Review: Post Apocalyptic Toys #1

Post Apocalyptic Toys is Occult Moon’s newest line of publications, following in the tradition of Toys for the Sandbox and Captain’s Log from the Sandbox by providing inexpensive system neutral adventure location, npcs, story hooks, some random encounters, and rumors. As the title indicates, this new line is designed for games set in a near future post apocalyptic world.

Issue #1 - The Last Refuge, details a former church turned that has become a haven to those who need it, presided over by “Gramps” a no-nonsense curmudgeonly old fart who seems to be always fair, if not kind.

In addition to being systemless, Post Apocalyptic Toys also refrains from making too many assumptions about the apocalypse itself. No crazy mutants or weird races, nothing about zombies, radiation, or nano-plagues. This isn’t much of a limiting factor, as it isn’t hard to turn goats into spider-goats or bandits into zombies, but it will require a bit of work. It would also be fairly easy to convert this for a fantasy or even sci-fi game.

The Good:
For $1.99 (on sale for $0.99 right now) you get what you’ve come to expect from Occult Moon’s various toys - an interesting location, a variety of NPCs, and some hooks for your PCs to get them involved in the action. You get 9 pages of solid material to work with.

The Bad:
Not much art to speak of, and a fair amount of white space. No real reason the rumor table couldn’t be expanded, or a bit of stock art added, or even an ad for the next issue tucked into a corner.

The Ugly:
The map of the compound is highly pixilated. It looks like it was done really small in MS Paint, saved in a bad format, and blown up to mostly fill the page. I printed this out in booklet format, and even at that size it’s a terrible map, and if it weren’t for the very clear numbers, would be nearly completely useless.

Final Verdict:
If you’re running a post apocalyptic game, and you didn’t have much time to come up with something this week, this would be worth a buck or two. Due to the map, it doesn’t quite step up to the level of the previous Toys I’ve gotten, but other than that, it’s a solid value.

EDITED TO ADD:
Occult Moon just revised their issue #1 with an updated cover and internal map, thus addressing my major concerns about this issue.

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Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this product from Occult Moon.

Barbarella

I remember getting copies of various sci-fi/fantasy catalogs when I was a teen and seeing ads for all sorts of movies, books, and games. Inevitably Barbarella was one of those that was highlighted. Because of that, I’ve always been a little bit curious about it. It was not even close to what I imagined...

Synopsis:
A voluptuous outer space agent travels to another galaxy in search of a missing inventor in this science fiction send-up. Barbarella (Jane Fonda), an interstellar representative of the united Earth government in the 41st century, is dispatched to locate scientist Durand Durand, whose positronic ray, if not recovered, could signal the end of humanity. Outfitted in an array of stunning Star Trek/Bond girl outfits and cruising around in a plush, psychedelic spaceship, Barbarella travels to the Tau Seti system and promptly crash-lands. She then spends the rest of the film discovering the joys of interstellar sex with a keeper of feral children (Ugo Tognazzi), a blind, beatific angel (John Phillip Law), and an inept revolutionary named Dildano (David Hemmings). Slowly but surely, she also finds her way to Durand Durand by moving from one exotic, Wizard of Oz-style locale to another. Along the way, she meets the kindly Professor Ping (a surprisingly verbal Marcel Marceau), a Eurotrash dominatrix named the Great Tyrant (Rolling Stones gal pal Anita Pallenberg), and the Concierge (Milo O'Shea), a strangely familiar lackey of the Great Tyrant who tries to destroy Barbarella with his great big organ of love. Jean-Claude Forest, who created the character Barbarella in 1962 for V-Magazine, served as visual advisor on the adaptation. (from Rotten Tomatoes)

Review:
As I said, i was unexpected for what I encountered. I expected a cheesy sci-fi romp, and it was that, but I did not expect the truly bizarre landscapes, outlandish costumes, and just plain odd characters. It is very much a movie of its time, full of psychedelic visuals and off the wall writing.

The film, while visually interesting does seem to drag in spite of its 98 minute running time, and Barbarella’s passivity definitely does not match the image indicated by the evocative poster art. On the other hand, there is a definite sense of whimsy and wacked out fun throughout the movie, in an Alice in Wonderland sort of way, and like Alice, Barbarella’s exploration of the strange and dark world is full of an innocent confusion and a curious wonder.

The plot is completely ignorable, since it serves only to allow Jane Fonda to change outfits frequently, and to explore weird landscapes, and have sex (mostly just hinted and teased at) while doing so. The characters are remarkably one dimensional, and while the dialogue can be witty, the pacing is sometimes off, and scenes are dragged out more than necessary.

What saves Barbarella (the movie, not the character) is the deliberateness of it. The filmmaker, actors, set designers, etc were all working really hard to create this movie, and to do the best job they could, while at the same time realizing that this was a campy sci-fi exploitation flick, and for all of Barbarella’s passivity, Jane Fonda absolutely makes the movie.

Gaming Ideas:
Feral children with attack dolls
Giant magical hooka that allows one to smoke the essence of anything (or anyone) contained within
Mathmos - the corrupting evil liquid that is contained beneath the city

Scattered Man

“Help me” the words formed out of a cacophony of metal shards swirling together. The vaguely humanoid shape coalesced from the whirlwind of needles on the dark side of the open doorway.

“What the frell is that?” Rathgar exclaimed, raising his shield.

The thing moved slowly toward them, gliding, stepping through the doorway and across the shattered courtyard. Passing beyond the shadow of the wall, the sunlight seemed to explode off the being. The flashing light made the party shield their eyes. “Help meeeeeee.” It again seemed to say.

“What do we do?” Nimble asked, his voice tight.

“Help meeee.” It continued to come closer.

Allianora took a step back, one hand reaching toward her sun pendant. Feris’ hands hovered near his various belt pouches.

“Heeelp meeee.” The creature was now a mere step away from Rathgar. It continued to move toward him, its arm outstretched. Rathgar stepped back, and kept the shield between him and the creature. The being reached toward the top edge of the shield, and the whirling metal of it’s hand flayed the top of the shield, ripping apart the metal frame and disintegrating the wood.

Rathgar jerked back in shock, and swung his sword through the creature, to no apparent effect. “Run!”

“Help meeee.”

Scattered Man
Armor Class: -2
Hit Dice: 7** (M)
Move: 120’ (40’)
Attacks: 1 arm or special
Damage: 2d8+3
No. Appearing: 1d3 (1d3)
Save As: C7
Morale: 10
Treasure Type: E
Intelligence: 5
Alignment: Neutral
XP Value: 1250

Monster Type: Construct, Enchanted (rare)
A Scattered Man is a type of construct similar to a golem. The very nature of the Scattered Man also causes Fear (per the spell) upon all that view it. They can attack either with their arms or attempt to envelop their target. If they do attempt to envelop a target they must first succeed in an attack roll. The target will take 4d8+3 points of damage and must make a saving throw vs spells or become blinded until magically healed. The Scattered Man will take 2d4+1 damage in return.

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Image Source

Sunday Inspirational Image: NYC Library

by Paul Carrick

Kings of War

If you've never heard of Kings of War or Mantic Games, that would be understandable, especially if you aren't into fantasy wargames. However, given the natural overlap between RPG players and wargamers, it's a situation you should correct!

Mantic Games' Kings of War is a game designed by Alessio Cavatore, formerly of Games Workshop. In some ways it is very reminiscent of Warhammer Fantasy Battles and of Lord of the Rings/War of the Ring SBG. The miniature line (which actually predates the game) includes the usual fantasy staples - Elves, dark elves, dwarves, undead, orcs, goblins, etc. Scale-wise they are the usual 28mm, but are less heroic scale than most minis made today.

Should you not care for fantasy wargames, they've also got a dungeon crawl game, a future wargame, and a future football game. Unlike GW minis, Mantic avoids grossly unrealistic weapons, and oversized hands and feet. Additionally the armor isn't ridiculously overdesigned, and there aren't skulls everywhere.

Also unlike GW minis, you can get them for a fair price. A box of 20 mantic skeletons will run you $25. The same 20 skeletons from GW costs $50. You can get 30 Mantic zombies for $35. For the same price you get 20 from GW.

20 Mantic Skeletons = $25

10 GW Skeletons = $25

So, like I mentioned on my post about Dropzone Games, I picked up a $25 set of skeletons and paints. It came with 6 colors, 10 skeletons (1 sprew) and a paint brush.

And as you can see I've already put together 5 of the skeletons.

And here's how they compare, scale-wise. From left to right we have an old GW/Milton Bradley HeroQuest skeleton, a Ral Partha wizard, Mantic Skeleton, and GW Lord of the Rings Eomer. As you can see from above, it's closest in scale to the LotR figures.

So the figures are cheaper, but that doesn't do any good if you need twice as many for a game. Well I ran some back of the envelope numbers, and while it seems like you might need a few more figures than you do for Warhammer Fantasy, you'll still end up spending less for a similarly sized (in points) army.

Mantic also offers a number of different army sets. I ran some numbers on them to see which are the best value. I saved the spreadsheet as a google doc. This is only for undead, and isn't an exhaustive comparison, but for the curious, it's here: Mantic Undead Cost Comparison Chart.

D&D Next: Warlock & Sorcerer

I know I said that I was going to talk about Kings of War today, but I'm not done writing that post, and I am done writing this one, so here it is.

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Mystic Scholar left a comment in my last post about D&D Next, and I wanted to follow it up here. First, his comment:

I agree with your overall view, but I've always felt that Magic Missile did too little damage. I've always felt that it should be a 1d6+1 damage.

As your level increases, you get more usage of the spell, certainly, but I also think that, as you reach certain levels your character should get more damage, to reflect his/her growing power.

For instance: 2d6+1 at 5th level. 3d6+2 at 10th level, 4d6+2 at 15th level and 5d6+3 at 20th level.

Behold the power of the Archmage!

But that's just me. ;)

I’m actually ok with magic missile only doing 1d4+1 points of damage, but only because it’s an auto hit. Every round you’ll nail someone for 2-5 points of damage, guaranteed! I expect that it’ll scale with level, but the playtest only covers low levels. If it doesn't scale, then that's a different story. However, should you want it to do more damage, then you have to make the wizard roll to hit, otherwise it's a win button for wizards at first level.

While we’re on the subject of magic I want to bring up the 2 extra classes that WotC released for D&D Next - Warlock and Sorcerer.

The sorcerer has a neat mechanic that as he expends his willpower shaping spells, the magic temporarily reshapes the sorcerer, giving him a variety of draconic aspects. I can easily see how you could adjust that to other backgrounds besides the draconic. Elemental would be easy, fey as well. Demons and angels too... I can see a random chart in the future for this sort of thing... What I'd really like to see is a mechanic that allows the sorcerer to use magic even after tapping out of willpower for some negative effects. HP loss, ability score loss, penalties to hit and saving throws, or permanent mutations?

The Warlock also manages to be mechanically different from the other spell casters with their pact boons, restriction on spells to ritual casting, and invocations. One thing that really stood out for me was a minor invocation that they get called Eldritch Blast. Being minor it means that you can use it every round. It’s much like magic missile or ray of frost. Pick a single target within 50 feet. On a hit cause 3d6 force damage.

3d6?!?! For an every round first level ability?!? WTF?!?

At level 3 it goes to 4d6...

Forget wizards, I’m playing a warlock next game...

I haven't checked to see if that was a typo, or if WotC has issued an errata on it, or if they figure it's just a playtest and that they'll clean it up for the next round.

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Lastly, there is a new poll about D&D Next on the right! Have you checked out D&D Next yet?

FLGS: Dropzone Games

Over the weekend I attended the grand opening of Dropzone Games. If you ever visited the GW BattleBunker in Glen Burnie, then you know exactly where Dropzone is! It is now an extremely well stocked game store, with more than ample tables to play on and painting stations to work at.

I got to meet Andy Chambers and Dave Taylor. Andy was demoing a new WWII fighter plane game that he's developed. I'd link to it, but he hasn't gotten that far in it's development. If you're interested, drop him an e-mail and he said he's share the rules.

Dave Taylor was working on painting his early/mid war German tanks for Flames of War, and we spent a while talking about the game, and the difference between painting 28mm minis and the smaller scale 15mm minis.

The staff were all very friendly and very up on the latest in miniature wargames, and the store's stock certainly reflected that. In addition to Flames of War and Warhammer and Warhammer 40k, they also had a full selection of Warmachine and Hordes, Dust Tactics, Mantic Games' Kings of War and Warpath, a selection of Warlord Games historical minis, some resin kits and conversion pieces from Scribor, Forge World, and a couple of other companies, and a bunch of terrain and paints and other items from companies like Gale Force 9.

As part of their grand opening they were hosting an open painting competition (any manufacturers minis), a Flames of War tournament, Kings of War tournament, Dust Tactics demos, special guests, and raffles. All in all it seemed well run, and I think I'll probably be going back there on a fairly regular basis... especially if they manage to rope me into playing Kings of War... but more on that tomorrow.

For more pictures, check out their facebook page!