Homebrew: Icar

Icar is a science fiction game by Rob Lang, and one well worth the attention of fans of science fiction roleplaying games.

Though I am still digesting the rules, the setting of the game interests me the most. It it set in the far future of mankind (the 93rd setting). It is a setting with all of the fun components of space opera; FTL (Faster Than Light) ships, cybernetics, wild and weird weapons, habitable alien worlds and the like.

Though a cliche' the Icar setting went through a war with a "race" of intelligent robots dubbed Droids, who now control a great many star systems. Interestingly, these droids do not take the classical humanoid form most often deen in science-fiction, but are often quite vehicular in appearance (see illustration below). If these droids were not busy fighting amongst themselves, it seems they would quickly flatten mankind. Whether or not they would do so, is not entirely clear.

Mankind is controlled by an organization known as The Imperium that appears (despite the forces of cliche') to be good for mankind. It is the single greatest force dedicated towards mans survival and organization against the droids.

All-in-all, I like this setting. Its a nifty read and good to see such effort going into a creative endeavor. The game itself is free AND well done. Check it out!

Magical Lands: Enchanted Forest

The lands where folklore and myth are just as (if not more so) interesting than the stories that take place in them.

Enchanted Forests are always huge, stretching far beyond possible geography, possibly slipping into other worlds. They are often large enough to hide lost cities, hidden villages and lonely towers of multiple species. These can all exist within a forest that in the Mortal World, could be walked around in a day (give or take).

This is more than likely due to the fact that mose Enchanted Forests are "trackless" that is the roads in these places tend to move around on the traveler, even disappearing altogether. Powerful magic, special training (by forest denizens or somesuch), divine intervention or the aid of a supernatural denizen of the forest itself is a mortals only hope.

The denizens of an Enchanted Forest often operate by rules mostly unknowable to humankind, but a certain theme to their behavior can be discerned. Even evil creatures in such places will have a way of doing things, and if approached with courtesy, can often be dealt with.

For a favorite tale of an Enchanted Forest, see Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock. He wrote other books along the same theme, but the first one was the best in my humble opinion.

The Fine Art of Dungeons and Dragons, Part 1

As I have stated before, I adore fantasy role playing games, and have a great fondness for Dungeons and Dragons. Though the hobby has changed greatly over the years, it still holds to the love of a roaring good fantasy adventure, with lots of fights, magic and daring-do.

And then theres the monsters...

I should mention that before D&D, there were very few resources available to the fantasy fan beyond The Lord of The Rings series, Tolkien rip-offs, and a small number of other books. And far fewer options to anyone who wanted to see artwork accompanying the stories.

When D&D came out, it was full of illustrations of every sort of monster from mythology and a great many from pulp and science fiction novels. Many of these illustrations were technically crude, but had a lurid energy that is hard to find in later versions. I gobbled those books up, even though I didn't have a group I hoarded those books and studied the art like nothing else.

The illustration to the left is a group portrait for a gang of monsters for a Planescape adventure called "Desire and The Dead". The three are (from right to left) Tarmouth, Rash Redwelt, and Gerr. The two on the left are two different types of demon, escapees from an eternal war with other infernal monsters, come to Sigil (a sort of cross-dimensional Casablanca) to start a new life.

Tarmouths race doesnt normally have the capacity to talk, but tarmouth has been changed to allow for it, though he is perpentually drooling a black tar-like substance. Rash is from a sort of taskmaster of the infernal, though now a person of some underworld importance, he tries to dress well. Gerr is a troll.

Aurora Trek

I know that I normally focus on more fantasy and folklore oriented material. But after seeing just how beautiful a job that was done of Aurora Trek, by the brilliant and talented Tim Vining. I felt I should comment! It is after all a storytelling exercise, and should be promoted by anyone who loves a good story.

That said, on with the review!

The story of Star Trek Aurora takes place in the Star Trek universe. The story takes place in 2270, just after the end of the original Star Trek Series, but before the first movie.

The series takes a look at the lives of the generally overlooked traders of the Star Trek universe. Usually on Star Trek we only get brief views of the actual societies that make the vast cultures of the setting work. In our own world it is always the adventurous merchant looking to make a fortune that finds new territories to explore, so to it should be for the Star Trek universe.

The entire production is gorgeous. The animation is superb, with ship sets that take the best of "old school" Star Trek and makes it seem alive and believable. Not only are the main characters beautifully crafted, but have a living quality too rarely found in science fiction (animated and live action).

The series is slow going at present as the author is also the animator, and digital animation is a slow process for one person. But at present, the show has 1 and 1/2 episodes, all highly recomended.

Angelic Musings

The concept of the heavenly guardian, watching over the affairs of mortal man is both comforting and frightening. For though it sounds good to be watched over, it is also alarming to think we are observed in our dark, bitter, selfish moments, regularly staining our better times. Our mortality and cruel natures are all the more apparent in such a light.
Perhaps this is why most people only think of such beings during holidays. As to live as though our evils were observed is more than most men can bear.

Resolutions

Ah the new year has begun...

Alot of people out there are or have made New Years resolutions that will never be kept for more than a week or two. This is of course because the resolutions themselves are either completely against the oath-takers nature, impossible, or the oath-taker has the willpower of cottage cheese.

As for me, my resolution is to endeavor to grow strongly in faith, mighty in love and to be bold in goodness. I know that sounds melodramatic, but I hope to hold to it.