Wandering the Web [12]

A medley of curious bits of information that I have encountered recently.  Hope you find them as intriguing as I have.

The ancient Romans were clothes horses, who knew?  (Well, most students of Ancient history suspected.)

Tomb in Germany containing a chief buried with a great amount of wealth opens interesting questions about the world of 3,800 years ago.

A sympathetic look at current Dungeons and Dragons players from the mainstream press.

A exhibition of historical forgeries, including mock dragons and ancient bronze horses.  Apparently, people have been producing forgeries almost as long as there has been art.

Fading London, finding signs of London’s past among its ever-changing present.

Amazing photo of the Eiffel Tower with lightning, would make a great scene from a superhero game.

It seems I have totally failed to share this wonderful video as well, it is called Space Girl and is a tribute to SF heroines, go watch and enjoy.

Wandering the Web [11]

A variety of interesting bits of information that I have encountered recently.  Hope you find them as useful and thought provoking as I have.

Brilliant re-envisioning of modern technology if it was produced in the 1970s, look at Alex Varanese’s Alt/1977 with the Pocket Hi-Fi, the LapTron64 and MobileVoxx.  Brilliant and inspirational for retro campaigns, especially supers.

Wearing armor is, unsurprisingly, very tiring University of Leeds proves (though one suspect that someone used to wearing armor day in and day out would be less effected).  Also, a nice video showing someone getting into one of Henry VIII’s suits of armor.

Those interested in ‘small wars’ (i.e. guerrilla warfare and other ‘low intensity’ conflict), should know there is an online journal devoted to such, the Small Wars Journal.  Primarily useful for modern, historical and science fiction gamers I suspect.

Take a look the military side of modern fantasy with Myke Cole who has an interesting site supporting his books.

And for something lighter, a video with the complete (two minutes long) theme for the Big Bang Theory performed by the Barenaked Ladies (and some info about BBT moving into syndication too).

Edit: just read this and need to add it, Snape Lust: 10 Reasons Snape is Hotter than Harry.

Review – Secrets of the Alchemist: Advanced Feats

If you wish to try the Alchemist class and to expand the options available to these masters of alchemy, the Secrets of the Alchemist is a solid sourcebook.  The feats contained within are mostly applicable to all classes but especially those characters with a crafting or magical focus.

Secrets of the Alchemist: Advanced Feats is a 12-page PDF (10-pages if you remove the cover, ad and OGL page) for the Pathfinder RPG written by Sigfried Trent and published by Open Design.  This is part of Open Design’s Advance Feats line for Pathfinder.

Review – The Cavalier’s Creed: Advanced Feats

If you wish to understand the Cavalier class and to expand the options available to these mounted combatants, the Cavalier’s Creed is an excellent sourcebook.  The feats contained within are mostly applicable to all classes but especially those characters with a mounted focus.

The Cavalier’s Creed: Advanced Feats is a 16-page PDF (13-pages if you remove the cover, ad and OGL page) for the Pathfinder RPG written by Sigfried Trent and published by Open Design.  This is part of Open Design’s Advance Feats line for Pathfinder.

Tuesday Magic Item – Girdle of the Virgin Knight

Joan of Arc

Inspired by a noble -in all sense of the word- princess, slowly a new order of knights took shape in the kingdom.  Daughters who would swear themselves to their country’s service, to be chaste and pure as long as the kingdom was threatened by the forces of evil and corruption.  They would serve as a beacon of light against the darkness, risking all to guard their country and their faith.

Girdle of the Virgin Knight

It is said the first of these suit of exquisite plate armor were made for the daughter of a king who swore to remain pure and under arms until the kingdom was safe.  The armor is polished to a silver sheen and each is etched with a unique design for its original wearer.

New Magic Item – Oath Blade

All knew the story of the former Sir Alycks of Jineve who had betrayed his Oath to guard the King’s sons for the promise of power from the Usurper.  His Oath Blade, the symbol of his honor shattered and fell apart, as, later, did the man himself.   It is said that Alycks Oath-Breaker abandoned his name and title and sought to redeem himself by guarding the helpless.  It is rumored that he died holding the pass at Ackly from the Blood Raiders last fall.

Oath Blade

These daggers come in all forms from plain functional weapons to bejewelled and nearly ornamental display pieces, what they all share is a motto of some sort engraved on the blade.  Usually it is something along the lines of “My Word is My Honor” or similar sentiments.

Daleron Stormbrand – Knight-Commander of Taren Kost

Today, we return to Taren Kost and meet with one of its most noble leaders:

Daleron Stormbrand, Knight-Commander of the Cavalry of Taren Kost

Quote: It is my honor to serve Taren Kost and the Stormbrand line, I will not fail my home or my ancestors.

High Kingdom of Laccini – Necrourgists and Knights

Not all evil in the Sea of Stars is world threatening, some is just driven by petty ambition and greed.  One such place is:

High Kingdom of Laccini

Laccini was until a hundred years ago three small rival kingdoms, Laccini, Doras and Usi’Tal that shared a single island.