Infocyde's RPG Blog

I've moved a lot since college.  For me to stay in one place for longer than three years is rare, with my average time in one spot lower than that.  All the while I've been dragging along a few boxes of RPGs.  Since I've been back in Arizona I started collecting them, so I'm up to about four boxes now. Well, it looks like it might be moving time again.  Lately I've been adopting more of a minimalist life style though in many ways that is a tough sell to my wife.  She is slowly giving in.  And in the process I've decided to work on shedding my RPG collection down to just one box.  So far these are the candidates for selling / giving away. Role Master Standard System: 10 books.  This one is painful, but in reality I doubt that I will ever get anyone one to play this with me.  Also it is a system that requires a bit of prep time which I have little of.  Thus RMSS will probably go away. Mongoose Conan: 5 books. I can see the possibili...

I don't like the Savage World's shotgun rules.  Here is my solution Max Targets Hit: Regular Shotgun: Short 1-3, Medium or Greater,  D6 Sawed Off Shotguns / Scatter Guns: D6

I found this on the net.  Pretty good summary of how police use informants and conduct surveillance. http://www.drtomoconnor.com/3220/3220lect02c.htm

For now I'll title the game we are playing Bureau of Weights and Measures as Bureau 14 might be a little to close to Bureau 13, but basically I'm running an X=Files / Fringe / Bureau 13 type of campaign using Savage Worlds.  You can read what happened last adventure by clicking [ HERE ]. The Characters Adriana McArdle - The Bureau's main technical person.  Currently only full time employee at the branch.  Adriana's specialty is hacking and using the internet / social media for research.  She is hopelessly addicted to Facebook / Twitter / Instagram which could pose problems in the future.   Father Murphy - Murphy is a Catholic priest who has a bit of a drinking problem.  He is also an experienced exorcist and has experience fighting the forces of darkness.  Murphy doesn't work directly for the bureau, but their is some understanding by his diocese that Murphy is involved in important work, so his long absences are tolerated.    Special ...

We played a Savage World's Version of Bureau 13 Called Bureau 14. Characters- Agent Adriana McArdle: Rookie Agent, Addicted to Social Media, Runs the Office Father Joseph Murphy: Catholic Exorcist, Cheep Beer Drinker Father Murphy swings by gas station near office to pick up some beer before meeting Adriana.  Gas station attendant very skeptical that office is a "Bureau of Weights and Measures Office", suspects much more. Murphy finds Agent McArdle playing video games instead of answering her bureau phone. He answers, it is the boss man, telling them another agency has asked a favor.  Military found "something" in Afghanistan. Brought it back to Fort Benning, GA (near by army base).  The Army and this unnamed agency don't what whatever it is, so boss man ask Murphy and McArdle to take transport object from base to DC Bureau. Two rent a car, drive to base.  Escorted by officer to guarded hanger. Hanger is empty except for a small desk with a satchel...

Here is a very simple chart for throwing a curve to the monsters / foes in DnD that your party will face. Roll D4 - 1 for number of changes for each group of monsters/foes encountered. Then roll a D12 on the chart below for each change. 1) Increased HD (1-2) 2) Attack more damaging (one die up) 3) New Magical ability (per spell of HD - 3, min level 1 mage or cleric power) 4) Additional Feat or feat like power 5) Increased (better AC) 6) Additional Attack 7) Increased number of appearing 8) Unlikely ally monster(s) of 1-2 less 3-4 equal or 5-6 greater strength 9) Alignment / motivation change (sometimes beneficial) 10) Reinforcements near by 11) Treasure type increased by one letter (or equivalent) 12) Monsters / Foe more cunning that usual (ambush, traps, delays)

I've noticed in a lot of OSR retro clones the Cleric class often isn't included.  I wonder why?  To me the Cleric is an integral part of the D&D experience...the backup fighter, the medic, the party chaplan, and the undead turner...why the hate / disclusion?