Derby City Comic Con & some podcasts

I've been whining for years that we need more geeky conventions in the Kentuckiana area (Louisville Metro & Southern Indiana area). I don't care if it is a gaming conor a comic con, I just want something close to home.

I get tired of listening to all these podcasters and bloggers talking about their home town cons and I got nothing. Granted Gen Con is only an hour and a half away, but it's kind of expensive to go to that, even for one day. Well it seems my wish has been granted. A few weeks ago I was catching up on some of my podcasts, I listen to a lot of podcasts, and came across an episode that mentioned the Derby City Comic Con in Louisville.

***** Before I get any emails about it, I didn't forget about Conglomeration. I have never gone but it just seems that gaming has a very small presence and I've never known anyone that actually went. I've tried emailing them to get more info over the past 3-4 years, but have never gotten a response. I figured that if they didn't care enough to respond to a potential customer's email, they must not want my money and I'm happy to spend it on more gaming stuff somewhere else.*****

I've lived in this area my whole life and I've never heard of this con before so I Googled it and sure enough there is a comic book convention being held at the Kentucky Convention Center on July 16th. They're going to have guest comic book creators and everything. This is awesome!

I'm not sure how strong of a presence gaming will have at the Derby City Comic Con, but the vendors that are there do sell gaming stuff. So maybe. Besides $7 to get into a comic book convention is awesome. Even if I only get a couple things out of some quarter boxes, take some pictures of people in costume and maybe get a picture of a comic book creator, even a lesser known one, it's still worth $7. It'll be fun and if enough people show up it may be bigger next year.

On to a different topic.

Since I mentioned that I listen to a lot of audio podcasts (I have an hour commute and do a lot of walking... love my ipod), most of which I am very behind on at the moment, I thought I'd recommend some of my favorites.

The Nut Gallery Review: A movie review and geeky podcast by occasional Geek Gazette blogger Jason James and some other great guys from up north, but I don't hold that against them. (Sorry gang I'm trying to catch up)

3.5 Private Sanctuary: I really like their Know Direction episodes, although they're all pretty good. Their stuff from Paizo con was really great for those of us that couldn't make it.

Thaco's Hammer: As a 2e AD&D fan this is a must listen show. It is very well put together and fun to listen to. Even if you don't play 2e I recommend giving this a try.

Paranormal Podcast: Even though I'm a big skeptic, Jim Harold does a great job with this show. I really enjoy this one and get some great gaming adventure ideas from it as well.


DC Noise: This is one of those strange shows that I can't stop listening to even though there are better shows out there. It's really just some guys sitting and talking. It literally seems as if you are just listening in on their phone conversations.
There is no format and no real direction to each episode, but buried in most episodes is some really good comic book discussion. My number one complaint is that the episodes could use some editing to get rid of the dead time. Definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but I like it, mostly.

Comic Vine Podcast: A pretty good comic book discussion show.

The Backroom: This and Comic Vine are probably my two favorite comic book podcasts

Pulp Gamer out of Character: I'm not a huge Pulp Gamer fan, but of their numerous shows I really enjoy this one.

4 Geeks 4e: I may not be a big 4e fan, but I really like this show. I only wish they put out episodes on a more regular schedule.


Chronicles: Pathfinder Podcast: Some of the episodes are pretty long (3 or more hours), but still there is a lot of good content.

Dragons Landing Inn: Chuck and Lonnie haven't done a new episode in a while, but I still enjoy listening to the old ones. One of the first podcasts I ever listened to and still one of my favorites. If only they would restart the show.

Will Wonder Woman ever really be as iconic as Superman & Batman?

While I am a WW fan, most people can't relate to the characters. She's just too foreign and few creators "get" her.
Superman may be an alien, but he is a messianic figure, who embodies hope. He had an American, midwestern upbringing and even to non-christians his values are familiar. He is a man out of place, who lost a family/people that he never got to know, and who seeks to connect to his heritage. He is also alone even though he has people who care for him. These are all things that most people can relate to on some level.
Batman is the very embodiment of loss, tragedy, alienation, the battle with inner demons and the desire for vengeance.
Both characters are fantastical representations of the "masks" that most people have to wear. Everyone must be different in different situations. They are also both representations of mankind's desire to make their environment safe and to have the power to fight those that are more powerful.
Wonder Woman has very little of that.
First she is a woman and unfortunately many people, including women, are prone to see strong women as a threat, not role-models. Most societies on this planet are patriarchal and while views are still evolving and maturing, the image of a powerful woman is still not as desirable as a powerful male savior. Secondly, she has little that the audience, mostly men, can relate to on a personal level. She's clay, given life by greek gods. Even among the non-religious this concept is someone "foreign" in many cultures where the Abrahamic religions are prominent.
Lastly, with the exception of the current storyline, WW is a princess, who regularly chats it up with gods, she has a "family" that loves her and she isn't out for vengeance. She is trying to assume a messianic role as a peace ambassador, but even that is not something most males(the majority of readers) can relate to. She does have the battle between her warrior nature and her desire for peace, but that's about as close as she gets to seeming human and sometimes that seems forced. She's just a little too perfect.
Batman, Superman, Spider-man, Capt. America, Iron Man, Hulk, and countless other characters all have very human inner and outer battles. Money, love, loss, rejection, desire and isolation are all traits shared by the more popular (Iconic) characters. That's why people can relate to them.
If you ask the average non-comic book reader to tell you about Superman, Batman, Spider-man and Hulk (Thanks to the movies and cartoons you could possibly add Wolverine, Iron Man, Fantastic Four, Ghost Rider, Blade and Green Lantern) they will hit on many of the very human traits that have helped these characters survive for so long. The traits and fears they will hit upon are are almost universally shared by all people.
Now if you ask them to do the same thing with Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Thor or the Flash you will get completely different answers. Wonder Woman will likely be associated with being sexy/wearing a sexy outfit, magic lassos, and invisible planes. With Aquaman you'll get swims, talks to fish and maybe the color of his costume. With Thor you might be lucky to get someone to mention his hammer and with Flash you'll get "he runs fast" and maybe the color red.
There is a reason characters like Wonder Woman are not as successful outside of the realm of comics. Even in comics Wonder Woman is the only one of DC's trinity that doesn't have more than one title. I could be wrong, but I think that she barely sells enough to support even that one.
I'm not bashing her. Hell, she's one of my favorites, but honestly most little girls would rather grow up to be Supergirl than Wonder Woman.
If her current storyline had been her origin or were to become the definitive WW, then this might change. As much as people may dislike the costume change, the current direction of her book has made her much more human than before. I for one hope it continues. It could be exactly what she needs to truly be the icon she is supposed to be.

RPGNow 20 for $10

I've been out of the loop for a bit so I don't know if anyone else on the RPGBN has posted about this, but it still deserves another mention.

RPGNow is trying to "jump start the gamer economy here at the start of the year" by offering 20 pdfs from various game publishers for only $10. Normally I only give deals like this a passing glance because most of the titles are likely on sale because no one really wants them. This is not one of those times.

The sale features books from Margaret Weis Productions such as the Battlestar Galactica core rules, Geist: The Sin Eaters core rules from White Wolf and Mutants & Masterminds 2e core rules from Green Ronin, among others. There are a few titles listed that I'm not familiar with and that don't seem like my cup of tea, but I want copies of at least half of the books on the list. Even the M&M 2e books, which I already own in hardcopy. I don't actually need it but $10 is too good to pass up for a portable copy. Just don't tell my wife, she'd probably kick my butt.

I finally broke down and bought the Savage Worlds Explorer's Edition pdf recently, so am thinking about picking up  Deadlands for SW to use as I learn the system. For $10 a piece I can afford to buy a few books and at that price I think I can tolerate printing them out to use.

These are the prices that pdfs should be all the time. I'd buy a lot more of them if that were the case.

RPGNow 20 for $10 page.

New RPG "The World of Chronos Guidebook"

The World of Chronos gaming company is proud to announce the release of their newest role-playing game called, "The World of Chronos Guidebook". The guidebook, the first for the fledgling company, is sure to catch the attention of the gaming community because of its 100% character customization. Unlike other games in the RPG genre, the World of Chronos Guidebook doesn't utilize any set templates; instead, players choose abilities for their characters using a point system, allowing for every character to be completely unique from all others. The World of Chronos gaming company feels this game will re-invigorate the role-playing game genre and bring the company to the forefront of the gaming industry. For more information, visit the website at http://www.worldofchronos.com/.

Sounds like it could be fun, besides the company is right here in my home state.

Jason James
www.thenutgallery.com

Mutant Epoch

The Mutant Epoch is a science-fantasy role playing game coming out from Outland Arts in early 2010. The game takes place in the 27th century where bio engineering, and contamination has caused plant and animal life to evolve quickly and in “fantastic” ways.
Mutant Epoch uses the Outland System Game Mechanic and while the system may be unique to Outland Arts it is still a traditional role playing system. From what I have read it is meant to allow “fast paced adventure action “ and still have “as much character to character interaction and story narrative as desired.” Like most games it is advised that the game master be familiar with the rules (a GM’s work is never done), but the game is designed to allow even a new player to catch on quickly, without worrying about a lot of reading or complicated math.
The game uses character types in place of races, as all the characters are assumed to be of human ancestry. There seems to be quite a variety of player character types such as Clones, Bioreplicas, Cyborgs, Mutants and unmutated humans. The Beta copy I have also mentions that there will be other character types available through the Mutant Epoch electronic magazine and expansion rule books that will be released to support the game.
Character generation seems like it will be fairly similar to most rpg’s and relatively easy to understand. Mutant Epoch uses the percentile (d100) dice for combat and character generation but all the standard polyhedron dice gamers are familiar with are used in the game. PC’s will have 8 basic traits in place of ability scores and as your PC goes up in rank (similar to leveling up) they will gain bonuses to their traits. They can also acquire permanent penalties to their scores in the event of serious injures or illness.
The main objective of the game seems to be more focused on survival in this harsh futuristic world than the old standard of adventuring for treasure; although I am sure you can do that too.. While I have only had glimpses of the world and the creatures that the characters will encounter I have to say I am intrigued by this game. The setting and character types seem to be flexible and varied enough to satisfy any type of gamer. I will definitely be sharing more information about this Mutant Epoch as I find it. In the mean time go to the site and check it out for yourself.
There are several nice downloads so you can preview the game on the site.

Open d6

Open d6 article on Examiner.com

I honestly have never tried the d6 system, or any product by West End Games, but I'm thinking of picking up at least one of the core books. Probably d6 Fantasy and if I like it maybe I'll buy more. If the system is as fast and friendly as I've heard it may deserve some more support and promotion from the RPG fan community.

WotC drops pdf, Other Publishers Try to Draw in Customers

As anyone who reads the RPG blogs knows WotC pulled all of its pdf products from every online distributor with almost no advance notice. To make matters worse, fans who previously bought WotC products as pdf's have lost the ability to redownload their books from the sites where they bought them. Though pdf's can technically last forever, as they only exist in digital form, this decision means that if your hard drive crashes and you didn't back up your pdf's, they are lost forever and you wasted good money. WotC cited piracy as the basis of the decision but some think it was, as Geek Related put it, just a "dick move" by the industry giant.

While it has been said that this decision may benefit brick and mortar stores, which is a good thing, it has also further lessened the image people have of the company. Because WotC has seemingly shown little regard for its partners and fans with some of their choices over the past few years (lying to fans, laying off good employees, cease and desist letters to fan sites, suspending publication of magazines, pulling licenses, etc.), their image has been tarnished substantially in the eyes of many. This is just another reason for fans to turn to some of the other companies that put out quality products

As one of the companies affected by WotC's decision, the former publisher of 3e products, Paizo, is offering 35% off Pathfinder pdf products in retaliation, according to ICv2. White Wolf, who some consider to be #2 in the RPG industry, is offering the second edition of Exalted free through RPG now and if you use the code, wwlovesyou, (expires April 12) you can also get a one time, 10% discount on any White Wolf pdf. Green Ronin, makers of the Mutants & Masterminds RPG, are now offering their True 20 pdf for $9.99, likely in an attempt to take advantage of fans' response to WotC's decision.

WotC, and by default Hasbro, may hold the license to the biggest name in the RPG industry, but with so many complaints arising since the announcement of 4e, I wonder how long before a competitor steps into the top spot. Right now any lessening of the brand is detremental to the industry, since a very large portion of new rpg gamers get their start playing Dungeons & Dragons. If long time fans begin turning away from the game that started the hobby, and a lesser known brand takes top spot, will the new top dog have what it takes to draw in new players? Or will D&D remain the game that brings in the ever dwindling new gamer, while experienced players support another system? I almost hope that Paizo, Green Ronin, Kenzer or one of the many other quality game producers does have what it takes to knock WotC down a peg of two, draw in new gamers, and hopefully breath new life in to the hobby.

While WotC says they are not abandoning the idea of digital distribution of their products, they will be doing it on their terms from now on. Given the companies near inability to follow through on any digital initiative they have attempted, DDi still isn't what they promised and it's been almost a year since 4e's release, I tend to think they may have bitten off more than they can chew once again. However, this time the fans may not be as forgiving.

For a list of other pdf deals from some of the other great RPG companies out there, in response to WotC's decision, check out the great post over at Mad Brew Labs.
I also recommend reading the 10 Theories About WotC's Bonehead Decision as well as this post from RPGpundit

Top Cow Subscriptions

I love being able to subscribe to the comics I want to read. Not only does it allow me to make sure I get every issue, but I don't have to make the hour long drive to the nearest comic book shop. It kind of upsets me that few companies offer subscriptions anymore. Heroic Publishing, DC and Marvel are pretty much the only companies I've found that still offer this service. Although DC & Marvel don't offer every series, they do offer quite a few, which is better than nothing. But what if you really enjoy reading Image, Dynamite, Dark Horse or other comics that don't offer subscriptions and you don't have a shop anywhere near you, well for the most part you are screwed and have to use some type of online order service. Although that may be changing soon.
Top Cow is now offering subscriptions to their books through Mayhem Comics. The prices don't seem to be too bad, a few bucks less than in the shops, but at least now you can get the latest issue of Witchblade or Darkness.They offer 6 or 12 month subscriptions as well as subscriptions for limited series such as Black Vault. This is something Marvel and DC should do more of.

The Big Dog Falls to the Back of the Pack.

According to numerous sources Sony has fallen to the number 3 spot in the console wars. The Wii came in at #1, X-box 360 at #2 and the PS3 is trudging along in third place. The do it all PSP is falling behind the DS and even the iPhone in sales. I never really considered the iPhone a handheld gaming machine, but I guess I was wrong.

Despite having the superior hardware in both the console and handheld markets (at least when comparing the PSP to the DS), Sony just can't over take the competition. Some claim that the lack of exclusive games, as most such as GTA IV and FF XIII are/will be available on both Microsoft's and Sony's machines. Plus both franchises have games that are or will soon be released on both the DS and PSP. No one seems willing to make exclusive games anymore, which makes sense to me. Why put all your eggs in one basket when you can double or triple sales by having your game on multiple consoles?

Many claim that lack of innovation is hurting Sony. Sure the PS3 packs more punch but no developers are really pushing the envelope and exploiting the potential of the machine. The video format wars seems to have cooled off and it looks like Blu-ray isn't as in demand as people thought it would be. Honestly I only know a few people that even have a HD TV so an HD gaming system or movie player just doesn't make sense to them. They simply don't care. After all a Blu-ray pretty much looks like any other DVD on a non-HD TV, so why bother shelling out for something that makes little to no difference in your life. The X-box and Wii are both cheaper and for hard core gamers the X-box has most of the same games. The Wii has innovative, though gimmicky, game play that kids, casual gamers and even grandma can enjoy. To make matters worse if you look around you can buy Blu-ray players and either an X-box 360 arcade (I wouldn't have one, but that's just me) or a Wii for the same or less than you can get a PS3. Besides if the rumors are true Blu-ray may be going the way of the Laser Disc from back in the 80's... remember those? Unless your as old as me, probably not.

Even though the DS can't touch the PSP in terms of power, it has a touch screen, which in turn make the device seem more advanced. The iPhone has a touch screen and it is "The Phone" to own, ergo the DS must be more advanced as well. Sure the PSP can render 3d graphics, play mp3s, movies, games, browse the internet, offer free internet radio, and act as a phone, but it doesn't have a touch screen... so it must be outdated. Plus it uses those loud and slow disc while the other one has those cute, silent little cards. At least that is how people not in the know look at it (i.e. grandparents and parents shopping for the kiddies).

So let us compare:
Wii- innovative game play, family friendly, affordable and it is from Nintendo... everyone loves Nintendo, internet browsing, some free online apps, Mii's, DS connectivity, backwards compatible with Game Cube (big plus especially in my household) and has a library of older games (nostalgia is a big selling point) that can be downloaded and played. From classic Mario to Animal Crossing, this system really does have something to offer every generation of gamer. Sure it isn't that powerful and the games are generally cartoonish, but damn some of them are fun.

X-box 360- 3 different versions to fit any budget, most of the same games as PS3( Final Fantasy on X-box!!!!), Halo, network gaming (though you do have to pay for the good stuff... yuck), it can connect to netflix (that's awesome), movies and shows available on the Microsoft Network, wireless controllers, internet connectivity (though you need a hard drive, and the wireless adapter is sold seperatedly, but you can use a LAN line), more powerful than the Wii, backwards compatibility with X-box ( big plus), connectivity with the Zune is coming soon (someone actually owns a Zune? Wow...).

PS3- most powerful system, even though they aren't exclusive anymore the big games are still on this system, free network play (though not as developed as on the X-box), can run Linux (that's cool), has wireless internet connectivity built in, Movies, games and shows available on the Playstation Network(most of which can then be transferred to your PSP), connectivity to the PSP (you can actually use your PSP to contact your PS3 from anywhere in the world if you have a wireless internet connection), no more backwards compatibility (that sucks!), wireless controllers, Blu-ray player, 2 different models (total of 5 if you count models that are no longer manufactured, but could be available on ebay) though the cheapest model is still as much as the most expensive X-box.

In our house we love our video games. We have several systems from previous generations, a Super NES, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, PS1, PS2, X-box, and a Game Cube. In the hand held department we each have a Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy SP, and Nintendo DS, while I alone have a PSP(that's because I'm the most awesomest!). BTW I love my PSP... it is my hand held system of choice and I take it nearly everywhere. At the behest of my significant other and our youngin', Santa brought a Wii into our happy gaming family. While I personally have only a mild interest in the system (I do like customizing Miis, bowling is kinda fun too), I can't decide which system to get next. In the past I made my decision based solely on Final Fantasy, Sony had it Microsoft didn't, easy choice. I can't do that now.

So now I am left with making my choice based on other criteria.
1. I love my PSP and the PS3 works with it...
2. X-box 360 will allow me to watch my netflix without my computer... man that rocks!
3. Both are capable of wireless internet, but I'd have to pay more to get the X-box up to par... which would make the 2 systems comparable in price in the end...(the Microsoft wireless adapter cost about $100, though I'm sure I can find someplace to save a few bucks), but I can always just run a LAN line under the floor to the TV room....additional cost ($0) because I already have the cable and router.
4. I want to play DC Universe online and Sony has free online play... YEAH!
5. I want to play Champions Online, but Microsoft charges for online play... that sux (additional costs).
6. PS3 plays Blu-ray... but I own too many DVD's to start replacing my entire collection... again! I've still got some VHS I haven't replace yet! Though it does play DVDs as well...
7. X-box also plays DVDs, at least I think it still does.
8. I can still play most of my old X-box games on the 360.
9. I can't play any of my PS2 games on the PS3... unless I track down an out of date model.
10. The red ring of death... is that problem taken care of yet?
11. All the negative press regarding the PS3 is troublesome.
12. Who really cares if either system plays DVDs... I have 3 DVD players, not to mention several computers that play DVDs in my house already. I want a kick ass gaming system!


As it stands right now I am heavily leaning towards an X-box 360, but man do I really want a PS3.... It just looks as if the 360 is the system to get at the moment. If some of the rumors I've heard are true, the PS3 and the PSP are in for a major overhaul in 09. So maybe it isn't the time to invest in Sony again, at least not yet.

Not much time to game.

As some may have noticed my posting has been a bit slim this month and that is intentional. Gaming has had to take a back seat to work, Christmas shopping, finals and grad school preparation, I take the GRE today. A test on Christmas Eve!!!! Yup, it sucks.  

Anyway with all of that on my plate, I haven't done a whole lot of gaming this month. I have a stack of RPG books, adventures, magazines, comics and video games I haven't even looked at over the past few weeks. I've hardly had time to catch a hockey game, thank goodness for radio webcasts. (I'm listening to the Blues, my team, get stomped by the Red Wings as I type this.)

Anyway I will be posting more after the holidays are over. I still have plenty of new product reviews to get to, as well as some retro-reviews I've been wanting to do. There is just so much going on that I haven't been able to keep up, thankfully most of the gang on the RPGBloggers network have been doing a fantastic job of staying on top of things.

 

Everyone Got Rick Rolled

I was at work on Thanksgiving, so I completely missed this. Apparently the entire viewing audience got Rick Rolled. This just goes to show how much the internet and technology influences our lives. I actually think this is pretty funny... I hate the song, but the fact that this happened during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is hilarious.

No more D&D for me... for a while

I'm taking this holiday season off from D&D. I'm a bit tired of all the hype, trash talking and in fighting among fans (I've done my fair share of all of them) about 4e and have decided to remove myself from the whole mess for a while. I have expressed my likes and dislikes for the system, argued my points, and mentioned WotC's inability to deliver as/when promised more than once.
I still like the 4e system, but for the remainder of the year I will not play D&D or talk about the game on this blog. I am declaring for the rest of the year, I will not post any opinions or reviews of the game. I don't even plan to post any news items. There are so many other blogs that will pick up any important D&D news, I know there will be more than enough quality info out there. If you don't believe me check out all the great blogs over at RPGbloggers, you won't be disappointed.
My brain is over saturated with anti-WotC sentiment, much of which I have caused and this has removed some of the fun for a game I have loved for too many years. So I'm taking this time to recharge my gaming batteries. After the new year maybe I will be able to look at the game the way I use to.
Granted there are only a handful of weeks left in the year, but my next 4-5 weeks will be D&D free.
This is my end of year resolution... no D&D for me.

Kinda busy lately

For regular readers of the Gazette I must apologize for not posting a great deal of material lately. It has been a busy few weeks and there really wasn't much time. As a matter of fact I'm doing this post in between classes so that I can get it done. Going back to college, working full time and taking care of the family is a daunting task, as many of you know.
So while the past few weeks may be a bit thin on content, I hope to rectify that soon. I have some new reviews (although some of the products I'll be reviewing are not that new), a few ideas I would like to share on horror gaming (it is October after all), some music reviews, the annual Geek Gazette Christmas list, some comic book reviews and a couple of short stories. Keep in mind the stories are first drafts so don't expect brilliance, but I wanted to churn them out and get them up before Halloween.

WotC News

This is actually a piece I got off of ICv2.

**“We are changing our approach to our minis product line,” Wizards of the Coast Senior Brand Manager for D&D Scott Rouse said of the company’s major changes to Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures. WotC will move the line away from fully randomized packaging beginning next year. The final 2008 release, Demonweb, will be the last D&D Minis release sold in that format. WotC will also offer more player character minis and more large figures.

Two new series will begin in 2009: Players Handbook Heroes and Monster Manual.**

Apparently the new format will allow you to buy the sets you want to get the minis you need/want for your games. I think the change was as much for the RPG gamers as it was for the minis gamers. Even if you only want to get a specific type of mini you will still need to buy multiple packs to get what you want, so they aren't really losing out on sales. Unless of course you are an extremely lucky individual who gets exactly what they want every time. If you are tell me how you do it.

Also in WotC news on ICv2:

**One other interesting item from the conference call came in response to a question about when Hasbro’s various investment initiatives were going to start paying off. The first thing CFO David Hargreaves mentioned was the revenue potential at the recently restructured Wizards of the Coast digital initiative (see “WotC Pulls the Plug on Gleemax”). “I think in terms of the Wizards of the Coast digital initiative, we should have revenue coming on tap," he said. "I think we are going out with a subscription based site there" (see “4th Edition D&D Insider”). D&D Insider has launched with limited functionality and a lower than anticipated subscription fee, with more features and higher prices to follow. **

Higher Prices!!!! Glad I decided not to subscribe.

Superhero Larping? Except you could really get shot!

I'm a gamer and a comic book geek through and through. I love my superheroes and like many others have argued the merit of one character/power over another, rolled up and roleplayed more than a few in an attempt to get a taste of what being a superhero is like. I've even spent more than a few moments fantasizing about being a superhero, but I have never truly considered becoming one, for real. I mean who in their right mind would run around in spandex, which is very unflattering, and face down real criminals, with real guns... not me.

However, there are people in the world who are doing just that. This is the ultimate superhero LARP, playing superhero in the real world, fighting the never ending battle, which seems like it would be cool, but I just can't get past the bad guys using real guns part.

In a Rolling Stone article I found online, it appears there are more than a few people around the world that have decided to take on the role of caped crusader in their own neighborhoods. Some are even banding together and forming super teams. The avid comic book fan and major geek in me thinks this is the coolest shit I have ever heard and wants to get out there myself... well in spirit at least. The Mental Health Professional (once I get my degree and take my boards) in me finds this behavior disturbing and wonders why seemingly normal people would even consider doing something this ridiculous. Now I can tell just by reading the RS article that the characters featured in the article have had some traumas in their lives and escaped into a fantasy world, that they then merged with the real world. There is definitely some attention seeking behavior at play, but more impressive than all the psychobabble I can come up with is their unshakable belief in doing good. Their need to make the world a better place in some small way. I find that both fascinating and inspiring.

These people have taken something many of us daydream about and spend hours rolling dice to recreate, and they live it. They seem to have just a touch of Peter Pan in them, refusing to grow up, and yet still taking responsibility for their fellow man. They are trying to take the weight of the world on to their shoulders, even though no one asked them to. Are they mentally unbalanced... probably, but I can't help hoping that one of these guys will be around if I or a loved one ever needs them.

If you want to learn more about these real life Superheroes, or feel the overwhelming need to don spandex here are some links that you may find useful.

World Superhero Registry
Heroes Network
The Green Scorpion (based in Arizona)
Superhero Lives
Wolrdwide Heroes Organization
Justice Society of Justice (based in Indianapolis)
Superhero (based in Florida)
Master Legend (based in Florida)
Dark Guardian (based in New York)
Hero Gear

Avast! It's talk like a pirate day....Arrrr!

It is that time of year again, International Talk Like a Pirate Day. So get out with your mateys, grab some grog and drink up me hearties... yo ho! (But do so responsibly... I was going to make a booty comment here, but thought better of it.)

Talk Like a Pirate
Another Pirate Link
and another link
and another
and another

Some songs to sing while you enjoy your grog.

YO HO (A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME)
Lyrics by Xavier Atencio and music by George Bruns

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot,
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We extort, we pilfer, we filch, and sack,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
Maraud and embezzle, and even high-jack,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We kindle and char, inflame and ignite,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
We burn up the city, we're really a fright,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We're rascals, scoundrels, villans, and knaves,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We're beggars and blighters, ne'er-do-well cads,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Dead Man's Chest

Verse 1. Fifteen men on a dead man's chest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Drink and the devil had done for the rest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
The mate was fixed by the bosun's pike
The bosun brained with a marlinspike
And cookey's throat was marked belike
It had been gripped by fingers ten;
And there they lay, all good dead men
Like break o'day in a boozing ken

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

Verse 2. Fifteen men of the whole ship's list
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Dead and be damned and the rest gone whist!
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
The skipper lay with his nob in gore
Where the scullion's axe his cheek had shore
And the scullion he was stabbed times four
And there they lay, and the soggy skies
Dripped down in up-staring eyes
In murk sunset and foul sunrise
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

Verse 3. Fifteen men of 'em stiff and stark
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Ten of the crew had the murder mark!
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers' glut with a rotting red
And there they lay, aye, damn my eyes
Looking up at paradise
All souls bound just contrawise
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

Verse 4. Fifteen men of 'em good and true
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Ev'ry man jack could ha' sailed with Old Pew,
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
There was chest on chest of Spanish gold
With a ton of plate in the middle hold
And the cabins riot of stuff untold,
And they lay there that took the plum
With sightless glare and their lips struck dumb
While we shared all by the rule of thumb,
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

Verse 5. More was seen through a sternlight screen...
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Chartings undoubt where a woman had been
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
'Twas a flimsy shift on a bunker cot
With a dirk slit sheer through the bosom spot
And the lace stiff dry in a purplish blot
Oh was she wench or some shudderin' maid
That dared the knife and took the blade
By God! she had stuff for a plucky jade
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

Verse 6. Fifteen men on a dead man's chest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Drink and the devil had done for the rest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
We wrapped 'em all in a mains'l tight
With twice ten turns of a hawser's bight
And we heaved 'em over and out of sight,
With a Yo-Heave-Ho! and a fare-you-well
And a sudden plunge in the sullen swell
Ten fathoms deep on the road to hell,
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

and one more for good measure

Hoist the Colours Lyrics- Hans Zimmer
The king and his men,
Stole the Queen from her bed,
And bound her in her Bones,
The seas be ours,
And by the powers,
Where we will, we'll roam.

Yo Ho, haul together,
Hoist the colours high,
Heave Ho, Theives and Beggars,
Never Shall We Die!

Some men have died,
And some are alive,
And others sail on the sea,
With the keys to the cage...
And the Devil to pay,
We lay to Fiddler's Green!

The Bell has been raised,
From it's watery grave...
Do you hear it's sepulchral tone?
We are a call to all,
Pay heed the squall,
And turn your sail toward home!

Yo Ho haul, together,
Hoist the colours high
Heave Ho, Theives and Beggars,
Never Shall We Die!

In celebration of TLAPD here are some Pirate gaming sites.
7th Sea RPG
Pirates of the Burning Sea Online Game
Pirates of the Caribbean Online
RPGNow Talk Like a Pirate Sale!

Quick Reviews: Monte Cook's World of Darkness

I have never been a fan of White Wolf’s World of Darkness games (Vampire, Werewolf, etc.), but I was definitely looking forward to this book. It is not only a beautiful book, but a dang fine read(Yes I said dang). Even if you never play the game the book is a great source of ideas. Much of the book is written as a narrative by “people” from the World of Darkness Earth.

Basically it is Rifts meets The World of Darkness meets d20. There is a semi apocalypse caused by a “rift” that unleashes magic, demons, vamps and other creepy crawlies into our world. The magic system is more fluid than in the core d20 rules and I like it. Magic isn’t necessarily something that is taught, but something that is felt. Mages don’t have to remember spells and as long as they have what is necessary to cast a spell, they can. Though it is stated the classes from this game can be used in other d20 games, they are set at higher power levels.

The great thing about this book is that it is d20 and compatible with the 3.5 rules. I have run several d20 modern games using this setting and everyone of them was a hit. Should you buy it? If you like horror themed games and the d20 Modern system, then yes. If you are already a fan of the standard White Wolf version, maybe not.