New Games and Old, Tactical and Theater of the Mind

So:

1) I started playing Starfinder, through the Starfinder Society. It's challenging to travel 40 min, meet new people on a rotating basis, and play a game that I'm learning, but generally fun. The lore is interesting, the graphics are amazing, the options are many.  There's a lot of dice-rolling, much more than I'm used to, everything seems to require a skill. The amount of paperwork and accounting is truly epic. Luckily I just look annoyed or confused and someone else does it for me, so that works out fine.

2) My most-downloaded game product is my free Hyborian intro-adventure for The Black Hack. I gave myself 3 months to add some detail and produce 2 maps, before the 2nd ed of Black Hack came out. I failed. Maps and monster stats are hard for me, apparently. Deep sigh.

3) I'm really loving Everywhen, RPG rules powered by Barbarians of Lemuria. I wondered how it would do in a more skirmish-focused game, and it did great. Fast, easy, exciting and still plenty of room for role-playing. Looking forward to 2nd playtest of my Time Trippers game on Saturday.

4) The Fantasy Trip. I enjoy it for the tactical combat, and it produces moments of excitement and humor on a regular basis.  I'm very curious to see what it's like in social situations and exploring an enemy location. I worry it might feel too mechanical.

If you're still reading, the thing I'm thinking about today is whether someone who's blind could play Everywhen: Time Trippers or TFT online. I think Time Trippers is possible--if the GM explained movement and combat options, described the terrain, etc. TFT would be harder I think; it's the opposite of "theater of the mind."  I'd like to test this out sometime.

A board game by SPI in 1978, a setting hack for a role-playing game in 2018

A Conan-Inspired Scenario for The Black Hack

I wrote a simple, introductory scenario for The Black Hack roleplaying game.  I've updated it with a map and more detail, but tried to keep it simple and low on description; when I ran it myself, it was fast and full of action.

So here you go: The Black Sword of Shem


The far south-western coast of Zingara, in the hot, bustling, river-port town of Jerida, at a tavern and gambling hall.

The characters have been traveling together, and have blown all their wealth on booze and gambling.  They are hung over, and they are in debt.

The Honorable Senior Magistrate Vilerius arrives to the tavern, of which is he part-owner, with a squad of veteran spearmen.  They surround the party, and the Magistrate holds an improvised court.

"You are in debt.  Debt is not allowed; it is illegal, you are outlaws.  But I won't throw you in prison, indefinitely, if you'll do me a simple favor: head down the coast past Argos, and just over the border to Shem.  Bring me back the Sword of Justice.  Don't return without it.  You can keep anything else you find in the tomb, and I’ll even provide a ship and a guide."

And so it begins.