My Dungeons & Dragons Miniature Journey Starts Again!!

I've FINALLY started painting some Miniatures for D&D to replace those lost years ago in an electrical fire, I finally got sick of running games and using the Steve Jackson Cardboard Heroes - even though they are great, I just prefer painted metal miniatures.

First Up - "Anshar the Magic-User". Descendant of the Great Ishtar, Anshar wanders Aerth in search of adventure (and busty wenches) - prematurely grey (because of an unfortunate encounter with a Cleric of Orcus) he looks older than his years, a fact he regularly uses to his advantage.

Back Detail -

You may notice I've also started some Dungeon Decor as well, and like the Magic User I've panted they are from Otherworld Miniatures.

More to Come!

Maps and Map Making

I was thinking today about Maps and Mapmaking, and whats better drawing by hand or using Software to create your Maps.

For Dungeons, personally I prefer drawing them by hand - even if its just line and numbers mapping (like the Drummer in my Band used to do, on the rare occasion he turned his hand to DM'ing) or full-blown map drawing using gridded paper - I find as I am referring back and forth to books whilst I draw my Map that Ideas occur to me that might not when I'm simply tapping away at a keyboard or dragging a computer-mouse whilst looking at a PC Monitor.

I even know of one DM who draws things by hand, then scans them and finishes them off in Photoshop - but even going that extra mile for his Maps, he's still taken the time to at least start them by hand - something I think is admirable.

The same goes for Maps of Towns and Wilderness Maps - I "rough" them out using pen and Pencil, and then do a "tidy" map using the PC (I still love using software from the 2nd Edition "AD&D Core Rules" suite of programs for my overland maps) - giving me something quite professional to show my Players.

Whatever your take on Map Making, or your "process" - even though they are a very important part of the planning and the gaming experience, creating them should also be practical and fun - and I think at least some hand drawing is not only fun, but essential - especially in this sterile technological age.

The 30 Day Challenge - Days Six, Seven, and Eight!

Sorry for the lack of posts about this, but I’ve been really ill the last couple of days with zero motivation for anything.

Still – it means I get to write more today, (trying to take away the positive here) – so here are Days Six, Seven, and Eight!

Favourite Deity – Mythological, it has to be Egyptian – so I’m going to go with RA – the “Pharaoh to the Gods”.  But, as a my heart belongs to Lovecraft, and as a proud owner of the original Deities and Demigods – I have to go with Cthulhu!

Favourite Edition – 1^st Edition AD&D of course, it’s no secret how much I love it. 2^nd is a close follower though, I won’t pretend its not.

Favourite Character I have Played – The Second Character I created was for original Basic D&D in my friend Philips  campaign – “Ishtar DeSade” a Magic-User, who carried on into 1^st Edition AD&D and has gone through many different incarnations in many different games. I’m even using his descendant Anshar DeSade in a solo campaign I’ve been playing (I find solo games a great way of trying out new ideas before inflicting them on players).

Back to Normal Tomorrow! (Hopefully)

Solo AD&D, Bad Moods, and the Quest for the Blood Diamond . . . . . .

Anyone who knows me is aware that I adore my AD&D 1st Edition, and can’t get enough of it so I’ve been playing “Solo” in my “down time” - basically a central character and the rest are treated as hirelings.

The main Character is Anshar DeSade – who adventures alongside with two human Fighters (Garth Valdemar, and Atoni Prax), a Human Ranger (Tyrian Silverbow – who takes his name from the “silvered” Long Bow which is a family heirloom), and a Half Elven (on her Mother’s side) Cleric of Demeter (she's from the Western provinces of Lemuria where the Ancient Greek Gods of flipside Earth are Worshipped) called Melina. Anshar has now reached the lofty heights of 4th Level (a little under halfway to 5th) – and I have to admit it has been a VERY slow progression compared to how often I play Solo, as I am taking XP exact at Base for what he achieves during play, plus Treasure XP (which is a LOT less than I give to players for roleplaying personally), Garth is 7th Level (don't you envy Fighters XP Charts), Atoni 6th, Tyrian 4th, and Melina 6th.
I’ve been REALLY enjoying it – I find it great “take your mind of stuff” fun, and it passes a few hours when I'm particularly fed up (which admittedly has been most of the time recently what with the passing of my Father, and tons of other "real-world" crap to deal with).

Last night I got a good few hours in – as my Son was out and Linda (the Mrs) wasn't well and went to bet early after a bath - so I thought I would Carry on, the Dungeons have been randomly generated - and XP has been awarded for specific actions and treasure (no Roleplaying awards for obvious reasons).

Don’t you just hate Random Monster charts sometimes, more often than not they add spice to a game – but this time – not so much.

My Wandering Monster Tables threw up a S**T Load of Zombies, 35 to be precise (I had to bring in Modern Zombies to have enough on the Table) – then (as per my Tables) I rolled for a “Master” Monster, that was controlling them – half expecting an Evil Wizard or Necromancer, I got a fracking Wraith. Rolled for how it came into the fray, the result – from behind – and (of course) the Cleric was at the back – No More Melinda . . . . . . .

(Before anyone asks – yes, I am way tougher on myself than any of my Players – I have to be, it keeps me interested).

FORTUNATELY, we managed to finish the Wraith off without too much hassle – but both Garth and Antoni lost a Level. FORTUNATELY he party has enough healing Potions to finish the Dungeon (I hope) – so the quest for the Blood Diamond will continue!!