Review: Zogorion, Lord of the Hippogriffs

The party is be-bopping over hill with poor old Dale dragging his ass because he's still wounded from the fight against the potato throwing gnomes.   High above a small herd of griffons flies over head when one lands nearby and addresses the party.  You have just met the Mighty Zog,Lord of Hippogriffs.  This is where the adventure begins.

Okay because this is a Jason Sholtis adventure first thing I'm checking out is the artwork.  He and John Larrey, Jason's cohort at UNDERWORLD INK, have done a fantastic job.  Their artwork can be found in almost every corner of the OSR.  I like the attitude they take towards the artwork and the adventure.  It all revolves around having a good time.  The cover cracks me up because they are playing a tabletop RPG using Zog's house rules.  And once you read the adventure that cover tells you a lot of what goes on in the adventure.  It's very, very cool.  The other piece I thought was outstanding was a quivering lipped goblin wearing suspenders.  I feel really bad for the lumpy headed fellow.   

The adventure itself is a short one.  Something that can be built up to for a minor boss or something the players encounter in a sandbox setting.  It has a perfect set up to be an interesting location in a sandbox.  The other thing that I really like about the adventure is it is built for 3rd to 7th level characters.  Most OSR adventures are geared for beginning levels, having an adventure that is in that mid-range is a nice change of pace. 

Jason was inspired by Loviatar, so this adventure as of this writing and as of this blogger's limited knowledge is only available from Jason himself.  No PDF.  At $2, Jason will send you this 16-page adventure with a cardstock cover and map inside.  The print and pictures are sharp and good quality.  So scrape together a couple of bucks, you can find that in your couch cushions and treat yourself.  Treat your players to a wild adventure. Just follow this link and look to the left side of the page and Zog will be flying to your door in no time.

Layout, Finding a Home for Art

Yesterday I spent 4 hours on seven pages of Starter Adventures. I did the layout for the dungeon adventure section and I forgot the fricking map. More layout time for me today. 

Rob Conley did the map and will do all the maps.  Jason Sholtis and John Larrey did all the artwork.  That's the best and hardest part of the layout having all these great things to put in.  When I did layouts for my other products I didn't worry about art because I had none.

For each drawing and each map I am trying to find its home in the space of the page.  I know it sounds dramatic, but it's true.  Each serves a purpose for a particular section of the manuscript.  Making them fit in a pleasing way is a challenge.  I guess I could compare it poorly to an art gallery where each has its space on the wall and there is a method to the presentation. 

When I checked my layout yesterday I noticed I placed most of the drawings in the right column near the bottom.  So I went back and altered the locations to help break up the text and assist in imagining the adventure I'm trying to convey.  It's an interesting process.  Although I have cussed out my computer screen for not doing what I wanted I think I have a handle on it.

Now I am onto the New Monster and New Magic Item sections and if I can get Ivy off the couch and pry the 360 controller from her hands (she is glazed over playing a marble spitting frog game) we may go to the bookstore.  Have a great weekend.

The Verm - New Monster

As I was writing the dungeon for Starter Adventures I wanted to use a favorite critter of mine from the Fiend Folio, the Volt.  I really like the picture in the FF.  Although when I was hunting around I didn't see if it was under the OGL.   I'm lousy at figuring that stuff out.  So instead of trying to find out if it was covered under the OGL I decided to create my own critter based off the Volt.  This is how the Verm came about.  And Jason drew a kick ass picture for the Verm.  Because I have a handful of new monster I am adding a new section to Starter Adventures.  They will be a collection of low level guys you can throw into the fray.  Here is the Verm given in Swords & Wizardry Core stats.




Verm
HD:       1+1
AC:        5 [14]
Dam:     1d3 (bite), 1d4 (shock)
Move:   12
Save:     16
CL/XP:   3/60
Special: A successful bite causes 1d4 shock damage (save halves).

The verm are giant rats with a natural ability to channel electricity.  They travel within packs of normal giants rats.  They are territorial so only one is usually present in the pack, but sometimes there is a mating couple.  Verm are slightly more intelligent than normal rats and can use some minor tactics in a fight.  One of the more unusual things about verm is when not mating they often bond with an individual.  The individual can train the verm and the verm will serve them as the same as a dog.  But the territorial nature of the verm makes it difficult for the person to have friends.  The verm considers them competition and will look remove it. 

Starter Adventures Cover

I've been working away on Starter Adventurers again now that I seem to have my headaches somewhat under control.  Jason of UNDERWORLD INK sent me the cover.  I've sent him what I did to the cover, which is put those words over his beautiful picture.  Overall I think it looks good.  I'm waiting to see what Jason thinks and tweak it from there.  And he sent me the back cover which is great. 

In a week or two a plan on having a caption contest.  John sent me an amusing picture that is crying out for a one liner caption beneath it.  I might actually have a couple of those and the winners will get free PDFs of Starter Adventures. 

Have a great Monday guys.  Normally this would be a game night for me, but I've asked my group for a break until after Labor Day so I can catch up on some stuff at home and Starter Adventures.

More Killer Pics from Underworld Ink

 John and Jason of UNDERWORLD INK have been doing an incredible job of capturing the spirit of what I am trying to present in Starter Adventures.  I really love this picture for two reasons, 1) The perspective and  2) The layout options.  Because its not a typical square picture it allows me to break up the text in a different manner.

The picture itself will go into the dungeon section of the book.  My mind's eye has already placed it in a cozy little space on the page.

And I absolutely love this one.  Reminds me of a superhero battle with tankards.  It's just missing the POW! or BAM! above it.  This one goes into Tavern Fight.  Duh. 

All the pictures are in except maybe one or two for the dungeon.  Rob is tweaking maps.  And I am slowly getting edits done.  Battle migraines has been a losing battle for me lately.  I'm going on my 4th week of this headache.  Although it switched it up some this weekend and now I actually have two headaches which is weird and very unpleasant.  But, seeing these new pictures was better than aspirin. Thanks to both John and Jason.