WoW...

While I normally write about Rules Cyclopedia D&D (from 1991 for those keeping track), it's about time I talked about something way more current.. 2004 to be exact...

As I’ve mentioned before, I share my life/house/dogs with a WoW and Diablo 3 player. In spite of this I’ve managed for years to avoid games like Everquest, EVE, Star Wars, Star Trek, Final Fantasy, Guild Wars, etc. and even WoW. I have spent a fair amount of time watching her play, and even have helped her out by looking up stuff for her while she played, but I managed to avoid getting roped in myself.

This changed Friday when I finally joined the ranks of the MMORPG players. Above you can see the picture of my first character - Alveste the Frost Mage. Short in stature, tall in power, narrow of purpose and wide of vision!* Well, not really. You see, I've only played for maybe 8-10 hours total. I’d give you an exact total, but I couldn’t find anywhere that actually logged it. In that time I’ve managed to hit level 21. I haven’t been pushing my leveling quite as quickly as I might since I’ve been playing with the professions and doing a bit of exploring beyond what’s needed to gain XP.

So what got me to play? A special mount. No, not for me, but for my S.O. Plus there are some things that are just easier to do with a couple of people in-game.

So far I’m enjoying it, though of course just after I start, Blizzard does a big patch that changes the whole game in preparation for the Mists of Kung Fu Panda. I expect to see lots of Panda and monk characters running around in about a month.

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*I actually didn’t much care for Krull when I first watched it. The sci-fi fantasy overlap bothered me, as did the fact that the soundtrack sounded exactly like Star Trek II. While the soundtrack thing still bothers me, I think my other issue has been addressed through my exposure to the OSR and the more classic pulp sci-fi and fantasy

Magical Lei

"Quick! Natives! put on those garlands." Nimble whispered.

"They're called leis" Feris corrected.

"Does it matter?" Rathgar asked as he put the string of flowers around his neck.

"It does if we want to keep from insulting them." Feris answered. His own lei of wooden beads and nut salready around his neck.

"But why do I have to wear the one with flowers? Can't we swap?"

"It's the one that the villagers gave you." Allianora smiled. "Plus I like my shells."

Magical Lei
These temporary magical items will provide one of the following effects for up to 12 hours after being donned. In addition, if the majority of the members of a party are all wearing leis, they will receive a +1 bonus to their reaction rolls.

1. Gain +1 bonus to all saving throws
2. Reaction rolls indicating attack will be rerolled
3. Enchanted creatures will be at -1 to hit the wearer
4. Require half the usual amount of rest
5. Grant a basic and temporary understanding of the lei creator's language
6. Allow the wearer to see in total darkness as if it was low-light.

Gnip & Copperbeard

"Which way?" a nasally voice drifted down the dwarven tunnel.

"To the right... I think" replied a gravely baritone.

"You think?" came the incredulous reply "this is a dawrven vault isn't it?"

"It is."

"And you procured the map from your mothers own personal treasury?"

"I did."

"And the map not only was from the time this vault was constructed, but was in fact a part of the original construction notes of its building?"

"That's correct."

"In that case I must ask; why do you, a noble heir to an ancient dwarven line, in possession of an accurate map of an equally ancient dwarven vault, not know if we should turn right?"

"Because my sweat has caused the ink to run and I can no longer read the map."

"Meaning?"

"We're lost."

Gnip
3rd level goblin warrior

Copperbeard
2nd level dwarf

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These two came free with a White Dwarf magazine as part of the release of the 6th edition Battle for Skull Pass intro box set. It only took me 6 years to get around to painting them... The only reason that I can figure that these two were sent all around the world together as part of the release is because they're actually friends, even though none of their respective clans would approve.

Sunday Inspirational Image: Sharuum the Hegemon

From Magic the Gathering

Reaper Bones Final Hours

Click here to back Reaper's Bones Kickstarter

Since I posted yesterday 8 new minis have been added to that same $100 - 4 golems, and 4 half-sized heroes.

In about another hour 4 necromancers will join them. I have no idea what will come after that.

Plus you'll also get the Swords and Wizardry Complete old school RPG PDF.

These are the options that backers at the $100 vampire level can add on.

And these are options that backers at any level can add on.

Are you convinced yet? Yes! Click here to back it, and get the best deal in miniatures you'll likely ever see!

36 hours left to get some Bones

Back when I first posted about the Bones Kickstarter for $100 you got 85 minis and the option to pick up some nice extras on top of that. At that point it was a great deal.

Then it hit 100 minis for $100.

Then it was 150...

Now it's more than 200 minis for the same $100, and more keep coming!

Seriously, I had to write most of this post this morning because the amount of pledges and backers kept growing so quickly that this post would be incorrect by the time it goes live at 6am. As it is it's only going to be accurate for a little bit.Yesterday there were over $400,000 in pledges. Today will probably be over $500k. Saturday? Who knows, but either way, this is too good a deal not to shake a paintbrush at!

But time is running out. At 6pm on Saturday, 36 hours from the moment this goes live, it's over, and you'll have missed what is perhaps the best deal on miniatures. Ever.

So what are you waiting for? Go get in on it!!

What’s in *your* backpack?

Today’s post is a part of the RPG Blog Carnival*, hosted this month by Game Knight Reviews. The topic is What’s in *your* backpack?

This is my backpack

In the front flap there are 2 pockets. One holds a selection of pens, pencils, and usually a sharpie and highlighter. The other pocket holds my eyeglasses case that usually has my sunglasses in it.

In the little zipper pouch I have a small bottle of advil.

In the middle pouch is a box of colored pencils, a deck of playing cards, a set of dice, a zip tie, and earbuds from the flight home from vacation.

The main pouch has my lunch box, a book of graph paper, and the most recent D+D Next playtest materials.

Attached to the zipper pull of the main pouch is a compass. On the side is a net pouch designed to hold a drink bottle.

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*Nevermet Press, the former ringmaster of the Blog Carnival has passed the big hat to the RPG Blog Alliance.

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Also, there's a new poll off to the right - Are you backing the Reaper Bones Kickstarter?