No D&D this week, but I took the opportunity to expand a bit on the geography and current events beyond the Nentir Vale (pictured above). The map I’ve sketched is on graph paper in pencil, and I don’t have access to a scanner yet. North of the Vale The orcs that brought the Bloodspear War… Continue reading Beyond the Nentir Vale
Category: Gaming
DLC Review: Lair of the Shadow Broker
The character of Liara T’soni in the original Mass Effect wasn’t an overall fan favorite. Aside from being a source of controversy and leading some phenomenally ignorant people to call the game “a sex simulator”, Liara’s tendency to be both loquacious and seemingly naive could get on people’s nerves, while others (like myself) found her… Continue reading DLC Review: Lair of the Shadow Broker
The Gathering Grows
Art by Kaja Foglio Remember how I mentioned that I’m playing Magic: the Gathering again? I’m not the only one. My niece has taken up the hobby, both of her parents play and my friends in Chesterbrook are trying to nail down a date in December for a Magic night. I’ve blown the dust off… Continue reading The Gathering Grows
Game Review: Poker Night at the Inventory
So, what can you do with $5 these days? Get a Happy Meal, or a footlong sub. Take a ride on a mass transit people-mover. Put just over a gallon of gasoline in your car. Or, get yourself lots, and I mean lots, of entertainment. On the surface, Poker Night at the Inventory sounds like… Continue reading Game Review: Poker Night at the Inventory
Into The Nentir Vale: Part 5
The Nentir Vale is a campaign setting provided to new players of Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition. It’s present in the Red Box and most of the starting materials. For a party almost all completely new to D&D and a DM re-familiarizing himself with the latest edition, it’s a great place to start a campaign.… Continue reading Into The Nentir Vale: Part 5
Building New Worlds
The Nentir Vale seems a decent starting area for most Dungeons & Dragons adventures in 4th edition. But it’s only a smaller part of a larger world, most of which is undocumented. In order to expand beyond the Vale, a little groundwork needs to be laid. As I start considering where my current party will… Continue reading Building New Worlds
There Goes That Desert Bus
It’s that time again, folks. The fine Canadian comedians of Loading Ready Run have taken to the road once more. In a manner of speaking. The 4th Annual Desert Bus For Hope, I believe subtitled “A New Hope”, is underway. They’ve already been playing the world’s most boring video game for 9 hours as of… Continue reading There Goes That Desert Bus
Opening the Dungeon Master's Kit
Thanks to my attendance at MEPAcon this past weekend and the generous guys of the Portal Comics & Gaming in Bethlehem, I now own the Dungeon Master’s Kit, a D&D Essentials product in the vein of the new Red Box and the Monster Vault. The party is returning to the Nentir Vale tonight, and while… Continue reading Opening the Dungeon Master's Kit
MEPAcon Fall 2010 After-Action Report
In Pennsylvania’s northern reaches, amongst mountains wreathed in fog and criss-crossing freeways, the Ramada at Clark’s Summit feels like a secluded retreat from big-city civilization. It’s a nice hotel in an interesting position, and twice a year it plays host to the Mid-Eastern Pennsylvania gaming convention, a.k.a. MEPAcon. This was my first experience at this… Continue reading MEPAcon Fall 2010 After-Action Report
Surviving a Convention
It’s been a while since I’ve attended a convention of any kind. Gaming and other geek conventions differ from writing conferences and business convocations in several ways. They tend to be a bit more fun and free-form. It’s easy to lose track of time, belongings or personal needs & hygiene in the encapsulated environment of… Continue reading Surviving a Convention
