tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46566237299550699422024-03-05T17:33:12.960-06:00The Babbling Bane's BlogA Portal to Old School D&D.The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-48957417977980612272012-03-11T20:03:00.005-05:002012-03-11T20:04:18.607-05:00My New Sites!My <a href="http://thebanesblog.wordpress.com/">NEW BLOG</a> and <a href="http://thebabblingbane.tiddlyspot.com/">NEW WIKI</a>!The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-2433258454208104592012-03-09T19:01:00.000-06:002012-03-11T20:01:43.168-05:00Chemo Announcement<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">My <a href="http://thebanesblog.wordpress.com/">NEW BLOG</a> and my <a href="http://thebabblingbane.tiddlyspot.com/">NEW WIKI</a></span><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span> really feel that <i>Google</i> has become some form of cancer to me! The bad experience I had with my phone was the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back." So I intend to fight it.<br />
<br />
I realize I can't go cold turkey, a perfect sign of how diverse and metastasized <i>Google</i> has become for me, but I can start chemo! First, I will be trying out a new way to share my ramblings, in the form of a Wiki. Assuming it will work, and I realize there will be drawbacks, such as not being able to get 'comments' and I probably won't be able to post from work, I have to try.<br />
<br />
I do not intend to delete this blog. Though it is not something spectacular in the larger scheme of things, considering the awesomeness of the OCR Blogisphere, there are things here that I really like and have put alot of work into. I do have some things that I want to do:<br />
<br />
[X] Start a Wiki and try it out<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thebabblingbane.tiddlyspot.com/"><b>My Brand New Wiki </b></a><br />
<br />
Assuming the Wiki is feasible / successful:<br />
<br />
[ ] Find a way to allow 'comment' on the newly created Wiki <br />
[ ] Stop using Google Mail<br />
[ ] Stop using Google Search<br />
[ ] Jail Break my phone and remove all Google Apps<br />
[ ] Change or Remove all Google imbeds in other Sites I use <br />
[ ] ...<br />
<br />
Suggestions on alternatives? Other Google masses that I missed?<br />
<br />
I will continue to update this post with my progress, and assuming I am successful, I will allow this site and my Google accounts to go dormant. A form of remission, if you will?<br />
<br />
(OMG, "OMG" is flagged by my spellchecker but not "Google"!)<br />
<br />
Viva-La-Revolution!<br />
<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i><br />
<br />The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-59739303033337981922012-03-08T21:42:00.002-06:002012-03-08T21:42:28.511-06:00Non-Gaming Related Rant!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>R</b></span>eposted here to try to alleviate my anger:<br />
<br />
Google is trying to indoctrinate, or is impregnate, itself into everything I do... email, google+, google chrome, google voice, google chat, blogger, etc... I am getting pretty damn tired of it. Especially after I realized I can not get it off my phone without 'jail breaking' it! Pissed, doesn't even cover what I am after my 45 minute call to AT&T to get Google Voice messages turned off and the default voice mail reinstated! You pay hundreds of dollars for phones and a 'plan', and I get this shit! I can not curse enough at the moment!<br />
<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-26466791633562358602012-03-05T20:43:00.002-06:002012-03-06T12:25:55.625-06:00Over Kill?<span style="font-size: large;"><b>O</b></span>kay, I went a little overboard with the encounter areas... Yes, a lot... But I was having fun and ideas were flooding my brain as I divided up the terrain for, what I hope, would make for a plethora of low level adventure hooks. I hope to delve deeper into these 'regions' in later posts. For now, have a map!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAiflMV8CWbmOKEOBWq2h2oj7JrZCnKgZLRzupNbFU4BuGNlaRP66z9cKdXcnAnnn7q_p9YmlPzE_zv1PvFX6SWeuMuYpbA_h_sXiWZke33bDP59TSVxkkoIp6UbDzVRIsAQAxdtTXGcX/s1600/SkelanEncounterMap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAiflMV8CWbmOKEOBWq2h2oj7JrZCnKgZLRzupNbFU4BuGNlaRP66z9cKdXcnAnnn7q_p9YmlPzE_zv1PvFX6SWeuMuYpbA_h_sXiWZke33bDP59TSVxkkoIp6UbDzVRIsAQAxdtTXGcX/s400/SkelanEncounterMap.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Scale: Large Hex = 2.5 miles (1 hour), Small Hex = 2640 feet (12 minutes)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
As can be seen, I have chose a large selection of common humanoids to populate the surrounding area of <i>Skelan</i> and <i>Ength</i>. I hope, though breathing some individuality into them, I can put a new spin on them in the process. Yes, they are Goblins, Orcs, and such, but as ideas came to me, something else occurred to me. Motivations... Suffice it to say, more to come as I stop mapping and get to table design!<br />
<br />
So, how bad did I mutilate it?<br />
<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-53540504694516668732012-03-04T21:13:00.001-06:002012-03-05T17:28:58.175-06:00BANG! Hexographer Pro Baby!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>W</b></span>ith the current sale going on over at <a href="http://www.hexographer.com/">Inkwell Ideas</a>, I broke down and bought the <i>Hexographer Pro Software</i>. I am so glad I did! Making 'Child Maps' has become a snap. I couldn't resist zooming in on Skelan and seeing what popped up!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtcxKO-hzxrXUiQpJv3grroPkZhx4cmJuVPs3HqfXFqIhxMGUYwhoOvGCdDRo0Pqg4B6zwgg50pUwaWspfWzDp-R-8GIEJPACgiUYkLPqLYIxjk4E9ComtiJ4J5RPqpexaSiOlUSb8UHu/s1600/Skelan528.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtcxKO-hzxrXUiQpJv3grroPkZhx4cmJuVPs3HqfXFqIhxMGUYwhoOvGCdDRo0Pqg4B6zwgg50pUwaWspfWzDp-R-8GIEJPACgiUYkLPqLYIxjk4E9ComtiJ4J5RPqpexaSiOlUSb8UHu/s400/Skelan528.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Scale: Each Small Hex = 528 ft (<strike><a href="http://babblingbane.blogspot.com/2012/02/so-moving-along-then-part-2a.html">Large Hex = 2640 ft</a></strike>)<br />
<b style="color: red;">EDIT: The Huge Hex is actually 2.5 miles across! </b></div>
<br />
Zooming in was a snap. I just selected the area, told it 5 hexes for each hex selected and it converted it all. I had to do some touch-up around the edges and added a little forest. The majority of the time I spent adding buildings based on <u>Erin Smale's</u>, <i>Population for Low-Fantasy Population</i> generator, from his blog; <a href="http://www.welshpiper.com/">The Welsh Piper</a>.<br />
<br />
From that I gleaned the following about <i><b>Skelan</b></i>:<br />
Population: 974<br />
Occupies: 1.22 square miles<br />
Nobles: 28, Officers: 10, Clergy: 8, Freeholders: 66, Citizens (Farmers) 858, Hirelings:4<br />
Ruling House: 6 Relatives, 4 Servants, 3 House Guard, 1 Sergeant<br />
Additional Nobles (2 Houses) w/ 14 people<br />
Reeve: 1, Messor: 1, Woodward 1, Constable: 1, Law Enforcement: 6<br />
Mansions: 3<br />
Churches: 2<br />
Businesses: 79<br />
Municipal: 1<br />
Homes: Alot! 129<br />
<br />
It took me longer to type this than to do it. The map isn't great, but it was fun doing!<br />
<br />
Hope you can use it,<br />
<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-15473278721384083662012-02-29T15:54:00.003-06:002012-02-29T15:57:11.500-06:00Paladins... Perks vs Self-Imposed-Challenge (Ranty)<span style="font-size: large;"><b>O</b></span>kay, I may have mentioned this before on here, but I think I just had an epiphany if you will. Over at <a href="http://aspiringlich.blogspot.com/2012/02/no-thieves-need-apply.html?showComment=1330550960104#c1352704227940693072">The Aspiring Lich</a>, <u>Chris</u> mentioned in his comments,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span id="bc_0_2b+seedG5jCD" kind="d">Perhaps, but where paladins are
allowed, and where someone wants to play one, then they should expect
that they'll have to abide by the rules of paladinhood. It irks me that
people think they should get all the perks of the class while being able
to play it like an amoral fighter.</span></blockquote>
I meandered about how the <i>Unearthed Arcana</i> book was a key point in my choice to leave <i>D&D</i>, and RPG in general, for so long.<br />
<br />
I could not grasp why someone would need a tomb of a book to play a Paladin! It was nothing more than a moral Fighter who lived by a code and was beholden to his deity. While professing this very fact, it dawned on me, the difference, at least for me, of 'old school' and new.<br />
<br />
Paladins, and other classes of the AD&D time were 'cool' because of all the 'perks'. Everyone wanted to play one (a Paladin), and the attribute restrictions were discarded rapidly to allow this in my gaming circle of the time. So began what I am now considering the <b>"D&D Entitlement Generation!"</b><br />
<br />
When I played D&D, I had to walk up-hill both-ways with cooked potatoes in my pockets, to keep me warm and to eat as a snack when they cooled, to the house of a friend to play.... No, I will not channel my father! Anyways, my point is, as I recall, playing characters who were challenged; low HPs, "bad attribute" rolls, etc. WAS the fun part. Sure, even a buff Basic D&D character died regularly, but it was fun! And oh the thrill of finally hitting fourth level with Peg-legged Willy! I still smile when I recall an NPC from a module, who's name was something like, 'Lookma Nohands' ~ recall he was a bartender. I wanted to play him as a PC!<br />
<br />
I guess the definition of what was/is cool to play has changed. That, for me in a nutshell, is what defines the difference between the old and the new. Perks vs Self-Imposed-Challenge.<br />
<br />
<u>Chris</u> started the whole thing off with,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
p.s. - And don't get me started on the bitchy paladin who doesn't like the fact that she's really expected to adhere to a lawful moral code. Good grief.</blockquote>
Or the, "I want my Perks, and don't want to pay for it...", D&D Entitlement Personality. I think, from perusing his relatively new blog, <u>Chris</u> has started to feel the pull of the old over the new, and by doing so has assisted me in a new train of thought! Thanks <u>Chris</u>!<br />
<br />
Am I out on a limb by myself here? Can it basically be a societal thing?<br />
<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-68519904402974998912012-02-27T18:15:00.000-06:002012-02-27T21:44:23.791-06:00Moving On A Budget<span style="font-size: large;"><b>O</b></span>ver at <i>Untimately</i>, <u>Brendan</u> spoke about <a href="http://untimately.blogspot.com/2012/02/wilderness-movement-costs.html">Wilderness Movement Costs</a> and how to 'move on a budget'.<br />
<br />
I really liked the idea and have decided to convert it to <a href="http://babblingbane.blogspot.com/2012/02/its-time-to-move-on.html">my thoughts of movement by time</a>, where I have decided to think of traveling not as distance, but as time.<br />
<br />
So, without further ado, a version of <u>Brendan's</u> tables with time equivalents for a league (2.5 miles) of travel:<br />
<br />
<table border="1"><tbody>
<tr><th>Encumbrance</th><th>Movement Budget</th></tr>
<tr><td>Unencumbered</td><td style="text-align: center;">10 Hours</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lightly Encumbered</td><td style="text-align: center;">8 Hours</td></tr>
<tr><td>Heavily Encumbered</td><td style="text-align: center;">6 Hours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Unlike <u>Brendan</u>, I chose not to differentiate statistically between forms of locomotion; foot, horse, wagon, etc. For me, as an example, horses and such move at roughly the same walking speed as a person on foot with equivalent loads, or, a horse with a heavy load is going to move about as fast as a human with a heavy load. Granted, the weight of that load is significantly different, but hopefully you get my meaning. It is not until you get into forced marching and running that things change dramatically, but even then, it will all be about time. How long can you do it before giving out? This, at least for me, can be adjudicated on the fly.<br />
<br />
Now on to the costs:<br />
<br />
<table border="1"><tbody>
<tr> <th>Terrain</th><th>Examples</th> <th>Movement Cost</th> <th>Becoming Lost</th> </tr>
<tr> <td>Average</td> <td>Clear, City, Grasslands, Road*, Trail*</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
1 Hour</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
1 in 6</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Moderate</td> <td>Forest, Hills, Desert, Badlands</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
1.5 Hours</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
2 in 6</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Difficult</td> <td>Mountains, Heavy Forest, Jungle, Swamp</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
2 Hours</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
3 in 6</div>
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
* Moving along Roads, or <u>well marked</u> Trails, does not result in a risk of Becoming Lost.<br />
<br />
I would like to thank Brendan for pointing me to this simple and hopefully easy to master system. Thanks!<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-36857342438753279932012-02-26T21:34:00.000-06:002012-02-26T21:34:56.715-06:00Thoughts On Random Encounters<span style="font-size: large;"><b>W</b></span>hile establishing my first Encounter Location within the <i>Free Barony of Warhone</i>, I discovered that my 2d6 table blog reference no longer exists... "Crap!"<br />
<br />
Gonna have to figure this out on my own and recreate the wheel. Using this <a href="http://anydice.com/">handy dice probability site</a>, I came up with an adjective based 2d6 table of my own. So when I need random encounters I will go with:<br />
<br />
<u><b>Five Option Table</b></u><br />
<br />
2 & 12 Very Rare (5.56%)<br />
3 & 11 Rare (11.12%)<br />
4 & 10 Scarce (16.66%)<br />
5 & 9 Normal (22.22%)<br />
6 to 8 Common (44.45%)<br />
<br />
<u><b>Seven Option Table</b></u><br />
2 Very Rare (2.78%) - Note: Could be used with the Five Option Table as Ultra Rare if 2 & 12 were broken out<br />
3 Rare (5.56%)<br />
4 & 5 Scarce (19.44%)<br />
6, 7 & 8 Common (44.45%) <br />
9 & 10 Scarce (19.44%)<br />
11 Rare (5.56%) <br />
12 Very Rare (2.78%)<br />
<br />
I realize that there are more ways to break a 2d6 roll down for this, but my mind is not functioning this evening. If anyone wants to help out, and suggest what distribution they use for such a table, it would be appreciated.<br />
<br />
Maybe the tables will reappear over on <a href="http://theyaqqothlgrimoire.blogspot.com/">The Yaqqothl Grimoire</a>? I'm not holding my breath though.<br />
<br />
Now to work on the encounter tables for the site: <i>Azimar's Ruined Keep</i>. A little typical, but I have to start somewhere to get my creativity kindled!<br />
<br />
<i><b>TB </b></i><br />
<br />
<br />The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-55335356662077526842012-02-25T20:07:00.000-06:002012-02-25T20:09:48.895-06:00So, Moving Along Then (part 2a)<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span> changed my mind, or so Mr. ADD often convinces me to do. I was convinced to zoom in rather and jump down to 'settlement level'. I am glad I did too. It really helped me get an idea of the area. Why? I can't explain. But, none-the-less, here is a step-in on the <i><b>Skelan</b></i> area that was <a href="http://babblingbane.blogspot.com/2012/02/so-moving-along-then-part-2.html">in my previous post</a>.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKQYhzPhBkiRSi5kH9bkMcF7mzytVcJqXzEodVzN5c9Vtv_MyzCYGcayGsVNQKVJAjn5dJwlJosoJqyKjW1iHYxRV1xtgkwzrhZYq3NwTZNND1K2tqJR_Dp7xX5qRrUeFkl2tZckcbhcK/s1600/Skelan2640.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKQYhzPhBkiRSi5kH9bkMcF7mzytVcJqXzEodVzN5c9Vtv_MyzCYGcayGsVNQKVJAjn5dJwlJosoJqyKjW1iHYxRV1xtgkwzrhZYq3NwTZNND1K2tqJR_Dp7xX5qRrUeFkl2tZckcbhcK/s400/Skelan2640.png" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Scale: 2640 ft sub-hex / 2.5 mi large hex </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A note on the above map, the actual settlements (read rural area) of <i><b>Skelan</b></i> and <i><b>Ength</b></i> probably will most likely NOT end up where I placed the village and town icons. I tried to 'center-mass' them. I envision both being more in the branches of the 'Y' of the river, which I have to name.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next up, before I do the actual rural settlements, is to place key encounter areas for this level, make random tables, etc. So, expect to see this map again in more detail soon.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><b>TB</b></i></div>
<br />
<br />The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-38370717760418032952012-02-25T17:02:00.000-06:002012-02-25T17:02:01.664-06:00So, Moving Along Then (part 2)<span style="font-size: large;"><b>P</b></span>ressing forward, I have added some to the newest experiments in Mini-Gazetteer. Or, maybe I'll just call it a Blog-Gazetteer? Anyway, I added some additional terrain and random names to the base map.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXFp7aXyc-tfJfxUn4Xqt4CaWP_fLJ5FmgrxMc2YGmwzM2iib1N1yltUBuxGhZgnm4BxV2Gj_qT-9DfjRBurL9AnNFSvLxZXHG7KLDBcPLnRL1MJhWok4xpJoxGKfQx7UoA0BaxlSWEki/s1600/BLOGMAP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXFp7aXyc-tfJfxUn4Xqt4CaWP_fLJ5FmgrxMc2YGmwzM2iib1N1yltUBuxGhZgnm4BxV2Gj_qT-9DfjRBurL9AnNFSvLxZXHG7KLDBcPLnRL1MJhWok4xpJoxGKfQx7UoA0BaxlSWEki/s400/BLOGMAP.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I think this is as big as I feel comfortable with. Not being one that enjoys 'drilling-down' into a setting, I want to start small and work out from somewhere. So, with that in mind, I will pick a 'Base Camp' and flesh it out, and expand.<br />
<br />
Perhaps from <i><b>Skelan</b></i>...<br />
<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-36457033707060960042012-02-20T12:16:00.001-06:002012-02-20T12:16:26.737-06:00Points of Clarification<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cyd9XlOQTHg2gFWQJ_0WCJ-86B4S0gaiHpB5AXxkhV6bk7jDAKQ9ngOEWHH1VvW_LXXW7XHBQ_0Sad8f1GGr2xCk6lrJHaT1XUZuBkmIuCk5kPBeszX0mawDUHrdzF-Umbs6BsvHf64l/s1600/CroppedTestCity.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cyd9XlOQTHg2gFWQJ_0WCJ-86B4S0gaiHpB5AXxkhV6bk7jDAKQ9ngOEWHH1VvW_LXXW7XHBQ_0Sad8f1GGr2xCk6lrJHaT1XUZuBkmIuCk5kPBeszX0mawDUHrdzF-Umbs6BsvHf64l/s320/CroppedTestCity.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
To clarify, the above map, in my previous post, the scale is 528ft for the small hex and 13200ft (2.5mi or 1 league).<br />
<br />
What I want to do now, is figure out if I want to think of it as <i>City Works</i> or what, when it comes to population. <i>City Works</i>, IIRC, wanted 500'x500' blocks of 100 people each. I think I used a population density site for the above, that I don't have access to here at work, but...<br />
<br />
I estimate the 'city' at 95 hexes (528ft ea), so 9500 people +/- using <i>City Works</i>. Which is close to what I was using when writing the original post (somewhere around 10240 IIRC). Not sure if I will run with that or look into staying with my Excel Spreadsheet and use a % of Urban/Rural to flesh out settlements. The <i>City Works</i> approach seems easier for the settlement, but how do I determine the % of arable land around it that it will take to support it?<br />
<br />
Mr OCD is pushing me to do a spreadsheet with some random calculations that will identify the size of the settlement, its footprint, how much farm land would take to support it, how much actual farm land there is, and if the settlement is working within a surplus or deficit as far as food goes... that would also give me some information I can go on for the settlement too; random tables for food/ppl ratios... too many ppl, not enough food, roll on the plague and petulance random table, more food than ppl and you have a 'rich' settlement.... etc.<br />
<br />
Dang, back to work!<br />
<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-22790398733265744052012-02-12T19:36:00.000-06:002012-02-12T19:36:47.228-06:00So, Moving Along Then (part 1)Now that I have had my <a href="http://babblingbane.blogspot.com/2012/02/its-time-to-move-on.html">grand epiphany about time</a>, I return to mapping. As you can see from the below map, I have just quickly roughed in the basics; Mountains, Ocean, and the two Settlements (green hexes) I want to start with. The Settlement near the ocean will be the main trade point. The other, or located there-about, will be the starting 'base' for the campaign.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYx48sYjjzdxJocBTkTMJhdrF5SBUwE_jMTS3BGncWOBeNF-RmzDtqEGnqVi72Ay_9wI00dlaoHjlgUYFR8Uu7F_idCiUIUYdSjqQHBklmqBGonPORiuXFTenf81LSi9rE-3OOj3-gACAK/s1600/BasicMap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYx48sYjjzdxJocBTkTMJhdrF5SBUwE_jMTS3BGncWOBeNF-RmzDtqEGnqVi72Ay_9wI00dlaoHjlgUYFR8Uu7F_idCiUIUYdSjqQHBklmqBGonPORiuXFTenf81LSi9rE-3OOj3-gACAK/s640/BasicMap.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Next I want to map the trade center, so I get a feel for how dispersed it will be at this scale (small hex = 1 league, or 1 hour). So...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cyd9XlOQTHg2gFWQJ_0WCJ-86B4S0gaiHpB5AXxkhV6bk7jDAKQ9ngOEWHH1VvW_LXXW7XHBQ_0Sad8f1GGr2xCk6lrJHaT1XUZuBkmIuCk5kPBeszX0mawDUHrdzF-Umbs6BsvHf64l/s1600/CroppedTestCity.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cyd9XlOQTHg2gFWQJ_0WCJ-86B4S0gaiHpB5AXxkhV6bk7jDAKQ9ngOEWHH1VvW_LXXW7XHBQ_0Sad8f1GGr2xCk6lrJHaT1XUZuBkmIuCk5kPBeszX0mawDUHrdzF-Umbs6BsvHf64l/s640/CroppedTestCity.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Not what I had hoped, but I can come back to it. Just couldn't figure out how I wanted it to look, Icon wise...<br />
<br />
That's it for now, enjoy.<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-55380430697416696572012-02-12T11:44:00.001-06:002012-02-12T11:47:24.122-06:00It's Time To Move On<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>Y</b></span>esterday, <a href="http://babblingbane.blogspot.com/2012/02/more-mini-campaign.html">I posted about</a> how I really like <a href="http://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2010/02/mapping-manors-vs-farms.html">Bat in the Attic's</a> use of leagues. Yes, I realize it is not a new phenomenon, but it was there that I grokked its awesomeness. I haven't been able to reproduce his great maps, as I had hoped, but I have figured out how to do something similar with <a href="http://www.hexographer.com/free_hexographer.shtml">Hexographer</a>, while keeping Mr. OCD smiling.<br />
<br />
The realization that distance is moot was a major breakthrough for me, believe it or not. I don't really care about distance anymore. Why? Because the only thing that is in distance are maps and movement.Strange considering that mapping is what makes Mr. OCD standup and flail about as if his arms and legs are independent of his body. Now, maps and movement may seem pretty important to the game, even maybe a <i>pillar</i>, but I have chosen not to think in distance any longer. I intend to think in time. Much more of the game, IMHO, is based on the unit of measure of time.<br />
<br />
How did I come to this decision? Mr. OCD pointed me to it. I was trying to extrapolate the accuracy of the one hour / league, and it worked out.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Using a 5:1 sub-hex to hex ratio:</u><br />
2.5 miles / league / 13200' equals 1 hour (Overland Scale)<br />
2640' / .5 miles equals 12 min or 720 sec<br />
528' equals 2.4 min or 144 sec (Settlement Scale at a 'block' distance) <br />
105.6' equals 28.8 secs<br />
21.12' equals 5.76 sec (close enough to a 20' / 6 sec combat round, even for Mista OCD)<br />
<br />
What does that solve? Well, for me, I no longer have to think in distance, but rather in time! Torch life is in time. Rations are in time. Spell length, preparation, and casting, are in time. Everything else is in units of time! I can't help but to think that this will help 'in game', not to mention with my brain curdling attempts at mapping! Win-Win in my book. Hope it pans out while playing too. I know it has helped with mapping, which I hope to share shortly.<br />
<br />
Surely not a significant discovery to the blog-as-sphere, but I am glad I have finally made the discovery! Or, at least, learned what others already know.<br />
<br />
Best and happy gaming,<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-56029705916525185442012-02-11T12:21:00.000-06:002012-02-11T12:21:36.915-06:00More Mini Campaign<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>S</b></span>o I started messing around with mapping (<a href="http://www.hexographer.com/free_hexographer.shtml">Hexographer</a>) again, and made a small regional map, or started it anyway. Then my best-est friend ever, OCD, came to visit. I wanted to drop in a small coastal harbor town or city. But what size? I knew I wanted to have each sub-hex be 2.5 miles (1 league) and the larger hexes to be 12.5 miles (5 leagues) based on how much I like <a href="http://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2010/02/mapping-manors-vs-farms.html">Bat in the Attic maps</a>. This scale just makes sense to me, and I hope to elaborate more on that in my next post.<br />
<br />
Then I wavered! I do so ever like how it's done on <a href="http://25milehex.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html">The 25 Mile Hex</a> too! Finally I just said, "Screw It!" and went to another bookmark, <a href="http://www222.pair.com/sjohn/blueroom/demog.htm">Medieval Demographics Made Easy</a>. Both the above blogs mentioned it, as I recall, so it has to have something going for it, right?<br />
<br />
So, based on the formula there ((Hex Width x .9306049)squared) tells me that there are 5.43sq miles in a 2.5 mile hex, or 1 league. Cool! Population Density, which I took to mean Rural, ranged from 30 to 120 people per square mile. So this town/city, assuming it has some kind of patrolling guard, could patrol out, on a regular basis, a half-a-day. So four hours, or 4 leagues, to be able to make it back by dark. Counting all the hexes surrounding the town/city I came up with 60 hexes and an Excel Spread Sheet...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA0H2Cr5MVhLsduPkdHFBtU-mmy3vV80euIurmA7ax-YBND641K6KY2RHlYjuEiJZnaG5W8K65pzL21XXiIQ4fFmBlESVLNEEvBQF1_j2jLPCoF8Mx2I9iCBhQYc3674bfZNhpY0HXTVn/s1600/FourMilesOut.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA0H2Cr5MVhLsduPkdHFBtU-mmy3vV80euIurmA7ax-YBND641K6KY2RHlYjuEiJZnaG5W8K65pzL21XXiIQ4fFmBlESVLNEEvBQF1_j2jLPCoF8Mx2I9iCBhQYc3674bfZNhpY0HXTVn/s320/FourMilesOut.png" width="320" /></a></div>So, based on density, this town could range from a Large Town to a Large City... I am not a complete sadist. I didn't want to randomly figure out the density of every league within the settlement's control. So I created a formula that would give me a random range between 30 and 120. Then OCD's friend showed up...<br />
<br />
Yay, ADD, welcome! Mr. ADD wanted to know, "If the settlement could only 'protect' 3, 2, or even 1 hour out from it, what size settlements would result?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAqisoaobQh6znf-4BRGTI56HemGfFRc2XUDnDezZbaiHfd4mA8pok7dQrO4Og2fXnjCjMoH07ea16Yp7DuoGwNgGKXu48ux-GnVxrFLxCcqTppGg2IN2fcYKn5uSz6Tf5YRA1cSCxFdF/s1600/ThreeMilesOut.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAqisoaobQh6znf-4BRGTI56HemGfFRc2XUDnDezZbaiHfd4mA8pok7dQrO4Og2fXnjCjMoH07ea16Yp7DuoGwNgGKXu48ux-GnVxrFLxCcqTppGg2IN2fcYKn5uSz6Tf5YRA1cSCxFdF/s320/ThreeMilesOut.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80sXXiCERcLDY_EumUXmKBHwU44bA4SGKLMB15wGzbslTnq10qL8lRVrWJ1B-s8ISQiq4wB_1bhLNcM2cKo0pelcsTbk5BuHr1QlS2Ok-GclelXpxj8WElNu9uMSEdnxHgCznk610lAoB/s1600/TwoMilesOut.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80sXXiCERcLDY_EumUXmKBHwU44bA4SGKLMB15wGzbslTnq10qL8lRVrWJ1B-s8ISQiq4wB_1bhLNcM2cKo0pelcsTbk5BuHr1QlS2Ok-GclelXpxj8WElNu9uMSEdnxHgCznk610lAoB/s320/TwoMilesOut.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGTUNSox_MvXuHkEFlqRRGtZ9uql5wJJlloEV4_fBuk1dCa9kfpOUZP7O6wLOWayAlYm_sx9WSjrJSacrfgB2dMT0XIdSuJMp9Ikk2mzEuY_UDKFsNrlLZWX-YSzrdmOPSZbYnByzEnuI/s1600/OneMileOut.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGTUNSox_MvXuHkEFlqRRGtZ9uql5wJJlloEV4_fBuk1dCa9kfpOUZP7O6wLOWayAlYm_sx9WSjrJSacrfgB2dMT0XIdSuJMp9Ikk2mzEuY_UDKFsNrlLZWX-YSzrdmOPSZbYnByzEnuI/s320/OneMileOut.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This didn't, even at minimum density, get me a settlement smaller than 489 person Village with the Village itself and the adjoining 6 leagues. (I am using the settlement sizes from 3.5 by-the-way because I would like to use the eventual map in either a Microlite20 or Pathfinder Beginner Box campaign) <br />
<br />
"Doh!" All I had to do was reverse the formula to be able to enter the settlement population and random density to tell me how many leagues a settlement needed. I did this not just because of Mr. ADD, but because I noticed that the first settlement was going to eat-up alot of my map. I wanted some smaller settlements for 'bases-of-operations' too out in the 'wilderness'.<br />
<br />
Long-story-short, I think Mr. OCD and Mr. ADD have just had their communal asses kicked by Mr. Excel!<br />
<br />
More to come!<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-51871418305786744692012-01-29T18:04:00.000-06:002012-01-29T18:04:48.156-06:00Playing With Hero Lab For PFBB<b style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">I</span></b>t appears, that the <a href="http://www.wolflair.com/index.php?context=hero_lab&page=starter_edition">Hero Lab version for Pathfinder Beginner Box</a> is free, full functioning, and works wonders:<br />
<br />
This creature stands barely three feet tall, its scrawny, humanoid body dwarfed by its wide, ungainly head.<br />
--------------------<br />
Grinder: Male Goblin (Neutral)<br />
<br />
Goblins are hateful, suspicious creatures about 4 feet tall. They prefer to dwell in caves or buildings abandoned by others. They love fire, hate dogs and horses, and believe that writing steals the words from your head.<br />
<br />
Initiative +6; Speed 30 ft. (6 sq.); CR 1/2; HP 8<br />
Senses Darkvision (60 feet); Perception +4<br />
--------------------<br />
DEFENSE<br />
--------------------<br />
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+3 armor, +2 Dex, +1 size)<br />
Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +0<br />
--------------------<br />
OFFENSE<br />
--------------------<br />
Melee (M) Dagger +0 (1d4+1/19-20/x2) and<br />
(M) Dagger +0 (1d4+1/19-20/x2) and<br />
Unarmed Strike +2 (1d2+1/20/x2)<br />
Ranged Shortbow +3 (1d4/20/x3)<br />
Special Attacks Sneak Attack +1d6<br />
--------------------<br />
STATISTICS<br />
--------------------<br />
Str +1, Dex +2, Con 0, Int 0, Wis 0, Cha 0<br />
Skills Climb +5, Disable Device +7, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +4, Knowledge (Local) +4, Knowledge (Nature) +1, Perception +4, Ride +6, Sense Motive +4, Stealth +10<br />
Feats Improved Initiative<br />
Equipment Backpack (empty), Belt Pouch (empty), Caltrops, Dagger, Dagger, Flint and Steel, Sack (empty), Sack (empty), Shortbow, Studded Leather, Thieves' Tools, Waterskin<br />
--------------------<br />
ECOLOGY<br />
--------------------<br />
Environment Temperate forest and plains (usually coastal regions)<br />
Organization Gang (4-9), warband (10-16 with goblin dog mounts), or tribe (17+ plus 100% noncombatants; 1 sergeant of 3rd level per 20 adults; 1 or 2 lieutenants of 4th or 5th level; 1 leader of 6th-8th level; and 10-40 goblin dogs, wolves, or worgs)<br />
Treasure NPC gear (leather armor, light wooden shield, short sword, short bow with 20 arrows, other treasure)<br />
--------------------<br />
SPECIAL ABILITIES<br />
--------------------<br />
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark up to 60 feet. This works like normal vision, but it's only in shades of gray.<br />
Sneak Attack +1d6 +1d6 damage if you flank your target or your target is flat-footed.<br />
Trapfinding +1 +1 to find or disable traps.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
Hero Lab® and the Hero Lab logo are Registered Trademarks of LWD Technology, Inc. Free download at http://www.wolflair.com<br />
Pathfinder® and associated marks and logos are trademarks of Paizo Publishing, LLC®, and are used under license.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This rocks! Now, I must play a PFBB campaign!</span><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">TB </span></b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-20986453786968232772012-01-27T18:22:00.000-06:002012-01-27T18:22:17.992-06:00Home...<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>H</b></span>ome at last, though I thought I would get alot of blogging done while on my business trip, it never came to fruition. Now, I hope, I can delve off into some PFBB ramblings...<br />
<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-60882401736062624102012-01-18T09:16:00.002-06:002012-01-18T09:16:56.624-06:00Stop SOPA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjn5MdxYldaEQV7pxKANEE_NL-lx5_yKG14IcdyTUy-6HLrOtSkR5xxhLNdinC6DJWoefH5LvKghbc7UICOh6mC07jTYHYXlgx0wzKQkgtA0L9_Ljy7RGlpmQiJki8BKrCSoe7CJiHvgc2/s1600/blocked_vertical2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjn5MdxYldaEQV7pxKANEE_NL-lx5_yKG14IcdyTUy-6HLrOtSkR5xxhLNdinC6DJWoefH5LvKghbc7UICOh6mC07jTYHYXlgx0wzKQkgtA0L9_Ljy7RGlpmQiJki8BKrCSoe7CJiHvgc2/s400/blocked_vertical2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-28295822547848920422012-01-17T22:34:00.001-06:002012-01-17T22:35:11.215-06:00Pathfinder Beginner Box and D&D Red Box<b style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">I</span></b> had blogged about getting the<i> <a href="http://babblingbane.blogspot.com/2012/01/pathfinder-beginner-box.html">Pathfinder Beginner Box</a></i> (PFBB) a while ago, but I just picked up the <i>D&D Red Box</i> too. Which, I swore I wouldn't get, but I found it on sale for $9.50<br />
<br />
Talk about totally different attempts at what, I think, was meant to be the same thing; an introduction to 'the' game.<br />
<br />
The PFBB was a trip down memory lane. I really enjoyed the solo adventure and all the way through to page 53 of the <i>Hero's Handbook</i>. That is where the crunch began under the heading of "Combat"... I stomached through to the end because it was only an additional ten pages that covered only first through fifth level (the sweat spot for me personally).<br />
<br />
The PFBB <i>Game Master's Guide</i> had a nice mini-adventure and, though it was tailored to new GMs, was an enjoyable read.<br />
<br />
In short, the whole PFBB screamed quality.<br />
<br />
The D&D Red Box (RB), on the other hand, whimpered. From the box and booklet quality, to a <i>Player's Handbook</i> that was 39 pages of solo-adventure ONLY! I <u>did</u> like how they had you develop you character sheet throughout the adventure, but this did not make up for my less than gloomy first impression.<br />
<br />
The D&D RB <i>Dungeon Master Book</i> had me crying before I even finished it, which I did not do. The rules where like reading a 60+ page boardgame instruction manual...<br />
<br />
Now to admit, I currently play D&D 4e with a great group, and the GM handles it very old school. So I know it is possible, but if I had to start a group with this <i>thing</i>, it probably would never happen.<br />
<br />
PFBB on the other hand has me compelled to start a new campaign, should I find the players.<br />
<br />
To answer a few questions directed to me from the last post by <i>Erin</i>:<br />
<br />
"<i>....looks friendly enough and I'm sorely tempted to pick it up, but is it good enough to launch a whole new campaign...</i>" ~ Absolutely. It is solid, and much more of what I wanted out of PF 3.5 than what it has become. I could totally see repeat playability just by staying in the 1st to 5th level that the box set covers. I must admit that I have always liked the idea of a E6 style game anyway. This scratches my itch!<br />
<br />
"<i>...or is it just reference material I can use in my existing game?</i>" ~ I think it can do that too, to a lesser extent. It has an 'old school vibe' to it, but it is obviously a d20 product. It introduces Sandpoint and the neighboring region and gives out a few plot hooks to expound on for sure, but it is an 'introduction' to the game.<br />
<br />
"<i>Is it "stand-alone" or will I have to go down the Pathfinder rabbit hole?</i>" ~ it suggests going to the PF Core rulebook, but it is 100% stand-alone. I do not see myself investing in anything other than perhaps the setting book, where I will run a plethora of PBB adventures, should I find an interested group! So, no, no rabbit hole in my future! But I like the setting, so might get the one other book to 'expand' it some.<br />
<br />
"<i>I await your judgement...</i>" ~ I recommend it, surprisingly. I honestly didn't expect to like it as much as I do. I wish the entire PF line was like this though. The D&D RB on the other hand... was a waste of my money even at the 'bargain' price. I enjoy my D&D 4e group and game, I do, but reading what I was able to of the box set, well, was torture. I hoped it would have been different, because I do enjoy my face-to-face 4e group game, and assumed, wrongly that perhaps the reviews were not fair or I might like it because I had prior experience... not the case! I thought I might one day want to even GM a 4e game/campaign, but realize I don't have the chops that my current 4e GM has to make it 'old school'.<br />
<br />
In closing, get the PFBB, I don't think you will regret it,<br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-37692657587456093582012-01-10T22:34:00.003-06:002012-01-10T22:35:06.717-06:00Pathfinder Beginner Box<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>S</b></span>taying in a hotel for weeks on end, eight hundred miles away from home, you do some strange things. Like purchase the <i>Pathfinder Beginner Box</i> set...<br />
<br />
Knee-jerk reaction, I can live with it. Something between<i> Microlite20</i> and full blown <i>3.5 </i>might just fit the bill. Think I will go sit down in the lobby and read it. Maybe I can find some other equally as bored people to give it a run for it's money?<br />
<br />
Later Taters,<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-35321578858588949982011-12-29T21:07:00.000-06:002011-12-29T21:08:42.534-06:00Monitary Mapping<b style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">O</span></b>ver on <i>Telecanter's Receding Rules</i>, <i>Telecanter</i> spoke of <a href="http://recedingrules.blogspot.com/2011/12/pre-mapped-dungeon.html"><i>The Pre-Mapped Dungeon</i></a> and its effect on game play. <br />
<br />
Introducing pre-mapped dungeons in the form of Player handout maps is an interesting topic for discussion. But past; whether it should be done, how accurate they should be, and the effects to game play, I had to wonder, 'Where do they get them?'<br />
<br />
It would be assumed that either; the map is completely fraudulent (source had never been there), or if accurate, that the dungeon had been plundered by the cartographer at, or before, the time of the map's creation. Both could be circumstances that could lead to in-game disappointment for the Characters, and to a lesser extent the Players.<br />
<br />
But what really got me was, "How did they get such a map?" One would assume that it was made for profit, as making a personally plundered map for oneself seems cost prohibitive unless it was used to extricate oneself from same.<br />
<br />
So, assuming it was made for profit to be sold to others, how much would it be worth? Why don't Players ever try to sell their maps? Why don't big-wig NPCs hire Characters to map locations, even their regional terrain? And, if this was prevalent, should Characters receive experience for a successful cartography exploration?<br />
<br />
A myriad of questions I must ponder upon!<br />
<br />
Happy mapping,<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-90018749300536799592011-12-25T21:08:00.000-06:002011-12-25T21:08:20.692-06:00Messing Around With Wacom...<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #666666;">J</span></b></span>ust wanted to show off my new toy! Yes, I am not very good. I have been reading tuts and sketching all day and this is the best I have to show for it....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTXlw5t3wmaE0jD-R7VkdK692QXZ2kQQlIZL0eLj0c001MG4KOstKz4DD0EqwfV1U_MbAuXt3XHS5XcJ-PBzeXzW2j2uqvSw0gIadnTRPm-LGkOmZt6UKjeOoslH8rhyRKkJ15DhfjioU/s1600/FemaleElfWarrior1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTXlw5t3wmaE0jD-R7VkdK692QXZ2kQQlIZL0eLj0c001MG4KOstKz4DD0EqwfV1U_MbAuXt3XHS5XcJ-PBzeXzW2j2uqvSw0gIadnTRPm-LGkOmZt6UKjeOoslH8rhyRKkJ15DhfjioU/s640/FemaleElfWarrior1.png" width="492" /></a></div>
Much practice in my future, but at least I won't feel bad about crumpling digital paper and throwing it in the digital trashcan.<br />
<br />
Constructive critism is fine, lay it on me.<br />
<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-68152182583242234072011-12-21T17:54:00.001-06:002011-12-21T18:23:04.163-06:00Microlite20: Stats<b style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">M</span></b>oving on, I have decided:<br />
<br />
===========<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stats</b></span></u><br />
There are four stats the represent you Character;: Fortitude (FORT), Reflex (RFLX), Will (WILL), and Comprehension (COMP).<br />
<ul>
<li>Fortitude (FORT) measure your character's ability to stand up to physical punishment or attacks against your vitality and health. It is often referred to as Strength in may RPGs. (Strength of Body)<span class="st"></span></li>
<li>Reflex (RFLX) is the speed associated with the body and your character's ability to dodge attacks. It is often referred to as Dexterity in some RPGs. (Speed of Body)</li>
<li>Will (WILL) is your character's resistance to mental influence as well as many magical effects, often thought of or referred to as Wisdom in other RPGs. (Strength of Mind)</li>
<li>Comprehension (COMP) is <span class="st">the act or action of grasping with the intellect, and how fast the mind can process stimulus. It is thought of as Intelligence in other RPGs. (Speed of Mind)</span></li>
</ul>
<span class="st"><u>Rolling for, and assigning, Stat scores: </u></span><br />
<span class="st">Players should roll three six sided die, annotated as 3d6, and assign them to one of their character's Stats after being totaled, before rolling for another Stat. At any time the player may take a total rolled and assign it as their character's starting gold roll (discussed later).</span><br />
<br />
<span class="st"><u>Calculating Stat bonuses/penalties: </u></span><br />
<span class="st">Each exceptional or sub-par Stat will either produce a bonus or penalty, respectively, to rolls during play. This bonus or penalty can be calculated by subtracting ten from the Stat score and dividing by two, rounding down.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">Stat bonus = (<b>STAT</b>-10)/2, rounded down.</span><br />
===========<br />
<br />
<span class="st">There, procrastination complete and OCD fended off... for now.</span><br />
<span class="st"> </span><br />
<span class="st"><i><b>TB</b></i></span>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-86397681438715763542011-12-17T14:10:00.001-06:002011-12-18T11:53:52.147-06:00Village Of Nickime<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>A</b></span> quick post to show the Large Village of <i>Nickime</i> that I created from the "<a href="http://babblingbane.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-all-about-quarters.html">It's All About The Quarters</a>" post I did yesterday. Again I want to thank <i>Talysman,</i> for the motivation/inspiration. I haven't gotten into digesting his response on the last post, but soon will.<br />
<br />
*Edit: <i>Roger</i>, over at <i>Roles, Rules, and Rolls</i>, took creating settlements with coins even further <a href="http://rolesrules.blogspot.com/2011/12/we-built-this-city-on-nickels-and-dimes.html">with several interesting twist</a>!* <br />
<br />
Without further ado, here is the map of <i>Nickime</i>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKqYOYIie6llg56eROkTvI1e6fhCa7TfDwRRTPDskjhs8NXV7iXJ7ysQxm6z4SrFVIssrnJN1AaaNT58iHsN94OWeg8gqGzuGDFeJmDmEbG4lPaif3KXhBHL1joxZQ0k4ds7dQWQly00f/s1600/QuickCoinVillage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKqYOYIie6llg56eROkTvI1e6fhCa7TfDwRRTPDskjhs8NXV7iXJ7ysQxm6z4SrFVIssrnJN1AaaNT58iHsN94OWeg8gqGzuGDFeJmDmEbG4lPaif3KXhBHL1joxZQ0k4ds7dQWQly00f/s400/QuickCoinVillage.png" width="400" /></a></div>
A Keep was placed for the quarter, and merchant/craftsmen got a larger building. Then I just added ten houses per fifty cent piece. Here is what the original map looked like, if you missed it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVRS_y_7bEPbbsZDvtSSgMuCfKlnbvBTXadeO-NFwdcWwq05dYecqcbau1JDgMHfqPs598UAJN-Tv2E8oTjbvi3t-tilYkhWxCfAQMP6HNU9TLziw4SLAVpr427Xc4mP-ltwdeM627jP1/s1600/coinseXAMPLE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVRS_y_7bEPbbsZDvtSSgMuCfKlnbvBTXadeO-NFwdcWwq05dYecqcbau1JDgMHfqPs598UAJN-Tv2E8oTjbvi3t-tilYkhWxCfAQMP6HNU9TLziw4SLAVpr427Xc4mP-ltwdeM627jP1/s1600/coinseXAMPLE.png" /></a></div>
I was initially worried about the placement of the Church/Shrine, but when I did the rough map I think it turned out okay.<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-56209443125600386262011-12-16T22:10:00.000-06:002011-12-16T22:34:15.572-06:00It's All About The "Quarters"<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>S</b></span>o, while perusing blogs, I stumbled on <i>Talysman's </i>latest post: <a href="http://9and30kingdoms.blogspot.com/2011/12/mapping-towns-and-cities-during-play.html">Mapping Towns and Cities During Play.</a><br />
<br />
There, I saw a link to: <a href="http://9and30kingdoms.blogspot.com/2011/01/quarter-system.html">The Quarter System</a>. I thought, '<i>Cool... That would be neat!</i>' So off I went, Mozilla buzzing, to find it was not what I had thought. It was '<i>Cool</i>', just not what I anticipated.<br />
<br />
This, is what I had in mind:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iNMMLRyOA-se_BIP1q7i4tmH48hQPQoUX0_tpcDme6NFii5fUlQ9HPod4pI2JwuQKULHpsfvKlKH5Riy_Lco7qdbw5xy8DTBnCDR8srsBG6LzANA2f10O_h3rbh9J0K-VbLiKhtgHC8/s200/91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iNMMLRyOA-se_BIP1q7i4tmH48hQPQoUX0_tpcDme6NFii5fUlQ9HPod4pI2JwuQKULHpsfvKlKH5Riy_Lco7qdbw5xy8DTBnCDR8srsBG6LzANA2f10O_h3rbh9J0K-VbLiKhtgHC8/s200/91.jpg" /></a></div>
Coinage! Quarters!<br />
<br />
That lead to this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVRS_y_7bEPbbsZDvtSSgMuCfKlnbvBTXadeO-NFwdcWwq05dYecqcbau1JDgMHfqPs598UAJN-Tv2E8oTjbvi3t-tilYkhWxCfAQMP6HNU9TLziw4SLAVpr427Xc4mP-ltwdeM627jP1/s1600/coinseXAMPLE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVRS_y_7bEPbbsZDvtSSgMuCfKlnbvBTXadeO-NFwdcWwq05dYecqcbau1JDgMHfqPs598UAJN-Tv2E8oTjbvi3t-tilYkhWxCfAQMP6HNU9TLziw4SLAVpr427Xc4mP-ltwdeM627jP1/s1600/coinseXAMPLE.png" /></a></div>
Where I started with a Quarter to represent the Castle/Keep. Inspired again by <i>Talysman</i>, <a href="http://9and30kingdoms.blogspot.com/2011/12/impromptu-towns.html">here</a>, I quickly decided that dimes would be crafts, nickles would be multi-entity establishments, quarters the controlling interest, and half-dollars would be homes.<br />
<br />
I placed the Quarter, then a dime, figuring that the controlling entity would want them near. To support that, I needed homes. Each additional coin had to touch at least two others and homes had to touch the establishment it supported. Each craft/merchantile had to be as close to the 'hub' as I could get it, then its supporting homes. When at all possible I shared the edge of the homes with another half-dollar to represent how homes tended to cling together...<br />
<br />
And bingo a rough Large Village was created, again based on <a href="http://9and30kingdoms.blogspot.com/2011/12/impromptu-towns.html">this</a>.<br />
<br />
I will assume that there are three entrances into the Castle/Keep at each of the dimes, and for the most part that each coin that touches another has a major thoroughfare connecting it.<br />
<br />
Now that I know what each can represent, I should be able to pick up some coins (the amount based on the size of the settlement) and have a ready made establishment.<br />
<br />
What to do with the penny?... Ruins or Slums! Done.<br />
<br />
Hope you like it, it is rather 'outside-the-box' for me, and it is all because <i>Talysman</i> blogged about quarters!<br />
<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i><br />
<br />
*The only thing I had a problem with was the Church/Shrine. It probably should have gone NE or SW of the Controller, but I didn't want it near a Stable or a Blacksmith.*<br />
<a class="profile-name-link" href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02162328521343832412" rel="author"></a>The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656623729955069942.post-7775154084221852642011-12-15T18:53:00.001-06:002011-12-15T18:58:32.601-06:00Trying My Hand At Silhouettes<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>W</b></span>anted to try it out myself since <a href="http://recedingrules.blogspot.com/">Telecanter</a> makes them look so cool!<br />
<br />
First One I did took me about fifteen minutes. And it looks like it...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SxFd_KoB-z3Jgr04oiBBX0ZnB1QTd7Av9su9pG0oAxpfs1MwTbUDRsHHRd44gMQCDQwpseMMhyphenhyphen02Eu8VOCoZFwaQjXB3GAoY20mAMx2Oq9qtUVF_94Mcco_gbSpFsTWrrd1RzNQwJmz7/s1600/silhouette+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SxFd_KoB-z3Jgr04oiBBX0ZnB1QTd7Av9su9pG0oAxpfs1MwTbUDRsHHRd44gMQCDQwpseMMhyphenhyphen02Eu8VOCoZFwaQjXB3GAoY20mAMx2Oq9qtUVF_94Mcco_gbSpFsTWrrd1RzNQwJmz7/s1600/silhouette+1.png" /></a></div>
Learned a valuable lesson. Not all poses look right. This fellow in the original was setting up for a backswing. In the Silhouette, it appears that he is going for a forehand swing... meh.<br />
<br />
Second one was this one, which took me about ten minutes.<br />
<br />
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You loose the pick-sword in Silhouetting him, but better. The outline doesn't look as jagged with this technique.<br />
<br />
Fun though,<br />
<br />
<i><b>TB</b></i><br />
<br />The Banehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618418974424858748noreply@blogger.com6