FASERIP/4C System Hack

No matter how hard I look, I've not found a Super Hero RPG better than Marvel's FASERIP (I love Champions, but its far more complex).

However, damage in the game can sometimes be very frustrating.

This hack ties damage to success level and is inspired by the Cypher system.

All status effects by Color are still in play.

A Green Result to hit is equal to 20 damage.

A Yellow Result to hit is equal to 40 damage.

A Red Result to his is equal to 60 Damage.

Now for Armor and Force Fields.

If my Rank is Typical or less,  I have 10 Soak.

If my Rank is Incredible or less, I have 20 Soak.

If my Rank is Amazing or more, I have 30 Soak.

Jarlsburg: The Cacodex

The Cacodex

Rumors insist that this tome is the journal of a cultist, who identifies themselves as J.L.T. It's pages are purported to chronicle the cults step by step plan to end their own world, an alternate prime material plane.

If J.L.T. entries are to be believed, part of their task was chronicling their cult's success in extraordinary detail as they performed a ritual "ushering my home into the glorious Void".

It is entirely uncertain how this work found its way to the prime material plane where Jarlsburg resides.  And it's authenticity is in doubt.

While the diary's veracity has been debated for nearly two centuries, the Silvercloaks have solid leads that the work has found it's way to their city, and the have learned it's intended to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

High Inquisitor Lot strongly feels that its presence in his city and the rise of the Hungering Shadow is no mere coincidence, and every effort is being taken to find who currently possesses the books and recover it.

Anyone who reads the entirety of the Cacodex has a 33% chance of going insane upon completion.  If the reader retains their sanity, they may cast Cause Light wounds 2/day and Hold Person 1/day and has a 15% chance of their alignment shifting to evil.

________________

The Cacodex came into the possession of Adder Vitriol, the Thief Guildmaster and proprietor of it's front, Shemmy's Social Club when one of his low-level cutpurses robbed an acolyte of the Hungering Shadow who was supposed to deliver the journal to a drop off and into Malhavoc's clutches.

Adder, immediately began hearing stories of someone powerful looking for the book, so he handed it over to Krent D'Midnite to deal with.

Krent, realizing that there was demand for the journal has now set up the auction and is banking on a "big score".

Big Hero 6

While enjoying our "staycation" the whole family went to see Disney's Big Hero 6.

And we all loved it, seriously, even my 11 month old watched the majority of the movie!

If you read the (2?) Marvel mini-series forget everything you know.  Which is good, because we are introduced to an interesting new universe of super heroes.

The movie was fun, charming, heart warming, and extremely well done.

In fact, I have for years now wondered why Marvel and DC didn't pursue high quality animated feature films (as the format is far closer to the comics than live action, meaning the costumes would translate far, far better).  And while Pixar gave us the Incredibles (where is Incredibles 2?!), well that was it.  Until today.

Honestly, the level of rendering done to the city makes me wonder why live action super hero films are pursued at all, the city was so well crafted and very lifelike.

There are even some great Marvel easter eggs (statues of Orca, Black Talon, and Torpedo) in there...oh, and stay until the very end.  There is a fun treat.

So wether your 11 months old or 43, I think you'll enjoy this movie.

Go see it!

Jarlsburg: Hungering Shadow Cultist (For Labyrinth Lord)

Hungering Shadow Cultist

Frequency: Uncommon

No. Encountered: 1d6
Size: Medium
Move: 30 ft; 
Armour Class: 8 (12)
Hit Dice: 2
Attacks: 1
Damage: 1d6 (flail)
Save: W2
Morale: 12
Special Attacks: 25% chance to Shadow Step and backstab like a thief
Special Defences: None
Magic Resistance: Standard
Lair Probability: 10%
Intelligence: Above Average
Alignment: Chaotic
Level/XP: 2/30
Hoard Class: VI

Jarlsburg: The Cult of the Hungering Shadow

In a short time, the insidious Cult of the Hungering Shadow has infected every layer of society in Jarlsburg.  The leader, simply known as Malhavoc, has managed to obscure her identity thus far from authorities.

In less than three months, she has managed to install several "cells" of the cult throughout the city, each operate independently of the others.  In fact, two cells in Yeti, Jarlsburg's north quarter, nearly slaughtered each other in the pursuit of an ancient grimoire in the library of Giles Rickenbacher.
   It was this feud that alerted the Silvercloaks that something was amiss and give Lot enough information to study the recent cases of the Ironcloaks to understand that a new cult was operating within the city.
   Through some strong divination magic, Lot learned that Malhavoc resides somewhere in Vikar, but nothing else could be learned before Malhavoc used black magic to murder two of the three diviners casting the spell for the Inquisitor.
   Lot secretly suspects that that Malhavoc resides in Bunker and may well be a person of prominence and power.
   The Cult of the Hungering Shadow worships an unknown demon of great power that seek to direct it's malice to corrupt the city before destroying it.
   Lot believes there at least six cells still active in the city and they have been responsible for murder, kidnapping, and larceny.
   He is careful who he shares his information with, because of his uncertainty of who to trust.

Gaming ADD & Maturity or Heading Home to Jarlsburg

There was a time when Gaming ADD ran my (gaming) life.  No long term campaigns, no major character developments or arcs, just jumping from game to game.

Now, I love RPG's and I love trying new RPG rules, but most gamers aren't really like that.

As I've written, the ADD has kicked in and the writing has helped stave it off.

The most recent long term game I ran was Jarlsburg and part of the problem is that I miss it.

But, I'm planning it out and figuring how it will schedule and very briefly working out the rules for it.

You see, I truly love D&D 5th Edition, but I've been running it in one form or another for three years now.  And when I wasn't running that I was running 13th Age, which is awesome, but is merely a (strong) variation on the same theme.

So, most likely, when I pick Jarlsburg back up, not only will it probably only have one original player coming back, but it will be a different game engine.  And that will be the final decision I make and will not be agonized over so that I don't feed the ADD.

Since one PC will be returning, and he was a featured character the whole time, I've got to explain how much time has passed and what's been going on.

And that's what I'm going to focus on in my brainstorming, not the game engine.

When we left off, the Egg of Coot has just entered Jarlsburg through a skaven warpmatrix.  The Egg's forces had comprised the audience attending the King in Yellow performed at the Essex College's Padmoor Theatre.

What happens next?  How long ago was that?

Well, if your not going to tell me, I guess I have to figure it out for myself... 

The Shadow of Robert Schwalb

November 24th at 7pm, I have the pleasure of hosting a demo of Robert Schwalb's new game Shadow of the Demon Lord at Comic Book World Florence.

What I've read about the game on RPG.NET, Rob's blog, and Giant in the Playground seems very, very intriguing.

In fact, I'm kicking around the idea of returning to Jarlsburg with it.

I'm a big fan of Rob's work, including Witch Hunter: The Invisible World and am honored to host this demo.

I'll keep everyone updated