Newbie Blogger Award Winner 5-31-12

I had to dust this award off.  Somewhere in the mix it got shoved back into a closet.  I thought it was time to give another Newbie Blogger Award away.

I've been reading this blog for a short time on a regular basis and have enjoyed.  He's developing his own RPG, Phoenix (a dangerous virus that strikes many of us), and has several posts about the process.  He's got some very entertaining takes on some gaming rules, one of my favorites is Don't Be a Dick.  And not least of which he's got spectacular taste in nurses.

Without further ado please welcome and go visit The Cobalt Kobold.  Go to his blog and follow him and give him some OSR support.  Mr. Blue is a great addition to the blogosphere.  Congrats Mr. Blue!

Editing Gaming Products Part 5

I was reading through my editing gaming posts because Guy Fullerton at his Chaotic Henchmen blog has written a series of posts on the subject.  But as I was rereading mine there were two very important points I left out.

The At'ta Boy
The importance of telling the writer what you liked in the manuscript.  With all those mark ups and psychotic slashing edits, its good to have a "This is great!", "This part made me laugh." or just a smiley face mixed in.

When looking a manuscript after an edit, depending on the writer, they may be disheartened.  While its important to point out how to tighten up the verse and point out weak points, its also a good habit to point out the good stuff.  Otherwise the writer is just battered with things they should change. 

 Would You Like Fries with That?
Another thing a editor should ask the writer is what they want done.  Some just want you to read it and do basic comments on what you liked and didn't.  Some want you to read it line by line and point out every flaw.  And of course the many layers in between.  This would apply, if the relationship is a casual situation where the writer is asking a favor.  Since I am coming from our old school state of mind where we pool our resources and help one another its good to ask what degree the writer wants their manuscript picked over.

I once edited a short manuscript and it needed some moderate changes.  Nothing big, but when I sent it back I think he was insulted that I had marked up his script.  I guess he expected me just to tell him I liked it.  Which I did, I just made suggestions on how to make it tighter.  It was all cool when it was done.  He was just surprised at all the changes I suggested.  When we went over them he saw what I did and thought most were appropriate.

So Dear Editors of the OSR, it's always good to ask what the writing is looking for in a critique.  And Ivy says don't forget to add a few smile faces to the manuscript.  That's what she does for me, as she mixes them with the editorial slashes and comments like ...

... "this part works, just get rid of the crappy parts, and you'll be fine."

Projects and Still Breaking Stuff

Over the weekend I was reading through a project written by Dylan Hartwell (Digital Orc) and received a rough draft of Johnathan Bingham's, Delve! zine.  On top of that Matt Jackson sent me some excellent maps for the upcoming issue of The Manor.  So it's been good busy.

My destruction of electronics and machines continues.  Over the weekend I was not only able to blue screen my computer a half dozen times, but I also had the fun of blowing out a fuse if I put the light on in the bathroom because our air conditioner is running full tilt.  I guess it's aim for the best and listen for the splashing water.

I busted my pencil sharpener of 20+ years.  I loved that sharpener.  Those who know me well, know that when I use pencils they much be deadly sharp.  I bought a new one at Staples and its so weak.  My old one attacked pencils.  It hated them.  It would have destroyed them all if given the chance.  "I hate you pencils!" it would scream as it ate a inch off in a second.  The new one introduces itself, asks if the pencil would like a something to drink and then apologizes if it shaves off too much.  I like mean pencil sharpeners.

Oh, and I broke the bluetooth ear thingy.  Ivy said 'Your big, fat ear broke it."  My ear is not fat. 

Because of all the computer problems I ordered a new one.  Should be shipped out the first week of June.  I was also going to get MS Office Professional, but they said a new version would be out this fall.  Here's the kicker.  At the store the program is $500.  However, if I was a student or a teacher I can get it for $100.   I'm still paying student loans that should count.  So I may have to find a willing dupe at work with a college account and no motivation to improve themselves.  Shouldn't be hard to find.

Holiday weekend is over.  Time for work.  Time to go.

Lost in PA

Sometimes I don't understand people.  I was walking through the office on Thursday and I saw my boss lady putting a bunch of items in a box.  She has several Simpson characters and little toys from various things she has collected or been given.  The perverted stuff stays in her desk.  She has a lot of perverted stuff.  I pointed at what caught my eye, "What are you doing with that?"

"Throwing it out."

"What?!"  I grabbed it out of the box.  "I'll take it."  She called me weird.  This coming from a woman who has two blow up dolls in her desk drawer.

Anyway this is what I found.

It works.  "Danger Will Robinson.  Danger."

Yeah, I'm weird.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Putting a Jigsaw Puzzle Together in Water

Weird title. I like it. It was something I said to Ivy when we were talking about putting together a zine in MS Word. When I add one element into the mix the other parts disperse, and I have to spend time gathering them and putting them together...again.

 I'm not the most technologically up to date person. I never joined My Space when it mattered, don't tweet or Facebook. Not because I'm a curmudgeon, it just serves no purpose for me. This blog does what I like. Hell I even joined Google+ despite my initial urge to resist it. One of the things that irks me is when you have a perfectly functioning program (like Blogger) and they feel the need to fuck it up (like Blogger) because a 12 year-old had an idea during a wet dream. When I updated Skype recently it screwed up a lot.

Wait. I do have a point here. Somewhere. Oh, the jigsaw and water. I've recently DLed a trial version of MS Publisher. A program I last had in '95 I believe. I used it a lot back then. So I thought I would give it a try. Wow. Does it make putting together the zine much easier. I'm no longer in the kiddy pool, but over by the slide in the sandbox moving pieces around. One change does not make the other parts go bonkers.

I'm sure everyone out there knew this, but me.

 I did try the free programs out there, but didn't like them. I tried to do the newsletter in my fancy program, but didn't like it. Could never figure out the scale. Anyways, using MS Publisher should help cut down on my time producing my zine. I can spend more time coming up with ideas and polishing writing and pandering for artwork.

 It's my new toy to play with this weekend.

How Long Would You Live?

Gamquistu - Games, Quizzes and Stuff.

Found this test over at The Ramblings of a Great Khan. Apparently I took the wrong test first and discovered I could also beat up 42 girl scouts. Good to know.

Failures in Gaming this Week

I'm not talking about the public D&D playtest.  My group had a chance to play it in the first round and we had a good time, but that had more to do with the group than system.  The name they throw around is D&D Next.  I think a more apt name should be D&D Here We Go Again.  I haven't been keeping up on all the details of who said what, who left, who stayed and why.  Frankly, I don't care.  The system is no mystery.  Another version of itself.  My point of interest is more aimed at their (WotC, Hasboro) attitude toward their clientele.  If its something akin to the past few years I won't bother with the system.  I hope they're friendlier to 3rd party publishers in short.  Until then, I'll sit back and watch it unfold.  The system itself won't determine if I get involved, but the SRD. 

The failures I am talking about is my own gaming.  My god, I've been slammed with glitches these past couple weeks.  This weekend, Secret World apparently has too big of balls for my computer.  I can play for 20 minutes then boom, blue screen.  My 360, thought I would play some MW3, after 20 minutes BOOM! it shuts down with two red lights.  Something I need to find out what it means.  Monday night game is cancelled because one guy has to wine and dine his boss another had electrical surges through his house.  Wednesday night that hasn't even happened yet was cancelled due to one going to a convention and another is recovering from a cold.  Apparently I was not mean to game.  The conscious ether is telling me to work on Issue #2.  Which I did and lost all my edits in one of the blue screen crashes.  Now I have it saved on a flash drive.

I believe I rolled a 1 for gaming this week.

Manor #1 Numbers

Slogging away on Issue #2 I saw another sales notification come in from RPGNow.  The first issue of The Manor has sold 80.  The breakdown is 42 print and 38 PDF.  I'm very glad I went for the PDF because it seems to be a popular option.  I would love them to all be print because I love putting the zine together.  The physical act of lining up the papers, getting the cover just so, using the long arm stapler, putting each into a envelope and putting the creepy butterfly stamp on it.  The whole act is cool.  Of course I've only did a few dozen.

Christian over at Loviatar just sent out his 1000th copy.  WOW!  Congrats Christian I would love to hit that goal. 

Sleestak Sunday...Lurker's Revenge

This fantastic piece by Bactate must have been inspired by Angry Lurker's hatred for the sleestak.  But I want to remind Lurker.  Even though the head is not attached, its eyes can still see you. 

Check out Bactate's other drawings.  I love "They call him Mr. Touchdown".

I'm doing some work on The Manor #2 today.  I plan on getting the feature piece completely edited.  And yesterday Matt Jackson added a fantastic map to the mix.  Oh, there is something going on in that ruin.  At night you can hear the ground rumbling.  It's as if the world itself is angry at something. 

And a little something on the way out.  It's not easy doing Sleestak Sunday and sometimes you need to make hard decisions.

Map Time!

Another map while watching another movie.  The scanner didn't to a good job of picking up the colors, but something I will try to work out.  I tried something a little different this time.  Instead of using one line for elevations change I used two.

Have a great Saturday Night. 

Neoclassical Geek Revival, a True Old School System

Just bought Zzarchov Kowolski Neoclassical Geek Revival on PDF over at RPG Drivethru. I believe Zz has been running games using his system on Google+ for a while. It's a great home-brew system with a lot of cool additions. To me, Zzarchov's system is what building your own old school system is all about.  If you get a chance pick it up. 

Here's the link, Neoclassical Geek Revival.  It will ask you to allow Adult Content so you can look at the naughty bits.

Listen to the Guy with the Shotgun

Sometimes when your sitting in a room where its contents are more expensive than you'll ever make in a lifetime, you get a little pissy.  Sure lady the steak was good, the expensive wine tasted like wine and the big guy at the door I imagine doesn't look all that big when he's lying on the floor with two broken legs.  Then Mama V. flaunted her checkbook.  A salve to savage temperament.  "Bring Vivian to justice and I'll write you a check for any amount as long as its not ridiculous." 

Creskin and Don were smoothing her over.  I think she would eat them both alive and spit out their shiny shoes, but it is amusing to listen to them.
  
We caught the boat men with some necromancer who needed a bath.  He said the body was John V.  Kept saying darling.  Greasy necromancer said he was betrayed by someone he loved.  I imagine that is not an uncommon experience with these rich folk.  After all was said and done, necromancer was helpful.  I liked that.  Mental noted.

Bliss was next on our visits.  After a big steak and wine I usually like to nap, not meet up with extraterrestrials in a city being consumed by another dimension.  But Boris is flexible.  I'll nap later.  Bliss came he wanted the glow ball Creskein had.  Lots of talking.  Lots of bargaining.  Bliss admitted it was Vivian who sent the gargoyles after us.  This is a theory Boris put out to the group.  They say, Boris go clean your shotgun.  Sometimes the shiny suits do as my mother used to say, "You can't put square thinking into round problem."  They think square.  Boris think all shapes until evidence forms shape. 

Now we plan on confronting Vivian.  Don and Creskin talked about shooting her.  I've seen them shoot.  She should be fine.  Now Ivanka and I may take a turn, but its the gargoyles.  The gargoyles are the problem.  Where I am sure there is going to be surprises from the lady, I know the gargoyles can take a shotgun blast and barely flinch.  This does not fill one with confidence.

Last mission note.  Don keeps calling up Team Victory.  Making 'V' signs with his fingers.  I like this.  Makes me laugh. 

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Loviatar's 9th issue does!

So somewhere in the shuffle of stuff I did not post my thoughts on the latest issue of Loviatar.  To you not so smart people who have not subscribed to it, get an automatic +1 boost in Intelligence for doing so.  And there is a cumulative 10% of each issue read your Wisdom will increase. 

I reread it recently and think its Christian's strongest offering.  The entire issue is dedicated to another hex.  Hex 005 to be exact.  It is a very, very cool hex.  As a GM you have a lot to play around with, a lot of intricate relationships going on coupled with some great detailed locations.  I won't go into too much detail because I'd rather you experience it in Christian's words.

The best part.  There is a sequence in the Knockers tunnels that fucking rocks.  It is seriously good stuff.

I would be a bad person if I didn't mention the incredible artwork of Jay Penn.  He's done all the artwork for the issues, but he really out did himself in this issue.  Look at that cover if you don't believe me.  Tell me Morgan Stringman doesn't look like he couldn't shoot the pucker out of a gnat.  I dare you.  Jay also has a handful of excellent interior art pieces that elevates the already great setting.

Yeah, I know sounds like a lovefest.  I don't care.  It's a great issue.  Probably my favorite.  Great job Christian.  Looking forward to the Cthulhu stuff.

The Cover of Issue #2

I took off some time this weekend to play Secret World (MMO) and think its good.  It'll be released in June.  Also during the weekend I was fill out some orders for the first issue of The Manor and talking to a couple people about the second.  And jotting down ideas for future issues.  I've got a mock cover made for the second issue made and more than half of the second issue is written I just need to edit it.  Boy does it need it. 

This charming guy was drawn by Emily.  Someone I work with.  During a boring training she started doodling portraits of the bored people around us.  Afterward I asked if she would like to help out.  She was part of my newbie group and jumped at the idea.  

A few post ago I did one on map comparisons featuring Hugo's Healing Potions.  Well, meet the lovely face of Hugo.  In the second issue you will get a fully developed specialty healing shop you can plop into any fantasy type campaigns.  Includes the map, personalities involved, shop description and adventure hooks.  And probably my favorite feature of it is my Random Customer table.  So when the players walk into the shop, it has a life going on.

Those of you who received the first issue and like Oren's Boots should really like this entry.  Both are version of the way the old CityBooks from Flying Buffalo used to make.  I've always been a huge fan that series.  So Hugo's Healing Potions and Oren's Boots are my tip of the hat to them.