Drinks and Dragons

Posted in D&D 5e, D&D Fifth Edition, Dungeons and Dragons, Interview with tags , , , , on October 10, 2018 by boccobsblog

DR&DR

Everyone knows that all great D&D adventures take place in a tavern. Well, the Drinks and Dragons crew take that literally. Today we sit down with the group’s founder, Don Caraco.

Drinks and Dragons Interview

What can you tell my reader (Hi mom!) about Drinks and Dragons?
Well, first I would like to also say hi to your mom. I am Don Caraco and in 2016 I founded a community-based group called Drinks and Dragons an open RPG gaming night for adults to have a safe place to meet other gamers, teach new players the joy of TTRPGs, and possibly start their own games. Designed with the idea that as it grew I might be able to start letting others that are a part of the local community start to be more involved and start taking a larger part of the gaming community here in Philly. We started thanks to the generosity of the American Sardine Bar letting us use the upstairs for free. With food and drinks onsite all we needed was a few DM/GMs and the players, and boy did we get players. Our first gaming night must have had over 35 players and we packed the joint. From there it just kept growing. We have just started our fourth open gaming night here in Philadelphia PA and are already looking for the 5th venue to game at.

Where can people learn more about Drinks and Dragons?
If you are looking for more info on our open gaming nights you can find us on Facebook @drinksdragonsPHL, I am also on Twitter @DM_Don_C., along with several of our community have started a discord chat, and an Instagram account, all searchable.

Is my parole officer out to get me or am I being paranoid?
Well, I haven’t heard anything yet. But one of my old friends made the mistake of friending his PO on Facebook and ended up getting arrested and sent back to jail because he announced that he was doing a DJ gig out of state. That of course was a violation. My advice, don’t friend your PO on social media kids.

How many tables (separate game groups) do you run each Tuesday?
So the four current Drinks and Dragons events are the first Monday of every month at Wahoos tacos and more, at least 5 tables with room to grow plus some outside seating when the weather is nice. So far is our only handicapped accessible location. We run the second Thursday of every month at the Black Cat Tavern on 12th, normally 4 large tables with room for more. The third Wednesday of every month our flagship location at the American Sardine Bar, we have had 6 tables max and I believe the most players we have hosted has been around 45 to 50. The newest event is the 4th Monday of every month at Bourbon and Branch, it is a slightly smaller space but still up to 5 tables there.

What’s the wildest thing that has happened at a Drinks game night?
So far I would have to say it’s been pretty tame at our gaming nights. On occasion, you get a table yelling natural 20!!! Or NOOoooo! One of my game nights an Oni charmed my tables’ monk and he beat the Druid to perma death. Not so wild, but messed up. At some of the tables we set out a shot of cheap booze called the Quaff, if you hit a bad roll you can take it and reroll but you have to replace the shot once you do with whatever shot the player wants to buy. In one game a player of mine drank 4 Quaffs back to back. Not sure if that is wild and crazy. But I don’t make it to all the game nights due to dad life. So one never knows, what happens at drinks and dragons stays at drinks and dragons. Minus all the pictures that I post.

Any chance Drinks will start popping up in other cities/states?
We have definitely talked about it. For some time it looked like we had an in in Texas, Delaware, New Jersey, and Virginia Beach. But they have all seemed to drop off, hope that means they just started their own thing. I think it would be cool to write a short how-to book, buy the domain name along with the copyright, and then start a franchise. But I fear that as cool as that sounds I am not sure it would be worth the money and time, but that isn’t to say that drinks and dragons isn’t coming to a city near you. The most important part for me is that ppl get the chance to experience positive ttrpg gaming, learn how to play well with each other, hopefully, start running their own games, bust off the imaginations that the world tends to stomp out of us as adults, and get back to face to face storytelling.

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173 D&D5E Encounters

Posted in D&D 5e, D&D Fifth Edition, D&D Next, Dungeons and Dragons, Kickstarter, Limitless-Adventures.com with tags , , on October 5, 2018 by boccobsblog

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If you are looking for D&D quest ideas, check out this Kickstarter from Limitless Adventures. From the project page:

Revised Limitless Encounters vol. 1, a collection of 19 Limitless Encounters products.

The 200-page soft cover book will contain:

  • 173 fully detailed encounters set in 17 different environments
  • OGL stat blocks for all monsters
  • Creative, CR appropriate treasure
  • 500+ Further Adventure™ writing prompts

Limitless Encounters vol. 1 is available in a softcover format as well as a PDF. All printing will be handled by Ka-Blam,  a digital printing house with over a decade of experience and multiple Kickstarter campaigns. Shipping is available to any country in the world (reduced international shipping).

Revised Limitless Encounters vol. 1 Includes D&D quest ideas in the following environments:

  • 10 Arctic Encounters
  • 10 Desert Encounters
  • 10 Dungeon Encounters
  • 10 Forest Encounters
  • 10 Grasslands Encounters
  • 10 Haunted Locales
  •  3 Heroic Battles
  • 10 Highway Encounters
  • 10 Hill Encounters
  • 10 Mountain Encounters
  • 10 Orc Hordes
  • 10 Planar Encounters
  • 10 Sea Encounters
  • 10 Sewers Encounters
  • 10 Subterranean Encounters
  • 10 Swamp Encounters
  • 10 Urban Encounters
  • 10 Urban 2 Encounters

FAQ

What’s been revised? – The book has a new custom cover, new interior artwork and expanded content of existing encounters.

Already own Encounters vol. 1? – If you already own either a PDF or print copy of Limitless Encounters vol. 1 you will receive a free PDF version of the revised book.

Hard Cover Books –  If we reach $20,000 we will offer Hardcover books.

Virtual Tabletops – At this time there are no plans to include a VTT option with this Kickstarter.

Pathfinder  – There are currently no plans for a Pathfinder version of this book,  though you could easily convert the ideas and encounters in this book to the D20 system.

This book is packed with D&D quest ideas, new 5E monsters, magic items, and supplemental rules. Check out the project!

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The Mandalorian

Posted in Star Wars with tags on October 4, 2018 by boccobsblog

mandalorian

Today Starwars.com released the first image of The Mandalorian, the first Star Wars live-action streaming show. According to the website:

Production on the first Star Wars live-action streaming series has begun! After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic. The series will be written and executive produced by Emmy-nominated producer and actor Jon Favreau, as previously announced, with Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels) directing the first episode. Additional episodic directors include Deborah Chow (Jessica Jones), Rick Famuyiwa (Dope), Bryce Dallas Howard (Solemates), and Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok). It will be executive produced by Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy, and Colin Wilson. Karen Gilchrist will serve as co-executive producer. Stay tuned to StarWars.com for updates.

Very little is known yet, but we’ll keep you posted!

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Chicago TARDIS

Posted in Conventions, Dr. Who with tags , , on October 3, 2018 by boccobsblog

CT

While at Wizard World Chicago I learned about a Dr. Who convention being held on November 23 – 25 in the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center. According to their website:

Chicago TARDIS, the Midwest’s Premier Doctor Who event, brings together nearly 2000 fans each Thanksgiving weekend to celebrate the world’s longest-running science fiction television show. Started in 2000, the convention has been growing in scope every year, with attendance exploding as the show’s popularity in the United States has blossomed. You can get an overview of all our events our history page. If you’d like to contact us, please use the form on the contact page— but if you’re a member of the press, please read our press policy first!

Who
Guests so far include:

Richard Ashton
Jon Davey
Simon Fisher-Becker
Jason Haigh-Ellery
Graeme Harper
Frazer Hines
Rosie Jane
Christopher Jones
Pearl Mackie
Ian McNeice
Ross Mullan
Kelly Yates

When
November 23 – 25, 2018

Where
Westin Lombard Yorktown Center
70 Yorktown Center
Lombard, IL 60148
1-630-719-8000

Learn more at http://chicagotardis.com/trion/

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Gamehole Con

Posted in Conventions, Dungeons and Dragons with tags on September 26, 2018 by boccobsblog

GHC

Here’s another game con that has been getting a lot of buzz in the last few years. Gamehole Con will be held on November 8 – 11th at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall, Madison, Wisconsin. According to their website:

Gamehole Con is the largest tabletop gaming convention in the upper Midwest.

Tabletop gamers from around the country gather each November in Madison, WI for this carnival of gaming. Gamehole Con is all about tabletop gaming and all the fun that goes with it. The convention features role-playing games, board games, fantasy and historical miniature gaming, and collectible card games. Gamehole Con is for the fantasy and adventure tabletop gaming enthusiast. Gamehole Con features the best guests in the industry, an unbelievable Dealer Hall and of course, lots and lots of gaming! If you are a tabletop gaming fan, do not miss Gamehole Con!

Learn more at https://www.gameholecon.com/ and if you attend let us know how it was.

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Review: Return of Wolverine #1

Posted in Comic Books, Product Review with tags , on September 20, 2018 by boccobsblog

RoW1

Today marks the return of everyone’s favorite cigar-chomping, baddie-impaling superhero, Wolverine. If you just said, “wait, what? Wolverine was dead?!” Then you should check out the Death of Wolverine. Check out the video trailer for more details:

//players.brightcove.net/5359769168001/rkg9u15t7b_default/index.html?videoId=5836560256001

Details: Charles Soule
Penciler: Steve McNiven
Inker: Jay Leisten
Color Artist: Laura Martin
Letter: Joe Sabino

While beautifully drawn, the comic raises more questions than it answers. A few I had while reading:

Why are Wolvie’s claws glowing red hot? Was he in Hell?

What caused the wound on his side? (Muramasa blade?)

Why was the lunch lady wearing a lab coat? And why does she know how to suture a wound closed with a staple gun?

The lunch lady say, “I know why you wear blue and yellow.” Then Wolvie puts on black and red? Is he the real wolverine, or just a clone? Is that why he has no memories? Are they being uploaded into a clone body?

Too early to say much, we’ll have to let a few issues unfold, but I’m excited none the less.

 

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Alexandria RPG

Posted in Conventions, Dungeons and Dragons, GURPS, Interview, Pathfinder, Star Wars with tags , , on September 19, 2018 by boccobsblog

AlexRPG

Directly across from the chaos of the exhibit hall at Gen Con 2018 was a quiet sanctuary of pure awesomeness. The Alexandria RPG library was a room with about ten tables piled with RPG books, as well several well-stocked shelves of gaming treasures. Today we sit down with the chief librarian to learn more about this amazing find.

What can you tell us about Alexandria RPG?

– We are a nonprofit lending library that shares RPGs with as many people as we can via events.  We also work with teens, PTSD service members, and soon senior citizens.

What was the impetus for starting an RPG library?

– I have been the deputy manager of gaming at Emerald City Comicon for a few years new and tossed the idea out to fill space.  The manger thought it sounded fun and a few weeks before ECCC 2017 I was asked if I could still do the library.  I ran out and bought some exrat books to fill in holes and add a wider variety dropping like $2000 in a couple days.  Then was laid off the next month.  But that first event we had like 400 books or so and people loved it. We got kids playing RPGs for the first time and had people asking if I would come to their show.  Part way through that first show we got a box of donations from an old friend of mine in Iowa.  He mailed them out when he heard what we we’re doing.

Needless to say people loved the idea so we put our heads down and ran forward with it. We are now near 1800 books and over a 100 different systems.

If you could roleplay with one historical figure, who would it be and why?

-Thomas Jefferson.  I figure he was super smart, self taught, and well read. I bet he had a wild imagination that he kept locked away.

Do you think Andrew Johnson would cheat on his rolls?

– As in the 17th President? Sure he would, he was a politician.

What is your favorite book in the collection?

– My first book is in the Library, my AD&D players handbook my brother and I bought at Sears in 1982. It still has the price tag on it $10.57.   That book has tons of memories for me and the comic shop my family had.

Which cons will you be attending in the near future?

– Friday we will be at PAX West last year was huge there for us, we hosted 100 games in four days. I only brought GMs for 6. The rest we’re people that just wanted to play.

We just did Dragonflight 39 last weekend

We will be at RenCon two weekends after PAX West

Working on trying to get to PAX Unplugged

Jan we have OrcaCon

How can people help Alexandria RPG?

We have a Patreon people can pledge to even a $1 a month helps get us a van rental or new boxes. They can donate funds via PayPal on our website or via our email donations@alexandriarpg.com.  we also take book donations. They can reach us at the donation email for information on sending books

Also follow us on social media because that helps too. We have a YouTube channel and if we can get enough followers we can make a buck or two off videos there as well.

Money is always needed. I have put a couple thousand dollars into the library this year and a couple of other people have as well.

As a reminder we are a 501c3 and registered as a charity in Washington state.

You can learn more about Alexandria RPG at their website: https://www.alexandriarpg.com/

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Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

Posted in D&D 5e, D&D Fifth Edition, Dungeons and Dragons, Uncategorized, Wizards of the Coast with tags , on September 18, 2018 by boccobsblog

Im a bit disappointed that we’re still in the Forgotten Realms, but I’m willing to give this adventure a try. According to WotC:

A fantastic treasure trove is yours for the taking in this adventure for the world’s greatest roleplaying game.

Famed explorer Volothamp Geddarm needs you to complete a simple quest. Thus begins a mad romp through the wards of Waterdeep as you uncover a villainous plot involving some of the city’s most influential figures.

A grand urban caper awaits you. Pit your skill and bravado against villains the likes of which you’ve never faced before, and let the dragon hunt begin!

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist is available in hardcover for $43.91.

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Pathfinder 2nd Edition Playtest

Posted in Pathfinder with tags , , , on September 12, 2018 by boccobsblog

BetaLogo

Today we sit down with Patrick Schreurs to discuss the Pathfinder second edition playtest. Patrick is a venture lieutenant for the Pathfinder Society in Illinois and spent a great deal of time at Gen Con 2018 running players through the playtest materials.

Did any classes get deleted or added?
The “core classes” are back, they also included the Alchemist into the core group. During the design they looked at the “core” question and landed with the list as it sits now (Alchemist, Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger, Rouge, Sorcerer, Wizard). But don’t worry, in future products they will look to include the other base and expanded classes that have become so popular in 1st ed.
Did they fix the stacking modifiers?
This one is hard to answer, I’ve played a lot of lower level play, but have yet to expand in higher level which normally has those stacking modifiers. Looking at it, it does look like they have addressed this issue as there are fewer modifiers but that could also be that I haven’t come across it yet. Time will tell.
Does it resemble 5e or is still it’s own thing?
It felt like Pathfinder to me. I’ve played some 5e, and it doesn’t fell like it to me, but I can see why some think so by simply looking at it and not playing.
What do you like best about the redesign?
There’s a ton!

Encounter mode (combat mode), the simplicity and elegance of the three-action a round is widely understated! The ability to get through a combat round with ease and near limitless option in choices, in my opinion, is by far the best change in the game. It’s Simple, Quick, and effective!

Spells, for as long as I’ve been playing RPGs, have had some form of requirements for spell casting such as verbal, somatic, and material, or some other forms. In this edition is the first time I am aware of that those requirements fit into the action-based economy perfectly. It just makes sense to me, I love that.

How closely does it resemble Starfinder?
Pathfinder 2ed has similar feels when it comes to character creation, and it does use the “bulk” rules for item incumbrance which seem to come straight from Starfinder.

Will it take much work for DMs to use their 1e materials?
I don’t believe this will be an issue. Its never simple to convert one game material to another as a general rule, but being so close in concept and design it can be done.

What did player dislike during the Gen Con playtests you ran?
I’ve run a ton of demo play so far (all lower level), the only dislikes I’ve heard is players want the classes they had in 1st Ed, which will come in time, and the general hesitation or reservation in the beginning of play that would wash away after the game finished. I assume that’s the normal reaction to something new, especially after they’ve played the same game for years and are now looking at a New game.

What is the estimated release date?
2ed release date is schedule to launch at Gen Con 2019.
Play testing is running from Gen Con 2018 – Gen Con 2019. Paizo has been and will be collecting information and feed back from the surveys and adjusting the game as they find areas that don’t work or need tweaking. They have already adjusted rules based on those feeds backs, so please if you play, take a minute or two and fill out those surveys, they can and will impact the game in its final version.

 

You can learn more about the playtest and download materials at:
http://paizo.com/pathfinderplaytest

 

Patrick Schreurs is a gamer with 29 years of experience and the organizer of Lodge Con


Lodge Con – February 9th and 10th 2019, is an annual consumer fantasy, sci-fi, adventure, and hobby game convention in Peotone, Illinois. In February gaming enthusiasts will converge to share their love for all things gaming, from tournaments, guest appearances, vendor hall, seminars, and workshops.Find us at https://www.facebook.com/lodgeconn/
 

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Spoiler Free Review: The Nun

Posted in Movie Review with tags , , , on September 8, 2018 by boccobsblog

The-Nun-Poster

According to The Nun Movie Official Site:

New Line Cinema’s horror thriller “The Nun” explores another dark corner of the “Conjuring” universe, whose record-setting films have terrified audiences around the globe.

The new fright-fest, directed by Corin Hardy (“The Hallow”) and produced by James Wan, and Peter Safran, the latter of whom has produced all the films in “The Conjuring” franchise, delves into the shocking origin of the demonic Nun Valak, who first made her evil presence known in “The Conjuring 2.”

When a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania takes her own life, a priest with a haunted past and a novitiate on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate. Together they uncover the order’s unholy secret. Risking not only their lives but their faith and their very souls, they confront a malevolent force in the form of the same demonic nun that first terrorized audiences in “The Conjuring 2,” as the abbey becomes a horrific battleground between the living and the damned.

“The Nun” stars Oscar nominated Demian Bichir (“A Better Life”) as Father Burke, Taissa Farmiga (TV’s “American Horror Story”) as Sister Irene, and Jonas Bloquet (“Elle”) as local villager Frenchie.

The cast also includes Charlotte Hope (TV’s “Game of Thrones”) as the abbey’s Sister Victoria, Ingrid Bisu (“Toni Erdmann”) as Sister Oana, and Bonnie Aarons, reprising her “Conjuring 2” role as the title character.

Hardy directs “The Nun” from a screenplay by Gary Dauberman (“IT”), story by James Wan & Gary Dauberman. Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter, Gary Dauberman, Michael Clear and Todd Williams are the executive producers.

Joining Hardy behind the scenes are director of photography Maxime Alexandre (“The Voices,” “Annabelle: Creation”), production designer Jennifer Spence (“Annabelle: Creation,” “Lights Out,” the “Insidious” films), editors Michel Aller (“Lights Out,” “Paranormal Activity: Ghost Dimension”) and Ken Blackwell (“Ouija” “Friday the 13th”), and costume designer Sharon Gilham (TV’s “Black Mirror”). The music is by Abel Korzeniowski (“Nocturnal Animals”).

New Line Cinema presents an Atomic Monster / Safran Company production, “The Nun.” Opening in theaters on September 7, 2018, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

This film has been rated R for terror, violence, and disturbing/bloody images.

In B3 fashion, here is the good, the badass, and the ugly regarding The Nun.

The Good

  • The cinematography is good, not great. Standard shots, no risks taken.
  • Abel Korzeniowski’s score was fitting and enjoyable and added to the dark atmosphere.
  • The acting by the three main characters was decent. Taissa Farmiga makes a believable young novitiate and manages to seem both flirty and naive as well as fragile and strong in equal parts. Demian Bichir is believable as a gruff priest and war veteran. Finally, I found myself liking Jonas Bloquet as Frenchie, who does a good job in spite of subpar lines and a total lack of backstory.

The Badass

  • Frenchie screaming, “I’m French Canadian!”
  • The sets are creepy and well-crafted.
  • There are a few location shots at Corvin Castle are stunning.
  • The film is full of creepy imagery and jump-worthy moments.

The Ugly

  • The Warrens are well-documented frauds, and it is a shame these projects are tied to them.
  • Frenchie screaming, “I’m French Canadian!”
  • The entire movie is very light on plot. The writers attempted to give a backstory to the haunted castle, but the scene is less than two minutes in length and remains largely undeveloped.
  • We are given no explanation of why Frenchie is in Romania.
  • The first few moments of the movie are a choppy and hamfisted attempt to tie it to the earlier Conjuring series. The same holds true for the last moments  of the movie. In all, the Conjuring content of the movie is less than two minutes total.

The Nun was an enjoyable excuse to eat popcorn, but a fractured, barely existent plot keeps it from being a good movie. The Nun currently has a 29% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Conjuring Series is Available on BluRay:

The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
Annabelle (2014)
Annabelle: Creation (2016)

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