Hey, look at that! A full week's Picks at long last! Of course, this may end being a mess again next week - I'm a Special Guest at Pacificon Game Expo, and Carinn and I will be spending an entire week in the Santa Clara/San Jose area, with a planned jaunt to San Francisco (she desperately wants to see Chinatown). While at the show, I've got something very special in the works (tune into the comments at the end for more info). However, I am curious, Dear Readers - has anyone else noticed a decided resurgence of interest in the science-fantasy (AKA "swords-and-rayguns") sub-genre?
Rogues, Rivals & Renegades: Black Heron
Today I’d like to point your attention to my friend James Dawsey‘s Vigilance Press and his Rogues, Rivals & Renegades series. It’s an ever-increasing selection of villains and other characters for use in any Mutants & Masterminds (3rd Ed) campaign, featuring great design, art, graphics, and writing.
Let’s look at the latest entry –
The Birdman of Beacon City… Black Heron!
A Power Level 8 Rogue, Black Heron is ready to cause trouble in your next Mutants and Masterminds campaign.
Some heroes just attract the weirdest bad guys… and Black Heron works perfectly as a foil for such heroes! Struggling to earn the respect (or even just the attention) of the world at large, Black Heron will go to any lengths to be seen battling your heroes. His ambitions may frequently outstrip his capabilities, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make life more complicated for even the most skilled superheroes!
Welcome to Rogues, Rivals & Renegades. Each entry in the series is designed as a villain, a potential ally with complications, or an outsider who might help the PCs one day and be at odds with them another. Each character has the potential to become a mainstay of your campaign!
Rogues, Rivals & Renegades are presented as files from a meta-human monitoring agency called METAs, with a loose frame story connecting them to Vigilance Press‘s ownBeacon City setting. They are designed to drop into any setting with minimal effort, however, and the METAs commentary is written to give you a better picture of each character’s personality and threat level. Each issue gives you a background for the character, commentary by METAs agents, a standee to print and play with, and the Hero Labfile for the character!
Authored by Jack Norris with full color art by Alex Williamson and Dionysia Jones, and layout by Ruben Byrd. Designed for the Mutants and Masterminds Third Edition Roleplaying game.
Legion
Today I want to give another shout out for a buddy and his really cool game – Richard Glosson and his Terminus Productions have powerful military sci-fi game using that 3.x d20 system so many folks remain very fond of. They’ve got a lot of fans, especially in the South where they’re based, and this game definitely falls in the “in case you missed it, seriously check it out” category.
You play the role of a heroic soldier fighting to protect a galaxy and her people who are plagued by threats both mundane and fantastic. Whether a member of one of the elite Legion Companies or one of the rank and file soldiers of the vast United Defense Force, adventure awaits you in the stars. The fate of the galaxy is in your hands! Your courage, determination, and trusty M62A2 Storm Hammer may be the only thing that stands between life and complete annihilation!
From character generation to the rules for adventuring in deep space, this one book provides everything a player and game master needs to enjoy the worlds of Legion.
Inside you will find:
• All rules for character creation, combat, environments, equipment, and creatures
• Full descriptions for sixteen different player character races
• Six different Branches of the military like Mobile Infantry, Fleet, and Intelligence
• Two branch Specialties for each branch like Close Combat Specialist, Fighter Pilot, and Inquisitor
• The new and easy to use Legion Skill System
• A multitude of Feats that cover Combat, Skills, and Psyche Talents
• A simple and easy to understand rules for combat that utilizes the D20 system with a few new additions that increases the dangers and excitement of combat
• Psyche Talents used by the Shar-Nithian Lords to solidify and safeguard all of humanity
• Arms and armor of the Legion including the incredible Legion suits of powered armor
• A unique look at experience and character advancement with the Mission System that uses Terms of Service rather than experience points
• And much more!
Masters of Umdaar
Am I detecting a resurgence of science-fantasy in RPGs? I do believe so! To which I say… woot! And also a hearty thanks to Wil.
Rise up against the Masters of Umdaar!
Behold the fallen world of Umdaar, home to savage warriors, cyborg insects, and merciless warlords. Oh, and lasers—lots and lots of lasers. The Masters rule with an iron fist, and the people’s only hope are the archaeonauts and their quest for long-lost artifacts of power. But will the Masters get there first? Masters of Umdaar, our latest Fate World of Adventure by Dave Joria, is a retro tribute to such shiny serials as John Carter of Mars, Flash Gordon, He-Man, and Thundercats.
Masters of Umdaar requires Fate Accelerated Edition to play. This 51-page supplement includes:
Doctor Who Roleplaying Game
Carinn and I just started watching the Capaldi episodes, and I’ve been drawn back in pretty hard. I didn’t want to like him at first (I still pine for Tennant), but I must admit, I really enjoy his Doctor. Something of a callback to Tom Baker, but… darker.
Anyway, here’s the latest iteration of the Cubicle 7 RPG, featuring the latest Doctor and his supporting cast.
Imagine you could go anywhere. This world or countless others, encountering strange alien races, new cultures or hostile environments. Now imagine you could travel to any time. Meet Robin Hood (and duel him with a spoon!), discover what terrible monster lives under your bed, journey inside a Dalek or travel to the end of time itself. Where would you go?
With Cubicle 7’s Doctor Who Roleplaying Game, the power is in your hands! You can go anywhere or anywhen in the universe. It’s not going to be easy. It’ll probably be dangerous. The universe is a hostile place, full of Daleks, Zygons, Sontarans, the Boneless, Cybermen, Clockwork Robots, Silurians and worse. There will be fear, heartbreak and excitement, but above all, it’ll be the trip of a lifetime.
The Doctor Who Roleplaying Game is a set in the universe of the world’s longest running science fiction show on TV – the BBC’s Doctor Who. This new edition of the rulebook, fully updated with imagery from the Twelfth Doctor’s adventures, presents all the rules and background you need to have your own adventures in time and space in a single volume, including:
The Doctor Who Roleplaying Game has been written to appeal to both the experienced and first-time gamer. The game is suitable for 2 or more players aged 10 to 2000.
The Doctor Who Roleplaying Game is the new name for Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space.
Dragons of Autumn Twilight
We’ll wrap this week up with a profoundly awesome graphic novel – gorgeous art, wonderful story, set in one of the most popular D&D settings ever. Return to Krynn with the Dragonlance Chronicles, Vol. 1: Dragons of Autumn Twilight.
An age of despair has dawned for the world of Krynn. As dark forces marshal their growing strength, fear and religious fanaticism grips the land. With war on the horizon, a group of lifelong friends are reunited, all outcasts in their own way.
It will fall to these eight companions to prevent a cataclysm!
Originally published by Devil’s Due as DRAGONLANCE CHRONICLES: DRAGONS OF AUTUMN TWILIGHT issues #1–8.
~~~
And thus a full week's worth of Picks is yours, once again, with my profound gratitude for your patience during this rather hectic convention season I've been immersed within.
Now for that "something special" I mentioned, as posted on my Facebook page -
"Guardians Once More" - That's the title of the special thing I am working up for Steve Peterson (Goliath), Raymond Greer (Dove), Bruce Harlick (The Marksman), and a couple of lucky Pacificon Game Expo guests!
Also featuring Gabriel Babaloo Vega as Professor Mondo, Carinn Seabolt as Mistress Miracle, and special guest appearances by the Middle Man (heya, Charles Jones!) and Onikara "Nick" Silverwolf.
Needless to say, I am both giddy and somewhat overwhelmed, as I really want to knock this out of the park.
For the Guardians, and for everyone, everywhere -
The Adventure Continues!
~SPF
Rogues, Rivals & Renegades: Black Heron
Today I’d like to point your attention to my friend James Dawsey‘s Vigilance Press and his Rogues, Rivals & Renegades series. It’s an ever-increasing selection of villains and other characters for use in any Mutants & Masterminds (3rd Ed) campaign, featuring great design, art, graphics, and writing.
Let’s look at the latest entry –
The Birdman of Beacon City… Black Heron!
A Power Level 8 Rogue, Black Heron is ready to cause trouble in your next Mutants and Masterminds campaign.
Some heroes just attract the weirdest bad guys… and Black Heron works perfectly as a foil for such heroes! Struggling to earn the respect (or even just the attention) of the world at large, Black Heron will go to any lengths to be seen battling your heroes. His ambitions may frequently outstrip his capabilities, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make life more complicated for even the most skilled superheroes!
Welcome to Rogues, Rivals & Renegades. Each entry in the series is designed as a villain, a potential ally with complications, or an outsider who might help the PCs one day and be at odds with them another. Each character has the potential to become a mainstay of your campaign!
Rogues, Rivals & Renegades are presented as files from a meta-human monitoring agency called METAs, with a loose frame story connecting them to Vigilance Press‘s ownBeacon City setting. They are designed to drop into any setting with minimal effort, however, and the METAs commentary is written to give you a better picture of each character’s personality and threat level. Each issue gives you a background for the character, commentary by METAs agents, a standee to print and play with, and the Hero Labfile for the character!
Authored by Jack Norris with full color art by Alex Williamson and Dionysia Jones, and layout by Ruben Byrd. Designed for the Mutants and Masterminds Third Edition Roleplaying game.
Legion
Today I want to give another shout out for a buddy and his really cool game – Richard Glosson and his Terminus Productions have powerful military sci-fi game using that 3.x d20 system so many folks remain very fond of. They’ve got a lot of fans, especially in the South where they’re based, and this game definitely falls in the “in case you missed it, seriously check it out” category.
You play the role of a heroic soldier fighting to protect a galaxy and her people who are plagued by threats both mundane and fantastic. Whether a member of one of the elite Legion Companies or one of the rank and file soldiers of the vast United Defense Force, adventure awaits you in the stars. The fate of the galaxy is in your hands! Your courage, determination, and trusty M62A2 Storm Hammer may be the only thing that stands between life and complete annihilation!
From character generation to the rules for adventuring in deep space, this one book provides everything a player and game master needs to enjoy the worlds of Legion.
Inside you will find:
• All rules for character creation, combat, environments, equipment, and creatures
• Full descriptions for sixteen different player character races
• Six different Branches of the military like Mobile Infantry, Fleet, and Intelligence
• Two branch Specialties for each branch like Close Combat Specialist, Fighter Pilot, and Inquisitor
• The new and easy to use Legion Skill System
• A multitude of Feats that cover Combat, Skills, and Psyche Talents
• A simple and easy to understand rules for combat that utilizes the D20 system with a few new additions that increases the dangers and excitement of combat
• Psyche Talents used by the Shar-Nithian Lords to solidify and safeguard all of humanity
• Arms and armor of the Legion including the incredible Legion suits of powered armor
• A unique look at experience and character advancement with the Mission System that uses Terms of Service rather than experience points
• And much more!
Masters of Umdaar
Am I detecting a resurgence of science-fantasy in RPGs? I do believe so! To which I say… woot! And also a hearty thanks to Wil.
Rise up against the Masters of Umdaar!
Behold the fallen world of Umdaar, home to savage warriors, cyborg insects, and merciless warlords. Oh, and lasers—lots and lots of lasers. The Masters rule with an iron fist, and the people’s only hope are the archaeonauts and their quest for long-lost artifacts of power. But will the Masters get there first? Masters of Umdaar, our latest Fate World of Adventure by Dave Joria, is a retro tribute to such shiny serials as John Carter of Mars, Flash Gordon, He-Man, and Thundercats.
Masters of Umdaar requires Fate Accelerated Edition to play. This 51-page supplement includes:
- A randomized Fate dice system to create a wide variety of sci-fi/fantasy characters like robots, mutants, talking animals, and more
- Character class breakdowns based on Fate Accelerated approaches, with a wide variety of options
- New rules for cliffhangers—a new form of obstacle to overcome—with rules that encourage the use of different approaches
- A variety of tools to easily populate your adventures, including a beast generator, trap guidelines, and sample artifacts
- A sample adventure—The Starblades of Su’ul—as well as seeds for further adventures
Doctor Who Roleplaying Game
Carinn and I just started watching the Capaldi episodes, and I’ve been drawn back in pretty hard. I didn’t want to like him at first (I still pine for Tennant), but I must admit, I really enjoy his Doctor. Something of a callback to Tom Baker, but… darker.
Anyway, here’s the latest iteration of the Cubicle 7 RPG, featuring the latest Doctor and his supporting cast.
Imagine you could go anywhere. This world or countless others, encountering strange alien races, new cultures or hostile environments. Now imagine you could travel to any time. Meet Robin Hood (and duel him with a spoon!), discover what terrible monster lives under your bed, journey inside a Dalek or travel to the end of time itself. Where would you go?
With Cubicle 7’s Doctor Who Roleplaying Game, the power is in your hands! You can go anywhere or anywhen in the universe. It’s not going to be easy. It’ll probably be dangerous. The universe is a hostile place, full of Daleks, Zygons, Sontarans, the Boneless, Cybermen, Clockwork Robots, Silurians and worse. There will be fear, heartbreak and excitement, but above all, it’ll be the trip of a lifetime.
The Doctor Who Roleplaying Game is a set in the universe of the world’s longest running science fiction show on TV – the BBC’s Doctor Who. This new edition of the rulebook, fully updated with imagery from the Twelfth Doctor’s adventures, presents all the rules and background you need to have your own adventures in time and space in a single volume, including:
- A complete set of rules for playing the game.
- Rules for creating your own characters, gadgets and more.
- A guide to creating your own adventures, as well as two new adventures.
- Ready-made character sheets for the Twelfth Doctor and his companions, including Clara Oswald, Danny Pink, Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax.
- Rules and background for some of the Doctor’s most infamous enemies – including Missy!
- All-new imagery from the Twelfth Doctor’s adventures.
- And much more besides!
The Doctor Who Roleplaying Game has been written to appeal to both the experienced and first-time gamer. The game is suitable for 2 or more players aged 10 to 2000.
The Doctor Who Roleplaying Game is the new name for Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space.
Dragons of Autumn Twilight
We’ll wrap this week up with a profoundly awesome graphic novel – gorgeous art, wonderful story, set in one of the most popular D&D settings ever. Return to Krynn with the Dragonlance Chronicles, Vol. 1: Dragons of Autumn Twilight.
An age of despair has dawned for the world of Krynn. As dark forces marshal their growing strength, fear and religious fanaticism grips the land. With war on the horizon, a group of lifelong friends are reunited, all outcasts in their own way.
It will fall to these eight companions to prevent a cataclysm!
Originally published by Devil’s Due as DRAGONLANCE CHRONICLES: DRAGONS OF AUTUMN TWILIGHT issues #1–8.
~~~
And thus a full week's worth of Picks is yours, once again, with my profound gratitude for your patience during this rather hectic convention season I've been immersed within.
Now for that "something special" I mentioned, as posted on my Facebook page -
"Guardians Once More" - That's the title of the special thing I am working up for Steve Peterson (Goliath), Raymond Greer (Dove), Bruce Harlick (The Marksman), and a couple of lucky Pacificon Game Expo guests!
Also featuring Gabriel Babaloo Vega as Professor Mondo, Carinn Seabolt as Mistress Miracle, and special guest appearances by the Middle Man (heya, Charles Jones!) and Onikara "Nick" Silverwolf.
Needless to say, I am both giddy and somewhat overwhelmed, as I really want to knock this out of the park.
For the Guardians, and for everyone, everywhere -
The Adventure Continues!
~SPF
