Darran Sims

[Continuum 2012] The Early-Bird offer ends soon!

2011-12-28T14:15:00.001-08:00

Continuum 2012. John Foster Hall, Leicester University. UK.
Friday 20th - Monday 23rd July 2012.
http://www.continuum.uk.net

Greetings Continuees!
Just to let you know that the Early Bird offer of £140.00 for the whole weekend ends on 31st of December 2011.
So head over to the Continuum website and sign up while it lasts!

To register by post
You can register your place at Continuum by simply filling out the Continuum 2012 Booking Form and sending it to:
Continuum
53 Stepping Lane
Derby
DE1 1GL
Please make all cheques payable to "Continuum".
Note that we do prefer cheques.

To register by PayPal
You can send us your registration/room payments via PayPal. To do this, simply go to your PayPal account and send the correct amount of money to:
"payment@continuum.uk.net"
Please ensure you include the following details with your PayPal order: Your name, address, and phone number.
Please then fill in the Continuum 2012 Booking Form, marking that you have paid via Paypal and send it to:
darransims@googlemail.com

Alternatively you can use the Paypal button on the Continuum 2012 website linked below, just select which option you are going for, either a 3 night stay, 2 night stay, a single night stay, a weekend pass, or a day pass.

Please note if you are a little late getting the payment in due the Christmas post or waiting for the website updates that shouldn't be an issue. ;)

New Guest of Honour at Continuum 2012

2011-11-12T05:13:00.000-08:00

We have an additional Guest of Honour to announce!
It is with great pleasure that we introduce Neil Gow.

Guest Of Honour - Neil Gow
Neil is the man behind Omnihedron Games and their award-winning Napoleonic games, Duty & Honour and Beat to Quarters. A vocal member of the UK's independent games publishing community, Neil has also worked as an international community manager and organised play coordinator for Precedence Publishing and Comic Images in the ccg world. This will be Neil's first time at Continuum so be gentle with him!

Neil spends his non-gaming time as a college business lecturer and lives on Tyneside with his long-suffering wife, his relentlessly geeky daughters, a cat that thinks it's a dog and a hamster that thinks it's a ninja...

Guests of Honour at Continuum 2012

2011-10-16T01:52:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce the Guests of Honour that will be joining us at Continuum 2012
We feel have one of the strongest line-ups of Guests of Honour for our 20th year anniversary Continuum in 2012 covering a wide range of games and settings.
So with no further ado we shall introduce them in reverse alphabetical order:

Guest Of Honour - Lawrence Whitaker
Lawrence is one-half of The Design Mechanism, the company formed with Pete Nash to produce and publish the next edition of RuneQuest. In former incarnations he has freelanced for Chaosium and worked as a staff writer for Mongoose Publishing. The more observant among you might also remember him from previous Continuums and Convulsions.

Loz is delighted to be helping the Leicester Convention move into its twentieth anniversary and intends celebrating the journey with games, seminars and a fair amount of socialising.

Guest Of Honour – Jeff Richard
Jeff Richard is the editor-in-chief for Moon Design Publications and one of the lead writers. He’s the co-author (with Greg Stafford) of a half-dozen Gloranthan publications including Sartar: Kingdom of Heroes and the Sartar Companion.
Jeff is rumoured to reside in fortified bunker somewhere deep in Berlin.

Guest Of Honour - Sandy Petersen
Sandy Petersen, while working for the RPG company Chaosium, designed and developed the award-winning Call of Cthulhu game. Sandy also co-authored many RuneQuest supplements; most notably the critically acclaimed Trollpak and a number of other fine Glorantha supplements.

Sandy also worked for Microprose, where he is credited for work between 1989 and 1992 on the games Darklands, Hyperspeed, Lightspeed, Sid Meier’s Pirates! and Sword of the Samurai.
Sandy joined id Software about 10 weeks before the December 1993 release of DOOM and in that time created 19 levels for it. He later created 17 of the levels for DOOM II, and 7 levels for Quake. His Lovecraftian influences also affected some of the monster design for these games.
In June 1997 Sandy joined Ensemble Studios. There, he has worked as a game designer on several of their Age of Empires titles, including Rise of Rome, Age of Kings, Age of Mythology, and The Conquerors.

Guest Of Honour - Pete Nash
Despite a hat that suggests a certain level of impudent stupidity, Pete is the other half of The Design Mechanism. Formerly a staff writer with Mongoose Publishing, Pete is the ENNIE award winning author of 'Rome: Life and Death of the Republic' and a lifelong practitioner of armed combat. A Continuum and Convulsion veteran, Pete is intending to help make Continuum 2012 memorable by promoting RuneQuest's sixth edition, running demonstration games and participating in all manner of informative and riveting seminars. Good single malt whiskey may also play a part.

Guest Of Honour – Rick Meints
President of Moon Design Publications, Gloranthan archivist, collector, Guinness fan, and the Eternal Auctioneer , Rick is a lifelong friend of both Convulsion and Continuum, and simply a great personality to have at any convention. Rick’s tireless devotion to Glorantha has injected a new energy and drive into HeroQuest, and we know that Rick’s champing at the bit to reveal his Master Plan and, at the same time, unveil the latest HQ releases.

Guest Of Honour - Robin Laws
Robin Laws has been designing games for a living since 1993.
His notable credits include the hit RPG Feng Shui, Rune, Robin’s Laws of Good Gamemastering, Dungeon Master’s Guide II for D&D, Stunning Eldritch Tales for Trail of Cthulhu, Glorantha: The Second Age for Mongoose’s RuneQuest, and The Esoterrorists for the GUMshoe System.

Robin is the author of over a dozen role-playing sourcebooks and adventures, and a contributor to many more. His publishers include Wizards of the Coast, FASA, Atlas, Pelgrane, Pinnacle, Mayfair, Issaries, Mongoose Publishing, and Steve Jackson Games.

Robin lives in beautiful Toronto with his lovely wife Valerie.
In his secret identity, he indulges his interest in cinema and continues to accumulate an alarming number of CDs.

Guest Of Honour - Mark Galeotti
Historian, scholar, game designer and tea-drinker, Mark is a true Renaissance Man, which is singularly appropriate given what he’ll be bringing to Continuum 2012. A long-time friend of Continuum, Professor Galeotti is delighted to be able to make it back from New York to his native soil (and even more delighted to be able to get the hell out before the Olympics).

He’s been the Acquisitions Editor for Issaries, written and edited a range of HeroQuest books, produced Mythic Russia and is now working on 1510, a Wordplay rpg set in an alternative Renaissance Italy, where Leonardo da Vinci’s clock-punk technology battles with Vatican Inquisitors, Venetian spies, French armies and Florentine traitors.
Mark will be running The Art of War for us, an epic new freeform in this Renaissance setting and bringing more historical fantasy to Continuum.

Guest Of Honour - Angus Abranson
Angus Abranson is the Founder and a Director of games publisher Cubicle 7 Entertainment who are one of the most prolific publishers around today. Publishing a mix of their own games, licenses and games on behalf of a host of partner companies Cubicle 7 are perhaps best known for their Middle Earth RPG “The One Ring: Adventures over the Edge of the Wild” and their “Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space” RPG based on the cult BBC TV series.

Cubicle 7 also publish a range of Call of Cthulhu books in their “Cthulhu Britannica” and “World War Cthulhu” lines as well as their BRP/Mythos “The Laundry” based upon the novels of Charles Stross.
Working with over 30 partner companies, as well as a number of licenses, Angus is in charge of their New Business and Partner Development, as well as their Board and Card Game side.

Angus worked at legendary games shop ‘Leisure Games’ for over 20 years, helped launch Valkyrie magazine in 1994 as well as having worked with a number of other RPG magazines and is also runs the Dragonmeet games convention in London and the Gameforce Network.

He currently lives in Wiltshire near ancient stone circles and works in Oxford near ancient seats of learning.

Booking For Continuum 2012

2011-06-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

Continuum 2012. John Foster Hall, Leicester University. UK.
Friday 20th - Monday 23rd July 2012.
http://www.continuum.uk.net

With the increase in prices and VAT the single night room rate has gone up from £45.00 to £47.00 per night. However we have kept the bargain price of £120.00 for staying allthree nights so you can still have the discount. We have also kept the Early-Bird price of the membership at the same price, £20.00 if you book in 2011. If you pay in 2012 the membership price goes up to £30.00 so it does pay to book early. So a three night stay at Continuum 2012 if you book early is only £140.00, or if you miss the Early Bird offer it will cost £150.00.

There are two types of membership to Continuum 2012; one is a Membership Fee is when you chose the accommodation on site at the venue and the other is a Weekend Pass without accommodation designed for locals or for people staying in alternative accommodation like local hotels, B&Bs or staying with friends.

Continuum Registration
This is in conjuction with the accommodation offered on site.

Continuum 2012 Registration (Early Bird):	£20.00
Continuum 2012 Registration (Standard):	£30.00

Continuum Accommodation
There is only one type of room on offer All accommodation will be single occupancy bedrooms with en suite bathroom.

En-Suite Room (per night):	£47.00
En-Suite Room (3 night discount):	£120.00

Please note that there are no twin rooms or double rooms available at Continuum 2012.

Weekend Pass (Without Accommodation)
A Weekend Pass or Day Pass allows you entry to the convention from 09:30 in the morning until the ‘last dance’ after the main bar has closed. Entry on the Friday is from 14:00 hence the lower price.

Continuum 2012 Weekend Pass (Early Bird):	£25.00
Continuum 2012 Weekend Pass (Standard):	£35.00
Day Pass (Friday Only):	£10.00
Day Pass (Saturday or Sunday):	£15.00

Registration opens for all bookings on Monday 13th June 2011.

The Early Bird offer ends on Saturday 31st December 2011.

Register Via Post
You can register your place at Continuum by simply filling out the Continuum 2012 Booking Form and sending it to:
Continuum
53 Stepping Lane
Derby
DE1 1GL
Please make all cheques payable to “Continuum”.

Register Via PayPal
You can send us your registration/room payments via PayPal. To do this, simply go to your PayPal account and send the correct amount of money (using the guidelines stated above) to:
“payment@continuum.uk.net”
Please ensure you include the following details with your PayPal order: Your name, address, and phone number.
Please then fill in the Continuum 2012 Booking Form, marking that you have paid via Paypal and send it to:
darransims@googlemail.com

Alternatively you can use the Paypal button on the Continuum 2012 below, just select which option you are going for, either a 3 night stay, 2 night stay, a single night stay, a weekend pass, or a day pass.

Breakdown of Prices

Registration Type Early Bird Standard
En-Suite Single Room 3 nights + Registration = £140.00 £150.00
En-Suite Single Room 2 nights + Registration = £114.00 £124.00
En-Suite Single Room 1 night + Registration = £67.00 £77.00
Without Accommodation
Weekend Pass (No Accommodation) = £25.00 £35.00
Friday Day Pass (No Accommodation) = £10.00 £10.00
Saturday Day Pass (No Accommodation) = £15.00 £15.00
Sunday Day Pass (No Accommodation) = £15.00 £15.00

Deadline for all bookings is Monday 2nd July 2012.

See you all there!

Continuum 2012 Registration Opens

2011-06-07T17:14:00.000-07:00

The next Continuum will be Friday 20th July to Monday 23rd July 2012.
John Foster Hall, Leicester University Halls of Residence, Oadby, Leicester, UK.

Registration opens on Monday 13th June 2011.

More details will follow as this website will be updated by then.

Continuum 2012

2011-05-11T04:37:00.000-07:00

The next Continuum will be Friday 20th July to Monday 23rd July 2012.
John Foster Hall, Leicester University Halls of Residence, Oadby, Leicester, UK.

The date refers to the 2012 Mayan apocalypse prophecy that foretells the end of the world.

The main theme of the convention will be Apocalypse, End of the World/Galaxy/Universe/Multiverse, Judgment Day, Ragnarök, Götterdämmerung, Qiyamah, End of Days, Armageddon, etc.

A Big Thank You from the Con-Quest Organisers

2011-05-03T02:58:00.000-07:00

So Con-Quest 2011 was a great success with plenty of great games running and a busy trade hall. Though numbers were down a little on last years’ event due to the double bank holiday, royal wedding and sunny weather; the atmosphere was great and all the attendees were very enthusiastic.
We had a great line-up of varied games delivered by top class GMs, in our humble opinion one of the strongest game programmes we have seen at any con, and a wide selection of traders and exhibition stalls.
I, personally, enjoyed myself even with all the hard work I had to do and it was great to see everyone happy. :D

First off I would like to thank my co-organiser Dave McAlister, not only for his sterling work in keeping the Con-Quest website and forum ticking over, but for his patience and hard work on the day keeping everything running and covering the Bring & Buy stall for most of the day. His good humour and steadfast demeanour certainly helped me keep working on the day.

We would also like to thank the Con-Quest volunteers for their hard work in making the day a success. Russell, my brother, for his printing of the Con-Quest 2011 Programme Books as well as his help on the day. My Sister, Amy, for helping on the door and Laura for her help on the door and the Bring & Buy stall.

Without all the Game Masters who volunteer their time and creative energy in running some fantastic games for us, Con-Quest couldn’t happen. We would like to thank them all for stepping up to the plate [Gaming Table?] and delivering some magnificent scenarios to the players.
We would especially like to thank the following GMs for the extra effort they went to present and organise their games:
Team 8; John Wilson, Sue Wilson, John Dodd, and Ash Elliott for their great organisation and total dominance of one of the gaming rooms.
Paul Lawrence for his Realms of Cthulhu games with great homemade props and game aids.
Simon Bell for his two Traveller games that transported the player to distant realms.
Jez ‘Jonny Gray’s Brother’ Gray for his entertaining Apocalypse World double-slotter game.
All the Pathfinder GMs for all their organised play.
Chris Tregenza and the 6D6 GMs for all their enthusiasm as well as running games for those players who missed the sign ups.

Alessio Cavatore running his Shuuro game.

Paul Lawrence GMing his game.

More of the 6D6 crew with Chris Tregenza.

The 6D6 Crew

Peter Allan running his Pathfinder game.

We would like to thank all the traders and exhibition stalls/games in making the whole event such a great place to be. We will not name them all here as they were all equally superb.

I would like to thank the Brunswick Inn for hosting our Aftershow party and I would like to thank the Derby LIVE and Kudos Catering staff that were very helpful on the day.

Aftershow Party in the Brunswick Inn.

And finally we would like to thank all the attendees who came to the event and played in all the games and took part in the event. Everyone was happy to be there and created such an abundant party ambience throughout the event. Your feedback on the forms we handed out will be invaluable for our next event and I will publish the results once they are collated.
Here are the feedback results from Con-Quest 2010 for those of you that are interested.

Con-Quest 2010 Feedback Results

See you all we hope in 2012!
Thank You!

Con-Quest Midlands 2012 on Saturday 14th April 2012 at the Derby Assembly Rooms

2011-04-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

Just to let you all know that Con-Quest Midlands 2011 will take place on Saturday 30th April 2011 at the Derby Assembly Rooms.

Tickets from the Box Office are now on sale!

You can now get your Early-Bird tickets at the special rate of £6.00 via the Con-Quest website using Paypal.

More news about events and games will follow...

With new art work by Cherrie Button especially for Con-Quest, here is the new flyer.

Our inaugural year was a great success, with hundreds of delegates coming along and joining the fun, including fifty games masters, a live action performance group and several demo teams, retailers, traders and more!

We have a top class programme of games on offer already, with great game masters , old and new, signed up to run wide variety of fantastic games - but we aim to go bigger and better, so can still squeeze a few more in.
We also want some more wargames, battleboards that really impress and show off our hobby.

If you want to run an RPG, or some drop-in games like skirmish wargames, card games and board games, you can get in to the event early and totally free with one of our sassy Volunteer Wristbands. What's more, we have a GM Lounge with a water cooler, tea, coffee and hot chocolate for you to relax and freshen up between games.

If you want to help out in other ways, volunteers are also wanted to run the Bring and Buy stall and assist at the game sign-up boards, so if you want to support us that way, there's all the benefits above for you too!

Just contact me.

Continuum 2010 Freeform & LARP Games

2010-05-14T03:25:00.000-07:00

Here are the Continuum 2010 Freeform Games.
More details are available in the Freeform section of the Continuum Website

The games are provisionally scheduled to run in the following slots*

Friday Night - Veteran's Day. [Aging Superheroes reunite]
Saturday Day - Fall of the House of Malan. [Gloranthan clan politics and war!]
Saturday Night - Kingsport. [Call of Cthulhu horror]
Sunday Morning - Last Voyage of the Santa Anna. [Victorian intrigue and mystery]
Sunday Day - You Can't Take the Sky From Me. [Firefly/Serenity action and adventure]

*Game slots may be altered.

The Last Voyage of the Santa Anna

GM: Graham Robinson
No. of Players: 16
Requirements: None

Teaser:
"In 1883, the steamship Santa Anna left Liverpool, bound for New York. Many legends have grown up around her final voyage. It seems unlikely that her true fate will ever be known, not least due to the wild stories of intrigue and the supernatural told by some of the survivors..."
- Lost Ships of the North Atlantic

"Santa Anna" is a rules-lite freeform, which requires no special knowledge or experience. All players are, of course, very welcome.
The game emphasises scheming, sneaking, deal-making, trading, romance, and socialising, with an element of the supernatural. I should warn you that there is a risk that everyone will die, though some survivors is more likely.

So, welcome aboard, and discover what happened during the fateful final hours of the "Santa Anna".

Veteran's Day

GM: Martin Jones, Mike Snowden
No. of Players: 20
Requirements: None

Teaser: by Clare Gardner/Mike Grace/Alex Helm/Martin Jones/Adrian Smith/Mike Snowden

25 years ago was the age of Superheroes, who saved the Earth from the Alien threat. Today we celebrate the end of the war, and honour their sacrifice, with the last remaining veterans.

You are at the reception to present medals to the last remaining veterans.
Scores may be settled and secrets revealed.

Written at the 2009 "Peaky" weekend, and subsequently expanded.
For more information visit http://freeforms.sabreit.co.uk/veteransday

Fall of the House of Malan

GM: Jeff Richard
No. of Players: TBC
Requirements: None

Teaser:
Set in Greg Stafford's world of Glorantha the Fall of the House of Malan is a story of clan politics, bloodshed, war, greed and faith.

The Orlanthi are a proud and strong folk, hot headed and always seeking to prove their worth to their god Orlanth. Join the barbarian clans of these fearsome heroes. This is the story of the Tribe of Malan, of its trial and tribulations. Walk with the storm gods, make war with your clan enemies and rejoice at the feasts with your ancestors.

This game will suit all kinds of freeformers, appealing to those who love to boast, covort and conspire.
The game is aimed at all levels of player and a deep knowledge is not required to enjoy in the fun.

For more information on Glorantha and the Orlanthi can be found at
www.Glorantha.com

Kingsport: Terror in Store

GM: Chris Killey
No. of Players: 18 Players
Requirements: None

Teaser:
A Lovecraftian horror freeform to be performed Saturday evening at Continuum 2010.
“In the morning mist comes up from the sea by cliffs beyond Kingsport. White and feathery it comes from the deep to its brothers the clouds, full of dreams…” – H.P. Lovecraft

All players are strongly encouraged to prepare appropriate costumes, further guidance will be provided once players have been allocated their character.

As this game is one of mystery, suspense and gut wrenching terror, no further information will be supplied prior to game other than individual character packs and rules guidance. Details on how to sign up for this game will follow soon! Chris may need support from GM’s to help run his game, if you are interested then contact Simon Bray via the Contacts section.

You Can't Take the Sky from Me...

GM: Simon Bray & Darran Sims
No. of Players: 25 Players
Requirements: None

Teaser:
"By order of the Union of Allied Planets Eavesdown Docks is under full Landlock, no ships may enter or leave the area for the next twenty four hours. Persephone port authorities will be searching all ships; a known fugitive is believed to be hiding somewhere within the vicinity.
The Alliance requests that all citizens carry on their persons their ident cards. If you see anyone acting suspiciously then report it immediately to the nearest command post..."

Things are heating up down by the Docks, and it’s not just the 'Good Dogs' that are sizzling over the grill. There is civil unrest; the filthy underbelly of the city has rolled itself over for all to view and the Alliance are not happy. Tongs and Triads roam the streets, muscling in on the companies of 'legitimate businessmen', smugglers, whores and Browncoats keep rearing their ugly heads. The local garrison is spread thin, especially since the fire bombing of the Glorious Ole Opera and adjoining buildings. To make matters worse, Governor Macon has chosen this time of discord to further the objectives of his Electoral campaign and seeks to meet and greet the fair folks of the Docks. You can be assured that his rivals will be doing likewise. Combine that with the discord amongst the Companions Guild and Miss Dahlia and you have a whole heap of trouble.

Data: "You Can't Take the Sky from me..." is a freeform role-playing game for 25 players, set in the wonderful setting of Joss Whedon's Firefly/Serenity 'verse. There is no need to be a Browncoat or Firefly afficianado, however I do want players willing to throw themselves into their characters and chew scenery, new players are welcome, so long as they understand this expectation.

Continuum 2010 Freeform Games

2010-04-20T04:37:00.001-07:00

Here are the Continuum 2010 Freeform Games.
More details are available in the Freeform section of the Continuum Website

Fall of the House of Malan

GM: Jeff Richard
No. of Players: TBC
Requirements: None

Teaser:
Set in Greg Stafford's world of Glorantha the Fall of the House of Malan is a story of clan politics, bloodshed, war, greed and faith.

The Orlanthi are a proud and strong folk, hot headed and always seeking to prove their worth to their god Orlanth. Join the barbarian clans of these fearsome heroes. This is the story of the Tribe of Malan, of its trial and tribulations. Walk with the storm gods, make war with your clan enemies and rejoice at the feasts with your ancestors.

This game will suit all kinds of freeformers, appealing to those who love to boast, covort and conspire.
The game is aimed at all levels of player and a deep knowledge is not required to enjoy in the fun.

For more information on Glorantha and the Orlanthi can be found at
www.Glorantha.com

Kingsport: Terror in Store

GM: Chris Killey
No. of Players: 18 Players
Requirements: None

Teaser:
A Lovecraftian horror freeform to be performed Saturday evening at Continuum 2010.
“In the morning mist comes up from the sea by cliffs beyond Kingsport. White and feathery it comes from the deep to its brothers the clouds, full of dreams…” – H.P. Lovecraft

All players are strongly encouraged to prepare appropriate costumes, further guidance will be provided once players have been allocated their character.

As this game is one of mystery, suspense and gut wrenching terror, no further information will be supplied prior to game other than individual character packs and rules guidance. Details on how to sign up for this game will follow soon! Chris may need support from GM’s to help run his game, if you are interested then contact Simon Bray via the Contacts section.

You Can't Take the Sky from Me...

GM: Simon Bray & Darran Sims
No. of Players: 25 Players
Requirements: None

Teaser:
"By order of the Union of Allied Planets Eavesdown Docks is under full Landlock, no ships may enter or leave the area for the next twenty four hours. Persephone port authorities will be searching all ships; a known fugitive is believed to be hiding somewhere within the vicinity.
The Alliance requests that all citizens carry on their persons their ident cards. If you see anyone acting suspiciously then report it immediately to the nearest command post..."

Things are heating up down by the Docks, and it’s not just the 'Good Dogs' that are sizzling over the grill. There is civil unrest; the filthy underbelly of the city has rolled itself over for all to view and the Alliance are not happy. Tongs and Triads roam the streets, muscling in on the companies of 'legitimate businessmen', smugglers, whores and Browncoats keep rearing their ugly heads. The local garrison is spread thin, especially since the fire bombing of the Glorious Ole Opera and adjoining buildings. To make matters worse, Governor Macon has chosen this time of discord to further the objectives of his Electoral campaign and seeks to meet and greet the fair folks of the Docks. You can be assured that his rivals will be doing likewise. Combine that with the discord amongst the Companions Guild and Miss Dahlia and you have a whole heap of trouble.

Data: "You Can't Take the Sky from me..." is a freeform role-playing game for 25 players, set in the wonderful setting of Joss Whedon's Firefly/Serenity 'verse. There is no need to be a Browncoat or Firefly afficianado, however I do want players willing to throw themselves into their characters and chew scenery, new players are welcome, so long as they understand this expectation.

DriveThruRPG Convention Support for Con-Quest 2010

2010-03-26T05:34:00.000-07:00

We are very excited about the sponsorship and support we are getting off DriveThruRPG!
Many thanks to Sean P. Fannon for sorting this out for us.

DriveThruRPG is proud to support Con-Quest Midlands 2010 by providing a special coupon code for 20% off the following products:

• Brave New World (AEG)
• Fantasy Craft (Crafty Games)
• Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space (Cubicle 7)
• Heavy Gear Blitz! Locked & Loaded - Rulebook Rev 1.1 (Dream Pod 9)
• Dragonshire: Mega Bundle Set (Fat Dragon Games)
• The Dungeon Alphabet (Goodman Games)
• Fuzzy Heroes, 2nd Edition (Inner City Games Designs)
• RuneQuest II (Mongoose Publishing)
• Rifts (Palladium Books)
• Savage Worlds Super Powers Companion (Pinnacle Entertainment)
• Cyberpunk v.3 (R. Talsorian Games)
• Realms of Cthulhu (Reality Blurs)

The code will be printed in the Con-Quest 2010 Convention Booklet that every attendee of Con-Quest 2010 will receive on arrival.
It will work from the 10-04-10 for three months.

Continuum 2010 Promotional Video

2010-03-19T08:27:00.001-07:00

Here is the promotional video for Continuum 2010 that takes place on Friday 2nd to Monday 5th July 2010 at John Foster Hall, University of Leicester Halls of Residence, Leicester, UK.

Please remember that the 'Early-Bird' price break ends on 1st April 2010!
Official announcement about the Freeform/LARP games follows next week!

Continuum 2010: Game Highlights

2010-03-10T05:58:00.000-08:00

Continuum 2010. John Foster Hall, Leicester University. UK.
Friday 2nd - Monday 5th July 2010.
http://www.continuum.uk.net

Here are some of the games already planned for this year’s convention. If your game isn’t listed here then contact Mike at bingopajamas@gmail.com with your game details!

You’ll be able to sign up for these games and lot of others at the convention – they’ll be game signup sheets in the main hallway (outside the dining room).

If you’ve not already booked your ticket and accommodation for Continuum 2010 then go to http://www.continuum.uk.net and get yourself sorted before it’s too late!

Mongoose Living Campaigns!
Continuum is proud to announce the launch of Mongoose Publishing's 'Living Glorantha' campaign at this year's convention. Continuum 2010 will see the launch of Living Glorantha and the continuation of Living Traveller (debuted at Conception 2010). Allowing you bring specially created characters from scenario to scenario, event to event, Living Campaigns aim to emulate the massive online experiences but conducted with the intimacies of the table top. Both Living Traveller and Living Glorantha are intended to be growing, developing, living events in which characters take part in the epic events of the Third Imperium and Glorantha's Imperial Age. These are games for heroes and heroes in the making - saviours of their worlds, or possibly their destroyers.

Join us at Continuum for the birth of a new and dynamic development of immortal Glorantha!

A whole sack o’ Cthulhu! Heaving and squirming like a squamous thing!
Ex Kult of Keepers Rik Kershaw-Moore, Wim van Hove, Keary Birch and Paul Fricker will be orchestrating horror and madness throughout the convention.

Wim van Hove will be running some classic Kult scenarios, and on Saturday night Wim and Rik will be joining forces to run a special version of Milan Conference for 8 players. This scenario has been proven to give players nightmares – you have been warned!

Rik Kershaw-Moore will also be running come Call of Cthulhu games single-handed, as well as the Ghostbusters RPG (Sandy Petersen’s ‘other’ game!) and the uber cool sci-fi pulp that is Spaceship Zero the RPG.

Keary Birch will be bringing his usual chills and spills with a brand new Call of Cthulhu scenario titled – Camp Sunny 2: The Return! Be afraid, be very afraid….

Paul Fricker… well lets just say that Paul will be running an original new scenario using a very special version of the Call of Cthulhu rules (oh, and someone called Mike may be doing the same…)

The Dice are NOT your friends…
Cruel Dice is a brand new rpg system that’s been designed by the creative powerhouse that is Alan Bligh and John French, the lead writers of Warhammer 40KRPG: Dark Heresy, Rogue Trader and the soon to released Deathwatch. When not writing about corruption, chaos and Space Marines, Alan and John have been tinkering with Cruel Dice. Be amongst the first to try out the system with two very different scenarios.

Dino-Geddon II: More Awesome! More Destruction! More Action!
Can you handle the raw power of Dino-Geddon? Can you? This year convention attendees are invited to bring their own remote controlled (dinosaur operated) car to face off against the conventions own machines of death. Only the strong survive.

Plus we have a load of other great tabletop rpg action, miniature gaming and live action/freeform gaming – details on all these and more to follow soon!

Buying tickets for Con-Quest Midlands 2010.

2010-03-06T16:55:00.000-08:00

Con-Quest Midlands 2010. Derby Assembly Rooms, Derby, UK.
Saturday 10th April 2010.
http://www.con-quest.co.uk

There are several ways to get tickets for you to attend Con-Quest Midlands 2010.

1. Press this Paypal link below and buy a ticket on-line. Remember to fill in you name and contact details.
You will collect your ticket from the convention desk on the door on the day so avoiding any long queues at the box office.

2. If you are in Derby you can buy tickets over the counter at the Derby LIVE box office either at the Assembly Rooms box office located at the Market Place or at the Derby Theatre box office in the Westfield Centre.
Opening hours are 10:00 until 20:00 Monday to Saturday.

3. You can ring the Derby LIVE box office 01332 255800 and buy tickets over the phone. Both credit and debit cards are accepted for payment. Credit cards incur a £1 booking fee [debit cards don’t incur a fee] and postage will incur a charge of 50p. When collecting tickets from the box office the card used for payment must be seen.

4. On-line through the Derby LIVE box office system.
Go to the Derby LIVE Con-Quest website and click the ‘Buy Now’ link.
Check it says ‘Con-Quest 2010 RPG Convention’ and click ‘Buy Tickets’
Select the amount of tickets you would like to book and click the ‘Continue’ button.
Select your concessions and click the ‘Continue’ button
Check your ticket summary, if this is correct click the ‘Continue’ button.
Enter your personal details and credit card details. Please note Derby LIVE charge a processing fee of £2 per transaction (not per ticket).
Click the ‘Purchase’ button to complete the transaction — you may wish to print the Transaction Complete page for your reference though an e-mail confirmation will be sent to you.
All tickets purchased within the UK more than 7 days prior to Con-Quest will be posted to you.

Gen Con UK is Dead

2010-03-06T02:52:00.000-08:00

So over on UK Role Players the news has been announced that Gen Con UK is dead, not just 2010 but the chance of any UK convention taking place under the Gen Con banner.

Adrian Swartout, CEO Gen Con LLC
"Peter and I had a long discussion recently and determined we will not be looking to solicit a license for a Gen Con UK show – or any other country for that matter.
We felt the experience and people brought together by the group working on this project were our “dream team” for the event and if they aren’t able to pull it off, it’s unlikely anyone else would be able to.
Having a licensed event start up and then stop is more damaging to the brand than beneficial so that being said we’re putting the Gen Con UK show to rest."

So where does that leave the UK convention scene?
What will become the flagship RPG convention?
Or will just have to ride the coat tails of the wargaming conventions?

All being well the smaller cons that seem to do it right will continue to thrive.

UK & Europe RPG Conventions Listing 2010.

2010-03-02T17:39:00.000-08:00

Here is the latest update of RPG conventions in the UK and Europe.

0 Leprecon XXXI. Goldsmith Hall, Pearse St. Dublin 2, Ireland.
Friday 12th - Sunday 14th March 2010.
http://www.leprecon.ie

0 CONcrete Cow 10. Old Bath House, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, UK.
Saturday 20th March 2010.
http://www.mk-rpg.org.uk/Concrete_Cow

0 10th Raiders of the Game Cupboard. The Salvation Army Citadel, Burton upon Trent, UK.
Saturday 20th March 2010.
http://raidersofthegamecupboard.co.uk/

0 Conpulsion 2010. Teviot Student Union, Edinburgh University, Scotland.
Saturday 26th - 28th March 2010.
http://www.conpulsion.org

0 TravCon10. Redwings Lodge, Sawtry, Huntingdon, UK.
Saturday 26th - 28th March 2010.
http://www.bitsuk.net/Travelling/page33/page33.html

0 Vaticon 16. UCD campus, Dublin, Ireland.
Saturday 26th - 28th March 2010.
http://sites.google.com/site/vaticon/

0 Con-Quest Midlands 2010. Derby Assembly Rooms, Derby, UK.
Saturday 10th April 2010.
http://www.con-quest.co.uk

0 Student Nationals RPG Championships 2010. Heriot Watt, Edinburgh, UK.
Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th April 2010.
http://www.studentnationals.org.uk/index.php

0 Salute 2010. ExCel, London, UK.
Saturday 24th April 2010.
http://www.salute.co.uk/

0 Beer & Pretzels XXI. Town Hall, Burton-upon-Trent, UK.
Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th May 2010.
http://www.spiritgames.co.uk/bnpdetails.php

0 Eternal-Con.de 2010. Castle Stahleck, Bacharach, Germany.
Friday 21st - Monday 24th May 2010.
http://www.eternal-con.de//node/24

0 UK Game Expo 2010. The Clarendon Suites, Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
Friday 4th - Sunday 6th June 2010.
http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk

0 Continuum 2010. John Foster Hall, Leicester University. UK.
Friday 2nd - Monday 5th July 2010.
http://www.continuum.uk.net

0 AmberCon UK '10. Harben House, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, UK.
Friday 09th - Sunday 11th July 2010.
http://www.ambercon.org.uk/

0 PaizoCon UK 2010. Aston University Business School, Birmingham, UK.
Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th July 2010.
http://paizocon.co.uk/

0 Brocon 2010. The University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th July 2010.
http://brocon.skynet.ie/

0 Furnace 2010. The Garrison Hotel, Sheffield. UK
Saturday 09th - Sunday 10th October 2010.
http://www.rpgfurnace.com/

0 OddCon 2010. Park Inn, Telford. UK.
Friday 15th - Sunday October 17th 2010.
http://www.oddconuk.org.uk/

0 Spiel 2009. Messe Essen, Essen, Germany.
Thursday 21st - Sunday 24th October 2010.
http://www.merz-verlag.com/spiel/e000.php4

0 Indiecon '10. Holbourne, Naish, Christchurch, Dorset, UK.
Thursday 4th - Monday 8th November 2010.
http://www.indiecon.net/

0 Curious Consequences. Holbourne, Naish, Christchurch, Dorset, UK.
Thursday 18th - Sunday 21st November 2010.
http://www.ishtari.co.uk/consequences/c/

0 Dragonmeet 2010. Kensington Town Hall, London, UK.
Saturday 27th November 2010.
http://www.dragonmeet.co.uk/

0 Conception 2011. Naish Holiday Village, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, UK.
Wednesday 26th - Sunday 30th January 2011.
http://www.conceptionuk.org/

0 Constitution 2011. New Hall, Cambridge, UK.
Friday 19th - Sunday 21st August 2011.
http://www.constitution-con.org.uk/

Organised GM

2010-02-20T03:33:00.000-08:00

So I am a tad organised - 'a place for everything and everything in it's place'.
My games do have more and more handouts and props.

In my Firefly games for example I give the players paper money that their characters would have as well as name badges, weapon cards, computer readouts and deck plans.

Here is the table layout:

The different denominations of money pile up on my left, character sheets in the purple folder, two large d20s, a pile of handouts in the centre, 'Multi-pass' badges for the characters next to the handouts, pencils and a sharpener, computer screen printouts on my right, and some drink in easy reach.
Nice!

Opening Credits for my Firefly/Serenity game

2010-02-19T04:06:00.000-08:00

So I have put together some opening credits for my Firefly HeroQuest game, just like as if it were a real TV series. The player characters are the crew of The Betty from Alien: Resurrection, they are the better part of that film. It was written by Joss Whedon so there does seem to be a darker echo of the Serenity crew.

The music is the theme from the Black Hole by John Barry.

'Echoes in the Black' by Darran Sims narrated by Darran Sims.
Firefly: HeroQuest adventure for 7 players.

"Ta Ma Duh! Why can't we stick to the gorram plan!
I wanted simple, in and out and everything shiny.
The job was good, the idents were perfect and the feds were away from the Skyplex.
Then everything has gone south.
Something has been following The Betty.
They are keeping their distance, so they aint purple bellies and everytime time we avert course they disappear like echoes in the black. The question is who are they, what do they want and why are they messing up my gorram job?"

Continuum 2010 Call for Games!

2010-02-15T14:04:00.000-08:00

A call for games for Continuum 2010 from Mike Mason.

If you are wanting to run games (rpg, card, board or some crazy new gaming invention) please email me with what you're planing - bingopajamas@googlemail.com - once I have everything sorted I'll start posting games up to the main continuum website.
Please feel free to advertise your games here too - but please email me them as well (I will not be checking this site for 'new' games - it's a big internet and I only have so much time to check it ; ) - so without going on and on, if you email me then you'll know I have your game info. Otherwise don't assume that I'll have it.

For every game you pre-rgeister with me and then run at the convention, you'll get a beer token (for a free drink - soft or alcoholic) at the event. The beer token is an original piece of art - Cthulhu drinking a pint of beer - drawn by the brilliant Bob Shaw. It's a collectors item in its own right.

So - to register you game you need to do two things:

1. sign up to attend Continuum (see website for details www.continuum.uk.net)

2. Fill in a game registration form and send it to me at bingopajamas@gmail.com

Game sign up form available from the website. If you have any problems finding it or filling it in, then you can just email me with the following:

GM/Facilitator
Title of game
System
Number of players required
When you want to run it (Fri, Sat, Sun - morning, afternoon, evening)
Max Number of Players
Length of Game
Some blurb on what the scenario/game is about (up to 500 words)
Anything else you need to tell me

Thanks for your support and look forward to hearing about some ace games!

Cheers

Mike M
Continuum Game Czarina

Continuum 2010 Registration Form

2010-02-14T09:17:00.000-08:00

The Continuum 2010 registration form is now available from here:

Continuum 2010 Registration Form

It is a form fill-able PDF so you will be able to type in your details and save it.
The one on the Continuum 2010 website in the 'Register' section is out of date and due to server problems we can't change it.

Email it back to me completed at
darransims@googlemail.com
or you can print it off and post it to me via snail mail. The postal address is at the bottom of the form.

There are a couple of key questions that need answering that would assist in placing you in accommodation and making the event much better for you. They include a call for games and events, as well as where you want your room located and who do you wish to be roomed near you.
Any Freeform games should be sent to Simon Bray directly via the Contacts list.

Some rooms will be located near the bar that gets quite noisy during the night - fine if the residents in the rooms spend their time in the bar.
Other rooms are not quite as close to the John Foster Facilities Centre though still on site but should be quieter [depending on neighbours of course!]

Con-Quest Midlands Promotional Video

2010-02-09T02:08:00.001-08:00

Here is the first promotional video for the RPG Convention Con-Quest that takes place in Derby on Saturday 10th April 2010.

My HeroQuest games at Conception 2010

2010-01-19T15:02:00.000-08:00

Conception 2010. Naish Holiday Village, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, UK.
Wednesday 27th January - Sunday 31st January 2009.
http://www.conceptionuk.org/

Here are my games that I'll be running at Conception 2010.

+

Thursday 19:00 - 23:00 Slot 4
'Cropcircles and Lights Out' by Darran Sims narrated by Darran Sims.
Supernatural: HeroQuest adventure for 5 players.
Newcomers very welcome. Maturity preferred.

"Police reports are coming in from Fulton County, Georgia of cars driving at night without their headlights on. When helpful members of the public flash their lights in courtesy to warn the drivers they become victims to the drivers.
All that seems to be left are the abandoned cars with their headlights smashed out. No trace of the occupants have been found. Forensic reports do confirm that the blood found in the broken headlights is canine, not human.
Are these incidents related to the gang tags found in the recent spate of crop circles that also plague the area?"

+

Friday 19:00 – 23:00 Slot 7
'Street Urchins of Ancient Pavis' by Darran Sims narrated by Darran Sims.
Glorantha: HeroQuest adventure for 6 players.
Newcomers very welcome. Maturity preferred.

"Abandoned by Family, Ancestors and the City itself, the street urchins have a very hard existence in the shattered remains of Ancient Pavis. They live on the discarded scraps from the city dwellers and *other* denizens of the Rubble, a place where life is very, very cheap.
The only future they have to look forward to is a quick death somewhere in the unforgiving ruins of this once splendid city.
The River Flock has a nice hidey-hole under the Sculpture Garden, a safe haven in this deadly world. Yet many of the street urchins are turning up dead, their bodies discarded.
Now a stranger in red is poking around the upper entrance.
Just what is he after and is he responsible for the deaths of the other urchins?"

+

Saturday 19:00 – 23:00 Slot 10
'Cropcircles and Lights Out' by Darran Sims narrated by Darran Sims.
Supernatural: HeroQuest adventure for 5 players.
Newcomers very welcome. Maturity preferred.

"Police reports are coming in from Fulton County, Georgia of cars driving at night without their headlights on. When helpful members of the public flash their lights in courtesy to warn the drivers they become victims to the drivers.
All that seems to be left are the abandoned cars with their headlights smashed out. No trace of the occupants have been found. Forensic reports do confirm that the blood found in the broken headlights is canine, not human.
Are these incidents related to the gang tags found in the recent spate of crop circles that also plague the area?"

+

Sunday 19:00 - 23:00 Slot 13
'Echoes in the Black' by Darran Sims narrated by Darran Sims.
Serenity: HeroQuest adventure for 7 players.
Newcomers very welcome. Maturity preferred.

"Ta Ma Duh! Why can't we stick to the gorram plan!
I wanted simple, in and out and everything shiny.
The job was good, the idents were perfect and the feds were away from the Skyplex.
Then everything has gone south.
Something has been following The Betty.
They are keeping their distance, so they aint purple bellies and everytime time we avert course they disappear like echoes in the black. The question is who are they, what do they want and why are they messing up my gorram job?"

+

My Role-playing Purity Score

2010-01-04T13:55:00.001-08:00

So I am not quite sure what this means?
Is a high score good or bad?

Very D&D focused this quiz but quite funny.

Your Ultimate Roleplaying Purity Score
Category	Your Score	Average
Hacklust	33.02% Has conversations in between massacres	53.6%
Sensitive Roleplaying	18.99% There is no player. There is only.... Zuul.	54.7%
GM Experience	12.32% Worldbuilder, storyteller... Master.	69.3%
Systems Knowledge	93.5% Played in a couple of campaigns	90.4%
Livin' La Vida Dorka	34.48% Carries dice in pocket 'just in case'	63.3%
You are 42.43% pure Average Score: 68.8%
Take The Ultimate Roleplaying Purity Test and see how you match up! (By The Ferrett)

Midweek Character - Captain Mainwaring

2009-12-16T16:02:00.000-08:00

So I thought I would start up my Midweek Character posts again.
Here is another great player character, this one is from the greatest TV sitcom of all time, Dad's Army.
The few games I have run have been very intense role playing experiences though very funny at the same time.

Captain George Mainwaring.
"Just testing you, Wilson."
"There's no chip on my shoulder. I'll tell you what there is though, three pips and don't you forget it."
George Mainwaring is Captain of the Walmington-on-Sea platoon as well as manager of Shallows Bank, Rotarian, and pillar of the community.
Considered pompous and overbearing by many, even referred to as ‘Napoleon’, he is a stickler for protocol. He wants things done his way but gets irritated with any hold-ups to his plans.
His wife Elizabeth constantly plagues him on the phone, he fears her more than the imminent Nazi invasion, though he will not let his men know that!
It is a bone of contention that Sergeant Wilson had the benefit of a private education though it is often Pike that gets his umbrage, "Stupid Boy!"
107 words

Goals
Keep men in-line and disciplined.
Win one over on Wilson
Earn the respect of the men
Maintain dignity in all situations
Impress the Top Brass with the Platoon

KeyWords
Captain 15M
Bank Manager 10M

Abilities
Bone of Contention 17
Constant Phone Calls 13
Cover Up Mistakes 13
Detests being Referred to as ‘Napoleon’ 15
Do It My Way 1M
Easily Irritated 17
Fears Elizabeth’s Scolding 5M
Fears Imminent Nazi Invasion 10M
Feels Under-Privileged 17
Hates Hold Ups & Delays 14
Hides Fear from Men 16
Jealous of Wilson 1M
Likes to Plan 17
Natural Leader of Men 19
Over Bearing 17
Pillar of the Community 19
Plagued by Elizabeth 5M
Pompous 5M
Rotarian 13
Stickler for Protocol 3M
Unleash Umbridge 15
"Stupid Boy!" 10M

[UK] Con-Quest: The Midlands Game Show

2009-12-11T08:15:00.000-08:00

Con-Quest Lives !

Con-Quest: The Midlands Show is a new gaming convention taking place at the Derby Assembly Rooms on Saturday 10th April 2010.

Formerly known as ‘Dragonmeet Midlands’, Con-Quest is a one day show packed with all manner of gaming activities and trade stands. Whether it’s role playing games, board and card games or miniature wargames, Con-Quest has them all, as well as trade stands offering everything from the very latest releases to collectables and hard to find items. Whatever your gaming needs Con-Quest aims to deliver!

The event will be taking over the majority of the Derby Assembly Rooms, offering numerous areas for demonstration and participation games, artist displays, game manufacturers and designers, trade stands and areas to simply meet up with friends and catch-up on one of the bars or cafes on site.

The event is family friendly and welcomes both veteran gamers as well as those just wanting to find out more about the gaming hobby.

Tickets are on sale now from the Assembly Room box office - http://www.derbylive.co.uk and keep checking back to the Con-Quest web site at http://www.con-quest.co.uk for the latest updates.

For trade enquiries please contact darransims@gmail.com

Long live Con-Quest!

Tickets are on sale from the Derby LIVE Assembly Rooms Box Office.
http://www.derbylive.co.uk
Telephone: 01332 255800

Advance price £6.00 [£7.00 on the door on the day].

Furnace 2009 video

2009-12-08T15:17:00.000-08:00

This is a nice YouTube video from Furnace 2009 by Dom Mooney.

'Sartar: Kingdom of Heroes' preview

2009-11-28T15:43:00.000-08:00

Here is a small Youtube presentation of the 'Sartar: Kingdom of Heroes'.

My game location at Dragonmeet 2009

2009-11-27T11:30:00.001-08:00

This is where my Supernatual HeroQuest games takes place tomorrow at Dragonmeet 2009.
I am in the Upper Foyer right near the lifts.
The game runs from 14:30 until 18:00.

Just who will survive at the end?
The Winchester Brothers? Bobby? Will Ruby get dusted? Will Bela get the loot?

[Podcast] Dragonmeet 2008: 'Robin & Ken on Roleplaying Games'

2009-11-25T13:31:00.000-08:00

So I have managed to sort out my uploading problems with my podcasts and it seems to be working.
So here is one from last year from Dragonmeet 2008.

This is the first in a series of special recordings from Dragonmeet 2008.
This was recorded at Dragonmeet 2008 at Kensington Town Hall, London, UK on Saturday 29th November 2008.
Ken Hite and Robin Laws talk about writing roleplaying games and their experiences in the roleplaying game industry and hobby. Insightful discussion as the panellist field questions from the audience.
Panellists were Robin Laws, and Ken Hite.

Running Time: 01:02:05.

Dragonmeet 2008: 'Robin & Ken on Roleplaying Games'

Dragonmeet 2008: 'Robin & Ken on Roleplaying Games' MP3 version

My HeroQuest game I am running at Dragonmeet 2009

2009-11-19T05:54:00.000-08:00

0 Dragonmeet 2009. Kensington Town Hall, London, UK.
Saturday 28th November 2009.
http://www.dragonmeet.co.uk/

This is the HeroQuest game I am running at Dragonmeet 2009.

'Cropcircles and Lights Out' by Darran Sims narrated by Darran Sims.
Supernatural: HeroQuest 2.0 adventure for 5 players.
Newcomers very welcome. Maturity preferred.
Based on the TV series.

"Police reports are coming in from Fulton County, Georgia of cars driving at night without their headlights on. When helpful members of the public flash their lights in courtesy to warn the drivers they become victims to the drivers.
All that seems to be left are the abandoned cars with their headlights smashed out. No trace of the occupants have been found. Forensic reports do confirm that the blood found in the broken headlights is canine, not human.
Are these incidents related to the gang tags found in the recent spate of crop circles that also plague the area?"

Continuum 2010 registration is open!

2009-11-14T11:52:00.000-08:00

Greetings

I'm delighted to announce that, with effect from tomorrow, 15th November, Continuum 2010 is open for registrations.

The event is to be held at John Foster Hall, University of Leicester, from Friday 2nd July 2010, until Monday 5th July 2010. The registration pricing is as follows:

Early Bird Registration (15th November 2009 - 15th February 2010: £20
Standard Reg (February 16th onwards): £25
En-Suite Room per night: £45
En-Suite for 3 Nights: £120
Twin Room per night: £90
Twin Room for 3 Nights: £240

There are two ways to register:

Via Paypal. Our email address for Paypal payments is payment@continuum.uk.net. Please include the following:

Your name
Address
Number of nights accommodation required, and the nights you'll be staying
Any special rooming requirements (ie, I want be next door to X, Y or Z)

Don't forget that, in addition to the room cost you need to include your registration fee. Thus, a single night would cost £20+£45 = £65. Registration is a fixed fee for the whole weekend - so you don't need to pay a registration fee for each night you need.

Twin rooms are very limited in numbers, but en-suite rooms - and all single rooms are en-suite - are plentiful and comfortable.

If you wish to register by snail mail, a registration form will be made available shortly and we will accept cheque payments. The address to send a paper registration to is:

Continuum
53 Stepping Lane
Derby
DE1 1GL

We look forward to welcoming you to Continuum 2010 - The Year the Con Made Contact!

Sunday Scimitar - 26

2009-10-11T11:24:00.001-07:00

Here is the second sword in a series of three. It is a Lunar Army scimitar with Lunar Imperial runes at the base of the blade. This is smaller than the first one. The pommel is a crescent moon shape with sharp tips and mirrors the hand guards that are crescent shaped also.

UK & Europe RPG Conventions Listing 2009/2010.

2009-10-08T22:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a listing of the RPG conventions that will take place over the next year or so. I am quite chuffed as it is top and tailed by two of the conventions I have been heavily involved in organising as well as having another big convention that I am doing in there! [I am almost a convention listing myself :lol:]

0 Furnace 2009. The Garrison Hotel, Sheffield. UK
Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th October 2009.
http://www.rpgfurnace.com/

0 Game '09. Palace Hotel, Manchester, UK.
Friday 16th - Sunday 18th October 2009.
http://gamecon.game-host.org/apex/f?p=1 ... 1856348190

0 Spiel 2009. Messe Essen, Essen, Germany.
Thursday 22nd - Sunday 25th October 2009.
http://www.merz-verlag.com/spiel/e000.php4

0 GamesFest 4. The Watford Colosseum, Watford, UK.
Saturday 24th October 2009.
http://www.gamesfest.co.uk/

0 Gaelcon 2009. D4 Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin, Ireland.
Saturday 24th - Sunday 26th October 2009.
http://www.gaelcon.com

0 OddCon 2009. Park Inn, Telford. UK.
Friday 30th October - Sunday 1st November 2009.
http://www.oddconuk.org.uk/

0 Chimeriades 2009. Lycée agricole Legta Valabre, Aix-en-Provence, France.
Friday 30th October - Sunday 1st November 2009.
http://chimeriades.googlepages.com/accueils

0 Dominicon N SPAAAAAAAAACE!!! 2009. N.U.I Maynooth, Kildare, Ireland.
Friday 13th - Sunday 15th November 2009.
http://www.dominicon.ie/

0 Indiecon' 09. Holbourne, Naish, Christchurch, Dorset, UK.
Thursday 12th - Monday 16th November 2009.
http://www.indiecon.net/

0 Curious Consequences. Holbourne, Naish, Christchurch, Dorset, UK.
Thursday 19th - Sunday 22nd November 2009.
http://www.ishtari.co.uk/consequences/c/

0 Dragonmeet 2009. Kensington Town Hall, London, UK.
Saturday 28th November 2009.
http://www.dragonmeet.co.uk/

0 Ludicrus '09. Kesgrave Community Centre, Ipswich, UK.
Saturday 5th - Sunday 6th December 2009.
http://www.ludicrus.org/

0 WarpCon XX. University College Cork, Ireland.
Friday 29th - Sunday 31st January 2010.
http://www.warpcon.com/

0 Conception 2010. Naish Holiday Village, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, UK.
Wednesday 27th - Sunday 31st January 2010.
http://www.conceptionuk.org/

0 Conflagration 2010. Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow. Scotland.
Saturday – Sunday February 2010.
http://www.conflagration.org.uk/

0 Leprecon XXXI. Goldsmith Hall, Pearse St. Dublin 2, Ireland.
Friday 5th - Sunday 7th March 2010.
http://www.leprecon.ie

0 CONcrete Cow 10. Old Bath House, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, UK.
Saturday 20th March 2010.
http://www.mk-rpg.org.uk/Concrete_Cow

0 Itzacon VI. NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Friday - Sunday March 2010.
http://www.itzaconeire.com/

0 Conpulsion 2010. Teviot Student Union, Edinburgh University, Scotland.
Saturday 26th - 28th March 2010.
http://www.conpulsion.org

0 Dragonmeet Midlands 2010. Derby Assembly Rooms, Derby, UK.
Saturday 10th April 2010.
http://www.dragonmeetmidlands.co.uk

0 Student Nationals RPG Championships 2010. Heriot Watt, Edinburgh, UK.
Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th April 2010.
http://www.studentnationals.org.uk/index.php

0 Salute 2010. ExCel, London, UK.
Saturday 24th April 2010.
http://www.salute.co.uk/

0 Beer & Pretzels XXI. Town Hall, Burton-upon-Trent, UK.
Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th May 2010.
http://www.spiritgames.co.uk/bnpdetails.php

0 Eternal-Con.de 2010. Castle Stahleck, Bacharach, Germany.
Friday 21st - Monday 24th May 2010.
http://www.eternal-con.de//node/24

0 UK Game Expo 2010. The Clarendon Suites, Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
Friday 4th - Sunday 6th June 2010.
http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk

0 Continuum 2010. John Foster Hall, Leicester University. UK.
Friday 2nd - Monday 5th July 2010.
http://www.continuum.uk.net

Cover done for the Furnace 2009 Con Book

2009-10-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

Here is the cover for the Furnace 2009 Con Book, not the one I wanted to use as that got taken up elsewhere.

I am still doing the layout for the con book as I only got the Games Programme yesterday - not had any sleep last night and will no doubt not get any tonight as well.
Hopefully it will be printed and ready for the con!

New Dr Who Logo - What do ya think?

2009-10-06T01:30:00.001-07:00

So here is the new Dr Who logo.

Sunday Scimitar - 25

2009-09-27T15:38:00.001-07:00

Here is one sword in a series of three.
It is a Lunar Army scimitar with Lunar Imperial runes at the base of the blade. The pommel is a crescent moon shape with sharp tips and mirrors the hand guards that are crescent shaped also.

Sunday Scimitar - 24

2009-09-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

I didn't post last week due to being away on holiday.
This week's sword is a broadsword with a single edge on the curved blade.
It has a long hilt with a heavy pommel for a double handed grip and a 'Y' shaped guard.
In a way it resembles a Katana.

Sunday Scimitar - 23

2009-09-06T13:16:00.000-07:00

This week's sword isn't really a sword but evolved from an axe.
It is also the ancestor to the Falcata I have featured in the last few weeks.

This sword is so cool looking, called a sickle-sword or khopesh, it has featured as the weapon of choice for many an Egyptian Pharaoh.

Sunday Scimitar - 22

2009-08-30T04:33:00.000-07:00

This is another falcata, a more elegant one with a lion's head pommel as part of the handle. Certainly an officer's weapon.

Sunday Scimitar - 21

2009-08-23T07:58:00.000-07:00

This falcata has a straighter blade but maintains its curved cutting edge. Falcatas are know as 'limb loppers' as they are very good at cutting off limbs. The curved edge encourages the cutting action but if you can't cut the limb off first time the sword gets struck.

Sunday Scimitar - 20

2009-08-16T03:57:00.000-07:00

So another elegant Falcata. This one has less of a curve in its blade and has a bird motif handle.

Midweek Character - Furnit Many-Feather

2009-08-12T23:46:00.000-07:00

This is one of my player characters when I took part in a HeroQuest playtest last year.
No 100 words but rather a quick character generation system that allows the players to get into play straight away.

He is a Sartarite Hunter in Pavis - set in Glorantha and a worshipper of the lightning aspect of Orlanth.

No a bad character actually and I had fun playing him even though I am not keen on being a player as I would rather GM.

Furnit Many-Feather
Sartarite Hunter – Zavor initiate Rubble explorer and Gorp killer/fryer.

Keywords
Sartarite 13
Hunter 13
Zavor Initiate 17

Goal
Fry Gorp

Flaws
Can’t kill anything but Gorp 5M
Big Bar Tab 13

Interviewed for a special scroll on Gorps by Gorgoria [PC]

Abilities
Burning Lighting 5M
Married to Doug & Dinsdale’s Sister 14
Hates Grita Many-Need [wife] Golden Arches 14
Lightning Bow of Gorp Kill 18
Flirts with Yolanta 14
Shiny Metal Armour 13
Light Darkness 19

Sunday Scimitar - 19

2009-08-09T14:33:00.001-07:00

Here is my favourite type of sword a Falcata!
If I was ever have to fight hand-to-hand this would be the sword I would use. Its elegance is belied by its simplicity.
The curve of the blade assists the cutting action of the edge and the shape of the blade distributes the mass in such a way that the falcata is capable of delivering a blow with the momentum of an axe, while maintaining the cutting edge of a sword.
The hilt is cool as well as it is stylised in the shape of a horse yet it guards the hand well.
Beautiful!

Character sheets for Supernatural TV show game.

2009-08-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

So I have designed some character sheets for my up coming Supernatural HeroQuest game.
I went for a police report look, finding a real letterhead for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation plus Georgia court stamps on the web was good.
The mug-shots were hard to do as I had to make up the ones for Bobby, Ruby and Bela, photoshopping the height chart behind them.
Getting the information for the police report was hard as well - date of births for the two main characters of the show was available but it was harder to get info on the others. Some I just had to make up but most info was from the actors themselves.
I then added some more polaroids of items tied to the characters for more genre flavour.

The final touch was using a pentagram symbol in place of the mastery rune - again very genre specific that I thinks adds to the game.

Sam Winchester

Dean Winchester

Bobby Singer

Bela Talbot

Ruby

Sunday Scimitar - 18

2009-08-02T13:20:00.001-07:00

So here is another scimitar, this one is a short cutlas. It has a leather bound handle with a slight pommel and an extended thumb guard.

My HeroQuest games I am running at Furnace 2009

2009-07-31T02:51:00.000-07:00

0 Furnace 2009. The Garrison Hotel, Sheffield. UK
Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th October 2009.
http://www.rpgfurnace.com/

Here are my HeroQuest games I am running at Furnace 2009 later this year.

+

'Street Urchins of Ancient Pavis' by Darran Sims narrated by Darran Sims.
Mythic Glorantha: HeroQuest 2.0 adventure for up to 6 players.
Newcomers very welcome. Maturity preferred.

"Abandoned by Family, Ancestors and the City itself, the street urchins have a very hard existence in the shattered remains of Ancient Pavis. They live on the discarded scraps from the city dwellers and *other* denizens of the Rubble, a place where life is very, very cheap.
The only future they have to look forward to is a quick death somewhere in the unforgiving ruins of this once splendid city.
The River Flock has a nice hidey-hole under the Sculpture Garden, a safe haven in this deadly world. Yet many of the street urchins are turning up dead, their bodies discarded.
Now a stranger in red is poking around the upper entrance.
Just what is he after and is he responsible for the deaths of the other urchins?"

+

'Cropcircles and Lights Out' by Darran Sims narrated by Darran Sims.
Supernatural: HeroQuest 2.0 adventure for 5 players.
Newcomers very welcome. Maturity preferred.

"Police reports are coming in from Fulton County, Georgia of cars driving at night without their headlights on. When helpful members of the public flash their lights in courtesy to warn the drivers they become victims to the drivers.
All that seems to be left are the abandoned cars with their headlights smashed out. No trace of the occupants have been found. Forensic reports do confirm that the blood found in the broken headlights is canine, not human.
Are these incidents related to the gang tags found in the recent spate of crop circles that also plague the area?"

+

Midweek Character - Aang: The Last Airbender

2009-07-30T15:16:00.001-07:00

Here is a character that could be fun to play - not used it yet but I can see using the setting would be easy with HeroQuest.
Sorting out the Airbending magic would be so easy and the crucial things are the relationships of the characters.

This is the starting character of Aang at the beginning of Book One - Water.

Aang's Story

"Wow, I haven't cleaned my room in 100 years... Not looking forward to that... "

"I laugh at gravity all the time. Haha! Gravity."

"Walking stinks! How can anyone get around without a flying bison?"

As the last Airbender, only known survivor of the Air Nomads, Aang’s great destiny is to become the Avatar, master of all four elements and bring peace to the Four Nations. Though Aang would rather search for adventure, a life full of fun experiences, not heavy responsibilities. Aang generally acts in a playful, carefree manner, he does become more serious during crisis and danger. Aang's desires are as simple as the animals he loves; his giant sky bison, Appa, and his winged-lemur, Momo.

Aang dislikes being regarded as the mythical Avatar as wherever he goes, always the focus of attention.

100 words

KeyWords

The Avatar

Last Airbender

Flaws

Dislikes being the Focus of Attention

Shirks Heavy Responsibilities

Only Known Surviving Air Nomad

Personality

Carefree manner

Playful

Serious During Crisis

Simple Desires

Relationships

Evades Zuko [Adversary]

Friend to Sokka

Loves Animal Followers

Only Known Surviving Air Nomad

Unrequited Love for Katara

Abilities

Acts Well in Danger

Great Destiny

Life Full of Fun Experiences

Must Master All Four Elements

Search For Adventure

Seeks to Bring Peace to Four Nations

Followers

Appa

Giant Sky Bison

Momo

Winged Lemur

Wealth

Standard of Living: Common 13

ITEMS:- Glider-stave, Sleeping gear, Monk robes.

Reaching Moon Missionaries - HeroQuest Demo Team

2009-07-20T15:16:00.000-07:00

Reaching Moon Missionaries

Reaching Moon Missionaries is the official organisation sponsored by Moon Designs for HeroQuest Core Rules demonstration narrators and game masters.
The volunteer game masters will help promote HeroQuest Core Rules and other Moon Designs products at conventions, game shops, game meets, etc, by running games and talking about HeroQuest.

Reaching Moon Missionaries will be a global organisation and will provide help, support and encouragement for its members, whether experienced veterans or new to the game.
Benefits will include a points awards scheme to reward the members that will give discount on Moon Designs products and to get new play-test material and sneak-peeks at works in progress.

Interested HeroQuest game masters should contact Darran Sims
darransims AT gmail DOT com

Or visit the website:
http://heroquestdemos.ning.com/

Sunday Scimitar - 17

2009-07-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

Here is a standard fair scimitar. A sharp curved blade with a solid hilt.

Midweek Character - DeStephano

2009-07-16T14:15:00.001-07:00

So here is the last of The Betty crew members. DeStephano was one character I added later to the mix. A martial character who is AWOL from the Alliance military who also has some experience of the dodgy dealings that the Alliance commits in secret research. This is important for the plot line in my 'Left For Dead' story arc.

DeStephano's Story

“I thought you were dead.”
“Begging your pardon, Sir, but F*CK YOU!”

Vincent DiStephano is the recent convert to the crew of The Betty. He was veteran Alliance soldier on protection detail to ‘Special Military Research’ at secret bases on remote planets.

DiStephano is strong and physically fit and socially privileged. He is familiar with Parliament conspiracies having seen many unfold. When one of these backfired, despite conflicting loyalties he allied with the Betty who was bringing in illicit cargo to the base he was guarding at the time. He owes Elgyn his life as he rescued him when base the destroyed by the Alliance. He fears his past will catch up with him so doesn’t get emotionally attached to anyone.

Words 109

Keywords

Former Alliance Trooper 5M

Smuggler 12

Flaws

Conflicting Loyalties 15M

Fears Past Will Catch Up 5M2

Relationships

Alliance Space Corps [Contacts] 8M

Special Military Research [Adversary] 3M

Alliance Admiralty [Adversary] 15M

Parliament [Adversary] 5M2

Battle Unit [Former Member of] 5M

Former Comrades [Mourns] 5M

The Betty’s Crew [Loyal to] 19

Black Market [Contacts] 13

Underworld [Contacts] 13

Elgyn Rane [Indebted to] 12M

Personality

Brave 5M

Callous 12

Cunning 13

Devil-May-Care 12

Emotionally Detached 20

Hates Alliance 5M

Loyal 5M

Self-Centered 17

Obedient 5M

Resilient 15M

Abilities

Distrusts Researchers/Scientists 5M

Guard Cargo 5M

Handle Illicit Cargo 19

Identify Foe 15M

Knows Parliament Conspiracies 19

Knows Remote Planets 19

Knows Secret Bases 1M

Lookout 5M

Owes Elgyn His Life 10M

Physically Fit 9M

Protection Detail Tactics 5M

Seen Conspiracies Unfold 10M

Scouting 10M

Socially Privileged 20

Strong 8M

Use Newtech Weapons 15M

Veteran 19

Wealth

Standard of Living: Common 13

WEAPONS:- Knife, Newtech Pistol, Spare Ammo.

ITEMS:- Ident Card, Fake Permits, Old Uniform & Insignia.

Sunday Scimitar - 16

2009-07-12T14:45:00.001-07:00

This sword has a nicely balanced curved blade yet is slim and light as well. A simple ring guard, a curved handle and a shapely pommel are the main details.
This is for a skilled swordsman with no ostentatious demands.

Midweek Character - Vriess

2009-07-09T15:23:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted for a while but I will give you another of The Betty crew from the film Alien: Resurrection.
Vriess is the engineer aboard The Betty. Vriess was disabled from the waist down as a result of shrapnel injuries sustained on the swamp planet Kawlang and was bound to a motorised wheelchair. Despite being handicapped, Vriess still remains a valuable member to the crew of The Betty, such as using his wheelchair to smuggle weapons and stealing parts to maintain the ship.

Vriess’ Story

“Wanna check the chair?”

“They never check the chair”

“The Kawlang Manoeuvre, right?”

Vriess is the Betty's chief mechanic. Though his legs are paralysed, he hasn't allowed this infirmity to interfere with his work. Vriess has strong arms with that he climbs and crawls over the hidden parts of the ship. Vriess uses his re-vamped, motorised wheelchair that has hidden weapons and guns concealed within its workings. He is not above using his vulnerability to gain ill-placed sympathy to get his way but he never tricks his crewmates.

Vriess has a murky past from that he still keeps many criminal contacts.

In stressful situations Vriess provides comic relief, something that helps him deal with his unrequited love for his friend Call.

108 words.

KeyWords

Chief Mechanic 5M

Murky Past 15

Flaws

Legs Paralysed 5M2

Never Tricks Crewmates 1M

Unrequited Love for Call 5M

Personality

Curious 5M

Cunning 15

Inspired 5M

Meticulous 5M

Patient 5M

Suspicious 15

Tinkerer 5M

Relationships

Gang [Former-Member of] 17

Former Comrades [Friends of] 17

The Betty’s Crew [Loyal to] 19

Black Market [Contacts] 15

Underworld [Contacts] 15

Criminal Boss [Contacts] 15

Parts Supplier [Contacts] 5M

Junkyard Owner [Contacts] 5M

Trusted By Elgyn 10M

Abilities

Adapt Technology 15M

Climbs 4M

Comic Relief 19

Conceal Weapon 19

Crawls 19

Deals with Stressful Situations 19

Kawlang Manoeuvre 19

Knows Hidden Parts of Ship 5M

Nothing Interferes with Work 15M

Overcome Infirmity 5M

Repair Anything 20M

Strong Arms 5M

Take out Frustration on Objects 15M

Understand Function 5M2

Uses Vulnerability to Gain Ill-placed Sympathy 19

Wheelchair

Re-Vamped Motor 19

Weapons concealed in its workings 19

Tough 19

Speedy 5M

Wealth

Standard of Living: Common 13

WEAPONS:- Hidden Guns, Hidden Weapons, Knife, Wrench.

ITEMS:- Fake Papers, Assortment of Loot, Assorted Tools, Spare Parts, Overalls, Wheelchair

Sunday Scimitar - 15

2009-07-05T02:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a longer cutlas with a good bucket guard and a killer curve to the blade.

RPG Convention listing for UK and Europe

2009-07-02T02:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of RPG conventions take will take place in the UK and Europe.
Some have yet to have their dates confirmed.

0 AmberCon UK '09. Harben House, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, UK.
Friday 10th - Sunday 12th July 2009
http://www.ambercon.org.uk/

0 PaizoCon UK 2009. Aston University Business School, Birmingham, UK.
Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th July 2009
http://paizocon.co.uk/

0 Sceaptune Games Open Games Day. Shipton Bellinger Sports & Social Club, Tidworth, Hampshire, UK.
Saturday 25th July 2009.
http://www.sceaptunegames.co.uk/news.htm

0 Constitution 2009. New Hall, Cambridge, UK.
Friday 31st July - Sunday 2nd August 2009.
http://www.constitution-con.org.uk/

0 Ropecon 2009. Dipoli, Espoo, Finland.
Friday 31st July - Sunday 2nd August 2009.
http://www.ropecon.fi/2009/index_en.html

0 Confess 2009. Southern Hotel, Sligo, Ireland.
Friday 18th - Sunday 20th September 2009.
http://www.bebo.com/confess09

0 CONcrete Cow '09½. Old Bath House, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, UK.
Saturday 19th September 2009.
http://www.mk-rpg.org.uk/Concrete_Cow

0 Furnace 2009. The Garrison Hotel, Sheffield. UK
Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th October 2009.
http://www.rpgfurnace.com/

0 Game '09. Palace Hotel, Manchester, UK.
Friday 16th - Sunday 18th October 2009.
http://gamecon.game-host.org/apex/f?p=1 ... 1856348190

0 Spiel 2009. Messe Essen, Essen, Germany.
Thursday 22nd - Sunday 25th October 2009.
http://www.merz-verlag.com/spiel/e000.php4

0 GamesFest 4. The Watford Colosseum, Watford, UK.
Saturday 24th October 2009.
http://www.gamesfest.co.uk/

0 OddCon 2009. Park Inn, Telford. UK.
Friday 30th October - Sunday 1st November 2009.
http://www.oddconuk.org.uk/

0 Chimeriades 2009. Lycée agricole Legta Valabre, Aix-en-Provence, France.
Friday 30th October - Sunday 1st November 2009.
http://chimeriades.googlepages.com/accueils

0 Dominicon N SPAAAAAAAAACE!!! 2009. N.U.I Maynooth, Kildare, Ireland.
Friday 13th - Sunday 15th November 2009.
http://www.dominicon.ie/

0 Indiecon' 09. Holbourne, Naish, Christchurch, Dorset, UK.
Thursday 12th - Monday 16th November 2009.
http://www.indiecon.net/

0 Curious Consequences. Holbourne, Naish, Christchurch, Dorset, UK.
Thursday 19th - Sunday 22nd November 2009.
http://www.ishtari.co.uk/consequences/c/

0 Dragonmeet 2009. Kensington Town Hall, London, UK.
Saturday 28th November 2009.
http://www.dragonmeet.co.uk/

0 Ludicrus '09. Kesgrave Community Centre, Ipswich, UK.
Saturday 5th - Sunday 6th December 2009.
http://www.ludicrus.org/

0 WarpCon XX. University College Cork, Ireland.
Friday - Sunday January 2010.
http://www.warpcon.com/

0 Conception 2010. Naish Holiday Village, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, UK.
Wednesday 27th - Sunday 31st January 2010.
http://www.conceptionuk.org/

0 Conflagration 2010. Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow. Scotland.
Saturday – Sunday February 2010.
http://www.conflagration.org.uk/

0 Leprecon XXXI. Goldsmith Hall, Pearse St. Dublin 2, Ireland.
Friday 5th - Sunday 7th March 2010.
http://www.leprecon.ie

0 Itzacon VI. NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Friday - Sunday March 2010.
http://www.itzaconeire.com/

0 Conpulsion 2010. Teviot Student Union, Edinburgh University, Scotland.
Saturday 26th - 28th March 2010.
http://www.conpulsion.org

0 Dragonmeet Midlands 2010. Derby Assembly Rooms, Derby, UK.
Saturday 10th April 2010.
http://www.dragonmeetmidlands.co.uk

0 Student Nationals RPG Championships 2010. Heriot Watt, Edinburgh, UK.
Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th April 2010.
http://www.studentnationals.org.uk/index.php

0 Salute 2010. ExCel, London, UK.
Saturday 24th April 2010.
http://www.salute.co.uk/

0 Beer & Pretzels XXI. Town Hall, Burton-upon-Trent, UK.
Saturday - Sunday May 2010.
http://www.spiritgames.co.uk/bnpdetails.php

0 UK GAME EXPO 2010. The Clarendon Suites, Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
Friday 4th - Sunday 6th June 2010.
http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk

0 Continuum 2010. John Foster Hall, Leicester University. UK.
Friday 2nd - Monday 5th July 2010.
http://www.continuum.uk.net

The new HeroQuest Core Rules are now available!

2009-06-30T22:27:00.000-07:00

Posted from the Moon Design Development Blog, .

Moon Design is proud to announce that the HeroQuest Core Rules are now available for sale from www.glorantha.com or www.heroquest-rpg.com!

You can directly order copies of the new HeroQuest Core Rules book and download pdfs from the website. We regret to inform you that our current eCommerce vendors do not support bundles of books and pdfs. We are exploring options to fix that in the future but until then, comfort yourself with the knowledge that the money will be going to make sure we have more money to pay for art and writers!

BTW, we are still working out the kinks with Plimus (our PDF vendor). If it takes a little while for you to get an email with the download link - be patient. They are still checking to make sure that we aren't some sort of nefarious international outfit! The first dozen or so PDF downloaders are likely to get some initial weirdness (for example, you may get a phone call from Plimus just to make sure that you really ordered the PDF). Just be patient and we will make sure that you will get your PDF!

But without any further ado:

Anything you can imagine, you can play…

HeroQuest is the innovative, dynamic, and flexible rules engine by Robin Laws, suitable for play in any genre or setting. It present a simple and flexible system that allows Game Masters to make decisions the way authors and screenwriters do when creating novels, TV episodes and movies. HeroQuest encourages creative input from your players, resulting in an exciting, unpredictable narrative created through group collaboration. Its resolution methods and scalable character levels make it equally suited for any genre, from epic fantasy to satirical soap opera. Whether your next game idea draws on horror, war, westerns, martial arts, pulps, cyberpunk, cliff-hangers, giant robots, super-powered heroes, space opera, cop action, corporate intrigue, furry animals, swashbuckling adventure, Greek tragedy or even drawing room comedy, HeroQuest can handle it! You can even use HeroQuest to emulate a musical – although it won’t do the singing or dancing for you.

Completely rewritten by the Robin Laws, this new edition opens and details running the core system for any genre.

What’s in this book?

This book contains everything needed for play:

Character Creation – describe your character and get playing in minutes.
Overcoming Obstacles – handling conflict, be it with swords, words, magic, superpowers, guns or armies.
Playing Stories – how to vividly run your adventures in engaging and creative ways.
Narrating - the secrets for balancing the give and take between narrators and players.
Followers and Support – how your sidekick, followers, horde, army or community help you.
Creating Genres – details for creating and detailing your game world.
Gaming in Glorantha - a separate section on applying this system to Glorantha.
Quick Reference – so you don’t have to hunt for the information you really need.

However, the new HeroQuest Core Rules are not the only new thing for sale on the new and upgraded glorantha.com website! We will have much of the Stafford Library up and for sale in both book form and as downloadable pdfs, including:

Glorious Reascent of Yelm - THE Dara Happan background book
Arcane Lore - Greg's notes on the development of his thoughts concerning heroquesting and Gloranthan magic
The Middle Sea Empire - THE background book for the God Learners and the Jrusteli Empire
History of the Heortling Peoples - THE background book for the Orlanthi of Sartar and Heortland, as well as the Arkat Wars, Harmast and the EWF

We will also have a number of older books back in print and for sale in both book form and as downloadable pdfs, including:

Dragon Pass: Gazetteer of Kerofinela
Imperial Lunar Handbook, volumes 1 and 2
Blood Over Gold
Men of the Sea
Masters of Luck and Death

With the exception of Dragon Pass: Gazetteer of Kerofinela (which is statless), these books were written for First Edition HeroQuest but can easily be retrofitted for the new HeroQuest Core Rules.

Check out the website and maybe buy yourself a book or download. Or two. Or three (or four, five, six or more!)

New HeroQuest logo

2009-06-30T01:26:00.000-07:00

I was asked to come up with a logo for the new HeroQuest core rules and other future products by Moon Designs.
I did several designs that used the Gloranthan runic writing font of the old logo as well as other lettering styles.
None of them really worked that well though I was happy with the different textures and colours I came up with for the letter fill.

Then I looked back at the lettering styles of the old Chaosium boxsets for 'Pavis' and the 'Big Rubble'.

I did like that font style though I didn't have it myself.
So I decided to design my own from scratch, using the old font as a starting point but changing the style somewhat. I added a slight curve to the base of the serifs and fattened the letters more.
I added a metal trim to the edge of each letter to give it a 'classy look' and used the textured fills I had come up with earlier to solidify the lettering. A white highlight was added to give them a shiny look and I added a shadow to give it a solid dimension.

To finish it off I did a line of runes across the top to give it a retro look. This design has half Gloranthan runes and the other half symbols drawn from other possible genres and settings [The new HeroQuest rules are genric now, not just tied to Glorantha].

I have done variations to the main design so any colour can be used. The red does suit the cover for the core rules but other cover art may need a different colour to set off the logo. We have several different marble like textures and colours as well as some metal textures that will suit other works better.
Also for solely Gloranthan products the line of runes will be purely Gloranthan ones.

The new HeroQuest logo

Sunday Scimitar - 14

2009-06-27T17:39:00.001-07:00

his week's scimitar is a short cutlas!

Continuum 2010

2009-06-26T15:13:00.000-07:00

The dates for Continuum 2010 are
Friday 2nd to Monday 5th July 2010.

The Yahoo Group is at:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/Continuum2010/

The Facebook event is at:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=94299599526&ref=mf

More news will follow over the next few weeks!

Role-playing Questionnaire

2009-06-19T07:06:00.000-07:00

So a quick role-playing questionnaire I have stolen off Facebook.
Basically details my role-playing history and my likes and dis-likes in runing games. I hope that you may it informative?

1. What was the first RPG you ever played?
RuneQuest II

2. How long ago?
1981.

3. Tell us something about it?
I was introduced by my older brother as I had been drawing some treasure maps. The first scenario was from Chaosium's Apple Lane supplement 'Rainbow Mounds'.
I was playing a Black Fang Brotherhood Assassin who managed to fall off the bridge into the water. The GM, a friend of my brother, then switched to dealing with how my sister was doing with her character.
Only after an hour did he reveal I had been rescued by Newtlings.
After that I brought the rule book along with the RQ box set miniatures from Derby's CoOp. I do remember doing my English Speaking Board exams on Glorantha every year while at school. Since then I have been playing RuneQuest, I remember clubbing together to buy one copy of RuneQuest III from Games Workshop in Nottingham as it was too expensive.
I only switched to Hero Wars in 2000, then onto HeroQuest.

4. How soon after did you start playing a regular session?
Straight away.

5. Which genres have you played?
I tried a bit of most but I prefer good settings rather than genres.

6. Which games have you played?
I am a Chaosium fan boi so I have played all their games - QuestWorlds, Stormbringer, Call of Cthulhu, ElfQuest, RingWorld, Worlds of Wonders and RuneQuest. Now I mainly play HeroQuest.

7. Give a list of some or all of the PC's you've played.
Darsimis, a Yelmalian mercenary who is guarding a couple of dodgy dealing, Lunar merchants who want to make a trade route to Kralorela over the Rockwood mountains in Griffin Mountain.
Keelhaul Whyduh - Bloodbeard Pirate with his own set of Sea Dogs and knowledgeable on the infamous Pirates Code!
Ashanara - A Lunar swirling twin scimitar swordswoman devoted to the Lunar Way and emancipating women everywhere.
Manushi Many-Flight, a noble from Teshnos who is visiting a small charming town next to a delightful ruin. Along with his gigantic Phomia [elephant] called Nippletooth and his Orangatag 'man' servant he has visited several interesting locations in Pavis and the Big Rubble.
Sir Kaulth, an Esvulari knight from Durengard. Started working as a guard for Sir Guis de Brut in Caldvale Manor, a nice pleasant place with no real problems. Then it got really dark quite fast. Ended up wearing vampire armour and fighting machines.
Duran Duranis - a Sartarite warrior and spearman who ended up travelling the whole of Glorantha.

8. What's your favourite genre?
After Glorantha I would say Spaceships with ashtrays like Firefly.

9. What's your favourite game/system?
HeroQuest.

10. What's your favourite supplement?
King of Sartar by Greg Stafford.

11. Who are your favourite PC's?
see 7 above.

12. Have you GM'ed?
Yes.

13. Which game did you GM first?
RuneQuest II.

14. How did it go?!
It went well though hit a few snags.
Every time the players defeated a bunch of foes they would sell off the armour and weapons. They would spend the money to get better so I would have to send more foes at them with bigger and better armour and weapons. They would defeat them, sell the goods and get better again so I would send even more enemies with more armour and weapons against them. It just kept going on and on.

15. Which is your favourite campaign that you've GM'ed?
I ma enjoying my Air & Motion campaign for my HeroQuest game as well as my Left For Dead series in my Firefly game.

16. Do you prefer to GM or PC?
I prefer to GM.

17. Which genre that you haven't tried would you most like to try?
I would love to run a party-less game based on War & Peace but with some serious fantasy elements.

18. Which game/system that you haven't tried would you most like to try?
Nephilim RPG.

19. Do you play a typical character of any kind?
I usually play the dark and savage one usually who often plans.

20. What do you like best about role-playing?
The creating of stories together.

Sunday Scimitar - 13

2009-06-14T12:01:00.000-07:00

So this week's scimitar is in fact a Falchion type sword. It has a single-edged broad blade with a single fuller and though it has a sharp stabbing point this is a slashing weapon. Most of the blade is straight with only the tip being curved to allow a better slash attack.
The crossguard is a large, simple bar with an elegant curve to it. The hilt is bound in leather and pommel is heavy and allows for a two-handed grip if necessary. Though this weapon looks crude it is in fact a very efficient sword and suits being used against armoured foes.

Sunday Scimitar - 12

2009-06-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

So missed last week's as I was away in Germany for Tentacles but we'll have another now.
This one is another fantasy sabre with moon-curved handguards and an inverted cresent moon as a prommel.
An excellent example of a Lunar Trooper's sword.

Freeform Serenity: Showboat

2009-05-27T13:43:00.000-07:00

My good friend Simon has written another Serenity freegame for 32 players that we will run at Tentacles Omega convention that takes place in a castle above the Rhine Valley in Germany this weekend.

I have assisted with the writing, along with Colin, as well as producing of some of the props and items for the game.
Trouble is Simon has just out-classed us all with those masks below that he has made today!

Here is the blurb for the game:
Serenity/Firefly: Showboat!
by Simon Bray, Darran Sims and Colin Driver

In the inky dark of the Black a small transport ship drifts into view alongside a huge cruise ship bound for the Rim.
"Out in the black it's not all broken down boats, Reavers and space dust, hell that's only half of any story. Not all the high and mighty Core dwellers stay at home you know, some come out here into the Rim, looking for adventure and beauty away from the sterility that the Alliance has to offer. All aboard their fine showboats and cruise ships they ride out in the lap of luxury. They bring with them shiny purses full of credits, cases full of fancy medicines and a might of other secrets to. Of course such a pretty little box of goodies comes with a lock or two, all as you need is the right key," said the Captain. He grinned at the beautiful courtesan at his side who returned his smile with a petulant sneer.
"I would expect no less from you, this is my business, not yours," she gracefully snarled as she stormed from the room.
"Then again some boxes are just pure trouble when they are opened, just look at that one of Pandora's. I would say that a ship full of tourists, parliamentary lobbyists, alliance guards and such forth, looks like a mighty box of trouble," said the older man from the doorway clutching his chest; the Doctor stood looking worried as usual at his side.
The Captain just smiled his boyish grin, "You know how much I was hoping you would say that old friend?"
"Are we there yet? I thought you said you could get me there on time," said the passenger from the top of the gantry. "I have very important business, and must not be late. Also I want to discuss a refund, this ship is infested if you ask me."
"Cleanest ship in the Verse!" snapped the Captain defensively "Tell him Doc!"
"We're just *cough!* about to dock *cough!* sir," choked the pilot.
All aboard the luxury cruise ship "Venturer", where the rich, famous and fortunate live like kings in the height of luxury. On this very ship the Alliance is conducting a passionate debate to decide the future of the Verse. But riches and politics attract less wholesome folks like flies around honey.

Play a space rogue, courtesan, politician, special agent or valiant captain in this game of daring exploits, devious politics and deadly secrets. This is a game of good role-playing; newcomers are always welcome but only if they are coming to chew scenery and make this game go with a bang. Costuming a necessity and turning up on the day even more so

Reaver Masks by Simon Bray

Nice!
Hopefully it will not give too much plot away by showing these!

Sunday Scimitar - 11

2009-05-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

So I haven't posted a Sunday Scimitar picture for a while due to being away on holiday so here is another one.
This one is another Chinese sword with a curved handle, a board blade with a wide tip and a single deep fuller.

Midweek Character - Ruby

2009-05-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

o I haven't posted for a while due to being away on holiday so here is a tasty character to play.

Ruby is a fantastic character in the Supernatural TV series, a wicked character with a possible heart of gold. She is also one of the player characters in my Supernatural HeroQuest game that takes place at Tentacles Omega 2009.
She is a suitable foil for the Winchester brothers and should be able to hold her own in the game even though she is almost an antagonist.

Ruby's Story

"Anyone got a breath mint? Some guts splashed in my mouth while I was killing my way in here..."

"Well... they killed your precious little virgin too! Next time... we do MY plan"

Ruby, a feisty blonde, is a demon with demonic abilities such as enhanced strength and inhuman durability; however she is vulnerable to most weaknesses of demons.

Ruby is a skilled fighter, forgoing telekinesis that other demons use, she tends to rely on martial arts.

During her time as a witch, she gained extraordinary knowledge of magic. She knows how to nullify the effects of hex bags, as well as how to create them to hide her presence from supernatural beings. She knows a spell capable of wiping out all demons - including herself - within a mile radius.

Ruby possesses a mysterious and magical "demon-killing" knife.

107 words

KeyWords

Demon Possessed Female

Witch

Flaws

Vulnerable To Weaknesses of Demons

Distrusted

Enemy To All Demons

Once Human

Personality

Feisty

Forgo Easy Way

Mysterious

Rely On Mundane Way

Relationships

Distrusts Dean

Hated By Other Demons

Mentor to Sammy

Rival of Bela Talbot

Suspicious of Bobby Singer

Abilities

Create Hex Bags

Demonic Abilities

Demonology

Enhanced Strength

Extraordinary Knowledge of Magic

Extensive Knowledge of Supernatural

Feisty Blonde

Gain Magic

Hide Presence From Supernatural Beings

Inhuman Durability

Knows Martial Arts

Knows Spells

Nullify Hex Bags

Nullify Magical Effects

Possesses Magical Artefacts

Skilled Fighter

Telekinesis

Wipe Out All Demons Within A Mile

Items

Arcane Paraphernalia

Demon Killing Knife

Sunday Scimitar - 10

2009-05-03T03:33:00.001-07:00

So this is a fantasy scimitar, a Lunar one judging by the Moon rune on the hand guard.
This is a solid sword with one cutting edge. The majority of the blade is straight with only the blade tip curved.

[WIP] 3D map of Dragon Lands of Glorantha. Part 2

2009-05-02T07:25:00.000-07:00

I have done some work on this map having done the western hills and finished off the mountains.
I am working on a few samples of the swamp that I'll post up soon.

Dragon Lands of Glorantha - isometric sketch-02

Dragon Lands of Glorantha - isometric sketch-02 Thmbnail

[HeroQuest 2] Publication News!

2009-04-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

This has just been announced by Rick Meints of Moon Design.

Some good news!

Quote:

HeroQuest 2009: We're back!!!

Hello all,

To begin, thank you all for your patience as Moon Design got through its quiet phase, mainly due to the trying economic times that face many of us. Work and travel overseas took its toll on my schedule, but that is largely all sorted now. Production is gearing back up and many things are getting back on track. My first announcement deals with an addition to the Moon Design Team. Jeff Richard is now my partner with the specific task of developing all Gloranthan HeroQuest products. He is the single point of contact for all authors.

As for publications, here is the latest on what is in the works:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
HeroQuest: Core Rules (2nd Edition). The long awaited book is finally here! This is Robin Laws' innovative, dynamic and flexible rules engine suitable for play in any genre or setting. It presents a simple and flexible system that allows Game Masters to make decisions the way authors and screenwriters do when creating novels, TV episodes and movies. HeroQuest encourages creative input from your players, resulting in an exciting, unpredictable narrative created through group collaboration. Its resolution methods and scalable character levels make it equally suitable to any genre, from epic fantasy to satirical soap opera. Whether your next game idea draws on horror, war, westerns, martial arts, pulps, cyberpunk, cliff-hangers, giant robots, super-powered heroes, space opera, cop action, corporate intrigue, furry animals, swashbuckling adventure, Greek tragedy or drawing room comedy, HeroQuest can resolve its scenes of conflict, both big and small. You could even use HeroQuest to emulate a musical—although it won’t do any of the singing or dancing for you. Completely rewritten by the original designer, this new edition opens and details running the core system for any genre. 160 pages. Available in June 2009 (including the Tentacles convention).

The Sartar Book. In progress since 1980 (!), The Sartar Book is the largest Gloranthan sourcebook ever published and contains in one BIG volume (nearly 400 pages!) everything you need to run a Gloranthan campaign set amongst the storm-worshipping tribes of the Kingdom of Sartar; how to create Sartarite characters and clans, magic and religion of the Sartarites (including new HQ writeups of the cults of Orlanth, Ernalda, Humakt, Chalana Arroy, Issaries, Lhankor Mhy, Elmal, Urox and Yinkin), Orlanthi heroquesting, background information about Sartar and its people, an an epic campaign arc with love, vengeance, and mythic adventure - including adventures in the Upland Marsh and a major Heroquest through the Underworld. Tons of new material that has never been printed before - this is a hefty load of pure Gloranthan Gold. Most importantly, your heroes are the center of this saga! Although we are still working on final edits, art and maps, a special limited edition pre-release version will be available at Tentacles.

Next up:
--------------------------
The Pavis Book. The first supplement to the Sartar Book, the Pavis Book is an update of the classic Pavis and Big Rubble setting, revised for the HeroQuest rules. But this is not a reprint of the old material - the Pavis Book contains new adventures, new information, and insights into some of the secrets of the ancient Walled City. Contains writeups of the cult of Pavis, Yelmalio, the Seven Mothers and others.

Whitewall: the Last Rebel King. Yep, you heard right, we are going to put your heroes right in the middle of the great battles of Whitewall and Iceland.Contains background on the Hendriking, Volsaxing and Heortland, as well as astory arc that puts your heroes in the middle of the action.

Other manuscripts are still in the production pipeline, including Ian Cooper's Coming Storm Campaign, Distant Shores, the Aldryami Book, and Heroes of Malkion. More on their publication dates will be announced
later this summer.

Rick Meints
Publisher, Moon Design

To GM or not to GM: That is the question?

2009-04-27T13:08:00.000-07:00

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of heavy game criticism,
Or to take arms against a sea of system backlash,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
Of a lack of players, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream of a great home group: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of no games to GM what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off to a convention for games?

So I am having a little bit of a crisis at the moment as far as my GMing games goes. I seem to have lost faith with my ability to GM at conventions as I have fallen under some heavy criticism

I am really struggling to keep my home group together. I have had some excellent players join over the last couple of years yet they seem to find excuses when to next session is scheduled not to come.
Now I am a good host – I provide a cooked meal and snacks as well as a full fridge of drinks [beer and soft drinks], I run a reasonable game with a good story, I am well organised with nice maps and handouts. The setting is fairly cool though I do know that many people do have an issue with Glorantha as a setting.

I do also know that many people dislike the HeroQuest system, but I didn’t expect it to the point that several people have condemned my games on the RPG con circuit here in the UK. This is just not an attack on HeroQuest but my games in general. Now it could be just rumours but having heard this from two different sources is troubling. Bad-mouthing my games seems a little bit cruel and vindictive and the rumours are appearing to spread by word-of-mouth.

It is now getting to the point that I may have to give up GMing games at conventions all together.
I plan to run a few HeroQuest games at Tentacles Omega, a RPG convention that takes place in Germany at the end of May this year, and get some detailed feedback from those games.

I may just attend less RPG conventions in future; I’ll just concentrate on help organising some conventions that I am involved with instead.
At Furnace I'll not run any games for instance.

I am just not sure what else to do?

Sunday Scimitar - 09

2009-04-26T04:25:00.001-07:00

Another slender blade with a round curve that makes it good at slashing. This also has a sharp double edged point that is great for stabbing with, that is directly matched to the handle.
There is a knuckle guard and the pommel is claw shaped to enable to do a backhand swipe or stab.

Midweek Character - Sabra Hillard

2009-04-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

So I have realised that I haven't posted up a HeroQuest character for a while so without further ado I post another female character.
This is Sabra Hillard, pilot of The Betty, from Alien: Resurrection film, written by Joss Whedon.
Though the character had a small part in the film she does play a big role in the game. As pilot she controls the ship but also she is heart of the group. When her character is absent the group does seem to be more aggressive and commit more atrocities [part of the fun of the games is committing atrocities of one sort or another].

She also has a good dose of Badass!

Hillard's Story
"Nobody is left behind. Not even you Johner!”

“No, There’s got to be another way”

Sabra Hillard is the Betty's pilot. A feisty, captivating woman, she is also tender and dignified. Flying is in her blood as she was trained as a commercial pilot before enrolling into the Alliance military, piloting every known class of ship. Hillard knows every operating tactic and procedure and how to circumnavigate them as well as out-manoeuvring and escaping any other flyer.

Hillard served with Elgyn but like him she refused to commit the atrocities ordered by the Admiralty command. She cherishes the freedom that being a freelancer brings almost as much as she loves Elgyn; she shares both the perils and the rewards of their current smuggling lifestyle.

109 words.

KeyWords

Former Alliance Pilot 17

Smuggler 15

Flaws

Refused to Commit Atrocities 15M

Hates Being Confined 12M

Personality

Conceited 1M

Dignified 19

Feisty 5M

Impetuous 17

Loyal 8M

Rash 17

Relaxed 17

Superior 17

Relationships

Alliance Pilots [Contacts] 19

Commercial Pilots [Associates] 19

Alliance Admiralty [Adversary] 19

Battle Unit [Former -Member of] 17

Former Comrades [Friends of] 17

The Betty’s Crew [Loyal to] 19

Black Market [Contacts] 15

Underworld [Contacts] 15

Elgyn Rane [Lover ] 20M

Abilities

Captivating 19

Cherishes Freedom 19

Circumnavigate Enemy Tactics 1M

Commendable War Service 19

Dirty Fighin’ 12M

Enrolled into Alliance Military 19

Escape Pursuit 5M

Flying is in Her Blood 19

Knows Every Class of Ship 19

Knows Every Operating Tactic 19

Knows Operating Procedures 5M

Know Ship’s Capabilities 5M

Knows Smuggling Lifestyle 19

Out-manoeuvre Other Flyer 19

Persuasive 18M

Pilot Spaceship 15M

Served with Elgyn 15M

Shares the Perils 19

Shares the Rewards 19

Think Quickly 15M

Wealth

Standard of Living: Common 13

WEAPONS:- Knife, Pistol, Shotgun, SMG, Spare Ammo..

ITEMS:- Ident Card, Fake Permits, Assortment of loot, Pilots Licence, G-suit

3D map of Dragon Lands of Glorantha

2009-04-19T08:12:00.000-07:00

So here is a map I did a while back.
It is of the Dragon Lands of Dragon Pass in Glorantha and is the setting for my HeroQuest campaign.

I was fairly happy with it but it still unfinished and doesn't quite convey the combination of flat lands, swamp, peaks and craggy hills.

Dragon Lands of Glorantha

I have sketched out an isometric grid and drawn some of the new map already.

So here is the pencil sketch I have done so far.
I am trying to get an isometric view of the landscape showing the hills, mountains and flatlands.

Dragon Lands of Glorantha - isometric sketch -01

Dragon Lands of Glorantha - isometric sketch -01 Thumbnail.

The labels are just temporary at the moment just to give an idea for comparison of the two maps.

I still have quite a bit to do to finish it off.

One thing I may struggle with is doing the large swamp as I haven't got a clue how to represent it.
Any ideas?

Sunday Scimitar - 08

2009-04-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

This scimitar is a Saif [ سيف], a curved Arabian sword. Double edged and slender it is a deadly weapon.

My HeroQuest 2.0 games I am running at Tentacles Omega.

2009-04-17T05:20:00.000-07:00

0 Tentacles Omega 2009. Castle Stahleck, Bacharach, Germany.
Friday 28th May - Monday 1st June 2009.
http://www.tentacles-convention.de/

Here are my games that I'll be running at Tentacles Omega.

+

'Street Urchins of Ancient Pavis' by Darran Sims narrated by Darran Sims.
Mythic Glorantha: HeroQuest 2.0 adventure for up to 6 players.
Newcomers very welcome. Maturity preferred.

"Abandoned by Family, Ancestors and the City itself, the street urchins have a very hard existence in the shattered remains of Ancient Pavis. They live on the discarded scraps from the city dwellers and *other* denizens of the Rubble, a place where life is very, very cheap.
The only future they have to look forward to is a quick death somewhere in the unforgiving ruins of this once splendid city.
The River Flock has a nice hidey-hole under the Sculpture Garden, a safe haven in this deadly world. Yet many of the street urchins are turning up dead, their bodies discarded.
Now a stranger in red is poking around the upper entrance.
Just what is he after and is he responsible for the deaths of the other urchins?"

+

'Cropcircles and Lights Out' by Darran Sims narrated by Darran Sims.
Supernatural: HeroQuest 2.0 adventure for 5 players.
Newcomers very welcome. Maturity preferred.

"Police reports are coming in from Fulton County, Georgia of cars driving at night without their headlights on. When helpful members of the public flash their lights in courtesy to warn the drivers they become victims to the drivers.
All that seems to be left are the abandoned cars with their headlights smashed out. No trace of the occupants have been found. Forensic reports do confirm that the blood found in the broken headlights is canine, not human.
Are these incidents related to the gang tags found in the recent spate of crop circles that also plague the area?"

+

"Winters Warriors" by Darran Sims narrated by Darran Sims.
Mythic Glorantha: HeroQuest 2.0 adventure for up to 6 players.
Newcomers Welcome.

"As initiates of Inora, Goddess of the Mountain Snow, normally you are on the fringes of society as solitary hunters or warriors of the mountains. But now Orlanth is Dead! The land is locked in winter. Suddenly the 'Winter Warriors' are require to save the clan and its tula in the mountains. The dangers of winter are magnifed as ice demons roam the peaks, snowfall cuts off all the lodges and the food stocks are running low. On top of that vast columns of smoke rise from the flat lands and they are getting closer and closer. Villages are being burnt down and destroyed.
Are the Lunars responsible?
Can the winter warriors stop their advance?"

Cut-away Orlanthi Steadhouse

2009-04-15T01:39:00.000-07:00

Here is an Orlanthi steadhouse in cut-away form that I have been working on. The Orlanthi are the barbarian culture in Glorantha.

This one is a small farm house type structure with half the stead given over to animal stalls with a stone water trough. The younger family members sleep in the 'attic' above the animals while the more important family members sleep in the rooms at the back on beds. The main living room has a central fire pit for cooking, a large communal table and the walls are adorned with weapons and winter survival gear.

Hand drawn with ink in an isometric view.

The Orlanthi Steadhouse

The cut-away of the Orlanthi Steadhouse

More to follow.

Sunday Scimitar - 07

2009-04-12T15:15:00.000-07:00

So here is another scimitar drawing I have done.
A simple curved widening blade with a solid guard and heavy pommel.

Sunday Scimitar - 06

2009-04-05T06:17:00.001-07:00

A nice Chinese ring sword next.
A leather bound hilt with sword-catcher guards and the large curved blade with two fullers to give more flexibility.

Midweek Character - Captain Elgyn

2009-04-03T04:57:00.000-07:00

So the next Midweek Character is Captain Elgyn. Portrayed by Michael Wincott in the dark and moody Alien: Resurrection film, written by Joss Whedon, he is a larger than life character.
Though he is the leader of the group he is flawed with avoiding endangering the crew as well as his own incompetent manner. Also trying to reign-in the other characters is a job and a half, just keeping Johner away from the weapons locker is a tough!
He is often the first choice for the games as most players prefer him over the other player characters.

Elgyn’s Story

“Hey son, I’ll give you my authorisation code. Its E-A-T-M-E.”

“Drink, Elgyn?” “Constantly.”

“Hey, don’t cut thrust till about 600 metres. We’ll give ‘em a little scare.”

Elgyn Rane is the captain of The Betty and has the kind of authority that doesn't need to flaunt itself. Smart, resourceful and charismatic, he is a former Alliance officer who discovered more challenge and profit in the murky world of space smuggling. Elgyn has used his commendable war service with the Alliance Space Corps, his associates in the Alliance Civilian Guard and his contacts with the Alliance Admiralty to gain lucrative jobs.

With his network connections he evades capture but is mistrusted by the criminal underworld of the rim.

It is his loyalty to his crew that stops Elgyn taking on the more dangerous missions.

106 words.

KeyWords

Former Alliance Officer 15

Smuggler 17

Flaws

Mistrusted by Criminals 12M

Avoid Endangering Crew 12M

Personality

Arrogant 15

Brave 1M

Callous 1M

Charismatic 19

Cunning 17

Devil-May-Care 17

Loyality To Crew 5M

Resourceful 19

Self-Centered 17

Self-Confident 15

Smart 19

Relationships

Alliance Space Corps [Contacts] 8M

Alliance Civilian Guard [Associates] 3M

Alliance Admiralty [Contacts] 19

Battle Unit [Former Member of] 15

Former Comrades [Friends of] 15

The Betty’s Crew [Loyal to] 19

Black Market [Contacts] 17

Underworld [Contacts] 17

Sabra Hillard [Lover] 12M

Abilities

Assess Situation 15M

Authority that doesn't Flaunt 10M

Avoid Endangering Crew 10M

Charismatic 19

Commendable War Service 5M

Conceal Contraband 5M

Dirty Fighin’ 8M

Discover Challenges 19

Evade Capture 19

Exert Authority 20M

Gain Lucrative Jobs 19

Hates Dangerous Missions 15M

Issue Orders 5M

Kind Authority 19

Knows Murky World 9M

Loves Profit 19

Mistrusted by Underworld 19

Network Connections 1M

Wealth

Standard of Living: Common 13

WEAPONS:- Knife, Pistol, Shotgun, SMG, Spare Ammo..

ITEMS:- Ident Card, Fake Permits, Assortment of loot, Bill of Ownership of The Betty.

Sunday Scimitar - 05

2009-03-29T15:32:00.001-07:00

Here is another scimitar!
Nice fancy handle.

[Actual Play] Getting my wife to play role-playing games.

2009-03-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

I couple of years ago, after much convincing and demonstration, I got my wife Jenny to play in one of my role-playing games. She had expressed her displeasure about role-playing games before but on seeing that my friends from my hobby were more reliable and were ‘better’ friends than other acquaintances I have she relented. I did write this report at the time but didn’t post it anywhere as I didn’t have my blog up and running at the time.
Unfortunately the group at the time finished due to illness so that was the last session. When I restarted the campaign with a new group, Jenny was a little bit reluctant to join in from the start but for the last session she has now rejoined.

From September 2007

I had planned that HeroQuest session at the time, to take place with my home group, to be a skirmish-type game based on the Battle Of Dwarf Ford. However, my wife Jenny expressed an interest in taking part, something she had normally refused to do in the past. On the few occasions I had asked her to play or even if she was interested in learning what it was all about, she had said no. I hadn’t really pushed the issue; she had come with me to a few RPG conventions but looked on them as a trip away rather than joining in with the hobby itself. I had a smaller group for this session so Jenny did feel a little more comfortable with that for her first time. Jenny joined the other two players, my brother Russell and our friend Mick, people that she knew very well.

I spoke with her about what kind of character she wanted. She didn’t want anything from any of the HQ books as she hadn’t read up on them and thought that she would be at a disadvantage. She preferred just to come up with the name of her character and make the rest up as the game went along.
The as-you-go-method, perfect!

Her character was ‘Tristina the Mystic’, a woman with ‘hidden powers’. I quickly cobbled together a ‘Mystic’ keyword for her and allotted her thirty points to spend on nine more abilities, skills, followers, or items.

So instead of the skirmish scenario I had planned for the session I decided to go with a less-martial episode instead. I had the player characters escorting one of the Earth-priestesses to an inter-tribal Spring Festival that included a scared ceremony to awaken Voria and end the winter. Each of the local tribes put forth a candidate to participate in several contests to win the honour of becoming the ‘Maiden of the Flowers’ and hopefully successfully conclude the ceremony and end the icy grip of winter for another year. As this was going to be a big meeting with a festival atmosphere it was also hoped that the heroes could pin down some of the tribal leaders and get them to commit to help with the up coming battle with the Lunars.

They travelled to the site in the Colymar lands without any problems, picking up a fellow traveller, Thargan who helped them learn the finer points of Colymar treachery. Jenny seemed fine talking to this character played by me as her character, though she did talk in the third person. It was at her invitation that Thargan joined them on the journey though it was the other players that pointed out that he might not be trustworthy so to keep a watch on him.

They arrived without incident at the site of the ceremony, a large meadow located on a small hill near Apple Lane. They set up camp in the last available spot, next to the Balmyr tribe and the Colymar tribe. The other local tribes’ camps where situated around the edge of the meadow, only the contestants were allowed to set foot on the meadow during the festival. What shocked the heroes were the presence of not only the Telmori, the wolf runners but also a small delegation of Lunars! They had a small enclosure, heavily guarded, next to the Colymari camp. The Colymar and the Lunars had made a temporary peace treaty and as hosts to the festival had invited the Lunars to join in. This had obviously caused some resentment within the other visiting tribes, so much so that some of the northern tribes were noted for their absence. Those that did attend cast dark looks towards the Lunar camp; the mood was ugly.

However the festival was started by a small blessing ceremony by the Colymari hosts. Once this ‘Time of the Blessing’ commenced no blood could be spilt on the ground. Everyone at the festival was bound by this blessing while at the sacred site. If any blood was to fall upon the earth then not only would the spring ceremony fail but everybody’s’ land would stay in the icy grip of winter.

The following day each of the contestants was presented to the ensemble, each of the tribes had one ‘champion’ each. Though the heroes had escorted the Ilmori’s contender, Tristina also decided to enter the contest to be ‘Maiden of the Flowers’. Jenny didn’t need asking if she could enter her character in the contest, she just thought it would be a good thing to do.

The local champion of the Colymari, and the one tipped to win the contest, was Apple Blossom. The other major contenders were Snow Drop from the Malani Tribe, Wolf Thistle from the Telmori, Sunflower from the Alda-Churi, Wild Thorn of the Culbrea, Dark Flower of the Torkani, Wind Bloom from the Balmyr, and Blue Bell from the PCs clan, the Ilmori. To keep the ‘flower’ theme going in the names Tristina went with the name Mystic Rose.

Of course things turned bad when the Lunars showed up and camped on the site as well - apparently at the invitation of the Colymari hosts [remember that this is set in 1565, way before the lunar invasion of Sartar]. They also put in a contender, called Moon Orchid, into the competition.
Now Jenny was aware that the Lunars are the 'bad guys' of the campaign and also that one of the reasons of the trip down to the festival was to get help for the battle against the Lunars. She was a little bit shocked that they had turned up and was also beginning to be a bit wary of the Colymari.

The rest of the game dealt with the three days of contests, one contest per day. The first contest is singing, the second dance and the third is beauty. One of the other player characters, Russell's Edgewed, was chosen to be one of the judges so he was fairly busy and Mick's character Stefan, was looking into the plots and schemes of the Colymar, the Lunars and the rest of the tribes.

In the end the contest had three main contenders at the end: Mystic Rose, Blue Bell and Sunflower. Apple Blossom and Moon Orchid were cast out of the competition due to cheating as uncovered by the PCs.

Jenny decided to help Blue Bell, who was from her own tribe, instead of taking the crown for herself. That meant the final ceremony went very well and spring returned with a vengeance. Voria appeared and blessed the lands of the Ilmori and the other tribes that still had contestants in the contest.
Also the PCs were able to get many of the tribes on their side after meeting the leaders in a secret summit so the session ended well.

Jenny did seem to play well though did need some prompting to contribute to the story. She later told me she wasn't sure whether she could interrupt me or the others while they were talking. She was happy to play her role and was content to take part in the decision-making parts of the story.

With the change of the campaign and the restart of it she wasn't confident in joining the game. But now I have my kid sister, Amy join in on the new campaign my wife Jenny has also joined in the game again.

Sunday Scimitar - 04

2009-03-22T06:51:00.000-07:00

Another drawing of a scimitar.

Midweek Character - Maroof Levelhead

2009-03-20T15:15:00.000-07:00

This is another of the players characters from the game from Convulsion 2002. Again this is one that was based in the village of Hellbreak while many of the other PCs were from a feuding clan.
While quite marshall this character had his duty to his clan and had to help the other PCs even though they were considered the enemy.
This character was very ably played by Dr Moose. He did so well we invited him to be a regular in our group.

Maroof Levelhead with his Spear of Destiny and Brightshield. © Darran Sims

Maroof Levelhead's Story

“The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child.”

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the sky, and the truth.”

Weaponthane and ‘Protector of Hellbreak’, Maroof Levelhead is staunch and resolute in his duties including the maintenance and construction of the high watchtower and fortifications.

Maroof knows the local area, organising the tula patrols and leads the elite Sun-Fire Squad; drilling them in defensive tactics, horsemanship and riding.

When he was younger Maroof was not obligated to home; he wandered Dragon Pass like Elmal and met the DeathLords, the Stonemen and the Wild-Twins. He outmanoeuvred the Sun-Domers and cunningly overcomes the Redcloaks.

Bearer of Spear of Destiny and Brightshield, he is awe-inspiring in any conflict especially skirmishes and shieldwall fighting.

100 words

KeyWords

Heortling 13

Weaponthane 5M

Elmal Devotee 1M

Flaws

Duty-Bound 14M

Obligated to Home 1M

Not Young Anymore 19

Wanderer 18

Personality

Awe-Inspiring 19

Cunning 14

Levelheaded 5M

Resolute 17

Staunch 17

Relationships

ANCESTORS 13

BLOODLINE [Solni] 18

CLAN [Hruling] 13

CHIEF [Eldon] 13

Elmal Temple 5M

Protector of Community 1M

DeathLords [Contact] 19

Stonemen [Contact] 2M

Wild-Twins [Contact] 1M

Sun-Fire Squad 14M

Redcloaks [Adversary] 2M

Sun-Domers [Adversary] 2M

RUNE AFFINITIES

LIGHT 19

Dazzling Flash, Illuminate Surroundings, Resist Darkness, See in Darkness, Unquenchable Light.

DEFENCE 18

Defend Wall, Endure Wound, Hold Breach, Reflective Shield, Stand Fast.

SUN 19

Blazing Spear, Brilliant Shield, Clear Clouds, Comforting Glow, Unfaltering Defence.

Abilities

1H Spear/Shield Fighting 10M

Bearer of Mighty Weapons 1M

Construct Fortifications 1M

Defend Tula 5M

Drill Elite 5M

Horsemanship 2M

Inspiring In Any Conflict 19

Knows Dragon Pass 17

Knows Local Area 17

Lead Sun-Fire Squad 14M

Maintain Defensive Fortifications 1M

Organise Patrols 5M

Outmanoeuvre 19

Overcome Enemy 2M

Ride Horse 6M

Shieldwall Fighting 5M

Skirmish Tactics 1M

Use Watchtower 19

Special Abilities

Spear of Destiny 3M

Brightshield 1M

Watchmen - Do Not Believe the Hype!

2009-03-16T18:15:00.000-07:00

So I succumbed to the hype and went to see Watchmen at the local Cinema De Lux. Now I don't really know much about comic book super heroes apart from what I have seen in films.

Now I did enjoy the spectacle of the film with the special effects and the action packed set pieces. Some of the visuals were stunning but it seems more style over substance.
The length of the film wasn't too bad either as it didn't drag too much.
A nice roller-coaster ride but much of the story didn't make sense.

The story was distracting though with it jumping time frame and character far too much and didn't seem to gel together at all too well. The main story about the 'mystery' of who killed the old superhero did not have the driving force of the film much and the violence by the main antagonist seem to blur it even more. The old superhero was also revealed to be a bit of a bastard in flashbacks that didn't endear any sympathy at all over his death.
The film was also disjointed by the main character being far too powerful while the others didn't have their superpowers explained at all. A wave of his hands and everything would have been all right. It just seemed flat. The whole 'he's distracted' or 'his lack of humanity' part of the story seemed a forced plot convenience.

The batman character was a little too earnest and angst ridden without any pay back. He almost was a pale shadow compared to the recent Batman films.

The main villain's reveal seemed far too late in the film to have impact and was a bit of an anti-climax. You got an idea of who the main villain was during the opening attack of the old superhero. The only good thing was the demise of the antagonist at the end yet that did seem badly timed.
Also there seemed too close a parallel in the destruction of New York and the 11th September twin towers that jarred you out of the fantasy.

The real sin of course was not playing up the villainy of Nixon and Kissinger, the partners in power, but I guess that would be subject of a different film.

Also judging by the trailers before the film there are even more superhero films on the way with some of the characters from X-Men each getting their own film.

Sunday Scimitar - 03

2009-03-15T06:28:00.000-07:00

So here is another scimitar- this one is more of the Arabian Nights or Sinbad style one.
This is one of my favourites!

Contributions sought for Furnace 2009 Con Book?

2009-03-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

Furnace 2009. The Garrison Hotel, Sheffield. UK
Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th October 2009.
http://www.rpgfurnace.com/

Furance is a small two day convention for 70 attendees held in a former gaolhouse of Hillsborough Barracks in Sheffield, UK.
Call of Cthulhu, HeroQuest, RuneQuest, Savage Worlds, and plenty of other game systems will be played at this convention.

A colour Convention Book will be produced and given free to all attendees on arrival.
As well as information on the convention, venue and games programmes there will be articles on gaming and role-playing.

The Furnace 2006 Con Book contained articles on convention GMing by Evilgaz, an introduction to Gwenthia by Tom Zunder, a Gloranthian HeroQuest scenario by Newt, 'Hunting the Marsh haggis' by Jane Williams, Serenity:HeroQuest by Darran Sims, a Kallyr story by Jane Williams, an intro to 'Red Star' for Evilgaz's game, along with information about the games, the venue and the favoured charity, Wateraid.

The Furnace 2007 Con Book contained articles on convention playing by Evilgaz, Aggar Homeland for Glorantha HeroQuest By David Millians, Tal’Vorn a Game World for D&D By Joshua Binks, The Shattered Lands a RuneQuest Setting By Newt Newport, A Gloranthan Story By Jane Williams, ‘Love, Honour & Obey’ a DitV Scenario By Ric Baines, UK Roleplayers - a Brief History By Dave McAlister, Nemesis Madness Meters in Call of Cthulhu By Dom Mooney, Mob Justice Introduction By Iain McAllister, Game Design 101 By Iain McAllister, Kadvalla - A Saintly Order for Mythic Russia By Mark Galeotti, ‘Dragonewts!’ by Darran Sims.

The Furnace 2008 Con Book had articles on Glorantha in a Nutshell by Jane Williams with art by Terry Whisenant, A Lunar Marriage by Newt Newport with art by Darran Sims, 'Uphold the Yellow Standard' by Newt Newport with art by Darran Sims, ‘Playing Cards’ A Story by Jane Williams with art by Mokkurkalfe, ‘The Everyday Ordeal’ A Jason Calwell Story by Graham Robinson, Monkey in a Nutshell by Newt Newport, UK Role Players Forum by Dave Mcalister with art by Jonny Gray, and a controversial HeroQuest 2.0 Review by Newt Newport. The front cover was by professional fantasy artist Jon Hodgson.

We are looking for contributions for this year's Convention Book, whether it is artwork, maps, articles, non-player characters, scenarios, encounters, gaming or GMing advice, settings, stories or anything else you can think of.

We can not pay you but all contributors will receive the heartfelt thanks from the Furnace Committee, the joy of seeing their work in print and a free copy of the Con Book.

All copyright of any material we use in the book remains the authors or artists, so you can use it again elsewhere.

As for word count anything from 1000 to 4000 words. A scenario could be a little more at 6000 maximum.

Formats should be M$ Word 2004 [or lower] or Rich Text Format. If I can copy and paste from PDFs though so they are okay too.

If you have any accompanying artwork I can include that as well or do my own for your article. Artwork can be in colour as the Con Book will be printed in full colour [that will be good for maps!].

The deadline for the Furnace 2008 Con Book is Monday 28th September 2009

If you can send all submissions to darransims AT googlemail DOT com.

Thank you for your time.

Midweek Character - The Tarsh Twins

2009-03-12T16:50:00.001-07:00

Here are the Tarsh Twins, some NPCs that appear in my 'Dark Heart of the Dragon Lands' scenario. They are annoying to the PCs though they may prove useful in passing messages.
They do bear a resemblance to some advertising icons though that is by shear coincidence, honest!

The Tarsh Twins' Story

"It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness."

The Tarsh Twins have always been inseparable; whatever they do they must do it together. They look so alike with their Tarshite style black moustaches and their long, shaggy, black hair. When one speaks up the other.. .. finishes the sentence. Both are long-legged and fast runners with strong fortitude and everlasting stamina. They can endure any weather to trek over vale and dale and trudge any trail always side-by-side.

They are a little imperceptive with people especially when it deals with clandestine shenanigans but when they have made that intuitive leap they shout in concert, “We've got your number!”

100 words

KeyWords

Tarshsite

Runners

Twins

Mastakos Devotees

Flaws

Imperceptive

Inseparable Twins

Useless With Clandestine Shenanigans

Personality

Intuitive Leap

Obtuse

RUNE AFFINITIES

MOVEMENT

STORM

ENDURANCE

Abilities

Black Moustaches

Endure Weather

Everlasting Stamina

Fast

Long-Legged

Long Shaggy Black Hair

Look Alike

Must Do It Together

One Speaks Up

Other Finishes

Shout

Strong Fortitude

Trek Over Vale and Dale

Trudge Trail

“We’ve Got Your Number!”

Sunday Scimitar - 02

2009-03-08T14:47:00.001-07:00

So here is another Scimitar.

Sunday Scimitar - 01

2009-03-08T14:40:00.000-07:00

So every Sunday I'll post up a drawing of a scimitar that I have drawn.

I must have drawn over 100 different scimitars [though a few are similar]. They were used as white space filler in a few HeroQuest supplements.

New technology - Bronze!

2009-03-04T19:42:00.001-08:00

This is just fantastic!

Midweek Character - Darran Sims

2009-03-04T04:49:00.000-08:00

So I have now stated myself as a HeroQuest character.
It's an interesting exercise to do and I do think I have captured myself well [though you'll have to judge that for yourself!]

Darran Sims' Story

"A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an Emergency on my part"

Darran is a devoted husband, Grandfather of seven, Artist, Cartographer, and keen HeroQuest narrator. As a RPG Convention List Compiler he attends six conventions per year across Europe. His work as an Entertainment Venue Manager means he gets to meet the equally famous and obscure of Britain’s popular culture. Darran has a small mischievous streak [that is a mile deep!] and often boarders on pure schadenfreude. With a penchant for drawing weapons he is certainly not a man to cross.
Darran prevaricates too much while reading posts and threads and not enough time posting his wisdom as a Games Master.

100 words.

KeyWords

Entertainment Venue Manager 5M

Artist 1M

HeroQuest Narrator/Game Master 1M

Flaws

Bordering Schadenfreude 13

Prevaricates 1M

Small Mischievous Streak 17

Personality

Devoted 1M

Keen 5M

Not to be Crossed 15

Wise 17

Relationships

Devoted Husband 5M

Loves European RPG Conventions 1M

Grandfather of Seven 5M

To Britain's Popular Culture 17

Abilities

Attend RPG Convention 17

Draw 1M

Cartography 17

Compile RPG Convention List 17

Meets the Famous and Obscure 5M

Mile Deep Mischief 15

Not Enough Time 17

Penchant for Weapons 15

Posts Game Master Wisdom 17

Reads Posts 1M

Midweek Character - Erminda Steadfast

2009-02-25T14:52:00.000-08:00

Here is another player character, this one is from one of my old Gloranthan games. Erminda Steadfast was a character I came up with for a scenario I was running at Convulsion 2002.
Playing a character that worships Ernalda, the Earth Goddess, is a fairly hard to play as they are not really good for adventure. They are more capable at the hearth and stead and being sensible about life. Who in their right mind would go out adventuring?
I think I did well with Erminda as she has some important reasons to sort out what is wrong with her own clan and helping the other PCs to sort out the issue.

Erminda Steadfast ready to defend the Hellbreak settlement. © Darran Sims

Erminda Steadfast's Story

“Doubts and mistrust are the mere panic of timid imagination, which the steadfast heart will conquer, and the large mind transcend.”

“The greatest honour history can bestow is that of peacemaker.”

Erminda Steadfast is one of the seven ring members and the Hearthmistress of the Solni Bloodline based at Hellbreak.

Strong and with a meaningful glare she gets things done and persuades and encourages everyone to keep working. However she is respected and revered by her community and she is fiercely protective of it.

Articulate, blunt and forthright she aspires for peace and intransigence.

Erminda fears the Predark but she perseveres bravely due to the espousal of her personal circle.

Erminda has helped and aided many Tarsh Rebels especially at the Battle of Karnge Farm and has gained the Jade-Glow Armring.

100 words

KeyWords

Heortling 13

Hearthmistress 7M

Enferalda Devotee 14M

Flaws

Blunt 17

Fears the Predark 1M

Fiercely Protective 19

Wants Intransigence 14M

Personality

Aspires for Peace 17

Forthright 17

Perseverance 1M

Revered 19

Steadfast 14M

Relationships

ANCESTORS 13

BLOODLINE [Solni] 18

CLAN [Hruling] 13

CHIEF [Eldon] 13

Ernaldan Temple 17

Espousal of her Personal Circle [Followers] 5M

Respected by Community 1M

Tarsh Rebels [Contact] 19

Karnge Farm Veterans 19

Predark [Adversary] 2M

RUNE AFFINITIES

ENDURANCE 18

Bear Heavy Burden, Ignore pain, Go Without Sleep, Remain Standing, Survive Battle.

HEAL PEOPLE 18

Diminish Injury, Ease Pain, Make Less Tired, Prevent Dying, Remove Hurt.

HEAL RELATIONSHIPS 18

Boost Confidence, Kiss and Make up, Prevent Anger, Reach Consensus, Sting Pride, Stop Argument.

Abilities

1H Spear Fighting 18

Articulate 17

Encourage Others 14M

Gets Things Done 16

Give Aid 19

Help Others 17

Keep Working 18
Know Hellbreak Settlement 4M

Meaningful Glare 18

Persuasive 2M

Strong 20

Personal Circle

ENARIN - Erantha Gor Initiate 2M

- Warrior 6M, Big Axe 13.

FALEENA - Nevala Initiate 2M

- Shepherd 6M, Know Area 13.

WEGINA - Mahome Devotee 6M

- Steadwife 2M, Know Darklore 16.

RIBENEA - Enferalda Initiate 2M

- Steadwife 6M, Loud Voice 13.

Special Abilities

Jade-Glow Armring 3M

Old Maps and Adventures

2009-02-25T04:48:00.001-08:00

So was talking about his first map he drew for a role playing game.
I mentioned that I still have all my old maps, drawings and character sheets back from 1981.

My first map was a large manor house built into the side of a cliff. Lots of corridors, rooms and caves.

I drew in the details like the type of material the doors, walls and floors were made of and I marked in all the killing arcs of the traps and even the reach of the chained up monsters.

I then filled it with every creature from the RQII core book. It was deadly as the PCs were killed in the first corridor by a repeating ballista trap. The players didn't want to visit it again with new characters either!

That map is buried under tons of junk at the moment but I have found some from 1982 that I drew.
I used A5 graph paper and coloured pencils, each type of stone or wood used in the flooring had a different colour and texture. Unfortunately the browns seem to have faded into greys.

The map of 'Dead Lock Forest' showing the location of Greyhelm House.

The ground floor of Greyhelm House. Note the main hall is built leaning out over the cliff.

The first floor of Greyhelm House.

The underground chambers of Greyhelm House.

I have been also reading the adventure I wrote to go with this, written on A5 paper and filed in a folder. I would write the sections I would read to the players in red ink, the secrets I would write in blue ink and the GM bits and stats I would write in black ink. Very colourful!
The adventure was very deadly still, even though I had toned it down, but this time the players were able to loot the traps, the treasure, even the armour and weapons off the denizens of the house. They made enough to retire!

Room 1. The Hallway

When the thick, wooden double doors are opened the Hallway goes northward for eleven metres. At the end of the passage there is a one metre wide stairway leading to a door two metres up. There is a pit, one metre in diameter, to the right of the stairs. There is a eastward door seven metres away from the entrance.

When the characters go to either door a ghoul climbs out of the pit howling.

Ghoul Stats snipped

When the ghoul is dead nothing else will happen. There is no Treasure in the hallway. The door in the wall leads to Room 2 and the one at the top of the stairs leads to Room 3.
There is a ladder going down the pit into Room 38 four metres down.
When any character steps on the top stair, the wall springs out knocking the character down the pit doing 2D6 damage. There is a 10% chance of missing the pit but doing 1D4 damage.

Room 1a. Eastward Hallway

This is a one metre wide passage going Eastward for eleven metres. At the end of the passage there is a door (leading to Room 18) and another door two and a half metres away from the entrance (leading to Room 17).

Room 2. The Tomb

The door from the Hallway is locked but a successful picklock will open it. The door has a bar but it isn't drawn. The door leading from the South (Room 17) is bared and locked. There is a dryed up well in the Southeast corner one metre in diameter with a half metre wall around it. There isn't a bucket or rope about.
If a Spot-Hidden is done there is a ladder joined to the wall of the well, one and a half metres from the top of the wall. This leads down twenty metres down to the bottom of the well.
If more than SIZ 25 in total is on the ladder at once, the ladder will shatter with everybody falling down to the bottom doing 12D6 damage for the character at the top of the ladder. For every character blow the one at the top take 2D6, of the 12D6, for each one. Armour will protect as normal.
At the bottom of the well are four weapon snakes.

Weapon Snakes Stats snipped

There is a dead body at the bottom of the well with a broken sword. (This is the main Quest Item of the adventure)
Halfway up the well (ten metres) there is a bronze ring in the wall with a metre of rope connected to it. The brick which the ring is in is loose and if any character over SIZ 10 hangs on falls doing 8D6 damage. Behind the brick there is a Weapon Snake.
There is a large space behind the brick in which there is 2 Wheels (Gold Coins) and an Iron Death Rune.

The tomb is two metres by five metres. In the tomb there is a sarcophagus two metres long in the Northeast corner. It is intact but the side is chipped as if someone tried to open it and succeeded. It has been resealed with three locks (-10% off lock picking). There is writing on a bronze plate which is in Old Pavic.
'Here lies the body of GreyHelm Tarper, Hero of Sartar. He died with treasures untold.' Painted in a corner is 'Do Not Open' (-20% as it is untidy).

Midweek Character - Vic Mackey

2009-02-19T05:28:00.000-08:00

Here's another HeroQuest character for one of my up and coming games.
I just loveTV show 'The Shield' and I would like to run a game with the Strike Team as the player characters. A hard game to run as there would be no mythic, mythos or supernatural events - just a straight hard-hitting corrupt cop story.
Also a slightly different style of 100 words as this is written in the first person.

Vic Mackey’s Story

"Good cop and bad cop have left for the day. I'm a different kind of cop."

"Hey, option one is: we take him alive. But feel free to consider option two."

I am the tough, leader of a Strike Team, a four-man anti-gang unit in the Farmington District of Los Angeles. Captain Aceveda thinks that I am an extremely corrupt police officer; that I steal drug-money from drug dealers, I beat and torture suspects, and I may have committed murder more than once. I see my brutal tactics as a means to an end. I am not wholly bad, however; I am a devoted father, a loyal partner to other cops on my team, and will swiftly protect those I see as innocent victims.

"I don't step aside, I step up."

100 words.

KeyWords

Strike Team Leader 5M

Corrupt Police Officer 10M

Flaws

Considered Corrupt

Deemed a Multiple Murder

Personality

Brutal

Loyal

Not Wholly Bad

Protective

Relationships

Devoted Father

Distrusted by Captain Aceveda

Hates Drug Dealers

Known to Gangs

Leader of the Strike Team 1M

Protector of Innocent Victims

Abilities

Beat Suspect

Brutal Tactics

Ends Justifies the Means

I don't step aside, I step up

Knows Drug Dealers

Knows Farmington District

Loyal Cop Partner

Steal Money

Swiftly Protect

Torture Prisoner

Tough

Understands Gangs

Items

'The Shield'

Backup Snub-nosed Revolver

Bullet-proof Vest

Smith & Wesson Model 4506 Pistol

Midweek Character - Sam Winchester

2009-02-12T04:49:00.000-08:00

Here is Sam from Supernatural. Again a very capable character and did seem great fun to play even though he is usually the more serious Winchester brother on the TV show.

Sam Winchester's Story

"Dude, dude im not using this ID because it says "bikini inspector" on it!"

"What kind of a house doesnt have salt? Low sodium freaks!!"

Sam Winchester commands vast knowledge of the supernatural and is intellectually driven. An academic thinker, Sam is adroit in recalling chants written in Latin, which can be used to exorcise, summon or vanquish demons. Sam pre-empts any hunt by researching the paranormal entities involved and has an uncanny sense of direction and time.

Sam exhibits precognitive dreams and visions though they are currently dormant.

In addition, with the training given to him by his father, Sam is a skilled fighter, proficient with firearms, adept with shotguns, and capable with melee weapons. Sam possesses many abilities that are frowned upon by law, including lock-picking, computer-hacking, and disguised conning.

107 words

KeyWords

Hunter of the Supernatural

Paranormal Investigator

Academic Student

Flaws

Martyr Complex with his Brother Dean

Returned from the Dead

Must Save Dean From Hell

Personality

Academic

Intellectually Driven

Thinker

Relationships

Brother to Dean

Distrusts Bela Talbot

Frowned Upon By the Law

Mourns his Mother, Mary

Respectful of his Father, John

Relies on Ruby

Trusts Bobby Singer

Abilities

Adept With Shotguns

Adroit in Recalling Chants

Capable With Melee Weapons

Commands Vast Knowledge of Supernatural

Comprehensively Trained

Computer-Hacking

Con Victim

Disguise

Exhibits Precognitive Dreams

Exorcise Demons

Knows Chants to Exorcise Demons

Knows Chants to Summon Demons

Pick Locks

Pre-empts any Hunt

Proficient With Firearms

Read Latin

Research Paranormal Entities

Skilled Fighter

Speak Latin

Trained by his Father

Uncanny Sense of Direction and Time

Vanquish Demons

Visions Currently Dormant

Items

Arcane Paraphernalia

Beretta 92fs

PowerBook G4

Sawed-off Shotgun

Registration Type	Early Bird	Standard
En-Suite Single Room 3 nights + Registration =	£140.00	£150.00
En-Suite Single Room 2 nights + Registration =	£114.00	£124.00
En-Suite Single Room 1 night + Registration =	£67.00	£77.00
Without Accommodation
Weekend Pass (No Accommodation) =	£25.00	£35.00
Friday Day Pass (No Accommodation) =	£10.00	£10.00
Saturday Day Pass (No Accommodation) =	£15.00	£15.00
Sunday Day Pass (No Accommodation) =	£15.00	£15.00