#dungeon23 Week 5 Roundup

#dungeon23, D&D, megadungeon, RPG

It’s been my final week in my current job. Which has seen three early shifts at the start of the week, followed by my two final shifts being lates.

Then in my spare time I’ve been to my next “gig” getting things in place for my start on Monday.

Because of the above I’ve missed the odd day this week. Which meant towards the end of the week I had a catch up day to get me back on track.

I don’t see things getting any easier in the next week or two.

This week did see the start of level 2. So we are now deeper into the megadungeon.

Things are going to start getting tougher.

The creatures for level 2 are coming from The Tome of Beasts 2 by Kobold Press. I love the creatures in this and Creature Codex. They are so fresh and cool to run.

Onto week 6…

Expeditions – Scythe Sequel Announced

news, Scythe

Last night Stonemaier Games announced a new game that is a sequel to my favourite game of all time Scythe called Expeditions.

Being a sequel obviously it’s set in the Scythe 1920’s alternate history Europe. However the events in Expeditions take place after those told in Scythe.

Expeditions is described as “a competitive, card-driven, engine-building game of exploration. It is designed to evoke similar feelings to Scythe even though the mechanisms are different.”

Stonemaier did this cool summary image about the game. Which I’ve embedded below. There is no point me repeating the info it contains.

I’m pretty excited about this announcement. We all know how I feel about Scythe. So a chance to revisit the world of Scythe, and that amazing art of Jakub Rozalski. Who wouldn’t be excited?

Encounters Teaser Trailer

I think this is one of the very few times that I regret this blog is not more popular and that I don’t do reviews. But that’s the sacrifice I make to be able to just write what I feel like or am currently interested in.

You can preorder Expeditions now. It should be noted that this isn’t the usual Stonemaier preorder. The game won’t actually be shipped until July. Production has started on the game. But the number of copies being made in this initial print run is governed by preorders plus an additional amount for those that might want it in July.

There is the difficult decision about which version to go for. There are two versions. A retail with plastic mech minis, or an ironclad version with metal mech minis. Which is the main difference.

Along with Expeditions releasing in July there will be the now obligatory Rolling Realms promo pack (also available as a preorder).

In the Facebook livestream Jamey did also say we will see another three promo realms for Rolling Realms around May time. But obviously those details will be announced nearer the time.

Another preorder you can do is a red tinted 5 value metal coin. Plus the new Scythe/Expeditions metal coin pack which contains said coin.

Here is the Expeditions link to preorder or get more info.

There was a second announcement, which sees Tapestry getting some love with a third and final expansion, Fantasies & Futures.

This new expansion gives us “10 new civilizations, 6 advanced capital city mats, 38 new tapestry cards, and 12 new tech cards”, plus “a comprehensive rulebook that organizes all rules for Tapestry and the 3 expansions in one place (as well as a few replacement cards from previous expansions: 3 landmark cards, Oil Paint, and Migration).”

There is also a “new “charm” mechanism that provides one-time bonuses”.

Fantasies & Futures is coming in an envelope type package.

Along side this expansion is an folded space insert that uses the core game box to store the core game plus all expansions.

These will go on preorder on 1st March.

Yeah I’m getting these two. Get everything in one box, plus more content. No brainer for me as a fan of the game.

Here is the Fantasies & Futures link.

Wait I’ve just realised I’ve gone the whole post without saying…

How did that happen?

dungeon23 Week 4 Roundup

#dungeon23, D&D, megadungeon, RPG

It’s been another busy week at work, so it’s been another struggle to keep to the daily schedule.

One thing I am enjoying about this project is the time I spend inking the map. Not only does it transform the map. But I do find the whole inking and doing the cross hatching very therapeutic.

I’m really shocked by that revelation.

I’d never have thought that doing the cross hatching especially would be so calming and relaxing. But it is.

I am wondering have I managed to tell a story, or at least attempted to tell one with the rooms on this level? Does it come across with the room names and descriptions?

I’m trying to tell two stories at once. That of the dungeon itself and the fall of the dwarven kingdom that built it, and also the story of the current inhabitants.

We’ll see how this progresses.

Next week we go down to level 2!

It’s VDD Day!

D&D, life, the universe, and everything, news, RPG, still alive

Another week has passed where I’ve written and played little.

It’s been the regular weekly pattern of work and sleep.

Work has been ballistic. Lots and lots of customers and no staff!

On the plus side I only have a week or five shifts left before my return.

Which means last nights club night will be my last (hopefully) one that I miss. It’s not great that the first two club nights of the new year I’ve had to miss.

At least I’m managing to find folks to play a game or two with on Sundays.

Now onto some D&D news that broke yesterday.

It’s pretty big news.

Remember all that #DnDBegone, boycott WotC and D&D stuff that happened over the last few weeks over the OGL 1.0a?

Well yesterday WotC announced a complete surrender over the issue after the survey feedback (so far) for their draft OGL 1.2 was overwhelmingly negative.

Der! They already knew that. The massive loss of D&DBeyond subscribers, the single voice of descent from content creators, social media.

I suspect this draft and survey were a ruse to allow WotC to backdown without losing face. Or that was the plan.

Whatever their motivation, we got to the right result that community were after. The OGL1.0a is safe. Plus the SRD 5.1 (that’s the document covered by the OGL that allows creators use core rules, classes, races, spells, etc) has been put under a Creative Commons license.

It’s a big win for the community.

The only question remaining is has this been enough to stop the haemorrhaging of creators and players? Or is this too late the damage has been done?

Wait, am I the bad guy here?

Game day

Yesterday I had a bloody great afternoon playing boardgames with my friend Jeff.

It’s been a while since I’ve played with Jeff. So it was really great that we could meet up and play a game or two.

After what has become a Sunday gaming thing for me of having a hot carvery roll (this week pork and stuffing) before starting, and a brief catch up. We played some games.

Our first game of the afternoon was Undaunted: Normandy.

Now those with a long memory will remember I had played Undaunted once before with Jonathan back in 2019.

On paper Undaunted should be right up my alley. Deckbuilding, modular board, World War 2 theme, etc. It ticks so many things I like.

But after my original play Jonathan and I were both left feeling a little meh! about the game. That’s despite at the time and since the majority of players loving it.

Yesterday Jeff and I played scenario 2: Montmartin-en-graignes. I was the bad guys, the German Army. Whilst Jeff played the forces of good, the Allies.

I had an enjoyable time playing Undaunted. But I’m still on the fence over it. It doesn’t for some reason rock my world. Which I can’t put my finger on why. As I wrote earlier it should.

Don’t get me wrong I’d play it again. But it’s not a game I’d go out of my way to play it.

Oh the Allies won.

Our second game of the afternoon was a new game to me Claustrophobia with the De Profundis expansion (or parts of).

For this first play I was the humans, which means Jeff was the demon forces.

Jeff chose the Survivors scenario for us to play. Which meant I had to find the exit and get at least two humans to it to win.

I was getting some Sub Terra vibes with the exploring and revealing tiles. I think the scenario helped with that.

But I also felt a Space Hulk like vibe too. With the one vs one, a small team trying to achieve a goal whilst facing off against insurmountable odds.

I like the map tiles being revealed and the demon player choosing the orientation. They can really screw over the human player. Plus the tiles can have a negative, positive, or neutral effect on either players when revealed.

It’s also a game that has gaming moments. Such as Jeff needing a single hit to kill one of my team. Rolling four dice and not a single hit. Oh the banter afterwards.

Our game ended in a draw because I managed to get a human to the exit. Whilst Jeff murdered the remaining three of my team.

How much did I like Claustrophobia? Enough to look into getting it for myself. However even the 2019 reprint is out of print. Which is a shame. I wouldn’t mind a copy in the collection.

Our third and final game of the afternoon was one from my pile of shame, Alhambra the dice game.

I got Alhambra the dice game a few years back now from Jonathan. And it’s sat on my shelf of shame ever since. It nearly got played on my last visit to Nathan. However it never made it to the table. But I did read the rules whilst there. It intrigued me that you had the “core” game, plus a variant that used the tiles from the original game.

However we were playing the “core” game with its two player rules. Which basically adds a third player.

The initial round of the game I wasn’t feeling the game. But then wow!

I really like this version of Alhambra. You have the whole push your luck Yahtzee dice rolling, majority area control, power ups.

Plus on each turn you have a hard decision of which building you are going to aim for. You can’t go for them all. At most you can try and get the majority on five of the six building types. Or you can try and get the top two majorities on one building pushing any other players out of the end of round scoring positions.

You may decide not to even go for a building type because you are too far behind on the scoring track for that building.

Then after round one, three, and five, points are awarded for how far up the scoring track you are for each building.

These are two simple mechanics that combine really well to present some interesting choices as you play.

Jeff romped home with the victory.

I can’t wait to play again, and try the variant using the original game.

I had a great afternoon gaming with Jeff. Who is just as competitive, if not more so than me. So no punches were pulled. However we both had fun.

But this was a rare two player game session. Which meant games we normally don’t get to the table because of the player count got to the table.

I look forward to repeating it soon.

#dungeon23 Week 3 Roundup

#dungeon23, D&D, megadungeon, RPG

It’s back to work and the varying shifts, and yet some how I’ve managed to get to the end of week 3.

The moving shifts such as three lates, a midday, followed by a couple of early shifts does take a toll.

Add in I’ve had to do stuff to get ready for starting a new job (more on that in a life, the universe, and coffee post).

Suddenly squeezing in this has been a challenge.

I feel as I’m coming up with these rooms that they are encounter light.

However this first level is meant for tier 1 parties, and story wise in my head is “controlled” by religious fanatics (priests, clerics, cultists, etc) loyal to the rising evil.

As we get deeper and closer to the rising evil we’ll see things get weirder and more monstrous.

I also don’t like my map until I have finished the inking on day 7. It’s only then that it comes together for me. Until then it doesn’t seem like a real map worthy of sharing.

Currently there is a Humble Bundle called “RPG Worlds by Kobold Press and Friends” going on that has one or two useful books for this challenge.

The one that sold it to me was Endless Encounters: Dungeons.

“Endless Encounters: Dungeons is an encounter and adventure generator for characters level 1-10 using the 5th edition game system!”

I looked at the sample pdf and instantly thought I want this book. In fact this has jumped onto my “I want a physical copy” list.

The others in this great bundle that I think will be useful for the challenge are Kobold Presses Vault of Magic, plus some bestiary that will be useful in sticking the megadungeon.

Change is a coming…

life, the universe, and everything, still alive

I thought I better post one of these “hey, I’m still alive posts”.

It’s been a busy week back at work.

After nine days off there is always that adjustment back to the routine of shift work. So I feel I’ve been extra tired it feels.

Plus the shift patterns this week has had me going from lates (that’s closing at midnight) to a mid shift, to opening up (that’s a 5:30 start).

That shift pattern is especially tiring as you get no downtime. It’s basically going to work, get some sleep, go to work. There seems no time to chill. To unwind.

However things are a changing on the work front.

Over the time I had off I got another job!

I hadn’t specifically been looking for one. But an opportunity came up.

One of my deciding factors in going for it and accepting the job offer was those shift patterns I described above. They are hard on me. But even harder on mum. They aren’t good for her health.

I discussed things with her naturally. Mums old school. Just like the Black Knight in the Monty Python and The Holy Grail, “it’s merely a flesh wound”. She said she could handle them. But these types of shift were a lot harder on her.

Apparently dog sitting my two little attack chihuahuas in combination with her dog and cat make it hard for her to get the rest she needs at her age. That’s my observation not hers. Although she does complain they keep her up and stop her sleeping (you should hear her when I visit Nathan).

So that was my deciding factor. I love my job and the folks I work with. It wasn’t an easy decision. But in the end mums health trumps everything.

Once I accepted the offer, and the agency negotiated an hourly pay rate (yeah seems the wrong way round I know) I was more than pleasantly surprised, taken aback, even shocked at my new pay rate.

So Tuesday on my return to work I handed in my notice.

Which means in two weeks time I finish at my current employer, and then a day later I start the new job.

Oh what’s the new job? Yeah I seem to have missed that bit out.

I’m returning to education and teaching computing and game design again.

So that’s a pretty big change I think you will agree.

I’m pretty excited about returning, but also sad because I really like my current role and work mates.

But more as things progress.

But as you can tell very little gaming has gone on this week. And the #dungeon23 post will be going up tonight.

However my physical copies of Ruins of the Grendleroot, and Fantastic Locations arrived at the start of the week.

I love the print quality of the soft cover books done by DriveThruRPG.

Until a crowdfunding project is run for the final version of City of Arches, I currently have two more books to get physically to have the Sly Flourish set.

I’m looking forward to dropping these into the campaign in the future.

That’s it for now. The tl;dr is job changing, not much else gone on.

Two days of gaming

Game day

Sunday afternoon saw Charlene, Ben, and Harrison met up with yours truly to play some games!

We started off with Tapestry and both expansions. Yes an “all in” game using the new Tapestry neoprene playmat that Stonemaier sell.

It’s a beautiful mat.

You can see below who played which civilisations. We did apply the appropriate civilisation adjustments from the Arts and Architects expansion.

Who played which civilisation in Tapestry

Now I should really be posting the three minute video of Ben taking one of his goes. But that’d be cruel. But he was beautiful minding it at the time.

In the end Ben’s Futurists ran away with the victory. Falling short of breaking the 300 point barrier. But still a final score of 282 was pretty impressive.

Our second and final game of the afternoon was another Stonemaier game Red Rising.

Back when Red Rising first came out I wasn’t grabbed by what I saw of the game play. At the time I thought the game wasn’t for me.

Reflecting on this I think it was I had one image of what the game would be based on what Jamey had initial described the game as. Which I thought sounded right up my street. Then the actually game play details game out and it wasn’t what I thought. Feeling a little disappointed I decided that this wasn’t a game I’d enjoy. So I never got it.

However now I’ve played Red Rising all I can say is I was wrong. This is very much a game I enjoy.

I liked it a lot. So much so my next order from Stonemaier will indeed include Red Rising (ok I took a break from writing this to order it, along with the playmat!)

Who played which “faction” in Red Rising

This was a lot of fun. How many more ways can I say I liked the game?

I loved that each player had a unique power.

I thought the hand management side was cool. Towards the end I didn’t want to play any cards as I wanted to keep them all. Mainly because they triggered off of each other for end game scoring.

I liked how once you play a card for its ability you then have the tough decision (potentially) of which card to pick up. The card you want may not be in the right column for you to get the reward you want. Then you have to decide which to go for.

In the end Charlene triggered the end of the game and got the victory.

This was the deluxe version of the game, and as usual the component quality was very high.

Monday was a gaming morning with Diego.

Our first game of the morning was Long Shot the dice game.

I really do like this game. I needed a game like this in my collection. If there was a choice between this and Camel Up, this would win hands down every time.

Next up we learnt Silver and Gold.

Wow. This is a fun, quick, flip and write.

It’s definitely not even close to being a heavy roll/flip and write.

This is a nice little filler game. Yep twenty – thirty minutes to play. That quick.

Diego just pipped me to the win.

Finally our morning of gaming was finished off with a game of Splendor Duel, and a big thrashing by Diego. Yep my streak of having never won a game of Splendor in all its forms continues.

A distinct lack of wins the last two days. But still had great fun playing with friends.

Oops I did it again, no title!

fps, nintendo, switch, video games

I have a blog post pile of shame.

Sitting in my draft folder are posts I started but not finished.

One day I plan to return to them and finish what I started.

A couple of those posts are the final two posts that complete my replay of Portal (which I need to finish, I am near the end) and my thoughts on playing the Portal boardgame. These two are a priority.

But even with those posts haunting me (we won’t mention my Alien isolation post). When a new arrival comes in like “I’m too young to die“ by Bitmap Books for me to read, new post ideas instantly jump to mind.

I’d love to do a series of posts playing through all the different versions of Doom that I have (on the Switch at the moment). Whilst playing the original I’d reread the books I have on the game, Masters of Doom, and DOOM:SCARYDARKFAST. Then as I bore you with my posts I’ll try and work in my personal stuff along with snippets picked up from the books.

I’d love. No really I would. To get my hands on both versions of the Doom boardgame, play them, and write about that experience to. But that is a pipe dream. Cost and available funds will be a factor stopping this.

I have similar plans for other video games I have books on to. Such as Final Fantasy 7, Tempest, Metal Slug series, Mario 2 & 3.

I need to revisit the Bioshock series and play the boardgame I’ve never got to the table.

Then there is Skyrim. I own it on the Switch but never played it until two days ago whilst at Nathan’s (I started the game, and now a couple of hours in).

Sadly my preferred publisher Boss Fight Books hasn’t done a book on Skyrim. And I’m not seeing any books out there that are similar to the sort Boss Fight produce or I have in my collection.

I’m not sure what I can add to the coverage of Skyrim. But we will see how that goes.

In the meantime I need to come up with a plan that enables me to finish some of those draft posts, and write new ones. Life would be so much easier with a big lottery win!

Growing as a DM – a plan

con DM/GM, D&D, flgs DM/GM, RPG

One of my personal rpg goals this year is to DM/GM (hopefully) a D&D game at a con or FLGS.

Obviously it’d be a one shot. Especially at a con.

I already have the Matt Colville Lost Tomb of Delian Order, or Sly Flourish’s The Obsidian Skull (from the City of Arches) that both make great single session adventures.

Plus I have a copy of the Frank Mentzer single map (Dyson Logo version) AND an A3 printout of the classic Keep on the Borderland dungeon.

Add in my copies of the Lazy DM Workbook and Companion are always in my bag. Which will be joined by his Ruins of Grendleroot and Fantastic Locations.

I nearly forgot my cards that allow me to generate dungeons completely on the fly. Plus the npc cards.

I could at the drop of a hat improvise a session. But as a DM I’m a long way off being that good.

However being a patreon of Sly Flourish I have access to some patreon exclusive adventures. There are three adventures that I have had printed out that potentially could be used at either a con or FLGS. But they are by the looks of them a couple of sessions minimum. One is aimed at a one on one session (DM plus player).

I also took the opportunity to print out the City of Arches source book as a temporary stop gap until an official version can be purchased (a Kickstarter is planned for later this year).

These have been added to the folder.

I’m not up to going through the official UKGE channels and running a session that people buy tickets for. So in the run up to the UKGE I will try to organise something informal at the show.

In the meantime if an opportunity comes up to run a session at my FLGS I’ll take it as that will help build my confidence.