What's Cooking?

Well, Goodman announced a project I was involved with (along with a passle of other Werecabbages -- http://www.werecabbages.com/), and I'm very excited about it. A book of advice and guidance on pimping out your PC. The book is called PC Pearls, and the link to their preview is: http://www.goodman-games.com/4372preview.html. I'm a writer on this one. Too busy with Sinister Adventures (http://www.sinisteradventures.com/) and some work for Paizo's Pathfinder Society to pitch in as a developer and editor. However, Rone Barton, Adam Daigle, Steve Greer, and Greg Oppedisano did a smash up job. My favorite for this piece was an article I had the opportunity to write with Clinton Boomer with a whole lot of input from Greg Oppedisano. We brought the infamous Bedlam Havok to life, and folks, you won't regret checking him (and his Pearls of wisdom) out.

Other things in the works I'm excited about are:

• The Great City Campaign Setting from 0onegames (http://www.0onegames.com/) is rumored to be coming out this summer. This is just downright tasty.
• Working on two somethings related for 0onegames that I can't talk about yet. Damn it.
• Just turned in a piece for Paizo's Pathfinder Society (http://www.paizo.com/). Very excited about that one! Once its in print I'll tell you the name and where to get it.
• Also working hard on the Known Universe Gazateer, Cold Black, and expect to see some Dark Horizons indulgences, hopefully in July! All at Sinister. http://www.sinisteradventures.com/

Thanks for tuning in!

SAW#12 Out on RPGNow

The last adventure in the first volume of Sidetrek Adventure Weekly hit the virtual stands. I wrote it in 3 days, with some help from Greg Oppedisano (the line manager) and the always solid, sounding-board advice of my friends/fellow authors, Tim Hitchcock and Rone Barton. Very exciting. I really enjoy the cover art. Nothing like having something you only saw in your head brought to life!

I'm particularly pleased with a chase mechanic I invented to simplify outrunning an avalanche, but given a chance, I'd make some changes. The publisher plans to re-release with them, but I just can't wait. So if I had it to do again, I'd change these entries (changes in italics):

Hit By the Bury Zone
If the bury zone hits players, they lose maneuverability until the avalanche hurtles them over the cliff. While in the bury zone they suffer its effects each minute (DMG pg90). Every other round PCs are in the Bury Zone, they may make a Climb Check (DC20) to struggle through to the slide zone, take damage and be catapulted out in front of the avalanche (+2 Chase Points). Once thrown over the cliff, the unfortunate player has two rounds to escape the falling snow and rocks or be buried beneath the avalanche, under very cold water. Being buried means the player is immobilized by 100’ of ice and snow in all directions (digging and under water spell casting are still possible). The drowning rules (DMG pg 304) apply, as do the effects of very cold water (DMG pg 304). The rapids dissipate the ice and snow of the avalanche at the rate of 20’ per round. At the top of the 6th round after being buried, the rapids carry buried players to the surface without requiring a Swim check. After surfacing, Swim checks are required for fast-moving water as normal.

Hit By the Slide Zone
We use a modified version of the avalanche rules (DMG pg90). If the Slide Zone hits a player (when, at the start of any give round, the avalanche slide zone Chase Points equal or exceed a player’s Chase Points), that player must make a Reflex Save (DC 15 for half damage) or take 3d6 bludgeoning damage from rocks and ice. They must also make a DC 7 Balance check or Wipeout (-1 Chase Points). However, unlike the rule in the DMG, a failed save does not result in burial, just the Wipeout penalty. All PCs hit by the Slide Zone are picked up and thrown forward, gaining +2 Chase Points.

Wipeout
If players Wipeout, they lose 1 chase point, as if spending one round recovering and resuming their pell-mell descent. After a Wipeout, players may choose any of the terrain types for their next move, regardless of which terrain type caused the Wipeout.

If anyone out there in cyber land gives this a whirl, I'd love to hear about it!