I SEE LEAD PEOPLE

Elf Bait #4 - What's on The Menu

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:13:00 +0000

If you haven't figured it out by now, I like to add a lot of color and background to the things I do. Admitedly this sometimes stalls out or even bogs down the actual point or process, but this is a rarity and so I continue to do things this way. One thing I have found that really adds character to any region in a game world is the food that they eat. Food is such an integral part of any culture and the style, ingrediants and even the way in which it is served speaks volumes about the people who make it.

As an example of this, I offer a brief bit reposted from my Homeland blog for the campaign of the same name. It characterizes the food to be found in the central area of the campaign known as the Shire of Vale found in the Valley of Baryn.

Food is an important part of the human culture of Vale. Rustic and earthy folk, the men and women of the valley have discovered a number of delicacies among the native flora and fauna. most meals include a mixture of vegetables, fruits, nuts and usually one or two meat dishes but there are several noteworthy dishes besides the common steak or mutton chop.

One of these is the poaching of birds of all sorts. The Haelic folk of the Vale seem to have an affinity for the slow-cooking of all manner of avian life from small song birds as appetizers to larger foul. Such dishes are often served with sauces mixed from cream and berries or jelly glazes.

Boar meat is one of the most common of the wild meats served. The native species of boars range in flavor from the musky, gamey flesh of the Razortusk to the spicey, almost peppery meat of the Blunt-Tusked Cliff Boar. Boar meat is often served with a minimum of seasonings, the flavor of the meat allowed to express itself. Sides are offered along with the boar and usually take the form of complimentary nuts and vegetables, often roots and tubors.

Along the rivers, many types of fish are served. Among them are several forms of dangerous, predatory gars and pike, the sort that take challenge to catch, but the rarest and most dangerous is the Bull Eel - a seven foot long eel noted for the horn-like growths above its eyes. Bull Eel is served boiled and whole, all its organs intact and a single eel can feed an entire family.

Mushroom Pie is a favorite baked good, the forest of the valley offering several varieties of hearty, meaty fungus that bake into fragrent, juicy pastries and pies. Often, the mushrooms are mixed with other vegetables and sometimes grains and carried as provisions. One variety of mushroom called the Hearthstool is as big as a serving platter and is sometimes roasted whole or breaded and fried as a food to be enjoyed at social functions.

A special kind of honey is obtained from the Reaper Wasps of the deep forests and it's red-hued sweetness is prized both for its flavor and its reputation as a love potion. Obtaining this honey is dangerous as the solitary Reaper Wasps protect their nests and clutches of eggs with suicidal zeal.

In the South, in Bethalport and the surounding villages, many kinds of seafood are to be had. From Saber Muscles and Shallow Loach Fish, the variety there is great. Cove Octopi are often cultivated in tidal pens and harvested at about a year old when their heads measure the size of a large dog. Cape Perch and Sea Harps (a golden-colored seal) are hunted through the traditional means of harpooning as the struggle these beasts go through in being netted poisons the meat.

Much prized among the Brinefolk are the sholes of Moon Tarpin that gather in the Autumn months under the harvest moon. At this time the tarpin are lulled into a sort of languid stupor as they get their bearings for their upcoming migration to the mosre southerly waters. Huge hauls of Moon Tarpin are brought in by the Portlock fishing fleets during these months, often requiring the recruiting of extra hands to take full advantage. During this time though a special hazard also visits the coastal waters off Vale - the Abyss Shark.

Abyss Sharks are so-called for the fact that their black bodies absorb light, making them nearly impossible to spot in the nighttime waters. Many fishermen have found themselve the victim of a nearby Abyss Shark simply because the predator was unseeable in the hazey night. During the gathering of the Moon Tarpin, these sharks are at their most agressive, using the abundance of easy prey to stock up on food so that they may begin their bi-annual mating duels. Finding oneself in the midst of a pair of duelling Abyss sharks is the sort of thing that rare survivors care little to speak of.

There are more delicacies in the land of Vale, but space does not allow a full disclosure, but the variety and ingenious use of the valley's abundance never ceases to amaze visitors to this rustic land.

As you can see, the few paragraphs above tell us a lot about the people oof Vale. They are social eaters who take their food from the world around them. They eat hearty and take time to make the best of what they have.

Well, that's it for Elf Bait today. I do hope you have enjoyed reading it and, as usual, I welcome feedback, comments, and/or suggestions. Feel free to use anythign you see here and all I ask is that if you do, you give credit and if you feel like it, let me know what you did with it.

Take care!

-Eli

Justifiers - Indy RPG Goodness

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Back in high school we found and played, quite vigorously, an indepednently produced game called Justifiers. Justifiers was a sci fi game that took place in a corporate dominated universe where the players took on the roles of living property (more on this in a moment) tasked with exploring and "justifying" alien worlds for conquest and exploitation by the corporporations they belonged to. The characters each had a "buy back" that was a dollar amount determined by their skills, attributes, and powers/gear that they had to pay off before they could be free citizens.

In the core game, you played one of four races -

Humans - human characters tended to be those working off some sort of binding contract or sentence bought off by the corporation.

Heavy gravity humans - stunted dwarf-like humans genetically engineered for use on planets with substantially higher than Earth gravity. Being genetically engineered, these guys owed their lives and therefore money, to the corporation.

Altered humans - genetic supersoldiers that couldn't blend into normal society. They were pretty much in the pocket of the corporations who gave them a place.

Betas - totally vat-grown life forms combining human and animal DNA into a humanoid being with the mind of a man and the abilities of an animals. Betas had the biggest buy back as they were totally a product of their corporations.

There were plenty of detailed planets to get you started as well as some premade adventures. Books on cybernetics, aboriginal life and the military rounded out the game. A later suppliment introduced the concept of hybrids and alien betas. Hybrids came in two forms - near-human Gammas (beta/human hybrids) and Mutants - funky beta/beta crossbreeds (dog/cat, lizard/horse, etc). Alien betas took the form of experimental betas developed from alien animals, including an couple of really wierd ones such as a silicon life form and a plant.

This was a game heavy on setting and crunch that gave the players a solid ideao f the universe they were in and what they could do without hemming them into a single course or mode. In our own games were dealt with corporate intrigue, general exploration, crisis, betrayal, the whole nine yards. Justification missions were lots of fun to run and allowed me to create lots of interesting alien creatures and environments. The characters on these missions were slingshot across the cosmos with their only hope of return being their ability to pacify a safe base for themselves and the assembly of the return transport gate.

There were lots of quirks and interesting points to this game and it really si too bad it's out of production. I really wish it was available as a PDF for those who would like to play it, but I don't know what became of Starchilde Publications. Starchilde also has a Kaiju game, a superhero game and another scifi setting that was all about an alien invasion of earth who's name escapes me.

Hope you enjoyed reading about it,

-Eli

Mutant Menaces - Yapping Doom!

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:11:00 +0000

Chupaguagua (Choops)
No. Enc.: Chaotic
Movement: 120' (40')
Armor Class: 9
Hit Dice: 1
Attacks: 1
Damage: By weapon
Save: L2
Morale: 5
Hoard Class: IV

Chupaguaguas or Choops as they are more commonly called are the mutant descendants of the of the rampantly popular tiny toy dogs that spread far and wide before the fall. They have become living embodiments of their pre-apocalyptic attitudes roving in yapping packs.

Choops stands about 2ft in height with gangly but muscled builds. They have mostly hairless, sickly colored skin with wide, glowing eyes that allow them to see in the dark. A nearly ratial hyperness pervades the entire species and it seem nearly impossible for a choop to remain still. Choops feed on blood and are known to suck it from still living victims, feeding it packs and overpowering their victims. The strangest characteristic of choops seems to be the fact that they give off an odor like fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookies.

Mutations: Fragrance Development, Increased Smell, Increased Hearing, Night Vision, Hollow Fangs

[Art by Mike Dashow]

Inspiring Artwork - Mike Dashow

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:22:00 +0000

While I was trolling the internet for inspiring artwork to illustrate my RPG creations, I came across the blog of Mike Dashow called Walrus Droppings. His artwork has an interesting combination of classic animation style and edgy character. Hi environments are evocative and his characters full of presence and personality. I hope he doesn't mind me using the occasional piece of his artowrk to highlight an encounter or creature in one of my games.

Check out his blog and take a look,

-Eli

Post-Apocalyptic Update

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:47:00 +0000

The pic above shows a repaint of a Wizkids Mechwarrior vehicle. I think it's a Mobile HQ vehicle or something. Anyhow, I liked the Airstream Trailer shape to it and thought it would make the perfect vehicle for crawling through the wastelands or for use in sci fi games as a sort of workers transport. I can see it carrying crews of miners from a colony out ot a work site.

This one is painted in red with all sorts of scuffing and shipping to show it iss weathered and used. There is a centerline cockpit out front and a drop ramp in the back. The boxes along the side look like a bank of regulators that workers could plug into for life support over extended periods. All in all I like it and even named it. This one has been given a nickname, "Ladybug". The figures standing next to it are 15mm UK Mercenary minis.

Take care,

-Eli

Latest Martian Settlement WIP

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:01:00 +0000

So, after seeing my WIP pics of the earlier Martian settlements, Rob over at ArmChairGeneral asked me if I would do one (or more) for him. As I was wanting to keep building, I figured why not.

Up until then, all my pieces had been built on pretty linear flat rocks, so I decided to make this one a little more three-dimensional. I also wanted to build somethign bigger than I had so far. Taking a large tear-off of cork tile I then layered up several more pieces near the center of the piece. This came me a central hill jutting up from the city below.

The picture to the right depicts the city in the early layout. It shows the cluster of larger, metropolitan buildings at the top of the city, including what has become a characteristic of my Martians settlements - the tower spire. Below the hill, in the foreground is a rather haphazard cluster of buildings that will make up the lower class section of the city.

The picture below shows the city about 90% through the construction process. You can see the walls and towers in place, showing that this city may have once been fortified all around, but having since let the defenses give way to more living space. To the far left of the pic you will see a large temple structure with a massive dome that marks this city as one of particular importance to Martian religion. It sit atop a raised rocky outcropping of its own and the structure crowds to make use of every inch of space atop that rock. You can see the more haphazard commoner street to the right. Some of the roof tops of the larger buildings have penthouses or patio structures on them.

I still have to figure out how to paint this one. Once again I got carried away with construction and created some terribly tight spaces to try to get a brush into. I really need to paint the buildings then glue them in.

Enjoy,

-Eli

2mm Irregular Arrivals

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:45:00 +0000

My gaming buddy Iken and I have been gearing up to make a serious go at Land Ironclads and in doing so we place a big order for 2mm troops from Irregular Miniatures. In all, we ordered three army packs, a supply pack, and a few odds and ends planes, elephants and such.

I will note that while I like doing business with Nic at Eureka, I really couldn't justify ordering the Irregular stuff from him. The cost for the figs, even after exchange rate, come to about 15% more and Irregular only charged us 10% shipping instead of the regular 15% that both they and Eureka charge (because the order was only 2mm stuff). They shipped the order on the 1st and it got here today on the 9th. Fast shipping across the pond.

Only the elephants and one of the army packs is mine but I'm only building one force and Iken is building two. We will be sharing the supply pack but I'm not sure if we are just doing generic supply bases or if we are going to divy them out to specific armies. I haven't been able ot handle the minis yet as they were shipped to his house, but I must admit that I may have ordered the wrong army but I am sure it'll get used nonetheless.

I ordered the Afghan Army pack as I thought it would have a different feel to it than the various European army packs, but it looks, at least from the glimpse in the picture, like the mix of figures may be a bit TOO different. I'll reserve final judgement but I may end up having to make a Martian tribal coalition instead of a citystate army. Iken is planning to front me some of his cav as his alien army he is making doesn't use them. The elphants are going to be converted into Martian beasts but more on that later. I am going to be doing some of the most microscale conversions I've ever done to try to get my 2mm to look like a VSF Martian army ala Space 1889/John Carter.

Stay tuned for more updates!

-Eli

More Martian Settlements

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:48:00 +0000

this could be arranged along canals as narrow, canal-side settlements. The picture to the left gives you a look at the simple but effectivestreet orien

The Martian settlements project has been highly experimental but incredibly fun. I have been trying to find more and interesting ways to do them. This is one of those.

What you see is a table edge section of city with a fortifiefied city gate, towers and wall. This would be perfect to set up at the of the table so there is a bit of local color without having it be center stage. This is also the first piece that I tried using accent colors on, giving several of the buildings a crimson stripe as well as the towers and gate.

Future plans for this and other pieces like it include additional table edge sections or possibly modulare city interior pieces that will allow me to create cities of various sizes. Another thought is that pieces like this could be used along canals. The picture to the left show the orientation including a curious back alley.

Hope you like!

-Eli

Mutant Menaces - Pardon Me Mr. Squid

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:35:00 +0000

Ambassador Squid

No. Enc. Solitary

Alignment : Lawful

Movement : Fly 200’ (60’)

Armor Class : 8

Hit Dice : 3
Attacks : None
Damage : None
Save : L8
Morale : 5
Hoard Class : None or XI for "Major Domo"

The strange creature known as the ambassador squid may or may not be a mutant at all but its striking resemblance to a terrestrial cephalopod does suggest that it most likely is. Whatever it is, the ambassador squid is an oddly noble creature that seems to have little purpose in life other than to assist others.

Flitting about with an innate flight power, these squids go from place to place offering their intellect and interpersonal skills to those in need. Whether it be peace negotiations, trade agreements, or determining the lot due to a band of mercenaries, the ambassador squid is your “thing”. Using a soft-spoken, soothing telepathic voice, these creatures can calculate the variables of the given circumstances of any agreement or situation, finding the best solution for all parties. Though not a bag of combat tricks or attack powers, in the harsh, brutal land these sorts of skills are rare and useful for the survival of struggling communities.

In some cases ambassador squids have found their way into positions of permanent employment, gaining a roof over their head, a place in the world and remuneration in exchange for their abilities. More often than not, these individuals take on a role such as that of a Major Domo or Prime Minister.

Mutations: Flight, Telephathic Communication, Universal Translator, Empathy.

Wasteland Robots

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:43:00 +0000

One of the projects I've been working on involves converting Wizkids Mechwarrior mechs into robots for 15mm post-apocalyptic gaming. Most of these have required very little work except for a few touch-ups to the paint and some weathering to expose bare metal from under the paint. I didn't do a lot of rusting or anything on these because I want them to have that weathered future look and to me the future means shiny metal that doesn't rust (well sometimes anyway). Two of the robots I did represent renegade Russian combat robots and are known as "Red Bots" both for their color and their origin. The pics below are crappy WIP pics taken with my camera phone.

There ya go. The Red Bots now have a nasty green optice in the middle of that dark void in the front of their heads. For the two yellow industrial robots on the right of the bottom pic, I turned the torsos around on the body, flipped the arms and painted the glass cockpit as a metal power source or something on the back. The original back parts of the robot, make a pretty cool head in my opnion. As for the robot on the left, I removed the original cockpit for the mech that was located at the crotch area. It looked dumb and the robot looks better without na obvious head or cockpit. The white and read one is a power loader sort of deal that I wanted to give a space age look.

Enjoy!

-Eli

Elf Bait #3 - Other Blogs By Me

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:51:00 +0000

While patrolling through my blogger settings I came across a few earlier attempts at blogging that I had done. These were attempts at using blogs for world building for D&D, an experiment that proved useful to a degree but that utlimately ended up giving way to the use of Wikis instead.

The first of these is my Homeland blog. This was the creation space for my first original D&D campaign world since high school. Up until then I had played in the same campaign setting that had been growing, rather organically, until about five years ago when I decided I wanted to run a new setting. Homeland was an attempt to create a campaign with its roots in a rustic setting from which adventure could grow.

The second is just a beginning but it does details some of the races I intended to use for a campaign setting that took place in Ravania, a land that had previously existed on the edge of my original campaign setting from the high school days. This expansion of a part of the world was modernized, updated and fleshed out with my newer creative stylings.

Give them a look and feel free to comment on the various posts. I've kept them mostly private up until now, but would love to hear what folks think.

Take care,

-Eli

Board Game of Intense Epic Goodness - Stronghold

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 07:06:00 +0000

I have had a chance to play this game twice now, one in a two-player game and the second in a four-player game. I am happy (and surprised) to say that it plays well in both modes.

For those who are not familiar with the game, it is a game that is not so much the simulation of a siege but the story of a siege in a fantasy realm. The players are playing not to prevent or complete the siege so much as they are to make a good story of it. Victory points shift from Attacker to Defender as the game plays on and each side has the option for additional victory points for completing certain key events in the tale such as breaking down two wall sections, sacrificing so many goblins, or for keeping the standard flying over the keep.

One thing I really love about this game is the main dynamic with it's very Newtonian concept that every action the Attacker takes results in time for the Defender to use toward actions. There are some interesting balancing elements to all of this letting the Attacker budget time by allocating his better troops to accomplishing tasks in less time and thus granting less time for the Defender to act. Also, while the Attacker's actions tend to take effect immediately, the Defender has to work up to results in various "workshops". Everything in this game comes down to time and timing.

Ultimately the winner of this game is not determined by whether the attacker is able to take the castle or not but by which side fought the better fight of it. Time is against the Attacker, but he does not want to rush in and crush the walls and miss out on making his story better. The Defender really scores his points by holding the Attacker off and ultimately wins by keeping the Attacker at bay long enough that really the gap in points cannot be closed by the final bonus points scored when the Attacker makes his way through the wall and into the interior of the castle.

I really love this game. In fact it was two weeks between my first and second game and I was very much feeling anxious to try it out again.

Replay on this game is huge as the Attacker get different siege assets available to him every time based on the draw of cards. This then changes the strategies of the game. Even more, this game plays just as well two player as it does with 3+. Even the side of the board you control as the Attacker or Defender in a four player game will change the way the game plays for you. Once again, replay is big on this game.

My only caution with this game is it is not quick. This game will make you think, plot, plan and strategize and you had best be prepared to invest several hours to it. Our first four player game, with all players having played the game before ran for about 4 hours. There were breaks in there for restroom and chat, but it made for a good epic game. Another thing to be careful of is that this game has a set turn limit but is often decided well before that limit is reached. Not a game to play with people who are afraid to concede.

Anyhow, give it a play and enjoy!

-Eli

[For more information, reviews, and images of games boards, games in play, and game components check out the listing at Board Game Geek here - http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/45986.]

Martian Settlements For Land Ironclads/Aeronef

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 06:34:00 +0000

Sooooo,

It seems that I have been away from miniatures for a bit. Not true.

Since losing my digital camera, as lame as it was, I have been a bit gunshy about trying to post on miniatures projects because I coul;dn't seem to get any good pics. I have since had some luck taking decent WIP pics with my camera phone, so I thought I'd start to post some stuff that I've been working on.

The first thing I'd like to share is a WIP of some town/city terrain I have been doing for use with Wessex Games' Land Ironclads and Aeronef games. The general scale of these games is 1/1200 or thereabouts though the infantry figures used are generally 2mm which is more like 1/900 but any smaller an they may as well be cardboard counters. So, I took some scrap balsa, some cork tile and got to work.

These are actually quite simple to make. Tear off an area of tile to form the roacky outcropping upon which the Martians have built thei settlements. The cut various sized bits of balsa and get to work laying out your settlement plan. I decided to keep them relatively simple and work mainly with simple rectangles for the most part. The three that are pictured above were the first three I did and show a modest township as well as a two smaller locales that might work well for some sorts of monasteries, villas, etc.

After they are aseembled, they are sprayed black and then painted with a combination of rusty red earth tones for the ground, an off-white color for the buildings and simple black for the doors and windows. I thought about painting the doorways another color but really it just blurred the details and at this scale, I just needed the hint of door and windows. In some places, where hte balsa didn't cut right and left some rough edges, I painted the pieces like ruined buildings showing a mix of the white-wash and natural red Martian mud.

In a future post, I'll show off some additional work I've been doing with this project, but I hope you like the results so far.

Thanks,

-Eli

Mutant Menaces - Word Verification Challenge

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:00:00 +0000

The other day, I challaneged Bill over at Green Skeleton Gaming Guild to create a monster for Mutant Future using the next blog comment word verification word he got. The idea was that we would each do one. Well, my word was impossible, and even Bill conceded that point, but he came up with these cool fellows the Untar. Personally I think he cheated, because that word is just too perfect for a Mutant Future creature.

Anyhow, I have since received another blog comment word verification word and here is the beastie I came came up with...

Rovenc (Giant Elephant Rat )

No. Enc. 1d4 (usually solitary)

Alignment : Neutral

Movement : 100' (30')

Armor Class : 8

Hit Dice : 8

Attacks : 2 or 1

Damage : 2 claws 2d6 or bite

Save : L6

Morale : 7 (10 if more than one)

Hoard Class : III

Rovenc are huge mutated rats that have leanred to make their livings eating anythign that they come in contact with. Plant or animal, it matters little to these great beasts whether their prey is living or dead as long as it will fit in their mouth. Usually solitary rovenc only come together to mate, forming small harems of a single male and up to three females. During these mating times they are very hostile and agressive and seldom back down from a fight. Alone, the rovenc is less bold and may often turn and leave than bother with a brawl.

The primary attack of these creatures is their massive forepaws followed by their viscious, tuck-like front teeth. These teeth are used for display, dueling among males and for digging up roots, tubors and burrowing prey animals. Another notable attack employed by these mutants is horrendous belching bellow that they can resonate through the inflatable sacks on their noses. It is quite possible for a rovenc to completely floor an enemy, stunning them into a deafened stupor, with only a single sounding of thier nasal trumpet.

Mutations: Gigantism (+2), Shriek, Visual Impairment

[The picture was found on the internet while I was searching for inspiration on the Word Verification Challenge. I saw it and it screamed Rovenc. The word was close to "rodent". I am not sure who did the pic, but all the credit goes to them, not me.]

15mm Sci Fi WW2 Germans Update

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Hey all,

Nic over at Eureka recently asked me for some input on a planned expansion to his awesome line of Sci Fi WW2 Germans. I offered him some suggestions and he'd like to hear more. I posted a thread with details on this over at TMP so feel free to pop on over and leave your ideas.

Thanks,

-Eli

Mutant Menaces - Boyt!

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:22:00 +0000

Sometimes inspiration comes from those silly little places where you don't expect it. This is one of those times. I found myself contemplating names for creatures and what they could make out of them and then it came to me. Pinky from Pinky and The Brain made that great noise, "Narf". And then it hit me, what if there was a whole race of Pinkies. So...here they are...

Narf
No. Enc.: 3d6 (3d10+20)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 120’ (40’)
Armor Class: 7
Hit Dice: 1
Attacks: 1
Damage: By weapon
Save: L3

Morale: 8

Hoard Class: IX

Mutated from ancient white mice, the Narf now live in colonies of skittering bipedal idiocy. Though mutated into bipedal existence, they have only developed a marginal sentience. Possessed of all the intelligence of an 8-year old pure human, a Narf can manage simple construction and manipulation of rudimentary tools. Their colonies are barely more than jumbled collections of trash and poorly constructed shanties, piled atop one another into haphazard layers. Underneath this heap will often be found a warren of tunnels where they keep their young and anything of value, usually sophisticated items that boggle their feeble minds. Fortunately the Narf intellect serves as a counter to their massive reproductive ability.

Despite their nearly pointless existence, the Narf do have a few gifts granted them by their mutant existence. Narf olfactory capabilities are amazing, allowing them to root out food, locate one another, or track anything that strikes their fancy. Also, as odd as it may seem, Narf seem to have little difficulty communicating with other creatures, peoples and beings. Perhaps they are just too stubborn or foolish to know better.

The biggest dangers posed by the Narf are their numbers and their bumbling. Because of their great numbers and high birth rate, a population of Narf can easily outgrow the food supply of an area forcing them to resort to banditry and out and out conquest just to survive. Settlements too near a Narf warren are doomed to eventually find themselves invaded by their mentally deficient neighbors.

The intellectual limitations of the Narf often prove themselves most troubling when it comes to these creatures encountering high-tech items or facilities. The curiosity of the beasties or their outright lackadaisical regard for anything remotely imposing or dangerous allows for them to bumble their way into the worst possible situations. It is not unheard of for a Narf to accidentally activate a dormant Death Machine or throw the lever that will release the water held back by a damn, flooding a region. In some regions there are tales of Narf having caused the apocalypse.

Mutations: Increased Sense – Smell, Increased Caloric Needs, Atrophied Cerebellum, Universal Communication.

Mutant Menaces - Something Bugging You?

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:42:00 +0000

So, I've done some big nasties and some real wierd ones, but today I thought I'd post a few smaller but just as freaky mutant ideas I had. These are all modifications on creatures that we know in our world as annoying, infesting vermin, but in the world of Mutant Future, each of them has been ramped up a bit, mutated into something much more dangerous.

Tig Weevil

No. Enc.: 4d6 (4d6)

Alignment: Neutral

Movement: 160’ (50’)

Armor Class: 4

Hit Dice: 1

Attacks: 1

Damage: 3d6 electrical shock

Save: L3

Morale: 4

Hoard Class: None

Tig Weevils are large beetle-like insects that generate an electrical field and which feed on electrical current and other power sources. Though not true weevils, they have been named so due to their annoying habit of getting into and spoiling perfectly serviceable goods. Tig weevils infest machinery, equipment, weapons, or any other device with an electrical power source including robots and androids. Creatures that generate electrical attacks or other similar abilities maybe very well find themselves on the tig weevil’s menu.

Mutations: Energy Absorption – Electricity, Energy Retaining Cell Structure, Reflective Epidermis – Electricity.

Swarm, Army Snail

No. Enc.: 1 swarm (3 swarms)

Alignment: Neutral

Movement: 30’ (10’)

Armor Class: 7

Hit Dice: 2 to 4

Attacks: 1

Damage: 1d6 acid damage/turn

Save: L0

Morale: 11

Hoard Class: None

Slithering at a pace much faster than simple vegetarian snails, the army snails collect in swarms of hundred of individuals and set out in constant search of food, leaving a foaming glistening glaze across the landscape in their wake. Army snails are voracious omnivores and consume all organic matter they come in contact with, using the powerful acid secreted in the gooey emissions to break it down to a paste they can consume. Most creatures can avoid such a fate, but occasionally some ill-fated beast may find itself cornered or caught off guard, however in which case they are doomed to a searing painful death and consumption. The biggest threat is to vulnerable crops and habitat which, if stripped, can leave a community in dire straits.

Mutations: Toxic Weapon – Acid Secretions 1d6 acid/turn.

Swarm, Magfly

No. Enc.: 1 swarm (3 swarms)

Alignment: Neutral

Movement: 30’ (10’)

Fly: 120’ (40’)

Armor Class: 8

Hit Dice: 2 to 4

Attacks: 1

Damage: 1d6

Save: L0

Morale: 13

Hoard Class: None

Magflies are horrible mutations of conventional house flies that never shed their larval form entirely becoming flying flesh-eating worms instead of more harmless flies. Another thing that the magfly has lost is its limitation of eating only dead flesh. These nasty little creatures form buzzing, flesh-consuming clouds that chase anything living that they encounter.

Mutations: None

Mutant Menaces - Flex Your Mussels

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:08:00 +0000

So, the creations of beasties for Mutant Future is really addictive. The lingo used in post-apocalyptic science fantasy is very catchy and a quick mental mispeak can spontaneously generate another denizen of the aftermath. I also find that many of my creations seem to tie in, somehow, with the local flavor and spirit of the region where I come from - the northwestern USA. This means a lot of green mountains, coastal splendor and seafood. Somehow the seafood seems to make it into my monsters a lot.

You'll see...

G’Duc

No. Enc.: 2d6 (6d6)
Alignment: Lawful
Movement: 60’ (20’), 120’ (40’) swimming.
Armor Class: 5
Hit Dice: 1
Attacks: 1
Damage: Toxic spray 4d6) or by weapon
Save: L6
Morale: 9
Horde Class: XIII

Long before the cataclysm, the muddy tidal flats had been under a constant deluge of pollution and toxification from both natural and manmade sources. Much of the life that made its home there was killed off but the various clams and mussels survived to one degree or another. One species of clam seemed to take it personally and when mutated by the post-apocalyptic fallout, the gooey duck clams rose up to stake their territory and defend it undyingly.

With the new powers of manipulation and mobility, they ventured into the ruins left behind by the human oppressors and gathered materials and equipment, forming the League of Ivar, named for the single human who ever made any attempt to celebrate and glorify their kind. Now, the League has sworn to defend its muddy home to the death, cordoning off vast areas of mud flats, tidal backwater and beach as sovereign territory. They defend it using weapons built and gathered by their own hands or acquired through trade with other mutants. They do not trust Pure Humans at all and will kill them on site in most cases.

The G’duc look like huge long-shelled clams oriented vertically. The front of the shell parts to allow a single, bi-lobed foot to protrude at the bottom which they use like feet, shuffling along on land or as a flipper in water. The opening in their shell also allows the protrusion of their now modified tongue parts which they are able to work as tentacle arms for manipulating tools, though they do lack fine manipulation as they have no fingers. The most profound mutation of these clams, beyond that of sentience, is two eyes that protrude along with a collection of sensitive hairs from the topmost part of their shell. When threatened, a G’duc can tuck all its limbs and “head” into its shell and hold it shut with incredible strength (Str 18). G’duc do have a natural weapon in the form of a spray of toxic chemicals accumulated from their environment that they can squirt out of valve in their “head” at a single target at a time.

Mutations: Regenerative Capability, Toxic Weapon, Sensory Deficiency – Hearing, Sensory Deficiency – Sight.

Tidal Jelly

No. Enc.: 1d4 (1d4)

Alignment: Neutral

Movement: None

Armor Class: 9 (immune to physical attacks)

Hit Dice: 5

Attacks: 3 tentacles or 1 engulf

Damage: 1d6 + Class 5 poison (5d6) or engulf

Save: L5

Morale: N/A

Hoard Class: IV

Tidal jellies are a species of mutant jellyfish that has evolved to a stationary existence in the tidal regions along the coast. Rather than floating on the tides or undulating their way through the oceans, these jellies take up residence in holes that they clear out in the sand. Once in place, they will live their lives in that same place, widening the hole as they grow.

Tidal jellies do not move about seeking prey but lash out at it with their tentacles when they blunder near or engulfing those creatures that manage to step onto them. The tentacles strike out and deliver a wicked blow accompanied by numerous nematocyst poison darts delivering a flood of poison. One the victim succumbs to the venom they will be dragged into the central mass and digested. Digestion occurs at a rate of 1d4 damage per round.

Mutations: Toxic Attack - Class 5 Poison

Mutant Menaces - Mutants of the Plains

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:52:00 +0000

Rammit

No. Enc.: 1d4 (1d4)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 80’ (25’)
Armor Class: 4
Hit Dice: 6
Attacks: 1 (butt or trample)
Damage: 2d4 or 2d8
Save: L4
Morale: 6
Horde Class: None

Rammits are huge mutant rabbits that roam the plains and scrub forests of the North American continent. Their huge size and armored hides provide them with an effective defense against hunters and natural predators and so they are not fast-moving or even all that concerned with most other creatures. It should not be assumed that rammits are harmless, however, as when they do become roused from their normal docile state they can deliver serious damage by trampling or goring their opponents. Though the rammit has long tusks jutting from its upper jaw, these are not used for attack and are specifically used for digging up tubers and roots. Rammits are particularly hard to kill, but their meat makes attempting to do so well worth it. Protected by tough boney plates and ridges of spikes and horns, it can be difficult to score a telling blow.

Mutations: None

Go Ram
No. Enc.: 3d6 (3d6)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 240’ (80’)
Armor Class: 2
Hit Dice: 1
Attacks: 1 (butt or charge)
Damage: 1d6 or 4d6
Save: L3
Morale: 10
Horde Class: None

Sleek and impressive with their silver/blue skin and curved back-sweeping horns, these plains-dwelling mutated sheep have given up bulky wool and muscle for incredible speed. Travelling in small flocks of a dozen or so individuals, Go Rams streak about the wastes and the plains using their incredible travelling speeds to move to where the food is without having to spend too long in hostile habitats. This massive speed is aided by a mutation to the Go Ram’s feet that allow it to grow a naturally vulcanized rubber pad on its toes.

A flock of Go Rams is an incredible sight, reflecting the light in ways that are dazzling to the eye. This light show makes the individual Go Ram incredibly difficult to target and nearly impossible to pick out from his flock mates. When defending themselves these majestic creatures fight by butting with their horns in close quarters or use a full on ram attack with the full power of their speed behind them. Flocks of Go Rams will try to set enemies up for these devastating attacks by ganging up on them and keeping them at bay with constant close-in butting.

Mutations: Reflective Epidermis – Light (new), Dazzling Defense.

NEW MUTATION

Reflective Epidermis – Light (Physical)

This mutation works like other forms of Reflective Epidermis but imparts the defense against lasers.

Dazzling Defense (Physical)

The mutant’s body gives off a dazzling light show that makes it difficult to target him. Enemies fighting the mutant are -2 to hit with missile attacks.

Design Notes: The two beasties here were created as wilderness encounters as opposed to my earlier creatures that seemed a bit more place specific. Also both of these creatures provide a challenging possible food source for players to try and take advantage of.

[All artwork here is from my very own hand, drawn while at work and quickly scanned at home.]

Mutant Menaces - Mutant Crustaceans

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:46:00 +0000

Cliff Cray
No. Enc.: Solitary
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 60’ (20’)
Armor Class: 2
Hit Dice: 4
Attacks: 2 (pinchers)
Damage: 2d6/2d6
Save: L2
Morale: 5
Hoard Class:III

Cliff Crays are giant crayfish that have adapted to a life on land, dwelling in high places from natural cliff sides, to chasms, and even the empted and overgrown cities of the post-apocalyptic worlds. These huge crustaceans lay in wait, concealing themselves atop ledges or inside fissures where they strike with lightning fast pincers, grabbing and often killing pray with a single snatch.

The ability to conceal their huge bodies by using a camouflage mutation but they cannot hold it while active and any action will reveal them immediately.

Mutations: Chameleon Epidermis, Gigantism (+3), Quickness. Increased Balance

Muto
No. Enc.: 1d4 (3d4)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 120’ (40’)
Armor Class: 4
Hit Dice: 3
Attacks: 2 (pinchers)
Damage: 1d6/1d6
Save: L4
Morale: 3
Hoard Class:IX

The Muto are a race of mutant crabs that have moved to a subterranean existence. This move to a hidden way of life was originally made to get away from the increasingly hostile nature of the surface world. As they developed more and more they formed a society of their own and increased in both intelligence and size. Ultimately they became a sentient race of not only intelligent but psionic crustaceans.

The Muto now live their lives hiding away until they need something from the surface at which time they will send a few of their number up to the surface where they will use their mental abilities to manipulate, control or outright dominate other creatures into achieving their goals for them. Most often this is done to get agricultural goods, machinery for maintaining their tunnel homes, but other times it turns to the grim task of gathering meat. When it comes to gathering meat, the Muto will use their mind powers to capture prey and then take them to their tunnel homes to be devoured. The most disturbing aspect of this feeding is that they prefer the flesh of intelligent creatures.

Mutations: Gigantism (+1), Thermal Vision, Vision Impairment, Empathy, Force Screen, Increased Willpower, Mental Barrier, Mental Phantasm, Metaconcert, Neural Telepathy, Domination.

NEW MENTAL MUTATION

Domination

This is a power similar to the mental mutation of Possession but instead of completely linking with the victim, it allows the controlling mutant the benefit of detachment and thus he does not suffer damage or possibly death should this happen to the controlled victim. Also, the user of this power does not go dormant but does suffer a -3 to all actions performed while dominating another.

So, there it is, my second Mutant Future post. The pics were the inspiration and are used here with all respect and credit given to the artists.

Thanks for reading,

-Eli

Mutant Menaces - New Android Types for Mutant Future

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:03:00 +0000

Android, Soldier

No. Enc.: 1d6 (4d4)

Alignment: Neutral

Movement: 180’ (60’)

Armor Class: 3

Hit Dice: 75 hp

Attacks: 2

Damage: by weapon

Save: L6

Morale: 15

Hoard Class: None

Android soldiers were used to bolster the forces of conventional forces or by nations with strong moral objections toward wasting human life in battle. Increasingly more frequent in combat as the years of war and strife continued many of these mechanical killers were left after the cataclysm. Many nations had their own styles of android soldiers but all of them were designed to be sleek and athletic in appearance or menacing and overbearing.

In the days after the apocalypse rogue troops of android soldiers march through the wastes carrying out fragments of past missions or, more frighteningly, following objectives of their own. Very few of these android troops are very large, but most of them operate from camps or headquarters that can often serve as a base for dozens of them. Android soldiers fight with weapons they carry in their hands and do not have any built-in weaponry. Some android soldiers have been modified or have modified themselves to include built-in weapons but this is not standard and varies heavily from unit to unit.

For such modifications roll on the table below.

Number of Modifications

D6 Type of Modifications

1-2 One Weapon Mods

3 Two Weapon Mods

4 Defensive Mod

5 Weapon Mod & Defensive Mod

6 Exotic Mod – Pick one item not on these tables.

Weapon Modifications

D12 Item

1-3 Vibro Dagger

4 Vibro Sword

5 Vibro Dagger & Vibro Sword (counts a single mod)

6-9 Gauss Pistol

10 Gauss Machine Pistol

11 Laser Pistol Mk1

12 Plasma Pistol

Defensive Modifications

D6 Item

1-3 Advanced Metal (AC2)

4 LazAb (AC2 + Special)

5 Reactive (AC1)

6 Megatanium (AC-1)

Android, Worker
No. Enc.: 1d4 (2d4)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 100’ (30’)
Armor Class: 5
Hit Dice: 50 hp
Attacks: 4
Damage: by weapon
Save: L5
Morale: 13
Hoard Class: 20% chance of XV

Androids were used extensively for labor in the pre-apocalypse era. Grounds keepers, box movers, loading docks, furniture movers – any task formerly performed by people was often given to androids. Though other more use-form robots did exist, androids were used when appearances were important or where the piece of mind of humans was important. After the fall, worker androids still exist.

In many cases they have continued performing their original tasks. Sometimes these androids continue moving things or building things, accumulating large quantities of salvaged goods kept inside refurbished or newly constructed shelters, complexes or warehouses. In other cases, these workers have gone wrong and roam the world as brutish monsters. They bully towns for replacement parts or steal things thinking that they are in need of moving, gathering, or repair. Workers androids are sometimes sold or hire themselves out as henchmen or workers in trade for parts or the money to obtain them. The average worker android possesses as STR of 20.

Hope you enjoyed my take on a couple of new androids for Mutant Future. This is my first attempt at designing creatures for this setting but it was quite refeshing to go back to the freeform design philosophy of the old school RPGs.

Thanks,

-Eli

[Note: The image used here is from one of the old TSR versions of Gamma World. I have used it here out of love for these classic illustrations and no infringement upon trademark or IP is itended.]

Happy Turkpocalypse!

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:11:00 +0000

Hey all,

I am sure that many of you are away from your computers enjoying family time for Thanksgiving or perhaps taking advantage of the vacation day to get in some much needed rest or gaming time. Others of you may not have a holiday, but be assured that you are in my thoughts as I enjoy mine.

I would like to take this time to be thankful for all the loyal readers who stop here regular on their jaunts through the blogosphere. It is incredibly satisfying to read your comments and to know that my fun is also fun and inspiring to others.

So, if you have a turkey to chew on today, then do so with abandon otherwise, have a grand day of it and...

THANK YOU for reading as always.

-Eli

Elf Bait #2 - Humble Magic Items

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:47:00 +0000

Some of my favorite magic items in books and movies are the lesser items. There is something charming and endearing about these sorts of magic items and their humble abilities. Often made from unassuming materials and barely recognizable as magic items they are the stuff of hedge wizards, hermits, local priest, herbalists and witches. Simple charms, wands, local brews, all these things often get overlooked in a game but can add much in the way of depth and character to any campaign.

I have used these in my own games to great effect. I find that they help establish local feel and ethnic/regional concepts and ideals in a campaign setting. It doesn't take a lot to come up with a good simple magic item either. Pick a humble item with a bit of character - a charm, a drink, perhaps even an article of clothing and then give it some little, useful but not overly powerful ability. When I am creating these items, I tend to give them some sort of quirk as well. Drinks can be given unsavory flavors or slight side effects, ill odors, or being particularly volatile if exposed. Other items may be made awkward to carry or perhaps delicate, even unsafe.

Here are a few items I have created for my own campaigns -

Yakush Milk
Normally toxic the milk of the Yakush of Ravania can be distilled into a bitter, bracing brew that while being intoxicating, also provides the drinker with protection from the cold. This does not provide protection of cold-based attacks but does prevent harm from the environmental effects of cold temperatures well below freezing. A single dose of Yakush Milk will last the drinker six hours.

Graza Beans
Growing on stringy fines beneath stopped rock on the wind-swept chilled plains of eastern Ravania, these beans are a dry, pasty and wholly without much in the way of taste of any sort. They have in fact been described as tasting less interesting than the dirt they sprout from. A hand full of Graza Beans will fulfill the daily nourishment for a single person for an entire day, but have the unfortunate trait of not doing anything to counter the feelings and discomfort of hunger.

Liar's Cheese
This unassuming but tasty cheese hails from the lands of the Merchant Princes and has its origins as a tool for aiding in negotiation. It has over time spread throughout the Grey Lands and found a place in other areas besides commerce. This fame is all due to the fact that Liar's Cheese renders its eater incapable of telling a lie as if under the effects of a Truth spell.

There have been others, but this gives you a general idea of what I'm talking about. Give it a whirl and I think you'll find your players are feeling the world a bit more.

Take care,
-Eli

Alien Mercenaries in Miniature

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:24:00 +0000

After reading Mark's recent post at Dropship Horizon regarding the upcoming Critical Mass Games release of 15mm Alien Mercenary miniatures I got to thinking. Though I am not crazy about all of the aliens there is definitely some potential here and I can see some value in these releases.

Now, it seems to me that alien mercenaries is a great way to introduce creative, imaginative alien figures into the miniatures market with limited upfront risk. You release individual aliens or small groups of aliens serving "outside their regular sphere's of influence" as mercenaries, workers, etc. Then, after feedback comes in, the producer of these miniatures can see which aliens were received well and, if it seems doable, expand on them.

Expansions could take the form of more limited assets to bolster the existing alien mercs or even go so far as regular troops from the home territories of these aliens. Expeditionary forces, raider bands, etc would also make sense and would allow more aliens to get exposure while making sure the companies producing them don't take a bath (or at least reducing the chance).

Khurasan Miniatures has also let slip a mumble about something similar in a recent TMP thread, so perhaps this might very well become a trand. It would be interesting to see what comes of these two releases.

What do you think?

-Eli

Elf Bait #1 - Diseased and Dead For Good

emu2020@comcast.net (Eli Arndt) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:04:00 +0000

It seems to me that in most fantasy settings the dead or more specifically the undead and the diseased are almost always treated as forces of evil. This is understandable as such things fall on that side of the fence for most people and cultures. There are, however, many cases in the real world where such things are looked at in a different light.

I am aware that fantasy is not devoid of good undead or undead being used for good. The Bale Norns, of Forgotten Realms fame, are a good example being a type of elfin Lich that serves to protect their communities. My point here is to share some of my ideas that came to mind when asking myself about how these basic themes could be turned into something new and fresh.

The undead are the ones who are most often given a break. Modern fiction likes to paint pictures of the undead as tragic figures rather than villains but they still usually ride the fence. Ghosts have often been used as omens or agents for good such as in the timely tale of “A Christmas Carol”. Still though, these are more plot elements rather heroes in their own right.

The subject of plague, disease, infirmity doesn’t get cut so much of a break. Other than being a motivator or plot or the background of characters, disease is usually the realm of plague demons, evil wizards, or the byproduct or direct mechanism of evil that sweeps across the land.

There is no problem with this, but does it need to be so? I don’t think so and you may not as well. Though I have not used had a chance to use them in my games, I offer up to you a couple of ideas that I have had.

Leper Knights

An ancient and monastic order of warriors who are all possessed of various illnesses and maladies. These men believe that they have all been afflicted due to some misstep in their lives or for faults and/or crimes against their people and their deities. They have all vowed a life of service to the sick and rededicated themselves to their gods. In time of peace, they heel and look after those who have fallen ill and in times of war they take to the field, drawing on the strength of their resolve and in some cases the abilities granted them by their afflictions.

GM Notes: My idea here was for an order or holy or at least religious knights who take to the field in splendid armor and livery. Though they still carry a stigma among their people, they persevere and have decided to turn their maladies into a positive force. As this is a fantasy idea, I also figured that these ailments might grant them some bonuses.

Some madness and illnesses can provide enhanced physical capabilities. In addition, there are some of them who may have become numb to the pain either due to damage to their nerves or having become so used to it. Other cool effects could also come up such as berserker rages, damage reduction, and death frenzies. Then you can get into more arcane or magical afflictions – lycanthropy, magical curses or effects such as boiling blood or whatnot.

Municipal Undead

This is a simple idea in which a populace views its dead as a beneficial resource. They are not used for evil or for malice but to benefit their communities. These people likely see the bodies of their loved ones as mere vessels for their souls and, once emptied through proper ritual and observance of their rights of death, are perfectly usable for the benefit of the community.

Well, it was a short one, but I do hope you have enjoyed this first installment of Elf Bait. Keep looking for more and, if you'd like to see an idea of yours appear in Elf Bait then throw me an email and I'll throw it on up (subject to approval of course).

Take care,

-Eli