About Andrew Modro

http://bluehex.wordpress.com/

Andrew M. Modro is a 36-year-old father of one living in southeastern Ohio. He has been a gamer since 1982. He is the editor of Warrior, Rogue & Mage from Stargazer Games and co-author of Resolute, Adventurer & Genius. His current favorite RPG is Adventure! from White Wolf.

Posts by Andrew Modro:

Jun 28 2011

Describing the Indescribable

For many creative people, a blank space is an inspiration, a key to unlock ideas. These people can take an empty page or fresh canvas and fill it with wonders, unleashing their imaginations.

I am not one of these people. To me, a blank space is a challenge. I rely on seeds to kickstart me. (This is probably why I am a fan of what has been called “remix culture”, taking existing things and making new things out of them, often by combination with other existing things.) My creativity works more from adaptation to constraint than from limitless possibility. More

By • Fluff/Inspiration, RPG, RPG tools, WR&M • 3 • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Jan 17 2011

Resolute, Adventurer & Genius has been released!

RAG Blue Hex and Stargazer Games are proud to announce the release of Resolute, Adventurer & Genius, a roleplaying game of pulp action and adventure written by Andrew Modro and Jason Cabral, with visual design and layout by Michael Wolf.

RAG uses the Wyrm System, popularized in Michael Wolf’s Warrior, Rogue & Mage, a lightweight engine that bases character attributes on archetypes of the genre. The system has been adapted, with tweaks to combat and expansion of the Talent mechanic to present a range of powers and abilities that set characters apart from normal people.

The document includes character creation, resolution and combat and a range of skills and powers that can provide for a full game experience, but are also easily expanded. Like WR&M, RAG is a free game released under a Creative Commons license. It is available for download at DriveThruRPG as a 36-page PDF.

By • Feature, Freebies, News & Reviews, Other Systems, RA&G, RPG, WR&M • 6

Dec 3 2010

Arcane Secrets, for Arcane Heroes

I am continually in awe of Michael Wolf’s genius. I also find myself inspired by his works. After reading over Michael’s little gem titled Arcane Heroes, I got to thinking about some expansions of the spell list. The result is Arcane Secrets, a 2-page PDF that contains new spells, more-powerful enhanced versions of spells, and mighty combination spells that allow a caster to free up an arm for another gauntlet. As with Arcane Heroes, Arcane Secrets is released under the Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license.

By • Freebies, RPG • 1 • Tags: , , ,

Dec 2 2010

Handmade Gamer Gifts

The holidays are upon us, and ’tis the season for the usual agonizing over what to get your favorite gamer as a gift. With the way the economy has been for the past few years, however, splurging on a brand new hardcover might not be as feasible as it once was. Low-cost PDFs and print-on-demand are wonderful things which I support whole-heartedly. But consider this: people like to receive handmade gifts from their friends. This is no less true for gamers. In keeping with Michael’s post from earlier this week, I want to present to you some ideas for handmade gamer gifts that you can create yourself. More

By • Advice, RPG • 4 • Tags: , ,

Nov 17 2010

Examining High Level Play: Part Two

Yesterday I opened the topic of high level play by looking at different types of “high level” characters and how high level play contrasts with lower power levels. Today I’ll examine why people would want to play at high power levels and some common objections. More

By • Advice, RPG • 1 • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Nov 16 2010

Examining High Level Play: Part One

A couple weeks back, I was reflecting on the D&D Immortals campaign I’ve been working with, and I got to thinking about “high level play” as a whole concept. I scribbled some notes, and then later that day I brought it up to our friend Jeff Uurtamo of the RPG Circus podcast. Jeff spoke to his co-hosts Zach and Mark, and the guys decided to dedicate an entire episode of their podcast to examining not just high level play, but low and mid level as well. Meanwhile, I’ve been thinking about high level play specifically. I’d like to add my thoughts to the discussion. More

By • Advice, RPG • 2 • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Oct 15 2010

Introducing the Stargazer’s World IRC chat channel!


Stargazer’s World now has a chat channel!

This channel is accessible both by chat client (mIRC, Xchat, and so on). It is also accessible by a browser-based Java applet on the network’s website. I will provide instructions for both forms of access:

Using an IRC Client
0.) If you do not have a client but wish to use this method, download mIRC for Windows, Colloquy for Mac, or Xchat for Linux (Xchat for Windows cuts itself off after a trial period and is, in my opinion, far too expensive for a program which is free under Linux). Be aware that mIRC asks you to pay after a trial period, but does not actually cripple itself after that period; it’s on your conscience and honor whether you pay the requested money. Spend some time learning how to use the client — help files!

1.) Point your IRC client at the server irc.sorcery.net on port 6667, 7000 or 9000.

2.) Join #StargazersWorld

Using the Stargazer’s World Blog Chat Page

1.) Go to http://www.stargazersworld.com/irc/

2.) Follow the instructions.

Using the Network Website Java Applet

1.) Go to the Sorcerynet website, http://sorcery.net/

2.) Click “Chat Now” in the top bar.

3.) In the page that loads, enter your chosen nickname in the “Nickname” box, and “#RPMN” in the “Channels” box.

4.) Give the applet time to connect. You’ll know when you’re in the channel.

5.) Begin chatting!

Be aware that your chosen nickname may be registered by someone else for their personal use. If you see a warning message, change your nickname, or the network may change it for you to something like “Nonick-3B4AE”.

A Few Basic Guidelines

1.) Be respectful. The occasional curse is fine, we’re adults. Racism, sexism, generic attacks on groups of people, countries, etc. will be frowned upon. No personal attacks, no stalking, and any arguments will have a lid put on them if they go beyond civil disagreement. Finally, try not to gross out your fellow chatters, please.

2.) Please try to use decent spelling, punctuation, capitalization and grammar. Some folks really don’t care to hit the Shift key, and that’s fine too, but txtspk will be frowned upon unless it is used in humor or illustration.

3.) There are only two forbidden topics. These are politics and religion. These two topics are easily the most contentious subjects in society today, and lead to far too many arguments, especially online. Use common sense: talking about the fact that the United States has a bicameral Congress is fine, because it is factual, but talking about the doings of the Senate, the behavior of a particular figure, the “real” causes of such and such war, etc. is across the line. As for religion, again, factual statements are fine, but anything beyond that is not permitted. If an op asks you to stop, please do not argue the case, even if you believe you have not crossed the line. There are plenty of other places to discuss these two topics.

If you have IRC experience and wish to be considered for a channel op (admin) position, contact me either here or in the channel. My nickname on IRC is Corvus. I will not automatically op everyone who asks; this isn’t a personal judgement or an insult.

By • Feature, RPG, Site News • 1 • Tags: , ,

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