Adventure Game News

[Hiatus] Every Day is Ferbieday

2009-07-13T15:26:00.004-05:00

It is with great regret that I must announce an extended hiatus of Adventure Game News.

I began this news blog two months ago with two goals.

First, I wanted to get back into the game news gig; I love the adventure games industry, every genre of it, from roleplaying games and board game to miniatures game and trading card games. I love games in all forms for the sake of games themselves, as I believe games to be the second-best form of social interaction possible. Hunting down information, putting together news articles and reviews, reading and playing games for reviews... I could easily spend all my waking moments working on game news; back in my Krause Publications days, sometimes, I did spend every waking moment working on it! I enjoy every aspect of the game news biz... except one.

There's no longer any percentage in it, i.e., there is no money in it. At least, not in the current economy, and not under current market circumstances. Were I independently wealthy, or had a job that could pay the bills and leave me time to publish game news on the side, this would not be an issue. So when I began Adventure Game News, it was with the the idea that eventually, it would reach a point where it would actually pay for itself, or at least, supplement my income enough that I could honestly say that the time spent on supporting the site was at least equal to the time lost working on products for Adventure Games Publishing.

Unfortunately, I do not now see that happening during the current recession. In fact, I would argue that we are not in a recession, we are in fact in a depression. History has shown that games are generally recession proof, at least, since the last great recession in the early 80's. Games weathered every recession since with flying colors; since the recession of the early '80s, it was the ups and downs of the game market itself that has caused dislocations in the game market. From the TCG boom and bust to the d20 boom and glut, it was always the cycle of popular games and game fads that caused the booms and the busts. But this time... this time it is different.

Between advances in home publishing, print on demand, PDF sales, and the growing interconnectedness of gamers through blogs and social sites, the adventure game industry had already taken no few hits to its viability as an industry... essentially, the hobby had again caught up with the industry, so that hobbyists at home could produce games that, if not truly professional, at least were good enough... and especially when the price was right, i.e., usually free! This, combined with the current worldwide general economic depression, may be the death of the adventure game industry as we know it. Maybe... or maybe not. All I know is that right now, if I want to be able to continue publishing in the games market at all, I need to concentrate my efforts on either Adventure Game News or Adventure Games Publishing.

And as I still have obligations under Adventure Games Publishing, and as it is the only one of the two that has proven that it can at least make some money, it wins, for now.

So Adventure Game News is going on hiatus. It is likely to be an extended hiatus, through to the end of the current economic dislocation. Once the economy recovers, if it recovers, and if the adventure games industry recovers with it, we shall return.

I thank those of you who have sent materials for review; I will publish reviews for products sent to date here, on my personal game blog, and in Adventure Games Journal. However, please do not send further products for review unless you want them to be reviewed on my personal game blog and in the Journal, as once I finish the reviews for products currently on the review pile, I will cease all posts on Adventure Game News.

I want to thank all the readers of this news blog for their patronage in the past. Please check in here every couple months, especially once the economy has recovered, to see if we have started up again...

James Mishler
President, Adventure Games Publishing

[Product Release] 100 More Calamitous Curses

2009-07-06T16:12:00.005-05:00

From Adventure Games Publishing:

Castles & Crusades
100 More Calamitous Curses
100 More Calamitous Curses follows the original 100 Calamitous Curses product with 100 new unusual and interesting curses the Castles & Crusades Castle Keeper can use in his campaign. These can be bestowed upon player characters through mischance and misfortune or used by player character clerics and wizards on hapless non-player enemies. While designed for use with Castles & Crusades, the curses are easily adapted to any fantasy role-playing game system.

Few of these curses are of the immediately deadly sort, save perhaps to 1st level characters; they are all designed to fall within the parameters set by the bestow curse spell, the reverse of the remove curse spell which is useable as a 3rd level clerical spell or 4th level wizard spell.

Examples of curses include:

#16: Curse of the Noxious Noma: The accursed one’s face begins to rot away, with all flesh from the ears forward sloughing off horribly over a number of days equal to the accursed one’s Charisma. Every other day of the rotting process he gains a penalty of -1 to any Charisma attribute or ability check or saving throw, to a maximum penalty of 1/2 his Charisma rounded up. As the lips and cheeks are very important in proper speech, the accursed one also develops a severe speech impediment. If the accursed one seeks to convey anything complex, or must cast a spell that requires a verbal component, he must make a level-based Intelligence check with a CL equal to the Charisma penalty, or he fails to convey his meaning/the spell fails. Though it is a painful process, unlike real sufferers of noma, the accursed one does not thereafter die; he lives on with his face rotted away.

#30: Curse of Piratical Preoccupation: The accursed one believes himself to be a pirate of the high seas. He speaks only using pirate speak (and now knows it and its intricacies, even if utterly unfamiliar with it before), refuses to do anything else until he is dressed as a pirate and has his equipment stored in a sea chest, seeks out a parrot to wear upon his shoulder and a jug of rum to carry at his belt, and once thusly prepared, makes with all haste to the nearest pirate haven, there to find a ship on which to serve as a pirate. Once upon a pirate ship, he will seem to be the best pirate known to history or legend, able to do feats that others only ever dream (leap from mast to mast, fight sharks bare-handed, etc.). His first goal thereafter is to work the men into frenzy to follow him as their captain, mutiny against the true captain, and then lead the pirate ship into glory, hunting the largest and best-defended prize ship known to sail the seas. Once the pirate ship is engaged in battle with the defenders of the prize, the accursed one forgets everything that happened to him from the moment he became accursed, and in addition, forgets how to swim.

#52: Curse of the Danse Macabre: All creatures the accursed one slays rise 24 hours later as skeletons and zombies; these undead never attack, even to defend themselves, for if destroyed, they simply rise again 1d10 minutes later. They reconstitute even if burned, though if disintegrated, they are destroyed permanently. They dance and pirouette, cavort and sashay, slowly but surely making their way toward the accursed one, and when they arrive at the accursed one’s location, they dance continual circle around him, calling out his name with their dead voices. If he flees, they follow, forming a long conga line of death and undeath.

#98: Curse of Rider’s Ruin: Whenever the accursed one rides a horse, donkey, camel, elephant, or similar mount, or uses such to draw a wagon, cart, or other vehicle in which he rides, upon the accursed one dismounting from the steed or disembarking the vehicle, the creature(s) must make a Physical saving throw or die on the spot.

Rules for removing curses and details for including cursed scrolls in treasure troves are also included.

Castles & Crusades: 100 More Calamitous Curses
By James Mishler
AGP00652, 15-page PDF, $3.00 MSRP

Click here to buy
100 More Calamitous Curses
on DriveThruRPG
Full Disclosure: I am the publisher and sole proprietor of Adventure Games Publishing, and the author of this work.

[Ferbieday] Happy Ferbieday!

2009-07-03T20:27:00.003-05:00

Another week passes. Now that everyone is getting home and recovering from Origins, maybe we'll see more developments in the industry, especially on Gen Con releases.

This next week will be very light on posts, as our wedding is on Friday July 10th, and I have family and friends arriving even before then.

But never fear! Once the wedding is past, Adventure Game News shall return with a vengeance, with numerous daily news posts, reviews, retailer reports, interviews, and more!

(Oh, and I hope to post this last week's Week in Games sometime this weekend... sorry about the delay on that...)

[Retailer Report] Castle Perilous June 2009

2009-07-03T12:19:00.003-05:00

From Castle Perilous:

Castle Perilous
Scott Thorne, PhD
207 West Main St.
Carbondale IL 62901-2919
618-529-5317
800-297-2160
www.castleperilous.com
castleperilousgames@gmail.com

Board Games: Axis & Allies from Wizards of the Coast; people are buying the various sets in anticipation of their going out of print when the new edition launches.

Card Games: Gloom from Atlas Games; the release of Unfortunate Expeditions has stiffed interest in the game

Collectible Miniature Games: Star Wars Miniatures from Wizards of the Coast; again, as last month, having a dedicated group twice a week to play sure helps move product.

Miniature Games: Warhammer 40,000 from Games Workshop; the Lucky 13 campaign is creating interest among players.

Roleplaying Games: Shadowrun from Catalyst Game Labs; the announcement of the revised edition has gotten people looking at the currently-available products.

Trading Card Games: Magic: The Gathering from Wizards of the Coast; what can I say? Day in and day out, it sell steadily.

Wargames: Strategy & Tactics magazine; we picked up a good sized collection of these and have been moving them out slowly.

Other Game-Related Products: Chessex dice in boxes sell a little better than dice in bags.

Comic Books: Batman and Robin #1 from DC Comics; there is some interest in this but not as much as I had figured.

Did you participate in Free RPG Day, and if so, how did it go in your store? Yes, but it went slower than last year. Despite more in-store promotion and signing, we only had about six people specifically come in for the event. Everyone else, we pointed it out to them as they came in.

What cool events are coming up in your store in the next month? We have a Legend of the Five Rings Celestial tournament on July 5th. We are running the Magic 2010 pre-release on July 11th and 12th and a 40K ’Ard Boyz tournament on the 12th. There are also two Apocalypse Lucky 13 tournaments, one on the 18th for those that can make it on Saturday and another on the 22nd for our regular Wednesday crowd.

[Product Release] Monstrous Menaces #3

2009-07-01T22:26:00.005-05:00

From Adventure Games Publishing:

Castles & Crusades
Monstrous Menaces #3
Akhlat, Oogloog, and Woodwose
Adventure Games Publishing presents the third in a series of new monsters for the Castles & Crusades Castle Keeper to populate his dungeons and wilderness. Each installment of the Monstrous Menaces series presents three new monsters for a mere dollar, eminently affordable in today’s economy.

The third installment, Monstrous Menaces #3: Akhlat, Oogloog, and Woodwose, presents the Castle Keeper with a 4 HD Aberration, a 5 HD Ooze, and a 7 to 9 HD Monstrous Humanoid. Each entry includes complete listings for the monster’s description, organization, ecology, treasure, range, and special abilities.

Akhlat
An akhlat is a chimerical creature, possessing the head of a man, the feathered body and wings of a vulture, the legs and feet of a monkey, the arms and claws of a tiger, and the tail of an ass. The human head is overly large for the body, and bald; its eyes are black and beady like those of a vulture, its nose is large and long and blackened with warts, and its mouth is filled with tiger-like teeth and the forked tongue of a serpent. Its flesh is as hard as bronze, its teeth and claws like steel, and its breath is noxious like swamp-gas.

Oogloog
Oogloog are giant alien amoeba-like beings with a cruel, inhuman intellect. On a humanoid scale, their Intelligence would be placed in the High to Genius categories; however, their form of sentience is significantly different from that of other organisms.

Oogloog naturally take the form of a giant amoeba-like structure, essentially a bag of slimy acid filled with small globules of foreign materials (i.e. food). They have great control over their shape, however, and can take on the form of a bipedal humanoid, complete with head, two arms, hands, fingers, two legs, feet, and toes. Some possess a most cruel sense of humor, and enjoy preserving various body parts of victims, such as eyes and teeth, and using those to affect possession of such body parts (though having “eyes” and “teeth” in this way provides them no extra abilities to see or bite).

Woodwose
Also known as almas, bigfoot, sasquatch, wild men, yeren, or yeti, woodwoses are seven to nine foot tall humanoids covered with thick brown, brownish-red, black, or white fur. The hair covers it everywhere except on the palms of its hands and feet, which are thick and calloused. They look mostly human, with an apish cast to face and build, and with very apish teeth but very human eyes. Woodwoses never wear clothing or jewelry.

Some exhibit elvish blood or human blood, others orcish, ogre, or even hill giant blood, or even a mix of two or three other blood lines; woodwoses are able to breed with all five races, though one in eight of such crossbreeds are sterile, and one in eight of those with other blood go insane upon reaching puberty.

Monstrous Menaces #3: Akhlat, Oogloog, and Woodwose
By James Mishler
AGP06003, 9-page PDF, $1.00 MSRP

Click here to buy
Monstrous Menaces #3
now on DriveThruRPG

Full Disclosure: I am the publisher and sole proprietor of Adventure Games Publishing, and the author of this work.

[Product Release] Knights of the Dinner Table #152

2009-07-01T21:45:00.003-05:00

From Kenzer & Company:

Knights of the Dinner Table is a multiple award-winning magazine featuring the gaming industry’s most popular comic strip, as well as being a full-fledged gaming magazine featuring d20, HackMaster and other articles for gamers, from a gamer’s perspective. Not only do thousands of gamers read KoDT and share it with their friends, they re-read it cover to cover and then re-read it again. Don't miss this hilarious and hysterical slice of (fantasy) life, and wonderful celebration of the gaming culture!

KoDT #152: Warp Factor 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Strips
The Crit Hits the Fan: a Hard Eight Enterprises strip featuring: Weird Pete, Squirrely, Tuley, and Pete Skipowsky.
New Blood: a Knights strip featuring: B.A., Bob, Dave, Sara, and Brian.
Bringing in Waco: a Hard Eight Enterprises strip featuring: JoJo and Waco.
Aren't You Going to Say It?: a Knights strip featuring: B.A., Bob, Dave, Sara, and Brian.
The Night Caller: a Hard Eight Enterprises strip featuring: Waco, JoJo, and Gary Jackson.
The Wager: a Knights strip featuring: Patty, Earl, Nitro, B.A., Squirrely, and Weird Pete.
One-Two Punches

Feature Articles
A Walk Thru HackMaster Basic {HackMaster Basic} by Kenzer and Company
The Art of WaRPGs {systemless} by Jeff Phillips

GameMaster's Workshop
Deadly Trappings: Tuck's Tormenting Tunnel {fantasy; systemless} by Heather Woodhurst
Casting Call: Challie Nain {HackMaster Basic} by Barbara Blackburn
All Things Magic: The Ramming Helm of the Ram {HackMaster 4th edition} by Brian M. Sammons
Bait and Tackle: Generic Adventure Hooks and Encounters for the GM to run with {fantasy; systemless}
Rustlers of the Night: Agaricus Fairy {HackMaster 4th edition} by James Butler
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Larson Bayz, Reaker, and Nalagari {HackMaster Basic} by Barbara Blackburn
Rustlers of the Night: War Dog, Gargoyle, Hill Giant {HackMaster Basic} by Kenzer and Company

Regular Columns
Tales from the Table: Actual tales from our readers
Web Scryer: Get Back to Basics surfed by Kenneth Newquist
Geek Fu Action Grip: Baby's First Frag observed by Mur Lafferty
Gaming the Movies: X-Men by Jim Davenport

Reviews
Lost Game Safari: Ghostbusters International scouted by Chris Gunn
Lookin' at Comics: Cars, Chicks, and Thrills scrutinized by Tony DiGerolamo
The Quotable Gamer: A Castle for All Seasons explained by William Morgal
The “Indy” Game Scene: Slasher Flick explored by Ashok Desai
Disks of Wondrous Power: Would You Believe...? played by Rick Moscatello
Board Squawk: Caylus Magna Carta boarded by Nick Medinger
Off the Shelf: League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore read by Paul Westermeyer
Brian's Picks: Curriculum of Conspiracy, Epic RPG Manual, Murder of Crows

Departments
Cries from the Attic: Editorial of a madman
Table Talk: Our Readers Talk Back
Behind the Curtain
Game Vine
Weird Pete's Bulletin Board
Back Room at the Games Pit
Parting Shots

Other Toons
Math and Maimings by the Brothers Grimm
Unnamed cartoons by Chris Avellone, Jolly R. Blackburn, and Indy Bill

80 pages, $4.99, B&W

Click here to go to the
Kenzer & Company
store on DriveThruRPG

[Product Release] The Secret of Ronan Skerry

2009-07-01T21:44:00.000-05:00

From Brave Halfling Publishing:

Castles & Crusades
The Secret of Ronan Skerry
by Michael Davis
An adventure for 4-6 players of levels 1-3

The town of Port Vogey is in distress. For several weeks, no ships have come into port, and no one knows why. Now the new moon has passed and the lighthouse keepers, the monks of the Sea Goddess, have missed their monthly trip into Vogey for supplies. The town council are not sure whether this is due to mishap or foul play, but you have heard they are looking for some eager adventurers to investigate.

This 32-page digest-sized module includes four new monsters, four maps (two are 3-d and one is a wilderness/area map), three original pieces of art and a monster reference sheet.

This module is available in Print, including a PDF of the module, for $6.99 (plus $1 shipping to the United States, $2 shipping to Canada, and $3 shipping to World-Wide)

The PDF-only version of this module is available for $5.00 on the Brave Halfling Publishing site.

[Product Release] Buried Tales Anthology

2009-07-01T21:24:00.005-05:00

From 12 to Midnight:

Buried Tales of Pinebox, Texas
Welcome to Pinebox, a sleepy little East Texas town with more than its share of trouble. Whether it's the snake cultists running the local bar or vengeful spirits haunting the high school boys locker room, there always seems to be some sort of trouble brewing just below the surface. Join us for a dozen tales of horror from these haunting voices in fiction.
Editor: Matt M. McElroy

Stories
Lovable Creatures, by Jason Blair - Alby and Angie have seen some weird things during the graveyard shift at Speedy Pete's gas 'n beer. Things just got weirder.

The One That Got Away, by Preston P. DuBose - A fishing trip on Lake Greystone takes a turn for the strange when best friends Clay and Pete find a body in the water. Things get even more interesting when the body turns out to still be alive!

Mother, by Trey Gorden - Art has never had what you'd call a successful life. In fact, you could call it downright cursed. But all of that could finally change after he sees a news story that offers a tantalizing hint about his mother's death. All he has to do is live long enough to see it through.

The Evil Within, by Derek Gunn - What could cause bodies to appear dessicated practically overnight? A rookie Sheriff's deputy refuses to turn a blind eye to Pinebox's unusual qualities when he teams up with the county's unofficial coroner to solve a series of murders.

Stigmatized Property, by Jess Hartley - Real Estate Agent Suzanne Witcomb has slowly watched her business fall apart after the death of her husband. Her exotic, handsome, and--most importantly--wealthy new client may just be her ticket for getting out of Pinebox.

Guitar Zero, by Shane Lacy Hensley - ETU student and hot-shot programmer Cal Griffis can't resist the challenge of learning the contents of dead friend's private hard drive. What kind of research project could have led to his death? Unfortunately for Cal, this is one challenge he wishes he had never accepted.

Blood-Born, by Charles Rice - A hospital visit turns violent for a recovering Leukemia patient. If Jack can't control the presence growing inside him, it threatens to consume him just as it has done his predecessors.

Pie, by Monica Valentinelli - One villain is pitted against another in this cat-and-mouse tale of murder, mistaken identity... and pie!

Off Radio, by David Wellington - Deputy Clark is faced with tough decisions when an ETU student's decapitation brings up a painful secret.

The Witch of Linda Lane, by Ed Wetterman - How far will a pair of kids go to right wrongs and put a stop to an evil crone living in their neighborhood? Is it far enough?

Last Exit to Pinebox, by J.D. Wiker - Road-weary travelers stop at an all-night diner on Christmas Eve in Pinebox, hoping for coffee and directions. Unfortunately, leaving isn't as easy.

The Hanging Tree, by Filamena Young - Pinebox seems like a great place for a young lawyer, one just like Louis Rainer, to make his mark as a public defender. However, it's hard to defend your clients when they offer full confessions when coming face to face with Judge Howard Lindsey. What makes them so terrified? Should Rainer feel the same?

Click here to buy
Buried Tales
at DriveThruRPG

[Product Release] Wilderlands: Tharbrian Horse-Lords

2009-06-30T18:59:00.004-05:00

From Adventure Games Publishing:

Wilderlands of High Adventure
Player's Guide #1: Tharbrian Horse-Lords
Adventure Games Publishing presents the first in a series of cultural sourcebooks for the Wilderlands of High Adventure. Each installment of the Wilderlands of High Adventure Player’s Guides includes a fully-detailed culture for players and judges to fully flesh out their Castles & Crusades adventures in the Wilderlands.

The first installment, Wilderlands of High Adventure Player’s Guide #1: Tharbrian Horse-Lords details the culture and society of the northern horsemen of the Wilderlands. Tharbrians are renown throughout Viridistan, the Roglaras, and beyond as atavistic and savage horse nomads. They roam the north-western plains of the Wilderlands with impunity, recognizing no lord or master. They have brought down empires and extirpated whole civilizations. Herein you shall discover the secrets and truths about Tharbrian history and society, and details on their abilities and culture.

This 22-page book includes complete details on:

History
Environment/Range
Appearance
Personality
Ethnic/Racial Affinities
Culture
Laws and Traditions
Religion
Social Structure
Organization
Gender and Family Relations
Animals
Diet
Technology
Clothing
Armor
Weapons
Combat
Treasure
Language
Names
Racial Traits and Abilities
Glossary

Wilderlands of High Adventure Player’s Guide #1: Tharbrian Horse-Lords
Official Gaming Aid Designed and Approved For Use with Castles & Crusades
By James Mishler
AGP05501, 22-page PDF, $5 MSRP

Click here to buy
Tharbrian Horse-Lords
on DriveThruRPG
Full Disclosure: I am the publisher and sole proprietor of Adventure Games Publishing, and the author of this work.

[Product Release] Spycraft: Transmechs

2009-06-29T13:31:00.004-05:00

From Crafty Games:

Spycraft 2.0
Origin of the Species: Transmechs
Origin of the Species is your destination for non-human races in Spycraft 2.0. Each installment in this series of toolkit products contains everything you need to incorporate a collection of fantasy or futuristic, mutant, or mythological races into your Spycraft games. These character options are timeless and setting-free, allowing you to drop them into any location, society, or backdrop. All that's required is GC approval that they fit within the cosmology of the world!

Play a giant transforming robot, hidden in the world of mortals!
Dozens of species feats allow you to play as different transmech models and improve your transformations - without having to suffer level penalties or XP restrictions.
A Legendary Master Class unlocks the greatest powers of your species!
A complete cast of NPC Transmechs and a black-book government organization help you quickly and easily populate your setting.
Tips for building an effective transmech character and three ready-to-play scenes for introducing these technological wonders to your campaign!

Transmechs is the third product in Crafty Games' Origin of the Species line of products for Spycraft 2.0. This .zip file includes both a full-color screen version with art, and a printer-friendly version.

Click here to buy
Transmechs
at DriveThruRPG

[Awards] 35th Annual Origins Awards

2009-06-29T12:06:00.005-05:00

From the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design:

The 35th Annual Origins Awards were held this weekend at the Origins Game Fair in Columbus, Ohio. All games, game-related products, and accessories released in calendar 2008 were eligible to compete in the 35th Origins Awards. This year's winners were:

BOARD GAMES
Pandemic
Published by Z-Man Games, Inc.
Designed by Matt Leacock

CHILDREN’S, FAMILY, AND PARTY GAMES
Say Anything
Published by North Star Games
Designed by Dominic Craphuchettes and Satish Pillalamarri

HISTORICAL BOARD GAMES
Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear
Published by Academy Games
Designed by Uwe Eickert

CARD GAMES
Dominion
Published by Rio Grande Games
Designed by Donald X Vaccarino

COLLECTIBLE CARD GAMES
Magic the Gathering: Shards of Alara 1
Published by Wizards of the Coast
Designed by Bill Rose and Devin Low

FICTION
Worlds of Dungeons & Dragons Volume 2
Published by Devil’s Due
Edited by James Lowder & Mike O’Sullivan

NON-FICTION
Tour de Lovecraft: The Tales
Published by Atomic Overmind Press
Written by Ken Hite

MINIATURE FIGURE GAME RULES
Classic Battletech: Tactical Operations
Published by Catalyst Game Labs
Designed by Randall N. Bills and Herbert A Beas II

MINIATURE FIGURE OR LINE OF MINIATURE FIGURES
Star Wars Miniatures: The Clone Wars
Published by Wizards of the Coast

HISTORICAL MINIATURE FIGURE GAME RULES
There was a tie in this catagory...

Fields of Glory Miniature Rules
Published by Osprey Publishing/Slitherine Software
Designed by Richard Bodley-Scott

and

Song of Drums and Shakos
Published by Ganesha Games
Designed by Andrea Sfiligoi

HISTORICAL MINIATURE FIGURE GAME RULES SUPPLEMENTS
Rise of Rome (Fields of Glory Supplement)
Published by Osprey Publishing

HISTORICAL MINIATURE FIGURE OR LINE OF MINIATURE FIGURES
SS-Panzerdivision ‘Das Reich’ Panzerkompanie (GEAB06) [15mm Line]
Published by Battlefront Games

ROLE-PLAYING GAMES
Mouseguard Role-Playing Game
Published by Archaia Studios Press
Designed by Luke Crane and David Petersen

ROLE-PLAYING GAME SUPPLEMENTS
Serenity Adventures
Published by Margaret Weis Productions
Designed by Alana Abbot, Billy Aguiar, James Davenport, Ted Reed, and James M. Ward

GAME ACCESSORIES
D-Total die
Published by Gamescience
Designed by Dr. A. F. Simkin, Frank Dutrain, and Louis Zocchi

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!

[Sale] AGP Wondrous Wedding Sale Update

2009-06-28T14:46:00.005-05:00

From Adventure Games Publishing:

The Wondrous Wedding Sale continues at DriveThruRPG and RPGNow, with today's new sale item being Monsters & Treasure of the Wilderlands 1.
To date all sale items continue at their low sale price:

Skills, Feats, and Languages of the Wilderlands [Normally $5, now only $2]
Barbarians of the Wilderlands 1 [Normally $4, now only $1.60]
Imperial Town of Tell Qa [Normally $9, now only $4]

Monsters & Treasure of the Wilderlands 1 [Normally $10.95, now only $5]

Adventure Games Journal #1 [Normally $12, now only $5]

Full Disclosure: I am the publisher and sole proprietor of Adventure Games Publishing, and the author of all of these products.

[Ferbieday] Happy Ferbieday!

2009-06-26T22:10:00.000-05:00

'Nuff said!

[Industry News] Catalyst Brings Back BattleTech "Unseen"

2009-06-26T07:27:00.000-05:00

From Catalyst Game Labs:

Catalyst Game Labs
Brings Back BattleTech "Unseen"
In 1996 numerous images originally licensed from several Japanese anime sources were retired from use within the BattleTech universe. Those illustrations formed the bedrock of the BattleTech 2nd Edition and BattleTech 3rd Edition Box Sets and were generally considered “fan favorites” across the board. These images—such as the Warhammer, Marauder, BattleMaster, Phoenix Hawk and so on—became known as the “unseen.”

After much blood, sweat and tears, Catalyst Game Labs is exceptionally pleased to announce the return of these “unseen” images.

“I’ve had the honor of helming BattleTech for a long, long time,” said Randall Bills, Managing Developer for Catalyst Game Labs. “I’m exceptionally proud that the work of the last several years for the new line of core rulebooks and the current storyline has precipitated a resurgence in BattleTech play and recognition as a fun, great game, with one of the greatest legacies of any gameline. However, to participate in returning all our favorite images to the game we love… my geek’s been on for long weeks about this explosively cool development. Just wait until you see some of the art under development to “bring them back” in a style worthy of our current books.”

The first books containing these images will start appearing this summer, with future releases—as appropriate—able to use illustrations of these classics. One of the biggest of these coming releases, of course, is BattleTech: 25 Years of Art and Fiction; we’ve got a preview of a complete, all-new-story from this book that also showcases a plethora of art across years, including some images not seen in a BattleTech book in long, long years.

Click here to download the PDF preview of BattleTech: 25 Years of Art and Fiction

[Contest] Goodman Games FLGS Contest

2009-06-25T17:41:00.000-05:00

From Goodman Games:

Win Up To $1,000 in RPG Product
for You and Your Favorite Game Store

This is Joseph Goodman from Goodman Games. When I recently posted my opinion on 4E, it generated some commentary in the RPG media, including thoughts on the role of friendly local game stores. In these tough economic times, we can all use a little helping hand, so I'd like to acknowledge those stores that deserve your patronage. Let's find out who those stores are -- and recognize them! I will donate up to $1,000 in Goodman Games product to the game store that you vote as America's Favorite Game Store. I am also openly inviting other publishers to participate as well. This product will be available as freebies and gift-with-purchase only to customers who purchase at that game store, and will include convention specials previously not available in stores. You can decide which store is America's Favorite Game Store, and make sure you get the chance to grab a freebie! Here's how it works:

Effective immediately, post on this thread to nominate your favorite game store. Follow the format listed below. We will collect nominations for one week. Effective midnight June 30, nominations end.

From July 1 to July 15, all nominated stores will be listed in a poll. Voting will last for two weeks.

Effective midnight July 15, the polls will close. Within one week of that, we will announce America's Favorite Game Store!

I will donate $5 of Goodman Games product for every vote cast for the winning store. If 200 or more gamers vote, the full $1,000 in product will be donated.

Update as of Thursday, June 25, 2009: Simon Rogers of Profantasy Software and Pelgrane Press has agreed to participate as well! For the winning store, Simon will contribute ProFantasy's software (worth $650) and $500 worth of Pelgrane Press material, to include one of the very few limited edition leather bound Trail of Cthulhu, signed by the contributors, worth $100.

The fine print:

Highest vote total for a store wins.
One man, one vote. Please do not attempt any sort of ballot box stuffing. We will screen the results.
To be eligible, the store must be located in the USA and carry Goodman Games product. Aside from that, any store that stocks enough game product to be considered somebody's favorite game store is eligible.
The winning store's contact information will be publicly posted so that other publishers may contribute as well.
The winning store will also be profiled in a future issue of Level Up.
The free product will consist of recent releases; broad-interest titles like the Character Codex, DM Campaign Record, and Level Up; Free RPG Day releases from 2009 and 2008; and other titles at the discretion of Goodman Games. All free product will be current merchandise.
The free product will be distributed at the discretion of the winning store, and may involve a selection process of some kind. It is our intention that the product be awarded as a mix of pure freebies as well as items that are free with a purchase of $10 or more at the participating store. There may be other restrictions as well, as enacted by the winning store.
Questions can be posted here.

[Sale] AGP Wondrous Wedding Sale Continues

2009-06-25T12:13:00.000-05:00

From Adventure Games Publishing:

The Wondrous Wedding Sale continues today, with Barbarians of the Wilderlands #1 on sale at merely $1.60 — that's 60% off the cover price of $4.00!

And Adventure Games Journal #1 remains at merely $5 ($7 off the MSRP of $12) for the time being — but that can change at any time!

Adventure Games Publishing PDFs will never be this cheap again, so get them while you can!

Full Disclosure: I am the publisher and sole proprietor of Adventure Games Publishing, and the author of both products mentioned.

[Sale] AGP Wondrous Wedding Sale

2009-06-24T12:15:00.000-05:00

From Adventure Games Publishing:

To celebrate my impending wedding to the light of my life, the lovely and wonderful Jodi, I will put one AGP PDF on sale every day until the day of the wedding (Friday, July 10)

The first item on sale today (through noonish tomorrow) is Adventure Games Journal #1.
The first issue of Adventure Games Journal includes a 12-page introduction to the Wilderlands of High Adventure; a 5-page article detailing the family of the Invincible Overlord; a 5-page article covering the Knights of the City State and the infamous organization known as FEAR; a 4-page adventure "Maze of the Mad Mage," new monsters; complete details for Rash'l, a tyrannical Lost God of the Wilderlands; rumors about the Wilderlands; and Esgalbar, a complete elven tree fortress! Designed and approved for use with Castles & Crusades, the Wilderlands of High Adventure is derived from and compatible with the classic Wilderlands of High Fantasy, developed under license from Judges Guild.

Click here to buy
Adventure Games Journal #1
on DriveThruRPG

[Available Again] Millennium's End

2009-06-24T09:15:00.000-05:00

From DriveThruRPG:

Millenium's End
Chameleon Eclectic

1999.

It's two in the morning. The office is forty stories up, high above the sirens, the gunshots, the cries of pain and anguish that are the city at night. Michael is bathed in the glow of his laptop, typing furiously as he navigates the labyrinthine directories of the corporate mainframe. In the pale light of the doorway, Laenna's silhouette stirs.

"Someone's on the elevator," comes her whisper over the radio headset.

"No way," Raleigh answers from across the room. "I've got the building control routine up. Elevators are dead."

"Come see for yourself," Laenna replies. Sure enough, through the green glow of starlight goggles the tiny numbers blink brightly as the elevator ascends.

"We've got a problem," Michael interjects. "The files aren't here. Sawada lied to us." He turns in the glow of the monitor. "Door lockouts are coming up all over the floor."

Set up. No one knows we're here. And if that's Techtonics Corporation security, no one will find our bodies, either. Through the darkness comes the quiet chime of the elevator, and an almost inaudible click as Raleigh flips the safety off his P90...

Millennium's End is a critically-acclaimed roleplaying system set in a dark vision of turn-of-the-millennium society. Based on the hottest technothriller movies and fiction of the 90s, Millennium's End has a gritty, realistic feel and a fast-paced, progressive game system. Characters carry out investigations, espionage, and para-military operations in a post-modern world where might makes right and all the cable news nightmares of today are a reality.

These second-edition rules are compatible with all first edition supplements.

Click here to buy
Millennium's End
on DriveThruRPG

[Product Release] Idol of the Orcs

2009-06-23T17:11:00.000-05:00

From Goblinoid Games:

Labyrinth Lord Module #1
Idol of the Orcs
By James C. Boney
For characters of levels 1-3

A band of unusually organized orcs has taken to raiding farms and waylaying travelers near the local town. The characters must seek out the orc lair and rid the area of this menace, but things are not entirely as they seem. A sinister voice whispers instructions from the darkness; what demonic force lies at the heart of the labyrinthine orc lair?

This adventure is suitable for characters of 1st-3rd level and is intended for use with the Labyrinth Lord fantasy role-playing game, but is easily used with all older editions of the world’s most popular fantasy RPG.

Idol of the Orcs
A Labyrinth Lord Adventure Module
14-pages, 8.5" x 11"
GGLLM1, $14.95 Print, $5.95 PDF
Click here to buy Idol of the Orcs in print at Lulu

Click here to buy
Idol of the Orcs
at DriveThruRPG

[Product Release] Palladium Books in PDF

2009-06-23T06:43:00.001-05:00

From Palladium Books:

The classic "Palladium Book of" series is now available in PDF on DriveThruRPG.

What is the Palladium Weapon Series?

It is a series of small sourcebooks that presents historically accurate data and information about ancient weapons from around the world.

For use with any game system. You read that right. The statistical information is designed and set up in such a way that it can be applied to virtually any game system that uses dice.

Much of the information in the series has been compiled in Palladium's Compendium of Weapon, Armor and Castles, but gamers continue to ask for the "small weapon books".

One reason, I think, is that the books are small, but packed with a ton of information. Thus, a player or G.M. needs to only grab whichever book in the series he needs for reference, and he's ready to go.

Another reason is that there is simply something convenient and appealing about this size and format.

Ideal for fantasy and historical games, as well as, modern games that use ancient melee weapons (knives, swords, axes, maces, ball and chain, picks, spears, pole arms, etc.).

Each is normally $8.95, available in PDF format for only $4.47.

The Palladium Book of Weapons & Armor

Over 600 different weapons. Each Illustrated
Over 35 different types of armor from different periods of time. Each Illustrated
Historically accurate
For use with any game system. Some adaptation may be required.
Brief descriptions on the types and styles of ancient body armor from around the world
Compiled by Matthew Balent
Color cover by Scott Johnson

The Palladium Book of Weapons & Castles

The bow and arrow, and crossbow weapons from around the world
Castle and design features.
15 different, real world castles. Each illustrated for a castle under siege.
Historically accurate.
For use with any game system. Some adaptation required.
Compiled by Matthew Balent.
Color cover by Scott Johnson

The Palladium Book of European Castles
A 48 page book detailing castles of Europe. For use with any game system.

The Palladium Book of Exotic Weapons
A compilation of weapons ranging from one and two handed weapons to ranged weapons.

The Palladium Book of Weapons & Assassins

Assassin societies such as the Ninja and Thuga.
How deadly were they? What secrets did they hold?
Their weapons and tools.
Special equipment, armor and techniques.
Historically accurate.
For use with any game system. Some adaptation required.
By Erick Wujcik.
Color cover by Scott Johnson.

The Palladium Book of Weapons, Armor, & Castles of the Orient
A beautiful, little 48 page, comic book sized reference book packedwith real world weapons, armor and data. Designed to be easy to use and easy to carry anywhere.

Presents dozens of famous and obscure weapons of Japan, China and the Orient, plus samurai and other armor and several castles complete with floor plan diagrams. All illustrated.

The weapons & armor of Japan, China and the rest of the Orient.
Spears, swords, bow and arrow, and other weapons unique to the Orient.
A look at the Samurai, his weapons and armor.
15 different, real world castles. Each illustrated and with a basic floor plan.
Historically accurate.
For use with any game system. Some adaptation required.
Compiled by Matthew Balent.
Interior Art by Mike Kucharski and others.
Color cover by Scott Johnson.

[Upcoming Product] Witch of Salem

2009-06-23T05:35:00.000-05:00

From Mayfair Games:

Witch of Salem
Brave Arkham Detectives Battle the Elder Evil
Step back to early 20th Century New England. Here, the horrible “Great Old Ones” -- mysterious inhabitants of a dark, unfathomable void -- seek entry into our world. One of their imprisoned overlords gathers them, just as his worldly servants open portals throughout Arkham for the coming onslaught.

Only Salem’s master witch, Robert Craven, holds the key to safeguarding mankind. He plans to gather a team of intrepid scholars to find the hidden portals and close them with powerful magic seals. The noble witch’s elite team must battle the threat of madness, duel the dark servants, tackle mystical challenges, and face their ultimate nemesis: an unidentified Great Old One with an unknown and incalculable strength.

In Witch of Salem you step into the terrifying world of renowned storyteller Wolfgang Hohlbein, a mythos inspired by the tales of H. P. Lovecraft. You play one of the witch’s scholarly allies. Working cooperatively with your cohorts, uncover the secrets of the Necronomicon, combat creeping insanity, defeat the coming Evil, and bar the Great Old Ones from exiting the inter-dimensional abyss.

Witch of Salem contains:
1 game board
4 game figures
1 witch figure
1 Necron Stone
1 battle die
26 creature cards
6 Great Old One cards
12 event cards
6 overview/turn cards
32 minor location cards
4 player boards
34 item markers
4 sanity markers
6 artifact markers
8 portal tiles
1 cloth bag
Game rules
Brief history

Witch of Salem
Designer: Michael Rieneck
Art: Franz Vohwinkel
MFG3309, $49.00
Ages 12+
For 2-4 Players
Playing Time 60 minutes
UPC 0-29877-03309-6-04900
ISBN 1-56905-224-7
Case Pack 5
Made in Germany
Dimensions 2.875 x 11.625 x 11.625

Witch of Salem is a casual, social game for 2-4 players ages 12 and older.
You can play in about 60 minutes.

Produced in English under license from KOSMOS Verlag (Stuttgart).

[Product Release] Points of Light II

2009-06-23T01:33:00.000-05:00

From Goodman Games:

Points of Light II:
The Sunrise Sea
By Rob Conley
Points of Light II: The Sunrise Sea continues the Points of Light series with four new settings, each extensively detailed and mapped. Each new setting is ideal for novices launching their first campaign, or veteran GMs looking to challenge their players with the exploration of a new world.

The Golden Shores: A land in the midst of being colonized, where adventurers can encounter unknown cultures, old enemies, and battle a darkness that has haunted the land for millennia.
Amacui: A frontier land with only a single trading post representing the civilized world, but there are many ruins to explore and new civilizations to discover.

The Misty Isle: The greatest threat to exploration is not the natives or ‘things man is not meant to know,’ but enemies from the old world. Here in the Misty Isles, enemies from different realms and factions fight amid the jungles and islands.

Mazatl, the Realm of the Bat God: Rising from the vast Jungles of Zaracar is a massive shield volcano. Here the blood god, Azartac, lives in the city of Mazatl in the volcano’s caldera.
Four new worlds await exploration by the brave and the resourceful. Do your characters have the skill and fortitude to adventure in these undiscovered lands?

Player Maps: Ready to put Points of Light II in your own campaign? Click here to download the player maps PDF to start your PCs off with a partial world view!

Rules Set: Systems-neutral, designed to be used with any RPG

Points of Light
Writer: Rob Conley
Cover Art: Craig Maher
Graphic Design: Jim Pinto
GMG4381, 64 pages, $15.99 Print, $9.99 PDF

Click here to buy
Points of Light II
at DriveThruRPG

[Week in Games] Cool Stuff Out June 21-27

2009-06-22T23:03:00.000-05:00

Hereafter follows a list of games that game distributors and game retailers have received in the prior week and should have on store shelves already or in the coming week.

You can order these games through your Friendly Local Game Store; simply tell them the name of the product, the publisher/manufacturer, and the product code number, all provided in the listing, and they should be able to do the rest.

Prices listed are known Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices; some do not have an MSRP. Always remember that your local prices may vary, depending on local circumstances.

Some of these games have Street Dates, which mean that the retailer cannot sell the product before that date, even if he has received it from the distributor. These are noted when I am aware of the Street Date, but there might be a Street Date of which I am unaware.

Links go to posts on this blog, which provide further information and links to the publisher websites.

Board Games
Alhambra: Big Box (Rio Grande Games A26, $79.95)

Books
Armies of the Napoleonic Wars (Osprey Publishing GEN701, $40)
DragonLance: The Forest King (PB Novel) (Wizards of the Coast 240237400, $7.99)
Forgotten Realms: City of the Dead (PB Novel) (Wizards of the Coast 240267400, $7.99)
Forgotten Realms: Legends of Drizzt XIII: Sea of Swords (PB Novel) (Wizards of the Coast 240217400, $7.99)
No Greater Ally (Osprey Publishing GEN650, $24.95)
Operation Dragoon 1944 (Osprey Publishing CAM210, $19.95)
Roosevelt's Rough Riders (Osprey Publishing WAR138, $18.95)
Spitfire Aces of Burma and the Pacific (Osprey Publishing ACE087, $22.95)

Comic Books
Death at Koten: The Legend of the Five Rings Graphic Novel (Alderac Entertainment Group 14900, $24.95)

Family Games
Spoons: The Simpsons Card Game (USAopoly SP006025, $19.99)

Geek Stuff
Call of Cthulhu: Bag of Cthulhu (24 small, 6 large statues) (Fantasy Flight Games CT25, $14.95)

Magazines
Fire & Movement #149 (Decision Games FM-149, $7.99)
Strategy & Tactics #257 (Decision Games ST-257, $25.99)

Miniature Accessories
Formula P3: Black Primer (Privateer Press 93111, $9.99, STREET DATE June 26)
Formula P3: White Primer (Privateer Press 93112, $9.99, STREET DATE June 26)
Warhammer 40K: Terrain - Temple of Skulls (Games Workshop 64-21, $29.75)
Warlord: Crusader Casualty Marker (Reaper Miniatures 14540, $3.99)
Warlord: Overlord Casualty Marker (Reaper Miniatures 14541, $3.99)

Miniatures
Chronoscope: Cobra, Modern Ninja (Reaper Miniatures 50082, $3.99)
Chronoscope: Father Thomas, Vicar (Reaper Miniatures 50081, $3.99)
Chronoscope: Raptor, Superhero (Reaper Miniatures 50089, $7.99)
Chronoscope: The Invisible Man (Reaper Miniatures 50079, $3.99)
Dark Heaven: Harstov, Irongrave Knight Lord (Reaper Miniatures 3414, $7.99)
Dark Heaven: Lanura Windsong, Female Elf Wizard (Reaper Miniatures 3415, $3.99)
DHL Classics: Female Undead (Reaper Miniatures 3416, $9.99)
Lord of the Rings: Galadhrim Knights (Games Workshop 39855, $33)
Lord of the Rings: Galadhrim Warriors (Games Workshop 39856, $33)
Wargods of Aegyptus: Asar Hero Elephantine with Campfire (Crocodile Games WGE163, $8.95)
Wargods of Aegyptus: Basti Champion with Pole Arm & Shield (Crocodile Games WGE165, $8.95)
Wargods of Aegyptus: Basti Hero with Auxiliary Weapon Sprue (Crocodile Games WGE166, $8.95)
Wargods of Aegyptus: Khemru Crypt Lord with Giant Scarab (Crocodile Games WGE164, $8.95)
Wargods of Aegyptus: Priest of Ptah with Apis Bull Statue (Crocodile Games WGE161, $8.95)
Wargods of Aegyptus: Stone Colossus (Crocodile Games WGE702, $59.95)
Wargods of Aegyptus: To-tanem Artifex with Weapons Power (Crocodile Games WGE139, $8.95)
Wargods of Aegyptus: To-tanem Captain with Doorway (Crocodile Games WGE162, $8.95)
Warhammer: Empire Battalion (Games Workshop 86-08-N, $105)
Warlord: Vysa, Darkspawn Elf Captain (Reaper Miniatures 14538, $4.49)
WarMachine: Protectorate of Menoth: Exemplar Bastions (Privateer Press 32058, $44.99, STREET DATE June 26)

Miniatures Rules
Battlefield Evolution: Pacific War (Mongoose Publishing 4444, $24.95)
Battlefield Evolution: Warbirds of WWII (Mongoose Publishing 4445, $29.95)

Party Games
Things (Hasbro Games 41430, $No MSRP)
Who Would Win? (Gorilla Games 901, $19.95)

Roleplaying Games
Call of Cthulhu: Midnight Harvest (Adventure Module) (OtherWorld Creations 4003, $12)
Call of Cthulhu: Terrors From Beyond (Adventure Compilation) (Chaosium 23113, $25.95)
Champions: Book of the Machine (Adventure Sourcebook) (Hero Games DOJHERO233, $34.99)
Chimaera: Hellhounds Companion Book (Mongoose Publishing 6121, $24.95)
Conan RPG: Catacombs of Hyboria (Mongoose Publishing 7817, $24.95)
Corporation RPG: Machines of War (Mongoose Publishing 6131, $29.95)
Hero System: Lucha Libre Hero (Sourcebook) (Hero Games DOJHERO401, $29.99)
Mutants & Masterminds: Warriors & Warlocks (Green Ronin Publishing 2523, $29.95)
Pathfinder Chronicles: Dungeon Denizens Revisited (Sourcebook) (Paizo Publishing 9210, $19.99, STREET DATE June 26)
RuneQuest: Guilds, Factions and Cults (Mongoose Publishing 8160, $24.95)
RuneQuest: Ralios (Mongoose Publishing 8159, $14.95)
Traveller: Hammers Slammers (Mongoose Publishing 3817, $39.95)

RPG Accessories
GameMastery Map Pack: Wizard's Tower (Paizo Publishing 4020, $12.99, STREET DATE June 26)

Trading Card Games
Chaotic CCG: M'Arrillian Invasion - Forged Unity Booster Display (4Kids Entertainment 1253, $95.76)
Herobits: Series One Display (Herobits Corp. 51, $150)
Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Raging Battle Special Edition Display (10 sets) (Konami 88082, $99.99, STREET DATE June 23)

Wargames
Age of Muskets Volume 1: Tomb for an Empire (Bellica 3rd Generation AOM01, $100)

[Product Release] Monstrous Menaces #2

2009-06-22T21:39:00.000-05:00

From Adventure Games Publishing:

Monstrous Menaces #2:
Blade Dancer, Goblin, and Tharghûl
By James Mishler
Adventure Games Publishing presents the second in a series of new monsters for the Castles & Crusades Castle Keeper to populate his dungeons and wilderness. Each installment of the Monstrous Menaces series presents three new monsters for a mere dollar, eminently affordable in today’s economy.

The second installment, Monstrous Menaces #2: Blade Dancer, Goblin, and Tharghûl, presents the Castle Keeper with a 5 HD Construct, a 1 HD Humanoid, and an 8 HD Unique Undead. Each entry includes complete listings for the monster’s description, organization, ecology, treasure, range, and special abilities.

Blade Dancer
Blade dancers are animated humanoid collections of scores of razor-sharp blades, from small 4” knives to great two-handed swords. They whirl about swiftly like dervishes upon the points of their long-sword legs, with four long arms made of broad swords; their “heads” are constructed of many small blades, with pommel stones for “eyes” and a wide mouth made of many knives. For all that they are made of un-living metal the blade dancer often has a menacing, cruel look upon its “face.”

Goblin
Goblins are small, gnarled humanoids; in shadows they much resemble thin dwarves, though compared to dwarves they are stooped, their arms and legs are slightly too long for their body, and their head is slightly too large, with overly-large wide pointed ears. In the light the difference is obvious, as goblins have greenish-grey warty skin, and too much black scraggly hair in all the wrong places (and usually little or none on their heads). Goblins have a sickly-sweet smell, like that of a corpse ripened in the sun, and their breath is a stench like rotting onions; most goblin warrens smell not unlike a charnel house in midsummer.

Goblin eyes are round and bulging, and mostly black with large iris and cornea; the white of the orb is invariably shot thick with red blood vessels. Like the eyes of a cat, goblin eyes reflect light in the darkness, a deep, blood-red glitter. They have a long carrot-shaped nose that sits atop a wide, frog-like lipless mouth. Goblin teeth are haphazard at best, with many gaps and broken bits; over time as old teeth are lost new ones grow in, though they grow in uneven and often painfully, such that goblin’s gums are ever bleeding and raw. Goblins either have either no chin or far too much of one, with hair as usual only growing in spots rather than in a full-fledged beard.

Note: Monstrous Menaces 2 provides a much-expanded entry for the common goblin race, including full details on goblin vision, language, organization, ecology, culture, religion, gender and family relations, coming of age, cleanliness, weapons, armor, treasure, range, combat, and special abilities.

Tharghûl
Tharghûls are the kings of the ghouls and ghasts, the lords of the graveyard and charnel house, despots of sewers and desecrated temples. Where vampires rule, tharghûls tread lightly; where tharghûls dominate, vampires fear to tread.

A tharghûl in its natural form appears to be a walking corpse; some are thin and emaciated, while others are fat and bloated. Skin is usually like that of a corpse, green and pock-marked, often inhabited by worms, and in places sloughing off. The face is a nightmare, with lips long rotted away, long hound-like teeth and fangs, a sunken nose, and bloated, bulging eyes. Hair is usually white, long, and matted with blood or absent. Hands are clawed, with long sharp nails. A tharghûl usually wears clothing as was appropriate to its station, or to its new more powerful position; the clothing often jars grossly with the rotted, stinking body, as it is new and fashionable, though soaked through with blood and covered with gore.

Monstrous Menaces #2: Blade Dancer, Goblin, and Tharghûl
By James Mishler
AGP06002, 12-page PDF, $1.00 MSRP

Click here to buy
Monstrous Menaces #2
from DriveThruRPG

Full Disclosure: I am the publisher and sole proprietor of Adventure Games Publishing, and the author of this product.

[Upcoming Product] Rise of Empires

2009-06-22T13:09:00.000-05:00

From Mayfair Games:

Rise of Empires
Designer: Martin Wallace
Art: Czarne

Don't just make history -- guide it! Take the reins of a developing civilization, choosing the resources and development paths that will lead to the fastest expansion, as you claim and defend territory on a map forging an empire that eventually encompasses whole continents.

Rise of Empires play is divided into three eras. Choices made early in the era are repeated late, so your decisions must have both short-term and long-term benefits to be successful. This process requires tough decision-making and promotes an atmosphere with nail-biting suspense. Victory points are rewarded for building cities, having an empire, for progress in science, and for trading goods.

Rise of Empires breathes new life into the civilization games genre! Balance gold and food, war and agriculture, territory and technology to forge an empire that is destined to rise above all other nations!

Each copy of Rise of Empires contains:
1 large game board
1 tiles display
40 resource discs
150 player cubes in 5 colors
45 action discs in 5 colors
8 empire tiles
40 territory tiles
48 progress tiles
36 city tiles
104 gold markers
5 alliance pieces
5 player aid cards
1 rules booklet with illustrated example of play.

Rise of Empires
August 2009 Release
Ages 12+
For 2-5 Players
Playing Time 180+ minutes
PHA6029, $55.00
UPC 0-29877-06029-0-04500
ISBN 1-56905-216-6
Made in Germany
Produced in cooperation with Phalanx Games b.v.

[Ferbieday] Belated Ferbieday!

2009-06-20T09:34:00.000-05:00

Yeah, this last week didn't go so well, either, as you can see...

What with my impending wedding and trying to get stuff published for Adventure Games Publishing, coverage will be light and uneven on Adventure Game News until after the wedding. So around mid-July we'll return to much more in-depth and regular reportage, including the promised reviews and interviews.

I also must apologize for the lack of on-site coverage of Free RPG Day. Unfortunately my plans to attend at Chimera Hobbies in Appleton fell through... if anyone does have a report, especially with pictures and game report, please drop me a line!

[Product Release] Monstrous Menaces #1

2009-06-19T21:36:00.000-05:00

From Adventure Games Publishing:

Adventure Games Publishing presents the first in a series of new monsters for the Castles & Crusades Castle Keeper to populate his dungeons and wilderness. Each installment of the Monstrous Menaces series presents three new monsters for a mere dollar, eminently affordable in today’s economy.

The first installment, Monstrous Menaces #1: Gharlidh, Grulnosc, and Rocktopus, presents the Castle Keeper with a 4 HD Monstrous Humanoid, a 6 HD Aberration, and a 1 to 16 HD Magical Beast. Each entry includes complete listings for the monster’s description, organization, ecology, treasure, range, and special abilities.

Gharlidh
Gharlidhs are a horrific subterranean humanoid race purportedly bred by an evil underground overlord. They feature characteristics of humans, goblins, and orcs, but only vaguely, for most of their five to seven-foot tall body is covered by bony growth from the top of their thick skull to tips of their clawed toes. Their head is misshapen, as they have neither eyes nor nose, and so the skull slopes unnaturally; their ears however are huge, hairy, and pointed. Their mouth is huge, and filled with many sharp fangs.

Grulnosc
Grulnoscs look much like a giant snail with an extremely thick, stone-like shell, save that it stands six to eight feet tall at the top of its shell. Upon closer examination, however, the slimy flesh of the creature is revealed to be utterly different in nature from that of normal snails, or any other known living creature, and the shell is of solid rock, latticed with metals and perhaps even gems; the seven eye stalks with very human-like eyes that it projects from its “head” also indicate to those steeped in animal lore that this is not a natural creature, or even a giant-sized version of such.

Rocktopus
At some dark point in the history of the world, oceanic octopi were magically mutated such that they took to life on dry land, albeit preferably in wet subterranean locations, though these creatures can survive quite well aboveground in tropical locations such as rain forests, jungles, swamps, and marshes; anywhere, really, provided there is a large and deep pool of water for spawning. Full-grown rocktopi are nine to 16 feet long (one foot per hit die), with eight long tentacles of many suckers, a large bulbous body, two large eyes, and a razor-sharp beak.

Monstrous Menaces #1: Gharlidh, Grulnosc, and Rocktopus
By James Mishler
AGP06001, 8-page PDF, $1.00 MSRP

Click here to buy
Monstrous Menaces #1
on DriveThruRPG
Full Disclosure: I am the publisher and sole proprietor of Adventure Games Publishing, and the author of this product.

[Available Again] Judges Guild PDFs from Goodman Games

2009-06-17T09:32:00.000-05:00

From Goodman Games:

The PDF versions of the three Judges Guild d20 OGL adventure modules published by Goodman Games are once again available, after being purged of all references to the d20 System Logo. Check them out!

Judges Guild JG1
Thieves of Fortress Badabaskor
An Adventure for Character Levels 10-12

Do your heroes dare to enter Fortress Badabaskor? Deadly brigands, vicious cultists, and the dusty treasures of the Dragon Kings await those with muscle, wit, and luck. Defeat these challenges to uncover the dark secret of Badabaskor - a secret that will challenge even the most experienced of adventurers...

Authors: Bob Bledsaw and Rob Conley
Co-author: Steve Stottrup
Cover art: Stefan Poag
Interior art: William McAusland
Cartographer: Rob Conley
Layout and cover design: Chris Solis
Project editor: Gregory W. Geilman
Proofreader: Kara Geilman
GMG4600, 64 pages, $8.99 PDF

Judges Guild JG2
Citadel of Fire
An Adventure for Character Levels 12-14

Just outside the rough-hewn timber hamlet of Aztlan lies the ancient and mysterious Citadel of Fire: an embodiment of evil and destruction since its stones were first laid. Inside the town of Aztlan, itself a nest of intrigue and danger, there lies an evil temple dedicated to an ancient god to which the masters of the Citadel pay homage. Together the denizens of the Temple and Citadel have made plans to overthrow their rival powers and subjugate the innocents of the land. Meanwhile, just outside of town, sits a not-so-quiet graveyard with a sinister and deadly secret. Are you brave enough to explore the secrets of Aztlan and put an end to the evil that is The Citadel of Fire?

Concept: Bob Bledsaw and Kara Geilman
Original Design: Marc Summerlott
3.5 Authors and Design: Steve Edwards and Steve Stottrup
Layout: Robert Conley
Managing Editor: Greg Geilman
Maps: Robert Conley
Interior Art: William McAusland
Cover Art: Stefan Poag
GMG4601, 128 pages, $12.99 PDF

Judges Guild JG3
Dark Tower
An Adventure for Character Levels 8-10

An ancient evil has overtaken a once holy shrine. Thus, a sleepy mountain hamlet becomes a focal point for mysterious disappearances and even stranger legends of what lurks beneath the village. Vile enemies and strange allies, knowing neither sleep nor age, seek to involve the unwary in a titanic battle of good vs. evil. Do you dare discover the secrets behind the myths, or attempt to exterminate the ancient evil that lies within? Riches, power, glory and death! All are in: Dark Tower.

This special Silver Edition of the classic Judges Guild adventure module is converted to the 3.5 rules set, and includes all new art as well as new material to expand the beloved original!

Writers: Paul Jaquays, Greg Geilman, Steve Stottrup
Cartographer: Rob Conley
Art: William McAusland
Cover Design: Chris Solis
Managing Editor: Kara Geilman
GMG4602, 96 pages, $12.99

[Upcoming Product] Martians!!! and MidEvil Deluxe

2009-06-16T23:45:00.001-05:00

From Twilight Creations:

Martians!!! and MidEvil Deluxe
Martians!!! and MidEvil Deluxe are on their way. They should be arriving to the warehouse June 24th and shipped to distribution at that time. Included in the shipment are the BagOSkeletons - 100 walking skeletons from MidEvil. They are lighter than the original ones to allow for black-washing or painting. Look for all of these in your FLGS at the end of June/beginning of July.

Martians!!!
Your quiet afternoon playing video games is interrupted by a whirring noise and a loud bang! You rush to the window and look. Out on the neighboring field you see it - A large flying saucer and dozens of angry looking MARTIANS!!! Well, at least your day won’t be boring!

Martians!!! Drops you into the middle of the first wave of a large-scale alien invasion. Armed with only your vast knowledge of sci-fi movies, you decide that it is up to you to save mankind from certain intergalactic slavery.

First things first, let’s get the gaming group together!

Designers: Todd Breitenstein, Kerry Breitenstein
TLC2300, $29.99 MSRP
UPC: 823973023001

MidEvil Deluxe
If you thought the Zombies!!! were bad well, let’s just say, you ain’t seen nothing yet!

MidEvil is the first game to be based on, and an extension of, the award winning Zombies!!! system from Twilight Creations. Players have escaped the modern-day zombie horde only to find themselves transported back in time and faced with a whole new set of problems!

MidEvil Deluxe combines all the skull cracking fun of the complete MidEvil Game in one convenient package. The set includes everything from the MidEvil base set, MidEvil 2, and MidEvil 3. It features updated packaging, improved art and updated figures (including more than 100 heavily armed and angry skeleton warriors!!!) The whole game is done with the same realistic but very tongue-in-cheek style you have come to expect from Twilight Creations.

TLC2103, $39.99 MSRP
UPC: 823973021038

[Week in Games] Cool Stuff Available This Week!

2009-06-16T16:12:00.000-05:00

Hereafter follows a list of games that game distributors and game retailers have received in the prior week and should have on store shelves already or in the coming week.

You can order these games through your Friendly Local Game Store; simply tell them the name of the product, the publisher/manufacturer, and the product code number, all provided in the listing, and they should be able to do the rest.

Prices listed are known Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices; some do not have an MSRP. Always remember that your local prices may vary, depending on local circumstances.

Some of these games have Street Dates, which mean that the retailer cannot sell the product before that date, even if he has received it from the distributor. These are noted when I am aware of the Street Date, but there might be a Street Date of which I am unaware.

Links go to posts on this blog, which provide further information and links to the publisher websites.

Board Games
Caylus Special Edition (Rio Grande Games A04, $100, STREET DATE June 16th)
Cuba: El Presidente Expansion (Rio Grande Games 391, $44.95, STREET DATE June 16th)
G.I. Joe Collector's Edition Monopoly (USAopoly MN00141, $40)
Maori (Rio Grande Games 389, $34.95, STREET DATE June 16th)
Steam (Mayfair Games 4551, $55, STREET DATE June 18th)
Sumeria (Reiver Games 4, $45)
Transformers 2 Collector's Edition Monopoly (USAopoly MN00454, $40)
Wings of War Playmat: East (Fantasy Flight Games WW18A, $39.95)
Wings of War Playmat: West (Fantasy Flight Games WW18B, $39.95)
World of Warcraft: The Adventure Game: Brebo Bigshot Character Pack (Fantasy Flight Games WC12, $11.95)
World of Warcraft: The Adventure Game: Shailara Witherblade Character Pack (Fantasy Flight Games WC13, $11.95)
World of Warcraft: The Adventure Game: Thundershot Character Pack (Fantasy Flight Games WC14, $11.95)
World of Warcraft: The Adventure Game: Wennu Bloodsinger Character Pack (Fantasy Flight Games WC15, $11.95)

Card Games
Gloom Expansion: Unfortunate Expeditions (Atlas Games 1254, $14.95)
We Didn't Playtest This Either (Asmadi Games 6, $10)

CMG Accessories
Star Wars Minis: Map Pack 2: Showdown at Teth Palace (Wizards of the Coast 240120000, $9.99, STREET DATE June 16th)

Dice
Multi-print Mini Dice Bag (3"x 5") (Gallant Hand's Gamers Gear CB1013, $4.99)
Navy Blue & Gold Velvet Dice Bag (Gallant Hand's Gamers Gear VB4013, $10.99)

Family Games
Chickyboom (Blue Orange 350, $24.99)
Gobblet Gobblers (Blue Orange 103, $19.99)
Yamslam (Blue Orange 300, $19.99)

Magazines
Miniature Wargames #314 (Miniature Wargames 314, $9)
The Crusader, Vol.5, No.18 (Troll Lord Games 1118, $3.99)
Wargames Illustrated #260 (Wargames Illustrated 260, $No MSRP)
Wargames Soldiers & Strategy #44 (Wargames Soldiers & Strategy 44, $10)

Miniatures
Star Fleet Battles: Romulan Fleet Box #2 (Amarillo Design Bureau 401, $39.95)

Miniature Accessories
One Man Craters (Grey) (War Torn Worlds 6825, $12)
Round Rock Many Step Hill (Summer) (War Torn Worlds 6073, $32)
Rubble Hill C (Brown, Grassy) (War Torn Worlds 6422, $25)
Rubble Hill C (Grey) (War Torn Worlds 6402, $22)
Weathered Ruins (Grey) (War Torn Worlds 6800, $14)

Party Games
Pants on Fire (R & R Games 932, $19.95)
Parlay (Real Deal Games S001, $14.95)

Roleplaying Games
Dungeon Crawl Classics #62: Shrine of the Fallen Lama (4E Adventure Module) (Goodman Games 5061, $13.99)
Dungeons & Dragons 4E: Eberron: Eberron Player's Guide (Sourcebook) (Wizards of the Coast 239657200, $29.95, STREET DATE June 16th)
Dungeons & Dragons 4E: Kingdom of the Ghouls (Adventure Module E2) (Wizards of the Coast 241910000, $24.95, STREET DATE June 16th)
Points of Light II: The Sunrise Sea (Goodman Games 4381, $15.99)

RPG Accessories
Dungeons & Dragons 4E: Tiles 4: Arcane Towers (Wizards of the Coast 242040000, $9.95, STREET DATE June 16th)

Trading Card Games
Pokémon TCG: Platinum - Rising Rivals 3-Booster Blister Pack (3 packs of 10 cards) (Pokémon USA 10493, $No MSRP, STREET DATE June 20th)
World of Warcraft TCG: The Death Knight Deluxe 2-Player Starter Deck (Upper Deck 71664, $No MSRP, STREET DATE June 16th)

Wargames
Counter Strike: Army of Ireland (Fiery Dragon 5017, $22.95)
Counter Strike: Battle for China Deluxe (Fiery Dragon Press 5002X, $22.95)

[Free RPG Day] Goodman Games Coupons

2009-06-15T17:55:00.000-05:00

From Goodman Games:

Goodman Games Coupons for Free RPG Day

Once a year, you can visit your friendly local game store and get showered with freebies. That time of year has arrived once again! This Saturday, June 20, is Free RPG Day. Goodman Games founded Free RPG Day and continues to be a major sponsor of the event. This year we're not only giving away a fantastic flip book for FREE, but we're also providing coupons so you can save money on our other products!

There are two freebies in a flip book format this year: Hero's Handbook: Immortal Heroes, a 4E player sourcebook for epic heroes, and Amethyst: Hearts of Chaos, a special introductory adventure for Amethyst, our upcoming RPG that mixes fantasy with the real world.

In addition, our Free RPG Day release includes special coupons redeemable only at Free RPG Day participating stores! You can download a PDF version of the coupon or find it at the center of our Free RPG Day release. These are true gamer coupons, too – bring your d20 for the Random Esoteric Coupon Generator!Click here to download the coupon PDF now!

Click here to find the complete list of participating Free RPG Day stores. The coupons are only valid at these stores. Be sure to visit on Saturday, June 20 to show your support for this fantastic event!

[Product Release] Traveller: Psion

2009-06-15T15:05:00.000-05:00

From Mongoose Publishing:

Traveller
Book 4: Psion

Concentrating on Psion characters and psionic powers, this addition to the Traveller range will literally open your mind to new possibilities. Whether you are looking to introduce psionics to the Third Imperium, add new abilities to members of the Psi Corps, or flesh out psion organisations of your own creation, this book has everything you need. Including new talents, equipment and survival techniques, it is the essential companion for every Psion.

Series: Traveller
Author: Lawrence Whittaker
Format: Softcover (98 pages)
MGP3814, $24.95 Print, $17.97 PDF
ISBN 978-1-906508-26-5

Click here to buy
Traveller Book 4: Psion
at DriveThruRPG

[Product Release] DCC #62: Shrine of the Fallen Lama

2009-06-15T14:12:00.000-05:00

From Goodman Games:

Dungeon Crawl Classics #62
Shrine of the Fallen Lama

An Adventure for Character Levels 10-12

The Shrine of Zongxian was once a force for good, ruled by an immortal being through a thousand incarnations. But arrogance and hubris laid the shrine low, and now evil sits atop the high mountain throne. Can your heroes stand against a force that has reigned since time immemorial? Or will they fall like those before them, their bodies cast from the high mountain walls, to break like dolls on the rocky plateau below? One thing is certain: only the most fearless and resourceful of heroes can hope to return from the Shrine of the Fallen Lama.

Rules Set: 4E
Writers: Nigel McClelland and Ben Redmond
Cover Art: Scott Purdy
Graphic Design: Jim Pinto
GMG5061, 40 pages, $13.99 Print, $7.99 PDF

Click here to buy
Shrine of the Fallen Lama
at DriveThruRPG

[Ferbieday] Happy Ferbieday!

2009-06-12T22:55:00.000-05:00

So this week's game news reportage didn't exactly go so spectacular... Frankly, there's not much game news out there right now. Most publishers are getting ready for their big releases at Origins and Gen Con, so things are rather quiet.

Plans to have several reviews and interviews ready for this week went kerflooie, I'm sorry to say. Best laid plans of Mice, Men, and Mishlers and all that, as they say. Next week we should have reviews up for, ideally, several of the following:

The Forgotten Temple of Baalzebul, an OSRIC adventure module from Brave Halfling Publishing
Fuzzy Heroes Second Edition, from Inner City Games Design
From Generic Universe -- City Streets: The Black Ape, City Streets: The Green Dragon, and/or Tavern Denizens Book I: The Dives
From Palladium Books -- Rifts: Shemarrian Nation Sourcebook, Dead Reign Sourcebook One: Civilization Gone, and/or The Rifter #46

Several of those, plus possibly and interview (or two), and all the Press Releases, Product Releases, Upcoming Games, and other game-related news as I can find, scare up, or shake down...

Good Gaming!

[Sale] Palladium Recession Buster RPG Sale

2009-06-12T22:34:00.000-05:00

From Palladium Books:

Palladium Books Recession Buster RPG Sale
Kevin had put several bundles of “distressed” books up for auction at the Palladium Open House and was startled at how people were quick to gobble them up at a discount price. In many cases, these were gamers who already owned the books, but it seems they were buying them up as spare copies, gifts, and copies for their players to use on game night. All sold for half the cover price.

That has inspired Kevin to create Recession Buster Bundles for sale online at bargain prices!
ALL books are “distressed,” i.e. damaged in some way. Sometimes minor, sometimes not so minor. Most are “returns” from the mass market chain stores, or items we noticed as damaged and pulled from regular inventory.

Distressed means the cover may have one or more scrapes, scuffs, dents, dings, nicks, bent corner, crushed corner, bent cover, waffle impression, and/or slightly discolored paper/pages (typically a bit yellowed from exposure to sunlight), dirt scuffs/streaks/marks when you look at the book from the side or bottom, and/or the glossy luster of the cover is gone (dull) from being pulled off and put back on a shelf in a bookstore a million times, giving it a somewhat “used” appearance.

That having been said, all books are new, never used, they have all their pages and some have damage that is barely noticeable, while others are unmistakable.

Core Palladium role-playing game titles at cut-rate prices.
Very limited supply (in some cases there are only 8 bundles). Get ‘em while you can.
Available on a first come, first served basis!
Sold in “as is” condition – all sales are final.
Bargain prices as listed below.

Rifts® RPG Adventure Bundle – Cat. No. RB-8108
- Rifts® Ultimate Edition – retail price: $35.95
- Rifts® Conversion Book One – retail price: $24.95
- Rifts® Underseas – retail price: $24.95
- $85.85 worth of books - your cost $42.92 (plus shipping).

Rifts® Mega-Sourcebook Bundle – Cat. No. RB-8125
- Rifts® Game Master Guide – retail price: $26.95
- Rifts® Book of Magic – retail price: $26.95
- Rifts® Adventure Guide – retail price: $24.95
- $78.85 worth of books - your cost $39.43 (plus shipping).

Rifts® Strange Worlds Bundle – Cat. No. RB-8208
- Rifts® Adventure Guide – retail price: $24.95
- Rifts® Wormwood – retail price: $20.95
- Rifts® “Surprise” – a random World Book with a retail price of $20.95 or greater.
- $66.85+ worth of books - your cost $30.95 (plus shipping).

Palladium Fantasy® Sourcebook Bundle - Cat. No. RB-4408
- Dragons & Gods – retail price: $24.95
- Monsters & Animals – retail price: $24.95
- Land of the Damned 1: Chaos Lands – retail price: $24.95
- $74.85 worth of books - your cost $37.43 (plus shipping).

Heroes Unlimited™ Recession Buster – Cat. No. RB-5520
- A distressed copy of HU2 RPG – retail price: $26.95
- $26.95 RPG - your cost $16.43 (plus shipping).

[Product Release] Warriors & Warlocks

2009-06-12T22:23:00.000-05:00

From Green Ronin:

Street Date June 15th, PDF Already Available!

Warriors & Warlocks
A Mutants & Masterminds Sourcebook
Authors: Dale Donovan, Matthew E. Kaiser, Aaron Sullivan, and Steve Kenson

Not all comic books are about costumed heroes fighting crime; many classic comics have featured the fantastical adventures of sword-wielding and spell-casting heroes. Now Warriors & Warlocks takes the Mutants & Masterminds RPG to the realm of fantasy. This beautifully illustrated sourcebook includes information on character design, magic, equipment, villains, monsters, and more. It also includes a Mutants & Masterminds rules companion to Green Ronin's popular Pirate's Guide to Freeport, along with an introduction and overview of Freeport as a setting for fantasy adventures. Warriors & Warlocks is your go-to guide for comic book sword & sorcery action.

Format: 160 pages, full color, softcover
Price: $29.95
ISBN-10: 1-934547-19-0
ISBN-13: 978-1-934547-19-9

The Warriors & Warlocks PDF
is Already Available
at DriveThruRPG!

[Upcoming Product] Pegasus Expansion for Battlestar Galactica

2009-06-11T00:13:00.000-05:00

From Fantasy Flight Games:

Pegasus Expansion Announced
Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game

On behalf of the officers and crew of the Pegasus...it's a pleasure to see all of you. Welcome back to the Colonial Fleet. - Admiral Helena Cain, "Pegasus"

For nearly half a year following the destruction of the Twelve Colonies, the crew of the Battlestar Galactica defended the last remaining human survivors. Then, all at once, salvation appeared in the form of the Battlestar Pegasus. At nearly twice the size of Galactica, with upgraded weapons batteries and a newer, larger fleet of Vipers and Raptors, the fleet was now safer...

...or so they thought.

This fall brings the first expansion for Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game. The Pegasus Expansion adds two new supplemental game boards featuring the Battlestar Pegasus and the planet of New Caprica, seven new characters, a new Cylon Locations overlay, two plastic Basestars, as well as new Destination, Crisis, Loyalty, Quorum, Super Crisis, and Skill cards.

The new Pegasus board can be used by itself or together with the New Caprica board to create the game you desire – use the Pegasus alone for the additional firepower she provides, or add the New Caprica board to simulate the rebellion on the human colony, bringing the game to an epic level. New rules introduce the ability to play as a new character type – the Cylon Leader, with a new Treachery Skill card type.

How will the crews of the Galactica and the Pegasus mesh when they join each other on your game table? Will the Cylons be able to subjugate the human rebellion on New Caprica? Will an open Cylon Leader be able to vent the last remaining humans into space, giving the toasters control over the galaxy?

Pegasus will be FTL jumping into your friendly local game store this Fall. Be on the lookout for previews leading up to the expansion's release.

So say we all!

Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game is a semi-cooperative game of politics, betrayal, and survival for 3-6 players, based on the hit SciFi Channel series.

[Product Release] Malevolent and Benign

2009-06-11T00:02:00.000-05:00

From Expeditious Retreat Press:

Evoking the early days of roleplaying, Expeditious Retreat Press is pleased to release Malevolent and Benign, a new 1E monster book with 150 new creaures and more than 85 illustrations in a 128-paged tome, compatible with the First Edition of the world's most popular roleplaying game!

A softcover, retailing at $26, will be available at your Friendly Local Game Store in July; a hardcover edition is currently available through Lulu and costs $39.95 + S&H. The PDF is available through DriveThruRPG and retails at $10.

Click here to buy
Malevolent and Benign
at DriveThruRPG

[Retailer Report] Myriad Games May 2009

2009-06-10T23:13:00.000-05:00

From Myriad Games:

Myriad Games
Owner: Dan Yarrington
603-681-0355
8 Stiles Road
Salem, NH 03079
www.myriadgames.com
myriad@myriadgames.com

Board Games: Small World from Days of Wonder.

Card Games: The whole series of We Didn't Playtest This At All card games from Asmadi Games.

Collectible Miniature Games: Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures: Monster Manual: Dangerous Delves, and Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures: Player's Handbook Heroes Series 1, both from Wizards of the Coast.

Miniature Games: Warhammer 40,000 from Games Workshop.

Roleplaying Games: Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition from Wizards of the Coast and Swashbucklers of the 7 Skies from Evil Hat Productions.

Trading Card Games: Magic: The Gathering from Wizards of the Coast.

Wargames: Fields of Fire: 9th US Infantry from GMT Games.

Other Game-Related Products: Dice

Other Products: The Gamers from Dead Gentlemen Productions and plush toys and other cool stuff from Toy Vault.

General Feedback: Each and every month we appreciate the opportunity to introduce new games to our existing customers and to create new customers by showing them the fun of games. We've launched our Myriad Games Presentations, available through MyriadGames.com and through iTunes during the last few months to provide better coverage of games. We've expanded our selection and improved our website, even adding new Myriad Games Wallpapers. We'd like to thank each and everyone of our customers, with a special thank you to our Myriad Gamers (Click here to download a PDF detailing membership in the Myriad Gamers Program). We look forward to continuing to serve you!

What cool events are coming up in your store in the next month? We're hosting Free RPG Day on June 20th, the Legend of the Five Rings Launch Party for Celestial Edition on June 27th, a Magic Grand Prix Boston Trial Sealed Deck Tournament on June 28th, the Magic 2010 Prerelease on July 11th and 12th, the Magic 2010 Launch Party on the 17th through 19th, and more! Our complete events calendar is online at www.MyriadGames.com/events

[Retailer Report] Castle Perilous May 2009

2009-06-10T21:58:00.000-05:00

This is the first of many monthly Retailer Reports we will host here on Adventure Game News. These reports are contributed by the owners and managers of Friendly Local Game Stores across the United States (and hopefully, eventually, Internationally). Each report includes information on what is selling best (or perhaps, not selling) and being played in their game store. Perhaps these reports will help you, the reader, discover games you have not yet found or considered, or find a store that can help you meet your game purchasing needs.

If you have a Friendly Local Game Store that you think would benefit by getting more coverage online by reporting its sales and events on Adventure Game News, be sure to let your store owner or manager know about this opportunity. Have them contact us at james@adventuregamespubs.com, and we will get back with them as soon as possible. Retailer reporters and those who get us in contact with new retailers will both benefit from future special offers from Adventure Game News.

From Castle Perilous:

Castle Perilous Games & Books
Owner: Scott Thorne, PhD
207 West Main St.
Carbondale IL 62901-2919
618-529-5317
800-297-2160
http://www.castleperilous.com/
castleperilousgames@gmail.com

Board Games: Risk 2210 from Wizards of the Coast keeps selling steadily.

Card Games: Munchkin from Steve Jackson Games; sales have slowed down a bit in the past couple of months but is still the best selling card game in the store.

Collectible Miniature Games: Star Wars Miniatures from Wizards of the Coast; having a dedicated group of 14+ players every Monday night helps.

Miniature Games: Codex Imperial Guard from Games Workshop. The best selling Codex or Army book in recent memory

Roleplaying Games: Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition from Wizards of the Coast. We are still hearing complaints from Dungeons & Dragons ver3.5 players who don't want to switch over, but the ones that do seem pretty happy with the new edition.

Trading Card Games: Magic: The Gathering from Wizards of the Coast is still the champ; its sales beat those of Yu-Gi-Oh! by a factor of 3 to 1.

Wargames: Axis & Allies from Wizards of the Coast; people have heard about the new edition and are looking to pick up copies of the old before it goes away

Other Game-Related Products: Chessex Dice. A day doesn't go by that we don't sell at least a couple of cubes of Chessex dice.

Comic Books: Sales have dropped off of Knights of the Dinner Table from Kenzer & Company, but it is still our best selling gaming related comic. #150 was the first sell out we've had in awhile.

What cool events are coming up in your store in the next month? Camp Castle: we are hosting a gaming camp for kids under the age of 16 the first week of June. We'll be teaching a different game each day and then run a second camp later in the summer focusing on improving skills in one particular game. We stole the idea from Gnome Games (Green Bay, Wis.) and it has worked pretty well for us.

[PR Repost] Gamers Prepare for Gen Con Indy

2009-06-09T11:16:00.000-05:00

From Gen Con LLC:

Gamers Prepare for Gen Con Indy
Highlights of upcoming show revealed

INDIANAPOLIS - (June 2009) When it comes to all things gaming, nothing compares to the gamers paradise that occurs every August at Gen Con Indy, the nation's largest annual consumer fantasy, electronic, sci-fi, and adventure game convention. With Co-Sponsors like Upper Deck Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast and hundreds of other exhibitors, 6,000+ gaming events, anime and more, there is much to look forward to at Gen Con. For the seventh year in a row, the event will be held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis from August 13-16.

Gen Con, celebrating its 42nd year and going strong, is the quintessential 'destination' for all types of gaming, for all ages. Activities range from interactive game play and computer gaming to big money hobby-related tournaments sponsored by industry leaders such as Upper Deck Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast. All attendees can participate in any type of gaming including card games, board games, live-action role-playing games, miniature games and more.

Here are some event highlights for Gen Con Indy 2009:

Training Grounds -- is the place to introduce kids to the gaming world and all its possibilities. It is designed for kids and those young at heart to come, play and explore! This area is sponsored by Mayfair Games.
World of Warcraft TCG -- Upper Deck's World of Warcraft TCG will not go unnoticed at Gen Con Indy with a slew of events ranging from championship-level tournaments to beginner-friendly events.
Wizards of the Coast -- Wizards will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Dragonlance with a new book from Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman entitled Dragons of the Hour Glass Mage, The Lost Chronicles Volume 3. Margaret and Tracy will be on site for autographs and a special anniversary party. Wizards will also be celebrating the newly released Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition Monster Manual 2 and Players Handbook 2 as well as other 4th Edition accessories.
Interactive Entertainment -- Gen Con will continue to showcase electronic gaming in its own dedicated space within the exhibit hall. New releases and popular titles will be displayed, along with console and PC tournaments, freeplay and the eGame Arena.
Huntik TCG -- The newest TCG from Upper Deck will have its debut its National Championship at Gen Con Indy. Players from across the country will converge to compete for the title of the best Seeker in the United States and take home the prizes that come with the title!
Magic: The Gathering From the Vault: Exiled -- The release will be available for purchase prior to the August 28th release. The release contains fifteen Magic: The Gathering cards so potent, they were banned or restricted from the known realms of competition. Only 100 copies will be available each day at Gen Con. There will be plenty of Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering game play going on as well as a full schedule of seminars and special guests.
Trade Day -- For the third year in a row, Gen Con Indy is hosting trade day to provide hands-on training to educators, librarians, and retailers on using games to increase patronage, develop community, and help children achieve. The program has been restructured and will also include seminars and workshops for retailers, distributors, exhibitors and others who are interested in the trade aspect of the gaming industry.
Costuming -- Introducing a new program for those who love to create costumes.
NASCRAG -- celebrating 30 zany years with their always popular tournament and the only Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 Tournament at Gen Con Indy 2009.
World of Warcraft Minis -- The No. 1 Collectible Miniatures Game around will hold its inaugural World of Warcraft Miniatures North American Continental Championship at Gen Con. The winner will go home with thousands of dollars in electronics and prizes and an invitation to the 2009 Miniatures World Championship!
SPA -- Back by popular demand, a wide array of activities for the 'Better half'.
Family Fun Pavilion -- This special area within the exhibit hall is dedicated to family and broad market games and will include exhibits, demos, face-painting and much more. There will be special admission pricing on Sunday just for families.
True Dungeon and the True Dungeon Fantasy Tavern -- Widely regarded as one of the coolest events on the planet, this year features four new adventures.
TerrorWerks -- A new, fully immersive live-action-adventure event about space marines encountering the dark horrors of the galaxy!
Anime Avenue -- Visit the Avenue that takes anime programming beyond anime videos to find traditional events offered at all the best anime conventions including panels, cosplay, exclusive video screenings, a manga library, dubbing events, and much more. This year, Vic Mignogna (Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist) will be attending as a special guest!
Gen Con attendees can also look forward to many other rousing activities such as: Hickman's Killer Breakfast, the Dance, Miniature Hobby Events, LARPing, board gaming tournaments, seminars, workshops, the Gen Con Auction, the Costume Contest and many more.

To Attend Gen Con
Gen Con Indy will be open to the public August 13-16 at the Indiana Convention Center. Thursday through Saturday the exhibit hall is open 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. 24-hour gaming takes place at the convention center and at area hotels during the four-day event.

Attendees must purchase badges to gain entrance to the show. Badge pre-registration is open and runs through June 27, 2009, noon PST. Pre-registration will only be available online through the registration system. A four-day badge is $68 with pre-registration or $78 onsite. A one-day badge is $38 with pre-registration or $48 onsite. Children 8 and under are free with an accompanying adult. For more information and to register visit http://www.gencon.com/.

[Week in Games] Cool Stuff Out This Week!

2009-06-08T16:56:00.000-05:00

[PR Repost] Frontline and Phantom Leader

2009-06-08T15:22:00.000-05:00

From Dan Verssen Games:

Announcing June 6th, 2009 as being D(VG)-Day! June 6th, 1944 was one of the most important battles of WWII as two great armies met in combat. June 6th, 2009 starts the pre-order battle to send two great games to the printer: Frontline D-Day and Phantom Leader. Each week, we will release new information for these games until victory is assured and the printing presses are rolling!

The Frontline rules have gone through another generation of updates. They are still in rough outline form, but many more rules have been added to fill out the sections. Click here to download the updated rules-in-progress.

We’ve also updated the Frontline slideshow with new soldier and vehicle cards!

Also added are the Phantom Leader rules. They are much farther along than the Frontline rules, but they still have a ways to go. There are still many blank spots where graphics will be added.

We had a great time at the Memorial Day Los Angeles game convention last weekend. We were very excited to be their Guest of Honor. Eric Burgess was kind enough to invite Dan to be part of a podcast discussing game design theory and operating a game company and don't forget to check out Eric’s web site, Boardgame Babylon.

A few people have reported problems seeing the web site. The web guys have made some updates and I know there has been some success. If you’re receiving this as part of our newsletter or posting on a web site and have had problems, please give it another try and let me know if you still see a blank page.

Jesse Cheng, our demo Team Leader, ran a hugely successful week of demos and games at Consimworld’s Expo this past week. He manned the DVG booth, demoed games, and introduced many new people to our games. Many thanks Jesse! If you have an interest in demoing our games, please contact us and we’ll put you in contact with Jesse.

Christopher "Kozure" Ono will be running a Down in Flames tournament on Saturday, June 27th. Thank you Christopher! Click here for details.

[Industry News] Dungeon Crawl Classics return in 1E Format

2009-06-07T15:55:00.000-05:00

From Goodman Games:

Black Blade Publishing
to Publish First Edition Adaptations
of Dungeon Crawl Classics
Adventure Modules

June 6, 2009 – Goodman Games, developer and publisher of the hugely-popular line of Dungeon Crawl Classics line of adventures for fantasy role-playing campaigns, is pleased to announce an agreement with Black Blade Publishing to publish adaptations of the Dungeon Crawl Classics line of adventures for First Edition fantasy role-playing games. The first release is First Edition Dungeon Crawls: Secret of Smuggler’s Cove, adapted from Dungeon Crawl Classics #7: Secret of Smuggler’s Cove. This 32-page adventure module is fully compatible with the First Edition of the world’s most-popular fantasy role-playing game, any of the other early editions of that game, or any of their modern simulacra.

First Edition Dungeon Crawls: Secret of Smuggler’s Cove will be initially released at the North Texas RPG Con in Dallas, TX, June 5-7, and will be available for purchase directly from Black Blade Publishing immediately thereafter.

Black Blade Publishing has scheduled two more releases in 2009, beginning in the fall with First Edition Dungeon Crawls: The Golden Palace of Zahadran, adapted from DCC #32: The Golden Palace of Zahadran, followed by First Edition Dungeon Crawls: Devil in the Mists, adapted from DCC #40: Devil in the Mists, a sequel to Dungeon Crawl Classics #7: Secret of Smuggler’s Cove.

“The old school gaming community continues to build momentum. Some of the more forward-looking members of this community are focused on expanding their love of the hobby by looking forward toward new fans, not only backward toward nostalgia. Jon Hershberger is one such person and I’m glad to be working with him on his Black Blade adaptations,” said Goodman Games President Joseph Goodman.

Jon Hershberger, co-founder of Black Blade Publishing, added, “The Dungeon Crawl Classics line of adventure modules has provided countless hours of fun and role-playing goodness for fantasy gamers all over the world. Black Blade Publishing is very excited to publish some of the most popular d20 adventure modules from Goodman Games for the early edition fantasy role-playing games. The quality and quantity of products being introduced in the old school gaming community right now is amazing. We’re really happy to be a part of that thriving old school gaming community.”

Founded in 2002 by Joseph Goodman, Goodman Games is a game publisher best known for their Dungeon Crawl Classics adventure modules. For additional information, visit www.goodman-games.com.

Formed in 2009 by Jon Hershberger and Allan Grohe, Wichita-based Black Blade Publishing will begin publishing First Edition Dungeon Crawls in June 2009 under license from Goodman Games. For additional information, visit www.black-blade-publishing.com.

Click here to go to the
Goodman Games store
on DriveThruRPG

[Ferbieday] Happy Ferbieday!

2009-06-05T23:34:00.001-05:00

Dear Readers,

Hope you all have a great weekend! We'll be back next week with all the latest product releases, press releases, upcoming games, and industry news! And... out first game reviews and hopefully an interview or two. Good gaming!

[Upcoming Product] Nightbane Survival Guide

2009-06-05T22:56:00.000-05:00

From Palladium Books:

Ships June 29th

Nightbane
Survival Guide

Not only is this the first sourcebook for the ever popular Nightbane series in five years, we think it’s going to knock your socks off. The cover, as you can see for yourself, is gorgeous... er... gruesome... looks great. The interior is also fabulous, eerie, moody, powerful and evocative.

As for the source material? It will make you want to play Nightbane again. The focus is on the Nightbane, how they feel, think, live, deal with turning into a super-powerful monster, their Morphuses, the Hidden War against the Nightlords, new Morphuses, some new skills, contacts, history, mystery and a heck of a lot more.

Editor Alex Marciniszyn was blown away by the material and said, “Wow, this book reminded me how cool the Nightbane setting was and how fun the Nightbane are to play. Darn it, I want to play in a Nightbane campaign.”

Publisher and contributing writer, Kevin Siembieda, agreed. “I think people forget that there is nothing quite like Nightbane on the market. It’s what I call ‘superhero horror.’ I mean you have a character with strange and incredible powers that appear out of nowhere, but you have to turn into a monster to use them. You don’t know if you’re human or a monster yourself, society shuns you and denies your existence, and the demonic Nightlords (who secretly run the world) send their horrific minions to destroy you and control the world. Your character cavorts with vampires and other supernatural beings, and the setting is our modern world steeped in global conspiracies, cover-ups, government corruption, horror, suspense and mystery covered in the blood of treachery. Yep, great stuff. And this book brings it all to life like never before.”

The Nightbane setting features heroes who must transform into monsters to use their supernatural powers. They are the “bane of night” and the natural enemies of the Nightlords, secret masters of the world since Dark Day. Consequently, the Nightlords seek to exterminate the Nightbane wherever they are found. This is a guide to help the Nightbane survive in a world of conspiracy, dark forces and monstrous invaders from the dreaded Nightlands. It also takes a hard look at who and what the Nightbane are and how they live.

The book is in final production. Art is done. Writing done. Final editing and rewriting is almost finished. This book should go to the printer sometime next week.

Surviving the Hidden War; strategies and tactics.
More insight to the life and ways of the Nightbane.
Creating Contacts, Creating Factions & Faction Recruiting.
New factions and secret societies.
Nightbane Morphus Tables and Talents.
New Nightbane Creation Guideline Tables.
New Nightbane history, theories of origin, psychology and more.
A complete adventure, plus adventure ideas and world information.
Cover by Mark Evans.
Art by Stephen L. Fox, Amy Ashbaugh and others.
Written by Mark Oberle and Irvin Jackson. Additional text and ideas by Kevin Siembieda.
160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 735.
In final production. Ships June 29, 2009.

[Available Again] Rifts Lone Star

2009-06-05T22:41:00.000-05:00

From Palladium Books:

Rifts World Book 13
Rifts Lone Star
By Kevin Siembieda

Source material on Dog Boys and the Coalition State of Lone Star, Dog Boy variants, Dog Boy training, and other CS mutant animals. Plus, the CS Death Wing, hovercycles, weapons and equipment, Doctor Desmond Bradford, Pecos Bandits and more.

The Lone Star Genetics Complex is the birthplace of the Dog Boys, but it is run by a madman who is beyond the control of Emperor Prosek. R.C.C.s for scores of different mutant animals (and mutant humans), escaped slaves, sinister plots, blind faith and a lust for power. Plus data about the Lone Star Complex, the Lone Star State, the Coalition, rebels and more.

Lone Star Genetics Complex described in detail.
Genetic experiments forbidden by Emperor Prosek and the living by-products of those illegal experiments.
Everything you ever wanted to know about Dog Boys, their creation and training; different breeds, training, loyalties and other data. Over a dozen different mutants, animal, D-Bee and human!
Other mutant animals, including Kill Hounds and Rats and Bears.
22+ O.C.C.s and R.C.C.s.
More data on the Pecos Empire, its clans, key leaders, and plans for the Coalition.
Bandits, rebels, villains, and misfits.
Maps, CS outposts and world information.
Art by Breaux, McKenna and others. Cover by Zeleznik.
Written by Kevin Siembieda.
176 pages
Cat. No. 825, $20.95 MSRP

Also Back In Stock

Coming Soon:
Rifts® Adventure Sourcebook 3: The Black Vault – 48 pages – $9.95 retail – Cat. No. 855. Available in a week or two.

Available Now
Rifts® World Book 8: Rifts® Japan – 216 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 818.
Rifts® Megaverse® Builder – 96 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 859.
Rifts® Mercenaries™ – 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 813.
Rifts® World Book One: Vampire Kingdoms™ – 176 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 802.
Rifts® Dimension™ Book 5: Anvil Galaxy™ – 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 847.
Wolfen Empire™ – 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 471.

Click here to go to the
Palladium Books store
on DriveThruRPG

[Industry News] Babylon 5, Paranoia End

2009-06-05T22:30:00.000-05:00

From Mongoose Publishing:

At the end of June, Mongoose will no longer be selling books from either our Babylon 5 or Paranoia ranges — so if there are any gaps in your collection, act quickly before they are gone for good! We already have very low stocks of many of these titles, and they will be sent out on a strict first-come, first-served basis.

We made the decision to retire the Babylon 5 range late last year. We have had a great ride on the Babylon 5 station for the past six years, visiting the Minbari homeworld and travelling to the Rim, but all good things must come to an end.

Click here to find out more on the remaining Babylon 5 range

Paranoia is the best RPG ever released. Other RPGs are not the best. Buy Paranoia.

The current (perfect) range of Paranoia products will be retired at the end of this month to make way for the even more perfect 25th Anniversary line, starting with the Paranoia: Troubleshooters rulebook, and the Black Missions limited edition. Rumours that the current range of supplements will maintain a 90% compatibility rating with the new Paranoia books are treasonous. Report all rumours immediately.

Click here to find out more on the remaining Paranoia range

Click here to go to the
Mongoose Publishing store
on DriveThruRPG

[Product Release] Mongoose Mid-June Releases

2009-06-05T22:07:00.000-05:00

From Mongoose Publishing:

Street Date on all these products is Monday, June 15th

Battlefield Evolution
Pacific War

Japan’s imperialistic ambitions to dominate the entire Pacific may seem a mad gamble when viewed from a comfortable 21st Century perspective, but it should be remembered that, in the 1940’s, empires still existed. European powers had commanded vast tracts of the Pacific region for centuries, and the British Empire remained the largest in history. On the other side of the world, Germany had dominated almost the whole of continental Europe, so the idea of powerful nations taking territory by force was an attractive idea that, today, might seem repugnant.

Despite naval actions in oceans over the globe, it was Japan’s entry into the war that truly turned hostilities into a World War. By attacking Pearl Harbour, Japan ensured the United States was put into a position whereby it could no longer remain neutral. No longer was the fighting confined to Europe and Africa, with warships trading blows overseas. Now the people of almost every continent were directly affected by war.

Ultimately, Japan failed in its gamble. Before it fell, however, it had dealt the United States a grievous blow, and all but ended the hold European countries had in the region (not least because they had their own problems back in Europe). Once forced on the defensive, Japan proved to be a terrible enemy, its people willing to fight to their last breath, ferociously resisting the advance of the Allies as its forces were gradually pushed back to the Japanese islands.

The end of the Pacific War marked the end of the Second World War as a whole, an ending that was mushroom-shaped and terrifying., leading on to a new struggle that would hold the world in its grip for the rest of the 20th Century.

This supplement for Battlefield Evolution: World at War contains army lists and new rules for the following armies, in all periods of the Pacific War: British Army and Commonwealth, British India Special Force Chindits, Imperial Japanese Army, Imperial Japanese SNLF, and United States Marines Corps.

Game line: Battlefield Evolution (World at War)
Category: Supplement
Retail Price: $24.95
Size: 136 pages, Softcover
Interior Art: Black & white
Authors: Agis Neugebauer, Bryan Steele, August Hahn
Stock Code: MGP 4444
ISBN: 978-1-906103-89-7

Corporation
Machines of War

War is here. Though the Corporations no longer seek openly to annihilate each other in world-scarring battle, skirmishes flare along countless fronts not drawn on any map. From grimy alleys to trading floors to sumptuous hotels, Agents fight and die in secret for the Corporations that own them. Shares are bought and sold, markets soar and fail, all at a cost counted in blood.

War is here. The Agents gather their tools. Long knives glitter in the shadows of the Spires, the Old Cities echo to the crack and roar of rifle fire, nightmarish mechanical guardians lurk below the sands of blasted deserts. Unthinkable technologies are forged each day, in blasphemous laboratories buried far from the light. Men are mutilated and modified until they resemble machines; machines are twisted to think like men.

War is here. Your enemies draw closer by the day, under cover of a fickle and fraudulent peace, and you are not ready. They are faster, stealthier, stronger. They can see further and shoot more accurately. Their weapons are terrifying, their technology overwhelming. You must arm yourself for the inevitable conflict or be crushed beneath the boots of your rivals.

War is here, Agent, and you must make ready to fight.

Unleash the Machines of War.

Machines of War is a huge supplement which brings a wealth of new technology and tech-related content to your game including:

Dozens of new trainings including Advanced Weapon Trainings
New licenses and downtime options
Rules for creating your own BIOs
A huge range of new equipment, cybernetics, weapons and computer tech
Xenotech, nanotech, neuroprogramming and agent backup
New antagonists, organisations, locations and playable minor corporations
And of course, the brutal ‘pulping system’

Game Line: Corporation under Flaming Cobra
Category: Supplement
Retail Price: $29.95
Size: 164 pages, Softcover
Interior Art: Black & white
Author: James Norbury
Stock Code: MGP 6131
ISBN: 978-1-906508-32-6

Conan
Catacombs of Hyboria

The perfect companion to both Ruins of Hyboria and Cities of Hyboria, this book provides several fully detailed underground-based encounters that can be played throughout the Hyborian Kingdoms. Each is laid out to be run after just a glance of a few moments, ensuring a Games Master is never caught off balance whenever his players choose to go somewhere unexpected – keep this book near your gaming table, and your players will marvel at detail you have worked into your campaign!

Game line: Conan
Category: Supplement
Retail Price: $24.95
Size: 104 pages, softcover
Interior Art: Black & white
Author: Bryan Steele
Stock Code: MGP 7817
ISBN: 978-1-906508-36-4

RuneQuest
Guilds, Factions & Cults

Suitable for all RuneQuest settings, including Elric and Hawkmoon, Guilds, Factions & Cults opens up the possibilities to players seeking to ally their characters with greater forces. From humble craftsmen guilds and cults following demonic demigods, to nation-spanning political forces and the mightiest gathering of mages, this book allows players and Game Masters to create new guilds and cults within their games, detailing their membership, benefits, and rivalries. As players ascend through the ranks of their cult, they may get embroiled in guild wars and missions vital to the survival of their allies.

Game line: RuneQuest
Category: Supplement
Retail Price: $24.95
Size: 128 pages, softcover
Interior Art: Black & white
Author: Lawrence Whitaker
Stock Code: MGP 8160
ISBN: 978-1-906508-34-0

Click here to go to the
Mongoose Publishing store
on DriveThruRPG

[Product Release] Witch Girls Adventures

2009-06-05T19:16:00.000-05:00

From Channel M Publishing:

Witch Girls Adventure:
The Drama Diaries Game

In the world of Witch Girls, power comes in all shapes and sizes. So, be nice... or be a toad!

Witch Girls Adventures is a Drama Diaries Game that allows its players to participate in a world of magic and mischief. Players take on the roles of Witches they design from scratch, choosing their powers, skills and abilities. They can attend one of the world's many magic schools, solve mysteries both magical and mundane and go on adventures limited only by their imagination.

Designed for roleplaying beginners, Witch Girls Adventures features simple rules and fantastic illustrations by some of the best up-and-coming illustrators around! Witch Girls Adventures is fun for players of all ages!

Witch Girls Adventures Format:
Price: 19.99 + Shipping (print book), $19.99 (PDF)
Cover: Color by Olga Bosserdt
Inside:192 pages 10 color / 182 black and white
Size: 10.25 x 6.5
Designer/Writer: Malcolm Harris
Editor: Michelle Farris
Illustrations: Various
System: Drama Dice

Witch Girls Adventures is available in two print formats:

Standard Edition, with the complete rules, world and more for Witch Girls adventures; or

Wicked Edition, with the same rules and world, but with a diffrent, more wicked, intro-comic and art. For the wicked Witch you.

Click here to buy the Standard Edition at DriveThruRPG

Upcoming Witch Girl Supplements

Moonshadow Circle: A Guide to a Magical Town
Release Date: August 2009
This in-depth source book grants directors and stars access to information on a unique magical town where adventure waits around every corner. The book contains information on dozens of shops, buildings, citizens and more. Comes with the three fold director’s reference screen and 10 page comic introduction.

Learn more about the world of Witch Girls with our upcoming supplemental books. Each volume is full of unique information, full color illustrations and fun new rules that expands on the Witch Girls world.

Coming Soon:
Hex Scouts Guide to Cryptid
Mortals Immortals and More
Highbinders Guide to Magic

[Industry News] D&D Delve Night Ends

2009-06-05T16:42:00.000-05:00

Wizards of the Coast has announced the end of the D&D Delve Night program, claiming to have received "candid and detailed feedback" on a "revised offering" of the program... how feedback on a "revised" version of the program would require the immediate cessation of the existing program is unanswered. No new program is in place, and in fact, Wizards of the Coast is still in the process of soliciting ideas for a new program, with no statement as to when a new program might begin or what form it might take...

From Wizards of the Coast:

D&D Delve Night Announcement
June Event Will Be the Last

Wizards of the Coast recently had 15 locations around the US test a revamped D&D Delve Night play experience. We provided the locations with materials and feedback forms and asked organizers, players, and DMs to give us honest opinions about the revised offering for the program. After reviewing the candid and detailed feedback, we have determined that the D&D Delve Night program will end after the current June 2009 offering.

In addition to receiving feedback on the D&D Delve Night program, participants and organizers told us what they'd like to see from a new program. We've listened to that feedback and are currently in discussions about other program options for D&D. Once we have something in place, we will again conduct a public playtest of the program to ensure that we're incorporating feedback from the community before launch.

If you have or are currently playing, DMing, or organizing D&D Delve Night in a location near you, thank you very much for your participation. We hope that you enjoyed the program, and we look forward to creating an exciting new program in the future with your feedback and ideas!
Chris Tulach
D&D Organized Play Content Developer
Wizards of the Coast

Additionally, the following was posted by WolfStar76, Senior Volunteer Community Lead, D&DI News Guide, on the RPGA forums of the Wizards Community board:

D&D Delve Night Announcement for Organizers

As an organizer that has currently scheduled D&D Delve Night in your public location, thank you very much for your hard work and participation in the program. We’d like to take this opportunity to inform you about a recent decision regarding D&D Delve Night.

A few weeks ago, we had 15 locations around the US test a revamped D&D Delve Night play experience. We provided the locations with materials and feedback forms and asked organizers, players, and DMs to give us honest opinions about the revised offering for the program. After reviewing the candid and detailed feedback, we have determined that the D&D Delve Night program will end after the current June 2009 offering. For us, it is a giant step forward to be able to respond to the community’s concerns by performing a public playtest, and we will continue to provide such opportunities as necessary for future offerings.

In addition to receiving feedback on the D&D Delve Night program, participants and organizers told us what they’d like to see from a new program. We’ve listened to that feedback, and are currently in discussions about program options for D&D. Once we have something ready, we will once again conduct a public playtest of the program to ensure that we’re incorporating feedback from the community before launch. We want the program we develop to be the best play experience possible for its audience.

We understand that many of you have scheduled D&D Delve Night for your locations in July. We apologize for the inconvenience of the program announcement after scheduling had already opened for July. We are committed to listening to our community’s feedback to improve your participants’ play experiences, especially our organizers.

Therefore, we’d like to take this opportunity to ask you, our D&D Delve Night organizers, for ideas for a new program for D&D. What would excite your players and DMs? What would draw participants on a regular basis to your location? Let us know! You can contact us at www.wizards.com/customerservice with your thoughts.

Once more, thank you very much for organizing D&D Delve Night. We look forward to creating an exciting new program in the future with your feedback and ideas!

Chris Tulach
D&D Organized Play Content Developer
Wizards of the Coast

Story developing...

[Upcoming Product] Catan CG: Artisans & Benefactors

2009-06-05T15:02:00.000-05:00

From Mayfair Games:

Catan Card Game
Artisans & Benefactors Expansion
Designer: Klaus Teuber

Welcome to the seventh expansion to Klaus Teuber’s Catan Card Game! Here you’ll find 30 new cards that can help you enhance the “happiness” of your principality’s residents. After all, happy, contented citizens have higher morale and often work harder. This allows you to constructively expand with less fear from your twin foes of randomness and luck.

Like all Catan Card Game Theme Sets, you need a copy of the basic game to use Artisans & Benefactors.

Artisans & Benefactors Expansion Contains:
36 cards total

MFG48722, $6.00 MSRP
Street Date: June 25th
Ages 12+
For 2 Players
Playing Time 30-45 minutes
UPC 0-29877-48722-6-00600
ISBN 1-56905-218-2
Made in U.S.A.

[Upcoming Product] Eurorails Fourth Edition

2009-06-05T14:48:00.000-05:00

From Mayfair Games:

EuroRails
Designer: Empire Builder Design Team
Art: Stefan Sierhej

Epic Railroad Building in Europe!

Discover a modern European classic. Celebrate one of the world’s most vital and enduring passions: railroads. Use your initial investment to build track. Then pick up commodities where they are grown, mined, or manufactured and deliver them to a lucrative place of demand. Complete a delivery and make the money you need to buy larger, faster trains, and expand your railroad empire. Win the game by building the most effective railroad empire!

With over a million variations, EuroRails never grows old. You decide where to lay your tracks. Your only obstacles are rival tracks and Europe’s great mountains, channels, and rivers. So, ignore the borders. Capture the industrial spirit of Europe and learn to build an empire. Whether you share EuroRails as an evening with friends or as a rainy day activity with your family, you’ll always find it captivating!

After enjoying this great game, you can explore one of the many other award-winning Empire Builder games, including titles as diverse as China Rails, Australian Rails, and Martian Rails.

EuroRails is geographically accurate. The game depicts Europe’s rivers, plains, and mountains, as well as its natural resources. It’s a great way to learn about the geography, business, shipping, and transportation of Europe while having loads of fun with friends or family!

EuroRails contains:
1 markable game board (puzzle-cut map)
2 decks of colorful cards (180 total)
94 color load chips
1 pack of money
1 pack of crayons
6 train pawns
Full-color rulebook

MFG4507, $42.00 MSRP
Street Date: June 25th
Ages 12+
For 2-6 Players
Playing Time 120-240 minutes
UPC 0-29877-04507-5-04200
ISBN 1-56905-219-0
Made in the U.S.A.

[Product Release] Ragnarok is at Hand!

2009-06-04T16:50:00.000-05:00

From Atomic Overmind Press:

The Day After Ragnarok
By Ken Hite
You read that right… it’s finally done. The Day After Ragnarok, designed for use with Savage Worlds, is now available! The PDF is now on sale in the Atomic Overmind webstore and at DriveThruRPG, and you can also pre-order the print version, either for direct shipping to your house, or for pickup at either the Origins Game Fair in Columbus, OH, or at GenCon in Indianapolis.

Here are details on pricing:

The PDF is priced at $12.95.
The print version of the book will be a 128 page 6″ x 9″ perfect-bound book, priced at $19.95.
You can order both together for $29.95, and either have have the book shipped to you, or save the shipping cost and pick it up at Origins or Gencon.
And finally, just to whet your appetite a little further, here’s a preview of the Credits, Table of Contents, and the Introduction.

Spread the word far and wide…Ragnarok is finally at hand!

Submachine Guns and Sorcery!
Know, O Prince, that between the years when the Serpent fell and the oceans drank America and the gleaming cities, and the rise of the Sons of Space, there was an Age undreamed of, when nations guttered low and flared brilliant across the poisoned world like dying stars – California and Texas each claiming the flag of the West, France torn asunder and facing the desert, harsh Mexico, slumbering Brazil, Argentina where the seeds of Thule lay waiting, ancient lands of Persia and Arabia and Iraq between two empires, the coldly clutching Soviet Union whispering behind its Wall of Serpent, Japan whose warriors wore steel and silk and khaki. But the proudest kingdom of the world was Australia, the last green and pleasant land, ringed around by its dominions and bulwarked by the sea.

Welcome to the world at the end of the world. The skies are shrouded with burning, oily smoke, the Earth groans under a poisoned corpse, and the only way out may be deeper into the belly of the beast. This is a world about a flavor and a feel as much as it is about extrapolation. That said, this world has something of an edge to it – it’s a world nearly killed by the death of wonder, although far from all the wonders are dead. Put the “grim” back in “grime” and see the world outside the smeared Perspex windscreen

Mighty-thewed barbarians and grim mercenaries roam the desolate plains of Ohio. Giant snakes, and those who worship them, prowl the ruins of St. Louis. Pirates battle the Japanese invaders in the South China Sea. Bold British agents, equipped with experimental bio-technology, thwart the insidious infiltration of Stalin's humanzees. Sky-raiders strike from hidden bases in the Sahara, deros skulk in South American caverns, and the Texas Rangers fight electrical death worms to save Los Alamos.

Kenneth Hite (Adventures into Darkness, Trail of Cthulhu) presents a world of savage swords and rocket men, of were-serpents and war-apes, from Australia's battered Empire to the proud city-state of Chicago.

The Day After Ragnarok includes:

Complete rules and guidelines for creating a hero suited for these dark times, including new Hindrances and Edges.
Dangerous ophi-tech devices built with knowledge torn from the Thing that nearly killed the world: fiber bombs, Marconi pistols, jet-packs, and more!
A grand tour through the post-apocalyptic world of 1948, from the drowned East Coast to the Soviet empire behind the Serpent Curtain -- including the Top Five Places to Be Attacked By Pirates, the Top Five Places to Find A Remote Castle Ruled By A Madman, and much more!
Stats for more than thirty foes to shoot, stab, or sneak past: Serpent cultists, Spetsnaz troopers, swamp devils, and ... snakes! Giant, 80-foot long snakes, that is!
Over 20 pages of pure adventure: Four campaign types, each with a sample campaign laid out in nine scenario seeds. A massive Adventure Generator, helping you build every tale from the Hook to the Henchmen to the Twist ending! Four worked examples, taking the Adventure Generator's raw numbers and running.
Plus old-school random encounters for the desolate wastelands of America -- will you face slave-raiding Klansmen, the terrifying fly-by-night, or a desperate band of escaped Wehrmacht P.O.W.s?
And across it all lies the trillion-ton corpse of the Midgard Serpent, killed by Truman's atomic fire but still poisoning the Earth with every night that passes. Welcome to the world at the end of the world.

Welcome to... THE DAY AFTER RAGNAROK

Click here to buy The Day After Ragnarok at DriveThruRPG

[Available Again] Arkham Horror: Dunwich Horror

2009-06-04T16:27:00.000-05:00

From Fantasy Flight Games:

Arkham Horror: The Dunwich Horror
Whateley's Brother Stands Atop Wizard's Hill...

The supernatural disturbances that plague Arkham, Massachussets, are not limited to that unfortunate place. The town of Dunwich is only a short train ride from Arkham, and if anything it is a darker, more frightening place, with its own secrets and its own perils. It looks like the investigators are going to have to protect two towns now instead of just one; if they ignore the dark forces that are stirring in Dunwich, they'll have to face the wrath of the Dunwich Horror ...

Dunwich Horror is an expansion to Arkham Horror, complete with an extra board and the entire town of Dunwich - accessible via train from Arkham. There are plenty of new rules and new components, usable either with or without the Dunwich board addition. Features include:

The town of Dunwich, on a new board with new locations and new rules!
8 new investigators with their own reasons for saving the world.
4 new Ancient Ones to desperately struggle against.
New Injury and Madness cards for particularly unfortunate investigators.
New game concepts, such as gate surges and the Dunwich Horror itself!
Over 20 new monster tokens, dozens of new items and skills, new encounters - over 300 new cards in all!

Fantasy Flight Games VA32, $49.95 MSRP

[Free RPG Day] Rogue Trader Forsaken Bounty

2009-06-04T16:18:00.000-05:00

From Fantasy Flight Games:

Greetings Rogue Trader fans!

This week I am pleased to announce that Forsaken Bounty, an introductory adventure for Rogue Trader, is Fantasy Flight Games’ contribution to this year’s Free RPG Day.

Forsaken Bounty is a full-colour, 24-page booklet that includes a selection of pre-generated Rogue Trader characters, a simplified quick-start rules set, and an adventure that sends your characters on a dangerous journey into the Koronus Expanse!

Free RPG Day is Saturday, June 20th, so make your plans now to go to a participating game store in your area.

Don’t miss out on your chance to get a sneak peek at Rogue Trader!

After Free RPG Day, if you miss your chance to pick up the free booklet on June 20th, Forsaken Bounty will be made available as a PDF download from the Rogue Trader web site. Support your Friendly Local Game Store and get your hands on a free copy of Forsaken Bounty on June 20th!

Rogue Trader is a roleplaying game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, the grim darkness of the far future. Players take on the roles of Explorers aboard a Rogue Trader's ship, searching for profit and adventure in the uncharted regions of space.

[Obituary] David Eddings dies at age 77

2009-06-04T12:27:00.000-05:00

From Various Sources (Fiction Matters, Bookseller, Nevada Appeal, The Guardian):

Acclaimed author David Eddings died in Carson City, Nevada on Tuesday, June 2nd. He was 77 years old. Eddings, together with his late wife Leigh Eddings, was best known for The Belgariad and The Elenium series, the former a quintet of novels, the latter a trilogy. Each, however, was but the first half of a longer series, with the Belgariad followed by The Malloreon quintet and the Elenium followed by The Tamuli trilogy. His final fantasy series, the quartet series The Dreamers, saw its last book published in 2006.

Of particular interest to gamers was his work, The Rivan Codex, a published form of the "world bible" that he had created for his personal use while writing The Belgariad, The Malloreon, and the related prequel novels Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress. It is a perfect example of the kind of work a Game Master might produce before beginning a long-term roleplaying game campaign.

Many gamers have been inspired over the years by Eddings' work. Prior to the creation of a certain drow ranger who shall remain nameless, the literary character most commonly emulated at tables where I ran games was Silk, the infamous Drasnian rogue from The Belgariad; while many wizard characters were based not so much on Tolkien's Gandalf as on Eddings' Belgarath, a rather more approachable character. Sparhawk, from The Elenium, provided inspiration for no few players playing paladins and knights. Eddings' work created a common fantasy touchstone, a shared experience for many young gamers who never could plow their way through The Lord of the Rings. Though Eddings may no longer be with us, his works live on, and will continue to inspire readers for many years to come.

[Product Release] Pack & Stack

2009-06-03T15:42:00.000-05:00

From Mayfair Games:

Pack & Stack Releases June 4th
Pack’em, Stack’em & Rack’em
Designer: Bernd Eisenstein
Art: Michael Menzel

It’s moving day! You have lots of boxes to load, and a truck to load them into-but how are they going to fit? Maybe on their ends? Stacked on top of each other? You’ll have to pack your unique truck as tightly as possible, and you lose points for packing too few pieces on your truck, or for leaving pieces you can’t fit behind. Can you pack’em, stack’em and rack’em with the best?

Pack & Stack is a fast and funny, wild and crazy game about moving stuff on all sorts of odd trucks. Every interactive turn is a new adventure, where all the players discover new loads, grab new trucks, and then gamble on their planning and packing skills. So, test your wits and find your cool.

It’s time to get packin’ and start stackin’!

Pack & Stack contains:
30 unique, color truck tiles
96 wooden packing blocks
64 color game point markers
5 special wooden dice
1 short rules booklet

Pack & Stack is a casual, social game for 3-6 players ages 10 and older. You can play in 30-45 minutes.

Pack & Stack
MFG3308, $49.00 MSRP
Ages 10+
For 3-6 Players
Playing Time 30-45 minutes
UPC 0-29877-03308-9-04900
ISBN 1-56905-144-5
Made in Germany

[PR Repost] Small World Design Contest

2009-06-03T13:21:00.000-05:00

From Days of Wonder:
Days of Wonder announces Small World Design Contest

Winner to be published in mini-expansion and earn free trip to Essen Spiel '09!

Los Altos, CA; Paris, France – June 3, 2009. Today, Days of Wonder announced the Small World Design Contest in which aspiring game designers can create and submit their own custom additions to the new hit board game, Small World. Central to the game are the fantasy-inspired character races paired with special powers enabling them to conquer the Small World board maps. To inspire creativity, each copy of Small World includes a blank Race banner and Special Power token that players can use to create their own races and powers.
That creative inspiration can now be put to good use by aspiring Masters of the Universe: Small World fans worldwide are encouraged to submit their best Race and/or Special Power designs in the hopes of winning the Grand Prize: A round-trip train or airfare; accommodations; and €200 in cash to spend at Essen Spiel '09 in Germany, the world's biggest board game fair. The winner will also join the ranks of published authors, as Days of Wonder will release a mini-game expansion at Essen, featuring the winning entry; and will receive 24 copies of the expansion to take home and impress their friends and family.

The Small World Design Contest begins June 3 and runs through the end of July. All entries must be submitted on an official entry form and postmarked by July 31. Small World author Philippe Keyaerts, and judges from Days of Wonder, will review the entries and select the winner, who will be informed in early September and announced publicly on October 12th. Click here to get the contest rules and entry form from the Days of Wonder website.

[Free RPG Day] FRPGD 2009 Products List

2009-06-03T01:42:00.000-05:00

From Free RPG Day:
Free RPG Day this year falls on Saturday, June 20th. This year 12 publishers are participating, offering a total of up to 14 different FREE products for you to pick up at your participating Friendly Local Game Store.

Please note that I wrote "up to 14" in reference to number of products and "participating" in reference to Friendly Local Game Store.

Most stores will have a limit to the number of free products each customer may take; some stores may require that a customer be a regular customer at that store, or play in a demonstration, or fulfill some other prerequisite in order to get a free product. As the stores paid for the privilege of participating, they have the discretion of how to pass out the freebies.

216 game stores are participating in the United States, while 74 other stores are participating internationally. This means a lot of stores are still not participating. Many still do not even know about Free RPG Day. Participation is at the discretion of your game store owner or manager; if your local store is not participating this year, and you want them to participate next year, be sure to let them know, and pass on the Free RPG Day website link!

Click here to go to the list of participating stores
Here is a brief listing of the FREE products being given out by participating stores. Some stores buy more than one box of goodies, and may have more on hand to give away, but in all cases, numbers are limited!

Wizards of the Coast
Platinum Sponsorship
Khyber’s Harvest, an adventure module for 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons set in the world of Eberron. 22 copies per box.

Fantasy Flight Games
Platinum Sponsorship
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader RPG Adventure Module. 15 copies per box.

Goodman Games
Gold Sponsorship
Free RPG Day Flipbook — Hero’s Handbook: Immortal Heroes for 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons/Amethyst: Hearts of Chaos Adventure Module for 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons. 15 copies per box.

Mongoose Publishing
Gold Sponsorship
Paranoia: The Troubleshooter Reference Manual. 15 copies per box.

Paizo Publishing
Gold Sponsorship
Pathfinder RPG: Bonus Bestiary. 15 copies per box.

White Wolf
Gold Sponsorship
Geist RPG Quickstart Rules. 15 copies per box.

Q-Workshop
Gold Sponsorship
Unique Dice. 14 dice per box.

Lone Wolf Development
Silver Sponsorship
Hero Lab demo with unique data files. Seven disks per box.

Mongoose Publishing
Silver Sponsorship
Introduction to Dragon Warriors. Seven copies per box.

Chessex
Bronze Sponsorship
Commerative Dice featuring Store Name. Four dice per box.

Exile Game Studios
Bronze Sponsorship
Hollow Earth Expedition Adventure. Four copies per box.

Mongoose Publishing
Bronze Sponsorship
Corporation: Grab the Cache. Four copies per box.

Troll Lord Games
Silver Sponsorship
Castles & Crusades Quickstart and Adventure Module. Four copies per box.

Claymore Entertainment
Store Sample
Hero’s Bane Quickstart & Adventure. One copy per box.

Flying Buffalo and Polymancer Studios unfortunately had to cancel participation in Free RPG Day 2009.

More information on these products will be available as we get closer to Free RPG Day. Many stores have events planned to run at their store during the event — be sure to check with your participating Friendly Local Game Store to find out more!

[PR Repost] Cubicle 7 Joins Rebellion Group

2009-06-03T01:14:00.000-05:00

From Cubicle 7 Entertainment:

Cubicle 7 Joins Rebellion Group

The British publisher of role-playing adventure games and card and board games, Cubicle 7 Entertainment has announced that it has joined the Rebellion Group of companies.

Founded in 2006 Cubicle 7 Entertainment was set up by Angus Abranson and Dominic McDowall-Thomas, two gaming entrepreneurs who wanted to create a games publisher fostering some truly iconic brands. Since then the company has published role playing games from a growing list of properties including Victoriana, SLA Industries, Starblazer Adventures (based on DC Thomson’s 80’s Starblazer comic series) and 7th Circle’s Chinese fantasy Qin.

Victoriana is a fabulous fusion of Victorian adventure and fantasy myth, SLA Industries is a gritty futuristic urban horror fuelled by classic British punk imagery, whilst Starblazer Adventure is set firmly in the heart of classic 80’s space opera where gigantic fleets prowl the starlanes and devilish scientists operate enormous engines of destruction. The English translation of French publisher 7th Circle’s Qin propels players in to the epic fantasies and tragic events of ancient Chinese legend.

Cubicle 7 will join other sister companies in the Rebellion Group; 2000AD, the British comic book publisher, Abaddon Books the publisher of sci-fi and fantasy novels, Mongoose Publishing (another British RPG publisher), and Rebellion itself, the massive UK based video games developer established in 1992 by brothers Jason and Chris Kingsley.

The company will be now based out of Rebellion Group offices in Swindon, UK and their support will allow Cubicle 7 to focus on a major licensed mainstream release later this year as well as a busy monthly release schedule.

“This is a great move for the company and one that will certainly benefit the fans of our games. It allows us the time and resources to fully support our existing lines as well as giving us the backing to bring new ideas – and licenses – to the marketplace.” said Angus Abranson of Cubicle 7. “It places us firmly were we wanted to be in several years time, right now,” added Dominic.

Jason Kingsley felt Cubicle 7 was a great addition to the Rebellion Group’s circle of creative companies. “We have been aware of Cubicle 7's ambitions and enthusiasms for some time and approached them with a view to combining resources to make a good thing great. Rebellion is very excited to be welcoming C7 into its family. Wonderful things await!”

Find out more about Cubicle 7 games at www.cubicle7.co.uk

Click here to go to Cubicle 7 Entertainment's
store at DriveThruRPG

[Product Release] Dice of the Dead

2009-06-02T15:15:00.001-05:00

From Battle Bunker Games:

The Dice of the Dead feature three unique undead images on the Chessex Gemini black & red with gold dice, conveniently packaged into a cube of eight six-sided dice with a velour dice bag for $10.

You can buy the sets now directly from
Battle Bunker Games
or soon at your
Friendly Local Game Store

[Week in Games] Cool Stuff Out This Week!

2009-06-01T08:57:00.000-05:00

Hereafter follows a list of games that game distributors and game retailers have received in the prior week and should have on store shelves already or in the coming week.

You can order these games through your Friendly Local Game Store; simply tell them the name of the product, the publisher/manufacturer, and the product code number, all provided in the listing, and they should be able to do the rest.

Prices listed are known Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices; some do not have an MSRP. Always remember that your local prices may vary, depending on local circumstances.

Some of these games have Street Dates, which mean that the retailer cannot sell the product before that date, even if he has received it from the distributor. These are noted when I am aware of the Street Date, but there might be a Street Date of which I am unaware.

Links go to posts on this blog, which provide further information and links to the publisher websites.

Board Games
Arkham Horror: Innsmouth Horror Expansion (Fantasy Flight Games VA57, $49.95)

Card Games
A Game of Thrones Living Card Game: City of Secrets Chapter Pack (40 cards) (Fantasy Flight Games GOT43, $9.95)
Call of Cthulhu Living Card Game: Thing from the Shore Asylum Pack (40 cards) (Fantasy Flight Games CT23, $9.95)

Magazines
White Dwarf #353 (Games Workshop WD353, $9)

Miniatures
AT-43: Legends: Lt. Francesca Fortuna: Mercenary Pilot (Resin) (Rackham Entertainment RACLG006, $No MSRP )
Call of Cthulhu: Night Gaunt (RAFM Miniatures 2920, $9.95)
Chronoscope: American Army Infantrymen (x3) (Reaper Miniatures 50075, $9.99)
Chronoscope: Blackstar Privateer w/Chain gun (Reaper Miniatures 50077, $9.99)
Chronoscope: Blackstar Privateer w/Flamethrower (Reaper Miniatures 50078, $9.99)
Chronoscope: Jeb Lawson, Western Outlaw (Reaper Miniatures 50076, $3.99)
Chronoscope: Roller Girl (Reaper Miniatures 50074, $2.99)
Confrontation: AoR: Accessory Set: 130 mm Round Bases (Rackham Entertainment CFAC06, $No MSRP )
Confrontation: AoR: Accessory Set: 65 mm Round Bases (Rackham Entertainment CFAC04, $No MSRP)
Confrontation: AoR: Accessory Set: 80 mm Round Bases (Rackham Entertainment CFAC05, $No MSRP )
Confrontation: AoR: Dasyatis Prime Unit Box (Rackham Entertainment SCLV02, $No MSRP )
Confrontation: AoR: Lions of Alahan: Paladins of Alahan Unit Box (Rackham Entertainment LIEL03, $No MSRP )
Confrontation: AoR: Skorize Unit Box (Rackham Entertainment SCLV01, $No MSRP )
Confrontation: AoR: Temple of the West Hero Box: Tarkyn and Melkion (Rackham Entertainment GRCH04, $No MSRP )
Confrontation: Legends: Brinkhz: Cadwallon Orc Conveyor (Resin) (Rackham Entertainment RACLG005, $No MSRP )
Confrontation: Legends: Iraem: Cadwallon Noble and Weapon Bearer (Resin) (Rackham Entertainment RACLG004, $No MSRP )
Dark Heaven: Aeris, Elf Ranger and Panther (Reaper Miniatures 3401, $6.99)
Dark Heaven: Dragon Familiar (Reaper Miniatures 3410, $4.49)
Dark Heaven: Grave Servant (Reaper Miniatures 3411, $3.99)
Dark Heaven: Nadia of the Blade, Female Barbarian (Reaper Miniatures 3409, $3.99)
Dark Heaven: Victim on Spit (Reaper Miniatures 3408, $6.99)
Fantasy: Dwarves Set 1 (x8) (Mega Miniatures 28007, $14.99)
Fantasy: Dwarves Set 2 (x8) (Mega Miniatures 28008, $14.99)
Fantasy: Dwarves Set 3 (x8) (Mega Miniatures 28009, $14.99)
Field of Glory: Celt Cavalry (x12) (Wargames Factory FG003, $19.95)
Field of Glory: Early Imperial Roman Auxiliary Cavalry (x12) (Wargames Factory FG005, $19.95)
Flames of War: Konigstiger Platoon (Battlefront Miniatures GBX30, $55)
Future: Bridge Crew (x7) (Mega Miniatures 72004, $14.99)
Heroscape: Malliddon's Prophecy (Wave 1) (Wizards of the Coast 426230000, $51.96)
Modern: Military Unit (x8) (Mega Miniatures 39006, $14.99)
P-65 Heavy Metal: Ape-X (Reaper Miniatures 65069, $12.99)
P-65 Heavy Metal: Night Specter (Reaper Miniatures 65073, $9.49)
USX Modern Day Heroes: ASD Mk1A1 (Mini-gun) (RAFM Miniatures 2840, $6.95)
USX Modern Day Heroes: ASD Ml1A2 (Missile) (RAFM Miniatures 2841, $6.95)
USX Modern Day Heroes: Enforcer Drones Unit Box (RAFM Miniatures 2047, $33)
Warhammer Fantasy Battles: Elector Count Marius Leit (Games Workshop 86-22, $29.75, STREET DATE June 6th)
Warhammer Fantasy Battles: Empire Archers (Games Workshop 86-14, $24.75, STREET DATE June 6th)
Warhammer Fantasy Battles: Empire Captain with Sword (Games Workshop 86-39, $13.25, STREET DATE June 6th)
Warhammer Fantasy Battles: Empire Greatsword (Games Workshop 86-12, $9.95, STREET DATE June 6th)
Warhammer Fantasy Battles: Empire Steam Tank (Games Workshop 86-15, $57.75, STREET DATE June 6th)

Miniatures Rules
Zombie: All Things Zombie Miniatures Game (Mega Miniatures 36000, $24.99)

Roleplaying Games
Exalted 2: The Compass of Celestial Direction Volume 5: Malfeas (White Wolf 80106, $24.99)
Paranoia: War On [Insert Noun] (Mongoose Publishing 6654, $9.95)
Pathfinder Adventure Path #22: Legacy of Fire 4 of 6: End of Eternity (Adventure Module) (Paizo Publishing 9022, $19.99, STREET DATE June 3rd)
Pathfinder Chronicles: Great Beyond - A Guide to the Multiverse (Sourcebook) (Paizo Publishing 9209, $19.99, STREET DATE June 3rd)
Pathfinder Companion: Taldor, Echoes of Glory (Gazetteer) (Paizo Publishing 9405, $10.99, STREET DATE June 3rd)
Traveller B5: Warships of Babylon 5 (Mongoose Publishing 3813, $29.95)

RPG Accessory
GameMastery: Item Cards: Legacy of Fire (54 cards) (Paizo Publishing 3008, $10.99, STREET DATE June 3rd)

TCG Accessories
Pokémon: 4-Pocket Album (Ultra Pro 82276, $No MSRP)
Pokémon: Album (Ultra Pro 82304, $No MSRP)

Wargames
Advanced Squad Leader: First Wave At Omaha (Critical Hit 8008, $99.95)
Advanced Tobruk System: Stalingrad 2nd Edition (Critical Hit 4042B, $39.95)
Panzer Grenadier: Cassino '44, Gateway to Rome (Avalanche Press AVP, $99.99)

[Blogosphere] Greg "Svenny" Svenson

2009-05-30T23:34:00.000-05:00

From Sham's Grog 'n Blog:

Sham interviews Greg "Svenny" Svenson, one of the first players in Dave Arneson's Blackmoor campaign.

With Dave Arneson's recent passing, our hobby lost one of the most important links to its earliest, formative days. Arneson & Gygax will be forever remembered as the coauthors and founders of Dungeons & Dragons, but there is so much more to Mr. Arneson that we were never truly allowed to learn while growing up in the 70s, 80s and beyond while playing the game that his Blackmoor campaign spawned. I've read with wonder the stories that Greg “Svenny” Svenson shared with readers at his website before it was taken down*. As a player in the original Blackmoor campaign, Greg is one of only a handful of gamers who were present to witness the fledgling game sessions which eventually gave rise to the entire table top role-playing genre (and beyond).

I believe that remembering the magnitude of Dave Arneson's concept, and his Blackmoor campaign, is perhaps more timely now than ever before. As someone who is interested in the influences and inspirations that went into Mr. Arneson's Blackmoor campaign, I felt that being able to pose some questions to the Great Svenny himself might be an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I wasn't sure that my random email to his site's address would even be answered, let alone read considering that it was sent not long after Dave Arneson's passing. I had no idea that Greg had attended Dave's funeral, nor that he had delivered the eulogy. I was wary about pursuing this Q&A considering the nature of its less than appropriate timing, but Greg assured me that he would be happy to take a look at what I had drafted up and let me know what he thought of the idea...

Click here to go to the rest
of the extensive interview
on Sham's Grog 'n Blog

[AGN] Dear Readers...

2009-05-29T23:39:00.000-05:00

The Adventure Game News blog has been up for a week now, and barring one bit of spam that was quickly toasted, not one of you has posted a reply...

Please do feel free to post replies on any and all of the news posts! Post your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in dealing with the products or events detailed. All I ask is that you be fair; speak of that of which you know, rather than knee-jerk contrary reactions or visceral vituperation — there are plenty of other venues for such posts.

And too, as always, if you feel there is a product or event I have missed that needs some coverage, or something you would like to see covered in more depth (an interview or review), let me know!

[Product Release] Field of Glory Celts and Romans

2009-05-29T17:25:00.001-05:00

From Wargames Factory:

Field of Glory
Celtic Cavalry

Charge of the Celtic Horse!

Inside the pack are 11 sprues - enough to create 12 cavalry figures with options for both light and heavy (chainmail armored) cavalry. Figures are multi-part hard plastic with separate heads, arms, shields, weapons, and saddles for maximum customization.

6 rider/equipment sprues
4 horse sprues (3 horses/sprue)
1 "bonus" sprue with extra heads (16) and shields (11)

Models supplied unassembled and unpainted.
#FG003, $19.95 MSRP

Field of Glory
Roman Cavalry

This is a special pre-release version of the Field of Glory Early Imperial Roman Auxiliary Cavalry set! (Packaging hasn't been finalized)

You get 12 horses and riders in the set with options to create: Decurion, standard bearer, musician, troopers with javelins, spathas (longswords), or long spears. Extra options include javelin bags!

Set includes 12 horses (6 unique halves, 4 unique heads), Decurion head, face-mask helmet, 3 trooper helmet heads, javelins, spathas, spears, oval shields, javelin bags, standard, tuba (short horn), and 3 unique body poses!

#FG005, $19.95 MSRP

[Product Release] Paranoia, Traveller B5

2009-05-29T17:01:00.000-05:00

From Mongoose Publishing:

Paranoia: War on [Insert Noun]
By Gareth Hanrahan

The Computer, in its gracious wisdom, has decided that the citizens of Alpha Complex are at their mandatory happiest when terrified! A new wave of threats is sweeping Alpha Complex, and the Troubleshooters will have their work cut out for them in battling these dangers. War on Commies! War on Mutants! War on Poorly Serviced Food Vats!

Series: Paranoia
Price: $9.95
Format: Softcover (32 pages)
Ref: MGP6654
ISBN 978-1-905850-60-0

Traveller: Warships of Babylon 5
By Bryan Steele

From the humble Hermes to the mighty Victory-class advanced destroyer, this book features many of the ships found in the Babylon 5 universe, provides all the rules you need to use them in Traveller and features extensive deck plans for all of them! Whether you need a small frigate for players to crew or a terrifying Sharlin warcruiser for them to escape from, everything you need to ply the space lanes of the Babylon 5 universe can be found here.

Series: Babylon 5
Price: $29.95
Format: Softback (186 pages)
Ref: MGP3813

Click here to go to the Mongoose Publishing
store on DriveThruRPG

[Product Release] The Lost Keys of Solitude

2009-05-28T22:24:00.000-05:00

From Expeditious Retreat Press:

Advanced Adventures #10
The Lost Keys of Solitude
An OSRIC module
Designed for 6-8 Adventurers of Levels 6-10
By Joseph Browning & Suzi Yee

While traveling through the foothills of the Garvain Mountains, your party found refuge for the night in a hermit's cave. In the morning, you wake to find the hermit and all his possessions gone, all except for two golden tiles: one embossed with the image of a bull with his hrons down and ready to charge, the other a tiger poised and ready to pounce. When the tiles are placed next to each other so that the bull and tiger face one another, the embossed images move, fusing the two pieces into one. The newly created image is the bull and tiger locked in combat. The fused piece is easily separated, and when separated, the images of the bull and tiger return to normal. Beside the two golden tiles lies a crudely-drawn map of the area with a path marked through valleys and passes ending at an "X" labeled "Solitude."

What terrors or treasure could be found in Solitude?

The PDF is available now; the print version will be available in June.

Click here to buy it on DriveThruRPG

Click here to go to the
Expeditious Retreat Press
store on DriveThruRPG

[Product Release] Panzer Grenadier Cassino '44

2009-05-28T21:20:00.000-05:00

From Avalanche Press:

Panzer Grenadier Cassino '44:
Gateway to Rome

Sitting astride the highway to Rome, the historic abbey of Monte Cassino — founded in 524 AD by St. Benedict himself — dominated the surrounding landscape from its strategic hilltop. German paratroopers did not initially occupy the venerable site, but after American bombers destroyed the buildings they turned the rubble into a nearly impregnable fortress. Between January and May 1944, American, Polish, Indian, New Zealand and British troops launched four major attacks on the position, and many minor ones. Three times the Germans drove them back, until finally on 18 May 1944 a troop of Polish Lancers raised their red-and-white pennant over the ruins. Over 50,000 Allied soldiers and more than 20,000 Germans fell in the struggle for Monte Cassino.

The battles took place in the flat, muddy plains of Liri Valley and the steep mountain slopes of Monte Cassino, often in unpredictable winter weather. The Rapido River running around the base of Monte Cassino was only about 16 meters wide, but was up to 4 meters deep and flowed very fast, presenting a major obstacle. Cassino '44 is a complete boxed game in the Panzer Grenadier series by David Murray, covering all four of the battles. From the initial American assaults through the final Polish conquest, every stage of the battle is depicted in scenario form with two lengthy campaign games covering the entire affair.

The map is an original work, also by designer David Murray, and accurately models the terrain of Cassino and the surrounding area. Dave worked from satellite and topographical maps to craft a game map that's extraordinarily accurate as well as attractive. Terrain has been adjusted to fit the grid of hexagons, but all the named locations from battle reports are present and the map sets a new standard for the Panzer Grenadier series.

Forces involved include the tough American 36th "Texas" Division, the 4th and 8th Indian Divisions including Gurkha battalions, the 2nd New Zealand Division with its brigade of Sherman tanks and elite Maori Battalion, and the hard-fighting exiles of the Polish II Corps. A trained bear named Wojtek lugged artillery shells to the Polish guns — even the animal kingdom fought the Nazis. On the German side, the 1st Parachute Division was probably the best formation the Axis put into the field in World War II, and it's assisted by the 15th Panzer Grenadier Division and other formations.

Panzer Grenadier Cassino '44: Gateway to Rome
Avalanche Press #0315
Time: 30 minutes to many hours
# of Players: Two
Scale: 200 meters per hex, units are platoons
Playing Pieces: 1,155
Playing Board: Four 34" x 22" maps
Rules: 16 page rulebook, 30 scenarios
Difficulty Level: 2 of 5 (Fairly Easy)
Solitaire Play: Excellent
Price: $99.99
Status: Available NOW!

[Upcoming Product] Balance of Power

2009-05-28T20:45:00.000-05:00

From Catalyst Game Labs:

Balance of Power

Catalyst Game Labs will enter the board game market this summer with Balance of Power. Originally pitched to Catalyst Game Labs at the New York Toy Fair by Brent and Brian Knudson (the game and graphic designers for the project), come to find out they’re both local to Catalyst in the Seattle, WA area. Catalyst immediately fell in love with the game and moved to fully develop it and get it into the hands of players.

It is 1815 and the world has been turned upside down. Napoleon Bonaparte has finally been defeated after nearly conquering all of Europe through years of devastating warfare. Now the Great Powers must deal with the chaos left behind. As each nation eagerly tries to grow, a careful balance of governmental, military and economic interests must be maintained.

In Balance of Power players carefully create and move Kings, Generals and Bankers as they capture territories and expand their empires. A player’s kill and strategy are all that stand between him and ultimate victory!

Balance of Power brings all the best of the German boardgame-style rules: simple, quick and easy to learn and remember. And like those same award winning games, the depth of strategy and game play is immense.

Balance of Power will include a rules booklet (translated into three additional languages), six reference cards, a scoring track and empire tokens, 270 colored wooden playing pieces, as well as a gorgeous, high quality gameboard.

[Upcoming Product] Chaos in the Old World

2009-05-28T20:30:00.000-05:00

From Fantasy Flight Games:

Chaos in the Old World

What hope can there be for the mortal world? — Liber Malefic

In the Warhammer world, four Gods of Chaos battle for supremacy. Khorne, the Blood God, the Skulltaker, lusts for death and battle. Nurgle, the Plaguelord, the Father of Corruption, luxuriates in filth and disease.Tzeentch, the Changer of Ways, the Great Conspirator, plots the fate of the universe. Slaanesh, the Prince of Pleasure and Pain, the Lord of Temptations, lures even the most steadfast to his six deadly seductions.

In the Chaos in the Old World board game, each player takes the role of one of the malevolent Lords of Chaos. Each god’s distinctive powers and legion of followers give the controlling player unique strengths and heretical abilities with which to corrupt and enslave the Old World. Yet, as the powers of Chaos seek domination by corruption and conquest, they must vie not only against each other, but also against the desperate denizens of the Old World who fight to banish the gods back to the maelstrom of the Realm of Chaos… for now.

The time of woe is upon us. — Grimoire Daemonicus

Chaos in the Old World includes:
1 Rulebook
1 Game Board
45 High-quality, fully detailed plastic playing pieces
4 Threat Dials
4 Power Sheets
More than 175 Tokens
Over 125 Cards
5 Dice

Fantasy Flight GW01, $59.95

[Books] Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith

2009-05-28T19:23:00.000-05:00

From StarWars.com:

Hidden away from the rest of the galaxy is an isolated tribe of Sith descendents from ancient times. As Luke Skywalker follows the distant path of Jacen Solo — blazed when Solo sought out obscure and arcane Force knowledge — his travels stir these Sith into action. Who are they? What do they want?

Readers of the Fate of the Jedi series will soon find out much more about these Sith castaways, particularly in the pages of the second book in the nine-book series, Omen, by Christie Golden. That book does not arrive in hardcover until June 23, but Del Rey Books is making available free novellas that explore the history of these Sith.

The Lost Tribe of the Sith series is written by fan-favorite John Jackson Miller (the scribe behind the popular Knights of the Old Republic comics series from Dark Horse Comics and the Origins Award Nominated Star Wars RPG: Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide from Wizards of the Coast). The first installment — available now at StarWars.com — is Precipice. The short story also includes an exclusive excerpt of Omen. Here's a description of the tale:

For the ruthless Sith Order, failure is not an option. It is an offense punishable by death -- and a fate to which Commander Yaru Korsin will not succumb. But on a crucial run to deliver troops and precious crystals to a combat hotspot in the Sith's war against the Republic, Korsin and the crew of the mining ship Omen are ambushed by a Jedi starfighter. And when the Sith craft crash-lands, torn and crippled, on a desolate alien planet, the hard-bitten captain finds himself at odds with desperate survivors on the brink of mutiny — and his own vengeful half brother, who's bent on seizing command.

No matter the cost, Korsin vows that it will not be his blood and bones left behind on this unknown world. For the way of the Sith leaves little room for compromise — and none for mercy.

Uncover hidden Sith lore today by downloading Precipice in PDF format. Click here or on the cover to go to the Lost Tribe of the Sith: Precipice page on StarWars.com.

If you prefer your books in eBook format, there are links to Amazon.com and the Sony eBook Store on the Lost Tribe of the Sith: Precipice page.

[Upcoming Product] Pathfinder June Releases

2009-05-28T18:21:00.001-05:00

From Paizo Publishing:

Pathfinder Chronicles
The Great Beyond — A Guide to the Multiverse
By Todd Stewart

The home of the gods. The essence of matter. The realm of demons. The birthplace of souls, and the cities of Hell. All these things and more await in the planes beyond Golarion. Brave mortals leave the cradle of their homeworld and cross the misty ethereal sea or the silver void to discover strange dimensions—some hauntingly familiar, others inherently deadly, and many alien beyond imagining.

Bargain with djinn over land rights ceded to the mephit king while fighting off roving patrols of the queen of the fire elementals. Sign treaties with the umbral dragons of Shadow Absalom. Join the archon armies on a sortie into the Abyss, or assist a cadre of devils guarding the winding river of souls through the Astral Plane. Invade your enemy’s dream realm, study your own past, or negotiate with a cannibalistic sentient demiplane.

This 64-page book describes all of the major planes of the Inner and Outer Spheres, as well as numerous demiplanes and lesser-known dimensions. It also provides maps of the nine planes of the Outer Sphere, and unleashes five new monsters unique to Golarion’s cosmology—soul-eating astradaemons, law-forging axiomites, trickster-fey that lurk in light, quasi-noble keketar proteans, and fox-bard vulpinal agathions.

Looking for more planar adventure? Check out Pathfinder Module J5: Beyond the Vault of Souls, where the heroes must retrieve stolen soul-gems to prevent the sudden destruction of the multiverse!

d20 OGL, $19.99 MSRP
ISBN-13: 978-1-60125-167-1

Note: This product is part of the Pathfinder Chronicles subscription.

Pathfinder Adventure Path #22
"The End of Eternity"
Legacy of Fire 4 of 6
by Jason Nelson

Hidden amid the tattered parchment and mundane ink of a mysterious map hides the fabulous paradise of Kakishon. A realm of mystical wonders, mythical beasts, and legendary treasures, this long-lost creation of one of history’s greatest wizards once again inspires the bold to seek its wonders. Yet time, ancient magic, and bitter rivalries work to corrupt the incredible realm, turning it into both paradise and prison. Can they tame the powers of Kakishon’s magical islands and best the masters of the wondrous land? Or will they forever be prisoners of paradise?

This Pathfinder Adventure Path volume includes:

"The End of Eternity," an adventure for 9th-level characters, by Jason Nelson
A glimpse into the Maelstrom and the lives of its enigmatic natives, the proteans, lords of primeval chaos, by Todd Stewart
The magical rites of Sulesh the Great, master of seals and binder of genies, as transcribed by Wolfgang Baur and James Jacobs
Pathfinder Channa Ti faces danger on the River Asp in the Pathfinder’s Journal, by New York Times bestselling author Elaine Cunningham
Six new monsters by Adam Daigle, James Jacobs, Jason Nelson, F. Wesley Schneider, and Todd Stewart
For characters of 9th to 11th level

Pathfinder Adventure Path is Paizo Publishing's monthly 96-page, perfect-bound, full-color softcover book printed on high-quality paper. It contains an in-depth Adventure Path scenario, stats for about a half-dozen new monsters, and several support articles meant to give Game Masters additional material to expand their campaign. Because Pathfinder products use the Open Game License, they are 100% compatible with the 3.5 edition of the world's most popular fantasy roleplaying game.

d20 OGL, $19.99 MSRP
ISBN–13: 978-1-60125-173-2

Pathfinder Companion
Taldor, Echoes of Glory
by Joshua J. Frost

Chivalry Tarnished

Knights, fair maidens, heroic adventures, and righteous quests—these are the legends of old Taldor. But the once powerful empire has fallen from its former glory. Now rival nobles battle each other with bitter knights and proxy armies for personal power rather than honor. A smoldering truce with Qadira again threatens to ignite into war, and Taldor’s daughter states look down upon her with contempt. Yet there is still greatness in Taldor, a stone foundation under the flaking gold adornments. Sons and daughters of forgotten royal bloodlines hear change on the wind—but is it the whisper of greatness to come, or the death rattle of an empire long past its prime?

This Pathfinder Companion describes the country of Taldor and its capital of Oppara. Become one of the Lion Blades, a secret agent prestige class for the empire! Learn the magic of the oppressed church of the Dawnflower! Rise to greatness from humble origins with new feats! Gain the ostentatious magic of Taldor’s wealthy elite! Taldor needs champions—are you ready for the challenge?

Pathfinder Companion is an invaluable resource for players and Game Masters. Each 32-page bimonthly installment explores a major theme in the Pathfinder Chronicles campaign setting, with expanded regional gazetteers, new player character options, and organizational overviews to help players flesh out their character backgrounds and to provide Game Masters with new sources for campaign intrigue that can be shared with players.

d20 OGL, $10.99 MSRP
ISBN-13: 978-1-60125-169-5

GameMastery Item Cards
Legacy of Fire Deck

The most fabulous treasures of the Legacy of Fire Adventure Path come alive in this jewel-encrusted new assortment of 54 unique GameMastery Item Cards. From magical lamps to silver-tipped scimitars and genie rings, the exotic items in this set add a delightful dimension to any Item Card collection and bring a great sense of immersion to Legacy of Fire campaigns, or any fantasy campaign!

GameMastery Item Cards allow heroes to keep track of their equipment in style, and the set is completely compatible with all of Paizo's other GameMastery Item Card sets. Each of these full-color cards features a beautiful portrait of an item on one side with space on the back to keep notes. GameMastery Item Cards are compatible with any fantasy roleplaying game.

Cards included in this set in order by card number: 1 Chainmail, 2 Padded Armor, 3 Heavy Shield, 4 Gem, 5 Palanquin, 6 Key, 7 Camel, 8 Cactus, 9 Hookah, 10 Waterskin, 11 Chariot, 12 Monkey, 13 Goggles, 14 Holy Symbol, 15 Holy Symbol, 16 Potion, 17 Potion, 18 Ring, 19 Ring , 20 Ring , 21 Ring, 22 Rod, 23 Scroll, 24 Scroll, 25 Staff, 26 Wand, 27 Wand, 28 Scimitar, 29 Falchion, 30 Khopesh, 31 Greataxe, 32 Punching Dagger, 33 Nunchaku, 34 Sling, 35 Goad, 36 Madu, 37 Longbow, 38 Drum, 39 Egg, 40 Sitar, 41 Kaffiyeh, 42 Lamp, 43 Carpet, 44 Map, 45 Turban, 46 Mirror, 47 Veil, 48 Bracers, 49 Earring, 50 Helm, 51 Vest, 52 Bottle City, 53 Slippers, 54 Hat

$10.99 MSRP
ISBN-13: 978-1-60125-176-3

[Product Release] Innsmouth Horror from FFG

2009-05-28T18:06:00.001-05:00

From Fantasy Flight Games:

Arkham Horror
Innsmouth Horror Expansion

Dare You Look In The Mirror?
Of all the cities found in H.P. Lovecraft’s vision of Massachusetts, perhaps none is quite so deadly as the small fishing village of Innsmouth. Decrepit and dying, Innsmouth is being consumed from within by an ancient pact once made to save the town. The investigators will find every hand turned against them as they explore its rotting docks and fetid beaches. In the end, perhaps the only way to save Innsmouth is by destroying it along with the terrible creatures that haunt its waters near Devil Reef.

Innsmouth Horror introduces several new game concepts to the Arkham Horror board game, including Personal Stories unique to each investigator as well as the Innsmouth Look. The town of Innsmouth is hostile to the investigators, and they may well find themselves thrown in jail and fed to a Shoggoth while they search the town for evidence to call in the Feds. However, leaving Innsmouth to fester is a bad idea, since the Deep Ones will gather and rise, bringing with them the Ancient One. Innsmouth Horror also adds 16 new investigators, eight new Ancient Ones, two new Heralds, Epic Battle cards for the new Ancient Ones, over 30 new monster markers, plenty of new encounters, and an expansion board featuring the town of Innsmouth. Over all, this expansion adds over 300 new cards to the base game.

Innsmouth Horror requires a copy of Arkham Horror to play. Arkham Horror is a cooperative game for 1–8 players, ages 13 and up, that can be played in 2–4 hours.

GAME CONTENTS
1 Rulebook
1 Game Board
16 Investigator Sheets
16 Investigator Markers
16 Plastic Investigator Stands
96 Personal Story Cards
8 Ancient One Sheets
2 Herald Sheets
36 Arkham Location Cards
42 Innsmouth Location Cards
36 Mythos Cards
16 Gate Cards
24 Ancient One Plot Cards
10 Innsmouth Look Cards
12 Small Dust Cards
32 Monster Markers
6 Deep One Uprising Tokens
8 Ghatanothoa’s Visage Tokens
2 Aquatic Markers
1 Zhar Token

Fantasy Flight Games VA57, $49.95

[Upcoming Product] C&C Tainted Lands

2009-05-28T15:17:00.000-05:00

From Troll Lord Games:

Siege Games: Tainted Lands
Product Type: Horror/Fantasy: Siege Engine Game
Format/Price: Box, three booklets, inserts; $29.99
Written By: James M. Ward
Ordering Info: TLG 7651, ISBN TBD
Release Date: TBA

“But this madness is no longer contained in the Tainted Lands. It spreads, filling the empty places around it with the dread of horror, polluting the world one small step at a time.” Maegrin the Sage

Upon the far slopes of the Turmberg Mountains, where the northern shores of Lake Vanhir lap the Plains of Cos lie the fog-enshrouded Tainted Lands. In the Days before Days hosts of dark hearted Val-Ehrakun settled here even before the sun and moon rose in the heavens. They shaped the earth, molding it with hysterical delusions. In their delirium they befouling the land, polluted the waters and staining the very air with madness. The land itself, filled with this poison became twisted, a living embodiment of the horror of nightmare. But as with all things, this too passed and the Tainted Lands became a wasteland of forgotten dreams and misspent sorcery. For eons it lay dormant, suffering under the yoke of time.

But now, the shroud of its winter has given way and the Tainted Lands have come alive again. The earth groans and spits its necromantic horror in the air. Monsters, dread and foul rise from the muck of corruption and stalk the wastes. And the dreams of gods rise as nightmares from the blasted heath.

Nothing good is born in the mists of the Tainted Lands. Those who enter can survive there, some even thrive there, using the nightmare landscape to hide in. But as often as not the very magics that corrupt the lands consume them, they are twisted and driven mad, turning on all those and anything that stand before them. Still others fall into he oblivion and never rise again, their bones soaked into the earth and forgotten by history.

It’s not enough to leave such things alone and hope for the best. If the festering dread isn’t rooted out and destroyed, it will continue to grow and consume the world at large. Only true heroes, or perhaps fools, go through the growing Tainted Portals, knowing if they don’t act their people and lands are soon doomed by the corruption.

It isn’t enough to know that creatures, plants, the land itself is twisted and filled with dread, the wise must learn to control their panic, resisting the staining touch of evil as they explore to find the pools of horrific power. Those who survive their journey into the Tainted Lands come back a little twisted themselves, tainted with the evil of those blasted wastes. Their hair white, and for the observant the look to their eyes that wasn’t there before.

Come play in the tainted lands and survive the horrors that walk behind you, spring at you from the fogs all around, and grow from minor things into alarming corrupted creatures of awesome power; always hungry for those who accidentally become pulled into a nightmare of creatures and lands filled with horrific death.

A Siege Engine Box Set played with Castles & Crusades

Included within:

Castles & Crusades Rules of Play
Horror Rules for the Abomination Lord
Supernatural Rule Book for the PH
Introductory Adventure
Six Playing Dice

An introduction to Tainted Lands by author James M. Ward is included in the latest issue of The Crusader: The Journal of the Intrepid Adventurer.

Click here to join in on discussion on Tainted Lands with James M. Ward and the Trolls on the Troll Lord Games Forum.

Click here to go to the Troll Lord Games
store on DriveThruRPG

Click here to go to the WardCo store
on DriveThruRPG

[Upcoming Product] Goodman Games July

2009-05-28T13:09:00.000-05:00

From Goodman Games:

Level Up #2

Level up your 4E game! Level Up is the official 4E RPG magazine from Goodman Games. Covering all things 4E, Level Up includes loads of content for only $1.99! Issue #2 includes:

The Stars Are Right: 4E stats for the creatures of H.P. Lovecraft
Shadows of the Deep: a level 12 “Cthulhu Crawl Classics” adventure for 4E
PC Pearls: Redeemed Races
GM Gems: Treasures of the Tyrant Queen’s Empire
Amethyst: Choices & Consequences
Regular features, including Azagar’s Advice for Adventurers, A Picture Tells 1,000 Words, Dear Archmage Abby, D20 Questions, and more!

Goodman Games is a strong supporter of retail game stores. We believe they are the best vehicle for spreading our love for this great hobby to new fans. Level Up will be available in bricks-and-mortar retail stores for the low, low price of only $1.99. It will also be available via subscription and PDF for the still-reasonable price of $4.00.

Rules Set: 4E.
Editor-in-Chief: Aeryn “Blackdirge” Rudel
GMG9102, 48 pages, $1.99 in stores, $4.00 via subscription/PDF.
Visit our online store to subscribe.

Age of Cthulhu 2: Madness in Londontown

3,000 years before the birth of Christ, fearful tribesmen raised bloody sacrifices on the Salisbury Plain in honor of a dread god. The skies coursed red with blood, consuming the weak, granting boons to the strong, and seeding ghastly young in the wooded glens about the Salisbury Plain.

50 years after the death of Christ, the Roman legion Legio IX Hispana, led by Gnaeus Hosidius Geta, swept through the region, slaughtering the indigenous Celtic tribesmen. Those that stole the religious artifacts soon succumbed to madness, and the legion vanished from the annals of time.

Present day, 1928: Misguided worshippers seeks to call forth the patron god of old. The dark god will stride across the Salisbury Plain once more, and madness is sure to follow.

Set throughout the globe and torn from the pages of the hidden history of the world, Age of Cthulhu adventures bring new secrets and mind-bending horrors to your 1920's Call of Cthulhu game. Each adventure comes with copious player handouts, detailed maps, and pre-generated investigators ready to risk their lives and their sanity to confront the horrors of an uncaring universe.

Rules Set: Chaosium Basic Role Playing
Writer: Rick Maffei
Cover Art: Eddie Sharam
Interior Art: Brad McDevitt
Graphic Design: Brad and Jess McDevitt
GMG7002, 48 pages, $12.99

Dungeon Crawl Classics #63:
The Warbringer’s Son
A Level 1 Adventure

For years, the Bandit Lord has ground the countryside under his heel, crippling your people with his cruel demands. The time has come to end his bitter reign. Armed with naught but your courage, you will put an end to his tyranny or die trying. But the Bandit King himself is only a pawn answering to Kainos, the Warbringer's Son, a half-god intent on setting the North aflame with conflict, and slaughtering all that stand in his way.

The Fifth Annual Gen Con Open Tournament, The Warbringer's Son was one of the bloodiest tournaments on record. Many have tested their might against the Warbringer, and many have fallen. How will you fare?

Rules Set: 4E
Tournament Results: Click here for a recap of the Gen Con Open Tournament
Writers: Chris Doyle, Mike Ferguson, Rick Maffei, Adrian Pommier
Development: Chris Doyle, Joseph Goodman, Adrian Pommier, Harley Stroh
Project Manager: Adrian Pommier
Gen Con Tournament Coordinator: Adrian Pommier
Gen Con Tournament Judges: Chris Anderson, Don Eccles, Stephen Glicker, Jason Goodwin, Erica King, Stephanie Huffaker, Seth Lipton, Gary McBride, Ken McCutchen, Jeff McSpadden, Greg Oppedisano, Justin Sipla, J. Case Tompkins
Editor: Aeryn “Blackdirge” Rudel
Cover Art: Eric Lofgren
Interior Art: Doug Kovacs
Cartography: Ed Bourelle
Art Direction: Jim Pinto
Dungeon Crawl Classics Line Development: Harley Stroh
GMG5062, 112 pages, $21.99

Click here to go to the Goodman Games store
on DriveThruRPG

[Webcomics] RunnersUniverse Live!

2009-05-28T01:34:00.000-05:00

From Sean Wang:

Webcomic Site RunnersUniverse Now Live!

It is now official... Runners will now be available to everyone for free as a daily webcomic! RunnersUniverse.com launches March 2, 2009, and new pages will post five days a week, Monday-Friday. The site will start with the first story arc, Runners: Bad Goods, in its entirety. Immediately following the conclusion of Bad Goods, the second story arc, Runners: The Big Snow Job, will begin posting.

Some of you may have been expecting the new series to come out through Archaia Studios Press, but when the company went through its restructuring in mid-to-late 2008, I re-evaluated what I wanted to do with the series and decided that in order to reach as wide an audience as possible, I would offer the entire series for free online.

The idea is that with purely digital distribution, the audience is not severely limited to just those few who can find the book on their store shelves or make it to a comic convention that I'm attending. It will be available to everyone, with no fee, no subscription costs, nothing. And in these tough economic times and rising comic prices, who couldn't use a little free entertainment??

You readers won't be paying anything, and I also won't be making anything. But that's okay. The idea is just to build the audience as big as possible and then go from there. My sincere belief is that many who read the series online at RunnersUniverse.com will still want to purchase the printed volumes. And hopefully, with a larger audience that is familiar with the series, comic stores can then order the books with a little more confidence that they aren't "taking a chance" on an unknown small press book. So everyone wins!

So if you've never read Runners before, now is your chance to read it completely for free online at RunnersUniverse.com. And for those of you who have read it, and have been championing and supporting the series, please help me spread the word and get the big news (and the link) out there, so everyone else can discover what you've known about for years! Plus, I'll be adding notes, trivia, and behind-the-scenes info to most pages I post, so even long-time readers will get something new out of the webcomic. And there's also a shiny, new forum for all you Runners fans, both new and old, to get your geek on!

It's an exciting time for Runners and I hope you'll all join me over at RunnersUniverse.com in bringing the series to the digital age... and to the masses!

Click here to go to RunnersUniverse.com
Personal Note: Runners is one of the best damn science-fiction comic books out there, whether in print or on the Web. If you like science-fiction games, Runners is right up your alley... and now it is free! Here's an excerpt from my 2004 review of Runners: Bad Goods:

This is what Star Wars comics should be like: fresh stories, living characters, non-stop banter, action, and adventure. Sean Wang has hit the space opera-starship crew genre straight on with this series.
– James Mishler; Comics Buyer’s Guide (Nov 04)

Check it out! I guarantee you'll be looking forward to every new installment five days a week!

[Blogosphere] Greenweek at Kobold Quarterly

2009-05-27T23:23:00.000-05:00

From Kobold Quarterly:

It is Greenweek at Kobold Quarterly... Ed Greenwood Week, that is, complete with a four-part interview with the author and designer...

Early in Ed Greenwood’s novel Elminster: the Making of a Mage, the ragged knight Helm gives young Elminster a sword and encourages him on his journey. As the smiling boy heads off, the knight wrestles with his own ambivalence, thinking, “The first duty of a knight is to make the realm shine in the dreams of small boys—or where else will the knights of tomorrow arise, and what will become of the realm?”

As the creator of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting and author of the Band of Four novels, the Falconfar Saga, the Niflheim series and the Knights of Myth Drannor novels, Greenwood makes realms shine—many realms. He’s sent countless readers off on grand and perilous journeys that change the way they see themselves and the world they live in.

Click here to go to part one of four in
Kobold Quarterly's interview with Greenwood

[PDF Release] Venture 4th: Pact of Ghosts

2009-05-27T23:13:00.000-05:00

From Adamant Entertainment:

Pact of Ghosts is part of a series of new warlock pacts for 4E, from Adamant Entertainment.

When a creature dies, its soul passes beyond the realms of the living into unknown planes. However, whether from sheer tenacity, a misapprehension of their true state, or a need to finish some uncompleted business many spirits refuse to make this final journey. Mortals know these itinerant souls as ghosts — existing in a half-world between corporeal reality and the cold, invisible realm of the dead.

Warlocks forge pacts with these spirits, and can call upon their special nature to phase through solid objects, drain foes of life energy, and torment the living with mind-blasting sounds and images.

This pact features a full listing of powers from Levels 1 through 30, four new Feats exclusive to the pact, a paragon path, and three new magic items.

Click here to buy Pact of Ghosts on DriveThruRPG