Pre-Convention News & Updates

I wanted to show off the map progress.  As I mentioned in a previous post, I've been experimenting with a new tentacle-drawn mapping style.

And this is what it looks like after my layout guy is done with it.  There will be more like this soon (with possible tweaks).  After VENGER CON, I'll be preparing the way for book 4 of the Cha'alt trilogy (due out next July).

Speaking of VENGER CON II: Electric Boogaloo, it's less than a month away.  Weekend badges are still available.  Everyone who loves old-school, OSR, and traditional RPGs is welcome, but this is not a woke convention.  

As the con gets closer, I'll be posting some content for gamers to use (both those attending and those who wish they could attend, but aren't able to).

There are Cha'alt zines happening.  I believe all three of them are about to launch between now and VENGER CON.  I'll post about those (with links) as the convention approaches.  However, this one right here is currently being crowdfunded via Kickstarter - please, support him!

I'm also still working on the webcomics (Cha'alt, Alpha Blue, and Purple Islands).

Remember, I'm still giving away that free Cha'alt adventure, The Violet-Haunted Crypt.

This Sunday at 7pm central (8pm eastern) we'll be debuting the next phase of our monthly RPG YouTube podcast Inappropriate Characters with our new co-host Diversity & Dragons!  It'll be a 90-minute stream.  So, mark your digital calendars or whatever.

Ok, if there's anything you want to talk about or see from me in the next 3 weeks, comment down below!

VS

D&D Stream Cherry Popped

You know what color Venger is today?  Cherry-red, y'all...

Last night was my very first live-streamed D&D session.  Technically, we were using Crimson Dragon Slayer D20, which is my own OSR and 5e house-rule hybrid.

It's something I've wanted to try for a long time, and feels like the preface to Purple Slime, Demons, & Radiation.

I was a little bit nervous.  While I've GMed thousands of times before, doing it "on camera" and in front of an audience was totally new.  But from what I've seen of other streamed sessions, we didn't do half bad.

If you have any feedback or constructive criticism, definitely let me know.  Keep in mind there's only so much I can do (cosmetic surgery, vocal lessons from Rob Halford, etc), but incremental improvement is my jam.

Also, if you have any questions about the session, Game Mastering, Cha'alt, Crimson Dragon Slayer D20, or Cha'alt Pre-Generated (that's where the pre-gens came from), feel free to ask.

Big thanks to Grim Jim and Cha'alt kickstarter backer Joab for playing!  They did awesome and made my job easier.  We also appreciate the people who watched, commented, laughed, and trolled us at every opportunity (Hi, RPG Pundit!). 

Enjoy,

VS

3 Types of Game Masters

As I mentioned towards the end of last week's Inappropriate Characters episode, I've broken GM differences into 3 basic types...

The first I'll describe is the Dungeon Master from beloved Saturday morning cartoon Dungeons & Dragons.

The Dungeon Master presents the facts, sets things in motion, and then pretty much disappears into the background until his presence is required down the road.  The RPG Pundit mentioned the "clock-maker God" as an example of this sort of GM.  Once he creates a world, his hands are off the wheel and things take their own course, according to the rules or the scenario or the GM's notes.

He's impartial, objective, and about as neutral as a GM can get.  Total free market... no matter what the outcome.  Is it discipline or ambivalence that keeps the Dungeon Master type GM from subtly nudging reality here or there?

The second GM type is Zeus from the 1981 sword & sandals film Clash of the Titans.

Zeus is more subjective, the campaign world filters through him, his perspective.  His hands aren't always on, but also never far from the wheel.  Yet, he still believes in letting go, allowing fate or free will decide which path is taken.  Zeus doesn't have a specific outcome in mind, but tries to maintain a fairness or equality of opportunity, according to his personal standards of ethics, morality, and aesthetics.

If you remember, Zeus has a few tricks up his sleeve.  While balancing the campaign world and all the characters in it, he feels justified tweaking the chances of a result or two in the name of either fair play or compelling story.  Occasionally fudging a die roll for the greater good.

However, Zeus is not a story-gamer.  He doesn't know how things will end up.  He hopes things will turn out well for those proving themselves worthy, occasionally exerting a bit of influence behind the scenes, but stopping short of pre-determining adventure's conclusion.

The third and last type of GM is the Wizard of Oz.

The Wizard of Oz is a showman and a conman.  He uses slight of hand, misdirection and railroading in order to get the end result he's looking for.  His GMing creates the illusion of free will and randomness, when in reality, he pulls all the strings.

The Wizard of Oz is the most likely to be a story-gamer, since that style of GMing is directly opposed to the traditional, old school approach (though many GMs in the 70's and 80's aspired to that standard).

Another aspect of this 3rd type is bluster, pomp, and pageantry.  Anything to build himself up, to make the all-powerful GM appear greater, wiser, and stronger than he really is.  His will is mighty and players should not test it, or else face his wrath.  Also, be prepared to confront several self-important NPCs (stand-ins for the GM himself) who shall not be fucked with.  You'd have better luck wrassling an ancient black dragon.

Please feel free to comment with your experiences, your opinion of the 3 types, etc.  Where do you fit in all this?

VS

James Gunn Gone For Good

I think it's safe to say that James Gunn will NOT be re-hired by Disney.

As I predicted in Inappropriate Characters episode #4, where there's smoke, there's usually fire.  You can't be that obsessed with talking (even if it's joking - sometimes, especially if you're joking) about a subject and not have that thing be a part of your life... even if it's a very small part.

And with a subject as abhorrent, taboo, and just plain morally fucking wrong as pedophilia, even dipping your toe in the water is the end of the road for your Disney career.

I'm not going to post the leaked photos of James Gunn attending a pedo-themed costume party because... gross!  However, I will link to the page where they appear.

A year ago, I never thought I'd be saying something about the far-left, rampant SJWs, or the liberal media, but Jesus Christ, what the Hell is going on?  Everything from silence on Jeremy Hambly's assault by some "punch Nazis" asshole to the James Gunn pedo-apologists who seemed a hair away from getting him re-hired.

Yes, I love diversity and inclusivity, too, but stop acting like a hive-mind propaganda machine whose chief objective is identity politics and having fun / playing games is only a secondary consideration... at best.

Thoroughly disenchanted,

VS

p.s.  If you want some tangentially-related Guardians of the Galaxy RPG stuff, here's a FREE adventure for Alpha Blue.  It's sleazy without having anything James Gunn might get off on.

Inappropriate Characters - episode #5

Are social justice warriors slowly but surely ruining the hobby?

Whole lot of good stuff in this episode of our RPG talk show Inappropriate Characters.  Join the RPGpundit, Grim Jim Desboroughs, and I as we hash out the RPG related topics of the day! 

Let us know what you think about our show, and if you're enjoying these episodes, consider checking out our Patreon - I definitely need a decent microphone!

Enjoy,

VS

p.s.  4d6 drop the lowest and place the scores wherever you want is for children.  ;)

Inappropriate Characters episode 2

This is the 2nd episode of our RPG talk show Inappropriate Characters, comprised of RPGpundit, James Desborough, and myself.

In this episode, we talk about Kickstarters, Anita Sarkeesian coming to GENCON, gaming as adults, and more!  Thanks for tuning in.  Be sure to subscribe, like, and comment.  If you enjoy that kind of irreverent programming, consider supporting us through our Inappropriate Characters Patreon.

VS

p.s.  The Alpha Blue supplement Alien Ass, Hydrogen Gas, or Cosmic Grass... No One Warps For Free! is being Kickstarted right fucking now - go check out the sexy girls if nothing else.

More inappropriate characters!

Tonight is our second episode of the Inappropriate Characters RPG talk show.  Please subscribe to our channel and get notified when there's something new to watch!

Also, here's our Patreon account.  It'll help us keep the good times rolling!

One of the topics I'll be discussing tonight is RPG kickstarters.  Specifically, tips to succeed at running your own.  As it happens, I launched my 15th KS earlier today.

Check out Alien Ass, Hydrogen Gas, and Cosmic Ass... No One Warps For Free!

If you have questions about running an RPG kickstarter, let me know what they are so I can answer them on the show.

VS

No Politics, Please

Today, we're talking about Armor Class... but first, let's discuss the lack of diversity among the straight, white, male, rape-culture, terrorist roleplayers.

Why?!?  Why does this always fucking happen these days?

I'm referring to the interjection of racism, sexism, inclusiveness, forced community welcoming, protection from the threat of possible harassment, and a bunch of other stuff.

It's politics.  Why are politics always worming their filthy way into our gaming?  I want to be free of it.

A few years ago, "No politics" meant not overly praising or bashing the President or talking about gun control or immigration.  Now, it's everywhere, affecting everything, and there seems to be no escape.

This seemingly innocuous post by James Raggi started off good and then got bogged down in the same bullshit that happens when more than 3 people are together.

At this point, I equally blame the Alt-Right (stop egging the SJWs on, baiting them, and calling them totalitarians) and Ctrl-Left for their mutual failure to leave their politics at the fucking door!  It's gotten so bad that, like, 20% of all RPG discussion needs to be removed like a cancerous tumor.

From now on, unless I'm taking part in a political discussion, I'm going to ignore the stuff I can safely and easily ignore; everything else I'll respond with NP,P.  Even if that's questioning why so many OSR people harass minorities or wear a Nazi armband or prefer ascending armor class.

Those who've seen the inaugural episode of our RPG talk show, Inappropriate Characters, know that I'm a centrist who prefers to keep gaming talk about gaming, when possible (new episode taping later this week)...

Thanks for listening and hope you all had a good Memorial Day,

VS

Inappropriate Characters

No, I'm not just talking about barbarian halflings and dark elven monk/assassins!

RPGpundit, "Grim" Jim Desborough, and I decided to create our own RPG talk show.  Three outspoken OSRish libertines who have similar views and experiences throughout the hobby/industry we all know and love (loathe...?).

Here's the first episode of Inappropriate Characters.  It's only #1, so cut us a little slack for the meager production values.  As we continue to produce the show, it'll get slicker.

And here's our Patreon page where the three of us are looking for funding/support.

If you have questions, comments, topics you want us to discuss, feedback, or anything else, let us know!

Thanks,

VS