing 4 HD, +4 to Str, +4 to Dexterity, and +2 to Intelligence. and the abilities of a Displacer Beast. Wusta uses his skill points as appropriate to have the following progression: Rogue 2/Assassin 3/Nightsong Infiltrator X.

Wusta has the special ability Aura of Shadow or, if he has Nightsong Infiltrator 7, Improved Aura of Shadow.

Aura of Shadow (Su) - A creature with this ability ability grants a +5 competence bonus to Hide and Move Silently Checks to allies within 20'. This ability ends when the creature is struck by another creature, attacks another creature, knocked unconscious, or would have to make a Concentration check.

Improved Aura of Shadow (Su): As Aura of Shadow, but grants a +10 competence bonus and the ability only ends when the creature is knocked unconscious.

Wusta should be treated as a CR of (3 + Class Levels) and carries items which improve his ability to infiltrate and silently dispatch targets.

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Khom Yurndi, Kingpin.

Khom is an oddity; a leader amongst the families focused on battle. Khom is an imposing man, large of stature and brutal to anyone he considers 'less' than himself. He is an enormous man, and there are those who call him Giantsseed from his days as a mercenary for hire amongst the lords of Central Naschia. Few know the story behind his immense stature and the pain it caused his family.

Khom's family was cursed by the Witch of Cowl Mountain to bear a child who would tear the family apart every generation until they left their homeland in shame. Khom was the last of such children, and has searched the Ostari empire for a cure to his curse. Each of his attempts have failed, but his curse has not passed on to those in his line; his son Durmi has no signs of the curse.

Khom stands at nine feet tall and is broad-shouldered. A runeflesh mercenary (which will be covered in the later articles on the history of Central Naschia), Khom was 'blessed' by the Priests of Kuartani with the ability to cast devestating magics. He is slow-witted compared to many of the Kinda lords, but his efficient and brutal methods of keeping the family together make him worthwhile to many.

--

Khom is built using an Ogre Magi as the base, but using the Barbarian skill list for assigning skills from that base and takes the Thug fighter variant class shown in Unearthed Arcana. He loses the Change Shape ability, and replaces Flight with the ability Airwalk, and his Cone of Cold ability is treated as a 10' radius effect.

Khom chooses items which enhance his natural ability to deal damage, and has many items which allow him to spy on rival family agents.

Airwalk (Su) - As flight, but the creature must end its turn on solid ground or suffer falling damage based on the distance from ground and forfeit a move action in the next round.

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Vilindos Perdin - A fat, affable bastard son of the Perdin patriarch, Vilindosi lives in opulent accomodations in a city in the New Imperial State, far from his family. Though he claims to work as an 'agent' in the family's lucrative slaving business he snubs the family as much as possible, and chooses those who he grants the privilege to purchase his wares. Few if any of his charges are kept for long, and Vilindos cycles out his 'children' as minor clerks and shopboys to local businesses, getting papers and material through contacts he developed while an adventurer.

Ebony skinned and enormous, the corpulent Vilindos has a lover in the form of the popular orator Kalindu. Those who know of this 'indiscretion' make it a point to jab the thorn into the Perdin family's side, but Vilindos also keeps a stable of talented eyes and ears as a 'harem' to satisfy custom. He is best known for his gaudy clothes and the enormous fan which he carries around, adorned in strange patterns and bright filigree and said to have come from the far reaches of Zajara.

--

Vilindos is a Rogue, and his fan serves to create a wind effect which can bull-rush an opponent. The fan is treated as a non-damaging attack with an Attack bonus equal to Vilindos HD + 10 (+4 from Vilindos taking Improved Bull Rush). Vilindos may also use the fan as a normal warfan if necessary, or cause a Gust of Wind effect 1/day. Vilindos may sustain this effect by spending a standard action for a number of rounds equal to his Charisma Modifier.

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Ladies Cindyl, Carlyl, and Cydyl Golbel

Triplets of the Golbel line, the 'ladies' are the Golbel's connection to their ancient ancestry. Kept out of the light and promised to the trivian spirit the Golbel matriarch has taken on, the girls (aged 17) are the matriarch's one hope for change in the family.

--

Each 'Lady' has 3 Bard levels and has begun along their own path. Cindyl, the vainglorious one, has continued on the path of the Bard and is seeking to control and command her own fiefdom. Carlyl, dumb but domineering, has chosen the path of blood and has begun to learn to rage and become barbarous. Cydyl, the most corrupt of them, has begun to dig into ancient tomes and learn secrets of magic best left out of the waking mind.

The girls each have a suitor who was given to them upon their birth, and who serves as their 'protector'. These demons provide the girls with corrupting influences and drive the girls down their road to ruin. Each of the Ladies have taken Vile feats associated with this worship, and each has taken on a path which most suits their Protector. Cydyl's protector is an Imp Sorcerer, Cindyl's is an Erinyes (male), while Carlyl has been granted a handsome Bearded Devil as her beau. Each of these Protectors appears to be a handsome human male who fits personality with the girls perfectly and encourages their corruption fully.

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A few rough-hewn NPC ideas to use at your leisure. I hope you enjoy them and as always...

Good Gaming,

Slainte,

-Loonook.

Good Gaming Gazetteer: The Parlis, Lords of the Kinda, and Others.

2008-11-24T20:21:00.000-08:00

GGG: The Parlis, Lords of the Kinda, and Others.

The Parlis, as stated in an earlier post, consists of the broad expanse of agricultural land bordered by the bends of the Lesser and Greater Kinda. Numerous small communities within the city-state tend to various foodstuffs and other agricultural processes. The different communities are known by their location in the Eye, a term which refers to the coloration of the darkstone mesa and the surrounding blue slate roofs and verdant farmlands. After reaping the Parlis appears as a human eye; a large dark pupil, slate-colored iris, and wide expanses of rheumy white criss-crossed with the threads of irrigation systems.

Most communities of the Parlis region are populated via the Stacks or through older refugee sites. Some groups, usually the Servitors of businessmen or waterworkers (those who patrol the ditches and the arms of the Kinda) live in elevated homes with clear views over their small expanse of land. These elevated homes are nothing in comparison to even the least of the manors of the cartel known as the Lords of the Kinda.

Power Center: Lords of the Kinda.

The Lords are the cultivators of Qishi, a powerful narcotic which is used by Imperial nobles even though the Imperial State controls purchase and distribution of the substance through various channels in the provincial governments. Qishi has a secondary use by rogues and other mundane; its euphoric properties make spellcasting difficult, and many thieves use burning Qishi to disable their targets over a period of time. The Lords of the Kinda consolidate their power in their great lowland manors, which are the topic of this writeup.

A standard Parlinian manor appears compact in comparison to your average manor house; four large lower rooms and a number of smaller top floor rooms are arranged based on a standard plan but would barely be as big as a standard McMansion of today.

The Lords of the Kinda have invested more in the way their manor homes are outfitted than they have on their upkeep. Most ‘entrenched’ (read: second generation or later) Lords are Bards, with talents as jacks of all trades and who have taken on additional talents. However, the Lords are all well-versed in the use of at least one magic item from the first: The Lochs of Priumdi.

Most of the Lords are former refugees, and the four largest families come from Central Naschia. Brutally efficient in their handling of their business, the Naschian leaders brought with them memories of the legend of the deeps of Priumdi. The Endless Lochs of Priumdi were said to hold gold and riches left behind by a great flood which had filled the deep pits of the ruined city. The Lords, seeking a safe storage device, created such an item in these simple paintings. Created in the abstract style popular in Naschian religious icons, the Lochs of Priumdi require focus and a knowledge of the tale of Priumdi’s depths to enter and extricate materials.

The painting contains an extradimensional space measuring as large as a small closet (as Bag of Holding II). However, the item has been protected by a strange dual-key; one must focus his mind and his will in two ways: keeping a level head, and delving into the psychic depths of the abstraction. To open The Lochs of Priumdi requires two skill checks: A Use Magic or Psionic Device check of 25, and a Concentration check of 18. Anyone who attempts to ‘open’ the painting and fails must make a Will Save (against DC: 21) or take 3d4 Charisma damage (this attack functions as an augmented Ego whip).

Each Lord has several servants and creatures on their retainers; the Lords have smuggled Councilor’s eggs to hatch lesser Councilor Birds to serve as advisors (a discussion of Councilor Birds will appear in a later article). Some families deal in other types of trade or have special contacts. A few examples are listed below.

Families include:

The Yurndi – Produce high-grade ‘royal’ Qishi, along with the smuggling of dissidents out of the Empire. Talented abjurer on staff.

The Calful – Original creators of The Lochs of Priumdi, innovators in ‘black hand’ magic. The Calful family trains assassins and Black Hands (Prestige Class focusing on magic to infiltrate and remove goods).

The Perdin – Slavers. Perdin ‘family’ members sell refugees into slavery through Sarian and contacts in the Ostari coastal island states.

The Golbel - Very minor, but talented in mental magic. The Golbel patriarch is rumored to be the bastard grandson of the High Priest of the Church City of Kuartani. Golbelo mercenaries are hired out by Parlinian nobles for protection.
___________
Other Minor Organizations:

The Keepers of the Sun and Moon – A group of refugees from a wartorn region of Zajara, the Keepers of the Sun and Moon are a group of Adepts and Gleaners (see this article by Baker who use their talents to protect and heal their fellow Parlis-workers. The Keepers have gained a large following to their faith (that of Qatalya, or the Shieldbearer and Zajahran God of the Sun and Moon), and are holding their own. The Keepers hide their abilities whenever possible because they believe that service to the Imperial State as members of the imperial faith of Sucur and others of the pantheon would taint their worship of their own deity.

Waterworkers – Most waterworkers are men and women keeping away from Imperial control. Thieves, deserters, and the occasional disrobed (or disjoined) magus find themselves working the waters of the Two Kinda. Some waterworkers pole alongside the Lords of the Kinda, but some fight against the narcotics trade whenever possible, striking victories for their own ideologies.

Conjure Ladies – Adepts and others (mostly female) who produce potions and charms for local traders and individuals. Conjure ladies (and witch men) do works for a steady price, but will have spells which are considered outside of Imperial favor or be willing to cast spells of summoning and binding if they possess the talent, something which won’t be found amongst Imperial-taught individuals.

A few organizations and concepts on the waters of the Parlis. Another update is forthcoming . . . please leave comments so I can know if I’m driving in the right direction .

Good Gaming,

Slainte,

-Loonook.

Good Gaming Gazetteer: The Orphan’s Guard, the Children of Sucur, and the Mysteries of the Sucuran.

2008-11-24T20:20:00.000-08:00

Good Gaming Gazetteer: The Orphan’s Guard, the Children of Sucur, and the Mysteries of the Sucuran.

Embrace the Grey and Rise towards the Sun Motto, The Orphan’s Guard.

Cast Away the Chains of Birth and Battle for the Lord of Dreaming – Motto, Children of Sucur.

There are many who look down on the institution of the Orphan’s Guard as an abomination. There are some who believe that this organization, made up of the children of refugees cast away by the Parlinian government, is an affront to human decency and must be cleansed from the earth. Those who march under the banner of the Orphan Son know only of the eternal battle to which they have been pledged, and the great responsibility they harbor as leaders in the battle against the very decay of the Empire.

The Guard, founded under the name of Tyrus IV the Orphan Son and Pretender to the Throne of the kingdom of Aurelia, was founded as another route to citizenship. Those refugees unable or unwilling to become Servitors could pay a terrible scutage; two children given over to the Great Orphanage and raised to become soldiers of the Imperial State for every man, woman, or child raised to full citizenship. These children were to be born in a place known as the Deep Silences, a large necropolis created during the period of the Imperial Seal’s reign over the city, and their mothers immediately removed from the location. Ostari custom regards the cycle of life as one of resurgence; only recently were the children of the Emperor not born and raised in similar circumstances in the Quiet Tombs of their ancestors until such a day when they could undertake the Test of Passage and be granted the Mark of the Imperial Seal on their chest as a sign of true Imperial birth.

Children in the Deep Silences are well-fed and cared for; they are given lessons from an early age in warcraft and any specific talents which are witnessed by their instructors are encouraged. The Guards are given daily indoctrination in the teachings of the Orphan, as seen in the Oath of Service:

We learn from the dead to remain alive. We learn from our lessers to be great. We gain strength from our weakness. We gain faith in our disbelief. We seek honor in the taint of our father’s gaze. We seek hope in the darkest reaches.

Those raised in these deep, dark reaches are paler than most ruddy Ostari, and turn sickly when exposed to normal healing draughts and magic from clerics who channel positive energy. This strange nature imparts another advantage; most Orphans are trained in the arts of the Grey Ways.

The Grey Way, a talent found amongst certain Zajahran mystics and the occasional rogue talent, is a discipline which teaches the powers of defense. Those who begin to ‘walk the Grey’ become talented in focusing their minds and bodies into a denial of the energies of magic. In effect, a Grey Walker learns a way to disrupt magic protections, effects, and even items around them through a focusing of will. Though not all Orphans become Grey Walkers, those that do are highly revered by their fellows, and many find themselves amongst the highest guardians of the Emperor or as guardians of members of the Sorcerers Imperial. Members of the Orphan’s Guard are granted full citizenship along with a small parcel of land after thirty years of service except for in the case of the Children of Sucur.

Though Grey Walkers are rare, the most rare of all Orphan Guards gain access into the Children of Sucur. Sucur, a mortal manifestation of the creator’s will, gave name to the order due to the traits which Sucuran guards take on. Those martial members of the Orphan’s Guard who have shown merit in the service to the Imperial State are granted the gift of Sucur the Preserver’s embrace through the Ritual of Steel.

An Orphan, uniquely attuned through discipline to the essence of the world beyond human perception, is given a fortnight of feast. Eight Sucuran are created at a time, each representing one of the pillars of Sucur’s Eight Teachings (Loyalty, Faith, Community, Discipline, Mind, Prowess, Courage, and Charity). After the young men have been bonded in flesh to a woman who has been assured of bearing their child the Sucuran are gathered in the Teaching Place, where spheres representing the Eight Teachings sit along with eight Sucuran honor-suits. Sucur’s priests come and willingly sacrifice the eight youths, and their spirits are separated; the ‘impure’ urges and desires are cast away, while the ‘purified’ soul is placed within the honor-suit. Each Sucuran warrior is assigned to his specific Corps, and there are currently around sixteen hundred Sucuran warriors, separated into the eight Corps around each Teaching. These groups of Sucuran warriors lead a group of similarly soulbound known as the Alfini Teyri (discussions of the Alfini Teyri will appear in the gazetteer for the former capital of Central Naschia).

The Bearers of the Teachings (as the women who carry children of the Sucuran are known) are looked after in a beguinage setting. The children of the Sucuran are strange creatures, and many wonder whether these children are truly human at all. However, the Imperial Seat takes these true Children of Sucur away from their mothers shortly after their fifth birthdays, and few could guess at the secrets which hide within a small island off the western coast of Ostar known only as Hospice.

2008-11-24T20:19:00.000-08:00

Good Gaming Gazetteer: A Brief History of the City of Parlinia, the Order of Service, and the Servitors

Parlinia, the Asylum City of the Old Empire, sits on a wide plateau atop the Orphan’s Table, a great mesa in the middle of the region known as the Old Empire. The city’s agriculture is tended in fields below the mesa known as the Parlis, and the city’s water needs are handled by drawing upon the deep wells placed centuries ago when Parlinia was the seat of the Imperial Seal, the predecessor to the Imperial Library. These wells support the ‘upper’ region of the city, while the lower region is criss-crossed with irrigation canals which draw from the two Rivers of Kinda (the Lesser and Greater Kinda). Parlinia’s primary imports are refugees and materials from the southern nations of the continent, while its main exports are magical items, grain, Qishi and other medicines/narcotics, and the services provided by those known as Servitors.

Parlinian politics are controlled by a localized hegemony created by the Order of Service. The Order was created due to necessity and through Imperial policy. During a crisis in the former state of Central Naschia an influx of refugees in the tens of thousands entered into the Old Empire. Parlinia, then a bustling metropolis focused on the production of armaments, was militarily decommissioned by the Emperor and converted through funds into a ‘collective camp for tramps and others who lack a loyal country’. The influx of Imperial gems and work groups helped to create the great buildings known as the Dens, dug into the northern side of the mesa, and the Stacks, a series of high-rise buildings (6-8 stories) which concentrated refugees under livable but uncomfortable conditions.

After Central Naschia’s fall an Order was granted by the Sorcerers Imperial (a senatorial body In the capital of the Empire) to grant conditional citizenship to any mystics or trained military officers who were currently in Parlinian care, and the right to earn conditional citizenship ‘In a way seen fit by an Organization to be Formed under the Auspices of Service to the Empire’ to any untrained or mundane individuals. Argen Carlindas, a scout in the Imperial Reserve and current arbiter and master for the Central Naschian refugee camps put into place the system of Servitors and the Order of Service.

A Servitor is one who signs up to train in a military, agricultural, or other service field somewhere in the Imperial State of Ostar. Service terms vary depending on the task; 5 years of military service, 10 years of agricultural service, and 15 in any other field will earn citizenship. Children over the age of 13 may be placed into the agricultural or service corps, but only those who are considered adults by their culture may place themselves into military service.

Groups of refugees come and go; currently Parlinia has 35,000 inactive refugees, 5,000 ‘citizen refugees’, and 10,000 active Servitors. These Servitors are mostly focused in Agriculture, and are spread out across the wide expanse of the Parlis repairing irrigation canals, bringing in crops, and fertilizing the lands which they tend. Parlinian guards demographics are 80% Servitor, and most of those who live in Parlinia have contact with refugees on a daily basis.

However, those refugees who are without Servitor status do have reduced rights. Those who refuse the Order of Service are not allowed to own or manage property; these individuals are actively encouraged to return immediately to their given locations as soon as is possible. Inactive refugees who give birth to children within the confines of Parlinian control are required to give over their children to the service of another organization known as the Orphan’s Guard.

The secrets of the Orphan’s Guard, and other Parlinian organizations will be discussed in the next entry.

Until then…
Good Gaming,
-Loonook.

Good Gaming Gazetteer: City of Parlinia Introduction

2008-11-24T20:14:00.000-08:00

(Cross-posted from ENWorld)

This is the Introduction to the City of Parlinia and the thought experiment behind the Imperial States of Ostar. Ostar was a popular locale in one of my old campaign settings; a powerful imperial magocracy which has served as boon and bane to many groups passing through the setting. With that introduction let's take a look at some of the basics of the Imperial States.

The following my be assumed of the Imperial States of Ostar:

- The Ostari magocracy's ruling class is made of patrilinearally successive meritocratic posts assigned through the auspices of the ruling house. Many of the provincial lords have large attached families; the Emperor himself is polyamorous, accepting the 'gift of company' from those up-and-coming socialites who want to possibly be the Bearer Imperial to the latest heir.

- The Ostari magocracy embraces all cultures: from the nomadic horse tribes of the Mescari to the quick brutal magic of the Zajahran, Ostari envoys recruit those who wish to defect from their current holdings. Highly talented mystics may gain land grants or access to Imperial holdings for their service to the Empire, and young talents are granted the right to attend Imperial trainings.

- The Ostari believe in a form of mystic mercantilism brought about by the state sponsored philosophy known as the Great Wheel. Ostari merchants are taught to seek magic items and mystic talent on their tours, and that there is only a limited amount of talent which can be gained by the state, and that the Emperor will be well-pleased to possess all of the magic talent in the world if possible.

- The Ostari separate the mystic from the mundane; provinces in the Old Empire, mostly filled with refugees and those who were pensioned in the military do not gain as much Imperial assistance. Though it would be rare to find an outpost without everburning torches or at least one well-outfitted weatherwork, the Empire will not 'waste resources' to protect a Mundane location if a city of mystics is also in danger.

- The Imperial Forces are well-supplied and outfitted for their use. The Great Battlements, powerful sites of Imperial prestige, are found in great cities. Even the smallest outpost will find some bureaucrat with basic mystic talents there to deal with the Greater Good.

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Considering all of this basic information I will be presenting the City of Parlinia. A city which would be considered a bustling metropolis outside of Ostar, it is the fifth largest city of Ostar. A stable population hovering around 56,000 exists in the city proper, but the more interesting aspect of Parlinia is the specific need it serves in the Imperial architecture.

Parlinia is an asylum city. Any willing to hire on to become part of the Parlinian Order of Service may gain Ostari citizenship, but the costs of the Order can be great. The next post will go in-depth on Parlinia, the Order, and its place in the Ostari hierarchy.

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Good Gaming,

Slainte,

-Loonook.

Welcome to the Good Gaming Blog

2008-11-24T20:02:00.001-08:00

Hello, and welcome to the Good Gaming Blog.

I am your host, Loonook, and this is to become the new primary source for the Good Gaming Blog entries cross-posted to ENWorld's Blog Page.

I started a series of articles around 9 months ago to discuss issues I have seen in the roleplaying game community, and to help new and upcoming Dungeon Masters/Game Masters/Storytellers to realize there are other ways to produce interesting games and have game systems work for you.

The first entries will be wholesale reposting to 'populate' the blog; from there we will begin the basic blog posting. My hope is to produce at least 5 articles a week. Articles will consist of:

Good Gaming Gazetteer: Writeups for cities in various settings. These will include cities in my former house campaigns, with rough guidelines which will help you to adapt these cities to your home settings.

Good Gaming Concepts: These posts will mainly cover thought experiments around how certain ideas can be extended and shaped based on our own ideas. Ever get tired of how every D&D setting is filled with psuedo-medieval landscapes? Well, that's something we'll work on...

Good (g)Ramblin': These posts will be things which irritate, intrigue, and entice me which don't necessarily fit into our normal postings.

The Letter G is powerful, and controls this blog. Save yourselves.

I Wish you Good Gaming,

Slainte,

-Loonook.