I have two 'playtest' games going on right now, both going in very different directions and
playing with different moving parts in the book and setting.
The first,
spun off my Spice Pirates funnel (which needs work) seems right now more focused
on exploring the Splinters and mucking about thereunto. We’ve a Cleric of Starfire, an apprentice
wizard (baby hedge witch really) who has pacted to Tamarah
(mistaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake!) and an urban confiscator running around the Las
Vegas of Splinter 1,9721 which looks an AWFUL lot like the late summer 2019 of
the real world.
This game
leans into the high metaphysics and fantasy elements of the setting. Also, this is by far the less cautious of the
two. Honestly, it’s a lot like this
And on the
other side of the aisle we have a small purge of Zeros in the Zero, one of many
subterranean levels of an overcrowded city-arcology on Maleth Noir, already up
to their knees and leg-segments in skullduggery and common criminal
activity. The sector has recently been scheduled
for total urban renewal so everyone in the ant hill is panicking and doing dumb
stuff that properly motivated player character sorts should fine properly opportunistic.
Oh, and
spies. Spies spies spies. Spies everywhere. But they haven’t figured that last
part out yet. Lots of overly cautious
paranoia. Fun, but slower.
Violence is
much harder to come by in the Imperial core and this game reflects that (whereas
the other party knocked of the head of a Great House before bouncing into the
Splinters; yes, even zeros can rock
hard). On Noir, though not even the
Security Forces have guns. There’s LOTS
of non-lethal stuff in Galaxy Black and so far, it’s playing together nicely
though things feel VERY different.
Warning: nudity, adult stuff, you know, the usual
What strikes
me as ironic is that both games ditch much of the central conceit o the book (being
a spacer, traveling through space and only stopping on worlds to get into
trouble) though the first one still accomplishes the same aims by other
means.
Other things
Am buttoning
down the final bits to get a print proof for Book of Scarlet Abomination. If it comes back okay, there should be a
small print run by the end of the year.
More on this as it unfolds but it’s in the works. It’s happening.
Had two
weeks in July spent dealing with a hard drive failure. In the end Tamarah called the solid-state
drive (Ten. Days. Out. Of. Warranty.) home.
There was some minimal data loss. And right now, the less I talk about
this the happier my superstitious ass will be.
So enough about that.
Editing CharGen
in Galaxy Black turned into a full revision.
I need to stop doing that some day right? Two classes are getting worked on otherwise
done. Gear is done, which is interesting
as I added two more mechanics to all items of equipment this pass (yes really). I have been recently looking at breaking the
text into smaller books, but I think ultimately, I’m going to stick to my guns
and just give ya’ll THE TOME. Even
with some very necessary cuts and a VAST amount of editing the book is still a
monster. Print copies of that bad boy
are going to be in hardcover. I’m
already looking at how I’m going to do that given how much planning that will
require. BUT until the text is set, I can’t go forward on that.
So, there we
are.
I have some
plans for post release support for Galaxy Black - about three volumes, I think. They’ll be meaty and as self-contained as I
can make them but will be enriched by using the big book with them. I could pro’lly push two of them out the
door now but doing so before the main book seems backwards.
If you think
otherwise, tell me. Please. :)
In any case
they’ll be support material plus a setting or subject with lots of support for
that setting or subject. Each is
wrapped around an adventure right now (all 0-1 FWIW). Each should have an accompanying article to
aid using the material with DCC but without Galaxy Black. Will be as long as they need to be, so pro’lly
50-75 pages each.
Through
the Walls of Mist and Thorn-Patrons of the Faery Chaos is about half written and
the rest is outlined and as laid out as can be sans text. I expect to finish this up after I’m done with
Galaxy Black but honestly if it gets done first, I would not be all that
surprised. It’s far along for a book “I
haven’t started working on yet.”
Patrons as a
way to describe a setting. I don’t
think a book like this has been done before and I’m not sure it will work but
the experiment is too good to pass up.
Probably
about sixty pages, say a little longer than BoSA but likely no more than that.
Oh yeah,
I said I’d share these
So, when the
Sirens found themselves in Vegas, they were all JUST BARELY level one. And but three of them plus an NPC or two.
But they are all (well all but one) aliens on planet earth so this limits their
activities somewhat.
Or would. The Friggian has a chameleon cloak with many
settings they got when they robbed a noble during the Spice Pirates has enabled
her to use her confiscator abilities on the casino floor (they’re at the Flamingo).
You can see
how much fun that’s going to be right?
So clearly
it seems to me, there will be a need for more zeros.
NEEDLESS to
say these are presented in the spirit of fun, and not to be taken at all
seriously. I feel a special need to point this out as these are zeros
(amusingly) drawn from something real world looking.
(VERY)
briefly
The
Splinter 1,9721 0-level occupation generator
All are
human, 1d4 HD, 3d6 in order, Neutral unless otherwise chosen. All speak and read/write American English
unless otherwise specified. All saves are +0, BAB is +0
Roll 1d16
1. Desert Dweller – your people have a
rich and ancient tie to the land here but they are long gone. You live on the outskirts of the city, away
from people, where you can stay in touch with the world around you without so
many pointless distractions. You have little but you know who you are.
Beat up pickup or van, working man’s clothes,
a family you miss dearly, d16$
2. Card shark – you
are a professional gambler, or more accurately, a professional cheater. You don’t think of it as cheating of course,
you just know the game well right?
Deck of cards, one decent outfit, one that
looks like it’s been slept in, half a clue,
2d30$
3. Conspiracy Nutter – you’re a
boring middle class nobody with an obsessive interest in the Illuminati, or
Area 51 (nearby!), or the global reptoid conspiracy, or communist fluoridation.
Whatever, no one’s listening to you anyway.
Old Acura that could stand a tune up. 16 maps of the identical stretch of desert,
badly maintained ham radio, mobile phone turned off with 16 messages from an
increasingly worried spouse, a credit card 120$ below the limit. Misdemeanor criminal record back home for
“spreading the truth.”
4. College student – You’re
enrolled at UNLV or possibly an unremarkable community college.
Backpack, mobile phone, expensive textbooks,
3d5x1000$ in student loans, battered rpg rulebook - OR - 36$ to live on for the
month
5. Drugged out magic bus hippy – you are a
few years late coming back from the Burn. Or was it Woodstock? Whatever. You have a nigh indestructible but often
broken down old van/bus and have been driving around the desert*G* for whatever
reason for a long long time. Welcome to
Las Vegas.
Magic bus, half a tank of fuel, dime bag of
oregano and sage, surprisingly robust set of tools and spare parts wrapped in
filthy poncho, 13% chance of clever dog or other pet / sidekick 5% chance/day
you will be harassed by the Sherriff’s office, Highway patrol, or other Secret
Agents of the Desert Gestapo MAAAAAAAAAAN
6. Elvis impersonator –
working another “wedding” huh? Hey it
pays the bills
Jumpsuit needs washing, it’s missing a few
rhinestones, keys to your car in impound, clean uniform for your waitress /wait staffing job.
Apartment you share with d3+3 others
7. Hitchhiker – Getting
away from something or going toward something?
While you’re on the road there’s not much difference. You’ve been hiking these back roads long
enough to know your way around, or think you do. You’ve probably seen some weird things.
Rucksack full of … stuff, rugged ripped up
jeans and such, dusty boots, blood crusted wrench “right where you can get at
it” (1d6 damage, not much good as a wrench anymore though)
+1 STA
8. Idiot on Family Vacation – you are a
perfectly normal middle class idiot but damn you are stupid. How your family puts up with or survives you
can only be explained by luck.
“Family truckster” – dodgy ass station wagon
with 1982 stylings, bloody dog leash, some serious issues, 1500 debts, and
warrant in two states
-1 Int, Agil,
and Pers
9. Runaway – either on your way
through, or stuck here, or trying to get out of here, you bailed on your home
life for whatever reason. Idealistic or survivor, your fate is now your own.
All your own.
Single set of clothes, backpack with 1d4 random
knickknacks of zero actual value, 1d4$
10. Semi-retired mob goon – you
were a nobody and now you’re a nobody but you’re a nobody who did some stuff
for somebody and now you can nobody where nobody knows you. Welcome to Vegas.
Paunch, bad suit, worse haircut, horrible
taste in shoes, phone number for several bookies who will not pay, 38 or 357
revolver
11. Stripper – it’s a
job. Pays better than yours. Fuck
off.
Apartment,
scooter, 2d100$, 13% of stalker (one other zero level randomly determined)
12. Strip rat – how
long have you been here? You don’t think of such things. On the nod, or off, you’re one of those
interchangeable Goth urchins constantly looking for their next score before
they scatter like rats before the man
Giant fucking hoodie with 1d16 pockets,
scuffed black outfit, track marks, powerful need to eat
+1 STA
13. Truck Driver -
Knife in your boot, rugged clothes, rig with
36 mos. of payments remaining, several tons of (1 frozen fish 2 medical supplies
3 spare parts 4 contraband)
14. Unemployed – you are
one missed opportunity from winding up like one of … them.
Apartment that needs cleaning, 5d100$ in
debts, car in shop requiring 800 $ labor and parts, 15% chance of 1d4 kids, 35%
chance of spouse or other adult in household, stink of pure desperation.
15. Unusual – you are a
bit one of a kind. Roll on Unusuals below
16.Washed up lounge singer – Wayne
Sinatra, or/with Dinah Warwick opening.
Orange tan, wash and wear outfit, pill
counter, stiff drink, memories.
The Unusuals Roll 1d4
Gabriella Raphael Anatoly
Russian –
Italian; father put first name down as the child’s surname before bailing;
likely grew up in the system
Killer,
berserker, absolutely ruthless towards those who would hurt or prey upon
children.
Add 2 to STR,
1 to Agil, and 1 to Sta. -1 to Pers and
remember you have a temper that flares at odd times. Regardless of stated alignment, when combat
starts you are functionally chaotic. When
fighting in defense of innocents, you gain 1d4 hp.
Brass knuckles, 26$, single rugged outfit,
broken nose (set and healing), 45 hours of remaining community service
Jeremiah Cornell
Impeccably
dressed androgynous Englishman quite possibly blissed out of their mind on
something … exotic.
Your own
history and recollections are subject to change without notice though you
seldom care. Your alignment is
implicitly Chaotic as you are the very spirit of change, brought unto this age
to turn the wheel. You often feel
destined for greater things.
Exquisitely maintained car with top of the
line sound system, needle gun, probable appearance of members of the Commedia
dell’arte in subsequent weeks
+2 PERS,
+1 AGIL, -2 STA, drug addiction of choice, fixation on sister
Sewer goblin – you
hitchhiked across the country on a truck of toxic waste to get here now you
must find the secret fairyland underneath the Strip. You are all alone and have never seen another
of your kind since leaving (1d4 1 Under-Chicago, 2 Secret New York, 3 the Cemetery
Drip of the under quarter (now flooded) or 4 Greater Outer Imperial Aerial
College of Oak Ridge)
3 foot height, 20’ infravision, skin that
does NOT tan well and prefers moonlight thanks, functionally you are a 0 level
Halfling who looks like they were smacked about by the ugly tree as a kid. At
level one you spend luck as Halflings do provided your motives are noble or
clever should you somehow live that long, none among you have done so since the
Haymarket riots.
Sexton
You’re….a
vampire actually. Slumming clearly but whatever. Ignore those weird attention attracting PCs
unless they really get your dander up…or get hungry.
HD 4d12;
need to consume 1d3 hp of blood loss per hd/day, plus one for every point of
damage taken. No natural healing
ability. Take 1 hp/hour in direct
sunlight.
No
ability to level or gain XP while remaining undead.
Stolen car with 1d3 bodies in the trunk. Reversible body bag in the back seat, pistol
grip shot gun with bird shot, silver ring, single outfit (1d3 1 impeccable
suit, somewhat out of fashion 2 leather
and ….more leather; easily mistaken for punk or metal head or poss bdsm
enthusiast 3 jeans and a t shirt, why?)
What’s going
on in town this week?
Anime convention – or gaming;
one of those – there really much of a difference at this point? Older characters may have a hard time telling
it apart from the AVN awards (below);
AVN awards – up to your tits in
journalist, nominee, creepy super fans
Gaming Convention – see Anime
convention above
Narcotics officers convention – square
and terrifying, like PTA for psychopaths
Someone attempts to rob a casino –
consider that if they were any good you’d never know about it.
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