Up and Running Again

My computer guy came through for me and I’ve got my PC working again. Although the monetary cost was something I could have done without, the upside was that nothing was lost or damaged in the conflagration. Go me.

The big news of the week was not the temporary nullification of my computer capabilities, however. Yesterday saw the arrival of the Stonehell compilation proof and I’ve finally been able to heft in my hands the end result of ten months of inadvertent labor. I’ve mentioned before that I’m a tactile sort of guy, so having an actual book that I could page through was the highlight of an otherwise frustrating week.

“So what’s the deal with the book now?” you might ask. “When can I, the person who has been patiently waiting since you promised to have this darned thing out by ‘end of August/beginning of September’, get my hands on a copy?”

The upswing is that the book proofed as good as I had hoped. Any nagging doubts about the legibility of maps or the quality of the illustrations in the final print have been put to rest. The downswing is that, having a chance to pour over the book in physical form, I’ve caught a handful of minor errors and typos that desperately need correction before I’d even dream of asking for a single cent for the book. This weekend will see me finishing up my last proofread and final edit of the manuscript. I hope to have the new PDF distilled and posted by Monday or Tuesday, with a new proof ordered immediately thereafter. After I see the final proof, I’ll be making the book and the PDF available to you. I want to make sure you get the best I can possibly give you with the tools I have available.

In short, I beg your patience for one more week. I’m as anxious to be finished with this book and pass it on to everyone else as you are to read it. After such time, I intend to take three months off from doing anything Stonehell related. Then I’ll get cracking on Book Two.

Thank you all for your enthusiasm and your patience. I hope you’ll find them both to be well rewarded.

A Gremlin on My Wing

I'm experiencing technical difficulties and my computer is undergoing repair. Although I might be back online tomorrow, it's far more likely that I won't have access to anything more sophisticated than my commonplace books and a pen until early next week. Posting and communication will resume at that time. Have a pleasant weekend, everyone.

A Little Love for the High Dexterity Fighter

"Fighters with a dexterity of greater than 14 can use their unusual manual dexterity to attempt to dodge or parry opponents’ attacks. For every point over 14 they are able to reduce their opponents’ chances of hitting them by 1 (5%).” – Greyhawk, p. 8

While engaging in the almost Talmudic study of the original LBBs that is commonplace amongst the old schoolers, I came across the above. Since I harbor the belief that B/X is nothing more than a cleaned up set of the LBBs, I figured this bit of Greyhawk is suitable for adaptation into Moldvay/Cook/Marsh.

As it stands in B/X, the benefits for a high Dexterity are a -1 to AC for a Dex of 13-15, -2 for a score of 16-17, and a -3 for those with a prodigious Dexterity of 18. In assuming the above rule and modifying it conform to B/X; Fighters would gain the following bonus to Armor Class:

Dexterity Score	Armor Class Modifier
13-14	-1
15-16	-2
17	-3
18	-4

The additional benefit of an extremely high Dexterity (17-18) are still minor enough to adhere to B/X’s attitudes of “working class heroes,” but it gives the Fighter a little something extra to spice up their ill-perceived banality. Although the argument could be made that Thieves, who live and die by their manual dexterity, should also benefit from the above table, I take the word “parry” (which implies a certain puissance of arms) as an excuse to apply the benefits solely to the fighting man.

This house rule shall be added to splintered shields and multiple attacks when opponents are slain in regards to any and all future fighters who deign to enter the halls of Stonehell.

The Priests of Guraul

The cult of Guraul has only recently made inroads to the civilized lands along the border of the Kinan-M’Nath. In recent years, the arrival of one of the Great Bear’s nomadic bands to the thorpes and homesteads that dot the frontier have grown more common, and crofters have become used to the colorful wagon in which these adherents travel. For these isolated homesteads, the Bear Priests are often the only form of semi-organized religion seen all year, and the minor miracles and blessings the priests perform are warmly welcomed.

The worship of Guraul arose less than three decades ago when the totemic beliefs of the western barbarian tribes met with the more civilized tenets of Warden Rangers, resulting in a totem-based religion adorned in highly-formalized ritual and mystery-work. Elevated to the ranks of minor godhood, Guraul the Bear Totem is now venerated as a deity of healing, wisdom, and protection. His worshippers and priests are predominately human, although a handful of demihumans have been adopted into Guraul’s ranks as well.

As would fit their wild origins, the priests of Guraul are hirsute individuals, and neither the men nor women who pay homage to Guraul trim their hair. They dress in simple homespun robes and protect themselves with cudgels and staves. Despite their gruff-looking demeanor, the followers of the Great Bear are both friendly and goodly-aligned, and they will lend aid to itinerant adventurers encountered on the road provided that the party doesn’t seem bent on evil deeds. Donations for such services are encouraged of course, and a few gifted coins are usually rewarded with snippets of rumor or gossip as well as clerical aid. Those unable or unwilling to donate are given a simple nod and a wish that “The Great Bear watches over you.”

The priests travel in covered wagons adorned with yellow-green banners and wind chimes, both of which herald the arrival of the priests to a new locale. They typically bivouac in or near one of the many small homesteads or settlements along the frontier, and spend between 2-8 days before moving on. When encountered on the road, the priests offer to host travelers for the evening in return for some minor form of entertainment such as song, music, dance, or ballads. Those in true dire straits are hosted gladly and without the need for recompense. A typical band of Bear Priests is composed of an 8th-level cleric, 3 5th-level clerics, 10 clerics of 1st-3rd level, 15 laymen, and 2 others of various backgrounds (typically ranger, fighter, elf, halfling, or thief). Each band has 5-7 wagons.

Knockspell #3 At The Door

Available from Black Blade Publishing: THE PDF and IN PRINT

It's the highest-level Knockspell magazine ever created, the Wondrous Can of Whoopass, the plate mail of armor classes, and indeed the one thing you MUST NOT DO WITHOUT if you are a serious gamer from the editions that never had decimal points! 1E, 0E, OSRIC, and Labyrinth Lord -- it's all here.

Take a look at the Table of Contents, and you will be convinced beyond all doubt. ----- Unless you make your saving throw, or I have configured the Mythmere's Enthralling Internet spell improperly. (If you roll a 1 and yet don't immediately go buy the magazine, please let me know).

THE TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Outnumbered but Tough: Musings of a Girl Gamer by “Spike”
From Kuroth’s Quill #3 Allan T. Grohe, Jr.
Pulp Heroes and the Colors of Magic “Akrasia”
Chariot Racing John Vogel
Blame it on the Players: an Editorial Tim Kask
Swords & Wizardry: Silver ENnie Award Winner
Black Armour, Black Heart: the Anti-Paladin Scot Hoover
The Font of Glee Jason Sholtis
The City of Vultures Gabor Lux
Random Wilderness Events Joshua James Gervais
Contest Details
Random Ruin Generator Robert Lionheart
Labyrinth Tomb of the Minotaur Lord R. Lawrence Blake
The Planes: Playgrounds of the Rich and Powerful Jon Hershberger
New Tricks and Traps
New Magic Items
Beginner’s Bestiary Andrew Trent
New Monsters
The Tower of Mouths Matt Finch

Nothing from yours truly this time around, but many of my own favorites make a return. Knockspell #3 is also the first issue released through Black Blade Publishing, rather than Lulu. This one could be a milestone issue, people. Pick it up!

Whew!

The proof of the Stonehell compilation has been ordered and the contributors have been sent their PDF copies. If the proof comes back as intended, I'll be offering the book for sale within the next 7-14 days.

I'm going to go take a walk out in the cool, Autumn air now. Have a great weekend, everybody.

The Second (and Third) Dungeon Alphabet Review

Rob Conley gives us his impression of The Dungeon Alphabet today. Like James Raggi, Rob has had work published under the Goodman Games' banner and was therefore given a sneek peek at The Dungeon Alphabet. I mention this only in the spirit of full disclosure. Rob's opinions are his own, even if they do agree with my own. Check out the review here.

EDIT: A third review also popped up today, done by one of the artists who contributed to the book. Limpey has his take on the book here.