Psycho Goreman

 

The kids have off today, so I'm going to make this review short and sweet.

Aaron the Pedantic and I have been talking about science-fantasy and Krull in particular on our new podcast Gonzo Up Your Ass!

Well, if you take the awesome and epic worldbuilding of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror and put it on contemporary Earth, but make it funny - like badass demons getting interrupted by uppity children, then you have Psycho Goreman.

There are literally dozens of cool bits and pieces to steal from this and put it in your RPG or campaign setting of choice... D&D, Rifts, Cha'alt, Carcosa, LotFP, DCC, Arduin, etc.

Just like you can tell that Mork Borg was created by graphic designers, Psycho Goreman must have been created by special FX guys because there are more creature costumes than you can can count.  Every time you turn around, there's a weird, over-the-top, cringe on purpose which makes it ironically awesome humanoid (mostly) entity that reminds you of those silly sci-fi monsters from Power Rangers.  

But it's the unrelenting dark atmosphere mixed with the laughs that sets it apart and makes it seven-fold better than just another kid's show or movie.  The language reminds me of Prince of Nothing, his pleasingly overwrought and legendary way of speaking and naming things.  

Some of my favorite things... the look and sound of the "protagonist" Psycho Goreman, along with that glowing magenta/fuchsia magic stone, a different kind of laser-sword than I've ever seen before, the backstory of Psycho Goreman involving the planet Gigax (yes, pronounced like Gygax), the humorous board of directors that have an interest in seeing Psycho Goreman defeated, the cool deaths as PG dishes the pain on both pesky humans and alien demon creatures more like himself.

It's the kind of movie I'm glad I bought on blu-ray because I'll be seeing this many more times over the years.  The fact that I was able to watch this with my wife and two older girls was an unexpected bonus!

This movie gets my highest recommendation 5 out of 5 stars.  If you're at all into stuff like D&D while not taking yourself too seriously, watch it and prepare to re-watch soon after.  It's just that awesome.  If they don't make a sequel next year, I'm going to be really disappointed.

VS

p.s. Yes, I have the luxury hardcover Cha'alt and Cha'alt: Fuchsia Malaise books for sale, direct through me.  Ordering details here!

A.I. Players for D&D

 

An interesting discussion broke out on Twitter yesterday.  

We were talking about the possibility of an artificial intelligence as DM.  But then a couple of us simultaneously wondered about an A.I. player.

So, I decided to simulate an A.I. player in D&D with a simple d20 table...

1. "I attack."
2. "I keep going."
3. "I want to take a closer look at that."
4. "I leave it alone."
5. "I do NOT speak the Latin... same goes for any other weird, mystical, or ancient form of communication."
6. "I'm ready to make a new character.  Ok, I'll say your damn words!"
7. "I make conversation, trying to gather information."
8. "I attempt to negotiate, intimidate, or seduce." [whichever gives me the best advantage]
9. "I surrender."
10. "I loot the body."
11. "I run away."
12. "I back away slowly."
13. "I attempt to disarm the trap."
14. "I move around or jump over the obstacle."
15. "I eat, drink, and make merry."
16. "I disbelieve."
17. "I attempt to steal it."
18. "I use the special thing (magic, high-tech, explosive device, etc.)."
19. "I ask for healing."
20. "I rest."

Perhaps, this would actually make a good list of options (not necessarily a random table) for noobs?  

I don't know, but share your thoughts with me.  I'd love to hear them.

VS

p.s. Fuck yes, I'm back to selling my gorgeous Cha'alt and Cha'alt: Fuchsia Malaise hardcovers!  Ordering details here.

Stimulating Cha'alt

 

Another round of stimulus checks, and another chance to buy the limited edition, signed, hardcovers of both Cha'alt and Cha'alt: Fuchsia Malaise.  

Kort'thalis Publishing is sure to garner at least a third of that 1.9 trillion dollars, right?

I bought back the 500 copies of Cha'alt that a friend helped me out with last year.  A good chunk of those were snatched up by Kickstarter backers, but I still have some left.

Cha'alt is $60 (includes USA shipping) + $20 to Canada or + $30 everywhere else in the world.

Cha'alt: Fuchsia Malaise is $60 (includes USA shipping) + $20 to Canada or + $30 everywhere else in the world.

Combined, both books are $100 + $30 to Canada and + $40 everywhere else in the world.

Send money via paypal.  My email is: Venger.Satanis@yahoo.com

All physical media automatically includes the corresponding PDF(s).  If you've already purchased the PDF, take $5 off the total price.

Thanks for your continued support!

VS

Welcome To The Thunderdome

 

The inaugural episode of our monthly podcast Gonzo Up Your Ass! is available.  Aaron the Pedantic and I had a nice little chat about how to make your RPG sessions more gonzo and/or metal.

If you're checking this blog post out on a mobile device, the video may not show up.  In that case, here is a direct link to the YouTube video. 

Have a question or suggestion about gonzo/metal in your game?  Let us know so we can talk about it.

Enjoy,

VS

p.s. Only a short time left to back my Saving Cha'alt kickstarter.  Back it to get more bang for your buck - as many as 7 eldritch, gonzo, science-fantasy, post-apocalyptic scenarios!

Cyborg Tomato

 

Not sure how I happened upon this, but it's awesome and gameable and it's going into Saving Cha'alt... somewhere somehow.  

As luck would have it, I needed a gimmick for the A.I. patrolling the prison-city known as Sanz Egra'as.  Cyborg tomato it is, then.  

Legendary!

If you haven't backed the Kickstarter yet, there's only 9 days left.  What are you waiting for?

VS

Gonzo Up Your Ass!

 

Aaron the Pedantic and I will be tag-teaming a new hour-long, once a month podcast that will showcase how you can make your D&D more gonzo and/or metal.

How did this all come about?  Aaron was dismayed that Mork Borg gave you fish rather than teaching you how to fish, when it comes to metal-izing your adventures and campaign.  Well, Aaron and I want to teach you how to fish.  

For those who don't know, Metallica wanted to call their first album Metal Up Your Ass, but the pussy record company wouldn't allow it, so they came up with Kill 'Em All, instead.  Since this podcast is for both gonzo and metal, I thought Gonzo Up Your Ass had a nice ring to it.  ;)

The first show is Tuesday night, February 23rd (7:30-8:30pm central standard time).  Aaron also got his logo guy to make this badass thing over here.  Sweet!

Thanks for your continued support, everyone.

VS

p.s. Almost forgot about the Saving Cha'alt kickstarter.  It's awesome, please back it!!!

Larry Flynt: Space Hustler

 

It's obvious to me that without Larry Flynt, there might not be an Alpha Blue RPG.  And what a tragedy that would be for the universe!

I just found out that he died.  Champion of free speech and lover of all things sleazy... RIP, hoss.

From now until Monday, I'm bringing 3 Alpha Blue titles to the low, low price of $1.  

It all started with Alpha Blue.  That gets you in the mood while teaching you everything you need to play.

Girls Gone Rogue is the first Alpha Blue supplement.  More options, random tables, and scenarios.

An even bigger and nastier supplement is Universal Exploits. It's got everything! 

I tried to make everything as rules-light, gameable, humorous, sexy, and sci-fi as I could.  Anyway, enjoy.  Pour a Purple Prizm out for one of my heroes, Larry Flynt.  If you want to read about the man, this is as good a place as any.

VS

p.s. Yep, my Saving Cha'alt kickstarter is going for another couple weeks.  Back it now before you have to pay retail [shudders uncontrollably].

WotC Apology for Stuff of Legends

 

Here it is.  After the twitter backlash, we all knew it was coming.  Wizards apologies for Stuff of Legends.  Read their letter below...

Dear fans, customers, and D&D community;

It has come to our attention that Stuff of Legends, our new D&D web series involving "muppets" has negatively impacted those sensitive to such things.  While many in our toxic culture would call you social justice warriors, virtue signaling twerps, and complete idiots, we understand.  We hear you.  And we're there for you.

Obviously, large breasts, as well as the platemail which bouys them, is sexist and awful, probably racist, too, and no doubt the product of straight white male terrorism in our very midst.  

Furthermore, even though the character's name is quite amusing, we now realize that humor is the enemy.  Remember, while you're laughing, fascism is rising!  Joking around is forbidden at the gaming table, unless of course, everyone has checked the box on the consent checklist.  But even then, don't do it.  No laughing!

Henceforth, we will be calling this Tiddy-gate.  Heads will roll.  Heads as giant and round as that muppet's tiddies.  So it shall be!

Sincerely, 

WotC Management 

Before you go, check out my latest kickstarter campaign for eldritch, gonzo, science-fantasy, post-apocalyptic adventures set in Cha'alt.  If you like what you see, back Saving Cha'alt!

Saving Cha'alt Kickstarter

 

I know I said February 5th, but just couldn't think of a good reason not to pull the trigger.

The Saving Cha'alt Kickstarter launched yesterday, and is already on track to do big things!  With your help, we can reach 7k.

That means talking about it on twitter, FB, reddit, Mewe, YouTube, RPG forums/blogs, and whatever social media platform you're on.  

Don't be shy about reviewing stuff like Crimson Dragon Slayer D20, Cha'alt, and Cha'alt: Fuchsia Malaise. I'm also making myself available for interviews.

All the info is on the KS page, but if you want to talk Cha'alt or ask questions, feel free to do so here.

Thanks for your continued support!

Venger As'Nas Satanis
High Priest of Kort'thalis Publishing

p.s. Saving Cha'alt has already funded!