A Role Playing Games Blog
Archive for February, 2009
My first CC3 map
1February 19, 2009
Yesterday I finally sat down to create my first map in Campaign Cartographer 3. I bought the software and played a bit around, but never actually made a proper map with it. Now that I am in the process of fleshing out my Dungeonslayers campaign I thought it was the right moment to learn the art that is map making.
At first, let me show you a small portion of my map:
The whole map is of course much, much bigger. But this small map should give you a hint on what the complete map looks like. It took me a couple of hours to map the whole thing, but smaller maps are done in just a couple of minutes.
But I couldn’t have done it without the video tutorials at the official ProFantasy site. These videos give you a step-by-step instruction on how to create beautiful and professional looking maps.
If you are into map making you really should try CC3 out.
Stargazer’s RPG podcast recommendations
5February 17, 2009
When I got my first iPod I fell in love with podcasts. I commute by train for about an hour every day. And the best way to spend this hour is by listening to you favorite podcast (or read of course).
Before I joined the RPG Bloggers Network I only knew Wizard’s D&D podcast (iTunes Store URL) that was usually quite interesting but it was often so low in volume that I stopped listening to it. Even though it might be better on my iPhone, I haven’t bothered to come back to it yet, perhaps it wasn’t so interesting after all.
But I think I will give it another chance. I am especially interested to listen to the Penny Arcade Episodes, where the WotC guys convinced the folks from Penny Arcade to play D&D with them.
For a long time I didn’t listen to any RPG themed podcasts until I discovered Atomic Array and Fear The Boot. I’ve started listening to these podcasts just a few days ago starting with the oldest episodes, so it’s possible that they changed their format in the meantime.
Atomic Array (iTunes Store URL) is a bi-monthly podcast hosted by Rone Barton and Ed Healy. From what I’ve listened to so far, Atomic Array is mostly about interviews. In every new episode they talk about a new game (most of them are pretty indie which is nice) with the game designer(s). Just by listening to a few episodes I’ve learned about a couple great games I’ve never even read about. They also have some regular columns like “The Beast” where one of the hosts rants about something he’s really, really mad about. They also have some cool give aways each episode, so if you have some luck you can get some new RPG (usually the one they talked about) for free.
Fear the Boot (iTunes Store URL) has a weekly schedule and from what I’ve gathered so far they have a totally different approach than the Atomic Array guys. The focus on Fear the Boot is more about how to improve your roleplaying than showcasing new games every week. That’s a welcome change from the usual: hey, look what cool new game I found. Don’t get me wrong, I love Atomic Array especially because it presents me with a new game every two weeks but once in a while it’s nice to listen to a bunch of guys talking about their roleplaying experience. From what I’ve found out on their site, Fear the Boot has over 100 episodes so far and they obviously started working on their own campaign “Skies of Glass”. I am interesting how they will incorporate this into the format of the podcast.
So, are there any othe RPG podcast out there that I should know about? Please let me know in the comments.
Some free games I found at RPGNow
4February 17, 2009
I am looking for new and exciting games. A simple and cheap way to try out some new games or to at least broaden your horizon is to check RPGNow‘s free game downloads.
Labyrinth Lord (Link)
Labyrinth Lord is one of these new retro-clone games that try to emulate the classic D&D experience by using the OGL fantasy rules.
Enter a world filled with labyrinths, magic, and monsters! You can take the role of a cleric, dwarf, elf, fighter, halfling, magic-user, or thief on your quest for glory, treasure, and adventure! This is a complete role playing game. All you need are a few sheets of paper and some dice. Welcome back to a simpler old-school gaming experience. The Labyrinth Lord awaits your arrival. Can you survive the dangers of the labyrinth?
OSRIC (Link)
Another retro-clone (these are obviously very popular these days) is OSRIC. And OSRIC is not for the faint of heart. This PDF gives you over 400 pages of old-fashioned crunch for the grognard in all of us. 
OSRIC is an OGL product, using OGC terms and algorithms from 1980s game systems, to recreate the “old-school feel” of 80s fantasy gaming. This product is meant primarily as a publisher resource for publishing products compatible with OSRIC, and thus other 80s game systems. However, this work is a great resource for players and game masters as well!
SLA Industries (Link)
SLA Industries was an urban horror game produced by Nightfall Games. When Cubicle 7 Entertainment took over, they released a free PDF version of the 1st edition rules in order to promote the coming 2nd edition. If you are a fan of the original SLA Industries or just interested in another take on the urban horror genre check this out.
Operative, Employee, Contract Killer, Necanthrope, Ebon, Biogenetic, Corporate. These are the lifestyles available to you when you enter SLA Industries’ World of Progress.
Society split between truth and deception, conflict and political subversion, style and horror. Television and Insanity. Fighting for your life as an oblivious public watches on, awaiting your last breath between the adverts.
The media channels all the young hopefuls into their vessels. Nihilism is a way of life. Strive for originality in a world of outrage and conformity and diversity. The different get noticed, the truly original survive.
Six o’clock horror, every hour on the hour. Halloween Jack claims another victim. Fifteen minutes of fame for the corpse. Don’t get famous like him. Change. Become. Evolve. This is the way forward.
The Big Picture rewards the loyal. Be true to yourself. Survive. The truth awaits the inquisitive.
Guns kill but so does the truth.
Tri-Stat dX (Link)
One of my most favorite games that I never played was “Big Eyes, Small Mouth” aka BESM. BESM is an anime roleplaying game, a RPG where you can play characters who feel like if they jumped out of your favorite anime or manga. But the Tri-Stat system was much more versatile than simulation japanese cartoon characters. So Guardians of Order released Tri-Stat dX, a core rule set, meant to drive any campaign you could dream of. The rules are pretty good but alas GoO closed its doors shortly before BESM 3rd Edition was released.
Widely regarded as one of the best rules-light role-playing game systems ever published (as presented in over a dozen RPGs), the Tri-Stat Systemis the ideal game engine for all your campaign needs. Featuring a scalable system, point-based character creation, and intuitive combat and task resolution, Tri-Stat dX: Core System is an inexpensive exploration into essential and advanced role-playing techniques and methods. It’s the only role-playing game you’ll ever need.
CJ Carrella’s WitchCraft (Link)
Witchcraft is a game of modern magic from EDEN Studios. They obviously have sold that game for $35.00 at one time, but now they are making it available for free. I haven’t had the time to read the rules and background completely but the artwork at least is worth the download.
WitchCraft is a game of modern magic and dark secrets. Player characters are the Gifted. Feared for their unique powers, they have been hounded for centuries, and forced to practice their Arts in secret. The time for hiding is over. A Time of Reckoning draws near. It marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new one or the destruction of all things. The choices the Gifted make will determine what our future will be like.
WitchCraft is a complete roleplaying game, with rules to create Gifted and Mundane characters, an overview of a modern world beset by supernatural danger, and the Unisystem, a set of game mechanics that can use dice, cards or be completely story-driven to fit the needs and desires of your gaming group.
There are of course a lot more interesting freebies available at sites like RPGNow and the like. I just picked a few that seemed particularly interesting and well made. Did I miss anything that’s dear to your heart? Have you actually played one of those games and perhaps you can even share your thoughts? If so, please let your voices be heard in the comments.
Listen to this blog!
1
Following into the footsteps of Dice Monkey I added an Odiogo “Listen Button” to my blog’s sidebar. Odiogo is a service that provides an audio version of your regular feed. The text-to-speech technology used is quite decent, so it turns your RSS feed almost into a podcast. You can also subscribe to this podcast using iTunes, so your readers can listen to your posts while communiting to work for example.
The WordPress plugin that is used by Odiogo also adds a “listen now” button to each post, which allows your users to listen to your posts while reading the site.
For more details on how to set up Odiogo for your blog, check out Odiogo.com.
Fear of Girls Episode III
1“Fear of Girls” is a hilarious, ongoing webseries about two gamers that probably fulfill every single silly stereotype. The series isn’t as great as my all-time favorite “The Gamers“, but no roleplaying game fan shall miss it!
In Episode III Doug and Raymond are back and this time they launch their own roleplaying game …
You can check out episodes I & II here.
Stargazer’s RPG Stuff
3Inspired by fellow RPG blogger Zachary’s post “Using Google Sites For Your Campaign” I created a Google Sites site of my own that I will fill with everything that goes beyond the scope of this blog. Most of the stuff you’ll find there will be mostly of limited value to you since its half-baked stuff that I transferred from my wiki or its written in German.
Nevertheless, feel free to check it out!
Check out this d20!
0February 12, 2009
While reading Wil Wheaton’s blog (yup, that guy who played Wesley Crusher back in the day), I stumbled upon this post.
I just had to share this awesome d20 with you. I wish I had one of those in front of my house! Awesome!
And on another note: Things are a bit slow at Stargazer’s World right now because I am working on a translation of Christian Kennig’s old-school game “Dungeonslayers“.
You have a question about an existing or upcoming Stargazer Games product? Ask away! You want to know what we think about a recent development in the RPG industry? Send in your questions. You always wanted to know what we think about game X? Send us an email.
