World Building with the Core Rulebooks

If you haven't seen this post by Rob Donoghue of The Walking Mind, then I highly recommend it: Inferred history of the world per the Monster Manual and a little from the Players Handbook.  This is the kind of exercise that I love for building the setting of a game, and that really inspires me to do the same.  This should be of interest to folks whether they are interested in the new edition of D&D or not, as reading game rule books for details or clues applicable to world building can be practiced across editions and games.  His schematization of the inferred history into those time periods he creates also indicates to me a kindred spirit.  Thanks, Rob!

Euryale and the Deck of Destiny

Wheel of Fortune
Pompeii Mosaic from Naples National Archaeological Museum

I've been thinking about Euryale for a couple of weeks, but it was only last night while incubating upon my bed that the pieces came together for me.  In the ancient world, the decrees of Fate where absolute.  Even the head of the pantheon was subject to Fate's decree. Thus Fortuna or Fate's rule over the destinies of gods and men was absolute.  That Gygax (and Kunz?)'s inspiration for the Deck of Many Things comes from the Tarot as well as the general idea of a magic deck of cards is obvious. What then do we find when we look at the symbolism of the cards?  Archetypal human figures, heavenly bodies, two elements, two states (I note, aligned neutrally and chaotically), four objects, one location, and two with mythological personages.  The latter two cards are the Fates and Euryale.  The only specific individual, the only proper name among the cards, is Euryale.

Elements & Alignments brought to bear: The Rod of Law

Ephesians 2 
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (KJV)

or a queen?

A prince?

Let's talk about Wizards' new game!

Everybody's still all abuzz about Wizards' new [to me -- see Update below] game.  It's to be expected, and likewise you can expect it to be quite some time for the buzz to fade.  I know I'm excited!  I got a copy from my girlfriend for my birthday!  Check it out below:

We are talking about D&D Clue, right?  Well, 2013 is still pretty new.  This licensed product was given to me by She-who-has-never-rolepayed-and-to-whom-the-whole-idea-was-utterly-new-and-had-to-be-explained.  She loved Clue from her childhood, and was very excited to find this bridge between our loves.  Get a good look at the board after our two-person play-test.

After we played it together, we then had a four-person game with the friends we are staying with ( a couple, also non-RPGers).  The report on this game is a solid A- for fun.  The only criticism I can make of something that disappointed me is that I wish the pewter figures had been good enough quality to paint and use as gaming minis.  The features just aren't good enough.  An innovation I really like is the option to fight monsters on the squares with claw marks.  Drawing from the monster deck results in a roll against the monster.  Win and you get to move again at a higher speed.  Lose and you go to the central maze, which can also be helpful.

If you like Clue and D&D, I recommend this game.  Non-D&D people will have some trouble with the names, but open-minded folks will enjoy the weirdness of it, even so.  How friends certainly did.  By the way, Lidda did it both times.  Never trust the rogue.

How interesting that they went with the 3.x iconic characters and trade dress for this game that was released after the passing of 4e.  This image in particular I found hilarious:

You'll pry 3rd edition from Nebin's cold dead fingers!

As for the D&D Starter Set, I am sad to report that I have been unable to get it in Santa Fe or Albuquerque.  WPN stores report to me that they did not understand that they could have gotten it early.  Somebody dropped the ball on this, and it sounds to me like sales/distribution.  I wish that the implementation of the new release had been as solid as the game reads from the Basic PDF.  So, if you are in the same boat as me and need some fun distraction that you can enjoy with your non-RPG friends, grab a copy and relive a classic game with fun dress and a cool twist.

GRADE: A-

UPDATE BELOW!

Big Weekend -- Stay Tuned!

This is a big weekend for RP gamers. Many of us are perusing the new D&D Basic Rules and Starter set. Others are going for a weekend at PaizoCon. Freelance writer and friend of MPR Paris Crenshaw is posting regular updates about the news and good times from PaizoCon. Head to this link for all the latest!  https://www.facebook.com/pariscrenshaw.writer

Almost there...

Yeah, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's release.  WotC, I hope your servers are ready.