Blast from the Past – Original Description of the Sea of Stars setting

As I am busy trying to wrap up NaNoWriMo, here is something from my files, the original presentation of the Sea of Stars setting:

Lost Among the Sea of Stars

Ages ago in the mists of time, there was a Great War.  The Gods, the greatest of the sorcerers, the paragons of the wizards, and the Dragons, the mightiest of all fought for supremacy among themself.  As we all know, the Dragons won . . . but at such a cost.  Heaven and Earth were torn asunder, the world itself was wounded near until death.  At the last, the Gods and wizards gave the last of their magic to bind the world together . . .

The last of the sorcerers had allied with the dragons and they too used their powers to bring the world back to life but the world had changed.  No longer the vast fields and towering mountains, the long seas and deep forest, now we are all adrift on islands in the Sea of Stars.  Only the last strength of the Gods and the mighty heart of the Dragon Queen keeps us for drifting apart forever.

L5R – JYTB Campaign Report 23

Bringing Law and Order to Samuzora

Once arrived to join her husband, Toku Sakurako is a whirlwind of activity quickly setting the inn -as de facto magistrates’ residence- into proper order.  With the assistance of the Lions, it is turned into a fortified base of operations.  While that is being done, the magistrates and their assistants begin implementing a rough survey of the town and begins to impose Imperial taxes on the businesses in town.  To some surprise the various businesses, even those controlled by the Seventy-Seven K, accept the taxes with good grace.  This leads to the building of a tax vault in the basement for the safe stockpiling of Imperial gold.

New Magic Item – Cat’s Claw

Emikiss the Gray, known as Emi the Mouse to most, moved to the upper ranks of pickpocket in the city of Kes after acquiring a cat’s claw from the pack of a drunken adventurers.  Needless to say, Emi keeps the blade well hidden.

Cat’s Claw

This small curved knife has a blade that folds into the handle making it extremely easy to conceal.  The blade is exceedingly sharp and the metal is dulled so it does not catch the light.  They are prized by cutpurses and pick pockets.

Tuesday Magic Item – Grandfather’s Book

When I first began the path of a venturer, I had no idea what the world held is store for me.  I was luck, oh so lucky, that my grandfather had given me a book to help me find my way in the world.  And what a book it was, filled with information from near and far.  Many a time, it had just the what I needed to know, just when I needed to know it.  Now, as you are setting fourth into the wide world, I give it to you.  May it help you as much as it helped me.

Grandfather’s Book

This thick leather bound volume is packed with useful information for any and all.  The first of these books was made by an archmage for his granddaughter to act as a guide for her when she choose to travel in the wide world.

The Knight of Roses, Man without a Country, Supporter of Rebels, Leader of Soldiers

The Knight of Roses, Man without a Country, Supporter of Rebels, Leader of Soldiers

Quote: With honor, sword and spear, we will see this land freed!
War is a terrible thing.  We must do what we can to protect the people.  We will be their shield in this time of need.

Description: The Knight of Roses age is indeterminate, somewhere between and thirty and fifty, he is a man that has seen and survived much.  His dark blond hair is graying and worn short, usually he is clean-shaven but he will adapt to the local style.   His eyes are a pale gray and oft seem to bear a great sadness.  He has a warrior’s build and no lack of scars but nothing disfiguring (so far).  He moves like a fighter, aware of his surrounding and prepared to act, not nervous but ready.

Seattle Scream – Issue 28 (Shadowrun prop)

So, last Saturday I ran a pickup/demo game of Shadowrun at Tyche’s Games.  I try to do up the current issue of the Seattle Scream to act as a prop, giving information as to what is going on and give clues to the adventure I am planning to run.  This time it was Issue 28 which people are welcome to borrow if it will be helpful to your game.

The game was short and almost disastrous for the team, though they managed to get out without getting caught.  However, they only got their first payment for the job, being too hot for the ‘client’ to contact them again.   Then I had something entirely new happen, the party turned on itself over matters of money and ended up killing one of their own team!  Oh those wacky shadowrunners.

Read about issue 29.

Tuesday Magic Item – Flashing Spear

Three-Flawless-Strikes Wen wove a web of razor steel with his spear, those that tried to close with him found his name was well earned as his spear sought the weak points in their armor and their defenses. Those that managed to get close found things were no easier as his spear was always there, piecing and blocking.

Flashing Spear

These weapons are prized by spear fighters, their leaf bladed points are razor sharp and decorated with geometric patterns inlaid in bronze.  The shaft is flexible yet strong made of a beautiful dark grained wood with bronze reinforcing the shaft below the blade and a butt spike of steel.

Review – Steam-Powered: Lesbian Steampunk Stories

Steam•Powered: Lesbian Steampunk Stories, an anthology edited by JoSelle Vanderhooft and published by Top Shelf, an imprint of Torquere Press Publishers.

This anthology consists of fifteen stories mixing lesbians and steampunk in various concentrations.  For me, steampunk is mixing the untapped potential of the new sciences and technologies of the industrial age through the 1920s to the punk ethos from cyberpunk, in other words how the new technology changes and oppresses the world.  By my definition, three of the stories do not fit into the steampunk genre but they are still quite interesting all the same.

Through the Lens of History XVI: Beer and Brewing throughout the Ages

Through the Lens of History: Using History for Better Gaming
Vision XVI: Beer and Brewing throughout the Ages

“Beer and Bread.”
-Ancient Egyptian Greeting

The brewing of alcoholic drinks is one of humanity’s oldest crafts. It paralleled the development of civilization and may have contributed to the gathering of nomadic peoples into larger, more permanent groups – the first villages. The beer-brewing process is a relatively simple one, possibly discovered by accident when cereals underwent spontaneous fermentation, and this simplicity has granted the drink an enduring popularity.

New Monster – MothLion

 

You would not think such a large creature could be so quiet.  The beating of its wings seem like nothing but the echos of a distant breeze, it footfalls are light as snowfall.  But once you see its fearsome visage, you know it is no gentle creature but a deadly hunter.

MothLion                                               CR 5 (1,600 XP)
N large magical beast (chimeric)