I did survive....

... both the earthquake and the hurricane. Yep, I was shakened on Tuesday down in DC during the earthquake and stirred Saturday night/Sunday morning by Hurricane Irene, but the family came out okay. 39 hours on a generator and no significant damage. Took the day off today to recover, cleanup and help my parents who were without power much longer than I was even though they are not quite a mile away.

Musical atmosphere - The Yoshida Brothers

The first one, Kodo (Inside the Sun remix) is my favorite so far.

This one is intersting as well, Rising

A little slower in tempo, My Heart Holds

Sci-fi Inspiration - Part III

4E Homebrew Sandbox - Initial Map draft

This is my initial hack at a starting map for a sandbox campaign I'm getting ready to run.  The basic premise is that humans have been hidden on an island for 300 years or so and have just found their way back to mainland.  Due to population pressures there are many taking the month long journey for land and adventure.

Notable areas so far:

• Hergig - founded 20 years ago
• Military encampment by northern lake - secrets jealously guarded
• Lachenbad - farthermost settlement up the Hool River; home to hot springs; of much interest to sages from the Hochschule in Blauwestone
• Nueva Remas - a wretched hive of scum and villainy; pirates and scoundrels

Sci-fi inspiration - Part II

TAS travel guides tend to neglect to include a description of most lowports' seedier districts.  Courtesy of Coolvibe.

Sci-fi inspiration - Part I

When I was younger and first started to read sci-fi, before I new which authors I would later prefer, I would chose my book by the art on the cover.  I don't tend to do that anymore, but I still love to look at sci-fi art and use it for inspiration for the sci-fi worlds I imagine.  Found here at Coolvibe.

Another case of Gamer ADD?

Greg over at Dark Horse Game Design was kind enough to offer an invite for Google+, something I've been dying to sign up for.  I'm hoping that this will be come a useful tool for game networking, but ......

Of course I'm not a neophyte with computers, but sometimes I do miss the DOS prompt.

Update - It is official; I'm a dumb ass when it comes to understanding how social media works.

Shadowfell Gloomwrought

The Shadowfell Gloomwrought setting was one of my purchases during my spree at the going-out-of-business Borders the past week.  I perused it further a bit last night and was reminded of the 1990 Realm of Terror Ravenloft box set that TSR put out.  I can't say I'm overly impressed yet, but I'll wait to pass judgement until I've further digested the material.  I can say I do like most of the artwork though.

Looking for a few players to fill out new game group.

As the post title states, I'm looking for a few more players to add to my newly forming game group.  The group will meet at my home; I've got room for 5 or 6 players, plus myself.

Currently I'm looking to start a 4E game.  I've DM'd older versions of D&D and other games, so I'm confident that this will go well.

In the future, I envision that we'll have multiple DMs and play other games as well.  If you are a regular here you know my interests include Traveller, WFRP, Battletech and Modern/Spy games.  And lets not forget board games and wargames.

We'll start with a weekend day, maybe 4 or 5 hours and possible add weeknights if there is interest or time.  Feel free to drop me a line a aka.john.foster @ gmail DOT com to discuss or leave a comment.

Going back for seconds

I decided to raid the Columbia Borders to see if they had any Essentials products, especially the Dungeon Master's Kit, and I hit the jackpot.  Whereas the Annapolis Borders had been picked almost to the point where a Gelatinous Cube wouldn't find much of a meal, the Columbia store had tons of stuff.  Not only the other Essentials, but about 30 of the splat books, plus a number of other RPG products, mostly WFRP 3E.

So I picked up the Dungeon Master's Kit, The Wilderness tile set, The Shadowfell box set, DN1 & DN2 (dungeon tiles) and the Forgotten Realms hardcover.

So my two trips to Borders looking for bargains netted me around $275 worth of D&D materials all for around $185.  I would have gone to the FLGS, but I'm glad I decided to bargain shop first.  I'll go there when I use the remaining bit from my windfall for the missing Battletech core rulebook and maybe a few minis.

I've finally taken the plunge to 4E

It's official, I've finally bought some 4E materials.  I swung by Borders the other night and picked up the Rules Compendium, Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms, Heroes of the Fallen Lands, Monster Vault and Monster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Vale.

I'll probably be de-listed by the Old Skool blogs, even though I still like to game that way.  But I've played it now a few times over the last year and a half and it isn't as bad as some make it out to be.  I'd rather play 4E than not be able to find anyone to play an older edition.

An unexpected windfall!

But I need your help.

I work for a small, but national, non-profit in DC, that deals with public health.  In response to some extra work from the CDC this past fall, we've been swamped with work.  As the finance guy and the only member of the management team with any business acumen, I've been hard pressed as well.

The hard work has paid off, and we've found ourselves in the enviable position of adding a substantial amount to our reserve fund.  The CEO has decided to award everyone with a $250 gift card for the extra effort they displayed.

So why do I need your help?  Because this is my bonus!  And I plan on spending it on my gaming habit.  There isn't much left for my gaming allowance after my wife and daughter get their whack at our disposable income, so this one is all mine.  So fire away with suggestions please.

Some of the things I'm considering:

• 4E DM Kit (none of my 4E is non-electronic)
• Warhammer Fantasy Orc/Goblin Army accessories (but I've not finished assembling/painting what I already have)
• a 40K army
• Munchkin
• materials to make a gaming table