Alright here we go!!!

Let's see if 3 really is the charm. This is my third attempt … 2nd glitch.

Lers just say I am in a Love Hate relationship with compurers. So forgive me for my tardiness. This story in part happened around Halloween … And we are almost to Thanksgiving. But that's okay as we have a house rule, that as long as there is candy in the bowl … Trick R Treat isn't over.

So I am staring at the last Eyeball Gunball … So every thing is legal as long as we don't get caught.

I have no explination, but I swear a week before Halloween, I kept getting Satanic Panic videos in my you tube fee. I can't say I totally understand the You Tube algorythum arcane. I mean I do watch my fair share of You Tube. And a good portion is D&D/Gaming videos … But I had not been actively researching the subject, but they may have influenced what occurred on that night.

I was sitting at the end of the driveway, handing out candy. My wife was wearing my Strtanger Things T shirt. Me I was wearing a Sons of Gygax shirt. It is the one where the skull is wearing a crown and the beard is a little longer and wilder. Since I have been growing my beard out I thought the reflrxtion was appropriate. About an hour in a kid comes up to me with the sass that only a 10 year old can muster. He looks me up and down and sneers, “Where's your costume. I gave him a hard stare and told him this is my costume. He looks puzzled and says, “Wadcha suppose to be?”

This is where You Tube's influence took ove and said in a low growl, “I am the Satanic Panic.” His eyes got real big and his mom dragged him off.

This got me thinking. I am old enough to lived through the Age of Panic. Not a lot of haggis thrown my way but I did have one experentence that you might find mildly amusing.

About 40 years ago I moved to Orlando, Fl. Disney had opened their second park and I had gotten a job as a puppeteer, leaving family and friends in St. Petersburg. I had gotten tangled up with a pretty young lady named Lou. It was a Sunday afternoon and I was suppose to go over to her house to visit.

Now on that day I had a very batchler moment. I discovered I was out of clean shirts. So I dug deep and found a cherished possession. Now when I left St. Pete, my players gave me a parting gift. They went to a surf shop and had a custu=om t shirt made. They had the airbrush artish replicate the cover of a Dragon Magaine. And not just ANY cover. But the cover of the issue where I had gotten a cartoon published in.

When I got to Lou's house, there they all were … sitting around the dining table … playing cards. Now not only Did this shirt have a fire breathing dragon on it but the back had a nice little poem written on it. “Born on a mountain. Raised in a cave . Dungeons and Dragons is all I crave.”

My first clue that had commited a feux pas was the glare Lou greeted me with. It was matched by her mother, Wanda. She gave me a disappointed look, shaking her head. “John I thought you were such a good Christian boy.” I Replied that I was. A nd she asked how I could call myself a Christain and be associated with … that … game.

I paused and answered, “Before you remove the speck from my eye, remove the beam out of yours.

Uncle Bob got that mischievious grin , settled back in his chair, turned to Lou's Dad and said, “ Wait … this is going to be good.”

I looked her squae in the eyes I asked, “Do you know what those things are. Lou's mom said that they were just. Playing cards. I then asked her if she was aware that these were the minor arc of the Tarot deck and are used to tell fortunes .” I ended with, “accoerding to Milton from Paradise lost , the Inferno, fourtunetellers roam hell with their heads on backwards.”

Scilence … Except for Lou's Dad , Don and Uncle Bob practically falling out of their chairs. Even Grandma giggled.

So do any of you have any Satanic panic experiences?

“Hawkiem’s Tale” – Session 0 Opening

The old man leans forward, his milky eyes staring at nothing. His voice is gravel and smoke.

“Ahh… you want to know where you’ve landed, do ye? Heh… stories ain’t free, stranger. Not here. Everything has a price. You got a coin? No? Then a swig’ll do. My throat’s drier than a nun’s virtue. Aye, that’s better. Gods bless your generosity—though not your choice of gods, eh?”

He spits to the side and begins, voice low and drawn like a blade:

“Two passes cut through these mountains, like scars. The locals call ‘em Oubliettes—Forgotten Paths. First is Twelve, closest to the Imperial City. But Twelve’s choked with hillmen and ogres. Filthy bastards, they eat what they catch. So folk, desperate as they were, turned to the other road… the Thirteenth.”

His head tilts, a grin spreading across his cracked lips.

“Oubliette Thirteen. Named for Bane himself. God o’ Evil. They call it Bane’s Blessing, but don’t let the name fool you—ain’t no blessing here, unless you like curses, rot, and things that crawl in your skin while you sleep. This land’s poison, through and through. Always was. Everything in it… bends toward wickedness.”

Hawkiem takes a pull from the skin, lips smacking before he goes on.

“When the Sasanacs overran Rankin—ah, the jewel of the Empire, now just ash in the wind—folk fled. Thieves, slaves, gladiators, scum and sinners all. And where’d they run? Here. Through the Thirteenth Oubliette, into the jaws o’ Hell. And they built a city… Sanctuary, they call it.”

He chuckles darkly, a sound like dry leaves.

“Sanctuary! A name sweeter than the truth. It’s no haven, friend—it’s a pit. Murder walks arm-in-arm with greed. Vice wears a crown. They cast off the old gods, spat in their faces, and bent the knee to Bane. Now the city thrives on sin. It’s Sodom and Gomorrah with sharper teeth, and the teeth bite deep.”

He leans in, his breath foul, his voice a whisper:

“And now you’re here. Heh. You don’t even know why, do ye? Don’t matter. The mountains walk. The gates are shut. And there’s no way out.”

He sits back, cackling softly.

“Welcome to Bane’s Blessing, stranger. Hope you brought a strong stomach… and a stronger blade.”





So.... what went wrong?

Well no fault of Fantasy Grounds. My friend, Wil had problem with his computer. Maurice is comeing over to help him out later in the week ... so hopefull next week goes better. But I have say I have been spoiled by my past groups. Let me say this ... if your DM said it would be adventagous to do this. How many of you would do just that? I had a pre rolled character that I wanted them to run. He was a retirered captain of the guard that would give him insights and connections within thw town they would be playing. NOPE!!! None of them were having it. In hindsight I should of rolledu p 3 characters and have them roll off and the lsst one got what they got. And this upset the apple cart! Funny thing was I wass just listening to one of Rune Hammer's You Tube vidoes wher hecharacters gonna due what players going to do. In the past my old groups I guess picked up onmy cues ... or just had sense enough to be let in the door before they ransacked the house.

I was also was reminded that this is not "My" campaign ... it belongs to all.

So after I finish this post I will start on another adventure. Salvage what I can. And move on.

At least we got characters done. /B]

OOPS!

I forgot to include the last line of my last post. Remember these magic words: "Thank YOU". They will go a long way to let your DM know that you are appreciative of his efforts and that you are enjoying the game. That would be his treasure.

HEY FANTASY GROUNDS!!! HEY DOUG!!!
I have a idea for a new feature ... It's called "The DM Bribe"

All kiding aside. Back in the day, before the blessings of the coming of Fantasy Grounds, one would gather up ... all uor stuff. Bo0oks Character sheat, dice pencils, figurines and other esentuals. This usually included something to eat, supper/ Diner, drinks, chips or snaks. I don't know how my fellow Grognards use to handle it ... but we took turns proving the meal. Pizza always a fav.

But if you were smart you would bring something along ... to bribe the DM. Aaaaahhhhh! there is always something that tecchnology cannt solve ...
YET!!!

I'll say this much ... It made being a forever DM a little more tollerable.

So the other day my wife entered into the Mancave. She stood at the door way and I could feel her head shaking at me.

I looked up and said, "WHAT!?!

Now her shaking her head is nothing new. And I redily admit i give her good cause to causing that reaction in her. She said in a very carung voice, "I don't think the guys know how much work you put into this so they can play."

As usual ... she is always right.

what makes it even worse is that my productivity is way down. It now takes me 3 days to do one days work. And what makes this even worse is that by it's very nature, ICRPG is very much a DO IT YOURSELF game. You don't have the luxary of plug and play.

BUT i never played straight out of the box. Still it makes me wondwer ... is this the reason so few of us have picked up this game? Or at least i don't think it has a huge following. I'm only guessing ... because the Forums Still it still buried in others.

So I guess I'll go to Rune Hammer's Comunity content and check it out.

PS: For inquiring minds who want to know. Last weeks game was canceled due to rain ... I mean a confict of opposing events. this worked out best because it gave me another week to work onit.

"HI HO! HI HO! It's off to work i go!"

Ontil next time Well Met and Hopefully I will Have something I report.

[SIZE=7]Okay ... okay. Yes I know ... I know ...

Could't find the post on using AI for images in Fantasy grounds ... So here we are.

So ... I have perhaps a different, and hopefully an interesting perspective. I am a trained artist. That was what I went to college for. Graduated with honers taught art. Got a few pieces published .. even got one cartoon in Dragon Magazine.

No bragg ... just fact. Today I can't see to hold a pen. So if I want to add an image to my game, I have 2 cdhoices:

1.) Lift it from the internet.
2.)Use AI.

So is this the lesser of the two evils? I don't know. You tell me.

I havent made up my mind if I can call it mine, yet.

I do know this ... I'm the one that comes up with the words for the prompt. Too many words and you confuse the program. Too few you get at best something pedestrian. So there is some art and knowledge to it.

Also I think back to a girl friend I had 35 years ago.. She went to a vocational schoolto learn how to do Analouge Photoshop skills. So before there was Photo Shop the used film and xacro knifes to manually edit images. She put cigaretes in lady's hands for a living. I was there when she lost her job because tecnology pushed past her Knowing her personality ... I do not imagine she went softly into that good night. But the world turns and things do not stay constant. I would point out that there is no one outr there carving wood blocks to print an image. Hell drawing programs eliminate paper let alone pen and ink.

SO i think when it comes down to it ... things change, And perhaps the best you can do is come to trms with what is the lesser of two evils and act as ethically and with honor as you can.

[B][B]I've marked my calander and set my alarm. Come Tuesday night at 7 PM, I am firing up Fantasy grounds and we are runing us some Index Card RPG. We had started runing a Ghost Mountain Campaign. Got as far as rolling up characters . But the crew is happier playing an orc than a cowboy.

Besides since doing this for somewhere about 50 years ... I can do Fantasy yhemed content in my sleep. Plus let's be honest there is just more fantasy content out there. I am playingwith my best friend from Middle School. 7TH grade. I showed him his first role playing game. It was ... of courseD&D. He played a Ranger in a solo game and I took pitty on him as he wawent down right at the exit. His dog pulled him to safty.

If things go sideways, I hope he will be just as kind.

I've to do something safe. It's always been fun. Pit Fights! This should be a good litmious test. with minamal impact if things go South.

I'll let you know... It should be interesting and I will be interested in how it goes.

Besides my friend Will he is bringing along two friends Chris and Maurice. They seem like good fits. They understand my challenges of being visually imparted. I swear everything takes three times the effort and time. I've been putting in 8hour days justto grt ready. Luckily my wife doesn't mind me disapearing into the Man Cave for such stints. She even acts as my editor. She says she is just glad to see me do something creative again.

Good Woman ... Good friends and Fantasy Grounds!

I'm a lucky man.

[SIZE=7][B][B]OKay I have funally found my way back to where the blogs are so I can resume this blog. I have to say I was suprized to get more than a few responses ... more than I would of imagined

So thank you all who shoowed interes.

To bring every one up tospeed. I had a stroke which messed up my vision and I was having heart problems. Just this week I got a pace maker at long last.

My best friend Wil, (Whom I've known since 7th grade has been trying to run Traveller on Fantasy Grounds, but was struggling to keep up with a weekly schedule, so I offered to pad his time by doing another campaign.

Now I'm very lucky tohave a good set of players, who are open to different games than just D&D. I have chosen to play Index Card RPG, Ghost Mountain, which is another version of "Deadlands." I like the ICrpg ruleset. It seems so far to be running smoothly and has good bones.They told me they really liked the game and thw way the campaign has started.

And while I have mentioned else where, it bares repeatring. This game system does not recieve the support it deserves. At our current point in time the core rules are out, but not the wold or setting books. One gets spoiled by D&D's modular instruction. Runehammer's creation requires a lot more effort on the GM's part to get it running. This was a challenge between my vision issues, plusstamina and the fact I'm working with half a brain now. So let me be clear. This is not the fault of Fantasy Grounds or any one associated with the company . Nor will I point a finger at Runehamer. They at least gave us the tools needed to function.

So this last Tuesday, we created characters and got our feet wet.

I must say I am STILL working on compiling data as well as next week's adventure. That session they will deal with a family that is being held housebound by a 30 foot chicken.

I think Wil's character is going to be glad he got that Elephant Gun.

Only an explenation.

Oddly enough ... The only comments I have received of late is that I have seemingly abanded my blog.

Interesting ...

Who knew anyone is reading it.

So let me catch you up on what's been going on ...

Subtitled "YOU CAN TEACH OLD DOGS NEW TRICKS"

My best friend from Jr. High. still play RPGs together. He is currently wanting to run Traveller in Fantasy Grounds. Here's the hitch. While Fantasy Grounds does offer Traveller ... it is "Mongoose" Traverer. And Wil Wants to run "Classic" Traveller. Now ... since I have the most experience in Fantasy Grounds ... and we are like Brothers, I volonteered to help him out. I am hoping to sit like a hat on the Mongoose Travwler Ruleset. If not it's going to involve a lot more work.

I am also working on learning a campaign manager. Yes I know Google Drive exsists and in the past we used Face Book. But, the later locked me out of my old page.

So trhis go ... we are trying out Sabbard Campaign Manager. I have tried the usual suspects as Word Anvil and Legend Keeper, however I seem to be having better luck with Scabbard. I like the searchability and layout. It looks pretty too. The only downside is that it about doubles the work for the DM. I hope both I and my players will find it worth the effort. Things are much more organized and it does give a space to record inspiration and thought process. Still it is alot of work.

On top of that I am working on my new setting for my next campaign. That ofcourse intales maps. Keep in mind ... +everything takes longer and there is about half thr output. But as anyone in the RPG world knows ... Weither you sat DM, Game Master or even Referee, a rose by any othername works just as hard.

So in closing Please, rember ... thank your Game Host.

Or maybe it's the other way around.

I have been busy doing the leg work for putting into Fantasy Grounds the Black Sword Hack rule system. I wish someone who knew what they were doing had this task. I think mine will be functional ...
but it sure isn't going to be pretty.

But I'm kind of glad to be stepping away from D&D after what they have been putting in of late. And this system, well ... I really like the character creation process and the customization it allows.

I am at that stage in campaign design where you start putting parts together to form a gestault. Gives my brain a workout, which is much needed.

So my wife, Yoko and I are in the habit of winding down with a little TV before we eventually head off to Slumberland. Usually it's Murder Porn on the bill. But the last couple of nights we have gravitated towards an anthology series on Netflix by Guillermo Del Toro called Cabenet of Curiosites. It's a collection of stories and directors. Yoko desceibes it as a trio of 13 year olds trying to scare and gross outtheir compatriots. So yes it's a little gory ... but they, so far have been pretty solid stories.

The thing is one of the first episodes there was an sttack with giant rats following a giant monsterous rat. My opening concept for the opening campaign, I planned to have the Adventurers take shelter from the rain in a farm house along the road, only to find the family devoured by a swarm of rats lead by an intelligent rat, who is a cleric, in the employ of a loan sharkfrom the neighboring village. This would serve as an interduction to the Rat God and three villains.

There was another story about an autopsy that reviels people who have ben possesed by entities causing murders and mayheim as possible. But the way they acted was just as I pictured the way the incorprial demons in BSH would hack, charming ... ab possessing NPcs .

They say that good artists copy ... Great artists steal. Take inspiration where you find it ... even if it's in your pocket before you know you have it.

Hi Everyone!

It's been a bit. I have been working hard of late working on cobbling a useable version of an OSR game, that is not on the ones offered in FG. I'm hoping this one is more exceptable to my group. Jim kind of put the kabosh on Dungeon Crawl Classic. Short and sweet ... Jim said' "I will NEVER play that game!" I wish I had known that before I made the investment. Jim is not the most polite indivigual. Personally I think it was that DCC is not optimized for mid maxing. I don't know if my next choice is any better. I'm looking at trying Black Sword Hack.

Has anyone tried this game?

I haven't but I've read the books, seen some youtube videos and some live play.

It seems sleak and easyplaying and I actually like the creature creation system ... However looking at stats would probably give Jim a heart attack. :) It is very D&D like.

So if its D&D adjacent then why not play the World's most popular role playing game?

Well ... personally ... of lately, I have not been two happy with both the behavior and quality of WOTC.

And I guess I'm not alone.\

Anyway we will see what Jim has to say. If he kicks up his heels again I think I'm going to say, "Well Jim you don't have to join the group.

I hope FOMO kicks in:)

Well ... I have had a few kind people offer me support and were courious about the challenges that my stroke has imposedon me.

First off ... I can't drive. so no scooting over to my friends' house to play a quicj 8 hours. Tank the Dice Gods for FG. Secondly, I get tired easily. It seems to take twice the time and effort to get half the results. Also not seeing well has not improved my typing skills And all those pretty maps that I collected and made ... Well now ... they ae just a mish mosh of a confusing mess. In fact stranglet enough I can still lay down the line of sight I just have trouble with the torches. So, I'm going old school with the Fog of War.

... Oh don,t let me forget. Short Term Memory Loss.

Did I meantion about my Short Term Memory loss.

So my Best Friend will are going to give BSH a whirl. Hopefully we both have a good time.

I'll let you know how it turned out.

OKAY!!!!

What is the meaning of two posts in two days. Who are you and what have you done witn John?

Don"t you hate coming late to the party?

I do.

But here I am.

So I don"t know, with all the YouTube I watch that I didn't see this.

Called The Dungeon 23 Challenge is atribited to Shawn McCoy, creator of The Mother ship. The concept is simple. One creates a mega dungeon. It consist of a dungeon with 12 levels and 365 rooms. A room for every day.

Wow this is monumental! Certainly challenging enough ... but ramped up considering I have Roughly half the time to get it done by the new year. 173 days, 24 weeks,or 5 months.

My plan is to try and catch up and document my progress every week. Definately ambitous.

So I guess I better get cracking!!!

Wish me luck!

Ok... so given with what has been going on lately with WOTC and just in general with my life I have to make some changes. With only half a brain, I need to go in a somewhat new direction. I at first thought about switching to Dungeon Crawl Classic but when I suggested it to my group, one of my long time players ... our friendly neighbor hood "That Guy" threw a fit. "I WILL NEVER PLAY THAT GAME!!!"

I'll be honest it kind of took the stuffing out of me. After all, therte I was recovering from a stroke ... Half blind ... and that was the support he gave me?! I was looking to create a Viking Campaign on the request of another player. I was looking at a very low level magic campaign.

WELL THAT AIN'T D&D5e.

So ... it was back to sqare one.

so here I am watchin' Da YouTube and I,m watching Proffesser Dungeon Master. He's on his Independent games plug. He brings up a rules light game called "Black Sword Hack." The more I listened the more I was leaning towards his pitch.

Black Sword Hack. So have any of you played this baby?

HELL!!! Have any of you even heardof it?

For the uninitiated this game is a streamed down roll lower D20 that has a touch of Elric and Stormbringer. Its only 10 levels. No XP to keep track of (You level up when you finish the apropriate number of adventures. 90 pecent of the damage is a D6 and your taken damage is reduced by ... wait for it ... your armor classification. The DM doesn't even roll. the player rolls to hit, but then rolls to defend. Spells are simplified to a description of a few lines.

Best of all I think tweeking this for my viking campaign will be a lot less work.

And that is something I could go for.

Stop me if you have heard this one before ...

"Reapeating the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome is the very definition of insanity."

But here I am. once again ... Writing on this bog....

Slowly searching the keyboard ... trying to see the letters ... working from word to word ... in a valiant effort to make sense ... to not forget because of short term memory loss, what I was trying to ssay. If you are just happening upon this, I recently had a stroke.I did well in therapy, though my eyesight is messed up. I have limited strength and not a lot of energy. I am sad to say that too often and take the path of least resistance. I have to choose my battles.

Well that was almost a year ago.


I was ... have been a DM for over 40 years. I am a staunch Fantasy Grounds supporter for 6 years. I currently I am running two D&D5e campaigns and have sat in for a couple of sessions of traveler. Oh yeah! I am trying to learn the Dungeon Crawl classics ruleset.

I don't know why I am still writting this blog. I know i have a lot to say. Always have. I always blamed it on being raised on the Amplified text of the Bible. I guess the real question is ... do I have something of value to say.

At this this point does it even matter?

I mean almost every post I get excited when I get notification of a response, but when I check it out it is some spam ad that is in a foregn language. I can,t even read the spam.

Does it really matter if this is read. Ultimately ... no.

So I will continue to post and hope that someone will read and post a reply I will try and post more often. But you know I've made that promise before.

If you expect things to change ...

WELL THEN WE"RE ALL CRAZY!!!

< Que Gene Autry >

I thank you for allowing me to share my situation and concerns. Also thank you for your kind comments. They helped alot. I have graduated therapy with flying colors. I was amazed at how open and supportive of my interests and what they could do to get me back to being able to continue them. It was also interesting how they said playing Dungeons and Dragons on Fantasy Grounds was good theropy.

I am pleased to anounce that as of two days ago ... I DM ed my first game since December.
I have to admit I was going abit crazy. I know my wife as loving as she is was growing tired of the You Tube D&D videos I was listening to. I was also feeling guilty as my group andI wer in the middle of Candle keep adventures. I kept my mind busy coming up with three new campaigns. A viking one, one that was inspired by the animae series Arcane and Drifting Dragons. and a Victorian styled one using the Bridgewater Triangle as the setting.

My group and my wife have been very patient and encouraging.

We have started to play short adventures to get me back in the swing of things. And I was rather pleased when one of my players asked "So what's the name of this village?" I was able to respond with, "Here in this village they speak their minds and speak plainly. It's so back water ... that's what they call it ... Backwater. We all had agood time and I will adnit that it warmed my soul to see Shelby play again. She is maybe the finest player I have ever had at my table.

So ... I may not be up to snuff. I may have to work hard to not forget things (short term memory loss.) And it might take me twice as long to do things ... but I'm Back

P.S. Thank you to all the Forge Creators that have recognized the needs of those of us that need a little heping hand.

Thank you all and I will keep you updated.

OK... so consider this a major step foprward. You see ... Christmas eve, Santa put a huge lump of coal in my stocking. I had a stroke. I an blessed as to how well I an doing. but my vision has been afected and this is as much as i have eebbeen able to use the compuuter. Thekiller is I was just about to retire. Nothing but gaming and art projects ahead. I am struggling to get to reopen the campaign we were in the middle of. I have g00d friends and a suportive wife who knows what gaming means to me. forgive the typos. I just want to say when you are a forever DM it's for life