Rick Jones

if I had not been in the dumps for the past six weeks, you would have heard me blog about...

2008-05-13T03:26:07Z

Meeting General Siglerisimo (aka Scott Sigler) at an Infected signing at Murder By The Book. I always imagined him taller.

Having to see Iron Man 1.5 times, because the boy got freaked out at the start and bored in the middle. I covet Tony Stark's house.

Going completely geekgasmic at Speed Racer. It's a movie where cars behave like they did when I played with Hot Wheels as a kid. The final race is set more or less in the Ultimate Hot Wheels Track.

Re-reading the first Dragonlance trilogy, and having all sorts of thoughts about an "Ultimate Dragonlance" game.

Watching Cloverfield. It reminded me of a Call of Cthulhu con round.

Thinking about 4th Edition far too much.

request for vibes

2008-05-07T21:50:42Z

Interview tomorrow for a contract job with an option for a permanent position.

Good vibes and mojo appreciated.

whoa

2008-04-28T15:47:26Z

Music Video of the Speed Racer Movie Theme Song.

Dang, I'm not sure my expectations can get any higher.

gaming thoughts

2008-04-24T20:36:05Z

What with all the time on my hands, I've thought about what I wanted to do in a D&D 4th ed game. In the end, I trashed my ideas of using Eberron, a hacked Blue Rose or even the Forgotten Realms, and just made up a sketchy game world where the characters start in a Dark Continent, akin the the Africa of Tarzan, Alan Quartermain and Indiana Jones. There's a town built in the middle of a giant-scale bridge that's akin to a gold rush town, except instead of gold mines, it's ruins of an ancient high magic society that used to run the continent before it collapsed under mysterious circumstances millennia ago.

Of course, just after hearing that, the word from the GAMA trade show is that WOTC is adopting a new, limited run approach to settings. So there will be three books for the Forgotten Realms, three for Eberron, and then they're planning on going back to older settings. I like the limited release for a setting - one of the obstacles to starting a new game in the Realms, for instance, is that there are a couple of feet of sourcebooks to go through.

And if they do Spelljammer next, I will be a VERY happy camper.

But while one hand giveth, the other taketh away. The word from WOTC is that if a third party company wants to do 4th Edition books, then they can't do any OGL or 3.5 books. Which means that, for instance, if Green Ronin wanted to do a 4th Edition Freeport book, they'd have to stop making Mutants and Masterminds books, which would make the baby Orcus cry. Now, the first thing that various rules lawyers (but not, you know, actual lawyers) suggested is that, again to use Green Ronin as an example, a company spins off a second company for 4th edition only. So Green Ronin makes its True 20 and M&M books, but a legally separate company, "Emerald Ninja", produces 4th edition stuff. The only hard part would be the legal hoops and making sure that the firewalls between the two corporations were strong enough, which most third party corporations can't afford.

The Scourge of St. Giles

2008-04-07T21:44:09Z

So, I'm one of the Bleeding Edge / Gaming Sausage playtesters for the forthcoming Dresden Files RPG. One of the things I did was play with the character creation rules to see what sorts of things I could do with it.

Lacking an idea for what to make, and because Kat and I were watching Buffy a bunch lately, I made a pastiche set of characters for DFRPG.

The Scourge of St Giles

The folks in my gaming group think there's something wrong with me. I can't really argue that. I freely made up Permissions and a couple of mortal stunts. I'll post this (with caveats) to my blog later.

The Scourge

In every generation, there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness. She is the Scourge.

The legends of the origins of the Scourge are a mystery closely guarded by the Fellowship of St. Giles. What is known is that a few years ago, a certain television writer / producer's life was saved by a pretty blonde girl, who came out of nowhere and beat the ever-living hell out of a trio of Red Court Vampires. He learned her story and, having heard how Bram Stoker was able to help wipe out the Red Court with Dracula, wanted to do the same for the modern era. The Fellowship insisted he change some of the details to protect their privacy, and the Network execs forced more changes to fit their tight budgets as well as Standards and Practices. But he did capture the spirit of Betty and "the Goonies", even if the details may differ.

Potential Scourges are born with a fraction of their powers, and when one Scourge dies, the Fellowship selects the next Scourge and brands her with an arrow-shaped tattoo that marks her as St. Giles' Chosen. When asked why they only have one Scourge at a time, the inner circle simply says that It Is Forbidden. Scourges are trained by monks of the order, called "the Eye of St Giles." The Eyes are trained in occult lore and provide the Scourge with advice, backup and training.

Betty Winters, The Scourge of St. Giles
High Concept: the Slayer
Personal Struggle: find her place in the world - finding a balance between her humanity and her Calling
Name: Betty Winters

Aspects:
* I have this problem with authority figures.
* Let's face it. I'll never gonna have a happy, normal relationship.
* Now I have to save the world, AGAIN.
* Sarcastic much?
* Oh look. a vampire.

Elizabeth "Betty" Winters grew up on the sunny beaches of Southern California. She lived the first fifteen years of her life blissfully unaware of her destiny. She's not sure why the monks chose her over some of the other potential scourges, considering she wasn't trained from birth like others. A part of her wishes that she could turn her back on her destiny, but once confronted with the things that live in the shadows, she knows she can't not help others.

The first great love of her life was Liam Harper, a young man tainted, but not turned by the Red Court. Given the tattoos, Liam was able to help Betty and her "Goonies" fight the forces of darkness. Tragically, he succumbed to the blood lust of the Red Court and Turned. He remains her greatest foe, and although they have fought numerous times, she has, as yet, been unable to slay her former love.

Superb: Weapons (note: The Scourge's traditional weapon is a bow and arrow - a symbol of St Giles)
Great: Alertness, Endurance, Fists
Good: Conviction, Presence, Athletics
Fair: Lore, Discipline, Rapport
Average: Scholarship, Stealth, Investigation
Supernatural Stunts: Champion of St Giles (-1), Inhuman Toughness (-2), Inhuman Speed (-2), Inhuman Strength (-2), Wizard's Constitution (-0)
Refresh: 3

Rupert Pryce, The Eye of St. Giles
High Concept: the Watcher
Conflict: Caring for the Scourge who he must send into danger every night
Aspects:
* Very British
* "Ripper's still in there."
* Let me check my books.
* This is serious, Betty.
* Sees all of the Goonies as his children

Rupert Pryce grew up in England, knowing of the Order from the time he was a child. Like his grandmother before him, the Fellowship had chosen him to be one of the Eyes of St. Giles. As a teenager, he rebelled against the constraints of the Fellowship, and became involved in some very dodgy groups, experimenting with magic and all sorts of other unsavory things. However, after the death by black magic of one of his good friends, he returned to the Fellowship with a full understanding of just what was at stake. After the Red Court killed Betty's first Eye, Rupert moved to America and became her new Eye.

Great: Lore, Scholarship, Investigation
Good: Alertness, Conviction, Discipline
Fair: Contacts, Weapons, Intimidation, Resources
Average:Athletics, Fists, Performance, Burglary, Empathy
Stunts: Unshakeable (-1), Occultist (Vampires, Red Court) (-1), High Quality Workspace (Academic & Arcane Research) (-1)
Refresh: 7

THE GOONIES

During an expedition through an underground cave system that led to an old pirate ship, Alex joked that they were the Goonies. The name has, for better or for worse, stuck, though the group constantly argues "who's Chunk?"

Alex Ford, The Ordinary Guy
High Concept: The Ordinary Guy In The Middle of all the Crazy
Conflict: How do I help without any super-powers?
Aspects:
* I really hate vampires. I'm gonna take a stand on that.
* I'm perspective guy.
* A regular monster magnet
* She's the cutest of the Goonies with her lips as red as rubies and her firm and supple... tight embrace. (aka "loves Anika")
* Magic never works out well for him.

One day, the Scourge saved Alex and his best friend Rose Greenbaum from Red Court Vampires. Alex instantly fell for his savior, and insisted that he help however he could in the fight against all the monsters. Time passed and while Alex never managed to get past the "just friends" stage with Betty, he has stayed by her side. Over the years, Alex has gone from a typical high school guy to an accomplished monster hunter. While he certainly is not in the Scourge's league, combat-wise, he has stayed alive without the benefit of powers or special training for years. That's gotta count for something. He presently engaged to Anika Caufield.

Good: Fists, Endurance, Athletics, Weapons, Crafstmanship
Fair: Discipline, Driving, Investigation, Rapport, Empathy, Lore
Average: Scholarship, Stealth, Conviction, Intimidation, Resources, Survival, Presence
Stunts: Tough Stuff (-1)
Refresh: 9

Rose Greenbaum, The Witch
High Concept: Recovering black magic adept
Conflict: For all her power, inside she's still the shy, smart girl in the back row
Aspects:
* Under the Doom of Damocles
* I think there's a spell for that
* Sometimes, not so good with the talking.
* Wears her heart on her sleeve
* Once a geek, always a geek

A few years ago, Betty saved Rose and her best friend Alex Ford from Red Court vampires. While unable to contribute anything to "the Goonies" physically, her impressive intellect made her something of "a second Eye, or maybe a Monocle." Much to everyone's surprise, Rose developed a talent for magic. As her power grew, her natural shyness started to fade and she became more like Betty's partner than just another Goonie. However, when she used magic to slay the human who murdered her lover, Lara, it attracted the attention of the White Council. The group rallied behind Rose, and the Fellowship used its pull with the Council to arrange a settlement. The whole group (specifically Betty, Rupert, Alex and Daniel) put themselves under the Doom of Damocles - where if Rose crosses the line again, the whole group will suffer her fate.

Great: Lore, Scholarship
Good: Alertness, Conviction, Discipline, Investigation
Fair: Athletics, Empathy, Presence, Resources,
Average: Deceit, Endurance, Intimidation, Driving, Rapport,
Supernatural Stunts: Wizard (-1), The Sight (-1), Soulgaze(-1), Wizard's Constitution, Evocation (-2), Thaumaturgy (-2)
Refresh: 3

Daniel Baum, The Lycanthrope
High Concept: Zen Werewolf
Conflict: The wolf's inside me all the time
Aspects:
* But that diminished ninth? That's a man's chord. You could lose a finger.
* It's all about self control
* MUCH smarter than he acts.
* So chill you could store meat on him
* Bassist of Coyotes Ate My Cousin

A branch of the Baum family are secretly lycanthropes. While visiting his cousin, he was inadvertently infected with the curse. At first, he was unable to control himself during the nights of the full moon, but after learning from a Lycanthrope in the Fellowship, he finally gained control of himself during those nights. While studying with the Fellowship, he met Rose and the two became fast friends, as they share many academic interests. He remains with the Goonies, helping from behind when he can, but on the nights of the full moon, he's able to keep up with Betty and Rose.

Great: Conviction, Presence, Scholarship
Good: Alertness, Discipline, Lore
Fair: Fists, Weapons, Performance, Endurance
Average: Craftsmanship, Driving, Investigation, Resources, Stealth
Supernatural Stunts: Lycanthrope [-0], Mundane Form (+1 - Str & Tou), Pack Instincts (-1), Inhuman Strength (-2), Inhuman Toughness (-2), Echoes of the Beast (-1)
Refresh: 5

Anika Caufield, former Agent of Vengeance
High Concept: Refugee from the Nevernever
Conflict: A woman out of time
Aspects:
* Says exactly what she's thinking.
* Loves Alex
* Nevernever Exile
* "This is my dance of capitalism"
* I remember this one time when...

By the calendar, Anika is over a thousand years old. After placing a curse on her cheating husband Olaf, D'Hoffran, a high ranking member of the Winter Court picked her to be an agent of vengeance. With a magical amulet giving her enormous power (and warping her mind), she rained down vengeance on the behalf of scorned women. When an ex-girlfriend of Alex's tried to have her curse him, the Goonies saved him, and destroyed her amulet. Without the Amulet, she was once again a normal young woman, and free of D'Hoffran's influence. Lacking anywhere else to go, the Goonies reluctantly took her in. She has since proved her usefulness to the group, with over a thousand years of knowledge of the Faerie.

Superb: Lore
Great: Scholarship, Contacts
Good: Deceit, Empathy, Resources
Fair: Weapons, Endurance, Conviction, Alertness
Average: Athletics, Driving, Investigation, Performance, Survival
Stunts: Friend of the Fae (-1 - +2 to contacts with Fae), Infuriate (-1), Occultist (-1 / Fae Lore, specifically Winter Court),
Refresh: 7

Liam Harper, the Handsome Devil
High Concept: Fallen member of the Order of St Giles
Conflict: Oh, there's no conflict here - he's just plain evil.
* never goes for the simple kill
* Alpha Male
* Wants Betty to suffer
* Goes right to your weaknesses
* Cruel

Surviving an Red Court attack thanks to Betty, Liam underwent the tattooing process so that he could control his bloodlust. For over a year, he aided the Goonies in their monster hunting efforts. He also fell in love with Betty and she with him. Sadly, soon after he and Betty consummated their relationship, he succumbed to the bloodlust, and became a full vampire. He has steadily risen in the ranks of the Red Court, where his cruelty has made him infamous. He will occasionally return and torment Betty. He doesn't just want to hurt Betty. He wants her to suffer.

Superb: Presence
Great: Athletics, Fists, Deceit
Good: Conviction, Performance (he's an artist), Intimidation
Fair: Rapport, Lore, Weapons
Average: Scholarship, Stealth, Burglary
Supernatural Stunts: Red Court Vampire (-1), Inh Toughness (-2), Inh Strength (-2), Inh Speed (-2), Claws (-1), Flesh Mask (-1), Cloak of Shadows (-1), Blood Drinker, Feeding Dependency (+1) (-9)
Stunts: The Cruelest Cut (-1) [Presence Based, bonus when tagging "weaknesses"], Sex Appeal (-1)
Refresh: N/A

making a video trailer

2008-04-04T21:45:19Z

So, I wanted to rip some scenes from various films and arrange them into a short "trailer" for an idea I was fiddling with. What software (preferably open source or freeware) do people use for that sort of thing? I see all sorts of videos on YouTube where folks rip scenes from Heroes (or Buffy or BSG or whatever) and make music videos out of them. I'm looking to do something like that.

You know, if it's not expensive or hard. ;-/

whew - that was busy

2008-03-31T14:24:13Z

A whirlwind of a weekend up until Sunday afternoon. Saturday Jack and I did some Cub Scout stuff at the museum, some other errands and then an impromptu pizza party. I think it's so awesome that Jack loves the museum. I also did a boatload of chores. But Kat's sick, so all we did Sunday afternoon was lie on the couch and watch season 3 of Buffy. We had to stop just before Graduation Day, which was made of win.

I also worked on RPG Proposal #1. I'm going to take a whack at polishing it tonight and then sending it off.

Also, one year ago today, I was out shopping and doing a boatload of housecleaning because on April 1st, I would have my first date with Kat. YAY US. We had Italian food and watched Babylon 5 on DVD.

Wanna read something really scary?

2008-03-27T21:44:48Z

Scott Sigler's new book, Infected, is available for free download as a free pdf here until April 1st, when it goes on sale at bookstores everywhere.

I'm not gonna lie. This book may freak you the hell out. It is scary scary stuff, the most terrifying thing he's written. (Which is saying a lot.)

just to be clear

2008-03-27T15:24:00Z

Because some folks were not quite sure what I meant yesterday.

Ages ago, at a time when I was in the dark pits of depression, I came up with a cool idea for a supernatural / steampunk / mystery setting and protagonist, where Sam, the main character, was, for lack of a better term, dead inside. Then, I met ciaracat and I was in such a good mood that I didn't want to be in Sam's head.

Time's passed. I am no longer in the dark pits, but I was poking at some old story files and realized that I still liked the setting and that Sam could lighten up a little and not lose his punch.

Of course, I told myself that I was going to write a couple of RPG pitches, and since those are more likely to a) get published and b) generate some bonus income, I really need to focus on them.

In other news, Netflix finally got Justice League: the New Frontier to my mailbox. Holy crap, that's good stuff. However, it is NOT little-kid friendly. There is a bunch of blood and some naughty words.

a bunch of stuff that happened

2008-03-26T13:55:10Z

Last night was D&D with drelmo, and we defoliated with extreme prejudice a bunch of corrupted plant/fae and their rakshasha Evil Overlord. Bardsong enabled loads of fun, but it was over so quickly (and frankly, I rolled like pewp) I didn't get to do much other than that. (Did I mention I rolled like crap?) Big kudoes to Greg for providing some creepy atmosphere, which almost never works with a large group of smartass gamers.

matt_wallace has some new podcast fiction up at The Steampunk Spectacular Podcast. It's got clockwork cyborgs and talking dinosaurs. And of course, it's good. I'm also re-listening to The Failed Cities Monologues and about to hit the Chandler again to take another swing at a story that I came up with when I was really depressed and stopped because I met ciaracat and was so friggin' happy I didn't want to be in that guy's head. But enough time has passed so I can go "you know, nobody else is doing that story, so you better get to it."

Fiddled more with the character generation rules in The Dresden Files RPG, making a Dresdenverse version of Buffy and her Scooby Gang. All that's left are Anya and Angelus and I'll post it.

can he do whatever a spider can?

2008-03-24T20:41:04Z

So, Jack and I have been watching the new Spectacular Spider-Man cartoon on Kids WB. We both like it, me more than him.

It's good stuff - capturing a Peter Parker that's a close cousin to Ultimate Spider-Man, but with some of the classic tropes kept in. (So he's a photographer at the Bugle instead of a webmaster, and there's none of Bendis' need to have Peter unmasked or telling his secret ID to someone every other issue.)

The show also gets that Peter Parker should have his little victories and losses, where there are consequences to his actions. Spider-Man can catch the bad guy, but it means Peter's not able to help Harry study for a rough test.

I'm also impressed at how much of the mythos is already there in just a few episodes, both in terms of villains either introduced or standing in the back row, waiting for an origin. (I.E. We got a couple of episodes of Curt Connors, one-armed scientist, before he got all Lizard-y.)

Check it out.

wasn't striking, just busy

2008-03-24T15:04:28Z

Friday was a whirling dervish of chores.

Saturday was an Easter Egg hunt at ciaracat's appt. complex with Jack. He had a blast. Sunday was Easter Egg hunting with Jack and his mom, then a long visit with Kat's family, where much good food was eaten.

I'm about 50% through the Dresden Files versions of Buffy and her Scoobies. I really wish I could think of an equally pop-culturally relevant version of the Scooby Gang that I could call these guys. I'm also blowing through the Dresden books at a pretty good clip, so I should be done just in time for Small Favors when it comes out next month.

w00t

2008-03-20T17:34:22Z

Happiness is finding out that the office is closed tomorrow. ((Does the happy dance))

Now, the question becomes - will he spend the day off goofing off, or actually taking a big bite out of his To Do List?

Place your bets.

the waiting is the hardest part

2008-03-19T21:54:09Z

We kicked dragon tail last night in drelmo's Forgotten Realms game. In fact, the group was so effective at stomping the holy hell out of the two dragons that we didn't get a chance to pull out all of the cool toys and spells we had ready. The loot was not as impressive as I'd have expected from a dragon's hoard, but the pile of cash was big enough that I'm almost ready to start adding more plusses to my sword.

The wait for 4th Ed is becoming irritating. I've got this "just get on with it" feeling. Yeesh.

Done: Made a Dresden Files character (Betty Winters, the Red Court Scourge) - I'll be putting her, as well as her Scooby Gang together over the next few days. Moved my non-gaming To-Do list to a pocketmod. Corrected my Bard's character sheet.

To Do: Finish the not-Scooby Gang. Start RPG Proposal Number One: Yatta. Start RPG Proposal Number Two: Turnstiles. Write down the ideas for the Eberron 4E game.

Dropped off the list: Auditioning for BBTL - if I can't find the time to audition, I certainly won't have the time to do a part.

Memo to myself:

2008-03-18T19:43:28Z

In Progress: Record Auditions. (Done: Snyder, Practiced: The Mayor)

To Do: Make a bunch of Dresden Files characters, Taxes, Proposals

wow

2008-03-18T18:17:41Z

It's like watching the West Wing, only real.

that was my weekend

2008-03-17T17:18:30Z

Jack was grounded, which meant that I more or less had to be On Call from when his nibs woke up until he went to bed. Lots of "I'm bored. I'm hungry. I don't wanna do that." But other parts were class A Daddy Fun Time. Also, Jack continues as Mini-Me. In the interests of trying to find something that Jack was allowed to do, I talked about one of the proposals, a setting book. (I'm being intentionally vague) - I was describing one of the cool features of the setting, and Jack said, "there should be X too". Blink. Blink. "Daddy's gonna have to write that down, kiddo."

Checked off the to-do list: Second Draft of Freelance project, bills paid, yardwork done (mostly), helped Kat unpack and return her rental car, watched Ocean's 13.

Still To Do: Audition, do taxes, proposals for 2 freelance gigs.

coolness

2008-03-14T21:01:24Z

Spy Hunter Car Commercial

TGIF

2008-03-14T14:00:33Z

So it's been a rough week. Still not used to the CPAP yet and I'm waking up a lot. Jack was on "yellow" for discipline problems on Wednesday and then got bumped up to red for trying to fake a "green." So this weekend he's VERY grounded which means he'll be bored and cranky (and so will I).

Finished the Lies of Locke Lamora. Very good stuff. Lacking fundage, I'm going back to my re-read of the Harry Dresden books.

I haven't worked on my redlines because of the lack of sleep factor (which means I got to bed as soon as possible), but I will do that this weekend. And I still need to fiddle with my Bard in drelmo's game.

I've got the structure for my hypothetical 4E Eberron game figured out. The group will be playing Indiana Jones in Xen'Drik (the deepest, darkest continent - akin to Tarzan's Africa - full of lost cities and the ruins of a spectacular civilization of giants). I've got the larger arc figured out, but need to work on the details. (Which, of course, will have to wait on the actual books coming into my hands.)

Go Speed Racer

2008-03-13T18:40:07Z

This is enough to overcome the nagging headache that's made me really cranky today.

Geek Thought

2008-03-12T14:52:13Z

Got the redlines back really really quickly. Hardly anything to change, YAY. I'll bang out the fixes over the weekend, then work on the proposals for game products over the next week.

As part of my "let's not spend money" plans for the year, I went to the local library's web-page to see what they had that I wanted to read. Not much - just some of the non-fiction I want to read. Sigh.

After all but equipping a new character for drelmo's Forgotten Realms game, I've decided to hold pat with my Aasimar / Bard / Celestial Singer (new prestige class). I was looking at the Spell Compendium, and there's some stuff in there that'll make him a little more personally useful. To echo some of the commentary from Greg's LJ, support characters mostly get their fun by enabling fun for the rest of the group. And I'm for that, but I felt like poor Jamie was just not having much personal fun. But he's got some new gear and he didn't spend the whole game hiding from the bad guys. In fact, he completely fragged one of the icky undead we were fighting with his "Eyes of Light" feat. (Once a day, he can shoot beams of holy light out of his eyes. Good for fragging undead.) Note to self - don't reconsider a character based on one bad day. I think I also need to re-check his skills, because I know I didn't include Greg's house-ruled extra skill points for Knowledge skills.

on deadline again

2008-03-10T15:50:32Z

Finished the Writing Project and sent it off to the editor on time. I really shoulda finished it a week or so ago, but that's just how I roll sometimes. I need the focus of a deadline to get my butt in the chair. So I'm going to take a little break, and while I'm waiting for the redlines, start on my Indecent Proposal for a game sourcebook.

I had a stroke of inspiration about what my Eberron campaign would be about. Mwah-hah-hah, mine is an evil laugh.

Going to try out for just about all the male parts for Buffy Between The Lines Season Two. I can say with lots of glee that it would be just dandy to play the Mayor. I'm watching Season Three with Kat, and the Mayor really hasn't done anything yet, but when he does... whew.

I blame gnomes

2008-03-07T15:19:59Z

The past two nights, I've woken up to discover that some form of house-gnome has taken off the CPAP mask and turned it off. Sigh.

I've been a writin' fool, and I should finish on time. (YAY) After that, a proposal for more freelance work.

Jack has been a stinker in class lately. Talking out of turn and not paying attention. The time for MEAN DADDY is now.

little better now

2008-03-06T19:05:14Z

I adjusted the straps on my CPAP mask and slept a little better last night. I also got around 1000 words written on Project M. Still about 1K to go, though I'm certainly going to go over.

bad mood - grrrrr

2008-03-05T15:14:04Z

Bad mood this morning. I didn't sleep well, and haven't for a few days. (Which the flarking CPAP was supposed to fix, not make worse, darn it.) I'm going to blame that for my bad mood, though certainly a lot of my buttons feel stepped on today.