Kickstarter: Conan RPG

The Conan RPG Kickstarter from Modiphius is closing in on $300,000.  I backed it based on the Quickstart rules.  There are some definitely interesting ideas in the rules, but I haven't had a chance to try them in actual play yet.  In any case, it's good to see Conan making a return to the RPG scene.

Kickstarter: World Architect Cards

Simian Circle Games, creators of the wonder RPG Far Away Land are doing a Kickstarter for their
World Architect Cards.  The cards are designed to allow you to quickly create overland maps, and there is still plenty of time to get in on the action.  If you haven't checked out any of their products. head over and have a look.  They make great stuff, and the artwork is fantastic!

Weird Adventure Idea Wednesday

Here is this week's weird adventure idea.  If you're looking for an adventure seed, why not give this one or one of the earlier ones a try?

On a stormy morning you happen upon a flamboyant soothsayer near the docks.  The soothsayer excitedly explains to you that 13 days ride to the east, deep within the Withered Wilderness of the Savage Winds, stands The Ancient Chapel of Oblivion.  It is whispered that there is hidden the The Transparent Ceramic Saber of Gelding.  But beware, for the soothsayer advises you that the Mad Barbarian Volgrag the Skull Trampler slays any that dare to approach the chapel!

Terrain Tuesday: New walls

Here is a shot of a couple of more walls that I finished over the weekend.  I like this archway a lot better than the previous one that I made.  It didn't hurt that I used my hot styrofoam knife to incise the blocks around the arch, giving much better delineation to the archway stones and making for an overall better look.  I've almost got enough pieces for my planned diorama now.  These definitely aren't Dwarven Forge quality, but being a bit taller, they work better as photographic backgrounds for miniatures, and they certainly are fun to make.

d10 Items of Mystery

I was making some updates to my adventure and item generator and one of the test runs spit these out, so I decided to post them as a short random table:

1. The Toxic Bronze Box of Infinity

2. The Bark Haversack of the Obscene

3. The Eternal Hood of Life

4. The Lurid Kilt of Aging

4. The Ruby Flail of the Bloodthirsty Poet

6. The Secret Onyx Decanter of Mists

7. The Plasmatic Sapphire Tunic of Delirium

8. The Gigantic Star-Metal Chisel of the Spiny Warrior

9. The Glistening Gorget of Beguiling

10. The Jade Mail Coat of Protection

Free Conan RPG Quickstart Rules!

Modihpius, which will be publishing the upcoming Conan RPG has put the Quickstart rules up on DriveThruRPG.com, and they are free!  It looks like the Quickstart contains an introduction to the rules, 7 pre-generated characters and an adventure.  I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, but I will admit to being curious as to how their 2d20 system works.  For those interested in the full game, the Kickstarter for the full game is still ongoing, and can be found here.
Being a huge Conan fan, I've downloaded the Quickstart and will post more on it later when I've had time to look through it.

Terrain Tuesday

I've long wanted some stairs that could be used to handle miniatures at varying elevations.  The stairs that I have from Dwarven Forge are very nice, but really only represent miniatures at three elevations.  So, with this weekend, the weather being snowy and cold, I set about making my own foam board stairs to go along with the other dungeon terrain that I've been making.  I think that I could have done a better job smoothing the sides, but I'm generally pleased with the results.

Miniatures Monday

A just completed well monster.

I started assembling this Well of Doom miniature from Reaper Miniatures back in November of 2008.  Here is one of the original assembly photos.

I had been planning to do a step-by-step assembling and painting article on this one, but then nearly seven and a half years got in the way.  I had it primed and partially painted early on, but wasn't comfortable with my ability to paint the water, so it languished on my shelf until just a week or so ago, when I finally decided to suck it up and finish it.  Overall, I think it turned out a bit better than I was expecting it to.

Nothing good can come of this...

The most recent version of my random item generator spits out some rather uncomfortable sounding pieces of clothing:

The Burning Loincloth of the Maliciously Fanged Maw

There's not enough Gold Bond on earth for that. :-)

d100 Table: Items of Wonder and Woe (Free PDF)

I've put together a d100 table of Items of Wonder and Woe.  It's up to you to stat them out for your particular game system, but the next time you need a goofy sounding item to foist upon your unsuspecting players, feel free to try one of these.  Also, if anyone does use any of them, I'd love to hear how it turns out!  :-)

So near, yet so far.

I start painting a lot of miniatures, and while I finish a decent number, a few tend to languish in a perpetually semi-painted state.  I collected a number of those partially painted miniatures for this photo.  Most of these could be finished in under an hour.  Many of them would take less than half an hour, and a few could probably be completed in about 10 minutes.  Somehow though, other miniatures keep jumping in front of these in the queue.  Who else finds themselves with a collection of mostly painted miniatures that don't ever seem to get finished?

If this isn't a real thing, it needs to be.

Thanks to +William Beegle for sharing this with me.

Weird Adventure Idea Wednesday

On a wintry day you chance upon a diseased astrologer lying beside the road.  The astrologer motions to you to approach and when you do, he tells you an intriguing tale.  He says that 3 weeks journey to the northwest, within the Shadowy Wastelands of the Graven Idols, was built the Shimmering Stronghold of the Burning Warrior.  It is believed that there is hidden the Skull Adorned Casket of Golden Decay.  But beware, for the astrologer tells you that it is thought the Stained Slime Beast of Ill-Omen dwells there!

Miniatures Monday

In a dark forest, well hidden from prying eyes, lies an ancient circle of stone.  Many horrific rites have been enacted in this dreadful place...

And if the blood on the dagger is any indication, some of those rites seem to have been quite recent.  The miniature of from Reaper and is part of a set that also includes two cultists and a sacrificial victim which are still works in progress.

All of my new Terrain pieces in action

Just another shot of all of my new terrain pieces.  I've sealed them, and they are now ready for use!