RPGaDay 8 & 9

Best 2 hour RPG
Best 10 session RPG

I'm behind, but this is a perfect twofer. I play a lot of D&D, so there is my answer. Only 2 hours, grab some premades, an AL mod (or roll your own), and get to playing. 10 sessions is a bit vague, 20-60 hours, but you can run an arc in 3 sessions, making 3 arcs and an epilogue; perfect for any story!

RPGs are what you make them, so my experiences with D&D may not be the same as everyone elses, but whatever your favorite RPG is I'm sure you can do the same with that. Tomorrow's question is less vague, so I'll be back with a few links for you to follow.

#RPGaDay

RPGaDay Day 7

Better late than never!

My most memorable gaming moment was years ago in a Vampire: The Masquerade game. It was the final session of a campaign that had gone on at least a year, one that had spanned the reaches of my circle, and my main world for anything set in the The World of Darkness setting. A ghoul retainer of one of the players had grown tired of the promises he had made to turn her into a vampire and discovered (through an adversary) that being his ghoul was not the path to vampirism. She cut her wrists and begged him to turn her. He let her die and watched the sun rise with her body in his arms.

RPGaDay Day 6: You can game every day for a week. Describe what you’d do!

You can game every day for a week. Describe what you’d do!

Well, since we are fantasizing here, because I have too much going on to game for seven straight; I'll assume I can convince my friends to play or run whatever I want and that the sessions would be at least 4 hours.

Sunday would be someone running Blades in the Dark. I really want to play this game and would love to get a chance to play before I run it. It looks like a gun and run game that wants you to think before you prepare. I love the idea of, "Well yeah, I would have that," kind of play. I often assume a lot of things for my players. Traveling for a week together with 3 rogues they would have worked out hand signals kind of things.

Monday would be my regular D&D group. Yeah, I love this game. Running in my home brew that gets bigger over time. I've started to run smaller groups through the same world building story and setting for the main game. Tomorrow's game is going to be great.

Tuesday I'd put that play into action by running Blades.

Wednesday would be Dungeon World with the kids. Both my older boys (17 and 12) like to DM, the oldest dislikes playing as much as me, so I think that they would enjoy adding their own to the story. I just need to hide the Interfere rule!

Thursday would be Sword and Wizardry, its the OSR I have hanging around, so why not use it? I have some starter stuff I've been dying to use, so my fantasy group would get to put that to the test! I like my fantasy gritty and grim, which leads into...

Friday, Lamentations of the Flame Princess, man, what can I say about this? Great system, easy encumbrance, fatal mods. I'd run a classic like Death Frost Doom, or maybe try out Maze of the Blue Medusa.

Saturday I play in a regular group. I love my crazy druid healer.

#RPDaDay

RPGaDay day 5

Which RPG cover best captures the spirit of the game?

My first choice is the 1st Edition original cover for the players handbook. I was 8 and all I really wanted to do was get me some treasure, in fact most of the early games I played revolved around treasure in some way or other.

A very close second is the 1st edition second cover for the dungeon masters guide; ironically the two books I had the covers were reversed (2nd cover PHB and 1st cover DMG)! It screams, "Welcome to <em>my</em> world!" I really loved being the DM once I was confident enough to do it. It helped that I taught my step father (and most of my friends) to play, and playing is what he preferred to do. I grew into leading the groups I played with and to this day prefer to GM instead of play, although I do play from time to time.

I also found this site with great acrylic reproductions of the 1st edition original covers while looking for pics.

#RPGaDay

Which RPG have you played the most since August 2015?

I think I have only played D&D 5e since then, there are a lot of systems I am learning right now; Vampire 5e, Dungeon World, Blades in the Dark are a few I would love to run, but I need time and interest.

I am plan to start a group for short campaigns and one shots, but until then I may have to force my kids to play!

#RPGaDay

How do you find out about new RPGs?

I read a lot on reddit:

• r/DnDBehindTheScreen/
• r/DnD/
• r/RPG/

Listen to podcasts:

• Misdirected Mark
• The Tome Show
• Mythcreants Podcast
• Gaming and BS
• Don't Split the Podcast Network

Read on the interwebs:

• Sly Flourish
• DM David
• Angry GM
• Power Score
• neuronphaser
• Zak S (not very NSFW)

And social media, primarily G+, but a little facebook and someday when I clean up my Twitter!
Most of the things I follow are very D&D-centric, but I have definitely learned of some great games from most of the sources above.

#RPGaDay

What is a RPG you would like to see published?

This is a hard one, there are so many being published right now, but I think i'd like to see a really good cyberpunk light (think blade runner or roller ball) story game like blades in the dark. I would play the hell outta that game!

Blades is a great heist game that has a unique get in and drive gameplay. There is a little planning, but most of it comes in 'flashbacks.' Things like load out are abstracted until you need something. I'm still working my way through the rules, so if you want to run a game for me, let me know!

#RPGaDAY

#RPGaDAY2016

They are at it again, so let's get started!

Do you prefer to use real dice, a dice application or program, or use a diceless system?

I love dice. I like the anticipating feel in my hand, the sound as the go across the table and the collection aspect. That being said, I use and app or roller when I can't roll the dice. Sometimes its just not convenient to pull out the dice or carry them around. Hanging out with the baby or sitting at the DMV, dice rolling apps have a place in my gaming toolkit.

#RPGaDAY2016

A Song of Criminals and Cowls: Batman & Game of Thrones Mash-Up

Game of Thrones

&

Batman

The worlds of Westeros and Gotham meet in this world clashing fan cast. We intermix the roles of those in Westeros with those in Gotham. Each one is individually cast based on character traits, and it is not just based on age, height, weight or looks. Let’s find out who is who and why they fit the bill!

Bruce Wayne (Batman): Jon Snow

So, starting off this fancast is the one and only Batman. I thought long and hard about who relates most to the Dark Knight. Considering he’s my favorite character of all-time it took a lot of thinking. However, I think Jon Snow is my guy.

Jon is a man of extreme will and honor. These are the two most important components to Batman. Both have lost their parents who were important figures in their respective worlds and helped hold the world together. Their worlds were both thrown into a bit of chaos upon the death of each of their parents. Jon Snow also looks most like Batman to me. He reminds me a lot of Batman from Year One. He is a young man with strong convictions and an unwavering sense of morality. He puts others before himself even when it is detrimental to him. Jon is not only a leader, but tries hard to lead those who need it most. He also has his close confidant as well as his disciples. Jon Snow, in my eyes at least, is the only man in the GoT universe worthy of donning the cowl (also, he’s constantly in black and grey just like Batman).

Jason Todd (Red Hood): Olly

Olly is my Red Hood for his relation and actions to and towards Jon Snow. He is one of Jon Snow’s confidants and trainees, who then betrays him by delivering the fatal blow to him. He, much like Jason Todd, has a tendency towards extreme measures. When Jon wants to help the Wildlings, Olly urges him to abandon them and let them die. Jason Todd would casually beat criminals to a pulp when they were low level crooks who didn’t deserve that degree of punishment. His betrayal is what ultimately connects Olly to Tim. Like Jason, Olly knew what would draw Jon out and how he could defeat him. Jason knows Batman intimately and knows what his soft spots are, making him a formidable foe.

Dick Grayson (Nightwing): Oberyn Martell

Oberyn, to me, is a perfect Nightwing. He is someone based in honor and skill. He is one of the most skilled fighters around and has a bit of cockiness to him. Nightwing is the embodiment of all of these traits in the Batverse. Nightwing, having been trained by Batman, is now an extremely proficient fighter with a style similar to Oberyn. Having to constantly prove himself, he is now a bit cocky about his level of skill in attempt to show Batman that he is indeed a worthy protege. Both men are men who fight for the innocent and for a bit of revenge. Like Nightwing, Oberyn’s family has been murdered and his crusade for justice is based on this fact.

Barbara Gordon (Batgirl/Oracle): Sansa Stark

These are two strong women. Batgirl is a woman who has had to play coy, survive extreme trauma, and fight for her life with her extreme perseverance. Sansa is the exact copy (and I don’t mean that in a bad way). We’ve seen Sansa endure rape, family murder, torture, and being sold into marriage multiple times. There are few women who could endure such harshness and still want to live and still want to fight. Much like Barbara, who was shot by the Joker and stripped naked while he took photos to later show her father, Sansa has seen the worst in the world through Joffrey, Ramsay, and Little Finger. Somehow, both women’s perseverance keeps them going no matter what they face, and they admittedly face the worse of both of their worlds.

James Gordon: Samwell Tarly

Being Jon Snow’s best friend doesn’t hurt Sam in this casting choice! Not only is he Jon’s partner and confidant, but he has an unshakable sense of what is right, regardless of his ability to uphold what he believes at all times. Gordon is someone who tries his hardest to uphold the law in a city full of supervillains, whilst remaining a normal man. He cannot fight Bane, bust Penguin, scare Scarecrow, or kill the Joker, but dammnit if he won’t try! This reminds me a lot of Sam who defends Gilly at all costs even though he isn’t the most fit to do so. He knows what is important to him, and is willing to dedicate his life to defend it, just like Gordon.

Tim Drake (Robin): Arya Stark

This was another easy choice for me. Arya is a girl who is a girl of strong convictions. She knows what she wants and what she believes and goes to extreme lengths to achieve them. She is trained well in fighting and perception and is able to hold her own regardless of her age and size. Tim Drake was always the underdog to me when it came to Robins. He was always one who was overshadowed by the others, but who deserved to be a Robin. He is very highly skilled and disciplined. He follows Batman’s crusade and sometimes challenges him on his calls much like Arya follows the Many-Faced God, but questions the teachings. They are both hard headed characters, but they are not hindered by this trait.

Alfred Pennyworth: Aemon Targaryen

Aemon was the second casting choice that I thought of. Right when I decided Jon was Batman, it was instantaneous that I thought of Aemon as Alfred. He is right there with Jon providing counsel to the troubled man, but has a lot of experience that isn’t immediately recognized. Alfred is a man who is trained in medicine, much like a Maester would be, and he acts as a father figure not only to Batman, but to the rest of the Bat-Clan as well. He is a just man who knows how to give advice without giving the answers. Aemon is a master at helping leading Jon to the choice that Jon feels is right rather than telling him what to do. Both are always there for the other and are irreplaceable.

Thomas Wayne: Eddard Stark

Here we are with the meeting of patriarchs. Both men are the epitome of honor, intelligence, and legacy. However, when both men die in their universes, it throws each into chaos. Thomas Wayne’s death helps bring the birth of Batman and all of his villains. His death also throws Gotham into a spiral of chaos as people fight to overtake the power held by the late Thomas Wayne. The exact same thing happens when Ned Stark meets the blade. His death in season 1 is the major catalyst for all of the conflicts being explored throughout GoT. Without his death some of our favorite heroes and villains wouldn’t have risen up.

Amanda Waller: Cersei Lannister

Now these two are some cold-hearted women. As cold-hearted as they may be, they are both women of extremes whether it be their will, their power, their influence, their cunning, or their idealism. We’ve seen Cersei do horrible things in order to get what she wants, but she also uses her wits to keep most of her control over others. Amanda Waller goes toe to toe with Batman in regards to intelligence and always uses her cunning and planning to keep Task Force X in check. These women command respect and ooze power.

Lucius Fox: Tyrion Lannister

Both of these men are the best at what they do--advise. Lucius Fox’s role has always been to inform Batman and create gadgets in order to help his crusade against injustice. Tyrion has always served as royalty and his one of the most intelligent characters in all of GoT. Although he is one of the main characters, as well as one of my favorites, he is best utilized as the second in command. He is better at keeping his higher up well informed and ahead of the curve. They both are always willing to tell their higher-up what it is they need to hear rather than just what they want to hear. This trait makes both men invaluable assets.

Ra’s Al Ghul: Tywin Lannister

When I think of both of these men, only one word comes to mind--legacy. These men are obsessed with legacy to the point where it is actually one of their major flaws. Ra’s al Ghul wants nothing more than to find a worthy successor to take up the mantle of The Demon’s Head. However, he does not deem one of his children as this successor and is obsessed with making Batman his successor. He just wants someone worthy of his name. Tywin Lannister despises Tyrion, has a daughter in Cersei, and Jaime cannot marry due to his enlistment with the Kingsguard. His legacy has now been tainted, and he wishes to due his best to try and create a worthy legacy so that perhaps somehow the Lannister name may live on. This obsession is in part what causes his death.

Talia Al Ghul: Daenerys Targaryen

Both of these women are deadly, cunning, powerful, and passionate. Daenerys wants nothing more than to rule and command her people, but is tainted by the actions of her family before her. Even though she can sometimes act like those who came before her, she strives to be different and become her own women and ruler. Talia, living under the pressure and dissatisfaction of her father, strives to lead the League while also adapting to life now. She cares vehemently for her people but also finds love outside of her immediate area. She is a powerful assassin and is highly respected among the ranks of assassins. She shows more restraint and understanding than her father. Much like Daenerys, she struggles to find a balance in living her own life while still remembering  where her heritage lies.

Poison Ivy: Melisandre

Do I even need to explain? Both of these red witches are seductive and deadly. They use their powers of persuasion to get what they want, and cause harm. Both have a mystical side to them. Melisandre often seems to exclude herself from the outcomes of events in her world, appearing to only care because the Lord of Light does. Poison Ivy oftens displays a similar disconnection with people by usually referring to them as humans, and identifying more as a plant. She seems to only care about the quarrels of man when it directly involves the well being and interest of her plants. Plus, the hair. I mean come on. It’s definitely the hair.

Harley Quinn: Myranda

Psycho is psycho no matter where you’re from. Both Harley and Myranda are head over heels in love with their murderous lovers. Both of their obsessions actually cause them immediate harm, yet they always remain in love. They both carry out horrible actions in the name of their significant others. They are also both skilled killers but are sometimes blinded by their obsession with their lovers.

Joker: Ramsay Bolton

Just look at these two. They are almost identical! Beside just the physical resemblance, both are fucking batshit crazy. Sadomasochism barely begins to explain the psychosis of both of these maniacal killers. They kill with repulsive precision, enjoyment, and indiscrimination. They love toying with their victims as well as spontaneously killing those who are anything but deserving. Torture is also their favorite hobby. The Joker loves to torture as we’ve seen in the Killing Joke with Gordon and Barbara, or in Death in the Family with Jason Todd, or even Harley. Ramsay tortured Ree-I mean Theon for an entire season of the show! He then repeatedely rapes Sansa and beats her. These men are two peas in a pod.

Bane: The Hound

These massive men have danced on the line of villain and antihero. Bane has been a formidable foe for Batman for a long time, but has also worked alongside him to take down other criminals. He has a code of honor colored in grey and is a brutal man. He lives in pain, much like The Hound. The Hound is a character that we all hated in the beginning, but grew to like a tad considering his protection of young Arya. However, even during this time, he brutally killed people, lied, and cheated to get his way. He is a survivor who does what it takes to get his way, much like Bane.

Solomon Grundy: The Mountain

These Hulks are obviously physically alike. They are huge monsters and can take a huge fucking beating. They are also both unable to die. They also rise back up. Both are brutes with little going on in their heads, but a lot going on in regards to their muscles. We’ve seen both go beserk in blind fits of rage and perform horrible acts. Solomon Grundy has also been easily controlled and manipulated over the years and used to further other’s agendas. The Mountain is a loyal servant to Cersei and only lives to serve her.

Catwoman: Nymeria Sand

Now you might not know too much about Nymeria Sand if you watch Got, but if you read the books, you may know more about her. She is described as the most observant and cunning Sand Snake. She takes her time and assesses her enemy before striking, relying on her ability to calculate and read a certain situation. She does not rely on brute strength and is extremely skilled with a whip. Catwoman is a small woman, but is known for her cunning and ability to work her enemy down. Her precision with her whip is renowned as well as her ability to move with skill and precision. Both are extremely agile and chillingly calculating.

Clayface: Jaqen H’ghar

I, like most people, really love Jaqen H’ghar. His ability to change faces and his devotion to the god that grants him this ability is much like Clayface. Clayface can replicate not only people’s looks but voices much like Jaqen. Clayface’s motivations have changed over the years, but he has always remained devoted to giving the best performance he can due to his background in theater. Both men devote their lives to perfecting their crafts of shapeshifting.

Deathstroke: Bronn

These are my two of my favorite characters of all-time. However, both men are arguably the best swordsmen in their universes as well as skilled mercenaries. Both love the challenge of fighting someone of a similar skill level to themselves. Although Deathstroke has had more time as a villain, he is still very much so an anti-hero. He does live by a code, even though it isn’t the most honorable. Bronn has people he cares about, but doesn’t always rise to the occasion to help them unless there is something in it for him. To be honest, I’d love to see both of these men have a sword duel.

Scarecrow: Qyburn

These two frightening monsters of men are mad scientists with bad intentions. Scarecrow specializes in scaring people while Qyburn uses his talents to do several horrific things, both men share in a desire to use science to create evil things. Scarecrow wants to use his fear toxin to harm those in Gotham as well as Batman. Qyburn wants to revive the Mountain so that he may protect and kill for Cersei Lannister. They both win the mad scientist fair in their universes.

Michael Lane (Azrael): Jorah Mormont

After playing through Arkham Knight I really fell in love with Michael Lance’s Azrael. I instantly thought of Ser Jorah when playing as Azrael. Both are men trained to kill for what they think is a righteous cause, when both are confronted with conflicting ideals. They both must choose which it is they align themselves with. During this decision they battle internally with turning their life upside down as well as keeping the trust of those around them because both have, or have attempted to, betray those who they serve/work with now. Both are honorable men, but have conflicting ideologies that they are constantly struggling to overcome.

Well there it is! Thanks for sticking around, and I apologize if I didn’t cover your favorite character from either universe. I put a lot of work into this, so I hope you enjoyed the read, and I look forward to doing more fancasts like this in the future. As always, let me know what you think in the comments below and be sure to follow me on Twitter @HaneyCasey, Moviepilot.com/HaneyCasey, and on my website SlackerNerds.com!

Top 10 Greatest Moments of Comic-Con 2015

Well Comic-Con has come and gone once more and us nerds are left tired and worn out. But with that tiredness comes extreme forms of joy and excitement. This year was definitely a huge year for Comic-Con whereas the last couple have sizzled a bit. Many of us were anticipating what releases and announcements were going to come out of this years conventions, and I can say that I was thoroughly pleased. So, let’s grab our badges once more, and enter the Top 10 greatest moments of Comic-Con 2015.

10. Bill Murray

Comic-Con was rocked when Bill Murray came out of the shadows to appear on a panel for his upcoming movie Rock the Kasbah. It was his first ever appearance and he fit right in immediately. The nerd community has a huge affinity for Bill Murray so it was no surprise how huge of an impression just his presence left on Comic-Con.

9. Legend of Korra

It was announced that the creators of Legend of Korra will indeed be doing a graphic novel run that expands the universe and stories of the characters we know and love. I am a huge Legend of Korra fan, and, with the series ended, I thought I had seen the last of Legend of Korra. I’m so thrilled to be returning to this universe and getting to read more stories of my favorite characters. Hopefully, while being in comic form, the creators are allowed more freedom in showing the relationship between Korra and Asami as well as diving even further in depth about the impact of death on the show. This was a grown up show already, but I hope the comic will really allow them to explore the themes they’ve already presented in a greater light.

8. Fear The Walking Dead

We finally have our first trailer for Fear The Walking Dead, and holy shit does it look intense! I was very nervously excited to see what this series was going to bring to the table. I was a bit worried that it was going to be a shitty rehash of stuff we kind of saw in The Walking Dead, but it definitely brought something new to the table. The zombies are the main threat and surviving the initial outbreak seems as hectic as it sounds. I can’t wait for the premier of this series because it’s going to kick some major ass.

7. The Walking Dead

The Ricktatorship is in full affect, and everyone is NOT happy. I loved this trailer so much. Much like previous Comic-Con TWD trailers, it reels you in and then begins to smash you to pieces. We see our Daryl in peril, Rick is becoming even more of an egomaniac, and Morgan is doing the bidding of the people. It sounds like he and Rick are going to be at odds this season, and this internal conflict could help let the zombies shine because if they aren’t focused outside, those walls could come down very quickly. I can’t wait to see what happens!

6. The Killing Joke

The Killing Joke has been one of the most successful, if not THE most successful, Batman vs. The Joker story ever told. It is one of the most compelling and interesting stories that we’ve seen for either character. For years, nerds have begged to see a film adaptation to this, and it’s finally happening. Bruce Timm is overseeing an animated adaptation of The Killing Joke and it will have an extended 15 minute segment so even those who know the story will be getting something new. I can’t wait for this, and I’m glad they’re doing it in the vein of animated series legend Bruce Timm. If anyone will do it justice, it’s him.

5. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Every nerd was patiently waiting for the panel for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Many speculated that we’d get a trailer, while the Schmoes rightly predicted that we’d get a sizzle reel with a look at behind the scenes. This is exactly what we got, but I was not disappointed, nor do I think all of the fans were. The sizzle reel is nothing short of beautiful, and it serves as a love story told from the makers of the movie to the movie. For me, it helped cement my idea that these people love this property so much that they more than anyone else want to get it right. They also then escorted everyone at the panel to an afterparty via Stormtroopers which is fucking awesome.

4. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Out of everything on this list, this was the biggest surprise for me. I have been following this film since it’s announcement, but I was only mildly intrigued. However, the trailer they put together for their panel was pure genius. This movie looks fucking brilliant and I can’t wait to see it now. Guy Ritchie is proving himself to not only be a phenomenal actor, but a legendary director as well. Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer are great side by side and really work as a duo. This trailer actually had me hoping that this will be the movie that pulls Armie Hammer’s career out of the dumps and propel him towards stardom once more.

3. Suicide Squad

I won’t post the leaked trailer, and it has probably been taken down by now. However, this footage was amazing. It was everything I wanted it to be and then some. We got to see Harley in full action, Deadshot coining “Suicide Squad,” King Shark on a gurney, Killer Croc up close, El Diablo doing what looked like shaving?, and the best part of it all, Joker torturing someone while saying, “I’m not going to kill ya. I’m just going to hurt ya really, really bad.” This trailer delivered on tone, visuals, story, and characters. It gave us very little while still pulling us in. The tone is playful, dark, and villainous. The characters seem unhinged, and dark with just a touch of camp. It’s really a great balance, and David Ayer deserves some respect for pulling this off.

2. Deadpool

Again, I won’t post the leaked trailer, but I’m sure you can find it online still. This trailer was one of the purest comic book adaptations I’ve ever seen. There were 4th wall breaks, call outs to previous Ryan Reynolds movie, extreme violence and gore, pop songs, cussing...a lot of cussing, strippers, and back and forth with Weasel. Nerds were treated to everything they’ve ever wanted from a Deadpool movie. The panel knew how great their product was as well, and had a lot of fun. This movie is obviously hard R and everyone couldn’t be happier. Thank you Fox for having the balls to do this, and thank you Ryan Reynolds for fighting to do this right.

1. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

My life is complete. This trailer blew me away. I saw it yesterday morning, and I was literally stunned the entire day. This movie has a scope that is so large and yet it delivers such grounded, emotional shots and sequences. Ben Affleck’s Batman is hands down the greatest Batman adaptation we’ve ever seen on screen. Cavill’s Superman is still lost and trying to gain control. Eisenberg’s Luthor is a piece of garbage that I love to watch. Gadot’s Wonder Woman is the embodiment of not only royalty, but power. And Irons’ Alfred is fucking pure genius. I could listen to him give Batman advice all day. The story is looking as intriguing as ever, and the action is unbelievable but in a good way. I am fucking amped for this movie thanks to this trailer.

As always guys, let me know what you thought below! Was there anything I left off that you thought deserved to be on this list? What was your favorite moment during this year’s Comic-Con? Please be sure to follow me on Twitter @HaneyCasey, check me out on MoviePilot.com/HaneyCasey, and check out my website SlackerNerds.com. Thanks for reading!