Mundane Monsters: Journal of Gaming and Homebrew
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
D&D Groups
I am now actively involved in two D&D games. Acting as DM for a campaign starting from the Red Box, and a player in a campaign that the DM has been developing for six years! I got involved in both of these from joining the Anime/Gaming club at my university, and I must say I'm glad to have a reason to use all these books! I'll be doing some artwork related to campaign scenarios and probably providing some story updates here as well.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Goblin Sketches
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Icepick Reborn
So I am aiming to redesign Icepick a bit, as well as expanding the area around it and adding more detail and backstory.
Icepick existed in simplicity. Home to stalwart Dwarves in a dedicated mining village. Little has changed in town since it was founded by Drunn d'Pick of the Coldhearth Dwarves. Fortified by sturdy Dwarven masonry, Icepick is relatively safe from both wind and wolves. It serves as a utilitarian outpost, suppling ore and stone to the surrounding area. These supplies are of particular import to the city of Hamm.
The fruits of Dwarven labor are split two ways after arriving at Icepick. Most of the material for Dwarven use are forged and cut right in town, while whatever remains is directed to the lone trading company within the chilled walls. The proprietor of the trading post is the only permanent resident of Icepick who is not a Dwarf.
Icepick existed in simplicity. Home to stalwart Dwarves in a dedicated mining village. Little has changed in town since it was founded by Drunn d'Pick of the Coldhearth Dwarves. Fortified by sturdy Dwarven masonry, Icepick is relatively safe from both wind and wolves. It serves as a utilitarian outpost, suppling ore and stone to the surrounding area. These supplies are of particular import to the city of Hamm.
The fruits of Dwarven labor are split two ways after arriving at Icepick. Most of the material for Dwarven use are forged and cut right in town, while whatever remains is directed to the lone trading company within the chilled walls. The proprietor of the trading post is the only permanent resident of Icepick who is not a Dwarf.
Monday, August 16, 2010
A creature to call my own!
Deep in the dwarven mines below Talbreak Mountain, creatures stir. They seem to be living rocks, each one with veins of glittering frigynt. It has a magical energy that drives them. They come in varying forms and sizes. At the surface dwell more simplistic creatures, but deeper within there are lithoids of humanoid appearance that contain larger deposits of frigynt. I've included some concept sketches done on Deviantart's new web-based muro.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Pokemon Black and White
I have been following the updates leading up to this release of the fifth generation of Pokemon games, and I must admit I am kinda excited. It seems like they have really taken steps to re-invent the series. Game Freak has developed a stable mechanic that makes all the monsters diverse and unique, and now they have taken the opportunity to redefine what Pokemon is about!
In case you haven't been following along with the updates, this game takes place in Isshu farther away than any previous regions have been from each other. Before you obtain the national Pokedex, the game will feature only new monsters (I'm hoping they've come up with 150, just like the good old days). The route numbers will once again begin at Route 1. There are actual differences between the look of the regions! Black version will feature more urbanized high-tech settings, while White features a more rural and natural look. The main characters are meant to be a bit older this time, they look like teenagers instead of ten-year-old kids. They have also amped up the graphics, with more three-dimensional design, perspective shifts and moving monster sprites in battle. All sprites seem to have remained two-dimensional though. Wireless connectivity is increased, with other real-life players able to show up in your overworld. You can also send monsters to the internet for what look like expanded Pokewalker adventures.
All these new and different features make it look like an interesting generation! I am excited to try it out next spring!
In case you haven't been following along with the updates, this game takes place in Isshu farther away than any previous regions have been from each other. Before you obtain the national Pokedex, the game will feature only new monsters (I'm hoping they've come up with 150, just like the good old days). The route numbers will once again begin at Route 1. There are actual differences between the look of the regions! Black version will feature more urbanized high-tech settings, while White features a more rural and natural look. The main characters are meant to be a bit older this time, they look like teenagers instead of ten-year-old kids. They have also amped up the graphics, with more three-dimensional design, perspective shifts and moving monster sprites in battle. All sprites seem to have remained two-dimensional though. Wireless connectivity is increased, with other real-life players able to show up in your overworld. You can also send monsters to the internet for what look like expanded Pokewalker adventures.
All these new and different features make it look like an interesting generation! I am excited to try it out next spring!
Friday, July 23, 2010
The North Waste
Howling winds descend from snowy mountain peaks through the barren foothills that skirt them. Sparse evergreens spot the landscape, often encased in ice. The dwarfs have constructed a small town nestled between the hills, with a mountain windbreak. They have come here in search of precious gems. Mountains form the northern border of this land and they scoop South along the East and West edges forming a roughly semicircular open area. The mountains give way to foothils where the town and several other camps begin, and a few sparse trees appear. The foothills decrease in size, creating a tundra with scattered clumps of evergreens. This section is host to a single lake in the West. Camps can be found here and there, belonging to both bandits and law abiding citizens. The most notable camp is the established Ranger Post to the Southwest of the dwarven town. This may seem a harsh sounding name for a starting area, but this area provides a dramatic setting for low-level adventures that are accessible and flexible.
The landscape contains limited features so far, but is open to possibility. The dwarven town of Icepick is situated near the eastern edge of the wastes, directly South of Talbreak Mountain. There is a newly opened mine only about two hours journey on foot from the town. It is to the Southeast. This mine was opened to accommodate the slew of new prospectors. A small band of opportunistic goblins have taken advantage of these ill prepared travellers and secured the mine for their own purposes.
The bandits are another option for a low level adventure. The whole tundra is rife with them, so they could easily ambush an unsuspecting adventuring party, or they could be hunted down to help make the area more habitable.
Speaking of habitability, this wild land is also home to wolves and bears that could pose a threat along the road.
Heroes in search of a greater challenge could make off in search of a stolen gem. A group of miscreant kobolds have laid their claws on a magnificent gem of the newly discovered frigynt. The new mineral glows icy blue and seems to radiate energy that is not understood. The dwarven authorities had been transporting it for research when it was stolen. The Kobolds make base near Mount Adrog, which features a gaping cave high on its slopes. It is also the subject of many rumors of dragons in the area, though none of them are confirmed and there is no particular evidence of dragon attacks.
The dwarves have older and deeper running mines that reach beneath Talbreak. Only the dwarves themselves and select expert miners make their way through the tunnels. The quality of the frigynt deposits found has increased with depth, and in addition strange occurrences like mysterious moving boulders have increased with depth as well. Recently the expansion of the mine shaft opened unto an existing abyssal cavern. No exploration has been done within. The warm air that emanates from the cavern indicates the depths are beyond that which is safe for conventional mining. There are occasional rumblings from within, but no other change... yet.
The landscape contains limited features so far, but is open to possibility. The dwarven town of Icepick is situated near the eastern edge of the wastes, directly South of Talbreak Mountain. There is a newly opened mine only about two hours journey on foot from the town. It is to the Southeast. This mine was opened to accommodate the slew of new prospectors. A small band of opportunistic goblins have taken advantage of these ill prepared travellers and secured the mine for their own purposes.
The bandits are another option for a low level adventure. The whole tundra is rife with them, so they could easily ambush an unsuspecting adventuring party, or they could be hunted down to help make the area more habitable.
Speaking of habitability, this wild land is also home to wolves and bears that could pose a threat along the road.
Heroes in search of a greater challenge could make off in search of a stolen gem. A group of miscreant kobolds have laid their claws on a magnificent gem of the newly discovered frigynt. The new mineral glows icy blue and seems to radiate energy that is not understood. The dwarven authorities had been transporting it for research when it was stolen. The Kobolds make base near Mount Adrog, which features a gaping cave high on its slopes. It is also the subject of many rumors of dragons in the area, though none of them are confirmed and there is no particular evidence of dragon attacks.
The dwarves have older and deeper running mines that reach beneath Talbreak. Only the dwarves themselves and select expert miners make their way through the tunnels. The quality of the frigynt deposits found has increased with depth, and in addition strange occurrences like mysterious moving boulders have increased with depth as well. Recently the expansion of the mine shaft opened unto an existing abyssal cavern. No exploration has been done within. The warm air that emanates from the cavern indicates the depths are beyond that which is safe for conventional mining. There are occasional rumblings from within, but no other change... yet.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Incorporealization
It means something along the lines of 'virtually founding a pseudocorporation that realizes your dreams.'
This is a personal project. All views are currently mine, and all content is yours to enjoy! I intend this as an informative newspaper style source.
You can expect:
Video game
I hope you enjoy what you find! If you do, and would like to support me in it, please check back. I'll be setting up some Google ads that will pay a bit. If I can make an earning doing this, I will have more means to continue! Thanks for reading!
This is a personal project. All views are currently mine, and all content is yours to enjoy! I intend this as an informative newspaper style source.
You can expect:
Video game
- reviews (though they will probably be limited; my budget has bounds)
- news (as obtained from other secondary or tertiary sources)
- hints, guides and trivia (of my own cobbling)
- Homebrew content produced by myself
- Artwork also by myself (don't set your standards to high; I'm not a professional)
- Possible some Magic: The Gathering
- Phylo
- Comics/Webcomics
- Personal commentary
- Political commentary (this will rarely occur, and I will make full effort to remain impartial)
I hope you enjoy what you find! If you do, and would like to support me in it, please check back. I'll be setting up some Google ads that will pay a bit. If I can make an earning doing this, I will have more means to continue! Thanks for reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)