tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63404030657874587732024-03-24T19:31:58.876-04:00Studded PlateTim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.comBlogger365125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-52275286312502154272022-04-21T17:36:00.000-04:002022-04-21T17:36:53.530-04:00The Tome of Beasts and Freeport<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVZ9xpiWs1VO1es8rotcrODYX_Lk9BEXFPO-nDh-FsCpn-F8IFPtjmB_PcM_LSxFxNz2cTM7VSwsfdoVrC6qDqQfnWxobhjx5vGcflhzsTW8ZEim0_B3iNNrf5z9lptlbCmpnX0Blta12vRCHruGa6b_CW81CsFuxRXQ3ksN2-EZNnlMh4UxkpA/s4000/ToB%20&%20BoL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVZ9xpiWs1VO1es8rotcrODYX_Lk9BEXFPO-nDh-FsCpn-F8IFPtjmB_PcM_LSxFxNz2cTM7VSwsfdoVrC6qDqQfnWxobhjx5vGcflhzsTW8ZEim0_B3iNNrf5z9lptlbCmpnX0Blta12vRCHruGa6b_CW81CsFuxRXQ3ksN2-EZNnlMh4UxkpA/w400-h300/ToB%20&%20BoL.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b><i>For my past columns about using D&D Fifth Edition sourcebooks with Freeport: The City of Adventure, see the <a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/01/freeport-5e-index.html" style="font-family: inherit;">Freeport 5E Index</a>.</i></b> </p><p>The <i><a href="https://koboldpress.com/kpstore/product/tome-of-beasts-for-5th-edition/">Tome of Beasts</a></i> is a collection of new monsters for D&D Fifth Edition published by Kobold Press. A diverse selection of monsters from that bestiary are showcased in the <i><a href="https://koboldpress.com/kpstore/product/book-of-lairs/">Book of Lairs</a></i> from the same publisher. I first encountered the <i>Book of Lairs</i> in a used bookstore, and found it intriguing enough to seek out the <i>Tome of Beasts</i>. </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><i>Tome of Beasts</i></h2><p>At 430 pages, this creature collection is too large to give an in-depth treatment in a single blog post, but I wanted to highlight some content that seems especially appropriate for campaigns set in the World of Freeport. </p><p>Several monster entries reference Kobold Press's Midgard campaign setting, but these monsters can be used in any D&D setting with minimal changes. For example, one of the new languages introduced here is Void Speech, which is spoken by creatures originating in, or influenced by, "the Outer Darkness." The sidebar about it suggests that any ancient language with an evil reputation can be substituted. This sounds a great deal like the Aklo language, spoken by aberrations and evil fey in the Pathfinder RPG, which is in turn drawn from Cthulhu Mythos literature--and, in fact, Aklo is a common language among Pathfinder's Lovecraftian monsters, just as Void Speech is among the Mythos creatures presented in the <i>Tome of Beasts</i>. Deep Speech fills a similar niche in the core 5E rules, but Void Speech is presented here as a distinct language.</p><p>Speaking of the Cthulhu Mythos, this book presents several creatures suitable for enhancing that element of the Freeport setting. Deep ones easily could be encountered in or near Freeport, having infiltrated the city or parts of the Serpent's Teeth. The folk of Leng are accomplished travelers, but would probably avoid Freeport in favor of its hated enemy Mazin due to their trade in slaves. More exotic monsters (gugs, mi-go, shoggoths, spiders of Leng, and star-spawn of Cthulhu) would be found in more distant lands or other worlds, but are frequently sought out by the kinds of mad cultists who plague the City of Adventure.</p><p>The <i>Tome </i>contains numerous monsters that could be encountered in Freeport itself or the waters around it. Many new snakes and other reptiles--a defining feature of the Serpent's Teeth region--are included, and the Villain Codex appendix includes a variety of humanoid foes. GMs wishing to further explore <i>The Ironjack Legacy</i> will find a wealth of new constructs, including many types of clockworks. Fabulous aquatic creatures, such as sea dragons, krake spawn, and zaratans, are also well represented here.</p><p>Fey in the Serpent's Teeth are almost exclusively reptilian, but other types can be found in the wider World of Freeport, particularly in Rolland, the forest kingdom of the elves on the Continent. The shadow fey elves, and the fey lords and ladies who rule them, are most commonly encountered on the Plane of Shadow (known as the Shadowfell in official 5E sources). This plane likely has links to the Feywild and fey-touched regions of the Material Plane (such as Rolland). The legendary Lord Bonewrack, who dwells in Shadow Freeport, might very well be a powerful shadow fey elf.</p><p>This book also contains a wide variety of desert-dwelling creatures suitable for encounters in Hamunaptra (see <i>Egyptian Adventures: Hamunaptra</i>). Many of these even have a strong Egyptian flavor to them, such as the shabti, subek, and a few new mummy-like undead. In the World of Freeport, the Nurian language mentioned in those entries would correspond to the common tongue of Hamunaptra. </p><p>Monsters inspired by Norse myths (einheriar, jotun giant, ice maiden, lindwurm, rattatosk, rusalka, and valkyrie) would be appropriate for the Viking-like land of Druzhdin, in the far north of the Continent.</p><p>The imperial ghouls might be a holdover of the power of the ancient Necro-Kings, driven (literally) underground following those undead warlords' defeat. (See the "Beyond Freeport" chapter in either <i>The Pirate's Guide to Freeport </i>or the Pathfinder edition of <i>Freeport: The City of Adventure</i>.) The ghoul god Mordiggian, mentioned in the "Lords Subterranean" sidebar, gets a chapter in <i>Cults of Freeport</i>.</p><p>Finally, some of these creatures can be used for converting monsters from past Freeport adventures or bestiaries, either as-is, or as a starting point:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bastet Temple Cat: Malkin (<i>Creatures of Freeport, Freeport Bestiary</i>)</li><li>Blemmyes: Blemmyae (<i>3rd Era Freeport Companion</i>, <i>Freeport Bestiary</i>)</li><li>Clockwork Abomination: Infernal Automaton (<i>Hell in Freeport, Freeport Bestiary</i>)</li><li>Clockwork Beetle: Goldbug (<i>Freeport: The City of Adventure</i>, both editions)</li><li>Dopplerat: Doubling Rat (<i>The Lost Island</i>)</li><li>Gearforged Templar: Manikin (<i>Hell in Freeport</i>)</li><li>Golem, Hoard: Treasure Golem (<i>Black Sails Over Freeport</i>)</li><li>Ratfolk: Ratfolk (mentioned in <i>Freeport: The City of Adventure</i>, Pathfinder edition)</li><li>Ravenfolk: Tengu (<i>Return to Freeport</i>)</li><li>White Ape: White Gorilla (<i>Black Sails Over Freeport</i>)</li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><h2><i>Book of Lairs</i></h2><p>This book contains two dozen monster lairs, arranged by increasing character level, from 1st to 15th. Each entry is 4 pages long, with one page being a full-color map of the lair. The lairs are a very diverse collection, including numerous dungeons but also city buildings, underwater spaces, forest camps, and a handful of truly exotic locations (stairs going miles up a steep mountainside; a citadel on the edge of space; and even the branches of Yggdrasil). All stand completely on their own, but a few form logical sequels to earlier lairs (such as the stairs and citadel just mentioned). A few of the inhabitants of these lairs appear in the <i>Monster Manual</i>, but most are pulled from the <i>Tome of Beasts</i>, making that book necessary in order to use these short adventures, unless the DM wishes to repopulate the maps themselves.</p><p>A few of the lairs are set in cities, and could be adapted easily for use in Freeport. Others, such as The Pirate's Cove or Temple of the Deep Ones, could be hidden elsewhere in the Serpent's Teeth with little effort. </p><p>Most of the other lairs would best be set on the Continent, or even further away. The forest lairs seem most appropriate to Rolland, while the desert lairs would fit Kizmir or Hamunaptra. The two ghoul adventures could be set almost anywhere in the Underdark, but the DM should give some thought to how the Ghoul Imperium fits into the World of Freeport (see my suggestion above about the Necro-Kings).</p><p>Overall, the lairs in this book seem to be interesting short adventures suitable for dropping into a campaign whenever the DM wants a brief change of pace from the regular campaign (or just shorter chapters in a campaign that is largely a series of modules). Most should be playable in a single session, though some higher-level adventures might take longer due to featuring more complex foes. </p>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-14748428128810885422022-03-03T17:45:00.007-05:002024-02-15T09:51:15.561-05:00My Starfinder Society Minis and Artwork<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsTbvJ3Bj0H9q3KexvGtg2wEifv6KGcxS-Hv-HM-Q5CRxsZ5BEXLH7PIUPfV1L3QTm_iIOdENlqeWvpe-g1EP_u6EqbC3fNpMit9ICZ_v5site7jduB4TI7g5IQGUyCgZRmBjQc4fNgYKy_ZSVQ0ZGUG99Z5iiE_WH17rcKinSDUnBh55orbnLsg=s1440" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsTbvJ3Bj0H9q3KexvGtg2wEifv6KGcxS-Hv-HM-Q5CRxsZ5BEXLH7PIUPfV1L3QTm_iIOdENlqeWvpe-g1EP_u6EqbC3fNpMit9ICZ_v5site7jduB4TI7g5IQGUyCgZRmBjQc4fNgYKy_ZSVQ0ZGUG99Z5iiE_WH17rcKinSDUnBh55orbnLsg=s1440" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsTbvJ3Bj0H9q3KexvGtg2wEifv6KGcxS-Hv-HM-Q5CRxsZ5BEXLH7PIUPfV1L3QTm_iIOdENlqeWvpe-g1EP_u6EqbC3fNpMit9ICZ_v5site7jduB4TI7g5IQGUyCgZRmBjQc4fNgYKy_ZSVQ0ZGUG99Z5iiE_WH17rcKinSDUnBh55orbnLsg=s320" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zefira Lachlan (L) and Boomer (R)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2022/02/pathfinder-society-minis-and-artwork.html">Last month</a>, I shared some updates to my artwork and LEGO minis for my Pathfinder Society characters, and this time I will present my Starfinder Society character's minis. I have only drawn portraits for two of these SFS PCs, so will include those here rather than splitting them off into a separate post as I did for my PFS artwork. The capsule descriptions below are roughly in the order that I started playing these characters.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnvzMNPll2Ze8AN2PnUpAUAo-smORD1N7747CRwLMle4AVLxzXSrw_dawrDFrrpwkcG9clSr5HW1f_w1zQ5CeUqcMr0tY81UN_PseEnJjBWdVqzM7cURccwF6k9gZzMlMl7sJrbEuB_dr_yGaUhpn0_Rp33oJLmsYs8_pxe6th_eoAxAWPjpNYeQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnvzMNPll2Ze8AN2PnUpAUAo-smORD1N7747CRwLMle4AVLxzXSrw_dawrDFrrpwkcG9clSr5HW1f_w1zQ5CeUqcMr0tY81UN_PseEnJjBWdVqzM7cURccwF6k9gZzMlMl7sJrbEuB_dr_yGaUhpn0_Rp33oJLmsYs8_pxe6th_eoAxAWPjpNYeQ" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zefira Lachlan (current)</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Zefira Lachlan</b> is a daredevil operative with the ace pilot theme. She was the first SFS character I ever played, and is still the highest-level one (10th). She is human, a choice that I made entirely because she was an attempt to recreate my <i>Serenity </i>RPG pilot character in a new system. This Zefira's story has unfolded <i>very </i>differently in a universe that features easy FTL travel, widespread magic use, and hundreds of sentient alien species! She is still a hotshot pilot and a gambler, but has diversified into mastering other forms of movement, high-tech hacking and repair skills, and first contact encounters. </div><div><br /></div><div>Zefira started out with the lightest possible armor, so the first minis I built for her used Catwoman's costume and similar bodysuits. (The version at the top of this page uses the Jewel Thief from Minifigures Series 15.) Jessica Alba's look in <i>Dark Angel</i> was my photo reference for both Zefiras, so I gave her a light caramel head and long black hair. She has since upgraded to much better armor (though still light and maneuverable), and I've added a helmet now that she has a jetpack (the latter is Jango Fetts's, from the <i>Star Wars</i> theme). Her current body armor belongs to Proxima Midnight, from the Marvel Avengers line. <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2022/02/lego-minifigures-series-22.html">In a recent column</a>, I briefly complained about the tendency of female minifigures to be cartoonishly sexualized, but this armor's print job does a decent job of making her gender apparent without going overboard--precisely the balance I wanted for Zefira.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJTkIxs5YPMN4q5KgdHNK9H1Bs0cbxDBH2PhbP8jAJT8toqfsp3QGxf-uchlgm5ftTX7gTiHwW77tLbZfh0GkGUbKevHXoCVhCK49bn5oIiRr8RT_rZIEJn_I7GWLhfRksXosDTvLL0XrQtN8ISZTi2yvVgPF63YWmt9iWozVYgISs6oDi5jts9w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2755" data-original-width="2322" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJTkIxs5YPMN4q5KgdHNK9H1Bs0cbxDBH2PhbP8jAJT8toqfsp3QGxf-uchlgm5ftTX7gTiHwW77tLbZfh0GkGUbKevHXoCVhCK49bn5oIiRr8RT_rZIEJn_I7GWLhfRksXosDTvLL0XrQtN8ISZTi2yvVgPF63YWmt9iWozVYgISs6oDi5jts9w=w269-h320" width="269" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boomer</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>B-M-R Mk II</b>, known as <b>"Boomer"</b> among their fellow Starfinders, is a nonbinary android technomancer with the scholar theme. When not conducting astronomical surveys or performing repairs and maintenance on Society equipment, they work as a lawyer representing the Society's interests (and those of other androids). They have blue hair with some silver streaks, and some of the glowing blue circuits on their face form runes that serve as their spell cache. (This coloring might have been inspired by her faction leader, who is also a blue-haired android, but if so it wasn't deliberate--I only became truly familiar with Historia-7 much later, once I started GMing for SFS.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I chose the Galaxy Patrol body (Minifigures Series 7; see the top of this page) because the dark blue with silver accents complemented Boomer's own coloring, and the torso has a tiny "WIZ" printed on its chest. The mini has the Cyborg's head and hair (Series 16), and a neck bracket that holds a 1x1 tile from a microscale <i>Star Wars</i> snowspeeder to suggest the jump jets installed in their suit.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkk0OFGjH62h14rsxmt10p_gZA7H-KLVAI2jijRZJB797pvHOrvNoTzFT9jXlXcv5dWs9koD3WTvyx8FToJDzlRwgoq8Foz-RsQ1Ku8GtX88dl81srEfve_t17k4L9JWV2JCf4A-tZKlljSLlj2LrbNDOUflsRLzAkq60iGnxpgiIQ0djBKDLJAQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkk0OFGjH62h14rsxmt10p_gZA7H-KLVAI2jijRZJB797pvHOrvNoTzFT9jXlXcv5dWs9koD3WTvyx8FToJDzlRwgoq8Foz-RsQ1Ku8GtX88dl81srEfve_t17k4L9JWV2JCf4A-tZKlljSLlj2LrbNDOUflsRLzAkq60iGnxpgiIQ0djBKDLJAQ" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voran Eclipse</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Voran Eclipse</b> is a copaxi, an alien race whose individual members are each composed of a coral-like colonial organism. Because of this, Voran prefers "they" pronouns, but unlike with Boomer, the plural "they" is implied. They are a solarian with the xenoseeker theme, and manifest a solar weapon in the shape of a jagged blade of violet energy, which I've represented by a trans-blue and purple lightning bolt (<i>Star Wars</i> and other themes). Voran's body is a Berserker (one of Hela's minions; Marvel) with slightly spiky Ninjago shoulder plates added. Copaxi do not have faces, per se, so this alien's lightly textured head is turned backwards, with its fangs covered by Maleficent's headdress (Disney Minifigures). This last piece provides the distinctive antlers possessed by all copaxi. Since this picture was taken, Voran has started using a riot shield, for which I use a trans-cyan oval shield (like Qimok's, below) for a science fiction look. Voran actually wears heavy armor, but I prefer to emphasize their copaxi features for their mini.</div><div><br /></div><div>Copaxi were originally made available for play through a boon earned from playing the scenario that introduced them, but three seasons later, this race is now available for play without a boon. I also earned the race boon for my skittermander Qimok (see below) before that race was made freely available to all. Tekeli-li and Euphemia (also below) belong to races that still require boons, either earned by playing certain scenarios (as I did) or purchased with Achievement Points.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrxqNEostEIGFuaI8Ncx3chMclzSboONLn7luXdAImyTubH11ED6Mx7d9kgbOk98OTcWvreC-itk1SfSnGwi7LuetmMQ2Gu2SEuCI5o2LRzmWuzuspCjKHb94nMy6SFzYmh37di8Wt3LS7U2XRwfLnw_vn7fmRKUYVGmr-eKwiIiPwnfwmtjaWIw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2828" data-original-width="2092" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrxqNEostEIGFuaI8Ncx3chMclzSboONLn7luXdAImyTubH11ED6Mx7d9kgbOk98OTcWvreC-itk1SfSnGwi7LuetmMQ2Gu2SEuCI5o2LRzmWuzuspCjKHb94nMy6SFzYmh37di8Wt3LS7U2XRwfLnw_vn7fmRKUYVGmr-eKwiIiPwnfwmtjaWIw=w238-h320" width="238" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toknomonicon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>Toknomonicon </b>is a gnome envoy with the icon theme. He is a famous musician who uses his celebrity to help polish the Starfinder Society's image, and in return his missions inspire new compositions. As both a feychild gnome and a lay devotee of Shelyn and Arshea, Tokno prefers flamboyant clothing, decorated with feathers and sashes in many colors. He also dyes his hair to match. His mini's orange torso is from a LEGO Universe astronaut; the starburst makes a decent substitute for the Starfinder Society's compass rose. His headpiece is a version of Wyldstyle's striped hair with attached goggles (<i>The LEGO Movie</i>).</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOCvII3xbwI3WTBF2VoBE1ZQcEzEv6xIkt-5IjoEhgvxfKYSIfw5NAMGEWo0U3K_rBqz7HRfWU4dV5hfe3LQnlQXMme9RwRDoPcXBW_9v-dkFJYYW-17KVKiPluaRU7lJ_5ouJ_d5l7KRKL1yNtXcwYYOPkC7r5NSwEm8Dy-zsiiG5f41_pJJF9g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOCvII3xbwI3WTBF2VoBE1ZQcEzEv6xIkt-5IjoEhgvxfKYSIfw5NAMGEWo0U3K_rBqz7HRfWU4dV5hfe3LQnlQXMme9RwRDoPcXBW_9v-dkFJYYW-17KVKiPluaRU7lJ_5ouJ_d5l7KRKL1yNtXcwYYOPkC7r5NSwEm8Dy-zsiiG5f41_pJJF9g=w320-h240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toknomonicon and Tune-Bot 2000</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>I made Tokno a musician largely because of the "Toon-Bot 2000" boon, which gives him a robot that plays musical accompaniment. It's a largely silly but colorful boon, so despite the Tune-Bot having no stat block, I built one by adding transparent 1x1 pyramids to a boom box. A 1x1 cylinder atop a 2x2 radar dish makes it appear to hover.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbci3ndeR39EB10NMyMqpzyVRfsKjw20I8BF1DVRGArYRMX1Y0-DVQXMnrRNQyLR3WuFB9rPSBEweNLc6WK2juLl_KMnGXDXZve0Fu_uA7fKppXcWeRpKRV0m0Z770uF0w0f99KIsmEs-c_5-4WCv_CtRyyebR-eUduBt3fJ0GByM9XkBLDzDwNw=w320-h240" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tokno on Wanda</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwMlpiaXzYlj72wwgm7aRytL3oQCcTlhgtWJS6keM8oaQd4w2DMmENM4UNsWp0fRmeB-NtZ8TiZS-G6mzU32JeHft8JxyfZvy4grVwX1Ges2iwicszh4tma6S-7q0ScjZAg9AjJTh_hmW7o28tKtvrLuRq_Q8fkKZsmEsWvTK19ulZazkOn1O-mQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwMlpiaXzYlj72wwgm7aRytL3oQCcTlhgtWJS6keM8oaQd4w2DMmENM4UNsWp0fRmeB-NtZ8TiZS-G6mzU32JeHft8JxyfZvy4grVwX1Ges2iwicszh4tma6S-7q0ScjZAg9AjJTh_hmW7o28tKtvrLuRq_Q8fkKZsmEsWvTK19ulZazkOn1O-mQ=w320-h240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wanda (from the back)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div><br /></div><div>On a recent adventure, Tokno successfully used his envoy abilities to befriend an alien animal used as a guard beast by the cruel jinsul, while traveling with another Starfinder who had an animal companion mount. This experience inspired him to acquire a companion of his own (and me to look up and learn the animal companion rules). Wanda is a <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/montjart/art/Wolliped-715164018">wolliped</a>, a large furry beast with eight legs, four eyes, and large tusks. She is a brick-built model, scaled to fit a 2" x 2" (6 x 6 studs) base. She has a space on her back for Tokno to sit, and a slope brick to suggest a saddle, but I was unable to build a deep recess like a riding animal minifigure would have. (Fortunately, Tokno has short legs!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPgSQLoqD4oVd6igExjkOUoSpXYsSWioMVNi7U0wpHlafe9dAHLp0lUn5MkGcEJNbBpm_GLo30aW89X6tWlpy4k7ImCyM5UAV-IfKgueGlEP2YFHNrafUoo8klpgPWEXfqpsqBlw_CuTgvMyHfqd4hV9pi2jxcHVHjcBZoYMiI5SfPdR13LM7_Cg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPgSQLoqD4oVd6igExjkOUoSpXYsSWioMVNi7U0wpHlafe9dAHLp0lUn5MkGcEJNbBpm_GLo30aW89X6tWlpy4k7ImCyM5UAV-IfKgueGlEP2YFHNrafUoo8klpgPWEXfqpsqBlw_CuTgvMyHfqd4hV9pi2jxcHVHjcBZoYMiI5SfPdR13LM7_Cg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tekeli-li</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Tekeli-li</b> is a kiirinta, a small moth-like fey species. He is a star shaman mystic and priest of Desna who tends to a small flock of her worshipers on Absalom Station. (The new "pretty space moth" portrait of Desna in <i>Galactic Magic </i>just makes this choice of god even more perfect for him!) Tekeli-li's head is from one of the insectoid aliens from the Galaxy Squad theme; his torso is from the Alien Trooper (Minifigures Series 13) and his wings are Butterfly Girl's (Series 17). His name's origin is explained <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2022/02/clever-character-names-oftenarent.html">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJJtCHXzlMRMbfPMHxfh_0fTkjzB2wbJr63o--SYSq6mP3z83wx224-Lz9qXSJSHePW6u2Wvaw3qqipLIY9A8bngxknr6V16CmcVElY9CzNTrQ_BNxVf4_0gWD0vhkficPYh1NpCPCfpjCP4lsAaqEc_PSyPzXaCUbNacrR7Hwi5PBGX4i-5cLIg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJJtCHXzlMRMbfPMHxfh_0fTkjzB2wbJr63o--SYSq6mP3z83wx224-Lz9qXSJSHePW6u2Wvaw3qqipLIY9A8bngxknr6V16CmcVElY9CzNTrQ_BNxVf4_0gWD0vhkficPYh1NpCPCfpjCP4lsAaqEc_PSyPzXaCUbNacrR7Hwi5PBGX4i-5cLIg=w320-h240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Qimok</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>Qimok </b>is a skittermander soldier with the armor storm fighting style and the gladiator theme. He was trained as a gladiator, but his species' compulsion to help others led him to find work with the Starfinders as protection for the less durable members of a mission's team. Qimok's mini is built around the torso and back assembly from an Outrider alien (Marvel Avengers). This gives him the six arms of a skittermander, though the placement precludes putting second hands on his doshko (a spiked polearm) and laser rifle. He holds a shield in one hand, leaving his sixth hand free to grab, punch, or help, as needed. (Sadly, I forget the source of the head, as I bought it as an individual part, but I believe it is a Ninjago monster. The toothy grin seemed right for a skittermander.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5c0V6Yb5hYq98Iq-_oowfl1d9ShNICZSkPJMb1V5m0NqOmigKw4MuOtRVAl7kpd7u6AkxfWjebqo1UGdYlJzxdIEWw5h6l6r_K-s9AYPYyrnDvynZLEs7tQxcXGOomOGa_RvZX88Q-lqheLbMbBN1tnWbH6F_Q_Ba86o27m6q4nsGBjIwhepmvw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5c0V6Yb5hYq98Iq-_oowfl1d9ShNICZSkPJMb1V5m0NqOmigKw4MuOtRVAl7kpd7u6AkxfWjebqo1UGdYlJzxdIEWw5h6l6r_K-s9AYPYyrnDvynZLEs7tQxcXGOomOGa_RvZX88Q-lqheLbMbBN1tnWbH6F_Q_Ba86o27m6q4nsGBjIwhepmvw" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Euphemia Lasro</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Euphemia Lasro</b> is a pahtra, a feline humanoid species. She is an explorer operative and has the spacefarer theme, so is eager to explore new planets and systems for the Society, and is trained to survive in the wilderness. Euphemia was originally inspired by Captain Amelia from <i>Treasure Planet</i>, and I use some <a href="https://www.artstation.com/artwork/NEVxb">3D artwork of that character</a> for her token in online SFS games. I've only very recently started playing her, so had not built a mini for her until I was preparing for this column. My collection lacked a satisfactory match to Amelia's uniform (despite owning numerous Pirates, Armada, and <i>Pirates of the Caribbean</i> minifigs), but Zori Bliss's body (<i>Star Wars</i>) provided female light armor with enough gold accents to give a similar effect. I added epaulets as a final military touch. Her head is a Lion Tribe character (Legends of Chima) and her hair is a werewolf's (Minifigures Series 4). The rifle is a common <i>Star Wars</i> weapon.</div><div><br /></div><div>The last three characters here are new, and have not yet debuted in Society play. They are in the wings for when I need to start playing a new 1st-level character, once Tekeli-li, Qimok, and Euphemia (all currently 2nd level) advance out of the lowest subtier. Because of this, their minis, like Euphemia's, are mere days old at the time of this writing.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghKXprTAfETcG_GaH_24VTaVu8WR2diwHO0JysTincHKqTg1elGfGliZvZD77JAGX48xg0ad00H1libfDW1RETg5SJV8icCIcxJ2HamA5zdvaXc9P1Px8e5i5C3L5Lxen3MOWya7Gq5kBvTo6Ap1dXcsX7z4JlyxqGd6C9Wi9CKhPcdmVD4ThSzw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghKXprTAfETcG_GaH_24VTaVu8WR2diwHO0JysTincHKqTg1elGfGliZvZD77JAGX48xg0ad00H1libfDW1RETg5SJV8icCIcxJ2HamA5zdvaXc9P1Px8e5i5C3L5Lxen3MOWya7Gq5kBvTo6Ap1dXcsX7z4JlyxqGd6C9Wi9CKhPcdmVD4ThSzw" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(L to R): Glaukos, Z'Kar, Talgoth</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Glaukos </b>is a stellifera, a psychic cuttlefish-like species who can create a "hydrobody" around themselves for both protection and to allow them to use larger species' equipment (including armor and weapons). Glaukos is a mechanic with an experimental armor prototype and the sensate theme. I will probably give him the phrenic adept archetype at 2nd level, to enhance his race's inborn psychic abilities--which will make him my first Starfinder PC (for Society or not) with an archetype. His bulky space armor (a combination of the Toy Robot, Minifigures Series 6, and Space Miner, Series 12) is topped by a squid-like Alien Trooper head (Series 13), in an attempt to suggest that the Diminutive stellifera is occupying the "head" of a hydrobody wearing the armor. He wields a flame pistol, so I attached the hose from Hazmat Guy's sprayer (Series 4) to the stud on the back of his armor.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Z'Kar</b> is a vesk vanguard. She has the stormrunner theme, so most of her skills are devoted to surviving the harsh climate of her home planet. Her entropic strike class feature makes a manufactured melee weapon less mandatory, so she spent most of her starting credits on the best (light) armor a 1st-level character could afford. She carries a cheap pistol, a few tools, and not much else. As a cave vesk, Z'Kar has pale scales, so I've used a white-skinned Ninjago pirate's head; the printed mask and the helmet help hide the fact that I don't have any better parts for a near-albino reptilian character. Her body is Falcon's (Marvel Avengers), and the "power blast" piece used to suggest her entropic strike's energy is Frozone's (Disney Minifigures, Series 2).</div><div><br /></div><div>I created <b>Talgoth </b>as an exercise in building a PC with the new precog class in <i>Galactic Magic</i>. He is a half-orc with the cultist theme, hailing from the drow homeworld of Apostae, where he was raised by a blasphemous cult that attempted to sacrifice him to their patron. He should have died then, but instead had visions of the cult's god awakening, and manifested precog powers that allowed him to escape. He now tries to stay far, far away from the drow, and seeks an answer to how the doom he foresaw can be averted. For now, the Starfinder Society seems as good a place as any to do both. As a starting character whose most noteworthy abilities are ephemeral powers, his mini is very simple: light space armor (I forget the theme this torso is from), a <i>LOTR </i>orc head and hair, a hunting rifle, and a knife.</div><i><div><i><br /></i></div><b>(Previous "Let Me Tell You About My Character..." columns are indexed <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2022/02/let-me-tell-you-about-my-character-index.html">here</a>.)</b></i>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-24026101057087837532022-03-03T15:46:00.001-05:002022-03-03T15:46:53.818-05:00TBT: Misuhiro Yoko, a character for BESMThe following <i>Big Eyes Small Mouth</i> character was based on a minor background character from <i>Revolutionary Girl Utena. </i>She was originally posted to a RPG-related LiveJournal group (that I have since lost the name of) back in 2004. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------</div>
<h2>
Possible Utena Character: Misuhiro Yoko</h2>
<br />
This character was inspired by the shadow-puppet girls in <i>Revolutionary Girl Utena</i>, with the UFO/alien theme being played up in the latest episodes I've seen (I'm up to #29). I don't know how well she would fit into an Utena game, but if I end up playing in the game a friend of mine plans to run, this is the character I'll propose first.<br />
<br />
Note: Because I don't own the <i>BESM Utena</i> book, Yoko was built with <i>BESM 2E Revised</i>, using Teen Romance costs for skills.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUaoL_sNueFZvl8I-p9JDeoJKiW_wWcC24oz6iONt-Onx2RoDMxs0bmkLWedSgnIIt8RlNYxeiriw739XzTMDj1TxBG6jI_eiJkgAdOPbncfow6R5jNrSzCNg5toDGfoH4HQzaLfq2g/s1600/tumblr_my2yxcgE8k1qmubgso1_500.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="500" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUaoL_sNueFZvl8I-p9JDeoJKiW_wWcC24oz6iONt-Onx2RoDMxs0bmkLWedSgnIIt8RlNYxeiriw739XzTMDj1TxBG6jI_eiJkgAdOPbncfow6R5jNrSzCNg5toDGfoH4HQzaLfq2g/s320/tumblr_my2yxcgE8k1qmubgso1_500.png" width="320" /></a>Misuhiro Yoko, Ohtomi Academy student, Grade 8 (25 CP)</h3>
<br />
<i>Stats</i>: Body 4, Mind 7, Soul 4 (15 CP)<br />
<i>Derived Values</i>: ACV 5, DCV 3, HP 40, EP 55, SV 8<br />
<br />
<i>Attributes</i>: Appearance 1 (1 CP), Art of Distraction 2 (2 CP), Highly Skilled 1 (1 CP), Own a Big Mecha 2 (Flying Saucer, 25 MP) (5 CP), Personal Gear 1 (1 CP), Shape Change 2 (Change gender only) (3 CP).<br />
<br />
<i>Defects</i>: Nemesis (Kiryuu Nanami) (1 BP), Skeleton in the Closet (Alien posing as human) (1 BP), Special Requirement (Lay an egg once a month) (1 BP).<br />
<br />
<i>Skills</i>: Biological Sciences 1 (Botany) (2 SP), Disguise 1 (Make-up) (2 SP), Linguistics 2 (Alien [native], English, Japanese) (4 SP), Mechanics 1 (Aeronautics) (3 SP), Melee Attack 1 (Sword) (5 SP), Melee Defend 1 (Sword) (5 SP), Performing Arts 1 (Comedy; Dance) (5 SP), Physical Sciences 1 (Astronomy) (2 SP), Piloting 1 (Spacecraft) (2 SP).<br />
<br />
<i>OBM</i>: Flying Saucer (25 MP): HP 60.<br />
Attributes: A.I. 1 (Basic Remote Control: Egg) (1 MP), Extra Capacity 1 (1 MP), Flight 4 (16 MP), Heavy Armor 1 (4 MP), Space Flight 1 (2 MP), Summonable 1 (4 MP), Toughness 1 (4 MP).<br />
Defects: Awkward Size 1 (1 MBP), No Arms (2 MBP), Poor Maneuverability 2 (2 MBP), Restricted Ground Movement (None) (2 MBP), Summoning Object (Egg) (1 MBP).<br />
<br />
<i>Personal Gear</i>: fencing sword and protective gear; alien "egg" amulet (summons and controls OBM).<br />
<br />
Yoko is a human-like alien who came to Earth about a year ago. She has no training at navigation, and her old, hand-me-down saucer is notoriously clumsy, so she soon crash-landed. She decided that enrolling in the school would be the perfect cover while she repaired her spaceship. She has managed to be assigned to a mostly abandoned building, with space to summon and work on her saucer; she has fixed the crash damage, but has not solved the ship's shaky handling, so dares not leave the relative safety of her new home.<br />
<br />
Yoko is an excellent student, who has joined the theater and fencing clubs. She is fairly well-liked, in spike of Nanami-san tormenting her for being "weird"--but Nanami has yet to guess just how weird she really is! As an adolescent member of her alien race, Yoko lays a boldly patterned egg once a month; she can usually hide this process (and the resulting day or two of reduced energy) under the cover of "the monthly miracle." In Episode #27: "Nanami's Egg," Yoko may be responsible for the egg Nanami found; she hoped it would mess with her rival's gullible mind. The eggs are not fertile unless Yoko mates with one of her own kind, and she is not aware of any others currently living on Earth. Her saucer's remote is modeled after one of her eggs, but is far less delicate.<br />
<br />
Yoko has one other alien power that she rarely uses, and never where she could be seen: Her species is able to switch gender at will (except when laying eggs). Her male form looks like a nearly identical twin, and she will claim to be her brother "Ryo" if seen in that form. (However, no "Misuhiro Ryo" is enrolled at Ohtori Academy, so "he" must vanish quickly if questioned.) She usually carries a boy's uniform in her duffel if she foresees any need to use this ability.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoG2D7PA2tUffIl8Uim5i0Ez-d043XFSZg-U2Agbz69m8B8snO9NLmiYEqTRqNA2Ep8XEY7nRYd_Tb0SHLny6HtdDEpHPU2h2zYyvNmpaLvdnR1k-5HEGKKptl3XmLI-iA0yPnjlzQA/s1600/utena-13-shadow-chorus-might-makes-right.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoG2D7PA2tUffIl8Uim5i0Ez-d043XFSZg-U2Agbz69m8B8snO9NLmiYEqTRqNA2Ep8XEY7nRYd_Tb0SHLny6HtdDEpHPU2h2zYyvNmpaLvdnR1k-5HEGKKptl3XmLI-iA0yPnjlzQA/s320/utena-13-shadow-chorus-might-makes-right.jpg" width="320" /></a>I never did get an opportunity to play Yoko in <i>BESM</i>. However, she did form the starting point for a NPC I created for "Grey Angels," the long-running <i>Buffy/Angel</i> series that I joined soon after that original post. In that game, she was an international student from Japan, who was shy and awkward but a genius with math and science. Her secret was that she was a half-Byblos demon (a knowledge-seeking race from the <i>Angel RPG</i>) who had been stranded in this dimension and was trying to reestablish contact with her people. At one point, she managed to rope the superscientist player character into helping her traipse all over campus (and beyond), taking readings with some weird sensory apparatus of her own design, but I don't recall her story ever getting much further than that. <div><br /></div><div>Since that game, I've read Neil Gaiman's surreal short story "<a href="http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/Cool_Stuff/Short_Stories/How_To_Talk_To_Girls_At_Parties/How_To_Talk_To_Girls_At_Parties_(Text)">How to Talk to Girls at Parties</a>" (and more recently, <a href="https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/26-372/Neil-Gaimans-How-to-Talk-to-Girls-at-Parties">the Dark Horse comic adaptation</a>). If I ever use Yoko in another game, I expect that story to exert some influence on her, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>The current "reunion arc" of "Grey Angels" has allowed me to revisit Yoko's story indirectly: I have introduced an NPC who is the daughter that Yoko left behind when she left for parts unknown 13 years ago. Sakura Masterson has been fun to play so far, and will likely be one of my main PCs for the "next gen" game we've been bantering about as a way to continue using the setting after the current crises are resolved.<br /><div><br /></div><div>And yes, I did finish watching <i>Revolutionary Girl Utena </i>not long after I finished that original post above. It's a bizarre series that gradually builds up to one of the weirdest climaxes of any anime I've ever seen, but I recall enjoying it, even the inexplicable nonsense parts of it. My "Grey Angels" character Trick Tillinghast, a fencer with a pronounced romantic streak, was very much a fan, and even dressed up as Utena for her masquerade-themed high school prom. In retrospect, her strong affinity with that character should have been a clue--one of many!--that she was not quite as straight as both she and I originally thought. But, hey, it took Utena a while to get there, too, and both were happier once they did.</div></div>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-69669327153593675522022-02-23T17:14:00.002-05:002022-03-03T21:22:05.733-05:00"Let Me Tell You About My Character..." (An Index)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDwzYeLK-l9a_xqpmJrmEH6v3wPdDjigr8p2JsvCWZyn0aCHNaFlcr3ZrqJx0NVBe-S4G8ebVObic91_s682js-Zpap2mmMWC0eK7rs-EOiTwgBXM7m2JKS9n9CvrN-WJmilVqGCkI3P4gnt2Q6oxmedO0e2e-TBeJJ9e8eIgPt497_RJCai5fkQ=s2048" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDwzYeLK-l9a_xqpmJrmEH6v3wPdDjigr8p2JsvCWZyn0aCHNaFlcr3ZrqJx0NVBe-S4G8ebVObic91_s682js-Zpap2mmMWC0eK7rs-EOiTwgBXM7m2JKS9n9CvrN-WJmilVqGCkI3P4gnt2Q6oxmedO0e2e-TBeJJ9e8eIgPt497_RJCai5fkQ=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abe Sapien (used for my Buffy RPG character <br />Baz Olmstead when in Triton form)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The following pages are devoted to stories, artwork, and miniatures for my own player characters in various RPGs. They do not include the snippets of character info buried in my RPGaDay, Drawloween, and Inktober posts (except for those on Trick's personal index page), nor do they include PCs or NPCs from games I've GMed.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">D&D 5E</h2><p><a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2016/01/taphos_13.html">Taphos</a> (1/13/2016): Converted to 5E from a friend's homebrew RPG system.</p><p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2016/01/lendri.html">Lendri</a> (1/28/2016): Converted to 5E from a friend's homebrew RPG system.</p><p><br /></p><h2>Grey Angels (Buffy/Angel/Fate)</h2><p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/04/nightwatch-dossier-patricia-trick.html">Nightwatch Dossier: Patricia "Trick" Tillinghast</a> (started 4/17/2020): This page is an index for columns about my PC, Trick Tillinghast, and the "Grey Angels" campaign in general.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Pathfinder Society</h2><p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/08/how-do-you-go-about-creating-character.html">How do you go about creating a character for play?</a> (8/30/2018): Uses some of my PFS PCs as examples.</p><p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/11/cassilda-tillinghast.html">Cassilda Tillinghast</a> (11/13/2018): Art, stats, and bio for my first psychic caster PC.</p><p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/12/pathfinder-iconics-minis.html">Pathfinder Iconics Minis</a> (12/5/2018): LEGO minis of the iconic characters for each core class.</p><p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2019/02/a-bakers-dozen-of-pathfinders.html">A Baker's Dozen of Pathfinders</a> (2/5/2019): Artwork and capsule bios of my PFS characters.</p><p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/03/pathfinder-society-lego-minis.html">Pathfinder Society LEGO Minis</a> (3/16/2020): Minis for my PFS characters (including new additions since 2019).</p><p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2022/02/clever-character-names-oftenarent.html">"Clever" Character Names Often...Aren't</a> (2/9/2022): Origins of a few of my PFS & SFS PCs' names.</p><p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2022/02/pathfinder-society-minis-and-artwork.html">Pathfinder Society Minis and Artwork Update</a> (2/23/2022): Some new artwork, plus my PFS 2E characters' minis.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Pathfinder (other campaigns)</h2><p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-dungeon-interludes-party.html">The "Dungeon Interludes" Party</a> (11/3/2016): LEGO minis for one of my wife's campaigns.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Starfinder Society</h2><p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2022/02/clever-character-names-oftenarent.html">"Clever" Character Names Often...Aren't</a> (2/9/2022): Origins of a few of my PFS & SFS PCs' names.</p><p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2022/03/my-starfinder-society-minis-and-artwork.html">My Starfinder Society Minis and Artwork</a> (3/3/2022): Bios and LEGO minis for my SFS PCs to date.</p>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-66576684043221009492022-02-23T17:10:00.005-05:002022-03-28T12:09:55.143-04:00Pathfinder Society Minis and Artwork Update<p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2019/02/a-bakers-dozen-of-pathfinders.html">A few years ago now</a>, I shared the portraits I'd drawn of my Pathfinder Society characters, along with capsule bios of each one. <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/03/pathfinder-society-lego-minis.html">A year later</a>, I shared photos of the LEGO minis I'd made for those characters, with a few new characters who had debuted since that previous post. I plan to do a similar article about my Starfinder Society characters sometime soon, but for now, I'm going to update two of those PFS First Edition PCs, then introduce the handful of PFS Second Edition characters I've created so far.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">First Edition Pathfinder Updates</h2><p>Very few of the minis for my 1E characters have required updating. K'Chaw's mini (tengu cavalier) has a new helmet, and Volutus's (sylph druid) has a new face, but only two PCs received substantial mini makeovers and/or new art. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPODqlmu_lVEcXMRo4jrjrCwQjuYlBWnKwU23h7jT_K_eCTUlUVFwjZVuutP_Y_ffwSg1T7df1z96fu-VbVZgEIfcvQXOHHcmQtTelthnXNXLgTX1riGyFCy434KgcS4Z9M2HlpuMzwLPU5B0Yw59sW5VOUAK1CImkdZGUePt0dREqXHCHi_edOg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3297" data-original-width="2411" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPODqlmu_lVEcXMRo4jrjrCwQjuYlBWnKwU23h7jT_K_eCTUlUVFwjZVuutP_Y_ffwSg1T7df1z96fu-VbVZgEIfcvQXOHHcmQtTelthnXNXLgTX1riGyFCy434KgcS4Z9M2HlpuMzwLPU5B0Yw59sW5VOUAK1CImkdZGUePt0dREqXHCHi_edOg=w293-h400" width="293" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cassilda Tillinghast</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Cassilda Tillinghast</b> (human mindblade magus) received a second portrait almost 2 years ago (see above). She can now manifest two psychic weapons at once, so I felt the need to depict that. I haven't updated her mini yet, but may do so whenever I get to play her in an in-person game again. </p><p>Thanks to rapid advancement through two adventure paths, <b>Falling Rock</b> (Shoanti human ranger/fighter) soon surpassed my other characters in power, and has been retired at 19th level. (There is one more PFS scenario that we could legally play with those characters, taking them to 20th, but it's a multi-table special that can only be run at a con. And it's a fairly old one, so we may be waiting quite a long time before demand for it reaches critical mass again.) Falling Rock continued to get even scarier with his trusty earth breaker, and ended play with a <i>+5 impact impervious merciful</i> adamantine weapon. He also acquired mithral full plate very early in his career, which required a dramatic rebuild of his mini: he kept the old head, but he wears a Castle/Kingdom knight's armor, a Roman legionnaire's helmet (chosen to leave his face visible), and his new earth breaker is built around a fist/hammer piece from (IIRC) the Legend of Chima theme.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLZF27ozWYqxCyxfN8-MDUFaAYSRil5O8u505s8oONc8wdZKaYxRyLGy6sMl1jv_k5qR-FuIIhT7MYMZNSGB9e5AUrfZATGA75WsVKXYvNAMBVDKyoEZtMF4QAIKQ2Ea5E1XpiXFi1EmK3yz5X3R16xmeTImRz5m2WcOx2Kq-v5y2iYRBjm4OakA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="892" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLZF27ozWYqxCyxfN8-MDUFaAYSRil5O8u505s8oONc8wdZKaYxRyLGy6sMl1jv_k5qR-FuIIhT7MYMZNSGB9e5AUrfZATGA75WsVKXYvNAMBVDKyoEZtMF4QAIKQ2Ea5E1XpiXFi1EmK3yz5X3R16xmeTImRz5m2WcOx2Kq-v5y2iYRBjm4OakA=w288-h320" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Falling Rock</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I have also drawn a quick B&W sketch of Falling Rock in his new armor, charging forward with his weapon raised.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqPU1pO-Vg0j5U6R9vUYX8jvjvSDhT8qhBGKbMLtMH1eIGzIWX_p3lDX2k4Ig_leqwmhhQG4X_NJBuqujYHKXDXabAcdRnF62l_4LRq7n_iXq1vRmYIbWz9L74uDm0xn9uRcu0jWwk0er_9iBkSSi9L7AzPrIKGahqcttBIFaqOIfFsTJvP6bb6g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3300" data-original-width="1862" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqPU1pO-Vg0j5U6R9vUYX8jvjvSDhT8qhBGKbMLtMH1eIGzIWX_p3lDX2k4Ig_leqwmhhQG4X_NJBuqujYHKXDXabAcdRnF62l_4LRq7n_iXq1vRmYIbWz9L74uDm0xn9uRcu0jWwk0er_9iBkSSi9L7AzPrIKGahqcttBIFaqOIfFsTJvP6bb6g=w225-h400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="225" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Falling Rock</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqPU1pO-Vg0j5U6R9vUYX8jvjvSDhT8qhBGKbMLtMH1eIGzIWX_p3lDX2k4Ig_leqwmhhQG4X_NJBuqujYHKXDXabAcdRnF62l_4LRq7n_iXq1vRmYIbWz9L74uDm0xn9uRcu0jWwk0er_9iBkSSi9L7AzPrIKGahqcttBIFaqOIfFsTJvP6bb6g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Second Edition Pathfinders</h2><p>I have played three characters in PFS 2E so far, and may be debuting my fourth in a month or two. I have not yet drawn portraits for any of them, but the active ones all have LEGO minis, and I built a mini for the newest character while writing this column. </p><p><b>Thibdab </b>(goblin redeemer champion of Sarenrae) has advanced several levels since he made an appearance at the end of my previous PFS minis column. He retains his original head (Goblin, Minifigures Series 13), sword (<i>Prince of Persia</i>), and shield (<i>Wonder Woman</i>), but now wears platemail (plain light gray breastplate, torso, and short legs). Much like Falling Rock above, Thibdab's new samurai helmet was chosen because it leaves his face visible--he is, after all, a <i>goblin </i>champion, and should be identifiable as one. His first knight-master (K'Chaw, my 1E tengu cavalier) is from Tian Xia, so his headgear is a nod to that, too.</p><p>Thibdab has also acquired a wolf mount, which he named Kazaam! (the "!" is part of the name). The wolf started out Small, so was a more of a trained companion than a mount, but is now Medium and thus large enough to bear Thibdab into battle (though he's faster without a heavily-armored goblin on his back). Most of my time playing Thibdab has been online due to Covid, so I was able to use an image of a gray LEGO warg as his wolf's Roll20 token. The warg is far too large for in-person play, so I have a LEGO dog and a goblin microfigure for when Thibdab is mounted. A couple of 1x1 plates with clips hold a shield (from the Aztec Warrior, Minifigures Series 7) and sword (a non-LEGO scimitar), and the microfigure wears the magic helmet from the Heroica theme. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEjRzOtglcuHkIT4EVwuAHeXHII4D00x0ys8up_H8_PebjTbd6egjgAoJ9yxE9q1Z4r8SQvFAUud8TNkWughFsu_RskLKXvtItJjjyCeWT1K6VteNJlvrzUbk4TuCtPGWCzeIYfwx-SvH2_mBzqWm4XE6eCHdlvQGfbx6vxJgh_5YUtRsn77s4Ag=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEjRzOtglcuHkIT4EVwuAHeXHII4D00x0ys8up_H8_PebjTbd6egjgAoJ9yxE9q1Z4r8SQvFAUud8TNkWughFsu_RskLKXvtItJjjyCeWT1K6VteNJlvrzUbk4TuCtPGWCzeIYfwx-SvH2_mBzqWm4XE6eCHdlvQGfbx6vxJgh_5YUtRsn77s4Ag=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thibdab, afoot (L) and mounted on Kazaam! (R)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Millicent Velarno</b> is a human sorceress with the hag bloodline. <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/198439927319883962/">This photo</a> inspired her look--all black, with a cloak and hood, and dramatic, spooky eye makeup--and still serves as her token on Roll20. I got a chance to play her in person at a local con last summer, so she needed a mini then. She wears a witch's black torso (Minifigures Series 2), plain black legs (more practical than skirts), a cloth Batman cape, and a black hood. Her head is Tonto's, from the very short-lived <i>The Lone Ranger</i> theme. Here, with only the makeup visible, Depp's highly controversial racial caricature has been repurposed for a more acceptable "goth witch" look. Since I built this mini, she has acquired a <i>demon mask</i>, which she wears constantly to make herself even more intimidating. I have a couple of monstrous Ninjago masks (the Thunder Keeper and the Omega oni) that I keep with her mini in case I decide the scary mask needs more attention.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYMRyM0AmNeufDQQdYNWLqFKCEvU0G_HYO39LwG9EbxP-7BUTIvui_rp7-rTvnU5nN6hvy2gKORcyk6rLsLGkSx3QtI4NUvc6avhvKU-FDqDgHwos79Lzu7S74h5FGuRDeILiXzzlmfENo9o1muLaroNCfWSnKtr1jnTnnZEHzYes99uOhqAGgfA=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYMRyM0AmNeufDQQdYNWLqFKCEvU0G_HYO39LwG9EbxP-7BUTIvui_rp7-rTvnU5nN6hvy2gKORcyk6rLsLGkSx3QtI4NUvc6avhvKU-FDqDgHwos79Lzu7S74h5FGuRDeILiXzzlmfENo9o1muLaroNCfWSnKtr1jnTnnZEHzYes99uOhqAGgfA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Millicent Velarno (L) and Xathel (R)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Xathel </b>is an elf investigator, with a bit of rogue. (I chose an elf heritage that allows a multiclassing archetype at 1st level, and rogue added even more to his long list of trained skills.) His body is that of a Mirkwood elf, but he has Bruce Banner's head (for the green eyes) and Zan/Jayna's hairpiece (<i>The Batman Movie</i> Minifigures). He wears a brown cape matching his elven garb, and wields a shortsword (Sting, from <i>LOTR/Hobbit</i> sets). <p></p><p>My brand-new, unplayed 1st-level PC for 2E is <b>Grazga</b>, a half-orc summoner who belongs to the (mostly human) Sarkorian tribes, whose ancestral homeland was devastated by a demonic incursion. The resulting Worldwound has been recently healed (during one of the last adventure paths released for 1E), and now some of her people are working to reclaim those lands with help from the Pathfinders and other allies. Grazga is one of her tribe's spiritual leaders, known as "god-callers," who are bonded to eidolons considered to be minor divinities. Her companion is Dontorex, who looks like a feathered dinosaur. </p><p>Grazga's mini uses one of the old "tribal warrior" bodies from the Old West theme, with the light brown hands and head from a <i>Star Wars</i> alien, and long, loose hair from a <i>Hobbit </i>theme dwarf. Her cape is red on one side and tan on the other, turned drab side out for camouflage. (Sadly, I forget the source for this piece, as it's one of the few non-monochrome capes I own.) I would have preferred a more brightly-colored, more dinosaur-like mini for Dontorex, but ended up compromising with a Vampire Bat torso (Minifigures Series 8), which comes with small wings attached to the arms. To preserve the color scheme, I used Bytar's head (a Constrictai Serpentine character from Ninjago). </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifYT90P4AhYT0XAkaOpNEmz9SlFZcEsNExR7VjELmym2LH2dgEghumUNi5zRfjrR49zIvdUqiw82XxBLGxDSPcxycKMbI2l_NUvZFRcZNeCyhSwpv7srMFZkc2fd47kF1wEBctGuFeuUnRb-APoP0sooJzI2V1J_z0L-wmghacLr2p7sh88Er3Vg=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifYT90P4AhYT0XAkaOpNEmz9SlFZcEsNExR7VjELmym2LH2dgEghumUNi5zRfjrR49zIvdUqiw82XxBLGxDSPcxycKMbI2l_NUvZFRcZNeCyhSwpv7srMFZkc2fd47kF1wEBctGuFeuUnRb-APoP0sooJzI2V1J_z0L-wmghacLr2p7sh88Er3Vg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grazga (L) and Dontorex (R)</td></tr></tbody></table>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-43281446836580943162022-02-20T01:42:00.001-05:002022-02-21T10:31:58.128-05:00LEGO Minifigures Series 22<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGGBFhzG5JxULkChHBgpvMhwejHdXs3dSS_QnkrPe-Wxc3pVBQld_4UOKF3gCvFI7sn2foOqNCCwWmZlPUmuH5SQlweH7dp_ec-x6Y00L3oCwDTQxxWo9XVOy_wwmyM-EoyCV8lFgQtP5jMqRdbEhzNJh_j6iYeVbcdRpQ0qWKK2RYCdL1NXwbSg=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGGBFhzG5JxULkChHBgpvMhwejHdXs3dSS_QnkrPe-Wxc3pVBQld_4UOKF3gCvFI7sn2foOqNCCwWmZlPUmuH5SQlweH7dp_ec-x6Y00L3oCwDTQxxWo9XVOy_wwmyM-EoyCV8lFgQtP5jMqRdbEhzNJh_j6iYeVbcdRpQ0qWKK2RYCdL1NXwbSg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i><b>(See <a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2019/09/tims-lego-reviews.html">Tim's LEGO Reviews</a> for my reviews of past LEGO Minifigures series.)</b></i></p><p>Series 22 of the collectible LEGO Minifigures line was released at the beginning of this year, and I finally managed to acquire several earlier this month. As with <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2021/03/lego-minifigures-series-21.html">Series 21</a>, this set only totals 12 characters, rather than the 16 that most older series tallied. I currently own 9 of the 12; the other three are marked with asterisks below, and my comments on them will be briefer. </p><p><b>Bird Watcher</b>: This avian enthusiast seems a bit unassuming at first, but she has four pieces cast in multiple colors of plastic: a teal hat with black ponytail; a torso with short-sleeved black shirt; legs with dark brown boots and light brown pants; and the toucan (which, as far as I can tell, is cast in three colors: black, white, and yellow!). Her two-sided head is fairly typically "girly" and the torso has the usual printed arcs to suggest a narrower waist, but the shirt notably lacks any bust definition. Ever since the introduction of corset-clad wenches in the original Pirates theme, the designs of far too many female minifigures have suffered from a weird sort of fixation on the details of their chests. This character's more gender-neutral clothing is a welcome change--and it has pockets! </p><p>The other female-presenting characters in this series also avoid being oversexualized. The two costume fans and the much younger groom don't even have the waist-narrowing arcs printed on their torso. The Night Protector does, but she's clad in armor that, while ornate, offers sensible coverage.</p><p><b>*Chili Costume Fan</b>: This woman may be sweating from the bulk of her costume or from eating some hot chili peppers (or both), but she has a carton of milk to help offset the latter problem. Like the Banana Suit Guy in Series 16, the main costume piece won't have many uses other than a costume or as the actual fruit represented, so it's not very useful for parts for RPG miniatures.</p><p><b>*Figure Skating Champion</b>: This character has a glittery blue and purple costume, a poofy blonde 'do, figure skates, and a trophy. His outfit matches his female counterpart's (from way back in Series 4) but hers was much more interesting. </p><p><b>Forest Elf</b>: This is easily the most adorable character in this series. The elf comes with short posable legs and a double-sided child-like face, and wears an acorn cap, an oak leaf-shaped cloth cape, and a torso printed to suggest a veined leaf. The printed belt (and fanny pack, under the cape) are also decorated with minute oak leaves and an acorn buckle. A walking stick and a smiling mushroom friend complete the look. This figure has many great parts for a druid or ranger character, and the mushroom is perfect for a fungus leshy (a variety of tiny plant-folk available as both PCs and familiars in <i>Pathfinder </i>Second Edition). Mine came with an extra red cap, and a white 1x1 cylinder will serve as a body just as well as the white fez that comes with the elf.</p><p><b>Horse and Groom</b>: The short legs and braces (printed on the more widely-smiling of her two faces) make it clear that this groom is meant to be a young girl. She wears clothes suitable for working--jeans, a green flannel jacket, and a knit cap, and has a carrot treat for her horse. The animal is clearly a young colt, because it only comes up to her nose. This horse's small size make it very well suited to use as the pony mount of a microfigure attached to the stud on its back (a Small rider on a Medium mount, in game terms). I will need to acquire a few more, for that alone!</p><p><b>Night Protector</b>: This character's light blue skin, teal hair, and silver freckles mark her as obviously non-human. Her armor is mostly light gray (or silver), with white and purple details that continue onto the sides of her arms and legs; it also has dark pink gauntlets and a printed pink jewel on the breastplate. She bears a transparent purple sword and shield; the latter is emblazoned with a crescent moon, which also appears on her belt buckle and the back of her cuirass (though her long hair hides that one). </p><p>The Protector's head and hair could be used for an elf, gnome, or fairy, an aquatic species like merfolk, or even a <i>Starfinder </i>android or alien. The armor is very nicely done, and despite the illusory waist and pink details, would work beautifully for a moon-themed character of any gender. (Mine came with an extra sword. A friend of mine traded his troubadour's spare coin [see below] for his son's spare sword.)</p><p><b>*Racoon Costume Fan</b>: This character appears to use the same parts as the fox costume in Series 16--including the sack--but in new colors and a with a new print job on the mask. She comes with a standard City trash can, which should make her easier to find by feel than many others in this series. </p><p><b>Robot Repair Tech</b>: This humanoid robot's bright yellow chassis is covered in a variety of hazard symbols to warn others to keep their distance while it's working. Its head is covered with a mask like a welder's, with two cartoonish smiling eyes displayed in pixels on the front. Under the helmet is a gray head covered in printed circuitry, and a battery charge indicator on the neck that shows even when the helmet is on. Its facial features are unfortunately a bit too dorky for my taste; a less cartoonish smile would have made it perfect for a <i>Starfinder </i>android. </p><p>The robot tech comes with three different attachments for its right arm: a drill, a hammer, and a robot claw. It also comes with a small, brick-built robot buddy; printing on this sidekick is limited to the large eyes, on two separate 1x1 tiles. This tiny red robot would work nicely for a <i>Starfinder </i>drone, or for a small-sized SRO ("sentient robot organism," a playable construct race).</p><p><b>Snow Guardian</b>: This whiskered warrior is dressed in white furs with a dark blue cap, belt, and boots. Both the legs and arms are molded in two colors, with additional printing to cover the join line with a more interesting pattern. (Trying to disguise the casting joins feels a little weird to me, but I suppose this method reduces the amount of paint that could be worn off of single-colored parts with extended play.) The fur trim of the hat and collar are carefully modeled to almost entirely fill the gap between them in the back, and convey the frigid climate of the guardian's home even more effectively than the large snowflake printed on his shield. His longsword is (I believe) a new design, with a simple but elegant cross-guard and pommel, and a fuller along the blade. Finally, the husky is the same as the one used in Arctic-themed City sets a few years ago, but this one has a paler gray patch on its head and back and sports the breed's distinctive blue eyes.</p><p><b>Space Creature</b>: This pink-skinned alien wears a purple spacesuit with the classic Space logo, but there are additional details printed on the shoulders and legs. He wears a backpack consisting of a transparent globe (a minifigure head) with a printed warning label. It's unclear whether this is a scientific specimen, a life support system, or a weapon, but the creature's ray gun is capped with a 1x1 plate in the same bilious green color. The alien's head is double-sided, with larger and smaller open mouths. It's topped by a rubber headpiece was previously used to give antennae to a bumblebee costume (Series 10) and Killer Moth (<i>LEGO Batman Movie</i> Minifigures Series 2) but here it has been repurposed to give the creature eyestalks. This alien would be perfect for an osharu, a humanoid slug race in <i>Starfinder</i>.</p><p><b>Troubadour</b>: This jolly, singing fellow wears striped blue medieval garb, with a matching hat (which sports a plume in a new color for this part). He strums a lute, which is very nicely detailed, even to the tuning pegs cast on its head. This instrument has a pin on the back that can be held by a minifigure hand, but it looks just fine held across the body for strumming, as shown below. This minstrel has received a couple of gold coins (printed tiles) for his performance, and should come with an extra (for a total of 3 gp).</p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTM_xwDKakpRPEZpy8jfXaPYNQq3R16etFvgv75wOFxlujeeGAXNFCh8DrgHAqHSSECxpSIE9_xfOtnoXCad64YmdfSiyW2DY1xK3a6658TV30kCrBVuCO-WQo_QWAuWFNsVfemMFz2izPzDjBcjxMzb_UaszN2xCwBm5QMIe4cAgoSK-DUGCvKg=s2015" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTM_xwDKakpRPEZpy8jfXaPYNQq3R16etFvgv75wOFxlujeeGAXNFCh8DrgHAqHSSECxpSIE9_xfOtnoXCad64YmdfSiyW2DY1xK3a6658TV30kCrBVuCO-WQo_QWAuWFNsVfemMFz2izPzDjBcjxMzb_UaszN2xCwBm5QMIe4cAgoSK-DUGCvKg=s320" width="239" /></a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><p></p><p><b>Wheelchair Racer</b>: This athlete comes with a three-wheeled racing chair formed of a single body piece onto which the wheels snap. (It also comes with a 1x1 clear cylinder brick for mounting it onto the baseplate for display without rolling around.) He has a very determined looking face, with a short scruffy goatee. His arms are cast in two colors to give him short sleeves, one of which has a logo matching the one on his back. This individual is very fit, as evidenced by the muscle definition on his torso, and the medal around his neck. </p><p>The LEGO Group released its first minifigure-scale wheelchair in 2016 (Set 60134 Fun in the Park), but this new model is available as an individual minifigure rather than as part of a large set. That's a much more affordable price point, making it easier for interested builders--with and without disabilities--to acquire. A number of wheelchair-using characters have appeared in various RPGs in recent years, and this kind of representation matters, in both toys and games, as well as other entertainment media.</p>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-84508726732339516062022-02-10T23:47:00.002-05:002022-03-09T08:56:18.841-05:00Unearthed Arcana and Freeport, Part 16: In Tasha's Wake<p>Welcome back to my ongoing series of capsule reviews of "Unearthed Arcana" with an eye for how to use them with the Freeport setting. This column covers UA articles from October 2020 to October 2021. (None had been released in 2022 at the date of this post.)</p><p>The book which I alluded to in <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/07/unearthed-arcana-and-freeport-part-15.html">my last UA & Freeport post</a> (a year and a half ago!) turned out to be <i>Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, </i>which I have since acquired and reviewed (<a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2022/01/tashas-cauldron-and-freeport-part-1.html">Part 1</a>; <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2022/01/tashas-cauldron-and-freeport-part-2.html">Part 2</a>). That book incorporated nearly all of the playtest material that I reviewed in UA & Freeport, Parts 10-15, except for "Subclasses, Part 4," which appears to have missed the cut-off date for inclusion.</p><p>Note that all of the new races (or lineages) presented in UA since <i>Tasha's </i>was released have referred the player to the "Customizing Your Origin" rules in that book rather than dictating ability score increases, languages, and tool proficiencies.</p><div><b><i>For my past columns about using D&D Fifth Edition sourcebooks with Freeport: The City of Adventure, see the <a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/01/freeport-5e-index.html" style="font-family: inherit;">Freeport 5E Index</a>.</i></b></div><p><b><a href="https://media.wizards.com/2020/dnd/downloads/UA2020_102620_Subclasses05.pdf">Subclasses, Part 5</a></b> (10/26/2020): This installment introduces just two new subclasses, both with a dragon theme. The Way of the Ascendant Dragon allows monks to do energy damage with their unarmed strikes, and also bestows a breath weapon. Higher levels gives additional draconic abilities. The Drakewarden ranger gains the ability to summon a small drake companion. The stat block for this drake includes the ranger's proficiency bonus for its AC, good saves, and attack rolls, using the same "+PB" notation used for summoned creatures in <i>Tasha's</i>.</p><p>The Way of the Ascendant Dragon is very appropriate for monks from the Eastern Empire. The drakewarden is most likely from the wilds of the Continent, though the Serpent's Teeth is also home to many reptilian monsters. </p><p><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/gothic-lineages"><b>Gothic Lineages</b></a> (1/26/2021): This article presents three new races with Gothic horror origins. Each lineage has two creatures types to reflect its in-between status. The text points out that if an effect would affect one of their types, it affects the character normally (so a dhampir--humanoid and undead--would be healed by <i>cure wounds</i>).</p><p>The dhampir is part humanoid, part undead, with a vampiric bite and a hunger for blood (or some other manifestation of life force). The hexblood has ties to hags, making them part fey, with some innate magic and advantage against charm effects. The reborn represents a variety of characters unnaturally suspended between life and death, either through surgery or implanted machinery (making them a construct) or necromantic magic (undead). In both cases, being reborn helps the character resist disease, poison, and dying.</p><p>Freeport is a horror setting, so all three lineages are appropriate there, though all remain rare. The <i>Pathfinder RPG</i> has rules for dhampirs and hag-descended changelings, so the dhampir and hexblood would be useful for converting those races' abilities to 5E. (Offhand, I don't recall any examples of either in Freeport canon, but they are popular with some players.)</p><p><b><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthedarcana/folk_feywild">Folk of the Feywild</a></b> (3/11/2021): This article presents four races whose origins lie within the Feywild. Fairies are a small race similar to pixies or sprites, but larger. They can fly (even without wings), and cast a couple of innate spells. The version of hobgoblins presented here gives an alternative to the race traits given in <i>Volo's Guide of Monsters</i>, which reflected a more militaristic world-view. Owlfolk are humanoid owls with winged flight, the ability to sense magic, and the night vision and silent feathers of their owl kin; they may be Small or Medium. Rabbitfolk are humanoids with hare-like senses and reflexes, and may also be Small or Medium. The choice of size has no effect on either race's traits, but will affect things such as the ability to use heavy weapons.</p><p>(The official versions of three of these races have already been released: The owlin in <i>Strixhaven: Curriculum of Chaos</i>, and the fairy and harengon in <i>The Wild Beyond the Witchlight</i>.)</p><p>One of the defining characteristics of the Freeport setting is that the native fey of the Serpent's Teeth are almost universally reptilian in nature rather than the elf-like creatures found elsewhere. That means that these four fey races would be very rare in the City of Adventure, and they would be highly unlikely to have come here directly from the Feywild. Freeport does have an enclave of hobgoblins, but these are transplants from the Continent, and most fit that race's stereotype of regimented military training (making the traits in <i>Volo's</i> more appropriate).</p><p><b><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/draconic-options">Draconic Options</a></b> (4/14/2021): This article presents several new character options manifesting draconic magic, and was obviously meant as a companion piece to "Subclasses, Part 5," above. These include three variant dragonborn races (chromatic, metallic, and gem) that provide a more direct connection between the dragonborn and the dragon type matching their scale color. The chromatic and metallic races are only superficially different from the standard <i>PH</i> dragonborn, but the gem dragonborn gives access to more unusual breath weapon damage types, has innate psionic telepathy, and can briefly manifest spectral gem-like wings once a day. </p><p>A new version of the kobold race is also included, which lacks the racial Strength penalty given in <i>Volo's</i> (a rarity among 5E races to begin with, and entirely dispensed with if you use the "Customizing Your Origin" rules in <i>Tasha's</i>). This variant leans into their draconic ancestry, rather than being the cowardly pack creature presented in the <i>MM</i> and <i>Volo's</i>.</p><p>Three new feats provide some abilities of chromatic dragons (energy-infused attacks and limited resistance), metallic dragons (cure wounds and protective wings), and gem dragons (a mental stat increase and a telekinetic counterattack). Finally, the article details seven new spells. The most noteworthy of these are probably <i>draconic transformation</i> (giving draconic senses, flight, and a force damage breath weapon), <i>Raulothim's psychic lance</i> (which adds a new psionic-themed spell to the handful in <i>Tasha's</i>), and <i>summon draconic spirit</i> (which follows the format of the new summoning spells in <i>Tasha's</i>).</p><p>All of these options could be used in a Freeport campaign. The new version of the kobold is particularly attractive as a more heroic interpretation of that race, and dragon-themed spells will appeal to a wide variety of casters. </p><p><b><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/strixhaven">Mages of Strixhaven</a></b> (6/8/2021): This article presents five subclasses appropriate to the Strixhaven plane from the <i>Magic: The Gathering</i> multiverse. These subclasses are probably most noteworthy for the fact that each was designed to work with two or three different spellcasting classes. Because classes gain their subclass features at different levels (and give different numbers of features), these subclasses' features have a minimum level required to choose them, rather than a set level. (To my knowledge, these subclasses were not used in the final <i>Strixhaven: Curriculum of Chaos</i> book, probably largely due to this more complicated implementation.)</p><p>A Mage of Lorehold is a historian who bonds with an ancient companion spirit inhabiting an animated statue. A Mage of Prismari infuses their own movements with elemental energy, and specializes with a chosen energy type at later levels. A Mage of Quandrix is a mathematician who can manipulate probability. A Mage of Silverquill channels their magic through their words, demoralizing foes and bolstering allies. A Mage of Witherbloom taps into the endless cycle of life and death.</p><p>Both the <i>Magic</i>-specific context of these subclasses and their unusual implementation make them difficult to adapt to a Freeport campaign. A GM who wishes to make use of them would probably want to rename or reflavor the background somewhat to match a magical college in their setting. The only such organization that receives much attention in the Freeport product line is the Wizard's Guild, which has a much more secretive, even sinister, reputation than Strixhaven's more genuinely collegiate atmosphere. A school on the Continent (like the Arcane Blade Academy I mentioned in connection with bladesingers in <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2022/01/tashas-cauldron-and-freeport-part-1.html">Part 1</a> of "<i>Tasha's Cauldron</i> and Freeport") is likely a better choice, despite the lack of details.</p><p><b><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/travelers-multiverse">Travelers of the Multiverse</a></b> (10/8/2021): This installment presents six new races for 5E, all of which fit a planar traveler theme. Astral elves are descended from elves who left the Feywild to be closer to the homes of their gods. Autognomes are constructs built in their rock gnome creators' image. Giffs are tall, powerfully built humanoids with hippo-like heads. Hadozees are simians with feet that are as dexterous as hands, and gliding flaps between their limbs. Plasmoids are intelligent oozes who can mimic a humanoid form well enough to use other races' equipment. Thri-kreen are insectoids with telepathic and chameleon abilities.</p><p>Most of these races have appeared in past editions of the D&D game, though not necessarily as playable PC races. The hadozee and giff (and possibly autognomes?) originated in the Spelljammer setting, which has caused quite a bit of speculation about whether Wizards is planning a full setting book for this edition. Thri-kreen have been part of D&D at least since the the AD&D 2E <i>Monster Manual II</i>, and featured prominently in the Dark Sun setting. Three of the races have also reminded me of TSR's <i>Star Frontiers</i> game: the hadozee, plasmoid, and thri-kreen could easily be used to convert that game's yazirians, dralasites, and vrusk to D&D 5E.</p><p>Determining how many of these races are appropriate for a Freeport campaign depends in part how much travel between worlds and planes the GM feels is appropriate for their game. The 3E book <i>Stormwrack </i>presented the hadozee as a race most commonly found aboard ships, with all references to the Spelljammer setting removed. (It was this version that I allowed for one of the PCs in my last Freeport campaign, so I'm very pleased to see 5E stats for them.) The thri-kreen could be native to another continent--perhaps the forests of Rolland or the arid lands of Hamunaptra. The astral elf, giff, and plasmoid would probably be rare in a world without spelljamming ships or frequent planar travel. On the other hand, the giff have always been associated with firearms, and often find work as mercenaries, both of which provide reasons for encountering them as exotic troops passing through Freeport.</p>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-34811270960791578152022-02-09T14:17:00.000-05:002022-02-09T14:17:02.755-05:00"Clever" Character Names Often...Aren't<p>If you've been a gamer for very long, you've probably come across quite a few players who have named their heroes after characters from literature, TV, or film--and likely been guilty of it yourself at some point! Many players, both old and new, are prone to obsessively recreating their favorite heroes as faithfully as they can with any new RPG's rules set they try out. For a host of reasons (inexperience with the rules, strict power caps on starting characters, clashing opinions about the character within the player group, etc.) many end up frustrated when it doesn't work out to their satisfaction. And along the way, they often end up annoying their fellow players with their presumption. ("Oh, sure, you're Alannon. And what level are you again?"*)</p><p>One problem with trying to slavishly trying to copy a fictional character is that you're not experiencing the full range of characters in the game. If you're hung up on the idea that your wizard has to be an old, mysterious know-it-all, just like Merlin, or Gandalf, or Elminster, then you'll miss out on all the other ways to play the class. And no matter how awesome those characters might be in their original settings, they might be a very poor fit for the campaign you've joined. Especially if you want to play the world's most powerful arch-mage, when you've joined a game that starts at 1st level! Instead, give some thought to playing the new kid on the block, who someday hopes to rub shoulders with those legends, and show us all how to do things differently than the predictable tropes of characters everyone knows.</p><p>There are times when it can be appropriate to use a name that copies that of an established fictional character, or that is a clever take-off of one. For example, players and GMs tend to be less strict about setting-appropriate names for one-shots or less serious games--and in deliberately silly games, anything goes, the punnier, the better. Less obvious homages can work in more serious games, particularly when the name or character are on the obscure side, and when the character is much more <i>inspired by</i> a fictional hero than <i>based on</i> one. </p><p>In my own games, I do put up with a certain amount of silliness in names, because my players are there primarily to have fun, and to blow off steam from their busy lives. Their jokes are part of the price, and the joy, of having a loyal group of friends to game with. So, for example, my Pathfinder games have featured animal companions and familiars named for Pokemon or dirty puns. If I ever tried to tackle a more historical game, I'd probably put more effort into policing names, but I'm also not sure that's really this group's kind of game in the first place.</p><p>Organized play is very much a crap-shoot when it comes to character names. For every serious, fantastic name that helps build immersion in the world, you'll have a Barbarella, a Harley Davidson, or a Herlock Sholmes.**</p><p>In all fairness, I'll admit that not all of my Pathfinder Society and Starfinder Society characters' names are entirely serious:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I named my tengu cavalier "<b>K'Chaw</b>" as a joke, and only gave her a "real" birth name, and a story explaining the nickname, after playing her for a few levels. </li><li>My kitsune hunter/rogue is named <b>Mumbly Peg</b>, after the "game" played with knives. She usually just goes by "Peg," so her full name rarely, if ever, gets any comments.</li><li><b>Nar-Lok</b>, my creepy heavens shaman, gets his name from the Loc-Nar in the movie <i>Heavy Metal</i>.</li><li>My kiirinta (a moth-like fey species) mystic is named <b>Tekeli-li</b>, after the sound that the shoggoth makes at the end of <i>At the Mountains of Madness</i> (which Lovecraft lifted from the giant albino penguins in Poe's <i>The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym</i>).</li><li>My gnome envoy and musician is <b>Toknomonicon</b>, which was never meant to be anything more than a random mouthful of syllables. But once I had worked out that much, <i>of course</i> he had to be known for doing "Tokno remixes."</li></ul><div>My mindblade magus, <b>Cassilda Tillinghast</b>, has a much more serious name, but it's still ultimately a pair of Cthulhu Mythos references. The surname comes from a past <i>Buffy/Angel</i> RPG character of mine, Patricia "Trick" Tillinghast, upon whom Cassilda was very loosely based. This surname was used by Lovecraft for the scientist in his short story, "From Beyond," because it was a historical New England family name. Because the game I played in was set in New England as well, I drew heavily on Lovecraft for my PCs' and their relatives' names (Trick's cousin is an Olmstead descended from Gilmans and Marshes, for example). The name Cassilda comes from Robert Chambers' "The King in Yellow" stories, where she is a central character in the cursed play that gives the cycle its name. I liked the sound of it, and it's obscure enough that you would need to have read Chambers or have played certain Yellow King-themed adventures (such as one of the later books of the <i>Strange Aeons</i> Adventure Path) to recognize it. Nobody who has seen me play <i>my </i>Cassilda has ever hinted at knowing anything about the other one yet. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the kind of literary name that I like best: it alludes to a work of fiction, without copying any particular character too much (if at all). It's a cool name that stands on its own, with or without any explanation of its origin. And there's very little if any of that "Hey, see what I did there?" nudging and winking that the names that started me on this rant are shamelessly guilty of.</div><div><br /></div><div>-----</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">* True story: One of the players in my college AD&D campaign named his wizard Alannon. I hadn't read any of the Shannara books at that point, but my roommate had, so he gave the the wizard's player serious side-eye for his choice of name. I let the player keep the name, but my roommate loved to rib him whenever "Alannon" spectacularly failed at an attempt to do something impressive.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">** Real examples of character names I've encountered online, just in the past month or two!</span></div><p></p>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-17228404463287173982022-01-20T17:28:00.000-05:002022-01-20T17:28:06.105-05:00Tasha's Cauldron and Freeport, Part 2: Everything Else<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa1CAqDQsPXf66NqiytwUuuBkB2kUv2lO3GgsDexHSLEhpo3D1D6GhrL5nph9Z1mbcsIft0Xg35zhqmevHsBA4vuW33VS_DwcDZVddyHpDS1DFcewznVZmnDdGKdNvuNbEfZInj7-Jg/s2048/Tasha+and+FP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa1CAqDQsPXf66NqiytwUuuBkB2kUv2lO3GgsDexHSLEhpo3D1D6GhrL5nph9Z1mbcsIft0Xg35zhqmevHsBA4vuW33VS_DwcDZVddyHpDS1DFcewznVZmnDdGKdNvuNbEfZInj7-Jg/w400-h300/Tasha+and+FP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <b><i>For my past columns about using D&D Fifth Edition sourcebooks with Freeport: The City of Adventure, see the <a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/01/freeport-5e-index.html" style="font-family: inherit;">Freeport 5E Index</a>.</i></b><p></p><p><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2022/01/tashas-cauldron-and-freeport-part-1.html">Last time</a>, I reviewed the new origin rules, the artificer class, 26 new subclasses, new feats, and other character options in Chapter 1 of <i>Tasha's Cauldron of Everything</i>. This column tackles the rest of the book.</p><h2>Chapter 2: Group Patrons</h2><p>Patrons give a way to build connections between PCs through their shared relationship with a powerful organization or influential NPC. Having a patron grants a number of perks, and they can be the source of quests. This chapter also gives rules for being your own patron, for characters more interested in running a new organization themselves. Freeport has examples of every type of patron presented here, and the patron rules would be an excellent way to enhance a campaign centered around one of the city's institutions, whether a temple, guild, or syndicate.</p><h2>Chapter 3: Magical Miscellany</h2><p><b><i>Spells</i></b>: A few cantrips presented here (<i>booming blade, green-flame blade, lightning lure, sword burst</i>) are reprinted from <i>Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide</i>. Most of the others first appeared in <i>Unearthed Arcana</i>.</p><p>Psionic casters, like the Aberrant Mind, gain a few new spells fitting that theme, including <i>intellect fortress, mind sliver</i>, and <i>Tasha's mind whip</i>. The book's purported author also has two other spells in this chapter (<i>Tasha's caustic brew</i> and <i>Tasha's otherworldly guise</i>).</p><p>Several new summoning spells presented here come with a special stat block to use with that spell. The spell's level determines the summoned spirit's AC, hit points, and number of attacks. The caster chooses one of two or three options that determine some of its other stats; for example, a bestial spirit can be an air, land, or sea creature, with appropriate movement types. These spells provide an interesting alternative to the handful of summoning spells in the <i>Player's Handbook</i>, where the player needs to be familiar with the relevant <i>Monster Manual</i> entries. Summoning spells are frighteningly commonplace in Freeport, so using these spells could save the GM some effort when running summoner NPCs.</p><div>This section ends with a brief section about personalizing spells, which encourages players to get creative about the cosmetic manifestations of their spells.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Magic Items</i></b>: This section presents a new type of magic item--magical tattoos--which take up an amount of space on the body determined by its rarity (from a few inches for common tattoos, or half your body for legendary ones). The sample tattoos presented include a variety of effects, from enhancing attacks to storing a spell to changing your appearance. Magical tattoos are highly appropriate for Freeport, where mundane tattoos are common among sailors, exotic martial artists, and other groups.</div><div><br /></div><div>The other new magic items here include several artifacts, including Tasha's own <i>Demonomicon of Iggwilv</i>, and her adoptive mother <i>Baba Yaga's mortar and pestle</i>. Most of these artifacts are tied to a specific campaign world (the <i>Crook of Rao</i> belongs to Greyhawk, for example) so will need some adapting for Freeport campaigns not set in those worlds. Some, however, beg to be used in a high-level campaign that explores parts of Freeport's past, such as forging links between the <i>Mighty Servant of Leuk-O</i> and the Ironjack.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other notable categories of new items include:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Magic books could be found in the libraries of the Wizard's Guild or Temple of the God of Knowledge, or could be sought by those organizations, or by other lore-seekers. The <i>atlas of endless horizons</i> seems thematically appropriate for Freeport's mystic navigators. </li><li>Magical instruments of various types can enhance a bard's class abilities.</li><li>Magical shards contain the essence of another plane, and give sorcerers the ability to add extra effects when using their metamagic options. </li></ul></div><h2>Chapter 4: Dungeon Master's Tools</h2><p><i><b>Session Zero</b></i>: "Session zero" refers to the practice of using the first session of a new campaign to establish expectations, outline the group's social contract, and share house rules. Sometimes this also includes creating characters together, so that players will choose options that will useful in the campaign. </p><p><b><i>Sidekicks</i></b>: This section provides rules for sidekicks--creatures befriended by the PCs, who accompany them on adventures, and who improve by gaining levels alongside their PC friends. The sidekick must be CR 1 or less, but gains levels in one of three sidekick classes (warrior, expert, or spellcaster). Most of the class abilities are borrowed from PC classes, but are simplified. A few seem very powerful, and hard for even a PC to qualify for (such as the warrior's Improved Critical), but in general they seem to be in line with characters of their level. <br /><br />These rules seem overly extensive for someone who is essentially a henchman or follower. But these rules could be very helpful in providing stats to a knight's retainers, or a more robust animal companion for a druid or ranger. They also seem perfect for small groups of players who want to round out a party with more heroes, but still want to keep the focus on each player's primary character.</p><p><i>(Nitpicky rules note, because I'm "the errata guy": Creatures of CR 1 or less already have a proficiency bonus of +2, so that bonus will not improve until they reach 5th level in their sidekick class. That might not be obvious from reading the rules, but it is critical for preserving 5E's bounded accuracy.)</i><br /><br />The urban setting of Freeport: The City of Adventure makes acquiring townsfolk as sidekicks rather easy to justify. (In some cases, perhaps too much so, if a new friend embodies the label "follower" too literally!) These rules could also be useful at sea, to detail a friendly ship's captain who helps the heroes out from time to time, or important NPC officers if the PCs have their own ship.<br /></p><p><b>Parleying with Monsters</b>: This section gives some ideas for adjudicating social encounters with monsters of various types. Of particular interest for long time players of other d20 System games is the Monster Research table, which lists suggested skills for learning more about monsters based on their creature type, with a DC based on CR. This kind of check is an integral part of the knowledge skill rules in D&D 3E and Pathfinder, but was conspicuously missing from the 5E core rulebooks.</p><p><b>Environmental Hazards</b>: This section provides random tables of events that may happen in regions where the supernatural has a strong influence (such as haunted places, areas corrupted by the Far Realm, or a location with a powerful psychic aura). This is followed by rules for various kinds of magical phenomena, such as eldritch storms, enchanted springs, magic mushrooms, and even mimic colonies. A brief section on natural hazards introduces rules for a few new situations, plus a table suggesting spells to use to model other environmental effects or disasters.</p><p>Many of these hazards are well-suited to Freeport: the Far Realm and hauntings fit the setting's horror aspects particularly well, while travelers may have to weather eldritch storms or navigate unearthly roads, or simply survive falling into water on a not infrequent basis. </p><p><b>Puzzles</b>: Finally, the last section of the book presents some sample puzzles that can used as-is or as a template for your own puzzles. Suggestions are given for skill checks that will provide hints, which is a useful idea to remember when creating other puzzles. None of the examples strike me as being out of place in Freeport, but they will need some customizing to integrate them into the setting.</p>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-64453869029370766642022-01-20T17:14:00.003-05:002022-01-24T17:23:05.011-05:00Tasha's Cauldron and Freeport, Part 1: Character Options<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3-gegXhHxCjZmeh4XIJDThjcQdjLKrWt-wdqlZfC5irstQ6hCrrzMk7B1LUFNpOFe3TQAs2Ee-DXn3saMQiBrFMeflz4E_rl4BFH5VVEOhVl4_An_EfsIpKOrVvjtulASlu81h8rTA/s2048/Tasha+and+FP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3-gegXhHxCjZmeh4XIJDThjcQdjLKrWt-wdqlZfC5irstQ6hCrrzMk7B1LUFNpOFe3TQAs2Ee-DXn3saMQiBrFMeflz4E_rl4BFH5VVEOhVl4_An_EfsIpKOrVvjtulASlu81h8rTA/w400-h300/Tasha+and+FP.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><b><i><p><b><i>For my past columns about using D&D Fifth Edition sourcebooks with Freeport: The City of Adventure, see the <a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/01/freeport-5e-index.html" style="font-family: inherit;">Freeport 5E Index</a>.</i></b></p></i></b><p></p><p><i>Tasha's Cauldron of Everything</i> introduces a slew of new character options, from subclasses to spells to feats, as well as a number of new magic items and several tools for the GM. Much like <i>Xanathar's Book of Everything</i>, a significant fraction of the content of this book appeared in playtest form in <i>Unearthed Arcana</i>, and thus I have commented on those earlier iterations in past installments of this blog. I'll be compiling and revisiting those comments here, as well as reviewing brand-new additions. And as with <i>Xanathar's</i>, I'll be splitting my review into two parts, with this first part devoted to just Chapter 1: Character Options.</p><p>As the book's introduction points out, everything in this book is optional. Use as much or as little of it as you see fit for your campaigns.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>Customizing Your Origin</b> </h2><p>These rules allow you to customize the ability score increases, languages, and proficiencies you receive from your race or subrace. This option allows for a greater diversity among the members of each race, and makes it easier to represent an upbringing that might be radically different from the stereotypical standard. A sidebar gives simple rules for playing a custom lineage instead of one of the game's races. </p><p>The Freeport setting frequently plays up the typical racial stereotypes built into the game (dwarves are known for craftsmanship and warfare, elves for magic and stealth, half-orcs and orcs for rage and bloodlust). However, the City of Adventure is also home to many NPCs who very much play against expectations about their ancestry (such as a half-orc noble, a half-orc lawyer, and a goblin wizard) and is something of a melting pot as well, despite all its racial tensions. A party of adventurers could easily include PCs built with the standard race packages as well as PCs with customized origins.</p><p>(While strictly optional, the customized origin rules have become the default assumption for all new lineages presented in <i>Unearthed Arcana</i>.)</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Artificer</h2><p>Artificers are master crafters who use their tools to imbue objects with magical power. They may create magical elixirs, enchant armors or weapons, or build mechanical servants. Even their spells manifest as wondrous effects produced by their inventions, rather than traditional spellcasting.</p><p>This class has four kinds of specialists (subclasses): Alchemists create elixirs and enhance their spells using their alchemist's supplies. The Armorer creates a powerful bond with their armor, turning it into fully enclosed power armor. The Artillerist is accompanied by an eldritch cannon, and gain potent battle magic. The Battle Smith focuses on protective enchantments and crafts a defensive construct companion.</p><p>Artificers work very well with Freeport's unusual mix of eldritch magic and experimental technology. The Armorer seems especially appropriate for experimenters who blur the lines between man and machine, such as the Manikins (<i>Hell in Freeport</i>) or Ironjack (<i>The Ironjack Legacy</i>). </p><p><b><i>Optional Class Features</i></b>: Each of the next 12 sections begins with a selection of Optional Class Features for that class. Some replace a standard class feature, while others are available at the discretion of the GM. This might mean they're given for free, after a quest, or in place of a standard class feature, but no real guidance is given for determining that. The <i><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/class-feature-variants">Unearthed Arcana</a></i> article in which they originally appeared did provide more explicit instructions (typically, the character gave up a class feature of the listed level in order to gain the new feature), but much of that language was cut from the final print version. Players can be a greedy, pushy lot at times, so more explicit guidelines would have been welcome here.</p><p>Each spellcasting class is given an expanded spell list, which includes spells from the <i>Player's Handbook</i> as well as new spells from Chapter 3 of this book. Other options include:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Replaced class features: The character trades away one class feature for a new one.</li><li>Enhanced class features: The existing class feature is expanded to do a little more than before. (The following two items are specific kinds of enhancement.)</li><li>Expanded options: Class features that require a choice from several options (fighting styles, metamagic, invocations, etc.) get new options.</li><li>Retraining: The character can change one of their cantrips, maneuvers, or other class features more easily.</li></ul><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Barbarian</h2><div><br /></div>The Path of the Beast barbarian is a partial shapechanger who can grow natural weapons in combat. As they advance, they can adapt to new movement modes, and spread their rage to allies and enemies. This archetype is suitable for characters with a connection to lycanthropes, druids, or fey or animal spirits--of which there are many examples in Rolland and in the more exotic lands of the World of Freeport.<br /><br /> The Path of Wild Magic is a barbarian who is saturated with powerful magic, over which they have little control until later levels. It's very much a martial sibling to the Wild Magic sorcerer. (I'm not sure whether multiclassing between the two would be awesome or obnoxious--or both.)<div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Bard</h2><div><br /></div>Bards who join the College of Creation learn to use the esoteric power of music to manipulate the world around them, from summoning lingering notes that bolster inspiration, to animating a dancing item, to literally creating nonmagical objects out of nothing. The theme of this archetype reminds me of the Finnish creation myth in which the world itself emerges from a bard's song; DMs may wish to take that a step further and tie this tradition to the doomed world from which Lowyatar is the sole survivor (see <i>Cults of Freeport</i>).<br /><br />The College of Eloquence gives a bard increased powers of persuasion, communication, and inspiration. The effects are less flashy than many other subclasses, but very well-suited to a silver-tongued bard.</div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Cleric</h2><div><br /></div>The Order Domain is designed for gods of law, civilization, and leadership. If you are using <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><i>The Book of the Righteous</i></a> with Freeport, then this domain is most appropriate for Maal (LN god of justice) and Asmodeus (LE god of tyranny). However, those two gods already have the Balance and Tyranny domains, respectively, which embody their own takes on law and order. <br /><br />The Peace Domain [renamed from the Unity Domain] emphasizes teamwork and emotional bonds. This domain would be an excellent way to translate the Community domain from Third Edition. (That is one gap that <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/6340403065787458773/6445386902937076664#"><i>The Book of the Righteous</i></a> did not fill.)<br /><br />The Twilight Domain is a natural fit for heroes who brave the darkness to combat the dangers that it hides. Two examples in Freeport canon include Tagmata's dualistic light-based faith of Astrape, and the cult of Nut in Hamunaptra.</div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Druid</h2><div><br /></div>The Circle of Spores druid is attuned to mold and decay, gaining poison attacks and eventually the ability to temporarily raise its victims as zombies. These druids might operate in the jungle of A'Val or in the sewers below Freeport. <br /><br />The Circle of Stars for druids involves studying the night sky and channeling the power of starlight. Some of the features gained are tied to astrological foretelling, while others alter wild shape to take on a starry form tied to a constellation's power. The powers of this subclass are thematically appropriate for both the Order of Starry Wisdom and the Wanderer, though druids are not obvious candidates for either cult.<br /><br />The Circle of Wildfire embraces both the destructive side of fire and the new growth that it makes possible. It's imminently suited for druids who live near volcanoes like the one on A'Val--but such a character is likely to inspire a great deal of terror in Freeporters due to painful memories of the Great Green Fire that ravaged the island a few years ago.</div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Fighter</h2><div><br /></div>The Psi Warrior [formerly Psychic Warrior] uses psionic energy to augment attacks and defenses that improve with level. In the World of Freeport, psionics are most common in Naranjan, the land of the <i>Mindshadows</i> setting. <div><br />Rune Knights learn how to imbue their possessions with the power of giantish rune magic. In the World of Freeport, this archetype would be most common among the northern barbarian tribes of Druzhdin. or possibly the dwarves of Vorizar.</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition to presenting new fighting styles and maneuvers, this class's section ends in a list of Battle Master builds, with suggested fighting styles, maneuvers, and feats for different types of warriors, such as archers, lancers, and pugilists.</div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Monk</h2><div><br /></div>Monks who follow the Way of Mercy tradition are both skilled healers as well as bringers of swift death to the evil and the ailing. Many wear masks to shroud their identities in mystery. These monks would be appropriate for followers of a god of medicine, or one who holds power over life and death.<br /><br />The Way of the Astral Self provides a way for a monk to manifest their true form using their ki. This astral form is mastered a piece at a time, starting with extra arms that deal radiant or necrotic damage, then later a mask (visage) that enhances their senses. Later levels enhance both the offensive and defensive benefits of this astral self. This subclass seems best suited for an exotic, possibly psionic-flavored, monastic order, perhaps one started by a planar-traveling race such as the githyanki or githzerai.</div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Paladin</h2><div><br /></div>The Oath of Glory [formerly Heroism] is for paladins who are destined for legendary greatness, enhancing their own powers in a way that eventually can be used to inspire allies and frighten enemies.<br /><br />Paladins who swear the Oath of the Watchers are guardians against extraplanar threats. This manifests as heightened vigilance and methods to punish unworldly foes. This archetype is very well suited to servants of the Inquisition and other champions who hunt the devils and demons who plague Freeport from time to time. </div><div><br /></div><div>Most Sacred Oaths suggest one or more alignments common to their members, but these two do not. In Freeport, that might mean these oaths are equally valid for both idealistic crusaders and their more jaded, corrupt associates. The Oath of Glory in particular seems more concerned with personal glory than the greater good, and that kind of egotism does fit Freeport just fine.</div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Ranger</h2><div><br /></div>The Fey Wanderer ranger archetype is a guardian of the borders between the Feywild and the material plane. They are imbued with fey magic that allows them to better negotiate with beings from both worlds, to resist some of the snares of the fey, and to bend the minds of others. This subclass is probably most common in the elven kingdom of Rolland, but might also be appropriate for rangers (human and otherwise) who have learned something about the strange, rare fey peculiar to the Serpent's Teeth.<br /><br />The Swarmkeeper ranger archetype has a connection to a fey nature spirit that manifests as a swarm of tiny beasts sharing their space. As the ranger advances in level, this swarm can increase their weapon damage and enhance their movement. This subclass is rather bizarre and potentially offputting in social encounters, but could be appropriate to a wide variety of characters, from fey-bonded wood elves from Rolland, to worshipers of insect or plague gods from Hamunaptra, to weird outcasts who dwell in the sewers beneath Freeport.</div><div><br /></div><div>This class's optional class features include an alternative to the Beast Master's animal companion. That original take has been much criticized for its poor action economy, and Primal Companions help improve that somewhat. (They also don't require the level of familiarity with the <i>Monster Manual</i> that picking a companion can sometimes entail.)</div><div><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Rogue</h2><div><br /></div>The Phantom is a killer with a mystical connection to the dead. That connection gives them a bonus proficiency (which can be changed after a rest), and at later levels it can give them a little bit of the luck or knowledge of those who have died near them. When they sneak attack a foe, they can cause ghostly wails to damage a second target. This subclass would be ideal for the assassins of a death cult, or a haunted loner. It fits in admirably with the horror elements of the Freeport setting.<br /><br />A Soulknife can create a blade of pure psychic energy, and at very high level, can target an enemy's mind directly. As with the Psi Warrior, Soulknives would be most common in Naranjan.</div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Sorcerer</h2><div><br /></div>The Aberrant Mind sorcerer has had an alien experience that warped their mind and body. This subclass gives them limited telepathy, psionic-flavored additional spells known, and (at higher levels) resistance to psychic damage. Higher levels also give the ability to transform into an aberrant form, and a destructive teleport ability. In Freeport, an Aberrant Mind might have acquired her powers through an encounter with servitors of the Yellow Sign or other eldritch horrors.<br /><br />The Clockwork Soul is a sorcerous origin tied to Mechanus, the plane of ultimate order. The archetype's powers focus on warding magic and reducing the extremes of random chance (usually by denying advantage or disadvantage). The World of Freeport includes enough constructs (particularly in adventures such as <i>Hell in Freeport </i>and <i>The Ironjack Legacy</i>) that this subclass has a solid place there.</div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Warlock</h2><div><br /></div>The Fathomless is a powerful entity of the deep ocean, or the Elemental Plane of Water. In addition to an expanded spell list with water and weather-themed spells, this patron grants the ability to create spectral tentacles to attack your enemies. At higher levels, these appendages can help defend the warlock, and she can conjure more deadly manifestations of her patron's power. The warlock eventually gains some class features that make it easier to move through and survive in her master's watery domain. The Fathomless is perfectly suited to Yarash and Dagon's cults.</div><div><br />The Genie is an otherworldly patron from among the nobles of geniekind. Warlocks of this subclass actually take on some of the properties of their genie masters: they start with a genie's vessel, in which they can retreat from the outer world to rest. At later levels, they gain resistance based on their master's element, can take others into their vessel, and eventually gain some limited wish magic. Genie-binders are an established part of Freeport history, both in the construction of the Wizards Guild, and among the efreeti-blooded azhar, and this subclass offers an interesting inversion of that master-servant relationship.</div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Wizard</h2><div><br /></div>The Bladesinging tradition melds magic with martial prowess to gain enhanced AC, mobility, and concentration saves. At higher levels, they gain Extra Attack, and can sacrifice spell slots to absorb damage. This subclass originally appeared in the <i>Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide</i>, where it was restricted to elves and half-elves. That limit has been omitted here, but in the World of Freeport, most Bladesingers would come from those races. One prestigious school for Bladesinging is the Arcane Blade Academy at Dragonmont, in Rolland (mentioned in <i>True20 Freeport: The Lost Island</i>).</div><div><br />A wizard of the Order of Scribes can create a magical quill at will, and instills some limited sentience in his own spellbook. At higher levels, they become expert spell scroll makers, and their spellbook gains new abilities. This subclass seems ideal for a lorekeeper at the Wizard's Guild or an archivist at the Temple of the God of Knowledge.</div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Feats</h2><div><br /></div>This section presents 15 new feats. Some grant a small taste of another class's abilities (Artificer Initiate, Eldritch Adept, Fighting Initiate, Metamagic Adept). Others enhance the use of a skill (Chef, Poisoner, Skill Expert). Two represent the influence of another plane (Fey Touched, Shadow Touched). Two give some cantrip-level psionic abilities (Telekinetic, Telepathic). The rest give advantages in combat, usually enhancing attacks (Crusher, Gunner, Piercer, Slasher). All of these feats are appropriate for Freeport, though GMs who don't want to use artificers or firearms in their game will need to restrict access to Artificer Initiate and Gunner, respectively.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Next up: Everything Else! (Chapters 2-4.)</b></i></div></div>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-55792129219369252282021-04-13T13:28:00.002-04:002021-04-13T13:32:46.416-04:00James Marlowe and the Giant Peach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv6uLBkbNvZLYB_letnS2GWnneCKRXizeCf58ui0hyzWNz8pjt873sDlE5przTXCafFG54pk648mL3cbCAdWm_2mvL3a9JWlUxr-BABhmB3g-JQrZUFmBQqI6fixUhOpl-eTndOVDMw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1454" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv6uLBkbNvZLYB_letnS2GWnneCKRXizeCf58ui0hyzWNz8pjt873sDlE5przTXCafFG54pk648mL3cbCAdWm_2mvL3a9JWlUxr-BABhmB3g-JQrZUFmBQqI6fixUhOpl-eTndOVDMw/w453-h640/Miss+Spider+and+Mr+Centipede.jpg" width="453" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(<a href="https://www.deviantart.com/thastygliax/art/Miss-Spider-and-Mr-Centipede-876266519">See the full-sized scan at my Deviant gallery</a>.)</i></div><br /> My wife and I recently rewatched <i>James and the Giant Peach</i>. Partway through, it occurred to me that Miss Spider would be the sort of costume that one of my NPCs in the Grey Angels game would choose. Lilith Corman is a goth witch, largely inspired by Wednesday Addams (and cast as Christina Ricci), who works for Nightwatch. So I sketched her costume, and added her boyfriend dressed as Mr. Centipede. Lance Bogan (cast as George Eads) is a Nightwatch commando with an ever-cheerful personality. This pairing of opposites surprises everyone--not least the couple themselves--but they've made it work for a little over a decade now.<div><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />For this piece, I used photo references of both actors as well as stills from the movie to portray them in costume. Eads is approximately a foot taller than Ricci, so tall, lanky Centipede is a good fit for their relative sizes as well as their disparate personalities.<br /><div><br />(Nightwatch is briefly explained at the end of <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/users/outgoing?http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/04/nightwatch-dossier-patricia-trick.html">this blog post</a>. For more on the Grey Angels campaign, see my links on that page to my other blog posts about my PC, Trick Tillinghast. My title above references James Marlowe, a veteran Nightwatch agent who heads up a team that goes on missions to other parallel worlds.)</div></div>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-27953008972016324002021-03-25T22:10:00.000-04:002021-03-25T22:10:24.726-04:00LEGO Minifigures Series 21<p style="text-align: center;"><i><b></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXN85KchjVijW6qNTuu1gI8e4GRtl7iWJMGoF5IX5C3QOVFQmUYYQus5-bZkJ-iWCMBPZ5aPH6slK0inyCW2rR18Vfsa9l0X3hRwSp6FcnqMJ6axtwzbVoOrkJUxgfkEA5yvhgvZP7Yg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="2048" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXN85KchjVijW6qNTuu1gI8e4GRtl7iWJMGoF5IX5C3QOVFQmUYYQus5-bZkJ-iWCMBPZ5aPH6slK0inyCW2rR18Vfsa9l0X3hRwSp6FcnqMJ6axtwzbVoOrkJUxgfkEA5yvhgvZP7Yg/w400-h238/series+21+crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></i></div><i><b><br /></b></i><i><b>(See <a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2019/09/tims-lego-reviews.html">Tim's LEGO Reviews</a> for my reviews of past LEGO Minifigures series.)</b></i><p></p><p>Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I never did acquire any of the Series 20 Minifigures, but I did recently visit a local store that had the Series 21 figures. Fortunately, the character I wanted most, the Centaur Warrior, is very easy to find by feel thanks to her large horse body piece. I was able to find several of them within just a few minutes, and then spent some more time looking for the others I wanted. </p><p>I now own 7 of the 12 characters in this series. (Note that it's a smaller series that most, with only a dozen characters instead of the usual 16.) I did not buy the <b>Airplane Girl</b>, <b>Beekeeper</b>, <b>Pug Costume Guy</b>, <b>Space Police Guy</b>, and <b>Violin Kid</b>, so am omitting them from my mini-reviews below. Rest assured, however, that if you're looking for Airplane Girl, the big wings of her costume are almost as easy to find by feel as the centaur body. The Beekeeper's hat and square tile honeycomb are very distinct as well, as is the Space Police's shield and armor. (Is it just me, or does issuing a policeman with a riot shield and baton seems rather tone-deaf to major news stories of the past year or two? If I acquire more of this series, I'll be skipping that one.)</p><p><b>Alien</b>: This alien wears an orange bodysuit and carries a crowbar and a crystal that it likely just extracted from a mine. Its species is unclear due to a mask covering part of its face. The mottled skin and small spines on the back of the head suggest reptilian or amphibian, or even insectoid or more bizarre. (My wife will be using this minifigure for her shirren, an insectoid race in the <i>Starfinder</i> RPG.) </p><p><b>Ancient Warrior</b>: This warrior is based on an Aztec Jaguar Warrior, with a feathered feline headdress, a shield with stylized jaguar face, and even jaguar-print tattoos or bodypaint, and clawed toes. The head is double-sided: one smiling, and one snarling with fangs. He wields a <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macuahuitl">macuahuitl</a></i>, a flat wooden club edged with sharpened pieces of obsidian. (This weapon is the main reason I wanted this character, because a recent session of the Grey Angels campaign involved stealing magical ones from an auction.) </p><p><b>Cabaret Singer</b>: This performer wears a glittery teal and purple costume with a silver fabric train and a feathered headdress, with matching makeup on a double-sided head--one face smiling, the other with eyes closed as she belts out her song. She comes with a microphone and stand, which uses a 1x1 round plate with a hole in the stud as the base, so it can be mounted on a baseplate's stud.</p><p><b>Centaur Warrior</b>: This character's body is the same piece as the centaurs from Forbidden Forest: Umbridge's Encounter*, but in caramel and brown. The body is a bit smaller than a standard LEGO horse--about half an inch shorter both vertically and horizontally--but I think this smaller size looks more in scale with the minifigure. It's also easier to fit this centaur into a Large (2") space than a horse, and not horrible outsized for the playable centaur race in D&D 5E, which is technically Medium-sized.</p><p>The torso has a sleeveless green garment, with a tree motif, and the wrists have matching bracers. She has a bow, and a quiver that can be hung from one of the studs in her back. She also comes with an apple--but whether that's supposed to indicate her forest home, or be used as a target (ala William Tell) is unclear. </p><p><i>(*The centaurs and the giant in the Umbridge's Encounter set are very appealing, but J.K. Rowling's very public transphobic comments over the past year or two have made my family resolve to not buy any more tie-in products to her creations. So </i><i>I was very pleased to see the centaur body re-released as part of the Minifigures line.</i><i>)</i></p><p><b>Ladybug Girl</b>: This woman wears a spotted black and red ladybug costume, including a helmet with antennae, and a short, split cape like the insect's wings. Her head is double-sided, with two different smiles. She comes with a leaf and a 1x1 round tile printed to look like a ladybug. As with most parts this small, my bag came with an extra tile, which could be handy for anyone wanting more tiny vermin.</p><p>This minifigure makes a serviceable Medium-sized beetle as-is by bending her over onto all fours.</p><p><b>Paddle Surfer</b>: This woman is clearly fond of dolphins: she has one printed on her wetsuit (though her life vest covers it) and she has found one to paddle near. Her head is double-sided, one side having sunglasses, and her ballcap is combined with hair in a ponytail. </p><p>The dolphin is the same as used in the Friends theme, in a neutral gray. There are "anti-studs" on the bottom side of the flukes, so that the dolphin can be stood up on its tail on the baseplate, as if leaping out of the water. Strangely, the bottom surface between the flippers is exactly the same as the bottom of a minifigure torso, so it's possible to create a weird mutant dolphin-monster with human legs. It looks ridiculous--and a bit creepy. </p><p><b>Shipwreck Survivor</b>: This castaway wears tattered pants and a seashell necklace, and has an anchor tattoo. The head is printed with a beard, which is fully covered by the hair piece's shaggy mop. He also comes with a bottle printed to look like it has a rolled-up message inside. </p><p>He is accompanied by a tiny, cute hermit crab. The shell, made of a 1x1 round plate (with a hole on the stud) and a cupcake (or ice cream?) piece, is attached to a small post on the back of the crab's body. Stacking multiple 1x1 round plates on this post allows other things to be attached to the crab--such as a tail to turn it into a scorpion. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iqchcpcfv6nZqCwp8Cx9BlJ6gWtxKjHjf__BNxU0YnDIceXjkKyaGB7kn88zwiAcgQO68Ic2G-99ge1uD3hBubruKoXRfamRe0PGCXqlO6tIw3ppa4mQw8_XIdQ95oAXZi0TDJs5gg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1342" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iqchcpcfv6nZqCwp8Cx9BlJ6gWtxKjHjf__BNxU0YnDIceXjkKyaGB7kn88zwiAcgQO68Ic2G-99ge1uD3hBubruKoXRfamRe0PGCXqlO6tIw3ppa4mQw8_XIdQ95oAXZi0TDJs5gg/" width="157" /></a></div><p></p><p>Or, on a more silly note, make it into the tiniest reality show contestant ever!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY53UiRKLO2nLQLHToC38KlGqx3V4YBqkmpSR3jhHjxGc-QRiiuLX7YFHDhw0wrXR7GLFoMgCk6mABmQfyv1zhSdhYt1SDa814EU-VM-BZkV05yPNxkIeLkpH1wHzgYre3MQR2Dz2S8Q/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1628" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY53UiRKLO2nLQLHToC38KlGqx3V4YBqkmpSR3jhHjxGc-QRiiuLX7YFHDhw0wrXR7GLFoMgCk6mABmQfyv1zhSdhYt1SDa814EU-VM-BZkV05yPNxkIeLkpH1wHzgYre3MQR2Dz2S8Q/" width="191" /></a></div><p></p>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-8977199080704015012021-02-26T00:02:00.001-05:002021-02-26T00:04:54.565-05:00Ghosts of Saltmarsh and Freeport<p style="text-align: left;"><b><i>For my past columns about using D&D Fifth Edition sourcebooks with Freeport: The City of Adventure, see the <a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/01/freeport-5e-index.html">Freeport 5E Index</a>.</i></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><i>This columns contains spoilers for the adventures in </i>Ghosts of Saltmarsh<i>.</i></b></p><p><i>Ghosts of Saltmarsh </i>is a nautical-themed anthology of seven adventures from previous editions of D&D updated to the Fifth Edition rules. Three of these form the original Saltmarsh trilogy (<i>The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh, Danger at Dunwater</i>, and <i>The Final Enemy</i>), so the book begins with a much expanded description of that port town. The appendix includes rules for ships, sea travel and encounters, and a few additional encounter locations that are too short for chapters of their own.</p><p>This book should be invaluable for a GM running a Freeport campaign using 5E. Some adventures will be easier to adapt to that setting than others (see each chapter's entry below), but almost everything in the appendix will be useful in any maritime campaign.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Saltmarsh</h3><p>Saltmarsh is a coastal port town with a sizable fishing fleet, but it also serves as a port of call for many merchant traders. It is a far cry from the cosmopolitan, pirate- and cult-infested island city of Freeport, so the three Saltmarsh adventures in this book will require some thought to fit into a Freeport campaign. </p><p>Perhaps the easiest option is to locate Saltmarsh on the Continent, some days' sail from Freeport--but that make the campaign more about the Saltmarsh region than about Freeport, at least for the duration of those adventures. On the other hand, Saltmarsh could be very useful for fleshing out part of the Ivory Ports part of the Continent, for when your Freeporters are passing through and catch a whiff of interesting news and rumors that cause them to tarry a while.</p><p>This chapter also includes a few new backgrounds for PCs--fisher, marine, shipwright, and smuggler--that are perfectly suited to a Freeport campaign. Each of the backgrounds from the <i>Player's Handbook</i> gets a few notes about how to tie them into Saltmarsh, which may inspire similar connections for Freeport GMs.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh</h3><p>The first Saltmarsh adventure involves investigating a seaside haunted house outside the town, then taking on the crew of a smuggling ship using the site as cover. This is a classic adventure, perfect for starting characters, but difficult to work into a campaign that starts in Freeport. It probably works best if set elsewhere in the Serpent's Teeth, perhaps near Libertyville or one of the handful of plantations on the islands. The house and the ship can also be easily used separately, if the GM needs a creepy hideout or a low-level ship's crew for their own adventures.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Danger at Dunwater</h3><p>The second part of the trilogy is easier to adapt to a Freeport game. The adventure takes place within a massive lizardfolk lair located in a swamp. Lizardfolk are known to live in the Serpent's Teeth, and a tribe of this size would certainly pose a potential threat to other settlements there (though probably very little to Freeport itself). The other races present for the emerging alliance are also common to the seas near Freeport. </p><p>The new lizardfolk stat blocks in the Appendix should be useful in converting older adventures such as "Dead Man's Chest," in <i>Tales of Freeport</i>.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Salvage Operation</h3><p>This adventure is easily dropped into any ongoing nautical campaign, and Freeport has no shortage of desperate merchants who need adventurers to do dangerous work for them. Demonic cults are also a staple of Freeport campaigns, though GM who wish to emphasize the World of Freeport over Wizards of the Coast's IP may wish to have the villain of this piece worship the alternate Spider Queen described in Green Ronin's <i>Plots & Poison: A Guidebook to Drow</i>.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Isle of the Abbey</h3><p>The heroes are hired to clear out evil clerics and undead that guard an abbey, while the cult is weakened from a pirate raid. Much like the Freeport line does, the adventure leaves the identity of the cult's god open-ended, with a few campaign world-specific suggestions given in the "Placing the Adventure" sidebar. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Final Enemy</h3><p>In many ways, the finale of the Saltmarsh trilogy is the easiest to incorporate into a Freeport campaign. The sahaugin fortress is located some distance from the city, and could easily be located on an obscure reef near the Serpent's Teeth. The "sea devils" (as Freeporters call them) are a perennial problem for the City of Adventure, so scouting and then assaulting the site would be a highly appropriate mission for Freeport-based heroes. The module presents the stronghold as a former lizardfolk lair, but in the World of Freeport it might actually be an ancient Valossan ruin.</p><p>This adventure also includes many new stat blocks for new sahaugin foes and other undersea monsters (in the Appendices) that Freeport GMs can make use of elsewhere--for example, in converting the sahaugin attack in <i>Crisis in Freeport</i>.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Tammeraut's Fate</h3><p>An island hermitage has come under attack by undead pirates, and by other monsters drawn to the scent of death. Once the PCs secure the island, they must follow the undead below the waves to stop the real threat that they pose.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Styes</h3><p>The Styes is a decaying port slowly sinking into the sea. Overall, the City of Adventure is too prosperous to be a good match, but the major sites of the adventure could be probably be transplanted to the docks of Scurvytown. Mr. Dory might be a gang leader, or a politician with ties to a member of the Captains' Council. The Tharizdun cult might be recast as a followers of one of Freeport's secret cults, such as the Unspeakable One, the Crawling Chaos, or Yarash. This adventure is certainly the most Lovecraftian in feel in the anthology, so may very well be worth the extra effort to adapt to Freeport.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Of Ships and the Sea</h3><p>The book's first appendix presents rules for ships and ship combat, sea travel, and water hazards. Tables for generating random encounters, ships, and mysterious islands are also included. Finally, a trio of underwater locations are briefly detailed. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Magic Items</h3><p>A handful of new magic items are presented here, including a couple classic items updated from older editions of D&D.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Monsters and NPCs</h3><p>In addition to the new monsters already mentioned above, this appendix includes a number of new undead and constructs that should prove useful in other adventures in the "sword & sorcery" vein of Freeport.</p>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-44788124998464155842021-02-24T15:09:00.002-05:002021-02-24T15:09:28.958-05:00Bats in the Belfry<p>The phrase "You're got bats in your belfry" is purely metaphorical to most people, but for the church I attended throughout my childhood, it was absolutely literal. </p><p>The belfry was located above one of the two entrances into the sanctuary. The vestibule below it had a pull-rope for ringing the bells when it was time for the worship service to begin (shortly after the end of Sunday school). However, a colony of bats lived in the belfry, which meant that guano falling through the rope hole was a recurring problem, and a serious health hazard. Eventually, the church had to thoroughly seal off the belfry from the rest of the building, after installing a system by which the bells could be rung by pushing a button rather than pulling a rope.</p><p></p><p>Because of that hole, and because that vestibule was the exterior entrance to the sanctuary, a bat would occasionally find its way inside the building. I recall two occasions when this happened when I was present at the church, which had very different endings.</p><p>The first time was during a youth group meeting held in the sanctuary one evening. Towards the end of the meeting, a bat started swooping around the sanctuary, freaking out most of the kids. As the only adult present, our youth leader took it upon himself to get the animal out of the building. He found a broom and swatted the bat out of the air. However, he hit it a lot harder then he intended, and it went BOOM into the paneling right below the framed painting of Jesus above the altar. The youth leader had an immediate and intense attack of guilt--he had hurt this tiny creature, and now Jesus was glaring at him!--so he carefully collected the stunned animal, putting it into a bucket until it recovered. I think he stayed there watching over it long after the rest of us were picked up by our parents.</p><p>A few years later, when I was in high school, someone spotted a bat clinging to the frame of a stained glass window in the sanctuary. This was during the brief gap between Sunday school and the worship service, so the room was still largely empty and quiet, but wouldn't be for long. I retrieved a ladder and gloves from the janitor's closet, and climbed up to very carefully pry the bat off the window. I held it gently but firmly in my hand as I climbed down and took it outside. Along the way, the bat caught the attention of many of the younger kids as they were leaving their Sunday school classes, so once we were outside, I held the bat so they could get a closer look, but warned them not to touch it. After a couple minutes of this, I found a high ledge on the outside of the building where the bat couldn't be reached easily by little kids, local cats, or other dangers while it recovered from being frightened and disoriented by all the noise and light. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0m0aMCtV2-QmcpmcUl5bAkUVOJ3W2McZTJqtbrN8ubA3Zwrt3WDijPFbkNZho93jM2fzedENoypGyN4uF1-ma6OhauyXS_G7ReSZEDjO0J0U0XkEDhLz2soO5QbaDVxxLIhd3VvmVQ/s802/WUMC+Google+Maps+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0m0aMCtV2-QmcpmcUl5bAkUVOJ3W2McZTJqtbrN8ubA3Zwrt3WDijPFbkNZho93jM2fzedENoypGyN4uF1-ma6OhauyXS_G7ReSZEDjO0J0U0XkEDhLz2soO5QbaDVxxLIhd3VvmVQ/s320/WUMC+Google+Maps+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">The picture above is a recent photo of the church, as seen on Google Maps Street View. </span><span style="text-align: center;">The belfry roof shown here is new since I last regularly attended (many, many years ago), and I believe that the tower was shortened somewhat in the process, so I'm not sure if there are still any bats in the building today. </span></div><p></p>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-10579135894688074632021-02-12T15:56:00.018-05:002024-02-03T13:13:31.192-05:00Trick's Picks (updated)I first posted my "<a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/04/tricks-picks.html">Trick's Picks</a>" playlist last April, and have been adding to it in fits and starts ever since. It now has well over 100 tracks (120 at the time that I'm posting this), so I've taken the list and sorted it into some semblance of order. I will update this post as the playlist continues to evolve.<div><br /></div><div>[Songs with dates are just a reminder to myself that the game hasn't caught up to the present day (we're in December 2020 as of December 2023), so Trick hasn't technically heard these tracks yet.]<br /><br />ABBA - Dancing Queen <br />Adam Lambert - Better Than I Know Myself <br />Adele - Rolling in the Deep <br />Alicia Keys - Girl on Fire <br />Angel & The MamboKats - Black Mambo (Mambero Mix) <br />Anna Kendrick - Cups<div>Ava Max - Kings & Queens <br /><br />The B-52’s - Love Shack <br />Backstreet Boys - Larger Than Life <br />The Bangles - Eternal Flame</div><div>The Beatles - Blackbird</div><div>The Beatles - Can't Buy Me Love</div><div>The Beatles - Imagine<br /><div>Beyonce - Run the World (Girls) <br />Bjork - Hunter <br />The Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling<div>Blondie - One Way or Another <br />Blue Man Group - Drumbone <br />Bruno Mars - Locked Out of Heaven <br /><br />C&C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) </div><div>Calvin Harris (feat. Rihanna) - This is What You Came For</div><div>Christina Aguilera - Genie in a Bottle <br />Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, Pink - Lady Marmalade <br />Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne) - Rather Be <br />Colbie Caillat - Brighter Than the Sun <br />Colbie Caillat - Bubbly <br />Colbie Caillat - Fallin’ For You <br />Coldplay - Viva La Vida</div><div>The Corrs - Breathless<br /><br />Daft Punk (feat. Pharrell Williams) - Get Lucky <br />David Guetta (feat. Sia) - Titanium <br />Des’ree - You Gotta Be <br />Donna Summer - Hot Stuff (12" Version)</div><div>Dua Lipa - Dance the Night [2023]</div><div>Dua Lipa - Levitating <br /><br />Ed Sheeran - Shape of You</div><div>Ed Sheeran - Shivers <br />ES Posthumus - Unstoppable <br />Eurythmics (feat. Aretha Franklin) - Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves <br />Evanescence - My Heart is Broken <br /><br />Fall Out Boy - Uma Thurman<br />Fatboy Slim - Weapon of Choice <br />Fine Young Cannibals - Good Thing <br />Franka Potente - Believe <br /><br />George Michael - Faith <br />The Greatest Showman Cast - This Is Me <br /><br />Hadouken! - Levitate <br />HAIM - Little of Your Love</div><div>Halestorm - Freak Like Me</div><div>Halestorm - I am the Fire<br />Hayley Kiyoko - Girls Like Girls<div>Heart - Barracuda <br />Heart - Crazy on You <br />The Hu (feat. Lzzy Hale) - Song of Women <br /><br />INXS - Need You Tonight <br /><br />Janelle Monae - Make Me Feel <br />Jason Mraz - I'm Yours <br />Jefferson Airplane - Somebody to Love <br />Jessie J - Domino <br />John Legend - All of Me <br />Journey - Any Way You Want It <br />Journey - Don't Stop Believin' <br /><br />Katrina & The Waves - Walking on Sunshine<br />Katy Perry - Firework<br />Katy Perry - Rise<br />k.d. lang - Constant Craving <br />Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)</div><div>KISS - I Was Made For Lovin' You <br /><br /><div>Lady Gaga - Edge of Glory <br />Lady Gaga - You and I</div><div>Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song <br />Lenny Kravitz - Fly Away <br />Lenny Kravitz- Are You Gonna Go My Way</div><div>Lindsey Stirling - Artemis <br />Lizzo - About Damn Time [2022]<br /><br />Madonna - Vogue<br />Major Lazer & DJ Snake (feat. M0) - Lean On<br />Mark Ronson (feat. Bruno Mars) - Uptown Funk <br />Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing <br />Mary Lambert - She Keeps Me Warm <br />Meredith Brooks - Bitch</div><div>Michael Franti & Spearhead - Say Hey I Love You </div><div>Michael Sambello - Maniac<br /><br />Natalie Cole - Wild Women Do <br />Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten <br /><br />Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes <br />Pharrell Williams - Happy <br />P!nk - F**king Perfect </div><div>P!nk - Get the Party Started<br />P!nk - Just Like Fire <br />P!nk - Raise Your Glass <br />P!nk - Try </div><div>The Police - Every Little Thing She Does is Magic</div><div>Portugal. The Man - Feel It Still <br />The Pussycat Dolls (feat. Snoop Dogg) - Buttons <br /><br />Queen - Somebody to Love <br />Queen - We Are the Champions <br /><br />Rachel Platten - Fight Song <br />Rachel Platten - Stand By You</div><div>Rare Earth - Get Ready </div><div>Rick Astley - Together Forever<br />Ricky Martin - She Bangs <br />Roisin Murphy - Night of the Dancing Flame <br />Roisin Murphy - Ramalama (Bang Bang) <br /><br />Salt-N-Pepa - Push It<br />Sara Bareilles - Brave <br />Sara Bareilles - I Choose You</div><div>Sara Bareilles - Orpheus <br />Savage Garden - I Want You <br />Shania Twain - Forever and for Always</div><div>Shania Twain - Man! I Feel Like a Woman</div><div>Shania Twain - You're Still the One <br />Sia - Alive <br />Sia - Cheap Thrills <br />Sia - Unstoppable <br />Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2U <br />Sixpence None the Richer - Kiss Me <br />Sixpence None the Richer - There She Goes</div><div>Skillet - Not Gonna Die <br />Smash Mouth - All Star <br />Sophie P. Hawkins - Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover</div><div>Spice Girls - Wannabe </div><div>Steppenwolf - Born to be Wild<br />Sting - If I Ever Lose My Faith in You <br />Survivor - Eye of the Tiger</div><div>Swedish House Mafia - Save the World <br />The Sweet - Ballroom Blitz <br /><br />Taylor Swift - Blank Space <br />Taylor Swift - Delicate <br />Taylor Swift - Shake It Off <br />Tegan and Sara - Closer <br />They Might Be Giants - S-E-X-X-Y <br />Trinket - Boom <br />The Troggs - Wild Thing <br /><br />Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles <br />The Veronicas - Take Me On the Floor <br /><br />Walk the Moon - Shut Up and Dance <br />The Wallflowers - Heroes <br />WAR*HALL - All This Power [theme song for Grey Angels Season 4] <br />The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army</div><div>Whitney Houston - I Want to Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) <br />The Who - Who Are You <br />The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again <br /><br />Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Burning [2022]<br /><br />Zara Larsson, MNEK - Never Forget You</div></div></div></div></div></div>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-43864180540735235382021-02-08T18:12:00.003-05:002021-02-08T18:12:39.448-05:00The State of the Blog (and the Tim)<p>In the process of looking up something that I had shared here a couple of years ago, I realized that I had not posted anything new since August. I've been meaning to post a few things during that time, but lacked the motivation to make it happen. So here's a very quick update of where things stand in the many lands of Studded Plate. <i>(Warning: There's a bit about a friend I lost very recently at the end of this column. I'm still figuring out how to talk about it online...or in general)</i> </p><p><b>Freeport and 5E</b>: The 5E and Fantasy AGE versions of <i>Death in Freeport</i> were released just as I was finishing up <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/07/unearthed-arcana-and-freeport-part-15.html">that last post in August</a>. I intend to run one version or the other sometime this year. I also have a few items to compose "Freeport and..." articles about at some point: the latest Unearthed Arcana articles (only two since August), <i>Ghosts of Saltmarsh</i>, and possibly Kobold Press's <i>Tome of Beasts</i> (which I'm slowly making my way through). And whenever I acquire <i>Tasha's Cauldron of Everything</i>, I will almost certainly have something to say about using that book with Freeport.</p><p><b>Time of the Tarrasque</b>: This Pathfinder campaign went on hiatus back in 2019, and to be very honest, I'm not sure if it will ever restart at this point. </p><p><b>The Kynthiad</b>: The solo Greek myth BESM game that I run for my wife Erika is still going, though the end of the campaign is finally approaching. In our last few sessions, Kynthia has been instrumental in definitively ending the Trojan War--with Troy emerging victorious, and many Greek going home without their kings. Now we just have to figure out how she's going to stop Typhon's return, which will make a fitting conclusion to the story--and free up some headspace for me to run other games. </p><p><b>Building the Bestiary</b>: I would almost certainly have added another installment or two of this series by now, except that the pandemic has forced us to go online for most of our gaming, which means I'm producing far fewer LEGO minis for games. (We do play occasional games in person within our "bubble," but I've been GMing far fewer of those than I used to.)</p><p>On a related note, I have not purchased any of the new Minifigures series that have been released since the pandemic started. If and when I do, I will post reviews, but I don't know if that will happen before the end of mandatory social distancing.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society and Starfinder Society</b>: Erika and I are still heavily involved in organized play for Pathfinder (1E & 2E) and Starfinder. All of these games have been strictly online since March or so, except for occasional games within our "bubble" (such as the Starfinder AP we started recently). I earned my third GM Star for Pathfinder Society 1E just before the end of 2020, but Erika has shot way ahead of me there, and is closing in on her <i>fifth </i>(and final!) GM Star. She became a Venture Officer for our local store about a year ago, so has been running a lot of games for that venue, as well as for several online conventions. We're both playing a lot more PFS 2E and Starfinder now than we have in the past, because it's easier to find games to play in now that we're online. Erika has GMed a couple of 2E scenarios so far, and her first Starfinder game this past month. I haven't tried GMing 2E yet, but have a few Starfinder games under my belt, and intend to run more as I get more familiar with the system. (I still have a ways to go before my first GM Nova, though.)</p><p><b>Grey Angels</b>: I have been intending to write more about the (new and old) adventures of Trick Tillinghast, one of my characters in the long-running "Grey Angels" campaign (using <i>Buffy/Angel</i> Unisystem) that revived for a "reunion arc" at the end of 2019. Sadly, our main GM, Cassandra Lease, died rather suddenly at the beginning of this month. All of us in the game have been close friends with her for upwards of 15 years, so we're all still reeling from this loss. At some future date, we may try to find some way to continue playing in the world that she invited us to help her create, because it would be a damn shame to never again revisit those characters. But we're nowhere near ready to contemplate how to do that yet, apart from agreeing that some day, when we're ready, we very much want to have a long, involved discussion about it. Sharing stories about Cass among her circle of friends has been very helpful to us, and very necessary. When I'm ready to, I will probably share some more stories from the game here, in her memory. She would have liked that. </p><p><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu7z066guiaAxNKSsAyKYgzsn91Aw2RuEzJV-DLwZTcBc4kiSDe7ILV6FHruYvT1yKJChFsAexxwqzWrqjU7XuS-9xf9sv_xnuomzklSQ92fD3bRDw5oUTVYDsa62VKsyKdxTSYkhBQ/s2048/chibi+abe+sapien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu7z066guiaAxNKSsAyKYgzsn91Aw2RuEzJV-DLwZTcBc4kiSDe7ILV6FHruYvT1yKJChFsAexxwqzWrqjU7XuS-9xf9sv_xnuomzklSQ92fD3bRDw5oUTVYDsa62VKsyKdxTSYkhBQ/w240-h320/chibi+abe+sapien.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I received this Abe Sapien figure as a gift from Cass early on in the Grey Angels game. She used the movie version of Abe as the visual reference for the Tritons, the sea demon race from which my very first GA character, the mage Baz Olmstead, was descended.</td></tr></tbody></table></p>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-37655904328573439282020-08-11T13:47:00.002-04:002020-08-11T14:04:51.464-04:00Unearthed Arcana and Freeport, Part 15--and official 5E Freeport news!Welcome back to my ongoing series of capsule reviews of "Unearthed Arcana" with an eye for how to use them with the Freeport setting. This column covers UA articles from April to August 2020. From the number of subclasses undergoing repeated revisions over the past year or so, along with the many other character options (like feats) appearing in UA, it seems pretty clear that Wizards of the Coast plans to release another book of player-facing crunch along the lines of <i>Xanathar's Guide to Everything</i> sometime in the near future.<div><div>
<br />
<b><i>For my past columns about using D&D Fifth Edition sourcebooks with Freeport: The City of Adventure, see the <a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/01/freeport-5e-index.html" style="font-family: inherit;">Freeport 5E Index</a>.</i></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/psionic-options-revisited">Psionic Options Revisited</a></b> (4/14/2020): This article starts with a discussion of the common elements in past editions' treatments of psionics, and the history of psionics rules in 5E. UA has presented many approaches, including a psionics-focused class, the mystic. However, the R&D team has abandoned that model in favor of creating new subclasses for existing classes. They have also abandoned the Psionics tradition wizard, which was just introduced late last year.<br />
<br />
Three psionic archetypes, the psi knight (formerly psychic warrior, for fighters), soulknife (for rogues), and psionic soul (formerly the aberrant soul, for sorcerers), have been revised to share the common idea of a psionic talent die used to measure the ebb and flow of the character's psychic energy reserve. The character receives a d6 that they may add to certain rolls. If this die rolls the higher possible result, the die decreases in size (or, below a d4, is lost until a long rest); on a 1, it increases instead (to the character's maximum size). At higher levels, the psionic talent die increases in size, and the subclasses gains new options to use with the die. In some cases, that is simply additive; in others, the die determines an effect's duration, or the die is rolled only to determine if it changes size.<br />
<br />
This seems to be a fairly simple, elegant way to track psionic power, rather than imposing some sort of power point rules, as in most previous editions. Because it is separate from spell slots, a character can be considered psionic without necessarily casting spells.<br />
<br />
This column also includes five psionic feats. One is Wild Talent, which lets any character gain access to a psionic talent die. The options for using the die are very limited, but there also four other feats available that give new uses for that die (and have this feat or the psionic talent class feature as a prerequisite).<br />
<br />
This UA also includes three psionic spells. These are updates of older material, and there is a note that some playtest spells have been abandoned; many of this latter group became subclass features or feats instead.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/subclasses-revisited">Subclasses Revisited</a></b> (5/12/2020): As with the previous article, this installment presents new iterations of previous offerings: the Phantom subclass for rogues (previously the Revived), the Genie patron for warlocks (previously the Noble Genie), and the Order of Scribes for wizards (previously the Archivist, an artificer subclass).<div><br /></div><div>The Phantom is a killer with a mystical connection to the dead. That connection gives them a bonus proficiency (which can be changed after a rest), and at later levels it can give them a little bit of the luck or knowledge of those who have died near them. When they sneak attack a foe, they can cause ghostly wails to damage a second target. This subclass would be ideal for the assassins of a death cult, or for a haunted loner. It fits in admirably with the horror elements of the Freeport setting.<br />
<br />The Genie is an otherworldly patron from among the nobles of geniekind. Warlocks of this subclass actually take on some of the properties of their genie masters: they start with a genie's vessel, in which they can retreat from the outer world to rest. At later levels, they gain resistance based on their master's element, can take others into their vessel, and eventually gain some limited wish magic. Genie-binders are an established part of Freeport history, both in the construction of the Wizards Guild, and among the efreeti-blooded azhar, and this subclass offers an interesting inversion of that master-servant relationship.</div><div><br /></div><div>A wizard of the Order of Scribes can create magical quill at will, and instills some limited sentience in his own spellbook. At higher levels, they become expert spell scroll makers, and their spellbook's mind gains new abilities. This subclass seems ideal for a lorekeeper at the Wizard's Guild or an archivist at the Temple of the God of Knowledge.<br /><br />
<b><a href="https://media.wizards.com/2020/dnd/downloads/UA2020_Feats.pdf">Feats</a></b> (7/13/2020): This article presents 16 new feats. Some grant a small taste of another class's abilities (Artificer Initiate, Eldritch Adept, Fighting Initiate, Metamagic Adept, Tracker). Others enhance the use of a skill (Chef, Poisoner, Practiced Expert). Two represent the influence of another plane (Fey Touched, Shadow Touched). The rest give advantages in combat, usually enhancing attacks (Crusher, Gunner, Piercer, Shield Training, Slasher, Tandem Tactician). All of these feats are appropriate for Freeport, though GMs who don't want to use artificers or firearms in their game will need to restrict access to Artificer Initiate and Gunner, respectively. <br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/subclasses-part-4">Subclasses, Part 4</a></b> (8/5/2020): This installment includes just two new subclasses: the College of Spirits for bards and the Undead patron for warlocks. </div><div><br /></div><div>The College of Spirits bard regularly contacts spirits from other planes to learn their stories and use the knowledge gained to aid his allies. They gain <i>guidance </i>as a bonus cantrip, and can use certain occult objects (such as a talking board or tarokka deck) as spellcasting foci. They can also spend their Bardic Inspiration die to learn a tale from a spirit, which they can then use to aid an ally or attack an enemy, depending on the result. This features uses a random table of 12 results, giving access to more options as the Bardic Inspiration die increases in size with level. At mid-levels, the bard can perform a seance-like ritual to temporarily learn a spell from any class, within certain limits. This subclass could be used to represent a classic occult medium who speaks with ghosts and angels, a lorekeeping shaman who speaks with his tribe's ancestors and totems, or the priest of an animistic religion who intercedes with the spirits of heaven and hell as well as nature. All of these concepts could easily find a place in the Freeport setting. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Undead patron may be an arch-lich, vampire lord, or other powerful, ancient undead entity. At 1st level, in addition to an expanded spell list, the warlock can assume a Form of Dread that grants temporary hp, forces creatures you hit to save or be frightened, and makes the warlock immune to being frightened for a brief time. Later class features include changing damage inflicted to necrotic, exploding upon reaching 0 hp then respawning with 1 hp; and projecting your spirit from your body. Each of these features has heightened effects when the warlock is in their Form of Dread. This patron is highly appropriate for the Freeport setting, which includes many necromancers in its history, such as the Ghoul-Lords who reigned over much of the Continent centuries ago, or--closer to home--Lord Bonewrack. However, necromancy is also one of the very few capital offenses in Freeport, so choose this patron only after consulting with the DM!</div><div><br /></div><div>-----</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Ahoy! Official 5E Freeport News!</h3><div>Green Ronin has re-released <i>Death in Freeport</i> updated for D&D Fifth Edition! See the announcement on the company blog <a href="https://greenronin.com/blog/2020/08/07/return-to-freeport/">here</a>, and buy the PDF in the online store <a href="https://greenroninstore.com/products/death-in-freeport-20th-anniversary-edition-5e-pdf?_pos=2&_sid=a77ef8556&_ss=r">here</a>. </div>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-29471850798715895722020-06-09T16:13:00.000-04:002020-06-09T16:14:16.070-04:00Grey Angels LEGO minisI recently built some LEGO minis for my "Grey Angels" characters and some of their favorite NPCs. The notes and captions below are copied from my original posts on Facebook in mid-May.<br />
<br />
<b><i>(See <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/04/nightwatch-dossier-patricia-trick.html">Nightwatch Dossier: Patricia "Trick" Tillinghast</a> for more details of that game from past blog posts here.)</i> </b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*****</div>
<br />
Today I made some LEGO minis related to the Buffy/Angel RPG campaign that some old gaming buddies recently revived for a reunion arc.<br />
<i></i><i></i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkyziT_kuzRt4ghZ2C_dOzmPzbmk7x4ODH_oWyr92JHFQ1H-Vl1a1lCoZ4Vy_SrJFyqUUcbmmw-ef_8Ah7FkrmNRUpN5GrMQBb8LInblXFOhfIl1ImWQvtA2Zg7ZWSSbl73lTn6bBrg/s1600/Sophia+and+Trick+training.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkyziT_kuzRt4ghZ2C_dOzmPzbmk7x4ODH_oWyr92JHFQ1H-Vl1a1lCoZ4Vy_SrJFyqUUcbmmw-ef_8Ah7FkrmNRUpN5GrMQBb8LInblXFOhfIl1ImWQvtA2Zg7ZWSSbl73lTn6bBrg/s320/Sophia+and+Trick+training.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Patricia "Trick" Tillinghast (redhead) training with her new girlfriend, Sophia Martin, who wants to become a Thyrian, too. (The Thyrians are essentially superpowered Amazons--like Slayers, but more so--though not exclusively female.)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEpEPitManbvaHomSuPMu7vRVkEvFrtf60awyvXnMnYGQOdELgQ6rSmGKpFjpfwP8Z3HVwkUaUS1mglqCISwk1KtAHoEZj4FWfPtvRyqvnZqqxdjVVCQL_Uv0D60CmDXQbhgSTz6Zfg/s1600/Sophia+and+Trick+date.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEpEPitManbvaHomSuPMu7vRVkEvFrtf60awyvXnMnYGQOdELgQ6rSmGKpFjpfwP8Z3HVwkUaUS1mglqCISwk1KtAHoEZj4FWfPtvRyqvnZqqxdjVVCQL_Uv0D60CmDXQbhgSTz6Zfg/s320/Sophia+and+Trick+date.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sophia and Trick, on a date.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzmcU-LPRQ2HIpt8kaRA6zZ9syQhNm6kGZK_FqlF8OZlzcrV4MOepbcft9fBMD1mtbbygQEApzKKkZAfv5uPcl8KaTEsUUOEXGbROFqwYGWwDTTKLvpGJsvXwah775iDYPP9JPN4Suw/s1600/Trick+minotaur+armor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzmcU-LPRQ2HIpt8kaRA6zZ9syQhNm6kGZK_FqlF8OZlzcrV4MOepbcft9fBMD1mtbbygQEApzKKkZAfv5uPcl8KaTEsUUOEXGbROFqwYGWwDTTKLvpGJsvXwah775iDYPP9JPN4Suw/s320/Trick+minotaur+armor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Trick in (for now, completely hypothetical) armor based on the Minotaur, the symbol of her Thyrian Sword legacy.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b></b><b></b><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0tGAGQt7VI-JR1gdCyV5fCWyUH1sfw5hGTG73JrGftIMWQcz-jQWznggYsC902kixcetTL3xppXHHqGIQri3_qFrErQN6wDimzbCukWdGDbamvJb8xkYWGqol5lul68LFu_O-NUuJA/s1600/Diana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0tGAGQt7VI-JR1gdCyV5fCWyUH1sfw5hGTG73JrGftIMWQcz-jQWznggYsC902kixcetTL3xppXHHqGIQri3_qFrErQN6wDimzbCukWdGDbamvJb8xkYWGqol5lul68LFu_O-NUuJA/s320/Diana.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
Trick's ex, the witch Diana Bellefleur, who became Persephone's champion after her death several years ago. Trick is currently preparing for a quest to bring her back to life.</div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">*****</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
More Grey Angels minis, this time of Baz Olmstead, my Atlantean sorcerer, and his wife Ariel.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeiJvKehQgAXlGEassVpCvGnPkKFO1Bf7F8WE9MSC3efE4U4YRe16jgZTPSmhLA2fAdXZypiLCyJJaArTmWOva0hY5MY94Zo2j7vBk-2zRIL0PkBuPyqjYWMDmrL8KzYSccEKJhD5yA/s1600/Ariel+and+Baz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeiJvKehQgAXlGEassVpCvGnPkKFO1Bf7F8WE9MSC3efE4U4YRe16jgZTPSmhLA2fAdXZypiLCyJJaArTmWOva0hY5MY94Zo2j7vBk-2zRIL0PkBuPyqjYWMDmrL8KzYSccEKJhD5yA/s320/Ariel+and+Baz.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Ariel is a mutant Atlantean, a literal mermaid. Baz spent a very long time searching for a spell to grant her legs, so she could visit the surface world (and also change back, at will).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglG06XNnxMg_E2mL-6_baFmnARrvduoa7p1bTlZv4mqoClJVBp9Y_ryjNAqEupaAWhmJU6cylHAJMPPhfZxRWzFmeRa8_6yX7s7xV46GPTpp0jlgye-X-hZG7Z8RzEdUt0HNDLrt3pQ/s1600/Ariel+mermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglG06XNnxMg_E2mL-6_baFmnARrvduoa7p1bTlZv4mqoClJVBp9Y_ryjNAqEupaAWhmJU6cylHAJMPPhfZxRWzFmeRa8_6yX7s7xV46GPTpp0jlgye-X-hZG7Z8RzEdUt0HNDLrt3pQ/s320/Ariel+mermaid.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Ariel as Baz first met her, tinkering in her father's workshop. He pretty much fell for her right then and there--tail, grease smudges, and all.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUajyL2YEHwgOKqjm4lQUiIJAiDohiS2QWIX3H268SrxhyphenhyphenqzIRVF490BqOJjHC1rbr85yrcyV8M5cfC3fNOprc0Nzs7Fi6_Htu2d3hDgmoSjWTKrJxcnPQ0vSN48IAu_N57yNTOhDpYA/s1600/Baz+merman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUajyL2YEHwgOKqjm4lQUiIJAiDohiS2QWIX3H268SrxhyphenhyphenqzIRVF490BqOJjHC1rbr85yrcyV8M5cfC3fNOprc0Nzs7Fi6_Htu2d3hDgmoSjWTKrJxcnPQ0vSN48IAu_N57yNTOhDpYA/s320/Baz+merman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Baz has developed limited shapeshifting powers since meeting Ariel, so he frequently grows a tail to match hers when they are together at home in New Atlantis.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZjZIYtdac9bY9RPtlWpIdV_DzFvfFa5JZloT2KKixfa8cFyhfORJmP-oqYeylS4IsWbRw-Axh7d6hQLJXC3pcdP_3QnO9YVAu11bVG9H3ONtf3F9QqRWhhCaIt2uSngBjNSQw5vqlg/s1600/Sophia+and+Trick+training.jpg"><br /></a></div>
<div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZjZIYtdac9bY9RPtlWpIdV_DzFvfFa5JZloT2KKixfa8cFyhfORJmP-oqYeylS4IsWbRw-Axh7d6hQLJXC3pcdP_3QnO9YVAu11bVG9H3ONtf3F9QqRWhhCaIt2uSngBjNSQw5vqlg/s1600/Sophia+and+Trick+training.jpg"><br /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wBirAVFkxWVMcsJ5NAIX3Kq9-1TmAaKMzESrUfI1sJKvD2f317ThCX4F_D5xmx0Xkdjxc7u66Nov7lzKGDeXFu7IJNgYpHM-cNuNj_1TOjwCuNhLt4X8kfuSi8vnVphrLg_ayGBx4w/s1600/Trick+minotaur+armor.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wBirAVFkxWVMcsJ5NAIX3Kq9-1TmAaKMzESrUfI1sJKvD2f317ThCX4F_D5xmx0Xkdjxc7u66Nov7lzKGDeXFu7IJNgYpHM-cNuNj_1TOjwCuNhLt4X8kfuSi8vnVphrLg_ayGBx4w/s1600/Trick+minotaur+armor.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wBirAVFkxWVMcsJ5NAIX3Kq9-1TmAaKMzESrUfI1sJKvD2f317ThCX4F_D5xmx0Xkdjxc7u66Nov7lzKGDeXFu7IJNgYpHM-cNuNj_1TOjwCuNhLt4X8kfuSi8vnVphrLg_ayGBx4w/s1600/Trick+minotaur+armor.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wBirAVFkxWVMcsJ5NAIX3Kq9-1TmAaKMzESrUfI1sJKvD2f317ThCX4F_D5xmx0Xkdjxc7u66Nov7lzKGDeXFu7IJNgYpHM-cNuNj_1TOjwCuNhLt4X8kfuSi8vnVphrLg_ayGBx4w/s1600/Trick+minotaur+armor.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wBirAVFkxWVMcsJ5NAIX3Kq9-1TmAaKMzESrUfI1sJKvD2f317ThCX4F_D5xmx0Xkdjxc7u66Nov7lzKGDeXFu7IJNgYpHM-cNuNj_1TOjwCuNhLt4X8kfuSi8vnVphrLg_ayGBx4w/s1600/Trick+minotaur+armor.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wBirAVFkxWVMcsJ5NAIX3Kq9-1TmAaKMzESrUfI1sJKvD2f317ThCX4F_D5xmx0Xkdjxc7u66Nov7lzKGDeXFu7IJNgYpHM-cNuNj_1TOjwCuNhLt4X8kfuSi8vnVphrLg_ayGBx4w/s1600/Trick+minotaur+armor.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wBirAVFkxWVMcsJ5NAIX3Kq9-1TmAaKMzESrUfI1sJKvD2f317ThCX4F_D5xmx0Xkdjxc7u66Nov7lzKGDeXFu7IJNgYpHM-cNuNj_1TOjwCuNhLt4X8kfuSi8vnVphrLg_ayGBx4w/s1600/Trick+minotaur+armor.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-48091557817096007472020-04-17T16:44:00.004-04:002021-04-13T13:36:26.114-04:00Nightwatch Dossier: Patricia "Trick" Tillinghast<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoH-KrzLfdi-rx-gPuAi8zifsOVb4pc9vwLnRpiGcgx9X4gPEBD_qpISPYKT7WQU15k42fyFI5mtBT-vRhTZzFvPKo7TJha_kuoJ1BfS6fBYOENgRw7lCqDyO6R1eKKzs6rDmLBr0ZQw/s1600/28+Gift.jpg" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1093" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoH-KrzLfdi-rx-gPuAi8zifsOVb4pc9vwLnRpiGcgx9X4gPEBD_qpISPYKT7WQU15k42fyFI5mtBT-vRhTZzFvPKo7TJha_kuoJ1BfS6fBYOENgRw7lCqDyO6R1eKKzs6rDmLBr0ZQw/s400/28+Gift.jpg" width="272" /></a>Patricia "Trick" Tillinghast is one of the two main characters who I played in "Grey Angels," a <i>Buffy/Angel</i> RPG campaign that ran from 2005 to 2009, and that later resumed as a play-by-post game from 2012 to 2014. That game resumed in late 2019 for a "10 years later" reunion arc.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
I talked about Trick in a <i>very </i>piecemeal fashion in several past <i>Studded Plate </i>columns prior to the current revival:</div>
<ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-characters-who-become-part-of-you.html">The characters who become a part of you</a> (3/19/2015): How Trick affected my tastes in music.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2016/08/rpgaday-2016-days-1-6.html">#RPGaDay 2016: Days 1-6</a> (8/6/2016): How Trick got a sister.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2016/08/rpgaday-2016-day-11.html">#RPGaDay 2016: Day 11</a> (8/11/2016): How Trick has influenced how I play other heroes.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2017/08/rpgaday-2017-day-7.html">#RPGaDay 2017: Day 7</a> (8/6/2017): How Trick got free of Dionysus (with bonus portrait).</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2017/08/tbt-drawlloween-2016.html">TBT: #Drawlloween 2016</a> (8/17/2017): Trick's Animal costume.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/08/rpgaday2018-days-13-16.html">#RPGaDay2018: Days 13-16</a> (8/17/2018): How Trick got free of Dionysus (shorter version).</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/08/rpgaday2018-days-28-31.html">#RPGaDay2018: Days 28-31</a> (8/29/2018): No longer the straightest girl in town.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/10/inktober2018-days-27-31.html">#Inktober2018: Days 27-31</a> (10/31/2018): Two portraits of Trick.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/11/cassilda-tillinghast.html">Cassilda Tillinghast</a> (11/13/2018): My Pathfinder Society character who was very loosely inspired by Trick.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Now that the game has resumed, I've started talking a great deal more about her here, so decided to create this "Nightwatch Dossier*" index page to collect all those links in one place. (You can also follow the "Tillinghast" tag, but this page will curate that list a little more, as I did with the older links above.)</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-adventures-of-patricia-trick.html">The Adventures of Patricia "Trick" Tillinghast</a> (3/20/2020): An attempt to give a snapshot of the campaign, and a summary of Trick's history up to this point.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/04/tricks-picks.html">Trick's Picks</a> (4/8/2020): A playlist of Trick's favorite songs.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/04/30-day-song-challenge-tillinghast.html">30-Day Song Challenge: Tillinghast Edition</a> (4/17/2020): A meme answered in character as Trick.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/06/grey-angels-lego-minis.html">Grey Angels LEGO minis</a> (6/9/2020): Minis of Trick, her cousin Baz, and some of their favorite NPCs.</li><li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-state-of-blog-and-tim.html">The State of the Blog (and the Tim)</a> (2/8/2021): This update on my various projects here includes a rather sad update about the GA game's main creator.</li><li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2021/02/tricks-picks-updated.html">Trick's Picks (Updated)</a> (2/12/2021): An update to last year's much-expanded playlist. (Future edits will be made here.)</li><li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2021/04/james-marlowe-and-giant-peach.html">James Marlowe and the Giant Peach</a> (4/13/2021): This one's not about Trick, but is just a sketch of a couple GA NPCs in costumes. (I'm indexing it here since most of my other GA posts are tied to Trick.)</li>
</ul>
<div>
* A note on Nightwatch, since I didn't mention it in "The Adventures of..." post above: This multinational corporation investigates occult phenomena, hunts rogue demons, researches new magic and occult tech, and sends covert teams on missions to parallel Earths and other dimensions. It is headed by Joey and Rae Maddock-Trent. (As the twin sister of Taryn Maddock, General of the Thyrian Nation, Rae is also part of the senior leadership of that organization as well.) Trick has had dealings with Nightwatch's Shadowgard office since the very early days of her involvement with the supernatural, but has never sought employment with the organization.</div>
Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-37457042600564136932020-04-17T15:33:00.001-04:002020-04-17T16:50:11.727-04:0030-Day Song Challenge: Tillinghast Edition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibow-jnym2DYZV6bcb1Pn9JNUuMQX1jJhp6rUMJpBT6xJ5lMEK1hl5M-hJEyPQm84ocFqpAk0v0Zb8BTjRlaZSYdhMTlTg6lUYexBeq5UjvVr3mp7rwu3j4nipd0tG-hKpouN8VQmcEA/s1600/27+Thunder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibow-jnym2DYZV6bcb1Pn9JNUuMQX1jJhp6rUMJpBT6xJ5lMEK1hl5M-hJEyPQm84ocFqpAk0v0Zb8BTjRlaZSYdhMTlTg6lUYexBeq5UjvVr3mp7rwu3j4nipd0tG-hKpouN8VQmcEA/s320/27+Thunder.jpg" width="320" /></a>My wife has been posting answers to a 30-Day Song Challenge on her Facebook this month. It's been interesting seeing her answers, but it's not normally the kind of meme I join in on. However, after posting my "<a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/04/tricks-picks.html">Trick's Picks</a>" playlist earlier I this month, I thought it might be fun to try answering this challenge in character as Trick. To make it more interesting, I did not repeat any songs, and only repeated artists twice. With only a couple exceptions, these are all songs that would appear in regular rotation in Trick's own playlists. In fact, many appear on my "Trick's Picks," or have been added to it since that post.<br />
<br />
<b><i>[See Trick's<span style="color: #000050;"> <u><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/04/nightwatch-dossier-patricia-trick.html">Nightwatch</a></u></span><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/04/nightwatch-dossier-patricia-trick.html"> Dossier</a> for a complete list of past posts about her.]</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i>
<h3>
30-Day Song Challenge</h3>
As answered by Patricia "Trick" Tillinghast<br />
<b></b><b></b><br />
<b>Day 1: A song you like with a color in the title</b>: "Mr. Blue Sky," Electric Light Orchestra. Nobody's ever going to be able to hear this song again without seeing Baby Groot dancing to it, are they? The best part of <i>Vol. 2</i>!<br />
<br />
<b>Day 2: A song you like with a number in the title</b>: "Seven Nation Army," The White Stripes. It's got a really fun drum line.<br />
<br />
<div>
<b>Day 3: A song that reminds you of summertime</b>: "Love Shack," The B-52's. The video is sunny and bright, and the song <i>is</i> kind of all about about how hot it is around here...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>Day 4: A song that reminds you of someone you'd rather forget</b>: "Shut Up and Dance," Walk the Moon. The line "This woman is my destiny" always reminds me of one of my ex-girlfriends, who I was more crazy in love with than anyone else before or since. (And who I'm not going to name, in case she ever sees this.) We're still friendly, but we just couldn't make it work, and if I'm completely honest with myself, I've never really gotten over her. But I love this song too much to <i>not</i> listen to it.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 5: A song that needs to be played loud</b>: "Thunderstruck," AC/DC. Because metal demands volume!<br />
<br />
<b>Day 6: A song that makes you want to dance</b>: "Uptown Funk," Mark Ronson (ft. Bruno Mars). I can't hear this song without moving!<br />
<br />
<b>Day 7: A song to drive to</b>: "Life is a Highway," Rascal Flatts. This has been on every driving mix I've made since <i>Cars</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 8: A song about drugs or alcohol</b>: "Tubthumping," Chumbawamba. I love the "you are never going to keep me down" chorus, but there's an <i>awful</i> lot of drinking in these lyrics.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 9: A song that makes you happy</b>: "Happy," Pharrell Williams. OK, kind of an obvious answer, but I'm a naturally joyful person, and it's catchy. And the video is full of people who are dancing because it's just plain <i>fun</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 10: A song that makes you sad</b>: "She Used to be Mine," Sara Bareilles. This song is about a woman who is mourning how she lost touch with the person who she used to be.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 11: A song you never get tired of</b>: "Shake It Off," Taylor Swift. It's fun, and catchy, and empowering all at the same time.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 12: A song from your preteen years</b>: "A Thousand Miles," Vanessa Carlton. A new hit love ballad when I was in middle school? And by a woman? Yes, please.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 13: A song you like from the 70s</b>: "Dancing Queen," ABBA. This is a lovely mellow classic to groove to in between the more energetic tracks that let me <i>really</i> show off my dancing chops.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 14: A song you'd love to be played at your wedding</b>: "Eternal Flame," The Bangles. It's a sappy, romantic song...and I love it. Plus, between my visions and becoming a Thyrian, I've kind of acquired a thing about fire imagery.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 15: A song you like that's a cover by another artist</b>: "Lady Marmalade," Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, Pink. I almost used it for Day 6 because I recently competed in a dance battle to this track. But I put it here because the <i>Moulin Rouge</i> cover took a good song and turned it into one of my all-time faves.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b>Day 16: A song that's a classic favorite</b>: <span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">"Imagine," John Lennon. My parents grew up listening to the Beatles and other classic bands of the 60's and '70s, so I was exposed to many of them as a kid as well. This is one of Mom's favorites, because it challenges us to imagine a better, more loving world.</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b>Day 17: A song you'd sing a duet with on karaoke</b>: "I Got You," Sonny & Cher. It's corny as hell, but I want to sing this with someone who will look at me in the same worshipful, sappy way that Sonny and Cher looked at each other whenever they performed this song back in the '60s.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 18: A song from the year you were born</b>: "Simply Irresistible," Robert Palmer (1988). It's too bad that the video is so cheesy, and objectifying AF. It was the '80s, so I can't tell if that was meant ironically or not...but I doubt it.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 19: A song that makes you think about life</b>: "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)," Kelly Clarkson. You'll have to pardon me for getting philosophic for a moment. Pain is the great teacher. If we forget the painful events in our life, then we forget the lessons they taught us. Those things don't have to define us, but they do inform who we become. To put it another way, <span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I am the sum of all my choices and my experiences, both the good ones and the bad ones. Who I am today is a precious gift, and I must acknowledge the path I took to get here.</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b>Day 20: A song that has many meanings to you</b>: "We Are the Champions," Queen. At first, this song reads as a victory anthem by a weary hero. (And, in fact, my cousin Baz claims to have led a chorus of it at a victory party after the Ragnarok.) But sometimes the borderline-plaintive tone of the song leads me to wonder if it's merely the daydreaming wish of someone who feels like an underappreciated loser. I wouldn't put it past Freddie & co. to have intended both messages.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 21: A song you like with a person's name in the title</b>: "Elvis is Everywhere," Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper. This song is ridiculous, and I only listen to it very occasionally, but still amuses me after all this time.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 22: A song that moves you forward</b>: "Fight Song," Rachel Platten. This song was pretty much my personal anthem when I moved back to Shadowgard to teach in my hometown and reconcile with the Maddocks, and again a few years later when I applied to become a Thyrian initiate. Too many people in this town remembered me as the angry, self-absorbed brat that I had been in high school, so I had a lot to prove to them, and to myself.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 23: A song you think everyone should listen to</b>: <span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">"Brave," Sara Bareilles. Be brave enough to speak up, and to show people who the authentic, amazing you really is! </span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b>Day 24: A song by a band that you wish were still together</b>: "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," The Eurythmics. I think Annie Lennox is a big part of the reason why I think tall chicks in suits are classy--and sexy. I've been known to rock the look myself from time to time.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 25: A song you like by an artist no longer living</b>: "Ballroom Blitz," The Sweet. Two of the four original band members are dead, that's close enough.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 26: A song that makes you want to fall in love</b>: "Somebody to Love," Queen. This song has been a prayer of mine far too many times...<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b>Day 27: A song that breaks your heart</b>: "Try," P!nk. I've had my heart broken more times than I can count, but I keep trying again.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 28: A song by an artist whose voice you love</b>: <span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">"Bubbly," Colbie Caillat. I'm pretty sure this song is really just all about sex, and I could listen to that gentle, caressing voice sing about that all day long.</span><br />
<br />
<b>Day 29: A song you remember from your childhood</b>: "The Little Drummer Boy." This is the one song on this list that I actively <i>don't</i> like. Mostly because I remember being horribly offended that the Rankin-Bass movie didn't use drums for the title song!<br />
<br />
<b>Day 30: A song that reminds you of yourself</b>: "Bitch," Meredith Brooks. I'm a passionate woman with a complicated history, who boldly wears her heart on her sleeve. I'm very aware that that can make me a right handful to deal with at times, even to--especially to?--my best friends. But those messy parts are part of who I am, too, for better or worse.Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-5025568510898419422020-04-08T15:47:00.006-04:002021-06-02T13:59:24.687-04:00Trick's PicksI have recreated my old "Trick's Picks" playlist on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFp2k93xye6OfNjm_3N-_45QaeKI1TOBJ">YouTube</a>, and updated it for the 2020 reunion arc. This is a list of the favorite songs of Patricia "Trick" Tillinghast, my drummer/dancer/fencer/champion character from "Grey Angels," a Buffy/Angel RPG campaign. It's still very much a work in progress. (For additional context, see my past blog posts about Trick--particularly <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-characters-who-become-part-of-you.html">here</a> and <a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-adventures-of-patricia-trick.html">here</a>.)<br />
<br />
As of the time of this posting, the playlist includes (in no particular order):<br />
<br />
Meredith Brooks - Bitch<br />
P!nk - F**king Perfect<br />
P!nk - Try<br />
P!nk - Just Like Fire<br />
P!nk - Raise Your Glass<br />
Queen - Somebody to Love<br />
Queen - We Are the Champions<br />
The Bangles - Eternal Flame<br />
Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)<br />
Sara Bareilles - Brave<br />
Colbie Caillat - Bubbly<br />
Colbie Caillat - Fallin’ For You <br />
Taylor Swift- Shake It Off<br />
Taylor Swift - Delicate<br />
Rachel Platten - Fight Song<br />
The Sweet - Ballroom Blitz<br />
Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, Pink - Lady Marmalade<br />
Mark Ronson (feat. Bruno Mars) - Uptown Funk<br />
The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army<br />
Des’ree - You Gotta Be<br />
Adele - Rolling in the Deep<br />
Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten<br />
Walk the Moon - Shut Up and Dance<br />
Lady Gaga - The Edge of Glory<br />
Rush [Neil Peart solo] - Der Trommler<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
And yes, that's a lot of P!nk tracks! Patricia's romantic history has been a soap opera roller coaster, so P!nk's repertoire strikes a very deep chord with her, but I've strictly limited myself to a few of her more positive songs for this list. Trick is a hopeless romantic, but she's becoming more careful and deliberate about her relationships. What worked during her high school and college years is no longer cutting it now that she's hit her 30's and has a much better sense of who she is and what she actually wants out of life. Of course, her list of favorites still heavily features tracks chosen simply because they're <i>fun</i>.<br />
<br />
-----<br />
<br />
<b>UPDATE 4/30/2020:</b> The following tracks have been added to the playlist since the original list above was created:<br />
<br />
Fatboy Slim - Weapon of Choice<br />
The B-52’s - Love Shack<br />
Portugal. The Man - Feel It Still<br />
Sia - Cheap Thrills<br />
Sia - Unstoppable<br />
David Guetta, ft. Sia - Titanium<br />
Pharrell Williams - Happy<br />
The Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling<br />
Lenny Kravitz - Fly Away<br />
Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles<br />
Shania Twain - Man! I Feel Like a Woman<br />
WAR*HALL - All This Power [theme song for Grey Angels Season 4]<br />
Rachel Platten - Stand By You<br />
HAIM - Little of Your Love<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22.08px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Smash Mouth - All Star</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
-----<br />
<br />
<b>UPDATE 6/9/2020</b>: More new tracks since the last update:<br />
<br />
Alicia Keys - Girl on Fire<br />
k.d. lang - Constant Craving<br />
Coldplay - Viva La Vida<br />
ABBA - Dancing Queen<br />
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours<br />
Lenny Kravitz- Are You Gonna Go My Way<br />
Colbie Caillat - Brighter Than the Sun<br />
Journey - Don't Stop Believin'<br />
Daft Punk - Get Lucky<br />
Hayley Kiyoko - Girls Like Girls<br />
The Greatest Showman Cast - This Is Me<br />
Mary Lambert - She Keeps Me Warm<br />
The Veronicas - Take Me On the Floor<br />
Tegan and Sara - Closer<br />
Savage Garden - I Want You<br />
The Hu (feat. Lzzy Hale) - Song of Women<br />
Sixpence None the Richer - There She Goes<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Sixpence None the Richer - Kiss Me</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Sara Bareilles - I Choose You</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;" /><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">-----</span><br style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;" /><br style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;" /><b style="font-family: "times new roman";">UPDATE 8/11/2020</b><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">: More new tracks since the last update (which brings the total to 70):</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Sia - Alive</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Journey - Any Way You Want It</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Heart - Crazy on You</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Janelle Monae - Make Me Feel</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne) - Rather Be</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Ed Sheeran - Shape of You</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Calvin Harris (feat. Rihanna) - This is What You Came For</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Zara Larsson, MNEK - Never Forget You</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Bruno Mars - Locked Out of Heaven</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Lady Gaga - You and I</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Evanescence - My Heart is Broken</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">-----</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b>UPDATE 8/20/2020</b>: This is a much longer update than most, because I found an older version of my "Trick's Picks" playlist, so have now added most of those songs here. Now up to 106!</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Backstreet Boys - Larger Than Life</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Taylor Swift - Blank Space</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Adam Lambert - Better Than I Know Myself</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Angel & The MamboKats - Black Mambo (Mambero Mix)</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Blue Man Group - Drumbone</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Christina Aguilera - Genie in a Bottle</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Donna Summer - Hot Stuff (12" Version)</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">ES Posthumus - Unstoppable</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Fine Young Cannibals - Good Thing</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Franka Potente - Believe</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">George Michael - Faith</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Hadouken! - Levitate</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">INXS - Need You Tonight</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Jefferson Airplane - Somebody to Love</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Jessie J - Domino</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">John Legend - All of Me</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The Pussycat Dolls (feat. Snoop Dogg) - Buttons</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Ricky Martin - She Bangs</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Roisin Murphy - Ramalama (Bang Bang)</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Roisin Murphy - Night of the Dancing Flame</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2U</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Sting - If I Ever Lose My Faith in You</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">They Might Be Giants - S-E-X-X-Y</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Trinket - Boom</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The Troggs - Wild Thing</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Anna Kendrick - Cups</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Survivor - Eye of the Tiger</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The Wallflowers - Heroes</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Eurythmics (feat. Aretha Franklin) - Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The Who - Who Are You</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Natalie Cole - Wild Women Do</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Bjork - Hunter</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Sophie P. Hawkins - Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">-----</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><b>UPDATE 2/12/2021</b>: A new version of the playlist has been posted <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2021/02/tricks-picks-updated.html">here</a>, and will be updated there going forward.Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-26827582932498058662020-04-06T13:52:00.000-04:002020-04-06T13:53:37.335-04:00Strongholds & Followers and Freeport<a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2019/07/strongholds-followers.html">Last summer</a>, I reviewed Matt Colville's <i>Stronghold & Followers</i> sourcebook for D&D 5E. This time, I'll be looking at how to use this new material in a Freeport campaign.<br />
<br />
First of all, Freeport is a very highly detailed city that already contains many competing organizations with established strongholds. Any attempt to create a new stronghold in the Serpent's Teeth, much less within Freeport's own city walls, will be sure to experience resistance from the current powers that be. Players and DMs should not let that discourage them from using the stronghold rules--intrigue and political scheming are hallmarks of the City of Adventure, after all! And some bold adventurer is behind the founding of most of the city's iconic organizations, from the Syndicate to the Wizard's Guild to the office of Sea Lord itself. The PCs are just the latest in a long history of ambitious new arrivals, who lack the advantages jealously guarded by the members of the status quo.<br />
<br />
In a Freeport campaign, the stronghold rules can also be useful for detailing NPC organizations, from competing guilds to military schools to pirate fleets. Even if the PCs never establish a formal base of operations, NPCs with sufficient political clout will reap the benefits of maintaining their own strongholds: followers to pit against the PCs, easier access to low-level magic items, and improved class features. (On the other hand, when faced with such resourceful enemies, the PCs may eventually seek how to gain those rewards for themselves!)<br />
<br />
Most of the rules in <i>S&F</i> can be used as-is in most campaigns, but a few options deserve specific call-outs for Freeport.<br />
<br />
<b>The Keep</b>: The barbarian camp option is not appropriate within the Serpent's Teeth, except when they are invading one of the settlements here (as in the northern barbarian invasion during <i>Black Sails Over Freeport</i>). However, this stronghold type is the norm in the more savage parts of the Continent, such as Druzhdin and the Bone Lands.<br />
<br />
In contrast, the pirate ship variant is perfectly suited to Freeport. The Mass Combat rules can be adapted for use for sea battles between enemy ships.<br />
<br />
<b>The Tower</b>: The Wizard's Guild is the epitome of this type of stronghold, while Gitch's rickety tower in Bloodsalt represents the most humble possible version.<br />
<br />
<b>The Temple</b>: Freeport is littered with this type of stronghold, but not every shrine in the Temple District qualifies. (The Fool's Market as a whole might--or it might count as an establishment?--but the individual spaces within it would not.) Naturally, any new temple established within Freeport will face intense scrutiny from other faiths, who may simply be jealous of competition or who might be on the watch for legitimate threats to crusade against.<br />
<br />
The druid's grove alternate would be appropriate to establish outside the city, in the jungles of A'Val or elsewhere in the Serpent's Teeth.<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>The Establishment</b>: This type of stronghold might be the easiest to establish within the city, because Freeport is a city that thrives on commerce and trade. The covert side of the organization will need to be wary of established criminal gangs, who have well-defined territories within the city's districts.<br />
<br />
<b>Followers</b>: The stat blocks for retainers are highly abbreviated, since they have a reduced role in combat. However, they can be useful starting points for creating NPC allies and enemies for Freeport adventures, apart from the stronghold rules. Likewise, the sample artisan profiles can be used as-is or as inspiration for new background characters.<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>The Siege of Castle Rend</b>: This adventure is clearly not appropriate for the Serpent's Teeth. However, it could be used more or less as written in many places on the Continent. The adventure also presents many new stat blocks for orcs, which could add some variety to the inhabitants of Bloodsalt.<br />
<br />
<b>New Monsters</b>: This chapter is a rich resource for any 5E game. See below for further discussion.<br />
<br />
<b>New Items</b>: The codices are thematically appropriate for Freeport, given the setting's strong Lovecraftian element. However, they require attunement within a stronghold, so should be ignored if the stronghold rules are not being used.<br />
<br />
<h3>
New Monsters</h3>
This chapter can be used with any 5E campaign, whether or not the GM includes the stronghold and concordance rules. These creatures are grouped into various extraplanar factions based on the beings' origins and agenda.<br />
<br />
Demons and devils are well represented in the <i>Monster Manual</i>, so only a few new fiends are needed to round out the servitors chart in the temple rules.<br />
<br />
The remaining factions include:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>The Celestial Court</b>: Angelic beings who (in Freeport's default D&D cosmology, at least) hail from the outer planes of good. These beings are the natural allies of pure-hearted crusaders against demons, devils, and other evils.</li>
<li><b>The Court of All Flesh</b>: Chaotic aberrations. "Primordius" is roughly cognate to Limbo, but the Changing Ones are not affiliated with the slaadi or other denizens of that plane. (Slaadi have never been Open Game Content, so Colville had to invent new servitors for this niche.) In a Freeport campaign, this court might have ties to realms corrupted by the Unspeakable One, but are not inherently evil themselves.</li>
<li><b>The Court of Arcadia</b>: Chaotic fey (and one dragon), appropriate to the fairy realms (and some elven woods). These are likely to be popular among clerics from Rolland on the Continent, but apart from the oleander dragon, the Court of Arcadia are unlikely to have anything in common with the more reptilian fey native to the Serpent's Teeth.</li>
<li><b>The Court of Elements</b>: Neutral elementals, ruled by the Lady of Brass. In a Freeport campaign, may be the noble efreeti ruler of the City of Brass, or the sovereign over all of the ruling class of genies from all four elemental planes.</li>
<li><b>Gemstone Dragons</b>: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">These neutral dragons are the one group of new monsters that were not designed for use as extraplanar servitors. Instead, they form a third category of dragons between the more extreme alignments of the metallic and chromatic species. Gemstone </span>dragons have psionic abilities rather than the usual magical powers of dragons. A limited, self-contained psionics system is presented to support these creatures. This section also includes a gemstone variant for dragonborn (who comprise the only method presented in this book for accessing those psionic powers as a PC). In a Freeport campaign, gemstone dragons might have connections to, or secret forgotten knowledge of, the ancient civilization of Valossa, or its serpent god Yig.</li>
<li><b>The Inexorables</b>: Lawful constructs that embody the plane of pure law (called "Axiom" here, which could be considered the same as Mechanus in the default D&D cosmology). They presumably operate independently from the modrons.</li>
</ul>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">For my past columns about using D&D Fifth Edition sourcebooks with Freeport: The City of Adventure, see the </span><a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/01/freeport-5e-index.html" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Freeport 5E Index</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-44615264412602161432020-03-29T01:25:00.002-04:002020-04-09T11:31:36.361-04:00Unearthed Arcana and Freeport, Part 14: Another Slew of SubclassesWelcome back to my ongoing series of capsule reviews of "Unearthed Arcana" with an eye for how to use them with the Freeport setting. This column covers UA articles from late November 2019 to March 2020.<br />
<br />
<b><i>For my past columns about using D&D Fifth Edition sourcebooks with Freeport: The City of Adventure, see the <a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/01/freeport-5e-index.html" style="font-family: inherit;">Freeport 5E Index</a>.</i></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/unearthed-arcana-fighter-rogue-and-wizard">Fighter, Rogue, and Wizard</a></b> (11/25/2019): This installment presents the Psychic Warrior archetype for fighters, the Soulknife for rogues, and the Psionics arcane tradition for wizards. Despite Mike Mearls not being listed among the authors, these subclasses are heavily indebted to ideas that were first presented in the <i><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-mike-mearls-happy-fun-hour-part-2.html">Mike Mearls Happy Fun Hour</a></i>. Essentially, the Mystic class remained unwieldy after multiple iterations, because it was designed to cover too many character concepts under the single huge umbrella of "psionics." The most problematic "edge cases" actually work better as psionic-themed subclasses of other classes. With those elements moved elsewhere, the Mystic (or psion) gets closer to having its own clear, distinct role and feel.<br />
<br />
The Psychic Warrior no longer casts psychic spells, but gains augmented attack and defenses that improve with level. A Soulknife can create a blade of pure psychic energy that eventually frightens its victims, and at very high level, can target an enemy's mind directly. A wizard of the Psionics tradition focuses on psychic-themed spells, and as they advance in level, gain the ability to assume a form composed of pure psychic energy.<br />
<br />
Finally, this installment introduces some new psionic spells for sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards that essentially translate older editions' "psionic attack/defense modes" into spells. There are also two new feats, Telekinetic and Telepathic, which increase Intelligence and give some cantrip-level psionic abilities.<br />
<br />
(My mini-review of <a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2017/05/unearthed-arcana-and-freeport-part-5.html">the last iteration of the Mystic class</a> provided some context for the World of Freeport. This article merely changes the mechanical options for converting a couple of classes to 5E.)<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/subclasses1">Subclasses, Part 1</a></b> (1/14/2020): The Path of the Beast barbarian is a partial shapechanger who can grow natural weapons in combat. As they advance, they can adapt to new movement modes, and spread their rage to allies and enemies. This archetype is suitable for characters with a connection to lycanthropes, druids, or fey or animal spirits--of which there are many examples in Rolland and in the more exotic lands of the World of Freeport.<br />
<br />
Monks who follow the Way of Mercy tradition are both skilled healers as well as bringers of swift death to the evil and the ailing. Many wear masks to shroud their identities in mystery. These monks would be appropriate for followers of a god of medicine, or one who holds power over life and death.<br />
<br />
Paladins who swear the Oath of the Watchers are guardians against extraplanar threats. This manifests as heightened vigilance and methods to punish unworldly foes. This archetype is very well suited to servants of the Inquisition and other champions who hunt the devils and demons who plague Freeport from time to time. (Note that while most Sacred Oaths suggest one or more alignments common to their members, this one does not. In Freeport, that might mean this oath is equally valid for both idealistic crusaders and their more jaded, corrupt associates.)<br />
<br />
The Noble Genie is a warlock patron who grants powers reminiscent of geniekind: creating a mystical tether between you and a willing ally, gaining elemental resistance, and even creating a conduit to your patron's realm. Genies play a prominent role in the World of Freeport, from the azhar's efreet ancestors to the powerful conjurors who used bound genies to build wonders such as the Wizard's Guild in Freeport.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/subclasses_part2">Subclasses, Part 2</a></b> (2/6/2020): Bards who join the College of Creation learn to use the esoteric power of music to manipulate the world around them, from summoning lingering notes that bolster inspiration, to animating a dancing item, to literally creating nonmagical objects out of nothing. The theme of this archetype reminds me of the Finnish creation myth in which the world itself emerges from a bard's song; DMs may wish to take that a step further and tie this tradition to the doomed world from which Lowyatar is the sole survivor (see <i>Cults of Freeport</i>).<br />
<br />
The Unity Domain for clerics emphasizes teamwork and emotional bonds. This domain would be an excellent way to translate the Community domain from Third Edition. (That is one gap that Green Ronin's<i> </i><a href="http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-book-of-righteous-and-world-of.html"><i>The Book of the Righteous</i></a> did not fill.)<br />
<br />
The Clockwork Soul is a sorcerous origin tied to Mechanus, the plane of ultimate order. The archetype's powers focus on warding magic and reducing the extremes of random chance (usually by denying advantage or disadvantage). The World of Freeport includes enough constructs (particularly in adventures such as <i>Hell in Freeport </i>and <i>The Ironjack Legacy</i>) that this subclass has a solid place there.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/subclasses_part3">Subclasses, Part 3</a></b> (2/24/2020): The Armorer artificer specialist creates a powerful bond with their armor, turning it into fully enclosed power armor. This installment also provides some new artificer infusions, most of them involving armor or helms. The Armorer seems especially appropriate for experimenters who blur the lines between man and machine, such as the Manikins (<i>Hell in Freeport</i>) or Ironjack.<br />
<br />
The Circle of Stars for druids involves studying the night sky and channeling the power of starlight. Some of the features gained are tied to astrological foretelling, while others alter wild shape to take on a starry form tied to a constellation's power. (At higher levels, this starry form becomes incorporeal. The article includes a useful sidebar about applying damage resistance.) The powers of this subclass are thematically appropriate for both the Order of Starry Wisdom and the Wanderer, though druids are not obvious candidates for either cult.<br />
<br />
The Fey Wanderer ranger archetype is a guardian of the borders between the Feywild and the material plane. They are imbued with fey magic that allows them to better negotiate with beings from both worlds, to resist some of the snares of the fey, and to bend the minds of others. This subclass is probably most common in the elven kingdom of Rolland, but might also be appropriate for rangers (human and otherwise) who have learned something about the strange, rare fey peculiar to the Serpent's Teeth.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/spells-magic-tattoos">Spells and Magic Tattoos</a></b> (3/26/2020): This installment introduces several new summoning spells that come with a special stat block to use with that spell. The spell's level determines the summoned spirit's AC, hit points, and number of attacks. The caster chooses one of two or three options that determine some of its other stats; for example, a bestial spirit can be an air, land, or sea creature, with appropriate movement types. These spells provide an interesting alternative to the handful of summoning spells in the <i>PH</i>, where the player needs to be familiar with the relevant <i>Monster Manual</i> entries. Summoning spells are frighteningly commonplace in Freeport, so using these spells could save the GM some effort when running summoner NPCs.<br />
<br />
This article also includes rules for magical tattoos, which take up an amount of space on the body determined by its rarity (from a few inches for common tattoos, or half your body for legendary ones). The sample tattoos presented include a variety of effects, from enhancing attacks to storing a spell to changing your appearance. Magical tattoos are highly appropriate for Freeport, where mundane tattoos are common among sailors, exotic martial artists, and other groups.Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-52019363016506882912020-03-20T18:07:00.000-04:002020-04-17T16:46:26.951-04:00The Adventures of Patricia "Trick" TillinghastPatricia "Trick" Tillinghast is one of the two main characters who I played in "Grey Angels," a <i>Buffy/Angel</i> RPG campaign that ran from 2005 to 2009, and that later resumed as a play-by-post game from 2012 to 2014.<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> </span>I have talked about Trick in a <i>very </i>piecemeal fashion in several past <i>Studded Plate </i>columns:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-characters-who-become-part-of-you.html">The characters who become a part of you</a> (3/19/2015): How Trick affected my tastes in music.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2016/08/rpgaday-2016-days-1-6.html">#RPGaDay 2016: Days 1-6</a> (8/6/2016): How Trick got a sister.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2016/08/rpgaday-2016-day-11.html">#RPGaDay 2016: Day 11</a> (8/11/2016): How Trick has influenced how I play other heroes.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2017/08/rpgaday-2017-day-7.html">#RPGaDay 2017: Day 7</a> (8/6/2017): How Trick got free of Dionysus (and bonus portrait).</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2017/08/tbt-drawlloween-2016.html">TBT: #Drawlloween 2016</a> (8/17/2017): Trick's Animal costume.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/08/rpgaday2018-days-13-16.html">#RPGaDay2018: Days 13-16</a> (8/17/2018): How Trick got free of Dionysus (shorter version).</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/08/rpgaday2018-days-28-31.html">#RPGaDay2018: Days 28-31</a> (8/29/2018): No longer the straightest girl in town.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/10/inktober2018-days-27-31.html">#Inktober2018: Days 27-31</a> (10/31/2018): Two portraits of Trick.</li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2018/11/cassilda-tillinghast.html">Cassilda Tillinghast</a> (11/13/2018): My Pathfinder Society character who was very loosely inspired by Trick.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Just before this past Christmas, GA's co-GMs announced their wish to run a reunion story arc to finally wrap up some of the major plot lines that were still unresolved when we last shelved the campaign. We did some discussion online about what had happened to our characters since we last saw them (in 2010, in game), bringing them up to the current day (2019-2020), then did some plot-light PBP roleplaying to get reacquainted with our old friends and the changes they underwent in the jump forward. We're hoping to start some real-time RPing this spring, though that will also need to be done online since we no longer all live in the same state. (The others still live in the Greater Boston area, but I moved to Kentucky during our last PBP-only period.)<br />
<br />
I never expected to be able to play Trick again, and the jump ahead means that many of the changes we were planning for her have taken effect, so I am <i>very </i>excited about this reunion game!<br />
<br />
<h3>
A Brief History of the World</h3>
To explain some of the changes Trick has gone through, I first need to summarize a few of the basic premises of the campaign:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The "Greyverse" is inherently connected to the "Buffyverse": Slayers, Watchers, vampires, and demons all exist, and all are more or less as portrayed in the <i>Buffy </i>and <i>Angel </i>TV shows. Several characters from those shows have made appearances in GA, but the GMs are deliberately not making any of them the focus of our campaign. It's the same world, but we're interested in different characters, locations, and adventures. </li>
<li>Most of the campaign takes place in the fictional city of Shadowgard, located in northeastern Massachusetts, a few years after the mass activation of Slayers during <i>Buffy's </i>last season. This part of New England is the heart of Lovecraft country, so versions of Arkham and Innsmouth exist here. In game, Lovecraft's works were based on some germ of truth, though he regularly changed the details to pass them off as fiction.</li>
<li>One of the main plots of "Grey Angels" is the resurgence of the Thyrian nation: a lost ancient civilization of Amazon-like warrior women who predated the Slayers (and served as inspiration for the Shadowmen's creation of the First Slayer). Many of the PCs are reincarnated Thyrians, and they and their friends spent much of the original campaign delving into prophecies about the return of Thyria, and learning how to unlock that power for themselves.</li>
<li>The three senior Thyrians (all sisters, and initially Slayers) can join their powers with that of certain ancient relics in order to grant supernatural powers to new Thyrians. This can either unlock the full potential of a reincarnated Thyrian, or empower a trusted ally with no previous mystical ties to that group. At the time that the game last ended, this process had recently been formalized into a probationary period for training new candidates in the history and combat skills needed by all Thyrians. </li>
<li>Over a dozen Thyrian "castes" or "legacies" exist, each with different powers, but all include enhanced physical traits and rapid healing similar to a Slayer's. Most, but far from all, Thyrians are women, and the organization as a whole is very outspoken about the rights of women and minorities of all kinds.</li>
<li>The Thyrians also established a school for superpowered teens, the Phoenix Academy, in order to give those children a safer place to learn how to use and control their powers. </li>
<li>The existence of the supernatural was forcibly revealed to the world in 2008 during the Ragnarok, a war in which a new pantheon of evil gods attempted to seize power. Battles took place in Shadowgard, New York City, London, and elsewhere. An alliance of Thyrians, Watchers, Slayers, and other heroes defeated the Dark Pantheon, and then shouldered the responsibility of educating the world about the true nature of reality.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7zCeAEz-_XnKOKu6TLYGt6BWo7Tv871vgkaj3DoAVB2EaiMOEmR7sy1iJ6oyh38Y2fePd6etEzHH4azgIwyjsD4gDlvUtJrrdjharE7FmbRkv1ISdakJPC0XfFU0tO7qoLBZYTFTxA/s1600/trick-olympic+%2528crop%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="322" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7zCeAEz-_XnKOKu6TLYGt6BWo7Tv871vgkaj3DoAVB2EaiMOEmR7sy1iJ6oyh38Y2fePd6etEzHH4azgIwyjsD4gDlvUtJrrdjharE7FmbRkv1ISdakJPC0XfFU0tO7qoLBZYTFTxA/s400/trick-olympic+%2528crop%2529.jpg" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trick Tillinghast, <br />
by Tim Emrick (2006)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
The Old Adventures of Trick Tillinghast</h3>
<div>
During the original campaign, Trick started as a normal human with no supernatural gifts whatsoever. She was, however, a highly trained fencer who had become familiar with many other weapons through her obsession with the martial arts, medieval reenactment, and similar activities. Around the start of her junior year of high school, she had her first encounter with the supernatural, and joined her friends--a Slayer, a Totem Warrior, a witch, and a Watcher's daughter--in fighting the forces of darkness. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Partway through that year, she attracted the attention of the Greek god Dionysus, who gifted her with the powers of a Maenad to become his champion. At first, she was ecstatic about these gifts, because enhanced her skill and durability, making it far less likely that she would become a liability in a fight. However, her relationship with her patron soon soured, and she began to use her status as a Maenad as an excuse for increasingly wild behavior. By the end of a year as the wine god's champion, she wanted out--and <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2017/08/rpgaday-2017-day-7.html">mostly through sheer, bloody-minded stubbornness, she was released</a>. She was fully human again, and now suffered from painful visions, but had her freedom again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
By then, however, Trick's bad behavior had alienated most of her friends, and as the time to apply for colleges approached, she felt an urgent need to get away and start over elsewhere. She matriculated at Columbia College in New York City, where she also worked with the local Watchers, Slayers, witches, and other champions. Though lacking any powers, she was easily the most experienced of the new class of student heroes, and found her niche in helping to train the others.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Trick's visions became an increasingly urgent problem for her, as her merely mortal body wasn't built to withstand them. (Think Cordelia after receiving Doyle's "gift.") She eventually found a solution when she was given the opportunity to become a Slayer--and after a horrifying vision of a monstrous attack on NYC, and her sorry fate if she refused this chance, she paid the price to become one. This gift was a godsend to her--she finally had the power she had always envied in her Slayer best friend, and could safely return to actively fighting against the forces of darkness.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A few months later, Trick's vision came true as the Ragnarok erupted in New York. That battle was the most harrowing of her life--she lost her girlfriend, ex-girlfriend, and ex-patron in one night, was forced to kill a human being for the first time, and dueled with fire giants as Central Park burned around them. The forces of good triumphed, but at a painful price.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoH-KrzLfdi-rx-gPuAi8zifsOVb4pc9vwLnRpiGcgx9X4gPEBD_qpISPYKT7WQU15k42fyFI5mtBT-vRhTZzFvPKo7TJha_kuoJ1BfS6fBYOENgRw7lCqDyO6R1eKKzs6rDmLBr0ZQw/s1600/28+Gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1093" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoH-KrzLfdi-rx-gPuAi8zifsOVb4pc9vwLnRpiGcgx9X4gPEBD_qpISPYKT7WQU15k42fyFI5mtBT-vRhTZzFvPKo7TJha_kuoJ1BfS6fBYOENgRw7lCqDyO6R1eKKzs6rDmLBr0ZQw/s400/28+Gift.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva Amurri as Patricia Tillinghast, <br />
by Tim Emrick (2018)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
The New Adventures of Patricia Tillinghast</h3>
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Just before "Grey Angels" was shelved last time, we had started discussion of jumping ahead a few years to a time when the brewing war with the Old Ones would come to a head. We had decided the following, as far as Trick was concerned: </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Following the Ragnarok, Trick was given a second chance with her girlfriend Diana, who had died during that conflict but was returned to life as a champion of Persephone. However, Diana had to spend each winter as a ghost in the underworld with her patron, which made it nearly impossible to maintain any relationship with a living lover, and the couple parted amicably after two bittersweet summers. </li>
<li><a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2016/08/rpgaday-2016-days-1-6.html">Trick has a younger sister, Sheila, who was adopted after Trick rescued her from enslavement by the sidhe of Tir na n'Og</a>. When Sheila turned 18, she finally spoke out publicly about her experiences in that world, which resulted in public pressure for the sidhe to change their society. </li>
<li>After college, Trick vowed to reconcile with old friends, and sought a teaching position at the Phoenix Academy. She was determined to prove to herself and the Thyrian leadership that she was no longer the spoiled, angry, wild child that she had been in the past. She eventually applied to become a Thyrian herself, and impressed her trainers with her persistence and discipline.</li>
<li>She now defaults to using her given name, Patricia, because it sounds far more professional than "Trick" for the educator and public figure she has become--though family and other longtime acquaintances occasionally still use her old nickname in private.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
The reunion arc picks up some six years or so after Patricia's empowerment as a Thyrian Sword (a legacy that seemed tailor-made for her mastery of weapons!). She has become one of that organization's most formidable warriors, a devoted teacher to her students, and a skilled musician who has achieved some minor renown despite the demands of her higher calling. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The one part of her life that isn't on the track she hoped for is her love life. Patricia is an unapologetic hedonist who is disinclined to deny herself when she desires companionship. However, ever since losing Diana, she has yet to find another partner who she can fully connect with as a warrior, a teacher, and an artist. Almost all of her closest friends have ended up happily married over the past decade, so she's been feeling that lack in her own life more and more acutely.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As the campaign continues, I'll post some more updates on Patricia's continuing adventures--and introduce my other PC, Baz Olmstead. I've been playing Baz for a longer than I have Trick, but he achieved more closure last time around, and my larger-than-life lesbian knight-errant is by far the more fun to play of the two.<br />
<b></b><i></i><br />
<b><i>[UPDATE 4/17/2020: Trick's <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2020/04/nightwatch-dossier-patricia-trick.html">Nightwatch Dossier</a> collects the links above as well as columns about her posted after this bio.]</i></b></div>
Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340403065787458773.post-53022056115081605972020-03-16T12:54:00.002-04:002022-02-21T16:38:16.374-05:00Pathfinder Society LEGO minisA little over a year ago, I posted <a href="https://studdedplate.blogspot.com/2019/02/a-bakers-dozen-of-pathfinders.html">artwork I had created for my Pathfinder Society player characters</a>, with a brief description of each character's concept and history. I have added a handful more characters to that stable, though I have not yet drawn portraits of my new heroes. I do, however, have LEGO minifigures built for all 17 characters, so am sharing those here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWV8jsPu-k5DGT_Cr3hM3Uk_ckgP2G6Liw2FYj-RbkVv02YhsWE-M5QGs_ZsnohKEOcH3vOi8dFXbQO5pb7EDDueL1WpCvz3H5JDTwlMcg6HCU0OakMJ3kw9HyWtn34kgWz7O2CGL9kQ/s1600/ansari-seeker.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWV8jsPu-k5DGT_Cr3hM3Uk_ckgP2G6Liw2FYj-RbkVv02YhsWE-M5QGs_ZsnohKEOcH3vOi8dFXbQO5pb7EDDueL1WpCvz3H5JDTwlMcg6HCU0OakMJ3kw9HyWtn34kgWz7O2CGL9kQ/s200/ansari-seeker.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<b>Ansari Zolta</b> (human rogue/cleric of Cayden Cailean) recently completed the Seeker-tier (level 12+) series "Eyes of the Ten."<br />
<br />
Ansari is Kelishite, so his mini mostly combines some Indiana Jones and Prince of Persia minifigure parts, with an old Pirates cutlass. [The round base is Kre-O, not LEGO. It's one of the few Kre-O parts that I'm actually very happy with.]<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvPbmx9dXU3Al4mmCbu8tQp5l5DhUeqTSXpeqa3CUMXS5hyphenhyphen423BnMdwU05kowfwydhv9ljnKsi_mWh_M-fFzDkbQLTzAx5NVI9pEr8wFrfEAEmUJOqHERESKIcOqFNyj09hKxr9mWWQ/s1600/bjorn+%2528new%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="545" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvPbmx9dXU3Al4mmCbu8tQp5l5DhUeqTSXpeqa3CUMXS5hyphenhyphen423BnMdwU05kowfwydhv9ljnKsi_mWh_M-fFzDkbQLTzAx5NVI9pEr8wFrfEAEmUJOqHERESKIcOqFNyj09hKxr9mWWQ/s200/bjorn+%2528new%2529.jpg" width="193" /></a><b>Raudabjorn "Bjorn" Kjallakson</b> (dwarf stonelord paladin of Torag) continues to fight as a crusader, and recently helped defend the city of Nerosyan from a siege of demons. He recently upgraded to a holy waraxe, to help him punish even more foes.<br />
<br />
Bjorn's armor and weapons are from a mix of Castle, Kingdoms, and related sets. The gray-green cape is a hobbit-length elven cloak (LOTR).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCY1-eIyOj74SiH-f7ZlS7r9dyopoDMU-cGXCwC7TT7UgHuhwBWK-BLavu4c6EP_x5czSCbRpGP9HDMaYT0eAmyBlAEmym6ZwLBQv-p1nU3_z4ZFUOUxEC3E2srdhu9x6-54mpFubtA/s1600/pyrite.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCY1-eIyOj74SiH-f7ZlS7r9dyopoDMU-cGXCwC7TT7UgHuhwBWK-BLavu4c6EP_x5czSCbRpGP9HDMaYT0eAmyBlAEmym6ZwLBQv-p1nU3_z4ZFUOUxEC3E2srdhu9x6-54mpFubtA/s200/pyrite.jpg" width="150" /></a>Bjorn has an earth elemental companion named <i>Pyrite</i>, who he doesn't call upon often because a Medium elemental is highly squishable at his tier. However, at next level, Pyrite will become Large and be much less of a liability. That future mini (shown here) uses one of the second-generation Hagrids with articulated hands (Harry Potter), with a werewolf head (from the Collectible Minifigures, or "CMF," theme) and silver gauntlets from a Gorilla Tribe character (Chima).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01BhUg_H18xxSiXLh6vJvh-LPaspvli4fYyXysha6cPys-UBKhhVd1sT7brpIhXPCb3zcwHLheI50tdcHBes-45_ZVubAeHh3-BQx8iCH37mfRmZMex2Bu_kSSq-OuDibjrnYn6cdlA/s1600/mahesh.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01BhUg_H18xxSiXLh6vJvh-LPaspvli4fYyXysha6cPys-UBKhhVd1sT7brpIhXPCb3zcwHLheI50tdcHBes-45_ZVubAeHh3-BQx8iCH37mfRmZMex2Bu_kSSq-OuDibjrnYn6cdlA/s200/mahesh.jpg" width="150" /></a>Mahesh's political maneuvering has now earned him the title of <b>Lord Mahesh, Viscount A'Zun</b> (nagaji serpentine sorcerer).<br />
<br />
His mini combines a royal outfit from the Castle theme with Ninjago Serpentine head and hands, plus a Harry Potter wand. His familiar <i>Zuku </i>uses the Snake Charmer's cobra (CMF).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9kvT3wALjE_FeURU4Gwyo2nTydD_6LnA5hf0U4wwzw0GXfQR5OOKs6FnZcJqF_U9u7tbszVeFAdDhhZKJFFFSwTwPPDqtolzJvZzKk7VFUU4NmXV8SNLLaxfK6eSu9wOO9MPiaFuGw/s1600/mariko+and+crab+%2528crop%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9kvT3wALjE_FeURU4Gwyo2nTydD_6LnA5hf0U4wwzw0GXfQR5OOKs6FnZcJqF_U9u7tbszVeFAdDhhZKJFFFSwTwPPDqtolzJvZzKk7VFUU4NmXV8SNLLaxfK6eSu9wOO9MPiaFuGw/s200/mariko+and+crab+%2528crop%2529.jpg" width="170" /></a><b>Mariko Snowtop</b> (undine white-haired witch) recently reached Seeker tier , after competing in the Ruby Phoenix Tournament (earning yet another tattoo for her collection) and some high-level adventures involving the Hao Jin Tapestry. She and her familiar have died once, so she has a new king crab named <i>Khaempferi</i>.<br />
<br />
Mariko has the alternate racial trait of Flesh Chameleon, so can change her coloring to look human. I have a second mini to use when she uses this disguise. Her natural undine form uses an Aayla Secura minifigure, with the lekku replaced by another Star Wars character's topknot. Her human disguise uses a Ninjago torso and legs. The wands are from Heroica games. The silver crab belongs to Zodiac Master (<i>The LEGO Batman Movie</i> Minifigures).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXKVNjp5E7Auiv-mW0WuS3dXht3zNPItWzUTDR-DYaCFnyuzTBgWR6JPnF-QUu42eNBQEosBLMxL9_jk32iDvIyFaFf8pbAlGqVCGXQFZZncWpuT5sPMimPk0cXgW2Dhtp6Xo-HU3OA/s1600/neferanu-embiggen.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXKVNjp5E7Auiv-mW0WuS3dXht3zNPItWzUTDR-DYaCFnyuzTBgWR6JPnF-QUu42eNBQEosBLMxL9_jk32iDvIyFaFf8pbAlGqVCGXQFZZncWpuT5sPMimPk0cXgW2Dhtp6Xo-HU3OA/s200/neferanu-embiggen.jpg" width="198" /></a><b>Neferanu </b>(oread brawler/living monolith) recently became a member of the Jeweled Sages, and only needs one more level to reach Seeker status.<br />
<br />
Neferanu's torso is from the Adventurers theme's mummy Pharaoh; the headpiece from a CMF Egyptian warrior; and the head from the original Darth Vader minifigure. [The spiked "knuckles" in the photo are a BrickWarriors part (not LEGO) which I don't use anymore.]<br />
<br />
His "embiggened" monolith form uses the body of Jun-Chi (Adventurers), a Garmadon head (Ninjago), and an Egyptian queen's hair (CMF). The head is attached with a 2x2 round jumper plate, to center it on the shoulders. The base uses four 1x2 jumper plates to center the 2x3 "footprint" on the 6x6 round plate.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoRkXTdWoyk4THwbMuss6SPvlPGuSlD-wx7POFwtVrH79jaG_thJTinZb2rQBFcsfuoZ3xaJ5_Yk5SGa6Wqjn9M61WTQLy4s2sy6w7zZE_CBi5P4DigDl8h3i5WlfbXq1LYqCTOkH7A/s1600/jalon+%2528xbow%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoRkXTdWoyk4THwbMuss6SPvlPGuSlD-wx7POFwtVrH79jaG_thJTinZb2rQBFcsfuoZ3xaJ5_Yk5SGa6Wqjn9M61WTQLy4s2sy6w7zZE_CBi5P4DigDl8h3i5WlfbXq1LYqCTOkH7A/s200/jalon+%2528xbow%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Jalon Greenbottle</b> (half-elf inquisitor of Gorum) has started focusing on ranged combat, so uses his repeating crossbow more often than Gorum's favored weapon (greatsword). [I'm not as happy with Jalon's advancement as I am with most of my other characters, so he's not currently high on my priority list for play.]<br />
<br />
Jalon wears a chrome conquistador breastplate over a redcoat's torso (both from Pirates/Armada). His head and hair are from a LOTR/Hobbit elf. His crossbow is one of the newer models that shoots 1x1 round tiles (though I never use that feature while gaming, for fear of losing the tiny parts).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YvAVMg5tmONmqkMsDRSi7rdptf3u-wMCKiAl_UkXzn7lmrwn61sWdvnngm9JNuOR4HFUvN5IjkHwmIp53a1Sw6_tETGn1qg8UzcvL7WAa66PgZcYYgqqRJco9WTxcspyt6tLQkmLYA/s1600/nar-lok+seeker.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YvAVMg5tmONmqkMsDRSi7rdptf3u-wMCKiAl_UkXzn7lmrwn61sWdvnngm9JNuOR4HFUvN5IjkHwmIp53a1Sw6_tETGn1qg8UzcvL7WAa66PgZcYYgqqRJco9WTxcspyt6tLQkmLYA/s200/nar-lok+seeker.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Nar-Lok</b> (half-orc heavens shaman of Desna) has been adventuring with his new spirit animal, <i>Daosvaria </i>(a hatchling nightmare dragon) for some time now, and relies heavily on her for esoteric lore. (She is a sage familiar, so compensates for Nar-Lok's limited knowledge skills quite handily.) He has reached Seeker tier, and has played a single adventure at that level so far.<br />
<br />
Nar-Lok's torso and legs are Zodiac Master's; the hat and cape are from a CMF wizard; and his face is a Stone Warrior's (Ninjago). The breastplate is a Chima accessory, and the compass (his wayfinder) is from Pirates of the Caribbean. [I don't currently have a LEGO mini for Daosvaria, as I use a tiny Pokemon figurine instead. I did use a Norbert dragon mini (Harry Potter) briefly, but it wasn't freakish enough.]<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRy2PRoqpe3kZoaN9KBXp5GiCoqI_AMO8p7d6Apon7TcHEt9tuj1ZJ9AET2Xac8eur4v1NnxHz9uBD84M8BqyipNSIbBai4s6MZ6YPjlIuIgn1YA6O6r4UxzcR15q37d79JV0sCLGFQ/s1600/k%2527chaw+good+girl.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRy2PRoqpe3kZoaN9KBXp5GiCoqI_AMO8p7d6Apon7TcHEt9tuj1ZJ9AET2Xac8eur4v1NnxHz9uBD84M8BqyipNSIbBai4s6MZ6YPjlIuIgn1YA6O6r4UxzcR15q37d79JV0sCLGFQ/s200/k%2527chaw+good+girl.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>K'Chaw</b> (tengu cavalier) now has her axebeak mount, who she has named <i>Good Girl</i>. I have also worked out what K'Chaw's birth name is (Karasu Momoru) and why she goes by "K'Chaw" instead: it was a nickname given to her by a tribe of horse nomads that she lived with for a time; as her horsemanship improved, the name became a badge of honor.<br />
<br />
K'Chaw is a Legend of Chima Raven Tribe character, with [IIRC] Ninjago samurai armor. Her shield (facing away in this shot) is an Amazon warrior's (CMF) with a bird design. The axebeak is an ostrich (Prince of Persia) with a much larger brick-built head. (A short bar fits into a hole where the original head attached.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81w2drD3LmveEEhXlv-bnaew7vOZOxzidKvZlOCUTQePKzdF1i51Oe0fZWP-Z3R9VVd3yZzwxRW5w-ePU-xHw2xyl1GCa6GdscWpCPjyRciEbNgZ3eNvKYWiXqN02JeQM-5m4RljidQ/s1600/volutus.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81w2drD3LmveEEhXlv-bnaew7vOZOxzidKvZlOCUTQePKzdF1i51Oe0fZWP-Z3R9VVd3yZzwxRW5w-ePU-xHw2xyl1GCa6GdscWpCPjyRciEbNgZ3eNvKYWiXqN02JeQM-5m4RljidQ/s200/volutus.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Volutus </b>(sylph sky druid) still hasn't seen a lot of play, except when there is a low-level Concordance-related adventure.<br />
<br />
Volutus uses a Jack Sparrow body (PotC) and a Viking shield (CMF). I don't recall at the moment where the head and hair come from. [The scimitar is a BrickWarriors part, not LEGO.]<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSombA36XjqWamJzqCKLX61vtOhdB-SFUJ0uycIu3aw_GApSJTBT4otqS_EYTdIqgXM-wd1FDPnQ2gdogv3M_yM5E203BPqUkSX4Vl1TeVJ4Tnv2T12744n16bV2cMGLB3dWyVvMRhvw/s1600/milo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSombA36XjqWamJzqCKLX61vtOhdB-SFUJ0uycIu3aw_GApSJTBT4otqS_EYTdIqgXM-wd1FDPnQ2gdogv3M_yM5E203BPqUkSX4Vl1TeVJ4Tnv2T12744n16bV2cMGLB3dWyVvMRhvw/s200/milo.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Milo Nimblefingers</b> (halfling cleric/rogue) has reached second level and multiclassed into rogue. We don't play our Core characters enough for me to be certain how long he'll stick with that class, but my best guess right now is that he'll remain about half cleric, half rogue throughout his career.<br />
<br />
Milo uses a hobbit's head and hair on Gimli's body (LOTR), and an Indiana Jones bullwhip.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivykfpdjMTHnrugdIR4ZI60xv4JeiSWNLc0daDiQ2WCN_DU-7aeQqfy8Nd_4fU4fYJWyXGHRjdrtBzCYq8h9V7lmwk1toMqYm9eQNKxwLA1Zgn61uEeASITE1q0SdnKRegY7fDl6p9Lg/s1600/atticus+nox.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivykfpdjMTHnrugdIR4ZI60xv4JeiSWNLc0daDiQ2WCN_DU-7aeQqfy8Nd_4fU4fYJWyXGHRjdrtBzCYq8h9V7lmwk1toMqYm9eQNKxwLA1Zgn61uEeASITE1q0SdnKRegY7fDl6p9Lg/s200/atticus+nox.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Atticus Nox</b> (tiefling investigator) is a Chelaxian scribe and barrister, who grew up benefiting from the status his diabolic heritage gave him in that corrupt empire. His partner Nephrael, my wife's character, has recently converted to a good god following a visit to Heaven without him. Atticus may follow suit one day, but is more likely to embrace the ways of Axis (which they both visited briefly in one adventure).<br />
<br />
Atticus's body is the Lone Ranger's uniform (because the star badge is the closest thing I had to Asmodeus's pentagram). The tail and hands are from the Little Imp (CMF); the head is from the Monster 4 LEGO Game. His hair is Valkyrie's, from <i>Thor: Ragnarok</i> (Marvel Superheroes).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiactv9kxNJ-AY2TRniJe0Y2GHGFKfuKTFlc_1oyjdyMQ6esY35pHf4Dpf0zUgQqYW_hlkP90pZDomKVjZuYDes-xZco0ciI17U4KUK3XckXbi_9w3LMaozKKhoYIaqrH9NAAd-S7aFeQ/s1600/cassilda.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiactv9kxNJ-AY2TRniJe0Y2GHGFKfuKTFlc_1oyjdyMQ6esY35pHf4Dpf0zUgQqYW_hlkP90pZDomKVjZuYDes-xZco0ciI17U4KUK3XckXbi_9w3LMaozKKhoYIaqrH9NAAd-S7aFeQ/s200/cassilda.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Cassilda Tillinghast</b> (human mindblade magus) has now reached the level at which her previous incarnation was created for <i>The House on Hook Street</i>. Now that Mariko has reached Seeker tier, Cassilda has become my new character with a hefty grudge against the Aspis Consortium. Much of her last couple of levels involved Aspis-related adventures in the Hao Jin Tapestry.<br />
<br />
Cassilda's body and cape are from the Wicked Witch (LEGO Dimensions), with new head and hair (the latter is from a Friends minidoll). Her mindblade and shield spell are represented with some of the trans-blue accessories that come with sets featuring Iron Man or Thor (Marvel Superheroes).<br />
<br />
[I have also very recently had the opportunity to start playing Trick Tillinghast--the <i>Buffy/Angel</i> RPG character on whom Cassilda is very loosely based--again, which pleases me immensely. I will be devoting one or more future columns to her very soon.]<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-pjOVFyFhP_Ugylki0Pgjs6TrfxcqqYWJU4ZfEbM5pz5Ak1oi-4cH14scTJ8anLic_Arxz_pzsukMg9r6GAGoA7bL3Der6CGzMHmiljcFT5kDfFe7A5LL4K58Ei9u_LWCAqIej_XFA/s1600/mumbly-peg-crop.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1243" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-pjOVFyFhP_Ugylki0Pgjs6TrfxcqqYWJU4ZfEbM5pz5Ak1oi-4cH14scTJ8anLic_Arxz_pzsukMg9r6GAGoA7bL3Der6CGzMHmiljcFT5kDfFe7A5LL4K58Ei9u_LWCAqIej_XFA/s320/mumbly-peg-crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Mumbly Peg</b> (kitsune hunter) has upgraded to her owlbear companion, <i>Growler</i>, and only needs a couple more adventures before he grows to Medium size. She will be taking a level or three of unchained rogue in the near future in order to boost her damage output while flanking; she already has the Boon Companion feat to avoid losing advancement for Growler while she does that. Peg is my only PFS character with a negative Int modifier, which can be a challenge to roleplay properly at times, but ganging up on things with her buddy is great fun!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4cgbZdd9PJQBKYbeArXZEVeTtApxj6F66z9jx6d3KixXGigkRun6NVuvbfTQdgBbHiiEPxYMYjo3aNeDpSh__8S5YqDj_XHpSY14Jb5v_OVrYTZ-Y9aZts6Tw5zQUI4Ye1yAqEMC6Q/s1600/growler.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4cgbZdd9PJQBKYbeArXZEVeTtApxj6F66z9jx6d3KixXGigkRun6NVuvbfTQdgBbHiiEPxYMYjo3aNeDpSh__8S5YqDj_XHpSY14Jb5v_OVrYTZ-Y9aZts6Tw5zQUI4Ye1yAqEMC6Q/s200/growler.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Peg's head, legs, and tail are from Furty, the single Fox Tribe Chima character. The armored torso is from a Castle/Kingdoms minifigure. The photo above shows her in human form as well. While Growler is Small, I'm using a baby bear (Friends). Once he is Medium, I'll be using a Raven Tribe character (Chima) on all fours, with some claws added (see photo at left).<br />
<br />
<h3>
The New Kids on the (LEGO) Block</h3>
The following five characters are all new in the past year, and all have at least 1 XP, but only one has reached 3rd level so far. Two of them (Raisa and Darla) are "GM babies," who only have XP from GM credit or playing pregens, but have not yet seen play. (Pierce was another until earlier this month.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_6IIP7sOrpNUxKeIy27fFN6fpeKI8728haRArhrr0x9o5lYNa6PRrROPTsBqAu838UBamJ-3RrTU7GlipFGjCEFY48c6fr61vDCaWtjQ1ionHxn9L7Axx8k2QV6wVLf7H7DarLT_bA/s1600/raisa+lupescu.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_6IIP7sOrpNUxKeIy27fFN6fpeKI8728haRArhrr0x9o5lYNa6PRrROPTsBqAu838UBamJ-3RrTU7GlipFGjCEFY48c6fr61vDCaWtjQ1ionHxn9L7Axx8k2QV6wVLf7H7DarLT_bA/s200/raisa+lupescu.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Raisa Lupescu</b> is a Varisian human diviner and fortune-teller, who will be taking the Harrower prestige class once she qualifies for it. (I want to get full use out of my Harrow deck, and much of the in-game lore about these decks is fun). She is a cousin to one of my other characters, Cassilda Tillinghast (who is only half Varisian).<br />
<br />
Raisa's body and cape are from the fortune-teller (CMF). Her hair and kerchief piece is Professor Trelawney's (Harry Potter). She holds a 1x1 tile printed with a spellbook from an old Castle set. (I originally wanted to have her hold the two 1x2 Tarot card tiles that came with the fortune-teller, to represent her Harrow deck, but I've decided that they would be too likely to get bumped out of her hands and lost.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEzclymoL9AIuvXGDHsQx3oyRV16vCIwA-TiahduXa-3xY0zoEyFUvrwNCy6HKobM7i9J6P6VBKagtYivAdbAENzVtL7nPft_7X-_qyjv4IgmRcPZMhUbl-RRAso5hwxe-3Atdxhr7A/s1600/Pierce+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEzclymoL9AIuvXGDHsQx3oyRV16vCIwA-TiahduXa-3xY0zoEyFUvrwNCy6HKobM7i9J6P6VBKagtYivAdbAENzVtL7nPft_7X-_qyjv4IgmRcPZMhUbl-RRAso5hwxe-3Atdxhr7A/s200/Pierce+2.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Sibyl Pierce </b>prefers to go by just "Pierce," and wears simple, practical clothes that obscure her gender. She is an Ulfen woman who learned the basics of zen archery from a wandering Tien monk, whose example she now follows.<br />
<br />
She is built with a Green Ninja body (Ninjago), a back quiver (Castle and elsewhere), and an elven longbow (LOTR/Hobbit). Her hair is Elsa's blond wig with braid, from the Disney CMF series. This version of Elsa's hair works better with this pose--turning her head to the left to look at her target--than the straight-down braid from the Frozen minidoll sets (which would run into her quiver and shoulder).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIZRy5eggSwzD0vTEdD0N9HuTkM214nd-WdqrYAhtwKgTBMgDbF4RkuQrVE-4kP-AIaCXGbzRD_17E0R9ifTfibNoqEFbEpJyqw97RJVivmVGOF3OgTQ3zne6fOayxbymBfxa7XSz6w/s1600/darla.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIZRy5eggSwzD0vTEdD0N9HuTkM214nd-WdqrYAhtwKgTBMgDbF4RkuQrVE-4kP-AIaCXGbzRD_17E0R9ifTfibNoqEFbEpJyqw97RJVivmVGOF3OgTQ3zne6fOayxbymBfxa7XSz6w/s200/darla.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Sister Darla</b> is a nosferatu-born dhampir warpriest who was raised from infancy by the church of Pharasma as a living weapon against the kinds of monsters responsible for her existence. She is the beneficiary of last year's GM race boon, which allows a dhampir PC.<br />
<br />
Darla's gray head is the Emperor's (Star Wars); her armor is from a Black Knight (CMF); her helm from an older Castle/Kingdoms set; and her dagger from Prince of Persia. (I have used this blade with multiple PCs presented in this column. They make great large daggers, small scimitars, or shortswords.) The tile on her shield is the Hypnobrai symbol from Ninjago; the spiral design makes it ideal for a holy symbol for Pharasma.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhz1cxA5vE17_7mIBrv_E-7K0c0lYGI44Q31UTmfYdy7XVdL6XsNPJVnQxH24PjDfEDhIq4l8H_GHcAYFti8JxUMYl9d9zx19cEGbIadNIUxCYn3TQJiLn4tMRf2qjEtBJKIkDg7JmeA/s1600/falling+rock.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhz1cxA5vE17_7mIBrv_E-7K0c0lYGI44Q31UTmfYdy7XVdL6XsNPJVnQxH24PjDfEDhIq4l8H_GHcAYFti8JxUMYl9d9zx19cEGbIadNIUxCYn3TQJiLn4tMRf2qjEtBJKIkDg7JmeA/s200/falling+rock.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<b>Falling Rock</b> is a Shoanti human ranger who specializes in smashing things with his earthbreaker. He was created for a group who is playing through the <i>Giantslayer </i>and <i>Shattered Star Adventure Paths</i> (plus a little bit of <i>Emerald Spire</i>) in "PFS mode." He's my first serious attempt at a DPS-focused character, and he seems to be doing OK at it so far. I chose ranger over fighter so that he would have more skill points, and more useful class skills for this campaign. (He may multiclass into fighter later if I feel that I need additional combat feats more than skill points.) He is now the most experienced of my new characters, thanks to the sustained time spent with the Adventure Paths.<br />
<br />
His body is from a Castle minifigure (Dragon Knights subtheme, IIRC?). The head is from an obscure Star Wars character whose name I've forgotten. An earthbreaker is essentially a big, spiked maul, easily represented by a couple clip-plates on a 1x1 SNOT brick, with a long bar handle.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4WtAh0ZAG6bNA4rCH6JGcGDN8Q4GQKSHYzPdT8hj4FNRriVZDmWKtp_0-kkzp4X4pjrxWcYWBlVUPK9XHJVMsXXSltmozYnAKlrSkIMcp9BQkRfSNmeToajJ_bp4g3lo4G0PVwzSYA/s1600/thibdab.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="737" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4WtAh0ZAG6bNA4rCH6JGcGDN8Q4GQKSHYzPdT8hj4FNRriVZDmWKtp_0-kkzp4X4pjrxWcYWBlVUPK9XHJVMsXXSltmozYnAKlrSkIMcp9BQkRfSNmeToajJ_bp4g3lo4G0PVwzSYA/s200/thibdab.jpg" width="153" /></a><b>Thibdab </b>is my single Pathfinder Society Second Edition character to date. He is a goblin redeemer champion of Sarenrae. His back story is that he started his career as a squire to my 1E cavalier, K'Chaw, who later sponsored his eventual admission to training as a Pathfinder himself. He seeks to serve as an example to others of how goblins can constructively cooperate with the Society.<br />
<br />
Thibdab is a complete melange of parts: head from the CMF goblin; helmet from an old trolls Castle set; torso and short legs from a Ninjago Stone Warrior; sword from Prince of Persia; shield from a <i>Wonder Woman</i> movie set.Tim Emrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03140732247799671326noreply@blogger.com0