A rogue for Swords without Master.
Originally shared by null
Night ;)
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
A rogue for Swords without Master.
A rogue for Swords without Master.
Originally shared by null
Night ;)
Friday, June 26, 2015
If you only know Leiber from Fafhrd and Gray Mouser, you are missing out.
If you only know Leiber from Fafhrd and Gray Mouser, you are missing out. Here is a masterful short story about what a modern (well, 1941) ghost would be like. It pops back into my mind from time to time, usually at the worst times.
http://www.unz.org/Pub/Unknown-1941oct-00100
http://www.unz.org/Pub/Unknown-1941oct-00100
Play-By-Post Swords
Play-By-Post Swords
We discussed this a little bit a while back, and the general conclusion was that "Bringing the Storm", specifically the dice-holding player's choice of when to roll and earn the right to act decisively, made PbP SWM unworkably difficult. How would an Overplayer know to continue escalating? Has the dice-holding Rogue actually seen the previous escalation?
I think I just figured it out, though. You need to be on FB, G+, or forum software that allows +ing/thanking/liking a post. The Overplayer narrates escalation incrementally, in smaller posts. The player with the dice can simply +/like/thank the Overplayer's escalation post to indicate "thank you sir, may I have some more?", or roll and seize control.
Thoughts? Interest in testing?
We discussed this a little bit a while back, and the general conclusion was that "Bringing the Storm", specifically the dice-holding player's choice of when to roll and earn the right to act decisively, made PbP SWM unworkably difficult. How would an Overplayer know to continue escalating? Has the dice-holding Rogue actually seen the previous escalation?
I think I just figured it out, though. You need to be on FB, G+, or forum software that allows +ing/thanking/liking a post. The Overplayer narrates escalation incrementally, in smaller posts. The player with the dice can simply +/like/thank the Overplayer's escalation post to indicate "thank you sir, may I have some more?", or roll and seize control.
Thoughts? Interest in testing?
Sunday Morning Rogues!
Sunday Morning Rogues!
I will not be around for the next two Sundays, as I'll be traveling to and fro my dad's 70th birthday party. You will have to carry on the #SundayAMSwords tradition without me. But when I return, we will celebrate our first anniversary in style!
I don't know what style yet, but revelries will be had!
I will not be around for the next two Sundays, as I'll be traveling to and fro my dad's 70th birthday party. You will have to carry on the #SundayAMSwords tradition without me. But when I return, we will celebrate our first anniversary in style!
I don't know what style yet, but revelries will be had!
I don't know what's in those ruins, but let's find out!
I don't know what's in those ruins, but let's find out!
Originally shared by Giulia “JuJu” Cursi
Deep In The Jungle
by andreasrocha
Gallery:
http://andreasrocha.deviantart.com/gallery/
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Hey Sword Wielders!
Hey Sword Wielders!
I'm part of role-playing gamer book club and next month in honor of her life and works we'll be reading some Tanith Lee. Join us, will you?
https://plus.google.com/communities/113604863877940678572
Originally shared by Apocryphal Chris
Announcing Volkhavaar by Tanith Lee as our July book of the month here at the RP Gamer's Book Club. We picked this book to honour the memory of this popular and prolific author who died a month ago today.
"VOLKHAVAAR is a novel of witchcraft and wonders on a world far removed from those we know. Here the gods contend for power - the Dark forces against the Light - and here an entire city and its land is plunged into the shadow of an evil beyond anything conceivable. It is the story of Shaina the slave girl and of Volk the outcast who enslaved himself to cosmic forces to gain total power - and of how they were finally to meet and clash - with an entire world as their prize."
Themes to look out for: love, dark magic, belief, pride, slavery,
Read this book during the month of July and we'll get together to discuss it on Friday, July 31st.
Feel free to share this news with anyone you know who likes to read fantasy and then yak like a fool about it afterward!
I'm part of role-playing gamer book club and next month in honor of her life and works we'll be reading some Tanith Lee. Join us, will you?
https://plus.google.com/communities/113604863877940678572
Originally shared by Apocryphal Chris
Announcing Volkhavaar by Tanith Lee as our July book of the month here at the RP Gamer's Book Club. We picked this book to honour the memory of this popular and prolific author who died a month ago today.
"VOLKHAVAAR is a novel of witchcraft and wonders on a world far removed from those we know. Here the gods contend for power - the Dark forces against the Light - and here an entire city and its land is plunged into the shadow of an evil beyond anything conceivable. It is the story of Shaina the slave girl and of Volk the outcast who enslaved himself to cosmic forces to gain total power - and of how they were finally to meet and clash - with an entire world as their prize."
Themes to look out for: love, dark magic, belief, pride, slavery,
Read this book during the month of July and we'll get together to discuss it on Friday, July 31st.
Feel free to share this news with anyone you know who likes to read fantasy and then yak like a fool about it afterward!
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
I'm a little late to the game on this one, but I just discovered this game today.
I'm a little late to the game on this one, but I just discovered this game today. Perfectly compatible with Swords. Make your own magic system. Plus, use your spellbook as an eidolon when you're done.
http://swordandbackpack.tumblr.com/post/118690853688/spellbook-a-new-game-from-rothbard-gazpus
http://swordandbackpack.tumblr.com/post/118690853688/spellbook-a-new-game-from-rothbard-gazpus
Folks! Folks! The One Year Anniversary of #SundayAMSwords is less than a month away!
Folks! Folks! The One Year Anniversary of #SundayAMSwords is less than a month away!
I want to do something to celebrate it. Of course, July 13 doesn't fall on a Sunday this year like it did last--without, of course, the application of some serious sorcery and infernal deals--but July 12 does!
What should we do to commemorate such an auspicious occasion?
I want to do something to celebrate it. Of course, July 13 doesn't fall on a Sunday this year like it did last--without, of course, the application of some serious sorcery and infernal deals--but July 12 does!
What should we do to commemorate such an auspicious occasion?
Monday, June 22, 2015
Wednesday, I should try Eppy's Swords without Master in some futuristic cyberpunk mood.
Wednesday, I should try Eppy's Swords without Master in some futuristic cyberpunk mood. Let's play Streets without Masters !!
Sunday, June 21, 2015
“Tomb of the Paterfamilias”
“Tomb of the Paterfamilias”
A Tale of fathers of #SundayAMSwords
Opening eidolon: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/503629170807205516/
The rogues, burdened by statue of paterfamilias and his 13 young children. The grinding of stone on stone as the massive doors begin to close. Bronn and Tamen Na straining against the doors. The bas-relief carvings of 6 grown sons on the west wall step off, brandishing spears. Living statues. How could you not love ’em? Captain Finn’s double swords, keeping spearpoint from war-penguin Brikor’s chest feathers.
Tapper sending Little Yil to run, spurring the wagon-laden yak to action. Rampage of the powerful yak, smashing stone asunder! Broken statues and 2 sons still stand. Bronn’s greatsword parried, skidding across the floor. 7 grown daughters stepping from the wall. The eldest singing An alluring and drowsing preternatural lullaby.
Tamen Na pushing the paterfamilias statue between the closing doors. Enchanting song turning to painful shriek. Bronn’s sword, recovered and striking. A song ending in a shattered head.
Captain Finn charging Brikor into the paterfamilias statue. It budges not. Finn flying through the doors, penguin stunned. Doors cracking statue like an egg. Choking dust fills the room, heralding an arrival: An even bigger living statue, the gigantic paterfamilias, large enough for the ceilings. The living sons and daughters statues healed by the dust.
A deal is made: Tapper the Trader offers his favorite daughter Little Yil to the father-god in exchange for passage. Fleeing with Yil at the last moment.
A desperate race through newly-illuminated passages. Captain Finn finding A stone carving of present events as if they were history. The next panel: Brikor consumed by the hungry father-god.
Bronn finding crack in the wall, large enough for man, but not yak or warpenguin. Smell of safety on the other side.
Tamen Na’s hammer striking the crack 13 times, and him, the living made statue. What foul magic does the father god command?
The daughters’ song of bitter, undeniable exhaustion. Finn lunging into father-god’s grasp, so he might sleep devoured instead of Brikor.
Bronn’s raucous song of the north, countering the lullaby and stopping the sons and daughters.
Tamen Na remembering the deal between his ancestors of the father-god, offering himself as the seventh son. Stone peeled from skin like flakes of pastry.
Tapper and Little Yil, leading yaks down the mountain, laden with other treasures, other statues. A mighty haul!
Our virtual tabletop: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1znlfMJbVMi-VmX-VEeCdKaNV7IrVt-_13V7wyA78esE/edit?usp=sharing
Captain Finn played by Epidiah Ravachol . Tapper played by Aaron Feild . Tamen Na played by Keith Stetson . Bronn played by Jason Desormeaux Myself as Overplayer.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/503629170807205516
A Tale of fathers of #SundayAMSwords
Opening eidolon: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/503629170807205516/
The rogues, burdened by statue of paterfamilias and his 13 young children. The grinding of stone on stone as the massive doors begin to close. Bronn and Tamen Na straining against the doors. The bas-relief carvings of 6 grown sons on the west wall step off, brandishing spears. Living statues. How could you not love ’em? Captain Finn’s double swords, keeping spearpoint from war-penguin Brikor’s chest feathers.
Tapper sending Little Yil to run, spurring the wagon-laden yak to action. Rampage of the powerful yak, smashing stone asunder! Broken statues and 2 sons still stand. Bronn’s greatsword parried, skidding across the floor. 7 grown daughters stepping from the wall. The eldest singing An alluring and drowsing preternatural lullaby.
Tamen Na pushing the paterfamilias statue between the closing doors. Enchanting song turning to painful shriek. Bronn’s sword, recovered and striking. A song ending in a shattered head.
Captain Finn charging Brikor into the paterfamilias statue. It budges not. Finn flying through the doors, penguin stunned. Doors cracking statue like an egg. Choking dust fills the room, heralding an arrival: An even bigger living statue, the gigantic paterfamilias, large enough for the ceilings. The living sons and daughters statues healed by the dust.
A deal is made: Tapper the Trader offers his favorite daughter Little Yil to the father-god in exchange for passage. Fleeing with Yil at the last moment.
A desperate race through newly-illuminated passages. Captain Finn finding A stone carving of present events as if they were history. The next panel: Brikor consumed by the hungry father-god.
Bronn finding crack in the wall, large enough for man, but not yak or warpenguin. Smell of safety on the other side.
Tamen Na’s hammer striking the crack 13 times, and him, the living made statue. What foul magic does the father god command?
The daughters’ song of bitter, undeniable exhaustion. Finn lunging into father-god’s grasp, so he might sleep devoured instead of Brikor.
Bronn’s raucous song of the north, countering the lullaby and stopping the sons and daughters.
Tamen Na remembering the deal between his ancestors of the father-god, offering himself as the seventh son. Stone peeled from skin like flakes of pastry.
Tapper and Little Yil, leading yaks down the mountain, laden with other treasures, other statues. A mighty haul!
Our virtual tabletop: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1znlfMJbVMi-VmX-VEeCdKaNV7IrVt-_13V7wyA78esE/edit?usp=sharing
Captain Finn played by Epidiah Ravachol . Tapper played by Aaron Feild . Tamen Na played by Keith Stetson . Bronn played by Jason Desormeaux Myself as Overplayer.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/503629170807205516
Sunday Morning Swords: 21 June 2015
Sunday Morning Swords: 21 June 2015
#FathersDayEdition
Good morning!
Here's our organizational thread. Comment below if you're interested in playing this morning and mention if you're comfortable being an Overplayer and whether or not you have play Swords before.
When we get an Overplayer and three or four Rogue Players, those players will run off and start their hangout. For now, let's focus on getting everyone into a group. We'll probably wait until 9:30 EDT to start the last group. If you can't make that, no worries, we'll fire another one up at 9 AM PDT for those who wake at a more civilized time.
Unfortunately, Miguel Zapico is unable to attend this week, so if there's a Spanish-speaking session, someone else will have to run it. Perhaps next week!
Feel free to use the hashtag #SundayAMSwords should you desire to chat about your game on the social medias.
P.S. Got some tips on how to do this and links to useful files here: http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
#FathersDayEdition
Good morning!
Here's our organizational thread. Comment below if you're interested in playing this morning and mention if you're comfortable being an Overplayer and whether or not you have play Swords before.
When we get an Overplayer and three or four Rogue Players, those players will run off and start their hangout. For now, let's focus on getting everyone into a group. We'll probably wait until 9:30 EDT to start the last group. If you can't make that, no worries, we'll fire another one up at 9 AM PDT for those who wake at a more civilized time.
Unfortunately, Miguel Zapico is unable to attend this week, so if there's a Spanish-speaking session, someone else will have to run it. Perhaps next week!
Feel free to use the hashtag #SundayAMSwords should you desire to chat about your game on the social medias.
P.S. Got some tips on how to do this and links to useful files here: http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Ba2 — “bah-too”
Ba2 — “bah-too”
Eidolon: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/380343131005413407/
All That Deserves A Name:
Directive 002 — “Minimize human suffering,” the fundamental basis of her programming.
InSITE-3000 — Onboard sensor suite that can detect the quantum-level fluctuations of magic.
The Saffron Queen’s Armory — The place where Ba2’s soul is held in bondage, awaiting rescue.
Vanora — Trusty mechanic sidekick: http://www.swagonline.net/sites/default/files/images/Pete%20-Shadowdeep-/2003/Mar/1151.jpg
Feats Heroic:
Glum — Activating her sonic resonator, Ba2 triggers her foes’ thalamus to put them to sleep.
Jovial — Moving faster than organic eye can follow, Ba2 leaps past her foes’ defenses.
Trick:
Inevitable Foe — Brigadier Armstrong of the Grand Army of Free and Willing Systems. Wielder of wicked cavalry saber. Has taken my katana.
Doom: What is Directive001? "Defeat those who would steal the rightful riches of the Saffron Queen."
Tales:
"Vermin!" — Ba2's first tale: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MichaelMiller1000/posts/G2sM9b8PFNX
"The City of Golden Hope": https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1KUuBKhnM3oklVySQLda_N9AYkXKkCqL5U0codHr8VMk/edit?usp=sharing
#Starward Episode X "Mysterious Cargo" https://plus.google.com/communities/104194230537983273846
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/380343131005413407
Eidolon: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/380343131005413407/
All That Deserves A Name:
Directive 002 — “Minimize human suffering,” the fundamental basis of her programming.
InSITE-3000 — Onboard sensor suite that can detect the quantum-level fluctuations of magic.
The Saffron Queen’s Armory — The place where Ba2’s soul is held in bondage, awaiting rescue.
Vanora — Trusty mechanic sidekick: http://www.swagonline.net/sites/default/files/images/Pete%20-Shadowdeep-/2003/Mar/1151.jpg
Feats Heroic:
Glum — Activating her sonic resonator, Ba2 triggers her foes’ thalamus to put them to sleep.
Jovial — Moving faster than organic eye can follow, Ba2 leaps past her foes’ defenses.
Trick:
Inevitable Foe — Brigadier Armstrong of the Grand Army of Free and Willing Systems. Wielder of wicked cavalry saber. Has taken my katana.
Tales:
"Vermin!" — Ba2's first tale: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MichaelMiller1000/posts/G2sM9b8PFNX
"The City of Golden Hope": https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1KUuBKhnM3oklVySQLda_N9AYkXKkCqL5U0codHr8VMk/edit?usp=sharing
#Starward Episode X "Mysterious Cargo" https://plus.google.com/communities/104194230537983273846
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/380343131005413407
This is a call to all companions of adventure!
This is a call to all companions of adventure! Tomorrow we take up arms against a sea of troubles!* Who shall we count among our number? Michael Miller Andy Hauge Miguel Zapico Aaron Feild Ray Otus Rob Deobald? Or rogues who have yet to push forward their names? Perhaps even the great and terrible wizard itself, Epidiah Ravachol? Only the morrow shall reveal the truth!
*That sea may or may not be filled with sorcerous whales.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/368943394451155777/
*That sea may or may not be filled with sorcerous whales.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/368943394451155777/
Let Us Tell a Tale…
Let Us Tell a Tale…
…of New Foes
• A tale in which the rogues face enemies none of them have ever heard of.
• Before the last thread is reincorporated, there must be at least one Discovery Phase in which the rogues are battling their new enemies.
…of New Foes
• A tale in which the rogues face enemies none of them have ever heard of.
• Before the last thread is reincorporated, there must be at least one Discovery Phase in which the rogues are battling their new enemies.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Inspired by Steven Townshend's post, here are my favorite #ToneBones.
Inspired by Steven Townshend's post, here are my favorite #ToneBones. The first pair are carved from stone, so I don't use them too often, but I really dig how the gray-green die can be Glum, Wolf or Envy depending on the game and the red can be Jovial, Blood or Rage. The second pair I have on me at all times in case of emergency Lore Phase, plus they are the dice I bought at GenCon 2009 for the express purpose of playtesting Swords Without Master back when it was called Sword Buddies.
Currently, there have been 7 games beyond Swords Without Master that have appeared in Worlds Without Master, and...
Currently, there have been 7 games beyond Swords Without Master that have appeared in Worlds Without Master, and there are many more on the way. There's already enough to hold a convention, and don't think I haven't been considering that. I'm curious, how many of you have played some of the other games? How many of these games are in your to-play queue?
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Jovial: Picked these up at Origins from the Q-Workshop booth and want to geek about them to anyone that will listen:...
Jovial: Picked these up at Origins from the Q-Workshop booth and want to geek about them to anyone that will listen: a featherweight bone-colored JOVIAL die and a heavy, metal GLUM die!
Glum: Can't roll that glum die on a nice wood tabletop without getting divs (oops); dice tray or plastic surface only. Yowza.
BRAND THE WANDERER
BRAND THE WANDERER
All that deserves a name
The Companion: Brand always has a companion. Sometimes a friend in arms, sometimes a trusty hound or steed or hawk. Sometimes a girl. One by one they are taken away.
Feats heroic
Jovial: Gleaming sword to heart of foe, Brand invokes a word of doom.
Glum: Brand pronounces the whorling word of heart; the companion departs, obedient. They shall not fail.
Trick
Inevitable Foe: Shaodon the Man-Ape. More cunning than man, more brutal than beast. Uttering words of fell sorcery he murders Brand’s companions one by one.
Notes:
Ignorant of sorcery, Brand swings at shadows on a rudderless quest for vengeance. Simple and direct, Brand loves the open plain, the rich dark wine, the embrace of a girl, the drums of battle.
Brand swears that victory over the man-ape is his singular quest, but it is likely the quest itself that drives him, rather than its ending. Deep down perhaps he doesn’t want to succeed.
Monday, June 15, 2015
I am on the schedule to run Swords without Master at the 20 sided store in Brooklyn for FreeRPG day!
I am on the schedule to run Swords without Master at the 20 sided store in Brooklyn for FreeRPG day! The game will start at 6:00pm this Saturday June 20th. Come by if you are in the area, it is a great store.
http://twentysidedstore.com/blog/free-rpg-day-2015-schedule
http://twentysidedstore.com/blog/free-rpg-day-2015-schedule
http://twentysidedstore.com/blog/free-rpg-day-2015-schedule
http://twentysidedstore.com/blog/free-rpg-day-2015-schedule
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Epidiah, will all the new Worlds without master be laid out in the way of issues 8 & 9?
Epidiah, will all the new Worlds without master be laid out in the way of issues 8 & 9? I was just getting used to the format for 1-7. In the process of rereading issue 3 and trying to wrap my head around Swords. I really like what I see even if I don't completely Grok it yet. Watching the swords exhibition game to try and decipher it.
Sunday Morning Swords: 14 June 2015
Sunday Morning Swords: 14 June 2015
#MultilingualRoguesEdition
Good morning!
Here's our organizational thread. Comment below if you're interested in playing this morning and mention if you're comfortable being an Overplayer and whether or not you have play Swords before.
When we get an Overplayer and three or four Rogue Players, those players will run off and start their hangout. For now, let's focus on getting everyone into a group. We'll probably wait until 9:30 EDT to start the last group. If you can't make that, no worries, we'll fire another one up at 9 AM PDT for those who wake at a more civilized time.
Alas, I will be unable to attend this week as my in-laws are celebrating their wedding anniversary. Enjoy without me, rogues, and I'll hopefully see you next week!
Feel free to use the hashtag #SundayAMSwords should you desire to chat about your game on the social medias.
Bonus
If you wish to play #espadassindueño in Spanish, check out Miguel Zapico's thread here: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110571442854327851279/posts/fR97C7CX9Vu
-Eppy
P.S. Got some tips on how to do this and links to useful files here: http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
#MultilingualRoguesEdition
Good morning!
Here's our organizational thread. Comment below if you're interested in playing this morning and mention if you're comfortable being an Overplayer and whether or not you have play Swords before.
When we get an Overplayer and three or four Rogue Players, those players will run off and start their hangout. For now, let's focus on getting everyone into a group. We'll probably wait until 9:30 EDT to start the last group. If you can't make that, no worries, we'll fire another one up at 9 AM PDT for those who wake at a more civilized time.
Alas, I will be unable to attend this week as my in-laws are celebrating their wedding anniversary. Enjoy without me, rogues, and I'll hopefully see you next week!
Feel free to use the hashtag #SundayAMSwords should you desire to chat about your game on the social medias.
Bonus
If you wish to play #espadassindueño in Spanish, check out Miguel Zapico's thread here: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110571442854327851279/posts/fR97C7CX9Vu
-Eppy
P.S. Got some tips on how to do this and links to useful files here: http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
Espadas de sobremesa: 14 de Junio de 2015
Espadas de sobremesa: 14 de Junio de 2015
#espadassindueño
¡Buenos dÃas / tardes!
Esta es el área para organizar la partida en Español. Comentad si quereis participar hoy, si estáis cómodos dirigiendo y si habéis jugado o no a Espadas sin Dueño antes.
Es la primera vez que intentamos esto en este idioma, asà que la prioridad es formar un grupo. Una vez que tengamos tres o cuatro jugadores abriremos un hangout y conectamos allÃ.
Este enlace (en inglés) contiene documentación útil para este formato:
http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
#espadassindueño
¡Buenos dÃas / tardes!
Esta es el área para organizar la partida en Español. Comentad si quereis participar hoy, si estáis cómodos dirigiendo y si habéis jugado o no a Espadas sin Dueño antes.
Es la primera vez que intentamos esto en este idioma, asà que la prioridad es formar un grupo. Una vez que tengamos tres o cuatro jugadores abriremos un hangout y conectamos allÃ.
Este enlace (en inglés) contiene documentación útil para este formato:
http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
Saturday, June 13, 2015
martin birch : Check out this awesome artwork..!!!
Originally shared by martin birch
martin birch : Check out this awesome artwork..!!!
By Rasmussen Berggreen
http://t.co/OkHUZJgDhx
#scifiart #conceptdesign #artwork
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Attention Spanish-Speaking Gamers in My Circles
Originally shared by Epidiah Ravachol
Attention Spanish-Speaking Gamers in My Circles
I do not speak any Spanish beyond what Sesame Street taught me growing up. I, in fact, do not even know how to apologize for my ignorance in Spanish (though I might be able to muster it in French or Japanese if held at dagger-point). However, Miguel Zapico is a native speaker and he has graciously offered to run some #espadassindueño this weekend.
Sunday Morning Swords is a weekly tradition in the Swords Without Master community here on G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/104194230537983273846 We get together early on a Sunday to play Swords over Google Hangouts. We've almost been doing it for a year now with some consistency. If you're curious about the game, stop on by. No experience necessary.
Recently, we've been branching out into a second time zone. And now, thanks to Miguel, we have a chance to branch out into another language! Miquel lives on the East Coast of the U.S., so the Spanish game would start organizing around 9 AM EDT (though most games don't actually start until about half past, so you have some time to jump in if you can snooze your alarm clock at least twice). The game is easy to learn and plays surprisingly well over Hangouts. It pairs well with coffee and breakfast.
http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
Attention Spanish-Speaking Gamers in My Circles
I do not speak any Spanish beyond what Sesame Street taught me growing up. I, in fact, do not even know how to apologize for my ignorance in Spanish (though I might be able to muster it in French or Japanese if held at dagger-point). However, Miguel Zapico is a native speaker and he has graciously offered to run some #espadassindueño this weekend.
Sunday Morning Swords is a weekly tradition in the Swords Without Master community here on G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/104194230537983273846 We get together early on a Sunday to play Swords over Google Hangouts. We've almost been doing it for a year now with some consistency. If you're curious about the game, stop on by. No experience necessary.
Recently, we've been branching out into a second time zone. And now, thanks to Miguel, we have a chance to branch out into another language! Miquel lives on the East Coast of the U.S., so the Spanish game would start organizing around 9 AM EDT (though most games don't actually start until about half past, so you have some time to jump in if you can snooze your alarm clock at least twice). The game is easy to learn and plays surprisingly well over Hangouts. It pairs well with coffee and breakfast.
http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
Let us tell a tale as written by...
Let us tell a tale as written by...
Tales are the adventure modules of Swords. They can be as simple as a single style or as elaborate as an actual module. For me, I rather like a Tale that is a title, one or two styles, and an overtrick. Such as:
"The Legion of the Damned"
A Tale of Horror and Dark Magicks
Overtrick: Inevitable Foe—A phalanx of skeletons dripping with their own fresh gore.
In #SundayAMSwords this past weekend we played a tale comprised simply of a single style: ...of Beauty. It was astounding. We had the torches in an inn extinguished so one rogue could blow the embers from the hearth across the ceiling in the pattern of constellations. Dawn herself appeared in all her rosy, scintillating glory. And captivating patterns of light and dark moving about in the silent depths of the ocean.
The purpose of a style is to plant a flag in your game that says, "We will tell this sort of story," and then to give you a single rule that may aid you in that endeavor. The rule tantalizes you. We all love rules, that's why we're here. We want to toy with them, see how they tick, and see what they can show us about the game.* But it's the flag that is the most important element of the style. The rule exists to remind you of your flag.
Thus far, all the styles in Swords are about themes or things that can appear in your tale. One of my intents with styles, however, is to eventually let groups base them on authors they'd like to emulate. A tale as written by... rather than a tale of....
What makes an author's work definitively of that author is in some ways deeply personal. What I see and love in Fritz Leiber's work may not be what you see and love in his work. It gets cloudier the more people you get involved and the more media that is focused on the work. 1982's Conan the Barbarian is not Howard's Conan and the 2011 film is neither. Simply planting a flag will not do. Not everyone will see the flag on the same hill. Any added rules would only be ignored by folks running for their own hill the same way folks ignore their GPS when driving around their hometown.
It is more effective to use a constellation of non-author styles followed by an "as written by" flag. The beauty in this Sunday's game coupled with the sad news of Tanith Lee's recent passing put me in mood to create just such a style for just a sliver of what I find so captivating about her work: A Tale of Beauty, Seduction and Sorcery as Written by Tanith Lee. You could have a wildly different cluster of styles in mind for Lee's work, but if we sat down to play this tale together, we'd all be on the same page. In fact, even if you had never read a word written by Tanith Lee, I suspect you'd have no trouble keeping up.
Show us what constellations of styles would you use to play a tale as written by one of your favorite authors.
* In fact, one often overlooked definition of the word play means "the extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely." ( Number 11 in the noun definitions: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/play#Noun) Rules define that extent of that free movement and we love exploring that.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
This place must have a hundred stories.
This place must have a hundred stories.
https://40.media.tumblr.com/76602375f4588ac31772c2c3bef50006/tumblr_npho35ulc11qhttpto4_1280.jpg
https://40.media.tumblr.com/76602375f4588ac31772c2c3bef50006/tumblr_npho35ulc11qhttpto4_1280.jpg
“Dawn of Beauty, Dusk for the Wizard-Whales”
“Dawn of Beauty, Dusk for the Wizard-Whales”
A tale of beauty of #SundayAMSwords
Opening eidolon: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/503629170806180169/
A sheltered inn. Sleep will not come. Tales around the hearth. Tapper’s tale of awaking in a strange castle, failing to find a love one and a threat. His wif’e’s sacrifice to save him. Gammon showing the inn-folk the stars they have never seen. Constellations being form from embers in the ceiling of an inn. Chucho, Dario’s faithful dog, the only one to see an immaterial giant enter. His mournful howl shifting to a yip of recognition.
Dawn strides in, resplendent in her prismatic finery. Upon her throat, a scrimshaw bone spur. What terrible thing have the Wizard Whales bound her to do? Long ago, the Dawn was promised to the Wizard Whales—they mean to collect!
At sea, at an island of flotsam: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01867/boat_1867948c.jpg Glowing life attracted to the island of flotsam. A wheeling and diving of gulls around a distant ship. Dario seeing the pattern of the constellations hidden in the forms of the trash. Following a path based only on theory is not wise: One misstep and light and shadow swirling around underwater in complete silence. The boat pulled down, down.
Tapper thrusting Dawn behind him, “There will not be another sacrifice.” The horse-sized minions of the Wizard-Whales: http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/dragonvale/images/d/d2/Leafy_Sea_Dragon_3.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140519115054 The touch of their leafy fronds like a thousand biting needles. The ship drawn by a massive, ancient Wizard-Whale, its barnacles like icicles, adorned with gold and gems. Harpoons hurled toward the blinding light of Dawn.
Gammon bounding moonlike across the trash, until a haunting whale song counterspell plunges him. Dario’s wordless spell prompting a duel of wills and seizing control of a threat. Men and sea-dragons merged like centaurs.
The Wizard-Whale spewing a cloud of ambergris to smother Dawn’s light. Chucho clinging to flotsam. The immaterial giant returning, as Tapper hurls Dawn from the water. The giant and Dawn, ascending to the glowing sky, free of the trash.
The ship’s captain—a woman of mighty thews and sharp blade—lunging for Gammon as he approaches the Wizard-Whale. Flashback: Gammon on the moon, entrusted with a shard of moonrock to end the threat of the Wizard-Whales, in theory. The captain’s thrust snagging the moonrock and thrusting it into blubbery skin. Wizard-Whale and moon-man glowing like the full moon itself. The light fading, and both are gone.
Dawn’s light burning brightly but oh-so-gently. The tranquil sea-surface, free of trash, offering hope to Chucho, Dario, and Tapper.
Our virtual tabletop: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/10fZhyowatQSByyuXpqEE2FkY93IO8gm2zC_4KyvhGX8/edit?usp=sharing
Miguel as Dario. Aaron as Tapper. Me as Gammon (for the last time—for now!). Eppy as Overplayer.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/503629170806180169
A tale of beauty of #SundayAMSwords
Opening eidolon: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/503629170806180169/
A sheltered inn. Sleep will not come. Tales around the hearth. Tapper’s tale of awaking in a strange castle, failing to find a love one and a threat. His wif’e’s sacrifice to save him. Gammon showing the inn-folk the stars they have never seen. Constellations being form from embers in the ceiling of an inn. Chucho, Dario’s faithful dog, the only one to see an immaterial giant enter. His mournful howl shifting to a yip of recognition.
Dawn strides in, resplendent in her prismatic finery. Upon her throat, a scrimshaw bone spur. What terrible thing have the Wizard Whales bound her to do? Long ago, the Dawn was promised to the Wizard Whales—they mean to collect!
At sea, at an island of flotsam: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01867/boat_1867948c.jpg Glowing life attracted to the island of flotsam. A wheeling and diving of gulls around a distant ship. Dario seeing the pattern of the constellations hidden in the forms of the trash. Following a path based only on theory is not wise: One misstep and light and shadow swirling around underwater in complete silence. The boat pulled down, down.
Tapper thrusting Dawn behind him, “There will not be another sacrifice.” The horse-sized minions of the Wizard-Whales: http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/dragonvale/images/d/d2/Leafy_Sea_Dragon_3.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140519115054 The touch of their leafy fronds like a thousand biting needles. The ship drawn by a massive, ancient Wizard-Whale, its barnacles like icicles, adorned with gold and gems. Harpoons hurled toward the blinding light of Dawn.
Gammon bounding moonlike across the trash, until a haunting whale song counterspell plunges him. Dario’s wordless spell prompting a duel of wills and seizing control of a threat. Men and sea-dragons merged like centaurs.
The Wizard-Whale spewing a cloud of ambergris to smother Dawn’s light. Chucho clinging to flotsam. The immaterial giant returning, as Tapper hurls Dawn from the water. The giant and Dawn, ascending to the glowing sky, free of the trash.
The ship’s captain—a woman of mighty thews and sharp blade—lunging for Gammon as he approaches the Wizard-Whale. Flashback: Gammon on the moon, entrusted with a shard of moonrock to end the threat of the Wizard-Whales, in theory. The captain’s thrust snagging the moonrock and thrusting it into blubbery skin. Wizard-Whale and moon-man glowing like the full moon itself. The light fading, and both are gone.
Dawn’s light burning brightly but oh-so-gently. The tranquil sea-surface, free of trash, offering hope to Chucho, Dario, and Tapper.
Our virtual tabletop: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/10fZhyowatQSByyuXpqEE2FkY93IO8gm2zC_4KyvhGX8/edit?usp=sharing
Miguel as Dario. Aaron as Tapper. Me as Gammon (for the last time—for now!). Eppy as Overplayer.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/503629170806180169
Sunday Morning Swords: 7 June 2015
Sunday Morning Swords: 7 June 2015
#OriginsSmoriginsEdition
Good morning!
Here's our organizational thread. Comment below if you're interested in playing this morning and mention if you're comfortable being an Overplayer and whether or not you have play Swords before.
When we get an Overplayer and three or four Rogue Players, those players will run off and start their hangout. For now, let's focus on getting everyone into a group. We'll probably wait until 9:30 EDT to start the last group. If you can't make that, no worries, we'll fire another one up at 9 AM PDT for those who wake at a more civilized time.
I am, unfortunately, unable to attend the later one this week. Enjoy without me, West Coast Rogues, and I'll hopefully see you next week!
Feel free to use the hashtag #SundayAMSwords should you desire to chat about your game on the social medias.
P.S. Got some tips on how to do this and links to useful files here: http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
#OriginsSmoriginsEdition
Good morning!
Here's our organizational thread. Comment below if you're interested in playing this morning and mention if you're comfortable being an Overplayer and whether or not you have play Swords before.
When we get an Overplayer and three or four Rogue Players, those players will run off and start their hangout. For now, let's focus on getting everyone into a group. We'll probably wait until 9:30 EDT to start the last group. If you can't make that, no worries, we'll fire another one up at 9 AM PDT for those who wake at a more civilized time.
I am, unfortunately, unable to attend the later one this week. Enjoy without me, West Coast Rogues, and I'll hopefully see you next week!
Feel free to use the hashtag #SundayAMSwords should you desire to chat about your game on the social medias.
P.S. Got some tips on how to do this and links to useful files here: http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/blog/2014/7/14/sunday-morning-swords
Friday, June 5, 2015
Thursday, June 4, 2015
A 43 hectares forest that's actually a single living entity.
A 43 hectares forest that's actually a single living entity.
The ideas for a fateful scene in Swords write themselves, right?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pando_%28tree%29
The ideas for a fateful scene in Swords write themselves, right?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pando_%28tree%29
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
How have the long-term aspects of Swords played out with people?
How have the long-term aspects of Swords played out with people? How have your Rogues grown and changed across multiple sessions of actual play? Who's run a successful campaign, as detailed in the last section? How'd that work out?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)