From the smoking ruins of The Silent Sorcerer's tower, Skullsword sends forth nonsensical artwork and useless gaming tools. He also likes to discuss RPGs, boardgames, miniatures painting, writing, movies, books, and whatever else strikes his fancy. Mostly though, his goal is to provide fun and goofy things to inspire others in their games. Enjoy!
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Monday, October 29, 2018
Miniatures Monday: My Stable of Gaslands Cars
I've finally managed to complete 5 Gaslands cars, with two more waiting in the wings. Now I just need to play the game! ;-)
Friday, October 19, 2018
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Inktober: day 17
Ok, so I'm 17 days late in starting this, but here is a sketch that I just did of the assassin robot Stabulon 5. #inktober
Friday, October 12, 2018
Vale Greg Stafford (1948 - 2018)
Whoa. I'm completely shocked. :-(
Vale Greg Stafford (1948 - 2018): The shock and grief the Chaosium family felt at the news of the passing of our beloved and revered company founder, Greg Stafford, cannot be measured. Greg died yesterday in his sweat lodge at his home in Arcata, CA. Mercifully, his passing was painless and quick. He died as he lived, on a spiritual quest of enlightenment.As one of the greatest game designers of all time; winner of too many awards to count; and a friend, mentor, guide, and inspiration to generations of gamers, “the Grand Shaman of Gaming” influenced the universe of tabletop gaming beyond measure.Greg founded The Chaosium in 1975, and from the outset (to quote his own words) “was never content to imitate, but instead published games that were original in their style of play, content and design”. Under his leadership, the company quickly became renowned for its originality and creativity, and was responsible for introducing numerous things to the hobby that are standards today. As John Wick (7th Sea, Legend of the Five Rings) memorably said, “The older I get, the more I hear young RPG designers say ‘Never been done before!’ And then I just point at something Greg Stafford did a few decades ago.”Greg’s work in roleplaying games, board games, and fiction have been acclaimed as some of the most engaging and innovative of all time. There will doubtless be many valedictory messages over the coming days from the countless ...
Vale Greg Stafford (1948 - 2018): The shock and grief the Chaosium family felt at the news of the passing of our beloved and revered company founder, Greg Stafford, cannot be measured. Greg died yesterday in his sweat lodge at his home in Arcata, CA. Mercifully, his passing was painless and quick. He died as he lived, on a spiritual quest of enlightenment.As one of the greatest game designers of all time; winner of too many awards to count; and a friend, mentor, guide, and inspiration to generations of gamers, “the Grand Shaman of Gaming” influenced the universe of tabletop gaming beyond measure.Greg founded The Chaosium in 1975, and from the outset (to quote his own words) “was never content to imitate, but instead published games that were original in their style of play, content and design”. Under his leadership, the company quickly became renowned for its originality and creativity, and was responsible for introducing numerous things to the hobby that are standards today. As John Wick (7th Sea, Legend of the Five Rings) memorably said, “The older I get, the more I hear young RPG designers say ‘Never been done before!’ And then I just point at something Greg Stafford did a few decades ago.”Greg’s work in roleplaying games, board games, and fiction have been acclaimed as some of the most engaging and innovative of all time. There will doubtless be many valedictory messages over the coming days from the countless ...
Monday, October 8, 2018
Miniatures Monday
A halfling chicken butcher done for a friend. It's been a while since I've painted a figure this small, but I think that it turned out fairly well. I just need to seal him and he'll be ready for the table.
Monday, October 1, 2018
Miniatures Monday
Friday, September 28, 2018
Friday Five (Swords)
Five "magical" swords:
1. The Invisible Blood Sword of Devouring Dismemberment
2. The Platinum Horror Sword of Sacrifice
3. The Wondrous Vapor Sword of the Veteran
4. The Hell Sword of the Sepulchral Maiden
5. The Living Moon Sword of the Hunter
1. The Invisible Blood Sword of Devouring Dismemberment
2. The Platinum Horror Sword of Sacrifice
3. The Wondrous Vapor Sword of the Veteran
4. The Hell Sword of the Sepulchral Maiden
5. The Living Moon Sword of the Hunter
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Weird Adventure Wednesday (Now with more stuff)!
On A Brisk Afternoon you are stopped by a young adventurer in the slums. The adventurer tells you a forgotten tale that nine days ride to the northeast, across The Loathsome Ravine of the Stargazer can be found The Crumbling Village of the Vile Veterans. It is whispered that there can be found The Iron Sword of the Fateful Dictator. The adventurer tells you that an acolyte will pay a small fortune to those who can retrieve that Sword. But beware, for the adventurer admonishes you that The Unholy Troubadour of Visions enslaves all who come near!
I added the possibility that someone may be willing to pay you to undertake the adventure. I figured that there needed to be some incentive to go after these horrible items. ;-)
Some old Tunnels & Trolls Character Sheets
Way back in the day, Ken St. Andre held a contest to make character sheets for Tunnels & Trolls over at his sadly now defunct Trollhalla site. I came across my entries (which admittedly aren't very good, but they do have snakes and daggers), and thought that I'd share them. I made two versions, one for T&T 5th edition (my personal favorite edition) and one for T&T 7.5. Maybe one of these days, I'll make one for Deluxe Tunnels & Trolls. These could definitely have benefitted from some kind of a border. Perhaps skulls.
T&T 5th Edition |
T&T 7.5 |
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Monday, September 24, 2018
Sunday, September 23, 2018
It's been too busy in Skullsword's Tower lately.
Too busy to post, almost. So here is a new table of Items of Terror and Wonder (the "wonder" is about who would actually try to use most these things, I think).
Friday, September 14, 2018
Friday Five: Five Dwellings of Doom
1. The Shameful Cloister of the Accursed Teeth
2. The Fluctuating Inn of Whispering Hallucinations
3. The Timeless Village of the Sanctified Maw
4. The Flesh Melting Fortress of Sacrifice
5. The Unfathomable Monolith of Inauspicious Stars
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Beyond Fomalhaut: [REVIEW] Under the Temple Crypt
Beyond Fomalhaut: [REVIEW] Under the Temple Crypt: Under the Temple Crypt (2018) by Extildepo Published by Verisimilitude Society Press 4 th to 7 th level Under the Temple C...
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Weird Adventure Wednesday: With a free magic item!
On a steamy day you are hailed by a foppish jongleur loitering in a bustling inn. The jongleur tells you an interesting tale that two months travel to the northeast, across The Relentless Ocean of the Unburied Gods was built The Emasculating Zoo of Astonishing Mockery. It is said that there is hidden The Terrifying Iron Spyglass of Illusions. But beware, for the jongleur admonishes you that it is alleged The Wayward Surgeon of Shrieking Mystery tortures all who go there!
Item: The Terrifying Iron Spyglass of Illusions
This iron telescope is covered in a pattern of 5-60 (5d12) small raised skulls. The telescope is approximately two feet in length when fully extended allows the user to cast an illusion that will frighten creatures anywhere within the line of sight provided by the telescope. When all of the skulls are gone, the spyglass vanishes in a puff of purple smoke. Casting the spell is accomplished by pressing one of the raised skulls which then disappears. The user has no control over how the actual illusion manifests, and there is a 2% chance every time the telescope is used that it will backfire and affect the user and his or her friends.
In Dungeon Crawl Classics mechanics, this would have the effect of both Phantasm and Scare simultaneously as if cast by a 7th level Wizard.
In Labyrinth Lord mechanics, this would have the effect of both Phantasmal Force and Fear simultaneously as if cast by a 7th level Magic User and a 6th level Cleric respectively.
In Swords & Wizardry mechanics, this would have the effect of both Phantasmal Force and Scare simultaneously as if cast by a 7th level Magic User.
Item: The Terrifying Iron Spyglass of Illusions
This iron telescope is covered in a pattern of 5-60 (5d12) small raised skulls. The telescope is approximately two feet in length when fully extended allows the user to cast an illusion that will frighten creatures anywhere within the line of sight provided by the telescope. When all of the skulls are gone, the spyglass vanishes in a puff of purple smoke. Casting the spell is accomplished by pressing one of the raised skulls which then disappears. The user has no control over how the actual illusion manifests, and there is a 2% chance every time the telescope is used that it will backfire and affect the user and his or her friends.
In Dungeon Crawl Classics mechanics, this would have the effect of both Phantasm and Scare simultaneously as if cast by a 7th level Wizard.
In Labyrinth Lord mechanics, this would have the effect of both Phantasmal Force and Fear simultaneously as if cast by a 7th level Magic User and a 6th level Cleric respectively.
In Swords & Wizardry mechanics, this would have the effect of both Phantasmal Force and Scare simultaneously as if cast by a 7th level Magic User.
Monday, September 10, 2018
Custom Skullsword Bennies/Fate Points
Friday, September 7, 2018
Friday Five: Five Gruesome Geographic Locations
Today's Friday: Five gruesome geographic locations:
1. The Mind Destroying Swamplands of the Singing Barbarians
2. The Eerie Crags of the Primitive Crone Cult
3. The Loathsome Scrublands of Timeless Delirium
4. The Calamitous Gulf of the Smoking Initiates
5. The Perilous Jungle of the Fiendish Vivisectionist
Thursday, September 6, 2018
d100 Perilous Magic Items
die roll
|
Item
|
die roll
|
Item
|
1
|
The Ice Aegis of the Forbidding Bandit
|
51
|
The Corroded Broadsword of Hate
|
2
|
The Disquieting Gateway of Flagellation
|
52
|
The Awesome Porcelain Short Sword of the Devils
|
3
|
The Decaying Kettle of the Lost Folly
|
53
|
The Bloodthirsty Woolen Gown
|
4
|
The Sapphire Garments
|
54
|
The Primal Knapsack of Putrescence
|
5
|
The Baleful Skull Great-Sword of the Sullied Conjurer
|
55
|
The Sepulchral Jade Mattock of Fangs
|
6
|
The Good-Omened Tungsten Broadax of the Deadly Wilderness
|
56
|
The Cracked Walking Stick of the Horrible North
|
7
|
The Twisted Crystal Belt of the Oppressor
|
57
|
The Cracked Briar Cincture
|
8
|
The Awful Wrap of the Emasculating Squid
|
58
|
The Bone Blade of the Nefarious Maiden
|
9
|
The Volcanic Sapphire Whip of the Canon
|
59
|
The Weeping Cat-O’-Nine-Tails of the Moor
|
10
|
The Skull Adorned Zirconium Amulet of the Devils
|
60
|
The Mocking Parchment Dress of Tusks
|
11
|
The Execrable Pole-Axe of the Shrieking Wanderer
|
61
|
The Obscure Tome of the Spiked Gladiator
|
12
|
The Devouring Chromium Cutlass of the Unnatural Whore
|
62
|
The Cursed Fur Straps of Life
|
13
|
The Calamitous Stone Chainmail of Fanaticism
|
63
|
The Illusory Fiber Headband of Oblivion
|
14
|
The Adamant Coral Tongs of Seeking
|
64
|
The Adamant Vanadium Arm Guards of the Universe
|
15
|
The Deceitful Needle of Poison
|
65
|
The Moaning Fleshy Satchel of Storms
|
16
|
The Mighty Lead Saddlebags of the Pirate
|
66
|
The Hideous Lead Harness of the Vagabond
|
17
|
The Flaming Diamond Statue of the Teeth
|
67
|
The Plutonium Armor of the Spider
|
18
|
The Disgusting Codpiece of Consuming
|
68
|
The Nefarious Opal Mandolin of the Huntsman
|
19
|
The Dull Bag of the Weeping Shaman
|
69
|
The Wooden Axe of the Flesh
|
20
|
The Ceramic Tripod of the Bravo
|
70
|
The Flaming Sapphire Pen of the Vivisectionist
|
21
|
The Deadly Adamantine Pen of the Flesh Melting Executioner
|
71
|
The Oak Crossbow of Irrationality
|
22
|
The Cobalt Boots of Peace
|
72
|
The Bejeweled Golden Wrap of Hatred
|
23
|
The Horrifying Ruby Purse of Shame
|
73
|
The Ruinous Diamond Long-Sword of the King
|
24
|
The Eternal Earthen Blanket of the Enshrouded Drunk
|
74
|
The Porcelain Casket of the Thief
|
25
|
The Ice Whip of Pollution
|
75
|
The Oak Blade of Debasement
|
26
|
The Silver Spiked Club of the Reefs
|
76
|
The Corrupted Satin Rag of the Bog
|
27
|
The Mighty Flesh Razor of the Road
|
77
|
The Opal Decanter of Burning
|
28
|
The Bloodthirsty Cincture of Antagonism
|
78
|
The Implacable Onyx Drums of Water
|
29
|
The Enormous Iron Coat of the Mage
|
79
|
The Wretched Oak Tripod of the Drifter
|
30
|
The Magical Steel Helmet of the Melting Soothsayer
|
80
|
The Whimpering Cast Iron Cage of Mind Reading
|
31
|
The Grass Ointment of Blessings
|
81
|
The Titanic Wooden Book of the Gloomy Footpad
|
32
|
The Immovable Choker of the Cryptic Snows
|
82
|
The Spectacular Paper Codpiece
|
33
|
The Greasy Bronze Spiked Club of Necrosis
|
83
|
The Fog Basket of Speed
|
34
|
The Deceitful Staff of the Moon
|
84
|
The Colossal Gorget of the Stranger
|
35
|
The Cold Iron Rod of Nightmares
|
85
|
The Mischievous Magma Coat of the Crumbling Spellbinder
|
36
|
The Corroded Paper Wrap of the Healing Cosmos
|
86
|
The Demonic Fleshy Shirt of Deviation
|
37
|
The Dreaded Quartz Needle of the Indomitable Peaks
|
87
|
The Spellbound Fork of Extinction
|
38
|
The Sighing Bark Pantaloons of the Swamp
|
88
|
The Groaning Cast Iron Crowbar of the Necromantic Reaver
|
39
|
The Illusory Vapor Hood of the Scoundrel
|
89
|
The Uncanny Vanadium Shield of Poisoning
|
40
|
The Inviolate Star-Metal Great-Axe of the Maiden
|
90
|
The Wooden Helmet of the Toxic Hands
|
41
|
The Chattering Axe of The Undead
|
91
|
The Eerie Coral Hauberk of Lunacy
|
42
|
The Horrid Ribbon of the Rogue
|
92
|
The Emerald Shovel of the Deceiving Drunk
|
43
|
The Vile Drum of the Volcanic Priestess
|
93
|
The Fearsome Nickel Canteen
|
44
|
The Ice Wig of the Pernicious Caverns
|
94
|
The Granite Skull Cap of the Demon
|
45
|
The Abandoned Leather Kilt of Castration
|
95
|
The Esoteric Grass Shoes of the Paladin
|
46
|
The Silent Mithril Casket of the Fortune-Hunter
|
96
|
The Unlucky Gold Boots of Disgust
|
47
|
The Gigantic Vanadium Drum of The Profane
|
97
|
The Ancient Sapphire Bludgeon of the Sparkling Wench
|
48
|
The Astonishing Paper Socks of Wishing
|
98
|
The Shrieking Zirconium Spear of the Arcane Slavers
|
49
|
The Emerald Idol of the Frightful Ranger
|
99
|
The Bewitched Crossbow of the Strange Past
|
50
|
The Basalt Whip of the Glacial Wench
|
100
|
The Abhorrent Tungsten Sheath of Castration
|