Pig to Bones in Less than 8 Days!

So today I find myself watching forensic experiments. I would not have suspected that you can go from full-grown pig to skeleton in only 7 days. Turns out the fishes one sleeps with are hungry.

The Night Alarm: The Advance by Charles West Cope, 1871

This is an awesome painting. The Night Alarm: The Advance by Charles West Cope, 1871. Just oozes atmosphere...

Octosaur!

Tome of Tomes Double Today

Two more tome of tomes!

Dead No More
Author: Dierdre Alleratt
Race: Human
Dimensions: 8x10x0.5
Weight: 1 lbs.
Materials: Black dragonskin-bound, stitched humanbone-board, gorgon vellum
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Planes (outer)
Value: 625 gp

This small book of mentally-focusing prayers helps a cleric prepare for the rigors associated with casting raise dead or resurrection. Reciting all the prayers takes 4 hours, but afterwards a cleric is treated as if 2 levels higher regarding spell effects for raise dead or resurrection and halves the recovery period of a resurrection.


Things That Are Not
Author: Skyme Dualming
Race: Human
Dimensions: 14x14x9
Weight: 35 lbs.
Materials: Shadow dragonskin-bound, stoneboard, vellum, brass clasps and lock
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Dweomercraft
Value: 25,000 gp

Another work regarding illusions by the renowned illusionist Dualming, Things That Are Not is arguably the most sought-after work of illusionary magic. Dualming’s masterwork requires an Intelligence of 17+ to understand and 9 months of intensive study, but if such is possible an illusionist reading this tome gains a remarkably deep understanding of illusions: such an understanding that all his spells are saved against at with a -1 penalty. Sages believe there are only three copies of Things That Are Not. Contained within each tome are the illusionist spells audible glamer, phantasmal force, improved phantasmal force, phantasmal killer, shadow monsters, and permanent illusion.

My favorite writing music - John Carpenter's Lost Themes

If you like soundtracks, and enjoy Carpenter's minimalism, you simply *must* purchase this collection of "Themes for movies that never existed." It is, hands down, amazing stuff that never ceases to focus my thoughts when writing. I love all of Carpenter's Soundtracks (at least those that I own), but this one is my favorite. Even beating Escape from New York, which is quite the feat. Go out and buy this, it's wonderful!

Post-Apocalyptic Scrounged-Glass Arrowheads

I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I never thought of people using scrounged glass for arrowheads! Doing a bit of research it seems that bowhunters view these type of arrowheads as inferior to flint but superior to obsidian in terms of durability. Here's a cool video of a guy making a scrounged-glass arrowhead using flint-knapping techniques.

I admit it. I like Conan the Destroyer.

Yeah, I know people rag on the movie, but I've always liked it as much, perhaps even more, than I liked the first Conan movie. Tracy Walter's portrayal of Malak is  the single greatest influence on my perception of the thief class. So even though most people dislike it, I dig the flick. Especially the music.

Here's a vid where you can watch the musicians play the theme song. 'Tis cool.

Tome of Tomes

Geomancy
Author: Unknown
Race: Elf
Dimensions: 14x12x1.5
Weight: 25 lbs.
Materials: Black dragonskin-bound, brassboard, vellum, brass clasps and lock
Rarity: Rare
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Divination
Value: 6,625 gp

This elven treatise on the magical art of fortune telling from earthen materials seems convincing, but is actually entirely worthless. The author seems unaware of even the most basic magical principles.  However, the last half of Geomancy is a highly convoluted, and highly compact, guide to the creation of a crystal ball. Following these instructions reduces the time needed for creation by half. Additionally, a later hand included a single spell found within the margins through the entire book: legend lore.

Tome of Tomes

Glyphs of Power
Author: Archibald Williamson
Race: Human
Dimensions: 16x16x3
Weight: 15 lbs.
Materials: Giant eelskin-bound, woodboard, vellum
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Dweomercraeft, heraldry, signs & sigils
Value: 14,000 gp

The only other known work of Williamson, Glyphs of Power is a methodical, difficult work on the nature of magical glyphs, sigils, runes, and wards. There are four spells are contained within the volume: wizard mark, sepia snake sigil, explosive runes, guards and wards. More importantly, after reading and digesting Glyphs of Power for at least a month, a caster’s spells involving such affairs are more effective (+1 to damage or -1 to save against).

Two more Tome of Tomes

I'm still plugging away at my Tome of Tomes Patreon project and should be releasing Tome of Tomes Volume 4 in a few months because of their support. Thanks all!

Here's two more tomes from the series.

Glassworks of Punj
Author: Mallient Fligiton
Race: Human
Dimensions: 8x8x1
Weight: 4 lbs.
Materials: Giant snakeskin-bound, stoneboard, vellum
Rarity: Common
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: Arts & music
Value: 50 gp

The peoples of Punj are renowned for their glass-working ability, and with good reason, as this seminal work demonstrates. Glassoworks of Punj not only explores the common wares coming out of workshops throughout the sub-continent, but it also show many of the wondrous works of art and their historical context of many of the ancient wares.  Heavily illuminated, this work provides inspiration and sets a high bar for glassworkers of other regions.


Kemetian Fire Magic
Author: Liart Spilgie
Race: Elf
Dimensions: 16x16x3
Weight: 15 lbs.
Materials: Red dragonskin-bound, woodboard, vellum
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Humankind, supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: History, dweomercraeft
Value: 7,500 gp

The rare companion piece to Spilgie’s Ancient Kemet, Kemetian Fire Magic deeply delves into the fire magics of that ancient people. Spilgie translates hundreds of magical hieroglyphic texts into modern form, eventually providing the reader access to the following three spells: burning hands, flaming sphere, fire trap. These translations prove the ancientness of these three magics. Additionally, it should be noted, the Kemetian flaming sphere is superior to the common spell, dealing 2-8+1 hit points of damage.

Advanced Adventures #34: The Crocodile's Tear now available!

AA #34 is now out in print and PDF forms.

Advanced Adventures #34: The Crocodiles Tear is an OSRIC(tm) module designed for 4-6 adventurers of levels 3-6.

A wealthy patron is outfitting an expedition to sail to the mysterious southern continent.  The goal of the expedition is none other than the legendary Crocodile’s Tear: a massive magical emerald! Many tales are told about the southern continent, most of which paint it as a disease-ridden jungle filled with hostile natives, reachable only by crossing a pirate- and monster-infested sea.

As the port winds fade into the winds of the open sea, the sails of The Mermaid billow firmly. Will the player characters survive the voyage, and will they find more than they bargained for? Oh, and was it mentioned that that two other trips set out before this one only to be swallowed up by the dense jungle…