April begins, March ends

April begins tomorrow with a day of tricks and misdirections, such deception not being my specialty do not expect anything clever from me.

The origin of the name of the Roman month Aprilis is unclear, it may refer to the opening (aperire) of buds and flowers as Spring arrives or in some way to the goddess Venus, to whom it is a sacred month.

I am again doing the the Blogging from A to Z Challenge for April, the theme will be “The Sea of Stars before (and immediately after) the Sundering” and will be a mix of the things voted on by my readers.

March, 2013, saw the following posts here:

International TableTop Day!

International TableTop Day, the first is almost upon us!  On the 30th, get yourself together with some friends for a day or night (or day and night) of gaming.

If you are in the Athens, Georgia (US) area, you can join me at Tyche’s Games for a day of demonstrations and games!

Everyone can enjoy free PDF things from RPGNow and many others on sale.  Go and take a look.

Tuesday Magic Item – Aluf’s Mace

“Our plans are made,” said Aluf Kov to his subordinates.  “You know where you should be, now take your places among our soldiers.”  He clasped hands and shoulders as they moved out to their units.  In the Aluf’s army, officers did not command from afar but among their soldiers, sharing their danger and inspiring them directly.

Lastly, Kov took his place among his first unit, the old veterans that have been with him in dozens of campaigns.  Across from the Aluf’s army, the invaders spread out, their numbers greater but the Aluf and his soldiers wait, seemingly unconcerned, singing songs of war and victory.

 Aluf’s Mace

These sturdy and stout maces are decorated with mottos of leadership and courage inlaid in copper apart from such ornamentation they are usually quite austere and show signs of use in combat.

Shadowrun Review – Twilight Horizon

Twilight Horizon provides information about the new Triple AAA megacorporation in the Shadowrun setting, Horizon, additionally Las Vegas is updated for the Sixth World of Shadowrun and there are many, many plot hooks and adventure ideas.  If you want to incorporate Horizon as a major player in your Shadowrun campaign (or to have your ‘runners visit Vegas) this product will prove a worthwhile resource.

Good Works and A to Z Challenge

Hello good people!

The latest (and 3rd annual) gamer bundle for the Wayne Foundation has gone up at RPGNow, it is just $25 which all goes to a great cause (the Wayne Foundation) for over $212 worth of gaming goodness organized by my good friends over at Troll in the Corner.

Also, still trying to decide what to do for April’s A to Z Challenge, please go here and let me know your thoughts and opinions.

New Monster – Warrior of Wood

Warrior of Wood

Standing in the shadows are five warriors, looking closer, your realize that they are crudely fashioned wooden mannequins in ill-fitting leather armor and carrying clubs and shields.  You dismiss them as a threat until they move forward in unison.

Warrior of Wood                                                  CR 2 (600 XP)
N medium construct

Tuesday Magic Item – Stick Soldier

“We must hurry, our pursuers will be on us soon,” said Vanish, looking down the trail.

“Which is why I am preparing something to delay them,” said Milok the Green, placing the last of the little stick doll inside the armor taken from the bandits who had so foolishly attacked them.  Using his sacred knife, he priced his finger and touched a drop of blood to each one.  In moments they had grown to fill the roughly treated armor and struggled to their feet.

Anli of the Axe handed each a spear as Milok instructed them to block the road to all travelers.

“That should delay them a bit,” said Milokas he pulled himself up into the saddle.

Vanish glanced back.  “I hope so.  They look tougher than the bandits at least.”

Stick Soldier

These little humanoid-shaped bundles of twigs have some sort of weapon-like stick at the end of one arm and sometime a shield of woven sticks and armor of leaves.

Pattern Seekers – Episode 13: Dark Castles and Faceless Men

With some time to rest and ponder after retrieving dragon eggshells, our heroes are again called to serve the designs of the Pattern, being awoken in the middle of the night and given a hand drawn map showing the location of a sword inside a castle.  The Shaper informs them that time is of the essence as reinforcement are on their way to the castle and they must retrieve the sword while they can sending them directly on their way with potions and goggles to let them see at night.

Crossing through the gate, they find it is night and giant moths waiting for them.   With some reluctance, they climb on the moths and wing through the night sky. 

Short Pathfinder/OGL Reviews – Daredevils and Constructs

Two different Pathfinder/OGL resources here, one for primarily for players and one for Game Masters:

Anachronistic Adventurers: The Daredevil is part of Super Genius Games’ Anachronistic Adventurers (3rd in the series) framed around the idea of people from modern(ish) worlds carried away into a fantasy world.  The Daredevil represents the most adventurous of the adventurers, people who rely on raw cussedness and luck to get the job done and survive.  While framed around the modern person in a fantasy world, it works as a pure adventuring class as well.  It is full of good, solid ideas for those who like these sorts of characters.

Tuesday Magic Item – Bellicose Gladius

Centurion Victoria Julian surveyed the situation, the barbarian hordes were pressing in all along the front and left flanks.  Missile fire and ditches has slowed them down, but still they came, they had bravery if not discipline.  The right could hold its own for the moment.

She drew her gladius, it had been her mother’s before her’s and her grandmother’s before that, always serving in defense of the Republic. “If you ladies are done with your hair,” she shouted, “we have some barbarian children who need to be taught why you fear Legion XVII, the Furies!  Fast march forward!”

As one, the legionaries moved to battle, ever confident in their centurion.

Bellicose Gladius

These soldiers’ swords are always well-used but also well cared for, the metal well oiled and the grips worn but well maintained.  They are hard wearing, functional weapons that have seen both victory and defeat in battle.