Clash of Arms Cavalry: Flying Solo

So, for the first time in, well, forever, I've released a book under my Vigilance Press logo. Clash of Arms: Cavalry will give folks a new core class (the cavalryman, oddly enough) and a look at the development of cavalry tactics and technology throughout history.

It clocks in at 12 pages, and I'm pretty psyched about it overall.

Of course, I have some people to think, I didn't do it all myself. David Jarvis did the layout and helped me with the cover (choosing a border around the image that made it easy to, you know, read the title as a thumbnail) and Paul King gave me the peace of mind of a thorough read through.

Mostly though, I'd like to thank God for just letting me compete.

More True 20 on the way

In case you folks haven't noticed, True 20 is becoming one of my favorite systems. I just knocked out another WWII book you should be seeing soon, German Aircraft of WWII, and Im writing another True 20 book.

OSRIC Unearthed

OSRIC Unearthed is out!

Man, I had a blast writing this, talk about a trip down memory lane.

It doubles the number of classes from the core rules, adding some regional combat variants like the Barbarian, Knight and the Samurai, two classes focused on unarmed combat, the Brawler and the Yamabushi, some new stealth classes like the Ninja and Thief-Acrobat and then some new support classes, including the Bard and Noble.

I also worked up some martial arts rules, 1st edition style, some new weapons and magic items and a couple of brief campaign descriptions giving you some pointers to create a campaign with a specific feel, either Arthurian or Oriental.

Thoughts on Rome Season 2

I thought the first season of Rome was some of the best television I've ever watched. As the show worked its way slowly toward a second season, I asked myself, how could they possibly top the first season?

Well I have to say, not only is the second season as good as the first, it just might be better.

Spam Haiku

"Sharon shares personal entry journals that recount her despair"

Pretty good. It's a little TOO coherent though, perhaps demonstrating that the composer's native language is English.

Still, a B- for being a creepifying non-sequitur.

True 20 Wild West released

Well I've been hinting about this for awhile, wasn't really able to say more until it was out.

And now, the time has come. True 20 Wild West is my latest book and it's a 114-page PDF. For now it's available only at the Green Ronin online store but I expect it will be available elsewhere in the fullness of time.

That said, the Green Ronin online store is awesome, so don't hesitate to buy it there and give them MAXIMUM encouragement to ask me back to do another one.

Chuck

OSRIC Unearthed

So I mentioned in a comment below there's a couple things in the hopper that I can't quite talk about yet, both for True 20.

However, I do think I can mention a book I'm doing for Phil's Ronin Arts, a crunch supplement for OSRIC called OSRIC Unearthed.

I've mentioned before that I like OSRIC. I like the whole thing (obscure Angel reference).

So I've done a little book (when I say little I mean 30-40 pages) that will have new classes, weapons, rules for martial arts, magic items and a couple of brief campaign set-ups for OSRIC.

I really think it's a nice addition to a nice system.

Serenity: Han and Kirk moments

I was watching Serenity the other because, well, I always watch Serenity. One of the best movies ever made. It's on my shelf right next to Star Trek II and Heat: Special Edition.

That should tell you everything you need to know about my reverence for the movie.

Now, of course the Captain of Serenity, Mal, is a take on Han Solo. And to acknowledge that legacy, while also making a funny statement on the whole "Han shot first" fiasco, Joss has Mal kill not ONE man in cold blood, but THREE (this was done as a conscious statement, Joss mentions it in the DVD commentary).

A nice touch.

But there's another legacy Mal shares. While Mal is a take on Han solo, he's also the opposite
of the idealistic Kirk. Joss mentions this obliquely in spots, usually talking about the ship itself, stating on numerous occasions that "Serenity is the ship getting tossed around in the Enterprise's wake, and the Enterprise doesn't even notice her as she blows past".

And there's an anti-Kirk moment in Serenity. For those who watch the Original Trek on a loop, like, well, again, me, there are numerous moments in Trek where Kirk goes bravely into danger, giving a final order to Spock or Scotty (whoever he's leaving behind) that 'if I'm not back in 30 minutes, you take the ship and get her out of harm's way".

In Serenity, Mal has a moment exactly like this, where he goes in, alone, to rescue Inara from the Operative. And his last command to Zoe is "if I'm not back in 30 minutes, you take the ship, and you come and rescue me".

It's an awesome "Mal is not a Federation Captain" moment.

Chuck

PS I freaking LOVE Wikipedia. Why is this statement here? Because there was not only an article there titled "Han Shot First", but in writing this post, I went to Wikipedia and typed into the search field "Han Shot First" in TOTAL confidence that I would get an article explaining that phrase to anyone reading this who wanted a little more info on that issue.

Don't try this at... well... anywhere really

The first rule of Park Ranger club is, don't poke a leopard in the face with a stick.



Where the hell is Jim Fowler when you need him.

Fake Hamlets

I also read that a new Hamlet movie is being planned.

Richard Burbage is dead! Richard Burbage IS Hamlet!

He CREATED him!

First Starsky and Hutch and now this! Will this remake fad ever end?

Fake Doctors

I'd just like to take this opportunity to emplore people not to support this new, fake Dr. Who. William Hartnell IS Dr. Who, he CREATED the role.

Why can't the BBC let Dr. Who rest in peace? Why must they continue to shove these fake Doctors down our throats?

In case you haven't figured it out yet, this is an homage to all the posts I've been reading on Trek forums about the TRAVESTY, TRAVESTY I say!!! that is the recasting of James T. Kirk for the upcoming Star Trek XI movie that's just been greenlit.

What. Is. Up.

I've been really busy lately. Always a good thing. Especially when one is no longer gainfully employed in the "Im on salary so I always get a check" way.

[JJ Jameson]Jobs?!? No Jobs! Freelance! Best thing for a kid your age![/JJ Jameson]

As you can see by the column to the right, nothing I've written for other companies has come out yet, but that's about to change in the next week or so. More when I can say so.

I've already written two True 20 settings, one big and one small, I just edited a 75 page book for RPGO and I'm still writing small WWII-themed books.

Oh yeah, and Im writing an OSRIC book too. I really like OSRIC.

OSRIC!

For those who don't know what this is, OSRIC stands for the Old School Reference and Index Compilation. It's D&D 1st edition, reverse-engineered through the SRD and offered as a free PDF at various outlets.

I love this idea, and I love this rule set.

It fulfills its purpose perfectly: providing a way, through the Open Gaming License for new supplements to be produced that are 1st edition compliant.