Sunday, December 30, 2018

Covers for my upcoming fiction series!

I've written a series of 4 novels set in a rather gonzo post-apocalyptic world. Here's the first cover. They should start coming out next month!

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Arden Vul - Manuscript Completed.

Heya folks, just a quick update. The Arden Vul manuscript is now finally done! We have lots of editing to do (and that usually requires some additional writing/re-writing) but we have a completed vision.
After so many years of work it's a remarkable feeling. The majority of Rick's efforts are now over and the weight of the project is now on my shoulders.


Friday, December 7, 2018

Arden Vul working Table of Contents

Here's the table of contents from the working manuscript. I'm currently on the 2nd edits of Sub-level 10A. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Introduction
Overview and Timeline p. 1
General Architectural Features p. 6
Factions of Arden Vul p. 9
Iconic Locations of Arden Vul p. 35
Rumors p. 36
Adventure Hooks p. 37
Customizing Arden Vul p. 38
Exterior Adventure Locations
Burdock's Valley p. 40
The Azure Keep and Gosterwick p. 41
Exterior: the Long Falls and the Long Stair p. 58
The Ruined City of Arden Vul p. 65
The Pyramid of Thoth p. 97
The Tower of Scrutiny p. 104
Halls of Arden Vul - the Dungeon Levels
Level 1: the Basement p. 110
Level 2: the Howling Caves and the Well of Light p. 118
Level 3: the Halls of Thoth (3-1 to 3-70) p. 157
Level 4: the Forum of Set p. 264
Level 5: the Obsidian Gates, the Midnight Road, and the Sanctum p. 362
Level 6: the Troll Lifts and the Arena p. 442
Level 7: the Court of the Troll Thegn p. 530
Level 8: the Nether Reaches p. 614
Level 9: the Floor of the Great Chasm p. 691
Level 10: the Ziggurat of Kauket p. 762
Sub-Level 1: the Tombs of Light p. 793
Sub-Level 2: the Hall of Shrines p. 802
Sub-Level 3: Lesser Baboon Caves p. 818
Sub-Level 4: the Goblin Warrens p. 830
Sub-Level 5: the Lizardman caves p. 859
Sub-Level 6: the Drowned Canyon p. 876
Sub-Level 7: the Flooded Vaults p. 923
Sub-Level 8: the Caves Behind the Falls p. 939
Sub-Level 9: the Kaliyani Pits p. 947
Sub-Level 10A: the Hold of the Sun-Scarred Knights p. 977
Sub-Level 10B: the Citadel of the Sun-Scarred Knights p. 1001
Sub-Level 11: the Tomb of Isadora p. 1003
Sub-Level 12: the Workshops of Kerbog Khan p. 1014
Sub-Level 13: the Lost Chambers of Arden and the Shuttle Bay p. 1029
Sub-Level 14: the Chamber of the Beacon p. 1054
Sub-Level 15: the Druid’s Retreat p. 1062
APPENDICES
New Monsters p. 1074
New Magic Items p. 1180
New Technological Items p. 1237
Arden Vul Items p. 1249
New Flora p. 1253
World of Archontos p. 1257
Books of Arden Vul p. 1272
New Spells p. 1309
NPC Appendix p. (1335)

Saturday, December 1, 2018

The Majesty of Arden Vul (map o-rama!)

See the maps? This place is amazing.












But wait, that's just the Levels. What about the Sub-levels? Here's most of them....


















Arden Vul, people. Arden Vul.

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Nearly 50% off our Compendiums at Lulu

As a reminder, I've put all our compendium products up for sale at Lulu for 30% off. That includes all four of the Advanced Adventures compendiums for old-scholl/OSRIC/1e modules as well as the two Pathfinder One-on-One Adventures for one player and one GM.

Advanced Adventures Compendium One
Advanced Adventures Compendium Two
Advanced Adventures Compendium Three
Advanced Adventures Compendium Four
One On One Adventures Compendium One
One On One Adventures Compendium Two

Enjoy!

(Oh, Lulu also has a coupon for 25% off right now BLACKFRIDAY25, so you can get more knocked off the price - it ends up being just a hair less than 50% off the normal cover price.)




Saturday, November 3, 2018

1 on 1 Adventures November Sale - 80% off!

I've put all the 1 on 1 Adventures PDFs up for sale at drivethrurpg for 80% off for all of November. If you've needed Pathfinder adventures for 1 player and 1 GM, they are the things to pick up. Hell, if you do a bit of work, they're easily expandable for a full-sized party.



Sunday, October 7, 2018

30% of Compendium Sale at Lulu!

I've put all our compendium products up for sale at Lulu for 30% off. That includes all four of the Advanced Adventures compendiums for old-scholl/OSRIC/1e modules as well as the two Pathfinder One-on-One Adventures for one player and one GM.

Advanced Adventures Compendium One
Advanced Adventures Compendium Two
Advanced Adventures Compendium Three
Advanced Adventures Compendium Four
One On One Adventures Compendium One
One On One Adventures Compendium Two

Enjoy!

(Oh, Lulu also has a coupon for 25% off right now BLACKFRIDAY25, so you can get a little be more knocked off the price.

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Advanced Adventures Bundle 4!

Pleased to announce the Advanced Adventures Bundle 4! Ten Advanced Adventures (#31-40) for only $35. Not a bad deal, if I say so myself. :)


Thursday, August 9, 2018

Advanced Adventures on Kindle

I've finally figured out how to put the Advanced Adventures line into Kindle file format so now I'm uploading them to Amazon. So far I've got 1-4 up and will be slowly adding the remainder.

The Pod-Caverns of the Sinister Shroom
The Red Mausoleum
The Curse of the Witch Head
The Prison of Meneptah


Tuesday, July 10, 2018

25% off of Malevolent & Benign II and Advanced Adventures Compendium 4!

I've put up a 25% off sale at Lulu for our two latest products, Malevolent & Benign II and Advanced Adventures Compendium 4! Both are the hardback versions. You can couple that with the current 15% off Lulu coupon code FIFTEEN, and get a total discount of almost 40%.






Friday, June 29, 2018

We are moving to the Netherlands

Suzi and I just bought 1-way tickets to the Netherlands. We're arriving in late Sept and will be seeking permanent residence under the DAFT treaty.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Two Tome of Tomes

Blackcloak, Terror of Westhame Forest
Author: Dirk Ringdon
Race: Human
Dimensions: 8x8x0.5
Weight: 2 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, parchment
Rarity: Uncommon
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History
Value: 35 gp

A figure of infamy, Blackcloak is accurately portrayed in this work as a most cruel highwayman. Written by Dirk Ringdon who escaped a 3-year captivity under Blackcloak, no details are spared regarding the robber’s depredations in the deep Westhame Forest. Ringdon’s escape and subsequent guiding of Fargoth’s 3rd Regiment eventually located Blackcloak and brought him to justice: a hanging attended by over three thousand souls. For his deeds, Ringdon was named the 1st Baron of Egremith.


Six Saints
Author: Devora
Race: Human
Dimensions: 8x8x0.5
Weight: 2lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, vellum
Rarity: Uncommon
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History, theology & myth
Value: 35 gp

This concise hagiography tells of the life and times of six Harmonish saints: Beatrice, Xyphisus, Oma, Gerold, Hamant, and Darserva. More interesting than the stories themselves is the author Devora. After her death (as is Harmonish custom) she was sainted for her many miracles. Two decades later, however, she was unexpectedly resurrected. She’s still alive 65 years after her revival and this makes her the only living Harmonish saint. Her existence has caused a schism within the Harmonish church, with roughly 25% of all followers declaring themselves part of the traditionalist sect that does not recognize her sainthood.


Thursday, May 17, 2018

Two More Tome of Tomes

Dread Kirowath
Author: Briod Griwent
Race: Human
Dimensions: 8x10x0.5
Weight: 1 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, parchment
Rarity: Uncommon
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History
Value: 20 gp

The brief 12-year reign of the demi-god Kirowath is etched into the memory of the Muyan peoples, but few know the complete story of his meteoric rise and fall. Exhaustively (and magically) researched, Dread Kirowath tells of how a simple peasant boy rose to power over one of the greatest nations on the planet. It tells of how he became a demi-god, and how that process resulted in his inevitable defeat at Tuoba. Unlike other histories of Kirowath, this one pinpoints his sword, an intelligent and malevolent turquoise blade of great power, as the primary mover in Kirowath’s story.


Biography of Guthard
Author: Zwyhard
Race: Human
Dimensions: 6x5x1
Weight: 1 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, parchment
Rarity: Common
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History
Value: 15 gp

This biography of the High King Guthard frames him in a very positive light. Penned by his close friend and monastic Zwyhard, Biography of Guthard follows the High King from Birth to his 78th year, the year in which Zwyhard died. Important events such as the Battle of Yellowhurst, the Scouring of Westfallan, and the founding of High King’s College are detailed in flowery ornate language. History has since looked less-favorably upon Guthard, but this work benefits from the direct relationship of author and subject.



Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Tome of Tomes

Two more Tome of Tomes, thanks to my Patreons!

The Science of Circles
Author: Dizariot Herculf
Race: Human
Dimensions: 24x24x6
Weight: 36 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, brassboard, vellum
Rarity: Unique
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Dweomercraeft, planes (astral, elemental & ethereal), planes (outer)
Value: 1000 gp

This large book appears to be an extremely deep analysis of the many magical circles used for protection and summoning. It is, unfortunately, an extremely elaborate hoax. And worse than that, it’s a magical trap created by the author. None of the information regarding the creation of the circles is accurate (although much regarding the creatures of the various planes is superficially so) and if a practitioner attempts to use any of the circles, he opens himself up to extreme danger. The caster must save vs. magic or the damned soul of Dizariot Herculf takes possession of his body. The practitioner is allowed a save vs. magic every week to break the possession. Upon the 4th failed save, the caster’s soul takes the place of the Herculf’s permanently.


The Great Khan
Author: Gorie Hephast
Race: Human
Dimensions: 6x5x1
Weight: 1 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, vellum
Rarity: Uncommon
Fields of Study: Humankind
Special Knowledge Categories: History
Value: 50 gp

This book tells the story of the 3rd Great Khan, Sorghaktangi. Although only a capable fighter, the 3rd Khan was a masterful strategist, tactician, and politician, ruling the unruliest of tribes for more than 50 years. She was born into a noble family, 4th cousin from the 2nd Great Khan Onchi, and quickly proved her tactical worth during the long Eosian campaign. When Onchi fell during the Xiong Retaliation, Sorghaktangi ably stepped into leadership, and after her successes easily secured her title of Khan.


Saturday, April 28, 2018

Malevolent and Benign II Now Available!

The 110-page second volume of 1e/OSRIC critters is available as a $10 PDF at rpgnow and as a $40 hardback at Lulu. The current deal at Lulu is this: use the coupon 8NBHJD6V for 20% off and then apply the free shipping coupon BOOKSHIP18. And while you're there, don't forget to pick up the Advanced Adventures Compendium Four hardback released earlier this month.




Sunday, April 22, 2018

Arden Vul Books Appendix Edited

I've just put the final edits on the Arden Vul Books appendix and thought I should share some rough numbers with you. There are 182 books or crystals in the appendix: each is a unique piece of Arden Vul history which may help (or hinder!) PCs in their explorations. As I've said before there's never been a megadungeon like AV and there never will be again. It's really spectacular.


Saturday, April 21, 2018

A Magical Society Ecology and Culture Deal of the Day at OBS

It's only $8 for the next 24 hours, so grab it if you've an interest! (if you world build, you've probably an interest)



Saturday, April 14, 2018

The Return of Tome of Tomes

I just realized it's been way, way, waaaay too long (as in over two years!) since I last posted some Tome of Tomes stuff. That's just crazy. Below are 8 tomes to stock your fantasy libraries.

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.


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).


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.


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: Dweomercraeft
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.


The Heart of Fear
Author: Pirn the Skunie
Race: Human
Dimensions: 16x16x3
Weight: 15 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, stoneboard, parchment
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Dweomercraeft
Value: 6,500 gp

Most know Pirn the Skunie as a rather unreliable historian, but he was also a city-sponsored wizard focusing on the fears within different races. The Heart of Fear delves deeply into the racial fears of the different races (humans, demi-humans, and the more common humanoids) and how such fears can be exploited when employing magic that causes fear. Contained within are two spells: scare and fear.


Arise
Author: Unknown
Race: Unknown
Dimensions: 14x12x1.5
Weight: 5 lbs.
Materials: Leather-bound, woodboard, parchment
Rarity: Very rare
Fields of Study: Supernatural & unusual
Special Knowledge Categories: Dweomercraeft
Value: 1,250 gp

Arise provides a good examination of the undead, particularly the animation of. Different types of undead are described and illuminated, but the focus of the work is on the two lowest-powered undead: skeletons and zombies. Skeletons or zombies animated by a practitioner using Arise have +2 hp.



Friday, April 13, 2018

Advanced Adventures Compendium Four Now Available

I'm happy to say that Advanced Adventures Compendium Four is now available at Lulu. This compendium contains #31-#40.

The Lost Lair of Drecallis by Rick Maffei 4-7
The Palace Beyond by Jasper Polane 6-9
The Halls of Lidless Shabbath by Stuart Marshall & Joseph Browning 12-15
The Crocodile’s Tear by Geoff Gander 3-6
The Desert Shrine of the Sightless Sisters by Keith Sloan 5-8
Aerie of the Cloud Giant Strategos by Joseph Browning 9-14
Under Ruined Onm by Joseph A. Mohr 5-7
White Dragon Run by James C. Boney, Joseph Browning, & Joseph A. Mohr 2-5
The Dark Tower of Arcma by Joseph A. Mohr 6-10
The Horror of Merehurst by Joseph Browning 1

Also, there are two good Lulu coupons going on right now: 20% Off and free shipping. Use the coupon 8NBHJD6V for 20% off and then use the free shipping coupon BOOKSHIP18 to get both at the same time.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Nature is Always Interesting

You can learn a lot via RPGing. For instance, I learned today that the Venus Fly Trap is only native to roughly a 60 mile diameter area of swamp and bogs along the North Carolina and South Carolina border. All my life I'd thought that they were South American native plants.

I then of course follow down the Wikipedia rabbit hole and find out that North American is the native home of 7 species of carnivorous plants, 3 of which are found nowhere else. And did you know that Bladderworts are carnivorous? I sure as hell didn't. They have tiny little bladder traps that feed upon protozoa and rotifers in water-saturated soil.

Nature never ceases being interesting...





Sunday, April 8, 2018

Malevolent & Benign II nearing completion...

Been a while since the last update. I'm still editing the 4th level of Arden Vul (it's a biggie) and working on Malevolent & Benign II. I've been going faster at the latter than expected and it looks like I may be finished with it by the end of the month, meaning that it could possibly come out next month in May. Here's the cover!


Friday, March 23, 2018

Brief Arden Vul Excerpt...

One of the things I like about Arden Vul is that it really seams alive. For instance, in one of the guard barracks in the dungeon....
The Sept keeps as a pet a large billy goat, which they have named Sparky. Sparky has the run of the barracks, and is quite aggressive. The lowest ranking member of the Sept has the unenviable task of cleaning up after Sparky.

I mean, you can totally see this happening right? This is hilariously real.


Thursday, March 22, 2018

Still looking for 1E/OSRIC modules!

Heya all, I've just been approached with a new manuscript for Advanced Adventures (for a mod to be run at the upcoming NTRPG Con) and I wanted to remind everyone that I'm always looking for more manuscripts for 1e/OSRIC. If you're interested, we're looking for about 10-12k words - for more details you can check out this older post - Complete Advanced Adventures Submission Guidelines.

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Updates!

Been working a lot on Malevolent & Benign II - I'm roughly a 1/3 of the way through and things are looking good for a release late this year. Also been doing work on Arden Vul, level 3 has been 2nd edited and I'm going through the last comments/changes with Rick (the author) on that today. All in all, keeping busy!

Listening to the Scorpions Blackout today. I've never been much of a Scorps fan, but this album (and the following, Love At First Sting) are both excellent examples of solid heavy rock/light metal music. Definitely worth a listen to if that's your bag.


Thursday, March 8, 2018

Announcing Malevolent & Benign II - A 1st Edition Bestiary!

Happy to say that I'm about 1/3rd done with the volume II in the Malevolent & Benign series of monster books! I've been working like a monkey on it and it's shaping up nicely. And if anyone's wondering, the first one came out in 2009 and this one looks like it'll arrive at the tail end of 2018, so I guess you can count on volume three in 2027!


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