Recent content by Squeaky Bill

I firmly believe that every community needs heros to beat up lesser undead. However, both of your players suggest that they would like to spend some time on developing their characters. Here's what I would try. Prepare a background story with some sort of a twist for comic relief. Give your...

"Sojourn of Arjuna" - Bela Fleck

Vicki Leon's book "Working IX to V" focuses on working class occupations in the late classical period. It's a quick read, too. Philip Matyszak's "Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day" looks promising, but I haven't gotten around to it.

I recommend that you watch Terrance Hill's character in My Name is Nobody. In that movie, Nobody is an arrogant, devious, manipulative, murderous, train robbing drifter who steals apples from little children. You might be looking for just the right mix of relationships, circumstances and vices...

I would give all the characters full experience points. The opposing force had supeior numbers. Splitting the party was a brave way to gain a temporary tactical advantage. Everyone shared this increased risk equally. Participation in the encounter was either active or passive, but this was...

SPI's wargame Frigate (mid 70's) made the same distinction for targeting ships. You could aim your cannons to punch holes in the hull or to knock down the masts. The game only gave you those two choices. Frigate's scale was at the ship level and covered fleet actions up to the size of the...

My first PC was shredded by a troll in the corridor leading to the first room of the first dungeon I ever played. The other 1st level PC and the two 1st level hirelings survived only because thay ran away. The follow-up expedition was composed of just two 1st level PCs (hirelings were suddenly...

SIEGE ON THE SUNLESS PALACE appeals to me by being solidly rooted in mythology, having strong visual images, and because it's a quest.

I plan out three ways to present adventure hooks (or any essential information). That way, I have two backups in case the first one fails to engage the players' interest.

I handle a race's origins in my world's cosmology. Consider what plots you want to use, the myths you use for inspiration, and the key forces that drive the monsters' actions. It might be helpful to create a personality for a representative NPC for a monster type. Then you can decide what...

Late Antiquity feels right, but I dabble so extensively that there is no best fit. My political setting centers on several large Roman states that continue to manipulate their barbarian neighbors. Imagine Second Century Rome stretching its influence into North Central Europe as late as 1066...