[Android OS] Tablets and Aesthetics

For those who may not be aware, I am a gadget junkie. Free Software advocate wouldn't be an inaccurate description for me either. Given this combination of interests, I've gone bonkers over the latest batch of tablets using the Android OS. I have a ViewSonic gTablet (currently loaned out to another gamer), and a Samsung Galaxy Tablet. Given these differing devices, I've come to a few conclusions about my personal sense of "portable computing aesthetics". Enjoy my ranting after the break!

[BRP] Chronicles of Future Earth, the setting that almost was...

Sarah Newton is more creative and prolific in her writing than anyone has a right to be. I was brought into her development of the The Chronicles of Future Earth via quiet PM on the BRP Central forum, and was astonished.

This release from Chaosium is only about one-third (one-quarter?) the material Sarah had intended to shoe-horn between its covers. She's documented a far-future world populated with miracle technology, sorcery, and an Immortal God-Emperor ruling The Venerable Autocracy of Sakara. The monstrous Gene Wolfe vibe makes me squee.

Add to this that the Autocracy's capitol city Korudav is approximately five times the area of Glorantha's Pavis (including the Rubble!), and you'll begin to sense the tremendous breadth of setting here. I've seen her full-maps of a re-envisioned Urth, not just the snippet included in this release. I am happily paging through my copy of this now (purchased from Chaosium's website - in the interest of full disclosure), and am enjoying fitting this wonderfully unique bit of gaming into my imagination.

My hope is that this supplement will prove popular enough that Chaosium looks upon the scraps on their cutting-room floor with future interest. I haven't spoken with Sarah Newton much (since I deleted my Facebook account), but I wish her well with her new position at Cubicle 7. Given her momentum for the project two years ago, and the horrid time she endured waiting for the manuscript to see the light of day, I can only imagine she's moved on. Ah well.

Fun facts to know and tell: there's an adventure set in TCoFE already in print! Take a look at Sarah's submission in the BRP Adventures book. Yeah, I'm obsessive. So what?

[Android] Blogger's Android client - finally!

This will help me get ideas into the blog, no doubt. Here's something simple from my tablet. Vaati Monks, and a tribe of dragon-tainted centaur wandering the central Flanaess on Greyhawk have kept me writing. Plus, the deeply baroque effort on Wanderer hasn't stopped.
Hang in there! There is lots more to come.

[Wanderer] The Coiners' League

The Coiners' League

History
At the foundation of empire, three powerful guilds were fighting for dominance of the new political landscape. The Tal Oligarchy's sacred beggars, the Rumasquari Burgler Academy, and the Orim settled into an agreement where each formal member of an organization could seek protection (if not commiseration) with the others. This arrangement has become known as the Coiners' Pact.

[Wanderer] Career - Nobles

Nobles are the social backbone of the Empire. They are the elite, charged by their Sovereigns and the Emperor himself with responsibility for the peoples and settlements of the bonded Kingdoms. Each kingdom might have different titles based on their traditions, but the Emperor has clearly outlined expected behavior for those claiming noble status.

This may seem a little different from the Classic Traveller version of the noble, but it is the one career that knits Wanderer's default setting together.

[WWIR] DnD4e - Good Bugs Hunting

What Would I Run? - Dark Sun
I just got my hands on the Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition Dark Sun setting. As a fan of the previous versions of this world, I have to say I'm impressed with the current iteration. Keeping true to the feel of the original and incorporating 4e-specifics like the Dragonborn and Eladrin was done elegantly. The art is really nice. Write-ups for some of the major powers in the world in the back of the bestiary brought a ton of memories flooding back.

So, of course, I'm riding high on the wave of creativity evoked by these reading-marathons.

Ergo this post: What would I run using the new Dark Sun?

Short answer: The PCs would be part of an all thri-kreen group representing a wild clutch in the wastes. For further details, read more after the break...

[WFRP3] The Gem of Aquos - Advanced Actions

By Kevin Morrell (aka KK the Splash)

This is the second part of the Gem of Aquos series. In the previous article I listed the Basic Actions that come with being the Master of Aquos. In this part I discuss the Advanced Actions that can be learned to control Aquos. These Actions increase the power and flexibility of Aquos as a damage-dealer and healer.

Each Action listed below must be purchased normally through the advancement process of your current career. Some of these Actions are used by Aquos and some are used by his master, but all must be purchased by the owner of the Gem in order to be available for use.

Here is a pdf with all the cards in this article suitable for printing.

[IMCotD] Dralasites and Shoggoths

(2:12:09 PM) Kevin: wait, Dralasites don't have ribs...
(2:12:24 PM) Gerall: them and Shoggoths...
(2:12:41 PM) Kevin: which are you, then?
(2:13:26 PM) Gerall: you know that Dralasites are just the larval form, right?
(2:13:42 PM) Kevin: OMG. that explains a lot.
(2:13:48 PM) Gerall: dunnit?
(2:14:13 PM) Kevin: I just lost 10 SAN.
(2:14:23 PM) Kevin: but gained 5% in Mythos.