Devoted husband, Grandfather of thirteen, Artist, Cartographer, and keen Games Master. As a RPG Convention List Compiler he attends many RPG conventions per year across the U.K. 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.
Friday, 31 July 2009
My HeroQuest games I am running at Furnace 2009
Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th October 2009.
http://www.rpgfurnace.com/
Here are my HeroQuest games I am running at Furnace 2009 later this year.
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'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?"
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'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?"
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Thursday, 30 July 2009
Midweek Character - Aang: The Last Airbender
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.
Monday, 20 July 2009
Reaching Moon Missionaries - HeroQuest Demo Team
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, 19 July 2009
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Midweek Character - DeStephano
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, 12 July 2009
Sunday Scimitar - 16
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Midweek Character - Vriess
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, 5 July 2009
Thursday, 2 July 2009
RPG Convention listing for 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