Short M&M Reviews – Final Threat Reports

The Threat Report series of characters produced by Green Ronin for their Mutants & Masterminds game provide a useful resource for M&M Games Masters who might need a certain type of villain quickly.

Each of the threat reports comes with a nice piece of color art of the character embedded in the PDF and a separate Hero Lab file.  Each includes a prop cover letter from AEGIS, possibly useful for setting a scene, that gives a basic idea about what is publicly known about the character described.  Each character or group is given a few plot hooks to help work them into a campaign.

New Magic Item – Ambush Bolts

Black Jock was a highwayman, of the worst sort, the one that even the other bandits did not like.  He was far too found of killing those he robbed.  But he was quick and a dead shot with a crossbow so very few made much out of it.  Still, not one was surprised when he was found out back of the Dancing Hare with a knife in the liver and his corpse stripped of all valuables.  Most -secretly for they were not prone to examining their thoughts on morality- believed that he had only brought such an end on himself and the kindest word said of his passing was “At least he didn’t soil himself at the end.”

Ambush Bolt

These crossbow bolts, usually for light crossbows, are made of dark wood and dulled metal so as not to be seen.  The metal used in them has almost always been reforged from broken or stolen weapons.

Seattle Scream (#37) and Shadowrun campaign report with Jenny Everywhere

The Shadowrun campaign continues (with the latest news from 2068 here in Seattle Scream 37).  Their were hired to protect someone who was trying to organize the independent talismongers and other magical providers by Jenny Everywhere (who I intend to have cameo next time I run superheroes as well) and managed to prevent a drugged up Triad hitman from gunning the organizer down.  A second game had them deliver six mysterious cylinders to the secure areas of a biotech company which they managed to do with one of the characters getting almost gunned down by a security guard while he was gliding away from the building leading to an interesting (and instantly viral) online video of his crash and subsequent rescue by the troll on the team.

Next issue (and possibly next game) will see us moving forward into 2069!

Tuesday Magic Item – Fugitive’s Friend

Tak held his breath as the slave hunters moved by, he was sure that they would see him even concealed among the bags of grain.  He thought that hiding in the grain caravan was his best bet but they had tracked him all the same.

“Maybe he didn’t go this way,” said one of the hunters.

“Maybe, but my instinct says he did,” replied the other.  “Still, if he is here, he is hiding well.  The caravan master won’t let us delay them.  Let’s try over by the cook wagon, maybe he has tried to blend in with the slaves there.”

“Sure had to miss the reward on this one,” said the first hunter as their voices receded.  Tak breathed a sigh of relief.

Fugitive’s Friend

These necklaces come in a variety of forms but they are always made from the chains that once bound a now freed slave.  Some are simple, just a link on a leather thong, others have been transformed into pieces of art.

Review – Zoo City (novel)

Zoo City by Lauren Beukes, a good read for anyone who likes more than a dash of noir in their urban fantasy.  Set more or less in the modern world, with a few changes, specifically the existence of the “animaled” or Zoos whose sins have manifested as a animal tied to them (and bad things happen if that animal is killed) which also unlocks a gift, which is perceived as magic.  Zinzi December’s, the main character, gift is locating lost things.

Zinzi gets hired to find a person, not her usual gig, but the money is too good to pass up.  It is a noir journey along the edges of a South Africa not quite like our own.  Dark and intriguing, with some black humor along the way but do not expect a happy ending.

For modern/near future gamers, it is an interesting look at South Africa and for Urban Fantasy gamers, it has a neat take on magic in the modern world through the animaled who, as marked by their animals, are also outcasts.  If you like you stories dark, give this book a look.

New Spell – Arcanic Fire

“This time, I have something special for you,” smiled Volran Koth, Wizard of the Three Triangle Society to his opponent.

“Will it impress me?” sneered Rodan the Blue, of the Many-Colored League.

The other wizards, sorcerer and assorted students of the esoteric arts watched from around the dueling circle as the two wizards faced off.  Whispering discussions moving among them.

The first attack was to Volran as challenger.  “Well, it is colorful,” said Volran with a grin.  Then, with seven words and a gesture, Rodan was suddenly engulfed in yellow-orange flames.

Arcanic Flames
School evocation [fire]; Level Sor/Wiz 2; Domain Magic 2
Components V, S
Casting Time 1 standard action
Range Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target One target
Duration Instantaneous
Saving Throw Fortitude half (and see below); Spell Resistance Yes

With a gesture and a word of seven twisted syllables, the target is engulfed in pale almost translucent flames.  If the target is not a spell caster, the effect end there with the target being dazzled for one round.

If the target is a spell caster, the flames feed on their magic, running from the spectrum from pale red (for a low level caster) to deep violet (for an archmage with all spells ready).

Tuesday Magic Item – Peacock Guardian Brooch

“What a lovely brooch, my lady,” said Assistant Deputy High Judge Vess.

“It was a gift from my late husband,” she replied coyly, fluttering bother her fan and eyelashes at the functionary.  The peacock jewels flashing.

“A shame,” he said, adding, “about your husband.  Such a charming young woman, widowed at such a tender age.”

“A tragedy, truly,” she sighed.  “There are still some matters of his estate left unsettled, perhaps you could help me get an appointment with the High Judge to sort them out?”

Peacock Guardian Brooch

These ornate broaches are always of the finest materials set with gemstones in such a way to mimic the patters of a peacock’s tail.

To Honor the Fallen and Those Who Served (2012)

We have reached another Armistice Day (Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth, Veterans Day in the US), it seems odd to have it fall on a Sunday for some reason.

Originally created as a day to remember the end of the Great War, the Armistice that ended the war starting at 11:11am on 11 November, 1918, and those who served and died there.  Since then, it has been expanded to include the many others who have served and died for their country in honorable service through the years.

So let us honor the brave warriors that have guarded us -and still do- today.  However,  on today of all days we must not forget that war is a terrible thing.

Tuesday Magic Item – Lover’s Eye

“What is that piece of jewellery he is wearing?” I asked, trying not to be too obvious in my indication there of.

Watching you

“Ah, the eye?”nodded my guardian.  “It is a portrait of his mistress’ eye to show his love for her.  Enough is shown so that he and her know he is honoring her, but not showing enough that anyone else can identify her with ease.”

“Shameless!” Whispered from where I hid behind my fan.

“Many men have such but only a bold one such as he would wear it openly,” my guardian said, sipping at his spiced wine.  “Most wear theirs concealed but near to their hearts.”

Lover’s Eye

These portraits are of a person’s eye and occasionally a bit more., enough to imply beauty but not reveal it Often pointed on ivory and framed in precious metal , sometimes set with gems.  Usually designed to be worn as a broach.

Cyberpunk Inpirational Material

N1ON has done a short film called True Skin which gives a great image of a possible cyberpunk future, the CGI is quite good and the story is almost a perfect player character background or plot hook.

Foreshadows: the Ghosts of Zero anthology and soundtrack, reviewed here, contains a great collection and stories and music to inspire a variety of campaign styles.

Will Cities Of The Future Be Filled With Vertical Slums? A discussion of the repurposing of abandoned skyscrapers using what happened to the Torre David office tower in Caracas, Venezuela as an example.

And, lastly, my small, but growing, collection of cyberpunk pieces at Pinterest.