Dark Future Ahead 16 – News from the ‘Net of a Cyberpunk bent

Lots of information on architecture this time around but buildings are important.  Now, tune in for the latest interesting and cyberpunk inspiring stories that I have found:

When business travelers suspect they will need help, they often contract with International SOS (or similar firm) to provide advice and action when required (from the Economist, may requires registration).  Seems like the sort of company who might have to hire specialists now and then.

What about the Johammer J1, an electric-power motorcycle from Austria.  The can visit the company’s site here to learn more about the interesting vehicle.

Would you feel safe in a skyscraper made of wood?  I think I would as long as it was not too tall.  But lots of opportunities for incorporating things into the structure of the building if you can hit the right point of the production process.  Also, a very green way to construct buildings if done properly.

The future of building is green is various ways, visit the Edge in Amsterdam, a green, interconnected office building complete with security drones(!).  It is the greenest building built so far with a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) score of 98.36%, the highest ever, making it the target to match (or beat) for sustainability in buildings.

How security uses intelligent design of buildings to control your movement and get a good look at you.  Things to remember for people on both sides of the law.  Remember, cameras are everywhere, plan accordingly.

What visions of the coming dark future have you seen recently?

Tuesday Magic Item – Functionary’s Ring (for Pathfinder and D&D5)

“I would rather face a cavalry charge than bureaucrats,” whispered Voddick.

“Understandable,” agreed Gollaon, shuffling forward with the queue.  “But this is one danger we must face.  Without that seal, we cannot use the Gate and without the gate . . .”

“Yodon’s thugs will catch up with us,” finished Voddick with a sigh.

“Come along, it is only paperwork and red tape.”

Functionary’s Ring

These rings vary from the functional to the ornate, depending on the rank of the person they were made for and the tastes of the organization it was created for.  Usually, they are of silver or harder alloys with the signet engraved into the metal, carved stone seals are rare but not unknown especially among the dwarves.  The magic of the ring is only set when it is given in a proper ceremony, which can be staged for those willing to put in the effort, and it is primarily focused on improving the efficiency of the wearer in their official role.

New Monster – Pyroead

This month’s RPG Blog Carnival is Cold Iron and Pixie Dust: Step Into The Faerie Realm hosted by Pitfall and Pixies.  My contribution is something a bit different:

The dancing flames resolved into the form of a beautiful woman wreathed in orange smoke .  “Welcome, but watch your step, it is dangerous for burnable beings such as you,” she says in an amused voice.

Pyroead    CR 5
XP 1,600
CG Medium fey (fire)
Init +7; Senses low-light vision; Perception +11
Aura heat (15 ft., see below)

Tuesday Magic Item – Lady Sun’s Blessed Yari (For Pathfinder, D&D5 and L5R)

The blade of the yari blazing like the sun as the samurai spun and thrust, each strike of the spearing bringing down a monster.  But the number of the enemies seemed endless and even with all their skill and a weapon blessed by Lady Sun herself, and slowly the heroic warrior was forced back, armor torn and body covered in cuts and scratches.

At last, one of the mightiest of the monsters, a creature the size of a house, decided to end this and charged.  The samurai leapt to meet the monster, like a shooting star, and like the shooting star, there was a burst of light and then darkness as the samurai was crushed under the now unmoving bulk of the creature, victorious even in death.

Lady Sun’s Blessed Yari

These fine spears are crafted only during the day, all work on their construction if done with the light of Lady Sun shining upon the process.  The tempered steel of the blade is polished to a mirror brightness, the wooden shaft oiled or waxed to a warm glow and decorated with charms.

It is Free RPG Day!

Today is 2016’s Free RPG Day!   I will be at Tyche’s Games in Athens, GA, where we will have demonstrations of Pathfinder and other fun games.

Free PRG Day Table at Tyche’s Games

And please remember, if you take advantage of the Free RPG Day swag, buy something as well.  The retailers have to paid for what you are getting free, so help them out.

New: You can find PDFs of some of the Free RPG Day adventures here and here

New Spell – Blood Weapon (revised)

After a few dark words, the priest touched his symbol to the weapon and it began to glow with a pulsing red light.  When I next attacked with it, it almost seemed to leap of its own accord to strike my enemies.

Blood Weapon
School transmutation [evil]; Level cleric 2, paladin 1; Domain evil 1

CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, DF

EFFECT
Range touch
Target weapon touched
Duration 1 min + 1 min./level
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no

DESCRIPTION

Seven Years of the Sea of Stars Journal!

Today is the seventh anniversary of my first post here and there have been over fourteen hundred (!) posts since then, an average of just over two hundred a year.  Wow, that is quite a bit of writing.

Thank you for all of your support and interest, your comments and contacts really help keep me going.

While I have not been able to maintain the aggressive schedule of posts I had initially intended, I have managed to keep the Tuesday Magic Items flowing and have produced in the range of four hundred new magic items so far for community use.

If you would like to support my efforts for the coming years, and I have no intention of stopping, feel free to back me on Patreon.

Sea of Stars logo by the talented jim pinto and owned by me.

 

Tuesday Magic Item – Stormdriver’s Cloak

Gollaon made sure the cloak was fastened tightly. “Come on Voddick!”  He shouted and thunder echoed the pounding on the trap door they had used to reach the top of the tower.

“I do not like this plan,” Voddick replied struggling to secure the cloak amidst the wind and rain.

“Would you rather face the Eight Knights of Corioso again?” asked Gollaon climbing onto the parapet.

“Point taken,” grumbled Voddick stepping up beside him.

As the trap door shattered up, Gollaon and Voddick jumped off the tower and into the storm.

Stormdriver’s Cloak

These heavy cloaks are usually black or dark grey with silver clasps and, occasionally gold or silver embroidery.  They are made from material that has been waterproofed, such as waxed cotton or oiled leather and are sturdy and tough.

Review – Shadowrun: Howling Shadows

Shadowrun: Howling Shadows is the latest creature book for Shadowrun and as such provides new beings and new challenges.  Worth putting on the ‘pick up if you are a GM list’ as it provides so many useful tools and potential adventure ideas, not nearly so useful for players but still a good read.

Shadowrun: Howling Shadows is a Core Critter Book for the 5th edition of Shadowrun, so it provides additional information on the strange, wonderful and dangerous creatures out and about in the Sixth World.

Review – Mysteries of the Gods

Mysteries of the Gods: New Cleric Domains and Spells for D&D 5e opens some interesting options for Clerics in 5e with both new Domains and new spells.  Each of the new Domains suggests an interesting direct for faith in a world and the spells provide some solid support, if you are pondering what to do with clerics in your game it is well worth looking at.

Mysteries of the Gods: New Cleric Domains and Spells for D&D 5e by Brandes Stoddard and published by Tribality Publishing presents just that, three new domains and eight spells.  The layout is clear with thematic color photographs for illustrations.