Back from the North!

After a visit up to La Union with Alex, Lenard and Ross for a project, I'm finally back here at home with my computer. The trip was interesting to say the least, with the infernal bus rides of around 6 hours long.

The bus rides were long but a considerably amusing experience, with the lessons of freezing buses at night, and the mouthy grandmother who complained to anyone about anything. Add mighty balancing food vendors, the occasional missing passenger and a late night viewing of 13th Warrior, and I can say that I wasn't too bored.

The trip consisted of taking a lot of pictures off the digital camera for a project, but we did get to take a few pictures including:

Secret Agent Alex doing his best Solid Snake Impression!


and The Funky Eagle Plane!

Little known RPGs... This one's for the stingy people

Hey guys,

The RPG community in the Philippines is still not exactly large enough to be recognizable, unlike the gigantic behemoth that is the Pinoy anime community. As such, I guess it's time to hit low by promoting RPGs that require next to nothing to get into. In fact, I'm linking to several places where people can get samplers of games that are currently in the market.

As my Uncle say, "Free is very good price"

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1. Final Stand by Tim Denee

Final Stand can be best described as "one part Tekken and two parts Kung Fu Theatre". This 23 page PDF download contains one of the most amusing combat systems I have ever encountered in any game, amateur or professional.

Set in a rather generic backdrop known as Big City, Final Stand has a five minute character creation process using Stereotypes from Chinese movies that anyone can immediately recognize. In fact, playing up the quirks of each stereotype actually rewards the Character with Chi that he can use in combat.

Fast, Fun and a must have in any RPG collection.

2. Exalted Quickstart Rules by White Wolf Publishing

Exalted. By far the best new fantasy game out there that isn't related to d20, Exalted has players taking the roles of demigods. Champions of the gods whose awesome powers and incredible deeds can build kingdoms and topple empires. Anime-influenced action, epic storylines equal to Greek myths and storytelling potential that White Wolf is famous for.

While this free quickstart has some information on the game, I'd highly recommend checking out the real thing. I might cover Exalted's expansive setting in another article.

3.) Spycraft Lite by Alderac Entertainment

d20 Fans shouldn't be disappointed, at least one of the developers has decided that it would be good to show what their game can do without any cash out. Spycraft is a game of modern espionage much to the tune of Mission: Impossible. Unlike most other d20 books, Spycraft's Corebook doesn't require the use of any of the D&D corebooks to use... as long as you know how to generate character scores.

Game wise, Spycraft is excellent. While a little heavy on the GM planning part, the game boasts of excellent classes and gadgets to get the espionage vibe going on any dungeon delving group. For Spycraft Lite Character Sheets, click here.

4. Steampunk Mafia by Jay Steven Anyong

This alternate world game takes place in a fictional American City known as New Providence in the middle of 1920. It was a time of terror, as the mafia families took to the streets, robbing banks and stealing from businesses without fear. The police were powerless to stop them, because the Mafia had one very powerful advantage: 12 foot tall, Steampowered Mecha known as Kodiaks.

Players can take the side of either the Mafia or the Police and take to the streets to either protect, or conquer New Providence. This RPG is complete and free, and is designed by me. If you've got time, download it and give it a shot, heck you could even review it and post your thoughts over in the comments section, I'd be glad to hear from any of you.

Little known RPGs...

Given my penchant for running into strange games, I'm thinking of doing a series blogs about games that I personally think would rock, but aren't available here.

First up would be Jadeclaw, by Sanguine Productions Ltd.



Just what is Jadeclaw, anyway?

Jadeclaw would be pretty much summed up as an Anthropomorphic Fantasy Roleplaying Game set in a place that is similar to Mythic China. The one thing different about it though, is that you don't play humans. You play animals.

Remember all the Disney TV shows you've seen like Duck Tales, Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers and Tale Spin? Think about that and you've sort of got an idea of what the characters look like. While some people don't really care much for "furries", I think that the decision to make a game like this using animal races adds to the charm of the game.



Click on the picture to see a bigger version (opens in a new window)

So we've got humanoid animals running around a setting that's a reflection of Mythic China, what now?

Well, for one thing, Jadeclaw is actually pretty well recognized for the fact that it has a very well thought out setting, complete with Myths and a history of it's own Emperors and legendary heroes. Players can create pretty much any kind of character they want, from Serene Panda Monks, to wily Snake Advisors, to powerful Monkey Sorcerors to even roguish Fox Swordsmen.

The thing that I think is key to RPGs is that the setting has to be large enough to sustain a campaign. In this case, Jadeclaw has it in spades. To check out a rather lengthy (but very cool) background on the setting, click here

I'm pretty much impressed by this game despite the fact that Sanguine Productions isn't a very large company, and they don't have that much in terms of Marketing budget as compared to White Wolf or Wizards of the Coast. However, they've done very well in making the setting for the game, and while I've heard some detractors to the system it uses (number one complaint being the fact that the system get's very complex at times) I'm sure that it's still a book that's definitely worth checking out.

If it ever finds it's way over here, of course.

"I hate you, Milkman Dan"

If there's one particular comic strip character that truly makes my evil side laugh, it would definitely be Milkman Dan, the evil milkman who perpetually torments Karen in Red Meat.

here are a few examples of his utter lack of mercy:





of course, Karen is a quick learner.



interestingly enough, there's one particular strip in the series that made me wonder why I had a warm fuzzy feeling when I read it:

Just another day for a god of war...

The steady beating of wardrums, accompanied by the steady rhythm of the clanking armor of a hundred thousand troops marching in perfect formation drew Harkan's attention.

Harkan stood alone at the bottom of a smoking crater, a massive pit of upturned soil and broken bodies. Tendrils of steam rose from the bone dry soil and the charred corpses around him, scraps of armor welded to dead flesh. Even as the cacophony drew nearer, Harkan nonchalantly made his way up the slope of the crater. Over him, the clouds grew dark with the promise of rain.

Harkan stepped out of the crater into the grassy battlefield, watching as the sounds stopped. A forest of weapons and warbanners filled the horizon, an army, twice as numerous as the one before stood before him.

With a loud cry, the army began to descend upon him, the ordered marching devolving into an ear-shattering rumble, the very earth shaking at their steps. Harkan raised his hand to the sky and called forth his blade, a massive bolt of lightning arcing down to the palm of his hand. Wrapping his hand on the shaft of the lighting bolt, he drew it in, shaping it to the form of a glowing, crackling sword.

It was then when the rain fell, a massive downpour followed by torrential winds, forcing soldiers to the ground. Harkan marched wordlessly, swinging his blade in crackling arcs, hewing easily through shields and swords alike, leaving nothing behind but smoking severed limbs and the groans of dying men...

There's something eeriely true about this result...

A very "special" dictionary. by lily22
Look up:
Definition:	The sensation of suddenly feeling that your entire life is a plot device.
Created with the ORIGINAL MemeGen!

Creative Commons

Hey guys,

I've stumbled upon a site called Creative Commons, it's a website for an initiative to create a different kind of Copyright. Instead of a complete copyright, it enables people to cover some of their rights while allowing other people in the web to alter, distribute or sell it depending on how the author allows it to be.

The cool thing about it is that it allows individuals to tailor their own copyright and it produces three versions, a People-readable version, a Lawyer-readable version and a Machine readable version. Either way, it covers all your bases and gives you control on how you want your work to be protected.

Since I'm not all that well versed in it, check out the flash video explaining how the whole thing works.

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Speaking of creative endeavors, I've got the updated version of my FREE pen and paper RPG creation, Steampunk Mafia up over here! Please check it out if you guys can and tell me what you think. :) It's been improved since the last update, with a little more background information on the setting, a new character sheet and cleaned up rules for the Kodiaks.

Well, I think that's it for now. I'll catch you guys later!

Who says that old art can't be good?

Check this out:



Well, okay it's about knights (again) but heck forgive my fascination with them. Anyway, the point I was trying to make is that this little illustration over here was actually painted way back in 1917, by an American painter by the name of N.C. Wyeth.

Admittedly, it's a very well done piece, and I'm sure a lot of illustrators today (like a few guys which paint the images for Magic: the Gathering cards) could pick up a thing or two from this guy.

SF Nostalgia part 2: Battle Angel Alita

I remember reading through Battle Angel Alita in comic book form way back in High School. A classmate was generous enough to lend me his copy and I was hooked.

The story of a cyborg girl who was found in a scrap heap by a mysterious doctor (who weilds one of the coolest weapons I've seen, the Rocket Hammer!) and repaired to find her true self was something that struck me as very cool.

Alita's struggle to find her identity, coupled with the emotions of a human faced with a world that is essentially a post-apocalyptic scrap heap made for a fascinating read.

Of course, the action of the series was also fantastic, as it turns out that Alita somehow retains the knowledge of the supreme cyborg martial arts known as the "Panzer Kunst" (as evidenced by the picture above). In the course of her adventures, she switches bodies several times, joins a futuristic killer sport known as Motor Ball, and (in the anime at least) falls in love.

If you guys haven't read the comics, give it a shot. The anime is also very well done, even if the violence is rather on the high side.

In tribute to my favorite Space Opera Series...

I'm suffering from a nostalgic fit right now, and to be perfectly honest, I feel like putting up a little tribute to The Metabarons, a comic book series by Alexandro Jodorowsky. To those unfamiliar with the series (which will be a lot of people) try picking it up in your local comic book stores. It's a series with an insane idea with every page but has the storytelling punch of a Greek Myth.

Anyway, what brought about this particular post is news I saw here regarding DC comics picking up the Humanoids TPBs and converting them to the smaller format (no more oversized books, I guess...) and the Metabarons is one of them. :D

Vin, if you're reading this, I have yet to get the first compilation as well as Warrior and Poet. :) Good news is that Dreamshifters may yet see the light of day...

Chronicles of the Penitent [fiction Part 6]

"Confessor." Joanna spoke, her throat burning from the pain of the summoning spell's feedback and her near brush with the Keepers of the Dead. Kwairen was holding her up, supporting her weight on his shoulders. They had found him back at the town square, having just exited the Church.

The Confessor looked up from the brim of his tricorn hat, his eyes narrowed at Joanna's weakened state, "What happened?" he asked as he drew near to inspect her for any wounds.

"I'll be alright." Joanna rasped, "We're not fighting Lycanthropes..." she winced from the pain, "They are something else entirely."

"She's right." Thorne said as he ran towards them, carrying Gregorio's unconscious body, "We ran into one in the forests. It managed to poison Gregorio."

"To the constable's house." The Confessor said, "We must see to his wounds at once."

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The Gypsy woke up with a start, before letting out an oath in his own language as a massive headache hammered from the back of his skull. He narrowed his eyes against the light, and tried to get his bearings. He was stricken by that beast... Gregorio looked down at his leg to find it bandaged. He immediately recognized it as the Confessors handiwork and smiled, at least he was safe.

"So, you're finally awake," a vaguely familiar, female voice said. Gregorio turned his head slowly to spare him any further pain to see Alice, the Constable's daughter. She was dressed as a woman for once, in a dress that in all honesty, actually made her look feminine., "It took you long enough." she sniffed, "My father isn't paying you to bleed unconscious on our couch after all."

"Of course." Gregorio answered, his voice thick with his accent, "I'm sure you could do that all by yourself." The Gypsy swung his legs down to stand up, as Alice's face registered the insult.

"Don't underestimate my lineage you filthy Gypsy criminal." Alice replied, her eyes hateful as she watched Gregorio stand, "I'll have you know that our family comes from a distinguished line of hunters and soldiers, no matter what my father looks like."

Gregorio ignored that line, his headache overriding the need to trade barbs with the spiteful wench instead sucking air through clenched teeth. "Where are the others?" he asked.

"Out, trying to act competent." Alice said, her temper cooling down a bit, "Your shirt and your knives are on the table over there." she pointed, "They say they've slain one of the beasts, and that they were not Lycanthropes."

Gregorio nodded, and then winced at the headache, reaching out to take his shirt and slipping it over his head, "Thorne and I managed to run into one." he said, "Apparently it has poison in it's claws." he said, looking down at the bandages that marred his perfectly good pair of pants. "No matter, perhaps Lady du Winter's magic can do something to the others."

"That witch?" Alice asked, "Why is she with you anyway? I thought the Penitents were reformed criminals... so why is she still practicing her witchcraft?"

"Because she is the lesser evil." Gregorio replied, wearing his knives, "She may practice the ways of a Witch, but she has the heart and honor of a lady."

"She nearly choked me to death with that vile spell of hers!" Alice accused.

"You deserved it."

Alice was about to say something when Gregorio looked at her, "Rather than insulting us, why don't you try something useful for a change?" he asked, smirking before he walked past her and outside to find the others.

Alice looked on as the door closed with a dull thud, and looked up to the portrait of her grandfather on the far wall. "We'll see about that." she said.

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I'm guessing that this will be a surprise to some people, I know it's not much compared to the previous installments, but hey, at least something's moving on this end. :) I'm trying to get back into the groove of writing, so please send me any remarks on the story, I need all the criticism I can get :)

Huzzah! comics time!

I hope nobody here is easily offended...



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And here's one for the paranoid people in the world:

more personality test results

Rationals, are the problem solving temperament, particularly if the problem has to do with the many complex systems that make up the world around us. Rationals might tackle problems in organic systems such as plants and animals, or in mechanical systems such as railroads and computers, or in social systems such as families and companies and governments. But whatever systems fire their curiosity, Rationals will analyze them to understand how they work, so they can figure out how to make them work better.

In working with problems, Rationals try to find solutions that have application in the real world, but they are even more interested in the abstract concepts involved, the fundamental principles or natural laws that underlie the particular case. And they are completely pragmatic about their ways and means of achieving their ends. Rationals don't care about being politically correct. They are interested in the most efficient solutions possible, and will listen to anyone who has something useful to teach them, while disregarding any authority or customary procedure that wastes time and resources.

Rationals have an insatiable hunger to accomplish their goals and will work tirelessly on any project they have set their mind to. They are rigorously logical and fiercely independent in their thinking--are indeed skeptical of all ideas, even their own--and they believe they can overcome any obstacle with their will power. Often they are seen as cold and distant, but this is really the absorbed concentration they give to whatever problem they're working on. Whether designing a skyscraper or an experiment, developing a theory or a prototype technology, building an aircraft, a corporation, or a strategic alliance, Rationals value intelligence, in themselves and others, and they pride themselves on the ingenuity they bring to their problem solving.

Rationals are very scarce, comprising as little as 5 to 10 percent of the population. But because of their drive to unlock the secrets of nature, and to develop new technologies, they have done much to shape our world.

The Four types of Rationals are:

Architects (INTP) | Masterminds (INTJ) | Inventors (ENTP) | Field Marshals (ENTJ)

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Thanks to Mitch for pointing out this test! you can try it here!