Posts

Showing posts from July, 2012

D is for Dragonblood

Image
The dragonblood were another original race for the Patchwork World of Porphyra created by  Perry Fehr for the fifth volume of Fehr's Ethnology. I think its is also our best selling issue of the Ethnology series. Dragonbloods are humanoids of mostly elven or human stock that have manifested a dominant taint of their ancestor dragon’s blood. Less than a half-dragon, and far more able to blend in with typical society, the dragonblood are a race unto themselves, surfacing an unknown number of generations after the original mating of dragon and two-legger. The resurgence of draconic power in these beings gives them power and abilities beyond those of their stock race, or at least different, and takes them in directions definitely divergent from the society around them. It is possible that some of the magnetic figures in history were secretly dragonbloods, and that some of the great personages that were so bold to claim the...

D is for Dhosari

Image
The dhosari are an original race for the Patchwork World of Porphya created by Perry Fehr for the fourth volume of Fehr's Ethnology. The dhosari are strange looking humanoids with two torsos stacked on top of one another. Scott Ackerman called them humanataurs on my G+ thread. The dhosari (singular and plural) are a bizarre,  ancient race that are the original inhabitants of the  island of Erkusaa. They have been enslaved for  millennia by the erkunae, a near-human race that  has gained power through arcane pacts with extra  dimensional beings. Dhosari are a large, strong race,  but have little magical power and have been used as  house slaves and shock troops by their masters; in  the recent past they have established a few, small,  independent communities on nearby islands and  on the mainland. They have four arms that enable  them to do tasks unheard of for normal bipeds. If  the dhosari gain their freedom, and the acceptanc...

D is for Dhampir

Image
By the Core Dhampirs are the   half-living children of vampires birthed by human females, dhampirs are progenies of both horror and tragedy. The circumstances of a dhampir’s conception are often called into question but scarcely understood, as few mortal mothers survive the childbirth. Those who do often abandon their monstrous children and refuse to speak of the matter. While some speculate that dhampirs result when mortal women couple with vampires, others claim that they form when a pregnant woman suffers a vampire bite. Some particularly zealous scholars even contest dhampirs’ status as a unique race, instead viewing them as humans suffering from an unholy affliction. As designed in the Advanced Race Guide, Dhampir are an 11 RP race. Dhampir Racial Characteristics +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, –2 Constitution:  Dhampirs are fast and seductive, but their racial bond to the undead impedes their mortal vigor. Dhampir:  Dhampirs are humanoids with the dhampir subtype. Medium...

D is for Dark Folk

Image
An eternal, violent struggle for survival rages among the alien creatures dwelling in the sunless caverns deep beneath the world’s surface. The dark folk are neither the strongest, most industrious, cruelest, cleverest, nor the vilest of subterranean races. None-the-less they thrive. Living shadow swathed in stealth and patience, their society and origins are as mysterious as their realm. What little is known of the dark folk arrives from lucky souls who have escaped their clutches. Dark folk organize their tribes in castes. The most common dark folk and the lowest caste are known as dark creepers. The ruling class – tall and lithe – are the dark stalkers. Dark slayers wield the most power, but hold a place below the ruling class. Slayers provide the tribe with magic ability. Other castes exist, but have only limited interaction outside the tribe. The dark creeper presented in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary as well as the other dark folk races, are not intended to be PC races...

Eye candy

Image
Wow, it’s been a looooong time since my last post. Not because there is nothing going on, quite the opposite. I cannot go into that end of things quite yet but I wanted to let you all know I’m still here and pushing forward. Many of you have been asking when the Leviathans will be in stock. I hope to have some news on that front soon and hope to be a little less cloak and dagger about current events… all in good time. Until then, queue the elevator music and enjoy some eye candy as I flex my rendering muscle and play with learning that aspect of digital design. All the best! Mark- Something wicked this way comes Quiet before the storm In the thick

Updating artwork...

Image
With interest in Hidden in Plain Sight picking up some steam, I have some interest in polishing it up a little. The weakest part of the game, in my opinion, are the instructions screens for each game mode.  I think they are really bad.  It was a challenge for me to try to describe the rules for each game mode concisely, but also in a visually appealing way.  I'd love to see those redone by someone with some graphic design experience.  (I'm not sure I can pay much, if anything, but if anyone has any recommendations, let me know!) Next on my list are the game summary screens that show up after each round.  It would be nice for those to be laid out a little better. I really like the eclectic look of Eryn's title screen (which I hacked together in a few minutes to create box art), but I'm not sure that it's the best advertisement for the game.  Some people say box art is CRITICAL to a games success.  I'm more of a "screw it, just do the best you can" kind ...

C is for Catfolk

Image
Catfolk Catfolk are a race of natural explorers who rarely tire of trailblazing, but such trailblazing is not limited merely to the search for new horizons in distant lands.  They are curious by nature, and catfolk culture never discourages inquisitiveness, but rather fosters and encourages it. Many are seen as quirky extroverts by members of other races, but within catfolk tribes there is no shame attached to minor peculiarities, eccentricities, or foolhardiness.  Catfolk Racial Characteristics (ARG) +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, –2 Wisdom:  Catfolk are sociable and agile, but often lack common sense. Catfolk:  Catfolk are humanoids with the catfolk subtype. Medium:  Catfolk are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size. Normal Speed:  Catfolk have a base speed of 30 feet. Low-Light Vision:  In dim light, catfolk can see twice as far as humans. Cat’s Luck (Ex):  Once per day when a catfolk makes a Reflex saving throw, he ca...

Scott Ackerman and Dungeon Crawl Classics - Adventure Locale #2

Image
The second adventure in our Adventure Locales line for Dungeon Crawl Classics is now back from playtesting and adjustments. It is going to enter the editing and layout phase late this week. Once those tasks are done it will be off for approval. I'm hoping for it to hit the market in early August. Kristian Richards is again doing our maps and Scott Ackerman will be handling the art duties for this product. He has a style that is more consistent with the look of the DCC products by Goodman Games. I like the work of all the artists I work with but I think Scott is a better fit for DCC. Below is a picture he sent me of some gnomes hard at work.

B is also for Boggle

Image
Boggles Boggles are mechanically gifted goblinoids from Alluria Press's Remarkable Races - Pathway to Adventure: Compendium of Unusual PC Races (I tend to just say Remarkable Races).  Boggles are specially bred and magically engineered goblins that excel in all things magical and mechanical. Originally from slave stock of an ogre mage named Dianlor, these small green humanoids appear a bit different from their ancestors. Nearly a century of selective breeding, magical experimentation and subjection to special serums were designed to turn the common goblin into an expert builder. Base Boggle Characteristics  +2 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence, -2 Charisma:  Boggles are nimble and extremely smart, though they lack the mindset for social graces and can be very blunt. Small:  Boggles are Small creatures and gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a -1 penalty to their CMB and CMD, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks. Fast Speed:  Like goblin...

B is for Blue...

Image
Admittedly, we should be doing A is for Avoodim but Fehr's Ethnology: Avoodim is not out yet so instead I'm going to turn my attention to the letter B. Blues At their simplest, blues are a psionic offshoot of the goblin race. They are able to interbreed with goblins but any such mingling always produces more blues. Blues were introduced to the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game by the fine people at Dreamscarrred Press who do excellent support work in the area of psionics. Let's have a look at the base Blue racial characteristics with an eye toward the Advanced Race Guide. As always this is just my interpretation of this classic race with the new rules. Blue Racial Characteristics +2 Intelligence, +2 Dexterity, –2 Strength:  Blues are smart and quick, but their small size makes them weak. Goblinoid:  Blues are of the humanoid (goblinoid) subtype. Small:  Blues are Small creatures and gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty to their Combat...