Rockin' Spycraft New Years Eve

For the 2nd (I think this is the second time) year in a row, we're playing Spycraft to ring in the new year*. While the Cuthberts were vacationing in the Caribbean (sp?), they must have been quite inspired for Chuck is running this game in that tropical locale. As I've said before, modern games aren't really my thing but Chuck does run some good Spycraft (an ability I'm certain his military background aids greatly). Last year we played through the midnight hour and toasted with champagne but this year we're gaming from 1 to 9pm since folks have to cut out early. Scot, for example, must be certain to have wife Zlatka home to Philly so she can work the next morning. How many folks shop at Lord & Taylor on New Year's Day I cannot fathom.

*If you investigate last year's post on this matter, you'll find that I think the new year's is a sham of a "holiday." We're celebrating the calendar! Whoopee! While we're at it, let's celebrate the changing of the months and have New Month's Day off. Now there's a holiday I can get behind. Despite my hostility to the tradition, enjoy yourselves this weekend. I think we've all earned it.

Time For Another Review

Temporality strikes again and inspires another review on RPGNow: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_reviews_info.php?products_id=6874&reviews_id=14842 (I'm pleased someone noticed the easter egg in the adventure hooks section)

And then there's my casino trip yesterday. Overall, naturally, I had a blast and I think Linda and Kristi did as well. Seems we weren't the only folks who weren't working and decided to go to Atlantic City though! The casinos were rather crowded and some quite smoky. Took $220 and returned with $130. The remainder has been returned to the work bonus envelope with the money I did not take with me which leaves a goodly number of bucks for indulgence purchases later.

Merry Christmas!

Yeah, yeah, it was yesterday and maybe you don't celebrate it. Too bad! Christmas was good to me this year. I snagged the following in no particular order: iPod Nano (wee!), 1 lb. vanilla butter creams, an "Ion" pen by Cross, new sweater, $25 Wawa gift card, my work bonus, new winter bed blanket, Marvin the Martian on a peanut butter cup-filled tree, and the 80s version of Trivial Pursuit (which my brother beat me at by a very slim margin last night).

A good haul, methinks. Some of my work bonus will be travelling with me, Linda, and her daughter Kristi to Atlantic City on Wednesday. If I'm really lucky, maybe I'll be receiving more bucks for the holiday! So did the rest of you pick up anything spiffy for the holiday? Maybe you gave something you're particularly proud of? Either way, I hope everyone's special time of year was indeed very special.

Ah, and before I forget (again). Here's the mock-up cover of the Hoards book I worked for so long to get published.


And it's appropriate for the season too!

Blade Barrier review

From prolific reviewer Chris Gath comes the next in his saga to review the BtS series: Blade Barrier. Check it out here: http://www.enworld.org/reviews.php?do=review&reviewid=3242236

So, what else is going on? Not much. I'm more or less taking a break for the holidays. Catching up on more reading (now on to Hand of Fire, the final leg in the Spellfire trilogy journey by Ed Greenwood) and need to make one last trip to the malls tonight. A Celtic store in Bethlehem called Donegal Square sends out a flyer in early December. After getting the coupon portion of it stamped, you can then cash it in for $20 during the week between Christmas and New Year's (with a purchase of $40 or more, naturally). I usually take that opportunity to pick up a neat celtic pin for cheap to add to my collection. Gotta do that and get my brother a card to stick his present into (you already knew your gift, Scot!).

Temporality Review

This one rolling in on d20zines: http://d20zines.com/v7/node/2977

The bumps and bruises of the book are laid bare but that's not a bad thing. I wasn't even aware of a missing table and I'm not sure the carry over to print changed anything. Oh well, what's done is done. Thanks for your time on this, Stephen!

Midnight's Mask

Just finished reading the third installment of Kemp's Erevis Cale trilogy. Pretty entertaining overall. Much like The Last Mythal I found myself turning pages with all due speed. Without spoiling anything for those yet to read the book, I can say that the characters filled out nicely and the resolution leaves sets up a large canvas on which to paint upcoming books. However, I did not care at all for the villain's scheme and I certainly won't be stealing it for my own campaign.

Watch Out...I'm Back!

Back home, that is. Perhaps even more exciting is the fact that the Behind the Spells compilation has been finished and handed in. As I thought, the final product does indeed weigh in at a little over 90,000 words. That's a lot of magical goodness! I'll keep you apprised as the book nears release.

"What's next?" you ask. Well, the only thing really pending is that fiction piece I was doing for Reality Deviants. I feel really bad about not getting that finished yet but it's not like I'm under contract or anything. Besides that, Phil and I were discussing a spin-off pdf series called Behind the Monsters (no, I am not kidding). Such a series would feature the origins, tactics, and what not of your favorite MM critters. Personally, I'm just not sure if I'm up for another series right now. There's also the discussion about tweaking the Behind the Spells series for use in OSRIC games. That might be easy enough to do in a relatively short time. We'll see.

As for Christmas shopping, I only have Scot yet to buy for. As requested, he'll likely get some money (hmmm, I think I mentioned this a few posts ago). We had our drug store Christmas dinner party last night at a nice restaurant called Oak Hill. I can tell you that their pecan crusted chicken is very good. For the gift exchange there, my sister Katy had my name and got me the first three seasons of the Gummi Bears! Yet another good cartoon you just don't see around anymore. Ah, soon my childhood shows will be mine again! After that, Katy, Linda, and I hopped out to Lehigh Valley for another round of shopping. All in all, it's been a very good week.

Elmore Sale

My inbox today held some advertising for a good sale going on for some classic Larry Elmore 80s D&D prints. Check them out if you're into the old school look: http://www.larryelmore.com/index.htm

Away & Book Review

I'm house-sitting this week at the Cuthberts (the owners of the furnished barn where we game) so don't expect too much chatter here at the Rest. It looks like I'll be finishing up a longish section explaining the "Spell Secrets" section of the Behind the Spells before handing it in. The book will be over 90k words so that's good enough for me. :)

Finished up The Last Mythal on Sunday and I have to admit that the trilogy was a good read after all. Thank goodness the central characters developed into likeable heroes and that Fflar really blossomed by the end. I've started Midnight's Mask by Paul Kemp and am enjoying it already (enough that I read 60+ pages before bed last night--a lot for me!). I really have to keep reading more as it nicely takes the edge off one's day.

What Happened?

How did a whole week go by without my posting anything? My three readers must be in withdrawal by now. Here's something cool--Phil just posted the top 20 products for November for Ronin Arts. Guess who has 5 products in the list: http://www.roninarts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24

More than halfway through the BtS marathon checking. I added a couple new things to Magic Missile (namely a new spell secret, new variant, and new magic item) in consideration of the average reviews for that issue. My planar players will recognize the new special weapon, the blastbow! Gives you a sci-fi feel without the sci-fi. :)

Christmas shopping continues apace. The only person on my list who is without a gift as of yet is Scot. Do I slip my bro some cash or try to think up the perfect gift (which might just be cash considering looming school loans)?