We will resume our irregular broadcast.....

     Here we are, hopefully moving back to (somewhat) normal. Getting rooms painted, things fixed around here in anticipation of moving in a couple of years. Got the office back, for a couple of weeks it was my bedroom. Hard to get to writing with no room to sit, but plenty to lay down, maybe take a nap. *sigh*

     This weekend is Gary Con VIII in all it's glory, taunting me from the interwebs. Chris Perkins is there as well as Satine Phoenix from I Hit It With My Axe and art for Machinations of a Space Princess.Several friends and acquaintances are there and I envy them. Maybe next year. I am hoping that since I plan to start making prints of my work, that maybe some of my friends and I may get a table at next year's event. Anyone wanna volunteer to lead the charge with me?

     Origins is June 15th-19th this year, and I have heard a few unflattering comments about it's appearance in recent years. That the dealer's hall resembles a flea market. Though isn't Origins supposed to be the convention you come to play games? Gen Con is more for seeing the new hotness, but people showed up to Origins for tournaments or just to play and socialize. I am hoping to run or play in some games this year. Of course I missed registering any games so anything I run will be off the grid.
  
     Also, earlier today I picked up some Appendix N literature that I am really excited about. Mostly because I have never seen any physical books by either of these authors. 

Many Wade Wellman and Poul Anderson, two books from each. I have read stories from Tolkien, Howard, Lovecraft, and Leiber; so expanding my reading with these guys should be fantastic.

     In regards to the BX Campaign challenge, things have slowed but continue to move forward. Being creative can be crazy at times, because I keep having ideas for different projects but I need to buckle down and knock the challenge out first.

     Enough for now, gotta get back to work. take care and have fun guys!

Origins 2016!

     So here we are, 2016 and nothing happening(for me) during Origins weekend. So I will be able to attend Origins in my capacity as blogger. Is there something going on that you would like to hear more about, anyone you would me to interview? Let me know and I will see what I can do. I may be talked into running a game or two there, as well.

     Which brings me to next weekend and Reid San Filippo's Mall Maul DCC funnel that I will be running at noon, Saturday the 23rd of January. The amazing Gateway Games & more is the place to be for this great experience, pregens will be available (courtesy of the Purple Sorcerer) so come on over to 960 Kennedys Lndg, Cincinnati, Ohio 45245. I'll be waiting for ya. Take care, and I can't wait to see you there!

PS. There will be some freebies available, just letting you guys know.

Origins 2014: Day Four

     It should read "Day Four-The Final Hour", since I made it to the con and realized I had forgotten my badge. So back home and worked out a plan where partner in crime (the wife) drops me off and runs a couple errands with the kids while I go in and say my goodbyes.

     I stopped to congratulate Jason Hardy on Shadowrun fifth edition getting the Origins fan favorite rpg award. Look at this guys, he knows where his towel is.

I took my leave and then said adieu to these folks

Tony Steele

Kay Steele

      These two are amazing, as artists and human beings, plus they put up with my grousing about teenagers (of which I still have one) Mr. Steele won the award for best professional digital color work (Baseball Monster), so congratulations, sir!

Next stop, Demon central!

Heather Kreiter, Queen of demonic steeds!

     Heather has recently taken the step into working on her own stuff, and with the popularity of her My Little Demons, who could blame her. I am sad the pic came out a little blurry, but I was worried I would run out of time. What can I say that has not already been said.

Across the way, I found a familiar Leezard

Kirk "Leezard" Hardtle

          Kirk works in his Liquid Leezard studio, lately he has been zombifying different characters to great effect. Plus he is just a fun guy to hang out with, just look at his partner perched on my shoulder there.

I then spotted someone returning to his table....

A blurry Scott Frank

     He typically shares digs (read-table) with the Steele's but was gone when I first arrived. Scott does a lot with miniature painting and 3d printing, great designs. Makes me want to get my own 3d printer. Then I realize I don't have the money, nor the skill. Mr. Frank, you are a gentleman and a scholar.

Next is the father/son duo of...

James (left) and Bill Stolpin

     Bill is fantastic, whether he illustrating dragons or painting a watercolor landscape. Unfortunately I never asked what James does, I guess that means I should interview them sometime. Ooh, something to look forward to!

Douglas Bushong

     Here is Douglas Bushong, 3d image and animation master. He has these awesome little viewers that work like the view masters from when I was a kid. A great guy with some wonderful skills, he has a pretty wicked sense of humor as well.

     Said goodbye to the delightful Jeff Carlisle, but due to his popularity and the fact he was in a tiny space, I did not get a picture with him. His natural good looks probably would have broken my camera anyways.

Andy Hopp

     Next to last, we have Andy Hopp, weirdo extraordinaire. I finally caught him alone at his booth, his thousands of adoring fans had been temporarily sated. This undergraduate of the unusual is at the top of his game. This is another hoopy frood who knows where his towel is.

Finally, we have...

Charles Urbach

     This man always has a crowd showering him with acclaim, I can't believe he hasn't collapsed under the weight of it all. It was during this time that I got the message that my ride was outside. I said my goodbyes, snapped a picture and dashed out of there. Maybe not quite like that, but you get the idea.

     All in all it was a marvelous four days hanging out with friends, making new ones and relaxing. I could leave knowing I had not wasted my time, maybe other people's but I was alright. Plus, I still had the rest of Father's Day to come, woohoo! Take care everyone.

Origins 2014: Day two/three

     When I stay late at the con, I have a hard time posting after or first thing the next day. So here we go.

     This year they are using even more of the convention center than before. This space marine was guarding a door at the end of a long, empty hallway. "Can I see your ID? I guess you can see the miniatures hall now." You can hear the disappointment in his voice that he can't vaporize you "Man what a worthless post!" and inside.

     The terrain is awesome, as usual. I love when you can look at a setup and guess what they used to build it. Here is another one.

     I did some hanging out with friends, and in one instance of trying locator someone, I got into a game of Xcrawl, run by the inimitable Brendan LaSalle (I hope I got his name right) Xcrawl is set in a modern day fantasy world where Xcrawl is a televised sport/dungeon crawl. It was cool seeing the other players get into character, shouting catch phrases and busting out moves. I kind of lock up when I am playing a game I am not familiar with, alongside complete strangers. Despite that, it was a lot of fun, but I had to hurry back to the dealer's room!

     My friends were going to BD.s for dinner, eventually forming a fairly large group. Thankfully we had made reservations. The food was good, the company even better. There was a drawing, if you signed up for their (BD's) club they would randomly pull an application and that individual got a free desert. They winner was Kay Steele who picked the biggest desert and shared with her end of the table.

Left to right; James and Bill Stolpin, Kay Steele, Tony Steele (obscured by Scott's hat) and Scott Frank

     Afterwards we retired to the Crown Plaza where we lounged around their fire pit (?) drank and socialized.

     Afterwards I went home, tired but content, and not willing to stay up long enough to post. *sigh*

     Each day, before heading to the con, I have stopped by my local coffee shop to get a cuppa. If anyone happens to be in Westerville, the Java Joint is a great place for coffee! One of these days, I might try to run a game there. Enough of that, onto day three!

     Saturday I stopped to pick a friend up so he could go to the con for a day. When we arrived there was a pulsing mass of humanity awaiting him at registration. I wished him luck and headed off. Now that I think about it, that was a little mean. The first part of the day, I had my daughter with me. Since she had no desire to see the dealer's room, we skipped the ginormous line and just wandered around downtown and hung out. We then left to have lunch with my wife and boy assistant #2 (my youngest) and then my wife and I returned. We basically visited friends for the rest of the day, but we did stop and try Mayfair's Witches board game. Based on Terry Pratchett's book series of the same name, you are one of four witches roaming the countryside helping out. As you solve the various problems, you accumulate victory points, though if certain things happen on the board then everyone loses.

     We then went to the Happy Greek with friends and had dinner with friends, topping it all off with a "galactic burrito" (the nickname our friends gave it when they came Thursday night)

devouring the galactic burrito

     So ended Saturday. More to come later!

Origins 2014: Day One

     My first day at Origins this year has come to a close. I just wanted to give the dealer's room a once over and visit with friends. In addition to talking to all my friends that I happened to run into, I got to tell Carolyn Stogdill of Hack Princess that I enjoy her blog. I don't play or run Hack Master, so I can live through her stories, and it is nice that here is someone who loves the game and here is this cool thing that happened at the table. Also, the modified fortune cookie fortunes are pretty cool. While I was at the Kenzer & Company booth I decided to try Hackmaster. Their setup was amazing and as we ventured through the labyrinth we gained party members (Hey, wanna try this, we could use a hand) and eventually escaped with the wizard making a noble sacrifice. It was fun, but I don't think I would feel comfortable enough running it, it was a little heavy on the crunch in my opinion.

     Of course, I realize as I am leaving that I did not take any pictures, so got one of the outside of the convention center. Hopefully I will not be so absent minded tomorrow. I am planning a basic schedule even as I push send. Take care and hopefully I will see some of you later this week!

Ps. I am hoping to run at least one pick up game of Labyrinth Lord at the con, let me know if you are interested!

Origins 2014 is nearly here!!

     Starting this Wednesday, Origins 2014! I have nothing planned, but I am hoping to get some games in when I get there, most likely me running them in the open gaming area. I will bring my Mutant Future adventure as well as Labyrinth Lord and Dungeon Crawl Classics. Speaking of DCC I have my game Wednesday evening, since there typically is not much scheduled for that evening at the con. It most likely will be relocated to the con itself instead of Ravenstone, though. If any of you will be attending, let me know. I am often curious about those that read my posts. There are already a number of friends that I know are attending, hopefully we can make an event out of it! Enough of that, let's get this week started so I can get to the con, hehe!

    

Free RPG Day, 2014

   

      Free RPG Day is happening here in Columbus, I credit my ability to bug my local flgs into action. I plan to run Elzemon and the Blood Drinking Box (DCC RPG) that day from 2-6 and I encourage anyone who feels like it to come and run something. Currently there is no Pathfinder Society games planned, so I will have the table up front, but if there is any overlap I am sure something can be worked out. I suspect the fact that it is the first weekend after Origins is why nothing is scheduled at Ravenstone. Since Elzemon is a first level adventure, I am hoping people show up to play June 11th to run that 0 level funnel and have first level characters. Otherwise I will have some first levels rolled up, though I would prefer something the players were a bit invested in.

     Enough of that, if you are in the Columbus, Ohio area and wish to try out Dungeon Crawl Classics or feel like running something else then head over to Ravenstone Games and let them know. The sooner the better. Take care, and happy gaming!

Four Years at Random Encounters

     Last Thursday was the four year anniversary of this blog, this last year being the most active. I am hoping to keep steaming ahead through this next year, and will be bringing more interviews, maps, and craziness to you all. I have sent in my artwork that I have completed so far, looking forward to seeing it in print. Most of my artwork so far has been for a small local gallery that closed down a several years ago, leaving me with no immediate outlet for my art. I stopped creating soon after, but  recently I have gotten back "in the game" as it were, and am having a blast.

     Coming up soon is Origins, and I still plan to run my DCC game that Wednesday evening at my local flgs in case anyone coming in wants to play. I intend to interview someone there, though I have no one in mind at the moment. Also I am willing to run Labyrinth Lord, Mutant Future, or DCC rpg in any of the open areas at the con. So let me know if you want to stop by and play, leave a comment or whatever. Take care folks.

I've got my eyes on you guys!

Disappointment Today

     So, only one person showed up to today's DCC game, and he carpooled with me. I am disappointed but I am still going forward with my plans for the next two games.  Fall down six times, get up seven is my mantra at the moment.

     June 11th at 6, that is the Wednesday of Origins. Traditionally nothing really happens that night, so hopefully there will be folks wanting to get started early with their rpg playing. I am planning to run it at Ravenstone but it can be moved to the convention if necessary. The next game I am scheduling is for Sunday June 22nd, 1:30 at Ravenstone. There is a sign up sheet for both games and if you wish to play, you can let me know in the comments. Currently I don't believe the game is on until I have the right number of players at the table. I advertise these games with various Google + communities Twitter, and Facebook as well as sign up sheets. Is there an avenue that I am missing? Later.

Coming up on an anniversary

      May 29th 2010 I put my first post out here, and here I am, approaching this blog's fourth birthday. Over 200 posts and nearing the 10,000 page view mark has me thinking about all the different things I have posted here these past few years. Interviews, maps and such have moved through here, with a few ideas left hanging.

     One of these days I want to pull all of my Tinker posts together, give it a polish and see what you all think. I will be doing more maps in the future, March was a blast for me. I also hope to post more OSR stuff here with different creatures, items and stuff. This is where I admit my April Artifice was a bit of a bust.

     I will be at Origins, Gen Con, and Con on the Cob this year and I hope to be at Gary Con next year. A lot of things to look forward to. I am currently trying to get a DCC game off the ground, with a game on Memorial Day. I just have to settle on where to have it, in case my flgs is closed that day. In closing I will leave you folks with this question, what would you like to see here? Take care and I will be back!

One Month Until Origins

     Here we are, a month away from the big show here in Columbus. Wednesday I will be running a game of Dungeon Crawl Classics at Ravenstone games that night, at 6:00 and I am hoping to run some games at the con in the free play area. Anyone interested in playing, let me know, I will be in touch with members of the GGO if anyone there wants to play. I am up for running Labyrinth Lord, Mutant Future, Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space, and DCC. Take care guys!

Upcoming DCC at Ravenstone! Plus my Appendix N

     Next month, I plan to run DCC at Ravenstone games, Wednesday (@ 6:00) and Saturday the 21st (Free RPG Day @ 1:00) I am also hoping to play some DCC at Origins. In addition to that, I have been listening to an excellent podcast focusing on DCC called Spellburn. Give it a shot, their passion lies in DCC but they occasionally bring up other games, usually in a "this is cool." or "how can I use/convert this to DCC" Wonderful stuff.

     Moving onto my next topic, during an episode of Spellburn, a listener sent an e-mail full of questions and the one that stuck out to me was what is each of the hosts Appendix N? That got me thinking about if I ran DCC, what would I draw from to build my campaign world? After some careful consideration I have four main things. The first is Robert Howard's Conan, for the savagery and how dangerous and corrupting magic can be. Then Lucio Fulci's Gates of Hell trilogy, for the mythology that's seems to exist there with creepy ghost kids speaking through photos and disturbing visuals. Clive Barker for the horror fantasy vibe going through his stories, especially looking at my favorite explorers in agony and ecstasy- cenobites! Finally I would pull stuff from Adventure Time, with it's Ice King, talking dog Jake, and a candy kingdom. Sheer poetry, friends.

     So, what is your personal Appendix N/ What do you think of mine? Let's hear some feedback. Take care everyone!

My Mutant Future game and a correction about Origins

     First, the correction. Their games schedule is available as an xls file here. I had been going to the events tab, then selecting role playing games and getting a blank page, I apologize for not investigating further. It was my mistake. Now to search that "events grid" for some games to play.

     I am rescheduling my MF game. I ended up with only two people who said they would be there and I made the executive decision to postpone it. I felt that for what I have planned, there needs to be more personalities around the table. So if anyone out there is still interested, let me know and we can figure something out. I have seven pre gens ready, and can come up with more. I am especially proud of the mutant sloth I came up with, woot!

Origins and Gen Con 2014

     Planning ahead this year. In regards to what I normally do, this is planning ahead. I have the time off for Origins, so my next step is seeing what they have going on. Unfortunately it seems like their website is not updated as they only have the author guest of honor (Tracy Hickman) and one special guest (Alaina Huffman) When I went to register and get a badge, it would not let me finalize, so that may also be why when I go to look at what games are being run it shows me a blank page. Since we are six and a half weeks away from the show, I hope this gets taken care of soon.

     It is not definite that I am going to Gen Con, but they have some great people guesting there, including Therese Nielsen and Jim Butcher. Then there is the sizable industry insider list, which can be found here. Very exciting stuff all around, and with one hundred and eight days to go, there is plenty of time to prepare. Hopefully there are still rooms available close to the venue.

     So you will definitely some Origins reporting out of me this year, and maybe some Gen Con as well. Last year I only attended Gen Con for one day, so if I go this year it will be for a lot longer than that. Take care and hope to see some of you around!

Origins 2013

     So next weekend is Origins, and for the first time in awhile, I am not going. If any of you go, make sure you stop by Charles Urbach's booth and say hello. He is an award winning artist who has done work for Alderac Entertainment, Fantasy Flight Games, and Sony Online Entertainment. In addition to being a really talented artist, he is quite personable. Check out his Facebook page if you are so inclined. In addition to Mr. Urbach, Steve Kenson will be there. Steve is a game designer who has done some amazing work, including Mutants and Masterminds, True 20 Adventure Role-playing, and Icons.As well as being great at designing games, he is a big comic book aficionado (read-geek) and all around nice guy/cool cat.

     There are lots more awesome people appearing there, so check them out and let me know afterwards what you thought. Take care!

Origins, Carcassone and the Doctor Who RPG

     So, I managed to get to Origins this past weekend for one day. Went on the family pass, so it was mostly shopping the dealer's hall and visiting with friends. I got to meet Wil Wheaton and get his autograph which unfortunately this cut into my hanging out with friends time, but was worth it to meet one of the "ambassadors of gaming". I forgot my decision to do more planning regarding these convention visits so started setting things up for this years Gen Con. Seriously, this is planning ahead for me. I am hoping to meet other bloggers there, so if any of you are bloggers and are attending Gen Con 2012, let me know!

     My big dealer's room finds were the Carcassone big box (main game plus five expansions!!) and the Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space rpg, both for half price. I have not played Carcassone yet, but I have been reading up on the Doctor Who game and plan on running it with my family this weekend. I will let you know how that goes, along with Carcassone. Take care everyone, and please leave comments!!

Oh Origins, how I love thee...

I've just spent the day wandering around Origins Game Fair with my spawn (read kids), and man I had a blast. Previously my youngest would normally be gripping my arm, practically climbing up me due to shyness/nervousness but this time was different. He actually gave me a little breathing room, only grabbing my hand a couple of times.

Just did the family day pass since I have sworn off paying to play with a bunch of strangers. Last time I did that, it was two guys playing female characters in an All Flesh Must Be Eaten (zombie) rpg, and even though the pre-generated cheracter sheets had brief backgrounds on them, they chose to play them like drunken whores. Not that I know how drunken whores act, I am just guessing. So yeah, I highly recommend going to the game library with your friends (miniatures room I think) and finding something to play. I played a couple games of Unspeakable Words by Playroom Ent. (art by my friend Tony Steele, though I didn't realize it at the time) which my friends and I a lot of fun with.

I spent a good deal of time in the exhibitor's hall looking for deals, basically out of print stuff that's dirt cheap. I've found Horrorclix mini's are good for lots of different zombies and other scariness, and I even came across some Mage Knight for some fantasy rpg type mini's. Got a roll of Gaming Paper that I am looking forward to drawing maps on, whee! I picked up some Game Science dice, which baffled my wife and kids, who didn't understand why I was happy to get some. I basically pinned it down to nostalgia, since I had some when I was a kid and they got lost sometime between being a teen and an adult.

Looked for mini's for Sunday night's game, but came up dry. So basically going to the big con for me is all about buying stuff, hanging out with friends, and playing games. Today filled all those requirements exceptionally well, though a few friends were absent, I am hoping I can swing back Sunday for a bit, unfortunately I am busy Saturday. Well, if anyone has a good con story, let me hear it. Until next time, take care everyone.