tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56292593763003645062024-03-18T21:41:49.414-05:00Wine and SavagesSean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.comBlogger707125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-45126073995668736042022-07-08T12:00:00.012-05:002022-07-08T12:08:03.000-05:00FREEDOM SQUADRON Now Available on DriveThruRPG!<p></p><h1 style="text-align: center;"><b> The Freedom Squadron October 2021 product line is now available on DriveThruRPG!</b></h1><h2 style="text-align: center;">Click on each picture to follow an affiliate link to purchase and support <b>Wine and Savages</b>!</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/393186/Freedom-Squadron-Field-Manual?affiliate_id=10771" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Freedom Squadron Field Manual" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="656" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAHbLnunKJtG1X4DPpKXxpjgcQfHpO_-q5hQ_ORywUSuQxGxVg-eCVWpsJY0Z5bLuT5XUp2lXAJV-sa8DWBg94o9aSbYRmi-sMa30H1U_3gUvVfGuKYfEsSxChX7Gj0gFMYk9HetH4MlGyuqK5PP6_YhScOVTL7qAZmv_aaIa0dwoa5LBSi_Ru94n/w233-h320/field%20manual%20cover.jpg" title="Freedom Squadron Field Manual" width="233" /></a><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/390589/Freedom-Squadron-Friends-Foes-Manual?affiliate_id=10771" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Freedom Squadron Friends/Foes Manual" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6O020rLSrZwqOe6En0LKeONR8KVfFiLqHCPvswRuk1eHeWBTiVfua2vk5cXkHahY0iXzqtJTrwUTloGxP6RsKa8ecZ8QzQOdkn0mf_oscpn_KgJg9W6nkOD6xLx77c5mAWBwRbbCY6LU_lU7eTgp2pykmePiMrkrWQ_xLPs60T_3jWzwURUk3jtMI/w256-h320/friends%20foes%20cover.jpg" title="Freedom Squadron Friends/Foes Manual" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/393184/Plans--Operations-Revised-Deck?affiliate_id=10771" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Plans & Operations Revised Deck" border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="825" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFV4MO11imXhgsJkkz5VK380TuVo5pXZU9xl_GlTV-FtBoQ59npSIWQCAjc6CpRHgnnYRZPJMMjtOmfROPJTnIpzXosnRxws5rGx7aQ5YriK9LfXwVRUqvN5Q8ySW5_YWdgo4FyjnvO3ACtyBcIMKHZ4fRJVtLEJSVmUUvjysIwtWnMLtzoAbuG78/w235-h320/p%20and%20o%20revised%20cover.jpg" title="Plans & Operations Revised Deck" width="235" /></a><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/393316/Freedom-Squadron-VTT-Tokens?affiliate_id=10771" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Freedom Squadron VTT Tokens" border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="544" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN008mnpVvekr3oPCXnoeA9oJvL_CrOBP86qcY2TXENVLzBszU1fwCtRgTvpZpSu5ufz5Q1XhORtGWVEf61HC_FbRvkxgMmYR1BI6pDZIIXXL2RwPEHtIhWasdhJkLw4uy6BBlBYusD6OzU9rn_Id96wsnZva8jMpKdaAJGyoRSq_OO90mXZU8jOnR/w249-h320/VTT%20Tokens%20cover.jpg" title="Freedom Squadron VTT Tokens" width="249" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/384488/Freedom-Squadron-VENOM-Agent-Generator?affiliate_id=10771" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Freedom Squadron VENOM Agent Generator" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="586" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pzuPYjdXlMqXmBM3aBvFgD6s5kM6hj8wvCylJ2CW8miM5MZi2EwPod6e9E4EBpYa6s4DHWeTHor2WpFOtbzmGMZPz8AOZYRXPfY1dB_YgUdpZYer30L3MciKknTLP5IIDjIJLBA7nB0-J5U6LgicPeowc1-SjWnJWtNgfxFKM-Obu_yZlmKylsoB/w208-h320/venom%20agent%20cover.jpg" title="Freedom Squadron VENOM Agent Generator" width="208" /></a><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/393303/Project-AWESOMESecret-in-the-Ice?affiliate_id=10771" style="clear: right; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Project: AWESOME - Secret in the Ice" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="588" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoqUL9MX8caK9_2CJU5EfVnkhWJr4H92K9N53yK5ImXQnBDqAsvC0npf0bBmBgsSTtYH3sPQ-guTn2afvujEgzMUK9DfhhzExI9I5bGumRsWs2aBGBPxVWLnlt1uLzCFybxRjltfwklQET_vmA5rzDH7y_mEdR9_ueUF_c_oZJ9M7v2j5Ti6x7B85/w209-h320/secret%20in%20the%20ice%20cover.jpg" title="Project: AWESOME - Secret in the Ice" width="209" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/393308/Project-AWESOMEGlamor-and-Glitter?affiliate_id=10771" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Project: AWESOME - Glamor and Glitter" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="589" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vlQPjbaS3Rm1vvjF-O2qFWJ4XLX3BFB79lNK9ip3xyrwoN_2bCTV3V5QL-1ifBrCdoGwtL1Rhb5LM7baiL57KFsvZvtdIklPBqjCA22scFDsDSjTW3DYPJ9XbScTW51yN3-3GlYyxa3-851Q8iIhMpW52s5AyQ1mGtUK7yjnV1CFQkNyPSKI0bxk/w209-h320/glamor%20and%20glitter%20cover.jpg" title="Project: AWESOME - Glamor and Glitter" width="209" /></a><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/393312/Project-AWESOMERoboCons-Arise?affiliate_id=10771" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Project: Awesome - Robo-Cons, Arise!" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="582" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8960EU7Xzvrzo6ziiAW4DSVKSULi8X8MFR4QaHg_59NbMZzlsIYmvKZFwkUa_IzP70Q7CF77uHYfCCZ70VFzNv6h6kf6rPw3tXl9JYJFCbetNar0UavjJfk5ecdzjje23j8rtCIWrVxY0Zi9QwLgNXQWXW_tVFbFwY6es4cYh4J4Oyrn0EU7V-AK/w207-h320/robo-cons%20cover.jpg" title="Project: Awesome - Robo-Cons, Arise!" width="207" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><em><div style="text-align: left;"><em>FOR FREEDOM!</em></div></em></h4></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">The year is 2051. World War III only ended two years ago. Even as the world rebuilds from the conflagration, a massive organization engages in a terrible conspiracy to bring humanity to their knees. <strong>VENOM</strong> uses military might, criminal undertakings, weird science, occult mysteries, and economic warfare to attack humanity and install their mighty leader, VENOM Commander, firmly in control of the world.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br />Enter <strong>Freedom Squadron</strong>, an international special mission force under the auspices of the United Nations. Composed of elite soldiers, sailors, pilots, special agents, first responders, and more, Freedom Squadron is dedicated to protecting the Earth from VENOM and other terrible forces and strange, mysterious dangers.<br />Based on the board game <em>VENOM Assault</em> from SpyGlass Games, <strong>Freedom Squadron</strong> brings high-octane military action-adventure to <em>Savage Worlds</em>!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br />The <b>Wine and Savages</b> team of <b>Sean Tait Bircher</b> and <b>Robin English-Bircher</b> acted as lead developers for this new, revised line. Every book was either co-written or edited by us and represents two years of work. the entire game line has been overhauled for <i>Savage Worlds Adventure Edition</i>.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br />The new <em><strong><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/393186/Freedom-Squadron-Field-Manual?affiliate_id=10771" target="_blank">Freedom Squadron Field Manual</a></strong></em> core rulebook contains everything you need to get started: new core rules like Vocation Frameworks, new Edges, new Gear, and stats for villains, vehicles, and heroes! The<b><i> </i></b><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/390589/Freedom-Squadron-Friends-Foes-Manual?affiliate_id=10771" target="_blank"><b><i>Freedom Squadron Friends/Foes Manual</i></b> </a>contains additional player options and a full bestiary of allies and foes! Combine these with the <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/393184/Plans--Operations-Revised-Deck?affiliate_id=10771" target="_blank"><b><i>Plans & Operations Revised Deck</i></b></a>, <b><i><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/384488/Freedom-Squadron-VENOM-Agent-Generator?affiliate_id=10771" target="_blank">VENOM Agent Generator</a></i></b>, and the <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/393316/Freedom-Squadron-VTT-Tokens?affiliate_id=10771" target="_blank"><b><i>VTT Tokens</i></b></a> for the complete core package!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br />Project: AWESOME is a multi-part Plot Point Campaign introducing wild new concepts to the setting! Recover a mysterious artifact in <b><i><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/393303/Project-AWESOMESecret-in-the-Ice?affiliate_id=10771" target="_blank">Secret in the Ice!</a></i></b>, engage in an awesome band battle in <b><i><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/393308/Project-AWESOMEGlamor-and-Glitter?affiliate_id=10771" target="_blank">Glamor and Glitter</a></i></b> to have that artifact decoded, and wrap thing up with the arrival of giant shapechanging robots in <b><i><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/393312/Project-AWESOMERoboCons-Arise?affiliate_id=10771" target="_blank">Robo-Cons, Arise</a></i></b><i><b>!</b></i></span></div><p></p>Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-8026198904326372512021-10-08T08:39:00.001-05:002021-10-08T08:39:18.134-05:00The FREEDOM SQUADRON Field Manual has funded!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6nUWilGzUtHbg5i-_HFscCnC6LkCtnuP5T8Fr-FFvJEtXCk9KVX1K-Ph4LWVocTOdSg5bIy_hx-rIM_zcO8KORsZB8UnJGrVUVaKGrawQ6vI3iw5jfN2ETV5sag9oSj-smtigCTWMCs/s2048/hollow_point_reverse.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6nUWilGzUtHbg5i-_HFscCnC6LkCtnuP5T8Fr-FFvJEtXCk9KVX1K-Ph4LWVocTOdSg5bIy_hx-rIM_zcO8KORsZB8UnJGrVUVaKGrawQ6vI3iw5jfN2ETV5sag9oSj-smtigCTWMCs/w640-h640/hollow_point_reverse.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #282828; font-family: "Maison Neue Book", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 2.9rem; margin: 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">We hit our funding goal yesterday! Now on to the stretch goals!</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #282828; font-family: "Maison Neue Book", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 2.9rem; margin: 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Our first stretch goal is <span class="text-italic" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="bold" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Project: AWESOME - Secret in the Ice!</span></span>, the start of <span class="text-italic" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="bold" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Freedom Squadron</span></span>'s first classic <span class="text-italic" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Savage Worlds</span>-style Plot Point Campaign! This chapter - by fan favorite creator Ross Watson (<span class="text-italic" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Accursed, TORG: Eternity, Warhammer 40,000</span>) - turns it up to eleven with an explosive mission that uncovers things man was not meant to know! Intended as an ultimate tribute to the cartoon origins of <span class="text-italic" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="bold" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Freedom Squadron</span></span>, <span class="text-italic" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="bold" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Secret in the Ice!</span></span> has chases, deathtraps, revelations, and combat against impossible odds!</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #282828; font-family: "Maison Neue Book", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 2.9rem; margin: 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Future chapters of <span class="text-italic" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="bold" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Project: AWESOME</span></span> lean more directly into the Plot Point Campaign's mission statement of "<span class="text-italic" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="bold" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Freedom Squadron vs. The Toys That Made Us</span></span>." Help us unlock <span class="text-italic" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="bold" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Secret in the Ice!</span></span> so you can find out more about what that means! Pledge at <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/freedomsquadron/freedom-squadron-friends-foes-manual">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/freedomsquadron/freedom-squadron-friends-foes-manual</a>!</div><p></p>Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-88611007407108522432021-10-05T11:36:00.002-05:002021-10-05T11:36:50.142-05:00FREEDOM SQUADRON Kickstarter is go!!!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-hoH29eclA693lGIylE3Ztw7s-bC-oFC-LK3cAwB1eT8AUutLB-nNs_0hLjvl7MXUsWh-ZQvB4QYJFwvFt5I_qQCMwEsSFXuagHiTeUAxQU3xAYPXX14rRKUJhFNda8t-aULULGMFvg/s1224/player_cover02_web.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1224" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-hoH29eclA693lGIylE3Ztw7s-bC-oFC-LK3cAwB1eT8AUutLB-nNs_0hLjvl7MXUsWh-ZQvB4QYJFwvFt5I_qQCMwEsSFXuagHiTeUAxQU3xAYPXX14rRKUJhFNda8t-aULULGMFvg/w640-h560/player_cover02_web.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />The new <b>FREEDOM SQUADRON</b> for <i>Savage Worlds</i> Kickstarter has launched! Follow <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/freedomsquadron/freedom-squadron-friends-foes-manual?fbclid=IwAR2h7xqRuVXP-f8-vKh6Hwh1KgsJojZo9ewbSM1Lq3kjPfoYgDXjNXXAKhk" target="_blank">the link</a> to back it and tune in to <a href="http://twitch.tv/evilbeaglegames">twitch.tv/evilbeaglegames</a> for a livestream chat with Sean Tait Bircher and Robin English-Bircher as we demo building characters and answer your questions!<p></p>Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-79450342954783996362021-10-04T12:48:00.001-05:002021-10-04T12:48:03.057-05:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqEmgyHaHyWAJc1X9tt9iPYN_qUWk4Jz6aIoEIM9ls91UMxtMK4O2-76uKep881YIzlX96EtJ_MoOS8qHrkwmsK_9zY8rKa3wpAqNte88brlbHcMBVewdkrCY-zC_fqgBi0u5Q15Ss1U/s2048/powder_keg_Final.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqEmgyHaHyWAJc1X9tt9iPYN_qUWk4Jz6aIoEIM9ls91UMxtMK4O2-76uKep881YIzlX96EtJ_MoOS8qHrkwmsK_9zY8rKa3wpAqNte88brlbHcMBVewdkrCY-zC_fqgBi0u5Q15Ss1U/s320/powder_keg_Final.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Another change coming to the Field Manual is an expansion of Focuses, with example Focuses provided for every skill. In addition, some skills--like Demolitions--get expanded descriptions and mechanics.</div><p></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><b>Demolitions (Smarts)</b></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The Demolitions skill allows heroes to place and set off explosives for maximum effect, as well as find and defuse explosive devices. While a Demolitions expert can blow up or blow through anything given enough time to set the proper charges, use the Breaking Things rules to do so in combat (see Savage Worlds).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Authorized personnel in Freedom Squadron are issued Demolitions Packs as part of their loadout. This set of explosive components and related paraphernalia has a total of 12d6 to distribute into bombs of varying sizes (4d6 max for a single bomb). One d6 can be sacrificed to increase the damage dice to d8s, while a second d6 can be spent to make them d10s. All such bombs are Heavy Weapons and use whichever of the three Blast Templates the creator wishes.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Building an explosive device during combat cost one action per two dice of damage and requires a separate Demolitions roll per action. A 2d6 damage bomb takes 1 actions to build; a 4d10 damage bomb takes 3 actions.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Demolitions can be used to set assembled antipersonnel mines, antitank mines, and other bombs. A successful Demolitions roll is sufficient to place the explosives and any triggering device. If the explosives expert is on Hold and wishes to interrupt another character’s action with a remote-control detonation, another Demolitions roll may be needed.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Explosives can be set during combat to breach doors and walls. Place a Blast Template with the door or wall to be breached at the center; creatures within the Template take damage from the explosion, though those on the far side of the obstacle receive a Cover bonus equal to the Toughness of the obstacle (see Cover & Obstacles in Savage Worlds).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Focuses:</b> Bomb Disposal, Building Implosion Techniques, Compressed Gas, Cooking, Incendiaries, De-arming, Depth Charges, Dismantling, Disposal, High Explosives, Improvised Explosive Devices, Landmines, Obstacles, Shaped Charges, Thermobaric Bombs, Weak Points.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;">DEMOLITIONS EXPERT</h3><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>REQUIREMENTS: Novice, Demolitions d8+</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The world is so much more dangerous with VENOM in it, making experts with bombs and explosives a vital necessity to Freedom Squadron. A Demolitions Expert gets one free reroll on any rolls made to set, identify, disarm, and create explosives, as well as using explosives to bring down structures.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;">BREACHING CHARGE</h3><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>REQUIREMENTS: Demolitions Expert</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The use of directional shaped charges reduces the danger when forcing entry into VENOM hideouts. When you breach a doorway or wall with Demolitions, targets within the Blast Template on your side of the obstacle receive half damage.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;">BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE</h3><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>REQUIREMENTS: Demolitions Expert</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">You know how to sound out the weak points of any object. When Breaking Things (see Savage Worlds) with explosives, you get a bonus damage die from a raise on your Demolitions roll and your damage dice Ace.</p><div><br /></div>Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-58616693624926063052021-10-04T08:36:00.006-05:002021-10-04T08:36:50.899-05:00FREEDOM SQUADRON Preview: Advanced Cybernetics<div style="text-align: justify;">One of the design goals with the new <b><i>Freedom Squadron</i></b> is to move away from players and GMs needing anything besides the core <i>Savage Worlds</i> rules and your <i><b>Freedom Squadron</b></i> books. As part of that, we're coming up with our own flexible, intuitive cybernetics rules.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yYvzdCUO5e4qZLoMzWeYyHClPtB47i3KlY2TkayHd7X1xA8_PYhuw2-QLvGB82hlBHBzTMo-Ofi-dUmB5OSErBXSC183VND7RIutfeJS1DA7Rx58STq-yh1b33U_69YY236v6Nkcoz8/s2048/hardcore_COLOR.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yYvzdCUO5e4qZLoMzWeYyHClPtB47i3KlY2TkayHd7X1xA8_PYhuw2-QLvGB82hlBHBzTMo-Ofi-dUmB5OSErBXSC183VND7RIutfeJS1DA7Rx58STq-yh1b33U_69YY236v6Nkcoz8/s320/hardcore_COLOR.png" width="320" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">ADVANCED CYBERNETICS </h2><h3 style="text-align: left;">REQUIREMENTS: Novice </h3><div style="text-align: justify;">One or more of your organs and/or limbs have been replaced by an advanced cybernetics system, bestowing superhuman abilities. You are better, faster, or stronger than before. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">You receive 9 Gear Points that you can use to purchase the effects of this cybernetic system. Common uses are an increase to a Trait, additional Toughness, or to replicate the effects of another piece of equipment (such as the Evil Beagle Scanner).
This Edge may be taken multiple times, replacing a different limb and/or organ each time. Additional uses of the Advanced Cybernetics Edge only grant 6 Gear Points, however. Gear Points gained from Advances or Special Mission Rewards may be used to further enhance the cybernetic system. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Advanced cybernetics are susceptible to interference from electromagnetic pulses (EMPs). You suffer a –4 penalty to resist the effects of weaponized electromagnetic fields and an extra 4 points of damage from EMP grenades and similar weapons. This penalty does not stack if you take the Advanced Cybernetics Edge again. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Gear Customization </h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Freedom Squadron heroes not only gain their Code Name when they reach Seasoned Rank, but they can also start seriously customizing their Gear Kit to their personal tastes. Customization costs Gear Points, and all such changes should be cleared with the Game Master.
Three Gear Points equate to one point of positive racial abilities or Power Modifiers (see Savage Worlds). Gear customization can be applied to a single piece of personal equipment or a single vehicular system. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">In addition to the options in Savage Worlds, players may also choose the following: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Value Ability </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>3 <span>G</span>ear Points Damage (3):</b> This adds +1 Damage to a personal weapon or vehicular weapon system every time it is taken. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>3 Gear Points Half Weight (2):</b> This halves the weight of a piece of armor, a weapon, or a a piece of equipment every time it is taken. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>3 Gear Points Skill Bonus (2/skill):</b> Heroes in Freedom Squadron may spend 3 Gear Points to gain a +1 bonus with a skill rather than the +2 specified by the racial ability. The cap on skill bonuses from a single piece of gear remains +2. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When choosing the Edge racial ability, multiple instances of Edges that can be purchased more than once count as “Ranks beyond Novice” for purposes of cost. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>For example: Robin decides to spend some of the Gear Points belonging to Black Cat, her Occult Ops warrant officer, to purchase a medallion imbued with multiple uses of the Power Points Edge. The medallion itself has no in-game value so it costs 0 Gear Points. The first use of the Edge costs 6 Gear Points (the equivalent of a Novice Edge). The second use costs 9 Gear Points (the equivalent of a Seasoned Edge) and so on.
Apply common sense when determining the benefits of customization. A bespoke rifle might add +2 to Shooting rolls, but it could not grant a bonus to Strength. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Advanced Technology Manual will offer the Advanced Bion, a cybernetics-based Framework. The Advanced Technology Manual and Occult Operations Manual will also offer more insight into high tech options and occult equipment.</div>Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-17942872095349839122021-10-03T13:13:00.000-05:002021-10-03T13:13:17.593-05:00FREEDOM SQUADRON Friends/Foes Manual and Field Manual Launches October 5th!<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix771fV0EIGliYUdxwmQNH7hxkJdXFfMak7ZuZj__RFbLd6qzl1z8D_rKm896Yxxq6V5GJPiG-GmjCbU4FHn1eMFy0uRyrDLYTqWr2o2I2OPZiouMt-_Ln5eFjDSt-rUo0niBmyj1Mwjw/s960/242808920_1536180063409626_4166752121745052521_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix771fV0EIGliYUdxwmQNH7hxkJdXFfMak7ZuZj__RFbLd6qzl1z8D_rKm896Yxxq6V5GJPiG-GmjCbU4FHn1eMFy0uRyrDLYTqWr2o2I2OPZiouMt-_Ln5eFjDSt-rUo0niBmyj1Mwjw/w640-h360/242808920_1536180063409626_4166752121745052521_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">The FREEDOM SQUADRON Friends/Foes Manual and Field Manual Kickstarter launches on the 5th!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">What have we been up to all this time?</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We've been writing and editing books.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b><i>FREEDOM SQUADRON</i></b>--the military action-adventure setting from Evil Beagle Games for the Savage Worlds rules system--returns with a new Kickstarter on October 5th! This new edition overseen by the Wine & Savages of Robin English-Bircher and Sean Tait Bircher leads off with the all-new Friends/Foes Manual and the revised Field Manual!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US">FREEDOM SQUADRON</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US"> by Evil Beagle Games gives Savage Worlds players an exciting new
world of military action-adventure based on the SpyGlass Games board game VENOM
Assault and inspired by military toy and fiction franchises like “Eagle Force,”
“G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero,” and “Megaforce.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">In the year 2053, the United Nations-backed
special missions force Freedom Squadron battles VENOM, a criminal and terrorist
conspiracy dedicated to the downfall of human civilization. Engaging in
military and humanitarian missions worldwide, the air, land, sea, and space
forces of Freedom Squadron recruit experts from across the world and all walks
of life to thwart VENOM’s tangled schemes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">The original release of <b><i>FREEDOM
SQUADRON</i></b> incorporated several of the innovations lead developer Sean
Patrick Fannon created for Rifts® for Savage Worlds. Creating heroes in <b><i>FREEDOM
SQUADRON</i></b> begins with choosing a Vocation Framework (such as Guerilla
Fighter, Ninja, or Soldier) and then rolling for additional bonuses on the
Hero’s Journey tables (such as Close Quarters Combat, Intelligence, and Search
& Rescue). After that, players can choose from dozens of new Edges, new
equipment, and high-tech vehicles as they arm their heroes to take on VENOM!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">Originally released in 2018, <b><i>FREEDOM
SQUADRON</i></b> now returns in a fully SWADE-compatible edition coming to
Kickstarter on October 5<sup>Th</sup> from Sean Tait Bircher and Robin
English-Bircher (“Dawn of the Daikaiju,” “Rippers Resurrected: Expedition
Amazon,” Rifts® for Savage Worlds: <i>Arcana & Mysticism</i> and <i>Blood
& Banes</i>). Central to the crowdfunding campaign is the all-new <b><i>FRIENDS/FOES
MANUAL</i></b>, a guide to the villains and heroes of the VENOM Assault world.
The <b><i>FRIENDS/FOES MANUAL</i></b> includes new Frameworks (including the
Ex-VENOM Agent, Officer, and Soldier of Fortune) and new Edges (such as
Covering Fire, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, and Kung Fu Grip), making it a
must for players and Game Masters alike!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">As a special add-on to the Kickstarter
campaign, backers may also purchase the <b><i>FREEDOM SQUADRON FIELD MANUAL!</i></b>
This volume combines the previously released <b><i>COMMANDO’S MANUAL</i></b>
and <b><i>PLANS & OPERATIONS MANUA</i></b>L into a single, SWADE-compatible
volume. The <b><i>FIELD MANUAL</i></b> serves as a consolidated core rulebook
for <b><i>FREEDOM SQUADRON</i></b>, incorporating new vehicles and new
characters for both Freedom Squadron and VENOM.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: times;">Stretch goals include the first three chapters
of “Project: AWESOME”—a Plot Point Campaign introducing wilder and weirder
ideas to the <b><i>FREEDOM SQUADRON</i></b> universe—as well as VTT tokens, a
custom Action deck, and more! Backer tiers include the chance to create new
characters to fill the ranks of Freedom Squadron! </span></span></p>Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-70331687630164453262019-08-17T15:37:00.000-05:002019-08-17T15:37:55.925-05:00Wine and Savages Update<br />
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So, been a little quiet around here lately.<div>
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Since Sean's last post in March, we found ourselves constantly busy. Thought we wold get everyone caught up.</div>
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Savage Rifts</h3>
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Our part in development decreased earlier this year. However, the first of the play test books--Arcana and Mysticism--released recently. Backers of the North America Armageddon have access to the pdf and can make comments via the Pinnacle Entertainment Group (PEG) forums. Right after release, both of us appeared on an AMA for Savage SavageRifts.com. </div>
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You can check out the AMA here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkWPcAT9NHw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkWPcAT9NHw</a>.</div>
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Rippers Resurrected</h3>
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After our work on Rifts finished, we took on a new adventure for Rippers Resurrected: Expedition Amazon. This new campaign and its many moving parts inspired a lot of ideas and is currently being expanded by others at PEG. </div>
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The Rippers travel along the Amazon and encounter lethal threats from both the mundane and supernatural. </div>
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As it gets closer to publication, we will let everyone know more.</div>
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New Project?</h3>
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After wrapping up the main work for Expedition Amazon, we originally planned to get back to our own projects. The King is Dead was high on the list, as well as my (Robin) new setting Rhapsody: Rock and Roll Revolution; however, a new opportunity came along.</div>
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Though we cannot say much, we can say we worked on a Savage Worlds Licensee setting. We finished our contracted work, including some revising and editing. As soon as we can say more, we will.</div>
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Now What?</h3>
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Though the new project easily has more work for us to do, we are holding to our promise of getting back to our own projects. A modern spy/crime setting is in the works and will find its way to SWAG at DriveThru RPG. And yes, we are getting back to the others.</div>
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Convention Season Coming to a Close</h3>
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We have avoided cons since Chupacabracon back in May. We have one more scheduled for this year--for now. We were invited to another con at the end of October, but we cannot make it as we already had plans. </div>
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We are looking into 2020. Check back for more info.</div>
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GenCon</h4>
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As many know, we skipped GenCon and spent the time in Denver with folks from <a href="http://genghisconcolorado.com/">GenghisCon</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tacticoncolorado/">Tacticon</a>, <a href="https://www.ulisses-us.com/">Ulisses Spiel North America</a>, and <a href="http://www.evilbeaglegames.com/">Evil Beagle Games</a>. Lots of talk of things to come. It was also more restful than GenCon would have been. However, we are considering GenCon 2020.</div>
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Crush the Con</h4>
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<a href="https://www.peginc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/crushfoundation.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://www.peginc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/crushfoundation.png" width="200" /></a>We have a quick con coming up. Crush the Con is having a two-day event the second weekend of September. <a href="https://www.peginc.com/crush-the-con-call-for-savage-worlds-gms/">PEG is sending along some goodies</a> for the charitable event, and both of us are running a game on the main day--Saturday.</div>
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I am running a preview from Blood and Banes--Moby Rex. While members of the Tomorrow Legion explore Dinosaur Swamp, they find why so many people avoid living in the lush environment.</div>
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Sean is running a random adventure for Expedition Amazon. Rippers travels along the Amazon to face the dangers the river holds.</div>
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For more info, check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/461566554618953/">Facebook page</a> or head over to <a href="https://tabletop.events/conventions/crush-the-con">Tabletop Events.</a></div>
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Robin English-Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865910403384173953noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-70544087370819123552019-03-10T15:38:00.000-05:002019-03-10T15:38:06.026-05:00Komodo Dragon at SWAG!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've decided that I'm tired of giving away fun stuff for free and then later seeing other publishers doing work in that same genre, so I'm moving new creative content to the <b><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/27/Pinnacle-Entertainment/subcategory/31696/SWAG">Savage Worlds Adventurers Guild (SWAG)</a></b>.</div>
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Up now is a SWAdE-compatible bestiary stat block and paper minis perfect for South Pacific pulp adventure or stocking your spy-fi villain's menagerie!<br />
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<a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/269227/Wine-and-Savages-Presents-Komodo-Dragon?src=newest_community">Buy <b><i>Wine and Savages Presents: Komodo Dragon</i></b> at DriveThruRPG!</a><br />
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Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-14947969174882278852019-03-10T15:31:00.001-05:002019-03-10T15:31:45.627-05:00Eponinae at SWAG!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've decided that I'm tired of giving away fun stuff for free and then later seeing other publishers doing work in that same genre, so I'm moving new creative content to the <b><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/27/Pinnacle-Entertainment/subcategory/31696/SWAG">Savage Worlds Adventurers Guild (SWAG)</a></b>.</div>
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Up now is a SWAdE-compatible race for matriarchal, miraculous, sapient ponies. It even includes paper minis in a variety of colors!<br />
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<a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/268102/Wine-and-Savages-Presents-Eponinae">Buy <b><i>Wine and Savages Presents: Eponinae</i></b> at DriveThruRPG!</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/268102/Wine-and-Savages-Presents-Eponinae"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmuNEm1V8YT0tOJC-6c-BSlz3NZEF1rtAm84_h46D1wkpna3GRfSoLYMBvYcZ8oM5d63fH7ak5HHVoH9dmCBrZxm5pPOSW-FHmLs6DTJYr2Q8eRgR6J-9C9N1RTpzU2k-XCAfkiWGIBY/s320/Eponinae+Cover.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
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Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-63684946636741703572019-03-10T15:26:00.001-05:002019-03-10T15:26:40.027-05:00MORPHTRANSERBOTS at SWAG!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've decided that I'm tired of giving away fun stuff for free and then later seeing other publishers doing work in that same genre, so I'm moving new creative content to the <b><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/27/Pinnacle-Entertainment/subcategory/31696/SWAG">Savage Worlds Adventurers Guild (SWAG)</a></b>.</div>
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Up now is a <b><i>Savage Rifts</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">®</span>-compatible Racial Framework for robot cars that turn into androids and other things.<br />
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<a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/265676/Wine-and-Savages-Presents-MORPHTRANSERBOTS">Buy <b><i>Wine and Savages Presents: MORPHTRANSERBOTS</i></b> at DriveThruRPG!</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/265676/Wine-and-Savages-Presents-MORPHTRANSERBOTS"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="465" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdkkYh9AnYuwl2l_CWGynhacep9m6rFb97cWflKkqFIQC8diZVR4wwwEMHvE_ooJ2E26A9Csaz-xrQr1_73-8V_A_KhvKmG-eB79G_mcmw3jA2zzZPlk1XRunyeWybYEEg15Ex9ZYTic/s320/Morphtranserbots+Cover.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-86325815620480022632019-03-10T15:21:00.001-05:002019-03-10T15:33:22.927-05:00Ki Warrior at SWAG!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've decided that I'm tired of giving away fun stuff for free and then later seeing other publishers doing work in that same genre, so I'm moving new creative content to the <b><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/27/Pinnacle-Entertainment/subcategory/31696/SWAG">Savage Worlds Adventurers Guild (SWAG)</a></b>.</div>
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My first product is a <b><i>Savage Rifts</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">®</span>-compatible Paradigmatic Framework for <i>Sengoku Basara</i>- and <i>Ninja Scroll</i>-style super-warriors.</div>
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<a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/265251/Wine-and-Savages-Presents-Ki-Warrior">Buy <b><i>Wine and Savages Presents: Ki Warriors</i></b> at DriveThruRPG.</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/265251/Wine-and-Savages-Presents-Ki-Warrior"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKVcSc2k8aGXmPrlj0eDb3aM4aotkSuRRYvK8xtX_bQiDkDSLZDTK-Uya8uBCDTBczZ-MgdonnveFcGVnVEbcg_NJporoqhwwPHD8A4Y4JW5ERGuxP1jm-X7yGX-sTfcHfVEn_usj6Tk/s320/Ki+Warrior+cover.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-73969678166060865592018-12-13T14:19:00.000-06:002018-12-13T14:29:56.867-06:00Freedom Squadron: The Armageddon Agenda<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've started running my <em><a href="https://wineandsavages.blogspot.com/2018/07/freedom-squadron-vs-toys-that-made-us.html">"Freedom Squadron vs. The Toys That Made Us"</a></em> campaign and I just realized that I’m running a campaign in which the only consistent player is myself. </div>
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That’s kind of weird, isn’t it?<br />
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“The Armageddon Agenda” is a metaplot and a separate recurring theme rolled into one series of <em>Freedom Squadron</em> adventures. As I run <em>Freedom Squadron</em> games as James Bond movies (with a cold open action scene that segues into an often merely tangentially-related main plot), the metaplot is covered in the cold open while the main plot carries the recurring theme.<br />
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In the metaplot, the heroes encounter an ominous harbinger of the world of <em>Rifts®</em>. At present, these are merely hints—a secret Argentinean lab experimenting in creating mutant felines, a prototype full conversion combat cyborg—but they’re intended to grow more obvious and direct as the adventures proceed. At some point, the (VENOM-controlled) president of the United States will call for the formation of a North American military alliance separate from the Trans-Atlantic Coalition and the UN—an alliance with the catchy name of “Northern Eagle Military Alliance.” Another adventure will lead to the heroes exploring a Rift. It’s all intended to lead to a crisis where the heroic forces of Freedom Squadron stop Rifts® Earth from ever happening.<br />
<br />
(Or, at least, happening to their timeline.)<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the recurring theme is to mash up <em>Freedom Squadron</em> and its <em>G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero</em>-derived aesthetic with other classic toy properties. The first adventure in the series utilized VENOM Assault’s <em>Transformers</em> analogues, the Robo-trons, but the next adventure homages <em>Barbie</em> (and <em>The Six Million Dollar Man</em>, but that’s more of a throwaway joke). One of the NEMA-related adventures will introduce the equivalent of <em>MASK</em> (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand), another will do a spin on <em>He-Man and the Masters of the Universe</em>. I’ve even got an idea for how to do a kaiju story that doesn’t break the <em>Freedom Squadron</em> universe.<br />
<br />
The weird thing is, though, that I’m very likely the only person who is ever going to see and appreciate the whole weird campaign. Robin will most likely get to experience most of it, but I’ll probably wind up running one of these adventures at a convention sometime, opposite a game she’s running.<br />
<br />
I know half the players I’m not married to who were at the first session of this weird, secret campaign won’t be at the next game (coming up this weekend)—and the half who will be at the game on Saturday won’t be around for the next game during Xmas week. Who knows who will be in the game if I run one during Chupacabracon 2019? And what if I run a game at PAX South 2019? That’s likely to just be a bunch of strangers (unless Clint and Jodi Black want me to GM for them).<br />
<br />
Is this weird? It feels like it’s weird. It feels like there’s something inherently wrong about a campaign where only the GM gets to see the full shape of it. And yet I can’t figure out any logical reason for this feeling.<br />
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It’s probably just ex-Catholic/Generalized Anxiety Disorder guilt and I should ignore it. I’m allowed to have nice things. I’m even allowed to have private things (that I’m compelled to share online). I can have this private joke of a campaign.</div>
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Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-9408505103587310822018-12-01T14:10:00.002-06:002018-12-01T14:18:34.899-06:00Chain Whip-Flail<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>When designing weapons for Savage Worlds, simpler is usually
better. Sometimes, though, you get a really silly idea that needs several
paragraphs to explain.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJs1uphhgDmhzMnDpj9JuW9G5dMMiBPUE9teweGA3EL_8e0iewnGoaljsflrzdghl2ckG57cftU0ysdykJdhuiD0GPPzFhxf2udLiMyoVqM87Z6pbiwQGSU_QJ2Xo2nhz-eD1X7Vpdgmk/s1600/Axe_flail_mace_GIM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="916" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJs1uphhgDmhzMnDpj9JuW9G5dMMiBPUE9teweGA3EL_8e0iewnGoaljsflrzdghl2ckG57cftU0ysdykJdhuiD0GPPzFhxf2udLiMyoVqM87Z6pbiwQGSU_QJ2Xo2nhz-eD1X7Vpdgmk/s320/Axe_flail_mace_GIM.jpg" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gradniki axe, chain whip-flail, mace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Chain Whip-Flail</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>A weapon for The King is Dead, Accursed, and other settings
of Gothic monster-hunting</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">During their long and secretive existence, the secret
society known as the Bloodstained Blade have drawn upon their beginnings in the
ancient imperial gladiator pits to master exotic weapons. The most unusual of
these is the chain whip-flail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The flanged head of a war-flail attached to a long (12’)
chain, the chain whip-flail can be an ungainly weapon in the hands of novices,
but masters of the weapon exult in its versatility. The wielder holds the
handle in one hand and the chain in the other, spinning the weighted head to
pick up momentum. Experts in the weapon easily change grips, lengthening and
shortening the chain—even wrapping it around their own arms and legs to control
its direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Malleus, tradition holds the weapon was originally
imported from the East. Other worlds claim different origins; in the land of
Morden (see <i>Accursed</i>), the Gradniki claim they derived the weapon from the
heavy flails needed to thresh the wheat of Steppengrad.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The hunters of Steppengrad and other similar lands
frequently cast the heads of chain whip-flails from silver in order to better
battle werewolves and similar creatures. In fairy-beset lands like Cairn
Kainen, cold iron is used instead. The vampire killers of Malleus use the
weapon in order to ensnare the undead before closing with a stake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Chain Whip-Flail </u></b><br /><b>Damage:</b> Str + d6<br /><b>Minimum Strength:</b> d6<br /><span style="color: white;"><b>Weight:</b> 12</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Cost:</b> 500</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Notes:</b> Ignores shield
bonus, Reach 2, two hands. Rather than inflicting damage, the wielder may make
an opposed Fighting roll against the target’s Agility or Strength. The target
is Entangled on a success and Bound on a raise.</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Many hunters convert the handles of their whip-flails into
secondary weapons—using wooden handles sharpened into stakes to hunt vampires
or attaching silver dagger blades for werewolves. These stabbing implements do
Str + d4 damage and count as the proper materials for those monsters’
weaknesses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Characters with Rope Monkey (see Buccaneer: Through Hell
& High Water and Pirates of the Spanish Main) and similar Edges may use a
chain whip-flail to swing across battlefields. This requires an Athletics roll
and (as usual) counts as the hero’s movement for that round. See Whip-Chain Warrior
below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Thurible Whip-Flail</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Usually converted from thuribles used in consecrated rituals,
the heads of these chain whip-flails are censers filled with burning incense.
This incense acts as a holy symbol for creatures with that weakness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thurible whip-flails cannot be purchased through
conventional means.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><b>Aspergill Whip-Flail</b></u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Incorporating the head of an aspergillum and the chain of a
thurible, the aspergill whip-flail contains a reservoir of holy water that
dispenses when the aspergillum strikes a solid object. Vampires and other
creatures vulnerable to holy water in a Small Burst Template suffer its
effects. The inexact dispersion of holy water means an aspergill whip-flail may
be used d4 + 2 times before needing to be refilled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Aspergill whip-flails cannot be purchased through
conventional means.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Sunburst Whip-Flail</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This enchanted whip-flail produces a flash of sunlight when
it strikes an undead or supernaturally evil foe. On a successful hit, the
wielder rolls the sunburst whip-flail’s Spellcasting; a success on this roll
activates an instantaneous use of the <i>light</i> power (the power does not last for 10 minutes as usual). Vampires and other
vulnerable creatures within a Large Burst Template suffer the effects of
sunlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The sunburst whip-flail possesses Spellcasting d8 and holds
up to 10 Power Points.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>New Combat Edge<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Whip-Chain Warrior<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Requirements:</b> Seasoned, Agility d8, Fighting d8, Two-Fisted<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The chain whip-flail becomes an even more flexible weapon in
the hands of this practitioner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>By gripping further up the chain or wrapping the excess
portion around their arm, the Whip-Chain Warrior may shorten the Reach of the
weapon to 1 or 0, making it more effective in tight quarters.</li>
<li>They may use the handle of the chain whip-flail as a second
weapon. If they forego attacking with the handle in a round, they may instead
use the chain and handle as a shield (+1 Parry).</li>
</ul>
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Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-23296246653266385952018-11-23T17:07:00.001-06:002018-11-23T17:08:11.350-06:00Savage Rifts®: Colonel Heydath IlorcaOur thanks to Sean Masters for having us on the <i><a href="https://voiceofhopepodcast.podbean.com/e/savage-rifts-voice-of-hope-podcast-episode-17-experts/">Savage Rifts</a></i>®<i><a href="https://voiceofhopepodcast.podbean.com/e/savage-rifts-voice-of-hope-podcast-episode-17-experts/"> Voice of Hope</a></i> podcast. To celebrate, here's the character Sean Tait Bircher played on the program, offering a hint of what's to come with adapting characters to <i>Savage Worlds Adventure Edition</i>!<br />
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<b>(WC) Colonel Heydath Ilorca</b><br />
<i>D’Norr Rogue Scholar</i><br />
<b>Attributes:</b> Agility d8, Smarts d10, Spirit d10, Strength d6, Vigor d10<br />
<b>Skills:</b> Academics d10, Athletics d6, Battle d8, Common Knowledge d10, Driving d6, Fighting d6, History d10, Intimidation d6, Notice d6, Occult d10, Persuasion d10, Research d10, Riding d4, Shooting d6, Spellcasting d6, Stealth d6, Survival d4, Taunt d6<br />
<b>Hindrances:</b> Driven (Minor—Prove herself the equal of Erin Tarn), Mild Mannered, Vow (Major—serve the Tomorrow Legion)<br />
<b>Edges:</b> Arcane Background (Magic), Charismatic, Elan, Scholar (Occult), Investigator, Nerves of Steel, Quick, Streetwise, Strong Willed<br />
Hero’s Journey: +2 to Common Knowledge rolls; +2 to Common Knowledge rolls based on geography and understanding the people and places of North America; +2 on Networking and Survival rolls in North America.<br />
<b>Languages:</b> American<br />
<b>Racial Abilities:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Distinctive D-Bee:</b> –4 to Persuasion rolls when dealing with Coalition citizens.</li>
<li><b>Personable:</b> +2 to Persuasion rolls.</li>
<li><b>Restricted Path:</b> No capacity for psionics and cannot access ISP.</li>
<li><b>Sensitive:</b> –2 to Fear checks.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Powers:</b> <i>Detect/conceal arcana, empathy, speak language</i>. <b>PPE:</b> 20.<br />
<br />
Heydath Ilorca grew up amid the Techno-Wizardry of Arzno, attending school at the Arzno Weapons Manufacturing complex. Though Heydath excelled at academics, she found herself bored and frustrated by the applied magics courses. Abandoning her schooling, she instead joined the Arzno Mercenary Corps, where she found limited career opportunities as an intelligence officer.<br />
<br />
When the AMC sent forces to aid Tolkeen, Heydath Ilorca accompanied the team as a liaison for Tolkeen’s D’Norr population. Disillusioned and horrified by the war, Ilorca resigned her commission and helped some of her fellow D’Norr escape to Magestar. From there, she joined some of the routed combatants seeking new purpose with the Tomorrow Legion.<br />
<br />
Heydath Ilorca rose quickly through the ranks, using her intimate knowledge of Arzno to help prepare the Legion’s first diplomatic mission to the heretofore unknown potential ally. She led an expedition into the Magic Zone, finding great success at opening relations with various Fadetowns (even if her overtures toward Dweomer were largely unsuccessful). Though seen as a prim martinet by many of her colleagues, she nevertheless delivers results.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Robin English-Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865910403384173953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-28844332805004942722018-07-31T08:15:00.000-05:002018-07-31T11:38:53.984-05:00Freedom Squadron vs The Toys That Made Us<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #1d2129; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #1d2129; mso-ansi-language: EN;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ygm5ELLPmO1zQ0O7unLtOrxyHIe7a_bL8Fq_EIFXzaNZQCwNBhW05YO74-0kp0AGHFVIBg0kY8-mlZ9exqzgdLKMxpDafVfwP_ahr-N3VxSHxl88YbWYC5Apm-HJL3LQmoDhLl3Ezwk/s1600/the-revolution-is-here.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ygm5ELLPmO1zQ0O7unLtOrxyHIe7a_bL8Fq_EIFXzaNZQCwNBhW05YO74-0kp0AGHFVIBg0kY8-mlZ9exqzgdLKMxpDafVfwP_ahr-N3VxSHxl88YbWYC5Apm-HJL3LQmoDhLl3Ezwk/s320/the-revolution-is-here.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.idwpublishing.com/the-revolution-is-here/">https://www.idwpublishing.com/the-revolution-is-here/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #1d2129; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: black;">
<span style="color: white;">The irritating thing about having both a normal full-time
job and a part-time gig writing RPGs is that it doesn’t leave much room for
actually playing RPGs (especially if you have anxiety like me and just have no
spoons to give after a day’s work). I really want to start a regularly-meeting
in-person campaign again—and as much as I know I should use that time to
develop <em><strong>Savage Rifts®</strong></em> or <em><strong>The King is Dead</strong></em>, what I really want to do is run
<strong><em>Freedom Squadron</em></strong>.</span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: white;">Specifically, I want to run a <em>Freedom Sq</em>uadron campaign
where every adventure is a crossover with another ersatz ‘70s/’80s toyline. I
was goofing around with this on Facebook the other day and came up with the
following adventure seeds:</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><em><strong>The Six Million Dollar Man:</strong></em> The team rescues a
highly-regarded agent who has been horribly mangled. FS super-scientists save
his life by turning him into basically a Rifts® Full Conversion Cyborg—but then
he goes rogue! Is he a traitor or the victim of VENOM brainwashing, and what
does Sasquatch have to do with it?</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><em>Barbie:</em></strong> When the president has a photo op with the pilot of
the first NASA FTL flight, the press goes nuts over how much they look alike.
Soon it becomes apparent that scores—possibly hundreds—of women (in just as
many professions) worldwide appear to be clones of each other. What kind of
sicko is carrying out this bizarre genetics program, and is POTUS the unwitting
donor or a clone herself?</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><em>TMNT</em></strong> (and its knock-offs): After a cold open in which the
team rescues Catamount from a South American VENOM gene-splicing facility
(where he gets Low-Light Vision after an infusion of Wally’s DNA), the team
heads to New York to investigate rumors VENOM’s ninjas are training uplifted
animals and splicer soldiers in the arts of ninjutsu!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><em>Jem</em></strong>: This would be basically a redux of the G.I. Joe episode
“Cold Slither,” but with the Misfits working for VENOM. No need for alternate
dimensions or anything (though maybe allow players to run both their own
characters and the ersatz Holograms).</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><em>He-Man/Silverhawks/Thundercats/Etc.:</em></strong> I kinda already made up
a setting blending He-Man, Silverhawks, Thundercats, and a few other
sci-fi/sword and sorcery toylines. This epic, multi-part adventure would be a
classic planetary romance allowing the Freedom Squadron team to assume the
mantle of the He-Man-like characters. I’d probably give anybody who wanted it
the choice to leave their commando behind on EDEN3 and spin-off a game set
there.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><em>
</em></strong></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><em>MASK</em></strong>: The player’s Freedom Squadron heroes conduct wargames
against a new team with weird, transforming vehicles—but it turns out one of
the new team is a traitor trying to arrange for VENOM to steal the prototypes.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><em>
</em></strong></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><em>Inhumanoids</em></strong>: The basic concept fits well with the weird
Venom-La mythology of the setting, and it’s basically just Cthulhu vs power
armor anyway, so this practically writes itself. I’d just have all of the
characters take power armor boot camp early in the mission.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><em>Care Bears/My Little Pony/Rainbow Brite</em></strong>: While attempting to
communicate with EDEN3, the team is instead transported to a world of talking
magical animals in rebellion against a formerly-beloved princess who has
succumbed to the powers of darkness—in the form of a seductive VENOM sorcerer!
The cold open could lay the groundwork by having some of VENOM’s magicians
carrying Power Point reservoirs filled with rainbow-colored mana.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><em>Shogun Warriors</em></strong>: I never read the Marvel comic that tried to
give a bunch of robots from different anime a shared storyline, but it was
basically just Pacific Rim before Pacific Rim, right? I see no reason I can’t
squeeze Kaiju into FS Earth. Hmm… This would probably be a great chance to pit
a wannabe Godzilla against one of Freedom Squadron’s mobile bases. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><em>
</em></strong></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><em>Star Wars/Battlestar Galactica</em></strong>: Just when it seems things
can’t get any more epic than fighting giant monsters, the arrival of a space
fleet ends the campaign with the revelation that the Venom-La/human conflict is
only a microcosm of a struggle that began a long time ago in a galaxy far, far
away.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1d2129; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-61590380143995970062018-07-04T11:37:00.002-05:002018-07-04T11:37:54.558-05:00Unsolicited Pitch for Indiana Jones 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVOGoDG9Q5Kjoupsf6mZQlwx9eHAFk8MGu-gQEmZbHuTMgRdOONzVP7hpfRUbyxjwmEXcdW1qe2RlSqRvlbLxOjroTiyuB0rQ8zSvMgMFxzbVU9-DHCDc8U1nETjjMxwz8J47ZsdNS0s/s1600/indiana_jones_crystal_skull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="928" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVOGoDG9Q5Kjoupsf6mZQlwx9eHAFk8MGu-gQEmZbHuTMgRdOONzVP7hpfRUbyxjwmEXcdW1qe2RlSqRvlbLxOjroTiyuB0rQ8zSvMgMFxzbVU9-DHCDc8U1nETjjMxwz8J47ZsdNS0s/s320/indiana_jones_crystal_skull.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">We open in the jungles of Vietnam with a
title card proclaiming the date as the late 1970s or early 1980s, both creating
a Spielberg causal loop and setting the film firmly amidst the “In Search Of…”
era of interest in mysterious phenomena. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Two beefy heroic-looking guys are led by a
small, unassuming Asian woman through various pit traps, unexploded landmines,
and other dangers in a sequence reminiscent of the opening of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raiders of the Lost Ark</i>. One of the
beefy guys is Harrison Ford look-alike Anthony Ingruber, the guy a lot of
people wanted to play young Han Solo; at one point he reacts in fear to a snake
and mercilessly kills it. The two guys speak to the woman solely in Vietnamese
this whole time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Finally, they arrive at their quest’s end
deep in a lost temple. Instead of a grand treasure, however, there’s only the
body of an Army photographer, crumpled in a corner. The two dudes begin
complaining at the woman about the lack of treasure while she bends reverently
over the body. She examines the dog tags and they reveal this to be the corpse
of Henry Walton Jones III (AKA “Mutt” from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kingdom
of the Crystal Skull</i>). The woman—suddenly revealed to be <b>KELLY MARIE
TRAN</b>—says “Hi, Dad” and pulls the Indiana Jones fedora out of his rucksack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Oh, you speak English now?” says Anthony
Ingruber. “Where’s this treasure, huh? How are we getting paid?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">The woman played by Kelly Marie Tran stands
up, straightening her shoulders, shedding the meek persona she’s worn. We see
the famous Indiana Jones whip hanging at her belt (where it’s been this whole
time, of course; our attention was just drawn elsewhere). She turns to the
mercenaries.</span>“Sorry,” she apologizes charmingly. “I just
needed somebody to carry the body. You’ll still get paid. I’ve got cash?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Not good enough,” he responds, going for
his gun—but not as fast as she goes for the whip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">An echoing whip-snap sends birds fleeing
from their nests. The “Indiana Jones March” starts, beginning a montage that
sees our heroine escorting the laden mercenaries at gunpoint out of the jungle
and ultimately to Marshall College, Connecticut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Cut to a college amphitheater, where Indiana
Phượng Hoàng Jones (yes, her given first name is “Indiana”) is accepting her
doctorate. Harrison Ford and Karen Allen are there as Indy’s grandparents, with
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Futurama</i>’s Lauren Tom as Indy’s mom.
There’s a gag about Indy’s mom being happy that Mutt could be there to see it,
revealing a bone-white rounded object we first take to be his skull but is
actually just a jar containing his ashes. The original Indiana Jones tells Indy
how proud of her he is and thanks her (with much subtext) for bringing home his
hat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">In ways I’m not getting paid to figure out,
the adventure that follows springs out of something Mutt photographed during
his last mission in Vietnam. Indy inherits the hat and Henry Jones Jr. loses an
eye. Much action, much adventure, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtg0sIXP8dnqGHLGBgHIm2TUjApiOfKg6BRvZWBU3bYOVogUhTz6uxWpVi698Cp0LxJCxPa6JvptFd-aRtyGisvWdqIgXJrvG374b73o2LpVsjXP0MFbF_mB79wwki3LihN0Ic9tikrQ/s1600/kelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtg0sIXP8dnqGHLGBgHIm2TUjApiOfKg6BRvZWBU3bYOVogUhTz6uxWpVi698Cp0LxJCxPa6JvptFd-aRtyGisvWdqIgXJrvG374b73o2LpVsjXP0MFbF_mB79wwki3LihN0Ic9tikrQ/s400/kelly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spielberg has said he's thinking about a woman to replace Ford, after all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-56158159868362174372018-06-22T12:40:00.001-05:002018-06-23T11:12:19.811-05:00Fast and “Fury”-ous<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg60AmSpYRlNVF0XsY_tNjzHEf7rU1jOrMP7DL0mNlWyICxI4-eAdLz1dHc_l7A5TmS3EBwZjdepvh6qH9w9iVyiFU-4jv9Xnbppwl9oHF8fr1c1gAiVhFf67m7VmgPYhNdc6K4uuBl_c/s1600/six+gun+fury.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="767" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg60AmSpYRlNVF0XsY_tNjzHEf7rU1jOrMP7DL0mNlWyICxI4-eAdLz1dHc_l7A5TmS3EBwZjdepvh6qH9w9iVyiFU-4jv9Xnbppwl9oHF8fr1c1gAiVhFf67m7VmgPYhNdc6K4uuBl_c/s320/six+gun+fury.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Evil Beagle recently provided me promotional copies of
Leonard Pimentel’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Magnum Fury</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Six-Gun Fury</i>. No expectation of a review
was discussed, but since I feel like writing a blog post and I don’t have a lot
of time to come up with something more creative, I’m going to review them anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Built on a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Powered by
the Apocalypse</i>-adjacent engine, both games set out to emulate
competency-porn action—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Magnum Fury</i> in
the ‘80s action movie mold, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Six-Gun Fury</i>
in the Western style. Action resolution is much looser and seat-of-your-pants
than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">PbtA</i> games, making the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fury</i> games weirdly perfect for both creative-minded
RPG novices and veterans. There are no “Moves,” so certain kinds of newer
players who like a more video game-like set of options may find themselves at
sea, but fanfic writers and players who don’t like being told what they can and
can’t do will enjoy themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, the success resolution scale favors player characters succeeding
more often than in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">PbtA</i> games. I
appreciate this immensely, because I’d rather run games starring John Wick*
than Ted “Theodore” Logan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Character creation is simple in both games, though simpler
in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Magnum Fury</i>. Players arrange an
array of genre-appropriate stats, choose an archetype (which has more bonuses
and choices in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Six-Gun Fury</i>), fill in
some background fluff to give the GM something to work with, and jump into the
action. Players familiar with the games (and genres) should be able to slap
characters together in fifteen minutes or less, making both <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Magnum Fury</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Six-Gun Fury</i> perfect for hard-cider-and-GF-pretzels gaming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I ran <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Six-Gun Fury</i>
last weekend and the players one novice and several veterans) took to it
quickly. Even Robin, who has a grudge against Westerns from a childhood filled
with parents forcing them on her, enjoyed it and really got into her remorseful
Stone Cold Killer character. Admittedly, the game ran toward the zany, gonzo
side of action-adventure, but… um… that’s what I do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If I had the time and energy, I could easily see running a
weekly pick-up <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fury</i> game. The GM sections
of both books emphasize improvisation, providing colorful random adventure
generation tables and recommended filmographies. My only objection (as is usual
with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">PbtA</i> and adjacent games) is that
the GM doesn’t really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">play</i> with
everyone else; as the dice-rolling is all in the players’ hands, the GM becomes
much more a literal storyteller, which is something I can only enjoy doing in
moderation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But that’s much less of a complaint here than in my limited
contact with other storygames. Both <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fury</i>
games emphasize having a rollicking good time, so it’s easy to just sit back
and react to players’ absurd actions. I look forward to the official release of
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Six-Gun Fury</i> and wonder what Leonard
Pimentel will create next.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWctd84HgsyDwDnvSHYT8URpVqLkPo_gt6ANpqOMvHwREdrnkY9lWD-c8SG_JUzQ6QDovAz0saKLoy9XaxoN-H07as1F1LGfGVm70VPVTIuQhH3BYdghCizJGZKQ1eSjISKP2NO_NrcE/s1600/magnum+fury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="695" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWctd84HgsyDwDnvSHYT8URpVqLkPo_gt6ANpqOMvHwREdrnkY9lWD-c8SG_JUzQ6QDovAz0saKLoy9XaxoN-H07as1F1LGfGVm70VPVTIuQhH3BYdghCizJGZKQ1eSjISKP2NO_NrcE/s320/magnum+fury.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Action movie character John Wick, not game designer John
Wick, obviously. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-7852981426997203712018-06-13T10:46:00.002-05:002018-06-13T11:05:10.830-05:00Savage Rifts Playtest Update: Too Many BUGS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtZk6UlO7Fqxwq1c8HhcZ4DYc39jLu1rIr6ajdoMVMRYsfhQOYkSYluyrqOPQE91Phn0fU76k1zIR5lXl0L1PKBWs5zSayBVr8kWRFTHAXM9AbI4Gzbtva1eKORsTwDSsvfXFN_IY4Qvo/s1600/Rifts+Gm+Screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="1600" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtZk6UlO7Fqxwq1c8HhcZ4DYc39jLu1rIr6ajdoMVMRYsfhQOYkSYluyrqOPQE91Phn0fU76k1zIR5lXl0L1PKBWs5zSayBVr8kWRFTHAXM9AbI4Gzbtva1eKORsTwDSsvfXFN_IY4Qvo/s400/Rifts+Gm+Screen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sean and I went down to one of our many gaming stores -- Court of Gamers -- to run a playtest of Savage Rifts. Gathered around the table were 5 members of the San Antonio Savages, my long-time friend Tomas, Sean, and myself. We tested out all of the new adult Xiticix, several new Iconic Frameworks, and an adventure. It was a good learning experience.<br />
<br />
The game was pretty straight-forward. The Tomorrow Legion headed out into the Dakotas to help refugees from Tolkeen. New settlements risked invasion by expanding Xiticix Hives.<br />
<br />
When they reached a village, a group of Deathbringer Tribe Psi-Stalkers and their necromancer -- Shizuka Kun -- asked for their help to take out a new hive nearby. Of course, they accepedt the challenge.<br />
<br />
They rested the night in the village. Kun shared information garnered from reconnaissance into the hive. The Vampire in the group turned to mist and checked it out himself, bringing back more info. The heroes' Ethical Necromancer spent time communing with the dead and raised a security detail of six skeletons and two zombies<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQFGdicOfDHhOvC3QnLFVnsVMEgDt8GhQ5M-v77ovd7Y-3KNS1MP6oJKXl4Hsql9Ulx3WfBPcYGkDzb2HyhI4u8gH_7lKYJUnTp3kn1lm0iI3c6de0IMbV2YvRyzjZlT49bQJBdTq9adI/s1600/tomorrow+legion+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="285" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQFGdicOfDHhOvC3QnLFVnsVMEgDt8GhQ5M-v77ovd7Y-3KNS1MP6oJKXl4Hsql9Ulx3WfBPcYGkDzb2HyhI4u8gH_7lKYJUnTp3kn1lm0iI3c6de0IMbV2YvRyzjZlT49bQJBdTq9adI/s200/tomorrow+legion+cover.jpg" width="141" /></a>In the morning just as they began to head out, a young boy and some horses came racing into the village. A patrol of Xiticix followed close behind. A few members targeted the Xiticix Super Warrior leading the patrol, and others sought out the Warriors. It did not take long for them to realize the Super Warrior was their greatest threat; their Rahu-Man Cyberknight took on the task alone but found himself lacking. The Vampire used <i>fear</i> and sent over half of the Xiticix Warriors running, freeing up team members to help fight the main threat. After a long arduous battle, they defeated all of the Xitcix and were on their way.<br />
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Lucky for them, Shizuka Kun had time to dismantle the Xiticix. She provided Xiticix armor and scent. This proved useful when the heroes chose to sneak into the hive, evading the guards. That was until the Xiticix caught wind of the Rahu-Man who had been sprayed by one of the Xiticix. A tough battle ensued as some on the outside took on the guards (lead by the Necromancer and Knight of the White Rose. The others--including the Rahu-Man, Vampire, Wilderness Scout, Zapper, and Cyber-Horseman--took on those in the main shaft. It was a slog, but they made it through.<br />
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The Vampire made it through first. Using his wiles, and desire to be out of the sunlight, he sunk deep into the hive. There he kept the Young Queen's small guard busy until others joined him below. And in a single swing, the Queen was dead and the Xiticix were running.<br />
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<b>I learned 4 lessons as I ran that game:</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Dhi5QsJM8Yo5BDFEpYuzMygLMBJM_hRH1dsCyG5LVLjvILCeq1m5DHy1x25C8EuqF8OUiHZGPUY67k0CAY0I5Gc1vP5RGPGBEqzrZXTHwV06ri6CvH7sQKkXQwa4a0jPXE9lYIO3F8tb/s1600/xiticix+hunter+online.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="469" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Dhi5QsJM8Yo5BDFEpYuzMygLMBJM_hRH1dsCyG5LVLjvILCeq1m5DHy1x25C8EuqF8OUiHZGPUY67k0CAY0I5Gc1vP5RGPGBEqzrZXTHwV06ri6CvH7sQKkXQwa4a0jPXE9lYIO3F8tb/s200/xiticix+hunter+online.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
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<i>Lesson 1:</i> Xiticix are tough! The Super Warriors are serious business, but they should be. The Workers, Diggers, and Leapers are a reasonable challenges without being a pain. Nannies and Queens may need some work.<br />
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<i>Lesson 2:</i> Clarify some material for the Iconic Frameworks. We tried out quite a few, and for the most part, they worked. There are kinks, but they are looking good. The Ethical Necromancer has lots of potential, and our player really helped show that. The Vampire is REALLY complicated. Thankfully, Sean played that character. That one is going to be tough.<br />
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<i>Lesson 3:</i> Novices cannot take on a hive, no matter how new. Small bands of Xitcix work. Equal number of Warriors or Hunters is fine. If a Super Warrior is thrown in, the fight must be carefully choreographed. I think I may have figured that out though. The other less combat oriented are good fodder to make a party feel good -- but for the most part, they should be.<br />
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<i>Lesson 4:</i> People are really looking forward to Savage Rifts. So our deep drives back into the books is a good thing. Hopefully, we can have more options that players are looking for.<br />
<br />
Now on to the next playtest. Sean and I get to run Savage rifts as long as we want for Free RPG day at Multiverse Games. We will definitely be running a revised vampire game, as for the others with a new MARS package. As for the others, who knows.<br />
<br />Robin English-Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865910403384173953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-68268766176160303652018-05-17T11:17:00.002-05:002018-05-17T11:17:41.405-05:00Wine and Savages Team Now Co-Lead Developers for Savage Rifts®<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tbylbgV6s15bjqKDvqB5rUO8wyP_niE_05sYkDk07wX2cX0eKhQ3ztMrM5anPep2c5ZRPnJvGLCwFCOCqHb7QCfW-5Ob4sbxtY8FK-_JLno-OOJcaLQGD3TrqKsjizBHk7vuCA4Wleo/s1600/Savage_Rifts_Logo-e1460930211895.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="1200" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tbylbgV6s15bjqKDvqB5rUO8wyP_niE_05sYkDk07wX2cX0eKhQ3ztMrM5anPep2c5ZRPnJvGLCwFCOCqHb7QCfW-5Ob4sbxtY8FK-_JLno-OOJcaLQGD3TrqKsjizBHk7vuCA4Wleo/s400/Savage_Rifts_Logo-e1460930211895.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">While most interested parties already know
this, Robin English-Bircher and I have combined forces with Sean Roberson as
Lead Developers for Pinnacle Entertainment Group’s <i>Rifts® for Savage Worlds</i> line. This is, bluntly, the biggest, most
awesome thing that has happened in our short RPG careers and we intend to bring
all the dedication and creativity we can muster to this role. As Pinnacle CEO
Shane Hensley stated in a recent update to the <i>Savage Rifts®</i> Kickstarter:</span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi
friends!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US">We've
been talking a bit about the upcoming </span></i><span lang="EN-US">Savage Rifts®<i> books on our Facebook page and the </i>Savage
Rifts® Facebook<i> page and thought we
should point it out to you… <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The short version for those who don't want to
hunt down the threads is that three new books are in layout now and we hope to
launch them later this year once art, approvals, and a bit more playtesting are
in place.</span></span></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wanna
know what they are? Here you go!</span></span></i><ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rifts®
North America: Empires of Humanity</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rifts®
North America: Blood & Banes</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rifts®
North America: Arcana & Mysticism</span></li>
</ul>
<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We'll
tell you more about them soon, including what's inside and where we'll focus
next!</span></span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US">We've
also secured a new team to take over management of the line and speed things
along a little faster, including Sean Roberson, Sean Bircher, and Robin
Bircher, whom some of you may have seen host the </span></i><span lang="EN-US">Savage
Rifts®<i> panel at the recent Chupacabracon
game convention in beautiful Austin, Texas!<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The three of us took over as head writers
and editors on </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Empires of Humanity</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
and </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Blood & Banes</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> last
year—Roberson heading </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">EoH</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and us
taking over </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">B&B</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">—while Robin and I
also wrote at least a quarter of </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Arcana
& Mysticism</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">. The books are coming along swimmingly; I personally hope
to engage in some of that playtesting in the next few weeks, as I really want
to see some more people’s reactions to some of the new Iconic Frameworks and
M.A.R.S. options.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For all three of us, this is our big break. Trust
us to pour all our energy and excitement into <i>Savage Rifts®</i>. We want you to have as much fun playing it as we
aare having developing it.</span></span></div>
Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-16198669223266299632018-05-13T17:37:00.002-05:002018-05-13T17:37:35.887-05:00Savage World of Jane Austen Characters<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmlWdE-3puev00KH-dgWa5-nVfCXgeZ6Je_7oIJ1iBWR4vj3YFEpkVCZXtxSNK0NhkilUuaeTUP1T2Q2hS7Se7osFDpmz0B1u9lSzAcwUsZgicPpyFb-yI3emdmssLTsI4Yh7HGaNLGwR/s1600/PrideandPrejudiceCH18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="578" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmlWdE-3puev00KH-dgWa5-nVfCXgeZ6Je_7oIJ1iBWR4vj3YFEpkVCZXtxSNK0NhkilUuaeTUP1T2Q2hS7Se7osFDpmz0B1u9lSzAcwUsZgicPpyFb-yI3emdmssLTsI4Yh7HGaNLGwR/s400/PrideandPrejudiceCH18.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quizzing glass in action</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As promised, the character sheets for the<b><i> Savage World of Jane Austen</i></b> game I ran at Chupacabracon V. I removed the character art (because I didn't own it) so feel free to insert pictures of your favorite version of the characters when you run the game. "Standing" and "Courtesies" work remarkably similarly to Rank and Favors in <b><i>Rippers Resurrected</i></b>, while the Wealth Die expands on similar rules in <b><i>Accursed</i></b> and <b><i>Shaintar</i></b>. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately for the blog (but fortunately for my pocketbook), I literally just accepted a short turnaround editing assignment and can't expand on anything more at this time.<br />
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<br />
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/pk0bep5edelq72t/Savage%20World%20of%20Jane%20Austen%20Elizabeth%20character%20sheet.pdf?dl=0">Elizabeth</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/inj8i050pyz71tg/Savage%20World%20of%20Jane%20Austen%20Darcy%20character%20sheet.pdf?dl=0">Darcy</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/sh46vatiqehcli8/Savage%20World%20of%20Jane%20Austen%20Jane%20character%20sheet.pdf?dl=0">Jane</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/8z6smlddq7ften4/Savage%20World%20of%20Jane%20Austen%20Bingley%20character%20sheet.pdf?dl=0">Bingley</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/6hpcuqmfpc40qjj/Savage%20World%20of%20Jane%20Austen%20Lydia%20character%20sheet.pdf?dl=0">Lydia</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/zr1ykxf8hupvfkj/Savage%20World%20of%20Jane%20Austen%20Wickham%20character%20sheet.pdf?dl=0">Wickham</a>Robin English-Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865910403384173953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-13452964331400171062018-05-08T16:17:00.001-05:002018-05-08T20:16:11.457-05:00Report from Chupacabracon V<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-L8QJdfYaaROFj6LBJ3T3B9g_n8DSoUVtVeaSbdt3hG2uoY6WLvBpsN8zkPedjlpPt36HbGG6uC3UukWbv556kSGfnvGh0D0du4SBgr4M1UWDsoJr3t16J6TqwtH0v0c8Sg8A986h2I/s1600/chupa2018Banner_web.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="820" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-L8QJdfYaaROFj6LBJ3T3B9g_n8DSoUVtVeaSbdt3hG2uoY6WLvBpsN8zkPedjlpPt36HbGG6uC3UukWbv556kSGfnvGh0D0du4SBgr4M1UWDsoJr3t16J6TqwtH0v0c8Sg8A986h2I/s400/chupa2018Banner_web.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, that was a weekend and a half.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chupacabracon V has come and gone—and I am
exhausted. Part of this this is due to the fact that I had to go on a liquid
diet yesterday (the Monday after the con) for an endoscopy and colonoscopy
today in order to get officially tested for celiac disease. Part of this is due
to sleeping very badly in hotels. Much of it is due to the weekend being a
whirlwind of events.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since I’m having a hard time stringing
things together narratively, let’s just bullet point this sucker:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Robin decided to start a new Chupacabracon
tradition by hosting a drinking tour of Austin-adjacent boozeries on the
Thursday before the con. The only people able to join us were Nicole Lindroos
and Chris Pramas of Green Ronin, but we had a great time. We visited two of the
absolute best places in the state (Texas Keeper Cider and Andalusia Whiskey), commiserated
about recent troubles over great booze, and finished off at Pecan Street Grill
in Johnson City. It was great to make new friends outside of the Savage Worlds
circle.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Speaking of friends, Ross Watson told us
that night that he’s hoping to find more work for us soon on <i>Warhammer 40,000: Wrath & Glory</i>. Have
I mentioned that Robin and I edited most of the corebook? We did; it was fun and
challenging.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I watched most of <i>John Wick: Chapter 2</i> while trying to wake up on Friday. I hadn’t
been able to talk Robin into seeing either movie in the theater, renting them,
or buying them, but I think she’s now intrigued by their slick setting.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Friday segued into surprising (yet also,
sadly, expected) news from Shane Hensley and Jodi Black, asking us and Sean
Roberson to pitch ideas for the third set of <i>Rifts® for Savage Worlds</i> books. We were also given permission to
speak more openly about what’s coming up in the second series, leading Roberson
to suggest we host a panel to replace the missing <i>Freedom Squadron</i> panel.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Friday afternoon allowed me to test out a
new <i>The King is Dead</i> adventure,
taking a more espionage-focused tack than usual. Everyone had a good time; Roberson
and I actually got to game together. Like everyone who has ever played the
character, Roberson had a blast playing Illuminated scoundrel Walther Leigh; I
never really planned on having “iconic characters” for TKiD, but Leigh has
definitely earned it.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Robin ran <i>Savage Rifts</i></span><i>®. </i>She might well be the only woman to receive a writing credit for that setting (so far). Her game previewed some of the vampire content from <i>Blood & Banes</i>. I made her some Chango the Chupacabra minis. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Friday night was the charity game. Ed Wetterman
stepped in at the last moment to run game designer <a href="http://johnwickpresents.com/updates/the-worst-adventure-of-all-times/">John Wick’s least-favoriteadventure</a>. I was in the audience while Robin joined Ross, Cam Banks, Steve Muchow, Wendelyn Reischel, Jack Norris, and <a href="http://www.brandonpeterson.com/blog/">Brandon Peterson</a> in a very slaphappy jaunt through the dungeon. The highlight for me was Robin and Ross deciding their elfin characters were perfectly happy getting spat out of the Tomb of Horrors naked but alive, and then wandering off to frolic in the forest.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIp6yaZFRKu7sXfXlR3L-apPekGJayAXkKwZbemAfjf3X1N2l5tVGnElpas2_-QfoWwG7pCeySt9FPsrnBHzZY-xhhZgOsX7ameQBoFqWv-EBY8phY9evDMT1wRkd4C5N8n26OrD0-l0/s1600/IMG_3670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIp6yaZFRKu7sXfXlR3L-apPekGJayAXkKwZbemAfjf3X1N2l5tVGnElpas2_-QfoWwG7pCeySt9FPsrnBHzZY-xhhZgOsX7ameQBoFqWv-EBY8phY9evDMT1wRkd4C5N8n26OrD0-l0/s320/IMG_3670.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We went to the Green Ronin panel at some
point on Friday or Saturday. There’s a city book for Aldis in <i>Blue Rose</i> coming up; we’ll definitely
give the setting another shot after we buy that. Pramas announced a Dungeon
Masters Guild-type setup for the AGE System is in the works. I’m looking forward
to <i>Modern AGE</i>, and I hope the terms
of Green Ronin’s community content platform allow me to make something a little
more R-rated than what Pinnacle prefers for <i>Savage
Worlds</i>. (Maybe a stylish crime setting?)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saturday morning, Robin, other Sean, and I
hosted our <i>Savage Rifts®</i> panel.
Jeffrey Gordon livestreamed it on Facebook; I think you can still find it
there. In short, the next three books are in final edits but don’t expect them
until after a few more Pinnacle Kickstarters, there’s lots of cool stuff by us
and other authors, and the line will continue onward. Also, none of us can
agree on what the worst threat to Rifts® Earth is.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saturday afternoon, I stepped in to GM one
of the <i>Savage Worlds</i> VIP games—a
position I felt far more confident about qualifying for than I had when I
volunteered on Thursday. I talked the players into letting me run <i>Lupin III: The Revenge of Mamo</i>, and it
was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Since it was a VIP game, I got
to run it in a secluded conference room—which meant I got to play Lupin music
during the game! Everyone had a great time, the personalized Adventure Cards
worked great, <i>Freedom Squadron</i>’s
Planning and Operations rules worked perfectly for the setting (and gave the
players a taste of what they missed when the original GM had to drop out), and
all the props and craziness was just perfect. Damn…</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meanwhile, Robin hosted a "Women ON Gaming" (not "Women IN Gaming") panel with Jennifer Baughman and surprise panelist Nicole Lindroos. I'm sorry I missed it.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then on Saturday night, I turned around
and ran the adventure again as part of the Savage Saturday Night block. Because
of the random, improvisational nature of the missions, it turned into an almost
completely different yet no less exciting and fun game. I only wish that group
had gotten to enjoy the music too. This is definitely turning into one of my
regularly-scheduled con games.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSrjF8g9EkloY3Y7jHY53uMeKVQDrFd6-Wdd2bkVTnctp2WTFGkwQ3J8h9GWcJ6ZmS8ZfNBegltblXQ2RDvZbpkzGZrIU1xbr5SFOSnNAeocCD9viZghTMVOY2sICUvHRvL2DagNHvHU/s1600/IMG_3677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSrjF8g9EkloY3Y7jHY53uMeKVQDrFd6-Wdd2bkVTnctp2WTFGkwQ3J8h9GWcJ6ZmS8ZfNBegltblXQ2RDvZbpkzGZrIU1xbr5SFOSnNAeocCD9viZghTMVOY2sICUvHRvL2DagNHvHU/s320/IMG_3677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Cs4Raq0btHv5P2e-pn4Ak2XUkXPlSN84IU_Q-qc342k2OzGoI-gCKpJSGVIy55TVmCtZPMASC7uc5RvBp1AFwBHxWzBIXrhvuH43YxY5Uzif_Jni00psCvmArMVFvHYYGRxRk76tME0/s1600/IMG_3676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Cs4Raq0btHv5P2e-pn4Ak2XUkXPlSN84IU_Q-qc342k2OzGoI-gCKpJSGVIy55TVmCtZPMASC7uc5RvBp1AFwBHxWzBIXrhvuH43YxY5Uzif_Jni00psCvmArMVFvHYYGRxRk76tME0/s320/IMG_3676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Robin was right next to me running <i>Savage Simpsons vs. MST3K</i>, but I have next to no idea how that went because I was too wrapped-up in my game.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqv8AGM3guR4UH_q-erAc70HoMryj3wVezcOZgb0xo-EhjIdZdeKmu24LefzsrkazEBvsLcP_0-l1vqcXh1KqzM-h-CIi-YDgwNxMblvP9fTTCng7pgdtjE8M4Y3xRCd62pEYbEHrvJQ/s1600/IMG_3679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqv8AGM3guR4UH_q-erAc70HoMryj3wVezcOZgb0xo-EhjIdZdeKmu24LefzsrkazEBvsLcP_0-l1vqcXh1KqzM-h-CIi-YDgwNxMblvP9fTTCng7pgdtjE8M4Y3xRCd62pEYbEHrvJQ/s320/IMG_3679.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know Gamera was in it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sunday morning, John Atkinson ran <i>Freedom Squadron</i> for us and I got to
play my utterly ridiculous character. Since posting about building him with FS’s
Vocational Frameworks, Catamount has morphed from “Snake Eyes knockoff with
knives and a mountain lion” to an unfrozen cryogenics patient from the 1980s
who decided to become a ninja (and befriended a mountain lion) after he
discovered his whole family was wiped out in WWIII. He’s a little more Deadpool
than what I intended, but—honestly—that’s much more the kind of character I
enjoy playing.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, Wally the Mountain Lion took the lead
(and succeeded) on an Interaction Challenge because he had Intimidation and no
one else had any social skills. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, thinking up new Agility Tricks every
round is exhausting. Bringing a knife to a gunfight is hard.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, if someone specific is reading this, stealing
<i>Pirates of the Spanish Main</i>’s Close
Fighting Edge for <i>Freedom Squadron</i>
would really help out Catamount in the future. Knife-fighting techniques are a
much more common part of military training than katanas.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ptinRMeGszOERWAtHLWkvuEMLHI0Ynh5zauVlVkVva5vM4uPgmF8hRvrJF-ogN1k5Jshv0V1_14G2KY5CRG4wSp71DxYY8MAXzx9B_018k6k6yn6fqg4-z8RZBf3r99vbpB6VoKf9E0/s1600/IMG_3680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ptinRMeGszOERWAtHLWkvuEMLHI0Ynh5zauVlVkVva5vM4uPgmF8hRvrJF-ogN1k5Jshv0V1_14G2KY5CRG4wSp71DxYY8MAXzx9B_018k6k6yn6fqg4-z8RZBf3r99vbpB6VoKf9E0/s320/IMG_3680.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catamount is the pawn trying to stab the woman with fire powers.<br />
Robin's mystic, Black Cat, is played by Santa's Little Helper.<br />
Wally is, of course, the only character with a proper mini.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, Sunday afternoon was <i>The Savage World of Jane Austen</i>, once
again in the conference room. It went really well for the first half and proved
to me that my social combat rules work, but it went kind of off the rails (in a
hilarious and entertaining way) during the second half. Admittedly, I was strung
out on green tea and lack of sleep. I should write more about this game, but I’m
still processing lessons learned.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I met Tuxsen!!!</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We finished Sunday with a party hosted by
Mark Carroll and Jennifer Baughman. It was great. Robin and I get to spend so little time physically with
members of our tribe that nights like that really make us feel human.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More thoughts to come, I’m sure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-51813305140563297192018-04-25T15:56:00.000-05:002018-04-25T15:57:46.348-05:00Paradigmatic Framework: Mystic Warrior<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASWMSPeMOKwAFLs5kbCEI7Oea8DVzWo5DSTtiuAo1WIWPbaO0xMDxrFDJpaRnWD2szIDiyAn17C94ZCy5hPyyhs3DnOdzCwQfOkmI_p9rR6l5XysKzP3X7VIaLdoh3anIR0EQLqd7ksM/s1600/thunderbolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="558" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASWMSPeMOKwAFLs5kbCEI7Oea8DVzWo5DSTtiuAo1WIWPbaO0xMDxrFDJpaRnWD2szIDiyAn17C94ZCy5hPyyhs3DnOdzCwQfOkmI_p9rR6l5XysKzP3X7VIaLdoh3anIR0EQLqd7ksM/s320/thunderbolt.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mystic Warrior puppets of <i>Thunderbolt Fantasy</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Lupin
the Third Part 5</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> recap is going to be late because I do not want the blog
to turn into “all Lupin III, all the time.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m playing in a <i>Freedom Squadron</i> game at Chupacabracon this year, so I’ve been
digging deeper into Sean Patrick Fannon’s new setting rules. Despite the fact
that I worked on some upcoming <i>Savage
Rifts®</i> books and wrote a few Iconic Frameworks for them, I’m still
surprised by the Vocational Frameworks found in <i>Freedom Squadron</i>. They’re significantly more powerful than the M.A.R.S.
packages without getting quite as overpowered as Iconic Frameworks, striking a
balance I would call “cinematic.” With one of these, you’re pretty much jumping
right in to the competency level of a John McClane as he appeared in <i>Die Hard</i>, if not quite the level of a
James Bond. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I like them. If you’re a fan of the long
climb from zero to hero, then I certainly wouldn’t recommend adopting anything
similar in your campaign. I prefer heroes with some meat on their bones, so these
Vocational Frameworks greatly simplify my usual process of having players level
up a few Ranks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With that said, I’ve been longing once
again to play a wuxia game and maybe even dust off <a href="http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/144181/Savage-Insider-V2I2-Taking-Action?affiliate_id=10771">“Zhàndòu:
City of Warriors,”</a> the martial arts setting I created for <i><a href="http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/144181/Savage-Insider-V2I2-Taking-Action?affiliate_id=10771">Savage
Insider</a></i> (and still one of my favorite things I’ve written; follow the
affiliate links to buy a copy). Therefore, I think I’ll create a new Framework
to support that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mystic
Warrior<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This Framework emulates heroes whose
mastery of the arts of war bleeds into the supernatural—characters like the
Irish champion Cu Chulainn, Kenshin Himura, and the youxia of wuxia and xianxia
books and movies. It is not meant to emulate modern martial arts-style heroes
(such as those portrayed by Bruce Lee and Michael Jai White) nor chanbara
characters like Zatoichi or the hero of <i>Yojimbo</i>.
For those, I would recommend the Athlete and Sword Saint frameworks found in <i>Freedom Squadron.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hero’s
Journey<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have access to the <i>Freedom Squadron Commando’s Manual</i>, you
may make one roll on the Close Quarters Combat, Command, or Physical Training
tables. Otherwise, choose one additional Combat or Command Edge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Abilities
and Bonuses<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blending magical training and martial
expertise into otherworldly combat skills, Mystic Warriors regularly perform
extraordinary feats.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">Martial
Training:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> All Mystic Warriors begin with a d6 in
Agility, d8 in Fighting, and the Acrobat and Martial Artist Edges. If you have the <i>Freedom Squadron Commando’s Manual</i>, then
they also gain the Fighting Style Edge; if not, then they gain the Trademark
Weapon Edge.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Mystic
Attunement:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"> All
Mystic Warriors begin with a d6 in Spirit, d8 in Faith, and the Adept Edge. The
“faith” embraced by Mystic Warriors varies greatly from individual to
individual. Some follow stringent codes of conduct, others do reverence to
local gods and follow difficult taboos. In a wuxia setting, heroes will either
be aligned to Daoist principles (such as the Wudang sect) or Buddhist
principles (such as the monastery of Shaolin).</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">One With the Blade:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Mystic Warriors are differentiated from unarmed martial artists by their use of weaponry. Early in their training, every Mystic Warrior masters a particular weapon; commonly chosen weapons are the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">dao</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(short sword),</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">jian</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(long sword),</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">gun</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(staff), and</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">qiang</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(spear)—though many Mystic Warriors master more exotic weapons. W</span>hen using this style of weapon, the Mystic Warrior gains the benefits of Adept and any Edges that require Martial Artist as a prerequisite; for example, a Mystic Warrior with Improved Martial Artist who became one with the staff does Str+d6 damage, while any Mystic Warrior might spend Power Points to improve the AP of their weapon attack as per the Adept Edge. </span></span></li>
<ul style="text-align: left;"></ul>
</ul>
<br /></div>
Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-90860580597111397252018-04-18T12:39:00.001-05:002018-04-18T12:39:17.597-05:00Lupin III – The Killers Gather in the Wasteland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KbMKHs_6VFaR5ZvWyR0Hg7yGiWFu9xMb-4pW6-e_3fjsPdqVT6FlSD1edHHKooT7-ddewD1IlaX5WBVPHViW_kEIYRA_Ui6mYTL7sh8cNBhfPb9vQUxNdr_SmdlxwF5gfqbBMFoZPzc/s1600/Lupin+Weirdo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KbMKHs_6VFaR5ZvWyR0Hg7yGiWFu9xMb-4pW6-e_3fjsPdqVT6FlSD1edHHKooT7-ddewD1IlaX5WBVPHViW_kEIYRA_Ui6mYTL7sh8cNBhfPb9vQUxNdr_SmdlxwF5gfqbBMFoZPzc/s400/Lupin+Weirdo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who the hell is this?! What is this guy's deal?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: black;">Summary: Lupin turns the tables on the assassins. Ami reveals
secrets. Fujiko joins the game.</span></i><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Lupin the Third Part 4</span></i><span style="color: black;"> (AKA <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Italian Adventure</i>) cherrypicked the best elements from the long history of
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lupin III</i> franchise, giving us
alternately Green Jacket crime stories, Red Jacket hijinks, Pink Jacket meta-commentary,
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Woman Called Fujiko Mine</i>
levels of characterization. They even did an out-and-out Miyazaki homage in the
humorous yet melancholy episode “Welcome to the Haunted Hotel!” I’d have to
rewatch the whole series, but the only element I can’t remember seeing in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Part 4</i> was truly Monkey Punch-style
gallows humor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That is not true of “<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Killers
Gather in the Wasteland,” which might be the most Monkey Punch episode I’ve
seen in any series—even the ones that directly adapted manga stories.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m still not sold on the serialized aspect of this series, but
this week’s episode is still fan-freakin’-tastic. Admittedly, it’s also really
dark, with a level of (largely implied) lethality completely opposite in tone
to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Castle of Cagliostro</i>, so one’s
mileage will definitely vary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As a middle-aged cishet white male named after Sean Connery and for
whom the men’s adventure paperback revival of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s
forms an indelible link to my late father, I loved the hell out of it. The
reformed male, progressive part of my being recoils somewhat from the
horrifying backstory revealed for Ami in this episode, but it makes an ugly
sort of sense. The rest of “The Killers Gather in the Wasteland” is just badass
action backed up with bizarre character designs taken right from the manga.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And, honestly, it’s hard to object to Lupin, Jigen, and Goemon
killing their way through an army of foes when those foes are top-flight
assassins. I just find myself wishing we’d gotten entire episodes dedicated to
Captain Bone, Union Mama, Ichigo the fisherman, Akagi and his invisible gun, the
Rat Gang, and whoever the hell that weirdo with the dog is supposed to be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then Fujiko Mine finally joins the storyline by doing that
thing you knew she was going to do but kept hoping she wouldn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dammit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLpBfWQECG8p1Xgr5_istK_JonJda0nR3lHrcQpybE4Rc5BSNyASldLXwOENDU3E9arfy7XlvVi1TmVVvmbBkXkNRnQx2iGLsChtmLrdk91xjbJPZ6ZA_jYTwgqiihxHN8Qwb1H-7IkI/s1600/Lupin+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLpBfWQECG8p1Xgr5_istK_JonJda0nR3lHrcQpybE4Rc5BSNyASldLXwOENDU3E9arfy7XlvVi1TmVVvmbBkXkNRnQx2iGLsChtmLrdk91xjbJPZ6ZA_jYTwgqiihxHN8Qwb1H-7IkI/s400/Lupin+hands.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A side of hands served with a sick burn courtesy of Goemon Ishikawa XIII.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-76310578620326154742018-04-11T14:46:00.000-05:002018-04-11T14:46:09.603-05:00Lupin III - The Lupin Game<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS7opcw410BtLk9i2Qauu4V-PuvsJKy52J3ZYK34bIxuTPPTglExEAvxfLGbp0JRdeGAVyhWzMZ95a0bTbmBEfju4eG4zhwRAmgOiD6r33JE-jndCtQO93Lg3Ds5EpCLeJZvdP0qVo7Y/s1600/goemon+steals+plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS7opcw410BtLk9i2Qauu4V-PuvsJKy52J3ZYK34bIxuTPPTglExEAvxfLGbp0JRdeGAVyhWzMZ95a0bTbmBEfju4eG4zhwRAmgOiD6r33JE-jndCtQO93Lg3Ds5EpCLeJZvdP0qVo7Y/s400/goemon+steals+plane.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goemon cuts an unworthy object</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Summary: With all the eyes in the world on him, Lupin III thwarts
the Marco Polo backers by stepping into the spotlight. In return, they change
the rules of the game.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh no.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh no... No no nonononono...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first episode of <i>Lupin the Third Part 5</i> ended on a
cliffhanger, an obvious set up to keep the action moving into the second
episode. I was alright with that—earlier series have done two-part episodes—but
“The Lupin Game” also ends in a similar manner. I’m not even going to call it a
cliffhanger at this point; it’s really like the first 15 minutes of the episode
finish the plot begun in the last five minutes of “The Girl in the Twin Towers”
while the last five minutes of “The Lupin Game” belong to next week’s episode.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s like a freakin’ Netflix show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Admittedly, my familiarity with original Netflix content is
largely limited to the Marvel shows (<i>Daredevil</i>,
<i>Jessica Jones</i>, etc.) but I really,
really hate how those shows abandon proper serialization structure. A properly
serialized narrative is presented in discrete segments; each episode should
tell a self-contained story with a beginning, middle, and end while including
plot threads that advance the season-long narrative. The Netflix model
encourages binge-watching by basically taking a ten- or thirteen-hour movie and
hacking it into hour-long portions with no requirement that those portions contain
a full story, leaving you unfulfilled and in need of more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Applying this model to <i>Lupin
the Third Part 5</i> wouldn’t be as much of an issue if this full season was
available to stream all at once like a Netflix show, but it isn’t. We’re
getting one episode a week, like normal, and the last two episodes have not
given satisfaction. I don’t even know what to write about the episode’s plot,
given the way it jumbles things up. We get the resolution of last week’s chase
scene, a couple of comedy and character-building moments, and then the
beginning of what the preview promises will be an extended action scene taking
up most of the next episode.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(There’s also a gay panic joke and what might be racism, but it’s
mild for the typical Japanese insensitivity to such things.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thankfully, Goemon gets to do some cool things and the crazy,
themed assassins (there’s a guy with a harpoon and another one’s a fly fisher) introduced
at the end of the episode seem like they burst out of the original manga or the
first two TV series. Watching them get beaten promises to be fun.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW8Brqwl8hXlyP4l24Egfma2wUyO-Gia-WTp8lrqeDlmHy6T50d-Al4ep3dDaIiUUjaw8d8wnjpnN_2NeAHlR51K3axrnyd8mCT0MI7_H4gj53-PQBJl2xd330OcGow0uSdduDFrM0ak/s1600/Lupin+and+cuties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW8Brqwl8hXlyP4l24Egfma2wUyO-Gia-WTp8lrqeDlmHy6T50d-Al4ep3dDaIiUUjaw8d8wnjpnN_2NeAHlR51K3axrnyd8mCT0MI7_H4gj53-PQBJl2xd330OcGow0uSdduDFrM0ak/s400/Lupin+and+cuties.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Seriously, I can't figure out if this is racist or just reflecting the reality of someplace the creators visited or saw on TV when researching the episode. Maybe they're a dance squad or a volleyball team?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629259376300364506.post-37188189032991466962018-04-05T14:55:00.000-05:002018-04-05T17:42:01.174-05:00New Edge: Soft Style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For some reason, recently I’ve found myself thinking about soft
style martial arts—traditions like aikido and judo—and how to model them in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Savage Worlds</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEV_IlhjmfZICBVWGNPu3kNYb-ff2_CxpMi5QBQFsMJ-OiOOXHnoQZbPE0p7ZDaS-DrqOp7ggpjRWgDDi8kosBpjy2cCEGw-lq99ENA_2VudzR8rSLG-mB_A0A-d1FU9U-vrbZXXEk-I/s1600/Lifeline+vs+Horrorshow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="605" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEV_IlhjmfZICBVWGNPu3kNYb-ff2_CxpMi5QBQFsMJ-OiOOXHnoQZbPE0p7ZDaS-DrqOp7ggpjRWgDDi8kosBpjy2cCEGw-lq99ENA_2VudzR8rSLG-mB_A0A-d1FU9U-vrbZXXEk-I/s400/Lifeline+vs+Horrorshow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>G. I. Joe Special Missions</i> #4 by Larry Hama and Herb Trimpe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, yeah. Now I remember why they've been on my mind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The philosophy behind these schools (at least, the one that
action movies and comics taught me) is that they’re supposed to be about
redirecting the opponent’s momentum to throw them or knock them off balance.
Particularly in the case of aikido (sold to Westerners as the “pacifist”
martial art), modeling this with Fighting skill attacks seems contrary to the
underlying philosophy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The answer looks to be pushing, an underutilized part of the
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Situational Combat Rules</b>. If we
accept that the Bash maneuver also incorporates throws and that “knocking”
someone prone can also mean flipping them, then the Bash and Knock Prone
maneuvers perfectly encapsulate the kind of redirection of momentum espoused by
soft styles. Unfortunately, pushes rely on opposed Strength rolls, so unless
your martial artist is Hercules, he’s not going to be throwing a lot of people.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, we need a couple of Edges.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Soft Style</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Requirements:</b>
Novice, Martial Artist</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You practice a soft technique martial art such as aikido,
hapkido, judo, or t’ai chi ch’uan. The philosophy behind your school emphasizes
redirecting your opponent’s momentum, putting yourself in an advantageous
position and leaving your opponent off-balance. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You may use the Push maneuver (see Situational Combat Rules)
to Bash or Knock Prone opponents through flips, trips, and throws. When you
Bash or Knock Prone, you use Fighting instead of Strength for the opposed roll.
Bashing and Knocking Prone count as Fighting and martial arts attacks for Edges
that modify such abilities (such as First Strike and Martial Arts Master). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Improved Soft Style</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Requirements:</b> Veteran,
Soft Style <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You have learned to truly turning your opponents’ own power
against them. When you Bash or Knock Prone, your opponent suffers damage equal
to their Strength. If your target ran at least 3” toward you before you
attacked, you add +2 to your roll.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For <i>Freedom Squadron</i>, I'd convert this into an aspect of the Fighting Style Edge, while for it could get added into Superior Kung Fu for <i>Deadlands: Reloaded</i>.</span></div>
</div>
Sean Tait Bircherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439758029465341353noreply@blogger.com1