For fun

Having collected and read comics for ages, I have always loved the Marvel Comics corner box art. They were such an iconic part of the cover and the comic experience for me I thought it would be fun to knock out a pair of draft images in this style using some counter art from Mark Hill to replicate the Marvel look and feel. How or will they be used? Not sure but I think it could be fun--maybe a compatibility mark? Hmmm....

Anyway, the work on BLADES continues. I have expanded armor and weapon lists, added flail as and am looking at adding a tinker or jerry-rig skill.

I am not adding a charisma stat, feeling that skills cover that sort of interaction need. Game will stay written for d6, but an appendix will be included should someone want to use d20 to resolve tests.

Two things to say

In running through some Blades play testing 2 things have come up as potential changes.

1) Adding a Charisma Attribute-There are skills and situations where using IQ is "okay" but a Charisma attribute might be better for character interaction/reaction tests and for some skills.

2) Brace yourself as this one is much more "heretical" --using d20's to resolve tests. As the Blades and Black Magic uses a 3 tiered skill system (Inexperienced/Trained/ Expert) it works well with the bell curve d6 system as written--but could also work with d20 as follows:

• Inexeprienced, roll 2d20, use the highest die roll
• Trained-roll 1d20
• Expert Roll 2d20, use lowest die roll

 The initial adventure played using d20's for tests/combat was well received--but this was by traditional Pathfinder players.

Yup I understand and do love the d6 bell curve, and have it as the core mechanic currently but its interesting to see what might be possible using the d20 mechanic.

I would not say this is a Richard Dreyfus "this means something"  moment, but I think it is important to look at different possibilities.

As always, appreciate your thoughts

Adventure Seeds

image by: lingy-0

As I have continued writing and editing I have crunched out some adventure seeds. I think they thematically give you a sense of gaming using Blades & Black Magic. I am thinking, maybe incorrectly, that a few combat scenarios plus about a dozen adventure seeds (like the one below)  may be enough to round out the Blades book. Your opinion is always appreciated.

Whispers of Chaos

The characters enter a village the day before it is holding a witch trial. The party is approached by three factions within the village for aid: The husband of the accused, the local priest who brought the woman up on charges, the local warband guard who work for the mayor who runs the town. The witch is accused of evil manipulation and of controlling of the mayor and corrupting others with demonic pacts.

• The priest wants help to save the townspeople from darkness and purge the village of evil.
• The Warband wants help to oust the mayor so their leader Sven can take over.
• The husband claims his wife is innocent, he wants help to free his wife so they can escape.

Reality is, yes the woman is a witch, her “husband” is her imp in disguise and they are corrupting the town to turn it into a foothold for the Coven of the Blood Circle.

BLADES progress update

Max Dunbar

So here is where  we I am at with Blades:

1) The rules are done including character creation, skills, combat, adventuring and equipment.

2) Need to add basic combat scenarios--or would an adventure be better to include?

3) Need to add common creature/ animal foe list.

4) Need to do art layout

Decision is made that setting specific, more detailed character creation (background, starting kit by homeland) will be reserved for the Zemya setting book.

After Blades comes out (End of January seems likely) then Cauldron 2 would be the next release followed by the Black Magic book and then the Zemya setting book.  It is an ambitious plan to get all 4 out this year--but I have it on good authority a man's reach should exceed his grasp.