Rest in Peace, Princess...

1956-2016

Lunation - Box (and something more)

Sorry, not much to say today! Instead, I want to present you the design of the game box (and some parts of the board). And - as a bonus item - image from one of the system cards. Enjoy!

Lunation - So it begins

So it begins. 

The power struggle in space. The Emperor dies, leaving his descendants hungry for power. 

They have 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 3 seconds to claim the victory over their opponents. They have to win by any means. Playing fair or hiding in the shadow. The way is irrelevant, the goal everything. 

Currently we are during the phase of final testing of the game mechanics. Everything seems to be OK. Here is the small photostory of one of the latest games. You can have a look of some of the GFX, game board prototype and so on.

If you have any questions - I'll be more than glad to answer them!

Some Character images.

Some prototypes of Planet cards.

Fully explored System. Fleets spread to gather more Energy and Resources.

Fleet placeholders! Bottle caps FTW!

Mid-point of the game (some locations are still unexplored)

Some System card prototypes

Underworld Day Special - cross sections

Yes, I'm still alive.

Click to enlarge.

HERE you can read more about Krubera Cave

Underworld Day Special - Ice Cave!

I must visit it really soon!

First two Perilous Ages reviews

LINK (Google Plus)

LINK (RPGNow)

Perilous Ages out now!

Perilous Ages, my non-DnD simulacrum, has been released, both in print and PDF.

Once again - please note it's not another D&D clone - in this project I tried to emulate the vibe of the games from the eighties, with all their quirks and drawbacks, including really ugly appearance.

Buy a printed version on Lulu

Buy a PDF version on Lulu

Buy a PDF version on RPGNow

Perilous Ages progress report

Well, I hope it's the last one.

After almost three years of much delayed development, I'm near the end of the creation process. In fact, only equipment prices + some kind of a preface is left, so most likely I'll release the game within the next few days.

Perilous Ages: Cryptic notes

This project is still alive and writing is coming close to an end. Here is one list of random goodness from the game - the cryptic notes. Roll 1d8:

1. "If you are reading this, it means I'm already dead. Our treasure and all my life's savings are hidden in the Crow Tower. You know where to find it." 

2. "Transmigration spell worked as intended. Old bishop is now trapped in my decaying body and I took his place. Our cult will flourish now." 

3. "Last night, I've found the strange, silver door in the cavern beneath the city well. Further investigation required." 

4. "Secret password to the Inner Circle is RAT PRINCE. Remember to burn this message after you read it." 

5. "I've hidden it on the local cemetery, under the statue of Saint Volic. Be hurry, they know about it." 

6. "Ship will come in six days. The Golden Hand is onboard. Retrieve it and unleash the wrath of the Saints." 

7. "Gathering of the Wolf Sons will take place during the next fullmoon, near the old well. I cannot attend this time." 

8. "I don't think I'll last long, the sickness is slowly killing me. King's Sigil is still in my possession but I'll give it to you once we finally meet each other. Tomorrow, on the White Bridge. It's our only chance."

Prototyping...

Typical day at work - making the prototype of my space-themed game.

Fuck, I love my job.

News, news, news

Once again, I became silent. And I'm sorry for that - once again. But it seems that I'll have no choice and I will be literally forced to post new content on this blog. The reason is simple.

After almost eighteen years in the hobby, by biggest dream came true.

With the beginning of May, I'll start full-time job as a tabletop game designer.

Of course, mostly we will work on the board games (we have several ideas and most likely I'll post any progress here) but also we have idea to further develop my RPG-related stuff - mainly Polish edition of Bandits and Battlecruisers and Terminal Space, but also we think about creating the revised edition of BandB. But board games (and maybe non-collectible card games as well) will be our priority.

More info soon!

PS. I'm fucking pissed that I missed this year's AtoZ Blogging Challenge. Well, maybe it's time to finally create the Space Alphabet?

World of Ortix blog on Facebook

I'm not dropping Google Plus but still, someone may find it useful.

LINK

Jadia (Shadow God)

Jadia ev Kariis is one of the Shadow Gods, much older than mankind. They say that she's the mistress of the Dark Experiments, and Pink Worms, one of her creations, are in fact the human race.

Jadia dwells in the place known as the Obsidian Heart - multi-dimensional fortress located somewhere in the Shroud - between the real world and the Darkness. The Insane Prophet says that Heart looks like the mountain of black glass, gleaming in the storms of the Shroud. He also says that no one that no one is able to locate the fortress without Jadia's invitation.

Some imperial scholars say that Hybrids were created after the huge sacrifice to Jadia was made by Setemo Delem, the last emperor. As the empire crumbled years ago, it seems that the truth will never be revealed.

At the very beginning of her experiments Jadia created the Imperfection - strange, pale and faceless creatures. They still exist, because they are somehow disconnected from the flow of time (which is more and more common thing during the world's Darkest Hour, but this time it may be just strange and powerful ability). Few have ever encountered the Imperfection and even less have survived the encounter but some sorcerers are willing to pay lot of gold for even tiniest body part of these creatures.

Cryptic posts, yes, yes... And even more to come in the future.

Six reasons why I love WFRP 1st edition

WFRP was my first RPG book I ever owned. Now I own my third rulebook of this game (previous two were annihillated during the extensive usage, mostly due to poor binding of the book). And after almost nineteen years in the hobby, I think it's my favourite one (sorry CoC...). Here's why.

1. Evocative artwork. Some role-playing have outstanding images. WFRP hasn't - of course there are lots of amazing pieces of art there but some are just plain disgusting. But still - I'm not sure if there are more games with *that* kind of artwork - sometimes it's enough to look at one image and poof! Whole scenario materializes inside of your head.

2. Exciting character creation. Lots of side skills, shitty professions, randomly determined character age which has impact on amount of starting skills. It's always fun.

3. As I mentioned above - fuckloads of (sometimes) shitty professions. It's really amazing when you watch your character's transformation from the rat catcher or apothecary into an actual hero. And - if you are a GM - that facial expression of the player when he rolled up some pretty amazing stats and hit a servant or other (seemingly) useless and un-playable fucker.

4. Strange monsters. 2nd edition is full of well-organized and rather logically designed monsters, mostly derived from the WFB. What about giant leeches, carnivorous snappers and other strange inventions of the game designers?* AND FIMIR. AND ZOAT. Fuck yeah.

5. Setting. It's not said that all magic comes from the Chaos. Magic is magic, its background is irrelevant. Emperor is an old and demented guy (and they slay him during The Enemy Within campaign, which I love), World is not ruined. There is no shitty Archaon or other major pawn of the Ruinous Powers. Game world is not 100% based on the Fantasy Battle. AND FIMIR. AND ZOAT.

6. Adventure books. I played several 2e adventures and I ran more than several 1e adventures. They can't be compared. 2e adventures are just plain retarded, to the point of unplayability without some serious tweaks. And once again - dat artwork :D

*) of course I may be wrong, as I'm not an expert of the 2nd edition. In fact, I think it sucks, especially it's setting. Gods, I hate it.

The Oldenhaller Contract

Jonas actually escaped. Which is good for me.

First game session this year, third since Jan 2015. For the first time since 1997 I ran The Oldenhaller Contract. We've used the modded 1st ed WFRP rules, fresh characters. Only two players participated in the game. Two more should join use next time.

Three Fate Points were spent during the game and PCs got mugged during the first event of the scenario. Actually, both PCs lost consciousness and were robbed of even shoes.

Aside of that, everything went really good. They managed to strike a deal with both Valantinas and Huydermans. All minor cultists and the beast were slain, only Jonas Whitespore escaped. And most likely I will use him in the next game sessions.

Plans for 2016

Well, last two years weren't very active for me - but in 2014 I've run a lot of game sessions. And only two in 2015. It was a really hard year for me but well, fuck it. At least I managed to release Volume Three...

This year I plan to revive the blog, post more shit about my games (see below), more magic items and more random tables. And about new releases?

Revenant. I can't promise you that the game will be ready this year. Development process started in 2007 and almost nothing was done since late 2011. But we ran the game with over 30 different players and almost all of them liked the game a lot. So we feel it's our duty to finally polish the mechanics, adjust classes and roles and write the fucking rulebook :D But it will be a big game - probably about 250 A4-sized pages or even more. Plus artwork. HERE you can read more about the Revenant.

Ortix. I will try. Can't promise anything more. I will be filling up the alphabetical index but can't be sure if I manage to release at least alpha version of it.

Perilous Ages. Only random tables are left to do and the game will be ready. It's possible that game will be released in 2016 :) HERE is the latest progress report.

Volume Four. To be honest, nothing is done yet, except the map. Some hexes were explored and I still remember them but it may be hard to finish the whole booklet.

Well, we'll see how it will end ;)