Category: Reblog Round up !

Convention season in the Southeast begins shortly after the new year starts and I have been looking over all the local and regional conventions to fill out my calendar with great convention experiences. So far, I have found several (see the top of the page) that are on my “to go” list, but there are several regional conventions (they shall remain nameless) that are not on my list for good reason. The regional uptick in Pathfinder Society (PFS) games is getting ridiculous!

Before you flame me, I have played Pathfinder and PFS and it’s not a horrible game, but I have issues with the PFS presence at conventions. See here for a previous blog I wrote.

Ok, now onto my newest observations. Several regional conventions are overly bloating their RPG schedules with PFS games. While a large-ish presence of any game is typically a good thing, but when you are advertising…

The Stealer of Children
Author: Peter C. Spahn
Artist: Luigi Castellani (art) & Tim Hartin (maps)
Publisher: Small Niche Games
Page Count: 31
Binding:  Saddle Staple
Available Formats: Softcover & PDF
Cost: Softcover – $4.95 & PDF – $4.95
Company Website: http://tinyurl.com/pzwjlkv

PREMISE
As your heroes approach Leandras Row they are thrust into the growing hysteria over a missing child, but before the hysteria they must ponder the significance of an undead knight. Leandras Row finds itself embroiled in a nightmare, a child has gone missing from the night and the town is scared others will go missing. The townsfolk should fear the disappearance of more children for they are helpless against that which lingers in the night. This adventure focuses on investigation and finding solutions to the situation.

PRESENTATION
The module weighs in at a hefty 31 pages cover to cover (PDF) and it is jammed packed with lots of…

So begins the series, DMing 101 – Genres. You may recall a few weeks back I presented you with a quick summary of how to create a very real “Horror” feel in game, and for the next few weeks (until the series goes on hiatus for a little while in January) I’ll be giving the same advice on how to build other genre-styles, building from the very emotions that you should strive for.

Let’s get the genre series kicked off with a classic!

Dungeon World is another widely popular Apocalypse World hack that can stand on it’s own two feet. The game has quite a following to boot! The folks over at Bundle of Holding just launched a great collection of books and adventures for Dungeon World. For well under $20 you can get over 1,500 pages of DW goodness.

I can atest to the DW rules being solid and fun. Definitely well worth the price of admission. I have played DW a few times and everytime it was a great experience. I look forward to more DW games in the very near future. Now to find a little extra cash to buy this bundle.

~ Modoc

I went by the biggest of the local gaming stores recently on a Friday evening. I was horrified to find not a single RPG being played on, of all days, a Friday evening. What’s the meaning of this? I used to recall a time when there was several small groups that would meet there on Friday evenings to play. Not to mention all the miniatures games that used to get played on Fridays there as well. Out go the Roleplayers and in their place was a room filled with Magic the Gathering players.

I am all for the continuation and the expansion of the hobby in all directions, but to the exclusivity of just one aspect? I totally get the MtG players pay money to play and Roleplayers are, at best, paying for  the table space and maybe some snacks. The same can be said for all other forms of…