AWAY FROM THE OFFICE
Am conducting a training at the JICA-NET facilities in UP-Diliman. Man, it's a whole day thing... then I get to slink back to the office at the end of the day and follow up work that I've handed off to someone else... somewhat. And, of course, prepare for the next day's training.
Wednesday to Friday training sessions, morning and evening. I'm gonna be hoarse by Saturday.
And I've got some homework to do too, from the "editor's circle" (heh-heh).
Isn't life wonderful? Great to be alive, yeah.
"I consider it a challenge before the whole human race, and I ain't gonna lose!"
Identify that quote (apologies if it ain't that exact). Hint - It's appropriate for this blog.
And Justice For All... Who Have Money
Just this morning I was reading in the Philippine STAR that one of the folks being held in custody for the Kuratong Baleleng case is missing from Crame. Or was it the Dacer murder?
Man, we have utterly vicious police when dealing with the lowlies (folks who don't have money or powerful padrinos), but they sure become lax when dealing with the rich and the powerful. It really irks me when a country that purports to follow the rule of law lets this happen.
The law applies to all or none at all. I'd laugh if I could find the tears.
And what do we have instead that grab the headlines? Anti-smoking laws? Priests and Bishops who may or may not be targets of a demolition job by folks who were deposed with the support of the Philippine Church?
Just this morning I was reading in the Philippine STAR that one of the folks being held in custody for the Kuratong Baleleng case is missing from Crame. Or was it the Dacer murder?
Man, we have utterly vicious police when dealing with the lowlies (folks who don't have money or powerful padrinos), but they sure become lax when dealing with the rich and the powerful. It really irks me when a country that purports to follow the rule of law lets this happen.
The law applies to all or none at all. I'd laugh if I could find the tears.
And what do we have instead that grab the headlines? Anti-smoking laws? Priests and Bishops who may or may not be targets of a demolition job by folks who were deposed with the support of the Philippine Church?
A HERO FROM A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE
For my friend Bryan C., who seldom gets to play Champions with us... a HERO character sheet for Jon Snow from George R. R. Martin's A Song Of Ice And Fire. Whatcha think guys? I can't wait for Fantasy HERO to come out.
Jon Snow
Val Char Cost
10 STR 0
17 DEX 21
14 CON 8
11 BODY 2
14 INT 4
15 EGO 10
14 PRE 4
12 COM 1
3 PD 1
4 ED 1
4 SPD 13
6 REC 2
36 END 4
25 STUN 2
Total Characteristic Cost: 73
Running: 7"/14"
Cost Powers
12 Warg Ability: Telepathy 12d6, vs. Animal Class, Only Works on Pet Direwolf (-2), Receive Only (-1/2), Mandatory Effect: +20 EGO (-1/2), Only Through Dreams (-1)
14 Warg Ability: Clairsentience, All Senses, x8 Range, Only Through Pet Direwolf's Senses (-1), Only Through Dreams (-1), Linked to Telepathy (-1/2)
6 Perceptive: +2 to PER Rolls
2 Agile: +1" to Running
Cost Skills
3 CSLs: +1 with Swords
Martial Arts: Weapons Combat
4 Attack (+0 OCV, +2 DCV, Weapon +2 DC)
4 Defend (+2 OCV, +2 DCV, Block)
5 Probe (+1 OCV, +3 DCV, Weapon Strike)
2 Animal Handler, 8- (Canines, Equines)
1 AK: Beyond-the-Wall, 8-
2 AK: The North, 11-
1 AK: The Seven Kingdoms, 8-
2 AK: The Wall, 11-
3 AK: Winterfell, 12-
1 Breakfall, 8-
1 High Society, 8-
3 KS: The Night's Watch, 12-
2 KS: Northern Legends and Tales, 11-
1 KS: Seven Kingdoms's History, 8-
0 Languages: The Common Tongue (Native)
1 Languages: Literacy
1 Navigation (Land), 8-
3 Riding, 12-
2 Survival (Arctic, Temperate), 8-
3 Tactics, 12-
4 WF: Common Melee Weapons, Lances, Bows
Cost Perks
20 Follower: Ghost, his pet direwolf (100 Base Points)
5 Fringe Benefit: Lord Commander of the Night's Watch
2 Reputation: Tough Capable Youth (+2, Medium, 11-)
Cost Special Equipment
17 Longclaw, Valyrian Steel Bastard Sword: HKA - 1 1/2d6, 0 END Cost (+1/2), Armor Piercing (+1/2), OAF (-1), STR Minima 12 (-1/2), 1 1/2-Handed (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)
Value Disadvantage
5 Dist Features: Always Wears Black (ECon, Noticed)
10 Dist Features: House Stark Features, Facial Scar Around Eye (Con, Noticed)
5 Enraged: Sensitive About Bastardy (Unc, Go 8-,Rec 14-)
15 Hunted: Ser Alliser Thorne (AsPow, 11-)
10(15) Hunted: The Wildlings (AsPow, 11-)
15 Psych: Sensitive About His Bastardy (Com, Str)
10(15) Psych: Compassionate, Will Help the Needy (Com, Str)
0(15) Psych: Wants to Prove Himself (Com, Str)
5 Rep: Sinister Warg and Bastard, Limited Group, 11-
10 Social: Bastard Son (Minor, 11-)
15(20) Social: Sworn Brother of the Night's Watch (Major, 14-)
Base Points: 100
Disadvantages: 100
For my friend Bryan C., who seldom gets to play Champions with us... a HERO character sheet for Jon Snow from George R. R. Martin's A Song Of Ice And Fire. Whatcha think guys? I can't wait for Fantasy HERO to come out.
Jon Snow
Val Char Cost
10 STR 0
17 DEX 21
14 CON 8
11 BODY 2
14 INT 4
15 EGO 10
14 PRE 4
12 COM 1
3 PD 1
4 ED 1
4 SPD 13
6 REC 2
36 END 4
25 STUN 2
Total Characteristic Cost: 73
Running: 7"/14"
Cost Powers
12 Warg Ability: Telepathy 12d6, vs. Animal Class, Only Works on Pet Direwolf (-2), Receive Only (-1/2), Mandatory Effect: +20 EGO (-1/2), Only Through Dreams (-1)
14 Warg Ability: Clairsentience, All Senses, x8 Range, Only Through Pet Direwolf's Senses (-1), Only Through Dreams (-1), Linked to Telepathy (-1/2)
6 Perceptive: +2 to PER Rolls
2 Agile: +1" to Running
Cost Skills
3 CSLs: +1 with Swords
Martial Arts: Weapons Combat
4 Attack (+0 OCV, +2 DCV, Weapon +2 DC)
4 Defend (+2 OCV, +2 DCV, Block)
5 Probe (+1 OCV, +3 DCV, Weapon Strike)
2 Animal Handler, 8- (Canines, Equines)
1 AK: Beyond-the-Wall, 8-
2 AK: The North, 11-
1 AK: The Seven Kingdoms, 8-
2 AK: The Wall, 11-
3 AK: Winterfell, 12-
1 Breakfall, 8-
1 High Society, 8-
3 KS: The Night's Watch, 12-
2 KS: Northern Legends and Tales, 11-
1 KS: Seven Kingdoms's History, 8-
0 Languages: The Common Tongue (Native)
1 Languages: Literacy
1 Navigation (Land), 8-
3 Riding, 12-
2 Survival (Arctic, Temperate), 8-
3 Tactics, 12-
4 WF: Common Melee Weapons, Lances, Bows
Cost Perks
20 Follower: Ghost, his pet direwolf (100 Base Points)
5 Fringe Benefit: Lord Commander of the Night's Watch
2 Reputation: Tough Capable Youth (+2, Medium, 11-)
Cost Special Equipment
17 Longclaw, Valyrian Steel Bastard Sword: HKA - 1 1/2d6, 0 END Cost (+1/2), Armor Piercing (+1/2), OAF (-1), STR Minima 12 (-1/2), 1 1/2-Handed (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)
Value Disadvantage
5 Dist Features: Always Wears Black (ECon, Noticed)
10 Dist Features: House Stark Features, Facial Scar Around Eye (Con, Noticed)
5 Enraged: Sensitive About Bastardy (Unc, Go 8-,Rec 14-)
15 Hunted: Ser Alliser Thorne (AsPow, 11-)
10(15) Hunted: The Wildlings (AsPow, 11-)
15 Psych: Sensitive About His Bastardy (Com, Str)
10(15) Psych: Compassionate, Will Help the Needy (Com, Str)
0(15) Psych: Wants to Prove Himself (Com, Str)
5 Rep: Sinister Warg and Bastard, Limited Group, 11-
10 Social: Bastard Son (Minor, 11-)
15(20) Social: Sworn Brother of the Night's Watch (Major, 14-)
Base Points: 100
Disadvantages: 100
ALERT TEEN TITANS FANS
Go to this link if you wish to play the Teen Titans Battle Blitz game. It's promoting Cartoon Network's new Teen Titans show.
It uses the classic Titans line-up from the Wolfman/Perez era with Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Beast Boy (Changeling), Raven, and ... hey that's it. The art style looks funky, but when I saw the animation from the game, I realized their inspiration was more "Powerpuff Girls" than "Justice League" or "Batman Adventures".
The game is fairly simple, but needs SHOCKWAVE to run, alas. And it's cool to defeat all the villains (which I've already done with Robin, Cyborg and Raven).
TITANS TOGETHER!
Go to this link if you wish to play the Teen Titans Battle Blitz game. It's promoting Cartoon Network's new Teen Titans show.
It uses the classic Titans line-up from the Wolfman/Perez era with Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Beast Boy (Changeling), Raven, and ... hey that's it. The art style looks funky, but when I saw the animation from the game, I realized their inspiration was more "Powerpuff Girls" than "Justice League" or "Batman Adventures".
The game is fairly simple, but needs SHOCKWAVE to run, alas. And it's cool to defeat all the villains (which I've already done with Robin, Cyborg and Raven).
TITANS TOGETHER!
Choice and Choosing
"You choose the life you live." That was one of the phrases I heard from a new self-help movement called the Landmark Forum.
It's a bit misleading for folks who don't understand what they mean by it. After all, there are such things as "acts of god", and such things as "other people" that would interfere with the life I'd like to live. Still, it advocates the pro-active stance of deciding what you want to be, how you want to get there, and when you want to get there. This is ground covered by 7 Habits, various Time Management seminars, and so on.
So what's different? I don't know, really. I am more than a little bit curious, but my current finances dictate not spending my disposable income at this time. Soon, though.
A Harvard Business School Case Study: Landmark Education Corporation: Selling a Paradigm Shift
“LEC’s technology… is intended to provide individuals and organizations with an insight into how to become more effective...” Harvard Business School published a case study that focuses on the history, curriculum, and results of Landmark Education’s programs.
Definitely food for thought.
"You choose the life you live." That was one of the phrases I heard from a new self-help movement called the Landmark Forum.
It's a bit misleading for folks who don't understand what they mean by it. After all, there are such things as "acts of god", and such things as "other people" that would interfere with the life I'd like to live. Still, it advocates the pro-active stance of deciding what you want to be, how you want to get there, and when you want to get there. This is ground covered by 7 Habits, various Time Management seminars, and so on.
So what's different? I don't know, really. I am more than a little bit curious, but my current finances dictate not spending my disposable income at this time. Soon, though.
A Harvard Business School Case Study: Landmark Education Corporation: Selling a Paradigm Shift
“LEC’s technology… is intended to provide individuals and organizations with an insight into how to become more effective...” Harvard Business School published a case study that focuses on the history, curriculum, and results of Landmark Education’s programs.
Definitely food for thought.
I am Destiny... If Not Yours, Then SOMEONE'S Personal Destiny
Which Member of the Endless Are You?
Yeah! I like it.
Which Member of the Endless Are You?
Yeah! I like it.
The Wick Strikes Again!
I happened upon this on the RPGnet forums. Lo and behold it was by my boy, John Wick ranting about the Marvel Universe RPG:
The New Marvel RPG is ARSe
Okay, I just got it. I honestly don't know how ARSe it is, but it is pretty ARS.
(For those of you who don't know, the task resolution system is called the Action Resolution System. Otherwise known as "ARS." And you'd think -- you'd think -- that someone up at WotC would say, "Um... boys, do we really want to call our new game "arse?")
However, I open to page 7 and read this quote:
"You are about to play a new form of roleplaying game. It has no dice. It has no odds or percentages. There are only two charts. There is no board."
New, huh?
New?
Uh. No. Not new. Not unique. Not innovative.
I still have a lot of pages to go, but this isn't a good start.
And the reason I bought it was because I really liked the stones idea. Of course, Scott Knipe's WYRD did it first... and may do it better. Not sure. I'll find out soon.
Of course, later on he did apologize about wrongly accusing WOTC about this, because WOTC had nothing to do with the MURPG. In general though, many folks commented on the fact that it did reflect Marvel's tendency towards inaccurately hyping their products.
I eagerly await a more detailed commentary on the MURPG workings by John Wick. Ah, the price of brilliance...
Wolvie & His Skeleton
Tangentially-related to the MURPG: Wolverine has an adamantium skeleton right?
Er, no. Early on someone said things like:
If his skeleton's adamantium, how does his bone marrow create new blood cells?
If his skeleton's adamantium, why aren't his teeth the same color as his claws?
And so it became an adamantium-laced skeleton.
And, now back to your regularly scheduled blog programming.
I happened upon this on the RPGnet forums. Lo and behold it was by my boy, John Wick ranting about the Marvel Universe RPG:
The New Marvel RPG is ARSe
Okay, I just got it. I honestly don't know how ARSe it is, but it is pretty ARS.
(For those of you who don't know, the task resolution system is called the Action Resolution System. Otherwise known as "ARS." And you'd think -- you'd think -- that someone up at WotC would say, "Um... boys, do we really want to call our new game "arse?")
However, I open to page 7 and read this quote:
"You are about to play a new form of roleplaying game. It has no dice. It has no odds or percentages. There are only two charts. There is no board."
New, huh?
New?
Uh. No. Not new. Not unique. Not innovative.
I still have a lot of pages to go, but this isn't a good start.
And the reason I bought it was because I really liked the stones idea. Of course, Scott Knipe's WYRD did it first... and may do it better. Not sure. I'll find out soon.
Of course, later on he did apologize about wrongly accusing WOTC about this, because WOTC had nothing to do with the MURPG. In general though, many folks commented on the fact that it did reflect Marvel's tendency towards inaccurately hyping their products.
I eagerly await a more detailed commentary on the MURPG workings by John Wick. Ah, the price of brilliance...
Wolvie & His Skeleton
Tangentially-related to the MURPG: Wolverine has an adamantium skeleton right?
Er, no. Early on someone said things like:
If his skeleton's adamantium, how does his bone marrow create new blood cells?
If his skeleton's adamantium, why aren't his teeth the same color as his claws?
And so it became an adamantium-laced skeleton.
And, now back to your regularly scheduled blog programming.
Chaosium & HERO & so on
I go to several gaming sites regularly.
HERO Games' site is one of them. I'm a fan of the system, though I do wish they'd fix the rather complex characteristics for the characters. I liked Fuzion's approach towards the characteristics, but not the watered-down version of the powers system that can replicated weapons, armor, psionic powers, magic, etc. And my new Champions books are in! Huzzah! Next comes the Science Fiction HERO stuff, then hopefully the Fantasy Hero stuff. Then I'm set for my HERO Shadowrun & Rifts games.
I also go to the Fading Suns' website occasionally to get news on the setting and the game. I really feel like this game is SO appropriate for the Philippines. It's almost depressing to look at this game and the political dimensions involved and say... "Hey, this is OUR political / social structure."
Chaosium has seen better days. Its site is now mostly selling its products. I'm still quite fond of several Chaosium products - Call of Cthulhu and Runequest (which they don't carry anymore, alas). I do have Stormbringer tho.
I go to several gaming sites regularly.
HERO Games' site is one of them. I'm a fan of the system, though I do wish they'd fix the rather complex characteristics for the characters. I liked Fuzion's approach towards the characteristics, but not the watered-down version of the powers system that can replicated weapons, armor, psionic powers, magic, etc. And my new Champions books are in! Huzzah! Next comes the Science Fiction HERO stuff, then hopefully the Fantasy Hero stuff. Then I'm set for my HERO Shadowrun & Rifts games.
I also go to the Fading Suns' website occasionally to get news on the setting and the game. I really feel like this game is SO appropriate for the Philippines. It's almost depressing to look at this game and the political dimensions involved and say... "Hey, this is OUR political / social structure."
Chaosium has seen better days. Its site is now mostly selling its products. I'm still quite fond of several Chaosium products - Call of Cthulhu and Runequest (which they don't carry anymore, alas). I do have Stormbringer tho.
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